dnafreedomarts

[dnafreedomarts]

Love and Passion Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

Roommates…

“Hey~ You’re finally up,” Joseph chuckled as he watched Brandon make his way to their kitchen from his bedroom. It was about time! Joseph had been sitting at the dining table all by himself since Yoseph left him. He would’ve normally chilled out in his room but he was way too excited to hear Brandon’s version of his brother’s ludicrous story. Joseph had to hold back his excitement when he heard Brandon’s door creak open. First, because it could’ve been the asshole that lived right next to him instead and second, because Joseph was well aware of how Brandon adored taking his time in all that he did. It was Brandon though. He ended up going to his and David’s shared bathroom and took a quick shower before going back into his room for awhile. When he actually made his way around the corner he yawned noisily, waved at Joseph and opened the fridge door before grimacing terribly.

“Yo~ The fuck happened in here??”

“Gianni happened in there,” Joseph sighed.

“Aah, say no more. How you doin’, Jos?”

“I’m chillin’. Just reading like always.”

“You and your books,” Brandon chuckled as he sat down next to Joseph with a bottle of water he took from the fridge. He had a good swig of it and smiled happily after swallowing. Joseph grinned from watching Brandon casually take a couple chips from the bowl he had out on their dining table. While Yoseph was obviously a big fan of David and his ways, Joseph found it easier to look up to Brandon. Literally, yes, but figuratively as well. He was the tallest out of all of them, standing at about 6'5” and was definitely one of their Frat’s chillest brothers. Shit, Brandon was the chillest person Joseph’s ever met in fact! He was the complete opposite of David…Well, at least for the most part. Brandon blew up very similarly to David when a situation called for it but that happened so rarely you could barely call it a thing.

Brandon fixed his glasses and gently closed the book while Joseph contemplated his two roommates’ differences. He wanted to read the cover but kept a finger between the page so his friend wouldn’t lose his place. Joseph smiled at how considerate that was before Brandon opened it again and chuckled,

“I’ve heard about this one. Some of the shawties in class were talking about it. It sounds pretty wild from what they were saying. How you likin’ it?”

“Don, it’s super good.”

“Aye~ Glad to hear it…You know what time it is?”

“Yeah, it’s uh…8:36.”

“PM?!”

“Yeah,” Joseph laughed.

“You lyin’…”

“Naw.”

“Yeah, you are.” 

“What would be the point in that?”

“Aaah, yeah, you right. You’re Jos.”

“Right,” Joseph chuckled. His brother was definitely more of the prankster in their group than he was. Joseph was a straight shooter when it came to the truth. It was either honesty or nothing at all.

“That’s wild~ I know I got in after eleven this morning but I ain’t think I’d sleep that hard.”

“You must’ve had a real good time last night then.”

“I sure did.”

“That’s what’s up…So?” Joseph asked as he sat back and looked at Brandon with excitement.

“What’s good?” 

“What you mean?! You already know what I wanna know!”

“It all depends…”

“Aww, Don, come on~”

“I hear you, I hear you…Aight, for real, what you wanna know?”

“How’d the party go last night?! Verbatim ‘cause I heard some crazy shit!”

“Oh, that’s all?? Shit, I thought it was something else. I could tell you about that, it was dope as fuck!”

“What you thought I wanted to know??”

“No clue.”

“You’re funny.”

“I try.” 

“So, tell me about it!”

“The dopeness was unmatched, nigga~” 

“For real?!”

“Yeah, it was…Where were you last night? I ain’t see you out there.”

“I stayed over at Love’s. I ain’t really feel like partying…”

“Good call.”

“Wh- I thought you said it was dope!”

“It was…for a nigga who ain’t in love. I’m sure your time with Love was better for you than this would’ve been. The only way you’d like it was if you decided to fall out of love with Em right then and there.”

“Damn, it was that serious…? Yoseph told me some wild shit though. I wanted t-”

“It’s true.”

“What??”

“Whatever he told you went down, it’s true.”

“You know he has too much fun lying though…”

“He told you how we locked all the doors to the Frat and made the place a Fuck Fest, right?”

“Yall even locked the doors?!”

“So, he missed that part,” Brandon chuckled.

“I can’t believe that’s actually true! Even after G’s ol’ cranky ass came out here starting shit for no reason. It’s been a minute since he’s acted up too and I still couldn’t believe it…!”

“What happened? Why’d he have to trash our fuckin’ fridge???” 

“Because he was tired and thirsty…”

“…I hear you but there’s got to be more to it. I know he’s crazy but there’s usually a half-decent reason for him actin’ out like that.”

“You’re a good man for thinking that, Don. Nothing that nigga does ever makes sense to me…But honestly, he was mad because me and Yoseph were talking and he thought we were being too loud and stoppin’ his beauty sleep.”

“Hmm, being pretty is important to that nigga…What else?”

“Nothing! His dumb ass just decided to push me out the way of the fridge and threw a tantrum in it ‘cause he was thirsty! He couldn’t find Yoseph’s fuckin’ juice behind all the pots and waters in there so he flipped out ‘til he could. He’s a freakin’ maniac, you know that!!” 

“Hey~”

“You know damn well it’s true!”

“Yeah~ I do. This nigga…He’s never liked water, he just drinks it ‘cause he has to,” Brandon sighed and sat back a bit.

“I really don’t see why not, water’s amazing!”

“I know.” 

“Oh, and Yoseph brought up the fact I spent the night at Love’s and it only made things worse!”

“There it is~ I knew it was somethin’ other than wanting sleep and juice.”

“It was mostly the juice, I promise you.”

“I hear you. Wanting juice and Love’s a bad combo for that nigga…Yos really needs to watch what he says sometimes. G’s my best friend and I know you can’t say whatever you want around him. He’s too touchy for that.”

“Tell me about it…Anyway, what actually happened at the party?!!”

“Oh, right! I left before everyone else but I did see them niggas start wildin’ and I’m pretty sure it only got worse from there.”

“I knew you wouldn’t stay in a situation like that if it were true! Especially if you found you a shawtie for the night…But for real, yall was really fuckin’ in front of each other???”

“They was, yeah. There were dicks and coochies out everywhere.

“That’s wild~ Wait, who’d you snatch up?”

“Oooh, you wouldn’t believe this shit, Jos, you wouldn’t…!!”

“Whoa! Why not?! Who’d you get??!”

“Nigga~ Oh, my god~” Brandon chuckled too happily and started grabbing at his head. The biggest smile spread across his face and it only hyped Joseph up even more.

“Don! Who was it, nigga?!?!”

“Tanasha.”

“Ta- Nigga, WHO?!”

“You heard me, nigga! TANASHA!!”

“NOOO…!! DON, THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!!!”

“WHO YOU TELLIN’?!! THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT TOO!!!”

“Oh, my God, that CAN’T to true!!

“It is!”

“What?! I can’t believe this shit, I- Naw, nigga, even I’m jealous…!!”

“And that says a lot!! I ain’t never met a lover boy as lover boy as you and for you to say you is jealous of me is- AAH SHIT, NIGGA!! That’s probably why I slept so damn good,” Brandon nearly squealed as he threw himself down on the couch in nostalgic excitement. 

Joseph chuckled happily for him. Tanasha was one of the baddest shawties on TAU’s campus. Even he couldn’t stop himself from gawking whenever she’d pass by. Tanasha had the energy of a true Seductress and the fact that she was a dancer didn’t help that aura ease one bit! Her stride was a performance in and of itself and her looks were absolutely phenomenal! It didn’t matter how in love you were either, she had the power to have you think that over along with every other thought you’ve ever had in your whole life. Tanasha’s body was one of a goddess and her gaze could stop your heart just to make it beat again for her and only her. Joseph personally found her energy to be extremely intimidating but he was too happy his friend got to experience it first hand! 

“Shit, I’d still be sleep!!” Joseph laughed and so did Brandon.

“I almost drowned in that shit, it was so good.”

“How’d you pull?!”

“Real talk…?”

“Yeah??”

“She pulled me, I ain’t do shit.”

“Wha- WHY ARE YOU LYING SO MUCH!?!”

“I’M NOT!! Jos, you gotta hear me out real quick!”

“I’m all ears, nigga, ‘cause I’m not understanding this shit!”

“So, a nigga was just vibin’, lookin’ sexy like he always is…”

“Aight,” Joseph laughed.

“But really though, I was just hugging the wall like I usually do! G. and Yos started bringin’ out the condoms a-”

“They really did that?!”

“I told you, everything Yos told you was true! It was wildin’ enough where he really ain’t have to make shit up this time.”

“Well, damn…!”

“But yeah, I was just chilling on the wall and smoking when all the public fuckin’ got started. Tanasha came out of nowhere and started rubbin’ on a nigga's chest!”

“Word?!”

“Word! The whole hall was in heat and I guess she was feelin’ it too!? I don’t know! Man, thank God I kept my cool ‘cause I lowkey freaked the fuck out! You know she’s finer than wine!!”

“I would’ve too…!! I don’t think I could’ve hid that shit though! Good thing you’re good at that! The chillest nigga I know, I swear!”

“Right?! I never knew it’d come in handy like that! So, she just reached into her dress after that, placed a magnum on my chest and grinned, nigga, just grinned!!”

“Oh, my god…How you ain’t bust on yourself right then and there?!”

“I DON’T KNOW!! I think my heart stopped for a second but I couldn’t let that shit show!”

“Naw, you couldn’t!” 

“Dawg, we made out after that and it was getting real hot and heavy! We was touchin’ and feelin’ on each other like there was no fuckin’ tomorrow! I wanted to take that ass right then and there but you know me, I’m not ‘bout that!”

“Oh, shit, I know you not!” 

“I couldn’t put it down nowhere near here either!”

“Yea-! Wait. What you mean?! Where’d you go??” 

“Just listen~! God bless my folks for letting me rent the Challenger for the break! I took that ass to the Hyatt and let her know she wasn’t wrong for choosing a nigga!!”

“Yooo!! Good call! I still can’t believe this shit! She looks like she’d like that too…Damn, lucky you, Don!!”

“Thanks, Jos. God, it was so good…So, how’d your night with Love end up going??”

“It was real cool. You know Love’s always a vibe.”

“She is, she is…Dawg, you sure there ain’t nothin’ going on between you two?? I swear to God yall been way too damn cozy lately…!”

“What you mean~?! There ain’t no one ‘round here ‘cozier’ with Love than you!”

“Evading the question, huh? Even more suspicious…”

“Don! You know who I’m in love with! There’s absolutely nothing going on between me and Love! At least not like that, we’re just friends! You be on that crazy shit when you talk like that, good Lord. Just like that nigga Gianni…”

“Aww, don’t say that, Jos, that’s a low blow.”

“Yeah, well, I’m just sayin’! You know what it is already so you shouldn’t ask questions like that no more!”

“Alright, I know, I know, you’re right…I just be jealous, that’s all…! You out here stealin’ my best friend and cuddle buddy right from under me…”

“What?? Now you know there’s no way that could ever happen. Love loves you more than any of us here! You must still be drunk, nigga,” Joseph scoffed, making Brandon laugh a bit. Things quieted between the two of them until Brandon decided to speak again.

“…So, how close were yall last night?”

“What?! What you-”

“I already know, nigga. Love’s lowkey been real down about Emma dropping out and leaving her all alone. She may not say it that way ‘cause she’s a tough cookie but she gets all cuddly when she’s sad like that. So~ Imma ask you again, how close were yall last night??”

“I-! Damn, you’re good.”

“That’s my best friend, Jos. I have to know her,” Brandon chuckled.

“She, uh, she just wanted to cuddle a little while we read our books last night, but that’s it, I swear!”

“She wanted to lay on you, right?”

“How’d you know?!”

“I’m gon have to talk to this shawtie about tryna replace me like that. I don’t appreciate it…” 

“You know it’s not like that…”

“IT BETTER NOT BE LIKE THAT! FOR NEITHER OF YALL NIGGAS!! I’ll fuck yall up, I swear to God! Don’t you dare try nothin’!!!” David growled as he made his way around the corner again. He only then woke up from his beauty sleep but overheard a little bit of his room mates' conversation as he came to. And of course, David felt he needed to let both of them know their places when it came to Love. Brandon rolled his eyes a little while Joseph snarled a bit. Even though it was evening it was always too early for David’s bullshit. Brandon and Joseph watched him dramatically stop at the stove to stare at the empty surface after that. He soon gawked at them just as dramatically to express his obnoxious concerns,

“Yo…Where the fuck is dinner??”

“Yoseph didn’t make any. He told me you basically stole the show last night so he went out to go get him some from ‘Chloe and/or Rebecca’.”

“He said it exactly like that too, didn’t he?” Brandon chuckled and Joseph sighed,

“He sure the fuck did.”

“…So, what the fuck’s that gotta do with my dinner not being ready?”

“How’s dinner gonna be ready if there’s no one here to fix it, G.? You must still be sleep…” Joseph muttered and started reading from where he left off. He hated talking to David when he was like this. Joseph knew how him sharing himself with all those energies usually got him. It was all fun and games for David naturally but Joseph knew he was more sensitive to it than he’d ever want to admit. David would always get extra crazy after fucking so many women at once because deep down it’d make him uncomfortable. None of them were ever of truly good quality and mixing all that lust with more lust simply made him wacky. Joseph knew that’s why he was so stuck on Love in the first place. Her energy was pure, healing in fact, and he was sure David’s never experienced anything like it. No one’s ever brought him peace like that before and it was addicting.

“Who the fuck you talkin’ to?! Jos, I swear to-” David growled.

“G.~ Relax, nigga. What, you ain’t sleep well?” Brandon sighed. 

“I was sleepin’ just fine ‘til this lil’ bitch and his brother woke me up!”

“Gianni, you slept!! I got back after three and now it’s eight, almost fuckin’ nine, nigga! That’s five hours right there!! I’m sure you were long sleep before I even got here too!”

“Why you countin’ my sleep, nigga!?! I’ll fu-”

“You wrapped up for all that sloppy top you got last night too, right?” Brandon randomly intervened.

“What?? Of course, I did! I ain’t stupid…Most of those shawties were brand new, I had to…” David murmured and calmed down a little. Brandon always knew how to get his best friend to chill. The most basic, unrelated question always seemed to do the trick too. 

“Good ‘cause I know you got a lot.”

“Yeah, nigga…But for real, what the fuck we gon eat if Yos ain’t make nothin’ tonight?? He got all that stuff marinating in there too…”

“I ordered something already,” Joseph sighed and flipped to the next page of his book.

“Enough to share…?”

“No, get your own.”

“You little bitch.”

“Well! I’m about to slide to the park and smoke me a little somethin’, somethin’! I’ll probably go grab me something to eat too! You wanna slide, G.?”

“…Naw, I’m good. I know what I’ll do.”

“Aight, cool. I’ll see yall later then,” Brandon groaned as he stood to his feet and headed out the door. Both Joseph and David watched him leave before David grinned deviously at the shutting door. He happily headed back towards his room and muttered as he rubbed his hands together,

“Shiit, I know who’d be more than happy to feed me!”

“Don’t do it, G.”

“Nigga, what??” David growled as he turned back to Joseph and spat,

“Who you talkin’ to?!”

“You, nigga! Just leave Love alone tonight, please…I’ll even share what I bought with you if you do.”

“The fuck?! Do I look like a dog to you?!! I don’t want your fuckin’ food! You should’ve told me you’d share in the first place!”

“I ain’t know you was gone bother Love if I didn’t!”

“How’s that your problem?! Who do you think you are for real, Jos?!! Just because you know what we do don’t give you the right to butt in, nigga! I’m not playin’ with you! Stay away from my girl or I’ll fuckin’ kill you! And stay out of my business!!”

“What?! I don’t know what you’re thinking right now but that’s not what I meant! I’m just saying-”

“Fuck you!!”

“Gianni!”

“WHAT?!!”

“Listen for a fuckin’ second, gawd damn!”

“…What.”

Joseph frowned after that. David was obviously hurting about something. Joseph could tell clearly when he looked into David’s eyes. He would never actually shut the fuck up when you told him to and his vibe was secretly sorrowful. Joseph wasn’t sure how but he had an inkling that it somehow had to do with Love and that that stupid lie he told had to be for a reason. Things were starting to feel deeper than it just being about David wanting to have some exclusive fun with her during the break…Well, whatever it was Joseph had a bad feeling that his hope for no complications between those two was getting ready to crash and burn. 

“G., what’s really happening between yall two? You seem really down right now.”

“Wh- I'm not- I don’t got to tell you shit!! Why you even askin’?!!”

“I know you don’t have to, but…Look, all I wanted to say was that I don’t know what’s happening between you two right now but Love’s not going to appreciate you going to her right after all you did last night. Yoseph told me what happened. She’s gonna know everything without you having to say a word and it’ll fuck up what you two got going on right now.”

“Since when do you care about what me and her got going on, Jos?!”

“You’re my friend, Gianni! I’ve got love for the both of you. Mad love! That’s why I care!”

“…”

“I still can’t say I agree with you two having a relationship but-”

“I ain’t ask you shit about that.”

“Listen~”

“…” 

“But it is what it is. I’ve got respect for how things have turned out more than anything else. I see how much she’s helped you by staying connected. You’re not as angry as you used to be and you don’t need cigarettes to make sure you stay leveled anymore. I know that’s all because of her and her influence, and I truly respect that, I really do. I’m just saying I really don’t think it’s a good idea going to see her right now. Give her some space while all the energy you collected works its way off of you.”

“Tsk! You and her stay talkin’ about that energy, spiritual shit! How you know I wasn’t just going over there to chill?! Who told you I was looking for somethin’ else?!?”

“You don’t have to say it, I see it all over your face and I’m telling you it’s a bad idea. That’s why I stopped you.”

“Well…! She ain’t got no right to be stressin’ me over who I be fuckin’! She’s the one who doesn’t want to be in a real relationship with me! There wouldn’t even be other bitches if-”

“Aww, G.…Naw, you can’t be like that.”

“Be like what?!?!”

“Don’t go to her out of spite like that, dawg…She’s already done so much for you. Don’t hurt her like that for no good reason, it’ll kill yalls respect for real.”

“You just don’t get it…”

“No, I do get it! You just don’t know how lucky you are to even be up in that! Love’s a good girl and most niggas like you wouldn’t even have a chance!”

“Wha-” David snarled.

“I telling you, just listen to me! I know how you feel. Anyone with eyes can see how much you like Love but rubbing the consequences of what yall mutually agreed on in her face because you want more out of it won’t change a thing! If you want more then that’s definitely not the way to go about it! You know Love’s the kinda girl to keep her word and that’s all she’s doing! She’s done nothing wrong! You’re really gonna have to-”

“FUCK YOU! You’re just running your mouth right now…!! You don’t know shit about us, Jos! And IMMA DO WHAT THE FUCK I WANT!!” David roared before stomping back into his room. He’s had enough of Joseph’s bullshit! The last thing he wanted was a lecture! To think he actually had something valuable to say. David quickly got dressed and did his hair and as soon as he reached the front door of their dorm there was a knock. Joseph was about to get up to get it himself but David answered it instead.

“G., I-”

“Naw, I got this.”

“Delivery for Joseph?” the man asked.

“Yeah, how much?”

“G., I really-”

“I said I got this…! What's the price?”

“Oh, it’s uh- $35.50…”

“Cool, here you go. Keep the change,” David muttered as he took a $50 bill out his wallet to hand to him.

“Oh! Thank you, sir!”

“No problem.”

“G., DON’T-! Fuckin’ bitch…” Joseph began to shout but sighed as David took the food, opened it, and threw it down hard enough to splatter it all over the floor but not hard enough to get any of it on his brand new Burberry track suit. The deliver man watched in complete shock while David looked back at Joseph just to say,

“Enjoy your food, you little fuck.”

“Gianni, what the f-” 

“‘Scuse me, homie, I’m leavin’. He’ll lock up.”

“Y- yeah, sure…!” whimpered the poor delivery man. Joseph sucked his teeth loudly as David squeezed past the man and really left. How David had friends Joseph would never know.

INSTAGRAM: @dnafreedomarts

-Nakeya Mareya

#romance #lovestory #lovestories #lovers #novel writing #romantic #18+ readings #18+ only #romantic comedy #drama series #my story #my art #passion #love #illustratedart #illustrated novel #illustrator #volume 1 #chapter 4 #black art #black artist #black women art #black love #original fiction #original content #original character #original work #original writing #love and passion

[dnafreedomarts]

Love and Passion Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

Roommates

Joseph opened his dorm room’s door no more than ten seconds after leaving Tyson at his and was welcomed home by his overly excited and completely flabbergasted twin. Yoseph had literally been waiting for his brother to return home all morning long and ran to the door when he heard it faintly unlock from the other side. He already knew who it was since Joseph was the only one of them not home yet, that bastard. Yoseph was too excited to see him and he was also too proud of him too! At first, he was honestly upset about his brother going missing on one of the greatest days in N.A.K.S. history but was ecstatic at the fact his twin finally did what was so long awaited! He finally got him some BOOTY!! At least that’s what Yoseph presumed. He yanked Joseph in by the collar as soon as the door was opened wide enough and simply started hollering like a mad man.

“NIGGA…! NIGGA~!!!!”

“What?! Yoseph, what the fuck!? WHAT!?!” 

“Where the fuck have you been~?! Do you know how long I’ve been WAITING for YOU?!?!?”

“Oh, I was-”

“Please~ Please, please, please!! Say you was out there finally gettin’ you some pussy, dawg.”

“I-” 

“Who comes home at three in the afternoon after disappearing like you did without hittin’ somethin’, my nigga, SOMETHIN’!!! ”

“Noo, nigga, I ain’t hit shit…”

“What?! Why~?!!” 

“Who asks people that as soon as they walk through the door, Yoseph??”

“I do…! I don’t under- Why not, boy?!”

“Because-”

“You’re not making any sense right now!!!”

“Yo, why’s no one letting me finish speak today?! I can barely get a fuckin’ sentence out!!”

“What?? What you mean?”

“Ugh~ Nevermind.”

“Aight…” 

“…I stayed over at Love’s last night instead.”

“Oh…Did you-” 

“Pussy definitely wasn’t on the table. I just told you that, nigga. Only some bomb ass food she made so stop asking.”

“What? I wasn’t gon ask you that! I know you ain’t hit that, are you crazy??!”

“Oh.” 

“Shit, I’d be mad as fuck if you did! That’d be so un- fuckin’ fair…!! Why’d you even go there when you knew we had our party to go to, though…? And what she cook?” 

“I’m kinda over explaining myself for today, but I just didn’t feel like partying last night. And she made-”

“You didn’t feel like- YOU DIDN’T FEEL LIKE PARTYING LAST NIGHT?!?!” Yoseph screamed even louder than he already was and shook Joseph hard by the shoulders as he did it. He obviously forgot about his second question. Joseph had to hold his brother’s waist for balance while he shouted desperately back.

“No, I didn’t! Damn, why are you yelling so much right now?!”

“BECAUSE YOU JUST MISSED OUT ON THE BEST FUCKIN’ THING YOU COULD’VE EVER DONE IN YOUR WHOLE FREAKIN’ LIFE, THAT’S WHY!!!”

“Alright, alright! I did that, alright?! Just calm down…!”

“Aight…” Yoseph sighed and finally let him go. That was way easier than Joseph expected…

“Wow, you actually did it…”

“Yeah, why not?”

“What?? You’re so crazy sometimes. Why’d you have to do all that in the first place?”

“You damn right I’m crazy and ‘cause I felt like it…And you abandoned me, you had it comin’…”

“I did not, nigga…But that’s what Nate said about the party too. It must’ve really been amazing.”

“Really? You was just with him?”

“I was. We met on our way back here. He’s pretty sick right now though…”

“Shit~ I’m not shocked to hear that! That nigga was guzzlin’ last night! And I mean guzzlin’!”

“Well, damn…I see you ain’t overdo it this time.”

“Naw, nigga~ I’ve learned that lesson! On baby Jesus I have! I’m more than good on that shit.”

“Good…So, where’s everyone else? Are they out too??”

“Naw! Them niggas are knocked the fuck out! In their rooms! All pussyed out like a N.A.K.S. brother should be!!” Yoseph laughed proudly but pouted as he muttered next, 

“Especially that bitch, G.…”

“Why’d you say it like that?” Joseph chuckled. He already knew the answer but he decided he wanted to hear it from his brother’s point of view. Yoseph frowned even harder and murmured back just as dejectedly,

“Porque… [SPA: Because…]” 

“¿Porque que? [SPA: Because what?]”

“…”

“What? He stole all the ass out there or somethin’??”

“Bi- YES…!!! Dawg! The party was still fuckin’ amazing, but you should’ve seen all the bitches that came out just for him!!”

“That’s not all that surprising though, Yoseph. They always come out for him. I heard the IG page worked wonders this time around too.” 

“Joseph! That shit’s always worked! What you talkin’ ‘bout???”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really!! You just don’t be paying attention to what he does with it! That shit’s fuckin’ amazing. But listen! This wasn’t nothing like it usually is though!! It was- Broo~ If you were there with me last night I would’ve definitely pulled more ass for sure! I know I would’ve!!” 

“Yeah, probably…”

“Exactly! You know the hoes see us as a duo~ They think our shit’s green screen on our vlogs whenever you don’t show up like that…!”

“I know they do.”

“Then what the fuck~!”

“We have two distinctly different voices and energies when we dance, so them thinking that’s kinda fuckin’ dumb and you know that…Anyway, I just ain’t feel like keeping up with you last night so I had to go missing. You be stressin’ me out, nigga. You know I’m not interested in them girls, yet you want me actin’ like I am for your sake.”

“As you should…! Don’t you love me?!”

“Of course I do! Not enough to sacrifice myself for you like that every time you ask me to though.”

“You’re so mean…”

“I am not…So, what? You ain’t get to smash none at all??”

“Bitch, who you talkin’ to???”

“Alright, then. It’s not that you ain’t get none, you’re just mad that Gianni got more than you! Like he usually does!!” Joseph laughed and started making his way to his room to finally put his duffle bag down. His brother followed behind him miserably while he stomped and whined in a semi-audible episode. It sounded something like a cat having a tantrum from a distance with bits of silence in between. Joseph looked at him for a moment and he made sure to make the ugliest crying face when their eyes happened to meet. 

Yoseph was technically the older twin but you really couldn’t tell from his usual behavior. He was always the fastest to react emotionally and it was often times very physical in nature. It wasn’t a proper tantrum without drawing eyes in either. That was a requirement. Yoseph’s whining became louder like a weird siren until he began verbalizing his blatantly hinted distress. He followed Joseph back into their common area and basically squealed it out when it all became too much,

“Dawg! If you saw what the fuck I saw last night then you’d know how unfair that shit was!!” 

“I think you’re being real fuckin’ dramatic right now. If you got some ass then all should be good, right?? I don’t see why-” 

“NO~…!”

“Why not?! I know it wasn’t just one shawtie, so what’s the problem?” 

“It wasn’t enough…”

“Wasn’t enough?? How many did you end up with? Hey, scratch that for a second. What did you do to Charlotte?”

“How many did I fuck, you mean!” Yoseph replied proudly once more but asked with sincere confusion literally right after,

“And who the fuck is that??”

“What you mean??? Nigga, you know Charlotte!”

“…Noo. Why the fuck would I ask who that was if I knew?”

“Yoseph…You know who Charlotte is! She’s like- your number one fan on campus or some shit!”

“Mmm…Naw, you lost me.”

“Bruh, you and her fuck all the time! How do you not know her??!”

“We do…?? Aight, what she look like?!”

“Uuuh, you know…”

“No. I don’t.”

“Shut up! I can’t believe I have to describe what one of your girls looks like to you!”

“You the one askin’ about her.”

“She’s one of them from M.A.R.C. Wears a lot of make up?”

“…I hope you know I got like- six shawties in that bitch, right?”

“Aight…She changes her hair so gawd damn much I can’t even use that to describe her. She likes wild colors! Her hair was purple today.”

“…Aight.”

“You know who I’m talkin’ about now?”

“Honestly you broke it down to about three shawties, nigga. What else?”

“Oh Dios mío [SPA: Oh my God]…I don’t know~”

“…She Black?”

“Yes!!”

“Light skin?!”

“Yes, nigga, yes!!”

“Charlotte~!! Yeah, I know that shawtie!! She’s cool people…”

“Good! So, what happened between you two last night?? She was mad as shit about you earlier today!”

“I don’t know.”

“What?!”

“I ain’t see her ass last night!!”

“Wow…” Joseph sighed and turned away from his brother who was beaming proudly from playing 21 Questions for no good reason just now. Yoseph came around him grinning just to ask though,

“So, you still wanna know how many shawties I fucked last night?!”

And his was typical Yoseph. Way before yesterday even came around Joseph picked up on the fact his brother planned on competing with Gianni for the body count at their party last night and was already prepared to quietly abandon his usual wing man role. There really wasn’t any point in him trying to compete. Gianni was an absolute beast when it came to satisfying their fans and just women in general, and Yoseph knew that! They all knew that! Joseph accepted that knowledge a long time ago. In fact, it didn’t bother him at all that things turned out that way. Gianni just naturally outdid the rest of the crew…Plus, his love sickness over Emma didn’t leave room for any other view. 

Sex just wasn’t a competition to Joseph, even before that young woman came along and stole his heart. It just wasn’t. Yoseph, on the other hand, was very loud with his opposing view. Sex was nothing but a competition. There was never a guy that could outdo him when it came to women either. Back in the day he had the most women, the largest body count, and was never the man to experience ‘leftovers’. Other guys only got to smash after him. Before they met Gianni that is…

So, the battle’s been on ever since. Joseph knew it was only right for Gianni to get so much attention though. He was their Frat’s Alpha, the leader of their online performance group, had the widest vocal range, was the bulkiest in muscle tone, had the longest, prettiest hair for girls to play in, was the loudest, and simply had the hardest game going out of all of them, but those reasons were never good enough for Yoseph. He just couldn’t give up on winning back his number one spot. Joseph wished he would though…

“Sure, Yoseph! How many?” 

“Five!”

“Wait, you slept with five shawties last night??”

“Yeah, nigga~!”

“How’s that not enough?!?” 

“Alright, let’s see…!” Yoseph excitedly began sharing while he counted on his fingers, completely ignoring his brother’s very reasonable question,

“I smashed two in the Party Hall and three in here! All at the same time too! God, you should’ve seen it!”

“Whoa~…So, a threesome and a foursome??”

“Yeah~~!”

“But I don’t get it. I can’t see how that’s not e- Wait…Did you just say you smashed in the Party Hall???”

“I sure the fuck did, nigga!”

“What?!?” 

“All the brothers did!! Even some of the non-pledged niggas got they freak on in there last night! We even-”

“Wait. Wait, wait, wait…” Joseph muttered and put his hand up to pause his twin for a second. Yoseph laughed at the face of his brother processing his words and smiled too hard when Joseph finally spewed his thoughts,

“Yoseph…What the fuck happened last night??!”

“A fuckin’ legend, Joseph!! That’s what the fuck happened last night!”

“Yoseph, Yoseph…Naw, you lyin’. You gotta be. Get outta here with that bullshit, dawg,” Joseph scoffed and looked away to take hold of their fridge door. Yoseph’s story was now becoming too tiring for his mind to process. He knew his brother was into embellishing his stories to make them more exciting but this was simply too fucking much.

“Bro! Joseph, I swear to God!!”

“Yo…!”

“What~?!” 

“I let it slide the first time! You know how I feel about you doing that!!”

“I do, but that’s how serious I am~!! You knew this was one of our last parties before we graduate! Why wouldn’t our Alpha leave his mark like that?! We even had rubbers waitin’ and ready for this shit for the free! Even the non-pledged niggas had access!!”

“Yoseph, come on! You’re basically telling me Gianni turned our practically PG Party Hall into an Orgy House over night! How could I believe that?!?”

“But he did, nigga! He did!!”

“How come Nate ain’t tell me about it then?!”

“I don’t know~! I told you that nigga was drunk off his ass! He could’ve even forgot!!”

“Dawg, that can’t be true. You can stop now. I believe you when you said it was amazing, you ain’t gotta do all that.”

“But it’s true~!!! Bro, why the hell did we share a sack if you’re never gonna believe me…!? You- you better listen to your older brother, lil’ nigga!!!”

“Wha- You’re older than me by literally two minutes!”

“It still counts, damn it!!!”

“Can yall niggas SHUT THE FUCK UP?!?! I’m tryna get some sleep in here!” David snarled viciously at the twins from his bedroom door.

Both Joseph and Yoseph made up their faces as they watched him make his way over to where they were and as soon as he got there he shove Joseph out the way of the fridge. Both twins were taken aback by his actions, of course, but Joseph made up his face even more nastily for having to catch himself from falling out of nowhere. David simply yanked the fridge’s door open right after as if he did nothing wrong then cursed at how bright the light was in there. It wasn’t much brighter than it was in the common area itself but it seemed to bother him nonetheless. David growled under his breath like a wild animal after staring at the fridge’s content for a short while. Whatever he was looking for didn’t seem to be in there and it pissed him off even further.

Joseph surely didn’t give a fuck though. He was about to give it to him for what he just did until Yoseph interrupted with haste. He knew his brother didn’t like what just happened to him and he knew it was unfair but it’d obviously be a losing battle if he acted on it. They all knew not to mess with David when he was this vicious for no good reason but his ability to piss people off blinded that judgment sometimes. It usually takes more to get Joseph this heated too so Yoseph knew things wouldn’t cool down easily if he let it happen.

“Mutha-!”

“UUH…! Hey G.!”

“WHAT?!” 

“Can you believe Joseph ain’t come to the party last night?!”

“Perché dovrebbe importarmi se lui era lì o no? [ITL: Why should I care if he was there or not?” David asked coldly as he stared daggers at Yoseph through his barely opened eyes.

“What? Nigga, you know I-”

“Non me ne frega un cazzo se è venuto o no! Questo è così stupido. Dio, dov'è il cazzo di succo?! [ITL: I don't give a fuck if he came or not! This is so stupid. God, where's the fucking juice?!]” David shouted and half way through it started shuffling through the fridge haphazardly. Not only was he woken from his precious beauty sleep but he was mad thirsty and in a huge rush to fix it. He had no time for anything else, especially stupid questions like that. David sighed dramatically when he really couldn’t seem to find whatever it was he was looking for before he finally glanced over at a very angry Joseph to answer Yoseph’s question in the language they all understood,

“Yeah, I can believe that shit. We all know he’s lame as fuck. Lamest nigga in our crew…What was more important than coming out and supporting your Alpha last night?”

“He said he just didn’t feel like it so he stayed at Love’s instead. They-”

“Wait, what…?”

“Uh…” Yoseph murmured and paled a little, he forgot who he was talking to for a second. 

“Who the fuck told you you could do that?? Why were you with my girl last night?!” 

David wasn’t very thirsty anymore, unless we were referring to blood. Why’d Joseph think spending the night with his Love was a better option than going to their party?! David came closer to Joseph to make sure he could hear the excuse well enough before he’d punch him dead in the face for it. He was tired of Joseph’s bullshit! Ever time David turned around this man was in Love’s face! Talking and being friends and shit! Well, he wasn’t having it!!!

“I don’t need your fuckin’ permission to stay over at a friend’s place, nigga! Who do you think you are?!” Joseph finally shouted back and fearlessly too. David wasn’t the only one at his wits end. Joseph was entirely sick of this man’s insanity! Everyone knows him and Love are just friends! It’s been over two years since they’ve known each other and that’s all they’ve ever been!! Well, Joseph was finally done with his shit! David surely wasn’t the only one that could get crazy and he was damn sure ready to prove it in that moment too! David chuckled at Joseph’s growing attitude and got even more in his face before responding.

“I’m her fuckin’ nigga, that’s who. Why you actin’ like you don’t know that…? You of all people should know that!!!”

“You’re not her nigga, Gianni! She’s single and don’t belong to no one!! Especially not you!!!” 

“What did you just say to me…?”

“You heard me! Love don’t belong to you, nigga! And she never has!!”

“What you gettin’ at…? Dawg, I’m ‘bout to fuckin’ kill you. Did yall fuck last night?! IS THAT WHY YOU ACTIN’ ALL CONFIDENT RIGHT NOW?!?”

“What?! No!! What’s wrong with you?!? I’m mad ‘cause you fuckin’ pushed me for no good reason!!!”

“Tsk! You’re wastin’ my gawd damn time!! This is your last chance, nigga, I ain’t gon ask you again!! DID YOU FUCKIN’ TOUCH MY GIRL?!!”

“NO! W-”

“Then stop fuckin’ talkin’ to me and stay away from her!”

“You’re the one fuckin’ screamin’ in my face!!” 

“Lil’ bitch ass nigga…Swear you ‘bout to do somethin’ over nothin’,” David sighed as he walked back over to the fridge and began his intense juice hunt again. As long as his girl wasn’t being touched by another man the way he would touch her all was good. He definitely had no time to argue now that that was cleared up, his less murderous thirst was kicking back in.

“Why the fuck are you out here anyway?! You have your own fridge!! Get whatever you’re looking for from in there and fuck off already!” 

“You think I’d be out here if I had shit left in there?!”

“…” 

“No, I wouldn’t be!! God, you’re so fuckin’ stupid sometimes! I ran out of all my shit last night since you need to know, you nosy little fuck!!! That’s why I’m out here!!”

“How’s that my fuckin’ fault?!” 

“Jos, I’m ‘bout to knock yo shit clean out for real, dawg. Why are you still fuckin’ talkin’…?! Damn, you shoulda got you some pussy instead of tryna lay up under mio amore [ITL: my love] last night. You’d be ten times less annoying right now if you did. You must want me to kill you for real goin’ over there in the middle of the night. How could you even- Must’ve lost yo Gawd damn mind…”

“You know me and Love aren’t like that! Why do we have to go over the exact same shit every fuckin’ day?!”

“Because you keep tryin’ me! Find yo own pussy and stay away from my girl, Jos!” 

“This ain’t got shit to do with pussy, nigga! I don’t need none! You wanna go pushin’ niggas like it’s cool when it’s not! That’s my fuckin’ problem with you…!”

“You stay bitchin’. Gawd damn, Jos…” 

“Fuck you!! These shawties ain't the problem! You’re the pussy I got the problem with!!!”

“Oh, yeah?? Do you feel better?!”

“…Kinda.” 

“Good! Now shut the fuck up…!!!” David shouted at him before looking back into the fridge and really started shoving shit out the way while he yawned in anger,

“Can’t you see I don’t give a fuck about yo lil’ bitch ass feelings right now?!? All I wanted was some gawd damn- Yo~ There it is~!! Who the fuck pushed it all the way back there…?! So annoyin’! Why’d it have to be behind all them damn pots…?” 

David finally found the drink he was looking for, which happened to belong to Yoseph, and it calmed him down completely. It was like magic. He was really about to lose all of his temper just now from having to go back and forth with Joseph but poof! Gone. Yoseph frowned a little as he watched his favorite guava nectar be juice-napped by his now very content friend. It was just going to have to happen, he wouldn’t dare say a word about that juice today. It wasn’t worth it…

“Stay the fuck away from my girl, Jos~ and there won’t be no problems! I’m not gon’ tell yo ass again either…”

“Yes, you will…! You tell me that shit every fuckin’ day!”

“Now shut yall asses up, I’m tryna get some sleep here…” David muttered while he checked the juice’s seal and smiled when he saw it was still intact. 

Joseph and Yoseph watched him close the fridge door a lot more peacefully than he opened it and headed back into his room while he unscrewed the cap and quenched his obviously intolerable thirst. Things went quiet for the next couple of seconds before Joseph made back up his face and muttered to himself,

“What the fuck does Love see in that nigga again…?”

“What?” Yoseph whimpered back.

“Nothing. Thanks for your support by the way.”

“Hey, I couldn’t even back myself up! You saw him take my juice, right? Everyone in here knows that’s my favorite juice but that shit don’t matter today! Nuh-uh! Mm-mm! It don’t…! You know there’s not much we can do when he gets that damn cranky. He’d just whoop both our asses if I said anything to really trigger him right now. I’m surprised he ain’t react much to you calling him what you did!”

“Ugh~! Yeah, me too…I hate that you’re right right now. Did you see how many waters he shoved out the way just to get to that…?”

“Yeah, I did…I guess he really needed something with flavor.”

“I’d whoop that nigga’s ass if I could, I swear to God…”

“Hey~”

“You started it…Well, I guess I don’t have any other choice but to believe you now, Yoseph. There’s no way in hell that he’d be in that much of a shitty mood just from being woken up if what you said happened last night wasn’t true. Him running out of shit in that fridge is unheard of too, so it had to be because of something like what you said happening.”

“Right?!”

“There are a few things I’ve never seen that man without and those are blunts, designer clothes, condoms, and his favorite shit stocked to the brim in that damn fridge of his.”

“True~” 

“And he’s obviously super exhausted. I haven’t seen him act out like that in some time now…Hey, you were saying he outdid you last night, right? How many shawties did he hook up with since you had five??” 

“Rub it in, won’t you?? Damn…uuh…Nigga, there were honestly so many I doubt he kept count…”

“What?? How’s that possible?”

“Dawg, these bitches were lined up last night, happy as fuck to just sample this nigga! From what I can remember most of the rounds were quick but he stayed in the ones he liked longer.”

“…What are you talking about right now??”

“Okay, okay…! He stayed a minute or two in each average shawtie, no more than three, but for the shawties he really liked he gave it to them for five, six minutes tops! He wasn’t playing around with all that pelvic training he tried to get us into! He ain’t nut no more than three times for the whole night!!! That bitch got mad dome from these hoes last night too?! I could barely believe my fuckin’ eyes! Man~ Most of them were so nasty they ain’t even mind sharing condoms!”

“…It’s kinda disturbing that you know all that in detail.”

“We were together the whole time, why wouldn’t I know that??” 

“Okay…”

“Joseph, and that wasn’t nothin’ compared to what went down in here!!! Gianni brought all the shawties he liked back with him, which was at least five all together, and shit got absolutely fuckin’ WILD up in here!”

“I could only imagine…Hey, thanks for opening all the windows in here. You remembered.”

“You’re welcome! You don’t like the smell of pussy in the air, I know. You’re the only one that complains about it but you know I got you. ”

“Random pussy, Yoseph. You know once I’m really feeling a shawtie I can basically live down there.”

“Mmm…Yo goofy ass still waiting around for Emma, huh?”

“You know I am.”

“I really wish you weren’t~ We could’ve been having fun together like we used to! I would’ve long been looking for ass if I were you. It’s like the longer she got you waiting around the more celibate you become and I really don’t see why! You could’ve been smashin’ left and right! At any time you wanted!! You look like me, remember…?! Dawg, I don’t get you sometimes, for real…”

“Honestly, bro, you don’t need to get me. Just respect me like I respect you.”

“What? Of course! Always, Joseph…”

“Thanks…So, for real now, no jokes. Yall niggas really fucked in the Party Hall? Like, all in front of each other???”

“All of us, nigga~ Well, except for Don and Ty. Those niggas went missing after awhile.”

“Now, I can believe that! Don’s the most private guy I know and I already know why Ty ain’t stay.”

“See?! SO, YOU BELIEVE ME NOW?!”

“YOS! I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!” David roared angrily from inside his room and both the twins quieted before Yoseph apologized,

“Sorry, G.~! I’ll keep it down…! Yeah, so you believe me now?”

“Why do you always let him talk to you so crazy??”

“Aww, he don’t mean no harm, Joseph. He’s just real tired, we both know that.”

“If you say so…”

“Anyway! I’m getting ready to go see Chloe and/or Rebekah, I need to make up for last night!”

“Did you just say ‘and/or’??? And aren’t they together?? And once again, what is there to make up for????”

“Yep, to all that shit! I found out last night that they’re bi and that they’re into double teamin’, and they chose this nigga right here to do it with!”

“Alright…But what is there to make up for?!”

“Didn’t you hear my story?!? Gianni outdid me by a mile last night! I was only able to get five while this nigga selected five out of mad bitches, Joseph! MAD!! My lion’s pride can’t take it, it can’t take it!! I need to keep up with him!”

“No, you don’t. And how many shawties do you plan on turning out?? Isn’t this the third set?”

“Naw, I’m still at two since they’re already into that shit, but I will turn out more! I had my first three last night too?! I’ll never stop!”

“Yoseph!”

“Alright, see you later!”

“Wait! I really think you should- Oh, fuck it…” Joseph sighed as he watched his brother hurry out the front door. Yoseph was for sure his twin, there was no denying that, but they’ve always been so different in their views on life. Joseph decided last minute that he’d better just let things be, let the man do him so Yoseph would have no choice but to let his younger brother be himself too. 

INSTAGRAM: @dnafreedomarts

-Nakeya Mareya

#romance #love story #lovestories #lovers #novel writing #romantic #18+ readings #18+ only #romantic comedy #drama series #my story #my writing #my art #passion #love #illustratedart #illustrated novel #illustrator #volume 1 #chapter 3 #black art #blackartist #black women art #black love #original fiction #original content #original character #original work #original writing #love and passion

[dnafreedomarts]

Love and Passion Chapter 2

Chapter 2:

Joseph’s Way

Joseph smiled to himself as he reminisced on what happened earlier. He was packing and getting ready to head back to his Frat House when the memory decided to replay in his mind. It all began from when he woke up this morning. Love and him ended up falling asleep together on the couch as they read their books the night before. You may even see where this is going. So, Joseph was gently woken up by the rays of the sun coming through the common area’s window. Everything was all good at first when he opened his eyes. Joseph smiled sweetly at the soft, warm light that illuminated the ceiling but frowned as the sensation of the rest of his body began to kick in. When he looked down Love was well on top of him and sleeping super peacefully. So she was what was weighing him down against the couch…Joseph totally freaked out when it all sank in. Seeing her in this position equated to death immediately in his mental but he sighed with relief when he remembered they were in Love’s dorm and not in his. He knew it would’ve been absolutely terrifying if it were the other way around so he thanked God it wasn’t.

He gently caressed Love’s back after he consoled himself with the fact her personal TERMINATOR, aka Gianni, wasn’t in their proximity. She let out a little snore when he stopped and even mumbled a little something right after. That made him chuckle. It was nice to be able to be this close to a woman again, even if it were for just a little while. This was the first real cuddle he’s had in the past two years of being a love sick puppy. It was all by choice though. Joseph knew he could have even more than this at any time he pleased from just about anybody he wanted to have it with, but this was honestly more than enough for him. If the loving couldn’t be from the actual love of his life Joseph just didn’t want it. 

He sighed softly about how complex he chose his life to be. Was it really even a choice…? He didn’t know. All Joseph knew was that he had one of the best women he’s ever had the honor of meeting and getting to know laying on top of him and his body just wouldn’t respond appropriately. Have Emma stare in his direction for a little too long though and his dick would go wild! He really didn’t know what was wrong with him. And to make things worse, he’s got a swarm of beautiful fans now from joining Gianni’s music vlog and he never found himself reacting much to those women either. Emma came into his life right before their group blew up too and blocked any fun he could’ve been having like any other normal college guy would’ve been. He blushed a little at the thought of Emma though. She was just so, so…! Man, she had him lost for words, but in the very best way though…! Joseph then made up his face at the fact he may actually be a bit of a masochist. How could he be so happy about his feelings being completely ignored by someone he loved so much???

Love woke up not long after Joseph began his internal self criticism. She moaned so sweetly when she snuggled her face into his chest a bit, which surprised him. Now that had him blushing. The sound she made was really too cute. It was even softer in pitch than her usual voice and the only time he’d hear that pitch was whenever she’d be yelling at one of the guys in their crew for doing something stupid, excluding himself of course, but he’s never heard it sound so sensual before. Joseph quickly raised his hand from off Love’s back when she shot her head up soon after her moan and she was super red when their eyes met. 

“Oh, no~!” her eyes read. That was not the chest she was accustomed to snuggling into…!! Love quickly rose up when she realized what she had done to poor Joseph.

“Hey, are you-”

“I’m so sorry, Joseph!”

“What? No, no, it’s alright, Love.”

“I really didn’t mean to fall asleep on you like that!”

“Hey, why are you-”

“I’m so sorry!!”

“Love~! I’m telling you it’s- Ow…!” Joseph tried to reassure her but winched as he sat up a bit. His neck was killing him! All but that part of him was lying down properly last night. Instead, his neck was well propped up on the couch’s pillow and arm rest. Love covered her mouth and nearly cried when she saw all that pain in his face. It was all her fault! If she hadn’t gotten all friendly last night then he wouldn’t have to-

“Love.”

“Hm…?!”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to cry. I’ll be alright. I promise.”

“But-”

“It’s not your fault, mami. We were both sleeping and moved however we wanted while we did it. That position was entirely my decision. Unconsciously, unfortunately, but still mine!”

“But now you’re hurt…”

“It’s just a little kink, it’s no big deal. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay…”

“Aww…Come here, mami. Eres tan sensible, te prometo que estaré bien… [SPA: You’re so sensitive, I promise I’ll be fine…]” Joseph whispered and pulled her into a hug after she made her way off of him completely but she also made up her face to cry along with it. It just couldn’t be helped, Love was always like this. She always felt for people on an empathetic level. The only thing Joseph could say he didn’t like about that was the fact she always managed to twist it and blame herself for other people’s pain. He got Love to stand up with him and gave her another really good hug before she was able to fully calm down. She hugged him back snugly and dried her eyes before she decided to change the subject and happily ask,

“Hey, are you hungry?!”

“Wha- Well, yeah, I could always eat. But I’m pretty sure Yoseph will be fixing something for breakfast back at our place.”

“Really?? Even after last night?”

“Or~ maybe not. Yeah, he’s probably too fucked up to cook anything right now, you’re right…”

“Then eat with me instead! I’d love to feed you before you go!”

“I don’t want to be anymore of a burden to you though.”

“What burden?? How can you be a burden to me after I nearly broke your neck!?”

“What?! Love, you didn’t-”

“Eat breakfast with me~! Please~!!” Love whined loudly and even started hopping around a little in protest. Joseph could only chuckle at her method of persuasion. She wasn’t having his hesitation so he agreed right after her rabbit-like dance was done, which made her beam with great joy. Love was obviously not willing to take no for an answer and Joseph saw that. Plus he was pretty damn hungry from not having his usual snack after dinner, so why not?

And good Lord, Love made that breakfast! She had him sit at her little dining table again while she went right to work. Love made some fluffy gluten free pancakes and a delicious vegetable omelet with bell peppers, tomatoes, kale, spinach, and avocado! He didn’t even know you could make an omelet out of tofu like that! No wonder Brandon liked to brag about having these kinds of moments with Love. This woman could spoil any man silly without even trying. The care she gave just because was really a very special thing. Shit, Joseph sure as hell felt special from it and he didn’t have to do anything to get it! All he did was be himself and thankfully she adored him for doing just that.

And there was another thing that he found perplexing—How much he could enjoy a meal without meat! Never in his life had he ever thought about being able to live without it until he met Love. Nope, not even once, but her vegetarian cooking skills were absolutely superb! He never missed your everyday proteins when he got to eat Love’s cooking. She was right up there in talent with his master chef of a brother, and Yoseph could cookcook! Like anything you could think of he could make with expertise, easy. The biggest difference Joseph could say between the two of them was that Yoseph wouldn’t dare go full on vegan in his food art like Love has. His brother felt there was just too much out there for him to sample and create to happily join in on that lifestyle, which Joseph very much understood. God bless them both though. He thought of all this as he quietly but enthusiastically ate all that was before him and then some. 

Bed was naturally the next destination after their breakfast feast. Joseph yawned after his third serving of everything she made and Love giggled as she shared the genius idea of doing so after she finished her share as well. He couldn’t have agreed more. Joseph refused to let her wash up everything on her own this time and they both made their ways to their respective rooms as soon as they were finished. Joseph wasn’t sure how Love was doing in her room once they separated but he hoped she knocked out just as well as he did. He found himself curled up real good under his cozy blanket when he opened his eyes again and when he checked his phone it was exactly 2 PM. Joseph smiled happily to himself as he closed his eyes for a moment and stretched some of his sleep away. His neck no longer hurt and he was too stoked about it. Joseph tolerated emotional discomfort way better than he did physical ones and usually the lion in him would come out when he was in that kind of pain. He never liked anyone seeing him that way though so he really had to hold it in earlier, especially since Love reacted the way she did to him hurting in the first place. He knew that would’ve only made her feel worse.

Joseph got out of bed, finished his stretch, and took his time with folding up his linen after taking a quick shower. He hummed pleasantly to himself while he did it. Random thoughts flew in and out of his mind as he carefully lined up all the sheets and blanket corners in the process. Neatness to an OCD level kicked in whenever Joseph was feeling this chill. He had a little pep in his step too since he put on a bit of his Sweet Orange and Rosemary essential oil blend, leaving him more than ready to take on his self-given tedious task. But one thought that kept coming to his mind as he checked his corners twice was whether or not he’d ever go vegan himself. He already knew the answer to that question though. This wasn’t his first rodeo in thinking about it and the conclusion was just about the same with nearly the exact same reasoning every time—Joseph’s mouth began to water at the thought of having to miss out on his brother’s decadent culinary skills. He could literally taste home whenever Yoseph fixed some Jibarito, Fricase de Pollo, Empanadillas, and all the other Puerto Rican delicacies he’d make for him and their friends. Don’t even get him started on his international dishes he’d make for them! There really was no need for restaurants for their crew. They would go for the hell of it but Yoseph was every eatery you could ask for in one. So, Joseph instead quietly honored his beloved friend for her courageous soul because he surely couldn’t do it. 

That thought only caused him to ponder even further while he then began to carefully chose one of the three pairs of sneakers he happened to pack in his overnight bag. Firstly, he wondered why he felt he needed to pack three pairs of sneakers for something that really was only for one night, and secondly, why was Love even remotely concerned about her weight?? The food she made was always so light and couldn’t possibly slow anyone down like meats, dairies, and excessive carbs sometimes could. She felt perfect against him while she slept too. He just couldn’t comprehend what the problem was in her mind! Her softness was beyond pleasant. And she was nice and warm and just the right amount of cuddly too! Joseph then and there decided he’d release that thought, almost as soon as it began with a good, deep breathe for assistance. He knew there would simply be no point in continuing. Love, no matter how homie-like she could be with him and the rest of their crew, was still very much a woman and women were designed to be beautiful, beautiful mysteries.

Joseph lightly knocked on Love’s bedroom door once he was fully dressed and finished packing. He didn’t want to leave without giving her his final thanks for everything she ended up doing for him. All he wanted was a bed to sleep in for the night and he got so much more than that. Joseph chuckled at the way Love groaned and turned over in bed when she heard the sound of her bedroom door being cracked open. Yup, she was definitely alright. That was the appropriate response to someone interrupting your sleep when you’ve spent most of the night before awake. Plus all that cooking she did had to have her pooped out for sure. Love knew all the guys in her crew could eat and always cooked a shit ton whenever she knew they’d be dining with her, and Joseph was more than thankful for that. He let himself in after a soft smile spread across his face and slowly walked over to her bed to whisper just as softly,

“I’m getting ready to leave, mami. You don’t have to get up, I’ll lock the door on my way out. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. From last night to this morning. I had a really good time.”

“Hmm…?? Is that you, Joseph…?”

“Yes, mami, it’s me,” he chuckled some more.

“Wait, you’re leaving already…?”

“Mm-hm, I’m leaving now.”

“Okay…How’s your neck, sweetie?”

“My neck’s a lot better, thanks for asking. But it’s past two now, I need to get back to my place. I’m sure Yoseph’s wondering where I am since I didn’t show up at the party last night.”

“Oh, I’m so glad~…”

“Me too.”

“…Wait, what?! No way, it’s two?!? It’s seriously that late already???” Love whined sleepily when she registered the rest of his statement and pushed herself up a bit but Joseph laid her back down gently. 

“It is, but it’s no stress. It’s Saturday, remember?”

“Oh, yeah~” 

“And it’s officially Spring Break, we don’t have any classes or work to worry about. So, just rest up, alright? You’ve done a hell of a lot in the past twenty-four hours, so you deserve it.”

“Mmm, alright…”

“I’ll see you later, mami, okay?”

“Mm-hm. Okay, and you’re welcome. You know I love doing for you guys…” Love replied sleepily and adjusted her blanket, but smiled when Joseph finished the adjustment for her and gave her forehead a sweet kiss after that. 

He whispered another farewell as he closed back her bedroom door and locked up on his way out just as he said he would. Joseph couldn’t stop the huge grin that spread across his face while he walked down the hallway to one of the main elevators. He was too excited. Joseph knew he was in for one hell of a story time when he got back to his place. He may not have wanted to be part of the shenanigans that went down last night but it was always fun to hear about everything that happened while he wasn’t there. His boys always ended up doing the craziest shit.

Joseph began an easy stroll back when he stepped out of Love’s building. He decided to listen to one of his favorite playlist from the collection of music he had on his phone while he was at it, so he stopped for a moment to dig his headphones out of his pocket. Joseph happily adjusted everything, from the volume of his phone to the snugness of the buds in his ears and was well on his way. His Frat House was a good fifteen minutes away by foot but as long as he had his music with him it was nothing. Besides Aroma Therapy he really did enjoyed the art of music, hence why he chose to pursue it with his brother to this degree. Getting his Masters in the subject, or in any subject at all really, wasn’t his personal goal. In fact, he really didn’t have any particular goals, but having the opportunity to do something along side his twin was all the motivation he needed to stick through it.

Him and Yoseph singing together was something they’ve always done, for as far back as he could remember, and have always loved to do together too. No one ever taught them how to sing. Music was just something that resonated in their bones…and vocal chords. Their family back in Puerto Rico used to invite relatives and neighbors over to have them listen to the two of them sing just about anything. Joseph personally didn’t like all the attention it brought at first. He was more of a private singer but Yoseph was anything but. He was always the one who adored the spot light and he couldn’t get enough of the praise they received from it. It became fun for Joseph too after a while though. Witnessing how his brother would be so happy about performing and making people smile in turn encouraged him to want to do the same. And them doing that brought him right out of his shyer stage in life. Joseph chuckled at the random memory before he was surprised by a young woman standing right outside of the dining hall he was passing by.

“JOSEPH~! HEY, BABY!!”

He jumped from the voice that was way louder than his music but smiled super sweetly when he saw who called to him. It was Charlotte, one of 3G’s many on-campus fans. Joseph was honestly always a little surprised whenever the girls could tell him apart from his brother, but he chuckled to himself when he remembered how blue his outfit was today. He then remembered it’d be hard not to tell him and Yoseph apart from the way they usually dressed. They really were identical in features but Joseph was a big fan of blue when it came to clothes while Yoseph was well known for his love of red. The confusion really only came whenever they’d decide to wear more neutral colors at once, but today that wasn’t the case.

Back to the situation though. Charlotte ran over to Joseph with her cheeks all flushed and bright red. Or was it the makeup…? He wasn’t sure. Joseph looked at her with a little bit of confusion from how excited she was to see him but chuckled and removed one of his earbuds when she happily took his free hand in both of hers. Joseph was 3G’s well known Sweetheart and often times didn’t get as much individual attention as Yoseph and Gianni did, who were the more popular Hound Dog personas of their group. Only when he was with them did this ever really happen–girls running up all flustered and excited from their presence. Most of his individual fans were on the shyer side and kept their distance usually. So, Joseph couldn’t help but be shocked from getting such an intense reaction, especially from this fan in particular.

“Hey, Charlotte. How you doin’?”

“I’m good now that I’ve seen you, cutie.”

“Really…? Well, I’m glad to hear it.”

“Mm-hmm~”

“Um…Did you enjoy the party last night?”

“Yeah, I did! It was so much fun!!” 

“Good,” Joseph chuckled.

“You boys are always so wild! Shit, more like straight up crazy if you ask me!” 

“I’m sure they were. That’s what they’re good at.”

“Yeah~…It was pretty damn close to being too much last night…”

“What, really?”

“Oh, yeah! Yall some crazy ass niggas for real…So, you gonna tell me where you were last night instead of at the party or what??”

“Oh, I-”

“Wait, hold that thought!”

“Okay…” 

“Come sit with me! Tell me then instead!”

“Oh! Alright, I-” 

“How about a coffee?! I’ll even buy it for you…!”

“I wouldn’t mind a coffee, but only if you let me buy it for us. I can’t take from you like that.” 

“God, you really are the sweetheart. It’s crazy how different you and Yoseph are, like really. Do you know how much money I’ve spent on that boy?”

“What? He’s taken-”

“But sure, baby! I’d love it if you’d buy us some coffee!!”

“…”

“…Hello?”

“Oh, I wasn’t sure if it was safe for me to talk.”

“You’re so silly~! Come on, let’s go!!” Charlotte laughed loudly as she took his arm and happily smiled up at him. It really was strange how happy she was. Charlotte continued to hold unto Joseph tightly while they entered the dining hall and was stuck to him like glue even when they reached the Starbucks in there. He blushed a little at the way her boastful stares drew in more attention than necessary from other 3G fans as well as other students and faculty they happened to pass by. Joseph was never one to flaunt women around like Yoseph was, so the looks they were getting because of it were extra weird. He couldn’t help but to hear all the whispers of confusion and disgust because of it. Joseph liked the Sweetheart and Gentleman persona he had, which he felt he rightfully earned, so it made him a little sad to be seen in the opposite light…

Charlotte couldn’t care less though. She giggled as she clung to his waist in the queue line and also moved her chair so she’d be sitting right next to him once their coffees were served. She was so close it might as well have been one chair. Charlotte made sure to loop her arm through his and was as close as possible as she sipped on her iced Caramel Macchiato. Joseph couldn’t help but to watch her in confusion for another moment but sighed as he once again let it go. 

This always happened. Well, not always but often enough to disturb his peace. Even though Joseph was mad crushing on Emma, he couldn’t get himself to deny the attention some women very randomly and aggressively wanted from him. He knew his kindness could easily be misleading too, which was the very reason he tried to avoid situations like this in the first place. This time happened to not be so bad though. Joseph was specifically fine with Charlotte behaving this way towards him. She was actually one of Yoseph’s regular girls and he knew she was pretty serious about how much she adored his brother. She was probably just upset with him for something he did at the party last night to be acting out like she was in the first place. Yoseph was probably out there kissing on other women or something like that and now she was quietly hurt. But whatever it was, Joseph knew this clingyness wasn’t anything he needed to take too seriously because of it. 

“So, um…Charlotte.”

“Yeah, baby??”

“What did Yoseph do…?”

“Nothing! Oh, my fuck!! I don’t wanna talk about it!!!”

“Oh, okay! Whoa…Uh~ but are you sure you don’t want to talk about it? You’re acting kinda-”

“YES! Gawd, damn it!!! He’s a freakin’ bastard, that’s all…”

“Alright, nevermind then…”

“God, I really hate that nigga sometimes. He swear he’s the- Oh, yeah! I remember now!”

“What? Remember what…?”

“My question! Why weren’t you at the party last night?”

“Oh, yeah. That’s why we sat down in the first place, huh? Well, I just didn’t feel like partying last night. I stayed at a home girl’s place instead and it was super chill. It was definitely more of the vibe I wanted to be in. We had a real good time.”

“Oow~ Alright, baby, I see you…! So, how was it~?”

“How was what??” 

“You know what I’m saying! You naughty boy, you! God, lucky her~”

“Whoa~! No, girl, it wasn’t like that! We just chilled, that’s all,” Joseph laughed.

“What, why??”

“What you mean ‘why’? Me and Love just aren’t like that.”

“Oooh, it was that Love chick. She’s in your little crew, right? I never see her at your parties…Why’d you stay with her then?”

“Yeah, she is. And Love’s never been big on partying, but it’s all good though. She went once and that was more than enough for her and I respect that. I went to her because she had an extra room in her dorm and I wasn’t tryna be up in the mix when Yoseph and Gianni moved the party back to our place, so I stayed the night at hers.”

“Oh, yeah~ That’s right! Because Emma’s not there no more~! That makes sense.”

“Yeah, exactly.”

“God, I miss that girl. She was so much fun!”

“Yeah, me too…”

“But Love…! Ugh, that girl’s such a fuckin’ snore! She ain’t got much sex appeal neither…! No wonder you ain’t sleep with her, what fun would that be!”

“Hey! Don’t-”

“I don’t even know why she’s in our Sorority! She only ever showed up when Emma asked her to and would only make suggestions straight to Emma for our routines! Now that Emma’s not here none of us have seen that girl around! She’s just a waste of space on our roster now! She’s never even danced with us before so I never saw the point in her being a part of our group!”

“What?? Yo-” 

“That girl’s always had a serious stick stuck up her ass, dawg! She swears she’s better than all of us! Damn, that must’ve been one boring ass night!!”

“You know that’s my home girl, right…? I just told you we had a good time, didn’t I?? Look, I don’t fuck around when it comes to her and neither do my niggas, so watch your fuckin’ mouth!”

“I-” 

“And Love’s dumb talented! Your Sorority’s routines improved big time when Love joined and everyone knows that! M.A.R.C. wasn’t even on the map before Love’s input! Everyone in N.A.K.S. knows she was yall savin’ grace, so how the fuck did yall miss that?!? Dawg, don’t let me hear you talk about her like that again! It really pisses me off…!” Joseph warned as he glared at her but she really seemed to like his random scolding, like a lot. Charlotte blushed brightly and nearly moaned her super unrelated response back,

“Oww~…You sounded like your brother just now. That was so fuckin’ sexy, baby…”

“What…?! Querido Dios, ayúdame. ¿Por qué me hago esto a mí mismo? [SPA: Dear God, help me. Why am I doing this to myself?]” Joseph sighed tiredly as he looked away and rolled his eyes a bit. And they wondered why Love wouldn’t hang out with them. The Love he knows is as sharp as a tack when it comes to how people feel about her. He was sure Love picked up on their bullshit attitude from a mile away and she definitely didn’t play that. Joseph knew she only joined M.A.R.C. strictly for Emma’s sake too. She never fit in well with the kind of girls that joined but she was well on keeping her promise when Emma begged her to help them out with their routines. Love was a big stickler for detail in all that she did and danced well on her own time, so when she joined their sorority all forms of noticeable sloppiness in their movements disappeared. Love recognized every girls’ strengths and weaknesses and had Emma organize them according to what she observed! She had Emma place the ones who moved the fastest towards the front and the ones that moved the slowest in the back while the moderate movers were placed in the middle, creating this cool wave effect that was unique to only their Sorority now. Love’s crew knew that damn well so Joseph wasn’t going to let any of that bullshit fly.

“Oh, my God~ Now you’re speaking Spanish? Boy, you better stop~ I might have to switch over to you, baby!”

“Please don’t. And I’m serious, Charlotte! I better not-”

“Okay, okay~! I heard you, baby, goodness! I won’t talk about your friend no more. I don’t want you getting all upset with me. I ain’t really mean it anyway…”

“Alright, then.”

“Ah, and Gianni, out of all people, seems to have a thing for her too, so she must not be that bad. Gianni don’t fuck wit’ basic, that I know for sure…”

“He doesn’t…but Love’s an amazing person on her own though.”

“Whatever you say…”

“Mm-hm.”

“...Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you wanna girlfriend or at least someone to fuck on every once in a while? Sweethearts need lovin’ too, you know.”

“Oh. Well…Naw~ I’m good. I like the way things are for me right now. I don’t need that.” 

“You sure…? You wouldn’t change that if you had the opportunity to?” she asked and looked up at him flirtatiously. Joseph glanced back at her nervously. He felt it at first but her eyes definitely confirmed it. They were really telling him she wanted him! Like at that very moment wanted him!! Charlotte started rubbing on his chest but was surprised when Joseph moved her hand and stopped her from doing it. She made it obvious that she didn’t like that though. He frowned when Charlotte’s eyes watered from his stern boundaries. Maybe he was in trouble this time around too…

“No, mami…You know we couldn’t do that even if I wanted to. Yoseph would be dumb pissed and I don’t want that..”

“Who cares how he’d feel?!”

“I do…Look, I know you’re mad at him, but really I’m good. I like being single.”

“Oh, alright~” she sighed sadly, 

“Damn, you’re a hard one to crack! But why wouldn’t you be? You’re freakin’ hot and a good guy.”

“Thanks…”

“God, Joseph~…Your brother’s a jerk.”

“Yeah, I know…You wanna tell me what he did now?”

“You should’ve seen him, Joseph~! Him and Gianni-” Charlotte began angrily as she pulled away to look at him but a couple of her friends hollered her name before she could even finish talking. Joseph was sure they scared the hell out of everyone in the coffee shop with how loud they were. He jumped and so did she as one of them ran over to yell as if the first time was possibly not enough,

“CHARLOTTE~!”

“WHAT, BITCH?!”

“What you mean what?! We’ve been looking all over for you! The ride-” that friend said but froze just to stare at Joseph for a good ten seconds. He made up his face for a moment but decided he’d stop after a melancholic sigh. It was his doing for choosing to be by Charlotte’s side today, so he spoke first to relieve her of her confusion,

“Hey~ Mya.”

“Oh, hey, Joseph! God, I just knew it was you! You’re wearing blue and everything…! You know that’s not Yoseph, right?”

��Wha- Of course I know that! Why wouldn’t I know my baby daddy from his twin?!? I’m not dumb, ho!”

“Then what are you doing~?? Why’d you have all of us waiting around for you?! Our rides been here! I texted you almost ten minutes ago!”

“I know~! I just wanted to sit with Joseph for a little minute before I left…What’s so wrong with that?!”

“We all know he’s the sweet one and all but don’t use him just because you’re upset, Char~! Forget about what Yoseph did last night! You’ll forgive him by the end of the week anyway and you know that! Let’s go find us some new dick for the break! Come on~!”

“No, I won’t. I’ll never forgive him.”

“Do you just like lyin’ or~…”

“Shut up! I’m not ly- Oh, WHATEVER!!”

“Come on, Char~! We need to go!! If I didn’t give my number to the driver we’d be stuck right now! Who’s gonna bring six fuckin’ girls to Miami for that cheap?!!”

“Um…That sounds kinda dangerous. I wouldn’t tru-” Joseph murmured but Charlotte screamed and got up really fast, cutting him off in the process,

“Alright, alright! Damn…!!” 

Before she took off though she turned to Joseph again and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. He looked up at her with surprise and she giggled,

“Thank you so much for the coffee, Joseph…and I’m sorry if this came off as me using you.”

“No, it’s all good! I really didn’t mind…I know Yoseph’s good a pissing you off, so.”

“He is~…! Hey, enjoy your break, alright? I’ll see you around and thanks again!”

“See you…Aye, be careful out there, alright?!”

“I will, baby~ Bye~!!”

Joseph sighed as he watched them all run towards the cafe’s entrance. Those girls were nothing but crazy. He hoped they’d be alright with that sus driver they hired because trusting a deal like that was kind of dumb. Joseph did a little prayer for them none the less and took a sip of his hot cafe mocha. He then sighed about the situation that just passed. It wasn’t uncommon for Yoseph’s play things to come after him after his brother would do something to piss them off. They’d all forgive him in the end too. Joseph could never wrap his head around why they’d even waste energy on being angry with him in the first place. If you didn’t know Yoseph was a player, you simply weren’t from around these parts. Everyone on campus knew about his promiscuous ways and that he was proud of it! Joseph shook his head and chuckled about his unwanted wing man position before taking another sip of his coffee. Women and their ways truly were mysterious.

He smiled, however, at the thought of the only woman that was ever allowed to stay on his mind and bit his lip happily from it. Joseph quickly wiped off Charlotte’s lipstick from his cheek with a napkin before pulling his phone from out his pocket. He unlocked it and blushed brightly at his phone’s wallpaper. It was a picture of him and Emma cropped from a group photo their crew took last summer when they all went to Tybee Island for a week. 

She wore some of the sexiest bikinis he’s ever seen in his entire life back then and he thanked God that he was there to witness every single one of them. Joseph shook off the daydreams of what he wished he could’ve done to her to quickly check the time as if he didn’t already know it was some time after two. He just had to make sure though…But what if she was napping? No, he couldn’t back out of it now. Joseph took a deep, shaky breath right as he selected Emma’s name in his contacts and swallowed a bit of his pride before he began FaceTiming her. It rang for awhile and he started losing hope but lit up like a puppy for a treat when she finally answered.

“HEY, JOSEY~! How are you, baby?!”

“Hey, hermosa! I’m good, I’m good! Wow, I see you cut and dyed your hair some more!”

“Aww, you never fail to notice these things~! So, what do you think? Do you like it??”

“I love it, mami! It looks real pretty on you.”

“Thank you~!!!”

But, um…I just stopped by Starbucks for some coffee and thought I’d check in on you while I was chillin’. How you doin’?”

“Hey~! I’m at Starbucks too! How funny is that?!”

“Really?! That is funny!”

“And thanks for checking in! At least one of you do! After I left it’s like I fell off the face of the earth! I might get a like here and there from the guys but that’s it!! And don’t even ask me where Love is!!”

“You know I’ll always check up on you, mami. And Love’s been real busy lately too, I’m sure she doesn’t mean any harm.”

“Yeah~ I know. I don’t know why she won’t just relax though! As if she can actually fail at anything. She’s just so- Ugh! Love’s always so on her fuckin’ shit it’s sickening!”

“Huh? You really think so…?”

“Yeah, of course I do! I really tried to get her to lighten up while I was there but my efforts were all in vein! She’s completely hopeless! That girl couldn’t stop working if it were to safe her life!!” 

“I don’t think she’s that bad…”

“Yeah, well- Oh, never mind her, I should be asking about you, Josey! Are you by yourself right now?”

“Oh, uh- Yeah, I am.”

“Really?? Why?”

“I-”

“Hey~! How was the party last night?! I saw some of the pictures on that ugly kaka’s Instagram posts and stories! Don’s and Yoseph’s too but he had the most! How come you didn’t post any?”

“When are you going to stop calling him that? You know Gianni hates that name,” Joseph chuckled after sipping some of his coffee. He was happy she decided to change the subject, all that negative talk about Love was making him uncomfortable. She was supposed to be one of their best friends and he’s never found himself able to tell Emma off like he did Charlotte just now, about anything. She’d be able to say whatever she wanted about Love and he’d silently hate himself for letting it happen…

“NEVER!! Once an ugly kaka, always an ugly kaka…”

“Alright, girl,” he chuckled.

“So, why didn’t you post anything??”

“Oh, yeah. I just didn’t go. I stayed at Love’s last night.”

“Whaaat?! Why’d you do that?!! That party looked wild and it’s one of you guys’ last ones!!!”

“I know, but I didn’t feel like going…Maybe if you came I would’ve but since you didn’t I decided I’d just chill and smoke out with Love.”

“I guess that’s cool too…”

“Oh, she even made her famous Vegetarian Bibimbap! That shit was too fire, Emma. You know how she likes experimenting with the flavors each time she makes it, this one was whew!”

“Oww, oww! Really~?! I’d skipped the Frat party for some of that my damn self…! Hers is just as good as Eun-Jeong’s! Shit, maybe even more!!”

“Really? I’ve never had your mom’s cooking. How’s she and your dad doing by the way?”

“That’s right~ You haven't! I basically can replicate her recipes, I’ll make you some one day.”

“I’d love that, mami! I didn’t know you could cook,” Joseph chuckled. 

“Of course I can! I just don’t like too…And uh- my folks are good. Same old, same old…”

“Aah, okay. That sounds more like you. Emma cooking? Weird…And that’s good to here.”

“Hey~”

“I’m just playing, mami.”

“But, god~ I miss that girl’s food so much~! Her style of flavoring satisfied my Latin tongue just right! She said to hit her up and I can come by to eat with her anytime but I just haven’t gotten around to it…”

“You should! I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.”

“Yeah, maybe…”

“But, uh- Love’s food could satisfy anyone’s tongue! Shit~”

“Right?!” Emma giggled.

“So…Why didn’t you come out last night? You know you’re always welcomed even if you’re not a student anymore.”

“Aww, Josey~ I know that~ Thank you, baby! I would’ve but I had a date I already scheduled and I really didn’t wanna cancel it.”

“Oh…Alright, I understand…He ain’t try nothing slick with you, right?””

“Noo, he was a complete gentleman, I promise!”

“You sure…?”

“Yes, I’m sure!”

“Alright…” 

“…So, who you had kissing on you before you called me, mister?” Emma laughed happily in her little attempt to change the subject. Joseph always got a little too over protective with her. She was pretty used to it, but it made her feel more like she was talking to an old man instead of a friend at times. Love did the same thing with her too so she’s heard more than enough of it. Joseph’s face turned entirely red from her unexpected comment though and it made Emma giggle even more. He just made the funniest faces whenever he’d get embarrassed. Joseph quickly checked his image in the corner of his screen and there was a little bit of Charlotte’s lipstick still left on his cheek. What the fuck, he could’ve sworn he got it all!

“It’s not what it looks like, I swear!” he pleaded desperately and scrubbed off the rest after licking a napkin to get it,

“I was just with Charlotte and-”

“Did you just say Charlotte??”

“Y- yeah…!” 

“Oooh~ No wonder why you’re out for coffee! You never do that on your own unless the shop’s attached to a bookstore!”

“Oh, uh, yeah, usually. That’s true.”

“She stopped you on your way back to the Frat House, huh?”

“She did…! Damn, what are you, psychic now?” Joseph chuckled back.

“No~ I just know Charlotte! Yoseph fucked up last night somehow and she needed his face to be nice to her because of it , aka you!”

“Well, damn! Alright, now I feel used…”

“What? Used??”

“Yeah…She said sorry for using me before she left but I told her it was nothing…” 

“Aww. Well, don’t be sad, Josey! I don’t care what anyone has to say, I think it’s good that you’re so nice! If you were both like Yoseph what would we even do?? Like, oh, my God…”

“Would it really be that much of a problem??”

“It definitely would! It’s refreshing that you’re different! Your brother, ugly kaka, and even Don can be a bunch of jerks sometimes but you never are and I love that about you, cutie!”

“Oh! Thank you, Emma…”

“You’re welcome, Josey! You know you’re the sweetest~ But I have to go now, okay? We’ll talk later!”

“Oh! Yeah, sure! That’s no problem! I’ll talk to you later, hermosa!”

“Okay~! Bye, bye~ Mantente lindo, ¿de acuerdo? [SPA: Stay cute, okay?]”

“¡Voy a…! Tú también, ¡¿de acuerdo?! [SPA: I’m going to…! You too, okay?!]”

“Bueno lo haré~ [SPA: Okay, I will~] Gosh, you’re so cute,” Emma sang her adorable giggle then hung up the phone on her end. This woman was going to be the death of him, or him the death of himself!? Either way, everything about Emma melted his heart. Her beautiful hazel eyes hypnotized him and her sweet full lips drew him in so desperately, he developed excellent self-control just from having to witness them. So pretty and pink…Every word his ears were blessed to hear come from them were pure magic! Just the tone alone was his favorite song. Oh, how she’d break his heart and put it back together in almost the same instance—it was incredible. Joseph sighed with both happiness and sadness before putting his phone away and stood to his feet. She went on another date last night and that hurt him so bad. He knew how her dates usually ended. But she told him she liked him exactly as he was and that he was cute, which he LOVED DEARLY…! Yeah, that’s it. He’s officially lost his mind.

Joseph let out a bitter chuckle before heading back outside. It was time for him to stop feeling sorry for himself and to get a move on. On his continued route back to the Frat House he happened to come across another familiar face as he passed by one of the many campus’ convenience stores. He smiled with thankfulness at the fact it was not another bereft fan girl. This person didn’t call out to him this time either. He simply didn’t seem to notice Joseph since he only glanced his way briefly, but the guy was dressed a little down for what the weather was outside and that alone let Joseph know exactly who it was. He was well aware of the fact this friend didn’t mind the cold as much as others around him did. 

The guy was walking out of the store in an almost zombie like manner and Joseph’s nosiness began kicking in all over again. He had to see what that was about, even though he had a good idea of the reason already. It was more than likely a part of the aftermath of last night’s party but Joseph’s curiosity wouldn’t let him leave it at just pure speculation. He smiled as he approached his friend. It was story time. The guy curiously looked back when he heard his name be called the way it was.

“Aye, yo, Nate!!”

He was about to respond cheerfully when he saw who it was that called out to him but quickly faced back forward and crouched over as if he were getting ready to throw up literally all he had in his guts. Joseph gasped in horror at the sight and sound that came along with it but smiled weakly when Nate thankfully didn’t upchuck and waved happily at him instead while he clutched his obviously distressed stomach. Yup, that was definitely an after N.A.K.S. party behavior. Nathaniel was one of his many hardcore partying Frat brothers. And not only were they pledged to the same house but they were also next door neighbors in it. So, if Nate was still in this shape nearly three in the afternoon of the next day that meant the party really did go hard. 

“I’m okay, I swear,” Nathaniel chuckled.

“You sure…? You looked like you were about to throw up all you had inside of you.”

“Ugh~! Jos, don’t talk like that right now, please~”

“Oh, sorry…”

“It’s cool…So, where were you last night, nigga? The party was fuckin’ lit, why’d you miss it?”

“I heard. And I was with Love instead. I didn’t really feel like partying last night.”

“Really? Why…?”

“I didn’t feel like it.”

“But why though?”

“I just didn’t.” 

“Hmm…What, you still sulkin’ over Emma, nigga?”

“…I might be.”

“Aww, come on Jos! Don’t be like that!! There’s so much more fun to have before we graduate, dawg! I swear to God, you could be…”

“Could be?? Could be what?”

“Wait, let me eat some of these damn crackers I just bought before I throw up all over my gawt damn self…”

“Oh. Yeah, good idea.”

They decided to sit at a table right outside of the store where Nathaniel nearly threw up again and had Joseph jump back a little from watching him do it. He shook his head as he witnessed Nate’s will struggle against the will of his esophagus and win. Joseph could never understand why people liked drinking to the extent where they’d be so sick afterward but to each his own. Nate groaned loudly after forcing everything back down and sighed with relief when he came out victorious. He then popped some pain killers once he made sure the crackers he ate would stay down too. It was honestly kind of funny for Joseph to watch. Even though Nathaniel’s face and behavior revealed how uncomfortable he was feeling he still looked happy as shit! Joseph smiled at the fact his friend had such a good time last night with obviously no regrets and gave him a moment to collect himself before asking his original question again,

“…So, what was it that you were trying to say? You swear I could…??”

“Oh, yes! Damn, I nearly forgot.”

“It’s all good. If I forgot too then it’d be a different story.” 

“I’m glad you did. This is important…! And um, I won’t throw up in front of you, I promise. Aight, Jos?”

“Even if you did I wouldn’t die. I rather you feel better than stay watching you struggle against yourself like that.

“Aww, thanks, bruh…So, uh…Oh, yeah! You should be out here having fun, Jos! Not moping about Emma leaving! She ain’t die or nothing, she just dropped out!!”

“You know she’s the only one that stays on my mind…These other shawties just don’t catch my attention like she does.”

“Yeah, I know…but still!”

“There is no ‘but still’, Nate. It’s just what it is…I don’t stay wondering about her or nothing like that without trying to holla though. I’m not that lame. I talk to her whenever I can. I actually talked to her before I ran into you.”

“See?! You say you got this so why’re you still sad?!? Dawg, it ain’t even about the bitches right now! Nothing should stop you from partying hard with yo niggas, Jos! We ‘bout to graduate!!”

“I know, I know, I just didn’t want to…At least this time I didn’t.”

“Ugh~! But why not~?! Dawg, I just don’t get you sometimes.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“…So, how’s that super shortie doing anyway?”

“She’s good! She seemed good at least…She went on another date last night, that’s why she ain’t come out like she usually does…”

“And that made you not come out too, right?! God, you’re hopeless. Have you at least told her you like her like that, dawg??”

“Naw…I don’t think she’s ready to hear something like that. Me and Love even spoke about that last night. I really don’t think she’s looking to settle down yet.”

“You right. That shawtie’s far from settling down. Everybody knows that…So…did you get to make a move on Love last night instead?”

“What?! No!!”

“Damn, you trippin’ for real~ Love’s so much easier to get through to than Emma is! That girl’s on her pimp status right now! She knows she’s cute and she fuckin’ runs with that shit, heavy! Love, on the other hand, looks like the kinda girl that if you promise her marriage and some babies she’ll give you just about anything!”

“I mean…She is, but-”

“Why the hell is there a ‘but’ coming out of your mouth right now?? What’s there to ‘but’ about that???”

“I’m not in love with her, Nate…”

“Hm, interesting…I don’t even know what that feels like.”

“What? To be in love??”

“Yeah, nigga~ What even is that?”

“You’re so dramatic. You gotta know what that feels like.”

“I’d say I’m more extravagantly expressing than being dramatic.”

“What the fuck’s the difference???”

“And I kinda do know what it feels like, I guess…” Nathaniel sighed, ignoring Joseph’s question,

“I know what crushing feels like but being full blown in love?? Naw.”

“Really?”

“Naw~ I ain’t never feel for a bitch enough to leave my dick dry for two whole fuckin’ years and she ain’t willin’ to wet it.”

“Hey~”

“I’m just saying…”

“So, what…? Are you saying you’d be into Love like that??”

“Who doesn’t like Love like that??? That girl’s wifey material all around!! She’s fine as hell and her personality’s so- fuckin’- different!! All these shawties out here are basically the same, but not Love, nigga! She’s cool enough to be one of the homies but still hot enough to give you a mean stiffy mid conversation, you feel me?!”

“What the fuck?!” Joseph laughed.

“I’m just saying!! That’s why I think you and Don are fuckin’ nuts for not snatching her ass up from how close yall are to her! Yall could really do it, too!”

“Well, you’re not wrong about those things, but I have an excuse! Someone else’s got my heart already, but I’m not too sure about Don’s reason…”

“That crazy nigga told me that they’re good with just being friends…! Tsk! Yall crazy as fuck…”

“Why don’t you ask her out then? I don’t really see her telling you no.”

“Naw~!! I’m good.”

“What? Why not?? What the fuck, what was all the fuss for then???”

“I’m not done fuckin’ around yet! She’s for someone who’s done with that life.”

“Oh~ Yeah, that’s true.” 

“Plus, Gianni’s turned into her personal body guard all of a sudden! Ain’t nobody tryna cross that line!! That nigga would kill you and resuscitate you just to kill you again over her! Naw, I’m more than good,” Nate laughed almost bitterly.

“Aww, yeah. You’ve got a point there, too…”

“It’s been over a year since he started doing that shit, right?!”

“Mm-hm, just about…”

“So…Why you actin’ like this ain’t about to turn into a question?? Are they lowkey a thing or naw???”

“Uum…Yeah, I don’t know.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“Shit, at least I tried…It’s been more obvious than not lately, so I’d look real fuckin’ dumb if I said straight up no,” Joseph sighed. 

“Bro, ain’t it?! Love’s definitely more lowkey about it but Gianni makes it way too obvious. It’s cool, though. I won’t tell nobody.”

“Thanks, ‘cause it’s supposed to be on the low.”

“I couldn’t help but notice though. All the brothers are sus but they know how up there Love’s morals are, you know? She’s basically a queen, so they’re pretty sure Gianni couldn’t get to her…Dawg, how did he get her??”

“I don’t know…”

“Lying again, I see. It’s cool though, I won’t press you. I’m sure Love had you promise you’d keep things quiet or something along those lines.”

“Thanks, Nate.”

“It’s no problem. I’ve known that nigga since high school, anyway. He’s always been real obvious when he claims a shawtie.”

“What, really?? You’ve known him since high school?”

“Yeah, but we were never close like him and Don were. We had a nod passing in the hallway kinda relationship. He’d only ever talk to me if he really needed to.”

“Really…? What would make him have to??”

“Class projects. Shit like that.

“Oh, wow. Alright…Hey, then why’d you even ask if they were a thing??”

“To see if you’d tell me the truth.”

“Nate, don’t be annoying. Keeping that shit to myself is stressful enough as it is,” Joseph sighed and rubbed his forehead. Nathaniel laughed at his reaction as they decided to stand to their feet. It’s always been fun to tease Joseph a bit. He acted like an old man most of the time and hearing things like that from him was hilarious. Nathaniel’s never met someone so young and handsome who was as serious as Joseph was. How different he is from Yoseph also amazed him. The only thing they had in common were their looks and he really thought identical twins were more alike than that!

“Alright, alright! I’ll stop.”

“Thank you…! Imma change the damn subject. Since I’m seeing you fucked up like this the party must’ve been real lit.”

“DAWG~ Lit ain’t even the word for it. Is that what I called it?!”

“Uuh, yeah,” Joseph laughed.

“Well, I was wrong!! That was the best N.A.K.S. party I’ve ever been to! It was way more than fuckin’ lit!!”

“Really?? I’m almost sad I missed it then.”

“Yeah, nigga! And you should be!! All the ass out there last night was real sweet too?! Jos, you should’ve seen it.”

“I’m sure,” he laughed some more.

“I got to pull all the shawties with the weird Asian fetish. It was amazing~ Gianni’s N.A.K.S. Page on IG had shawties flying out to see us, nigga! Flying out!!”

“Wait, he actually got that to work???”

“He sure the fuck did! Dawg, I don’t give a fuck that I’ll be throwing up later, it was all fuckin’ worth it.”

“Wow. I can’t believe he pulled that off…”

“I was surprised too! He’s been at that K-Pop idol style of advertising us for a while now. Ain’t nobody think it was actually gonna work but as soon as he started putting polls up for the girls to vote for our performances that shit blew up! I’m the fifth favorite right now by the way,” Nathaniel shared boastfully. 

David was seriously a gawd damn genius when it came to women. He learned what they liked and exploited it to the max. David witnessed Love watching a random K-Pop newbie show one time and his brain just took off with ideas. Joseph and Yoseph were second place as a duo on the N.A.K.S. page and Brandon was third. And of course David was first, he made sure of it. He had the page organized so that there’d be a top twenty, and that in and of itself improved their group’s morale. There were over fifty brother’s in their house and David’s efforts made all of them work hard for a chance to be on that list. They all knew their Frat wouldn’t be what is was without his ideas, so they had nothing but respect for him. No matter how crazy he’d get on them whenever he was in a bad mood he was still their Alpha, their G.O.A.T.

“…You sure you’re going to be alright, Nate?”

“Yeah~ I’m sure. I’ll probably throw up when I get back to my place.”

“Okay…That sounds like you’re really fuckin’ uncomfortable then.”

“I am but talking to you’s been a good distraction.”

“That’s good…Hey, how’d your other house brothers do last night?”

“They were livin’ it up! I’m pretty sure Ty fell his ass in love last night too!”

“For real?? Ty as in Tyson???”

“I know, right? That nigga stay swimmin’ in pussy! There were so many fine shawties out there last night for him too but Lisa finally decided to show him the time of day and he was gone. His fans ain’t even exist no more!”

“LISA?!? ‘I ain’t fuckin’ wit’ none a yall lame ass niggas’, Lisa?!”

“That’s the one.”

“Dawg! That’s amazing…! He’s been crushin’ on her heavy for a minute now, too!? Damn, he finally got his chance…”

“Hey! Don’t start getting all emotional on me now!”

“I won’t, I’m just happy for him…”

“I am too in all honesty. He’s liked her since middle school.”

“MIDDLE SCHOOL!?!?”

“Yeah,” Nathaniel chuckled,

“I’ve actually known him and Raph from all the way back. Since elementary school.”

“That’s fuckin’- Yall know me and Yoseph only came to America to attend TAU in the first place, so it’s been- I don’t know, five years since we’ve been in the States. We don’t know anyone here like that so to be able to go back that far with people is pretty fuckin’ dope.”

“It is. It makes it easier to live with them since we’ve been chillin’ since forever too.”

“How’d Raphael do last night?”

“You already know!! Fuck, I’m so jealous of how that bitch can pull sometimes!”

“It’s amazing to see, yeah,” Joseph laughed.

“Dawg, he acts so effeminate but then he takes these shawties home and ravages them! Bruh, dawg, all his girls stay fuckin’ hooked! He hasn’t lost one single girl, Jos! Not one!! And none of them mind sharing him!!!”

“I’m sure. A lot of these shawties out here like men like him. Raph’s like…A gentleman in the streets but a mega freak in the sheets type shit. They like that secret lifestyle he got going on and they all wanna be a part of it…Dawg, your roommates are dope.” 

“Shit~ I couldn’t pick them better…Yo, I know Gianni’s our Alpha and I respect him and all, but I couldn’t imagine living with that nigga. His fuse is way too fuckin’ short. He stays snappin’ at us, too…How do you do it, Jos?”

“Fuckin’ barely, that’s how! He swears I’m after Love since we’re so close, so he gets on my case a lot more than he fuckin’ used to. Besides Don, we’re all fuckin’ Leos up in that bitch and that shit gets real crazy sometimes, especially since Yoseph’s not the type to back down. Neither the fuck am I when it comes to something serious, but with him I just gotta let him win so shit blows over faster. Thank God Don knows how to calm his crazy ass down for us most of the time.”

“Don’s had that role for as long as I’ve known the two of them. Gianni used to get himself into some real shit back in high school but as the years went by it looked like being friends with Don checked some of his attitude. I’m real glad for that though, I couldn’t see Gianni being in the position he’s in today if no one came around to discourage the bullshit.”

“Was he really that bad?”

“Oh, yeah. He’d get arrested at least four times a year back then.”

“What the fuck? For real, nigga???”

“Yeah! But they never expelled him because the trouble would never actually happen on school grounds. Plus, he was really fuckin’ smart, nearly a straight A student if I’m remembering correctly, and his grades alone kept the school’s rating up.”

“What~ the fuck~ I didn’t know any of that! Dawg…Yeah, I know he’s smart and has a fuckin’ temper but that sounds nuts!”

“I thought so too back while I was watching it happen but Don really helped him out, especially in our senior year. Gianni miraculously stopped getting in trouble like that and hasn’t been arrested since.”

“That’s- Wow…”

“I know, right? So, um…Pero en serio. ¿Alguna vez has pensado en tocar Love antes? [SPA: But, seriously. Have you ever thought about touching Love before?]”

“What the fuck? Where’d that come from?? ¿No acabas de decir que puedes ver que está con Gianni? [SPA: Didn't you just say you can see she's with Gianni?]”

“Lo hice…Pero solo quiero ver qué tan varonil eres, [SPA: I did…I just want to see how manly you are.]

“What?! ¡¿Qué tiene eso que ver con ser varonil?! [SPA: What does that have to do with being manly?!]”

“I’m just saying! I just wanna know if you’ve thought about it!!”

“Why are you even asking that?!”

“Hmm, from that reaction I’d have to say maybe a little.”

“Nate, drop it! You’re bothering me, nigga!”

Many of the women Joseph and Nathaniel passed by as they talked blushed brightly at them. All the N.A.K.S. brothers needed to do was to be in a group of two or more and they’d be getting all the possible attention they could get. David made sure all of their members were attractive in one way or another to keep that reputation going for them. Most of the brothers were multilingual too, and that brought them even more appeal. For instance, Nathaniel spoke English, Spanish, Filipino, and Tagalog but he only ever spoke Spanish to the women with exotic fetishes and the Twins when he wanted to discuss things he simply shouldn’t, especially to Joseph. He was always too fun to bother.

“I’m warning you, Nate…”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Geez…Damn it, Jos, just tell me!!”

 “Tell you what!?”

“Come on!! There has to be something!!!”

“No, there’s nothing!”

“Come on~!!”

“There’s no- Alright, shit…!!!”

“Yes, I knew it.” 

“I- It might have crossed my mind a time or two but I know it’ll never happen, we’re just not like that.”

“Who are you, Don??” 

“No…And, um- To finally shut you up…”

“What?!?” Nathaniel spewed excitedly.

“We’ve cuddled before. That’s as far as things have ever gone though.”

“What~? You’ve cuddled with her?! Damn~ Dawg, I’m sure I’d bust all over myself if I did just that! Shit~”

“You’re crazy, Nate,” Joseph chuckled.

“Nah-uh!!! She naughty as fuck! I know that shit!! That’d drive me fuckin’ nuts, I swear to Gawd!!”

“What? Why’d you say that?? Love’s the sweetest girl I know!” 

“Nigga, that’s my fuckin’ point…!”

“What??”

“That’s how I know she’s naughty, dawg~! Dem good girls be the freakiest ones! Shit, she has to be for Gianni to be all up on her the way he is! Just thinkin’ about it’s got me- WHEW!”

“Damn…I guess I never thought of it like that. You might be right. One thing Gianni don’t do is boring. That’s true.”

“Ex- fuckin’ -actly…! Sooo, aren’t you curious now?”

“Maybe a little…”

“Yes!! I knew you were a man, I just knew it!!!”

“Shut up~”

Joseph and Nathaniel made it back to the Frat House by the time they finished up their conversation. Nate’s nausea started kicking in as soon as they started up the steps, like his stomach knew it was close to home. Joseph hurried inside with him and to his place to make sure he’d get there alright and Tyson happened to throw their front door open as soon as they reached it. Nathaniel quickly shoved him out the way to rush inside and throw up pretty loudly in his bathroom. Both Joseph and Tyson made up their faces as they listened but finally greeting each other when things quieted down a bit.

“Yoo, what’s good, Jos?”

“I’m good, Ty, real good.”

“That’s what’s up.”

“Is he going to be alright…?”

“Yeah~ He’ll be fine. That nigga knows he’s the light weight of the group but still tries to keep up like there’s something for him to prove…I know Nate went to the convenience store to try and stop the inevitable but where you comin’ from? I ain’t see you out at the party last night and that bag’s tellin’ me you really wasn’t there.”

“Yeah, I ain’t really feel like partying last night. I spent the night with Love instead.”

“Oh, did you now?” Tyson chuckled and looked at Joseph knowingly, but grimaced when Nathaniel started up chucking again. He sighed and shouted as he glanced back into their place,

“Raph!! Go check on that nigga! Make sure he ain’t dyin’…”

“On it, Ty!” he replied and was hurrying by from his room until he saw Joseph outside the door. He grinned happily and backed up just as quickly to holler enthusiastically,

“Ayye~!! It’s Papacito Azul~! [SPA: Blue Daddy~!]” 

“Hey, Raph,” Joseph chuckled.

“How you doin’, Jos?!”

“I’m real good. How about you?”

“Real good, huh?” Raphael chuckled too and came closer to the door,

“How come?”

“No good reason really.”

“Naw~ It ain’t for no good reason, Raph! He’s just comin’ from spending the night wit’ Love,” Tyson chuckled.

“Oh, shit…How was it? It was amazing, right?! God, I could only fuckin’ imagine…! Wait, how are you still alive? Where’s Gianni?? How are you still alive?!”

“What’s up with everybody today?? Why’s everyone assuming we slept together every time I say that???”

“What the fuck you mean? You didn’t??”

“No, it wasn’t nothin’ like that! We just smoked, ate, and chilled out after!”

“Aww~ Really, that’s it…? You crazy, I would’ve risked my whole fuckin’ life on that one, nigga. She’s too fine not to. Don’t make no fuckin’ sense…” Raphael commented and left to go attend to his sick friend before Joseph could reply again. Tyson laughed at the dramatic way Joseph made up his face and reached out for Raphael to come back before he chuckled at it all,

“You and Don is the only niggas that don’t got yall heads on straight when it comes to that girl, dawg. I promise you the whole Frat thinks yall are trippin’ mad heavy.”

“We’re not…! Well, at least I’m not. You know I’m in love with Emma…”

“Ah. Yeah, I do… How’s that going?”

“Pretty much no where…Yo, but I heard you finally got you some Lisa!”

“Nigga. I’m never gon need nothin’ else for the rest of my life, I swear to Gawd.”

“I bet! I see it all in your eyes.”

“For real?! That’s crazy~”

“Yeah, I do…! Dawg, I’m so happy for you.

“Thanks, Jos…I know I’m gon marry that one one day for sure.”

“Yeah?! So, you really done with the game then?!?”

“Yeah, man~ From the moment she trusted me to lay her down last night I just knew it. That one’s mine, she’s all I’ll ever need.”

“That’s fuckin’ amazing…”

“Love do that to you it seems…You’ll have the same thing happen for you too, nigga. You’re a good man, I know it will.”

“Thanks, Ty.”

“No problem…I’ll holla at you later though. I need to help Raph with this reckless ass nigga after I throw this trash out. I love Nate but this shit’s always so fuckin’ annoyin’. Always drinkin’ too much for no good reason…”

“Do yall need any help?”

“Naw, we good, homie! Go get comfortable, nigga. That bag looks heavy as fuck.”

“Aight,” Joseph chuckled and waved goodbye before heading to the room right next door. 

INSTAGRAM: @dnafreedomarts

-Nakeya Mareya

#romance #love story #lovers #novel #romantic #18+ only #18+ readings #comedy #romantic comedy #drama series #my story #passion #love #illustratedart #illustrated novel #illustration #illustrator #volume 1 #chapter 2 #black art #black artists #black women art #black love #original fiction #original character #original work #original writing #love and passion #Love and Passion

[dnafreedomarts]

Love and Passion Chapter 1

Prologue

How did I even end up here…? How could I have ended up working for, of all the possible employers in the whole world, the very man I happened to fall so wildly and deeply in love with during my last semester of college? Which was only about a year ago by the way. Can you believe that? I didn’t even get a chance to forget about him. And the drama doesn’t end there. Oh, no. But can you guess it? 

Ha!! Yeah, right! Probably freakin’ not, so let me just tell you anyway. Are you ready…? 

I’m now pregnant for a man that I happen to love just a little less than my boss.

But really though! I don’t get it!! I didn’t know love like this was possible! I shouldn’t be in love with two different men at once! Right…? God~ I just don’t know anymore! I can’t believe I even let this mess happen to me! I’m basically a model citizen and my moral compass is superb…! Why didn’t I- I mean, I should have just- Wait…I’m jumping a little ahead of myself, aren’t I? You don’t even know my name…Well then, let me start over.

My name is Leilani Love Brown, I’m 27 years old, and this is my story of Love and Passion.

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Chapter 1: 

Love and Joseph

“Ow, that’s hot…!” Love squealed before pouting and placing her burnt finger in her mouth,

“I don’t know what I’m doing touching this gosh darn pot lid without my mitten…! You’ve got to freakin’ focus, girl!!”

Love happened to be all alone in her dorm room preparing for a late night dinner. This time around she decided to make one of her favorites, Korean Vegetarian Bibimbap. She already had all of her vegetables prepared for the dish, all washed and squeaky clean. Her spinach and bean sprouts were being strained, her carrots were done, beautifully cut julienne style, and her shiitake mushrooms were pretty and thinly sliced. Love just finished mixing the ingredients for her sweet and spicy Bibimbap sauce and was getting ready to heat up a skillet when there was a sudden knock at her front door. She made up her face in confusion before she went to go answer it. Who could possibly be visiting her at this hour? It was well after 11 PM! Love sighed and smiled a little to herself as the only person she knew who seemed to adore inviting himself over unannounced came to mind.

“Ugh, I’m not really in the mood for him tonight…” she murmured before unlocking the safety bolt. Love quickly fixed her face as if she were though. She knew at the end of the day that he really didn’t mean any harm and that being inside of her just made him feel sheltered from the hectic qualities life had sometimes…At least she liked to tell herself that. But Love’s forced smile turned into a real one when she actually opened the door and the mystery of who it was was finally revealed. She couldn’t help but to giggle from the pleasant surprise. Love swung the door the rest of the way open, absolutely overjoyed. Her guest chuckled at all of the unexpected excitement and caught her when she happily jumped into his arms. 

“Hey, sweetie~! Oh, my goodness, how are you?!”

“I’m good, Love! How are you!?”

“I’m so good~! God, I’m so glad it’s you!”

“I’m happy to see you too, mami [SPA: mommy]! But why are you so excited? You make it seem like you were expecting somebody else.”

“Ugh~ Well, you know…I thought you were him.”

“Oh~…Well, in that case I’m glad it’s me now too…Uuh so, hermosa [SPA: beautiful].”

“Yes, baby?” 

“Would it be alright if I spent the night here?”

“Joseph, what kind of question is that?? Of course it is!!!”

“I’m just making sure it’s fine! Thank you,” he chuckled as she only then let him free from her snugly hold.

Joseph happily adjusted the duffle bag on his shoulder while Love stepped to the side to officially let him into her well-known mini sanctuary. He smiled when he noticed all of the food Love had laid out on her kitchen counter and asked as he watched her lock back up,

“Aye~ You’re making Bibimbap, right?”

“I sure am, handsome! How’d you know?”

“I think it’s that sauce that goes along with it. It smells really really good already.” 

“You think so?? You really do have the best nose, don’t you? I shouldn’t even be surprised by now. But thank you, baby!” Love giggled but gasped super suddenly afterward,

“Oh, my God~! I just noticed!!”

“What!? What did you just notice?!?” 

“Your hair~! You know I love when you wear your hair like that! Out here playing with all my feelings. Ow, it’s so cute!”

“Oh…! Thank you, Love. In all honesty it’s how I prefer to wear it. I only gel it back for Yoseph’s sake. It’s too much work to do on the regular. Maybe if I were a little more into myself I’d be more willing to-”

“Noo, I’m so glad that you’re not! I like that both of your personalities differ so much! Your faces matching is just enough similarity for me. The twinning thing that you two do is cute though, don’t get me wrong, but those pretty dark waves falling as it may are absolutely irresistible!”

“You know…I can’t help but to blush whenever you talk like that. I’ve heard you say that about me countless of times already but I still get flustered hearing it, like every single time.”

“Aww~ Well, that’s cute too, sweets!”

“You just like seeing me embarrassed, don’t you?” 

“I do…but that’s not my fault, mm-mm! You were so adorable and shy when I first met you and I loved that about you instantly! I can’t imagine living without seeing those adorable expressions you make now!”

“Love,” he chuckled.

“What? It’s true! It simply can’t be helped…So, is everything alright with you and the rest of the crew? Why’d you feel you had to leave your place so late at night? Aw man, did you argue with David again?”

“No, not today, thank God. I’m sure if he saw you at our place earlier it’d be a different story. But all is good since that wasn’t the case. I just don’t feel like going to the Frat party tonight and knew Emma’s old room was available, so I decided I’d ask if I could stay here with you instead.”

“Frat party? Wasn’t that supposed to be happening after Spring Break?”

“What? No, it’s tonight. You really didn’t know?”

“Noo…David told me it was after the break…”

“Oh…um,” Joseph sighed tiredly from his friend’s stupidity. He definitely wasn't saving his ass though,

“No, that was a lie.”

“I can see that now…Oooh, no wonder Yoseph invited me over for lunch today. I was wondering why he so randomly did it. He knows I don’t care for what goes down at those parties but doesn’t like when I’m upset with him. That was my usual ‘good grace’ meal, huh?”

“Yeah~ I think so. I’ve noticed he likes to cook for you to make up for the foolishness that goes down in advance. You used to give him a real hard time before he thought of doing that for you. Even Don gets the cold shoulder from you after our parties!”

“That is once again not my fault! I can’t pretend to like something when I just don’t. You’re the only one that doesn’t act like a sex maniac at those things…Oh, I see now. That’s the reason why Brandon gave me more weed than I paid for this time around too. And I almost forgot, I saw a lot of the girls leaving the dorm on my way back from grocery shopping. They were all dressed up really nicely too. I just thought they were going out on the town to start their breaks early. I should’ve known it was for one of you guys’ Frat parties…”

“You really couldn’t have known without one of us telling you straight up, Love. Yoseph and Don’s made a habit of being super nice to you too, and just because at that. We all have, so those really weren’t good hints for what would be going down tonight anyway.”

“Yeah, that’s true…But why did David feel he had to lie to me about it? He told me about it weeks ago too…”

“Honestly, mami, I wouldn’t even stress it. Doing dumb shit is pretty much Gianni’s specialty.”

“I definitely can’t argue with that…Ugh, whatever, I won’t think about it then.”

“Good idea.”

“Hey, are you hungry by any chance?”

“I had dinner earlier but it smells so good in here you really couldn’t tell my stomach it ate already.”

“Really?” Love giggled happily and even blushed a little from excitement,

“Would you like some once it’s done? You’re more than welcomed to join me!”

“Really? Do you really have enough to share with me? I know you weren’t expecting company.”

“Of course I do! I always make extra so I’m basically always prepared for guests!!”

“Alright! Then I’d love some when it’s done,” Joseph chuckled and finally placed his bag down. Love grinned when he put his arms out to give her a proper hug and he snuggled her good once she came in for it. It wasn’t hard for Joseph to tell that Love was hurt by their friend lying to her about tonight. Plus he already had a good idea as to why he chose to do so, which only made him feel even more for Love. Hopefully he was wrong…

Joseph pulled away a bit to give her forehead a long, consoling kiss. It made Love tear up a bit. He was always good at sensing how she was feeling, a lot like how Brandon was, so she knew her emotions couldn’t stay hidden from him for long. Love bit her lip to stop herself from making too big of a deal out of it though. She really didn’t want David’s idiotic move to disrupt her current joy. Joseph smiled at feeling Love choose her happiness over anything else and whispered as he pulled her back in,

“For real though, thank you for letting me stay here tonight. I know you like your alone time. I truly appreciate it.”

“Of course, you know you’re always welcomed here. Your energy’s never a bringer downer,” Love giggled and pulled away with a smile. He smiled right back and combed a couple of her locs from out of her face. She blushed a little, it was always too easy to get lost in his pretty eyes but she fought it. Love quickly asked a slightly random question to change her mental subject from its inappropriate track, 

“Hey, have you smoked yet tonight?”

“Naw, not yet. Would you like to?”

“I would! But I’ve got a question for you.”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Would you like to smoke before or after we eat?”

“I rather you decide that. I’m already getting some of your delicious food for free, I couldn’t possibly make any demands as of how to receive it from you.”

“But you’re not making demands, I’m asking…! And my food’s always free!”

“You choose, mami. I’ll roll with whichever way you want to do it.”

“Oh, you’re always so modest. Okay~ Mmm…I think having it super fresh would be ideal.”

“Then there we go.” 

“Ow, ow!! You wanna know why I chose to make Bibimbap tonight??”

“Sure! Why Bibimbap tonight?” Joseph laughed.

“I wanted to make Bibimbap specifically for the high Don-Don’s recent stash gives you! I tried it earlier and the sweet, spicy, and savory qualities that the dish has would be absolutely perfect for it!”

“What, that’s why?”

“Yeah! Did you buy what you have from him recently? God, I need you to know what I’m talking about… If anything I’ll share if you don’t have any!”

“Naw, it’s all good, mami. I haven’t bought any recently but the blunt I’ve got was rolled by him personally, so I’m sure that’s what’s in it. He made two for each of us for the party tonight but since I’m not going I’ll be smoking them on my own time.”

“Well, then that’s perfect! Yaay! You’ll get to experience what I’m talking about then!”

“You sure as hell got me excited about it! Damn, no wonder why you and Don are best friends,” he laughed happily.

“We are! But why do you say that?”

“Because yall are pot heads and hardcore foodies! The perfect duo!!”

“Hey~ I prefer the term ‘Grade A Marijuana and Fine Cuisine Connoisseurs’!”

“Aye~ That’s cute as fuck!” Joseph really busted into laughter after that, making Love turn entirely red.

“What~?! Don’t laugh like that!!”

“You know I’m just playing with you, mami. That really was cute. But hey, you might want to put on a sweater before we go though. It’s cooler outside than it was last night.”

“Yeah, I noticed that the temperature was dropping on my way back home earlier. I took off the jacket I had on so I could cook but I can put it back on if you’re ready to go. Wait, wait! No, hold on a minute! Would you like to make up your room first? I can get ready and put the food away in the meantime.”

“Sure, I probably won’t be up to doing it once we get back so that’s a good idea,” Joseph laughed from the way she decided to express that. He brought his things to the spare room after watching Love happily skip into hers. She really was glad to see him tonight. In fact, she was a lot happier than he was expecting her to be. Joseph just knew he’d enjoy one of his very best friend’s smiles over all of the other women he was destined to meet tonight if he went to that party. 

It was always the same damn deal really. He would’ve been forced to either perform with the other brothers, be the DJ, or be the bartender for the night. And if not any of those his brother would’ve dragged him all around the hall looking for trouble to match their double, and he simply wasn’t in the mood for that. He really just wanted to chill for the night.

Joseph sighed softly after he opened the door to Emma’s old bedroom. She’s been gone for months now but it still smelled like her, so fragrant and sweet, and it all brought on a serious case of nostalgia. He shook off all of his unwanted feelings though and began to unpack a mattress cover, bed sheet and blanket to spread on the naked mattress. Joseph laid comfortably in the bed as soon as he was done and closed his eyes as he forced his mind to remember the happier memories he’s had with Emma instead and the fact that she was only really a call away. He came back down to reality when he heard Love scrambling to put the food laid out on the counter into the fridge. Joseph chuckled before sitting up and called out to her gently,

“You can take your time, mami! You really don’t need to rush.”

“But you’ve been waiting for so long~! I was only supposed to put back on my jacket but I checked the weather and it was colder than I expected! I had to change everything so I could stay warm when we go out there…”

“And who said that’d be a problem for me?” Joseph laughed at how cute the panic on her face was when he decided to get up to have a look at her antics. She blushed when Joseph came over to her and picked up a couple of the bowls she had on the counter. Love watched him place them in the fridge and jumped when he quickly kissed her cheek while he took away the dishes that were in both her hands too.

“You really need to take it easy, mami. Hanging out with Gianni’s got you moving faster than you really need to be,” he chuckled playfully but frowned when he saw the look on Love’s face. She seemed so sad as she got lost in her own thoughts for a moment. He didn’t mean to bring him up again, it just slipped because the reason for her change of pace was so obvious to him. The whole crew knew David barely understood what the words ‘slow down’ meant, especially when he was excited about something, and Love being his most recent pursuit simply pulled her into that kind of energy. She looked up at Joseph with surprise when he suddenly took her hand and smiled.

“I think we’ve put everything away now, mami. Are you ready to go?”

“Oh! Yes, I’m ready. Let’s go, sweets!”

It was a little after midnight when they left the dorm and it was a brisk night. Love shivered a bit as she led the way to one of the many picnic tables strategically placed between the dorms and TAU’s (The Arts University) main dining hall. They decided to sit across from one another before Joseph handed Love his blunt from a ziplock bag in his pocket. He knew she liked a little bit of the extra high the tobacco provided and was ready to share what he had with her from the moment he decided he’d spend the night. She grinned at him before happily lighting it but before she tried handing it back she dug through her purse and handed him one of her brand new hemp joints. 

Now it was Joseph’s turn to smile happily. He honestly preferred joints over blunts but since Brandon was kind enough to roll him this one for free, the last thing he planned on doing was complaining about it. Love had the very opposite opinion though. Her and Joseph both pouted a bit before looking at each other and she happened to giggle first from the funny coincidence,

“What’s wrong, sweets?”

“I…kinda don’t want to give this back.”

“You don’t have to, it’s for you!”

“What, really?”

“Yes!”

“Ugh, man. God, I love you.”

“I love you too, baby! Ugh~!! I seriously don’t understand why Brandon likes to make you blunts when he knows you like joints more! I swear if it was up to him he’d make the whole world Backwood Nation!”

“Aww, Love, it’s not that bad,” he laughed in surprise of her sudden drama.

“But it is, Joseph~! Why does he keep making you something you don’t even like???”

“It’s not that I don’t like it, mami. Good weed is good weed. I just prefer joints, but I’ll smoke it out of a blunt, a bowl, a bong, you name it! It’s true that Don knows I rather smoke joints but he doesn’t buy papers and I don’t expect him to just for me. That’s why I make them whenever I buy my weed from him instead. It’s nice enough he gives these to his niggas for free. And it’s usually a lot more than the joints can hold too.”

“Well, I would’ve done it for you...”

“I know, Love. Thank you, mami, I truly appreciate that." 

After that conversation, things got a little quiet. They decided to place the blunt in the middle of the table for a kind of rotation while they both smoked their individual joints. Joseph smiled at the fact Love was still pouting so hard on his behalf. Honestly, she was just as stubborn as their friend Brandon, only in two different ways. Love was a stickler for detail and took care to accommodate her people with that very skill while Brandon automatically assumed that what he liked was best for everyone else he knew too. Joseph never minded either of their ways though. He appreciated Love’s mothering ways and Brandon truly only liked the best of the best, so it was never a losing situation being friends with either of them. 

He stood up for a moment and leaned over the table to give Love’s forehead a sweet kiss for caring so deeply about his preference. She smiled happily after that, turning their silence into a more peaceful one. Joseph couldn’t help but to smile as he watched Love finally come to terms with her and Brandon’s difference. She so contently gazed at all the stars that were visible from above as she smoked. She was definitely happy again and her simple pleasures always touched his heart in a special way. Yes, this was so much better than he knew the party would’ve been for him tonight. This was perfect. 

“Joseph, sweetie.”

“Oh, yes, Love?”

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. What’s up?” 

“Your energy’s a little solemn tonight is all. Is that why you skipped the party?”

“Nothing ever gets past you, huh, mami?” Joseph chuckled,

“Yeah, I really am alright. I’ve just got a lot on my mind since we’ll be graduating soon.”

“Ooh~ Yeah, I definitely feel that. I’m really glad we are but it’s like we’re forced to face reality full force because of it, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’m honestly not too worried though. 3G’s been doing really well lately popularity wise, and we’ve even got a couple of sponsors now so I’m sure we’ll be alright while we hotel hop for the next couple of months.”

“Oh, yeah. That was you guys’ plan, huh? Are all of you going to do that or just you, David and Yoseph?”

“It’s just us three. Don’s got a little less to slurge with since he only features in our content sometimes. You know Gianni don’t play with his money, he only pays Don exactly what he feels he earns from our channel.”

“God, that cheap bastard…How can you not pay your cameraman!?”

“I try really hard to not get involved with what goes on between those two honestly…”

“But is that not his best friend? Why’s he doing him like that?? All the free weed he gets from Brandon on top of that should have him lighten up on that kinda crazy bullshit! I’m gonna have to-”

“I really don’t think you should say anything about it. Like you said, they’re best friends and they’ve known each other longer than they’ve known any of us. If that dynamic has yet to ruin that for them I think it’s best to leave it alone.”

“Ugh, I guess…So, what’s he plan on doing instead?”

“From what I understand he’s going to stay with his folks until he saves up for what he needs to be on his own.”

“Really? Is he going to be okay, though...? He doesn’t seem to get along with his people very well…”

“I think so. I’ve noticed that too but I’m sure he wouldn’t choose to do something he couldn’t handle. Both me and Yoseph offered to support him if he really wanted to do the hotel thing with us but he gave us a hard pass on the suggestion. He said he’s already got a room to call his own back home so he’ll be cool for now.”

“Hmm, my Don-Don’s always been a proud man. I’m not too surprised to hear that…Hey, is there anything you’d like to do personally once we’re done here? Like how Yoseph has the Culinary Arts he wants to pursue?”

“Mmm…No, not really. At one point I thought of pursuing Aroma Therapy though.”

“Ow! That sounds amazing! You’re really good with fragrances!! I still use the oils you’ve mixed for me! They work way better for me than the store bought ones!”

“Aww, I’m glad to hear that. But…”

“But what, love?”

“I…kinda just want to make them for myself and for close friends. I don’t really want to make a career out of it. I hope that doesn’t come off as too selfish…”

“No, not at all, sweets! The most awesome thing about being gifted by God is that those gifts are for you! However you want to use them is literally your birthright! I’m just blessed to be one of the few that get to benefit from your gift! My anxiety’s gone down majorly because of your talent too, so thank you!” 

“Aww, Love…I’m so happy you feel that way. You’re always giving all you’ve got to people, so to hear you say that is really comforting.”

“You’re very welcome, and I mean it too. I personally think I do too much sometimes…My living situation for after this semester has been on my mind too though. It most be a mini collective energy.”

“It could be! You do stay in one of the graduate dorms and most of the people we know are in the same situation right now, even outside of the crew…Um, you’re not trying to hotel hop with us, right?”

“Noo, that’s a little too hectic for my taste. David invited me too but I had to turn him down. My plan’s been to get my own place from the beginning. I’ve saved up money from the commissions I’ve done in the past two years and I want to use it to settle down with. So I have a couple places I’ve been eyeing but I haven’t made a final decision yet.”

“Really? Wow, I didn’t know you were on top of it like that! I’m here just cruising through life right now.”

“That’s great though! You and the rest of 3G have worked hard these past couple years! You’re financially stable because of it and your performances only get better, making your funding more guaranteed than not! So, why worry?”

“You’re right…And you work really hard too, mami. I’ve always admired your artistic skills. They’re beautiful and unique…But do you have enough saved up for what you’re really looking for?”

“Yeah~…I mean, I’m almost there. All I know is that I’m not trying to go back to Miami to live with my parents. The taste of freedom is too sweet. But, um…By the time we graduate I’ll have just enough for sure. I have commissions waiting where the pay is exactly what I need.”

“Are you looking for a studio?”

“No, I actually want a three/two. All the places I’ve been looking at with those features’ down payment aren’t too bad, so I think I’ve got this. It’s what’s ideal for me so I won’t give up!”

“A three/two?? Hey, you know we’re all willing to help you out if you need it, right? That can be a lot for just one person to take on. Gianni, who I’m sure has the most money out of all of us would definitely be willing to help you out.”

“I know you all would and I’m so thankful for that, but I really think I’ve got this. My commissions pay more than you may think!”

“Okay, mami, I trust your judgment.”

“Thank you, sweets...! So what’s actually bothering you then? It can’t possibly be your finances, you’re all set there.”

“Mm…Yeah, you’re right,” Joseph sighed,

“It’s not…Well, my mind’s been stuck on Emma lately. I know what happened to the two of you last semester was really rough but I never expected her to leave because of it, and I’ve been missing her a lot lately.”

“Aww…Yeah, I understand. Things have felt a little empty since she’s been gone. We’ve been close from the moment I started the grad program and we all know she’s been my room mate ever since. Living with someone for nearly two years made it really hard to watch her leave like that so suddenly, especially since she was getting ready to graduate along with all of us.”

“So you’re feeling it too…”

“Yeah~ I am, but I’m a bit glad for her too, honestly. I know she was going to school for her parents’ sake, but after they showed how they didn’t seem to care about her being attacked I couldn’t blame her for deciding to make her own decisions.”

“Aww, I guess you’re right. I haven’t thought of it like that…Have you spoken to her lately?”

“Honestly…”

“Yeah…?”

“I haven’t…Um, can I be real?”

“I never want you asking me something like that, Love. Of course you can.”

“I’m- taking a break from her.”

“Really?”

“Yeah…You know how I can’t help but to mommy you guys, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Emma…kind of needed a lot of that from me. She was always really good at getting herself into drama and trouble and I’m just taking this moment as a breather.”

“Aah~”

“But don’t get me wrong! I love Emma, I really do! I’m just taking this opportunity to take care of solely myself for once…Well, for the most part.”

“No, I get it. We all know the drama Emma’s capable of getting herself into. She’s pretty much as bad as Gianni. The only difference is that he can back up his bullshit with his fist. I can’t count how many times I had to threaten to fight these niggas out here on her behalf.”

“Right?! God, I’ve never had to talk so many girls out of wanting to fight someone else in my life…So, you definitely get it then.”

“I do…I can’t deny that she’s a handful. I just miss her is all…”

“I know, baby. How’s your relationship with her been going though? Do you feel any progress?”

“Man, Love~ What progress???”

“Aw, man. Really?”

“Yeah, really! My feelings only get stronger as more time goes by too! And I still don’t know how interested she’d be if I proposed anything to her right now!”

“I can see why you’d feel that…” 

“It’s been a long two fuckin’ years for me, dawg~ Just having to sit back and watch her do the shit she does is-”

“It’s hard. Yeah, I know, sweets.”

“She still wants to fuck around with these lame ass niggas out here! And I thought she’d calm down with the shit once she left since the type wouldn’t be so readily available like they are here, but she hasn’t! Her social media’s still full of them and their meaningless, bullshit dates…!”

“I actually try not to look at her stuff for that very reason.”

“I’ve tried to stop looking, Love, I really have, but I feel so negligent when I do. I need to look out for my girl…But it makes me sick seeing how she let’s all those men use her like that. I think she still has some way to go before she comes around to the idea of settling down and it’s really starting to take a toll on me.”

“That’s always been really hard for me to watch too. She’s worth a lot more than how she treats herself.”

“I know she is…! And she stays on my mind, Love. I can’t even sleep with other shawties for fun no more like I used to. I find myself wanting her and only her now…”

“Well…I understand how tough this must be for you. Waiting around like that isn’t easy for anybody, but I do want to commend you for how strong you truly are, Joseph.”

“Strong? How, Love??”

“You’re strong because you have a beautiful and decisive heart. I love the fact that you stick to your guns no matter how crazy doing so may seem because you see a truth that no one else needs to see but you. The fact you aren’t willing to compromise your truth is one of the greatest things about you.”

“But I don’t feel strong at all…Everyday, I feel more and more like a punk over this shit. How badly I want her doesn’t make sense for how she treats me. I’m sure to her I’m pretty much her brother.”

“I know…But I know she’ll come around one day! I’ve seen it and I believe in it! You’ve seen it too and I know you know it’s meant to be! You still know that, right??”

“Yeah, I do…”

“And you’re far from a punk, Joseph. You’re more like a prophet!”

“A prophet?? Naw, mami, you might be but I’m definitely not.”

“Hmm…Tell me again.”

“Tell you what again?”

“What it is that makes you love her so much?”

“Oh…but you know all that already.”

“Tell me again, sweets.”

“Well…She was definitely a love at first sight for me. The way she took my breath away had to mean something. She was just so natural and beautiful the night we met and little did I know that that’d be a rare sight for me! You know how much that girl loves her make up.”

“Yeah, she does,” Love giggled as she watched Joseph light up a bit. This was the happiest he’s seemed all night. She understood well why he’d feel so discouraged at times but the love she witnessed whenever he’d speak about their friend like this couldn’t possibly be in vein. It was too real. 

 “God, and when I heard her speak. Her voice, Love, her voice resonated in my heart and all my shields just fell. She broke right in without even trying. And for the first time in my life I heard my heart speak to me and it said, ‘There she is. There’s my wife,’ and we all know I’ve been a fool ever since.”

“Joseph~! No, you haven’t!!”

“Love, you and I both know it’s true. I love her just like a fool would…And ever since the moment I laid eyes on her I’ve had the very same dream about her, over and over again.”

“Oh, yeah~ The one where she’s wearing a pretty blue dress, right?”

“Mm-hmm, sky blue. Her energy in the dream is always so pure, so honest. Her hair’s cut really short and she has no make up or acrylics on. All of her beautiful freckles were out and free for me to love and she’d smile at me so happily! God, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had that dream and it felt so real every single time~ I can’t give up on her possibly being that way one day just because of that, you know…?”

“Prophetic…!” Love coughed as if she choked on her most recent hit.

“Alright, alright! I see what you’re saying,” he chuckled but sighed sadly after,

“You know, sometimes I wish she were more like you, Love. I know I wouldn’t have to hurt like this if she just understood things the way you do.”

“Aww~ Well, I’m flattered, Joseph…You know I’ve always liked who you are too. From the moment I met you I was really drawn to you. I wanted to get to know you and your beautiful energy almost desperately, and I’m really glad I got to. You’re an amazing friend.”

“Man~ Love, you always speak so highly of me, I really don’t feel I deserve it…In all honesty, I was feeling you too, like really feeling you. You were super pretty and so was your energy, but Emma came along and stole my heart all in the same day.”

“You definitely do deserve it, even if you can’t see why yet. And I completely understand, that’s exactly as it should’ve been. Getting to become your friend is more than enough for me.”

“No, mami, thank you! You don’t know how your words keep me going! I really don’t know where the hell I’d be without you right now. It hurts that my brother can’t see what I see in Emma like you can, so I really need you in all of this.”

“Aww, sweets…Just know he’s trying to protect you. He doesn’t really have future vision like you and I do so forgive him for only seeing who she is right now, which isn’t the safest personality for someone faithful like you. His actions are all out of love.”

“I know…I’m just saying thank you for being there for me.”

“I know~ It’s just that- Oh, forget it, you’re very welcome, my love!”

Joseph chuckled from this woman’s sweetness. Why couldn’t it have just been her…? Even though it wasn’t in a romantic way, he couldn’t deny how much he loved Love anyway. She was always a refreshing experience. Feeling low around her was basically impossible and he truly treasured that. Love adored him just as much too, and he saw that as she gazed back into his eyes. 

She happily stood when they both finished their joints quietly after that and came around the table to take his hand. Joseph smiled right back and grabbed the rest of the blunt before he let her lead him back to her dorm room.

Love eagerly prepared their dinner as soon as they got back inside. He laughed at her excitement before taking a seat at her little foldaway dining table. Joseph helped her bring it out along with its two chairs, but that’s all she let him do. He tried to help with the cooking but she swatted at him and insisted that he sit instead, so he did. 

Love always looked so natural while she did her thing. He started praying for her silently not long after she began humming happily to herself. There was no one more deserving of a loving relationship than this woman right here. From the moment he met her she gave off a very classic, feminine vibe and he hoped deeply that she’d meet a man real enough to handle her majesty wholeheartedly.

Joseph beamed with a chuckle as he watched Love blissfully bring his heaping bowl of Bibimbap over to him. He ogled at it while he slowly picked up his spoon but blushed a bit when she placed down a tall glass of iced tea next to his bowl and kissed his cheek all at once. Joseph frowned, however, when he noticed that the portion she served out for herself was only about half of what he had in his. 

“Hey~…”

“Don’t worry, sweets. I really don’t want to eat too much at this hour. It’s nearly two in the morning! And I’m not cheating myself, I have a lot more left over. Enough for a couple of days in fact.”

“Are you sure…? ‘Cause I’m hungry as fuck right now. Aren’t you??”

“Yes, I’m sure!” she giggled happily,

“I’m hungry too but this is more than enough for now. If I worked out like the rest of the crew did then maybe I’d risk it, but I don’t, so I won’t. I’m already chunkier than I’d like to be.”

“Chunkie-?! Girl, where???”

“Well, everywhere…”

“I really hope you’re playing right now, mami. You don’t know how good you look! Gianni ain’t telling you no dumb shit like that, right?! He better not be!”

“No, he doesn’t. He says he likes the way I am…And thank you…” Love replied but pouted a bit, so he decided to change the subject. The look on her face told him that she thought she was really too big somehow. She was more than trippin’ though, Love was absolutely perfect. The parts he was sure she considered fat were all the places a man would die to feel on, at least in his opinion. There was nothing better in this world than a soft, voluptuous woman.

“Hey, thanks so much for the food, Love. It looks and smells delicious! MMM~!! And it taste amazing too! Damn, you weren’t lying…!!”

“See?! God, I’m so happy you agree~ I knew I was onto something…And thank you for coming to see me and for sharing this meal with me. It would’ve been kind of lonely eating this all by myself.” 

“You know it’s always a pleasure to chill with you. I’d choose you over partying any day…Are you alright though? You look sad all of a sudden...I’m sorry if what I said upset you earlier…”

“Oh, no sweets! What you said was a complement, you couldn’t have possibly hurt me with that! It’s just…”

“Just what, mami??”

“Ugh~…David.”

“Gianni?? What about him?”

“I can’t get over the fact he lied to me about tonight. I know I said I’d let it go but I’m having a hard time doing it. Why did he feel he had to do that…?”

“I’m telling you that nigga stays on that dumb shit, but I’ll give it a little thought since it’s bothering you so much…” Joseph murmured and quieted for a bit to allow his gears to turn. After a little time he decided he’d bring up his original theory from earlier,

“Do you think it has anything to do with the actual Spring Break?? Maybe that’s why he played around with the dates for the party.”

“What? I don’t know, I…Well, it better not be! I will whoop that nigga’s ass if he tries to come to me anytime after what he’s planning on doing tonight! He knows damn well how I feel about that! Ow, I swear- He’s got me all the way fucked up thinking some dumb shit like that!! Damn, now I know that’s what he’s up to…”

“Aw man, I’m sorry, Love…He’s the type to think of a stupid idea like that so it was my first guess. I’m glad you’ve got such healthy boundaries when it comes to dealing with him though. I know shit’s supposed to get real crazy tonight. There’s no way you’d want to mix yourself with the energy he’ll be picking up.” 

“I really fuckin’ don’t…God~ I’m the one that should be sorry though. I’m the one that got you caught up in our nonsense. If I never left my film in class that day you’d be free from our bullshit like the rest of the crew is…” 

“It’s no worries, Love, I promise!”

“Yes, it is…” 

“Come on~ Mami! As much as you support me?? The least I can do is hear you out when you need to vent a little. Come talk to me anytime!”

“Man~ I still feel bad about it…This whole thing was supposed to stay on the low.”

“Don’t feel bad, Love, really…I honestly already had my suspicions about the two of you still hooking up. You couldn’t have been done with each other, naw. Not with the way he’s become so territorial over you. He always used to play about how you were his but that energy got real serious after awhile, and it only got worse as time went by, so there had to be something still going on between you two.”

“This nigga, I always knew he was doing the most but he refused to relax with that shit even when I told him too! Ugh~ whatever, so dumb…Do you know if Brandon and Yoseph secretly know by any chance too?”

“Yoseph? No. I promise you he’s clueless.”

“What? How can you be so sure??”

“He doesn’t even know about the first time you two went at it, remember? All he knows is that Gianni’s ready to whoop every nigga’s ass over you.”

“Really…?”

“You don’t remember how he was dumb drunk that morning??”

“Oh, yeah~ I do remember that…”

“And his hangover had him stuck hugging the toilet bowl for the rest of that day too. He had no chance to see you two laid up the way me and Don did…”

“Oh, you’re right…So, what about Don-Don? Do you think he knows the way you do?”

“Don might know, honestly. You know he’s always so chill it’s hard to tell what he knows. Well, until he tells you of course.”

“That’s true…”

“Has he ever questioned you about the two of you since that day?”

“No, he hasn’t. You know he’s basically allergic to business that’s not his. Well, most of the time…He actually asks me a lot about you and I though!”

“Yo, I thought he just did that shit to me! You’d think he’d know better with the kind of relationship he has with you himself. I can be platonic too, damn it…”

“I think it’s because we’ve ended up getting along so well. Only he was that close to me at one point but you and I got closer too.”

“You got close to all of us though.”

“Not like I have with you and him. He knows I liked you from the beginning too, unlike Yoseph and David, and we’ve slowly gotten deeper with our connection ever since.”

“But Don knows I like Emma like that though.”

“Yeah, he does…Maybe he- Man~ Who even knows at this point? He’s probably just jealous. He can be just as possessive as his best friend, you know…But um, I’m done stressing over David, I promise. I already know he’s not the one for me, we just mess around because we can.”

“Oh, Love. Dios~ [SPA: God~] You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that.”

“What, why?” she laughed.

“Because I always felt you deserved more than him in the long run! I’m just glad you see that too.”

“Of course I do! What do I look like settling for a player??”

“Yeah, I know! I just knew you knew better than that. Can I…ask you a sort of personal question though?”

“I appreciate you asking instead of just coming straight out with it…Sure, why not?”

“You know I respect you, Love, I’ve got to ask you first. But um…What is it about Gianni that’s kept yall going at this for so long? I mean, I know he’s not as terrible as he comes off to be most of the time, but I’ve always seen you in such a high regard. You’re kinda beyond his bullshit.”

“Oh, Joseph, please don’t think that. I’m only human, sweetie…And well! He’s actually really good at sex for one. It’s never boring no matter how many times we’ve gotten together.” 

“Well, that part I know! He’s not popular with the ladies for no reason. He’s shown all of the guys a thing or two about it too, honestly. Some things I don’t even know how he knows. I don’t know how long he’s been at the game but it seems like he’s been working on perfecting it for a good minute now.”

“Oh yeah, I definitely know that. And honestly…I think I keep him around because he’s the closest energy to my personal experience with men but better.”

“Better? How so?”

“Well, with him I feel safe.”

“Really?? Even with his sexual habits???”

“Well, yeah…Crazy, right?”

“Yeah, a little.”

“Hey~!”

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t realize that was rhetorical…”

“Ugh, no, it’s fine, sweets…And yeah, he really doesn’t have the best habits when it comes to sex. He’s way too active, I do have to admit that, but I know he truly cares about me in his own special way even though he is. You all know we argue a lot so this might seem contradicting, but I know he has my back at the end of the day and I have his. Like…he’s always ready to sacrifice for me, kill and die type shit, and I’ve never had security like that in an intimate relationship before. And even though he’s a bit of a handful at times he has this way of challenging me to feel really good about myself. I’ve never felt as sexy with a man as I do with him.”

“Really??”

“Yeah. All the other guys I’ve dealt with seemed to have the same goal of crushing my self-esteem as much as they possibly could. It’s like they wanted to see me hate myself, but it’s different with David. He really shows me love in our times together and he’s always happy to see me happy. That’s something I’m not used to at all…”

“Damn…Well, that’s good to hear. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I’m glad he can do that for you. I have noticed that he’s ride or die for the people he cares about so I have to give him credit where credit’s due. I’m just surprised that you’ve encountered men who can do you dirty like that on purpose. Shit, all of them sound more like boys, really. I’ve never been intimate with you like that as we both know, but I can tell you you’re sexy and beautiful off rip and I would definitely treat you accordingly. I can’t imagine how anyone could treat you any less in an opportunity to be with you…”

“It took me a long time to understand that too, but it had to do with the love I had for myself back then. Men just mirrored the respect I had for myself back at me…And thank you, sweets. You’re such a good man, I couldn’t imagine you hurting anyone in that way anyway.”

“Well, I was definitely a lot like Yoseph when I first started sleeping around. I took just as much advantage of the attention we got initially as he did, I won’t lie to you about that. But after a while the emptiness of the interactions started getting to me so I slowed down a bit.”

“When did you start?”

“Back in high school in my sophomore year, but I got tired of it when I reached my senior year. I started feeling bad about the fact I didn’t like all the girls I was smashing the way they liked me back, so I decided to chill.”

“But not Yoseph, right?”

“Naw…He didn’t care the way I did.”

“See? You’re a good man, Joseph.”

“I didn’t stop completely though. I just cut it down to a minimum. For every five to six Yoseph would snatch up I’d get with maybe two? Yeah, I really didn’t stop until I met Emma and that was only two years ago.”

“I still respect that though, love. If I wasn’t so emotionally depleted from my past experiences I would’ve been more into sex too.”

“I’m personally glad you weren’t though. Your count contributes to your pretty auric glow. It’s not tarnished like most other people’s are.”

“Oh, wow. I definitely never thought of it like that. Why, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, mami…Man, but now I’ve got to know, was the sex that good to have you coming back for more? How did the first time between yall even happen???”

“You’re really going in right now, huh?”

“Yeah~ I am. Sorry…”

“No, it’s okay…It actually feels good to get some of this stuff off my chest. And to answer your question, he’s honestly the best I’ve ever experienced, so yeah, it’s pretty damn good, but I’m not the one who originally came back for more. He asked if we could keep this going not too long after the first time and I agreed to it…And~ the first time we went at it was a result of us both drinking and smoking, then having a crazy spur of the moment after play fighting each other in his room.”

“Wait, that’s how???”

“Yeah, the play fighting turned intimate after a while…It had really been a minute since I had any action and when push came to shove I completely gave into the moment.

“Oh, wow. So, were you always feeling him in that way, Love?”

“Mmm…Not consciously, no. I always thought he was handsome, just like the rest of the guys in the crew, but his constant obnoxious behavior completely canceled out any feelings I could’ve developed for him. I definitely liked you more in the beginning, then Yoseph, but David was for sure the last in probability of me catching feelings for. It wasn’t until I hung out with him that night and saw the softer side of him did I really start feeling anything… He’s actually a lot like Brandon when he’s not flipping the fuck out for no good reason like he usually is. It was really surprising to see that.”

“Yeah. He can be really chill when he’s ready to be. It would be great if those times were way more often though…He’s a lot nerdier than he lets on too.”

“Yeah, I know! We were watching anime before the play fighting began. That was another thing that caught me off guard.”

“So, was that why? Because he’s a lot like Don secretly?”

“Well, not because he was a lot like Don-Don, per se…I’d say it was because the love and kindness he has for me really started showing itself that night. And honestly there wasn’t much thinking going on for me back then either. He was looking good and that’s all my body cared about.”

“Hmm…Is it still as physical for you as the first time was or has your feelings for him grown like his obviously has for you?”

“Umm…At times the feelings get a little complicated but I hold it together. I have to, especially since that wasn’t a part of the agreement. We agreed to simply have fun with one another until we graduate and nothing more, so he can act up all he wants but I’m going to keep my word.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Oh! And I do love how certain aspects of him seem to be healing too. I know it’s not my responsibility to make sure someone is bettering themselves but I’ve noticed our intimacy is changing him a bit. He’s had a couple of deep seeded issues that I got to personally see him slowly overcome and that honestly makes me feel good about what we do. I know he’s still pretty crazy but everyone deserves some peace in their heart and I’m happy that our relationship can do that for him.” 

“Yeah, he really is lucky to have you be by his side to this extent…I’ve noticed that he hasn’t smoked cigarettes for a while now too. Was that because of you?”

“Yeah~ Well, kinda. I told him we couldn’t keep this going unless he stopped smoking, so…he basically chose sex over cigarettes.”

“What?? Love, you’re seriously underrating your value in all this! This wasn’t just about sex, because that nigga could get that from anybody! That was about you! Just know that what you’ve done for him is amazing, Love! I heard he’s had that habit for a long time, like since he started middle school!!”

“What, since middle school?! Who the hell let him do that?!?!”

“I don’t know…”

“God, I knew he was really into smoking and it had been a while, I just didn’t know it was for that long…Oh, my gosh, that means he was doing it for over fifteen years…!”

“Exactly, mami. I’m just glad he saw you as worthy of stopping that shit for. That really could’ve fucked him over later in life.”

“Wow…Yeah, it really could’ve.”

“…Has your bond with him helped you any deeper than the sexual satisfaction and sensual acceptance?”

“It has even though I don’t think it’s as much as he receives from me. Umm…One major thing I can say our relationship has helped me with is that I’ve gained the abilities to be less reliant on intimate relationships all together. Not too long ago I used to feel I’d die without being in one, that that’s what made me whole, but I’ve slowly gotten over that. At least I mentally did, and our relationship has been proof to me that I actually have gotten over it. Being with David has shown me it’s not necessary to be so intense in sexual bonds, that I can enjoy myself physically without giving up all of my heart and soul to it. I can still have a healthy sense of independence no matter what kind of intimate relationship I open up to now. Rather it be temporary or more long term, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m a complete person all on my own.”

“Oh, wow. That’s actually really dope. I’ve never noticed you having any form of codependency though. You’ve always come off as super independent to me.”

“Well, I’ve always taken pride in seeming put together. Even if I feel like a complete mess inside I can’t let it show to others like that.”

“Oh…Mmm, that sounds a little lonely to me.”

“What do you mean, sweets?”

“To not show how you’re feeling in order to keep up an appearance just sounds really heavy…”

“Well, it’s not the easiest thing to do but I feel the safest doing it. Only now that I’ve met people like you and Don-Don do I feel safe enough to show some vulnerability. I’ve had too many of the wrong people run a muck in my life because I’ve trusted them when I shouldn’t have…It’s pretty much a defense mechanism for me now.”

“Aw…Well, I’m happy you feel safe with me, Love. It’s a bigger honor than you may think, and I’m really glad Gianni treats you well too. I was honestly a little worried about that. Thinking about how I’ve seen him treat other women had me messed up over you for a bit.”

“Aww, thank you for worrying about me but I’m more than fine! And yeah, that was a concern for me at first too, but I’ve noticed he shows me more respect than he does the others he messes around with.”

“That’s good, Love. That’s so good…Dawg, I really can’t comprehend how anyone could do you wrong.”

“You’d be surprised, but I’m glad things have changed for the better in my life. All is good now…Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

“No~ No, that’s about it for my curiosity.” 

“You surprised me!” Love laughed as she stood up and collected their empty bowls,

“Those questions were very Yoseph of you!”

“Damn, you’re right…I guess we’re twins for a reason, huh? I usually hold that kind of curiosity in. Sorry if that was too much.”

“No, don’t be sorry! Like I said, it’s a load off to tell somebody about these things…Plus, I love all of you as you are! I like that Yoseph doesn’t hold his tongue and neither do you, really. You just think a little more about what you’re saying than Yoseph usually does, so it comes out, mmm, cleaner than his thoughts do.”

“I’m glad you see it like that, mami, and thank you so much for the food! It really was delicious!!”

“Thank you, baby~! I think sharing it made it even tastier.”

“Would you like some help washing up?”

“Don’t you dare move! You sit right there and relax, okay?!”

“Okay, okay!” Joseph laughed and put his hands up in surrender. Love was simply too good for this world. He was glad he no longer had to worry so much about her when it came to that relationship. She seemed to have it all under control. This was one of the only times his random nosiness actually paid off so well too. David was known for being downright mean to the women he’d hook up with on the regular, which they all seemed to really like for whatever strange reason, but he knew Love wasn’t like them, so it was scary thinking that he possibly had the same attitude when it came to her. 

It was obvious how hard David had fallen in love with Love though, so he really hoped that wasn’t the case. Joseph just wasn’t confident that his friend knew how to handle such a new and unfamiliar feeling. Women were very much toys to David but thankfully he saw Love differently and treated her accordingly. Hopefully things won’t get too complicated between the both of them since the feeling didn’t seem to be that mutual…That was a worry for another day though.

“Hey! Do you plan on staying up to read tonight?” Love suddenly asked, breaking him out of his train of thought.

“I was, actually. What’s up?”

“That’s perfect! I’m not too sleepy yet, so can I join you?! I’ve got this book I’ve been meaning to read!”

“Of course you can! You don’t need to ask me things like that, mami. I’ll be out here on the couch once I change into my pajamas, alright?” Joseph chuckled his reply as he stood.

“Yaay! Okay, I’ll join you as soon as I’m done here and finished changing my clothes too!”

“Sounds good. Take your time, okay?”

“I will~”

Love quickly headed for her room after she finished washing up the dishes. She remembered how Joseph told her to take her time but she was simply too excited at the moment to do so. Love deep down wanted to tell somebody about her secret that’s been going on for the past year now and without chastisement. Emma knew about her affair with David but was highly against it, so Love really had to keep everything that went down between the two of them to herself. She knew Joseph didn’t exactly agree with their relationship either but she also knew talking about it with him would be okay due to his openness in general. She definitely felt lighter from the chance to express herself and was super excited to continue sharing such a freeing energy with him.

Love got dressed at lightning speed before slowly tip-toeing back out of her room. She smiled at how relaxed Joseph looked when she peeked around her bedroom corner and giggled quietly when he began reading something that was very obviously climactic. He gasped a little and brought the book even closer to his face with pure anticipation but jumped when he heard Love’s full blown laughter. Joseph happened to do this really cute thing with his tongue and upper lip whenever he was getting really into a book’s story line and Love simply couldn’t hold back her reaction to observing him. 

He laughed too as he blushed and watched her make her way over to the couch with her own reading material. She looked really cute in the pajamas she happened to choose, they showed off most of her pretty brown legs. Joseph caught himself staring at them longer than he felt he should have once she sat down next to him. He had to shake his head hard to snap out of it. He knew he was head over heels for Emma and felt he’d always be, but he was still a man with 20/20 vision.

Joseph loved seeing this woman in her pretty prescription Aviators too. It gave Love a cool, nerdy look and it only added to her appeal in her vintage styled pajamas. He very much knew it wasn’t that kind of deal between the two of them though. His two year dry spell had him thinking otherwise, however, so he had to quickly pull himself together.

“That must be a really good book,” Love giggled once she really settled in, and he chuckled back, 

“Oh, it is.”

“What’s this one called?”

“It’s called Goodnight Beautiful. It’s a really fascinating one and the author’s really witty, I like it.”

“Really? I’m surprised though, that doesn’t sound like a very suspenseful title.”

“That’s what you may think. You don’t know how perfect of a title it is!”

“Hmm, okay, I trust you. Something caught you off guard real good just now too, so it’s got to be good.”

“It did~ You know I love thrillers. They keep me going.”

“I do too, especially the fantasy ones.”

“Oh, me too~” 

“I just don’t give reading as much time as it deserves. I really should though.”

“Well, you’re doing it tonight. Just get comfy, mami, and enjoy yourself,” he chuckled, then found where he left off on the page. Neither of them spoke for the next fifteen minutes. They just chilled, both having their own unique reactions to what was on the pages of their books. Love surprised him though when she quickly moved from where she was and decided to cozy herself all on him. Joseph watched her wide eyed as she laid her head against his chest and cuddled up on him but smiled when she looked up and flashed him a real pretty one in exchange for the snuggles. She happily caressed his waist a bit before properly positioning herself to open back up her book so she could pick up where she left off too. 

Joseph secretly praised himself for all the self control he just then realized he had. Love smelled so sweet and all of her plush, womanly parts she was so crazily complaining about earlier were super warm and well pressed up against him. Oh, and he also didn't dare forget to give Brandon his props in his inner monologue. How the hell was he able to cuddle with Love like this all the time and not want to smash?? Shit, David was one hell of a lucky bastard and he better never forget! Joseph chuckled at his own thoughts and played in her hair while he finally began to read again. Love cooed contently and cuddled even more into him as he did, leaving the atmosphere of their shared space very loving and peaceful.

INSTAGRAM: @dnafreedomarts

-Nakeya Mareya

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