Chapter 4 Be More Careful

Friday night fast approached, Leo tried on different outfits, and they all fell short of his expectations; he wanted to look perfect for his date with Shea.

He sat on the bed and groaned out of frustration "this isn't working," he concluded in agony.

"What's not working?" a concerned Greg asked as he sat beside his best friend.

"This isn't who I am; this gentleman I'm trying so hard to be is not me," Leo said.

"And who says you have to be dressed like one?" Greg pointed out.

"I need to impress her; worst of all, I need to impress her father. I'm picking her up from his place," Leo blurted out.

"Be yourself, my brother, wear something comfortable yet sexy. Be you; you're unique, don't hide that behind English wear, show her who you are and make her have a great time without having to hide your discomfort the whole night," Greg concluded.

"I don't know how you do it," Leo confessed "you always know what to say to me," he added and hugged his friend.

Leo, with Greg's assistance, finally settled into an outfit, and Greg gave him some cash and pointers before sending him off.

Leo got to Shea's home, and after many turnbacks and panicking; he finally summoned the courage to knock on the massive door. Just like he feared, Neil was the one who answered the door. "It's you," Neil said scornfully. "What do you want, boy?" Leo swallowed down his throat before he could find his voice to say, "Good evening Mr. Neil. I'm here for your daughter. We were supposed to hang out this evening," "my daughter? Going out with you?" Neil asked in disbelief. "Yes, Sir," Leo said with shaky feet.

Suddenly Neil came out of the house and shut the door behind him while facing Leo, staring him down before finally saying, "What is your motive? What do you want with my daughter?" "Nothing, sir, we are only going to watch a movie," Leo said in shaky breaths. "Begone then. She can watch it at home," Neil said while turning his back to go into the house. "No, Sir," Leo said, himself shocked. "Excuse me?" Neil said, facing him. "I came all this way here tonight to take Shea to the movies, Sir, and that is what I will do. It's the weekend; no rule stops us from leaving and hanging out during the weekends. You set the rules yourself, Sir," Leo said, clearly overwhelmed by his outburst. "You've got nerves," Neil said while going very close to Leo. "You don't care about being expelled?" Neil asked again. "I did nothing wrong Sir, I just want to take your daughter out," Leo said innocently. "10;30, or else," Neil said while walking inside the house. "Thank you, sir," Leo said in a grin, "but could you please tell her I'm here?" "Go away!" Neil retorted while banging the door.

Leo took a breath, thankful he was still alive after that encounter.

Lloyd stood outside waiting for what felt like hours until the door finally gave way, exposing a beautiful Shea. Leo swallowed hard again, and this time he meant for it to hurt his throat; heavens, Shea was outstanding.

"What happened? Took you forever to come out," he asked. "What did you do to my dad?" Shea asked, avoiding his question "he's so pissed," she concluded. "We had a brief talk," Leo said while taking her hands and leading her out. "Talk? With my dad?" Shea said in disbelief. "How do you live with that man?" Leo asked, "he gives me the chills," he added, and they both laughed.

"I really enjoyed the movie, Leo. Thank you for tonight; I had loads of fun," Shea said while they were walking down a path, hands in hand. "We still have about 45minutes before your curfew. What do you say we stroll down that road to get some ice cream" Leo asked, not ready to end the night yet. "I'd say; that's a great idea, Leo," she said while picking up the pace.

They got ice cream, Shea settled for vanilla flavor, and Leo went for chocolate. While licking their cream, they shared some personal stories and laughed at the crazy things each other had done during childhood. Finally, he got to her porch and hugged her goodnight while she strolled into her house majestically at precisely 10;28pm. Neil gave Leo a disapproving glance, but who cared? Leo had a perfect night!

The next day, Leo visited the girls' hostel and slightly knocked on the door to her room upon getting there.

Rose, Shea's roommate, answered the door. "Hi Leo, what a surprise," she said. "Hi," Leo said, giving a friendly smile, "is Shea in?" he asked.

"No, she'd be back later today; check in towards night," Rose said.

"Actually, that's not necessary. I'm here to see you," he said. "Me?" Rose asked in surprise. "Yeah. How long till she's back?" he asked again. "Perhaps 3-4hours," she said. "Then we better get started," Leo said in haste. "Look, nigga, I don't know what your deal is, but I can't sleep with you," Rose said in disgust, and Leo laughed hard. "No, not sex. I need to talk to you," he finally said, and she let out a thankful breath while ushering him in.

Rose offered him a drink, and he politely declined, urging her to sit, as there was no time. Baffled, she sat down, eager to know what was going on.

"Okay, spit it out already," she said.

"I need someone who understands women, Greg is great, but he's a guy that has ruled him out on many aspects. That's the reason I'm here. You're not only her best friend; you're also a woman," Leo said. "Girl is preferable; I'm not a woman yet," Rose said in giggles. "So what's the problem? Let's see if I can help," she added. "What do you think she wants from a guy?" Leo asked worriedly. "Well, Shea wants a lot of things. When narrowed down, it's all about confidence; she wants a confident guy," Rose said while looking at Leo, "that's not you, is it?" she asked sorrowfully and watched him look down. "I could learn; you could teach me. I just need techniques that work," he said pleadingly. "I'll try Leo, but there's only so little I can do. The rest is up to you." She concluded. "I appreciate every breath," Leo said.

"So you're saying I have game?" Leo asked while laughing. "I'm saying you're playing with game; you ain't got no game, bro," Rose said while rolling her eyes. "So you're saying I'm a player then?" he said while flashing her a mega waltz smile. "Leo, listen," she said in frustration. "I'm saying you need attitude, edge, and a whole lot more confidence than what you're working with at the moment," she concluded. "I always say the wrong things when I'm with her," Leo said with a saddened heart. "It happens to the best of us, don't be so hard on yourself; these things take time. It would help if you had a break from Shea. Have fun with some other girls, so you'll get to know some things about loving them and pleasing them." Rose advised.

"I don't plan on basing my relationship with Shea on sex," Leo said.

"True love involves sex, Leo, not abstinence," she pointed out, "are you a virgin?" her curiosity inquired.

"Oh, now you think I don't know how to fuck" Leo said in disbelief.

"Obviously," she replied while taking a sip from her drink.

"Well, haven't you heard about black boys and big cocks?" Leo asked with lifted brows.

"It's one thing to have it big; it's another to use it well," she said while eyeing his trousers. "However, I've always liked black boys for their enormous dicks." She blurted out, and Leo laughed.

"Well, I'm a natural in the bedroom; sex comes freely, it's the love I haven't had, and I'm willing to put in the work for this one. This is my first true love, and it's divine. I wouldn't wanna ruin it for anything," Leo confessed.

"mmmmmmhhhmmm," she said, still drinking.

"Say it," Leo urged.

"What?" She asked.

"You wanna compliment me? I feel it. Say it then." He said in a grin.

"Well, I think you're sweet, choosing love over sex," she finally said.

"Awww, thanks," Leo said.

"But as much as your sweetness is charming, it's not gonna be enough to get Shea," Rose bluntly said, while Leo looked down and she giggled.

"Does my pain amuses you?" he asked.

"A little," she pointed out in laughter.

While they were outside the door.

"It was nice talking to you in person, Lloyd," Rose said.

"Please, call me, Leo," he insisted while pegging her hands. "I learned a lot tonight. I honestly appreciate it," he added.

"Glad I could help. Just do me a favor and have fun, alright? You're too uptight," she said.

"I'm not uptight," he disagreed.

"You are. A little sex could do you some good," she added.

"Well, it's definitely not with you, I guess since I'm in love with your best friend," he said in a tease.

"well..." she said while biting her lips, "I won't tell if you don't, plus I could..." she completed the rest of her sentence in his ears.

Leo couldn't help it; he kissed her, he kissed her hard, and she reciprocated it.

When they finally tore away from each other's lips, a realization hit them both.

"Shit!" Rose said.

"Fuck" he said in agony.

"I'm so sorry...I...I've had too much to drink," she said sorrowfully.

"i...I....I... should go," he said in a bid to leave.

"That would be great. And please Leo, keep this night between us," she said pleadingly.

"Sure," he said while going. "Fuck!!"

Shea came in a minute later, clearly surprised.

"Hey chicka, I just saw Leo leaving in such a hurry. Everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, he came to look for you, but you weren't in," Rose said, trying her best to sound sincere.

"Funny, 'cause he walked right past me and didn't say a word." Shea pointed out, still confused.

"He was mumbling when he knocked; something's up with him, you should check on him when you can, he looked bothered, perhaps that's why," Rose said, sounding convincing.

"Could be. I guess I'll see him in class tomorrow," Shea said while making a dive for her bed.