Not Your Best Friend

Chris

It's been years since I've seen Jay, and it was a surprise seeing him at Nise's place; when the hell did he get back into town, and how long had she known he was back. To be honest, I've had feelings for Shanise since high school. It actually tore Jay and my friendship apart because he had feelings for her too.

"Jay, wait," I say as I catch up to him.

"What do you want? I see you finally stopped playing games, and you won. You got her."

"You really wanna do this, man? We're best friends."

"I'm not your fucking best friend, and You followed me out here," he says

"Yea, because I don't want this to continue between us. You were like my brother."

"Right "

"What does that mean," I say

"You think just because we weren't talking anymore, I didn't see how you always messed up relationships for Nise and how you messed up ours."

"Jay, I wasn't trying to "

"But you did. I told you how I felt for Shanise, and you made sure to stop it before it could happen. The funny thing is you didn't even need to. She already had feelings for you, and I watched through high school how it broke her heart to watch you with all those girls."

"I wasn't trying to hurt you or Nise; I was trying to sort through my feelings.'

"It took you this long."

"Yea, it did. I had already lost one friend. You think I wanted to lose another."

"The thing is, if you hadn't done what you did, you wouldn't have; you better go back upstairs. I'm sure Nise is waiting for you."

"Jay, just promise me something."

"Ha, what is that," he says, laughing and shaking his head."

"We may never be friends again but don't distance yourself from her again. She does love you too, and speaking of hurt when you stop hanging out with us, it hurts her, so don't disappear on her again."

"You promise me something too, then," he says

"What"

"Don't hurt her, and don't start this if you still aren't sure this is what you really want. You always said she deserved better, and she does, so make sure you give her your best and not what you gave all your other half-ass relationship?" I think really hard about what he said, and he's right. Most of my relationships have been horrible because, in all honesty, they were to cover up my feelings for Nise.

"I promise," I said before returning to the girl's apartment. Nise and I had a lot to talk about.

#

Porshia

I was finally going to corner rah. Rahkim had avoided me long enough after setting myself free from Nico. I knew what I wanted and where love was. It was in front of me all along, and I had to tell him how I felt. So I was outside his door when he came up.

"Porsh, what are you doing here."

"You haven't talked to me or returned my calls, really, rah? This is what we're doing," I say

"I've been busy."

"You've never been too busy for me before."

"Maybe, but things change," he said

"Are you seeing someone "

He shakes his head and opens the door. Outside is not the best place to have this conversation.

I walk in, and he gestures towards the sofa, and I go and sit down.

"No, I'm not seeing anyone. Why would you think that."

"Well, you are acting differently, and like I said, you've never been too busy for me before."

"Well, you didn't just embarrass yourself and admit you have feelings for your best friend."

"I'm not your best friend," I say

He looked hurt, but I wasn't done

"That's cool. I figured you or Nico wouldn't want me around you anymore, not that I care what that fool wants, but you, is that really what you want?"

"Rah, shut up and listen before jumping to conclusions."

He seems to want to say something but thinks better and remains quiet.

"I don't want to be your best friend because I want to be so much more."

"What," he says.

"You heard me. I want to be more than friends, than best friends. I want to see where this can go, whatever it is between us.

"Porsh, don't play games with me. This is for real."

"This is real," I say

"What about Nico"

"I'm done with Nico; you would know that had your ass answered one of my damn calls," I say with attitude.

"Oh," he says, "Sorry, I mean, I didn't think I could take the rejection."

"so "

"So what"

"We really gonna do this."

"Hell yeah, you don't know how long I've waited for your ass."

He says, pulling me into his lap and kissing me; I couldn't wait to see where this goes.

#

Neimi

I can't believe he had the nerve to follow me into my room after ruining my date. I threw my purse on my bed in frustration. Nise was gonna kill me for outing her secret, but I was so pissed that either one of them had the nerve to interfere in my life. I turn to Jake getting ready to tell him to leave. When his lips are on mine.

"I don't like seeing other men touch you, Nei," he says. When we break the kiss.

"And whose fault is it that another man can touch," I say, walking out of his embrace. He walks up to me as I throw myself on my bed. He climbs in next to me and grabs my hand. I looked at our fingers intertwined, and I just wanted to be lost in this room with him, but I couldn't forget how he hurt me, how he slept with me, knowing he was still dealing with his girlfriend. Because he just kissed me, I should be kicking him out of my room. But he was my best friend.

"Jake, I think you should leave," I whisper, trying not to cry, remembering why I hadn't spoken to him in months.  I was really hurt and disappointed in myself I've never wanted to be the other woman and I refuse to be one now. I don't know what he wants me to say or do but I've laid it all out there and he just played me.

"Nei, is that what you really want me to do?" he asks, still maintaining his grip on my hand. I turn towards him and ask him point blank,

"Are you still with Lana?"

"Nei," I don't give him a chance to finish. I pull my hand from his and tell him to leave.

"Nei, please"

"Jake, I don't want to argue with Chris and my sister out there, so please just leave."

"Nei, please, I'm your best friend," he says

"No, you're not," I said, trying not to let my sadness show. I think this was the end of our friendship. He stares at me. I say nothing, and he shakes his head, sighs, and leaves.