CherryLatte

red/green

Tash had closed the door behind her, and her back was braced against it as if she needed the support. The air outside was chill. The patio was dark but the Christmas lights that the neighbor had put up on their window illuminated Tasha and Keva in a strange hue of light that changed between red and green at regular intervals.

"I think... Keva I don't think we should see each other anymore." Even though the words came out in a whisper, he was so close to her, he heard them ringing in his ears.

Keva, "What are you talking about?"

Tash, "I just...think we're wasting our time. There's no future here."

"Suddenly? You're saying these things...did something happen?" Keva had taken a few steps back from her as if her words would become something else by the time they reached his ears if he was further away from her.

Tash, "I just - what's the plan here? I mean, you're about to start something new...I'm graduating. It just seems like a good place to make a fresh start. For both of us."

"What fresh start?" Keva grabbed her arm. "We...can be there for each other. Isn't that what we both want? Someone there."

"I can't be what you need me to be" Tash didn't move even after his grasp on her tightened.

Keva, "And what do I need you to be?"

Tash, "I don't know"

Keva, "Then what are you even talking about? All those things you said to me earlier about...wanting to know things about me...questions you have..."

Tash, "You know...right? That your family want you to have a wife now. A woman who will apparently be dedicated to you and your...I don't even know what."

Keva, "So something did happen. Did someone say something to you?"

"It doesn't matter" Tash had fixed her eyes on him. She wanted to see his face for what she was about to say next. "You know? Don't you? That they want you to marry Laryn?"

When he closed his eyes and turned his face away, she had her answer.

Keva, "that-"

Tash, "don't fucking lie to me"

Keva sighed, "Come here"

Tash did not move. In fact, she moved away from him, pressing her back into the door. He came up to her and pressed his body against hers, pushing her against the door even more. "I don't want her, I want you."

Tash, "When I asked you if there was anything between the two of you. You said no."

Keva, "Because there is nothing between us!"

Tash, "but there will be. That's what your family wants."

Keva, "I don't care what they want. I will make my own decision on who I want to be with."

Tash scoffed, pressing her hands against his chest, attempting to push him away. "Then, this afternoon, when you bailed on me to pick up Laryn and her family. That was your decision?"

Keva, "that's not...it's not like that"

Tash, "No?"

Keva, "That was just...Mei said something to you, didn't she?"

Tash took a deep breath. "Do you really think how I know is more important than the fact that I know? Are you insane? I don't care that you didn't come for me or that you sent someone. In the first place I told you not to bother, I will come by myself. I care that you conveniently chose not to tell me!"

Keva, "I'm sorry okay?"

"Okay. You should go." Tash turned her back to open the door to head in but the force with which the door was pulled back in and she was spun around, left her flustered.