Inside the car we're chatting happily about the game on our ride home. I'm still amazed that I watched the whole game and that we won. Mekhi played so well tonight, I know he's excited.
"How does it feel to see someone you're dating on TV," Jackson says.
"I don't know. Surreal I guess, I mean it's cool seeing him play in general," I say not knowing exactly how to answer his question.
"I don't think it matters to her whether he's on TV or not," Journee says helping me.
"Yeah, kind of like that. It doesn't matter him being on TV, he's cool all the same," I say to Jackson.
"I guess with Mom and Dad being who they are it's different for us," he says.
"Yeah, that makes sense. I suspect that they've only remained local to raise and take care of us which didn't stop them from venturing out. We just gave them a reason to be home more often," I say to him reflecting on what I know about my mother and father's careers.
"I think you're right about that, they're already taking more business trips. I can only imagine how it'll be when we do graduate," Jackson says.
"Speaking of trips do you guys have any plans for spring break this year," I ask them.
"You have plans," they ask together.
"Yeah, going to the beach," I say to them.
"I didn't have any plans. Nathan mentioned something about camping with his dad, so I might do that," Jackson says.
"I didn't really have any plans but, since you guys have plans I'll find something to do," Journee says taking out her phone. I assume she's sending out text messages.
"Cool, thanks guys! It's not that I don't want to spend any time with you guys I just want to get out and explore some things too," I say to them apologetically.
"Don't worry we got your back," Jackson says.
"Yeah, we understand," Journee says.
"Thanks again guys," I say as I pull into our drive way.
We grab our things and get out of the car to head in the house. When we get in the house we take our shoes off at the door and all go to our own rooms. I get to my room turn on the light, place my bag on the floor, wristlet on my desk and sink into my chair. Today felt so long and short at the same time. I close my eyes for what seems to be a few seconds until I'm awakened by the constant buzzing of my phone. I wipe my eyes and look at the time; it's almost ten o'clock. I text my parents and get rid of all my emails then I put my phone on the charger and begin my shower routine.
In the shower I take the time to just let the hot water cascade over my body while I think about today's events and those of the last twenty four hours.
This whole last week seems so surreal but, I feel so at ease with the way things are going now. I wash up using a body scrub that smell heavenly and moisturize my skin when I get out of the shower. After washing my face, I put on a night shirt and grab my phone to see that Mekhi has both messaged and called me. Before calling him back I respond to my parents' messages, my Dad is going to meet Mom on her trip, then turn the light off in my room replacing it with light from the TV and get comfortable on my bed. I take a deep breath then finally call him back.
"Hello," he says answering on the second ring.
"Hey," I say exhaling.
"Hold on," he says and ends the call. I look at the phone a bit confused and before I can think anything more about it he sends me a call through video chat.
"Hello," I say looking into the phone skeptical.
"Babyyyy! We won, we won," he says smiling handsomely into the phone with a towel draped over his head and a naked chest.
"I know, I saw it! You played beautifully honey," I say to him smiling letting his happiness sweep me away.
"Thank you, I thought about what you said and played my best game of ball in a long time," he says smiling.
"That's really good! I'm so proud of you and happy for you! This is amazing," I say to him smiling from ear to ear.
"Baby, you have no idea how excited I am right now. I feel like I can do anything," he says walking to his balcony.
"I can see how excited you are. Anything is possible as long you're willing to go and get it," I say to him.
"I see. I wish you were here with me. You look beautiful baby," he says looking at me with that panty busting smile.
"Thank you! You don't look too bad yourself sir," I say nodding towards his chest biting my bottom lip in an attempt to stop my wayward thoughts.
"Don't make any plans tomorrow I want to see you as soon as I get back," he says walking back into his room and sitting on the bed.
"You got it. I have you penciled in for the whole day," I say to him.
"Seriously," he says.
"I know…I miss you too," I say to him answering his unspoken statement.
"I'll have to leave again if we win this game on Saturday," he says tilting his head to the side.
"The playoffs is a busy time for you. Don't worry I'll be good, I have midterms to study for…speaking of which the girls and I are planning to go to the beach for spring break," I say to him.
"Just you girls and no one else," he asks.
"Well not exactly…if you're able to go then they would bring their boyfriends but if you can't make it because of the playoffs then we'll just go on our own," I say to him.
"Well the championship will be held starting next Saturday so if you want I can still accompany you," he says with a half-smile.
'Shit! Do I want him to stay or go? It hasn't even been a week since we've got together. Is it too soon for us to be going on trips together? What should I do? How should I handle this? Yes, I want him to come with me. What should I do? What should I do?' I think to myself quickly.
"I want you to go but…" I say not knowing how to tell him that it may be too soon for us to share room together.
"How about you just tell me which beach you guys have decided on and I'll meet you guys down there with some of my friends to make it easier for you," he says reading my thoughts.
"Yeah, that'll work! That will be perfect. How did you know," I ask him surprised with his quick solution.
"I can see the hesitation in your eyes. It's okay if you're uncomfortable in the beginning you're supposed to be, we're still getting to know each other," he says easily.
'Ah, yes! Mature man coming through! Excuse me, excuse me. My mature man is coming through!' I think to myself.
"Cool. Thank you for understanding," I say to him smiling from ear to ear.
"Good. Now go to bed and get some rest it's getting late," he says.
"Fine. Goodnight," I say blowing him a kiss.
"Goodnight baby," with his signature half-smile before ending the call.
I put my phone on the charger and grab my journal filling in the day's events and chats detail for detail. Once I'm done I put my journal away, turn my TV off, and lay down to dream about everything that could possibly happen over spring break.