Chapter 40

Monday afternoon, Esined

I was sitting at the table in the library, waiting for my next student. Whoever it was, was late and I didn't appreciate my time being wasted. I tapped my nails on the library table.

Just when I thought my student arrived, it was August walking in with food from Subway.

"You're my student?" I asked.

"No," he said. "I came ta bring you some food befo' I went ta get tutored,"

"Awe. That's so sweet of you,"

"Well, I'm late and PJ don't play that, so I gotta go," he leaned down and gave me a kiss.

I kissed him back, smiling. "Thank you," I pecked his lips again.

"You welcome. I'll see you lata, baybeh,"

"Okay," I said.

He left and I continued to wait for my student. I even ate half of my sub and drank most of my pink lemonade. They were fifteen minutes late.

"You my tutor?"

I looked up, seeing Keenon. "Yes. You're fifteen minutes late,"

"My bad," he sat down. "What we workin' on?"

I sighed. "You signed up for help with American Government,"

"Aiight," he said.

"You'll need to get out your history book, a pen or pencil, and a notebook," I said.

He took all of that out, except a pencil. He then took out his phone.

"I don't think you'll need your phone," I told him.

"My bad," he chuckled, putting it away. "Aiight. What page we on?"

"Two-seventy-three,"

He turned to the page.

I checked my notes, making sure of what I had to cover in this section. I began to speak. "You can title your notes Presidential Benefits,"

"You got a pen?"

I sighed, getting out a pen for him to use. I passed it to him and he didn't even say thank you.

He wrote the title of his notes and we went on from there.

This tutoring session wasn't going too bad until he began to ask me questions about things that didn't have anything to do with what I was teaching him.

"Can we stay on one subject please?" I asked nicely.

"Aiight. Let's talk about why you ain't my girl,"

"I'd prefer to talk about something that will get you passing American Government,"

"I'd prefer to talk about why we ain't together,"

"Because I have a boyfriend. Anymore. questions?"

"Yeah. What was wrong with me?"

"You just weren't what I wanted,"

"So you went with the little pretty boy, huh?"

I looked at him. "Is that a problem?"

"Yeah,"

"How?"

"You supposed to be my girl. Besides, he ain't no real one,"

"No I'm not," I looked at the clock. "Our session is over. I hope that you can be more focused tomorrow," I put away my notebook and stood up. I put on my backpack and he laughed.

"Our session is supposed to be an hour long,"

"It is. You were fifteen minutes late and you wasted ten minutes of trying to question me about my personal life," I said. "You took twenty-five minutes from both of our time,"

"You can't stay for twenty-five minutes? Ain't you supposed to be makin' sure I learn this crap?"

"That sounds like a personal problem. I did my part, now it's your turn to do yours. I put in my fifty percent and now you put in yours,"

He stared at me. "What?"

"I've done what I was supposed to do and now you need to do your part. I showed up on time, taught you what you are supposed to know, and helped you make notes to study from. Now tomorrow, you need to show up on time and stay on task,"

He stood up, putting away his books. He was quiet, so I knew that what I had said might have upset him.

Which I didn't mind because he upset me a little. I didn't like how he made it seem like August was some little boy who had nothing on him.

I left the library and bumped into someone. "I'm sorry," I said at the same time as him.

"My apologies," Oliver said as we picked up each other's things. He handed me back my pencil and I handed him his notebook.

"Thank you," I stood and so did he.

"No problem,"

We both dusted our pants and started walking away in the same direction or the same foot.

"Stop doing things at the same time as me," he joked and I laughed.

"I think you may be copying me,"

"I'm not," he chuckled and looked at me. "I'm telling you, you should seriously model,"

"I'm trying," I sighed. "One day,"

He smiled. "I don't know you, but I believe in you,"

"Thank you," I smiled.

"Hey, um-" he stopped and answers his vibrating phone. "What do you want?" he seemed annoyed.

I tucked in my lips, trying not to laugh.

"You told me not to speak to you, so goodbye," he hung up and put his phone back in his pocket. "Boyfriends. Can't live with them, but you can live without them," he laughed.

"Wait," I said.

"I don't act like the stereotypical homosexual male, do I?"

"I don't mean to offend, but no. You don't,"

He laughed. "No offense taken. I forgot what I was saying before I answered the phone,"

"You said hey, um and then you answered the phone,"

"Oh! Don't you tutor?"

"Yeah. Did you need help with anything?"

"Math," he said. "I just quit from the tutor I have because she's no help. Do you have any available sessions this week?"

"I'll check," I said, opening my small notebook that I used to write down my session times. "I'm all booked this week, only time I'm free is Saturday, but that would be a house session and I'm not sure if you want to do that,"

"I'm fine with a house session. Mine or yours?"

"We can do yours. It can get a bit loud where I live,"

"My house is always quiet," he said.

"Okay. Your house it is. I just need your address," I handed him my pencil and he wrote it on my book under Saturday.

"Thank you so much. I'll see you later," he smiled.

"See ya," I smiled and he walked off. I went to the study hall that August was in and looked at him through the door.

He noticed me and I made a silly face at him. He chuckled and PJ looked over.

PJ started writing on a piece of papar. She stood up and came over to the door. I thought she was about to open it, but she taped the paper over it so I couldn't see August anymore. I started laughing and read the paper aloud to myself.

"You're distracting. Three more problems and he's yours,"

I waited patiently and soon they both came out.

"Don't interrupt my tutoring again," PJ said and we started laughing.

"Sorry," I put my hand out for August and PJ held it.

"I think dat was meant fa me," August laughed.

"Oh well. Your hands are soft Esined," she smiled.

"Stop bein' weird," he said.

"Stop being mean," I said.

He sucked his teeth and came to the other side of me. He held my hand.

"Does your hand really deserve to be held?" I asked.

He nodded. "I deserve a kiss too,"

"Is that right?"

"Yeah. PJ, tell 'er my score on my quiz,"

"Ninety-six," She smiled.

I smiled. "What happened to the other four percent?"

He blinked. "Baybeh, I got a ninety-six on my quiz,"

"And I asked what happened to the other four percent?"

"No congratulations? None of that?"

I started laughing. "My goodness. I'm joking. I'm proud of you," I gave his hand a squeeze.

He chuckled. "I thought you were serious,"

We walked out of school and Pooka came to pick up PJ.

"Hey!" she waved at us.

August dropped my hand and ran over to her car. He leaned into her window and hugged her.

PJ and I laughed as we walked over, still holding hands.

"Hi Mommy," PJ said.

"Hi Pookie," she smiled.

"Move August," PJ pushed him.

He jumped at her and she jumped back.

"Esined, get your boyfriend,"

I laughed and pulled him to me.

He draped his arm around my shoulder. "Betta be happy she holdin' me back,"

"Hey girl," Auntie Pooka smiled at me.

"Hi," I smiled.

She began a brief conversation with me about how she wanted to shoot for next weekend. Before she left, she let me know that I should expect a call from her soon.

August and I were making our way to his car before he spoke.

"I love dat you get along wit my Auntie. She means a lot ta me and any girl dat can get along wit her, my mama, and grandma has been officially approved,"

"I'm glad that they like me. They are such lovely women," I smiled.

"I just noticed somethin'," he said after we were in the car.

"What's that?"

"I neva got my kiss when you found out my score,"

I leaned over and pecked his lips before sitting back and putting on my seatbelt.

He started at me, blinking. "What was dat?"

"A kiss,"

"You know betta than dat," he mumbled.

"I didn't wanna just be all up in your mouth," I laughed.

"Hmm," he looked me up and down. "I wouldn't mind dat," he smirked before laughing.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You da one who brought it up. You nasty," he shook his head.

"What'd I say that was nasty?"

"You ain't wanna be all up in my mouth,"

"I don't get it. I just didn't want to be rude and be like your first kiss,"

"Oh lord... I really got me a lil innocent girl," he laughed.

"What are you talking about?" I frowned.

"Nothin' baybeh,"

"Tell me,"

"Nah. You too young ta know about dat stuff,"

"You're only a few months to a year older than me. How am I too young to know?"

"You're too innocent,"

"Fine. Don't tell me," I folded my arms.

"I'm not," he chuckled.

I side eyed him and looked out the window.

He started the car and began driving us home.

When we got home, I took off my seatbelt and opened the door. August looked at me like I was crazy, but I kept walking after I closed the door. He hates when I open the doors.

I walked up to the door and opened it. Viola was sitting on the couch with my mama and they seemed to be having a deep conversation. They ended their conversation when we walked in.

"Hey mama," I smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Hey baby. How was school?"

"It was okay. I'll talk to you in a minute. I have to talk to V," I said.

Viola stood up and I pulled her to my room.

"What's up?" she asked once I closed the door.

"I wanted to ask you want this means," I said before I started whispering. "I was in the car with August and we were talking about how I didn't kiss him. So I gave him a small kiss and he was all, what was that, basically saying I could have kissed him more. I told him I didn't want to be all up in his mouth or anything as a joke and then he gave me this look," I paused. "Are you listening?"

"Mhm," she nodded.

"Then he looked me up and down. He smirked a little and said Hm, I wouldn't mind that... What does that mean?"

Viola busted out laughing.

"V, stop," I frowned.

"I know he did not!" she laughed louder.

"Shhh. Hush," I whispered.

Viola laughed as tears fell down her cheeks. "You are so innocent. You've never heard of that before?"

"Of what? I'm not good at picking up hints,"

"Head,"

"Huh?"

"Slang term, sorry. He's okay with, um," she pulled me closer and whispered in my ear.

"What's that?"

"Really, Esined? Really? Your mama hasn't had that talk with you?"

I frowned. "You guys make me feel bad for not knowing,"

"We aren't trying to, but wow. Sorry," She pulled out her phone and typed up something. She turned the screen to me and I jumped back, covering my eyes. She started laughing.

"Turn it off!" I turned away.

She laughed harder and grabbed me. "Look at it. That's what Aug was talking about,"

"I don't want to look at that. That's gross," I uncovered my eyes.

"Fine. You'll watch it one day. Or you'll be doing it," she said. "It feels good when whoever is doing it knows what they're doing," she shrugged.

My jaw dropped. "That happened to you before?"

"Yeah,"

"Y'all are both nasty," I shook my head.

"Don't judge us. Trust me, you'll want that feeling one day,"

"I doubt it,"

"I said the same thing... Before it happened,"

"That seems awkward,"

"Not if you're comfortable with the person doing it,"

"Who did it?"

"I got homework to do," she started to go to the door.

"Viola!" I called after her.

"See you later, Es!" she quickly left my room and closed the door.

I folded my arms across my chest as August entered my room.

"I know you're upset wit me, but I need your help wit my homework," he said.

"I'm not upset," I stood up.

I followed him to the work room. "I just thought you should know that I found out what you were talking about," I said.

"How?" he asked.

"I asked Viola what it meant and she showed me a video of it... You're nasty," I mumbled. "And vulgar,"

He chuckled. "I apologize. I won't talk like dat anymore, okay?" he moved his chair closer to mine.

"I kinda liked how you looked at me when you said that though," I admitted.

He leaned back, shocked. "I swear, if I find out you a lil freak,"

"I'm not," I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

A minute of silence went by as we got out our work. I was writing and he was looking for a pencil.

"You sure you not? Not even just a lil bit?" he asked.

"August," I sat my pencil down and looked at him.

He looked away from me, laughing. "Can't blame a brotha fa askin'. You can neva be too sure,"

"Well, you can be sure this time. I'm not,"

"The way you sat on my lap yesterday says otherwise," he mumbled.

"Do you want help with your homework or not?"

"Actually, can you do it fa me?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"Because you aren't going to learn anything if I do,"

"I know how ta do it, I just don't feel like doin' it,"

"I'm not doing the work that was assigned to you,"

"Aiight. I'll do it, just give me da answers,"

"August,"

"I'm just playin'," he laughed and got a pencil from his backpack.

I watched him do his homework and looked it over. I helped him correct the ones that I noticed were wrong.

I stared at him while he fixed the ones that were wrong and I couldn't help but to think too much. I had been thinking too much this past week. I liked being here and being with August, but it didn't feel real.

"Thank you, baybeh," he turned to me, kissing my lips.

"No problem," I mumbled.

"Why you been actin' stingy wit the kisses lately?" he asked. "What's wrong, baybeh? If it's about what I said, then I seriously apologize fa dat. It was outta line,"

"No no. It's not that," I sighed. "I don't know. I just don't feel like myself," I shrugged.

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't feel like this is real,"

"What?"

"All of this. Me getting away from my dad, living in this huge place, my mama coming to see me... Us being together. It just doesn't seem real. Like it's too good to be true. I can't help but to feel like something is going to ruin it all,"

"Why you think dat?" he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand.

"I guess I'm just not use to things seeming so perfect in my life. I never thought I'd be away from my dad, getting into modeling, and being with a guy I like... I constantly feel like I'm dreaming. Especially with you being my boyfriend. Girls like me don't usually get guys like you,"

"I see what you mean. I feel like dat too sometimes. Especially when it comes ta you. I be like, damn. Dats really my baybeh. Like dats me right there," he chuckled.

I smiled faintly while looking down at our hands.

"Like I just look at you and be like I finally got who I been wantin'. Seems weird because we only been togetha fa like a week and my feelings dis strong. I'm in no way tryna rush, but I'm not gonna lie and deny my feelings fa you. I'm really feelin' you,"

I couldn't even control how hard I was blushing. "The feeling is mutual,"

He chuckled. "I'm glad ta hea' dat. Can you look at me?"

I looked up at him.

"I'm not gonna let anything get between us. Everything gon' be alright, ya heard me?"

I laughed and nodded. "I heard ya,"

He chuckled. "I done worked hard ta get you and I'ma keep you,"

I laughed more.

"I'm serious,"

"I know,"

"Good. Gimme kiss,"

I met him halfway, kissing him softly. "Thank you," I kissed him again.

"Fa what?"

"Assuring me that everything will be okay,"

"Don't even sweat it. Dats my job," he said. "I got you,"

"I've got you too,"

-Weird spot to end that.

But... Y'all know I wasn't just gonna let my baby Keenon disappear from the story lol. That's why I kept on saying "Bomments."

Also, I'm not sure if the jump will occur in the next chapter or the chapter after.

Hmm... Let me kill some curiosity. August and Esined aren't breaking up. Promise.

Next chapter will probably upset then make y'all happy af lol. It will probably be a really long chapter though.

Luckily, Friday is my last day of school, so I can update over break :]

Random question: Where are y'all from? I'm curious.

Btw: I really appreciate y'all being patient with these updates, I really do. Thanks y'all.

Any questions or concerns?

Anyway, excuse typos please.

Comments & votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo