3

From the park, we walk down to Ashmont still joking around and play fighting one another on the way there.

D almost died when a car broke a red light, Kal grabbed her by her gray hoodie and tugged her back just in time.

"Just because we have the walk sign doesn't mean these assholes pay attention," She says to D as we continued to cross the street and walking down the street to the steps of the station.

I hugged D and Yas as we entered the station they then turned and hugged Kalina they went to their respective bus and train. I followed after Cat and Kal to the trolley.

"So Darren, how are you getting back?" Cat asked turning to me.

"I was gonna take the train after dropping yall off," I said with a shrug of my shoulders.

"I'm meeting with Shawn at my stop so I'll be fine. Kalina's area is darker than mine, walk her home."

"No, I couldn't do that. You have to get up early for class tomorrow. I don't wanna cut into your sleep schedule and I've been walking back home since freshman year, I'll be fine. I change which street I walk up and down so people can't track my habits."

Cat and I looked at each other, "He's/I'm walking you home."

"Let's go." She sighed out, we wait for it to come up the hill.

"Hey, Kalina what college(s) are you thinking of attending?" Cat asked suddenly.

"I'm leaning to out of state schools like Clark and Bryn Mawr College as an example." 'Shit.' Cat and I looked at each other.

The trolley began coming up the hill and Kal faced forward to pay attention. Cat and I followed her to the back she sat on the far left, I sat in the middle, and Cat in the far right.

"Kalina, don't you have some schools that you've applied to in Massachusetts?" Cat asked as we settled down, leaning back to look at me.

She nodded, "Yea Emerson and BFIT. I wanna apply to Wentworth and Lesley. Why what's up?"

"Nothing just asking. You're very independent so I'm not surprised that you're trying to get out of Boston." Cat responded and I relaxed, but Kal gave me a look.

We just kept talking until a certain stop. Kal's I'm guessing because she pulled on the rope thing and stood up. The trolley stopped harshly and Kal ended up falling backward onto my lap. It took me a minute to register what just happen as she quickly jumped back up, hugged Cat goodbye, and wait anxiously waited for the door.

"Don't be an idiot." Cat said waving me goodbye.

I get up from my seat and walk down the trolley steps, walking beside Kal. It was silent at first, but we started talking after Kal shyly apologized and I waved it off.

"It'll be another memory for us to talk about, don't worry." we slowed down the pace, so we could take our time walking together, 'I miss doing this.'

We reached a large house on top of the hill and she patted a spot next to her on the stairs.

"I'm getting you an Uber. You can fight me later, but I'm getting you an Uber." I open my mouth then closed it seeing her unlocking her phone. 'Here's the Mother Hen.'

"You don't have to." I stated softly.

"And you didn't have to walk me home, but you did," She responded back with a small smile, "I'm not doing it cause I got money like that, I'm doing it cause I got you like that. You're my friend and I know you would do the same, Darren." She says looking over at me. 'I love you Kal.'

I gave her a big smile, "You-I can't fight that you're one hundred percent right." and chuckled, "Thank you, you're always too kind to me Kalina."

"Sometimes, but you better text me when you get back to your dorm or I'm beating your ass the next time I see you." She said looking away to a car pulling up.

"Always so violent, " I said smiling at Kal while shaking my head, she gets up and hugs me tightly and I returned it just as tight before letting go and entering the car. Kal was still outside so I winded the window down she walks inside and I get driven away.

On the way to my campus, I called Cat.

"Are you two dating yet?" she immediately asked when she answered the phone.

"In my dreams."

"Did you even attempt to tell her how you feel?"

"In my dreams." I repeated rubbing my face.

"DARREN MERCEDES I SWEAR YOU'RE THE STUPIDEST MOTHERFUCKER THAT I KNOW!" she yelled.

"I wouldn't say all that, but Cat's right you had the perfect opportunity to confess." Shawn said grabbing the phone from Cat.

"I got distracted and I didn't feel like it was time." I explained.

"You have liked this girl for four years and she may go outside of Boston to start a new life and forget all about you. Then you're gonna be pissed that you didn't say nun and I don't want that for you." Cat explained softly, "Have you two ever face-timed?" she asked.

"We talk on the phone, but I haven't really tested the waters of face timing her."

"Facetime her. Tonight. Do that when you get home, please." Cat begged and I sighed 'fine.'

"If she doesn't pick up I'm never face-timing her ever again."

"Deal. Now Shawn and I are gonna spend time together. Bye!" Cat said and I waved to both of them. For some reason, I felt like Cat was scheming, 'why is liking other people so troublesome?' I groaned as the driver pulled in front of my school.

"Thank you and have a good night." I said getting out, the driver returned it as I walked to my dorm. 'I'll call her when I change and shower.'