“What about it?”
She faced him. “Will you keep this between us?”
A dumbfounded expression covered his face. “You think I’ma incriminate myself? I ain’t stupid, Irish.”
“I know that. It’s just… well, I don't want anyone to know about me going to the gambling house. Can you keep it between us?”
He nodded, pinching her cheek. “I got you and if you worried about me knowing your secret”—his eyes faltered before he looked at her—“I’ll tell you one of mine.”
Irish’s head drew back, wondering what Jovanis had kept from her. To her knowledge, they knew everything about each other, so this caught her off guard.
“So, this gotta stay between us. Even if we stop being friends, I need you to keep this between us.”
“That’ll never happen.” She twisted her lips with heavy doubt.
“You don't know the future, Irish. Anything can happen, and I need to know that you’ll keep my secrets.”
Raising her right hand, she professed, “I swear never to tell anyone.”
“A’ight.” He swallowed. “So, ever since I was a little boy, I looked at other boys in a different way.”
“Like what?” She angled her head.
“Like in a way I should look at girls.”
There was an awkward silence before Jovanis continued, “I thought it was something I would grow out of or a phase but, I still look at boys like that.”
“Like you wanna be with them?”
Reluctantly, he nodded. “Yeah, like that.”
“So, do you like girls?”
He shrugged. “I think I do but I don't know. I've been with girls, but it don't do nothing for me.”
Irish had never witnessed Jovanis be so vulnerable. His chest was open, emptying all the feelings he had been harboring on his own. Irish was elated to take some of the burden off him. Granted, she never expected him to tell her that he was attracted to the same sex, but she loved him no less.
“You think I’m weird now, huh?” he asked, defensively.
“Of course not.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think you are still the very best friend a girl could have.” Pulling back, she cupped his face with her hands. “I don't care if you had feelings for an elephant, I’ll never judge you. And I promise to never tell your secret.”
Jovanis beamed before leaning forward and kissing her lips. Irish was shocked, being that she had never been kissed by a boy before. There was a spark, but she wasn’t sure how to identify it. Was it one of romanticism or just the shock of her experiencing her first kiss?
Drawing back, he confessed, “I felt something with that kiss.”
“Really? Like what?”
“Love… not no romantic love but love.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you for being my best friend, Van.”
“I got you for life, Irish. Know that.”
Twelve
Her tears were the size of raindrops.
Noble now had complete understanding of the dynamic of Irish and Jovanis’ relationship. The story had taken a turn that he didn’t anticipate. Nonetheless, he was glad she had opened up. Jovanis had saved her from a predator that was more than likely plotting to take her innocence. And if he didn’t take it, he would’ve surely sold it to the highest bidder.
