My Neighbor's TV (Norminah)

Chapter 20

Kehlani got off the stool and coming near me whispered in my ear, "She's in denial." And with that walked off.

What the hell?

I felt my stomach drop as I watched Kehlani's back leaving.

Normani kissed a woman last night.

She's in denial.

What?

What did that mean? I couldn't wrap my head around those two sentences put together and what they implied.

This couldn't be a misunderstanding, right? I heard everything correctly, or so I wanted to believe. If Normani really was in denial about being gay or... just liking women... that still didn't mean that I had a chance with her at all.

It more likely meant that she was confused and I was the last thing on her mind.

I poured myself a glass of water and tried to not think about any of that right now. I had to get back to the living room and act normal in front of Normani like I hadn't just been presented with the biggest revelation from her sister.

I took a deep breath and left the kitchen. When Kehlani saw me she gave me a long meaningful look that contained a little too much amusement for my liking. I looked away from her and sat down on my spot on the couch.

Normani was avoiding looking at me and I was avoiding looking at Kehlani. We sat there in silence for a while, watching the TV attentively until Kehlani suddenly (and completely spontaneously) had a coughing fit. I couldn't help but laugh at her lame attempt to ease the awkwardness and I saw Normani smiling as well.

"You're not a good actress," Normani said while patting Kehlani's back.

"What, *cough* what do you *cough* mean?"

"I know it was a dream of yours to become an actress but really, you made the best choice in not taking that pat."

Kehlani's coughing stopped then and she sighed disappointedly. "Well, at least now we won't be staring awkwardly at the TV." She said and switched it off with the remote.

"I was actually watching that." I protested.

"Too bad." Kehlani got up from the couch and looked down at me and Normani. "Since neither of you wants to tell me what happened, let's see if I can get it out of you when you're here together."

"Keh, please." Normani reprimanded.

"No, but really. You need to clarify whatever happened between you two."

Normani was about to say something again but I beat her to it. "We've already clarified."

Kehlani turned her attention to me now. "Clarified what?"

"The-" The words died in my mouth under Normani's glare, "the, yeah the thing."

Kehlani arched an eyebrow. "The thing?"

It was obvious that I was the easier target and that Kehlani knew that. Before I could say anything I felt Normani shift nearer to me, pressing her thigh to mine and taking my hand in hers.

"We've resolved whatever we needed to resolve, a private matter," Normani said, then, showing our joined hands, she added, "see?"

"Okay, you win." Kehlani conceded. "So, why don't we talk about something else?"

I felt Normani's whole body relax and I squeezed her hand briefly, reassuring her that I wouldn't say anything.

Kehlani sat on the other side of Normani, leaving her sister glued to me and in the middle of the couch. Normani seemed to realize that she was holding my hand and immediately let go as if she'd just gotten a shock from the touch.