Guess What Happened Today?!

The day has gone by so quickly and I haven't seen Mekhi at all.  Like a crazy person I've been looking around for him all day maybe he's an upper classman; I haven't considered that at all. The rain has turned to mist as I get into my car to head back to the coffee shop to meet Rylie and Nova. Just like this morning I'm able to park near the front so I grab my bag and wristlet and head inside. I find them at a table near the front window so I go over to meet them.

"Leeenaaa! What's up," Riley says loud enough for those close enough to hear and pulls me into a hug. She releases me just in time to get Nova's hug.

"Hey chica, what's going," Nova says giving me a little squeeze. We all sit and I smile at my two best friends. It's been about a month since I've seen them face to face.

"Nothing much guys. Mom's trying to get me out the house so I called you two," I say feeling a little guilty for neglecting our friendship.

"Hmm, I see. Kudos to ma. So what did you guys want to do," Rylie says looking between us.

"I'm not even sure. I thought karaoke or something, but I got invited to a basketball game Saturday. I'm not even sure I want to go though," I say looking at Rylie and Nova; who are looking at me with big eyes and mouths slightly open.

"Who invited you," Nova musters up the strength to ask.

"Umm some guy named Mekhi, do you guys know him," I ask feeling myself get a little nervous and self-conscious as they're both still staring at me and barely blinking.

"Mekhi Johnson," Rylie asks moving a little closer.

"I don't know. I didn't ask his last name; we just met this morning," I say looking at her and Nova dropping my bag on the floor next to me.

"Tall, handsome, brown skin brother," Rylie asks looking at me.

"Yeah with a PBS, that's him," I reply in a small voice.

"Lena he's a star on the basketball team! How did you not know that," Nova says giggling.

"I don't know, y'all know I don't be keeping up with that stuff," I say a little relieved and anxious because this dude is somebody.

"Wowwww, chicks stay surrounding that guy. How did you not know? And what is PBS," Rylie says giggling as well.

"Panty Busting Smile," I say giggling with them. So that's what it is, he's super popular and a star. I should have guessed that by how handsome he is and being on the basketball team.

"Girrrlll I'mma have to use that. That's funny! PBS," Rylie says laughing slapping her hand on the table.

"Seriously though, how did you meet him? He's two years over us," Nova says patiently ready to listen to my story and Rylie follows suit.

"I met him here at the coffee shop actually; he caught my umbrella when the wind blew it out my hands," I say to them gaining confidence.

"Sooo he caught your umbrella and was like 'Do you wanna come to my game'? Come on girl, details," Rylie says looking for more information.

"Not exactly. He caught my umbrella and we came in and waited in the long line so we made small talk," I say looking at them.

"You made small talk…" Nova says.

"Well to thank him for catching my umbrella I tried to pay for his stuff…" I say getting a little nervous again.

"Aww girl…" Rylie says.

"Shhhhh," Nova hisses to Rylie.

"Well like I said 'I tried', but he ended up paying for my stuff instead. So he suggested we sit somewhere and chat and we did…that's when he invited me to his game. I told him I don't know yet though," I say finishing my story.

"Wow! How did this make you feel Lena? You didn't feel pressured or anything right," Nova says grabbing my hand.

"Actually no. I was confused at first cuz y'all know the whole thing with Jay but, talking to him I realized that I feel like I wasted about a year worrying about that fool. I actually looked him in the face and I'm so attracted to him it scares me," I say opening up to my two best friends. This feels good and cathartic.

"Wow! This is big," Rylie says smiling.

"Right," Nova and I say together and instantly start laughing.

"What am I supposed to do y'all," I ask my friends pleadingly.

"Well…do you like him," Nova asks.

"How is she supposed to know she just met the man," Rylie says taking the words right out of my mouth.

"I don't know. I mean I did just meet him. I don't even remember seeing him before today," I say backing Rylie.

"That's true. I can't believe you haven't seen him around though. I know this had been a rough year, but girl he's gorgeous," Nova says giggling at the end.

"Yeah he is. And you know I normally would have rejected him; something just feels different," I say to my friends.

"You're right something is different. Today you are wearing a color that is not black, grey, or white for starters," Rylie says looking at me.

"And you've pulled all your hair back into a pony tail; unlike before where you had the curly bang going on," Nova says looking at me too.

"I don't know today just feels a little different. I'm okay with it though," I say smiling at my friends.

"Yeah, we are too," Rylie says smiling at us.

"Feels like I'm becoming myself again," I say looking at my friends.

"Nah chica you're becoming a better version of yourself," Nova says smiling at me.

"Yeah, a better version," I say.

"To better versions of us," Rylie says putting her hand out.

"To better versions of us," Nova and I respond placing our hands on top of hers.

"So are we going to the game or what," Nova asks.

"Hmm, we should have breakfast or brunch first. If he's really that popular I don't want to go running because he calls. Let's show up around half time," I say looking at my friends who both have a shocked look on their faces.

"Sounds good to me," Rylie says recovering.

"Yeah me too," Nova agrees.

"Cool, then that's what we'll do. I'm not sure about after the game though, I guess we can cross that bridge when we get there," I respond feeling very confident and in control of myself.

"Alright Lena," Rylie says clapping and smiling.

"You're back mama," Nova says a little emotional.

"Alright guys, don't let me sink again," I say feeling a little emotional looking at Nova.

"We can't promise to not let you sink, we can promise to be there to pick you up though," Rylie says.

"So this guy better not be playing around," Nova says giggling to lighten the mood.

"Well we don't know what he is but, I won't lose myself this time," I say reaffirming myself to myself and my friends.

      We spend the rest of the evening doing homework and having girl talk. It's been a while since I have really participated in girl talk and I miss it. I text my mom to let her know I'm going to have dinner at the diner across from the coffee shop with Rylie and Nova. I know she's happy because she tells me to take my time coming home. After two hours of homework we go over to the diner and have dinner. I have a huge bowl of macaroni and cheese and a cola with light ice. Rylie has chicken tenders and Nova has a cheeseburger. We always order the same food when we come here, next time I'll get something different.