Today I decided to chill with Dashaun. Do what I've been doing for seventy five percent of summer vacation. The plan today was to play some basketball and go back to my house. I did not tell Dashaun that though. I wanted to keep that part of it a surprise. Dashaun was going to meet Jessica today. I thought about waiting a little longer, but it was not a big deal in doing it today. Yesterday Jessica and I got along great and Dashaun is my best friend. I think introducing them now was good. At least while I am on Jessica's good side. I already knew how Dashaun was going to act when he saw her for the first time. I will be prepared for that…I think. The guy might actually fall in love.
Right now we were at Raymond Park playing basketball. We were not playing games, but doing drills and shooting. Current drill we were doing was shooting three pointers. The drill was basically shoot until you missed then it was the next person's turn. Simple as that.
I decided to just shoot because I wanted to talk to him about me and Jessica. Just to get his thoughts on it. I left out the part just before dinner. He was already getting thoughts of me and her together alone. If I was to tell him everything that happened then he would go insane.
"You're a sly dog." Dashaun said. He shot the ball and made it. I gave him the rebound.
"No I'm not. We just watched anime. Nothing more, nothing less." I told him.
"You expect me to believe you were with a beautiful girl from what you told me and nothing happened? I'm not stupid."
"I could make a case about you being stupid. Anyways, yes, nothing happened. Unlike you I don't have sexual thoughts in my head 24/7."
"Now you're lying." he said. He shot and missed. It was my turn now. "If you make this shot then I believe you."
I got to the three point line and shot. I missed it.
"See you are lying. The ball never lies."
"Shut up. Nothing happened. We just watched."
"Didn't you say she hated you?"
"I told you I had it handled brah."
"And where was she in your room?"
"In a chair of course."
"Oh."
"At first..."
He stopped shooting and looked at me. "What do you mean?"
"She was uncomfortable so she lied next to me in my bed."
"With you?" he asked. Here it comes. He is going to over exaggerate.
"Yes. That's what I said."
He just looked at me for a while. Then he shot and missed. He walked to the bench and got his stuff.
"What? Are you really mad?" I said. I wanted to laugh.
"Why are you lying to me, bro? You know and I know something happened." he said. I think he was really mad. I started laughing.
"All she did was sit next to me on my bed. I'm not like that. Plus, that was the first time we even did something together." I said.
"So you did do something!" he yelled. He is trying to find anything in my words.
"Yea…watched anime!" I said.
"So you guys were alone in your room. ALONE! Bro that was a date."
And that's what I wanted his opinion on. I was still confused about it. I should have known what he was going to think about. Personally I did not consider it a date.
"Bro it was not a date. First we still were in the house with my mother still there. Second, it is not a date if the girl doesn't think it is."
"You could have a date in your own house. And how you know she did not think it was?"
"How you know she did?"
"How you know she doesn't?"
"I am not going back and forth with you. Nothing happened. There was no date. End it."
"But…"
"End it."
"Fine. Are you done?"
I looked at my phone. It was 2:50. "Yea, let's call it a date."
"So you are saying that it was a date? I knew it!"
"I meant day! You got my damn head messed up." He knew what I meant anyway.
We started to walk back to his house. I said to end it, but of course he didn't. He kept talking about it. Trying to prove that it was a date or whatever. I literally said nothing. I barely listened. He was not changing my mind.
We finally arrived at his house. He turned to go into his house.
"Bye Ray." he said.
"You are not coming?" I said.
"Where?"
"To my house of course."
"Are you serious?!"
"Are you coming or not? I might change my mind."
His face lit up like a six year old at Christmas. "Let's go!" he yelled while jumping off his stairs. What thoughts of a girl do to this guy.
"First, do not bring up what I told you today to her. I don't know how she feels about the whole thing." I told him.
"No problem." He was still smiling. Somehow I think he would bring it up. I can't trust him when it comes to girls. He just talks without thinking.
"Second" I started. "Don't act stupid."
"Whatever. Let's go!"
He was so happy I don't even think he knew what he was even agreeing to. He never even knew this girl and yet he is parading around the streets. We started walking. In Dashaun's case, running.
We arrived back at the house in a couple of minutes. We arrived so quickly mainly for the fact Dashaun ran most of the way. He was at my door before I was. He even tried to open it. I ran behind him and slapped him in the back of his head.
"What's your problem!" he said.
"Calm down. You are way too hyped and excited right now. If you don't calm down then you could go home." I said firmly.
"Fine, I'm good. Don't hit me again though." he said. He was chill now. To think all I had to do was slap him for all the times he was acting stupid.
"You better be." I opened the door and we both entered.
The T.V was on so someone was in the living room. I told Dashaun to follow me. I looked in the living room. Jessica was sitting in her usual spot. I guess we could get started then.
"Hey Jessica." I said.
"Sup." she said. When did she start saying that? She must be comfortable here.
"Got a minute? I want you to meet someone. My best friend actually. Just so it won't be awkward when he comes here again."
"Sure, who is it?"
Dashaun came in the living room and went towards Jessica.
"This is Dashaun, best friend" I said to Jessica. "Dashaun, Jessica." I said to him.
Jessica held out her hand. "Hello." she said. I thought Japanese people bowed when greeting. Actually I haven't seen her bow since she got here. She was good at American customs. Or I should really stop stereotyping people.
I looked at Dashaun. He had a huge smile on his face. He acts like he never seen the opposite sex before.
"You are beautiful." he said while he shook her hand. And that was the first thing he said to her. Can't deny that the boy got confidence.
"Uh thanks." she said awkwardly.
"I thought Asians bowed when greeting?" he asked her.
"Yes, but a handshake is the American custom." she said.
"Right, right." He responded.
Not once did this guy take his eyes off of her. He was in love already. He is so pathetic. He probably already looked at her whole body already and faster than I did.
My mother came from the kitchen. I had no idea she was here. "I knew I heard you Dashaun. Hi." She said.
"Hi Ms. Randal." He said. He still had to say Ms. Randal unlike Jessica.
"I see you have met Jessica. She is great." my mom said.
"Yes she is." he agreed.
"You don't even know her." I said to myself quietly so no one could hear it. I think Jessica did because she looked at me.
"I'm sure you two will get along." my mom said to Dashaun.
"I hope so." he responded.
My mom went upstairs to her room.
"Let's go Dashaun. Time to go upstairs and play games". I pushed him out of the living room.
"Wait, but..." he was saying.
"Let's go." I said. "Jessica, finish your show."
She went back to her seat and sat down. Dashaun and I went upstairs. I started to get the game set up and stuff while Dashaun closed the door.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!" he said.
"Oh my god shut up!" I told him while putting in the wires. I turned on the game and T.V.
"She is gorgeous. You live with her?!"
"No she lives next door. She is the new neighbor. Here idiot." I handed him a controller. "I'm surprised you could talk. I thought you left your jaw in the living room."
"Bro she is…she is..."
"How about you shut up and play the game." I did not feel like him telling me something I told him. He did shut up, but the grin was still there.
Moments later before the game of Madden started I heard knocking on my door. The same knocking as yesterday. It was Jessica.
"Come in, Jessica" I said.
She opened the door. "I'm bored. Do you mind if I watch the game or is that intruding?" she asked.
"Of course!" Dashaun shouted. He is truly pathetic.
"Dashaun shut up. This is my house." Then I looked at Jessica. "Yes you can."
"Thanks." she said and turned and left. She was going to get a seat.
"Dashaun, nothing stupid." I told him.
"No problem." he said.
"That means perverted too."
He did not answer. That got me a little worried. Jessica returned and sat down. Time to see what happens.
We played for two hours. In fact it was quite fun. Jessica did what she wanted to do and sat there and watched. She already knew about the game, but did not care much for the sport. I'm pretty sure she was a gamer, but she did not say so yet. Maybe I just don't have the right games for her to be excited about. Dashaun was actually being normal. He was on his best behavior and was contained. I was actually surprised.
That stuff happens for the first game mainly (except for Dashaun. He was fine for the whole two hours). I lost the first game. Jessica started to talk smack and stuff. That pretty much confirmed she is not foreign to this lifestyle. I had to win the second game now. I didn't win, I dominated. Dashaun had jokes and stuff. I guess he was trying to impress Jessica or something. I don't know. She laughed at them. I was thinking out of politeness, but who knows. Maybe she enjoyed his company. Before I knew it the time was six.
"Dinner!" my mom yelled.
"What time is it?" Dashaun asked.
"Six." I told him.
"Oh I gotta go. My mom is taking me out at seven for dinner."
"Ok. I will tell mom."
We all went downstairs. Dashaun and I went into the kitchen. Jessica went into the living room and turned on the television. I put the chair back.
"Mom Dashaun is leaving. I'm walking him back." I told her.
"He can't stay?" my mom asked.
"Na, I got dinner at seven with mom at some fancy place." he said. "Sorry."
"Awe, well it's ok. Hurry back, Ray."
"Ok." I said.
We were walking to the door, but Dashaun stopped at the living room.
"Bye Jessica. I hope you enjoy me smacking Ray!"
"You only one once. He won twice." she said. I made him quit one.
"Well you know."
"Bye Dashaun. See you later." She said.
"Bye." Then we left.
A couple seconds up the street Dashaun spoke again. "That was awesome. Bro I think I love her."
I knew it. "Wow I did not notice." I said sarcastically. "Smooth moves back there too. Make sure you win before bragging about it."
"I'm serious. I think she is the one. I'm going to try to go out with her."
"Slow down bro. you only met her once."
"And I know I love her."
"You love her looks."
"It's more than that this time. I could feel it."
"Well you are not going to impress her with those jokes and especially video game skills." I said.
"You are jealous?" he laughed.
"Of what? I just don't think it is going to happen."
"Why not?"
"I don't think she wants a boyfriend. She will be here only a year, genius."
"So? Something just for the school year."
"Knock yourself out bro. don't cry when she rejects you."
"I sense a lot of hostility from you. Does that mean I have competition?" he smiled.
"Whatever bro. Do not worry about no one else. Just do you."
The rest of the walk it was just him smiling and saying how much he loved her. I don't think he knows what love is. We finally arrived at his house.
"Peace Dashaun." I said.
"Peace bro. Do not get mad when I date her."
"Yea, yea whatever." Then I left for home.
I got back home in ten minutes. Jessica was in the living room eating. Tonight's dinner was pizza. I was surprised Dashaun did not take a slice. He had to be going to a buffet. I went to the kitchen and got two slices. We usually ate at the table, but dad had to work late and it was only pizza. Jessica was watching Avatar so I just sat down.
"Hey." I said.
"So what did he say about me?" she asked. Just jump right into it, huh.
"He thought you were cool and beautiful obviously" I told her.
"That's it?" she said.
I did not want to tell her that he confessed his love for her. That would ruin the poor boy. "Yea and some other stuff. What you think of my bro?"
"He is your brother?" she asked.
"No. that is what guys just call their best friends around here." I forgot she did not know all the slang yet.
"I'm joking, dummy." She laughed. "Well I guess he was fine. He was funny." I guess she liked some of his jokes. "He isn't shy. He is kinda cute."
"Whoa!" I said. "Let me stop you there. You think he is cute?"
"In a way."
"I'm not touching that."
She got up and left to throw away her plate and wash her hands. I guess he had a shot. She did not hate him. She actually liked him.
She came back. I was quiet when I ate. When I finished I got up and threw my stuff away. I came back. I wanted to ask her something for a while now..
"Hey Jessica, can I ask you something?" I said.
"Sure." she answered.
Why did your parents send you here?"
She sat quiet for a moment. I guess she was thinking of what to say.. Then she spoke.
"My parents think I have an attitude. I had got into a couple fights at school. Only two, but my parents are strict and they thought that meant I was a problem. They said time away from home is best. They love to discipline me."
"I never would have thought of you as a fighter."
"Well I did not start them. Both were about a boy that I cared nothing about. The guys were my friends. But you know girls, same all around the world."
"Oh." I said. That was really all I could say. I figured it was about a guy. She does not seem like the trouble making type.
"What about your family?" she asked. "Obviously you guys signed up to that project thing. That's why I came here. Why?"
"Entering the project was my parents not me. My family enjoys doing things like this. They say it is good for me and my future. Something like that. They are crazy."
"Sounds like they make you do weird stuff. Oh! That's why you wanted to teach them a lesson?"
"You don't know half of it. And yes that was the reason." I said. It grew silent. I had another question I wanted to ask that I thought of walking home.
"So Jessica, do you plan on getting attachments here?" I asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You know…attachments?"
She thought for a minute. "Do you mean a boyfriend?"
"Well that could be an attachment." Yea that was exactly what I was thinking.
"I don't know. I only have seen one guy over her. Well two now." meaning me and Dashaun. "Why do you ask?"
"Ah just wondering. I mean you will be here for a year. You will leave, but your life shouldn't just stop."
"True." Then she sat quietly. After a moment she asked me a question I was not ready for. "Your friend said I was beautiful. Why have you never said that?"
Ok my response could be stupid and bad or well educated. I had to think quickly because if I waited too long she would still be mad no matter what my response was. Why would she ask this?!
I waited another second. "I thought it would be weird. I mean I didn't really know you, I was still not trying to talk to you, and I didn't want it to be awkward." I said. It sounded pretty good too.
"Your friend said it easily."
"Well he is an idiot and perverted." I laughed. "And like you said, he is not shy."
"So do you think I am beautiful?"
"Yes I do. I thought that when I saw you that first night." I looked in her eyes when I said that. She was smiling. I like where this was going. However I did not want to take it there. At least not yet.
I looked at the clock on the T.V. it was 7:30. Almost time for Fairy Tail. Time to go.
"Well I'm going upstairs for a bit. Bye." I said to her.
"You sound like you are leaving the house." she laughed.
"Well you know."
"Bye, Ray."
I started walking to the stairs. Then I remembered something else I wanted to tell her.
"Oh yea Jessica. The answer is yes." I said.
���Yes what?" she asked.
I said nothing. I just smiled at her. Then I pointed to my head meaning think. I also threw in a hint. I don't know if she noticed it or not. I dragged the same hand down my chest to my side. After that I walked upstairs. I was answering the question `Do you like my breast.' I don't know if she knew it or not.
I went into my room and got my laptop. She was beautiful. Now that I spoke to her she is more than a pretty face (and body). She is a great person.
I'll have her as a school girlfriend. Dashaun said something like that. That got me thinking. I went to my calendar. It was August 25th. School was September 8th. That meant there were only two or three weeks left until school. Since when? I thought it was still early August. I forgot the date that fast.
That just meant more competition. It was obvious she was pretty. I'm pretty sure every guy would look. Then there would be the bold ones who will talk to her. She will talk back. Then she might actually like one of them. What if that happens? Dashaun would be mad. Where would that leave me? What if I'm not the guy she chooses?
When did I start worrying about that? I still don't know if I want to be that guy. I really don't know. I'm going to go with the flow with this. If it happens it happens. If it doesn't…
I do not know how I will feel if it did not happen. The truth is I sort of do like her. The question was should I try? Will it be awkward? Does she even like me?
So many thoughts in my head right now. I started watching Fairy Tail. There were still 2 or 3 weeks left of summer vacation. I think the best thing for everybody is to wait and see how things go. From experience I know that rushing into things only causes complications and problems. I don't want to do that again. This time I feel patience is best.
But waiting too long could also be a problem. If I wanted her and truly wanted to do this then should I wait or should I just go after her? I was left with these thoughts for the rest of the night and the rest of summer.