“I like this one.” I pointed toward the case, and the store owner eagerly grabbed it for me.
“Look at your man, buying you a new phone,” Nova whispered in my ear as we walked back up to the register.
“Alright, I added the extra discount that we talked about because you always send business our way. If you have any issues with the phone, let me know.” Keynauri pulled out a knot of money, and I couldn’t help the confusion that was plastered on my face. Nauri did odd jobs around the neighborhood for money, but not enough to have the amount of money in his hand. Amin handed him back his change, and the two of them said their goodbyes.
Keynauri carried the bags to the car but passed them to me once we got inside. My mind was still reeling with questions about where the money came from. We were best friends, and we never kept secrets from one another, so I wondered why he hadn’t mentioned anything about a new job.
I decided to wait until later to address it because I didn’t want to have the conversation in front of Nova, mainly because I had a feeling I wouldn’t like his answer. Instead, I acted as if everything was okay, making sure to thank him for my phone. The first thing I did was program their numbers, along with my mom’s number. Keynauri ended up taking us to get some food before taking us home. He dropped us off at my house before he headed back to drop off that girl’s car. I still wasn’t sure how to feel about that.
“I told you,” Nova declared the moment we stepped into the house.
“What are you talking about, Novie?” I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly where the conversation was going.
“You and your bestie! The two of you are so full of shit. I don’t even understand how you do it.”
“Do what? I keep telling you we’re friends. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“And I think you’re a liar. The fact that he went out of his way to make sure you had a phone should be enough to show you how deep his feelings for you are. I have guy friends, and none of those fools would do anything remotely close for me. Are you seriously telling me that you don’t think about the two of you being together as more than friends?” Nova pressed.
“He doesn’t want me in that way,” I admitted. It stung to say it out loud, but it was the truth.
“Bullshit. Nauri loves you. Anyone with eyes can see that.”
“I know he loves me, but it’s not in the way I want him to. We talked about it in middle school and agreed that our friendship was too important to mess up. I won’t pretend as if it’s easy to see him with other girls, but it’s not my place to get jealous.” I would love nothing more than to be his one and only, but I would rather have him in my life as a friend than to lose him because of heartbreak.
“I don’t believe that for one second. Every time a boy even looks in your direction, Nauri acts like he’s gonna have a heart attack. I don’t care what agreement the two of you made. The two of you are made for each other.”
I tried my best to avoid the topic of my and Keynauri’s relationship whenever anyone brought it up. It was awkward trying to explain to others when I didn’t understand it myself. I wasn’t oblivious to the way Keynauri behaved when it came to me. Most of the boys in school were afraid to approach me because they assumed we had something going on.
“Alright, I’m back. What are we doing? Y’all tryna watch a movie or something?” Keynauri stepped into the house withLyric and Logic trailing behind him. My eyes peered at him curiously.
“Yeah, we can make it a double date or some shit,” Logic suggested. My gaze shifted from him to Nova, who wore a guilty expression. She mentioned he tried to talk to her, but based on the googly eyes they gave each other, it seemed she had left out some details.
“Well, it wouldn’t be a date because we’re all just friends. Plus, Lyric is here,” I pointed out. “I’m down for a movie night, though, but we need to grab some snacks.”
“Nova and I can run to the corner store and grab some snacks. I can’t watch a movie without popcorn and hot peppers, with a splash of hot sauce,” Logic exclaimed, while he rubbed his stomach.
“Your bootyhole is gonna be on fire after you finish.” Nova snickered with her face scrunched up in displeasure.
“It’s a chance I’m willing to take. Ain’t nothing wrong with a little colon cleanse. Plus, you said you wanted to be a nurse one day. You can wipe my ass and nurse me back to health if I get sick.” Logic winked as Nova gestured as if she were about to vomit.
“It’ll be a cold day in hell before I ever wipe your ass, nigga. Have you lost your mind?” Nova spat.
“I see we need to work on your bedside manners, but I got you. Now come on, Novie. I’m tryna cuddle with you under the blankets and feel on yo’ booty.” Logic grabbed her hand and led her out of the house.
“Come upstairs and holla at me for a minute.” One thing about Keynauri, he rarely asked for anything. There was always a hint of demand in them.
“Are you gonna be okay down here?” I asked Lyric.
“Yeah, go talk to your friend.” She dragged the last word, making me glare at her. Of course, she giggled in response. Lyricwas another person who teased me about my relationship with Keynauri. According to Lyric, we were gonna be sisters one day. She was already planning our wedding.
Nauri held his hand out to me, leading me up to my room. My momma didn’t allow boys in the house, but Keynauri was the exception since we had been friends for so long. He was always respectful and helpful when she was home. She loved him like a son and gave him special treatment whenever he came around.
“Thank you again for my phone.”
“You don’t need to keep thanking me. I wasn’t about to let you walk around with no way to communicate with anyone. Your daddy is a bitch for the shit he pulled,” Keynauri ranted. He never cared for my father, for some reason, but he never told me why.
“I know. I wish I knew what I did to make him—”
