"It always seems impossible until it's done." ~Nelson Mandela

• • •

There's 3 days until Abel's birthday and I still haven't gotten him a present. Every time I asked him what he wanted he would either say 'whatever you get will be enough for me' or 'being with you on that day is a gift itself'.

While I appreciate the sentiment, it really doesn't help me at all. There's absolutely no way I'm not going to get him a present is there?

Therefore, I've enlisted the help of my fellow friends on this frosty afternoon.

"Evelyn, she's not getting him a pair of socks with waffles on them." Ana says in exasperation.

"But she says they're one of his favourite foods so I don't really see the problem." Evelyn responds back with a casual shrug.

"Evelyn, stop persuading me to get socks. This is his first birthday with me so it has to be good."

Evelyn gives up on her pathetic suggestion and puts them back where they came from. Her obsession with socks is a little bit weird to be honest. At least I know what to get her for her own birthday.

We all venture into another store and I scroll through the several items of male clothing.

Shirts, shirts and more shirts.

Buying clothes as a gift is such a generic and boring thing to do. It's valentine's day, buy your boyfriend a shirt. 10th anniversary? Another shirt. I refuse to fall into the typical category of woman who constantly feel the need to purchase multiple shirts and call it a great gift.

3 hours into shopping and we still haven't found anything.

"Can we take a break? I'm starving." Moans Rani.

Ana and Evelyn join in the complaints and I give in since I'm also feeling hungry. We head to Gourmet Burger Kitchen and grab a table for the four of us. Let me just tell you, this place has the absolute best burgers and chips.

I order a cheese and bacon burger with their skinny fries and an Oreo milkshake. I adore milkshakes; I genuinely feel like I could have one every day and never get tired of it. The others get similar orders to me but replace my milkshake with a regular soft drink. Boring.

I inhale my food crazy fast and slurp down half my milkshake. That was such a satisfying meal. My love for food just keeps on growing.

"Ana, since you've known Abel longer than me, do you have any ideas on what he'd like?" I say.

Ana takes a sip of her drink and thinks for a minute, "Honestly? Not at all. He's never really liked receiving gifts and prefers to give to others. He's weird like that but I'm sure it'll be different getting something from you." Ana reassures me with a nod and smile.

"None of you have been any help today. What was the point of you even being here." I grumble.

"I'm here for the food personally." States Ana.

I shake my head at her and down the rest of my shake.

"Lucky for me, I don't care what you're here for. I am determined to find him a present with or without your help." It's a love hate relationship.

"Be glad I'm even here. I was supposed to meet Jaden today." Rani points out.

We all pay our bills and leave the restaurant.

"You're still stuck on Jaden?" Evelyn asks.

"He's not as boring as he may look, trust me." Rani thrusts her hips forward to emphasise her point. Um, too much information.

This surprises me you know. Rani is a love em and leave em kind of person. Maybe this guy could actually mean something.

"We did not need to know that Rani." Ana says with a disgusted look on her face.

"Don't be such a prude. Everyone does it."

They continue their conversation while I browse all the different shops. Rani drags me into Victoria Secret, claiming I should just buy some sexy lingerie to surprise him in.

"Rani, I'm not turning up to his house in a trench coat with nothing but my undergarments on underneath." I throw her a tired and frustrated look because of her suggestion and the fact that I still have not found anything.

"Why not!" She protests, "Abel would love it, I'm telling you."

Obviously sensing my ever-growing irritation, Ana jumps in to avoid me from responding. "It's a bit early on for that don't you think?"

"No way. I would have jumped his bones by now." I roll my eyes at this, fully knowing that she probably would have. I'm just not like that.

Rani thrusts a red lacy thong in in my face, "Lace is what you need Kez!"

My mind drifts back to when Abel found my lacy bra in the bathroom and made a comment about how he actually likes it. That probably means he'd like this too. Not that I'm going to mention it to the others.

I snatch the material from her hand and throw it back on the pile. "I'm not showing up at his house half naked where there are his 6 other siblings and parents!" I hiss at her.

Rani puts her hands up in a surrendering motion. "Don't bite my head off, it was only a suggestion."

I roll my eyes and walk out of the shop intending to find a more appropriate gift.

After wandering around with the others in tow, I stumble on a music and jewellery store side by side. I stare at them both before an idea springs into mind. Quickly, I make my way into both shops and buy what I need.

Feeling satisfied with what I've found, we all walk out of the shopping centre dragging our bodies from exhaustion.

"Next time you need to shop for Abel, don't bring me with you." Says Evelyn.

"I second that." Ana states.

"I'm just glad you finally found something. Now, we won't have to listen to you complain about how disappointed Abel is going to be if the gift isn't good." Rani unlocks the car allowing us all to get inside.

I sit in the front passenger seat and take another glance at my chosen items. As Rani pulls out of the car park, my phone pings with a message.

My Abel: How's the shopping going?

Me: Exhausting, my legs ache.

My Abel: You poor baby. Want me to come over and give you a massage?

Me: Would you? I mean you don't need to do that.

My Abel: Anything for you Brown Eyes.

I didn't realise I had started giggling until Rani points it out.

"I'm guessing lover boy is texting you right now if that big smile on your face is any indication." Rani raises her eyebrows.

I sigh happily, "He just makes me feel so..cared for. He's so attentive and thoughtful and just wow."

"Raphael is exactly the same. I wouldn't have expected it considering his hard exterior but he's honestly just a big softy." Ana says softly.

"And although Israel is pretty quiet, he's so observant that he always knows what I'm thinking or what I want."

All three of us sigh with content and keep quiet.

Rani blurts out her thoughts and squeezes the steering wheel a little tighter, "Well gee guys, now you made me feel all lonely.

I give her a sheepish look, "Sorry."

Rani waves her hand in dismissal at my words, "I'm happy for you guys."

I feel bad now. I know Rani has never really took to the whole relationship thing and I guess its been fine until her other 3 friends found guys for themselves. I understand why that could make her feel the way she is right now. From now on, I'll try even harder to make sure she's okay.

I reach for my phone to find that Abel has texted me again.

My Abel: Are you almost home?

Me: About 20 minutes away.

My Abel: I'll come see you when you are. Just let me know Brown Eyes.

Me: :)

Rani drops me off and beeps loudly as a good bye. I hope she never changes.

I make my way to the living room where I'm most likely to find my parents.

"I'm home." I go and stand in front of the TV so that I have both of their attention.

"You're not transparent Keizah, move out of the way."

Well hello to you too father.

"How was your shopping?" Obviously being the more caring parent, she focuses her attention on me.

"Great, I found Abel a birthday present." I move out of the way and walk towards my mum to show her while ignoring the 'finally' whispered from my dad.

"Oh, that's so nice, I'm sure he'll love it."

I head upstairs to my room to shower and change into more comfortable clothing.

Just as I'm about to text Abel to come round, Marcel walks through the door.

"Done shopping for your boyfriend I see?" He sits on my desk chair and spins around.

"Yes, I have. But I know that's not what you came in here for so spill it." I say bluntly.

Marcel stops spinning, "Have you uh heard from Tenaya lately? She hasn't been answering my calls or texts."

"What did you do this time?"

"Nothing! It was just a misunderstanding that you don't need to worry about."

I stop bustling around my room for a minute to face him. "Fine, I'll talk to Rolo later."

"Thanks sis, you're the best."

"You're only saying that now because I helped you. Tomorrow I'll probably be in another headlock."

"You know me too well."

Marcel leaves my room giving me some peace and quiet.

I text Abel for him to come over and pass time by informing my parents that he'll be here soon.

"Is he bringing Tristan and Tatiana?" Nolan Asks.

"Not today Nolan." I respond.

"You always say 'not today' and I don't like it." Nolan walks away from me with his arms crossed.

He has so much attitude already. I can't imagine how he's going to be when he's my age.

A knock sounds throughout the house signalling the arrival of Abel. Feeling excited, I rush towards the door with a smile and open it wide.

"Your masseuse has arrived." Abel takes a dramatic bow and takes my hand to kiss the back of it.

I giggle at him before responding, "You realise masseuse generally refers to women who massage people right?"

Abel stands up to his full height to look at me. "I'm still at your service Brown Eyes. Now are you going to let me in or are we going to stand out here all night?" He says with an amused smile.

I suddenly jolt into action, feeling a bit stupid for not letting him in. "Oh sorry! I forgot somehow."

Abel chuckles at me as he walks in, "You're too cute babe."

We make our way up the stairs nearly reaching the top when my dad shouts up at us.

"Abel! You're back so soon!"

"I literally told you like five minutes ago that he was coming over." I say to him with a dry look.

Unsurprisingly, I'm ignored.

"How are you doing son?" He asks.

"I'm good sir, I mean Jamal." Abel responds politely.

I'm just standing here in between both of them while they converse. Parents are so annoying sometimes; all they do is talk. I mean hello! Abel is here for me dad, not you.

"What brings you here this evening anyway?"

"Oh, Keziah couldn't stay away from me." Abel says with a shrug.

I hit his chest with my hand causing him to start laughing, "Don't tell me that's not true Keziah."

I scoff at him before walking up the stairs while pulling his arm to follow me. Before we completely disappear from view, Abel yells a quick goodbye to my dad.

I barely have time to shut the door behind us before Abel presses up against me and smashes his lips against mine. He places his arms next to my head, preventing me from moving away-not that I want to anyway.

I put both my hands on his chest, scrunching his shirt beneath my fingers. I lean up on my tiptoes to kiss him harder for a minute before pulling away and resting my head back against the door.

"What was that for?" I ask breathlessly.

"Can't I kiss my beautiful girlfriend whenever I want?" Abel rubs his thumb against my cheek in a gentle manor.

"Well yeah, but that was.."

"Intense?" He finishes off for me. "Every single time you look at me with those innocent eyes, it makes me want to kiss you until I can't anymore."

"You can't say things like that to me Abel." I duck under his arms and drop my body onto my bed.

"Why not?"

"Because I never know how to respond. I seem to lose my ability to speak properly around you and it's frustrating."

"Really? Because to me, that's exactly what I want to hear. And just so you know, I'm crazy affected by you too." Abel stalks over to me and places his head over mine to look deep into my eyes. "I can't even describe the way you make me feel Brown Eyes."

I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him even closer to me forcing him to put his arms on my bed to support his weight. "Oh yeah? Why don't you show me instead?" Feeling confident, I run my hands through his hair and tug lightly before leaning up to brush our lips together.

At that exact moment, the door to my room bursts open allowing my mother to walk right in. Has anyone in this house ever heard of knocking?

Abel instantly springs away from me to end up on the floor from his sudden movement. I sit up straight away, feeling embarrassed and awkward.

"Um hi mum." I say sheepishly.

"Good evening Mrs Callayo." Yep, it's probably best he said that rather than calling her by her first name.

I take one look at her face to find a mixture of amusement and irritation at what she stumbled into.

My mum clears her throat, "Nice to see you again Abel. I'd like to have a word with Keziah quickly though." She shoots me a look that has me speeding out of my room leaving Abel looking slightly confused.

We make our way out into the hall to talk.

"I know Abel is your boyfriend Keziah but it seems that I might have to set some boundaries." She says in a calm voice.

I shoot her a moderately annoyed look, "Why? I haven't done anything wrong."

"I know that but I also know how situations can escalate fast. I don't want you putting yourself in a place that could lead to something else."

I sigh loudly, "I know mum, I'm not stupid."

"I didn't say you were. Just be careful. And from now on, the door stays halfway open." She turns around to walk away leaving me feeling frustrated.

I go back into my room and find Abel laying on my bed throwing one of my pillows up and catching it.

"What was that all about?" He asks while sitting up.

"She's establishing some rules." I say dryly. "From now on, my door has to stay halfway open."

Abel beckons me to sit in front of him on the bed so that he's directly behind me with his legs stretched out in front. He places his hands on my shoulders and begins to massage them just like he said he would. "That's not a big deal Brown Eyes. At least she's not stopping me from seeing you."

I feel his thumbs press deeper into the muscles of my back forcing a moan out of me. "Yeah, I guess you're right." I say breathlessly.

Abel continues massaging my shoulders but leans down so that his mouth is right next to my ear. "You're killing me with those sounds baby. You should probably tone it down before your mum gets the wrong idea."

Immediately, I close my mouth preventing any noise from escaping causing Abel to chuckle lightly.

"I didn't say you had to stop completely. I was enjoying it quite a lot." He says with a smirk.

"Just keep doing your masseuse duties you perv."

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