Arthur Sakho

I curled up on my couch with a blanket and my Kinesiology and Physics of Ballet book open. I had a pencil in hand and the assignment I was supposed to be working on. The television was turned on because I needed some background noise. Some comedy was on. I paused working on my assignment as I laughed at a lame joke someone on the screen said.

My pencil tapped gently on my book as I turned my attention back to the task at hand. My phone rang. The caller I.D. said Tall Dark and Handsome. I answered immediately.

"Hellooo," I said.

"You are way too happy for 11 at night," he said, but his voice sounded happy too. Probably because I was happy. Happiness was infectious. "What are you doing?"

"Working on a homework assignment," I said.

"Still? I thought you'd be finished hours ago."

I shrugged even though he couldn't see it and put the end of the pencil - the end with the eraser - in my mouth. "I'm good at procrastinating."

"I've never been good at that," his deep, sexy voice said. His voice gave me tingles.

"What? Procrastinating?"

"Yeah. I always had to finish my assignments right away or it would weigh on my mind. Normally, I would have all my assignments done Friday night, but I ended up hanging out with you all weekend - which I really liked by the way."

"You're such a nerd," I teased, but also it was attractive how nerdy he was. I didn't know that was something I would find attractive.

"I admit it," he said. "I hardly ever watch t.v. or play video games. Most of my free time is spent reading."

"Really? What kind of things do you like to read?"

"Scifi is my favorite, but I like all genres. I'll read anything."

"Anything? Romance novels?"

"Sure. Some of those are really good."

"Have you ever read anything by Holly Emily Benito?"

"No, but I know of her. She is extremely popular right now. There was a couple of movies made of her books and another is on the way. Why? Is she good? Should I read her books?"

"She's my mom." I almost giggled with my excitement, but managed to contain it to just a wide grin. I was proud of her and always got this way when I revealed it. I didn't reveal it a lot. I only told people I completely trusted. She wanted to keep it secret. She didn't think she would be so popular if people knew she was a black woman from Africa. I hoped most people wouldn't care, but it was hard to tell.

"What?" he asked in disbelief.

"I mean, it's her pen name and not a lot of people know it's her, but yeah. That's where all our money comes from. Most people assume my dad just makes good money and the rest of our wealth comes from good investments, but really it's from my mom."

"Wow. I'll definitely have to read her works now."

"She writes great sex scenes."

"Arthur!"

"What?"

"Is that really something you should be saying about your mom?"

"It's true though," I said.

"But don't you ever wonder if she writes great sex scenes because of her experiences with your dad?"

"What?! Ewwww. Don't put that thought into my head."

"Okay. I'm sorry. I retract that," he said. "But they did have 5 kids," he mumbled.

"Stop it. Let's change the subject. How'd it go with your family?" I put my book, assignment and pencil on the floor next to the couch. I could finish it up first thing in the morning. I covered myself more fully with the soft blanket and shifted down so I was fully stretched out on the couch with my head on the armrest.

"I called both of my sisters and told them I am bi," he said. "They both said 'okay'. That means they accept it. I think."

"I'd say so," I said. I turned off the t.v. and looked up at my ceiling. "Don't overthink things."

"You're right. My friend Alex was really excited. It's rare for him to get that excited."

"And your other friend, Vincent? How'd he take it."

"He accepted it once he knew you were rich. His family has brainwashed him into thinking everyone is out for his money and honestly, the girls he dated in highschool were so that only solidified his ideas. I hope he meets someone nice and genuine who can change his mind."

We talked more about nothing important just because neither of us wanted to hang up. His voice was deep and soothing. It made me feel safe. I could listen to his voice forever. My eyes slowly closed, but I wasn't asleep. I still listened to that hypnotic voice.

My alarm went off right by my ear. It startled me so much I sat up straight on the couch and the blanket fell from my shoulders. I couldn't recall actually hanging up with Trevon last night. I must have fallen asleep while we talked. My phone battery was only at 7%. I went into my bedroom and plugged it in before I went through my morning routine. After breakfast, I quickly finished my assignment. I probably should have spent more time on it, but that was okay. I didn't really need to get an A on that assignment.

I grabbed my phone and went to my classes. I didn't even think about Alice until I walked into the studio.

"Alice is telling everyone you stole her boyfriend again," Samantha said.

"Doesn't she realize that makes her look bad?" I asked. "Like she can't hold onto her man?"

Samantha shrugged. "It doesn't matter. No one believes her. Well, I think some of the freshmen believe her, but who cares about them?"

I scanned the studio quickly. The hard floors, the bars, the mirrors. Alice had one of her legs up on the bar and stretched. Two freshmen girls were on either side of her.

I walked across the studio floor to Alice and said, "I didn't steal your boyfriend." Several heads turned our way, but I didn't care. Better to clear it up now.

"Really?" She brought her leg down and turned to face me fully. "Because Saturday morning when I went to his apartment, you were there naked."

The freshmen on either side of her gasped as if that was the most horrible thing these precious, sheltered teenagers had ever heard.

"I wasn't naked," I said, "and he had already broken up with you by that point. Why were you coming to his apartment in the first place? Are you a stalker?"

Even more of the dancers stopped with their stretching or conversations to watch us. Her eyes darkened and her breath quickened. I knew I was getting to her.

"He broke up with me Friday night and you were at his apartment Saturday morning. Don't you think that's a little too soon for you to be naked in his apartment? How long have you and him been a thing? How long was he cheating on me?"

I rolled my eyes. "He never cheated on you, you poor precious deluded child." Her lips pinched tight. She really didn't like that. "I literally met him for the first time Friday night after the performance. He already planned to break up with you long before I came into the picture. He gave you a yellow rose. That symbolizes friendship," I said to those around us so it would be perfectly clear.

The people around us broke out in whispers. Some nodded their heads with my words.

"You stole my boyfriend last year too," she said.

"Sweet stars, skies and bees, Alice, we've been over this so many times. I did not. I never saw him again after he broke up with you and I was already in a serious relationship at the time. I didn't want your man. I didn't like your man."

"You like my current man," she said.

"He's not your current man. He was quite clear that he broke up with you. I can call him now to confirm it and let everyone hear if that's what you really want and yes I like him. That doesn't mean I stole him from you though. You ruined your relationship with him all on your own, swee...precious." I better not call anyone sweetie anymore except for Trevon. My body started to get a little hot when I remembered how his body reacted when I called him sweetie. I definitely was going to reserve that only for him.

Alice looked at me like her eyes could cut into me. They couldn't. Then her expression quickly changed to the fakest smile I had ever seen in my beautiful life.

"Fine," she said. "You win. You didn't steal him from me." She nodded her head towards the door indicating she wanted me to follow her. I did. When we were out of earshot of everyone else she whispered, "Don't think you've won. He's just experimenting with you. He'll come back to me. I'll give him time."

Bitch, what?

But she was already walking back to everyone else and the studio quieted as Mrs. Madsen entered the studio. I remained quiet and went and found a spot by Danny. It wasn't over though. Alice could be a silent observer of mine and Trevon's relationship for now, but I would be watching her. There was no way she would steal my man from me. Especially since he already knew she was crazy.