The Forgotten

VII.

That situation was over and done with, thank God. My mind was focused on tonight and nothing else, I was hoping with all intentions that it went well too, because I was feeling shorty. Keith could tell I was too, we were on our way back to my spot to chill for a while, and he looked over and saw me texting Melanie, he chuckled at me and looked back at the road. I looked up and asked, "What's funny nigga?"

"Nothing man, you really wilding over shorty and you barely know her. I never saw you like this, not even with Zoe. It's different."

"Man call me what you want, but I really feel like there's something between me and shorty... I can't but my finger on it just yet but I know there is. Who knows? Maybe you and Melanie's friend will hit it off tonight."

He busted out into laughter and looked at me like I was crazy. Keith was the player every nigga wanted to be, I knew I would get that reaction out of him.

"Man come on now you already know about me, catching feelings just isn't me. But shit if she cute I'll keep her around, know what I'm saying?"

I nodded my head in agreement, as we both laughed. At this point we had made it back to my spot. It was about 5 now, and we had to leave back out at about 8 or so. With that much time to waste, we just played 2k until it was time to go. That way we could get out shit talking out of the way before we got to the date.

After a couple games, it was 7:45; almost time to go. Keith asked if I wanted to smoke before we got there, so we did that, and got on our way.

I texted Melanie before about 5 minutes before we got there, to see if she was on her way, and she told me she was already there. I was surprised she was early because you know how it is with females, they run late doing makeup or something, but not her I guess. We pulled up and walked in hoping that they had already signed in because it was mad packed. I looked over and saw Melanie holding the buzzer that notifies when our table is ready, I didn't see her friend though. I walked over, she was happy to see me, very happy at that. She embraced me with a hug and I asked, "Where is your friend? She came right?"

"Oh yeah, she's in the bathroom right now, she should be out any minute now."

Almost on command the bathroom door opened, her friend walked out...and nothing could brace me for the surprise that beheld me. Her friend was Zoe.

My face was flushed. I couldn't believe what I'm looking at, shorty really close friends with my ex. I looked over at Keith and he was about to leave again, but I gave him the "get back over here" gesture, and he did. That took all of 30 seconds. I looked back over at Melanie, and she tried to introduce me and Zoe; which was met with the distinct voice of Zoe herself.

"Oh we've met before, isn't that right Devin?"

I scratched my head, and looked for anything to get me out that sticky situation. There was nothing.

"Yeah, no need for introduction. We have been acquainted in the past. But hey, this is my boy Keith."

He said what's up, and by then the buzzer went off. I was glad because if I had to stand in that tension for another second I would've collapsed. We got to our table, I sat with Melanie, and Keith reluctantly sat with Zoe. He kicked my leg so I could look up at him, as he mouthed the words, "You owe me." I nodded at him and looked back down at my menu.

The whole time there was filled with nothing but me and Melanie talking. Keith refused to talk to Zoe or input an opinion on anything we had to say, and I'm guessing Zoe was feeling some type of way seeing me happy again. Melanie was confused as to why they were so quiet, but I told her to pay it no mind.

Some more time passed, we paid our bills and left. Melanie told us to follow behind them to downtown, so that's what we did. Once we got downtown, we walked around for a bit, which was getting monotonous, so I told Melanie that we need to break off from those two. She agreed, so I told Keith I'll catch up to him, as she did with Melanie. I was just glad I didn't have to be around Zoe for another second, and Melanie could see I had a relieved look on my face. She laughed and said, "I heard you and Zoe had a little fling huh?"

"Yeah, I don't want to talk about it though. She told you why we broke up right?"

"Yep. I don't know why she would do that to someone like you, but hey it all worked out in the end because now it's me and you, right?"

"You got it."

We walked on.