𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 | 𝐃. 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐙𝐎 |

CHAPTER 23.

ADRIAN MAURICE TOSCANO-ANDERSON

Too late. Why did I always seem to be too late for everything? I mean the first girl who's actually genuine, sees me for who I am, the first girl that I actually like and I'm too late for her as well?

What the hell.

I decided that to cool down so I wouldn't have an episode. So far, I've been doing pretty good in that department, and ever since my mom figured out about those suicide notes, when we came back home from Memphis, she not only told my dad—and boy, did i get a long lecture from him—and I got prescription medication for my bipolar disorder, which has definitely been helping.

On top of that, I've been getting to know Daija for the past month, and believe me when I say, this girl is something different. A good different, like the type of good different that you take home to meet your parents, which was why I was so upset about me possibly screwing things up with her.

Typical Adrian; always messing something up.

Taking a deep breath, I walked into the gym, pushing the heavy doors open and stepping inside. My eyes landed on Daija who flashed me a wide smile as she held a plate of wings in her hand.

Honey barbecue wings...my favorite.

"Hey!" I said, my voice a mixture of happy and kind of surprised to see her...here.

Daija grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "Hi!"

"Where...where have you been all day? I-I've been looking for you, because I've kind of been meaning to ask you something..." I told her, nervousness washing over me.

"Oh really? Well, I have something to say to you first," She said handing me the plate of wings.

I looked down at the wings and grinned. "Uh...you got me my favorite wings. Thanks? Was this all?"

Daija laughed and shook her head. "No, actually it wasn't. My momma says that the only way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So, I decided to make you some of your favorite wings as my way of winging it and asking you to be my date to the spring formal."

"Winging it?" I say with a chuckle.
Daija nodded and covered her face with her hands. "I know it was ridiculously corny! I'm so sorry, but it was all I could come up with..."

I shook my head, smiling and gently grabbing her wrists, pulling her hands down. "No," I assured her. "It's cute. Food, corny jokes, and you? Three of my favorite things."

Daija smiled brightly and tucked her hair behind her ear nervously and, Im sure that she was blushing right now, but I couldn't really tell. "Really?"

"Make that four of my favorite things..." I said smiling down at her.

"Four? But you just said three," she questioned. "Where did four come from?"

"Your smile," I said, placing my hand on her waist. "My fourth favorite thing...is your smile."

Daija giggled and shook her head at me. "You sure know how to sweet talk a girl, Adrian."

"What can I say? I get it from my dad," I chuckled. "But, I only use it for the girl I want."

"So, is that a yes?" Daija asked, smiling up at me.

"Of course it's a yes!" I said with a laugh, pulling her into a tight hug. "There was no way I was going to say no to this."

Daija grinned. "Good. Because I wanna wear black!"

Why wasn't I surprised?

"Whatever you want, Daij..." I told her. "How'd you learn how to make these? Only my mom and my sister know how to make these perfectly."