Rinse

Chapter 10

The store that got tore down a few years ago is a*****e called ‘Urban Threads’. It’s a trendy store that came out. It only got torn down because of the lack of customers. It was for ages 15+. “T! Oh my god, I’ve always wanted to go here. But I don’t have no money. My wallet is at home. So really this is a waste of time.” I became bereaved. Until he made my day better. “Bruh, why you ain’t say something. I’ll pay, all you owe me is a kiss on the cheek. Deal?” I wish it was on the lips. “Alright. Deal.” We look around the store, get a couple things, and I finally got the limited addition t-shirt I’ve always wanted. After that, we headed to the food court and made it to Corner Bites food court. “So, what we getting LL?” “Oooo. Let’s go to taco cartel. I want some birria tacos, then can we go the Sweet Treats? I want some cookies for home.” I love his smile. “Alright. That’s big though.” “Boy, shut up.” We head over to the food court, sat down, ate, and talked. “Jasmine looked mad earlier. Like when she saw me pick you up. Everything ok?” I got to tell him. “She is tryna make a move on you and I thought that was weird. She said I was being thirsty because I was smiling while talking to you in algebra. I’m not thirsty, I just missed talking to you T. So that pissed me off.” He thoroughly strokes my hand gently to comfort me. “I don’t why Jasmine thinks she is all that. She has never caught my eye and you being thirsty? Over both of our dead bodies. Because I’ve missed talking to you LL.” As I sat across from Tareq in the bustling food court, the delicious aroma of those savory tacos lingered in the air. I could feel the warmth radiating from him, each laugh he shared sent tiny shivers of feeling down my spine. Just a few moments ago, we’d been talking about how Jas was jealous of how she can’t get put on with T. The half-eaten taco in front of me lost its appeal. My focus started to shift solely on Tareq- his dark curls beaming his irresistible smile, his eyes sparkling as if they held a million secrets. I nervously fiddled with the string of my tote bag, the shifting of cookies distracting me momentarily. “Can you believe that girl actually thought I was gonna put her on with you?” I teased, leaning forward resting my elbows on the table. Tareq chuckled, his voice rich and warm. “Honestly, I’m kind of flattered. But Jas and I are something the universe does not need. I need someone better than that.” He winked at me, and my face feels warm. The way he started to look at me...it felt charged, the air around us thickening unspoken tension. The laughter and chatter of the mall faded into the background and suddenly, it was just the two of us...lost in a bubble where nothing or no one else existed. My heart started to race when I began to absorb the moment- the warm embrace of him, the way our connection started to feel electric. “Do you ever think that she does this type of s**t for attention, guys attention at that?” he asked. He started leaning in, his voice dropping near a whisper. I started to breathe heavily. Every nerve in my body sparked with emotion...anticipation. We were inches apart now, and all I could feel was the warmth radiating between us-like magnets drawn together. My half-eaten taco was finally cold, but it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was the delectable tension being created around us. “Maybe,” I replied softly, my eyes locked on his. The world outside started to vanish; a little bubble was being created around us. Replaced by the thrilling potential of what could happen. He smelled amazing, but I don’t know what got a hold of me that had me lean closer, the bridge the gap, where possibility waited. Eagerly. Tareq started shift slowly, our faces almost touching. “Harlem...” His voice was low and soft, sending an electric thrill through me. I start to bite my lip, feeling the weight of the moment. Understanding how our laugher and shared jokes have led us to the point of anticipation. “Yeah?”, my heart started racing faster now completely lost in his deep brown eyes. “f**k Jasmine, stop helping unwanted help.” I started to smile, thinking how Jasmine could never live in this moment. Our foreheads are nearly touching now, “T, are we-” and before I can finish my sentence, that perfect suspended second a kiss was inevitable.