Expect The Unexpected (H-Town)

Stop Pretending

Kaedi

I slammed my hand down on my alarm and buried my face in my pillow.

Monday morning. English class at ten.

Groaning, I rolled out of bed, clutching my head as it pounded.

"Why the hell did I drink so much?" I muttered, dragging myself into the bathroom.

I flipped on the light—then immediately turned it back off.

Before I could react, my older brother Shawn walked in behind me.

"Bye, boy—get out!" I yelled, trying to push him toward the door.

"Nope. I gotta get ready for work," he said, attempting to pick me up.

"And I don't care! I was in here first! Put me down, Shawn!" I shouted, pounding on his back.

"Bye, Kae," he laughed, setting me on my feet before slamming the bathroom door in my face. "I'm going first."

I groaned and rolled my eyes. "If I'm late to class, I'm blaming you—and you're definitely taking me!"

Let me introduce myself.
My name is Kaedi Michelle Roberts. I'm nineteen, a criminal justice major, and currently nursing a killer hangover. I have an annoying older brother named Shawn (twenty-one), a little sister named Brianna (fifteen), a judge for a father, and a nurse for a mother.

Oh—and I have the biggest crush on Dino.
That boy has had my heart forever.

I grabbed random clothes from my closet and tossed them onto my bed: a Tommy Hilfiger sweater, white jeans, and black Timbs.

"Yeah, this'll do."

Once the bathroom was finally clear, I rushed through my shower, brushed my teeth, did my makeup, and ran a brush through my hair. I grabbed my book bag and headed downstairs.

"Morning, family," I said, sitting at the table.

They all grumbled responses while I ate. The doorbell rang.

"I got it!" I said quickly, pushing back my chair.

When I opened the door, Dino stood there.

I folded my arms and sighed.

"Well, good morning to you too," he said, laughing.

"Morning. Why you here?" I asked, already irritated.

I'd rather avoid him for the rest of my life if I could.

"You still mad at me?" he asked.

"Do I look mad at you?" I shot back, stepping aside to let him in.

"You look good," he said.

I smiled despite myself, turning away. "Thanks. You do too. I just finished breakfast—we can go."

"Aight, let's bounce."

Outside, the whole gang was already posted in front of my house.

"Good morning, fam!" I said, hugging everyone.

Everyone paired off with their crush—leaving me with Dino.
Of course.

I tried to keep my distance, but he kept drifting closer.

Dino

I knew Kaedi hadn't been feeling me since that party on Saturday. I didn't mean for my words to come out so harsh, but I had to be honest. I didn't want to keep pushing her away and mess up our friendship.

"So what we doing after class?" I asked.

"I don't know about you, but I've got a calculus midterm Thursday. I gotta study. I'll probably be busy all week," she said.

"I know you just tryna avoid me," I replied. "But listen—I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry we don't see eye to eye. I won't apologize for how I feel, though."

"You don't have to apologize for shit, Keven," she said flatly. "Like you said—we'll never be together. So stop worrying about me. I'm gonna do me, and you do you."

She turned toward one of the buildings.

"What's that supposed to mean? We not cool no more?" I asked, following her.

The gang started watching now.

She stopped and faced me, hands on her hips.

"I'm saying we cool, but from now on I'm doing what I want. I'll talk to whoever I want. You don't gotta run behind me—or pretend you care."

"I'm not pretending," I said. "I care about you. Just not like that."

"And I'm telling you how it is," she said, stepping closer. "Stop throwing mixed signals and act like the 'brother' you claim you wanna be."

Then she walked away.

"Ugh! What the fuck is wrong with females?!" I yelled.

"I know how she feels," Leah said quietly, looking at G.I. He frowned, confused, and she shook her head before walking off.

"Or when someone won't acknowledge the hint," Stacey added, rolling her eyes at Shazam before following Leah.

"Where did we go wrong?" Shazam muttered.

"What just happened?" G.I. asked.