street knowledge

She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at that comment. “I never said that you did.” She replied. Once he began to speak she listened, keeping her eyes on his. She nodded, understanding. As he placed his hand onto hers she glanced down at their hands before looking back at him. “That is still something that’s good to hear.” Shay said smiling a little. When he continued on her smile faded a little. She wasn’t expecting Tiny to just jump into a relationship with her or anything at this moment. The girl was just kind of upset at herself that she didn’t even bother to ask how he was doing before throwing this on him. “I can understand that. I’m sorry if I maybe ruined anything. I was never expecting you to be even a little interested in me. So, just hearing that you think you do was worth telling you.” Shay said. She intertwined her fingers with his just for a moment as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about what went on before you came here? I won’t pressure you into it. But talking does seem to help sometimes.”

As things began to become less tense, Tiny felt a wave of relief wash over him. Of course this was far from over, but at least he was being honest with her. “Not gonna, like, bolster your ego or anything, but you aren’t a completely awful kisser you know.”, he said with a sly smirk. He took a seat once again, trying to gather his thoughts. “No, it’s ok. I’ve just had a lot of time to do some thinking is all. Where I’m gonna be, what I’m gonna do, you know.” He sighed, noticing her hand rubbing his, and against his better judgement, he decided at this point he really had nothing to lose. “So, where should I start? My brother being a drug dealer? Him getting arrested? Me being forced to do it too? Me staying with an Aunt and Uncle I never knew? I’ve got stories for days.”, he chuckled dryly. “You know if you wanna bolt now, I wouldn’t blame you.”

Once his hand was underneath her chin, she stared back into his eyes. Shay honestly wasn’t sure what was happening here. When his lips were on her own, it was her turn to be a little shocked. But she couldn’t help but kiss him back. As he pulled back she kept her eyes on his still. This time it was her who placed her fingers to her lips. “I can’t help but be stubborn. Talk about what? You’re with Lola.” Shay told him. She wasn’t quite sure why she was reminding him of that, but she did it anyway. “All I know is that I’ve started to have these feelings for you and well, I just needed to tell you. This probably wasn’t the best way too, but I did.”

Tiny watched her reaction to the kiss, smirking somewhat at how effect it was in getting her to stay. Although why he wanted her to stay was beyond him. Maybe it was because he didn’t have much control of anything in his life right now, but this was something he could control. However, where it went he knew was up to him. “Didn’t say I hated stubborn.”, he teased. “I know. And I love her. I’m not gonna lie, we’ve been through a lot..a lot more than most couples go through. But when you kissed me..”, he paused and signed, moving his hand to hers. “I think I started to like you too.” His small smile turned into a frown, remembering the events of the day. “But..you and her. My life just got hit by a hurricane today. I’ll spare you the details for right now, but I don’t think I can be ‘that guy’ for either of you right now. The guy you both deserve.”

 “Good to hear.” Shay said as she smiled. She hated being so nervous. She didn’t normally get nervous. This type of situation had sparked her nerves and she was sure that Tiny could tell. The fact that he was even being sweet to her right now was making it difficult. Once her lips had touched his, she knew she shouldn’t have. He was with someone and that was wrong of her. She didn’t know what came over her in that moment. Him just staring at her was scaring her a bit. “I know. I’m sorry, that part was stupid of me.” Shay said with a sigh. She was about to just turn and leave to get away from humiliation, until he actually complimented her. “I can’t exactly pretend that you didn’t just say that about me… But I’m not going to tell anyone that you said it. I’m still um sorry for the whole kiss thing…”  Shay explained. Looking down at her feet she gave a sad smile. “I should probably go.”

Tiny thought his day couldn’t get any weirder. However while it wasn’t exactly weird, it was significantly more complicated. He didn’t have much time to process his feelings though with Shay being upset. Tiny knew he had to get a handle on this situation before things spiraled out of control. "That’s not what I meant, hold up.” As he looked at her face, sad and vulnerable, something clicked in Tiny’s mind. He didn’t know if he was just doing this on impulse, but his body reacted quicker than his mind did. He reached down, tilting her chin upwards so she facing him, and without a second thought, he pressed his lips to hers softly. He pulled back, keeping his eyes on hers. “You’re so stubborn. Stop running so we can talk.”

She gave a bit of a smile when he made the joke about athletes. “May get to that later.” Shay said smirking back at him. Tiny was always good at cracking jokes. “Yeah, I know the feeling for sure.” Shay said. Hearing him ask about who the guy was she looked down at her feet. She had to think fast otherwise, she’d chicken out and forget this whole thing. She glanced back up at him. The girl was about to do something that she never would have thought of doing before. Especially considering he was still with someone. Without hesitating she pressed her lips against his own. Though after a few seconds she pulled back and shook her head. “Sorry, I uh… I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

Shay jumped a little at Tiny’s voice. She hadn’t really been paying attention to him walking up to her. Being lost in your own thoughts will definitely do that to a person. She smiled at him as he came up to her, shaking her head when he apologized. “No need for an apology. I haven’t been here that long anyway. So no worries.” Shay explained. Now, she was definitely feeling the nerves get to her a bit. The young girl was doing her best to push the nerves aside. “Everything is fine.” Shay said so he wouldn’t worry about that. She bit down on her bottom lip before looking up at him. “Have you ever liked someone, but just didn’t quite know how to tell them? Or was worried if they you know wouldn’t feel the same that it could ruin everything?” Shay asked.

Tiny couldn’t help but notice at how jumpy Shay seemed. Now, he hadn’t known her all too long, but nerves weren’t something that she usually showed. Whatever was on her mind, it must have been bugging her enough to make them show. “Surprise you’re not yelling at me to run some laps. Thought tardiness wasn’t something you athletes tolerated.” He smirked, trying to lighten the mood some. Whatever his problems, he didn’t want them to affect how they interacted with each other. Raising his brows at her question, he couldn’t help but smile. “Oh yeah. At least twice I think. Half of it was nerves, the other was that she liked somebody else and they would have beat the crap out of me.” He looked back on his crush on Vanessa as childish, but he was no stranger to crushing in silence. “So..who’s the lucky guy? I know him?”

After talking to Tiny for quite awhile, Shay had been developing some sort of feelings for him. As much as she tried to push them away, she couldn’t. She was aware that he was with Lola. Who she could actually get along with and of course that was something that was keeping her from trying anything. It sucked liking someone who didn’t seem to like you in the same way. But right now she didn’t care about any oft those things. Shay was dressed nicely in some jeans with a nice t-shirt. One that didn’t scream out athlete. She texted Tiny in hopes that he’d show up and meet her at the park. She just wanted to come clean with her feelings. Even if he didn’t feel the same at least he’d know. For once she was being brave about something none sports related. Even if it ended up going south on her end. She wasn’t thinking about the cliques or anything. Shay just wanted him to know…

As Tiny’s day couldn’t get any weirder, he had a feeling it was about to get even stranger. While he had no problems with the tenner girl, in fact she was somewhat working her way into his mind more times than he’d care to admit, today wasn’t the best day for hanging out with friends. After his brother was arrested right in front of him, his entire world being turned upside down, and now a woman who had claimed to be his aunt talking to him for hours? It was all a lot to take in. At least with a chance to walk, he was able to clear his head somewhat. Sighing, he stuffed his hands in his pockets as he headed to the park. He noticed Shay on a bench as he looked up, and he called out to her. “Hey! Uh, sorry I’m late. Just kinda..had a busy couple of hours.”, he said as he tried to put some enthusiasm in his voice. As he took a seat next to her, he sensed something was on her mind. “Is everything alright?”, he asked, putting his own problems aside for a moment.

I went way too hard at the gym and I’m now unbelievably sore. If someone wants to bring me some snacks it’d be greatly appreciated.

Pretty sure snacks defeat the purpose of going to the gym, but I’ll make an exception in this case.

So, summer break, it’s suppose to be fun and relaxing… right..? Or am I suddenly remembering it wrong and it’s suppose to be filled with this much stress?

You’re an adult now in the eyes of the world, B. I think summer break’s over unless you become a teacher or something.

Wow, those places are pretty far. But planes can get you anywhere fast, so maybe it’s an option! You should come too! It would be so much fun to go with a group of friends! Oh, right, I remember people talking about that. I don’t know if I could live up to the old me’s party, but maybe I could try something?

Sounds fun, but I’m not sure I’d get along with everybody, per say. That and I’m kind of low on funds. I say just do what you think would be fun, no pressure. From the sound of it, you’re throwing something next week I hear. I’ll be there.

I’m not getting all googly eyed at you. I just think it’s good to know and that I’m glad that you don’t think I’m the worst company to have around. Yes, I have. You should know this by now. You’d actually let me drag you out of your house?

Suure. Still, don’t let it go to your head. You mean psychically? Sure, you seem pretty strong. I’ll even let you carry me since you love to stay fit.

Hey, I told you I’d offer up my cooking if you’re ever in need.  What’s the point in making new friends? I’ve already got everyone I need. I’m set. No, you’re doing this from the kindness of your heart. 

Oh yeah, you do have the big house don’t you? It’s always nice to have extra friends, especially when I’m assuming the kind of chicks with tattoos and big dumb guys who are easily swayed by a cheeseburger named Big Gino. You think I have a heart? Man you’re getting funnier everyday.