Office Hours

15 | the c o n t r a d i c t i n g

| C A D E N |

     HE WAS LEFT IN A DAZE as he watched Zoya make way through the crowd. He'd never had a dance like that before. . . the way she moved like a vixen had him hardening the more he thought about it.

Not wanting to have a boner in public, he tried to think of something else. The upcoming electricity bill. . . Soccer practice. . . Zoya's contagious smile that was stuck in his head.

So much for trying.

Though Pia snapped him out of it, he hated being back in reality. He'd rather be lost in his own thoughts that Zoya had unknowingly flooded before she walked away.

Probably a boyfriend. Ion know any girls who be smiling at they phone like that if it ain't- Maybe I should ask Pia? No, no. Ion care and it ain't my business.

Realizing Pia's mouth had been moving but he wasn't listening, Caden asked her to repeat.

"Where'd you go?" she teased and he quickly brought his water to his mouth, trying to hide the embarrassment that he got caught with his head in the clouds. "I said I'm sorry for what happened between you, Malique, Ryder and Kash. It was such an ass move."

"He's always an ass," Caden said with a scoff. "You can do better."

"No, I love him," she professed, eyes glazing over while she thought of Malique.

"You should leave him."

"You've been saying that since you've been at Riveria."

"I know what I'm talking about," he said, moving to put the bottle back to his lips but realizing it was empty. He sighed, he needed something to drink but there was nothing here except alcohol which he'd pledged to stay away from.

"Nope!" Pia said, it almost sounded like she sang. "You're just saying that because you wanted me."

"Wanted," Caden insisted. Like most girls he'd liked, Pia's beauty reeled him in but it wasn't enough for him to pursue a relationship.

The same thing happened with Grace but with Zoya her outer beauty wasn't the only thing that made him intrigued. It was her voice and something beneath the surface level.

So you admitting you like Zoya?, his subconscious asked and he almost scoffed in denial.

I'm just using her as an example. She a gem, but I ain't attracted to her like that. She cool and I respect her as a friend. . . Or stalker, he thought with a snicker.

"Caden! You're not even listening to me," Pia said with a frown.

"My bad," he quickly said, realizing he'd been constantly zoning out whenever his mind drifted to Zoya. That was the thing about her - she didn't give him non-platonic attention, yet every minor thought suffocated all his other senses and left his focus only on her.

The feeling had been there since that tingle at the coffee shop, but that dance with her in his hoodie was definitely in a league by its own.

What are you doing to me?

"You're still not listening," Pia complained and rolled her eyes.

"Chill, I'm listening. Watchu say?" he asked, cringing because he forgot to code switch.

Realizing he was paying attention now, Pia smiled. "I was just teasing you about wanted."

He shrugged. "Who else will stand on my decisions better than me?"

"You do have a point."

"About everything," he said, throwing her a meaningful stare which made her look away.