Forbidden Fruit (Completed) [Short Story]

Chapter 1 : Crushed

"Ready ready ready, steady steady steady, go go go!" My friends Peach and Shayla yelled as they turned the double dutch rope. I jumped in and did all the tricks that I had learned ever since I was younger proudly. I criss crossed, turned, and jumped backwards. And then, blam! I fell right on my face.

I heard my older brother Justice rumbling with laughter from across the street. Of course he was laughing, why wouldn't he be? Then I felt someone helping me up. I turned around to see Justice's best friend, Elijah, standing over me as I sat on the concrete with a scraped knee and a bruise on my face.

"Ava, you iight?" He asked, with a look of concern on his face. I nodded, even though my knee and face were burning. I was just happy he was near me. He took my hand and helped me to stand up, picking up the football that tripped me while I was jumping.

"My bad, Av, I threw the ball and it kinda got stuck in y'all rope," He smiled innocently, showing us his white, pearly teeth. "I hope I didn't hurt you."

I smiled too, not able to yell at him with his light pink lips, light glowing skin, and hypnotizing hazel eyes. I had a crush on Elijah ever since I knew what having a crush meant. He was 16 and I had only just turned 13 and he never looked my way. I was always "Justice's little sister", nothing more, nothing less.

He was the sweetest boy I knew. Other boys would tease me or completely ignore me. But he was always nice to me and I liked him. I was secretly hoping he'd like me more than just "like a sister."

"Its okay," I said, shyly. He smiled at me one last time before he ran off to join Justice and the rest of their friends across the street.

Shayla and Peach smiled at me and I knew exactly what they were going to say.

"Oooooh," They sang at the same time, bursting out into laughter. I smirked, rolling my eyes.

"Come on, y'all, its not even like that," I chuckled, as Shayla wrapped the rope up and we walked to my stoop.

"He came all the way across the street to check on you, Av," Peach pointed out. "What guy you know would do that?"

I smiled, taking a seat on the chair on my stoop. She was right. No guy would come out their way to ask me if I was okay without bursting out into laughter in my face.

"I guess no one," I replied, shrugging, grabbing my unfinished pack of skittles I left on the stoop.

"And he was smiling at you too girl," Shayla added. "Did you see his cute dimples?"

"Yeah," I giggled. "But I think he was just being nice guys. He's 3 years older than me and I doubt he'd look at me that way."

"You don't know that, Av. He could like you," Peach shrugged. I looked at Elijah across the street, braced up against a fire hydrant laughing at some story Justice seemed to be telling.

His dimples drilled deeply into both of cheeks, his hair in a fresh, clean cut, and his nice muscular arms draping out of his short sleeved white tee. I admired him, blanking out completely, imagining his perfect lips touching mine.

"Ava...Ava...Ava!" Shayla yelled, tapping me. I snapped out of my fantasy, turning to her.

"Huh?" I asked, confused.

"Girl are you coming to my house or not?" She asked, with a hand on her hip.

"Oh, yeah," I said, standing up. "Let's go."

We walked past Justice, Elijah, and their group of friends. I looked at Elijah one more time and we made eye contact. He smiled and gave me a quick wink before turning to Justice again.

My heart raced with excitement. Was my eyes playing tricks on me?

...

Three days later, my parents had gone out of town and Justice was planning a huge party. He already gave me my bribe of $40, so that I wasn't gonna tell our parents or go to the party. But I already planned on sneaking in to see Elijah.

I sat on the couch, reading through a makeup magazine as he instructed people to put everything everywhere.

"Alright, the DJ is gonna go here and the table of drinks is gonna go here," He said, pointing out the places in the living room. "Aye, Ava, where you think I should put the couches and tv? I need more space."

I shrugged. "The basement?"

He nodded in agreement. "Yeah, yeah, lemme call Eli to help me bring them downstairs."

My heart raced at the sound of Elijah coming over. I quickly ran upstairs and changed out of my basketball shorts and tank top and into my favorite aqua blue dress. I fixed my hair and went back on the couch, skimming through the magazine again.

"Where you going?" Justice asked, looking at my new set of clothes.

"Nowhere."

"Then why did you...whatever," He said stopping his question. The doorbell rang and he went to get it. Once he opened it, he dapped someone and I knew it was Elijah.

"Wassup, bro?" He asked as Elijah came in, wearing a gray Hollister hoodie, black Adidas sweatpants, and white and red Jordans.

"Nothing much. Wassup Ava?" He asked, smiling at me.

"Hey Elijah," I said smoothly like my heart wasn't beating quickly.

He took a seat near me. Oh God, why? I thought to myself.

"What you reading?" He asked, taking the magazine from me. "Makeup? Who you tryna look cute for?"

You.

"Nobody," I lied, as my cheeks burned with embarrassment. He chuckled.

"I'm just playing, Av," He handed me back the magazine.

"Yo, Eli, com'ere," Justice called out to him. He got up and left. My heart was still racing but I was smiling like a fool. He was just close to me.

...

I made sure I did my make up just the way the magazine said so. I borrowed my mother's make up and I was dressed in jean shorts and a cropped top, ready to go downstairs to Justice's party.

I had to look like I wasn't 13. I had to fit in. Besides, I was hoping Elijah would see my new look and ask me out. I checked in the mirror once more and opened my bedroom door. With my heart racing, I walked down the steps slowly. The party was dark but packed. Everyone was dancing and drinking and some were even smoking.

I walked through the crowd, looking around and I spotted Elijah, bracing up on a girl that looked to be his age and jealously filled me.

I walked up to them, ignoring her completely. "Hi, Elijah."

He looked at me and got off the girl, with a surprised look on his face. "Ava, wh-what are you doing down here?" He asked.

I shrugged. "I wanted to come to the party."

"What are you wearing? Is that makeup?" He asked, looking down at me.

"Yes, Elijah. Whats the problem?" I asked, folding my arms.

"You gotta go back upstairs, Ava. This party is not for you," He said. I felt hurt and embarrassed. He didn't even care about my outfit or my makeup. He just wanted me to leave.

"But I wanna stay," I protested, pouting.

"Ava, lets go," He took my arm, pulling me. But I pulled back. I didn't mind going back upstairs but I was just mad at him and humiliated.

"No!" I yelled, pulling away from his grip. He picked my light body up with ease and his strong arms carried me to the stairs as I kicked like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

Once he managed to bring me upstairs and in my room, he dropped me on my bed.

"Ava, whats wrong with you?" He asked me, out of breath. I ignored him, and buried my face in the pillow, crying. Soon my door closed and I whimpered loudly.

Elijah was just like the rest of the guys and I never wanted to talk to him again.