YOU'RE BACK! Here's a sweet treat 🍪

:)

Samara

...
...

The air was thick with the sound of laughter, music, and the faint hum of festival chatter, but for me, the world was at a standstill. Everything had stopped. My heart? Definitely skipping beats like it was auditioning for So You Think You Can Dance. Akeem was looking at me. Not just glancing—looking. Those warm, honey-brown eyes locked onto mine like they held some kind of secret, and I couldn't move, couldn't breathe.

Oh my Gosh, do something, Samara. Say hi. Say literally anything!

But nope. My lips stayed sealed as he stood there, hands in his pockets, head tilted slightly like he was waiting for me to speak first. My thoughts were a screaming match between do something! And don't embarrass yourself!

Then, out of nowhere, I blurted, "You look good."

His eyebrows shot up for a fraction of a second before that easy smile of his spread across his face. "Thank you," he said, with a playful lilt. "I guess not too shabby for the princess, huh?"

I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up. "I wouldn't go that far."

He chuckled, shaking his head slightly as if to say there she goes again.

"Well," he said, his gaze still on me, "I didn't think you were coming."

"Yeah," I admitted with a small shrug. "I'm here because of my best friend."

"Lucky me, then." He smiled wider, his tone casual but his words hitting just right. "You having fun?"

I paused, letting my eyes flicker around the festival before landing back on him. "Not anymore..." I smiled, tilting my head. "But maybe I might now."

Oh my Gosh, WHO AM I?! My head was in full freak-out mode, throwing a party complete with a confetti cannon. It's the lights. The smoke. The fried Oreos. The ice cream. Or maybe I've just been possessed by someone cool for once in my life.

He grinned, leaning closer. "Your best friend still around?"

I shook my head, laughing softly.

"Then..." He gestured toward himself with exaggerated flair. "Can shabby old me hang out with the princess?" I raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward the booth where his friends were watching us, very much trying to act like they weren't. "What about your friends?"

He ran a hand down his face, muttering something under his breath before holding up a finger. "Hold on."

He jogged back to them, exchanged a few words I couldn't hear, dapped them up, and jogged right back, hands spread out in mock innocence. "What friends?"

I let out a laugh, shaking my head. "Alright, let's go."

...
...

The basketball booth was alive with the sharp thuds of balls hitting backboards and the occasional swoosh of a perfect shot. I spotted it first, but Akeem was already handing the attendant some cash, grinning like he'd just found his natural habitat.

"You play basketball?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Not officially," he said, rolling a ball between his hands like it was a priceless artefact. "But I've got some hidden talent, I bet I could beat you with my eyes closed."

"Uh-huh," I said, unimpressed.

"Alright, princess, how about a little competition? Winner gets a wish."

"And the loser?"

"Gets to live with defeat and fight another day," he said, winking. I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the grin creeping across my face. "Fine. But when I win, don't cry about it."

I grabbed a ball and spun it on my finger. "I better start brainstorming my wish, then."

We took turns shooting. My first shot sailed cleanly through the hoop, the net barely moving. His... didn't. "Must've been the wind," he muttered, frowning at the ball like it had betrayed him.

"We're indoors," I pointed out, already lining up my next shot. Another perfect swoosh.

By the third round, I'd made every shot, while Akeem had only managed one, and that one barely skimmed the rim.

"You alright over there?" I asked, laughing as he squared up for his next attempt.

"Just giving you a false sense of security," he said.

"Sure," I said, watching as his shot clanged off the backboard and rolled away. "Pressure getting to you?"

His answering glare was more amused than annoyed. "Keep talking, princess. It's cute."

When I sank my final shot with an effortless flick of the wrist, he groaned, running a hand over his face. I couldn't help myself—I did a full-on victory twirl, grinning ear to ear. "In your face!"

Akeem was just standing there, smiling widely, his gaze so warm it made my stomach do somersaults. "Looks like someone owes me a wish," I said, leaning against the booth casually.

"I'll have you know I let you win," he said, handing the ball back to the attendant.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," I teased. He laughed, shaking his head. "So, what's your wish, winner?"

"I'll think about it," I said, "I don't want to waste it on something lame."

"Careful," he said, leaning in just enough to make my heart skip. "I've got a long memory when it comes to favours." I rolled my eyes, but the grin on my face wouldn't budge. The booth attendant cleared his throat, handing me a small basketball with a tiny crown on it. I laughed, showing it off to Akeem.

"Here," I said, handing it to him.

His eyes widened. "You're giving this to me?"

"Yeah, so you can remember me every time you close your eyes."

He laughed, shaking his head. "You got me there, princess. You won."

"Come on, let's see what other trouble you can lose at." I teased as we walked on.

A booth with a giant stuffed strawberry caught my eye almost immediately. My eyes practically sparkled. I tried not to make it obvious, but Akeem noticed.

"You want it?" he asked, already stepping closer to the counter.

"Maybe," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

He smirked. "Alright, princess. Let me handle this."

I crossed my arms, watching as he handed over his money. He missed all 3 targets on his first try, and I couldn't hold back my laughter. "How many does he need to hit for the strawberry?" I ask the attendant. "All three." he says. I cover my mouth in an attempt to contain my laughter

"Don't laugh too hard," he said, stepping back up for another attempt. "I've got this."

"Tell you what. If you win me that strawberry, you can have a wish too."

His expression shifted, determination replacing his playful grin. He lined up on the gun and hit every target with precision. My jaw dropped. The booth attendant handed him the strawberry. Instead of giving it to me right away, Akeem stood there, holding it out just enough to make me think he would. Then, with a teasing smile, he turned and started walking.

I stood there, dumbfounded.

"Akeem!" I called, hurrying after him.

He finally turned back, with a grin that was equal parts smug and playfully boyish, holding the strawberry out with both hands. "For the princess."

I took it, shaking my head with a laugh. "You planned that, didn't you?"

He shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? I was motivated."

"Thanks," I said, clutching it to my chest, my smile growing despite myself. "So... do I get my wish?" he asked, his tone teasing.

"Fine," I said, pretending to be exasperated. "What's your wish?"

"I'll tell you later," he said, echoing my earlier words.

...
...

The smell of fries and sizzling burgers led us to a small food stall. Akeem insisted on ordering, and I didn't argue—mostly because I was too busy trying to figure out why he was so effortlessly charming. "Two lemonades, iced, one beef burger, uhh....one medium portion of the chicken bites and a large order of fries," he told the vendor, glancing at me over his shoulder. "Anything else?"

I shook my head. "That's good." He paid for our food before I could even reach for my wallet.

"I was going to help you pay for that," I protested, crossing my arms.

"Not a chance," he said, flashing me a grin. "You won a basketball game; I won the strawberry. Let me win this one."

I couldn't fight with that, so I just smiled

We found a small table near the stall and grabbed a seat at one of the rickety festival tables. Akeem immediately started dipping the fries into ketchup. I reached for one, and he smirked, holding the basket just out of reach.

"Say please," he teased. I rolled my eyes. "Seriously?"

"Rules are rules," he said, his grin widening.

"Fine. Please."

He handed me the basket, and I grabbed a fry, shaking my head. "You're unbelievable."

"Unbelievably nice, right?" I chuckled. "Sure, we'll go with that."

"Alright," Akeem said, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. "How many fries do you think you can stuff in your mouth at once?"

"Please," I said, rolling my eyes. "You don't want this smoke."

"Oh, I do," he challenged, grabbing a handful of fries.

Akeem stuffed his face with as many fries as he could at once, and I burst into a fit of laughter. "What are you doing?"

"Winning," he mumbled, his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. "Alright, bet!" I said, grabbing a handful and doing the same.

"You look ridiculous," I mumbled through a mouthful of fries.

"You're one to talk," he shot back, his voice muffled.

We both ended up choking on laughter, turning away to spit fries into napkins. My stomach hurt from laughing so much.

"Okay, you win," I said, holding up my hands in surrender.

"You're right," he said, smirking. "I don't want this smoke."

As we caught our breath, Akeem wiped at his mouth with a napkin before leaning across the table. "Hold still," he said, swiping who knows what from the corner of my lips. The touch was brief but enough to send my heart into overdrive. He lingered for a moment, his gaze meeting mine, before pulling back with a small smile.

"You had something," he said simply as if that explained the way my stomach was doing somersaults.

"Thanks," I murmured, suddenly very interested in my lemonade.

...

...

The strawberry toy swung from my hands as we walked back to my dorm. The streetlights cast a soft glow over the path, and the festival sounds faded into the background.

"Alright," Akeem said, eyeing the strawberry. "How many times are you gonna smile at that thing?" I grinned, holding it out like it was a trophy. "As many times as I want. You've got to admit—it's cute."

"It's alright," he said, chuckling. "But I'm cuter, right?"

"Debatable," I said, trying not to laugh. We walked in comfortable silence for a while before he glanced at me. "Thanks for the basketball, by the way. I'll put it to good use."

"Thanks for the strawberry," I said, holding it up again. "I'll... stare at it every day, I guess." He laughed, shaking his head. "You're something else, princess."

As we reached the steps of my dorm, I slowed, unsure of how to end the night. Akeem stepped closer, the air between us shifting.

"I had fun tonight. More fun than I've had in a while." I said, feeling shy all of a sudden

"Well I'm glad. I had fun too," he said, his smile gentle. "So, what's your wish?"

I thought for a moment. "I'm going to save it for later." He nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Can I tell you mine?"

"Sure."

"I would like to see you again princess."

My breath caught, and I stammered, "Y-you don't have to wish for that."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "No?"

"You kind of have a way of... always finding me." I coughed awkwardly, trying to play it off. "You know, like a stalker."

He stepped forward leaning closer, "Can I see you again?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded, my breath catching. "Yes."

As I stepped back, my foot caught the edge of the step, and I stumbled. Akeem caught me instantly, his hands steadying me. His grip was firm but gentle, and I found myself flush against him, his warmth wrapping around me like a cocoon.

"Careful," he murmured.

I looked up, my heart racing as his face hovered inches from mine and I froze, caught between the intensity of his stare and the warmth of his hands. I didn't move, didn't breathe. The pull between us was magnetic, and for a second, I thought he might kiss me. His face was so close, his eyes searching mine. Time slowed when he leaned in, his lips just inches from mine, and my breath hitched, my heart thundering in my chest.

"Princess. Can I...." he whispered, his gaze dropping to my lips.

The sound of voices bustling through the dorm entrance broke the moment, and we both stepped back, the charged energy between us lingering.

"I should go," I said softly. He nodded

"Get home safe,"

"Thanks, I will." He replied, his voice equally quiet.

I climbed the steps slowly, glancing back once to see him still watching me, a small smile playing on his lips.

When I reached my room, I leaned against the door, clutching the strawberry toy and letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I can't deny it anymore.

I like Akeem.

...

...

...

Thank you for readinggg!!!!

Until next time.....

Keep scrolling....?

(~‾ ▿ ‾)~