Twilight Rays

8. Until another prince do us part

"So, who was the Aladdin who brought you back home yesterday?"
Clara was smirking at me, clearly amused by the situation. No matter how many times I have to tell her, I was doomed to get matches with Raja until another prince charming do us part.
"Our neighbour. Kinda. We went to the same school. "
"That's it?"
"Yes, that's it! "
" Okay, no need to get all grumpy about it..."
I fulled my mouth with cereals while she got up from her chair to wash the dishes.
"What about you? And Jo?"
"It's over." she said coldly.
"Oh. Who broke up? Him?"
"No, It was me. It just didn't work out."
"Oh I get it." I said, although I was still living in that world where it's love at first sight with the man of your life (I watched Barbie and Disney movies 'til I was thirteen).
I kept eating my breakfast, thinking about the night before. Raja was so sweet... it was too good to be true. He was probably just having fun getting to know people before he'd go off to Europe for six weeks - or even permanently.

And yet, I was thinking about him.

So I would brace myself and count in my head every time I had a crush on someone. Every time my heart got crushed when I realized it wasn't reciprocate.

Guys were jerks, I would tell myself. Stop falling for every cutie in this world. Focus on God. Friends. School. Dreams - other than marriage. You're fierce, independant, flawless (thanks Beyoncé).

And yet, Queen Bey had a king. Oh well.

I was fully aware that this kind of feeling came and went. But I was sick of it. I felt too old for it. "Ain't nobody got time for love", I'd say to people who were wondering if I was single.

If only they knew.

_______

DeeDee was clearly upset about something, but she wouldn't say anything.
"Okay now. Spill it."
"What do you mean?"
"You're mad at me, aren't you?"
"Whaaaaaat?"
"Oh no, you're totally pissed off at me. DeeDee what's wrong?"
"Nothing!"
I got bothered by her attitude.
"Well, you better call your dad to pick you up cuz I won't pretend to be sorry for something I don't even know I did."
"Fine, I'll tell you! It's just that... I feel like you're growing apart from me ever since you moved. Like, you're all about Raja and stuff..."
"He's just some new friend, I won't replace you! You're the one who got me to Jesus, I'll never forget that!"
"I'm sorry I felt that way..."
" You don't have to feel sorry, you just have to tell me! Alright?"
"Alright."
We talked a little about church until the conversation returned to Raja.
"So, asked DeeDee, he actually wants to hang out with you?"
"Well, he's leaving for Europe in January, so this probably means nothing."
"Lemme guess, you're totally into him and it flips you out?"
"Why is this happening to me?" I muttered, letting myself fall on my bed.
"Well, just pray about it. Maybe he'll turn Christian and..."
"I still don't want to get involved with someone. I don't have time for that, I gotta take over the literacy and songwriting worlds first."
"He won't stop you from doing so! Besides, who was the first one to read your manuscript, huh?"
Ugh, Raja.
"You're so not helping me focusing on Jesus right now."
"You don't need help to do so."
"What if he never gets Christian?"
"And..."
"I'll be crushed beyond measure." I realized.
"Then, follow your BFF's advice and I'll be your bridesmaid before I figure out what my major will be." DeeDee said with a malicious smile.
But I was still scared. I decided to do what Destinée told me without putting my hopes too up about my request. And, it was just a crush. I mean, I barely knew the guy.