Christian
"I'm not kidding. 1+1 is 3 in synergy."
Dhia laughs, shaking her head adamantly, "You've gone off the edge with too much homework."
"Let's agree to disagree," I say and move closer to her, using Google to corroborate my statement. She leans and suddenly my focus transfers from the screen in front of me to her breath which softly blew across my ear.
I break out of my stupor and show her the phone, her illuminated red eyes scanning the words of an article. She nods as if finally coming to terms but then starts shaking her head again.
"I will not accept this. I've had just enough with imaginary numbers, there's no way I'm going into synergy now."
I laugh and nod, "Yeah."
A silence lapses into the conversation and it's as if the both of us become aware of the distance between us. Or more specifically, lack thereof. Her red irises appear brown in the shadows created by her features. Her natural radiant tan skin isn't completely smooth and I love that it reminds me the beauty in front of me is real and not a figment of my imagination.
I scan each of her traits like you would with an ancient art piece. Each being a masterpiece in itself and all part of a bigger, more brilliant one. I may be imagining it but the space between feels smaller. My eyes flick down to her lips, and they seem so inviting with their different colouring.
I might have just moved in a little bit closer had it not been my mom screaming.
"CHRISTIAN! ARE YOU HOME?!" Dhia, as of just conscious, looks down at her lap and colour tinges her cheeks. Hiding the simper that is growing, I yell back at Mom.
"YEAH! I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!" I hold my hand out for the lady on my bed and with a smirk, she takes it, back to her normal self.
"You wanna meet my mom?"
"Yes, no, maybe so," She winks and I pull her, walking out of the room and towards the kitchen.
"Christian, what did you ha-" Mom falls silent as her eyes find Dhia, "Hi, Sweetie."
Dhia, a smile gracing her face, steps up and taken Mom's hand that's extended without missing a beat, "Hello, Ma'am. You must be Mama Woods."
Mom lets out a small laugh, startled to see a teenager so coming-forth with someone else's parent, "That I am. You must be Dhia."
"That I am," She throws her words back at her and now Mom has a full-blown out smile.
"I like her." I roll my eyes as both the women start up a conversation, being ostracized from it. Both of them move further into the kitchen when I hear a sudden thud from Myra's room. Leaving those two behind, I walk to my sister's room, a frown taking over my features.
I knock once.
"Come in!"
Irresolute, I push the door open and am granted to the view of my sister muttering colourful profanities under her breath while clutching at her left foot.
"You alright?" I ask, tentatively. She turns her blue eyes onto me, frustration obvious in them.
"Are you serious?" She growls, her usual hostility showing but then something transforms her expression completely and she sighs before muttering, "I stubbed my toe."
Taken aback by the sudden change in her mood, I move closer to her as she takes a seat on her bed, cradling her foot.
I step forward, circumspect of what her reactions could be. She doesn't say anything, so I take a seat near her on her bed and lift her foot onto my leg, slowly massaging the pinky.
For some reason, what I expected to be an awkward and unpleasant experience is nothing like it. She sighs as the pain slowly fades away and there is a comfortable hush that is only broken when Myra speaks up.
"So what's up with you and Dhia?" She inquires, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"What do you mean?" My mind conjures up multiple ways to dodge her question while I await her response.
"I mean exactly what I asked."
"What's up with you and Askari?" I shoot back and I watch her shrug as she avoids my eyes.
"What do you mean?" A smirk overtakes my lips at her reply.
"As once said by a Great Someone, I mean exactly what I asked."
She rolls her eyes at me but a small smile grows on her face as if she can't help it.
"You're an idiot."
"It does take one to know one," I wink, testing the waters and she swats at my arm.
The conversation from there onward contains no restrictions or forced responses as the both of us settle into the growing familiarity of each other. So into the banter against my sister, I fail to notice Dhia's red eyes watching until she clears her throat. I look up at her to find her expression portraying mirth.
"Am I interrupting?"
Myra and I pull away from each other, as if just coming to see who we were each with. She shakes her head while I answer her with a "Nope."
She hides a giggle by placing an hand atop her mouth and calls me.
"Christian, come on. I'm gonna go home."
As I stand up, she rushes forward and hugs my sister, whispering something in her ear that gives way to a growing grin on her. Slightly confused with what is happening, I head downstairs to see Mom humming.
"So what did you guys talk about?" The answer to my question comes from behind me as Dhia takes the initiative.
"Mama Woods here invited my siblings and I to a dinner here." I have to hide the panicky expression that threatens to show. Multitudes of thoughts cross my mind and I push them away for the moment.
"When?" I ask, hoping I don't come across as too sudden.
"Saturday," She replies with ease but eyes me for a few seconds, "You're not getting nervous are you, Christian?"
I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool, "Not at all. Why would I be?"
She smirks at me and hugs my mom before pulling me away. Mom throws me a coy smile and I roll my eyes at her too.
At this rate, I'm going to be able to see my brain behind there.
If I have one, that is.
Self diss!
We take the stairs down to her floor and we stop in front of her apartment's door.
"So..." I trail off, noticing how the fluorescent diminishes the lush crimson of her irises and left them just a coffee brown.
"So..." She copies me and I smile.
"What did you tell my sister? She was acting kinda weird." A knowing look takes over her and she doesn't bother to hide it, a smirk in place.
"That's girl talk, Mister." Dhia opens the door and puts one foot inside.
"You gotta tell me," I plead, and she chuckles before taking another step into the house.
"Nope."
The door shuts.
"Oh, come on!"
The last thing I hear before I go back home is her bubbly laugh through the door.
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My dear lovelies, hello again!
i know, i know, the story seems like its gonna get boring but trust me, the next chap is where the pot really gets stirred. I just had to build up the dynamics that are Christian's and Dhia's relationship.
Anyways, don't feel like I have much to say so I hope u enjoyed and have the best day ever, beauties!
i love you,
-AV
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Hennaed Hands
RomanceI am a Catholic. She is a Muslim. I am the one that is plain while it is her with the beautifully painted skin. I ,Christian Woods, was leading a normal life with fun and surprises in between the weaves when suddenly I laid my eyes upon her. Or mor...