Chapter 96: Being 18!

Being 18!

I got some many best wishes and gifts from the fashion organizations i worked with, including Mr Jones and his team, a giant portrait of myself inside the water at the beach, from the last photos we took and so many gifts. My fans online couldn't stop sending their messages, at a point i found it difficult to reply to them so Yeesha suggested we set up a live show through her platform to show my in depth gratitude. All of these things happened in the morning, 2am to 11am in the morning, i haven't had a good rest. I decided to hit on my daily routine, a jog and Lorraine would definitely be a part of it. Before i got out of the house, i got a call from my buddies, Jeff and Lamar. I smiled in content, i have long waited for their call anyway.

  "Guys!" I said

  "Look at him! Birthday kid!!! So how many candies did you get?" Jeff teased. I smiled broadly.

  "C'mon! Y'all are coming over right? No excuses!" I instructed

  "Who'd miss a turn up like this?! We'd be there 15 minutes earlier." Lamar said with assurance.

  "Yes! I'd love it more if y'all should come an hour before 6pm, this house sucks I'm bored...." I said 

  "I thought you had your crush over..." Lamar teased as well laughed

  "She suffocates me guys!" I said almost whispering "We don't blend well, things changed within a few years..."

  "I want to see her though, she might be a better option..." Lame said, he was the only one without a date tonight. We laughed at him.

  "Whatever guys..." I began as someone knocked and they heard it clearly. I turned to the door

  "Who's knocking? Your crush? Flip the camera, we've got to judge correctly." Jeff insisted but i ignored. I went over to the door and opened it. Lorraine had gotten ready for our job, she looked brighter and prettier than yesterday then she waved swiftly with a smile. I turned to the screen.

  "Guys! I've got to run, she's here....I'll talk to you later!" I hung up immediately ehile they tried tok stop me. 

  "For how long have you been there?" I asked to be sure, she may have listened to our conversations, i suspected.

  "Oh no! I just arrived. Did i waste so much time?" She asked with a little emphasis.

  "...Not at all! We should go!" I said.

We ran the usual distance and decided to add a few kilometres, she was not clumsy like yesterday, good thing. Anytime she speaks about the fashion trends and what her mother has imbibed in her, my mind went back to Darkie. Everything she told me kept echoing in my head and there was nothing i could do to stop it. Last night was a horrible one for me, i couldn't sleep well. The moment i figured that Aunt Lola and mother noticed my actions, i covered it up with video games to avoid further questions. I was lost in thoughts as Lorraine snapped her fingers to distract me.

  "Are you even listening?"

  "Its boring! And don't ask me about the last thing you said 'coz i obviously dont know!" I said as she smiled faintly

  "Tell me something..." We stood on the pavement facing each other. "...Why did you choose her Ka...Jordan? Hmm?"

  "Is that even your question to ask?!" I scoffed "Are you uncomfortable with that fact, if you are not then you should..." I paused, something nasty almost slipped out of my mouth. "Lora? Lets not talk about it!"

  "Why not? Look here Jordan, we are a perfect match...you and i. I mean, your mother and mine are comfortable with that, they talk about it, they are going to let that happen like that...."

  "Shut the hell up?!" i yelled at her. How could be so inconsiderate right now, how could mother even 

approve of that, i muttered inside me.

  "Ok! I'm sorry for prying but Jordan, you know that I've always felt something real for you. I was actually hoping that once i come over, you'd be happy to see me and we'd probably get to know ourselves..." She cupped my face then i turned away angrily, i held her by the wrist

  "Lora, dont do this! Don't start all this shit. Why are you   even bothered, you're my best friend since childhood..." I explained

  "Best friends don't hurt each other. Jordan we both loved each other then what happened to all that feeling? I wanted us to be happy just like we imagined, are you going to throw that all away?" Her face squeezed pathetically

  "Lora! Lora!! Look, we could be friends again just like old times but right now...i love Darkie and she needs me right now, i hope you understand?!" I explained calmly, she cuts in

  "...No! No! No! Jordan, we love each other. I won't rush. Is it about Donald, i promise you that nothing would happen...i could get a restraining order for that....Jordan please..."

  "...Just stop! Stop it, Lorraine. We are better off best friends than lovers ok? Can you do me that favor? Can you?"

  "Anything you want! Darkie has always been rude and picky, why are you into her that much?" She almost yelled. I was really confused, now i understood why m parents suggested that i prepare to love someone and not abruptly.

I could see her sincerity but i couldn't just throw Darkie especially now that she needs me the most. I sighed heavily.

  "Lora! Can we not talk about this Again? We may have had feelings for each other but not anymore, do you understand?" I warned her

  "I don't like it, I'm afraid i can not keep to your terms but not to worry, I'll be fine, handsome!" She said smiling then she rubbed cheek

  "We should head back home, I've fot alot to wear so would

you help me pick the most appropriate?" I asked to digress her attention

  "My pleasure!" She answered hastily.

An hour to six o'clock,

Jeff and Lamar had arrived at the time i expected, Lamar wouldn't stop asking me to call on Lorraine, he wanted to see her badly. He confessed tut he liked her already even if he hasn't met her yet. I agreed to that since his persuasion got out of my hand.

I headed to Lorraine's temporary room. I knocked once and entered abruptly

  "Hey Lor...." I paused because of what i saw. She was naked except for the bra and pant she had on her. "I'm so..." I turned away to leave then she called. i squeezed my eyes

  "Oh Jordan!" She smiled then sluggishly took a black shirt then wore it. She didn't look uncomfortable at all while i was confused and unstable, her body was indeed spectacular.

  "Sorry to badge in like that. I just wasted to tell your that my friends would love to see my best friend. Is that ok?" I didn't turn back to face her

  "I guess we both have similar bad habits!" She said. She crept on me from behind, i could feel it coz my sixth sense wouldn't let me down either. She wrapped her armd around me from behind.

  "Unfortunately!"

  "You feel me, don't you Jordan?!" She said underneath her breath then i gulped in and turned to her instantly

  "Are you making advances?"

  "Love and seduction is the perfect art!" She giggled

  "Well, I'll be in my room. You should vome over."

  "Alone?" She asked

  "Of course not! Do you want to see my friends or not?" I asked "These are Miami's top teenagers in my coupe dying to see you...." I exaggerated then she interrupted rolling her eyes. She was already fed up with my noise.

  "I want to!"

  "Good, we'll be waiting!" 

I walked out of the room without turning back.

I entered my room while Jeff and Lamar were battling over a play station 5. They turned to me while i smiled broadly.

  "Did you get her or not?" Lamar asked

  "What were you thinking, that she'd reject a guy like me? C'mon guys, I'm not a newbie!" I walked towards them then jumped on the bed. If mother or Bella was here, they'd spank my ears with some daily affirmations.

  "Where's she already????!!!!" Jeff asked curiously waiting

  "Y'all won't believe what i saw!" I said. They stared at me waiting for what ever i had to tell them. "The moment i bumped into her room, guess what i saw first?"

  "Her underwear?" Jeff shrugged "C'mon, girls hang their underwears anywhere, any part of the room."

  "If that was, it wouldn't be a story!" I said "She was nude!"

They froze, their eyes widened immediately then they bursted into laughter

  "Nah Kareem!" Lamar said

  "I'm for real! I was overridden but not shaken!" I added

  "Not shaken?! Then why does it excite you anyways?!" Jeff questioned. He was right but Lorraine had a better place in my life than just anyone.

  "She was my crush! I've never seen my crush naked dude!" I clarified. They laughed sarcastically, i guess karma hunted.

  "You've seen lot of girls naked so what makes Lorraine and other girls different?! Or maybe Darkie?" Jeff said and mentioned Darkie to annoy me already. I frowned then threw the pillow at him. We got up to prepare afterwards. They came with their outfits to dress up at my house instead, exactly what we do. We don't take chances or make the slightest mistake to not take spotlight, it was as if we were born with the spotlights. We stood in front of the large mirror as we battled to look better staring at our reflection wjich gave me an access to wear yhe diamond earrings Aunt Lola gave me last time at Los Angeles. We heard a knock then my friends asked who it would be

  "Its Belle! Probably here to tell me that my parents would love to run a quick scan." I shrugged adjusting my shirt As we all laughed.

Lorraine tilted her head through the door and called out sweetly

  "Jordan! Jor..." Then i appeared as my friends came from behind. "Oh hi!" She waved swiftly with a smile

  "Hi!" They answered in unison. I went over to her wrapping my arms around her proudly

  "So guys! This is my best friend from back in the day, Lorraine!" I turned to her "This is Jeff Marco on the right and Lamar Curtis on the left. The best buddies you can ever have." I introduced then she smiled then walked towards for a handshake, Jeff acknowledged then Lamar countered with a tight and accomodating hug instead, trying to shoot better. Jeff and i stared at each other wondering what he really tried to portray. I cleared my throat to cause a distraction.

  "Ah...Er...you look splendid!" Lamar complimmented

There he goes again trying to capture her attention.

  "Thank you!" She blushed. 

  "Its obvious, he said it all!" Jeff added. I wouldn't compliment because its been done already, i will give my compliments to Darkie, she deserves it better.

  "So Jordan, are you all set?! You look handsome as always...all of you! Darkie would love this!"

  "There we go again!" I said underneath my breath.

  "I'll see you around. I need to get some things from Ayeesha!" Lorraine said as she walked out immediately. My friends turned to !e instantly like they've long waited for that. They had so many things to say and Lamar wouldn't waste any more time to ask frpirther questions.

  "Is she this good?" Lamar asked

  "You think she is?" I asked back

  "No doubt!" Lamar said without hesitation

I've been so worried about Darkie, i didn't get a call from her and she wouldn't answer my calls. The party haf gone almost half way, seeing different faces presentimg different gifts got me overwhelmed but all i wanted was  Darkie to witness this event that meant something to me. I was surprised how Lorraine got comfortable woth Lamar very easily and Lorraine didn't shrug at it. I stood beside the pool as the light reflected into the water trying to reach out for Darkie then i thought of Darkie's father because an option but i was skeptical.

I was overly concerned over Darkie, so unusual to my system. I paced from side to side then i stopped like i felt someone behind me. I turned immediately due to the reflexes. Darkie was standing behind me in a coral lacy long gown that was sleeveless which had diamond-like stones on the edges and darted lines, i couldn't stop staring at the necklace, earrings, bracelets and lastly the ring i gave to her during proms' night, then her heels were strapless but fitting. She stunned In every dimension. Her hairstyle was wavy and flawless. Darkie's eyes brightened but a tinge of paleness surfaced and that was something i worried worried. She cupped my face into her right palm and smiled

  "You thought that i wouldn't show up, did you not?" She spoke calmly, i almost forgot that Darkie changes over the weeks. I smiled faintly still staring into her eyes.

  "I know you won't disappoint me!" I said simply

  "I wish i could stay with you forever Jordan! I really don't know how i grew to love you and....I'd love to show you something really important....i hope you like it!" She said

  "I'm curious!" I smiled in anxiety

She dragged me towards her ride. We stood beside while she opened door, i waited patiently and curiously. She took out a box of jewelry then handed it to me. How could a girl give me a gift, i muttered inside. My ego battled with my humility at the same time. I opened and then i found a Golden bracelet with my name inscribed on it as 'KAREEM', a name she's never called me even by the slightest mistake. I was elated at the moment because it was a gift i never imagined. She looked in doubts in fear of whta my response would probably be. She placed mit around my wrist on the right hand that was empty.

  "Do you like them?"

  "I'm overwhelmed....im elated!" I whispered into her ear while I embraced her Into my arms as she rested her head on my shoulder while we swayed slowly from side to side. She was cold like the weather but I wasn't satisfied with her just yet, her being by my side was enough for me. Too bad everyone thinks that im lying about about my feelings for Darkie but im pretty sure she believes that i love her even better. I didn't care if mother or father or Aunt Lola or Lorraine was watching, i cared about the lady right here that i embraced and even professed my love to. She opted to sit, the car was the closest we could find then she sat inside leaning.