Endless

6

Ty's POV

I woke up dumb early. Like... "the sun ain't even up yet" early. My stomach was doing cartwheels, and every time I closed my eyes, I saw one thing:

Kentrell's face.
His smirk.
That look he gave me when he took them shoes.

I tried to push it out my mind but it kept creeping back up like a stray cat.

I took a long shower, trying to talk myself into being normal.

"Bruh," I muttered to my reflection, "don't go actin' soft jus' 'cause a nigga fine..."

My reflection didn't help. He just looked back stressed like, "good luck, shawty."

By the time I finished brushing my teeth, Lex was already up, bumping music, hair wrapped, swinging her hips like she had an audience.

"Boy why you dressed like you got a date?" she said, staring me down.

"It's a shirt, Lex."

"It's clingy. That mean somethin'."

"Girl shut up."

She grinned messy. "You nervous."

"Ain't nobody nervous," I lied while tying my shoes with shaky ass hands.

"Okay, TyQuian." She rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag. "Let's go before I leave yo slow ass."

Walking out the dorm, I spotted him immediately.

There he was.
Kentrell.

Leaning against the brick wall like a damn movie scene. Hoodie half-zipped, showing a ribbed tank underneath. Dreads hangin' down, some in front his face, some pulled back with a rubber band. He had that Louisiana stance — feet wide, shoulders loose, like he owned the whole sidewalk.

His eyes found mine instantly.

He didn't smile.

Didn't wave.

Didn't nod.

Just held eye contact like he was studying me. Reading me. Trying to figure out something I ain't even know about myself.

Lex elbowed me.
"Go 'head before he eat you up right here," she whispered.

"Shut. Up."

Kentrell pushed off the wall, walking toward me slow. Swag full, lazy, too smooth for 8 in the damn morning.

"What's down, lil man," he said, voice low n' deep like gravel mixed with honey.

"Nun," I said, trying not to swallow hard. "You ate yet?"

"Nah. Was waitin' on you."

My soul left my body temporarily.

"Bet," I said, pretending it was no big deal when in reality I was three seconds from fainting.

Lex waved me off and mouthed "record it" like a demon before leaving.

Inside the dining hall, we grabbed trays. I could feel him behind me — and not regular "somebody standing behind you" energy. It was heat. Attention. Focus.

Every time I moved, he moved.
Every time I reached for something, his eyes followed.

"You quiet," he said finally.

"I'm always quiet."

"Nah," he cut me off, "you quiet wit' me."

My ears got hot. "I'm just thinkin'."

"Mm," he hummed, stepping close enough that his chest brushed my shoulder. "Bout me?"

I pretended not to hear him even though I heard that shit loud and clear.