Most specifically, the part with his verse.
Her page was soft pink with brown borders and font with the headline that read DaOnlyPrincess_90 up top. The layout sparkled with glittery hearts and cursive affirmations. Her display picture stopped him in his tracks. She had glossy lips and almond shaped eyes that looked like they saw straight through him. Her skin was peanut butter brown with natural curly hair pulled to a side ponytail. She threw up a peace sign with a white background behind her. Out of instinct, he double clicked to expand it, then continued scrolling through her photos.
They were casual—most of them mirror selfies, blurry flicks with homegirls, and one holding a brown and black Pomeranian puppy he’d later learn was named “puppy” itself.
She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
And, apparently, she had great taste in music.
He tapped the “Add Friend” button as his heart raced. Then, he sent a direct message with the smoothest thing he could think of.
Westsidezay: Yo…sup ma.
Kennedy giggled behind him, and he jumped, as he hadn’t noticed she got off the couch and stood right behind him.
“Damn, you scared me! What is you doin’?”
“No, what isyoudoin’?” she replied. “That’s not how you approach a woman.”
“What the hell you know about a man approaching a woman with your young ass? Them boys better not be saying nothin’ to you.”
“Oh, shut up. I know enough to know a girl likethatwould never respond to?—”
Just then, the computer beeped through the speakers, a message from daonlyprincess_90. Zay glanced over his shoulder at his sister with a smug grin. She stuck her tongue and rolled her eyes.
He turned back to the screen, and they both read her reply.
Daonlyprincess_90: wait…is this Zay? as in Zay from T.E.D.?
“What is T.E.D.?” Kennedy asked.
“It stands for my group, The Ether Division, Ken. Get out my business anyway!” he responded and nudged her away. She folded her arms and turned and walked to the couch before plopping down.
Zay turned back to the screen and typed.
Westsidezay: daonlyzay here.
Daonlyprincess_90: How do I know it’s really you?
Westsidezay: well it ain’t the other ones
Daonlyprincess_90: so you the one with the chipped tooth and bad attitude?
“Damn,” Zay exclaimed. He wasn’t sure if he was offended or impressed that someone noticed. “Did she just try to ho me?”
Westsidezay: …don’t forget the trust issues and social anxiety too, damn man!
Daonlyprincess_90: ahhh… my favorite one. I knew it was you. What’s up?
He grinned at the message.
Westsidezay: yo favorite huh? So you like poetic thugs?
Daonlyprincess_90: ummm, no. You don’t scream on the track like the rest of them. I like the quiet ones. They have the most to say.
Westsidezay: sounds boring
Daonlyprincess_90: and yet, here you are.
