Summertime Vibes

(15) TYRON MATTHEWS

Seven years ago

"When I grow up I want to be like Bruce Lee." Young Tyron says. "I'm going to train so hard and master his one-inch punch."

"What's a one-inch punch." Young me says.

We stand by the watery grounds of the washing lines in our shorts and tank tops. It's evening time. We've been playing hide and seek with the gang from the time we got back from school. Melissa is seeking. I have a gut feeling she's close to blocking us because she knows all the hiding spots I share with her.

"Huh, you don't know what the one-inch punch is?" He gasps. "It's a super fast finishing attack that Bruce Lee created." He continues. "Let me show you how it's like."

I put my trust in him and lower my arms. His fist is about an inch away from my chest. He explains to me whilst doing the action. A few seconds go pass and he makes the attack.

"Aww, it hurts." I lament.

"Djimmy, you okay." He says, a worried expression on his face as he holds onto me. "I didn't think my punch would be hurt so bad."

"Psych, gocha." I giggle and run away from him.

He chases after me. "Oooh, I'll catch you Djimmy." He says.

He eventually catches me in one corner in between one of the walls of the building and the walls of the washing lines toilets. A giggle bursts out of my mouth. The same happens to him. We give each other soft punches while looking into each other's eyes. His eyes, they are beautiful. An sudden reaction happens in my heart for the first time as we do so.

"One, two, three I block Djimmy." Melissa says. "And Tyron."

~~~~~

Three years ago

I listen to my music as I unpack the tools and materials from my bag. I picked a spot in between two washing lines so that I can make shade with one of my bed sheets to protect Melissa and I from the scorching sun while we work on our class project.

"Melissa's bathing." A voice belonging to Tyron speaks from behind me. I take out my earphone from one ear and turn around. "She tune she'll join you after."

"I know." I say briefly, returning the earphone back into the ear.

"What are you'll making?"

I can make out what he's asking but I want to be sure. "Huh?" I ask.

"What are you listening to that's so loud?" He asks again.

"Oh, it's Lean On by Major Lazor."

"That's a dope number." He says, lowering down to sit next to me. "You should listen to Don't Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers. I really like that number a lot."

He takes out his cellphone and I let him connect my earphones with his cellphone. The song starts to play. I stop what I'm doing and take a moment to listen to the song. It starts off calm, until the beats strike my soul. I smile.

"It's good, yeah?" He asks. I gradually nod my head. He looks back into his cellphone. Probably choosing the next song to play for me. He looks up at me. "Djimmy, I've never told anyone this before but, I can't stop listening to Old Town Road." He points to the song on the playlist.

"Really?"

"Yeah, the song just can't stop playing in my head." He says. "Alex and Jackie think that it's a lame nunber because they have their own views about the lyrics but the number is legit."

"Okay, I think it's cool also." I grin.

"Awe." He utters. "But don't tell anyone about this okay." He says. I nod after a small giggle escapes my lips. The song starts to play after I pass Tyron one of my earphones. We listen to Old Town Road, Don't Let Me Down again and some other songs from his playlist. We're in a musical vibe. Just two boys sitting close to each other on a mat listening to some groovy music at the rooftop. My heart vibrates deeply.

I shift my sight towards him. His fair skin glowing under the shade we sit in. That's when the crazy idea comes to me. Our fingers inches away from each other. I try to ignore the urge to creep my hand closer to his but fail. This desire. I want us to hold hands so bad but I'm also worried about the consequences. What if someone catches us or what if he doesn't like the idea? I make a few pauses in the process. He notices my movement and looks down. My fingers already in between his. He looks into my eyes and chuckles. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Okay, I'm done bathing." Melissa gushes, entering the rooftop. "Let's do this shit."

Tyron quickly disconnects the earphones from his cellphone and rushes for the stairs.

~~~~~

Five years ago

We enter a buckie after a long and fun day at the beach. Everyone sits down before Zama's father closes the buckie door and enters the vehicle. He is with his wife and Shanga who sit on the passenger seats. The engine starts and the vehicle drives us to the building.

"Let's play Party Round The Corner." Melissa suggests. There is a little bit of silence in the group so why not.

We sit in a circle and connect all of our hands with the person we sit next to. I notice Melissa's friendship bracelet which we made at school with Sisanda and Ayanda. I had mine on too.

Melissa claps hands with Zama, Zama with Troy, Troy with big sister and so on as we sing the song in motion to the clapping of our hands. "There's a party round the corner can you please please come bring your own cup of coffee bring your own chewing gum and what is your girlfriend's name?" There's a small pause in between the two sentences. "Or your boyfriend's name?"

The last clap lands on Tyron's palm. Which means he has to answer the question in order for the game to continue. He looks up at me. Everyone sorts of fades away in this moment and all I can see is him. I'm guessing he's feeling the same way too.

~~~~~

Present time

"Djimmy." I can feel someone forcing me to wake up. "Djimmy." He says again. Voice belonging to Tyron.

I don't want to move a muscle and there's nothing he can do to make me do that.

"I just want us to talk, please"

I'm not in the mood to listen to all the bs that's going to come out of his mouth. I just keep my eyes shut and hope to dream a dream that's a lot better than my current situation.