C H A P T E R T H R E E
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An entire week passed and on Friday, Normani had just exited the apartment -- on her way to skit down the stairs to catch the bus that passed by campus on time -- when she heard Anika calling her from the front door. Normani spun on her heels and faced her best friend.

"You forgot this." Anika gestured to the battered white iPhone 5s dangling between her fingers.

"Wow." Normani whispered to herself. "I'm such a ditz sometimes."

"You said it babe, not me." Anika replied with a cheeky smile.

"Thanks, Nika." Normani said gratefully and took her weathered phone in her hand. She really needed a new phone but she hadn't quite put aside enough money to get one yet. She was adamant on buying her own phone -- rather than her parents doing it for her.

"Remember, I'm going out tonight so don't wait up on me." Normani reminded her.

"Ahh yes, you're meeting your new boo thang." Anika said with the same cheeky smile that she'd been sporting for the past minute.

Normani felt a smile plant itself against her lips and she couldn't contain it as it spread.

"Look -- you're even blushing awwww!" Anika cooed and pinched Normani's cheeks

"Shut up." Normani said and slapped her hands off of her face. "I gotta go."

"Text me, okay?" Anika said.

"I will."

"Okay, love you."

"Love you too Nika."

Keith had asked Normani out on a date and she was set to meet him after dance practice. Keith had said that the restaurant he was taking her to was a bit more on the 'upperscale' side of grandiose and therefore they'd have to dress to the nines. Normani was a little nervous but she was mostly excited at the prospect of meeting up with Keith again. They'd been texting back and forth for the past week and every time his name popped up on her notifications, her stomach filled with butterflies. Keith was funny and sweet in his texts to her and she often looked forward to the end of the day, where she'd come home from classes and he'd be home from work and they'd get a chance to communicate without the obligations and responsibities of the day demanding their attention.

Normani planned to take a cab back to their apartment and take a quick shower and get ready for her date after dance practice. Keith was going to pick her up at 19:30 and she planned to be home from dance by 18:30. Anika had a night class and would only be home after Normani had gone on her date.

It was difficult to focus on her classes that day because she kept on thinking to the evening that lay ahead. Classes passed by in a blur and before she knew it, she was on her way to her dance class, hosted in the private studio she was a member of. It was a subway ride away from campus, on 36th street in Midtown Manhattan. Monica's School of Dance was a black-owned dance studio that boasted the status of being one of the best hip-hop intensive studios in the tristate area. Normani had been dancing there for a year and she loved every moment of it. Her specialty was hip hop but she also did lyrical. The studio also offered ballet lessons but Normani wasn't fond of the art form.

The dance studio consisted of a double building, decked with a reception area, three studios, a small gym and a locker room completed with showers. It had a total of two hundred students, between the ages of fifteen and twenty two. The Friday 14:00 timeslot was always taken by the twenty year olds for studio B, the fifteen year-olds in studio A and the nineteen year olds in studio C. Normani entered the building and breathed the atmosphere in. This was her favourite place in all of New York. She loved the reception area that boasted a ton of awards on the walls, along with beautiful life-size portraits of dancing students. She could smell and taste the art in the place and it made her feel at home.

She greeted the receptionist and made her way to studio B. She'd already dressed in her dance clothes after class so she got straight to warming up. Their dance instructor, a woman named Imani entered the studio soon after and they got to work. Every year, the company hosted a show. All of the respective classes were required to prepare a group dance and a select few were chosen to perform duets and trios and very few were selected for a solo. In their class, Peaches had been chose for a solo and Normani had been chosen to perform a lyrical duet with a boy named Joachim. She was extremely grateful for the opportunity as the annual shows were a thing of major importance and getting chosen to perform a solo or duet was a big deal. Today, they'd be working on the group dance, which was a high-difficulty hip hop routine. There were twelve people in the class and they all stood in formation to start.

Working with Imani was tedious work sometimes because she was an absolute perfectionist and when she wasn't happy with something, she wouldn't let it go until she was happy. They'd sometimes practice past their 18:00 slot just to perfect a move or half-count transition. Normani usually didn't mind because she was as much of a perfectionist as her dance instructor but she absolutely had to be out of there by 18:00 that day. But by the looks of things, it didn't seem likely that she'd leave at 18:00.

At 17:50 Imani was still barking about a half count they weren't executing right and Normani knew right then and there that she could kiss her date goodbye. Imani dismissed them for a water break five minutes later and she took the liberty of fishing her phone out of her bag so she could text Keith.

Normani: hey Keith, it totally destorys me to have to say this but can we take a rain check on tonight?

Keith: what happened?

Normani: my dance lesson is running overtime. i won't be able to make it to you by 7:30. i am so sorry 😔 i can't leave the studio until my dance instructor gives us the okay to. fuck i feel so bad 💔

Keith: no, it's alright Normani. it was just a dinner res-- we could always reschedule. i can cancel the reservation, but i'd still like to meet up with you tonight if that's alright with you?

Normani: i'd love to see you after practice :)

Keith: great. send me your location, i'll come pick you up.

Normani: you don't have to 🙈

Keith: i want to ;)

Normani: [sent location]

Keith: thanks . text me once you're done okay?

Normani: will do ☺

Keith: i can't wait to see you.

Normani felt her heart sky rocket to the roof at that last text and she smiled wildly. She had to resume with practice then so she sent him a quick gtg and got back to practice.

Practice finally ended around 20:00 and by then, everyone was beyond exhausted. Imani still wasn't entirely happy, but she'd relented and called an end to dance practice. Normani made her way to the showers, glad that she always kept a small bar of soap, lotion and an extra comb and mini-towel in her dance bag. She showered quickly and dressed back into the outfit she'd worn to school: a pair of black skinny jeans, a white tank tee and a denim jacket with white Nike Air Maxes. She hoped she looked at least a little decent for tonight and she felt slightly uncomfortable at how she had to rush to get ready while working with such small amounts of essentials. She'd been looking forward to starting a long, hot bath -- lathering her body with her favourite scented body gel, shaving her legs and moisturising in sweet-smelling cocoa butter lotion and wearing a sexy black dress with heels with her hair curled to finish it off. Needless to say, she felt a little insecure at how that plan hadn't materialised and she'd had to settle for plan B.

Keith showed up some fifteen minutes later, in a white 2016 BMW M3. He stepped out of the car and Normani felt her knees weaken. He looked absolutely divine in a pair of casual khaki pants, an open-necked button up and leather shoes. His skin looked radiant in the night and the expression he wore on his face -- half smile with raised eyebrows made her heart flutter.

Normani got the feeling that he was the kind of man that was always in a suit -- even for casual situations. She walked down the stairs of the building and walked into his embrace. The feel of his hard body against hers and the smell of his cologne made her a little weak. His strong arms rested snugly against her waist and she melted into him a little

"Hi." She whispered against him.

"Hey," he bellowed back.

She pulled back and he looked her up and down and smiled.

"You look gorgeous."

"Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself." Normani said and let her eyes not-so discreetly scan his body. Keith chuckled lightly and took Normani's hand in his own. He led her to the passenger side of the car, opened the door for her and closed it once she was in. He swiftly got into the diver's side and started the car.

"Where to?" Normani asked.

"I know a little restaurant up on 42nd, they serve the best organic burgers and fries -- none of that fatty stuff made at normal restaurants."

Both Normani and Keith preferred to eat healthier and although they weren't full on vegans or vegeterains, they did enjoy an organic alternative.

Keith parked his car near the side walk and opened Normani's door for her. They entered the little place, that was nestled between an ice-cream shop and a second-hand book store. It was a warm,dry night and Keith led her inside of the establishment. They were seated in an intimate corner that had a view of the city that bustled on outside. The place was illuminated with soft candle lighting.

Normani sat across Keith at their booth and both of them ordered chicken burgers and a generous portion of fries. Keith also ordered a bottle of chilled wine and they both sipped on the mild substance while they waited for their food.

"How was dance?" Keith.

"Long and hellish." Normani responded. "Imani was extra godzilla-like today."

"I thought you liked that about her." Keith responded with a raised eyebrow, remembering the things she'd said in her texts.

"I do usually, but just not today. We missed that reservation which I still feel so terrible about."

"I'm actually glad I had to cancel. I like this better. I only realised later today how the restaurant I'd booked for was too intense for a first date-- this is much better."

"You're just saying that." Normani said back.

"No. I'm quite serious." Keith reassured her. Normani smiled in relief and Keith felt his heart flutter at the sight. Normani must've possessed the most beautiful smile he had ever come across.

"But enough about me, how was work?" Normani deflected.

"Tiring."

"But it must be totally cool to be in charge of such a large company at such a young age." Normani said. Remembering the things he'd told her.

"It does have it's perks, Keith said with a small smile, "but it is very demanding."

Ikande Tech Corp was a software company Keith's father had started in Nigeria. Keith was given the reins to the New York branch as soon as he'd finished with his degree the previous year. It was a position he had been groomed for since he was born. After completing twelve years of high school in a private British school in Nigeria, he'd attended college in the USA. As soon as he graduated he took over his father's company. It was a demanding role but he had been groomed for it for as long as he could remember.

"Yeah but you're doing great." Normani said and winked at him.

"How would you know that?" Keith said with a chuckle.

"I just sense it." She said dramatically and giggled right afterwards.

The waiter approached them with their food and they ate and spoke, the conversation jumping from one topic to the next.

"What's Houston like?" Keith asked her sometime into the night.

"Homey." Normani said with a small smile. "It's definitely much more slower-paced than New York. The people there are less busy and less impersonal and they're happier too. No offense to this place here but the fast pace makes this city very lonely and detatched. Houston is like the complete opposite."

"So why'd you come all the way up here?"

"Dance." Normani replied. "Attending NYU has always been my biggest dream. It does come with a price though, because I'm so far away from my family."

"Is family an important part of your life?" Keith asked.

"Ooh yes, definitely. Family is everything to me. How about you?"

"We Ikande's are very big on family. My father aims to keep his business within the family which is why he handed the reins to a twenty-three year old rather than a stranger , even if they were more experienced."

"So, are you the only one here in New York?" Normani asked.

"Yes. Everyone else is back in Nigeria." Keith confirmed.

"What's your family like?" She asked, before taking a small sip of her wine. She wasn't of drinking age yet but no one seemed to care. Plus, she looked like a twenty-one year old anyways.

Keith's lips broke out into a beautiful smile at that question and he seemed to light up. "They're a delightful bunch of people. We belong to the Yoruba tribe and Yoruba people love their parties , their music, their bold clothing and their God Almighty. I think I'm the most boring one out of all of them, I'm a hundred degrees calmer."

"You're anything but boring." Normani interjected.

"Thank you." Keith said back. "My little sister Matilda wouldn't be inclined to agree with you but thank you."

"So your family is religious?"

"Very. I remember every Sunday I had to be up by 05:00 for church. When I was still living in Nigeria we had family Bible study every night and weekly prayer. I don't know if my parents still enforce that or not but I used to hate it."

"How could you hate Bible study?" Normani said in mock shock.

"It always took forever and it was boring. You know how we are as teenagers."

"Mmmm. My mother used to force me to go to Bible study at our church every single Wednesday and the lady who led it was always convinced I was up to no good -- so she was on my case a lot. It was annoying as hell. Do you believe in God though?"

Keith nodded, "belief in God was engrained in my upbringing. I'm not as zealous as my parents and I should go to church more often and but I do believe in Him."

"Me too." Normani said. "But it's quite ironic how considering how we were brought up -- the way we met was absolutely sinful." Normani said with wide eyes.

Keith let out a boisterous laugh at that, the vibrations of his laugh sent a fleeting sensation down her spine. He was so beautiful when he laughed, she acknowledged.

"That is true but I wouldn't have it any other way." Keith said in a voice that was very close to a whisper, eyes dead-set on hers. Normani clamped her thighs shut.

"So, what's your family like?" Keith asked, completely changing the topic like he hadn't just seduced Normani's panties off.

"They're sweet people." Normani simply said, regaining her composure. "My mom is like the epitomy of Southern hospitality. My dad is quiet and hardworking. I miss them when I'm here."

"Do they support your dancing?"

"Definitely. They knew that dancing was my passion even when I was little. They never tried to dissuade me from pursuing dance and in fact -- I've been taking dance for fifteen years now. I never wanted to be anything else but a dancer and they supported me from the get go."

"That must be so nice." Keith remarked. "My parents only care about the affairs of the business. The fact that I enjoy working with software is an advantage to me because I wanted to be groomed for the position. I like being the leader in all situations so it's perfect for me. I would've been in an unfortunate situation if I liked something else."

"Definitely." Normani said.

×

All too soon, the night came to an end and Keith had driven Normani to her apartment. He walked her up the stairs and stood beside her at the door.

"Thanks for tonight Keith, I had an amazing time."

"Thank you for the pleasure of your company." Keith said back with a dazzling smile. She stood on the tips of her toes to hug him and wished with every fibre of her being that he would kiss her. She had missed his lips and had found herself craving the feel of them all night long. She'd never craved anything that badly before.

"Goodnight." Keith said and withdrew from their hug and stood up straight. Normani felt disappointed for a second until she decided to get what she wanted. She hooked her arms around him and reached up, placing a kiss on his lips. Keith responded instantly by holding her waist in his strong grip and deepening the kiss. Normani was tempted to hook her legs around his waist but she knew that was taking it too far for a first date. She settled for grabbing one of his hands and leading it to the curve of her buttock. Keith took the initiative to cup one of her butt cheeks and pulled her closer to him. Normani moaned into his mouth as a response -- in both surprise and pleasure and felt her thighs heat up. Keith pulled away first and Normani looked up at him with, wide glazed eyes. Her heart was pounding in her ears and her nipples had hardned like rocks. She never got worked up this easily usually but Keith had that thing about him.

"Goodnight," Normani breathed back turned to face the door and with shaky hands, she fumbled with her key and once the door opened she spun back to take one more look at Keith.

"Take care, Normani. I'll text you." He told her.

"You too." She managed to mumble back and stepped inside the apartment. She locked the door and went into her bedroom. As soon as she closed the door she sunk against it and placed a hand on her chest, where her heart had begun to slow down its erratic beating and sighed contentedly.

btw i was listening to 'he like that' when i wrote that last paragraph & i just wanna say Normani's voice in that song is the reason why i am a raging homosexual 👀.

i hope you enjoyed this chapter! 💞 if you liked it, please give it a vote & share your thoughts in the comments ;)