One Summer Day (BWWM)

CHAPTER 12

After an interesting lunch, Yon and I decided to have a much-needed girls' night. Finding out I had a crush was news that shook our world. Not literally, but to Yon and me, it was a big deal. I had been anti-relationship since elementary school, largely because I grew up as a dark-skinned girl. I watched everyone around me get into relationships, even if they were childish, and I wanted that too.

In middle school, I started developing, like any adolescent, and began to get noticed for it. At first, I relished the attention, thinking that finally, I would be seen. But I quickly realized it was just my body being noticed, and that was all. This is something a lot of dark-skinned girls can relate to — being desired for our bodies but nothing else. I had a few "boyfriends" here and there, but they were never serious and didn't last long enough to matter.

High school was a different experience. Because of my body, I got approached a lot, even by seniors and older men who would catcall me. I heard backhanded compliments like "You're pretty for a Black girl" or "You're not like other Black girls," which left me thinking, What the hell is that supposed to mean?

When I finally got into my first real relationship, I was naive. I allowed myself to be in a toxic relationship that shattered my self-esteem and self-worth. After that, I made a promise to never let a man dictate how I felt about myself again. I vowed to never give them the power to affect me. And now, here I was crushing like a middle-schooler over some boy. But honestly? I couldn't even be mad at myself.

Rummaging through my skincare drawer, I pondered what type of face mask I was in the mood for. "Odo," I called out to Yon.

"Yeah?" she responded.

"What kind of face mask are you feeling? Sheet, clay, or gel?" I asked.

"Clay mask all the way, babe," she replied, and I grabbed my favorite one, setting up everything in the bathroom.

"Babe, everything's ready. Oh, and don't forget the speaker!" I yelled out. A few moments later, I heard her footsteps approaching. I connected my phone to the speaker, and I Want You to Know by Selena Gomez and Zedd filled the room. I hummed along, applying the mask to my face. When I turned towards Yon, we both burst out laughing at each other, our faces covered in the ridiculous green mask. Then we broke into some goofy dancing, like the white girls we loved to imitate from rom-coms.

Later, we were back in the room, painting our toenails and gossiping. "So, how are you and Jeno?" I asked, smirking.

"We're good. He's so sweet and kind. I can tell he really loves me," she said, her voice soft with affection.

"Wait, have you guys said the big 'L' word yet?" I asked, eyebrows raised.

She squealed, kicking her feet in the air. "Yes!"

I scooted closer, grabbing her hands. "Tell me everything!"

"So, he planned this romantic picnic date. I'd been craving homemade Korean food, and he drove all the way to his mom's house to have her cook my favorite dishes. He surprised me with this beautiful picnic, and we just sat there, eating and watching the sunset. Then, out of nowhere, he said it — 'I love you.' I didn't believe him at first, but he said it again, and I cried and kissed him," she gushed. We both squealed, and then she added with a wink, "That night, I gave him the best 'I love you' back, if you know what I mean."

"BITCHHHHHHH!" I screamed excitedly. "Wait, so did he—" I wiggled my eyebrows.

She grinned. "Yes! He was so gentle and sweet, and honestly, so good."

She reached for her phone to text him, but I snatched it away. "Uh-uh, it's girls' night. Let's keep it that way," I teased. "Besides, I still need to tell you about... Rom."

"Oh, Rom..." she said teasingly. "So, what's going on with you two?"

I sighed. "We've gotten closer lately because of some stuff he's going through. He's been staying over at my dorm, and I've gotten used to having him around. I even let him sleep in my bed with outside clothes on!" I emphasized, and she gasped.

"I know! I wouldn't do that if I didn't like him, but I'm not sure if it's sympathy or something else. It just hurts seeing him in such a broken state."

Yon nodded sympathetically. "Maybe take some time to figure out how you feel, you know? Give yourself space to process before deciding what to do."

She was right. Tonight wasn't about overthinking. "You're right. Let's just order some pizza and have a Studio Ghibli marathon," I said, feeling relieved. Yon excitedly grabbed her phone, ordering Domino's with cinnamon twists while I went to wash off my face. A few minutes later, she joined me in the bathroom, and we finished our nightly routines.

After getting a call from the front desk, we rushed downstairs to grab our food. We spent the rest of the night munching on pizza and simping over Howl from Howl's Moving Castle. It was the perfect ending to a night meant just for us girls.

I feel like I'm on a roll, this chapter is shorter than usual but we are finally getting some girls time and the girls expressing how they feel. What do you think about Cléo's confessing ? Let me know, please comment and vote and I'll see you in the next chapter !!!