CHAPTER TEN
point of view | zayne ali
...
"i respect leBron as a player, but he isnt the greatest of all time," yasmine said shaking her head at me, "MJ will forever hold the title of the GOAT."
"good answer." i told her. she giggled, a lovely smile appeared on her her face, her pearly white teeth showing fully.
i paused and analyzed her face. the way her smile made her face look brighter. her smile exposed a small dimple for a brief second. a beauty sitting before me.
"you have a little dimple," i said tapping my left cheek. her expression changed, her smile relaxing into a lipped one.
"really-" she questioned in disbelief. she held the side of her face, with an excited smile again. "no- you're messing with me."
i shook my head, clearing my throat to cover up my laugh. she pulled out her phone, hitting snap chat and began smiling in different ways. i flared my nostrils, amused and shook my head. the bell rang and she frowned at her screen.
"you lied," she mumbled, defeated "i was so excited."
"you have to genuinely smile," i defended myself "i didnt lie- why would i lie about that?" i laughed grabbing my now empty salad box and standing up with her.
"i dont know," she admitted laughing. her reached out and she grabbed my forearm, "can i get your snap?"
my face began to heat up as i nodded my head almost instantly. i reached for my phone in my pocket unlocking my phone and hitting the yellow app. we were standing, stationed in front of the library doors. i handed her my phone and she looked up at me smiling. she started typing, her natural nails clicked against the glass of my phone. the song changed to final warning by nle choppa and i furrowed my brows and she grinned at me. she lifted her phone up to show me she was listening to it as well.
"thank you," she said as i took my hand from hers, "we need to make a playlist together." i leaned forward opening the library doors for her, ignoring her comment. she walked forward and i trailed not far behind after her.
we walked for like 5 seconds before she frowned looking over her shoulder at me. i looked at her with an expressionless expression. she waited for me to catch up to her and looped her arm in mine, leaning her head onto my shoulder. a girl turned the corner, smiling widely at yasmine and i. my face began to get red.
"hi, yasmine." she greeted winking at her. yasmines face went bright red, confusing me, "hi, zayne." my head flushed with questions as yasmine replaced her head on my shoulder.
"why did yasmine get so flustered? " i questioned myself, "was she embarrassed by me? how did that girl know my name? did she think it was funny that someone was ... i dont even know what yasmines doing. she probably knows that yasmine doesn't actually like me."
"ignore, valeria," yasmine said looking up at me, "she's being annoying on purpose," i watched her speak with honesty. "i dont like how you overthink and doubt so often."
she unlooped our arms and stayed near me as we turned the corner. she peered her head up at me as i spoke, "i dont overthink. i remind myself of the truth."
"i could feel your arm getting tense," she argued frowning at me, "and how do you know what youre saying to yourself is the truth?"
"because im never enough for anyone," i said to myself, "i cant and will never believe that im valued by anyone."
"i know thats why." i answered trying to laugh so she would drop this conversation. she parted her lips as if she wanted to protest, but held back. she bit the inside of her cheek.
"you better not doubt our friendship," she warned me eyeing me after a few moments of silence, "or anything i say to you."
"if only you knew." i thought sadly. i didn't respond to her words.
she parted away from me turning to her class saying, "bye, zayne."
i didn't respond and walked in to class feeling nervous, thinking, "im so confused. i cant read her. she looks genuine, but she couldn't be. it isnt real."
my heart rate increased thinking back to how dainty she is. how her tongue brushed against her perfect lips. how her dark brown eyes looked down at my lips.
"that," i admitted to myself, "that felt real. that tension was real. i had to be ... right? " my insecurities began yelling at me as i sat down in my chair, resting my head in my arms.
...
"ah zayne!" my dad's voice sounded as i stepped past the living room into the kitchen.
"yeah?" i answered pulling the handle to the fridge grabbing the gallon of sweet tea.
"well come here," he ordered, his voice rising, "im talking to you."
my eyes rolled as i placed the sweet tea on the counter. i turned and stepped out the kitchen walking in front of him. he legs on the table, the remote on his chest.
"we're going to see mr. said today," he said and hot nerves flew through my veins.
"what-?" i barely managed to say out loud, "today? right now?"
"yes," he answered standing up, "mom will be home soon. get ready."
i parted my lips in protest, "but dad, i have an essay i really need to do."
he stopped in his tracks and looked at me intently, "you can do it when we get back from their house," he said a firmly. "go get dressed."
he turned away and started for the basement stairs. i let out a frustrated sigh walking back into the kitchen placing the sweet tea back into the fridge. my feet flopped along the tile floors until they met the carpet of the living room. i headed for the stairs that lead upstairs, where my bedroom is.
...
authors note: hey hey heyyyy ((:
how are you guys liking the book so far?
