unexpected.

ch.19

"I know Red, but it just doesn't make any sense." I said to the phone as I looked at myself in the mirror doing my makeup. "Of course you don't Nique. It's the dumb reality of fame." He answered laying in his hotel bed.

I rolled my eyes, putting the eyeshadow brush down and staring at myself in the mirror.

There was no denying it, he was right. But as much as I wanted to believe the whole "Chrianna" situation was just a setup, there was still a part of me that believed he was really in love with her.

I mean, that nigga really was hooked on her for a long ass time, monthsss before he met me. Posting her for her birthday, like what typa ex does that shit?

"Nique!" Red yelled at me.

"What? What?" I asked, looking at the screen as I snapped back into reality. "Why you look like a chocolate non-eyebrow having, oompa loompa right now?

I crossed my arms and tried not to laugh, "You're so rude stop it, I haven't done my eyebrows yet you bum."

He shrugged laughing back at me, "Just an observation." I shook my head, continuing to do my makeup.

We ended up talking for a good hour about Chris, and just how I was doing in general.

"Aight well, Ima stop by to see you again soon since I'll be out here for a few more days."

I nodded to him, waving goodbye to the camera. "Talk to ya later." Then I hung up.

Apparently, Chris didn't want anything to do with Rihanna but if that was true he wouldn't have an issue making that clear to me.

People can easily say things and not mean it.

3 days later.

Red and I were out at lunch just having chill conversation, but it would be sooner or later that Chris would probably be brought up.

Throughout these months being disconnected from Chris, Red and I have actually kept in contact. I've always really seen him as another big brother, but one that I could actually give details about my love life to.

I took a bite from my pasta then looked over at Red. That's when his phone started ringing.

He pulled it out and looked at the caller ID.

"Who is it?" I asked with a full mouth.

"First of all.. gross. Don't do that again," He groaned looking away from me. "and are you sure you wanna know?"

I rolled my eyes, and set my fork down, "Nooo, I'm just asking to ask. Yes I wanna know dummy." I said as I attempted to swallow the rest of my food in my mouth.

"Aight, it's Chris. Ima pick it up now." He said.

My heart kinda stopped for a second, but I acted as if it didn't faze me. I shrugged, and looked down at my plate. "Go ahead then."

He then picked up and I realized it was a FaceTime call.

"What's good witchu, bro? How are things going?" Chris asked immediately.

I stayed silent as I looked at Red for any facial reactions.

"It's aight, I'm at lunch with Nique right now actually." He admit. "Oh, uh.."

And before he could even get anything else out, Red turned the phone to me. There was his undeniably cute ass face, just staring back at me.

It was like we both were frozen in time, honestly amazed with seeing each others faces again for the first time in forever.

His freckles stood out like always and I couldn't help but smile a bit.

I awkwardly waved to him and he gave me a small smile.

Chris' POV

I swear as soon as Red turned the camera on her, I forgot everything that I was bouta say.

"H-hey." I managed to get out.

"Hi." She mumbled.

"How you been?" I asked trying not to let the conversation be too dry. She shrugged, playing with her food. "Living I guess. Getting ready for my big move down to LA."

My eyes widened and I sat up from my bed quickly. "Wait, so you got in to UCLA??"

She nodded slowly as a small smile crept along her lips.

"Well shit, I'm proud of you." I said looking to her. "Yeahh, thankss. Sorry you couldn't have known sooner." She dragged.

I looked away nodding back to her, "Oh yeah.. Yeah it's cool don't even trip. But uh, I'm really glad I could finally talk to you." I spoke truthfully.

Her skin seemed to sort of glow as I looked at her, and damn did I miss that girl. There was so much that I wanted to do with her, so many things that we've missed out on experiencing with eachother.

I just hope that an apology will make her forgive me and that we could start all over.

Finally, after snapping out of my thoughts, I said, "Nique, could you take the phone outside please? I wanna talk to you in private."

She looked at Red, then grabbed the phone and headed outside the restaurant.

Once she finally sat down somewhere quiet, I licked my lips quickly and cleared my throat. "Aight well, I know shit is nothing like it used to be, but I just wanted to say I'm sorry. It was never right of me to keep you outta the loop of shit.."

She looked back at me, a bit sad, but also like she understood where I was coming from.

".. especially the way I never really specified our status. But I want you to know, coming straight from me, that none of the shit going on with Rih is real."

"So you don't have feelings for her anymore?" She asked.

That question sent a small pain through my chest and I suddenly seemed to gulp down a lie. "I don't any feelings for her."

"And you two haven't done anything?"

"Chris what the fuck are you doing? Stop lying to this girl." I thought to myself.

But then I shook my head and put a hand up in surrender. "Nothing."

"Great job, dumbass."

She didn't say anything for a while then finally said, "Okay well, I guess I forgive you."

I rose an eyebrow at her and chuckled a bit. "You guess?" She rolled her eyes and laughed, "You know what I mean. Can we just promise eachother one thing?"

"Anything." I answered.

"No more secrets please. If we're gonna make.. whatever this is work, then we've got to be open with one another."

I nodded and kept my eyes on her as I looked at the phone screen. "No more secrets."

She put her pinky up and looked at me with a small smile.

I laughed and did the same. Then we both, pretended to lock pinkies, kissed the back of our hands and sealed the promise just like we had always done before.

We both laughed a bit for a while then I finally said, "Aight I'll text you later." She nodded making her way back into the restaurant, "Okay, bye."

She blew a kiss and I caught it, then we hung up.

I looked at the ceiling of my room and slowly brought my hand to my cheek.

Finally for the first time in months, I felt like Nique and I were in a good place. I might've told a few lies about not doing anything with Robyn or my feelings for her, but those are all things that can be ignored.

As long as I can keep my mouth shut and continue to allow the feelings for Nique to grow stronger instead.

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woo hoo! cece actually manages to write another chapter without failing horribly. hopefully you guys liked it, but if so lmk!!

y'all know i love your feedback so keep that shit coming. love y'all always! 💛