Since 2nd Grade

Dulce's POV

   I was still in disbelief after my shower, but a phone call from Ski snapped me out of it. I answered the phone.
   "Hey Ski, wassup."
   I put the phone on speaker and sat it on the bed as I scanned the closet for something to wear.
   "Nothing much. What you doing today?"
   He asked, shuffling in his background. 
   "Nothing. What's that noise?"
   I asked.
   "Our Panera Bread. I'm about ten minutes away from you. You hungry?"
   He asked.
   "Of course! Thanks for being so thoughtful."
   I grinned at the thought of him thinking about me when he got food.
   "Alright I'll see you soon."
   He said, and hung up. My stomach started to nervously cramp up at the thought of catching feelings. Ski is such a nice guy. Did he really just buy me food? I was grinning the whole time I got ready. I threw on something comfortable and casual since I was going to be eating.

   Not too soon after I applied oil on my legs there was a knock on the door. I ran down to get it and nearly fell.
   "Hey, you."
   I smiled as I let him in. He looked at me astounded.
   "You look amazing. Is this a trap?"
   He smiled, looking fake scared. I laughed.
   "No. I'm the only one here. Joseph and his girl are going to be gone for the week."
   I spoke as I took the bag out of his hand. I couldn't wait to see what kind of food he got me. Once I saw what it was I screamed internally.
   "How'd you know that this was my favorite?"
   I grinned and gave him a long hug. He grabbed me by my waist.
   "Well for starters, Chipotle chicken avocado melts are all over your instagram."
   He smiled, and I flicked his nose. I walked towards the kitchen island and started digging in. Once I was halfway finished, I realized something.
   "Where's your food?"
   I asked, wiping my chin with a napkin.
   "I ate on the way here. So what do you want to do? Go out bowling? Movies? Whatever you want is what we'll do."
   He said, circling around the island in the kitchen. I really didn't feel like going out today. I have a pounding headache from that traumatic sleeping position and back problems.
   "Let's stay in and watch movies."
   I said, putting my container in the microwave to finish later.
   "Fine with me."
   He said, walking towards the stairs.
   "Let's stay down here. The tv is bigger and the speakers are louder."
   I explained, grabbing a blanket from the linen closet. He followed me towards the couch, and we both plopped down at the same time. As I searched for a movie, I could feel him staring intensely at me.
   "What?"
   I smiled, looking at him and pausing my movie search.
   "This might sound cheesy as fuck, but I'm just thanking God. For making me bump into you that day. That shit really changed my life."
   He said playing with his hair. Even though I tried extremely hard, I could not contain my happiness.
   "I honestly feel the same way about you."
   I smiled at him.
   "Ew why you cheesing so hard?"
   He said, and I pushed his shoulder.
   "Whatever. You know you love my smile."
   I smiled even harder.
   "I actually do. It's beautiful."
   He said, leaning his head towards mine. Our lips were at the tips of touching, so close I could taste his breath of turkey and Swiss sandwich, but then my phone rang. I backed away quickly, and wiped my lips.
   "Excuse me."
   I said, standing up and walking outside to take the call.
   "What the hell do you want, dad?"
   I said, not only frustrated about the last time I saw him, but about the fact that he ruined a potentially really good kiss.
   "Babygirl, I really miss you. I gave your mother a couple thousand dollars to go out furniture shopping and I haven't seen her since."
   He sounded like he was on the verge of tears, so I eased my tone.
   "When did you give her the money?"
   I asked, sighing.
   "About a week ago."
   He said, sniffling.
   "Fucking hell, papa, I told you she's a fucking junkie. You need to get your shit together and realize that. Suck that money up as a lost and when you see her next time, ignore her. And don't start off saying you miss me and then go talk about something completely different. I don't have time to talk anymore. Love you, papa."
   I hung up the phone and stormed back inside without realizing that I appeared upset.
   "What's wrong?"
   Ski asked me, sitting up.
   "Nothing. My dad called. I'm all good."
   I sat down quietly until I finally broke out into tears.
   "Dulce, for real, what's wrong?"
   Ski sat closer to me, rubbing my back. I shook my head, and waved my hand.
   "Nothing, I'm fine."
   I sniffles and wiped my eyes. I could feel him glaring at me. He knows that something is definitely wrong so I don't even know why I'm trying to hide it.
   "My dad called. He told me that he gave my drug addict mother some money to go furniture shopping a couple days ago and he hasn't seen her since. I told him about her! I warned him!"
   My voice inclined with every sentence, causing Ski to back up a little.
   "Dulce, calm down. It's not your fault he's an idiot."
   Ski instantly regretted the last word once he saw my facial expression.
   "Get the fuck out. Get the fuck out!"
   I shouted, and started throwing pillows at him. How dare he call my father, my only hero, an idiot?
   "I never want to see your face again!"
   My voice cracked and shattered as I spoke. Ski walked away, but not towards the front door. He ran upstairs, and into my room. I stood up angrily, chasing after him. Where the hell does he think he's going? I pushed open the door, and there he was, standing by my window.
   "Get out, now!"
   I shouted, my voice cracking once again. He started to walk towards me.
   "Dulce, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say that about your dad."
   He grabbed me into a forced hug, and I continued to cry and pummel his chest with my fists.
   "Let me go!"
   I cried out

SKI'S POV
   "No."
   I replied, and grabbed her fists. I wrapped them around my waist, and she suddenly gave in. She grabbed at the sleeve of my shirt, and tucked her face in it. I could feel it getting wetter by the minute. I guided her towards the bed, and laid us both down.
   "Wh-why can't I get an-nything right?"
   She sniffled and spoke at the same time.
   "It's not your fault."
   I whispered as I played in her poofy, curly hair. A couple minutes later she was fast asleep. I got myself from underneath her without waking her up, which took a good ten minutes. I left the room, and went downstairs to take a nap myself.

      • • • • • • • • • 3 hours later • • • • • • • •

   "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Where's the blow?"
   I heard Dulce screaming at the top of her lungs, as I opened my eyes.
   "Dude, why are you so damn loud. Niggas is tryna sleep."
   I said, but she kept on rapping.
   "Oh so you think it's a joke?"
   I laughed, getting up from my spot. When I got closer to her I realized she had headphones in. She looked at me and smiled.
   "Hey sleepyhead!"
   She yelled, bopping her head. I snatched her earbuds out of her ear.
   "That's an easy way to go deaf."
   I said, grinning at her. She rolled her eyes, and opened the refrigerator.
   "What are you cooking?"
   I asked walking towards the stove where pots were filled with different colors of foods.
   "Don't worry about it, you'll know what it is when you're eating it."
   She replied, pushing me out of the kitchen.
   "In fact, while we wait, let's have a little conversation about what just occurred a couple of hours ago."
   I said, side-eyeing her. She glared at me, but sat on the couch willingly.
   "First of all, I'm sorry I said that disgusting word to describe your father, and I really want you to know that I didn't mean any harm."
   I said, looking her in the eyes as I spoke.
   "Understandable. I accept your apology. But I have a question for you."
  She glanced away a little as she spoke.
  "Wassup?"
  I knitted my eyebrows, curious as to what she was going to ask me.
   "Now  I don't want you to take any offense to what I'm saying, it's just a simple question that requires a simple yes or no answer."
   She smirked as she spoke, causing me to become even more interested in what was about to be said next.
   "Go ahead."
   I replied. She took a deep breath, looked at her fingers, and then looked me directly in the eyes.
   "Are you gay?"
   My eyes grew wide at the whole sentence. She seemed to be enjoying my reaction, but I don't think this shit is funny at all.
   "If I was gay, I would be with a nigga, not you. Therefore, I'm definitely not gay."
   I simply replied, and reached for a cig. I didn't get to smoke all day. I reached in my pants pocket, but Dulce grabbed my hand.
   "Prove it."
   She spoke softly, biting her lip, and staring at mine.