Expect The Unexpected (H-Town)

Maybe, Maybe Not

Leah

"No, that's not what I meant, Darryl. I was saying—never mind. It doesn't matter," I said, clearly annoyed.

"Just spit it out, Leah," he replied irritably over the phone.

I sighed and rubbed my temple. "Do you think you could ever see us together in the future?" I asked nervously.

"Honestly, I don't know. I never really thought about it," he said. "I think you're beautiful and you got a bangin' body—hope you don't get offended—but I never thought about us being an item or anything."

"Well... thanks for being honest," I said quietly.

"Is that why you've been acting strange lately?" he asked.

I stayed silent, hoping he'd change the subject.

"I mean, there are plenty of dudes out there who would want you, Leah," he continued. "You're smart, pretty, outgoing—the whole nine."

I smiled at that, but it faded just as fast.
"Yeah, but it ain't the dude I want," I said, rolling my eyes.

He sighed. "Leah?"

"Bye, Darryl. I'll see you later," I said before hanging up.

I placed the phone back on the hook and headed downstairs to the kitchen, where my mom was cooking.

"Hey, Mom," I said, hopping onto the counter.

"Hey, baby," she replied, wiping flour onto her apron. "How you feeling?"

"Honestly? Not too hot," I admitted.

She smiled knowingly. "Is this about Darryl?"

I nodded. "I like him, Ma. But he doesn't feel the same."

"Maybe not right now," she said gently, kissing my cheek. "But you can't force someone to like you. There's a man out there who's gonna love you for exactly who you are—you just gotta be patient and trust God."

"I guess you're right," I said softly. "So... what you cooking?"

My cousin Leroy walked into the kitchen and sat at the table.

"Hey, family," he said, grinning.

We greeted him back.

Let me introduce myself.
My name is Leah Amber Hubbert. I'm eighteen years old, currently studying psychology because I want to become a clinical psychologist. I have an older sister named Laura—she's twenty-five and just became a CPS agent. My cousin Leroy is the older brother I never had.

And then there's Darryl—G.I.
The boy I can't seem to stop liking.

"When will dinner be ready?" Leroy asked.

"In about an hour," my mom replied.

"I'll be in the living room if y'all need me," I said, heading out of the kitchen.