"Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition." ~Robert A. Heinlein

• • •

We all decide to head out in Rani's car and go to Bittersweet, our favourite hang out spot.

We enter the café/diner laughing at a joke Rolo just made.

Making our way to our favourite booth at the back, I'm stopped by the sound of my name being called.

"Keziah?"

I turn around to find Abel, Raphael, Israel and two other girls seated with them.

I bristle at the sight of the girls hand on Abel's bicep, the feeling of happiness completely draining from my body.

"Abel. Looks like your having fun here so I'll leave you be." I say coldly before walking to my booth.

"Geez Keziah, I can smell your jealousy from here." Says Rolo.

I roll my eyes. "I'm not jealous you idiot."

"Uh huh, then why are you pouting?"

"Did you see that girls hand on his arm?! I knew it was too good to be true."

"You're being dramatic Kez, she's probably just a groupie. I mean your man is fine." States Rani.

"That probably didn't help Rani." Says Ana.

"He's coming this way just a heads up." Rolo points out.

All of a sudden, I get the familiar whiff of cinnamon and Sandalwood.

"You've got to stop walking away from me Brown Eyes." Abel says as he slides into the space next to me.

Behind him, Raphael and Israel follow suit.

Instead of answering him, I focus on the menu even though I know it like the back of my hand. Real mature, I know.

"I know you don't use the menu anymore Keziah so what's wrong?" He questions.

He honestly must get tired of asking me this all the time.

I place it down on the table harshly before turning to face him. "Who was that girl?"

"The one sitting with us? Honestly, I don't even know. She just walked up to our table and sat down as if she knew us. It was-. Wait a second, are you jealous?" He asks with a smirk.

I shove him hard almost pushing him out of the booth. "No!" I exclaim. "Why would I be?"

"I think you are but I don't mind. You know why?" He says before leaning towards me. "Because it's hot."

This time, I hit him playfully on his arm while he chuckles at me. He puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.

I look back at my friends to find them deep in conversation before Israel asks me a question. "So, um where is Evelyn then?"

I internally smile. "Oh, she's probably at home or with Eliza today. Why?"

"No reason." He says before looking out the window.

I focus my attention on Raphael and Ana to see them whispering to one another as if it's only them. I can so see them together.

Looking at Rolo, I see him balancing a straw on top of his lips while Rani tried to knock it off. He really does act like a child sometimes.

Raphael clears his throat to gather everyone's attention.

"So I'm having a party tonight and you guys should come. Bring Evelyn and Eliza too." He states simply.

"Count me in." Says Rani.

"I second that." Rolo agrees.

"Yeah sure." Ana adds.

Everyone looks to me. "I'm not really a big fan of parties, you know that."

Abel turns on the puppy dog eyes with the pouty lips that make me want to kiss him. Again. "Please Brown Eyes. For me?" If he wasn't so cute, I promise I would say no. But I can't resist him; it's becoming an issue.

"Fine." I grumble out loud.

Abel leans down to my ear. "I'm glad I get to spend more time with you later on."

Unexpectedly, he kisses me on the cheek before returning to his food.

I sit there in shock from the small action while Abel seems unaffected. Oh boy, what am I gonna do?

After eating, we say goodbye to Abel, Raphael, Israel and Rolo who decided to stay with them.

We make it back to my house at about 3 giving us time to get ready before the party at 8.

"We should probably call Evelyn and Eliza to let them know tonights plans." I suggest while walking to the living room.

"Good idea, I'll call Eliza and you call Evelyn." Says Ana. I'm so happy shes going to talk to Eliza. Things are still a bit strained between us and haven't spoken to her properly since she told me how she felt. It's not because she likes him that things are like this, but its because I notice her either looking at him in a certain way or trying her hardest to be physically close to Abel. She told me she would step back and I have yet to see that. Luckily, Abel either doesn't seem to notice or he just ignores it.

"When are you and Eliza going to patch things up?" Asks Rani.

"You never even told us what happened you know." Staes Ana.

"It's stupid."

Rani rolls her eyes. "Just tell us Keziah geez."

"Eliza told me she likes Abel and since then, I've noticed her trying to get closer to him even though she said she wouldn't. And before you ask, yes it annoys me because I don't want Abel with anyone else. And yes, I know I have no right to feel this way but I just cant help it." I exclaim all in one breath.

"Oh girl you have it bad." Rani says.

"This is probably the most you've said about how your feeling towards Abel. It's definitely progress. Why don't you just tell him how you feel?" Ana questions.

"Are you for real? That's way too scary.
He might have stopped liking me by now and then where would I be? Embarrassed and rejected. No thanks." I say.

"Fine fine. Don't bite my head off for it, it was only a suggestion." States Ana.

"I know i-" I begin talking before I'm interrupted by a loud voice yelling my name whilst running towards me.

"Keziah!" Shouts Nolan. "I want you to meet my friends Tristan and Tatianna."

"Hi Keziah and Keziahs friends!" They say in unison.

"Nice to see you guys again." I state while ruffling Tristans hair.

"You already know my friends?" Nolan asks.

"Yeah, they're Abels brother and sister."

"Is Abel the boy your dating then?"

"N-no! he's just a friend Nolan." How does he even what dating is?

"Yeah but my brother says that you'll be more than friends soon because he likes you." Tatianna says softly.

Knowing that Abel talks about me even to his little siblings fills me with joy.

"Okay enough talking about Abel and Keziah. Lets go and play!" Exclaims Nolan.

They all run out of the living room giggling and laughing with one another.

"They are the cutest kids ever." Says Ana.

"Way cuter than my snot nosed brother." Rani adds. Her brother is 14 years old and goes out of his way to annoy her. Its actually pretty funny to watch.

Ana slaps her hands together. "Anyway, lets go and get ready. We have a party to attend." Ana adds excitedly.

Looking through my wardrobe, I pick up two options: a cherry red bodycon dress that reaches my knees or a white skater skirt paired with a mesh white short sleeved top which has roses on it.

"I definitely think you should go with the dress. When your man sees you in that, he won't be able to remove his eyes." Rani says.

"I actually agree with Rani for once and besides, you have the perfect figure for it."

"Alright, the dress it is."

I sit down at my table to allow Rani to do my makeup because let's be honest, me and makeup just don't mix. I only know the basics and even then, I don't do a great job. Rani turns me away from the mirror claiming I'm not allowed to see her 'masterpiece' until its complete.

Halfway through doing my make-up, Marcel bursts into my room unannounced.

"Hey ladies. What's going on in here?" He asks.

"We're going to a party later now get out." I respond.

"Does mum know?" He questions with a smirk.

"I'll tell her later Marcel. Stop being so annoying."

Marcel stands in my room doing nothing for a second before attempting to imitate us getting ready. "Ooo I'm a girl and I like to wear make-up and dress up. Giggle giggle. I hope all the boys like what I'm wearing, giggle giggle." He says in a high-pitched voice.

Rani, Ana and I all look at each other before launching pillows at him. "Get out you idiot!" I yell.

Marcel runs out of my room laughing.

Instead of rushing home to pick out some clothes, Ana and Rani decide they'll borrow some of mine. Rani will keep her jeans since she's a lot taller than I am but use one of my tops. Luckily, Ana and I have a sort of similar size even though she's more petite.

Rani finally finishes my makeup and turns me around to face the mirror. My face is lightly covered in foundation and concealer with a golden highlight that accentuates my cheekbones. On my eyelids is a dark shade of red mixed with a silvery gold as well as a thick lining of eyeliner that helps to shape my eyes. As a final decision, Rani decides to add fake eyelashes to frame my eyes since mine are practically non-existent. Instead of adding lipstick, I use lip gloss with a red hue adding a glossy look.

"Wow Rani, you did an amazing job. You sure you don't want to go into the makeup industry?" I ask.

She scoffs out loud. "As if my parents would allow that. I have to follow in their footsteps and become a lawyer."

"Since when do you listen to your parents?" Ana asks.

"I don't but I think this is something I wouldn't want to go against."

"It's your life Rani." I respond.

"Not according to my parents. Anyway, enough of all this doom and gloom. We have to leave in like an hour."

Wow time really flew by. Ana decides to borrow a navy-blue playsuit with a silver belt around the waist paired with some black flats. Rani keeps on her black ripped jeans but puts on a white off the shoulder blouse with balloon arms and black high heels.

"We look good ladies." States Ana.

I slip on silver block heels and grab my purse and leather jacket before heading down stairs.

I enter the kitchen to find mum and dad sitting at the breakfast table sharing a bottle of wine.

"Mum, dad, I'm going to a party with the girls."

"Don't you think you should have told us earlier Keziah?" Asks my dad.

"It slipped my mind." I retort.

My dad rolls his eyes.

"Be back by 1. No later." My mum says.

"Thank you! I'll see you later."

I walk back to the girls before shouting goodbye to my brothers.

"Have fun with Abel!" Yells Omari.

Marcel runs down the stairs to stop at the bottom and make kissy faces at me. You see what I have to deal with on a daily basis?

Nolan walks over to me and wraps his little arms around my waist before heading back to his room.

"Let's get this show on the road people!" Yells Rani.

I have a feeling it's going to be a fun night.

• • •

A/N:
How do you guys feel about parties? I think I have mixed feelings; the dancing and mingling I love but the drinking, not so much.

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