Chapter One
Beauty
Toby
“I need a favor, my friend,” Kwäzē says nervously.
“What’s up,” I ask.
Kwäzē has been my best friend, since the third grade. I’m as close to him, as I am my six brothers. I’d do anything to help him out. He knows this. I’m just curious as to what has him so unsettled.
It can’t be a girl. I’ve seen the way girls fall all over themselves, just to listen to Kwäzē’s accent. When he gives them that big bright smile, they’re done for.
You could say Kwäzē is a handsome kid. With his chocolate flawless skin, his height, and muscular build. We’re both tall and pretty well developed for ninth and tenth graders. This week we’re the same height. That will change again. It always does.
I can’t see Kwäzē being worried about classes either. He’s one of the smartest guys I know. I’m sure he’s a genius. He nearly took over teaching his chemistry class in ninth grade. I don’t know if his teacher was more annoyed or impressed. Felix thought it was hilarious, they were in the same class.
Kwäzē was skipped a grade, when we were in junior high school. I thought we would lose our friendship, but I think it only became stronger. Kwäzē became Felix’s friend, which made Kwäzē more of a friend of all of ours. Although, I know him the best. Which is why I’m standing here, wondering what has him looking so worried, as he asks me for a favor.
Kwäzē licks his lips. “I could not say anything before now, but my sister has moved to be with the rest of the family. She is my twin, Toby,” he pauses and looks away from me.
I know right away he’s about to tell me a lie, I don’t call him on it because something tells me this is important. Kwäzē has never lied to me before, but I’ve watched him lie to others. I hone in on all the details of his words, once I notice the telltale sign.
“Kamara has moved here from New York. She was staying with family there. She did not acclimate while there. I’m afraid she will need time to adjust here,” Kwäzē turns his eyes back to me. “I just ask, as a friend, please look out for my sister. She is important…she is important to me. Please, Toby.”
I note all the details of what Kwäzē hasn’t said. I will bank those for later. I think of Bean, Nellie, and Heather. My brothers and I look after them without question. What’s one more honorary sister?
I shrug my shoulders. “Sure, man. You didn’t even need to ask,” I reply.
“Yes, yes, I did,” Kwäzē says, but closes his mouth.
“Come, I want you to meet her. My parents are in the office with her. She will need help finding her classes,” Kwäzē says, grabbing me by the front of my backpack strap to pull me along.
I’m surprised by the action, but I follow him up the hallway anyway. I see a few guys from the basketball team and wave. At the speed Kwäzē is dragging me, I’ll have to catch them later.
We pass Mr. Pacheco and he glares at the fitted cap on my head. I reach up and tip the brim to him and wink. Yeah, I’m sort of a little asshole. Whatever. We run this place. Noah graduated last year and Wyatt the year before, but the Blacks still own this place. I may be a freshman, but that doesn’t change a thing.
The teachers are too scared of my mom to call her up here on us. We pretty much get away with murder. I laugh, as Mr. Pacheco’s cheeks turn red. I live to piss that guy off. He’s a dick.
It’s only first period and I’m feeling good already. Seeing the steam come out of Mr. Pacheco ears, makes the fight I had with Brax and Ry this morning sting just a little less. I rub my ribs, remembering those two little fuckers jumping me.
I’ll need to get more time in at the gym at Dad’s office. Those two have been kicking my ass more often lately. I’ll catch Ry alone, after school and put the breaks to his ass.
“Dude, you want to slowdown,” I chuckle at Kwäzē.
“No, we cannot. She should be waiting on us now,” he puffs out and speeds up.
Kwäzē turns the corner to the office and I skid to a stop. It’s like my brain freezes. I can’t move. I can only stand and stare.
I know it’s her. My brain is able to connect that much. She has Kwäzē’s eyes and his smooth skin, she looks just like her brother, but…she’s gorgeous.
Just a few shades off being ebony brown and absolutely flawless. Her brown eyes are large and slanted, with super long lashes, not so much full as long. Her lips are plump and lush. She’s tall like her brother, but not as tall.
Her pink blouse and grey skirt give her an innocence most the girls at this school just don’t have. She looks…sweet, so fucking sweet, I swear I can taste her.
I blink at my own thoughts and drop my backpack, from my shoulder to hide the massive boner I’m sporting. Shit, Black, pull your shit together. This is Kwäzē’s sister.
She blinks those long lashes and I finally break out of my trance. Mr. and Mrs. Naidoo come from the office, bringing me back to earth. Kwäzē turns to me with pleading eyes. Again, I know my friend has left something out, when he asked me to look out for his sister.
When Kamara speaks, it’s a deep and husky sound that nearly has me coming in my pants. I reach for my neck with my free hand and rub. I’m sure I’ve lost all my shit. Her words are so thick and heavy with her accent.
“English, Kamara,” Mr. Naidoo chides.
I sigh. I haven’t lost my mind. Well, not completely. I frown a little. I’ve been friends with Kwäzē so long, he started to teach me his mother tongue, when I was in grade school. I can’t for the life of me understand why I didn’t just pick up Kamara’s words.
I watch as she draws her lip between her teeth. Wow, that dark chocolate skin glows in the cheeks, when she looks up at her dad. My eyes move to the thick hair on top her head.
It’s dark brown and looks so soft, pulled into a large puff in the center. She has two plaits in the front, one on each side of her head, clear beads hang from the tips. It’s not what I’m used to, but it’s cute on this girl. It places her pretty face and long neck on display.
I’m staring, I know I am. I feel Mrs. Naidoo’s eyes on me, I turn to see she’s giving me a knowing smile. I shake it off and look away.
“Sorry, father, I forgot. I’m so excited,” her husky voice comes again.
I look up through my lashes to see she’s turned those big brown eyes on me. She stretches out her hand for mine and takes a few steps forward. Her fingers are so long and graceful.
“You must be Toby,” she says, as she looks up into my eyes.
I swear, I think my knees are going to buckle, when I hear her say my name. The husk and rasp of her voice are sexy as fuck to me. It still has this softness about it that is as sweet as she looks.
I love the way my name comes from her lips. It sounds more like Toe-Be. She pronounces the T and the B so strongly. It’s cute, much the same way Kwäzē says it, but it just sounds better coming from her.
I take her hand in mine, feeling a jolt the moment my skin touches hers. Her eyes widen so I know she feels it too. I school my face, not to give a thing away. Kwäzē asked me to look after his sister, not lust after her.
“And you’re Kamara. Cool, nice to meet you,” I say dumbly.
I could kick myself, as soon as the words leave my mouth. That’s the coolest thing you could come up with, Black? Nice, really nice, Toby. I groan internally.
I’m usually a lot smoother than this. Honestly, girls are usually throwing themselves at me. I don’t have to say much of anything, but I’ve been known to do better than this.
“I’ve heard so much about you from my brother. You, your six brothers, and your mom and dad. You are all like family to Kwäzē. I can’t wait to make new friends here,” she rambles, still holding my hand.
Or should I say that I’m still holding her hand. It is too soft for me to let go just yet. I think Kamara takes notice that she’s still holding mine and rambling as well. She slowly pulls her hand free, as if reluctant to do so.
“We’ll make sure you make friends in no time,” I say, with a crooked smile.
“Toby, can I talk to you,” Mr. Naidoo says, breaking into our awkward conversation.
I turn to him and nod. “Yes, Sir.”
I groan inside again. I’m sure he’s totally going to chew my horny ass out for eye fucking his daughter. Great, I guess this day isn’t going to get better. Fuck.
~B~
Kamara
I want to kick myself. The first time I get to talk to an American boy and I blow it. Not just any American boy, but the American boy I’ve been wanting to meet in person, since I saw him in the pictures my brother sent me.
Kwäzē has looked so happy here in America. I’ve been waiting to come over, wishing I could experience all of the things he has gotten a chance to experience and learn. It has not been easy being away from my family.
I’m to tell everyone here that I’ve been with family in New York. This is not the truth. I’ve been in hiding for the last five years, before that I lived in the village among my people. Still hidden, but not in the same way, as I have been in the last five years.
It has been so long since I’ve been with my family. Kwäzē has been here in America, since he was six. His English is so much better than mine. I wring my hands, as I think of how I must sound to Toby.
“You worry too much,” Kwäzē whispers in my ear. “You will be fine. We will look after you. I’m here to protect you now.”
I look up at my brother. He does not know I have a crush on his best friend. I’ve wanted to tell him, but he will tell my father and that I cannot have.
“Thank you,” I say to my brother, hoping that for once he doesn’t read my feelings all over my face.
Even with our time apart, Kwäzē knows me. Sometimes it is hard being a twin. I know for a fact it was hard being so far away from Kwäzē for so long. I missed my brother.
I turn my eyes away to look at the beautiful coppered haired boy that is talking to my father. He is taller than I thought he would be. He and my brother are about the same height. I’m not that much smaller than the two, but they are taller than me.
Those eyes, they are truly gold. So mesmerizing, I could have gotten lost in them. I wasn’t able to see them at first. It wasn’t until I stepped closer to him and reached out my hand. That was when I was able to look up into those amazing eyes.
Toby is very handsome. His baseball cap makes him look mysterious, but up close looking into those eyes, I see something else. Needing another look, I turn to watch Toby as he speaks with my father. He has removed his hat. I smile to be able to see his copper hair in person. It is cut close on the side, but just long enough on top for you to tell that it is a golden blonde and red.
The intense look on his face has me wondering what my father is saying to him. I look to my mother and she gives me a warm smile. I look away from her assessing eyes quickly. I know I’m too late, when she moves closer and leans into my ear.
“Remember who you are, my daughter,” she says.
I don’t get to reply. She moves to my father, breaking into the conversation he is having with Toby. Toby turns his head to narrow his eyes at me. I can hold his eyes now that he no longer has his hat on.
I can see the questions in his orbs. He is taking me in anew. I feel like he can see through me. I wring my hands some more, then loop my thumbs into the straps of my backpack to keep from fidgeting.
The bell rings and I jump. Toby’s eyes narrow a bit more and seem to sharpen in on me. I want to bare all my secrets here and now. For that reason, I turn to Kwäzē.
“Shouldn’t we be off to class?”
“Yes, I will help you find your first one,” my brother says with a bright smile.
Lord, please help me. This is not going to be easy. Please let me make friends.