ten - pizza

the art of pizza

- - -

"Are you being serious? What do you want me to say?"

"That you're sorry."

"But I'm not."

"You don't have to say sorry to me, but you have to say it to Stevie." I hissed, which made him cackle louder.

"It's an opinion."

"You could have insulted me in any way, you could've taken a sledgehammer to my head and it would've hurt less than you saying that Fleetwood Mac is mediocre."

"I said they've got two good songs!" Kareem barked out another laugh at my horrified expression. I was past being horrified, at this point. "But Landslide is a bit depressing."

"It's about love and life and - oh my god!" I exclaimed, "It's a classic. I can't believe you don't like Landslide when you have the audacity to listen to that horrific fake Indie music!"

"No need to get personal!" Kareem pouted, holding it for about ten seconds before bursting out into another laugh.

We were sat in one of the booths at the Bakery while I was on my break. I wanted to show Kareem some of my playlists so he could expand his music taste but it turned out to be the worst idea of my life.

A sudden thought hit me. "Please tell me you like Taylor Swift."

At his silence, my mouth gaped open.

"Kareem, I swear. Taylor is a deal-breaker. I cannot be near someone who cannot appreciate -"

"I'm joking!" He cut me off, hands up in surrender. "Sacha's already given me this talk. I've listened to all her albums, Reputation is my favorite but Folklore is a close second. He also made me listen to all of The 1975 too."

God, at least my brother is good for something.

Kareem continued, "He even gave me a list of song recommendations. I think he likes them a little bit more than you, to be honest."

"First of all, Red is the best Taylor album and you're not allowed to disagree. It was robbed of a Grammy. Robbed." I shaked my head, not even allowing my thoughts to wander because I'd be stuck in this exact spot all day. "And he's only obsessed with them because he heard one of their songs in Love, Simon."

Kareem eyes widened comically, "Sacha watched a gay movie?"

"He made it his mission to watch a shitload when I came out, including all the short films on Youtube. So he was more educated." I explained with a small smile. Sacha always went out of his way to make me feel safe and loved. "We went to watch Love, Simon when it came out."

Kareem cooed, "That's so cute."

"I know," The corners of my lips tugged up, "If he didn't annoy me so much, I might actually like him for that."

Kareem rolled his eyes, no doubt used to my antics by now. "Are you ready to go?"

I grabbed my jacket, checking in quickly with Bodhi and Isaiah before we headed out to the Pizza diner just down the block.

Today was the day that Sacha and Hendrix decided to have a pizza competition. Whoever eats more gets bragging rights for the rest of their life, which wasn't wanted for any reason.

However, when this was suggested, I was well aware of how the competition would pan out. The result was predictable, as was the response.

"I can't do it."

"Are you serious?"

"I can't. I'm going to be sick."

Hendrix frowned, looking at Sacha in disgust. "Who are you?"

"Stop judging me! It's not my fault."

"You've had twelve slices of pizza and you feel sick? Amateur. Saint, tell your brother to get out of my sight. I'm so disappointed in you." Hendrix fake gagged, putting two slices of pizza on top of each other and shoving it into her mouth.

It was a delightful sight.

"I've had more than you! What the fuc-"

"Uh, uh, uh. Children shouldn't swear." Hendrix tutted, shaking her head mockingly. "This is my third pizza, Cley. Do you hear that? And I've eaten half of this one. That means I've had twenty. twelve? Huh. Maybe for a four year old, not a fully grown adult."

"I despise you so much." Sacha muttered, scowling as Hendrix mocked him. She was busy making another pizza pile to notice the glare he was giving her.

Kareem watched on from beside me in amusement, munching his own slice of our shared pizza. One of his arms was draped lazily over my chair.

"Not my fault you're not on my level."

"Yeah, I'll need to lose a foot for that."

"Can you really afford to lose a foot though?" Hendrix rebutted instantly, "I was more thinking that you'd need at least five inches, but maybe that's a little bit of an overestimation of your current state."

Should've expected that one.

Sacha spluttered, eyes wide. "You don't even have a dick!"

"I do actually," She said without hesitation, "And it's bigger than yours, you prepubescent goblin."

Sacha's nose scrunched up in disgust as we all watched Hendrix force the entire pile into her mouth. "I'm so jealous of every single person on this earth that's never been within a mile radius of you."

"Boo hoo, go cry about it to someone who cares."

"Saint! The brother duty minister is calling and he's wondering why the fuc-"

"Children shouldn't cuss-"

"-k you're not doing anything."

I looked between my brother and Hendrix, taking in Sacha's annoyed expression next to Hendrix's one of raw amusement.

And I shrugged. "Not my business."

He stood up, grabbing his coat and the keys for our apartment from the side of the table. "That's it. I'm moving out. Phone Jem. Or better yet, I'm going to Bodhi's. Fuck all of y'all. No appreciation, no love. I'm done."

I raised my eyebrows, "I thought you needed me to check that thing for you?"

Thing equated to song, and Sacha knew exactly what I was alluding to.

And with that, Sacha slowly sat back down.

"I hope you know that I don't appreciate this treatment."

Hendrix just threw a slice of pizza at him. "Go cry about it, Princess."

"If you do that again, I will sue you." He threatened rather pathetically.

Hendrix fidgets with her hair tie, zoning out for a few minutes before her head snapped up. "What?"

"I said that I'd sue you." Sacha repeated rather easily.

Hendrix snapped the hair tie against her wrist again, fingers wrapping around it as she squinted at Sacha mockingly. "I am fully convinced that you didn't graduate kindergarten."

Tuning out there erratic rambling, I turned back to Kareem. "Is Kezziah still coming to game night?"

His lips curved up into a grin, eyes crinkling at the sides. "Yeah, I think she'll just sit on her phone though."

I shrugged, "That's fine. I'll have enough to cope with them." I pointed towards Hendrix and Sacha as she slapped his wrist with a paper straw.

"Obviously," He rolled his eyes playfully before his expression softened, eyes on mine. "You look really pretty today."

Heat rose up my neck as my eyes widened. Kareem laughed at my expression, leaning down and pecking my lips quickly. It did nothing but make my cheeks redden even more.

"I hate you,"

He shook his head, "No you don't."

"No I don't," I huffed dramatically, planting my own kiss on his cheek before resting my head on his shoulder. "I need someone on my team when we're all together because it's going to be awful."

"Don't worry," He said under his breath, chin nuzzling my hair. "I'm with you."

"Saint and I were known for being the worst partners by our teachers in school, they actively tried to keep us as far away from each other as possible." Jem said over a game of GTA. Game Night had arisen once again, and Kezziah and Kareem had joined us. Ali had work again so Hendrix was sulking.

"We weren't too bad," I insisted pointlessly, taking a swig of my beer. "It was definitely more Jem than me. I was just sarcastic, Jem used to plot pranks and insult everybody. No offence, J, but you were a teacher's pet in Elementary so I can't be held accountable for what trouble you got us into."

Kareem laughed. His head was resting on my lap as he spread across the sofa, his legs spraying over Kezziah's lap.

"That is completely and utterly untrue!" Jem paused the game, making Hendrix shout out in alarm. "You were the teacher's pet. Saint is lying!" They announced as Hendrix climbed on top of them, trying to grab the game console from their hand.

"You fucking-" Hendrix cut herself off as she snatched the game pad, unpausing the game and continuing on her killing spree.

"Hendrix clearly would've been known for her kindness. Always the nice one." Jem nursed their hand, pouting dramatically before turning back to Kareem. "What about you then? What were you like in High School?"

Kareem shrugged as much as he could while lying down. "Quiet, I guess. Average."

"I bet you were on the football team. Always getting away with everything but the teachers loved you anyway." Jem said cheerily, but I could sense the hidden insult. Their voice was too overly sweet for it to be anything authentic. "Or maybe the soccer team. That kid that all the girls were obsessed with, who's ego only deflated once they realized that high school popularity doesn't last in the real world."

Did they really just say that?

My jaw dropped as I stared at my best friend incredulously. I understand not trusting Kareem, even not liking him, but Jem was purposely trying to be cruel and get a rise out of him, and that wasn't fair.

There was silence for several minutes. I could feel how tense Kareem was against my legs. Even Hendrix didn't say anything, but I could tell she was annoyed by the frown above her eyebrows. Kezziah had torn her gaze away from her phone, looking at Jem as if she was figuring out the best way to knock the smirk off their face. She snorted once, her top lip pulling into a sneer.

I couldn't hide the shock in my tone, "Jem, what the fuck."

Before anybody else could comment, the front door slammed open and Sacha crashed into the room, somehow managing to balance four takeaway boxes upright in his hand as he nearly fell over.

"I've got cookie dough!" He announced joyfully before noticing the tension in the room. His smile dropped. "What's wrong? Did you not hear me? I said I have cookie dough!"

"I hated football but I guess I'm partial to soccer." Kareem said after a few moments. His voice was light enough that even Sacha could sense that something was off with him. "I was the brown foster kid with no friends who joined the Army the first chance I was given. I'll let you assume what I was like in High School, as it's so important."

Jem didn't say anything else, even when they noticed the way in which Kezziah was staring at them. She didn't glare or even scowl. Her face was entirely blank as she looked at them, which somehow looked more threatening than any alternative. Even Hendrix looked annoyed at Jem's judgement, and I couldn't bring myself to look at them.

"Do you want to go to the hot tub?" I asked lowly as I carted my fingers through his hair, not wanting anyone to hear us.

We'd already planned to hijack Hendrix's new apartment addition, given that it was a warm evening. At the moment it seemed necessary to get Kareem out of an uncomfortable situation, while not taking us out of the general discussion and appearing to be running away.

Jem could say all they wanted. It didn't mean they were right and it didn't mean that we were going to tolerate it.

We shuffled off of the couch and headed towards the open balcony, where the tub had been installed. Hendrix realized what we were planning to do and headed over to make sure it was working right, then using the time to refill her homemade Martini.

I pulled off my t-shirt, leaving me in my swim shorts that I'd worn in preparation. Turning around, I found Kareem already sitting down in the water so I climbed in beside him after setting out the towels within reach of us both.

Someone had restarted the game inside the apartment, and Kezziah had followed us into the open balcony and sat on the table near us. Every few seconds, I'd notice her look up and send daggers towards Jem before continuing texting on her phone.

Kareem grinned at me as I sat next to him, legs intertwined in the water and his hand held in mine. His other hand thumbed over my own tattoos, tracing the lines cascading across my ribs and reaching the flower on my arm.

"Come on," He said quietly so nobody else could hear us, pulling me onto his lap as he finally got a chance to look at all of me. He seemed to fixate on the sunflower and bee tattoo that I had on my upper arm, which I'd gotten when I turned nineteen. He traced over it, making me shiver in his hold, before his arms encircled my waist.

"You look hot." I smirked when I felt his body flush, eyes running over his bare chest. The fact Hendrix had a hot tub was my new favorite thing, because I could admire Kareem in a whole different way. From the tattoos cascading along his skin to the way his muscles flexed as he held me. "So pretty."

"Saint Nicolas! Keep it JA in my home please!" Hendrix practically shouted from the living room, not even tearing her eyes away from the television screen.

With a huff, I sat back down beside him but kept our hands entwined. Kareem's body shook with laughter before his head rested on my shoulder.

"What the fuck does JA mean?" Sacha asked with a mouth full of cookie dough, "And why are you shouting?".

"The real question is; why aren't you?" She flipped him the bird, before pressing on a lot of buttons on the console. I had a feeling she had no idea how to win this round so she was hoping for some luck. "And it means Jesus Appropriate, asshole."

"Dude, you're literally a lesbian. How less Jesus Appropriate can you get?"

I think we all expected Hendrix to send another sharp, witty response back to my brother. But to our utmost surprise, she paused, thinking over his words. Handing the console to Jem, she blinked at Sacha, "You're right. You've defeated me."

We all laughed our asses off at the shock on Sacha's face. His eyes widened, "Wait, what-"

"Sike bitch, Jesus loves me so suck a dick." She laughed, making a crown with her hands over her head.

Turning back to Kareem, I noticed his eyes already on me, smiling. As soon as our gaze met, he climbed closer to me, throwing a leg over my own until he sat on my lap. Chest to chest, my mouth practically dropped open at our proximity but I knew it was anything but sexual. The closeness, the feel of his skin on mine - it provided me with a sense of intimacy that I'd never felt with him before. Maybe it was the buzz of alcohol in my system, maybe it was the lack of such with him, but our skin touching ignited a great deal of happiness in me, so much that I could feel the dopamine being squeezed out of my system and dancing recklessly around my brain, providing me with the most exhilarating sense of euphoria. Only Kareem could provoke this sort of feeling from me, only Kareem could make me feel so vulnerable but so powerful at the same time.

I grinned lazily at him, not wanting the ecstasy cascading through my veins to diminish for even a split second. "You enjoying it there?"

He cocked his head to the side, in an adoringly cute way, wide brown eyes glittering in the blue hue of Drix's LED lights. His hands moved up to my hair, ruffling my curls so they fell out of place. "Maybe a little." He cooed quietly so only I could hear him.

"Think you're a little obsessed with my hair, dude."

Kareem's eyes flickered at the word 'dude', eyes accusatory as if he knew full well that was the only reason I said it. I'd realized his hatred of the word a few days ago when I said it without thinking, and had to deal with him pouting all day. But still, he played along. "Think I'm a little bit more than obsessed, love."

Hot.

"Then I'd appreciate you not messing up the masterpiece, bro." I teased, with one eyebrow raised.

He didn't even hesitate this time, not lowering his voice so our audience could hear him loud and clear. "But you look so pretty."

Being the typical drunk that I was - even though if you asked me,  I was perfectly sober - I took the bait right in my hands and I kissed him.

The moment his lips responded to mine, I gripped his hips and held him as close to me as possible, pushing my tongue into his mouth as we fought for dominance. A battle that I knew, despite my resistance, that I would not win, and that did nothing but excite me more.

Kareem pulled away first, a gentle red tint to his cheeks as he grinned at me. "I think I win."

"You're delusional."

"All part of the charm, babe."

Kareem looked over his shoulder and I followed his gaze, finding amusement in the expressions on each of the group's faces. Jem and Hendrix were staring blatantly back at us, while Kezziah was typing on her phone, not even interested in what had just happened. Sacha's face was scrunched up, his body shaking as if watching his older brother kiss someone was repulsive.

Hendrix was the first person to speak, nodding in approval. "That was hot. Do it again."

"Shut up, Drizella." Jem nudged her, face still emotionless.

Sacha made a gagging noise, "Please keep that shit away from me-"

Kareem tensed and I almost laughed as Sacha continued.

"-You're like fifty, I don't need to be seeing two old men getting some while I'm sitting here single."

And at that, Kareem threw his head back laughing. "Shit, Sach, if you wanted some action, you could've just said. I'm sure Kezz has a friend she can set you up with."

This finally captured his sister's attention. She eyed us cautiously, before running her eyes up and down Sacha's slumped form. "No."

"Shaylah?" Kareem offered a name that I didn't recognize.

"She's gay."

"No she's not."

"Fine, she's dead."

"Kezz-"

"Shaylah is a ten, Sacha's a four at best."

"Hey!"

"You do know that Shaylah's brother is in Sacha's band, right?" Kareem said and this seemed to capture Kezziah's attention almost immediately.

But she pretty much rolled her eyes, not bothered in the slightest by the new information. "Look if this Rockstar wannabe can't find himself a girlfriend, that's not my problem. Maybe he should try growing some braincells and members of my biological sex will start giving him more attention."

"Saint!" Sacha practically cried out, eyes wide at me as if begging me to defend him.

"I'm gay, dude." I shrugged as if I didn't know what he was talking about. "You gotta keep that hetero shit away from me."

"You're awful. I am the backbone of our household and you treat me like this?"

"Backbone?" I snorted, "More like the speck of dust that you can't remove."

"Jem, please let me live with you." Sacha begged.

"I live with Hendrix."

Sacha turned away without hesitation, "Kareem, I'll love you forever."

"Sorry, man, but I don't think your brother would appreciate that."

Just to add in the extra annoyance, I stuck my tongue out at Sacha.

"I'm going on strike."

My eyes met Jem's unintentionally and, even though my words were directed at Sacha, I kept them there. "Then leave."

A/N:

thank you for reading!