More Than That

I Like You

I step out of Chris' car holding his hand as he leads me into the building. He could tell I was nervous by how sweaty my palms were.

"Relax Mama, don't be nervous." I couldn't help it.
This was my first time showing my face at one of Ms. Clarissa's exhibits. I always kept myself anonymous when it came to my artwork, but tonight I'm not because Chris and his mother felt that people needed to know who the other artist was that's responsible for the other half of the painting.

I followed behind Chris holding his hand tightly, I felt my nerves getting the best of me when we were inside and I saw all of the people that were here for the exhibit. Are all of these people are going to see my work, have there been this many people looking at my work before? Nope, I can't do this. I pull my hand from Chris' and rush through the many art examiners until I'm outside.

"Mama, what's wrong?" Chris ask standing in front of me.

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out except my sobs and me gasping for air.

"You're nervous?" I nod at his concerned question.

"Don't be, Jay you're gonna do great. Your work is great, and they will see how great it really is when they see the beautiful person it came from."

I smile at his words as he kisses my temple. His usual gesture after he calms me down. I have really bad anxiety and I tend to have very bad reactions to crowds, especially a crowd of new people. I felt my breathing slowing down and my pulse going back to its normal rate.

"Better?" I smiled as a response.

"Just don't leave me by myself?"

"Didn't plan on it." He grabs my hand again guiding me back into the exhibit.

Clarissa was standing next to one of my individual pieces. Even though they didn't know it was my work I was already getting nervous again.

"This piece was done by a brilliant young mind. A few of you have already seen one or two works by this individual. Usually I rave and rant about how they hide themselves from the world, and only let their voice be heard through their work. But tonight, tonight is different because I actually have the talent behind this beauty here. Everybody welcome Miss Jayde Wallace."

She smiled before turning to me gesturing for me to stand next to my work. I wanted to turn around and run out the of the room so bad, but the hand that was holding my squeezed lightly and the voice of the owner of the hand whispered sweetly to me.

"Come on beautiful, you got this." Chris lead us next to my painting.

I tried to swallow the imaginary lump in my throat as I stared at the dozens of people looking at me. Again Chris squeezed my hand in a comforting matter. I side eyed him to see him smiling at me.

"Hi everybody I'm Jayde, and this is my painting. I've been working with Mrs. Clarissa since I was about eleven or twelve years old. She's taught me everything I need to know with just the flick of a paintbrush. I hope you guys enjoy my painting." I smile before taking a step back as they all admire my work.

I turn to Chris who's looking down at me like he's proud of me.

"You did so good Mama." He kissed my forehead pulling me tightly into his side. Good lord why does this feel so good?

The rest of the exhibit went great. They really loved the collaboration piece by Chris and I. I mingled with a few of the people here when I finally got a little comfortable. Chris kept his promise and never left my side. When the exhibit was coming to an end Clarissa brought all of the the art contributors to the front. I laughed internally because Chris and I were the youngest ones up here.

Chris opened his phone going to his Snapchat. He put the camera on us, and hit record.

"Ayeee what's up Snapfam? Y'all see my bestfriend?"

He focused the camera on me.

"Y'all don't pay him any mind he has ADHD." I laughed ignoring him zooming in and out on us.

"Beautiful ain't she?" I blushed like I always do any time he compliments me.

"Y'all see this dress baby got on? Better believe I kept her close to me. Can't have nobody pushing up on mine."

His? What, did he just? I'm gonna ask him about this later. For now I'm gonna ignore it. I took his phone getting ready to record another set of videos. I turned the camera on him.

"Y'all check my bestfriend out! He cleans up well when he wants to, but he still look like a banana without the peel." I laughed at him mugging me through the camera.

"You so damn lucky you cute." He semi smirked at me.

He reached his hand out for my free hand and pulled me into his chest. I laughed because he started tickling me when he got me close to him. He kissed my cheek before sticking his tongue out at the camera.

"Come on Knucklehead, I've gotta get home." I stood at the passenger side waiting for Chris to open the door for me.

As usual we had car karaoke, we were currently listening to Balling by Melii.

"No honey, sorry, I don't know your man. If it's 'bout taking him, know that I can. But taking a bum from a bum is not in my plans. You bitches irrelevant. I give no fucks like I'm celibate. Not on my level and never been." 

I smiled watching Chris rap out the lyrics. I love that we can trade off music like this. I've got him into a lot of artist that were never on his radar. We were so into the music that I didn't notice we were at my house. I've learned my lesson about not letting Chris open the door for me so I waited for him to open the door.

I hugged my bestfriend, but something about this hug felt different. Chris pulled away from and I braced myself for his usual forehead or cheek kiss, but was taken by surprise when he kissed my lips.

"Chris, what?"

"I meant what I said, you're mine. I like you Jayde."

"I like you too Chris. Are you sure?"

"Am I sure? Pfft let me repeat myself." He held my face in both of his hands and kissed me again.

God, please don't let me be dreaming.