18 - thanksgiving

Amina

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It was finally time for a break!

But I was stuck in Los Angeles for the holiday. The university has only given us two days off for the holiday, Thursday & Friday. My parents and I agreed it wasn't worth a plane ticket or a complicated drive and I'd go home for Christmas.

I was slightly bummed, but at least my cousins were in the same boat. Kendra's family was very big on Thanksgiving celebrations and she took the whole week off to go home to her family. Bianca had also gone home for the holidays. I had the apartment to myself and had made plans with the twins to have Thanksgiving here. Will would also be joining us since a flight to Houston would be too much for someone who needs to be back here by Monday.

I hadn't seen much of Dominic since the season opener game. He had started to be distant again after our almost kiss the night of the game. I couldn't read the guy, he was so hot and then cold. One minute he's telling me he cares, the next I'm getting the cold shoulder. I didn't know where we stood again at this point. He even stopped walking me to classes.

But I didn't care. I was going to focus on having a good holiday with people who actually care about me. Which is why I was spending my Thursday morning cleaning the apartment for my aforementioned guests. It was potluck style and we had each been assigned an item to bring. Caleb was in charge of yams and mashed potatoes. Isaiah was in charge of greens and drinks. I was in charge of the macaroni and cheese, my specialty. And Will was bringing dessert and picking up the Turkey we ordered.

I packed up the trash after cleaning and made my way to the dumpster. As I was walking up the steps to my place after dumping the trash, the back of a large figure appeared before me.

Dominic's father was in the hall talking to his son. He couldn't see me as his back faced me, but Dominic had made eye contact with me.

"What other plans could you possibly have?" His father asks, his tone slightly annoyed.

"I'm having dinner with friends." Dominic replied as I made it up the stairwell, gaining his father's attention.

"Amina. Good to see you again." He greets me with a smile.

"Always a pleasure Mr. Taylor." I nod politely.

"Dominic here was just telling me he can't join me for dinner this evening because he has plans. Are you the one hosting?"

"Yes, she is." Dominic interjects before I can reply.

"Very well. As long as it's not that Andre character." He chuckles, "Why don't you join us for Thanksgiving? The both of you?"

"We've already made plans with other people. It's this whole thing." Dominic interrupts again.

"Is this true?" His father asks looking at me.

My eyes widen slightly but I reply calmly, "Yes sir. My cousins are also joining us as well as another friend."

"I see." He turns to his son, "Don't make plans for Christmas. Happy holidays." He says before patting Dominic on the shoulder and giving me a smile before walking off.

Dominic lets out a sigh of relief making me raise a brow at him. "What was that about? Why did you drag me into it?"

"You just showed up at the right time. Anyway, thanks. Consider this the one favor you owe me for giving you a ride on Halloween." He says, before attempting to make his way back to his apartment.

I follow behind him, "No! Don't make me do that again. I know you have issues with your dad but don't involve me! He's my boss now and I don't want to be used to lie to him. Matter of fact, I won't be. You're joining us for dinner now."

He frowns, "No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are! I can't risk being caught in a lie. 6 o'clock at my place, bring a dish." I instruct him. Before he could reply I was walking back inside my apartment, shutting the door behind me.

-

"These greens are shit." Caleb comments after taking a spoonful of collard greens into his mouth.

"Hey! I tried my best." Isaiah whines.

After a long day of cleaning and cooking, we were all seated around the table having our Thanksgiving dinner. Dominic didn't show up, and I wasn't surprised. Even though he was invited, I didn't think he'd actually come considering he'd been avoiding me recently.

"This Mac and cheese is good though." Will compliments.

"Thank you." I smile politely at him.

"Ami, what's wrong?" Isaiah asks suddenly.

I raise a brow, "What do you mean?"

"You seem down."

I shake my head, "Not at all."

"It's her first Thanksgiving away from home. Of course she's down." Caleb comments.

I sigh, "Okay fine. I guess I'm just a bit homesick. It's just not as festive without the whole family."

"Trust us, we know. We've been doing it almost every year since we started university." Caleb notes.

"It's not all bad though. We don't get any of this at family Thanksgiving." Isaiah says as he pulls out a mysterious-looking beverage.

"What is that?" I ask cautiously.

"You made me in charge of drinks. So I created my own creation!"

"Why is it that color?" Will asks.

I nod in agreement, "Isaiah what did you put in there?"

The giant jug was filled with a dark green liquid with hints of blue circling it. "Guys don't worry! It's a trusted recipe I got from one of my frat friends. It's their fraternity jungle juice and unfortunately, I can't tell you its contents."

"Then I'm not drinking it."

"Neither am I." Will agrees.

"Guys! Come on! Caleb will vouch for me he's had it before."

Caleb nods, "Unfortunately yes I have. You can't even taste the alcohol."

I look at the drink skeptically as Isaiah pours the contents into cups. He hands one to me and Will. I look over at Will before taking a sip, and him doing the same.

My eyes widen as the flavors touch my tongue. It was delicious! It tasted like a blue jolly rancher and a nerd gummy cluster at the same time. "You said there's alcohol in this?" I ask in surprise.

Isaiah nods proudly as I continue to drink the juice. We continue to eat and talk before turning on some music and making our way to the living room. The drinks kept getting poured and I had no idea how many cups I had. We decided to spice up our evening with some video games, turning on Just Dance 3 and battling it out.

"Hah! High score beat!" I exclaim happily as I throw the Wii remote at Will.

"It's because I ate a lot! I would've wiped the floor with you if I wasn't so full." He pouts.

"That's not an excuse! I'm tipsy and I still beat you by a landslide." I laugh before turning behind me to the couch, "Who dares to challenge me next!"

Suddenly a knock on the door catches my attention. "I'll get it!" I sing out happily before skipping over to the door before opening it.

Dominic stood in front of me, looking rather annoyed. "You came!" I exclaim happily. Before he could get any words out I dragged him by the arm into the apartment. "Guys Dominic's here!"

All three boys turned to look at us by the door. "Hey Dominic buddy!" Isaiah greets cheerfully and Will gives a polite wave. Caleb ignores his presence, continuing to sip on the same drink he's been holding all night.

"Um hey." Dominic greets awkwardly before turning back to me.

"You didn't bring anything." I pout, the alcohol starting to fully take over my system.

"I just came by to-"

"Never mind that." I interrupt, "All the foods is here, and the microwave is in the kitchen. I'd avoid the greens if I were you!" I direct, gaining a protest from Isaiah.

"Amina I'm not staying." Dominic finally says.

"What? Why!" I whine as I turn to face him, making me stumble slightly into his chest.

"Are you drunk?" He asks, bracing me by wrapping an arm around my waist.

"No."

He sighs, "I just came over to ask you to turn down the music."

My frown quickly turns into a smirk, "Oh really?"

"Yeah. Why are you smiling like that?"

I shrug, "And what if I don't turn it down?"

He sighs, "Amina I'm not in the mood for games."

"But I am." I whisper, looking up at him seductively.

His eyes darken with lust but he shakes his head. "Fine, don't turn it down. Do what you want, I gotta go."

I grab his arm again, "Wait! Why are you leaving? Where do you need to go?" I ask sadly.

"You're leaving already Dominic?" Isaiah calls from the couch after hearing my plea.

"C'mon man. You gotta at least have a drink!" Will adds.

"Nah I have to go." He tells them.

"Please!" I exclaim.

"Please!" The other two join in. Caleb couldn't be bothered as he continued to scroll on his phone.

"Fine. One drink."

"Yay! Pour him a cup." I instruct Isaiah, who happily fills up another cup and hands it over.

Dominic looks skeptically at the strange-colored drink. "What is this?"

"Jungle juice. Drink it, you need some." I encourage.

He sighs before reluctantly taking a sip, nodding his head after a small gulp. "That was pretty good. I see why you're wasted."

I scoff, "I'm not wasted!"

He chuckles, "You're wasted."

"Whatever. Come play with us." I encourage him as I grab his arm and pull him toward the living room. "Guys let's play Mario Kart!" I grab the controller and pass one to Dominic as Isaiah and Will take up theirs.

The evening progressed wholesomely as we continued to play different games throughout the night. Thanks to the alcohol Dominic had loosened up and played quite well in most of the games despite his tipsy state. One by one each of us knocked out at different times around the living room. Till it was down to just Dominic and I.

"You suck at this game." He teases me as he annihilates me in mortal combat.

"That's because you're cheating somehow."

"Or you just suck." He chuckles. Out of irritation, I smack his controller out of his hand. "Hey!" He exclaims before retaliating by grabbing my controller from me.

"Give it back!"

"Take it from me." He teases.

I furrow my brows before leaping onto him to get the controller. I was so focused on taking the controller I hadn't realized the position I had put us in. I was on top of him, straddling him as he lay on the floor. Our eyes met as I gazed down at him, my eyes trailing to his lips.

Suddenly I found my lips on his, his hands ravaging my body as he kissed me back heavily. I moaned slightly into the kiss as it deepened, becoming more passionate with every minute.

He pulled away abruptly leaving me breathless as we stared at each other in surprise. "I have to go." He says suddenly, gently moving me off of him and back onto the ground. He gets up, attempting to make a swift exit but I get up and follow him.

"Dominic wait!" I respond as I catch up to him outside.

"I have to go Amina."

"Why? Why do you keep doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Running away. What's wrong with what just happened."

"It can't happen. We can't happen." He emphasizes.

"And why not?"

"I have to go." Is all he says before turning around and entering his apartment. Leaving me there confused and partially hurt. I bit back the tears that threatened to fall before taking a deep breath and making my way back to my apartment.

When I entered I surveyed my surroundings. Will was asleep snugly on the couch, taking up the whole thing. Isaiah was asleep as well, in a corner on a bean bag. Caleb rested upright comfortably on the couch as well.

I sighed before making my way to the kitchen. Letting the small tears I had fall.

"I told you he was just going to hurt you." Caleb's voice said from the living room. I look to see him awake now on the couch.

I quickly wipe my face. "How long have you been up?"

"Long enough."

I sigh, taking a seat next to him on the couch. "I just don't get him."

"There's nothing to get. You just got out of something bad that you have not recovered from. The last thing you need is Dominic Taylor messing with your head."

I sighed, knowing he was right. "You don't need to be so harsh."

"I do. Because you don't listen. What do you even see in him anyway?"

I chuckled sadly, "Have you seen him? He's gorgeous. And the sex-" I quickly stop myself but Caleb's eyes widen.

"You slept with him!" He exclaims.

My eyes widen as I shake my head violently, "No! I'm drunk I don't even know what I'm talking about!"

He puts his head in his hands, "Oh my God. Amina!"

"I didn't!"

He looks me in the eye, "Don't lie."

I sigh, "Okay I did! But don't tell anybody."

"How could you let that happen!" He places his hand on his chest, "I'm going to have a heart attack."

"Oh shut up now you're just over-exaggerating. It just happened!"

"Now I see why you're so attached to him."

"That's not why! We're friends."

He shakes his head, "You and that man are not friends."

"We are friends. He's really not a bad guy you just refuse to give him a chance."

"If he's such a good guy then why were you crying in the kitchen? Why is he continuously around you when he knows he's not romantically interested in you? Wake up Ami, he's like every guy out there. Willing to use you for their benefit."

"You don't know that." I said softly as the tears started to form again.

"I do. I'm trying to save you from even more heartbreak." He sighs as he notices the tears begin to fall and pulls me in for a comforting hug. "I'm sorry kiddo. One day you'll find a guy who is genuine and wants you for you. But for now, focus on yourself."

I nod as I cry softly into his chest.

———

Aww poor Ami :(

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