Chapter Nine
Bonding Time
Talon
I sat on the porch with my cousin Aaron, thinking whether I should text Leslie or not. I wanted to tell her how I felt. For over a week, I'd been feeling some type of way about her. I wanted her to be mine, all mine. There was something so special about her. She had me feeling a way I'd never felt before. It may sound hella' corny but there's nothing wrong with expressing your feelings. Leslie is beautiful, intelligent, laid back, down to earth, has a good head on her shoulders, and so much more. I'd never seen a smile so beautiful. She was like a breath of fresh air. She was damn near perfect to me. I had to have her.
"Dude, just text her." Aaron blurted out. "If she says yes, perfect. If not, fuck it. Stop being weak fool."
I slapped him upside the head. "Shut up."
"On soul you can catch these hands."
I laughed at him, waving him off.
Aaron was right. I picked up my phone from the step and shot her a text. I basically told her how I felt and that I wanted to be more than friends. After waiting a while for a response, Aaron and I left my house. We then headed to my parents for our family gathering.
There wasn't many people there, only a hand full. Aunt Patricia was there, Aaron's mom. My mom's sister. Tia's boyfriend. And a few cousins on my dad's side.
My dad was on the grill cooking ribs. I swear if you didn't know any better, you would think a black man was cooking on the grill. No offense to the white men.
"Talon, go and get your mom and aunt some of that barbeque chicken." My mom told me.
I got up from the picnic table and walked over to the grill where my dad stood.
"You doin' alright son?" He smirked, fixing two plates of chicken. He must've heard mom.
"Yeah, just chillin' pops."
"When we gonna meet ya lil' friend?"
I scrunched my eyebrows, giving him that look. "How you figure I'm talking to somebody?"
My dad placed his hand on my shoulder. "Oh, I know son. Don't stunt."
l laughed lightly. "Yeah, whatever."
I took the plates to my Aunt Patricia and mom. I sat back down, checking my phone. Leslie still hadn't texted back. It wasn't like her. I hope she's alright.
"Yo T, let's hoop these boys out." Aaron yelled from the other said of the yard.
I got up, following him to the back yard.
Leslie
I sat under the tree with my mom listening to "Just Kickin' It" by Xscape. It's one of her favorite songs. Jamal sat on the other side of her, texting on his phone. Lyla was gone to meet our other siblings. I was excited and nervous. I just wish the occasion was different. I hadn't stopped crying since my mom gave us the news.
