He was so nervous, he’d never felt this way about anyone before. He walked up and down the living room anxiously. He knew it was just a date, but he felt strange.
“Jayden, would you stop. I'm trying to watch the flipping TV.” Jasmine shouted over to him. He stopped and groaned frustrated.
“I'm sorry, I'm just nervous.”
“Why it’s just a date.” Jasmine asked with a slight bit of attitude, which Jayden sensed. He brushed it off though.
“Yeah I know, but-“
“But nothing-now leave. Showing up on time is a good start.” She sounded more annoyed every time she spoke.
“What’s wrong with you? I'm finally going out like you wanted me to.”
“Then get out!” she shouted. Jayden paused.
“Excuse me?” Jayden was confused. “Did I do you something?” Jasmine said nothing. Instead she got up and walked out the room. “Aye jasmine come back here now!” she walked back into the room. “You wanna be a big girl Jasmine? You wanna be a big girl yeah? Start paying some fucking bills then. Don’t ever disrespect me in my own house, do you here me?” Jayden barked. It echoed through the whole house. The neighbours were bound to hear. Tears poured down her face. Jayden turned away from her. “What’s your fucking problem anyway?” she sniffed.
“Because all you do lately is talk about Riaz. Riaz this Riaz that. I don’t want her to take you away from me. You’re the only thing I have.” Jayden left the room, not saying anything to her.
He came back in the room minuets later in his PJ bottoms and a held a blanket and a DVD in his hand. Jasmine smiled and hugged him. “You didn't have to do this.”
“Yes I did. You’re my sister and you come first. I rescheduled with Riaz.”
“You really like her don’t you?” Jayden nodded his head shyly as the sat on the sofa, waiting for the movie to start.
“So tell her. I'm sure she’d want to know.” Jayden smiled happy that Jasmine had approved of his relationship with Riaz. The snuggled up on the sofa and watched the movie together, just like old times.
The wait at her door, was the longest he had anticipated in his whole life. His heart beat increased, the more he waited. His throat became dry. He didn't know what he was going to say.
The door opened and there she stood. His ‘soulmate’. He never thought that he would find her so quick. She was perfect.
“Jayden, what you doing here?” she asked, a confused expression plastered on her face.
“I came to see you.” He cleared his throat. “I have something to tell you. I don’t know how to say this because I’ve never done it before and I know that there’s a chance you may not feel the same way but, I really, really like you Riaz.” He said the last part after taking a deep breath. She said nothing, just looked at him in disbelief. Not because she didn't feel the same way, because hell yeah she did. But for the reason that she didn't know what to say back. “It’s okay you don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know. You make me feel like no one has before. I haven’t liked someone this bad since I was like 14. And even that was just a little crush. You make my palms sweat. You make my heart beat accelerate and you make my breathing uneasy. I can’t stop thinking about the other night. The way our bodies connec-“
“Shh.” She cut him off. She kissed him softly on his lips. She pulled him inside the house, closing the door behind the both of them. If she couldn’t say what she felt, she was gonna show him.
“So what does this mean then?” Jayden said gesturing between the two as they lay in her bed once again together. “Do you want to do this? I mean like are you sure. You’re still in a relationship.”
She sighed.
“Jayden, I'm scared. Aaron won’t give up without a fight. In his eyes, if he can’t have me no one can.” Jayden said nothing. He closed his eyes. He could feel Riaz’ eyes burning into him. “sorry.” She said after a few seconds. He still remained silent.
“Come. I want you to meet Ice.” Sasha had stated. They were both laying nude in Riaz’ silky sheets.
Jayden was a little taken back by this. “Are you sure?” she nodded her head and got out the bed. She began to retrieve her clothes from around the room putting them on in the process. Jayden also did the same, but at a slower pace. He was nervous to meet Ice. He had been through so much, but to meet someone that has been through more than him made him feel anxious.
As they made their way down the stairs, that anxiety feeling grew.
“Ice, there’s someone I want you to meet babe.” Riaz shouted on the other side of the door after knocking.
“Yeah hold on a minute.” Riaz smiled at Jayden, which he then returned a nervous one. Seconds later the door opened and there stood Ice. He looked over to Jayden and smiled once he realised who he was. “Your Jayden init?” he said in such a charming voice. His voice hadn’t broken yet but it was calm. It wasn’t deep but it was mellow and soft.
“Yeah, you must be Ice. Nice to meet you.” Jayden said gesturing his hand out. Ice shook his hand. As Jayden shook his hand, he realised that this boy had stamina. Something he didn't see when he saw the lifeless body laying in the bed.
“Yeah and you.” he turned to his sister. “Riaz, I'm going shop, do you want anything?”
“No I'm okay thanks. Did you take your tablets?” He rolled his eyes and kissed his teeth, walking back into his room.
“Ice, don’t kiss your teeth at me. You know it’s for the best. I’ve told you, the doctors have and so has your social worker.” She said following him. Jayden stayed outside the room.
“Riaz I don’t need them yeah.”
“You know what happens when you don’t take them Ice.” Ice shot her a venomous look. He then looked at Jayden and kissed his teeth.
“Get out Riaz. Always chatting the same shit in my ears. I already told you I don’t need them. How are you gonna tell me about my own body. Fuck off man!” He shouted, pushing her out of his room, agitated. He slammed the door shut in both Jayden and Riaz’ face. They both jumped from the shock of it.
“AAAARRRGH!” Riaz shouted in frustration. “He just doesn’t listen. If he doesn’t take his tablets, I can’t look after him. And I don’t want him to end up living like I had to when I was his age.”
“What does he take tablets for?”
“Do you remember when I told you my mum was on crack when she was pregnant with him?” Jayden nodded. “Well if he doesn’t take his tablets then he gets out of control and no one can control him.” Jayden nodded again, this time slower. “Its part of the side affects of being a crack baby.”
The door swiftly opened to be met with an even angrier face of Ice. “What the fuck man. Why you always telling people my business. Nobody doesn’t know about how you lost your babies, so don’t tell people about my life.”
“There was no need to, say any of that. Why won’t you let me help you?”
“Because, I don’t need your fucking help. Do you really think I want to be here?”
Riaz broke down into tears, as the door was again slammed shut in both their faces. Jayden took Riaz into his arms and hugged her ever so tightly. He carried her up into her room and laid her on the bed. He watched as she cried herself to sleep.
