Ziyah and I decided that he would pick me up here then we would walk to the park, making me clean the whole living room by myself. Until I picked up and dusted a picture of Vince and I when we were little it didn't occur to me that Ziyah would not only seeing a glimpse of where I live, but where the quarterback of his school lives as well. This realization didn't make me want to put the pictures away, but just dust them off because frankly Vince and I look adorable.
The picture is from Halloween when Vince was 8, I was 6, and Dani was only 1, but she's not even in the picture. Vince is some sort of pirate with a plastic knife while I'm an angel in a poofy white dress. We're smiling smiles that aren't forced because in are hands out bags of artificial sugar. Good times.
Now here comes the worst part of the night, my dad meeting Ziyah who isn't the Harvard bound boy my dad would like me to bring home. Sitting at the dining table waiting for Ziyah to knock is my dad who's carrying Sawyer, and Dani who is really excited to see someone I go to school with.
They're all going to Vince's game at some school I don't exactly remember. Tara surprisingly doesn't have any appointments at the salon, instead to get away from us she has to go see her mom who I believe lives in Van Nuys.
Not really nervous about this whole thing I'm sitting on the couch fresh out of the shower in my Whitney Houston shirt and favorite wide legged pants. Really I've been wearing the same jeans all day, I just changed out of my plain black tee that suffered an unfortunate pressed juice stain. One Ziyah completely saw because Unna shouted in 5th period, "You got something right there," grabbing the whole class's attention.
I can thank Harper for the stain who I've been comforting at lunch and nutrition since Wednesday. As she sulked she knocked her juice right on me.
Other than feeling like Ziyah won't like the movie I'm chill in fact I'm perfectly fine, and prepared. I have a blanket, and really my phone and just myself because I'm not going to be one of those girls who carries a purse full of shit.
Really I'm just glad Ziyah was so passive, and didn't care if he had to take a 15 minute drive to get here.
As the clock changes to 5:15 a light knock hits the door making Ziyah like 15 minutes early because the movie starts at 5:30. I get up off the couch and meet my dad by the door.
Reminding myself of how Harper greets me I run back to the couch, and yell, "coming." When I get back to the door my dad and Dani all move back to the living room realizing how weird it would be if they were right by the door.
"Hey," I say as I slowly open the door, to no one and just a package.
"Dad your book came," I say bitterly picking up the amazon manilla package.
"Really they said it was coming next week." A smile spreads across his face as he grabs his cookbook out of my hands. At least now his book's arrival has put him in a good mood.
After 5 minutes of my dad brutally tearing open his package while Sawyer tries to fit her whole hand in her mouth Ziyah text me saying he's here.
Beating the record of anyone who's ever quickly walked up our stairs, and avoided talking to crazy 40 year old Priscilla, seconds later a knock hits the door.
I do the same routine as last time except this time when I open the door Ziyah is standing in front of me in a zipped up blue nike jacket and jeans. I wasn't paying attention to what he was wearing in 5th period, but I could've sworn it was some supreme t shirt.
"Hi." Unlike other girls who would blush uncontrollably out of nervousness at the sight of a boy in front of their home, I just feel content, and kinda in the mood to move one of his dreads out of his face.
Really I should be nervous as I'm going out with the guy who blew smoke in my face, might of gave pot to Jada, and sent a text telling me he really liked me, but that's up for debate.
"Hey, you changed your shirt." he gestures to my shirt that I'm partially covering with the green plaid blanket in my hands.
"Yup." Suddenly my answer to Dani's question changes as I observe Ziyah's sharp facial structure and big hazel eyes. He's cute.
All the nervousness I was trying to avoid comes rushing through me as my dad's strong presence comes over Ziyah and I. I'll admit he doesn't seem as big and powerful as he usually is with Sawyer in his hands playing with his dreads and trying her best to speak. For moral support I step outside in the hallway so my dad doesn't see just a boy and instead sees his trusting daughter.
"Hello sir I'm Ziyah," he says and formally sticks out his hand just for my dad to crush it with his.
"Nice to meet you." My dad keeps his mean mug even though I'm sure he's smiling on the inside at being called sir.
Begging to be recognised Dani stands next to my dad with a big smirk while Sawyer starts reaching her hand out to Ziyah as an attempt to grab one of his dreads.
"These are my sisters Dani and Sawyer." I gesture to the two, and as Dani gets her recognition she hops off to the living room leaving more awkwardness.
"Daya you know the rules have fun not too much fun." My dad sticks out his hand and I shake it while grabbing the $20.
After some awkward glares and mumbles from Sawyer we are finally set to walk down the street.
"So how many siblings do you have?" He asks as we cross the street to the park that has a huge screen in the middle of the grass.
"Just the three what about you?"
"Two older sisters." Not wanting to make the silence in between us last any longer he speaks up again and says, "So you're on a permit?"
"Yes fairfax is my neighborhood school, my dad works in Marina."
"That school is crazy."
"How do you know?'
"I've smoked weed with a couple people from there." I smile a little, but stop when we reach the green grass of the park and I realize he's serious.
I start laying the blanket down in a spot sort of in the middle of the other 5 groups of people and we both sir down. I cross my legs and he sits in his chill sprawled out position his shoulder right next to mine.
As the screen remains white and the sun goes down we end up talking about if anyone calls me Day Day which is a harsh no, but that somehow leads us to talking about how Sofia thinks we're going to get married.
This leaves a smile on my face, and a wish that Lindsey didn't bud in in all of our conversations, because under Vince he's on the list of guys who I don't mind talking to.
As I expected Ziyah likes Poetic Justice, and laughs at some parts specifically when Luck and Justice are fighting.
A movie has to be the easiest hang out as you don't have to worry about embarrassing yourself through talking, and just get to enjoy something together.
"No matter how famous you are or how much money you make you will never be as important as the ocean," I whisper along with Justice. The movie seems to go by so fast I totally don't remember how Ziyah and I got so close in terms of space on the blanket.
I don't know if my head fell on his shoulder first or his arm wrapped around my shoulder either way I like the way he's playing with the end of my braids. Just picking them up and letting his hands fidget with them.
I especially like how he occasionally looks down at me while I'm looking up at him. This touching and slight PDA is all cute until I feel my stomach about to growl and pick my head up.
We never really thought about the popcorn situation, aside from Ziyah just texting he doesn't like popcorn. It doesn't matter as the movie comes to an end and so does the almost nude couple who were making out by the tree.
"You were right I was missing out." Ziyah flips his dreads to look at me.
"So you like it," I pipe up as he helps me pick up the blanket.
"Yea," he folds the blanket perfectly with me, and even though it's like the lightest thing he carries it as we walk out of the park.
This time Ziyah is the one to for sure start the touching between us by connecting his free head with mine. He could be doing it because he likes me, but we're also crossing the street so maybe this is just a safety first thing.
"You know your laugh is cute you shouldn't hide it, I mean from what I heard." He detaches his hand from mine and uses it to push some dreads out of his face. I did try not to laugh too loud and just do a little giggle that was way simpler than my Dave chappelle laugh.
"Thanks."
I've never been in a moment where a kiss with a boy was upcoming so I don't know if this is it but I'm pretty sure it is because we both stop walking and face each other. There isn't any drastic leaning or getting on one's toes because he's only like 4 inches taller than me, but his hazel eyes that I used to think were brown aren't looking away from my face.
Proving my point he gets closer creating barely any space between us and places his hand lightly on my neck.
I prepare my lips for his but someone's voice stops our interaction only letting the tips of our lips touch, which doesn't count as my first kiss.
"Little Daya!" Ziyah and I immediately break apart and turn to Winston who stands outside Junior's in his bright red uniform waving over to us. I can't believe I didn't notice were standing right in front of Junior's, no wonder Ziyah's usual scent was replaced by the smell of fried plantains.
"Hi Winston." I wave a little then quickly stop the possibility of having a conversation with him by walking down the street with Ziyah following me still with a smirk.
On our way to my door I explain who Winston is which is really a short snippet that receives a little nod from Ziyah. Other than that it's just pure silence that is until Ziyah leads me back to my welcome mat.
Just like when my dad was behind me an abundance of awkwardness lingers between us especially as I pull my keys out of my pocket.
"My Uber is going to be here soon are you sure you're going to be ok by yourself?" He motions to my door behind him. I want to say no, but it's 100% guaranteed that my dad and Vince will go ballistic if they know I let him inside.
"Umm yes." I avoid looking at him and stare down at my feet as he is clearly looking me up and down. Or really from my glasses to my chest where Whitney Houston's face is plastered.
"Well I'll text you and thank you."
Surprising me he leans in and kisses my cheek which is now being occupied by my huge smile.
"Bye." He saunters down the stairs.
I don't feel any indigestion or butterflies but I can't help but burst into my condo and run to the window just to see him hop in his Uber.