•͟U͟N͟D͟E͟R͟S͟T͟A͟N͟D͟ ͟c͟a͟r͟t͟i͟u͟z͟i͟•͟

XIX

A$AP Forever -A$AP Rocky/Moby

JORDAN:

EARLIER THAT DAY:

Lithia Springs High School: Mableton, Georgia

"She did what?" I asked, in confusion.

"You heard me right, she's been dating that bitch, Willow." Caleb explained to me as we drove to school.

"Damn," I replied, "I definitely didn't see that coming."

Caleb laughed out loud, something he didn't do often, "Are you kidding me, cuz? Look at how often they're always close to one another."

"That's true, but like, I don't know, I just thought there would be more signs, ya know? Like they would go through some sorta phase or some shit."

"Well Jordan, you's gay but you didn't go through no 'phase' or nothin'." Caleb was right about not everyone's experiences being the same. Damn, he was smart, knowing how things went on even when he didn't experience them.

"Nah, you're right; I shoulda thought of that first." I responded.

"Damn, whateva'." he replied, pulling into the school parking lot. As soon as Caleb parked the car, I jumped out, needing to find Rakim to ask him questions.

"Where the fuck you goin'?" Caleb yelled from behind me.

"I'll catch up with you later!" I shouted, making my way in between parked cars.

"Man, fuck you!" I heard from Caleb's ever-distantly growing voice. I saw Rakim alongside Amala, alongside the rest of their group, including Symere. I stopped, watching them, not knowing what to do. All of a sudden, Symere left, presumably heading to class, and Rakim seemed to notice me, and motioned for me to come towards them.

I walked into the circle of friends, getting judgy looks from each of them other than Rakim. I assumed they still all had prejudices towards me, and my theory was confirmed when Rakim explained to them, "Y'all, calm down, he's really sorry for what he did to Symere, and he wasn't meaning to hurt him."

Their attention directed from Rakim back towards me, where I began "Yeah, it was a really quick situation, and I, uh, I," I stammered, not sure what to say it, "I really like Symere. I-I, sorta kinda love him." Their expressions changed from ones of anger to ones of shock. Amala finally spoke up.

"But doesn't Symere like that Montero kid now?" I had almost forgotten about Montero, but I was prepared for this situation. "Its up to Symere who he likes, and if he likes Montero more than he does I, that's his choice, and I'm not at liberty to convince him otherwise." Sheyaa rolled his eyes at my remark.

"Sheyaa, guys, look; you remember how much Symere talked about Jordan?" Rakim asked them. "Uh, no, not really; he didn't come out to us until after this dude over here." Sheyaa explained, pointing at me. Rakim sighed in annoyance, pulling his phone out, and scrolling violently through something.

"Here," Rakim claimed, passing his phone around to show everyone text messages between him and Symere, "look at what it says. It says 'Rakim, I really think this is the first guy that I've had a genuine desire to be with; he makes me happy whenever he even shows his presence. I really think I love him.'. Now, have you seen him say that about Montero?"