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The One Who Holds Me (Sovereign Love #4) 10. Alex 22%
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10. Alex

10

ALEX

THEN

T he end of summer break always feels like the start of a new year for me. Senior year of college is finally here and soon, we’ll be out of here and facing the real world. I have so many things to be grateful for—one of them being Olanna, of course. It’s our seven month-iversary today and I would have felt more joyful if I didn’t have this recent development pressing on my mind.

I lean forward and rest my head on my hands. My coffee and brownie remains untouched and my eyes are begging for sleep that is far away from me. The fresh breeze coming in from the library’s open windows counteracts the hot weather outside. Apart from my weekend shifts as an assistant, I like the library because it’s my space to think and get rid of the nerves.

“Yo, bro.” Kwame appears behind me and we shake hands and pat each other’s backs before he joins me at my desk in my favorite section of the library. Olanna will join me later this afternoon, but I need to have this conversation with Kwame before she comes over.

“Your text sounded urgent when you used those exclamation points.” Kwame laughs and sets his backpack on the table. “I had to leave India to come to you.”

“I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know you were spending time with India this afternoon. It just wasn’t something I could talk about over the phone.”

“Nah, don’t sweat it. I’d love to take a break from her K-Drama marathon, anyway.” Kwame chuckles and turns his snapback hat to face backwards. “Bro, is everything alright? Are you and Olanna having problems?”

I shake my head and lean my elbows on the table. “No, actually things with Olanna are going great. It was our six month-iversary last month, but since we couldn’t see each other face to face over the summer break, we’ll be celebrating that and our seven month-iversary next week.”

“Wow, seven months, huh?” Kwame intertwines his fingers on the table. “For your first relationship, you’ve done really well. I didn’t even need to give you any tips after that first day. I’m proud of you, man.”

“I didn’t do anything much. She’s fun to be with. I’m never bored when I’m with her. Our conversations are effortless and she’s so kind. I love her, man.”

“Yo, that’s what I’m talking about.” Kwame flashes me a grin before giving me a high five. “Have you met her family yet?” He lowers his voice when the guy in the sweatshirt and headphones on our right-hand side sends a glare in our direction.

“Not yet, but I know a lot about them. She always talks about her dad and her older brother, but her mom died two years ago. She says she met her brother’s potential girlfriend over the summer break and apparently she’s planning double dates for us or something along those lines.”

“Bro, that’s how it’s gonna be. You better get used to it.” Kwame laughs before his facial expression becomes serious again. “Okay, if things are going great with Olanna, then what’s the problem?”

My smile fades and I lower my head before letting out a sigh. “Kwame, please, can you promise that what I’ll share with you today will remain between us?”

“Oh, come on, bro. You know me.”

“Not even India.”

“You have my word, man.” Kwame extends his hand and I shake it.

“Okay, it’s a health issue and I just need your advice because…”

Kwame shakes his head before I can finish my sentence. “Bro, I’m only a pre-med student and not a doctor. You know I can’t give medical advice.”

“I’m not asking for medical advice. I just want your opinion as my friend, please.”

“Why didn’t you just Google it?”

“Dude, seriously?” I tilt my head and narrow my eyes at him. “Don’t you remember what happened the last time I Googled a symptom? The internet told me I only had ten days to live.”

We both laugh as memories of freshman year come rushing back. After struggling with abdominal pain for months, I was so sure my whole world was crumbling. But when Kwame finally convinced me to see the doctor, it turned out I was just very constipated and had to stop eating junk food every day.

“Man, the internet is a wild place.” Kwame crosses his arms against his chest and shakes his head. “Okay, fine. You win. What’s up?”

I look over my shoulder and urge him to lean forward before whispering in his ear.

“I noticed a…erm…I noticed a lump.”

Kwame’s eyes widen and his jaw drops open. “A lump? Where?”

I lean forward and whisper in his ear, afraid of someone else hearing.

“When did you notice it?”

“About two or three days ago.” I scratch the back of my head. “What do you think I should do?”

Kwame shakes his head. “I still think you should speak to a doctor. It’s probably nothing serious, so don’t worry about it, alright?”

Phew. I let out a sigh of relief and nod. “That’s all I needed to hear. I’ll be going home next weekend and I’ll tell my dad about it.”

“What about Olanna?”

I rub my forehead and pull on my beard before sighing. “Like you said, it’s probably nothing serious, so I don’t want her to worry. Besides, it’s kinda embarrassing.”

To this, Kwame shakes his head. “From my experience with India, I’d advise you not to keep Olanna in the dark.”

“Yes, Mr. Steve Harvey, I’ve heard you.” I bump Kwame’s fist before he leaves. It feels like Kwame has taken a huge weight off my shoulders, but maybe he’s right. Maybe I should see a doctor. I’ll tell Olanna after I’ve gotten the all clear because I don’t want her to worry about me.

Lord, Jesus. I hope Kwame is right, and this is nothing serious.

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