Impossibly Forever: Two Books in One (Impossibly Duology) (3 page)

CHAPTER FOUR

Branden

  
I never thought I’d see Moya
at the plaza near school. It looked like
she was out killing time with her friend since classes were done for the day.

  
Moya would probably accuse me of stalking her if I simply breezed up and said
hi. She would never consider I was out enjoying the afternoon as well. And as
much as I desired another attempt at talking to her, I decided to take my new
purchase and leave Sheppard’s Plaza without saying a word.

  
I barely made it out of the shoe store when her friend caught sight of me.

  
She called out to make sure, receiving confirmation when I turned around. “It
is Branden.” How she knew me I had no idea, though, it excited me thinking Moya
mentioned me to someone.

  
I walked in her direction as Moya’s friend, smiling brightly, hurried over to
where I was. Moya dragged behind, though. Their personalities were so opposite.
One was bubbly. The other had a dark cloud hovering over her head.
Interesting
.

  
When she got close enough, she explained, “I remember you from Casey’s freshman
party last week.” Her voice sounded lively, like the only person who could
revive a really dead atmosphere.

  
I couldn’t remember her face at all, though. “I’m sorry, have we met?”

  
“I’m Vanessa.” She reached her hand out to shake mine. “We didn’t talk to each
other that night. But I remember one of the girls going on about you. Colleen
something…” She tried to remember.

  
“Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Vanessa,” I offered back.

  
I glanced over at Moya. She stood there, quiet, no eye contact. Even then I was
utterly in lust. I quickly acknowledged her, “Hey, Moya, how’s it going?”

  
She looked at me momentarily, feigning interest. “It’s going great. Let’s go,
Nessa.” She tugged on her friend’s arm.

  
“Girl, what the hell? Don’t be rude,” Vanessa snapped, freeing her arm.

  
I laughed lowly then asked, “You girls out shopping?”

  
“Something like that,” Moya said.

  
Vanessa elbowed her in the side. “Actually, Moya’s looking for a job. Something
she can do on weekends.”

  
A light bulb went off in my head. “I know a place that’s hiring. I could put in
word for you—”

  
Moya interrupted, replying politely, “I don’t want you to go out of your way.”

  
I shrugged. “It’s not out of my way. I’m happy to help.”

  
She said nothing, only gazed at me with marveling eyes. Then I felt it again—a
moment where there was a brief connection between us. The silence meant I’d
pierced Moya’s barrier a tiny bit.

  
Suddenly, her eyes flickered away from mine, and with the disruption, she
fought my assistance again. “No thanks. I’m good.”

  
I didn’t want to annoy her further so I decided to leave. “Well, let me know if
you change your mind.”

  
I nodded at a silent Vanessa, who regarded us with a smirk on her face. “It was
nice meeting you.”

  
Turning to walk away, I could hear Vanessa pressing Moya to say something to
me. Moya groaned in protest so her friend called out instead, “Hey, Branden.”

  
Not surprised, I spun halfway and looked back coolly. “What’s up?”

  
“There’s a party tomorrow night at the Alpha Kappa sorority house. Will you be
there?” Vanessa asked with pleading eyes.

  
I smiled. “Depends, will you be there, Moya?”

  
Moya straightened. “No, I don’t think I will—”

  
“Yes!” Vanessa piped in. “She will.”

  
Even with her friend answering for her, I already knew what Moya would say. Her
view on that subject was obvious. She hated parties; so did I. Still, if I knew
she would be at a party, I’d go to talk to her—even face the possibility of her
ignoring me again.

  
Going back to the conversation, I replied, “Then I’ll see you there.” I waved
politely as I walked down the sidewalk towards my car.

  
I tossed the bag with my new socks onto the passenger seat and got in around
the steering wheel. Closing the door, I placed the key in the ignition and
started the car. Before I could take off, my cell phone buzzed in my pocket.

  
A huge lump formed in my throat, seeing the text reminder from my mother:

  
Remember the meeting
tomorrow morning at 10am.

  
I collapsed, my body sinking back into the seat, unable to drive. Then I
started to wonder, if I were able to start a relationship with someone—with
Moya—would she understand? Was it even right to try so hard to get her in the
first place when I had no guarantees? Only time would tell, and whether or not
she’d even give me a chance.

CHAPTER FIVE

Moya

  
I whined the entire walk
over to the sorority house with Vanessa. She
wouldn’t take no for an answer so I ended up going to make her happy.

  
Stopping at the entrance, she spun me around to face her as she advised, “Be
nice, and mingle a little.”

  
I rolled my eyes, slipped out of her grip and sauntered into the party, Vanessa
pranced in beside me. She had no problem sexing it up, in her black laced mini
dress with three quarter sleeves and matching five inch stiletto cutout
booties. I was more minimal, wearing dark skinny jeans, black pointed toe
embellished flats, and a studded shoulder chiffon button-down blouse and a
black blazer.

  
Glancing around, I realized Vanessa was right about who would attend. The guys
were mostly beefy athletes or wannabe contenders. And the girls seemed like
groupies. It was definitely not my crowd. Then again, I never had a crowd.

  
Vanessa spotted Calvin and I kept my eyes on the punch bowl. As she wandered
off to her boyfriend’s side, I maneuvered over to the refreshments table,
sniffing the punch discreetly to see if it had been spiked before scooping some
out to fill my cup. My little behavior didn’t go unnoticed.

  
“I do that too, sometimes,” A deep and seductive voice said.

  
I turned to see who it was. “Tobias, hi…” I said, feeling awkward because I’d
stood him up two nights ago.

  
Tobias strode closer, a shrewd smile on his face. He didn’t look half bad in
his navy blue polo shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, clearly trying to
showcase his expensive watch. However, even I could appreciate that Tobias was
all sorts of yumminess with his mouthwatering, chocolate-covered, flawlessly
sculpted body. At the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a few girls drooling over
him.

  
“It’s nice seeing you here, Moya. Too bad you couldn’t make it for dinner the
other night,” he said, looking down his nose at me as he took a sip of whatever
it was he was drinking. 

  
I played with my curls in uneasiness. “Yeah, about that, I’m sorry I couldn’t
make it.”

  
“It’s cool. No worries.”

  
Tobias scrutinized me from top to bottom, licking his lips as he did. So much
for being a nice guy. That was genuinely creepy.

  
I started to feel uncomfortable so I made up an excuse to walk away. “Well,
I’ll see you around. I have to take care of some stuff before driving home.”

  
He reached for my elbow before I could move. “Oh, hey, just a sec.”

  
I turned to fully engage him. “Tobias, I’m sure you’re a great guy. But I
really don’t have time for anything right now besides school.”

  
His eyes widened as if my remark was absurd, and a speck of disappointment
flashed within. “Vanessa told me you were apprehensive about dating, said you
were afraid of commitment.”

  
“Oh did she?” I glared over to where Vanessa and Calvin were dancing. She
winked and waved knowingly. I bit my bottom lip in frustration. I disliked how
she would go out of her way to explain me to guys so they’d think I needed to
be fixed.

  
“Listen, there’s no rush,” Tobias went on. “I’m willing to wait for you to sort
yourself out. Just spend some time with me as you do.”

  
I sighed, putting my cup down on the table. “I have nothing to sort out. I
don’t want to date anyone right now.”

  
Tobias backed up, a new light of realization appearing on his muscular face.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Is it that you haven’t come out of the closet as yet?” He
looked over to Vanessa then back at me. “Your friend doesn’t know? She didn’t
mention a thing to me.”

  
Shaking my head in confusion, I asked, “Know what?”

  
“That you’re a lesbian,” he said matter-of-factly, leaning in close so no one
could hear.

  
My laugh broke free at his words, the sound soft and filled with a cynicism that
I surprised even myself. “Oh right, so, because I’m not interested in a
suitable young man like yourself I’m obviously a lesbian. Please, get over
yourself, Tobias. You ain’t all that.” My eyes swept over his body in a
dismissive manner as I walked away.

  
Seconds later I heard him grunt, “Such a…” He held his tongue. Good thing he
did. If I’d heard the word I probably would’ve spun on my heels and
bitch-slapped the hell out of Tobias in front of everyone.

  
That was the main reason why I hated parties, high school or college. Because
whenever I’d be approached by a guy all the girls wanted, there had to be
something wrong with me for turning him down.

  
I decided to leave the party early, storming out while Vanessa stayed behind
with Calvin. I was too irritated to stay in the same vicinity as Tobias at the
moment, and I needed air to calm myself down before the drive home to Berlin
Heights.

CHAPTER SIX

Branden

  
There was no way I’d make it
to the party after my session earlier in
the day. It was all very intense; especially with my mother there voicing her
opinion and overlooking mine. Because of that, I decided to spend the weekend
in the dorm and avoid going home, only to elude the misery.

  
Walking from the parking lot after getting back on campus, I spotted Moya
hurrying down the path toward me. As pissed off as she seemed, I still couldn’t
prevent myself from checking her out. Those jeans certainly complimented her
sexy curves. And wow, her beautiful and shiny curls bounced with every
conquering step she took.

  
Storming right by me as if I was invisible, I grabbed her hand gently to slow
her down. Moya twisted with irritation then relaxed her face a bit seeing it
was me.

  
“Hey, are you all right?” I asked.

  
Moya wrung her hand out of my grasp as she retorted, “I’m fine, just sick of
stupidity.”

  
I felt concerned. “Did something happen at the party?”

  
Shaking her head, Moya let out a long breath. “It’s this idiot…uh…why am I
talking to you, anyway.” She concluded bitterly. “You’re all the same.”

  
I followed behind as Moya continued down the path. “Are you heading for your
car? I’ll go with you. Moya, you shouldn’t be walking alone at night.” I
advised.

  
“Ha, I can take care of myself. Save that nonsense for some other girl who’s
easily impressed.”

  
“Why are you so angry?” I finally asked.

  
She froze in her tracks.

  
Moya took a moment then turned to face me. Her eyes narrowed in rage as she
walked back. “I am not angry! Why does everybody say that because I refuse to
let any guy take advantage of me?” She pointed a finger at me as she continued,
“Don’t say you’re one of the exceptions because I notice you checking out my
body every single time we come in contact. So, I’m pretty sure you’re not
interested in really getting to know me.”

  
She folded her arms abruptly as her chest heaved, waiting for me to say
something in defense. It was as if she lived life in that way, always wanting
to put up a fight and never surrender, even if there was no battle to begin with.

  
I lowered my head, exasperated, not toward Moya, because of the sickening pain
starting to rip me apart from inside my chest.

  
“What’s the matter, Branden, nothing to say?” She asked sarcastically while
tapping her foot.

  
There wasn’t much I could say when I was so focused on hiding my discomfort.
Without looking up into her lovely brown eyes, I whispered, “I’m sorry…I have
to go.”

  
Pressing my hand against my chest as the agony intensified, I swiveled and
walked away slowly.

  
Moya followed closely behind. “Are you okay?” she asked in a worried tone. It
surprised me.

  
“Yeah,” My voice was straining for dignity.

  
Moya fell in stride beside me, inspecting my body. “You don’t look okay. You’re
barely moving.”

  
I didn’t have the strength to try and persuade her, so I kept walking up the
path toward my dorm in silence. To my amazement, Moya continued along with me,
not uttering another word.

  
The moment I approached the dorm, I searched in my pockets for my identification
card to open the main door. I fumbled before sliding it through the security
lock, nearly losing my balance.

  
Moya gripped my arm, trying to keep me steady. I felt a flare of excitement at
her touch that sent a shock through me. It briefly superseded the pain. 

  
She spoke with great concern, “You’re definitely not okay. Maybe you should go
to the—”

  
“It’s the weekend, no one’s here in health services. I’m all right. I need some
rest, that’s all.”

  
She released my arm and took the card out of my hand to unlock the door for me.
Unexpectedly, I was seeing another side to Moya, a tenderness she tried so hard
to conceal.

  
I enjoyed the moment a bit too much it seemed, as Moya gave me a questioning
look when she turned to see me gawking at her. I was probably smiling too much.

  
She shoved the ID against my aching chest. “Here’s your card, asshole.
Goodnight.”

  
Oh great. She must have perceived everything to be an act. That I wasn’t ill at
all, simply trying to get her inside my room. I deliberated calling after her
to explain as she walked hurriedly back down the path. Then again, maybe it was
best to leave it like that. After all, my secret was still safe.