Nothing like the smell of fresh coffee to start off the morning. The only thing to calm myself down was a black cup of the drink and some peace with silence.

Thoughts tossing themselves around in my mind just to mix together and resemble a thick ball of hair. Most of those thoughts were based on that evening with Journee.

As I hung around the beach house, Cam had his fun around the city, Ryker hit up the beach to catch some honeys, and Isaiah hit up the gym just to stay there like it was his home. Ryker would come in with three different girls every quarter of the day. That's how it usually works around here though.

The main thing was none of us were talking to each other. We all had too much pride to say anything to anybody after that evening I exploded. Speaking of that evening, my explanation made things no better.

Mostly Isaiah and Ryker argued about if I was calling them terrible friends, picking on my revelation and continued with the 'Love Jones' lingo. Tripping over my plans that night, they pushed off my words as if they weren't important. That's how they act when you call them out on their shit until they come to their senses and apologize.

Cam, on the other hand, apologized the same night and asked me what happened. Damn missed opportunity all because I picked the right time to be overly polite is what happened.

What if I'm feeling this woman too quickly? What happens when she leaves? Wasn't she just here for fun? She ain't seem like that kind of woman but looks can fool ya.

Once she left, I'd be stuck here thinking about her like I am now...and she's still here.

"Aye yo, man. How ya feeling?" Cam met up with me in the kitchen with a protein shake in his hand.

Like Isaiah, he didn't play about his physique but he should lay off them if he wants all them adolescent girls to stop crushing and hitting on him during his class.

We grew up with those old teachers that have been married for over 20 years or just wanna be shitty because they haven't found love for years. Those teachers with the dad bellies and gray hair.

The youth today got these teachers less than twice their age nowadays. In fact, Cam came to my apartment just to tell me about a young teacher flirting with one of his students and it became a big ordeal.

Can't lie though, Cam's one hell of a teacher. Those teens need him because he's that teacher that really cares.

"I'm alright but I'm thinking quietly. What's got you in here?"

Turning to him, I caught him smirking at me while sipping on his drink like he had something on his mind or keeping a secret from me. If this guy don't tell me what's going on...

"Alright, so boom. Recently, I was invited to Cassidy's beach house-"

"Wait a damn minute! Hold the hell on. You got invited where? To who's place? How that happen?"

He couldn't be talking about Journee's friend, Cassidy, right?

"Does that even matter, bro? So, check this out. I bumped into your girl and-"

Why she gotta be my girl though? As much as I care about her, it sounds different coming from him. "Journee? How you bump into her?"

Hearing about this information made me sit up in my chair, a bit, in shock.

"Again, does that even matter, bro? Now, here's how it went down. We had our little discussion and all with Cassidy sitting between us. We both agreed to something. You blind as fuck."

Well then, what a surprise. Thanks, Cam, for reminding me of what I already knew. How dumb as hell I was that night.

I sat back in disappointment while taking a sip of my coffee, replaying the events that happened that evening.

"So...you just not gonna ask why she said all that?"

"Not at all, Cam."

"Seriously, bro? Why not? That's your girl and, if you really care about her like you say you do, you'd want to listen."

"Because I already know why she said that. I just wanted us to be on the same playing field, both comfortable, ready to make that move on each other. Plus, you talk about me. What about you and Cassidy?"

I shook my head and sat up against the kitchen table just thinking about Journee's smile. Her eyes, her lips, and everything else that came with her.

"Don't worry about Cassidy and me. We just got an agreement with each other. Anyway, this is about you and Journee. Well, let's see how ditzy you really are and, hopefully, you prove both of us wrong. Her and the girls are visiting the aquarium later on today. If you got the time, you can roll with me."

Who was I to say no? It's been a while since Ma and Pa took me to the aquarium. The memories with them at that place swarmed my mind while remembering that it's one of the biggest aquariums in the US.

Cam going was predictable since he got something going on with Cassidy and wanted it all to be a surprise. His mood changed and all as we made our way to the huge marine museum. Cam was slightly more excited than he was when he first got his classroom at the high school.

We eventually got there and the first person we found was another one of Journee's friends hanging at the bar. Not surprised because she reminded me of a female version of Ryker and that's why they argue all the time. Darian, I think.

Bumping into her didn't help as she had a problem with just us being here. Woman, Ryker nor Isaiah would step foot in this place. They feel like it's too corny anyway.

After leaving the bar, a thought came to mind. Memories of being here as a child captured my attention as I studied the place. Everything's changed. More advanced and technical than it once was.

That fossil tank was the first thing that Ma and I would throw our hands in and look for loose teeth and bones. Alright, it put me in my feels a little because I missed my momma.

"Bae- I mean, hey, Cam. What are you doing here?" My ears heard one of Journee's friends greet Cam and correct her English. It was Cassidy's way of saying that she wanted to be with him.

Cam was probably falling for it and he ain't generally like this. Chest moving up and down as a wide smirk appeared on Cassidy's face.

"Here with Love Jones over here. He's looking for Journee but I'm happy to see your fine ass."

He was as content as he could be as he wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered something in her ear. Yeah, he's feeling something for her.

"Cass, since when you get a man? Alright, sis. Reel him in while you can." Journee's other friend cheered on the two as they had their little romantic moment. I'm guessing that was Angie, someone Isaiah spoke on briefly but never mentioned her again.

That was cool and all but where was Journee?

Soon, I just walked off and found myself hitting up one of my favorite places as a kid: The coral reef tunnel and cave. Something about reminiscing on the memories of running from my parents just to chill here gave me comfort.

I ended up at the second coral reef tank and decided to check out the fish with the coral isle since Journee was nowhere to be found. Maybe it'll keep me calm until I check around some more.

Sighing as the fish swam together, my eyes moved over and there she was. Exuberant smile on her face with her cheeks puffed and flushed while following the aquatic animals. A woman that loved her animals and nature made me feel some type of way.

Here we go.

"I didn't think I'd find you here."

She turned around startled until she realized who it was. Journee's face fell at the thought and I knew why. It made sense but I refuse to give up.

"Look, if you're seeking another quick romantic moment, find someone else to do all that with. I'm just here to enjoy the place."

Journee turning her back on me put me in a guilty state but I could make this right because we both shared the same interests and, hopefully, the same feelings.

Finding an interesting fish I knew about since I was a kid, I came out with "That's a Lookdown fish. If you see their eyes and whatnot, you can figure out why they're called that."

Thinking that would put me back in her good graces, she proved me wrong with "I knew that."

She furrowed her eyebrows as she pointed to the illuminated fact card sitting above us. Well, there's that but there's other ways that this can get better. Taking her to my favorite place was one of them.

"There's actually other parts of this large coral reef that I'd like to show you. Do you trust me?" That was a dumb question but can't blame me for trying.

Rolling her eyes, she answered with a no but...

"I'm intrigued. Be lucky I haven't made it there yet. Dare you do anything to me; I'm screaming and beating your ass. Got me?"

There are tons of people here, Journee. I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to. I understood where that came from though. She was still upset with me but I'm willing to fix that.

Anyway, I led her to the tunnel and pointed out an old turtle that I'd watch all the time as a child. "That's a green sea turtle. I'd call him Oscar when I was younger, assuming it was a boy at the time."

We stood there watching all the animals swimming away as she asked "How would you know it was a male?"

"The tail would be about a foot long past the shell if it were a boy. The female's tail would barely show itself past the shell."

"So Oscar is technically a female? The tail's barely showing. How long has it been since you've been here?" She corrected me as the turtle came up towards the glass and swam around to greet us.

The overwhelming eagerness that came from that quick smile across her face was interesting to me. I liked it so I kept trying.

"Uh, it's been a lot of years since I've been here. I just remember a few things because some of those things are still here, like this turtle. Last I checked, she was around 30 years old. Now, she's probably in her late 40s, early 50s."

Touching the glass, the turtle came around to smile at us while we watched it play. Alright, Oscara. Is this a sign or something? You're telling me to keep trying, huh?

Reaching for her hand, I looked down and placed mine in hers. It alarmed her for a while as I observed from my peripheral vision. Looking away was the best option because I didn't want her to think I was being too forward but she slightly smiled and let it happen.

And suddenly...

"Since we're finally being bold and all, would you push me away if I kissed you again?"

The shade in her voice made me chuckle for a minute but I declared my promise of not pushing her away this time. If we both agreed to it and felt comfortable, why stop fate?

Sure enough, her lips touched mine as her soft hands ran up my backside.

If this is what it's like living in her world, let me stay there forever. 

****

Heeeeeyyyyyy everybody!

If you wanna know, no. They are not together...yet?

But I figured that would be cute since they both enjoy nature, words, books, and other things in life that not everybody else does.

I'm corny and I love corny things. Lol judge all you want.

Anyway, what did you think of this chapter?

Do you think this will become bigger than it is?

Do you think their friends may pick up on their relationships with each other? (I hope that makes sense)

Would it be fun to write a story around their friends?

Anyway, thanks for voting, reading, and sharing the story. It means the world to me!

Love ya!