It was cold as balls. Winter was here and the weather was just not it. I was used to it by now but it never stopped being annoying. I zipped up my coat and waddled down the street to the bus.

It hadn't snowed yet but it was supposed to later in the week and I was not excited.

The bus pulled up and Ray took one good look at me bundled up and started laughing. I shook my head at him.

"I get cold easily," I said, defending myself.

"How long have you lived here?"

I rolled my eyes and pointed to my skin. "See this Ray? These are African genetics and Africans live in Africa where it's hot. Me and you are not meant for these streets."

Ray looked me up and down and then rolled his eyes. "Just go sit down."

I made my way over to my seat and exchanged daily greetings with my fellow bus brethren before sitting. I looked Travis in the eye and willed him with my gaze to not talk. And based on the smile on his face I knew he wasn't making any promises.

I gave up on him and started bouncing in my seat excitedly. I was waiting for Jordan so I could tell him that I had found my homecoming dress.

When he got on the bus I immediately shouted out an over enthusiastic greeting which in hindsight was definitely over kill. I cleared my throat afterwards to decrease suspicion. It may not have worked because I saw Ray giving me a quizzical look.

I chose to ignore him too and then I waved Jordan over.

Jordan looked me up and down. "Are you high?"

"No. I'm just excited."

He raised his brows as if to say that was obvious. "So are you going to tell me what about?"

"I found my homecoming dress."

He smiled at me. "Let me see it."

I slapped his thigh. "No. It's a surprise."

"So you got excited to tell me you found a dress but you won't show me the dress?"

"Yeah. Because like I said it's a surprise."

"You drive me crazy, you know that?"

I grinned but refrained from kissing him because that would definitely put a crimp in our plans.

***

Jordan and I drove to the Friday homecoming game together and we may have invested in a bit of pre game festivities in his car again. Sex was off the table and it would be for a while but we were still being relaxed about things. Just taking them as they came.

Harper had saved us a spot in the front since she was there to cheer on Liam. They were also going to homecoming together but they were going as friends. They both wanted different things and Harper wasn't ready for anything casual so she decided against starting anything.

I loved Harper because she was my best friend but also because she taught me how to be comfortable with saying no. I'm a natural people pleaser and Harper really reminded me that I didn't have to succumb to peer pressure ever.

When Jordan and I arrived we split up. I sat by Harper and Margot and he went to go sit by his friends. Who by the way were giving him major shit because of us finally dating. I heard them messing with him and when I laughed at one of their comments he narrowed his eyes at me.

We ended up winning the game much to Elyse's dismay because she was dating a guy on our opposing team. We rubbed it in her face and she deserved it for betraying us.

After the game we all planned to meet up at my house to get ready for the dance the next day. Jordan drove me home and then the next day in the early afternoon Harper was at my house.

Margot and Elyse were coming over later. Harper arrived early because we were both going to my mom's salon for a hair appointment.

It hadn't straightened my hair in over 2 years because I was growing it out and I didn't want to get heat damage. However this was a special occasion and I wanted a new look. It also wouldn't hurt to get a trim and my ends taken care of.

Harper and I drove over to the salon at 2 and showed our stylists what we wanted. My hair stylist for the day was Meena. I loved Meena because she gave me candy every time I was here.

I told her that I wanted loose Hollywood glamour curls and I knew Harper was going to get some sort of braided updo.

At 3:30 we walked out of the salon with a pep in our step because our hair was done and it looked super good. Meena had kept pins in my hair so the curls would be set for when I took them out later.

At 4 Margot and Elyse met up with us at my house and we painted our nails while watching a movie.

At 5 we started to do our makeup. I had Elyse do mine because I didn't wear makeup and she was good at it.

I didn't like my face with makeup on, probably because I wasn't used to it. Everyone kept reassuring me that it looked good so I just went with it. We put our dresses on at 6 and had my mother take pictures of us with her phone.

Harper was wearing a deep green dress that had a bit of an exposed back. Margot a plum flair dress and Elyse a maroon fitted dress. I was wearing a white dress with a sheer gold fabric over the material. It was tight and did amazing things to my ass.

At 6:30 everyone rushed out the door to get home before their dates.

At 7 the doorbell rang and my heart pounded with excitement. I made myself relax because my mother still thought Jordan and I were going as friends which meant we still needed to act like friends.

I grabbed my clutch and walked down the stairs heels in hand. Once I got to the foot of the stairs I slipped them on and had my mom open the door. And as soon as she did my mouth went slack.

He wasn't wearing anything super crazy but Jordan looked good in everything. I would never tell him that to his face though.

He hadn't seen me yet but the noise of my feet clicking against the floor got his attention and his gaze went straight to me.

I watched his face get soft and his lips slightly part. I felt my face grow warm as I stopped right in front of him.

"Hey," I said softly.

He cleared his throat. "Hey," he said back.

I looked at my mom. Her eyes were watering. "Oh my God I need my phone for this," she said as she walked/ran away.

I turned back to Jordan. "You look great," I said, pulling hair behind my ear."

"You look beautiful."

I beamed at him.

My mom came back and ushered us outside. She took some pictures, cried some more and then we left.

While we were on our way to this glorified school dance I turned to him.

"So are we going to actually dance at this dance or are you going to stand in the corner with your friends while I dance with my friends until the very near end of the dance where they play that awkward ass slow song that they make all the couples dance to?"

He grinned. "What sounds more fun?"

"Dancing the one awkward slow dance." we both said on a laugh.

"Bet. Just know that that one awkward slow dance is going to be the best dance you have all night."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm looking forward to it."

He made brief eye contact with me before looking back at the road. "Good."

When we got to the dance we did exactly what we planned and most of the night was spent with my girls.

It was different this time because I was very aware of Jordan watching me and it made me self conscious. Everytime we made eye contact I would laugh before getting distracted again. I wasn't a good dancer at all. Being black didn't help my case. I was just a mess. But I was a fun mess and to be honest no one was really looking. Well except for Jordan but he didn't count.

After sweating buckets in our hot stuffy gym all night it was finally time for the last dance. The girls and I split up and Jordan pushed off the wall as I came to him.

I yanked his hand and tugged him closer to the center of the floor. We were both laughing as we made our way over. Nothing was funny but yet it was funny all the same.

His hands wrapped around my waist and my arms went around his neck. He pressed me in deeper and I took in a deep breath so I would relax.

Stand by Me by Ben E. King started to play through the speakers.

I let Jordan lead and I followed. His hands were roaming my back and the feeling relaxed me. I slowly got less tense and eventually I melted into him. My head lay on his shoulder and my arms went slack against his body.

He spun us in lazy circles as he played with my hair. And during that moment I faded into him. There was nothing else.

Once the song ended my breath hitched and I slowly detached myself from him. I didn't get too far because his hands were still on my waist keeping me in place. My face grew hot at the thought of him keeping me trapped and a smile I didn't want to appear showed up on my face anyway.

"That wasn't so bad was it?"

I pretended to think about it. "I don't know."

"Now why are you lying?"

I smiled. "Okay, fine..." I muttered softly. "It was good. The best awkward ass slow dance I've ever had."

He grinned at me as he pulled me closer. "I like you at this height," he told me. "Easier to kiss you."

"Well tomorrow it's back to regular shoes. My feet are killing me."

"Then take them off."

I shuddered. "Do you know what's on these floors?"

"Good point."

He bent his head to kiss me quickly and I, lost in him kissed him back.

Once the crowd of students started to disperse Jordan and I said goodbye to our friends and then I took off my shoes so Jordan could give me a piggyback ride to the car. My feet really were killing me.

Jordan ended up taking me home right away because my dad was expecting me. Once I got home Jordan walked me to my front door and I went inside to wave to my father to prove I was home.

I told him I was going to sit outside on the porch swing with Jordan for a bit and went back outside.

As soon as my ass hit the seat, the porch light came on. My dad's way of letting me know he was watching us.

I rolled my eyes but Jordan was just amused.

"It's not like we're going to have sex on my front porch," I said.

"We could try if you want."

"And my dad will shoot you if you want?"

"Mmm, you know what? You might be onto something."

I leaned my head against his shoulder and curled my feet up under me. I sighed. "You're annoying."

We settled into a comfortable silence. We didn't say much but then again we didn't need to. His presence was pretty loud and my social battery was drained. Yet, I still wanted him near and closeby.

I really did love this boy. I nuzzled closer and on that thought I let out a resigned sigh. I wanted to capture this feeling forever. So I could hold it close and it would never go.