Rasheed.

An hour ago. The alarm I set had gone off exactly one hour ago. I lay on my bed and continue to count the sets of ceilings and the point of merging. I've been at this since I woke up twenty minutes ago.

I sit up and huff, while looking around the room, pitying myself for not having packed my bags for the huge journey tomorrow, I listen to the sounds of shelves jamming and silver pots, clanking. Granny's nervous. She's made it known and just then, she calls my name. "Rash!"

I can't shout back. I roll out of the bed and getting to the threshold, she calls again, high-pitched. Damn, it shrieks in a way. "Rash, aren't you out of bed yet?!"

"I am. Don't yell."

And now, she's walking up the stairs to my room as she says one after the other in a calculated tone. "Today will be your last day working at the mall, as a normal, respectful teenager, you are supposed to have gotten there earlier, help and let them know you actually care and..." And now, she's entered, the door creaked lightly, "and would miss them, all right?"

"Yes, ma'am." I am concise.

"Fine. Get ready, breakfast is done." She closes the door and leaves me to myself.

Inside the bathroom, as I turn on the shower, I brush my teeth. Quickly having taken off my cloths, I hurry to stand under the cascading water and allow it stream down my body.

I finish with my wash as hurriedly possible and now, I'm standing in front of the mirror, taking a long look at myself.

It's happened so fast. I still can't believe it. This time a year ago, I was still planning on the scholarship, thinking about the SAT exam and surely, what would happen afterwards. Well, here it is, done and dusted.

The brown short stops at my knees, showcasing the rest of my legs except my feet that's clothed with a black socks and woven sky blue shoe. I love the lightness of my dressing today; the oversized hawaiian shirt is a total masterpiece completion. I add my signature necklace to the outfit, letting it fit on my light melanin skin.

I brush my black hair that's in a messy style with my hands, having blown and dried it.

Down the staircase, I catch a glance of Granny, watching her favourite program on the TV. I go to kissing her lightly on the cheeks, which she reacts to with a giggle, her left hand patting my neck.

"Where's my food?" I ask, my lips close to her ears.

"In the kitchen, of course. You don't expect me carrying it in my hands, do you?" She frowns. Drama queen.

"I might have thought so."

She gasp, and shift her gaze to me. As fast as I can, I am gone, disappeared behind the door, leading to the kitchen. She hates being mocked, but then, it's fun on my side.

The time says ten in the morning. Yes, I know. I'm late to work, like so very late. The appropriate time is supposed to be eight thirty. I rush in my steps, as I'm just three blocks from reaching the mall.

I can see it from here, luckily, because there isn't any skyscraping building here. My tongue still lusts for the taste of granny's pancakes when a tiny piece of it in the middle of one of my tooth unhook.

Breath out, Rash. Breath out, Rash. Breath out, Rash.

I repeat that in my head when I get to the front door, and I look up. On the building, hung to the wall is the signboard Mr and Mrs In-vogue's shopping mall . Actually, frankly, It's not like Mr and Mrs Kent would scold me but it's myself. I realized I fucked up.

I draw my flat hands down my pant and exhale. Entering, I come straight into contact with Mrs. Kent. She beams her dearly smile on me and ushers for me to come with a gesturing hand.

"Morning. I'm sorry that I am late, today of all days." I say to her as I approach her.

She flips my words off with a wave, "oh, come on, Rash. Today is one.of the best days we've had in this year, and we wouldn't want it stained. You know what, we are celebrating your leaving for school. You're a college guy now." She snickers as she says. I follow behind her, whilst she, having one hand to guide me in a walk with her. I smile.

We arrive at the registrar. She goes to drop her record book on the counter and comes back to me. "So, we are thinking..."

She wants to tease me. I'm not ready for that. My brows raise, my nostrils flare and I ask, "and what would that be?"

"A surprise it would have been, but we won't anymore, so I'm just going to say it. We thought of celebrating before you leave for college tomorrow." She grins, as she clarifies, not entirely though.

"What kind of celebration, by the way?"

She pouts, "like every other; you know pop some champagne, have some talks and blah."

"Oh..." I think I had understood her until something crosses my mind, and just like that I'm back to frowning, "and this celebration is after work, isn't it?"

She nods, affirmatively. That literally confirms my assumption.

I scratch my head. It can't work out. "Actually, I will be hanging out with Sam. You know I love you guys and appreciate your cares but let me just help out at work today, as a payback for not agreeing to the hangout, not that I don't want to, but it's Sam I'm talking about, I can never miss spending the rest of today with him." I try to explain as lightly possible, so she would understand.

And she did, nodding in compliance again. "What a great friendship you both have made. Sometimes I wonder why you aren't dating."

I give a disgusted face, not like disgusted disgusted face, don't mind me. "Please, pfft." A tone to disregard her words. "Sam and I can never..." Why am I trying to defend us? We are innocent. My subconscious is clearly dancing waltz as she laughs hysterically at those past memories Sam and I share, especially the time we almost had... okay, enough of the dirty thought. It still gives me goosebumps.

Sam and I share the same sexuality and our friendship is one without benefits, plain and ordinary. Ah, and I can still remember the histories we've shared so far within ten years of togetherness. Though, its final resting place in each of us' hearts is the unscathed friendship we now share and it's mutual.

I major more in accounting for the goods bought by customers, and I can't deny that I love that kind of position. I mean, I don't have to just be there, following customers around when they walk in to get perhaps cloths, jewelries, shoes and other fancy accessories, rather I get to talk with them and that's kept me lively that it's now evening and I am just realizing. The store is packed today, and I'm happy for that.

I'm about packing up the counter, so I can get ready to meet Sam when my phone chimes. I turn on the screen and see his message. See who we are just thinking about? My subconscious says, in a head-over-heels voice.

I smile and read the message.

Hey boo, I have to get my sister a chunk of ice cream before leaving home to meet up with you. You know her right? she wouldn't stop crying until I do as she wants.

Anyway, I'll get to the cafe in about fifteen minutes time :-)

I don't realize when I'm laughing at the message until I find myself losing breaths. I still remember the fits his little sister would throw whenever the ice cream is finished snd he's not ready to get her another. She's addicted to that thing; I think.

I suppose I send a message back, a short one.

Haha. You're stuck with her already. I no longer wonder why your parents left her with you.

See ya, dickhead.

I shove my phone back to the roots of my deep back pocket, since I know he wouldn't reply me back.

As I walk out of the counter, just thinking I should go and check up on the couple that owns this building, they show up on me, and my blue eyes brightens at seeing them. That's just one most evident thing about me; my eye colour. It's called attention from every gender I've come across with — could say, it helped me gain affections as well — and the fact that it's light in colour, causing vibrancy, they just can't avoid it.

It's really rare in my family, and if I remember granny's words clearly, my great grand father was the third to have that kind of eyes in my family's tree. So, technically, I take it as a precious part of me.

Yanking out of my thoughts, I bring my focus back on me Mr and Mrs Kent.

"You're leaving already?"

"Yes," I release a wide smirk, "just about branching to say goodbye."

Mrs Kent goes all teary, her face squeezing and I can't help but grin wider. It's a happy cry and that's awesome. I feel prestigious to work with them and gain their affection.

She cups my face, pouts and then pulls me into a tight hug. I just chuckle at her demeanor. I haven't seen her like this in ages.

My eyes dart to Mr Kent. He's standing there, his hands on his hips, as he looks at us with that eyes you can't ignore.

I walk to him and hugs him. "Yeah, son, I was waiting just for mine." He tells me, laughing within the tight embrace.

"Thank you guys, you've been wonderful."

After a sigh from Mrs Kent, "I'm sure everyone you know is proud of you right now," she claims and I nod. I won't lie, I really don't know what to say to them. "And oh, you naughty naughty boy, you didn't tell us you'd be having a hook-up night before your departure." Damn, she sounds so accusing.

"Have you seen me having..." Wait, she said hook-up. Who's hooking up with who? "I don't understand."

Mr Kent walks away, whilst raising his hands as he leaves us alone. Mrs Kent adds, "don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Go and meet the man."

"What man?" I am utterly blank.

"The one outside." And she huffs, not in annoyance and leaves.

A furrow eyebrows claims my face as I walk to the outside. The sun is down and the sky is all orange a little bit.

When I open the door and walk outside, my orbs connects with Ronald, he's the man, waiting for me outside? Oh, fuck. Some people don't just know it when you say a, "no," to them.

I remain calm and collected, and I keep a nonchalant comportment. "Hi."

"Hey." He replies with.

Well, you could start talking. I block him out, that inner voice. He needs to sit at the moment.

Probably he must have noticed that I am not, in any way, saying more words, he decides to do us the favour.

"How have you been?"

"Well, you should know." His brows comes to meet each other. Okay, maybe I'm being too harsh. "I—I mean, well, you came around today, so obviously, you know I have been fine and great." I refrain from rolling my eyes.

Just so you know, I tend to act a little bit effeminate. It's just ingrained in my blood. When I walk and talk, you can realize if you pay close attention. However, it's not bitchy and neither is it that obvious.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Can we go grab coffee?"

I want to turn him down as I use to but I won't today. I'm going to the cafe too and it won't be nice to be there alone, he might be a good company till Sam arrives. Who knows?

"Yes, sure." At my reply, his face lightens up. You can see the radiance as a smile creeps in. He outstretches his hand for me to take. I look at him, not expecting that. Well, I am single and searching. It's no wrong, taking that hand. I do and from the corners of my eyes, I see him smiling wider. He leads the way.