“But, babe, we’re supposed to head out for that movie. I don’t want to miss any of it.”
“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me,” I say and turn to leave.
I grab Arlene by the hand and take off back toward the dorm as fast as my legs will take me. This was all a big mistake. I should’ve never come here.
Bentley
What the fuck just happened?There’s no way Zahirah Nickels is a student here, and when did she turn into a fucking knockout? She’s always been so pretty, but now … how am I supposed to control my feelings?
It took everything in me not to kiss her that summer. I had been so close to pressing my lips to hers, but my phone buzzed in my pocket, stopping me. That was for the best. She’s two years younger than me and my little sister’s best friend.
No matter how much I’ve always been drawn to her, that shit can never happen. Zah is like family. I should see her like one of my sisters.
I’ve been telling myself that for years and still it hasn’t stuck. For two years, we’ve missed each other during summers and holidays. I rub at my chest as I realize how much I’ve missed her.
I snap out of my shock and groan. I was just a total dick to her. Not that I meant to be.
No matter my feelings, Zahirah is still a friend. At least she was before that shit I just pulled. I shake my head clear and tug my arm from Carly’s grasp.
“Zahirah, wait,” I call out.
“Bro, you’re too late. She’s gone,” Corey says.
I clench my jaw as I see Zah and her friend turn the corner as they rush away. My stomach sours. Could this all have gone any worse?
“Which is a shame because she’s super cute. Dude, do you think she’s going to be all right? I hope she doesn’t have a concussion or something,” Jason says.
“She’s fine. I mean, are you sure it really hit her? She could be faking. You guys are all on the football team, you have to be careful, you know,” Carly says.
“Zahirah isn’t like that. She doesn’t care about any of that shit. She’ll be at the Olympics before I ever make it to the pros,” I grumble.
“You know her?” Carly asks bitterly.
“Yeah, she’s my next-door neighbor. My little sister’s best friend. That’s Zah,” I say, but stop myself before I can blurt out more.
No one here needs to know that’s the girl I’ve had a thing for since I was thirteen. Back then, she was all bony limbs with the biggest smile and brightest eyes I’ve ever seen. God, she’s morphed into a supermodel.
I palm my forehead and allow it all to sink in. Zahirah Nickels is on campus. She’s a freshman here at my college.
“What the fuck does this mean?” I say under my breath.
I’m stuck in a daze as I process the fact that she’s here and will be attending the same college. The track program here is phenomenal. With her talent, she’s sure to go far.
I smile as pride fills me. I don’t know why I’m surprised. If Zah puts her mind to something, it’s hers. I just didn’t know she wanted to come here. Erica had tossed about the idea, but for whatever reason, she changed her mind.
“Jason and Corey, why don’t you guys go check on her if you can find her. Bentley, we can go. We still need to get our tickets and make it to the concession stand before the movie starts,” Carly says.
I roll my eyes. Things haven’t been great between us. I don’t know how an us even started.
One drunken almost hookup turned into her clinging to me at every party, every event, and nearly every moment of my life for the last three months. I’ve only kept it going because she scares off the other girls. I’m trying to keep my head focused on the game. I’m not into chasing after girls.
Doesn’t mean they’re not into chasing me. I close my eyes, feeling like an asshole. I had thought Zah was one of these chicks around campus trying to throw themselves at me when she first hugged me. Carly’s thoughts were my own at first.
I had wondered if she had intentionally fallen to get my attention. She had it from the moment she went down, but I shook it off. I mean, she felt and smelled nice, but I didn’t want to fall into a trap set by some pretty groupie on campus.
“Way to go, Bent,” I mutter to myself.
I just fucked that up so royally. For years, since I’ve started to see Zah as more than my little sister’s best friend, I can’t seem to do or say the right things around her. I’m two years older, but I would swear I’m the younger one with how tongue-tied and twisted up I get.
