Dallas
"Yo man, what took you so long?", Rune asked as I got inside.
"Had to drop her home", I shrugged.
"So how hot is she?"
I don't know why I felt the urge to say "not very hot" when she was anything but, "I guess you'd find out for yourself", I smirked.
"Fuck, I know that smirk. It means she's fucking hot and he wants to keep that thought to himself", Travis said and smirked at me.
"Whatever", I laughed.
"I call dibs on the first couch though", Christian chimed in.
"Suit yourself bro", I said and we laughed and concentrated on the show that was on.
The week went by fast. Courtney was busy running around in between settling Texas, family, rehearsals and honestly I felt kinda hurt that I was the only one left out.
"I'm so sorry babe, I'm on my way to Texas'. I just want to spend time with in her new apartment, she's moving in today".
It was Sunday and we were resuming the school year the next day. The plan was to come over after her rehearsal so we could spend time together before the hustle of school starts but Courtney being Courtney called last minute just to cancel those plans.
"You could literally spend time with Texas another day that is not today", I whined.
"I could literally spend time with you another day that is not today", she shot back.
"Fuck", I mouthed. "Okay fine. Guess we are spending time some other day then".
"Thanks babe, I always knew you'd support my decisions. This is family babe"
More like you forced this decision on me, I said in my head. "Yeah sure. I understand. I love you".
"Love you too babe" she hurriedly said and hung up.
I sighed, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went to sit in the living room. I grabbed my phone then decided to check out Texas' page. I was not all that surprised when I found more painting than her own pictures. There was a picture of her in a joggers and crop top, she was sweating and gurgling down water from a bottle, the caption said "my best friend is a slave driver #bestfriendgoals". The picture happened to be an unaware picture, I tapped on the handle that was tagged, it led to a blonde's page. This one had more life in it than Texas' page, there were lots of pictures and dance videos. From there I realized that this blonde was the life of the friendship and she was also a dancer, a very good one at that.
I found the video where Texas was in that outfit, turned out it was a dance video she did with her friend. I'm not gonna lie, she has moves for an artist. After more shameless stalking, I decided to call it a night since tomorrow was school day. Since I wasn't doing anything special, I set my alarm and went to sleep.
I hate the beginning of school year, it was rowdy because of the freshmen. Throw in the fact that the season will start soon, meaning practices and practices and camps and camps, that was why I wanted to spend time with Court but she rain checked. Another thing I hate is parking space. It's always fucking rowdy and crowdy that even the parking spaces are filled up. As I was scanning for a vacant parking space, a BMW whizzed past me. I saw Rune's car ahead gunning for the same space the BMW was aiming for but the BMW beat him to it. Knowing Rune, he'd be as furious as possible, he hates searching for a parking space just like me.
Curly hair in a bun emerged from the driver's side, it was a girl. She said something to Rune because he rolled his window down to yell profanities at the driver, for sure. I found it hilarious until I realized the driver was Texas when she ran past my car. I saw Rune's headlight flash at me as he reversed, I followed him. We eventually found space beside each other, he was frowning when he came out of his car.
"What's up man? Why you frowning?", I asked like I didn't see what happened.
"Some bitch just stole my parking space. I saw that shit from afar and she just zoomed in and stole it", he sucked his teeth.
I decided not to let the cat out of the bag, "But you have to admit it, she was fast right??"
"Damn straight. To steal a space from a Salvador, she was fucking fast", he chuckled.
"Come on man". We walked to the entrance and we went our separate ways.
The last thing I hate in the beginning of school year was Projects, group works, homeworks and partners. Just the first day and I had two projects that were due the following week. As I walked out of my first class, I bumped into Rune. "Hey man", I gave him a bro hug.
"Ahh, first day of school is doing my head in. Now I'm supposed to write a paper on how I psychoanalyze the brain of an addict."
"I know right. I've got two projects due next week", I sighed.
"But you wanna know what's up?", he gave me a serious look so I nodded, "I could use some food", he laughed.
"I can't believe I fell for it again. Let's get to the cafeteria". We walked to our cafe/cafeteria, there was a long queue but we had a pass. We both got sandwiches and milkshakes, the next problem was finding a table. As I was scanning the rowdy cafeteria, I heard Rune curse.
"What the fuck?", he said as he stopped right next to me.
"What is it?"
"She's right there", he said as his eyes were fixed on someone.
I tried looking at his view but someone was standing right in the path, "Who's right where?"
He looked at me, "The girl who stole my parking space. Come on, I'm telling her she messed up."
Rune she's---", I tried to say but he already moved so I had no choice but to follow him.
"So you were the broad that stole my space?", Rune asked.
Knowing Rune, for saying broad out loud, he said bitch in his head. Texas furrowed her eyebrows like she didn't know what he was talking about then her gaze landed on me and went back to Rune.
"Err.... I dunno what you are talking about?", she sharply replied.
I don't know if she saw me or she didn't know it was me but I wasn't acknowledged by the two occupants of the table.
"This morning, at the parking lot", Rune raised a brow and took a seat on one of the empty chairs and faced her.
I took a seat too and her eyes flicked to me, "Oh heyy. I never got to say Thank you for the other day. Thanks a lot, Eiffel and I really appreciate it", she smiled at me to the bewilderment of the other two members of the present group. She looked back at Rune, "Something I don't get though. You said it was your space but there was no sign right there that it belonged to anybody. I'd say the best man won the space", she shrugged.
Rune gave her a "are you serious?" look.
"Okay, enough with the space rant. Texas how do you know my brother?"
"Who? Who's your brother? I don't even know anybody here, so how the fuck would I know your brother?", she raised her brows.
"Him right there is my brother", Diane pointed at me.
Okay so there it is. Diane Navarro is my little sister but she doesn't like to attach herself to me at school because she said many bitches use her to get to me, her words not mine. Hence she hates the fact that her brother is a star player. "Uhmmm yeah there you go. Meet my little sister, guess y'all met already", I said while rubbing the back of my neck.
"Why is nobody talking about the fact that she stole my parking space?", Rune mumbled.
"Can you just shut up about the space? It's gone and you are not getting it anymore, stop whining", Texas replied and rolled her eyes.
Rune leaned into me and whispered in my ear, "Fuck I like her already". He turned to Texas, "Okay fine, I'll stop whining only because you asked nicely. Hi, I'm Rune", he said with a charming smile.
"Oohh....you look better when you smile. I'm Texas and it's nice to meet you", she smiled back at him.
"Leave it to you and your clique to come mess up a friendship that is blossoming", Diane said angrily.
"C'mon D, share this beauty. I promise we'll leave enough piece of her for you", I winked at Diane.
Texas burst into laughter and I have to to admit her laugh was adorable, "Don't worry new friend", she patted Diane's shoulder. "There's plenty of me to go around".
"That's it. Our next class is in 10 minutes, let's go", D grabbed her hand and pulled Texas with her. "See you later brother, Arab imma catch your stupid ass later", she said as she dragged Texas with her.
"Bye guys", Texas waved as she was being pulled away but her eyes lingered a little bit on me before she turned to leave.
"What was that?", Rune raised a brow with a smirk.
"What was what?", I asked as I sipped my milkshake.
"That look you both shared. Is Courtney getting a worthy competitor anytime soon?"
"What the fuck you talking about?", I furrowed my eyebrows.
"You know what I'm talking about and I know you well enough to know what that look means", he smiled.
"Shut the fuck up man", I grumbled. I checked my watch and realized it was almost time for my last class day, "I'll see you for practice".
"Alright man", he smiled devilishly.
I dapped him and left for class. Before long the class ended and I was heading to practice. I brought out my phone to text Rune, I wasn't looking at my surroundings when I bumped into a body.
"Shit", the person I bumped into muttered.
"Oh I'm so sorry, I wasn't--", the words died in my throat as I realized the person was Texas. "Here, let me help you up", I said when I realized she was still on the floor.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking, I was on my phone", she said as she bent to pick up her phone. "Shit", she mumbled with a pout.
"Oh my God, am I getting you a new phone?" I asked with a wince. She turned her screen towards me and I'd say the screen was pretty fucking cracked, "Yep. I'm getting you a new one".
"Yeah it's pretty bad but I can get another one myself", she smiled.
"I was the cause of that".
"What? It's not like I didn't have a hand in this. If I wasn't on my phone, I'd have seen you and probably avoid you".
"Oh so you mean, if I didn't bump into you, you'd have avoided me and not say Hi?", I teased.
"Oh please, you know what I meant", she rolled her eyes.
I chuckled, "Uh-huh I do. So where are you headed?"
"Home. I've got projects to work on already, it's exhausting. It's just the first day", she leaned on the wall she was standing against.
"Relatable. I've got a heavy work load myself", I sighed.
"What about you? Where were you headed?"
"Soccer practice", I replied then looked in her eyes, I don't know why but I found it difficult to tear my eyes away.
"Oooohhhh, star player", she grinned. "I gotta run", she kicked off the wall she was leaning on.
"I owe you a phone and you'll get it tomorrow or we visit the store together so you'll pick what you want".
She thought about it for a while and for a split second I was wondering what was going through her head then she shrugged, "Okay. Tommorow then. From my schedule, I do not have a class", she said happily.
"Too bad. I've got a class tomorrow and it's ending by 12. Let's say I scoop you up at your place, then we go get you a phone."
"You know you don't have to get me a new phone right? I could just get a new one myself."
"We've been over this. I'm getting you a new one, and that's period. So let me give you my digits then you can send me your address"
"Okay". She took the phone, tapped on it, "Oops". She turned the screen to me and it was entirely black.
"Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen", I pleaded.
"It's not like you went smack dab into me intentionally" she smiled while pocketing the phone.
"More reason why I'm getting you another one", I told her.
"What are you getting?", Rune said as he suddenly joined us. "Oh it's you", he said when he noticed Texas.
"Yeah it's me and I have a name", she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah I know", Rune laughed. "I'm sorry for being a bitch about the parking space, I was frustrated about looking for that space."
"Established", she nodded at Rune. "Hey, got a pen and paper?", she asked me.
"For?"
"Since I have no phone at the moment, how would you find my address?", she playfully raised a brow.
"Ohh yeah", I grabbed a pen from my bag and snatched a paper that Rune was holding. "Here you go", I handed the paper to her and watched her scribble down her address. She handed it to me and I realized that my apartment complex was 15minutes away from hers by car and 30minutes away by walking, her apartment was closer to the Uni than mine was. "Okay, 2pm it is ."
"Yeah. See you later Rune", she waved at Rune who was busy with his phone.
"Bye space stealer", she just chuckled and left. "What's going on tomorrow?", Rune asked as we started moving towards the gym.
"I broke her phone and I'm getting her a new one."
"How did you break her phone?"
"Bumped into her in my way to the gym." He hummed in reply and hell if that was not suspicious, "What?"
"Nothing. She knows you have a girlfriend right?", he raised a brow.
"Courtney is practically her cousin, ain't no way she doesn't know man. And what even is the point behind that question?"
"Nothing man, nothing. Just precautions", he replied vaguely and I just waved it off as we entered the gym.
"Where the fuck have you guys been?", Travis asked as we got to where he was standing.
"Busy meeting Courtney's cousin", Rune wiggled his eyebrows.
"Shit, you done meet her as well! This is unfair. Why is she meeting Chris and I last?"
"I dunno man, save the best for the last?", I shrugged.
He nodded and smirked, "Spot on".
That was how we spent the whole practice with Travis asking questions about Texas. Like "Is she blonde?", "She has more of ass than tits?", "What is the size of her palm?", I mean what the fuck does that have to do with anything?
After practice, I was fucking tired as I staggered into my apartment. On my way to my room, I felt a presence in the kitchen so I walked over. There was my girlfriend, brown hair in a bun, in my shirt, bent over something on the counter. She looked fucking hot from behind, hell if that didn't raise dirty mental images in my head. "What are you doing?"
She let out a gasp as she turned around then she grinned, "Babee!". She came towards me and gave me a peck on the lips which felt so husband and wifey in nature, it almost gave me an uneasy feeling in my stomach. "I made dinner", she smiled and gestured to the table.
There on the table was my favorite food, pasta and sauce with meatballs. "What spurred this on?"
She blushed, what she does when she feels guilty or embarrassed. Courtney likes to please everybody and whenever she does not do that, she feels guilty like she is feeling at the moment but this time it was with due cause. "I just felt like I have not been giving you my attention like I should, so here I am pushing other things till tomorrow to spend time with you", she said while pleading with me with her brown eyes.
"So practically, there are other things you should be doing right now but you pushed them off for me?", I asked like an attention seeking child.
"Yes baby. I'm sorry", she patted my cheek.
I kissed her full on the mouth and she kissed me back, delving her fingers into my hair. I didn't waste time in lifting her and putting her on the counter. I intruded her mouth with my tongue and she decided to fight for dominance, which was new. "Fuck I've missed you", I whispered as I placed kisses on her neck.
"Slow down Dallas", she giggled. "The food will get cold."
"I'd love to eat you first", I said as I popped the button on her jean shorts. I heard a shrill ring of her phone, "Ignore it", I whispered against her lips and slammed my lips on hers again. The phone stopped then went off again.
"Come on. I need to pick up, what if it's important?", she said as she detached her lips from mine and got her phone from the counter.
"Hello", she told the person on the other end as I continued kissing down her neck. She tapped my mouth and walked away from the counter, meaning I was distracting her.
"I thought that was tomorrow. I can't tonight", she briefly glanced at me.
She waited for the person on the other end to talk, "I said I ca---". I don't know what the person said but she looked at me apologetically and quietly said, "Okay I'll be there"
"Lemme guess, you are needed again", I said as she hung up.
"Dallas---"
I cut her off, "If I'm right, that was your corps teacher and you have rehearsal?"
"Dallas, I tried to refuse--"
"If I'm right he probably threatened you with the prima shit again right?"
"It is not shit, Dallas", she exclaimed. "That position is very important to me and you should be supportive."
"There you go again Courtney. Have you seen your feet?", I gestured to her sock cladded feet that was stained with blood at the tip. "You are tiring yourself out just because of a position. I'm supposed to be supportive but it is also my duty to let you know if you are killing yourself. You did all of these last year and that fucking coach of yours still gave the solo to another dancer that was not even as good as you!", I yelled angrily.
"If you can't see that I'm worthy of this position then how is my coach supposed to think I am? So are you saying I shouldn't go to rehearsals anymore because you feel neglected? Grow the fuck up Dallas."
"It's not about being worthy and it's not about me being neglected, it's about the fact that you are obsessing over a position. Maybe it's time that you just dance because you feel like it not because you are trying to win your dance coach over."
"Obsessing? Really? I'm obsessing? What joy is in just being in a corp de ballet when I can fucking be a prima ballerina?" she asked angrily.
"If I understand the concept of ballet well enough, being in the corp means you are as important as the fucking prima." Now we were both shouting at the top of our voices.
"You are the captain of your team. Why can't I be the prima of my corp too? Everybody knows I'm your girlfriend on campus and I'm just there in the corp as an ordinary member, do you think that speaks well on your reputation as a captain?"
There she fucking goes again, I ran my hand through my hair, "Fucking hell, Courtney. I've never for once in our relationship told you to go out of your way for my reputation. Who the fuck cares about my reputation?"
"If you don't care about yours, then I care about my reputation as a dancer", she went to my room and she came with her clothes on and her bag on her shoulder. She looked me dead in the eye, "You said being in the corp is important. Maybe I don't want my significance to be just as a corp member but as a prima ballerina and if you don't agree with that, maybe I'm not in the right place. Looks like rehearsal is the best place for me after all", she said coldly and slammed the door on her way out.
"Fuck", I muttered as I collapsed on the couch. I hate it when Courtney and I fight, none of our arguments had ever been this heated so I didn't know exactly what to think. Regardless of what she thinks, I'm still standing my ground that she should chill out.
Last year, she almost wrecked herself in rehearsal just so she could land a solo for the annual dance thing the school organises but last minute, her coach gave the solo to someone else. Here she was again, going through the same self-destructive cycle.
My phone rang beside me, I was so not in the mood to have a conversation but I saw that it was my Mom. "Hey Mom", I answered gloomily.
"Hey baby. What's going on? Are you okay? You don't sound all good"
"Courtney and I had an argument". I then scoffed, "More like a blown out fight."
"Tell me about it". I told her everything then waited for her comment, "I get her point and I also know where you are coming from. Baby, all you've to do is let her do what she wants. She wants the position so badly? Let her go for it. All you have to do is support even if you feel she's doing the wrong thing. Eventually, everything will fall in place for her and for you even though I don't really like the girl. You've chosen her and you have to stick with her decisions".
Mum never ceases to let me know every single chance she gets that she does not like Courtney and she's very vocal about it. She thinks she's not my "it" person because she always goes, "When I see your person, I won't hesitate to tell you but frolick with this one for whatever time you will". I don't understand that statement one bit but I never bother and Courtney and I have been together for 3 years now and that's some long years to throw out. "Okay Ma, thank you".
"Anytime baby. So how are y'all doing?"
"Ma, you know D. She doesn't talk to me in school unless it is dangerously necessary but the last time I spoke to her which was today, she's alright. She made a friend too".
"D made a friend? Never thought I'd see the day", she laughed. "You both take care of yourselves and solve your issue with Courtice and cheer up. I hate to hear my baby sound so sad".
"Ma, it's Courtney"
"Whatever", she mumbled, knowing her I knew she was rolling her eyes.
We talked a few more about her work, soccer and nothing in general before she hung up. I decided to take a shower and sleep my ass am off.
Lila Navarro, my beautiful mother. I got many of my features from her, more like I look like her a great deal. Curly hair, lips, the freckles, black dots scattered over my face and neck, everything was from her. My mom and I are fucking close, like I tell her everything that happens to me kinda close, even down to the the girls I fucked back in high school. Every goddamn thing, she knows. Mum is the typical cool parent, she lets us do whatever. She'd give her opinion on our situations and whenever we don't want to listen, she retreats into the shadow waiting for the "I told you so" moment, only she wouldn't say that. She just comes out of her shadow and kiss our heartaches better. When I got my piercings and tattoos, she supported me. So, you could say I am a typical Mummy's boy and I love that woman to bits and pieces.
Texas
After the class we had ended, Diane said she had to see a Professor. I had to walk to my car alone. Kris texted me and I was about to read and reply the message when I officially became phoneless but I couldn't be mad because it was the hot Dallas and he promised to get me another one, which I refused by the way but he insisted. So, I'll be getting a new phone tomorrow but right now, my stomach is empty and I was too lazy to cook, I'd order but I've got no phone. I went to shower and decided on Mac and cheese, you can never go wrong with that right?
I picked a Netflix movie and started watching, that was when I realized I hadn't talked to my mum since I landed. "Probably do that tomorrow", I mumbled and yawned. I'm sure you know how that ended, I slept off on the couch.
*****†**†******†**********
I suddenly shot off the couch not knowing what woke me, it was when the shrill sound of the doorbell rang out through the apartment that I realised what woke me, I scrunched up my sleepy face, thinking if I was expecting someone but my sleepy brain came back empty. I just trudged to the door, the third bell rang out again and I shouted, "I'm coming!!"
I grabbed the door open and I couldn't help but widen my eyes when I saw who was at the other side of the door. "What are you doing here? How do you know where I live?"
"Judging by how groggy your voice sounds, I'd say you just woke up or I woke you and your brain has not had the time to process yesterday".
I furrowed my eyebrows, it was almost like a bulb lit up in my head. "Fuck we were supposed to go phone hunting, no?"
"Exactly", Dallas smiled and I almost swooned.
Keyword being swooned but I didn't. Well I think I did because I felt my cheeks grow warm, "Come on in while I shower", I opened the door wide enough for him to come in.
He wolf whistled, "Nice place you've got here".
"Errr... thanks. Make yourself---", I watched him as he kicked his sneakers off and sat with one leg under him, he grabbed the remote control to pick a new Netflix movie, "I see you've made yourself at home".
"I'm sorry", he blushed. "I'm just trying to get comfy and your place is comfy".
"Well we have my Dad to thank for that", I laughed. "So err help yourself to anything. Juice, beer, smoothie whatever you want"
"You drink beer?", he raised a brow.
"Not really, just part of the pioneering stock up of the house" I said to which he nodded to. "Okay so I'll be right back".
"Take your time", he mumbled but I heard him.
I entered my room thinking of what to wear to show that I was not really trying when my head knew that I was indeed trying.