Please ignore any and all mistakes.
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— I HATE LOVE —
I give my all and that's the problem
'Cause I don't never get it in return
When I let my guard down, I end up hurt
Guess you live and you learn
Saying that you're different, but really you're the same
Telling me you love me, but only bring me pain
Used to think love was all I ever needed before
But not anymore
I hate love
That's a fact, and I know that love don't love me back
••••••
A week later....
"Tee bitch where the fuck have you been?!" Her bestfriend Nia yelled, as she slammed her hand down on the table where she was sitting. "You had me worried sick about you hoe."
They were currently in the common area of the school, where most of the students went to eat and hang out with their friends.
Taivon kept her head in the book she was reading. "I'm sorry Nia, I just been taking care of business. Life's been a little hectic lately."
Nia huffed and plopped down into the seat across from her, crossing her arms. "I told myself I was going to beat your ass when I saw you but— clearly somethings wrong so I'll postpone it. What's been going on Tee?"
Knowing her bestfriend wasn't going to just leave it alone, she sighed and slowly looked up to meet her eyes. "I broke up with Rashad."
Nia's eyes widened in shock at first, but she quickly fixed her face. "Really? What happened?"
Taivon shoulders fell, thinking about that night. The bruising had went away a little bit, but it was still a little purple under her eye. Luckily makeup existed. "Honestly? What hasn't happened with Rashad. It was simply time to let him go, we're no good for each other."
Nia nodded understandably. "Well as much as I hated that man, I'm still sorry. It sucks when a relationship you've put so much time and energy into doesn't work out. You deserve so much better though Tee and I know you'll be okay."
Tee smiled softly. "Thanks Nia, I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome bitch. But next time you go days without checking in or talking to me it's up! Ass whooping on sight."
Tee playfully rolled her eyes and laughed. "Bitch why must you always have to choose violence?"
"Cause I can!" She smirked, sending her a quick wink.
Tee just shook her head and looked back down at her book while Nia sat back and let her eyes wander around the room. She noticed a lot of familiar faces being as she was considerably popular.
Nia Bryant
Nia Bryant has been Taivon's best friend since the two were roommates their freshman year. Their relationship started off rocky as both girls were not used to having to share a space, but an altercation with their neighbors bonded them. The girls tried to corner Taivon in the bathroom, but luckily Nia had to pee so she entered right when they were about to jump Taivon. Nia didn't hesitate to defend her roommate, and they successfully fought off the other girls, winning the fight.
From that day forward they vowed to have each other's back through their college journey. But now they have each other back's for life.
"What you doing tonight? Vino wants to go bowling but I want you to come too." Nia asked, eyes still wandering the room.
Tee looked up and scrunched her face up. "Girl do I look like I wanna third wheel?"
Nia groaned dramatically, cutting her eyes at Tee. "Girlllll Vino and I are just friends, don't be like that. Come on! He'll pay for both of us."
"You're tripping," Tee snorted. "I'm good."
"Tee pleasseeee come you've neglected me for a week, the least you can do is come have fun with your best friend. I'm not some side hoe you can keep pushing off." Nia pouted, crossing her arms.
"You're so dramatic." Tee laughed, shaking her head. She knew if she didn't give in, Nia was going to annoy the fuck out of her. "If I go you're buying me some wings."
Nia waved her off and started looking around the room again. "You always using me for food hoe. Just make sure you're dressed by 8 and we'll pick you up."
"Yes mother." Tee joked and Nia flipped her off, just as somebody caught her eye.
"Damn I ain't never seen him before—who is that? He is fine as fuck!" Nia whispered loudly, forcing Tee's head to snap in that direction. She couldn't help but feel nosey.
Her eyes widened in surprise to see she was talking about Amiré. He was sitting alone a few tables over, on his phone with his AirPods in. Her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, thinking about how he told her he doesn't be on campus. "Oh that's just Amiré."
Nia looked at her quickly. "How the hell you know him? I've never seen that man before and I know everybody."
The memory of how they met entered Tee's mind, causing her to frown a little cause that day brought back bad memories.
"I met him a week ago, the same day Rashad and I broke up actually. Rashad had taken my car and never came to pick me up and my phone was dead. Long story short he helped me out, and even made sure I got home safely."
Nia had a mug on her face. "Ugh you need to let me tell Vino to handle Rashad bitch ass, he really a hoe for leaving you out there like that. Like women ain't getting kidnapped and shit."
Tee shrugged, pushing her hair behind her ear. "It's over with now, I'm done with him and I rather not talk about him anymore."
"That's perfectly okay with me so back to Mr. Fine over there, what's his story?" Nia smirked, leaning against the table.
Tee raised her eyebrow. "What you mean? I don't know him like that. We had a short conversation. The only thing I learned is that he's a sophomore and prefers to be antisocial, that's why you haven't seen him before. I'm actually surprised to see him in here."
Nia's eyes lit up. "Oop so he's mysterious? Now I'm curious! What if he came on campus to see if he could run into you again?"
"Bitch what?! I highly doubt that." Tee laughed, looking at Nia like she was crazy. "Where do you come up with this shit?"
"I don't know." Nia shrugged, looking back over at him briefly before looking back at Taivon. "But he must be a cool guy if he made sure you got home safely. I think you should invite him to go bowling with us tonight."
Tee continued looking at her like she was crazy. "And why the hell would I do that?"
"Well first off he's fine and that's a good distraction to have after a break up. Two he looked out for you, what if he could be a new friend of yours? On top of the fact you won't feel like a third wheel anymore. And three you owe him one, why not repay the young man by getting his antisocial ass out of the house to have some fun?" Nia smirked again, tilting her head at her best friend.
Tee couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Girl hell no this is not about to turn into a double date, I'm not interested."
Nia smacked her lips. "Bitch I didn't say anything about a date, this is a friends night out. Stop being a pussy Tee, at least go say hi to the man or something."
"Why are you pushing me so hard to go speak to a man I only spoke with once? Let alone invite him out to hang with us?" Tee questioned, crossing her arms.
She shrugged. "I just have a good feeling about it and you need more male friends. Now go."
Tee sucked her teeth, thinking about it. "You're not gonna let this one go huh?"
"Nope," Nia smiled, pointing in his direction. "Now get to it. If you don't ask him, I'ma ask him!"
Tee sighed and closed her book, thinking of all the ways she could beat Nia ass. The only reason she was actually going to do it was because she was a little curious as to why he was on campus.
He's never been seen around before and the multiple eyes on him literally gave it away. Especially from the females.
"You got this!" Nia encouraged playfully, making Tee roll her eyes as she stood up.
"Sometimes I don't like you."
"I love you too boo."
Ignoring her, Taivon made her way over to his table, seeing he was watching Netflix on his phone. Whatever he was watching, had him deeply immersed. She couldn't help but smile at how adorable he looked, plopping down in the seat across from him.
He slowly lifted his head to meet her eyes, making her grow nervous. His face seemed to always be emotionless, but his eyes always told another story. There was a darkness in them, but it didn't scare her. In fact, she found it hard to look away from.
Taivon found herself unable to say the first word as he stared deeply into her eyes. He seemed to be waiting for her to speak, maybe to ask why she interrupted his alone time. He didn't smile or anything. Which only made her more nervous.
"Mr. smarty pants," She cleared her throat and smiled, pushing away her nervousness. "I'm shocked to see you here on campus, I thought you only went to class?"
He paused his show and sat up all the way, never breaking their eye contact. "My class was canceled, and I have another class in about 30 minutes. It wasn't worth going back home and coming back."
"Ah makes sense." She laughed, nodding. "How have you been?"
He squinted his eyes at her, like he was trying to read her. "I've been chilling, how about you?"
She blew out some air, shrugging. "Focused, I'm just trying to get through the semester. It's been a tough one."
He nodded his head in agreement, "Yeah well you got it, just stay focused. It's best to avoid any distractions."
Nia's words played back in her mind, making her laugh. "I'm trying. I think I need to get like you and just tune the world out."
He smirked softly and shook his head. "It's not as easy as I make it look, and not everyone cares about you wanting to be left alone."
She gasped playfully, touching her chest. "Wow are you throwing shade Mr. smarty pants?"
He just chuckled and licked his lips. "I don't throw shade detective Taivon, I'm very direct. Now how can I help you? You're not over here just to see why I'm in the commons."
"True. I actually came over to invite you out tonight, a few friends and I are going bowling and I think you should come." She said, crossing her arms.
He raised his eyebrow at her. "You don't even know me like that, why are you inviting me out?"
"I didn't know you like that and yet I still got into your car," She smirked. "We're past that at this point, don't you think?"
"Okay but you didn't answer my question." He chuckled. "Why are you inviting me out?"
"Well I owe you one for helping me out, and I want to repay it by getting you out the house. Now are you going to come or what?"
He didn't respond as he stared at her, shocking himself for even thinking about it. He was curious to say the least. "Do you want me to come? Or do you just think I should come?" He questioned, leaning back against the seat.
"I think you should do whatever you want to do."
He cut his eyes at her. "Again you didn't answer my question, and I'm not asking again."
She sucked her teeth playfully. "Are you always this difficult?"
He smirked at her, enjoying the back and forth. "Just answer the question, I have somewhere to be in 10 minutes."
Taivon bit her bottom lip softly, contemplating her response. Amiré was proving to be very stubborn and that was unexpected.
"I want you to come." She answered, searching his eyes. "Be at my house by 7:45 pm, we're getting picked up by my friends."
He shook his head no, still smirking. "Nah I'll meet y'all there. I prefer to drive, that way I don't find myself stuck somewhere longer than I want to be."
Not wanting to argue she just nodded her head and pulled out her phone, unlocking it. "Okay that's fine. Here put your number in my phone and I'll give you a text when we're heading there." She said, sliding her phone across the table.
He picked it up and stared at it for a few seconds, before adding his number and saving it. "Bet." He mumbled, sliding it back over. "I'll see you later then?"
"Yeah." She smiled, watching as he stood up and gathered all his items. "I'll see you later Mr. Smarty Pants."
He didn't say another word as his eyes looked her over once more, smirking at his inner thoughts. "See ya detective."
Taivon watched him walk away until he disappeared, releasing air she ain't even realize she was holding in.
Nia was right about one thing, Amiré was very mysterious. She was curious as to who he was or really where the hell he came from. Her brain was telling her to leave him be, but she couldn't help herself.
Curiosity never killed the cat... right?
•••••
Chapter 3.