"HARLEM" ✔️

Chapter Thirty One

***

I listened attentively to Lucas as he told me every single thing that disturbed him. It surprised but at the same time it pleased me. He told me things that he couldn't tell or wouldn't tell any other person. I'd asked him one thing but he'd told me many other things.  It made me realise he did trust me.

"Wow, I don't know what to say?" I murmured. He gave me that cute smile.

"You don't have to say anything. I just told you the most embarrassing things about me. Just smile and don't judge me."

I giggled at his response.

"I won't. Well, I guess I have to tell you my own life."

"You don't have to."

"I know but I want to."

I stood up to go join him on the couch.

"Well, my dad was Israelite. He died when I was way younger." I started.

"Really? I thought you were Latino or something."

I laughed

"Nope. Got Israelite, American and some bit of Cameroonian blood in me."

"Damn. You're as mixed as some exotic fruit juice."

I laughed.

"Well, we haven't always been this poor you know?"

He looked at me.

"Yup. We were an average class family though. My dad made enough money to care for us. But his family hated his marriage with my mom. So when he died, they seized everything away from us."

Lucas was silent.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. All this shit made me the strong person I am today. It made me stronger. I grew up learning to be independent."

"Have you ever tried contacting your other family? From Israel?"

"Nope. They appeared in our lives when I was about thirteen, claiming they wanted to take their grandchild. Their late son's descendant."

"What happened?"

"I asked them to fuck off."

Lucas laughed out at my response.

"I'm serious. I told them never to get their asses back in America in the name of coming to get me."

"Wow. Do you speak Hebrew?"

I stared at him amused.

"Why ask?"

"Just wanna know. C'mon. You do?"

"A little." I admitted.

"Woah. That's cool."

"If you say so."

I then told Lucas every other thing about me I thought he should know about.

Now that we'd shared our little secrets and insecurities with each other, we felt better.

"I'm happy you were ready to listen to me." Lucas said, sitting up and holding my hands in his.

"I'm happy you did same for me too." I smiled at him and he smiled back. Lucas was a sweetheart.
"And remember," I started, raising a hand to touch his silky black hair. "...Sex shouldn't be a rush. Do it when you're ready. Take all your time." I trailed my hand down to his cheek. He leaned into my touch.

"I will, thanks. You're awesome." he grabbed my hand from his cheek and kissed it.

"Nope. You're the awesome one. I'm just an annoying ghetto princess." I laughed. He laughed too.

"Goddess. Ghetto goddess." he corrected.

"If you say so." I smiled, "Gotta go." I leaned close and kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh damn, do that again." he moan playfully and I burst out laughing.

"You're sick." I punched him playfully and stood up. He chuckled, standing too.

"Let me accompany you to the door."

"Okay."

***

The week began quite well. Tuesday, James asked me to meet him after school. I did. He gave me the sweet amount of money I'd earned from my last painting and he also spoke with me.

"Your paintings are great, Harlem! They sell! I have an idea. How bout you continue to paint that friend of yours. His portraits attract the young public. Also, I'd love you to paint other stuff like you did from the start."

"Like nature? Trees? Cities and stuff?"

"Yes, dear. There's this wealthy lady who appreciated one of your portraits. She said you should try painting other things too. And once you do, I should let her know."

"That's great news!"

"Yup. And so I expect portraits on Wednesday."

"I can't. Um, Thursday?"

"Alright. Deal!"

***

Wednesday morning, Yasmin followed me to class.

"So, do you know where Rick's gonna take you out to tonight?" she whispered.

"Nope."

"Lucas knows??" she asked.

"Oh. I forgot. I haven't told him yet. I'll tell him during breakfast."

"Okay."

Lucas wasn't sitting with us, he was sitting with his friends on the other side of the amphitheatre.

"You know what?" I started.

"What?"

"I'll text him."

I discretely took my phone out to text him.

-Hey. Forgot to tell you. I'm having some sort of date tonight. With Rick.-

Minutes later, he replied.

-Wat?? Why am I hearing about this now?? Seriously??-

-Lol sorry. I 4got! Oh lulu hpe u ain't angry wif me...-

-I am-

-Oh C'mon. Okay 4giv me den.-

I texted, smiling to myself.

"You told him?" Yasmin asked me

"Yeah. But now he's vexed I think."

"Thought so." Yasmin mused, lowly.

"Shh!" I rolled my eyes. Lucas replied.

-Fine. I'll try 2 4give. But that's only cuz I like ur fine ass.-

My eyes widened at his reply and I tried not laugh out.

-Boy what??!-

He replied a minute later.

-Sry. Autocorrect. Meant to say "stubborn ass"-

-Yeah right. Fat liar.-

I sent the last text and looked at the other side of the amphitheater, in his direction. He was staring at his phone and when he smiled, I knew he'd received my message. He looked up and stared in my direction. He winked at me and I rolled my eyes.

***

After school, we three headed for the quarters.

"Any advice or anything you have to say about Rick that Harlem needs to know before they go out tonight?" Yasmin asked Lucas.

"Nope. He's a nice guy. That's it."

"Oh, okey. That's good news, aye?" Yasmin teased me.

"Shut up." I laughed.

Deep down I hoped that date would go well. Rick was nice and I wanted to know him more. And not just because he was hot.