Are we done here?I groan, leaning back into my chair and stretching my legs beneath the table. My heel nicks Younes' shin at the action, causing him to throw a glare in my direction; I can only smile sheepishly, massaging circles against the skin of my stomach. The button of my jeans strain against its constraint, and I know it has nothing to do with the sizing, but more so to do with my growing stomach.

I'm bloated and stuffed to the brim.

And if I had to take one more bite of my kofte I think I'd throw it all backup. We were seated at the far end of the dimly-lit restaurant-against one of the many floor-to-ceiling windows-with a stunning view of the high street, lit up by numerous colours.

You barely touched your food, he sighs in exasperation, turning to grumble under his breath. Next time, you're treating me.

Heh? Do you know how much you've fed me today? Yousef, we've been to two bloody restaurants before this! I refute, staring at him in disbelief. Though my frustration was short-lived when I found myself stretching a little too far, the band of my jeans digging into my skin. I get it, you're hungry, you can eat an arm right now, but I'm done.

I knew I should've told one of the guys to tag along, he mutters under his breath, expression pouty.

I gasp mockingly, raising my hand to my mouth, You have friends? Well, if that isn't news to me!

He throws a chip in my direction; I snort in amusement and dodge to the right, watching the fried potato fly over my shoulder and hit a fellow customer in the back of the head. The choked sound that resonates from the back of my throat has me turning in my seat and sitting up straight, struggling to retain a laugh when I see Younes' face. He's attempting-keyword being attempt-to hold it together, but his cheeks are puffed out and red, and the vein running down his temple has begun to make an appearance.

It isn't long before he bursts out laughing, slapping the table with his palm. Clearly, he has no respect for anyone else as he continues to laugh. I slouch into my seat, bringing my hand over my face as I look down to avoid the stares.

You need to grow up, Younes, I hiss, cheeks flushing a rosy-red. People are staring.

Either I had a thing for attracting unnecessary attention, or all my friends were big on gestures and silly actions-I was leaning towards the latter; after all, I was surrounded by idiots.

As if they weren't staring before, he comments, turning in his seat to glance around the restaurant. I follow his gaze, noticing the few people that remained in their seats; it was nearing midnight so it meant the place would be closing soon. We're the only brown people here. Big twenty-first century and shadha manush still pretend as though they've never seen anyone that has more melanin than them.

And who's fault is that? ...I don't know if you've noticed, but we are quite literally in a predominantly white area, I roll my eyes, leaning forward to rest my chin in my palm.

He makes a face and before I can blink, a chip finds itself hitting my forehead, bang on in the middle. Wasteman. Speaking of, tell me about this white guy you seem to be in love with.

I tense up at his words, brows furrowing in confusion; he can't be talking about-

Judah, was it? Hmm, he looks familiar. Where did you say he went again?Younes asks, reaching for his drink.

Judah.

I hadn't seen him-or heard from him as a matter of fact-in over a month. We've had no contact, I haven't seen him at university or even run into him at his apartment whenever Valentino invited me over and if I was being honest, it didn't make me feel any better. I know we agreed to spend time apart, to give each other space, and I know I shouldn't have regretted any of my decisions, but the thought of him with someone else didn't sit right with me. He was never mine to begin with, and he certainly wasn't mine now, so why did it hurt so much to think of him with someone else that wasn't me?

Not a day went by where I didn't think of him-where I didn't wonder if he was holding up okay; if he was taking care of himself-and nor did it help the growing ache in my chest. I've never wanted to be so close to him, yet he seems so far away.

I swallow the growing lump in my throat, I'm... I'm not in love with him. How did-how did you even come to that conclusion?

He flashes me a knowing smile and taps his nose. Do you miss him?All I can do is simply stare at him and blink. When I don't answer his question, he continues to speak, Is there a void in your heart that needs to be filled? Is it because of him? Because of Judah?

I don't know what you want me to say,I say honestly, fiddling with my thumbs.

Do you long for his presence? Or maybe his companionship? Do you feel safe with him?

Where are you going with this, Younes?

He shrugs, Think about it. Maybe you've noticed it, maybe you haven't, but you're a better version of yourself when you're in love...

There is no absolutely no way-

I'm too hung up on Younes' words to notice the shadow that overcomes our table or the way his eyes shift from me to the person, or rather persons, beside me. Confusion overtakes my expression and as I shift in my seat, ready to be greeted by a waiter ready to kick us out, I instead find myself staring at my best friend.

And his brother.

A gasp gets caught in the back of my throat when I meet the very stormy eyes I can't seem to forget; I don't even acknowledge Valentino, standing abruptly as I bask in Judah's presence. I don't pay attention to Valentino waving a hand in front of my face, calling my name.

I can't seem to look away as Judah holds my gaze, his stunning eyes wide and unblinking, lips slightly parted. He looks better, healthier, and still beautiful.

And all of a sudden, everything comes rushing back.

Instead, I find myself whispering a soft, Hi, Judah.

BTS:

- coBie sad cause his girl but not his girl finds another man funny

- younes grumbling to himself cause now not only does he have to deal with aiyana, but two little white boys too 🙄

- valentino regrets every decision he's ever made at that moment; he knew bringing Judah along was a bad idea

- aiyana is deffo wondering if this is a coincidence or nah.

- aiyana and judah have lit rally forgotten about their surroundings atp; it's only them in their own little world rn ☹️

i hope this gave y'all some sort of satisfaction, bc now that i'm deeping it, i wanna finish this book asapppp gehsjenen

n e ways, pls lemme know what you thought!! don't forget to vote and comment xoxox