15

BRICE

I watch my girl walk out the door hand in hand with the other guy. I would object but Hailey stands between me and what I want both literally and metaphorically.

"What did I do? Why don't you want me anymore? What does she have that I don't?"

I close my eyes because I can't give her the explanation she wants. How does one define attraction? I'm attracted to Soleil. She compels me. I'm drawn to her.

"It's not you. its me," I say instead.

I head for the closet because I need to get dressed. Clearly whatever moment I had with Soleil is gone and I'm done with this party. I was done before it even began.

I strip out of my wet trunks and pull on fresh boxers and a pair of black jeans. Hailey comes in and her gaze runs down my body. I slide a black t-shirt on because I don't want to give her any ideas. The only woman I want is outside with another guy because I'm in here with another girl. No wonder she doesn't trust me.

"What's going on with you? You weren't into her a few months ago."

I level Hailey with a look.

"Don't disrespect her in front of me and think you'll get away with it. You of all people should know how I am when it comes to those I care about."

I'm by no means a hero or one to fight for the underdog but if someone I care for needs me, I step up to the plate. I did it for Hailey and it would be no different with Soleil even though this time my feelings are more intense.

"Things change. People change." I walk out the closet and grab my keys and phone. Damnit! I may be parked in. I shoot Tsepho a quick text to meet me out front.

"I wont change. I'll never change how I feel about you."

Her voice is so small my gut twists. I love Hailey but not the way she wants me to. We started hooking up when we were 15. I didn't know what I was doing, what I was getting myself into. That part of my life feels like a distant memory now and I don't want to turn back.

"I know," she's told me this before. She needs a new therapist or rather a new form of therapy because this isn't getting any better. "But it's not healthy to invest so much of yourself for so little in return." The vibration of a text draws my attention away from the conversation we've been having for over a year now. "It's Tshepo. I gotta go. I want the house cleared out by 1 AM."

I leave her in my room with a suspicious sheen of tears in her eyes. It used to get to me when Hailey cried until she noticed and I caught on to her tactics.

I enter the hallway and meet Soleil's brown gaze. All is forgotten. What can I say, this girl has a hold on me that I can't explain. I reach for her hand because I want to be near her and she brings out a possessive side of me.

"We're done here. Common." I just want to get away from everyone and be alone with her.

When she turns around with a few last words to Mark my grip tightens. I'm starting to hate this guy. She squeezes me back reassuringly. I relax when she falls in step beside me and we head outside hand in hand. She's mine. If Mark wants her, he's going to have to pry her away from my cold, dead hands.

We make our way out in silence and garner a few looks. I don't give a damn. I'm tired of hiding my feelings for her. No one says a word because they're cowards who can do nothing more than look and whisper.

We make our way through the noise and throng of the crowd until we're outside the property. I spot Tshepo up ahead.

"Hey man, mind if I borrow your car?"

"Uhm sure... but why? You have a whole stable?"

"I'm parked in genius."

"Right. Heeeey Soleil," he greets awkwardly after glimpsing our clasped hands.

"Hey Tshepo."

"Brice, can I have a quick word with you? Guy stuff, my dad, the car..." the latter is directed at Soleil.

"Sure," I let go of her hand and step a few feet away.

"Dude what are you doing with Soleil?!" Tshepo whisper shouts.

"We're getting out of here. I need privacy?"

"Privacy for what? Are you gonna smash?"

I roll my eyes because I don't have time for this and for some reason I don't want to talk about her to anyone else. She's my business. For once I want to be private damn.

"I don't know. if she lets me." I tell Tshepo everything and I guess this situation isn't any different. "She's skittish, definitely not one to use her body to get what she wants. I'll take what she gives me."

It's not guaranteed we're going to hook up tonight. I'm basically admitting to my game not being as tight as everyone thinks it is.

"Dude! You know I'm not one to block a man from laying pipe but," Tshepo runs his hands over his fresh fade. "You cant. Mark has been harping on about this chic for months. He told me he asked her out to MD. What are you doing man? Major violation of the bro code."

"Bro code?" I let out a disbelieving chuckle. "That sounds like the bitch code. Only women consider each others feelings when it comes to picking a partner. Men go after what they want. If he wanted her he should have manned up and taken the chance when he had it."

"That's cold dawg. We're boys. How we gon' be niggas in Paris if there's a rift in the circle?"

I almost forgot about the trip we planned to Paris after vac with the gents. The rift in the group crosses my mind but doesn't stay there.

"He'll live. You're the only nigger I care about anyway."

"You're lucky that word doesn't mean a damn thing to me but you better not say that shit in public," scolds Tshepo.

"Yeah yeah, you don't bitch about it when we're rapping with Jay."

"Different context white boy." He takes out his keys but as I'm about to reach for them, he snatches it away. "Don't mess up my car. Food, drinks, body fluids... none of that shit you freaky French fuck."

I cock my brow at the mini lecture. Tshepo and I have done some bad things but for her, I'll be a gentleman.

"I'm taking her to Maverick Manor."

"Damn son, pulling out all the stops I see." His gaze shifts to Soleil and so does mine. She's busy on her phone. "I hope you're ready for the storm you're about to unleash. She better be worth it." He drops his keys into my palm.

I give him a quick bro hug and pat his back. "She is and I'm ready. I was storm-born."

I spot Tshepo's car not too far from the house. It's a black mustang with white racing stripes. The engine is so loud and aggressive, the school added a new rule regarding sound pollution when he drove it onto the estate back in second term. He's been parking it at my house ever since.

I open the door for Soleil and strap her in. "Are you alright?"

She smiles and gives me a shaky yes. I plant a kiss on her lips and light up when she caresses my face. Her touch is shy which is why I relish it so much.

I get in on the other side and start the engine. The roar is angry and loud. I love it. Pity my French pride would never allow me to spend my money on American engineering.

We peel off down the road in a comfortable silence leaving the expectations of those behind us.

"Brice, there's something I have to tell you."

Her voice is soft, worried. I look over at Soleil. Even though her face is dimmed in the darkness of the car, I can see her brows are knit together. I wonder what's bothering her and take her hand placing it on my lap.

"What happened back there with Mark and Hailey... I think it's my fault."

"No its not. But its cute that you think that it is."

I kiss the back of her hand reassuringly then place it back on my lap as I return my attention to the road.

"No, you don't understand. Remember that fare that came to Milton a few weeks back?"

"Yeah, I remember the carnival."

It's an annual event and it's hard to forget in this small town.

"Well there was this tent Charlondra and I came across with a strange, Middle-Eastern looking man. He said that I could make a wish. I didn't think anything of it and Char, well you know Char is skeptical of anything without proof, so we did it. We wrote down our wishes in his book on Saturday. Then you asked me out the following Monday."

I mull over her words in my head. Most people don't believe in magic but I know otherwise. That its very real and oftentimes dangerous. No one grants a wish without expecting something in return.

"Brice I know I sound crazy but do you think it's possible?"

It's very possible. I let go off her hand choosing instead to take hold of the wheel.

"What did you wish for Soleil?"

"I... I wished you would notice me."

I'm silent as I think it over. Her perspective, her explanation, her wish. How I've been acting around her, how I feel about her, the obsession and the relentless pursuit. I thought it was all me.

Now that I put together her words and my actions over the past weeks, I come to realise that this bitch cast a spell on me.

WC: 1659

31/10/2022

#creepythingsmustfall #Jesusisking

5k reads and I have an announcement y'all!!!!

PS: How are you finding the chapter lengths? Do you prefer longer or shorter?

i.e Should I combine POV's when it's one scene or split it like these last two?