The Sweetest Fruit ( Tomboy 🏳️‍🌈Love Story )

14. I hate you

MJ

“Fuck you Kora I don't care if you like Sonia she is MINE.”

The words echoed in the dimly lit room, the only light coming from the street lamp outside. Shadows sat in the dark as I plopped down on the bed gripping a bottle of whiskey on the way. My mind was a storm of Sonia— her laugh, her voice, the way she looked at me under those long lashes like I was the only person in the world.

I touched my lips remembering how she tastes — sweet like the cherry lip gloss she always wore. My fingers tingled as I remembered how she shuddered when I kissed her neck, the way she moaned when my hands wandered over her skin. She has this power over me, one that I craved and hated in equal measure.

The ache inside  my pants grew unbearable. I needed release, something to drown out the thoughts of her. I grabbed my phone dialing Nelly's number, the easiest lay in USIU.

“Come to my room,” I said, my voice cold and commanding. “Yes, MJ,” she replied, like the little obedient doll she was. I pinned her to my location and jumped in the shower.

She arrived in under half an hour making me think she was in the area, her usual tight crop top showcased off her toned stomach, jeans hugging her curves.

Her perfume — cheap and overly sweet hit me before she entered the room. “I'm here!” She squealed, flashing me a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.

" Strip and get on the bed," I said, letting my robe fall onto my feet.
" Okey mummy," she said undressing. Before she could say more, I smashed my lips with hers. It wasn't the same. Her lips were too dry, her taste too bland.

But as she climbed on the bed, her movements awkwardly eager, something inside me twisted. The way she touched me felt wrong — mechanical, empty. My skin didn't burn under her touch; I didn't get the butterflies that Sonia gave me.

"Are you not in the mood ?" She asked, when I suddenly stopped. “I wish you were Sonia,” I blurted out, without thinking.

Her face hardened.  "Fuck you MJ," she spat, grabbing her clothes and storming out. The door slammed behind me, leaving me alone in my frustration.

I drank more, hoping the alcohol would drown out my thoughts. But all I could think about was Sonia. Was she still with Kora? Would she let Kora touch her the way I did? No, Sonia was better than that — or at least I wanted to believe she was.

                
                                 —

The next morning, the loud banging jolted me awake. My head throbbed as if my skull was splitting in two. The sunlight streaming through the cracked blinds only worsened the pain.

“What?” I yell my voice still hoarse from last night's yelling. “It's Steve,” the voice from the other end says. “You need to leave ma'am.”

Steve, the bar manager of course. I passed out here again. " Give me five minutes," I yelled back, dragging myself off the couch.

The room reeked of spilled alcohol and stale cigarettes. Empty bottles littered the sticky floor, and a single barstool lay tipped over in the corner. My clothes were rumpled and smelled like smoke. I grabbed a bag and shoved a half  empty bottle of whiskey into it  before heading out the door.

The sunlight hit me like a slap. I squirted again the brightness, tumbling to a nearby cafe for a coffee. My legs felt heavy, my throat dry like  sandpaper.

Back at school the campus buzzed with weekend energy. Students strolled lazily on the courtyard, some heading home with overnight bags, others sprawled on the lawn, enjoying the morning Saturday sun.

I spotted Martha leaning on the dormitory railing, her thick braids let loose. She wore her usual oversized hoodie and ripped jeans, but her face held a nervous energy that made me pause.

"Hey dude," I greeted, forcing a casual tone.

"You look awful," she said, her gaze sweeping over me.

" Don't remind me,” I muttered, shouldering past  her. “I'm going to shower.”

" I'm also coming to." She followed me, her eyes darting around as if she had something to say but didn't know how to start.

When I got into the room, I noticed immediately something was off — Sonia's bed. It was spotless, the sheets tucked in with military precision. Every piece of clothing folded, every shoe lined up perfectly. My heart sank. It was Saturday. Most people left school for the weekend and so did her. I wouldn't see her until Monday.

At least she's coming back, I thought bitterly. “Are you ready?” Martha asked, standing in the doorway.

“Yeah, let me grab my towel.”

As I threw it on my shoulder, Martha blurted out. " I saw Kora and Sonia last night."

I froze. “Okay!”

“They were kissing.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. “They were?”

“Yeah,” Martha said, gauging my reaction. “Outside your room.”

My fists clenched at my sides. “Did they go in?”

“They left in the morning.”

Something inside of me shattered, I didn't even know what to say. Instead, I walked past her, my head spinning. I entered the common bathroom and punched the tile wall over and over until my fists bled.

Good thing I don't know where you live Sonia, or I would have come for you. I thought bitterly.

When I returned to the room, my anger consumed me. Sonia's perfectly made bed taunted me, her neat little world untouched  while mine was falling apart. I grabbed her books and threw them to the ground. Her clothes followed. I tore the sheets from her bed and slung them across the room.

“Why did you do this to me?” I screamed into the empty space, my voice breaking.

My phone buzzed on my desk, snapping me out of my rage. I snatched up Sonia's number. Voicemail. Of course.

I hit record, my voice dripping with venom

“You are the most stupid girl I have ever met. I hate you and I regret kissing you in the club. I hated every part of it and just wanted to see how cheap you are and now I know. Fuck you Sonia and if you think Kora loves please she is going to dump your sorry ass sooner or later cause your pathetic and a low life that people only like because she has a  huge butt which is good for only fucking.” 

I ended the call and threw the phone on my bed, my chest heaving.

Outside, the afternoon heat pressed down on the campus. I wandered aimlessly trying to clear my head, but everything reminded me of Sonia. Her laugh echoed in the whispers of passing students. Her scent lingered in the air, haunting me.

"MJ,"  a voice called, sharp and familiar.

I turned to find Kora leaning on her motorbike, her long legs crossed, her dreadlocks swinging with her movement. She wore her signature leather jacket, the one that always made her look untouchable. Her dark eyes burned with barely contained fury.

“What do you want?” I asked my voice flat.

“Stay away from Sonia,” she warned, stepping closer.

I laughed bitterly. “Just because, you fucked her you think you own her?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Her jaw tightened. “That is none of your business, and for the record I didn't.”

She swung her leg over her bike, reviving the engine. “Get your head straight MJ, Sonia is not yours.”  With  that, she sped off, leaving a cloud of smoke in her wake.