Jae:
"Almost ready?" I hear Grayson ask from the door. I quickly slip on the heals that go perfectly with the outfit I picked out.
"Yeah, you can come in if you want," I shout. Grayson walks in smiling as he sits on my bed.
"I didn't know you could do makeup. You never did it when we were younger," he says.
"I didn't really know how to do makeup back then. Bunny taught me and I've been doing it for a while now," I say as I sit next to him on my bed. "I love makeup. It taught me how to love myself. Besides I really enjoy being able to be that creative. I'm free to do whatever I want."
"That's really cool," he says. I could tell he was lost and he was probably bored.
"I'm sorry if I'm boring you," I say. He looks over at me with a confused look before smiling.
"You weren't. I just don't know anything about makeup," He says laughing. "Why would you say sorry?"
"I don't know," I lie. I was nervous he would get annoyed with me. Matthew made me apologize a lot, and so did Tyler. He always used to tell me to shut up about the things I loved. He always told me that the things I love and the people I love were stupid. But he was sweet sometimes and one of my closest friends even though he was a complete dick.
"Are you ready?" He asks as he stands up. He smiles as he reaches his hand out to me which I gladly take.
"Yes," I say as I smile back.
As I grab my phone off my vanity, Grayson wraps an arm around my waist and whispers softly.
"You look so beautiful,"
*******
"Connie will be here any minute," Luis says happily. This was the first time he's been even close to being happy since our talk. I'm still not sure why he reacted the way he did. I hope I can talk to Connie alone tonight so I can tell her about what happened.
"Jae, you okay love?" Grayson's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I smile at him even though I feel so weird. I didn't understand why I felt so uncomfortable but I did. I couldn't help but hear the scoff that escaped Luis' mouth. It was like Luis was the way he used to be, jealous. I fear he's how Adam used to be and I hope with everything in me that I'm wrong.
"Yeah I'm fine, "I lie as I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Grayson's hand laid still on my knee, trying to stop me from bouncing it up and down. I wasn't nervous about seeing Connie again. It was the constant reminder that Adam is somewhere in this city and I can run into him at any given time. I don't know how I can ever look at his face again without crying. He ruined everything good in my life, I'm happy to have Luis back. Maybe he can help me get completely better...
"Hey, she's here!" Grayson says pulling me out of my thoughts. My nerves and sadness fade away as I stare at my best friend. The girl who once helped me fit into school, the girl who helped me get through the nerves when I brought Adam home for the first time, and the girl who made life so much easier. I didn't realize how much I missed her until now. She's aged beautifully, she was beautiful when we were younger but now she looks so much older and mature. Guy stands next to her holding the hand of a little boy. Guy finally grew, he used to be so short. Connie doesn't hesitate to run over and wrap her arms around me. Even after all these years, our bond is the same. It's like I never went away like we've been together these past ten years.
"Oh my god, Jae! I missed you so much you have no idea," She says as she pulls away from our long hug. She gasps when she looks at my face. "I love your makeup! Who taught you?"
"I missed you more," I say laughing, Connie hasn't changed one bit. "My friend Bunny taught me everything I know."
"Oh don't tell me I've been replaced," Connie says. She was being sarcastic but I could tell she was being a little bit serious.
"No one could ever replace you, Connie," I say truthfully. I've been lying so much recently that it's nice, to tell the truth. Connie smiles and pulls me into another hug. Guy lets go of the little boy's hand to hug me.
"Hey there Germaine, long time no see," I say laughing as he pulls away.
"Long time no see Williams," He says. I smile brightly at him before turning my attention to the adorable little boy standing next to me.
"Who's this little guy?" I asked smiling as I bend down in front of him. He had Guy's bright blonde hair and Connie's bright brown eyes.
"This is Parker, our son," Connie says as Guy puts an arm around her shoulder. Can't believe that Luis wouldn't tell me that Connie and Guy had a son. Before I can even introduce myself, Parker lounges on me and gives me a huge hug. I couldn't help but laugh at the cute gesture.
"Mommy told me about you," Parker says as he backs away from our hug.
"Oh, she did?" I ask sarcastically as I look up at Connie. She didn't even say anything but I could tell by her smile how genuinely happy she was.
"Come sit," Luis' voice interrupts. I smile at him but he turns around and sits down. Ouch.
"Oh, Jae!" Connie says. "Next week I'm doing a show in New York if you're interested. You don't necessarily have to model but I'd love if you came with us."
"I would love to go!" I say happily. "I've never been there before."
"New York is absolutely amazing. I know you'll love it," Grayson says. Luis was staring at us angrily and I couldn't understand why.
{}{}{}
"Hey Luis, can we talk?" I ask as I knock on his bedroom door, peaking in just the slightest bit. He was laying in bed in nothing but shorts scrolling through his phone. I really enjoyed the view I had for a few seconds.
"Yeah, hold up." He says. He jumps out of bed and throws on a shirt before completely opening the door and letting me in.
"Can I tell you something?" I ask as I sit down at the end of his huge bed. He sits next to me, his beautiful brown eyes staring straight into my soul.
"I mean we are best friends. Don't best friends tell each other everything?" He asks with a smile. His words made me smile. I hope this ends the awkward tension that was between us.
"Yeah," I start. "Well, recently, I have been kind of feeling uncomfortable."
His smile disappears quickly and his whole mood changes. "Why? Is it me?"
My eyes go wide and I am quick to tell him no. "NO! No, not you."
"Grayson?" He asks as he looks over at me. I take a deep breath and realized this could possibly fuck up everything.
"Yeah, I just don't think I like him like that," I admit honestly. "I know this is the right thing to do, I can't keep pretending that I like him when I think I might have feelings for someone else."
His confused expression drops. His face grows pale and it looks like he had just seen a ghost. He stares at me with wide eyes.
"Luis?" I ask breaking him out of his trance, suddenly feeling nervous.
"Please don't tell me this is about Adam?" Luis asks so quietly I could barely hear him. But I did and my heart breaks at the sound of his voice.
"Sometimes I miss Adam, I'll admit that, but I honestly hope I never have to see him again," I say as I look up at Luis, finally making eye contact. His eyes are sad as he looks back at me, tears threatening to pour out.
"I hate him for what he did to you. I hate him so much for breaking you. Jae, you truly don't deserve any of this. I just want you to be happy again like you were when I first met you," Luis whispers.
"Luis, you make me happy," I say truthfully.
"I do?" He asks.
"Yeah," I say smiling as I feel myself start to cry.
"You make me happy too," he says.
I didn't say anything after that, I placed my lips on his instead.
"Did you really mean that? Ya know the kiss?" Luis asks. I could tell he was scared of the answer but I don't know why he would be.
"Yes," I say.
"Luis?" I ask after a while.
"Yeah, Jae?" He says with a smile.
"Can you stay with me tonight? I don't want to sleep alone." I say. He smiles and nods his head. He opens his arms and wraps them tightly around me. For the first time in a long time, this felt right.
so sorry I have been gone. life is hard. please bear with me ❤️