3. Misunderstood Oddball
Chapter 3
Misunderstood Oddball
JESSICA
“ T HAT FUCKING ASSHOLE!!!!!!” Faythe yells on the phone at the top of her lungs, making me wrinkle my nose and sigh. “Don’t wrinkle your nose and sigh at me! How are we just now finding out about this?!” She glares through the camera, and I can tell she’s sitting in the girl’s bathroom of our old school. I chuckle, seeing her cute face frowning with her Hello Kitty long nails and pink and black puff balls, looking like Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls.
“I agree. How dare he break up with you over a text?!” Beatrice snorts, just as pissed as Faythe but a lot more collected as per usual, as she lifts her glasses onto her nose, glancing up from her college textbook.
“It’s okay, guys,” I shrug. “Don’t even trip over a lame like that.” I wave my hand, already over the bastard.
“Jess, what do you mean you’re not worried about it?! You absolutely need to be! That is just so fucking disgusting. I thought you would be a bit more upset at this,” Faythe questions, and that’s true. I’m usually the type of person who’d be down bad after a breakup, but this is the quickest recovery I’ve ever had. I can’t help that my time is occupied.
“I really just don’t have the time. I’ve got a new friend who I ha—” But just as I say that a text comes in and I grin from ear to ear, seeing Frank’s name. Sliding out of our FaceTime call, I read his message and quickly respond.
Frankie : I’m sad…
Jess: What happened?
Frankie : Someone extremely beautiful, sweet, and adorable fell asleep on me last night…
I giggle, biting my lip and skipping clumsily along, texting him back.
Jess: Dang, I’m sorry after I showered and ate I fell asleep. I must have been tired from practice.
Frankie : It’s okay.
Frankie : Did you sleep well?
Jess: Yes! Last night I had some of the best sleep of my life actually
Jess: It must have been because I met such a cool and sweet person.
I smile, feeling rejuvenated. On God, I haven’t had a licka rest since I moved to Boston. Maybe because of the stress I’m riddled with and my home sickness has been unreal. However, last night, even after what happened with Matt, I not only got some of the best sleep ever, but I even woke up refreshed.
Frankie : Aww you truly are adorable… I could literally just eat you up
Jess: Haha well I don’t think I’m that tasty but instead how about I buy you lunch?
Frankie : Hmm… I seriously doubt that but if one is off the table, I’ll take whatever you want to throw my way.
I throw my head back laughing, truly immersed in his silly antics, but I hear someone clear their throat on my phone and I curse. Fuck! I quickly switch back over and see Faythe and Beatrice side-eyeing me.
“Damn it, sorry guys. My new friend texted me,” I tell them, still grinning and feeling like I’m floating.
“Hold on… wait a second. What do you mean a new friend?” Beatrice frowns. “Don’t tell me you’re dating someone new already?!” She sets her book down as if ready to lecture me, but I shake my head.
“No, I’m not seeing anyone new. I literally mean just a new friend,” I roll my eyes, resisting the urge to click off and text him back, but I don’t want to be rude to my girls.
“Well, you’re sure as hell not smiling like this person is just a new friend,” Beatrice wiggles her brows, and I chuckle, because she not wrong, but I can’t help it Frank is just the sweetest cutie pie ever.
“I hear ya but seriously, we’re just friends. Hell, I only just met him yesterday night, but I think he’s a cool guy, plus he’s sweet, kind, and cute and?—”
“Uh huh… bitch, he sounds just like ya mother fucking type!!!!” Faythe cackles, making me laugh harder.
“Stop, Fay. It really isn’t like that,” I try to sound serious, but even I know I’m doing a piss fucking poor job of it.
“Well, Faythe isn’t wrong. He really does sound like your type. Are you planning to shoot your shot later or something?” Beatrice asks, and I pause at her question, chewing my lip but ultimately shake my head no.
“I… I don’t think so, honestly. I like this… it’s nice having a friend to lean on, especially since you guys aren’t here. Honestly, I really am done with love for now. I just want to hang out with him and do fun things,” I finish, wondering if I should tell them that Frank cross-dresses or not. It’s not like they would judge him or anything, but… I’m just not sure.
“Done with love, huh?” Beatrice quirks a brow, sipping her iced coffee.
“Yup.” I nod, “Completely and utterly done, besides, not to come off ignorant, but I don’t even know if Frank is into girls…” I blurt out, and that makes them sit up.
“Oh?” Faythe leans in, even more interested. “Is he like super flamboyant or something but hot?” She clasps her hands together and I shake my head.
“No, worse. He’s… well, it’s better to show you rather than to tell you,” I pause, exiting our FaceTime, and sending them the picture of Frank he sent me last night. In the picture, he’s in a cute modest dress, looking as pretty as a lost lamb, smiling while holding a sunflower, blond hair fluttering prettily in the bright sun. God, how can he be more adorable than me?
“OH MY RAINBOWS!” Faythe gasps.
“Oh my!” Beatrice voices softly.
“S-so, what do you think?” I ask them, but they are too busy staring at the picture.
“Well… uhm… are you sure that’s a guy?” Faythe asks.
“I’m positive.”
“But Jessy, he’s so pretty! I want to dress him up and put him in my Hello Kitty doll house,” Faythe sighs, damn near with hearts in her eyes, and I chuckle.
“He really is pretty, huh?” I beam proud.
“That he is,” Beatrice finally speaks up, “Pretty, and mine and Fayfay’s stance is even more solidified. Homeboygirl is very your type. I think you should shoot your shot at this one,” she smirks devilishly, and I laugh, snorting like an idiot sipping my water.
“Yeah, even if they do like boys, you might be the perfect coochie cat to change his life! Go slide down the pole, give him that gawk gawk five thousand, and show his pretty ass you have no gag reflex. That’ll change his mind!” Faythe giggles, and I cover my mouth, laughing at her nasty ass shenanigans.
“Jesusss, stoooop!” I choke out as the water goes down the wrong pipe. “Why are y’all like this?” I groan. Still, the smile hasn’t faded from my face once.
“Like what? We’re just saying, he’s cute, and you never know, he really might be the one,” Beatrice shrugs, and Faythe nods.
“Yeah, the one to knock them walls into alignment. Um, a dude that fine and pretty gotta be slanging an eggplant. I vote you tie his pretty ass up and fu?—”
“FAYTHE!” I squeal, heart racing.
“Huh? What’s wrong?”
“Your vulgar ass personality is what’s wrong,” Beatrice chuckles, and I sigh.
“No,” I laugh, cheeks a bit flushed, but not because I’m embarrassed. More so because I did… kinda have a dream about Frank after he snatched off his wig doing some nasty shit to me… but I ain’t going to get into that with them. “I’m serious. I like him, but just as a friend. Like I said, I’m done dating, and need I repeat, we just met last ni?—”
“So?! Haven’t you heard of love at first sight?!” Faythe blurts out.
“Yup, I mean, any guy that’s got you smiling that damn hard is an A++ in my book!” Beatrice looks into the camera, and my heart flutters and I stamp it down. Nope, nope, nope, NOPE!
“No, you guys. Don’t get me wrong, he’s more my type than any guy I’ve ever dated, but on God, fuck all of that right now,” I roll my eyes. “I just want to play ball and focus on school,” I tell them, suddenly tired. “Not only that, but I like the vibe we have going. He’s just so sweet and it’s not like Matt, who was pushing a relationship down my throat. Talking to him feels right, and it’s fun. Honestly, even if I just met him, our conversation are effortless as if we’re already the best of friends. I feel so safe and seen talking to him,” I tell them, but Faythe grins.
“You say that, but you already look in love,” she giggles, and my heart skips a beat as I try to find the words to say otherwise, but I can’t find them. I mean, how could I not be this happy when I have a guy as cute, lovable, and adorable as him piling me with compliments and attention?
“I—”
“FAYTHE HOPKINS, IF YOU DON’T GET YOUR TAIL OUT THAT BATHROOM AND INTO CLASS RIGHT NO?—”
“Shit!” Faythe ducks. “I gotta go y’all! Good luck, Jess! Shoot ya shot, girl. I bet he got a big dic?—”
“OUT NOW!”
“Dang, I’m coming, I’m coming!” she groans, hanging up, making me and Beatrice laugh because that girl is always getting into some trouble.
“I’m not going to hold you either since I see it’s almost time for class.” Beatrice keeps up with all of our school schedules and sends us texts, letting us know it’s time for class. She’s that much of a stickler. “You do what Fay said and shoot your shot. That boy could change your life,” she smiles, and I want to cry because of how much I miss them.
“I’ll think about it,” I promise her.
“You better. Have a good lecture and call us later, okay?”
“Okay!” I wave, hanging up, mind in a daze about what they just said. Damn… am I really smiling that hard because of him?
Completely out of it and tired already from the conversation with my friends, the late night texts with Frank, and because I hate math, especially calculus, I yawn, in desperate need of coffee and some downtime to think, when I open the door to the Department of Mathematics building and accidentally bump into someone.
“Ouch!” They wince, and I look down, shocked to see the girl that Matt was hugging and swinging around.
“Oh my bad,” I apologize and hold out my hand, trying to help her even though I don’t like her. In reality, she didn’t do shit to me, it was Matt, but she shoves my hand out of the way and snorts.
“Your bad? You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” she sneers as she stands, and I cock my head to the side in confusion.
“Why would I?” I scoff, holding onto my backpack, standing straight since she doesn’t need my help and I don’t too much care if she wants it or not. But she curls her lip disgusted as I smile and prepare myself.
“Because you’re jealous Matt wanted to be with me instead of a manly lo?—”
“Girl, cut it the fuck out,” I burst out laughing, making everyone look our way. I typically don’t like people staring at me so blatantly, but right now, I could give two shits.
“C-cut it out?”
“Yeah, cut it the fuck out like I said. Ain’t nobody worried about Matt. Have him,” I roll my eyes, about to walk past her, but she grabs onto my backpack, trying to pull me back, but there is no way in fucking hell I’m going to budge for a bitch who’s twenty percent body fat.
“Wait, I’m talking to you!”
“And?” I snatch my bag, and maybe it’s because she’s so little, but her body goes flying, and she jerks forward, falling again as everyone stops and stares for real this time.
“AHHHH YOU D-D-DID TH-THAT ON PURPOSE!” she shouts. I guess she thinks that’s supposed to move me.
“Oh fucking puh-lease girl. Get the fuck up. Anyone with a fucking pair of eyes saw I didn’t do shit to you. And in case you didn’t know, if I truly cared or wanted to, I’d body rock your ass with my fist, but I’m not fighting over a nigga who cheated on me,” I finish and throw her an “are you fucking crazy?” look.
“B… bu?—”
“But nothing. Like I said, have him and pray you don’t lose him how you got him. Either way, I. Do. Not. Care,” I grit and look her up and down, walking by her. I pass Matt, who’s standing there watching me with wide, scared eyes. I want to tell him off, but I notice his thumbs are bandaged with splints as if they’re broken. What the hell happened to him?
I’m tempted to ask, but when I think about the text and how my best friend Karma came up and showed the fuck out for me, all I can do is throw my head back, cackling as the group of students part for me like a sea as he rushes off with a red face. Oh today will be a good day.
Sighing happily, I continue my trek to class, ignoring all the looks I’m getting because they are always staring at me… only it’s hardly in a positive light. The small-minded people at this college think up and spread all types of weird fucking rumors about me. Especially, since I’m the only girl on our football team and I hang around all the guys. The girls here abhor that. One minute I’m a hoe who’s been ran through by the entire team, and the next I’m some dyke. Well, if I had a dick, they could suck it.
I don’t give a damn about anything they say about me. For one, all the guys on my team, aside from a select few I wouldn’t spit on if they were on fire, are like brothers to me. It’s nothing more, nothing less, but what’s the point in talking when they won’t listen? They can say whatever that want.
“JESSICA!” I spin quickly, recognizing that deep voice from anywhere, but in the process, I get whiplash seeing my Frank barrel down the halls, looking cute and adorable as usual but I’m stunned to see he’s not in attire as cutesy as he had on the night we met, but more casual dress. It’s still a flowy and sun flowery type dress that suits him perfectly. Hell, it seems everything suits him perfectly, but I wonder if he always cross-dresses and why? What if it was something tragic that happened to him?
“Frank?!” My eyes go wide, looking up at him. “Wh-what are you doing here?!” I ask, flabbergasted that he’s here right now, but he beams from ear to ear, pulling me into his arms.
“I had to meet with one of my old professors, and just as I was leaving I saw you.” He pulls back, looking at me, but I look out the corner of my eyes and see that people are staring at us. Ugh.
“Oh wow, how cool. It’s so nice to see you by accident,” I beam up at him, then step away, body tingling from his deep, intoxicating smell and hard body. I don’t give a damn how this man dresses, he is all lean muscle. He feels better than Matt!
“Right? It made my day.” He sips on a coffee from my favorite coffee shop, and my mouth waters.
“You like Roseli’s grinds too?!” I exclaim.
“Who wouldn’t?” he smirks, deep voice tumbling over me.
“I know, but I’m sad I didn’t get a chance to pick up one since I didn’t want to be late to class,” I pout, and his eyes lock with mine.
“Then you can have mine.” He takes another sip, licking the coffee cup where a bit of it spilled. He holds it out to me, making my mouth pop open, but I shake my head.
“N-no. I’m fine.”
“I insist. How about you have a sip just to wake you up this morning?” he smiles, holding it out to me eagerly, and I want to say no since I don’t drink after no damn body… not even my parents.
“Bu—” He raises a brow and places the cup to my lips, cutting off my sentence.
“Swallow, Jessica.” His voice dips in the deepest octave possible, sending chills spreading like wildfire throughout my body. My mouth then pops open like a shaken soda can, and I stare at him, heart racing when he watches me with dilated eyes as I drink.
However, I’m so focused on him that I spill a bit on my chin.
“Oh, sorry, that was clumsy of me,” I try to wipe it off, but to my utter fucking shock, he grasps my hand tight, stopping it before it can get close to my face before he leans over, tongue sliding hungrily across my chin, growling like damn lion that has all the girls in the hall breaking they neck looking at us with lust and envy in their eyes. “Fr-Frank!” I exclaim, heart racing uncontrollably, making him go still as fuck.
“I… uhmm… s-sorry!” he steps back, blushing shyly, looking on the verge of tears. “Don’t hate me.” He blinks, tears rolling down his face and my tense shoulders go lax, and I smile, patting his head.
“I’m not mad, silly. Just shocked.” I chuckle, but in reality, my fucking heart is pounding harder than Cardi B bongos beat and pussy clenching tighter than a mother fucking coconut crab! Hell, he can crack these sons a bitches open a ? —
“No, that wasn’t right. I shouldn’t have done that,” he shakes and I chuckle, wrapping my arms around him tightly, rubbing his back to calm him down. Aww, he’s such a gentle soul. When he wraps his tight arms around me, I’m startled when I feel something along his leg under his dress.
“Frank I think something’s...” I frown, stepping back as he wipes tears.
“S-sorry… that’s my water bottle. I have pockets under my dress since I don’t like carrying my uhm… bag. Yes… my pocket,” he stammers, and as much as I want to ask why the hell he has a pocket under his dress, I guess when you think about it, it really doesn’t sound so bad. Hell, any kind of pockets on women’s clothes is a blessing. And he’s not a woman, he’s a guy, so I guess he likes weird things.
“It’s all good. I was just curious. A-anyway, I sh-should get going uhm… class is about to start,” I state lamely, but I really need to sit the fuck down or my legs will fold like a lawn chair under me.
“Okay… but uhm, Jessica!”
“Yes?” I turn, continuing my walk to class with Frank next to me, even more self-conscious when there are even more eyes on us than before.
“B-before you go… uhm, has anyone told you that you look beautiful today?” he smiles bashfully, and I go still as my heart skips a beat.
“N-no,” I shake my head. “No one but myself,” I chuckle, growing hot and embarrassed, but as a tall girl who’s used to not being called pretty, I make it a point to tell myself every morning in the mirror how beautiful I am. It’s part of my daily affirmations.
I’m shaken from my thoughts when he steps up and takes my hand, kissing it before standing tall and taking a deep breath and…
“JESSICA IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THIS ENTIRE WORLD!!!!!” he shouts at the top of his deep ass lungs, making me lightheaded. What in the he— “JESSICA HURTS IS SO BEAUTIFUL S?—”
“F-Frank!” I grit out, embarrassed, cupping his mouth shut, but high key, my heart is all over the place right now. “WH-WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?!?!?!” OH MY GOOOODDDD!!!!
“Yes, Jessica?” He moves my hand, smiling prettily, and my stomach does flips.
“What are you doing?” I panic whispering, heart beating so loud I wonder if the people around who are staring at us crazy can hear it. Just great! The football playing girl and cross-dressing boy in the campus halls!
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m telling the world about my most precious girl.” He grins, showing straight white teeth, not faltering at all, and I don’t know if I think he’s sexy for doing this or crazy. Boff! Boff’um!!!!
“Whyyyyyy?!?!?!”
“Why?” he frowns, curling his lip and looking at me like I’m the crazy one here.
“Yes! Why?” I whine, but he beckons me closer as if he wants to tell me a secret, and I’m compelled to lean forward and hear what the hell he’s got to say, but instead of whispering in my ear, he kisses my cheek.
“How can you look at that face in the mirror every morning and not know the answer to that?” he adds. My throat closes, and my heart races as I try to swallow the emotion building up in me.
Has any man aside from my dad said that to me? I’m the most precious person in the world to him?
I’ve never thought myself to be unattractive, though I do have a slight complex about being taller than most of the guys I know, even most of my boyfriends, but one thing I know is I’m pretty. But beautiful?
I stare into those pretty baby blues so full of earnestness, and my heart starts to take a turn I don’t want, so I look away and stand straight, not able to say anything, trying to comprehend my feelings…
“Th-thank you so much, Frank,” I choke out, holding back tears at how sweet he is.
“No, thank you, Jessica,” he smirks.
“For what?”
“For existing.”
How can a girl stand this? I’m done with love… I’m done with love! Fuck… am I done with love?
“Frank, I?—”
“Would you like to go somewhere after your lecture, Jessica?” he questions, and I bite my lip, feeling shy suddenly.
“I… I would love to.” I glance away, trying not to seem too eager.
“Okay, then I’ll wait for you.” His eyes run over me as he takes my hand, kissing the back of it just as my professor walks up.
“Ms. Hurts are you planning to attend my lecture today or dilly dally in the hall with this young lady?” he asks haughtily, and I smirk. Even the teacher can’t tell that Frank is a guy because of how pretty he is.
“I’m coming, sir.” I follow behind him and look back at Frank, still standing there holding the cup of coffee, watching me.
God! He’s so perfect.