Our Little Secret

Ok

I let Xavier sleep in late. I remember that I was supposed to meet Cyrus today, but I'm obviously not gonna make it so I call him.

"Hey, Cy," I go into the phone.

"Say that again." He sounds like he's smiling.

"Cy," I whisper sexily through the phone.

"I need to see you soon," he groans.

"That's what I called about," I tell him. "I'm not at school today so we can't see each other." And I'm actually bummed about it cuz I was looking forward to seeing him.

"Damn." He clicks his tongue. "Did something happen? Why you not at school?"

"Family emergency," I lie swiftly. I feel bad.

"So when can I see you?" He asks.

"Tomorrow. During lunch."

"Ok." The smile returns to his voice. "Tell your family to not have any emergencies cuz you got plans tomorrow."

"Sure." I laugh. "I'll just be like 'pole Mom. I needa see my boyfriend tomorrow so don't let anyone die'."

"Wait. Someone died?" He sounds alarmed.

"No. Issa joke."

"Oh. Ok." He goes quiet for a bit. "What does pole mean?"

"Sorry," I answer. "In Swahili."

"Oh," he goes again. "What other languages do you speak?"

"Creole and French."

"Say something to me in Creole," he asks.

"Ou bèl."

"And that means...?"

"You're cute." I smile to myself and lean back on the couch.

"Ok, I see you." That makes me laugh. "Now do French."

I think of something to say. "Tu es mon petit ami."

"Woah!" He breathes. "I like that. What does it mean?"

"You're my boyfriend."

"Yes, I am," he chuckles. "I have a feeling that we're gonna have a lot fun together."

"I am compelled to ask what kind of fun," I go. "But I will not."

"Good. Don't." We laugh together.

"Alright, Imma let you go, Cy."

He sighs. "Aight. I have a test in Calc today, wish me luck."

"You don't need luck. You got this," I tell him. "Ok, bye."

"Bye." He hangs up and I put my phone in my lap, smiling to myself. I go to reach for the remote when someone clears their throat behind me.

I turn and find Xavier standing there in only his boxers. "Hey."

"Hi." Based on the way he's looking at me, I have a feeling he's been there a while. "You, uh... You feeling better?"

He shrugs. "Somewhat." He drops himself on the couch. "Who was that on the phone?"

"Cyrus." We sit there in awkward silence and I hate awkward situations so I change the subject. "You hungry? I could make you something." He opens his mouth to answer, but the grumbling of his stomach says enough. I laugh at him. "Say no more."

I go into the kitchen and make us each a plate of rice, greens, and chicken. I take it to the living room and put it on the coffee table. I return to the kitchen for drinks. We eat our food in silence as a random channel plays on the tv.