LOVELY * JOBA

sixteen.

December 22 / Romil's House

Joba's POV:
The afternoon after I had gotten a text from Sahar, I told her i would send her my address when she arrives to Houston but since it not there at home, it would only make sense to give her Romil's adress. I thought it would be nice to have her meet my friends and Billie but now seeing that she's here, I couldn't help but feel so much awkwardness in the atmosphere, especially since Sahar kisses my cheek. Was it a friendly kiss? I could never tell seeing as this is what she gives to all her guy friends. I let out a breathy, akward laugh and grab her arms pushing them away from me.

"This is Billy, my...", I say stopping myself before making a mistake of calling Billie my girlfriend.

I look at her a bit zoning out, but then her soft smile fades from her face. I continue, "my friend".

"Well it's nice to meet you. I'm Sahar by the way". She says reaching in to hug Billie who hesitantly hugs back, gently patting her back.

Dom enters back in followed by Kevin who says, "Yo guys, were gonna get going, Matt keeps passing the ass gas".

Dom adds, "I nearly lost conscious". They leave yelling out a "See you later dude" to Romil who enters and goes upstairs.

Tavia then comes in with Matt, both wearing towels. Matt exchanges looks with me after seeing who is standing in the living room. I'm pretty sure he recognizes her from my past Instagram posts. For all he knows, I was in love with her and I guess now seeing that she's here, while I'm talking to his sister, he must not be happy.

Tavia then asks holding her hand out for Sahar to shake, "Who's this?"

I introduce them, "This is Sahar, she came to visit for a bit from up north. Sahar this is Tavia, Matt's girlfriend". They both exchange smiles. "And this is Matt, Billie's brother also one of my old friends", i say pointing to Matt.

I feel like maybe Sahar coming was a mistake. I don't know what I was thinking when I told her she could come here. Maybe I should have just told her to meet me at my place. I know what we had was real and not like any other relationship I've had before. It was hard enough for me to leave but breaking up was the toughest. It took my days to forget about it and leave in the past. Just as I'm starting to get over her, she reappears. We're friends now but I hope that's all it is now. Seeing her is probably just making me miss up north a tiny bit. That's all.

"I'll be back, I'm gonna grab some stuff I left in the room", I say leaving to go upstairs.

Billie's POV:
Matt and Tavia head out to the car telling me to grab a ride from Joba. I take a seat on the sofa and just go on my phone looking up 'How to feel confident' because at this moment, I'm not feeling it at all.

"So", Says Sahar as she smiles at me blankly observing me from head to toe trying to make conversation, "How long have you known Joba?".

"Well only for a while now", I say sighing because it was literally true. But even so I feel like I've known him forever and I only hope he felt the same.

"Well he's a great guy", she glances at the stairs and continues, "He is the kindest guy you'll meet but just so you know he can be very overprotective. It's not a bad thing, that's the way he is, caring".

"Yea he is the nicest", I feel myself start to blush. I hope it's not noticeable to Sahar. I don't know what she'll think of me if she found out her ex and I are becoming close in a way that she and he were. I mean it's possible our friendship could be growing in that direction.

"You know, if he didn't come down here I'm sure we would have still been dating. He was really upset when we broke up, but you know..". Joba then comes down the stairs and she continues softly so that only I can hear, "seeing the way he looked at you and rejected my affection- which is always offered in a friendly matter, of course- I think Russ likes you".

I guess she did notice but I was wrong, she doesn't seem to mind it like I'm sure other crazy girlfriends out there would. I can't help but blush whenever Joba is near or his name comes up.

Joba is carrying a couple blank CDs and a camera. He changed from the clothes he was wearing in the jacuzzi to a red crew neck with an embroidered, yellow "Power" on it. It looks good on him and I can only imagine how comfy it is.

"I think we should be going Sahar, you can settle down once I get home. Since you brought your car, we'll go separately and I'll just send you the address of my brothers place". Says Joba, typing in his address and sending it to Sahar through messages notifying her phone.

"Alright, but imma miss you. Byee... See ya Billie," she says hugging Joba and then me before leaving.

"Well she seems nice", I sincerely mean it.

"Yea. And I'm Sorry about that. I had forgotten she was gonna come here and obviously that's not the way I wanted you to meet her or find out about her. I was gonna tell you", Says Joba concerned.

"No it's fine Joba, she's cool".

A smirk appears on his face and he slightly furrows his eyebrows, "what did you guys talk about?".

"Well she misses you is all I can really say", I say teasing him. He scrunches his nose making an angry face which only makes him look adorable.

"I miss her too, but as a friend. It's nothing more than that", he says grabbing hold of my hands, "I swear".

"You don't have to justify it. Of course you miss her, she's a friend", I say laughing while he pulls me into a hug.

"Also why did she call you Russ?", I ask curiously.

"Oh that's just my name". He says giving me a teethy smile.

The expression on my face changes quickly showing utter confusion and Joba just bursts out laughing, "Joba is just what everyone calls me and nobody but Sahar ever called me Russ. She knows I hate it and she's just always liked to tease me".

"Oh well I like your real name", I say snuggling my face into his chest under his neck.

I pull away blushing, yes, again. I don't think I'm allowed to do that, I remember. Joba and I aren't dating so I'm not sure how I'm supposed to act around him when we converse in a way that couples do and surely Joba got the message.

"What's wrong?", he asks holding onto my shoulders in front on him.

"Well you know, I just can't help but think about us and where we stand". I say biting my lip with a concerned voice.

"I was gonna wait until later, but since you brought it up...", Says Joba scratching his neck, cheeks turning pink. "Would you like to go out with me Billie?".

I can't contain my smile, stretching across my face. I nod and hug him tightly this time, " I thought you'd never ask".

Although I do hope the number of days we've known each other doesn't affect us.

"So you don't think this is too soon?" He asks reading my mind.

I smile through my teeth kissing him, "it's not", I whisper. Even though it was cold, his lips felt warm on mine and I could feel a heavy sensation of tingling on my lips, but I enjoyed the feeling. It was a passionate kiss.

Romil enters dropping his jaw, looking at us with his big ol eyes. I pull apart, Joba still slowly and reluctantly pulls away too. As Romil stares at us I begin to feel red-faced to be caught in this moment.

"Sorry, Romi", Says Joba turning to face him.

"Na dude, it's all good. Just don't do anything more than that here, But you should probably get going now. My parents will be home in a few". He says backing away slowly, winking at Joba.

•••
This one is kind of long. I hope it's not too boring.
What did you guys think of 1997 Diana!? It was a bop like all the rest but I wish it were longer.

Anyway, if you like this, don't forget to follow/vote and especially comment. I really want to know what you guys think. (: