"The only limit to our realisation of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

                                • • •

Abel offers to drive me home so after saying goodbye to everyone else, we head over to his steel grey car. I get inside and wait for Abel to enter before speaking up.

"You have a nice car you know. What type is it?" I ask him.

"Thanks, she's a Jeep Wrangler Sahara. I got her last year for my birthday." He responds while stroking the dashboard.

I give him a weird look. "She?"

"Yep, her name is Betty. I trust her with my life."

I burst into laughter. "That's the worst name I've ever heard. Out of everything you could pick, you decide on that. Unbelievable."

Abel stares at me blankly before smirking.

"Oh, I get it now. You're jealous."

I scoff loudly. "Jealous of what exactly?"

"Of Betty of course. You're upset she currently has all my attention." He says smugly.

"Yeah right Abel."

"Don't worry, I'd choose you over her any day Brown Eyes."

"Oh gee thanks. I'm so glad I no longer have to compete with a car."

"So what I'm hearing is you want my attention to only be on you." He states rather than questions.

"Shut up and drive." I say with a punch.

Arriving at my house, Abel turns off the engine. "Thanks for the ride Abe."

"Abe?"

"Yeah. Short for Abel. Has no one ever called you that before?"

"Nope never. You'd be the first."

"Oh, well I don't have to if you don't like it."

"Its okay brown eyes. Anything that comes from your sweet lips I know I'll love." He whispers huskily.

My heart flutters from his words. Frozen from shock, I'm unable to respond.

"Brown Eyes? Did I render you speechless?" He asks with satisfaction.

Not knowing what to say, I open the door and stumble outside. I mutter a quick 'bye' and rush inside without letting him reply.

Closing the front door with a sigh, I think about what Abel just said. He surely didn't mean that right? The way he said it.... it was kind of like he believed what he was saying. With complete confidence. What does that mean? Before I can continue wondering about what just happened, I'm interrupted by the sound of my name being called.

"Keziah?!" Shouts mum as she walks towards me. "Is that you?"

"Yes mother who else would it be?" I reply.

"Don't sass me child you're home later than you should be. We will discuss this at dinner when your father gets home."

Turning away from her, I roll my eyes and begin to walk off.

"I saw that." She says.

How does she do that? I think.

I climb up the stairs and enter my room intending to complete some homework when Nolan and Omari burst in.

"Keziah you're back!" Exclaims Nolan. "I've been waiting to tell you all about my first day in year 2!"

Before he can finish talking, Omari interrupts. "How come you're only just getting home?" He asks.

"I was out with my friends Omari."

"Mum was mad that you didn't tell her before school."

"Well I didn't know before school, did I?" I respond in a snarky way.

"I'm just warning you Kez, be prepared."

"I was talking first Omari! You can't tell her about your day before me its not fair!" Whines Nolan.

"Okay both of you just sit down and take turns speaking. Nolan you go first."

Omari rolls his eyes. He has so much attitude.

"Okay! Today there was two new people in my class. They're names are Tristan and Tatianna and guess what! They're twins! Did you know that people can be twins? I didn't but it's so cool because it means they have the same birthday. Why wasn't I a twin Kez?" He says all In the same breath.

"Because mum didn't need two of you since you're already so special Nolan."

"Hmm that is true. Anyway, they're my friends now so we played together."

"That's lovely, I'm glad you had a good day. Omari, what about you?"

"I don't actually have anything to say. Schools the same as usual." Says Omari with a lot less enthusiasm.

"Great to hear Omari. I'm so happy your love of school is increasing." I respond sarcastically.

I give both of them a hug before kicking them out so I can do my homework.

Even though it's the first day back, I've already been bombarded with an insane amount of work. An essay question from Psychology, writing up a method to a practical from Biology, another essay in English and some research for Health and Social Care. On top of that, I need to search for some available work experience to add my university application later on in the year. Its gonna be a really long night.

I'm halfway through my English essay on Romeo and Juliet before I'm called downstairs for dinner.

"Kids! Come and set the table, dinner is almost ready."

As if its routine, all four of us rush out of our rooms and down the stairs to see who can get there first. Being who he is, Marcel shoves all of us out the way and proceeds to take two stairs at a time. Just before he reaches the bottom, I jump on his back knocking both of us over.

At that exact moment, my dad walks through the front door. He looks down at us and sighs. "Why couldn't I have had normal kids?"

He steps over us to go and find mum while Nolan and Omari follow behind him.

"Get off me Keziah. You weigh a tonne." Exclaims Marcel.

Just for that I move to sit on his head before slapping his back. Marcel taps the floor as if it's MMA so I can get off him.

As soon as I stand up, Marcel inhales deeply. "Fresh air! I never thought I'd smell it again."

I give him an extremely dry look before shoving him out the way. "You're so immature Marce."

We both walk into the kitchen to find mum and dad kissing. Marcel and I glance at each other before simultaneously making gag sounds.

My dad laughs at us while mum goes back to cooking.

"One day kids, you'll fall in love and see how it feels." My dad says vaguely.

Nolan and Omari finish setting the table so we all sit down.

My dad says a prayer before we all dig in.

"How was your day kids?" Asks dad.

Of course, Nolan is the first to speak up.

"It was soooo hard daddy! They made us do this thing called times tables. You didn't tell me it was that difficult, I don't think I can do it anymore. I want to quit school."

My dad raises his eyebrows. "You can't quit school son, that's not the way it works. I'll help you out later with the multiplication."

"Okay then!" Nolan says brightly. "I also made two new friends. Tristan and Tatianna, they're twins."

"Omari, what about you?"

"School was fine. Same as usual."

This time mum responds. "Oh that's lovely dear, maybe you can invite a friend over one day. You too Nolan."

We continue eating in silence for a while before my mother starts talking.

"So," my mum says. "Why were you home late Keziah?" My dad stops eating to look at me awaiting my response.

"Well it's the first day back and as you know me and my friends always go to Bittersweet after school."

"Yes, but you didn't tell me you were doing that today so I assumed it wasn't happening."

"It's not that big of a deal mum, I texted you where I was anyway."

"Keziah." My dad says in a warning tone.

I roll my eyes and prepare for the lecture both my parents are about to give. You see, coming from an African background means my parents don't tolerate nonsense. It also means that I could get a big whooping if I do something completely out of line. Anyway-

"You don't understand how it feels to be a parent Keziah; to be constantly worrying about your children, where they are, who they're with and what they're doing. That's why its important for you to let me know what you're doing beforehand."

I rest my head on my hand and sigh out loud.

"Your mother's right Keziah, we're just looking out for you. The sooner you understand, the better." My dad adds.

"Yes yes I get it."

But of course, that's not enough for my mum. She just has to keep on talking. I eventually zone out and look to my left to see Marcel trying not to laugh. Just for that, I elbow him in the stomach causing him to spit out his water.

My dad slaps the back of his head. "Where are your manners boy? Acting as if I didn't raise you well."

I just smile happily to myself.

Finishing dinner and cleaning up, I head back up to my room and settle on my bed to watch The Vampire Diaries on Netflix. Halfway through an episode, my phone pings with a text.

Sexiest man alive: Everything alright Keziah? You kind of ran out on me when I dropped you off.

I stare at the message for a second before replying.

Keziah: Yeah, I'm good. Just had stuff to do you know? I'm a busy girl ha-ha.

Sexiest man alive: I can tell you're nervous even from here brown eyes. Did my comment make you flustered?

I don't respond to him and five minutes later, I get another text.

Sexiest man alive: It did didn't it? Good, that was my aim.

Keziah: Ugh you're so cocky I can't deal with you.

Sexiest man alive: That's the way you like me Beautiful.

Keziah: Who said I even liked you?

Sexiest man alive: If your reaction from just one comment is anything to go by, then I'm pretty sure you do.

Keziah: ...

Sexiest man alive: You don't have to admit it now but one day you will and I'll be waiting.

Keziah: Does that mean you're interested in me?

Sexiest man alive: I thought that was already obvious.

Keziah: It wasn't to me.

Sexiest man alive: Well Brown Eyes, I am completely and wholeheartedly interested in making you mine.

Keziah: Oh wow.

Sexiest man alive: How about you take the night to think on what i just said and I'll see you tomorrow.

Keziah: Um okay then. Goodnight.

Sexiest man alive: Goodnight Brown Eyes.

After getting ready for the night, I slip into bed and think about what Abel just said.

How is it possible for someone like him to fall for me after such a short time? The thought of seeing him tomorrow after what he just said makes me nervous.

Eventually, I fall asleep to the image of deep blue eyes and a mischievous smile.

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