Love Across Boarders

Chapter twenty-three

I woke up to the sun streaming through my window, illuminating the room with a warm glow that felt almost foreign after the chaos of last night. My head throbbed, a cruel reminder of my overindulgence at the party. I groaned, rolling over to bury my face in my pillow. The dull ache pulsed like a drumbeat in my skull, and I wished for just five more minutes of sleep.
But as I lay there, the events of the previous night began to surface, and my heart raced. Darren's laughter, the way he'd leaned in closer when we spoke, the moment he'd caught my gaze and held it. It was all so overwhelming yet thrilling.
After a few minutes of trying to ignore the pain, I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed, pushing aside the sheets that felt heavier than usual. I stumbled to the bathroom, splashed water on my face, and groaned at my reflection. My hair was a wild mess, and my eyes were puffy. I looked like I had just survived a battle well, a battle with alcohol, anyway.
I made my way to the kitchen, the aroma of coffee wafting through the air, welcoming me like an old friend. Sarah was already there, sipping her drink and scrolling through her phone.
I forgot to mention this but I moved in with Sarah.
Great right.....she doesn't live in the hostel plus she had a spare room.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she teased, a smirk playing on her lips. "How's the hangover treating you?"
"Like a bad ex," I replied, pouring myself a mug of coffee. I took a long sip, letting the warmth spread through me. "I should have known better."
"Yeah, but you had fun, right?" she prodded, a knowing look in her eyes.
"Fun, yes. But I don't remember half of it," I admitted, rubbing my temples in frustration. "Did anything embarrassing happen?"
"Not really," she said, leaning back in her chair. "You danced like no one was watching, which was amusing. And you and Darren were definitely in your own little world."
A warmth bloomed in my chest at the mention of his name. "We talked a lot," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "And he was... nice."
"Nice? Just nice?" She raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my casual tone. "Girl, I saw the way he looked at you. He's into you."
I shook my head, fighting back a grin. "It's not that simple, Sarah. We have this whole enemies-to-lovers vibe going on. It's complicated."
"Maybe it's supposed to be," she countered, leaning forward. "You both have a connection, Busayo. Don't let your past stop you from exploring what's right in front of you."
Her words sank in, making me contemplate the truth behind them. I had spent so much time focusing on my fears, on guarding my heart. But maybe it was time to let those walls come down-at least a little.
"Okay, you're right," I conceded, sipping my coffee to buy time. "But what do I even say to him? We had this amazing conversation, and I don't want to ruin it."
"Just be honest. Talk about what you both enjoyed from last night. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture," she said, her tone encouraging. "Just keep it light for now."
I nodded, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. "I'll text him later," I decided, my heart racing at the thought.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of studying and trying to keep my hangover at bay. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I knew I couldn't procrastinate any longer. I needed to reach out to Darren.
With shaky hands, I picked up my phone and opened our chat. My heart pounded as I typed a simple message: Hey, thanks for last night. I had a really good time. Hope you're not too hungover!
I stared at the message, my anxiety creeping in. What if he didn't respond? What if I misread everything, and he didn't feel the same way? But before I could overthink it, I hit send and set my phone down, taking a deep breath.
Minutes felt like hours as I waited, my heart racing. Just as I was about to convince myself that I should have never messaged him in the first place, my phone buzzed.

I had a great time too! Hope you're feeling better. Want to grab lunch tomorrow?

A smile spread across my face, and my stomach flipped with excitement. I quickly typed back, Sounds good! Let's do it.
As I hit send, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I had taken the first step, and it felt empowering. Maybe this was the start of something new, something I hadn't anticipated but desperately needed.
As I settled into bed that night, I couldn't shake the feeling of hope blooming inside me. Tomorrow would be a new day-a day filled with possibilities.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, and I woke up feeling a mixture of anticipation and nerves. I was grateful that it was a no lectures day meant I could focus on getting ready for lunch with Darren without the pressure of schoolwork looming over me.
After a quick shower and a hearty breakfast, I put some thought into my outfit. I wanted to look good, but also comfortable. After rifling through my closet, I settled on a pair of high-waisted jeans and a fitted, mustard-yellow top that complemented my skin tone. It was casual yet cute-exactly the vibe I was aiming for.
As I finished getting ready, my phone buzzed with a message from Sarah.

You good for lunch today? Need me to come with you?

I chuckled, knowing her protective nature was in full swing. I think I'll be okay. Just going to keep it light and fun!

You got this! Can't wait to hear all about it. Have fun!

I took a deep breath, feeling a flutter of nerves in my stomach. It was just lunch, right? But with Darren, it felt like so much more. I grabbed my bag and headed out, excitement buzzing through me.
The café we agreed on was a cozy little spot with outdoor seating, the perfect place to enjoy the sunny day. As I approached, I spotted Darren sitting at a table, looking effortlessly handsome in a plain black T-shirt and jeans. His hair was slightly tousled, and the way he glanced up when he saw me made my heart skip a beat.
"Hey," he greeted, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You look great."
"Thanks! You too," I replied, my cheeks warming. I slid into the seat across from him, the distance between us feeling charged with an electricity I couldn't ignore.
We exchanged small talk as we perused the menu, my nerves slowly settling with each shared laugh. He seemed relaxed, the tension that had previously hung between us dissipating under the bright sunlight.
"So, how's the hangover treating you?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Much better, thanks to my miracle coffee," I replied, raising my mug as if in toast. "What about you? Survived the night?"
"Just barely," he admitted with a chuckle. "But it was worth it."
Our conversation flowed easily, and I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time. We talked about everything from our classes to our favorite movies. It felt natural and unforced, like we were reconnecting as friends rather than enemies.
At one point, I leaned back in my chair, studying him. "So, why did you agree to hang out with me after everything?" I asked, a playful challenge in my tone.
He paused, his expression shifting slightly. "Honestly? I was curious," he said, his gaze steady. "You're different from anyone I've met. I like that you don't let me off easy."
My heart raced at his honesty, and I felt a warmth spread through me. "Well, I'm glad you took the chance," I said, my voice softer now.
As we continued talking, the atmosphere around us faded. I felt like it was just the two of us, our chemistry undeniable. I noticed the way he leaned in when I spoke, his eyes focused on me as if I were the most interesting person in the world.
When our food arrived, we quickly transitioned into a more casual rhythm, sharing bites from each other's plates and teasing one another about our choices. It was a simple pleasure, but in that moment, it felt significant.
"So, any plans for the rest of the weekend?" Darren asked, taking a sip of his drink.
"Not much. I might catch up on some reading or just relax. How about you?" I replied.
He leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Honestly? I was hoping to spend more time with you," he said, his tone light but sincere. "What do you say to hanging out again after this?"
I felt my heart flutter, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. "I'd like that," I said, unable to suppress the smile that spread across my face.
As we finished up our meal, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over everything. I felt a sense of contentment settle over me. I wasn't sure where this was headed, but for the first time in a long time, I was ready to find out.