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Quote by Zakiya N. Jamal

“And here I thought you just hated her because she was annoying,' Taylor says into my hair. 'She is,' I say, but it comes out a laugh. 'Very annoying. And frustrating. She’s not supposed to be taking up so much of my brain space. This is what I mean!' There’s a beat of silence, and I can practically feel Kerry and Taylor have a silent conversation over my head. 'What?' I say, looking between them. 'Just say it.' 'Now, I don’t have too much experience in the crushes department,' Kerry begins, hesitantly. 'But you definitely sound like you have a crush on Amira,' Taylor finishes.”

Quote by Zakiya N. Jamal

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If We Were a Movie

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Zakiya N. Jamal

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“I . . . what . . . no,' I stammer. 'No. We’re just friends. I like her as a friend now. That’s all.' 'Right, except that we’re friends,' Taylor says. 'And you have no problem juggling being friends with us and everything else you do. Sure, we became friends a long time ago and circumstances were different, but you were so undone by Amira, you made her enemy number one.' 'And, for all your concerns about her distracting you from your goals, you’ve still ended up spending the majority of these last three years with that girl living in your mind rent-free,' Kerry adds. 'Plus, you know what they say. There’s a thin line between hate and love.' Taylor nods in agreement. Meanwhile, I feel like my head is going to explode. It’s one thing when the possibility crosses my mind, as a total hypothetical, of course, but it’s another thing entirely to hear it from my two best friends. 'Oh my God.' I bring my hands up, covering my face. 'Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.' 'Yeah, girl,' Kerry says, patting my back gently. 'You’re in trouble now.”

“Do you really mean that?’ I shook my head, attempting a smile. ‘I think you're pretty great,’ I said, my voice breaking. Sam's arm encircled my shoulders, and he squeezed tight. He smelled like fabric softener and damp soil and rain. ‘Swear on it?’ he said, his words muffled by hair. I felt for his bracelet blindly and tugged. ‘I think you're pretty great, too,’ he whispered. ‘You have no idea how much.”

“Amira’s lips twitch and she shakes her head like she doesn’t know what to do with me. 'Apology accepted,' she says. 'Though I maybe also owe you an apology.' This surprises me, and it must show on my face. Amira adds, 'Don’t look so shocked. I just mean it’s possible you’re not the only one to blame for us not getting along all these years. You pushed me away, and I pushed back by trying to beat you in any class we were in together. Which, honestly, has been really exhausting. You’re very smart. Most of the time anyway. Though your emotional intelligence could use some work.' That shocks a laugh out of me, and Amira grins. 'So, does this mean we’re good now?' I ask. This almost feels too easy. Too good to be true. 'That depends, are we actually friends now?' There’s a small voice inside of me that wants me to ask for more than that, but I’m not willing to open that can of worms yet. I hold out my hand. 'Friends,' I say.”

“That shocks a laugh out of me, and Amira grins. 'So, does this mean we’re good now?' I ask. This almost feels too easy. Too good to be true. 'That depends, are we actually friends now?' There’s a small voice inside of me that wants me to ask for more than that, but I’m not willing to open that can of worms yet. I hold out my hand. 'Friends,' I say. Amira rolls her eyes but takes my hand, giving it a quick up-and-down pump before letting me go. As soon as her hand falls away, I miss the feel of her skin against mine. 'All right, well, now that that’s settled, shall we get to work?' Amira says. 'Oh, right, I kind of forgot about that part for a second.' Amira gasps so dramatically, Kerry would be proud. 'Rochelle Marie Coleman forgot about work? Am I dreaming?' I gently push her as we make for the door. 'Ha ha, whatever. And why do you know my middle name? Let me guess, my mom told you.' 'Nope,' Amira says, turning so she’s walking out the door backward, looking at me with a playful grin. 'You told me once. Your middle name is Marie and mine is María. You see, Rochelle, I haven’t forgotten a single thing about you.' She then has the audacity to wink at me and walk away.”

“Anyway, what were you two talking about?' Brigit asks, focusing her attention back on me and Amira. 'Nothing.' I say, as Amira interrupts me. 'Rochelle hasn’t seen any of the movies playing,' she says. Jennie and Brigit both gasp as if I’ve committed a crime. Seriously, the theatrics of these people. 'Rochelle, you know we can see movies here for free, right?' Jennie asks. Her face is filled with such genuine concern, I have the absurd need to assure her I am well aware of this one perk from our job.”