26

On My Mind - Jorja Smith

I woke up sore.

Like, actually sore. The kind that made my thighs ache when I swung them off the bed, made me hiss when I stood up. Kamala was still asleep—her back bare, her hair splayed across her pillow like a halo. She looked peaceful. Almost too peaceful for what she did to me last night.

I smirked to myself and padded into the bathroom, stealing one of her big t-shirts on the way.

It wasn't until I was brushing my teeth that I noticed the notification on my phone.

Unknown number: hey ma, u made it home okay?

I froze. Foam in my mouth, toothbrush halfway to the sink. I stared at the message for a full 10 seconds before rinsing and wiping my face.

Ma?

Nah.

I typed back:

Me: Who is this?

The typing bubbles popped up almost immediately.

Unknown number: michelle. from the club. u looked real good last night lol. karina gave me ur number before y'all dipped.

My eyebrows rose on instinct.

Michelle. Stud Michelle. Curly hair, brown skinned, smells-good-for-no-reason Michelle.

I should've been annoyed that Karina gave my number out without asking me first, but honestly I was still waking up. I tossed my phone on the counter and took a second to breathe.

Kamala didn't know about her. Not really. She saw us talking in class, sure—saw Michelle doing that thing where she laughs and lightly touches my arm like we've been best friends since middle school. But Kamala never asked questions. Never admitted anything.

Still.

I could feel her watching, sometimes.

I picked up my phone again, fingers hovering over the screen.

I text back.

ohh, okay. yeah I made it home

I thought about adding something casual. "You?" or "Last night was fun." But I didn't. I just left it there. No emoji. No heart. No energy she could flip back on me.

I set the phone down and walked back into the bedroom.

Kamala had rolled on her back, one hand resting across her stomach like she'd been dreaming something slow and sweet. I watched her for a second. The curve of her neck. The way the sunlight hit her cheekbone just right.

And that was the moment i decided—Michelle could text me if she wanted to.

But I wasn't looking for anything.

Not when I already had everything. ______

Short chapterrrrrr, The calm before the storm.😼