When I enter the room the room I can see the surprised looks on many of my classmates' face and envy in the eyes of the guys I turned down. Clearly I'm a topic of discussion since I showed up with Mekhi, so I do my best to ignore the whispers and looks and focus on the work ahead of me. The professor instructs us to continue sketching our self-portraits so I pull out my sketch pencils and head over to get my sketchbook to pick up where I left off. I return to my seat and clip my book to the easel I'm stationed at and secure my photo in place before picking a pencil to start with. I clear my mind and concentrate on the task at hand when my friend Susu taps me on the shoulder.
"Hey girl, how was your weekend," she asks moving both her stool and easel a little closer to mine.
"Exhausting but fun," I say. I know she's curious we talk like this every class, but today is different because I showed up with Mekhi.
"Yeah, you were saying you were going to the basketball game this past Saturday," she says. I forget I talk to Susu with just about the same level of trust that I do with Rylie and Nova.
"Yeah, I ended up going on a date and having a girl's night and a whole lot of everything," I say to her giggling.
"Sounds like fun! Much better than my weekend," she says. I have to invite her out with me and the girls sometime, I really think she would mesh well with our group.
"Studying?" I ask her.
"And work! Trying to save some money to have a nice summer vacation this year," she says seriously.
"Yeah, me and my friends were just talking about getting jobs to have money to go on vacation this summer. Maybe we could all go together and you could bring Isaiah," I say trying to cheer her up and inviting her along to our summer plans.
"That sounds like fun. I'll mention it to him later to see if he wants to participate," she says genuinely. Seeing her happy smile I know that I'm right about bringing her into our circle.
"I hope so, it'll be fun," I say glancing in her direction before adding more details to my sketch.
"So you and Mekhi, huh," she says in a whisper and I look around to see if anyone is eavesdropping and I give her a quick nod and half smile to answer her question.
"Wow, I didn't see that coming at all," she says and we both return to our work.
"Are you free after classes today," I ask her.
"Not today, what's up," I was going to say that you could come hang out with us later on, we'll get together soon," I say to her.
"Oh ok, I'm free Wednesday," she says.
"Okay, Wednesday then," I say and I make a mental note to tell Nova and Rylie about meeting up with her.
We both go back to focusing on our sketches and make small talk occasionally. I focus my energy on shading the different shadows and their textures in my self-portrait being careful not to be too heavy handed. I focus on the area where my hand meets my cheek and try to make it as perfect as possible before turning my attention the details of my hand. Trying to clearly sketch all the little lines and details of my hand takes up the rest of my time in class. When it's time to put everything away I am satisfied with the progress that I made today. I am taking out my phone to text Mekhi when I hear some commotion at the door and make my way over to see him waiting for me with triumphant smile on his face. When the girls vying for his attention realize that it's being occupied with me they throw angry looks and eye rolls in my direction. All I can do is hold my head up high as I pass them and I turn to see Susu giving me a very satisfied smile with a thumbs up.
'What in the world is this crazy fool thinking picking me up from class like this? Don't he know he's just going to cause me unnecessary trouble?! I'll just have to endure it; he is sincere in his feelings. I just don't like all the extra attention. Isn't he handsome though?' I think to myself as I walk to where he's standing.
"Hey," I say smiling as I finally reach him.
"Hey baby," he says pulling me in for a hug and kiss! I swear I can hear the curses and jaws dropping as he kisses me silly.
'Oh, Mekhi! Look at all the hearts you're breaking and trouble you're causing me.'
"Your class finished fast," I say.
"It's a rest day for me. I just go to the library to study, we go on the road tomorrow," he says taking my bag and grabbing my hand.
"Oh, I hadn't even thought about you leaving tomorrow," I say to him as we leave the art building.
"Are you going to miss me," he asks nonchalantly and I think about it.
"I don't know…you haven't left yet," I say sarcastically.
"…smart ass," I hear him say I think more to himself than me.
"Hahahahahaha," I laugh like really laugh out loud. The people who turn around to see what's going on must think Mekhi has told me some really funny joke because the eye rolls make another appearance.
"What's so funny," he asks.
"You talking to yourself and calling me a smart ass," I say suppressing my giggles.
"It's not that funny," he says with a smirk.
"Okay fine. I will miss you," I say placating him.
"Sure," he says.
'Now he's being sarcastic, who would've thought he could be babyish?'
"Do you still want to come over for lunch," I ask once we reach the parking lot.
"Yeah, I'll come over," he says and we walk to my car.
"Good," I say and we walk in silence all the way to my car.
I can sense that he's brooding, but he never let's go of my hand. I look over at him as we're walking and his face is smooth not betraying any emotions that he may be feeling. He is very handsome and his skin is really smooth; I wonder if he exfoliates.
"Ahem, enjoying the view," Mekhi clears his throat and asks playfully.
"Actually I am. How did I manage to get someone as good looking as you," I flatter him.
"Because you are even better looking so I had to chase you down," he says playfully and just like that we're back in the clear.
"Sure, sure," I say blushing my life away as we arrive at the car.
I unlock the doors and we get in the car. Mekhi puts my bag in the backseat as I start the engine.
"Do you want me to drive," he asks.
"No, I'm okay. Are you sure you want to ride with me," I ask biting my bottom lip.
"I'm sure. Relax," he says and with that I calm my nerves and pull out of my parking spot.
"Alright, let's go home," I say regrettably as I'm going to my home and he's visiting.
"Hmm that sounds good coming from you," he says smoothly and puts his hand on the back of my neck using his thumb to rub circles at the base of my neck.
"Mmm that feels good," I say as I continue on the route home.
The drive home is smooth and relaxing. We have a good conversation I tell him about the stares in art class and summer plans with my girls and Susu. He get excited with this part of the conversation and mentions that we have to plan around the basketball summer league schedule. I tell him about getting a part time job to pay for the costs of the vacations because I don't want to just rely on my parents' money. He agrees and mentions that he will earn some money as well when the season is over. Just as we're pulling into my driveway my heart begins to pound so loud I'm surprised that Mekhi can't hear it. It'll just be us in the house alone.
"Relax baby," Mekhi says seeming to read both my mood and my mind.
"Alright, let's go," I say as I cut the engine and we get out of the car.
Mekhi holds my hand as we walk to the house. With mixed emotions and a pounding heart I open the door to my empty home.