🏀
McLean, Virginia
I Luv This Shit Remix by August Alsina
Sun. Oct. 10th,
"Love Is In The Air"

"Powdered sugar is always the best touch." Dess said while hitting the strainer. The white sugary substance falling on top of the hot cinnamon French toast she just finished cooking.

Priscilla watched her like she was a teacher. She was just happy that for another day she didn't have to cook for anyone. She was still in her robe and slippers, and took this break with no hesitation. Priscilla rested her chin in her hand, admiring the beauty of Dess. While she cooked, she noticed the smile that stayed on her face the entire time. She remembered Shai telling her and Indy how genuinely happy Dess always was. She was finally seeing it for herself.

Dess rinsed off the sharp knife then started cutting up the strawberries. "A fresh fruit to top it off." She continued talking as if she was doing a cooking show. This time around she didn't have a fake audience. Priscilla was here and was watching attentively.

"And these are my specialized cinnamon French toast." She concluded, turning the plate diagonally. They weren't really specialized but Dess loved the way it rolled off her tongue.

Dess took a step back and looked at her presentation. Two French toasts stacked on top of each other covered in powdered sugar and two halves of a strawberry on top. Priscilla reached for the fork then cut into the food, Dess biting her bottom lip as she waited with anticipation. She was iffy with cooking for other people if it wasn't Shai. If anyone said that her food tasted terrible, she would break down and her self-esteem would lower than where it was at now. Priscilla ate the food, taking in the flavor of the cinnamon, sugar, and fresh strawberry. She hummed while nodding her head, Dess fear dying down.

"That's amazing." Priscilla spoke with her mouth still full. Dess squealed, clapping her hands happily. She knew her food was good since Shai always took her but hearing it from another really excited her.

"Oh this is really amazing." Priscilla continued to compliment as she took another bite. She decided to take the entire plate for herself.

"Thank you." Dess cheesed hard while she continued cutting up fruits and placing them in a bowl. She had to always incorporate fruits for breakfast since her Dad did so for her. Some raspberries in her oatmeal or a banana with her cereal. It wasn't a proper breakfast without some fruit.

"Who taught you how to cook?" Priscilla asked.

"Umm, no one." Dess answered. "Myself. My Dad is not into cooking. He can't cook actually. Completely terrible at it. We went out to eat often or my grandma sent over meals for us to help out. I also thought knowing would be helpful when I get older and get married."

"Was your mom not around to help?" Priscilla's question caused Dess to freeze up. She swallowed hard and quickly finished what she was doing. Priscilla noticed the energy changing and knew she had messed up.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She quickly apologized.

Dess shook her head, cleaning the counter. "It's fine. She's not dead or anything. At least I don't think so. I really don't know." She shrugged. Priscilla stared at her unsure how to respond back. She decided to end the conversation there.

"Well, you're amazing at cooking regardless. Shai is lucky to have you." Priscilla mentioned, finishing off the plate.

"I'm the lucky one." Dess muttered. She finished cleaning up then threw her stuff in the trash. She searched in the upper cabinets for another plate and started on Shai's plate.

Coming over to his house was the best option they made. She's been longing to get off campus and be away from all the drama and people. Though it wasn't home with her Dad, it was with Shai in a mansion and that was fine as well. She was skeptical at first. She thought she was going to see his mother and she wasn't prepared for all of that. All she wanted to do was have a nice weekend with her man. Nothing more and nothing less honestly.

But when she found out that his mom wasn't here and it was only Priscilla, she packed her spennanight bag and was on her way over. She hoped they didn't have to go back to campus tomorrow since she was already comfortable. Walking around a mansion like it was her own felt nice. Surprisingly. She wished they didn't have to go back tomorrow. For the time being, she was going to enjoy being here.

Finally woke, Shai sluggish dragged himself into the kitchen. Priscilla and Dess looked at him, the hugest smile showing on Dess face.

"Well good morning." Priscilla spoke first. She stood up with her empty plate and went to the sink to clean it off.

"Good morning." Shai responded. His voice raspy and deep. Dess bit her bottom lip, chills sending down her spine from his voice. If Priscilla wasn't here she would've acted out right then and there.

Shai walked to her, Dess getting butterflies in her stomach. His hands wrapped around her waist and he pulled her closer to him. "Good morning baby." He greeted her with a kiss.

"Good morning." Dess nervously replied. She loved how he could always make her weak in the knees. That was how she wanted their love to always be.

"I made breakfast." She said, pointing at his stacked up place. French toast, pancakes, eggs, sausage, and bacon. A hefty breakfast for a hefty man of hers.

"I see. I'm lowkey trying to eat something else though." Shai bluntly told her, kissing her neck and resting his hands on her ass. Dess chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck. As much as she would love to proudly be handled by him this morning, she wanted to stay respectful of his home.

Also, Priscilla was still here.

Priscilla cleared her throat, Dess and Shai turned to look at her. Dess slightly embarrassed while Shai didn't care. There was no reason for him to pretend that he wasn't doing anything sexual. Though they haven't gone all the way yet, Shai was still getting some.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Priscilla said, uncrossing her arms. Dess smirked, letting go of Shai and leaning against the counter. Shai did the same, standing beside her.

"I'm not going to interrupt your day, I just want to know if you're going to be here for the rest of the week." Priscilla spoke.

"Uhh, when is she coming back?" Shai asked without using Allison's name. Priscilla and Dess knew who she was speaking on either way.

Priscilla shrugged. "I have no idea. She never gave me a time."

"Right." Shai muttered. He looked at Dess, catching her staring up at him. He had brought her over just so she could have a new scenery. School was stressing both of them out, the students and academics. This weekend was peaceful and if it could continue a little longer then Shai was fine with that. Dess was too.

"Uhh, I'll let you know later on today." Shai responded, going back to Priscilla. She nodded.

"Alright. You two have a good day and if you need me, I'm down the hall. Thank you for the breakfast again, Dess."

"You're welcome." Dess happily responded.

"And behave!" Priscilla added just before she exit the kitchen.

Soon as she was gone, Shai grabbed Dess hand and pulled her towards him. His hands went back to her ass, the perfect place for them. "Behave like she said." Dess repeated what Priscilla said with a giggle as Shai kissed her neck.

"Absolutely not."

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With one large jump, Shai went in the air for a little then landed on the trampoline on his back. Dess started laughing at him as he laid there flat out like a starfish. He was breathing heavily and was using the time to catch his breath.

"Jumping takes your breath away." Shai said in between his deep breaths.

Dess continued laughing. "You've been jumping around like a monkey off steroids. I bet it does." she joked. Shai smacked his lips then leaned over towards her, swiping under her feet, and causing her to fall.

"Now look at both of us." he remarked, laying back again. Dess playfully rolled her eyes then leaned back on her hands. She placed her feet on top of him and they both sat there quietly. The silence was pleasant and far from awkward.

They both used the time to reflect, something they haven't been able to do since everything. Shai went back to his therapy session with Gabe. He finally spoke on the pain that was making his heart heavy and mind was fuzzy. Though the session was emotional, Shai felt a boulder being lifted off his shoulders. He was more relaxed than he's been recently. And he really meant that this time around. He thought, no, he knew that whatever Shamar wanted to throw at him that he wasn't going to react. Not quickly at least.

He might respond. Or make a face. But, he was going to keep his hands to himself and allow his words to do the damage. Or his silence. Either way, he was going to try and ignore Shamar and keep this peace he was feeling. Plus, he had someone else to worry about. Turning his head to the side, Shai placed his attention on Dess. She was looking down at herself, playing with her belly ring. Shai leaned over and poke her stomach, making her look up.

"What was that for?" She asked, smirking at him.

Shai shrugged. "Just practicing." he responded.

"For?"

"You already know."

Dess rolled her eyes then leaned back on her hands again. "Ring first then babies." She reminded him of her wishes.

"You keep saying that as if I'm not going to do it." Dess raised her left hand and examined it, Shai chuckling at her. She hummed then leaned back on it.

"You got jokes, I see." he said, Dess laughing.

Shai sat up, making her move her feet. He faced her and got serious for a second. "Seriously though, I'm going to marry you, Dess. Like cross my heart, you're going to have a ring on that finger very soon." he truthfully said, pointing at her hand.

"Soon?" Dess questioned, catching the word. Her definition of soon meant around the corner, in a month or two. That was too soon.

Shai nodded. "Yup. Soon, so don't worry." he assured her. That made her sit up and got serious along with him.

"What do you mean by soon?" She questioned.

"Don't worry about it." Shai waved her off. "Just know it'll be soon." he repeated.

Dess stared at him and he stared back. No smile cracked on his part. He was standing on what he said and that somewhat scared Dess. She did want to get married, but soon was a bit much. They were still young and marriage was a serious matter. Then again, there's no such thing as a time frame on love and marriage. When you knew someone was the one then you knew. She knew Shai was for her and her only. And she was for him and him only too.

"You promise?" Dess asked. She didn't want to get all excited and then be disappointed but she could see how serious Shai was.

"I cross my heart, and hope to die." Shai said, making a cross over his heart then kissing his hand and raising it in the air. He ended it off when a smile and that was all Dess needed.

She leaned towards him. Shai thought she was going to go for a kiss but she stopped midway. "Drop forty Tuesday and I'll give you something special." she made a deal, Shai's eyes widening.

"Like what?"

"Drop forty and you'll see." She repeated, playing around with him. She loved how excited he got when she was joking around. It brought joy to her.

"Say less."

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Something light. Drama is reduced for the time being. Thoughts?