I like you

Sitting across from Tyler as he slurped his drink, smiling and recounting stories of the past, I realized I hadn't been this happy for a while.

A year ago I was slowly slipping into depression and now, even though I still missed dad, I was happy.

"You promised you'd tell me why you dated Sharon."

Tyler removed the drink from his mouth and sat up. In his shirt and jeans shorts he looked exquisitely tasteful. I mean, Tyler had taste. Aside from the fact that he was tall and handsome and everything he wore looked good on him cause, let's face it, nothing could look bad on him with a body like that, he still took time out to look classy. I liked that about a guy.

"Okay. But first, tell me something. Do you like me?"

My cheeks burned as the question hit my ears. I contemplated between answering him and brushing off the question.

"I like you Sophia. I told you that last week. And we've been hanging since. But I got to know. Do you like me too?"

My eyes found the table and I focused my vision there. I needed to look anywhere but at Tyler.

"Yes."

My voice was low, but not so low that he couldn't have heard me.

All of a sudden I felt Tyler's hand on my chin forcing me to face him, so I looked up.

"Look at me when you say it."

I flushed. My stomach was in a knot. My heart was pounding. I knew this was all good signs. But I was so nervous. I've always been nervous around Tyler. Which made me think, if I can't be calm around Tyler, how could I be with Jabari Snow…

"So, Sophie?"

"You know the answer to that question."

"Maybe. But I want to hear you say it. Do you like me?"

I nodded.

"I want to hear the words, Sophie."

"I like—"

"Look who's here?"

I flinched when Sharon came into my view.

She was wearing a very short white skirt, a tank top and a black leather jacket. Her hair was in a bun on top of her head, and with her light makeup, she really looked good. Thankfully, I had left the house prepared…

Without an invite, she grabbed a seat and sat down.

"Look what we have here?" She turned to me. "Don't you have any pride? You know he's my ex right?"

I was about to speak, but Tyler beat me to it.

"You either leave, or I'll tell her right in front of you why we dated in the first place."

For a brief second I saw fear in Sharon's eyes, but she hid it very fast.

"Tell her. I don't care." Sharon said nonchalantly. If I hadn't just seen the fear in her eyes, I would have been fooled by her acting. "I'm not the only one that secret is going to hurt. So please, tell her."

She glared at Tyler and Tyler did the same. Even though they were kind of fighting, the mere fact that they were talking to each other made me a little jealous.

This was our date. Tyler's and mine. She had no right to ruin it for me.

"Uhm, Tyler, can we leave?"

"Yeah. Sure."

He grabbed my hand and smiled at me. That went a long way to alleviate my jealousy.

Sharon abruptly stood up. Her face contorted into sadness.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't come here to cause trouble." She looked at me. "Sophie, I'm sorry."

I blinked in confusion. Just seconds ago her eyes were shooting daggers at me, and now they had so much kindness behind them… it was too surreal.

I didn't believe she meant it, but if I didn't play along I would be the bitch who rejected her apology. I knew her game. And I was determined to play it.

"It's okay, Sharon." I faked a smile and hoped the show was over.

"Ohh, this is why I've always envied you. You're so nice." She beamed, hugging me. Before I could react she whispered in my ear. "You can't keep Tyler. He loves sex. We used to do it all the time. And I know you're still a virgin. You won't last a month." She released me, her teeth showing as she smiled brightly.

"You two have a great time."

Sharon had managed to ruin the mood. I knew that was her aim, but I hoped what she said wouldn't affect me. Unfortunately, it did.

I couldn't stop thinking about what she said. All through the movie, all I could think about was if I should give Tyler some. But I wasn't ready. Which made me wonder if I was really going to be his girlfriend for only a month.

"Sophie, what did she say to you?"

Tyler's voice brought me out of my head.

"What?"

"Sharon. What did she say? I know she said something."

"Uhm… nothing. She didn't—she didn't say a word."

"How many times do I have to tell you, you can't lie to me. I know you, Sophie. So what did she say?"

"Really, it's nothing." I smiled.

"Okay. Then you leave me no choice but to go over to her house and demand she tells me herself."

"No!"

I didn't want Tyler talking to her. Especially not in her house where they had all that sex.

"Then tell me."

"It's… Sharon… she said… you… she said you and her had a lot of sex and I wouldn't be able to keep you without it."

Tyler pulled me into his body, shocking me. He wrapped his hands around me and placed my head on his chest which was very easy because Tyler was six feet tall and I was only five six. First I was worried about the PDA. We were just outside the movie theatre, but then his cologne clouded my nose and my mind went numb. All I felt was happiness. I'd dreamed of this moment for so long and it was happening. There was no room for worry.

"I don't know what to tell you."

Confused, I pulled my head from his chest, looking up at him.

He smiled when he saw my expression. "No. What I mean is, the truth is we did have sex a lot even though we didn't have feelings for each other. But Sophie, I don't want to have sex with you."

Somehow that made me feel even worse. He didn't want to have sex with me? Like, I wasn't attractive enough?

"Oh no. Sophie, that's not what I meant. Of course I want to have sex with you." He said a little too loudly.

People began to stare at us which was so embarrassing. Our embrace came to an end.

"Let's talk about this somewhere else." He smiled shyly.

Tyler took my hands and led me outside to where he was parked. We sat in awkward silence for a few seconds before Tyler spoke again.

"You are so beautiful. The first time I saw you, that's what I thought. That's what I think even now. I'm crushing on you, Sophie, like really badly. Sharon and I, that was a business deal… the point is, I'm not dating you because I want to have sex with you. If you do put out, hey, that would make me really happy. Like really happy."

I chuckled softly.

He laughed. "But I'm going to wait. Until you're ready cause you're worth it. I like you Sophie. Very much. I keep saying it because I feel like you don't believe me."

I looked into his eyes.

"I wanna hold your hands in school. I don't want us to meet only on the basketball court when no one's around. I want to come to your class and sit with you during lunch breaks. I love PDA's and I want you to give me permission to do that. I. Like. You."

My heart was thumping fast with excitement. A boy had never confessed to me like this. And these words coming out of Tyler's mouth, it was proof that dreams do come through.

I placed my hand on Tyler's cheeks, and then I leaned in and placed my lips on his own. And it felt good.