The Sweetest Fruit ( Tomboy 🏳️‍🌈Love Story )

12. Trust

MJ

I turned the faucet on, letting the cold water splash over my face, jolting me awake. The restroom was quiet tucked away on an upper floor, most people rarely came here. White tiles lined the walls, some chipped and fading, and a single dim yellow bulb made everything look older than it really was. The mirror in front of me reflected a different MJ, not the one that started this year — a stranger almost that has seen more than she should have.

Sonia: I have finished my class, headed to the gym.

The gym was bustling by the time I got there,  the squeaking of sneakers on the polished wooden floors and the clang of weights filled the air. Sonia was waiting near the bleachers, her arms crossed as she spotted me.

"You ready?"

" Why are you upset ?" I asked noticing the slight frown on her face.

" You didn't reply to my message," she persisted, the faintest hint of frustration in her voice.

"Am here, aren't I ?"

" You still didn't reply."

Drama queen, I thought but I couldn't help but smile. “Get up we have a lot to do.”

Teaching Sonia basketball has become one of my favorite things, not that I'd ever admit it. I loved the moments of play and laughter, the shared jokes as she tried — and often failed to keep up. It felt like I could leave everything else for a bit.

" You have to stop falling on me," I said as she tripped and fell on top of me.

She grinned her face inches away from me. " What can I say ? You're easy to fall for." Her lips were so close I could almost taste the memory of a shared past kiss.

" Oh, really?" I smirked flipping her onto her back, as I leaned in closer, ready to kiss her again. But a shout disrupted the moment.

“Kora,” I groaned, recognizing her voice as she called my name in a tone that practically vibrated of anger. I jumped pulling Sonia to her feet.

“It's not what you think,” I started, her eyes darting between me and Sonia, suspicion written all over her face.

"So you weren't about to kiss her?" Kora asked, her gaze fixed now on me.

" Can we talk somewhere else ?" I suggested hoping she wouldn't make a scene in front of Sonia.

"Oh you don't want her to hear?"

"Hear what?"  Sonia asked looking between us with confusion.

" Kora," I called through clenched teeth, hoping to control the situation.

" Don't call me you selfish piece of
shit," Kora spat her voice echoing in the gym. She turned to Sonia, her expression twisting with malice.

“MJ said you're a low life who throws herself at her and that you only joined basketball to get closer to her…and that she can never be interested in someone like you."

I felt the words slam into me guilt and shame welling up. Kora was twisting my own reckless words— ones I'd uttered in a moment of anger — and now Sonia was hearing them. Before I could say anything Sonia was gone, bolting out of the door, leaving me paralyzed by Kora's gaze.

" Are you happy now?”

" Yeah, at least she knows what kind of person you are," she replied, her voice dripping with satisfaction as she left the gym.

Through the physics class my mind kept going back to the gym and Sonia's devasted face. I could barely concentrate on the test in front of me coming up with ways I could fix things. After barely answering any of the questions I handed in the paper and started texting her.

Me: Hey there, where are you?

When she didn't reply, I started searching for her around campus my stomach growling. I ignored it determined to find her. I spotted Aliza walking to the Freida Brown center. "Aliza." She turned her head towards me a small smile on her lips.

"Oh hey MJ." So Sonia hasn't told her yet.

"Do you know where Sonia is?"

"No, she wasn't even in class,"she replied concern slipping into her voice.

I wandered the campus grounds, my thoughts racing with worry. Finally, under a bench near one of the sprawling Acacia trees I spotted her — with Chris. My chest tightened at the sight.

" What do you want ?" She asked rolling her eyes when she spotted me.

" What are you doing with him ?" I asked pointing to Chris who looked at me with a mocking smile, his arm casually draped around Sonia's shoulder.

" Did you forget what happened last time you tried to argue with me? " Chris asked standing up from the bench. His stance challenging.

" Oh bring it on Katana, last time I was drunk."

“Enough,” Sonia cut in. “What do you want MJ?

“Let's go,” I said yanking her arm, my voice hard.

" Let me go!  What's wrong with you?" She asked breaking free from my grasp and fixing her top.

" You,” I snap. “Your the problem and I said let's go."

" I'm not going anywhere with you," she said her eyes blazing. I realized my anger was only pushing her away. I softened my tone, forcing myself to take a breath.

" Sonia I know you're mad at me, but… please come with me."

She hesitated, glancing to where Chris was before turning away from him. “Fine,” she said following me.

We walked together in tense silence across the field, the grass rustling under our feet as dusk fell. The campus was quiet now, only a few distant voices carried by the breeze. The buildings around us were cast in shadow, the outlines softening in the twilight.

"How do you know him ?" I asked, feeling my fists clench at the thought of her with Chris.

“We're acquainted,” she replied evasively.

"How do you know him ?"

" Since when?"

" Stop with the questions,” she snapped.
“ And why do you care anyway?”

We walked back to the dorm, the narrow hallway dimly lit by a single flickering light. Inside the room, she nestled on her bed laying her head on the pillow. I ordered us some food not able to contain my gnawing hunger.

" Here," I said handing her the white styrofoam cup.

" You ordered me food ?" She asked surprised.

"Obviously," I replied settling on the wooden desk that creaked under my weight.

"How much do I owe you?" She asked, pulling out her phone.

“Nothing, just eat.”

" Well I don't want you going around campus calling me a low-life,” she said, still bitter.

"Fine, it's  six fifty," I grumbled trying to keep my temper in check. She sends the money still stubborn as ever.

As we ate, the silence between us softened. When we'd finished I looked over at her, hesitant. " Can I ask you for  a favor?"

" I'm not sure I'm classy enough to do you any favors," she bit back.

" It's not like that,” I muttered. “Just…stay away from Chris.”

" Why?"

" Can't you do what I tell you for once."

" Do I look like one of the sluts you sleep around with and order?" She shot back the edge of her voice cutting deep.

Frustrated, I left, the tension between us simmering as I headed out to the club to blow off some steam. But even with the music thumping around me and a drink in my hand. Sonia's angry, hurt expression lingered in my mind.