𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓 | 𝒘𝒍𝒘

007

       Damilola Aaliyah Danesi: 17
Baltimore, Maryland

Today was the wedding and the girls and I are currently getting ready. The room looks a big mess; dresses were thrown across beds, makeup scattered on countertops, and music playing loudly in the background.

I sat at the vanity table, dapping the beauty blender to evenly spread my concealer under my eye.

I couldn't help but overhear the intense whisper coming from the bathroom.

Ayo exchanged a worried glance with me as we sneaked up to the bathroom.

We opened the door slightly, peaking through the small hole.

Imani sighed heavily, she seemed frustrated, "I can't do this anymore—sneaking around!"

"I know baby, and we will tell them soon" Temi leaned in closer to her.

"You said that the last time—when is 'soon' Temi?" Imani looked up to her, a tear rolled down her cheek.

Ayo and I turned to face each other with shock faces, realizing why their behavior has been odd this past few weeks.

They were secretly dating, and none of us had a clue—I mean, I had a sneaking suspicion.

We quickly ran back to what we were doing, as Temi and Imani stepped back into the room, both avoiding each other's gaze.

"So, spill the tea, how was your date?" Imani asked, applying her eyeshadow. She had been crying with her red, swollen eyes.

"It wasn't a date—we just went roller skating AS FRIENDS!" I sighed.

"Keep telling yourself that—i can't still believe you friend zoned her" Ayo joined in, curling her lashes.

"Exactly! Like gurl poured her heart out, just for you to say no—"don't see you like that" Temi added.

"It's complicated...even if I do like her, we gone have to keep her a secret," I turned around to face them.

"One secret from your mom shouldn't stop you from being happy" She smiled at me, her lashes already making her eyes pop.

"Plus, you only live once!" Imani said.

I shrugged, "maybe. But let's not get ahead of ourselves now."

"Oh please, like you don't want to" Temi walked toward the bed and sat beside Imani, who seemed irritated.

"Okay, fine!" I said, a wide grin spread across my face, "I'll do it."

I zipped my dress in and applied lipgloss onto my lips, and as the others slipped into their dresses.

With our outfits complete, we gathered around for a quick photo session, then made our way to the wedding venue to meet up with the guys.  

Everyone was dressed in traditional Nigerian attire. The scent of spicy jollof rice and grilled suya filled the air.

Guests entered the wedding hall in search of their seat.

I glanced over at the bride, she looked so beautiful in her dress.

The grand door slid opened, as the beat dropped, we began dancing.

The room erupted in applause, as we gathered around the bride.

She began to burst some moves, shaking some ass as we hyped her up.

"That was amazing, you guys!" the bride pulled us into a tight hug.

We all walked back to our table, as the music ended.

I spotted Tiwa and made my way through the crowd.

I reached to her side and gently tapped her on the shoulder. "Meet me at the lobby in five?" She nodded, asking no questions.

I ran off to where my mom is seated to get the hotel room key card.

"Hey, you look stunning in your dress!" She said, as I gave her a hug.

"Thank you! you also look good in your Ankara,"  I led her out of the elevator and towards my hotel room.

She stepped inside, her eyebrow furrowed up, "Gurl! What we doing here?—what you tryna do?"

I chuckled, taking her hands as we settled into the couch.

"Okay—i'm just gonna be straightforward with this shit" I took a deep breath, moving closer to her.

"I lied—I lied when I said I didn't see you that way," Tiwa turned toward me.

"I actually have mad feelings for you. And i want to give us a chance" I said, my eyes searching her.

"I... I don't know what to say," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You don't have to say anything," I pulled my hand away from her.

"I understand if you don't feel the same way. I just needed to tell you." I added.

But before I could pull away any further, Tiwa reached out and cupped my face in her hands, pulling me closer.

"No, wait," she said. "I think I might feel the same way," a smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"I've been trying to deny it for so long—being gay, but I was mostly scared of the fact that I have to hide this part of myself from my family" I continued.

"But I want you—I want us."

"I want us too," she said, wiping a tear from rolling down my cheek.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug, and she held me close.

She leaned in closer to my lips. I could tell her breath warm against my skin...when suddenly, the door bursted open.

My aunt barged in,"girls? you need to get back to the wedding hall right now, the bride and groom are taking pictures with the bridesmaids."

Tiwa and I exchanged a look of mild surprise before scrambling to gather out things.

"Yes Tata!, we'll be right there," I said, slipping on my heels.

We made our way out of the hotel room. "We're not done yet," Tiwa whispered to me.

"Okay! Everyone, gather around the married couple," the photographer called out, adjusting his camera lens.

We huddled close, our smiles wide as we posed for the camera.

As the night wore on, everyone all hurried to the dance floor. People spraying money on the bride as she danced.

The air was filled with excitement and hype. The little kids sneaking around to pick up money, stuffing it into their pocket, as they ran off.