The Sweetest Fruit ( Tomboy 🏳️‍🌈Love Story )

13. clubbing

Sonia

The hum of conversation and the scraping of chairs filled the classroom as students filled out. I squeezed my way through the throng, my bag slung over my shoulder. But my mind was elsewhere — on her.

" Are you still thinking about her ?" Aliza's voice broke through my thoughts as she matched my pace, her slim frame barely brushing mine.

" Yeah. Do you think she is okay?" I asked, my voice low, betraying my worry.

" She will turn up as an adult and stop worrying about her,"she said, brushing off her dark curls from her face. Her nonchalance grated on me, but I couldn't stop myself.

" I can't help it, she's been gone for three days. Three." My voice cracked, and I pulled my jacket closer, trying to steady my breathing. I keep waiting at night for her to walk through the door so we could talk — even if we would only just fight.

" Just relax today is the announcement that she has to be there. "

"I hope so," I mumbled, doubt lingering like a shadow.

The gym was alive with energy when I got there. I perched on one of the bleachers, my leg bobbing up and down.

" Who are you looking for ?" Kora's voice jolted me. She was already sitting beside me, her broad shoulders towering over mine.

" No one," I muttered, avoiding her gaze. Kora chuckled, her hand gently pressing down on my bouncing leg. " You're going to make the team."

Her confidence in me felt reassuring, but it did little to relax the storm in my chest.My eyes scanned the crowd again and froze. MJ stood at the door, her piercing gaze locked on me. My breath hitched.

Now she shows up.

" Good luck," Kora said, rubbing my cheek with her large hands.

The announcement was a blur, all I heard was my name and Diana’s being called. The crowd cheered, but MJ didn't wait. She turned sharply on her heel, walking away as if nothing had happened.

Kora lifted me off the ground spinning me around, her joy was infectious but my heart was tangled on MJ’s indifference.

The pizza place was quaint and quiet, its red and white walls illuminated by the warm yellow lights. Glass windows framed the space, revealing the campus street outside. We sat in the corner booth, the leather seats cool against my legs.

" You don't seem excited, " Kora noticed, shoving me slightly.

" I am," I lied, forcing a smile. I would be if MJ was seated next to me. Nelly leaned back on the chair, resting her head on Anna's shoulder. " So Nelly where have you been ?"One of the girls asked chugging down a milkshake.

"With MJ," she replied, her gaze locking with mine. My stomach churned, so she has been having the time of her life with Nelly, while I was worrying myself sick.

                         —

Back in the dorm, I dressed in rugged high-waisted jeans and a snug tube top, throwing on a denim jacket for the cool night air. Kora appeared in the doorway, her all black outfit accentuating the tattoos winding up her muscular arms.

“Wow, you look amazing,” Kora said, flashing me a grin that made me laugh.

“You clean up nicely too,” I shot back, the laughter easing some of the tension in my chest.

The club was a stark contrast to the pizza place we were in. Neon lights bathed the space, in blues and pinks, and the bass of the music reverberated through my chest. Kora held my hand, leading me past the long queue at the entrance.