The Void Between Hearts ~~ongoing~~

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   I hear her footsteps heading upstairs. "What are you doing?" I follow behind her, she doesn't respond.

   "Mom?" she knocks on mom's door. 

   "What are you doing?" I ask again. She doesn't reply.

   "What's the matter Chin?" Mom asks.

   "Would you believe that, Boma, doesn't have her prom dress yet?"

   "Where is she? Boma!"

   "I'm here mom."

   "Why didn't you remind me before?"

   "I forgot too."

   "And it's tomorrow," Chinny adds.

   "Are there still going to be dresses in the boutiques? Pretty much every girl in this area must have bought her dress," Mom says.

   "I'm sure we could find one," Chinny replies. 

   "Today, two of you?"

   "Yes, nothing could go wrong since I'm here. I'll make sure she stays in line," Chinny says. 

   I snicker. She turns around with a 'what's so funny?' smirk. I stop the snickering.

   "Okay. I'll give Boma her debit card and you girls can go. I'll call the cab guy."

   "We'll take a Bolt, it's cheaper,"

   "Okay, that's fine too."

   "Thank you, mom." Chinny says, strutting into my room full of pride. I follow behind her, and shut the door. She flings herself on the bed.

   "Really? Chin, put me in line?" 

   "Yeah. Really. It was that simple, and please can you put on something decent?

  "Decent?"

  "Yes, your limes are distracting."

   I look at them, they really are limes, but I don't see what's distracting. 

   "I don't believe you." I say, and join her on the bed.

   "You should." She smiles and we both heave a sigh. 

   Relief and excitement course through my veins. I imagine not being able to spend time with Chinny. Life's messed up.

   "You have goosebumps. Was that me or were you thinking about the hug again?" She asks.

   "You." I say, and she smiles.

   "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you Buns."

   "You're going to remain ignorant for a really long time." I say, and she heaves another sigh. 

   I look at her, the roundness of her big brown eyes in her thick glasses, her small mouth, her cornrows, her big elvish ears, her pimples, I'm going to miss her.

   "Why're you looking at me like that?" she asks 

   My phone rings. Chinny rushes to grab it then hands it over. I look at the caller and shake my head.

   "You thought it was Ivan? Good for you." I say.

   "Hey, Tee, morning." he tells me he's at the gate. "Sure. I'll be there." I say and hang up.

   "Is he here?" she yelps.

   "He's at the gate." 

   We both run out like two little pups whose owner just returned. The last time Tee was around, Chinny and I got iPhones.