Leila

"So what time is your date with Josh?"

"I told him to be ready for eight, why?"

"No reason. I think it's cute that you take him out on dates too."

"Thanks. What about you and Elijah?"

"We don't go on date."

With a raised brow, I gave her my full attention.

"Let me rephrase that." She laughed.

"We do go on dates but not like restaurants and movies."

"Oh okay. So what do y'all do?"

"We both learned how much we love nature during our, quote unquote, talking phase. So what we've done is, we pick a park, regardless of where it is, we pack a bag or basket with food and just drive out there."

"That's really nice Anna."

"Yeah. Eli is so in touch with his soft side and I appreciate it all the same and I acknowledge it too. That's my man."

"That he is. Y'all are so adorable."

"Thank you sis." She blushed. "So, what's the details for tonight?"

"Well just like how you and Eli's thing is nature, Josh and Is is food. We got to different restaurants of different cultures."

"Ah okay."

"Yeah. Only this timed we're cooking our food. I found this virtual class online and signed us up. Rented out a space and got all the ingredients we would be needing."

"That's dope."

"Thanks." I smiled.

"So, what type of food will y'all be cooking?"

"Vietnamese food." I got excited.

"Oh cool. What made you decide to go with that?"

"Their food culture is amazing. Their culture on the whole is amazing but I just love their use of sprouts and meats."

"You sure you don't want to be a chef Lei?"

"I'm sure." I laughed lightly. "I mean, I can do culinary as a hobby but not as a profession. I'm not able with that fast pace lifestyle in the kitchen."

"True. I understand that."

"Mhmm. Plus, you know a lot of chefs do cocaine?"

"Really?"

"Yep. That's how some manage to keep up in the kitchen. Girl, not me."

"Yikes."

Hearing her phone go off, same time mine did. Kareem had messaged to let me know that he was on his way over with some news.

"Kareem?"

"Yeah. He has some news to share he says."

"I wonder what it is?"

Getting back to our conversation, we continued while we waiting. About half an hour later, there was a knock on my door and in he walked when I called.

"So what's up?" I asked as he closed the door behind him.

Being his dramatic self, he took a deep breath and exhaled about five times before speaking.

"I got the scholarship." Was all he said.

When we heard those words, Anna and I began to scream. Hugging him instantly, we congratulated him. Kareem had been working so hard and diligently for this Paris scholarship, hearing that he got it made me feel as though we all did.

"I'm so proud of you." I hugged him again.

"Thank you sis, the both of y'all. If it wasn't for y'all pushing me and inspiring me and some pieces, I don't know if I would have gotten it."

"You would have. Believe me." Anna smiled.

"Thank you sis. So what were we talking by about here." Kareem smirked.

"Leila is taking Josh out on a cooking date tonight."

"Ouuu sis." He smirked and shimmied.

"We do that Kareem." I laughed. "We alternate dates."

"I like that. So what's the plan."

"Well I'm picking him up at eight then we're going to an Airbnb I booked for the evening and joining in on an online cooking class where we'll be learning to make Vietnamese food."

"Well damn."

"Food is our thing." I shrugged.

"Mhmm and I'm sure your food is his thing." He smirked.

"We haven't done that so don't start."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. He knows I'm still a virgin and he doesn't pressure me into anything."

"That's great. From talking with him in Art, he honestly is a decent guy when you get past the mean exterior and clearly is smitten by you."

"Josh isn't mean, he minds his business and doesn't like to be bothered."

"Sounds like someone we know." He nudged Anna.

"I've told her the same."

"Okay, so we have liked personalities, but that's what makes us so compatible. I'm going to be honest with y'all, I didn't really think of him as anything when he first came but during our study sessions, that's when I started liking him, I just didn't want to you know."

"Make the first move." They both said.

"Right, but I wasn't like you and Eli though, I could have spoken to Josh, feelings or not." I joked.

"That part." Kareem laughed.

"It's not funny y'all." Anna too laughed. "I don't know why but it was like my brain would turn off when he came around." She blushed.

"And it was the same with him." I smirked.

"You got a gentle giant girl. Hold on to it. Plus his ass is smart as fuck."

"I know right." She smirked.

"I'm happy my girls are happy and in healthy relationships."

"Thank you babe." I smiled as Anna said thanks as well.

"What about you and dude though?"

"Sacha and I still speak." He smirked. "We're friends regardless of anything. We just couldn't do the long distance thing."

"So have you told him about the scholarship?"

"Not yet. I'll do that later when we talk."

"I feel like y'all will get back together when you go over there."

"I mean, it's a possibility but I'm not forcing it."

"Understandable."

Deciding on heading out for a bit, we all got into Anna's car and made our way to the ice cream shop in town.

~•~

"Hey mommy, I'm about to leave." I entered her bedroom.

"Okay love. Y'all be safe."

"We will. Thanks."

Making my way downstairs, I got the car keys and my jacket and left, locking up behind me. As I got into my car, I attempted to call Josh, but it just rang out. Shrugging, I simply connected my phone, playing music as I made my way to his place.

This new school term was what it was. I was one step closer to being done with those people and being in California at Stanford. I had already filled out and submitted my college applications and was confident  and hopeful.

Arriving at his place, I parked behind his truck and got out. Making my way up to the door, I rang the bell and waited. Seeing the overheard porch light come on, I smiled when I heard his mom yelling at his sister before she opened the door.

"Leila, hi." She greeted me.

"Hi Ms. Clark. Is Josh ready?"

"Ready? Josh isn't home."

"He isn't?" I asked confused.

"No love. He went to training with Eli."

Sighing, I simply said okay and went back to the car. Getting in, I got my phone and tried calling him again but nothing. Calling Elijah, the same thing happened. Shaking my head, I called Anna.

"Girl I've been trying to call him all evening."

"I hope nothing happened to them." I sighed.

"Girl, something better has for them to be not answering."

I honestly didn't want to think that Josh had forgotten about tonight. Talking with her a little longer, I tried calling a few more times as well as texting him. When all of that failed, I simply gave up and called back Anna.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, what's up?"

"Want to do the class with me?"

"Sure. Let me get ready."

"Okay. I'll be by you in fifteen minutes."

"Cool."

Ending that call and calling Kareem, he agreed as well. At this point, I was going to make the most of my night with my friends.

Josh

"Since Mark has been off the team, shit been light and calm."

Laughing at Elijah's comment, we made our way to the locker room to get our things.

"That's true but dude was good, he just needed to get over himself."

"And we know that wasn't happening."

"Unfortunately for him." I shrugged.

Grabbing my bag out the locker, my phone fell out. Picking it up, I saw all the missed calls from Leila. Seeing the time, it hit me.

"Shit!"

"What?"

"I forgot I had a date with Leila tonight."

"Oh shit, for real?"

"Yeah." I hustled and got my stuff.

"Damn, she tried calling me too, and Anna."

"Fuck."

Making our way out to his car, I tried calling her back while he tried to call Anna. It was after nine and I knew I messed up.

"Anything?" I asked him.

"Nope. Anna ain't answer." He sighed.

Putting his car in drive, we left and made our way to my place to drop me off. All the while on my way home, I fought myself in my mind on how I could possibly forgotten our date. Pulling up to my house, I dapped Elijah and got out. Entering, my momma came into sight.

"You forgot your date?"

"I know and she isn't answering." I sighed.

"How did you even forget?"

"I just got caught up with practice and my phone was in my bag in my locker. I'm going to shower and head over to her place."

"Okay."

Jogging up to my room, I didn't waste anytime changing out my clothes, getting into the shower and getting ready. Once I was done, I grabbed my keys, phone and wallet and left. Letting my momma know, I got into my car. Attempting to call Leila again, it still went unanswered.

"Fuck!" I exclaimed out of frustration.

Speeding, it didn't take me long before I got to her place. Seeing her moms car wasn't there and the lights off, I knew she wasn't home.

"Damn babe, where are you?" I questioned.

Calling Elijah, he informed me that Anna was with Leila as he went by her place after he dropped me off but neither were answering.

"You think Kareem would tell us where they are?" He asked.

"Nah. For one, he's probably with them and two I don't have his number."

"Damn. Well bro, I don't know what to tell you. I texted Anna apologizing for the missed calls and for her to call me tomorrow."

"I guess I'll do the same. Thanks man."

"No problem."

Deciding to go back home, I sighed and did just that. Once I had reached, I let my momma know I was back. Explaining to her that Leila wasn't home, and Anna was with her, she just patted me on my shoulder.

"Well there is food on the stove. You can fix up and pack away. I'm going to bed."

"Yeah momma. Thanks."

Once she left, I served myself some food and went to my room. Texting Leila, I apologized and told her to call me when she's ready."

~•~

"Oh hi Josh, Leila's out back."

"Thanks Mrs. Hassim."

Making my way through the house, after removing my shoes. I slid the back door open and stepped out. Leila hadn't messaged me or called all day so I took it upon myself to come over to her place.

Running around with a water gun, as she and her brother played, I smiled as she laughed. Closing back the door, I stood on the deck and just watched when she noticed me and stopped.

"Gimme a minute Siah."

"Can I go in the pool?"

"Put on your floaters and life jacket."

"Okay."

Watching as he ran and got them, he did just that correctly, before taking his time and entering the shallow end.

"Before you say anything, just let me apologize please." I spoke as she came up to me."

"Okay."

"I lost track of time with practice and my phone was in my tote bag, in the locker."

"Okay." She simply said. "Is that it?"

"No. I'm sorry I forgot. I didn't mean to."

"So you admit you forgot about our date and didn't just lose track of time."

"Yes." I answered truthfully.

Shaking her head, she looked back over at her brother.

"I'm really sorry babe. I promise I'll make it up to you."

"No need too. It has passed." She looked at me.

"Are you mad at me?"

"I'm not mad. Hurt? Disappointed? Yes."

Sighing when she said that, I knew she was being honest. Leila wasn't one to get mad unless she is pushed to it but hurt and disappointment, she will experience it.

"I'm really sorry. If you need space, I'm fine with that."

"Thanks. I promised Siah I'd spend the day with him today so I'll call you later."

"Okay cool."

Kissing her on her cheek, I then turn and went back inside. Telling her momma good bye, I got my shoes, got into my car and left.