Hold My Hand

34

*VANESSA*

I woke up to warm kisses on my face. His arms wrapped around me.

"Juwany?" I asked sleepily. "What the heck are you doing here?"

"I missed you."

"What? We spent all day together yesterday."

"I know. But I missed you. Can I have a kiss?"

I moved his arms from around me and got out of bed. "No, I JUST woke up. I haven't even brushed my teeth."

I went into the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and pulled my hair back into a ponytail.

"Ok." I said, getting back into bed. "Now you can have a kiss."

He gave me a kiss and I wanted to move, but I couldn't.

"Wany, I've missed you too. But it's only 7:30 on a Saturday. I'm sleepy."

"Ok." He sat up, took off his sneakers, and got under my quilt with me. "Then lets go to sleep."

"Wany. I don't know how my mom...or your mom would feel."

"They're both downstairs. And your mom warned me that you'd probably be asleep."

I gulped. "I don't wanna get in trouble."

"Ok. I'll go, text me when you wake up babe. I just had to see you."

He kissed my forhead, grabbed his sneakers, and left. I was sad when I was alone again, but I didn't want to lose my mom's trust. I've never asked her about sharing a bed with Juwany, It feels wrong not to ask first.

When I woke up I texted Juwany and he said he'd be over in 20.

"Good morning honey." My mom greeted me.

The kitchen smelled like coffee and cinnamon, making my mouth water.

"Good morning."

"I was surprised to see Juwany leave, I figured you'd both be asleep."

"I was. He woke me, but I was still sleepy so I asked him to leave because I didn't wanna get in trouble."

My mom put a red oven mit on her hand and pulled a tray of cinammon rolls out of the oven.

"Why would you get in trouble?"

"I've never had a boy in my bed. Well...I've never even had a boyfriend. So I didn't know if it was ok with your or Ms.Roman."

"Honey, I trust you not to have sex."

I flinched at the sound of the word. "Ok, ok."

My mom started laughing. "All I'm saying is, keep your clothes on."

"Oh God! Ok mom, ok! I'm gonna go take a shower now, bye!"

As I dried my hair with a towel I noticed how faded my lilac was. It almost looked white now. I went downstairs and found my mom about to go in the pool.

"Mommy, before school can you take me to get my hair re-done?"

"Lets go now." Juwany said.

I turned around. "Oh! You're back. Hi."

"Get dressed and I'll take you to get your hair done." Juwany offered.

"What? How?"

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a plastic card.

"I got my license!" He cheered.

I threw my arms around him. "Oh my gosh! I'm so proud of you baby!"

"Well there ya go." My mom laughed. "Now I don't have to take you."

"I'll be back. I'm gonna go ask my mom if I can take the car." Juwany said.

I made a cup of coffee and sipped it until Juwany returned.

He walked in smiling. "She said I can! Go get dressed!"

I ran upstairs, keeping up with Juwany's excitement and I put on a pair of denim shorts and a white top. When I got back downstairs I poured my coffee into a Tumblr and took it with me.

"Buckle up." He told me, as I got into the car.

"Yes sir." I laughed.

Juwany drove carefully and made good judgements about when to cross intersections or when to just be patient and let cars pass us, I was surprised; only because he can be very impatient at times.

When "Sally's Styles" came into view I had to give Wany a heads up. "Ok, it's this place right on the left."

"Mmk." He nodded.

Luckily the stylist who did my hair last time was available, and she picked out the exact same shade of dye as last time.

I sat back in the chair, nice and relaxed. The product was cold, but it felt nice against the day's hot weather.

"Hey Geo!" I heard a voice say.

I opened my eyes, expecting it to be a fan; but it was Taylor. She sat next to Juwany in the waiting area and put her hand on his shoulder, he pushed it off quickly.

My hair was thick with dye and covered my ears, I couldn't hear what they were saying. I closed my eyes again and took a deep breath. I'm just gonna pretend he's only talking to a fan.