The closer we got to the end of the summer, the more anxious I got. Whenever I was around Roman, I tried not to think about leaving. But it was just so difficult. Sure, we weren't thousands of miles apart. I doubt we'd be able to see each other every weekend with our schedules. I mean, it's not like he was doing any sports or I was joining any major clubs, but who knows.
I vowed to myself that I would pursue my major. I didn't want to change it. Becoming a teacher means making a change in a child's life. That's all I want. I don't ever want to be the type of teacher that doesn't care about their students. That's not at all what I want. I want to be that teacher that all the students love. I want to be the teacher that'll help them grow into mature, intelligent students. I want to be the teacher that understands their students; one that'll help them when they need me.
"Hey," Roman said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. "What are you thinking about?"
"My future," I murmured. He kissed the back of my ear gently.
"I hope I'm included in that." I grinned, tilting my head up to meet his lips.
"None of that in my kitchen." Roman and I jolted apart as Uncle Ben walked in. I blushed severely as he scowled. "You both destroyed my appetite." I chuckled, running my fingers through my hair as Roman rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Hi everyone," Aunt Leah said, stepping into the kitchen. "Why do you have such a sour look?" she asked Uncle Ben as she pecked his lips.
"There goes my appetite, too," I commented. Uncle Ben rolled his eyes as Roman chuckled.
"You're all a bunch of nuts," Aunt Leah said. I snickered at the comment while Roman rolled his eyes.
Roman quit his job at the ice cream parlor earlier today after one of the customers yelled at him for charging him extra for more nuts. It was clearly written on the board that you get charged extra for more toppings. The man went on to state that the customer was always right and Roman ended up blowing up on him. He got in trouble for it but he quit right afterwards. I found the whole situation to be funny, not gonna lie.
"So Roman," Aunt Leah said, grabbing the milk from the fridge. "I was thinking that we could invite your parents over for dinner tomorrow or whenever they're free." I looked at Roman who wrapped an arm around my waist.
"I'm sure they wouldn't mind. I'll let them know," he said.
"Great," she said, making a cup of coffee. "So what are you two doing today?"
"I was hoping if I could borrow her for the rest of the day," he said, giving me a secretive smile. "We haven't really gone out on a date in a while." I smiled, the excitement bubbling.
"Where are we going?" I asked. He smirked.
"It's a surprise." I rolled my eyes, huffing in annoyance which only seemed to amuse him.
"No problem at all. When do you need to leave?" she asked.
"Not for another two hours or so."
"In the meantime, we're gonna go catch up with the others. I felt like it's been too long since we all hung out," I said.
"Sure honey," Aunt Leah said, smiling.
After saying goodbye, Roman and I headed over to the beach hand in hand. I didn't see any of the others so I assumed they were probably home or something.
"You know something," I said to Roman. He looked down at me, a content smile on his lips.
"What?"
I stood in front of him, holding both his hands as I grinned. "You drive me nuts." He glared at me playfully.
"You think you're so funny, do you?" he asked as I giggled.
"Absolutely," I retorted.
He rolled his eyes. "You're crazy."
I fake-gasped. "You think I belong in a nuthouse?"
"That's it." He tried grabbing me but I ran. He laughed out loudly and chased after me. I knew that Roman can easily catch up to me but I couldn't help myself. For the first time, in a long time, I felt free. I didn't have a care in the world as I tried to run away from my boyfriend.
Roman grabbed onto my waist and hoisted me up, making me squeal in surprise. He somehow managed to throw me over his shoulders, giving me a perfect view of his butt.
"Roman!" I squealed. He simply ignored me as he continued to walk. When I realized where he was going, I began squirming. "No! Please, please, please! Don't do it Roman! I swear I'll never speak to you again!" He laughed, nearing the water.
"Yeah?" he asked, loosing his grip on my waist.
"Yes! Oh my god, stop walking!"
"Why should I?"
"Um, because...because you love me!"
"Is that a good enough excuse?" he teased, squeezing my thigh gently.
"Roman!" I tried pounding his back but that thing was literally made out of stone. I swear I'm gonna have bruises if I keep pounding.
"You're saying it wrong babe," he said. "You're supposed to moan it like you always do." I blushed furiously.
"I hate you," I muttered.
"Oh really?" By this time, he was knee length in the water. He repositioned me so now I was being held bridal style. I don't know how the hell he did it because I'm definitely not that light.
"Roman! Please!" I begged. He chuckled and finally put me down on my feet. I stuck my tongue out at him childishly.
"You ass," I mumbled.
"What was that?" he asked, reaching for me. I quickly dodged him. He laughed, holding his hand out. "Come on, let's go get the others."
I took his hand and we began walking towards the houses. We decided to stop at Asher's. His was just a few blocks away but it was also the closest house. His house was just as similar as the other houses in the neighborhood. They all had the same format and same white colored frames. Most of the houses were double story with a balcony facing the front porch.
Roman practically barged into the house, making me roll my eyes. I guess that's one of the perks of knowing someone for the majority of your life.
"Gross, can't you two make out upstairs or something?" Roman asked. I laughed as Anna pushed Asher off of the couch in surprise. He glared at us, rubbing the back of his neck while Anna blushed furiously.
"Give me a warning next time you come over," Asher muttered, standing up.
"Abby slamming the door closed wasn't enough of a warning for you?" he asked.
"Hey! I didn't slam the door," I said, shoving my boyfriend lightly. He rolled his eyes in response.
"Anyways," Anna interrupted. "Let's go?"
"Where exactly?" Asher asked, his eyes on his girlfriend. She shrugged, looking at us.
"Well, we still have to find Maggie and Tony," I added.
"Tony said something about his brother coming home or something," Asher said.
"Ricky's back?" Roman asked. I simply stood there. I didn't know who Ricky (other than that he's Tony's brother) was so I just let it be.
The four of us headed to Maggie's house but it turned out that she wasn't there. We decided to go look for Tony.
The person who opened the door towered over all of us. He had broad shoulders and dark brown hair with soft, grey eyes.
"Hey Ricky," Roman greeted, giving him one of those man hugs. Ricky looked absolutely nothing like Tony. "This is Abigail, my girlfriend." I smiled at him.
"It's nice to meet you," he said, giving me a pearly white smile.
"You too," I chirped.
"Are Maggie and Tony here?" Anna asked after she gave him a hug.
"Yeah, they're upstairs," Ricky said. Anna and I exchanged secretive glances.
"We'll go check," I said, grabbing Anna's arm. "You two stay." Asher and Roman gave us questioning glances but we ignored it as we went upstairs.
Since I've never been to Tony's house before, Anna led me to where I assume his room is. She didn't think twice before barging in. I heard a thud and a squeal. I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I saw Tony and Maggie in the same position I saw Asher and Anna earlier.
"About time," I said. Anna snickered; Tony rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as Maggie hid underneath the covers.
Suddenly, Asher, Roman, and Ricky appear. "What happened? We heard a thud," Asher said. They, then, understood what happened after seeing Tony on the ground.
"What happened?" Roman asked.
"Tony fell," I said, grinning at Maggie who had a massive blush on her face.
"For Maggie," Anna added. Maggie threw a pillow at Anna who was oblivious to it. It knocked her in the head. She glared at Maggie who simply flipped her the bird.
"It's about time," Asher said, rolling his eyes.
"I think this is the quietest I've heard from Tony," I stated. Tony simply rolled his eyes, a small blush on his cheeks.
"Are you guys done fangirling so y'all can leave?" Ricky asked. "I got a fuckdate in about an hour."
"What is it with you and your brother and your fuckdates?" Anna asked Tony. He simply shrugged, sneaking a glance at Maggie.
I grinned happily, grabbing Roman's hand. He looked at me, raising his eyebrow. I shook my head, leaning against his frame.
"Let's all go get ice cream," I said. "I'm craving some Pralines 'n Cream."
"What's in that?"
"Nuts," I said, bumping Roman's hip. He glared at me playfully as I giggled.
"You're all a bunch of nuts," Ricky said, walking out of the room.
A/N: this chapter is long overdue, i'm sorry. i was supposed to upload this yesterday (my birthday) but i didn't get any time. also, typing with one hand while eating a caramel cheesecake square from dunkin donuts is very difficult.
also, if you're a person of faith, please keep the students at Mizzou in your prayers; even if you don't pray or believe in prayer, please send them support! The KKK is still alive and progressing today. There have been sightings and mentions of the KKK at Mizzou. No one is safe there. Many black students are being targeted to the point that they refuse to leave their dorm rooms because they are terrified. please, please, please support the Concerned Students 1950 who are trying to stop this atrocity.
stay strong xo