{Unedited}

I finally arrived home and I was starving. I sat my food in the microwave so I could take a quick shower.

I got out and got myself together. I quickly threw on a pair of sweat pants. Something to lounge around in since I'm in for the night.

I texted Rai asking her to FaceTime me when she got a chance. That's become our routine now.

I went in the kitchen and transferred my food to a plate to warm it up. I was in the office all day, my stomach was caving in at this point.

My phone started buzzing it was Rai. I quickly answered.

"Helllllooooooo!" Raina sung out.

"Hey baby." I chuckled.

"What are you doing?" She smiled.

"I'm about to bust down this crawfish étouffée, I got it from the new spot that just opened downtown. You know the one with the owners from New Orleans." I grabbed my plate from the microwave and placed it in front of me. "See?"

"Mmm, that look so good. I can smell it through the phone."

"You want some? Open up, say ahhh." I motioned my hand with my fork filled with crawfish.

She laughed shaking her head. "That's ok baby I'm good. That's all you."

"You sure, it's really good, you want me to bring you and Mike some?" I asked making sure.

"No he's actually out right now getting food. He said he was wanting some Japanese."

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes I already gave him my order, you're always worried about me." She stared at me smiling.

"Always, love. What's going on with you, how was your day? You're looking all good and everything."

She gave me that beautiful winking smile she always does when she's smiling extra hard. Which made her dimples curve up on both sides.

"I'm finalizing everything for graduation, I just got an email about housing, so I should be finding out my roommate soon. I can't wait. I hope she's at least ok to be around, I wish Sienna could come with me. I guess I need to put myself out there a little. We can't be like you and Mike and follow each other from high school to college." I smiled still eating while I watched her continue on.

"I still need to get a dress for graduation, I already have my shoes. Which I know that's kind of backwards. I couldn't resist those nude and silver strapped heels I showed you. I just have to find a pretty white dress to go with them." I nodded, I could listen to her for hours and would be content.

"Then the play, I'm so nervous and I don't know why. I've done so many of them. I think it's because it's my last one with my class and I'm going to miss them. I have my valedictorian speech I'm nervous about." She continued to ramble.

"Hey, calm down. Everything will workout. You got this, you've earned this, the play you've earned. Starring in it, directing and you're singing a solo. You're amazing Rai. You've earned that valedictorian speech, so now this is the easy part. You're closing this chapter of your life and about to enter a new one. Also don't pile everything together in your mind like that. Just focus on what's next. Which is this play. Your speech is already done anyway. So now you're just worrying." I suggested, trying to ease her mind a little bit.

"You're right. I need to chill out. I've been looking at it totally wrong, I'm just going to keep my mind on what's next and that's it." She slowly exhaled.

I took a moment to stare at my screen just gazing at her. I remember our first few conversations, she'd barely say anything to me. She was so shy, she wouldn't even look me in my eyes much. Now she's rambling and saying everything on her mind. She's opened up so much to me. We've grown close, even if its just FaceTime and phone conversations. She has me wide open, completely in love with her.

I feel like the time spent with her also helped prove to her a lot of things about me. To show her that I can be trusted and I wouldn't disrespect her in anyway. My goal is to get her to a point where she can fully open up to me. She's worth waiting for and I'm loving this pace actually.

I'm proving some things to myself too. I get to focus on figuring out what's next for me.

I know we need to discuss our future plans but I don't want to add anymore stress right now. This is a big step in her life I just want to be there to support her.

"Why are you staring at me like that? You always get like this." She smirked.

"I don't know I just like looking at you. No matter how exhausting work can be sometimes, knowing I get to talk to you at the end of the day makes it so much easier."

The corners of her mouth slowly lifted creating the most angelic smile ever. "That was sweet, I love you so much baby."

"I love you more." I smiled thinking about the day I told her I loved her for the first time.

It was three weeks ago on a Sunday. We were at my parents house. She was helping my mother with dinner; her, Sienna, Leah and Rita. Me and the rest of the guys were outback playing a little football. They decided to join us, since dinner was done. We were on defense so the girls had the ball. My mom threw the ball in Raina's direction and she caught it. I chased and caught up to her. Then playfully tackled her to the ground and there it was. I said, 'damn I love you so much.' I meant it and it had been on my mind but it kind of just slipped out at the time. I was caught up in the moment not realizing I needed to get up before someone suspected us. She was about to say something back but I hopped up too quick. I grabbed the ball and took off. She later told me she loved me too, after dinner when everybody was packing up to leave.

"Speaking of work, your assistant been giving you a hard time lately?"

"That just reminded me, she was in my office when you were texting me. She tried to get me to notice her." I stated looking unimpressed. "I should make her go through the harassment training again. I'm trying not to be rude, to keep the peace in the work environment. Since we work so close."

"She also tried to bum a ride home, I shut that down and got her a car service." I added chuckling a little, but Rai didn't find it funny. She stared at me with her eyebrows raised with a forced smile.

"What?"

"Nothing— did you tell her you weren't available?"

"She knows I'm seeing someone, felt like I kind of made it clear today. —I don't go around telling my business, because I'm not trying to get word back to anyone."

"Alright, well I think that's Mike coming in now, I'll talk to you later tonight ok?"

"Ok, talk to you later Munch." I chuckled knowing she hates that name. She scrunched up her face groaning.

"You and that name, —and go put a shirt on." She shook her head. "Bye and I love you."

"I'm home relaxing, ain't no shirt bih'." I rubbed my hand down my chest smiling at her. "I love you too baby."

"Bye you fool." She laughed before pressing end.

The door bell rung. I was expecting some packages today so this should be it.

I went to open the door and it was indeed my packages. Right on time.

"Hello sir, I have a few packages I need you to sign for, you can sign right here." He pointed.

"Ok and thank you sir, I appreciate it. Busy day today?"

"Yes very, this is my last stop of the day."

"Well that's good news, you have a good rest of the day."

"Appreciate it man." He nodded before walking away.

I placed the packages on the floor at the door, to sort through later. I had some stuff delivered for Raina, just to show her how proud I am of her. She's been working hard, even inspired me to really think about my next move for my own life. I have a few ideas floating around.

I'm not sure what she'll think about the long distance relationship thing when she goes away to college. She's going to Howard, that's been her dream since forever. I'm in too deep with her now to not try and continue. However I do want her to make that decision for herself because college, is college. She need to live a little.

I've been blowing off the guys lately, just been working, hanging out at home and talking to Raina. I need to get out of this habit though.

Raina avoids the subject of telling her brother all together, but I think I'll have a conversation with him after her graduation.

Phone dings, indicating a text message. I sat down and opened the message.

7:45pm

Mike: You busy?

7:45pm

Me: Nah I'm not, whatchu' got?

7:47pm

Mike: Shit, but uh I need a favor.

7:48pm

Me: What?

7:49pm

Mike: Leah has this friend, she's single. She look good.

7:53pm

Me: What do you want?

7:55pm

Mike: Wingman? She met this girl about 2 months ago and they hit it off.

8:00pm

Me: Is that why you're texting me instead of calling?

8:00pm

Mike: Come on man, you owe me.

8:02pm

Me: Mike that was college, that shit don't count.

8:05pm

Mike: Man just come to the house.

I didn't even respond back to him, he's on some bullshit. How he just gon' assume I'm cool with this.

"Fuck outta here with all that." I mumbled to myself locking my phone.

A few moments later my phone rung.

"Man what?" I answered irritated.

"You've been real flaky lately. What's going on?" Mike asked.

I exhaled. "I'm just coolin, it ain't shit."

"Nah all of us said the same thing about you. You've been quiet lately and I barely see or hear from you."

"I told you it's nothing, just been working."

"You're home now so getcho' ass over here." He replied in a tone, like he was stating the obvious.

"How you just gon' insert me into some bullshit Mike?" I got louder.

"A3, just do this for me man. I kind of already told them you would." He begged.

"Well call 'em back?" I spoke in the same tone.

"Look you know Leah and I don't get much time. She already has this set up come on man, you know I don't ask you for nothing."

"How long you knew about this?" I asked curiously.

"I mean it slipped my mind but I'm telling you now, and you won't regret it. She started working in the dance studio with Leah."

"Let me call you right back I need to check something first."

"Aight."

I hung up with Mike and texted Raina immediately.

8:21pm

Me: Babe, your brother and Leah's trying to set me up with some girl Leah's cool with.

8:22pm

Beautiful One: ugh.

8:22pm

Me: What do you want me to do? I can't keep bailing on him.

8:24pm

Beautiful One: Do what you have to do, then. When is it?

8:24pm

Me: Tonight. He want me to meet him over there.

8:27pm

Beautiful One: Oh.

8:27pm

Me: Trust me, ok? I'll just go to get him off my back.

8:27 pm

Beautiful One: Ok.

I knew she wasn't comfortable with it, since it's just been me and her for awhile now.

I called Mike. "Aye man I'm on my way, let me throw something on real quick."

"Thanks man, appreciate it. Leah's friend is on her way over here too, probably will take her a little minute though."

"Aight, just don't do this shit again."

"I hear you man. That's my bad."

"Where is KJ?"

"He's here, Leah's putting him to bed now."

"Aight."

I hung up with Mike then went upstairs to get ready. I'm just throwing on jeans and a fresh Tee nothing special.

____________

{Song: "Nunya" By Kehlani Feat. Dom Kennedy}

{Vote & Comment please and thank you.}

{I hope you're loving this direction}

{Next Chap lets see how this little meet and greet goes with Leahs friend}

Lol Ok I'm done, stay tuned guys. ✌️🏾