{Tiara}
I wave bye to James and Liv who are standing on the porch watching to make sure I get to my car safety just like always.
I unlock my car and get in, my heart still beating unusually fast.
It's been doing that ever since the park.
Should I really call Quincy?
Yes.
I think that, yet I can't help but cringe away at just the thought.
He's a boy.
It's not that I never had a boyfriend before. It's just been so freaking long since I've been in the game.
I don't know. School got in the way, business school became my whole life.
I'm so proud of myself that I graduated last spring.
I'm still pondering over whether I should call Quincy or not even when I'm opening the door to my apartment.
It's still as plain and empty as ever.
I really need to unpack.
I rub my arm anxiously, my eyes trained on his little note.
Î wîsh Î could see what color your eyes are. Î know that they are beautîful.
PS. Îf you don't call me, Î'll sick Puck on you.
Damnit, he's good.
I find it weird, the way he dots his I's.
Every little mark sits perfectly atop the line.
I keep on looking.
I drop my bag clumsily on the isle countertop on my way to my room.
I had enough common sense to at least get my bed set up the other day, it's been really tiring to laying on the couch.
"I'll do it after my bath."
I try to convince myself.
Almost 2 hours later, I say the same thing.
"I'll do it after dinner."
It isn't until I'm getting into bed that I finally take out my phone.
Even still, I sit there and just stare at it for a good 10 minutes.
I need self courage.
Should I really do this?
I mean, it's just talking. I had no problem talking to him at the park.
He's actually really nice. I couldn't help but be sad that we had to go.
I take a deep breath, dread filling my system anyway.
Come on, T. You can do this.
My hands are shaking as I dial the number.
It rings for a good 30 seconds before someone answers.
"Hello?"
My throat gets caught in my throat.
A woman.
Maybe it's his girlfriend.
I suddenly feel really stupid.
He's pretty handsome. Of course he has a girlfriend.
"Yes, um. Is Quincy around?"
I ask awkwardly, my shoulders slouching.
There's no point of me even trying.
"Vargas? Oh yeah, hold on a minute."
I stare off into space, sighing quietly as the other line falls silent.
What was I thinking?
Maybe I should stop this.
Assuming.
Maybe he lives with someone else. Possibly a sibling, or-
"Yes. I heard you, quit fucking talking."
My mind becomes blank as I hear his voice.
He sounds so stern and annoyed.
His voice is so sexy.
"Hello? Tiara, is that you?"
A shiver runs down my spine as I hear my name roll off of his tongue.
What is wrong with me?
My tongue feels extra thick for some reason.
"Er. Hi."
I manage to spit out.
"Jenny, get out!"
I jump as I hear the sharp tone of his voice.
"Sorry about that, my friend is very annoying. I was just about to get Puck ready to come and find you. He has his leash on and everything."
He says in a gentler voice.
I hesitate.
"I could call back later."
I say awkwardly, trying not to appear as relieved as I am.
Friend. I'd expect him to have friends, of course.
"What? No, it's already like 12. Geez, woman. What time do you go to bed?"
He jokes.
I laugh, sinking down a little on my bed.
"I wasn't going to call."
I admit quietly.
"Ah, I don't peg you as a scary girl."
I roll my eyes.
"Oh please. One time I jumped out of an airplane. What have you done?"
I huff.
He gasps.
"Oh wow. Really?"
"Of course not."
I snicker.
"Aw, you got jokes, huh?"
He groans.
I can't help but relax, pulling my pillow to my chest.
"Tell me something about you."
He adds after just a second.
"What do you want to know?"
I ask, yawning slightly.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
I almost choke.
Seriously, why would he ask me that?
Is he trying to flirt with me?
Oh no, I d-
"I'm just curious. You seem like a very attractive girl. Judging by the way you speak and-"
"No, I don't have a boyfriend."
I say quietly.
"Girlfriend, maybe?"
I almost choke.
"What!? No! What the hell, Quin?"
I exclaim, my cheeks heating up.
"My bad, my bad. Damn. You would be surprised at how many ladies got mad at me for not asking. It's 2020 for crying out loud. Plus I have nothing against people who like people among their same gender."
He hurries to say.
I stay silent, my heart unexpectedly flopping.
"Oh. So you hit on other girls too? Not just me?"
The words come out before I can even think them through.
"I'm a man, T. I got to stay suave somehow. And don't worry about it, bae. If I were a taken man I wouldn't have given you my number. I know you're curious."
He says, amusement in his voice.
I blush furiously.
Bae.
I haven't heard that word since high school.
"First of all, you aren't suave."
I say, trying not to sound as flustered as I am.
He called me bae. I don't even know him, but I feel all hot and bothered by it.
"You know I am. You saw me at the hospital and thought, 'damn. I need me a suave man like him'."
He insists.
I roll my eyes.
"Nobody even says suave anymore, doofus."
"Nobody even says doofus anymore, Tiara."
He shoots back.
"I shouldn't have called."
I mutter aloud, shifting a little.
"Wait, wait! Don't hang up, I'll stop."
He complains.
I smirk.
Someone wants a friend too bad.
"Let's play 21 questions."
He insists.
"What are we, 13?"
I tease.
"It is simply my way of getting to know people."
He huffs.
I roll my eyes again.
"Fine. You go first."
He doesn't say anything for a moment.
"Are you a virgin?"
Again, I almost choke.
What is with him and making me do that!?
"Quincy, what the hell?"
I groan, biting my lip.
Believe it or not, I'm slightly aroused.
By just his voice alone.
Don't judge me, I haven't got any action in years.
I don't even know him.
"What? We are both adults, we can hold mature conversations."
He drawls, his voice all velvety and smooth.
I clench my legs together slightly.
Damnit.
"Why would you even want to know anyway?"
I clear my throat awkwardly.
He chuckles.
"You're cute, Tiara. You sound very inexperienced."
I gulp.
"I'm not inexperienced."
I can't help but be snippy.
Fuck him and his sexy voice.
He probably works out a lot and goes to Jamba Juice with all his buff workout friends for fruit smoothies-
"No need to get all bitchy, T. It was just a question."
He says.
I huff.
"You know what?"
"Fine, I'll ask another one."
He says.
"No fair. It's my turn."
I complain.
"Uh uh. This one will replace the last one."
He says sternly.
A shiver shoots down my spine.
Yes, daddy.
"Fine."
I hear myself say.
God, I could totally imagine this blind dude dominating me.
Is that wrong?
"Well, it's not really a question. I need you to do something for me."
He lowers his voice.
"Okay."
I frown.
"So um. I'm in the process of becoming a therapist and I need a little help. I'm not the most social person."
My mouth falls open.
"Quincy, you're shy!? On my God, that's so cute."
I gush, suddenly feeling a whole lot better.
He's shy too.
We can be shy together now.
I mean, not as in together together, but as friends.....I'll shut up now.
"Shut up."
He totally reads my mind.
I roll my eyes.
"So, how can I help?"
I ask curiously.
He clears his throat.
"Okay, um. I need you to tell me something you would usually tell a therapist. Treat me like your therapist. My teacher tells me that I should be good at giving advice."
I frown thoughtfully.
"Well. I've never had a therapist before."
I say quietly.
"Tell me something you've never told anyone else. Only if you want to, of course."
He says softly.
And just like that, it feels like someone poured a bucket of ice cold water on me.
Secrets.
He wants to hear a secret.
I have so many.
I open my mouth to say something but then I close it at the last second.
What the fuck?
I was actually about to do it?
I haven't even told my brother some of the things that is going on with me.
Should I tell Quincy?
I mean, I haven't had anyone to talk to for the longest. Believe it or not, it feels really great to actually be talking to someone other than my family for once.
And Ruby, I suppose.
But she started talking to me first.
I've never been the best at making friends.
Real friends, I should say.
Its nice to have a Ruby.
She scolds me a lot though.
I put my phone on speaker, tossing it on the bed.
My hands are clammy.
What the heck?
"You still there, Tiara?"
Quincy's voice is louder, somehow clearer now.
I take a deep breath.
"Uh huh."
"You don't have to if you don't want to. Im serious."
He says quietly.
"Something I've never told anyone else, huh?"
I ask thoughtfully, rubbing my hands together.
"Yeah."
I think.
"Well. I'm black."
I finally manage to say.
"That's cool but that doesn't seem like something you have to tell someone, Tee."
His voice is a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"No, it's not that. I um...I like white boys."
I say quietly.
He doesn't say anything for a moment.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I understand why you sound so upset about that."
He says awkwardly.
I sigh conflictedly.
"Well, when I was 15 my brother brought home this white girl and my parents hated it. And I don't know why, she was really sweet and nice. My dad thought it was unethical for people of different races to be together. They were born in different times."
I say quietly.
"That sounds really stupid."
He says bluntly.
I don't say anything.
"Sorry, I won't interrupt again."
He says sheepishly.
"Oh no, you're fine. I'm just thinking."
I mutter.
"Tell me more."
He says softly.
For some odd reason, I really want to.
I've never talked to another human being about this. It feels good.
"My mom made my brother break up with the girl. It was so sad. Anyway, so I was so mad about it. I decided to go out and get a white boyfriend just to show my parents how much of a rebel I was. And I ended up really liking the guy. But we ended up breaking up because his parents didn't like the idea of him dating a black girl. I haven't had a white boyfriend since then but now that I'm older, I can't help but want to try again. But I'm scared."
I stop and scowl just thinking about.
I sound like a coward.
"Why are you afraid? Because of your parents?"
Quincy asks.
"My parents died in a plane crash a while ago. So it's just me and my brother and his family now."
I sigh sadly.
"Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
I can't help but smile at the sincerity in his voice.
He called me sweetheart.
"Thank you Quincy."
I whisper.
"Well, if my opinion matters, I think you should go for it. Screw what people think, all that matters is how you feel. And I'm pretty sure the color of your skin is beautiful, Tiara."
He soothes.
I bite my lip.
"Either way, it doesn't matter to me. I dont see color."