Edited

Kayla

"Girl they are fine," April said staring at her phone.

"Who?" I asked curiously.

"Who else?" She showed me what she was looking at. It was Shawn and Andre on a beach. It looked like they were laughing with each other and the photo was off guard. My eyes lingered on Andre. He surely was fine. "I see you staring hard at your man," she joked.

I blushed. "He's not my man."

"Could've fooled me," she said glancing at my phone. It's been a few weeks since me and Andre have been talking. He's really sweet and funny. We stay texting all day and he's on the phone with me most nights. Only if he's not busy with classes and work.

"We're just friends," I insisted.

"Okay sis," she laughed.

"What's up with you and Shawn?"

She smiled out of habit. She's been like that since they've been talking. "He's cool."

"I see you cheesing," I teased.

"Girl bye," she laughed. I laughed with her. "But seriously, I've never met a guy like him before. He's cocky as hell but really sweet at the same time. He honestly makes me feel like a high school girl with a crush on the school's star football player. It's so embarrassing man."

I giggled. "That's cute. Someone finally got you out of your element."

"Screw you," she chuckled. "It feels weird but it also feels right. You know, I was getting pretty close to giving up on guys. I wasn't going to go full dike or anything it's just...I was getting tired of the same thing. A guy liking me for a little while and then either disappearing or hiding something from me. He's the first guy that I feel like I can trust and no matter how many curve balls I send his way he handles everything with ease." I was a bit surprised by her confession because April is the strong one. She never let anybody get to her, especially guys. "Enough about my sap ass. Since you and Andre have been talking a good bit does that mean he knows?"

"Um...not exactly."

"You can't keep it a secret forever you know. Everyone on campus has something to say. Word is going to get back to him about how Chris treats you. Or at least everyone else's take on the subject and you know their opinions aren't very friendly."

I huffed. "Why does it matter if he knows or not?"

She looked at me crazy. "How about the fact he cares about you? I know it hasn't been long but I can tell. Andre would go apeshit on his bitch ass for you."

"We just met. He would probably think how pathetic I am. I mean look at me, I'm twenty-two years old and can't stand up for myself. Not to Chris or anybody."

"No he wouldn't," she shook her head. "You know how protective I am of you. I wouldn't even let you play with the idea of talking to him if I didn't have faith in him. He's different. I can feel it."

I was quiet because I wasn't sure. Part of me believed he could be different but another part was cautious and afraid. There was a 'ding' noise that caught my attention. I had a text from Andre.

Andre😍: My manager let me go early so I'm free. Wanna hang?

Ever since we started talking he's been wanting to hang out. But with his classes and work and my classes and work, we haven't had any time that worked for us. Now that the opportunity presents itself I'm extremely nervous. I had no idea how to reply. That's when another text came through.

Andre😍: I know you get off at 3:30 so be prepared to be kidnapped. Shawn and April are coming too. I'm not taking no for an answer.

"So demanding," April smirked. "You better listen to your man."

"He's not my man," I mumbled as I replied back to him.

"Mhm. That's why you have the heart eye emoji by his name right?"

"You put that there!"

"You're absolutely right but did you take it off?" I ignored her. "You know I'm right boo."

"Ladies," our head doctor came to us with a disapproving gaze. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" I squeaked. I quickly went to work before he could lecture us. Even though we don't have our degrees this private clinic hired us to do light work. It pays really well and helps with the apartment costs. And it doubles as our internship so that's a plus.

****

"I don't know about this," I chewed my bottom lip nervously.

"You're not changing," April said as she put her hair up in a neat bun.

"But I feel so...weird."

"That's because instead of those giant hand-me-downs you're wearing ACTUAL fitting clothes. Get used to it because this is the beginning of you transitioning over to regular clothes."

"This is so uncomfortable," I mumbled tugging on the shirt. I was showing way too much skin. April forced me into a pair of fitted jeans that were buried in the back of my closet. It was a light blue shade with cuts in it. She let me borrow one of her shirts but since it was a bit big on me she tied the shirt into a knot, showing off a bit of my belly.

Even though we're both big girls we don't wear the same sizes since our bodies are different. I'm 5'5 so a lot of my weight is in my hips and thighs. I have a much bigger butt than April so me squeezing into her pants is out of the question. My boobs aren't that big and I have a bit of a gut and stretch marks. April is 5'8 and her weight seems to be more evenly distributed. She says I have more curves than her but I believe her body is just banging. And she has bigger breasts than I do so I can fit some of her shirts.

"We're just hanging out. Why do I have to be so dressed up?"

"We're not just 'hanging out'. This is the first step into a magical world of possibilities. Any other time I would tell you to dress comfortable but you should also try to show off a bit. Let this guy see what you're working with."

I sighed. "Okay. I'll try."

"Good," April smiled. There was a knock at the door. "That should be them. Come on girl. Let's take a picture really quick."

I groaned a bit but poses for her picture and smiled shyly. I did what I could to cover the exposed parts. There was another knock but she was too busy editing the picture to care. "I guess I'll get it," I mumbled. I walked out of April's room and to the front. I peeped through the peephole before opening the door.

"What's up short stuff?" Shawn ruffled my hair as he walked in. Preferably looking for April. I grumbled as I fixed my hair. "Y'all ready to go?"

"Yup," April came from her room looking fabulous as always in her floral print romper. Shawn was looking her up and down like she was something he wanted to devour.

"Where's Andre?" I looked out the door but didn't see him.

"At the car. He got a phone call and told me to come and get y'all. Let's roll ladies." He led the way downstairs and to the parking lot. Andre was leaning on the truck talking on the phone. I was extremely nervous about what I was wearing. He'll probably think I look disgusting. "Alright man let's go."

"Alright, I'll call you later." He hung up the phone and looked at me. His eyes roamed up and down my body. I shivered in excitement and nervousness. There was a look in his eyes that I couldn't quite understand. "You look nice." My heart danced in my chest. His voice was lower than it normally is and it felt like his eyes were trying to swallow me up.

"T-Thank you," I stuttered nervously. "Y-You look nice t-too." I swear every time I'm around him I cannot function like a regular human. Guys make me nervous generally but Andre is on a whole other level. I really don't know how to handle him sometimes.

He smirked at me. "Thanks. Ready to go?" I nodded. He opened the passenger door for me and helped me inside. April and Shawn sat in the back talking. "Shawn's car is in the shop so we're going to be sharing my truck for a bit," he said cranking up. He turned to me with a smile. "Ready for fun?"

I smiled back. "Definitely." And I did have fun. Everything was practical. We went bowling and played a few games. The first game was guys against girls. I'm not really good at bowling but I managed to get a few points. They still won though.

The second game was couple vs. couple. Even though we're not a couple. I was glad that Andre was there to help me because we ended up winning. The last game was a free for all so I lost horribly. But to make me feel better Andre said I could pick the movie.

"So what's it going to be short stuff?" Shawn asked with his arm over April's shoulder.

"How about 'Kidnap'?" I asked. "I've always wanted to see it since the trailer."

"That's cool," Andre said. "Can we have four tickets?" The guys paid while we went to hold places in line for snacks.

"I see you're having fun," she smiled.

"I am," I returned the smile.

She smirked. "It's all because of your new man."

I blushed. "He's not my man trick."

"Who's not your man?" Andre and Shawn just had to show up at that moment.

"She said you're not her man," April snitched.

He looked at me and smirked a little. "Not yet that is."

"Ooh," April covered her mouth with a grin.

I smiled and blushed. "Whatever."

"You know it's true," he gave me a cocky grin before starting a conversation with Shawn. April and I had our own conversation behind their backs as we waited for the slow line to move up.

"That test was crucial," I pouted. They just posted grades and I was not exceptionally thrilled with my results.

"Girl you got a 96. If you don't shut up with that whining. I hate people like you. Complain about the grade you got when you got a passing grade. You make me sick sometimes." I giggled at her. April always hated when I would complain about my high grades. It's not my fault I feel like I deserved much higher marks.

"Aye! We didn't think you could make it." My heart dropped to my feet when I heard that voice. I peeked from around Andre and saw Chris heading our way. What surprised me more was Josh walking beside him. It kind of hurt to be completely honest. I knew Josh and Chris shared classes as well as them being on the football team together. He told me he had to cordial or it would affect his sports. Which I'm somewhat okay with. But I've never seen them actually hanging out together.

"'Sup?" Andre nodded to them.

"We texted you earlier about coming to the movies with us," Josh said. "There are some girls with us too. You didn't answer us so we were a bit nervous about the last girl being dateless but I'm glad you came through."

"I'm not here to be set up on a date. I got one already."

"Oh yeah? Who is it? We can all see the movie together." Seeing Chris smile and be so happy and carefree makes me cringe. I can only imagine a sadistic person when he comes to mind.

"Like hell that'll happen," April growled while glaring at them. Chris and Josh noticed her and looked surprised.

"April?" Josh asked.

"Bitch?" She mocked.

"Y'all know each other?" Andre asked. He looked a bit surprised and amused.

"No," April said. "But they know Kayla. Right Kay?" That's when they all turned to me. My eyes widened considerably. I hate being put on the spot.

"You know them?" Andre asked. His voice suddenly hard and a bit cold.

"Uh..."

"We just have a few classes together," Josh said. "Nothing special." That hurt. Like a lot. How could he just shrug off our friendship like that? "Since you're busy we'll just catch you around." He turned and left without giving me a second glance. That hurt even more.

"That fuckin bitch," April mumbled.

"What's going on?" Shawn asked. "Do y'all know them for real?"

"No," I mumbled. I felt April looking at me but I didn't return her gaze. "Can we just...go watch the movie?" I wasn't even in the mood to continue this anymore. I just wanted to go home.

I didn't even watch the movie. My mind was a million miles away. I was really hurt by Josh completely dissing me. When the movie ended no one really talked on the way back to our apartment. I was having such a good time too. We just had to run into them.

"Hey," Andre caught my attention as he walked me to my apartment. "You okay? You've been quiet since the movie."

"Yeah," I mumbled. "Um...how did...you know...those guys?"

He glanced down at me. "They're my cousins." What?!