Chapter 14: Gone
Chris
I've been sitting here
Can't get you off my mind
I've tried my best to be a man and be strong
I've drove myself insane
Wishing I could touch your face
But the truth remains
You're gone...
[Gone: NSYNC]

It was 12:30pm in LA as Chris's body finally touched his bed. He had an eventful day between hanging out with his boy Trey, spending time with his baby girl Royalty until she finally clocked out for the night, and even squeezing in a quick pussy appointment. He was done for the night. He tried to clear his mind all day from thoughts of April but he couldn't. His mind wouldn't allow him to. He had sent the DM and was waiting impatiently for her to respond. Chris knew she had received it because she left it on read. That alone made him groan and stress but what couldhe do. At the end of the day it was his fault to begin with.

Chris thought all hope was gone until an unknown number and text flashed across his screen. From the area code alone he already knew who it was. It was a Jersey area code. He knew then that April had skipped the wedding and found refuge back in her hometown. Chris wished he would've known sooner although he sort of knew that she had to be there. Where else would she go? He now had her phone number at his disposal although he knew he couldn't use it the way he wanted. Chris was happy just to have it. They weren't in a relationship nor were they friends so he had to use it wisely. Chris wiped his hands over his face and finally opened the message.

973-515-5555: Hey Chris this is April. I got your message. I think it's bout time we talk as well. Face to face is fine with me. Let me know when you're free so I can check my schedule and we can pick a date. I'll meet you on your turf.

He read the massage over and over again. The shit felt so foreign. Normally their texts would be filled with emojis and pet names and now it was like talking to a stranger. He knew he had to fix that. If they couldn't be in a relationship they could at least work on their friendship. Friends were how they started out anyway. He immediately texted back once he got his mind right.

310-555-5551: Thanks for hitting me back. As soon as I check my schedule I'll let you know when I'm free. Hope all is well and I'll see you soon hopefully.

He reread the text to make sure his spelling was correct before sending it. He wanted to pour out his heart right then and there but he refrained from doing so. It wasn't the right time. Sending the message and going to his photo gallery in his phone he opened an album that he hadn't opened in a long while. It was an album of April and him. You know candid pictures of her, random photos, vacation photos, and times when they were genuinely happy with one another. One in particular caught his eye and he immediately clicked on it. The picture meant so much to him. It was a candid picture. Chris had plenty of those. He was always snapping when she wasn't looking.

It was a picture of April on the day they had finally made it official. They were friends first of course and started talking and going on dates to see if anything would grow between them. After successfully dating for a few months Chris had finally bit the bullet and asked her to be his girl. That day they had a session at the tattoo parlor because that was the type of shit they were into. That was the many ways they connected. Chris's whole body was his canvas yet April liked to be a bit more discreet in where hers were placed. Any, who he had practically begged her to cook for him because he was so called starved so they stopped at the market to pick up some groceries and went straight to his place.

Once they got to his place he took the food into the kitchen while April went to his bedroom and got comfy as usual. She slipped out of her clothing and changed into a pair sweatpants and looked inside her draw and pulled out one of her many sports bras and changed into it. A draw at Chris's house...yup she had one. They were close friends and were always at each other's place. He even had a draw or two at her place. She took off her ankle socks and slipped into a pair of fuzzy house socks. That was her thing.

By the time she got back downstairs Chris had emptied the bags and put some of the food away and was patiently waiting on her to make her magic in the pans as usual. Sure he loved her cooking but honestly he just wanted to keep her around for a little while longer so he'd do anything to make her stay. He wanted to bask in her ambiance. As usual April walked into the kitchen and placed a chaste kiss on his lips and proceeded to the counter to prep the food. Chris just sat there at the island starring at her in awe as she walked around his kitchen effortlessly grabbing pots and pans out of their places as if it was her kitchen because she knew where everything was.

He watched her cut the onions and green peppers and thinly slice a few boneless chicken breast like she was pro. Everything she did she did it to perfection and he admired that about her. No words were exchanged as the room was filled with a comfortable silence with nothing but thoughts of each other on their brains. They were very much in like with each other and wondered if the other knew. Chris damn sure was very much in like with April. How could he not? He loved her as a friend but wanted more and today he planned on getting exactly what he wanted. April had been that girl next door, stayed in her books, and perfection at its finest but she still knew how to enjoy herself.

She knew how to laugh and oh how he loved her laugh. It was music to his ears. April had a lot going on for herself but she was still a down ass chick. She was his rider way before the dating started. She answered every call and text when he felt down and out, and she'd stop whatever she was doing just to put a smile back on his face. April was loyal, trustworthy, and always kept it real with him even when he didn't want to hear it and he appreciated it because he had a lot of yes men surrounding him. Chris had to make it official with her.

45 minutes later April had served him an Italian chicken sandwich with onions, peppers, homemade French fries, and her famous cheese sauce wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and sliced in half as if he ordered it from the store. The way April cooked and presented her food he could never understand why she was into tech and not a chef because she obviously loved to cook and could do it oh so well. April took a seat beside him and placed a bottle of water in front of him slowly taking in his features.

"Hey Chrissy it looks like you got something on your mind. Care to share" she asked after she finished her silent prayer over her food. He had always hated when people tried to call him Chrissy. Keyword tried because he'd nip that shit in the bud right then and there but when April said it he couldn't and wouldn't dare stop her from saying it. Yet she did know when and where to call him the name. It was sacred only between the 2 of them. She wouldn't dare to call him that outside or in front of his friends.

"You as always" he looked dead at her answering her without hesitation.

April just smiled. "What about me" she asked wondering if he would tell her but knowing him he would. Chris didn't keep anything from her.

"I don't want to be your friend anymore. I mean I do but I don't want to date you either. I mean I do but" Chris rambled on. "Way to go Chris" he said to himself. April took her small hands and gently cupped his face in them not taking her eyes off him not even for a second.

"Chrissy breath it's just me" Chris sighed and slowly blinked relaxing into her soft hands. He was Chris Brown, C Breezy he didn't stumble over words like this. He was a ladies man his swag was never questioned yet he found himself stuck in front of April or rather his Apple. She had become the apple of his eyes. "I won't pull it out of you Chrissy. Whenever you're ready I'm here" she placed a small peck to his nose and went back to eating giving him time to get himself together. Any other chick would be looking at him dumbfounded as soon as he said he didn't want to be their friend anymore let alone date them anymore but April knew it was more to the story. That was another thing he liked about her. She didn't jump to conclusions. She always listened first and then took action if it was needed.

"I don't want to be just your friend anymore or date you for that matter. Apple I want to make it official. I want to be your man and you my woman" Chris finally admitted as his brown orbs searched hers with so much want and need.

"Chrissy all you gotta do is ask bae and I'm yours" she smiled at him. She had been waiting for this day just as long as he had.

"Apple will you be my woman" he asked with nothing but seriousness tossing all his goofiness to the side at the moment.

"I been yours Chrissy. I was wondering when you were going to realize it" she smirked and she had been. Ever since they started dating she hadn't dealt or even attempted to give another man her time or attention. Everything was Christopher Maurice Brown just the way he liked it.

Pulling her into his lap she straddled him as he pushed his plate to the side. He took his hands and cradled her face into them placing his lips on hers as they moved in sync. Taking his tongue and slowly licking her bottom lip asking for entrance she obliged as they shared a passionate breathtaking kiss as a way to seal the deal. She was officially his and he was over the moon. He had finally gotten his girl.

Chris sighed as he remembered that special day the day when everything was right in the world...his world. Now instead of being with her all he could do was reminisce on how they use to be. What they had was now a distant memory. He had royally fucked up and he had no one to blame but himself. It was a reminder of another relationship gone horribly wrong. Yet he knew if she would've stayed he would've never realized just how significant she was to him. Like they say you never miss a good thing till it's gone and that's exactly what she was...GONE.

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Sorry I'm late posting..any who, happy reading😊

Chris seems like he's going through it poor bae😔

Yes him and April will talk but right now she's enjoying Dave and Chris just has to wait for her this time around😝

Your thoughts🤔