Unconditional

Chapter 1

I'm so exhausted. Just getting off of work at 8p.m. I work 1-8 p.m. at Red Lobster as a waitress. Yes, I'm young but I have my own small but cozy two bedroom house. I own a 2009 Mercedes Benz. Yeah, It's 2011 but I'm proud of my car because I bought it.

Driving home my cell phone started ringing. I took a quick glance at the caller i.d. and saw that it was Christopher, my best friend.

"Hello?" I answered sounding exactly how I felt. Tired.

"Why do you sound like that?" he asked curiously, "It's Friday night."

"I just got off work and I'm exhausted."

"So, you're not going out?"

"No..."

"Kim?" He sounded hopeful

"What are you getting at Chris?" I know he heard the suspicion in my voice.

"Do you want me to come over and rock you like a baby?" I could hear the smirk in voice.

"You are so full of yourself and I'm not in the mood to be playing," I sighed.

He knew how I felt about him but he doesn't seem to be taking it seriously anymore. He's only mentioned a relationship with me twice. I mean, I understood where he was coming from when I was going away to college. A lot of people can't handle long distant relationships. He's one of the them an that I understand, but it's been almost nine long years that we've known each other.

But that discussion didn't even surface again. Not even after he graduated from college. But it is, what it is.

"I'm not playing... Kimberly I'm so serious. I can rock your freaking world," He claimed, oh so serious.

I sighed. This is all he ever talked about. He never wanted to be serious. Chris knew I was in love with him and had been for several years but that didn't change a thing. The thing is, I still don't regret loving him.

"And you know I'm not playing either. I'll be just fine waiting."

"Are you scared?" he teased.

"Nowhere near, honey. But I'm going to be more than a booty call when I do."

"But you are more than that to me."

"What am I then?"

"My best friend."

"Let's keep it right there then. Let's not cross that line."

Christopher let out a soft but frustrated sigh. He tried.

"Well, can I at least come over and chill with you."

I was silent for a while thinking of his intentions. He would get touchy but he would never force me into anything. He must of sensed my hesitation because of his response.

"I promise I won't try anything. I just wanna spend time with you."

"Okay," I almost whispered, finally giving in, "I'll be home in about five minutes."

"I'm already on your doorstep."

I just shook my head, "See you in a few."

"Okay, bye."

I hung up driving a little slower. Today is a Friday and I don't have work this weekend and two weeks after that. I plan on having fun, but I'm just relaxing tonight.

I pulled up to my house and Thank God there was a parking spot in front of my house. As I parked Chris walked to my car and waited for me to get out. We haven't seen each other in a good two weeks because of work and other projects I had going on.

Before I could even shut my car door Chris enveloped me in a tight, comforting hug. I inhaled his scent and I was very likely to melt in his arms. My knees buckled under me. I fell limp against Chris' body. His comforting hug made me realize just how tired I really was.

"You okay?" Chris asked.

"I'm fine. I just realized how tired I really am."

"I can carry you if you like?" That sounded more like a unsure question more that an offer.

"I can walk. But thank you though."

We walked to my gate and up on my porch. As soon as I unlocked my door I collasped on my couch and threw Chris my keys. He caught them and looked at me confused.

"I forgot to activate my car alarm."

"Oh," he responded and activated my car alarm. Then he locked my door.

Chris sat next to me on the couch and gathered me in his lap, craddling me like a baby.

"Are you hungry?" Chris asked, caressing my middle length black hair. He pulled it out of my bun.

"No, I'm just tired," I said yawning right on cue.

"Well just relax," he replied just placed me back on the couch and removed my work shoes. Then he started massaging my feet.

Hmmm..... this is a first. What is he up to? After he was done rubbing my feet he went up to my room and returned with my hair brush and my scarf. He brushed my hair back in to a neat and secure ponytail. Then he tied my hair up just how I liked it.

"What's going on?" I asked suspciously.

"What do you mean?" he asked securing my scarf.

"What's making you do this?" I asked sheepishly, "You've never done any of this before."

"It's because I'm your friend."

"You've been my 'best' friend for the longest," I responded putting an emphasis on best, "But this is the first time you've ever done something this nice for me."

"Well maybe I should gestures like this more often, you deal with a lot of bull and you need someone to show you some appreciation."

Now, I wanted to say something like, "You damn right and most of the bull is coming from you." But instead I just kept quiet and closed my eyes. But as soon as I closed my eyes my phone started ringing.

"Hello?" I answered just barely.

"Kim, It's me Dionne." That's my little cousin. She eighteen years old.

"I know. Wassup?" I asked.

"Can I stay the night tonight?" she asked, "I left my keys in my locker at work and they're closed now. And my mom is not home."

"Yeah, come on. I might be sleep by the time you get here but Chris can open the door for you."

"Yall still not together yet?" she asked sounding disappointed.

"Don't even worry about all that. It might not happen at all anyways. So... yeah."

"You want me to whup his ass?"

Now as tired as I was I still made an attempt to laugh. Failed.

"Nah, that won't be necessary," I said barely above a whisper.

"Okay, I'll be there in a few>"

"Sure thing."

We disconnected our call. Then I was out like a light.