My Neighborhood Love Story

Chapter 28: Either She Goes or I Go

Khalil's P-O-V

"Yesterday was crazy," I said to Jawan after spitting the foam into the sink.

I was rinsing with my mouthwash as he said, "Yeah, I know. But do you want to know the best part?"

I looked at him, unable to speak because of the mouthwash.

"Aria told me that she liked me yesterday."

I nearly choked on the teeth-cleansing liquid before spitting it out, "Bro! You're lying!"

"Nope. Not at all."

"And does she know you like her?"

"Yup. We almost kissed too, but we sort of got interrupted. We did talk a little and she rested her head on my lap."

"Dude! You're in!"

"I hope so."

"Well, I know so."

I felt happy for my little brother. He was well on his way to getting a good girlfriend.

"Boys! Breakfast is ready!"

"Coming!" We both yelled.

I looked at Jawan with a smirk. He already knew what was up. We began to bolt down stairs to see who could get to the breakfast table first.

"Hey, slow it down. What is wrong with you two?"

"Mom, who won?" Jawan asked catching his breath.

She laughed, "Nice to see you guys racing again. Haven't raced since you were little boys."

"Yeah, but who won?" I pushed.

"None of you. I did. I was here first."

We laughed and began eating breakfast. I loved my mother. She was all we had. My father died when I was just five in a horrible car accident and she adopted Jawan a year later because she says he reminds her of our dad. I only have one faint memory of my father. I remember playing basketball with him when I was younger. That's probably why I'm so passionate about the game now.

"I'm going to be helping out at the church today, so I may be home late."

Jawan and I nodded our heads as she began to share out our food.

"You know, I was thinking of asking her out."

"Out, out? Like on a date?"

"Yeah, why not?"

My mother interrupted, "Hold up, wait a minute now. Who is this lucky girl?"

"The next door neighbor," I replied before Jawan could.

"She's a good girl, mom."

"But I thought you were dating Heather."

Ooh. I can't wait to hear him explain this.

"We didn't really work out well."

"But are you sure you're ready for a whole new relationship? I mean, I would think that you'd sort of be standoffish towards starting a new relationship."

"The relationship that Heather and I had wasn't all that serious."

"Oh... Well, alright."

After that, the subject of our breakfast conversations varied. Soon, we were done eating and Jawan and I got ready for school. I offered him a ride, but he claimed to want to ride the bus because he wanted to spend some time with Aria.

I drove over to the school and looked for Serene. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to hang out later. Just then, I felt a hand slip into mine and saw Karina's smile.

"Hey baby," she said happily.

I kissed her cheek, "Hey."

Just then, Serene was passing by and I stopped her.

"Serene. Wait up," I said slipping out of Karina's grip and stopping Serene by hopping in front of her.

"Yeah?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out later. You know, like old times."

She smiled, "You know where I live."

With that said, she kept walking and I smiled excitedly, realizing that it was her way of saying yes.

"Khalil, what was that about?" Karina said kicking me off of my cloud nine.

"What?"

"So, not only do I have to be nice to her, but, now I have to share you with the slut."

"Karina! What are you-"

She cut me off, "Khalil, I know she likes you and you obviously see something in her that's worth throwing our relationship away."

"Karina, Serene and I are just friends."

"Probably with benefits, huh? Is she that good, Khalil? If you want sex, then why are you with me? Why did you get back with me?"

"Because you begged me to! I got back with you because that's what you wanted!"

"Wel, if you didn't want me, you could have just said so! If you want her, then leave me. Because I am not going to put up with this thing you got with her."

"Baby, she's been a good friend of mine since we were in diapers. She's practically like my sister. Why are you acting like that?"

"What world are you living in? You both had sex together and she's hated your guts since high school! And now you're talking about her like it never even happened?"

It slipped my mind again. That damn rumor. I need to clear my name or else it can't possibly work.

"That was all in the past."

"Yeah, yeah. Listen, I'm going to go, alright? Will I see you later?"

"Yeah. Later."

She walked away and I went to go find Jawan. I needed to vent to someone and I trusted him more than anyone. I found him chatting it up with Aria. Seems like he was saying all of the right things because he was making her laugh and she had her hand on his knee, leaning up against him. I didn't want to ruin their moment so I just went to the gym. I shot a few baskets untl the bell rang and headed off to class.

Karina came in and sat next to me, "I'm going over there with you."

"What?"

"I'm going over to her house with you," She said bluntly.

"Baby, why are you trippin'?"

"Oh. So you obviously forgot whose house you're going to. You think I am really about to let you go over to her house?"

"But-"

"Khalil, I'm giving you a choice. Me or her. If you don't meet me at my locker after school, we're over. Do you understand?"

"Yeah... I understand."

"Good."

She smiled and folded her hands, looking away from me as I stressfully let out a sigh. I have to choose between a friend and my girlfriend. Why me?