Jaded Disposition

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

I DID NOT WRITE THIS STORY THE AUTHOR IS DEE AND IS ONE OF THE BEST OUT THERE FROM WHAT IVE SEEN




When you can only handle so much…

Characters -
Y/n Mackenzi Aija Evans – 17 – Kenzi
Marcus Joshua Evans, Jr. – 3 – Marky Poo
Marilyn Aida Evans – 38 – Lyn
Marcus Joshua Evans, Sr. – 42 – Marc
Joel Matthew Klein – 18 – Joey
Joshua Nathan Holmes – 18 – Josh
Melanie Ari Hanson – 17 – Mel
Cody Ivan McIntyre – 18 - Macintosh
Jarell Damonte Houston – 19 – Boog
Dreux Pierre Frederic – 19 – Fizz
Devyn Dallona Brier – 18 - Devyne


Well, I’m new to this whole Internet journal thing so I guess I’ll introduce myself to you all. My name is y/n, but my parents call me by my middle names more than anything else. My dad wanted me to be named Mackenzi so my mom “stopped him from whining” by giving me that as a middle name along with her mother’s name. I’m 17 years old, and a senior in high school. No need to disclose my school, people stalk these days. Well, where should I start? I guess I’ll let the world in on a little of my life. My dad has finally opened his own dental office after being very prestigious at a friend’s dental office for a consecutive six years. So, after years of hard work and paying mom and I little to no attention, he’s finally reached his goal of having his own dental office. We’re going to be moving again in a few days, for the second time in three years. Mom has been waiting on this and so has my dad. Luckily I won’t have to switch schools this time, we’re just moving deeper into the suburbs where only people with either Grammy’s, Oscars or some kind of celebrity accomplishment live. Dad’s famous in the celebrity world, especially with last minute bleachings for red carpet events and rapid tooth repair for these clumsy millionaires. He’s even turned mouths of predators into smiles of a princess, so yeah, dad’s doing his thing I guess. So back to school, I would be beyond pissed if I had to switch schools; I just became captain of the hip-hop dance squad this year and practice has been fun all season long. We only have two months left and I would die if I had to give that up. My mom is still going to keep her offices where they are; she refuses to move it because business for her has been great for the past six years as well. She’s a psychiatrist. Yeah, she deals with the children of these celebrities who go crazy because dad is playing so many roles and mom was a whore in one movie and an angel in the next. Whatever. I don’t see how my parents stay together after weeks of not seeing each other because of conflicting schedules. When mom’s asleep, dad’s at work, and when dad’s home, mom is out the door. I watch them all the time, sometimes mom complains but she gets over it quickly. My mom and my dad call me their miracle child. My mom was told at a very young age that she would never be able to have children and then out of nowhere, here I come. My parents were already married and living a nice life before I busted in and now I’m one of two children. My little brother, Marcus, is adopted. He’s three now, my parents adopted him right from the hospital after his birth so he fits right in, he’s even starting to look more and more like us; well more like my dad. My boyfriend Joel is the epitome of a California guy. I was born in Las Vegas and my parents moved shortly after my birth once my dad started working at his colleague’s father’s law firm. I plan on moving back after I finish all of my schooling. So back to Joel, he’s your example of a conceited, self-centered, “stuck up,” rich boy, but I love him. His parents are both doctors. His mom is a pediatrician and his dad is a plastic surgeon in LA, go figure. Joel is the most spoiled child on earth, he’s never had a curfew, his parents are barely home, he got his first Benz at the age of 15 and now he’s working on his third one at the age of 18. So not fair, my parents have the money, however they like to “teach me the value of a dollar.” My car isn’t a Benz but it’s not a Neon either. I drive a cherry red Dodge Charger, my favorite color. My parents both own a coupe and a truck each and I can’t touch them, so I cherish my car with all my heart. They told me that they would not buy me another one ever in life so once I’m off to college I have to save up for an upgrade on my own. All of my life I have been given most of what I want, but I know what to and what not to ask for. Every summer my mother and I go on a weeklong vacation with all of the other women in our family and they mostly talk about their husbands and the younger family members, including myself, run off and shop or go to the beach or something. This year, we’re going to Cancun and I’m going to be 18 in two weeks; I cannot wait. So many things are supposed to happen for me when I turn 18 and I want to see how things come together. Well, I have to start packing again because it takes me forever, talk to you all at the new house. Tootles!
U: MOM! (You walk out of your room and lean over the staircase railing.) Where’s the other boxes? (Your mom, Marilyn, emerges from the kitchen and looks up the stairs.)
Lyn: What did you say?
U: Where’s the other boxes?
Lyn: In your dad’s study.
U: Oh. (You laugh and walk down the hall to your dad’s study and find a million boxes, bottoms taped and tops open ready to be filled. Marcus runs into the room with his Spiderman web string and sprays you.)
Marc: Got you! (He runs out of the room and you drop the box and chase him. He giggles and slides down the carpeted stairs and runs into the kitchen and clings onto your mother’s leg.)
U: Mom, keep him down here. He’s spraying me with that string stuff.
Lyn: Marky poo, what are you doing?
Marc: Nothinnng.
Lyn: Stop spraying your sister okay?
Marc: Okay. (You stick your tongue out at Marcus and jog back upstairs and continue packing… After a few hours, you have nothing left out but the things you need to make it through the next few days and your room is a box-made maze. Your dad gets home a little after your mom puts Marcus to sleep and they go over the plans for the move. You stay up in your room, sitting on your bed bored, so you decide to call Joel since you haven’t packed up your telephone yet.)
Joel: Hey girl.
U: Hey, what are you doing?
Joel: Playing the game, what about you?
U: Tired from packing all day.
Joel: I can’t believe you’re about to move so close to me.
U: I know right. (You smile and fold your legs.) We can spend more time together than just the weekends now.
Joel: Yeah, I can’t wait. So you’re not switching schools for sure?
U: For sure, I have to stay where I am or I’ll go crazy. Besides, this is my last year there and we’re in the middle of it anyway, so why switch schools when I can just drive an extra twenty minutes everyday?
Joel: I don’t know. Just thought it would be tight for us to go to the same school, we could be Prom King and Queen.
U: Yeah right, not if I come during the senior year.
Joel: True, we could still try though. (He smiles and you shake your head.)
U: I like being at Hollywood though, there’s not one day where I don’t have fun.
Joel: Yeah, I can hear that from the stories you tell me. So when are you all leaving that house?
U: Three more days, I can’t wait.
Joel: You want me to come help you?
U: That would be fun. Man, now that I think about it, how in the hell did we end up running into each other?
Joel: I don’t know, with you living in West Hollywood and me in LA, it’s crazy.
U: We’re actually only about a half hour away from each other.
Joel: 20 minutes on a good day.
U: See.
Joel: So what do you want to do the first day you move in? I could take you around and show you the things we do.
U: I’ve heard enough of that over the phone; I’m not a skater girl.
Joel: You don’t have to go boarding, I’m kind of getting over that. My dad’s the one who keeps buying me the boards though.
U: That’s because your dad thinks he’s Tony Hawk.
Joel: I’m telling him too. (You laugh and make a few more jokes about his dad being white and having weird hobbies. After you get off of the phone with him you fall right to sleep with absolutely no problems… Finally, the big day comes and your dad wakes you taking the boxes out of your room and carrying them downstairs. You sit up and look around the room; nothing but white walls and empty space. You jump out of the bed and run to your bathroom and everything is gone.)
U: Nooo, the plan was to let me shower first! (You run out of your room and a few movers are downstairs walking out of the house with boxes in their arms. You sprint down the stairs and into the kitchen and your mom is still boxing up a few things.) Why didn’t you wake me before dad raided my room? (She laughs.)
Lyn: Sorry sweetie, he’s anxious.
U: I am too but he took all of my body wash, toothbrushes, and clothes for today!
Lyn: You’ll be fine; it’s a one-trip thing. You can bathe when we get there.
U: I’m going to be so busted, oh my gosh. (You push your hair back and your mom shakes her head and tapes up the last box and your dad walks in and gets it and takes it outside to the truck. You walk over to the window and push the blinds to the side and look outside at the line of huge Uhaul trucks parked in front of your house.)
Lyn: Sweetie, get ready to go. We should be out of here in a few minutes.
U: Really? That fast? (You look at your mom and lean up against the ledge below the window.)
Lyn: Yeah, we have four drivers, you drive your car, your dad’s driving him and I’m driving mine and then we’re getting a ride back to pick up the other two.
U: Oh okay. Well since I have nothing to change into, I guess I’m ready. (Your mom looks you up and down in your pajama pants, top and house shoes.)
Lyn: Whatever makes you happy.
U: Showering would make me really happy right now, but I guess I overslept.
Lyn: Is Joel going to come and visit you? (She picks up the locked vase that contains her grandmother’s ashes and holds it in her arm like a child.)
U: He was going to help us move but I didn’t think dad hired this many people.
Lyn: They owe him. (Marcus runs in the house and your mom grabs his shirt and pulls him before he flies past her.) Where we going young man?
Marc: Pee pee. (He starts dancing around and Marilyn lets him go and he takes off running again.)
Lyn: You know the address right?
U: Yeah.
Lyn: Okay. (She digs in her pocket and hands you a key ring with three keys on it.) If you want you can go ahead and we’ll meet you there.
U: Ooh yes! Thanks, see you! (She laughs and you turn and run through the foyer and go outside.) BYE DAD! (Your dad looks up at you and waves and you get in your car and squeeze past one of the Uhaul trucks and turn down your block and head to Hollywood Hills… You drive past the welcome sign and your heart starts to pound as if something extravagant would be waiting for you inside of the house. You pull up into the half-moon driveway and turn your car off and hop out. You rush up to the front door and unlock it and walk in and shut it behind you.)
U: Wow. (You step out of the foyer and into the house and you look around. There is a marble panel walkway going through all of the rooms to avoid walking on the carpet to get from one place to the other. You walk through the living room and pass through another room before you get to the kitchen. You run your hand along the marble countertops and you open the refrigerator and admire the space. You walk through the kitchen into what might be the dining room and you look out of the windows at a small yard. You walk back in the kitchen and look out of the window and there is a huge pool in the backyard.) Oh my God! (You run to the door and unlock it and go outside and the pool looks even bigger.) This is what I’m talking about. (You smile and look around and then you go back inside and someone rings the doorbell.) What the heck? (You walk through the kitchen and you run through the living room and run up to the door and look through the peephole and a young white guy is standing there. You wipe your face and open the door.) Hi.
WGuy: Hi, I just wanted to let you know that your interior lights are still on in your car.
U: Oh, thank you so much. (You smile and look over at your car and he nods and walks back down the walkway and walks down the street. You run to your car and you notice that the door isn’t shut all the way so you open it and shut it and the lights fade out. You run back in the house trying to hide from everyone in the neighborhood since you’re in pajamas. Finally, your dad pulls up in a Uhaul with your mom and a few other guys pull up behind him. You stand up against a wall as they bring in box after box until the front rooms are all filled with boxes and tables. Your mom walks in and starts separating the boxes and you help her get them in all of the rooms. You find your room and you put all of your boxes inside and your mom and dad take the only bedroom downstairs and put their things inside. The movers carry Marcus’ things up to his room and your mom starts setting up her living room before anything else. Marcus pulls out his toys and you go outside in the backyard with him and play catch.)
Marc: I wanna throw it allll the way up.
U: Okay, go ahead. (He throws the ball up and you jump up and catch it.) Good one! (You throw it back and it goes over his head and he runs back and gets it and throws it. You jump and try to catch it and it bounces off of your hand over the short brick wall separating your yard from the neighbor’s and Marcus looks at you.)
Marc: Oooh.
U: Shhh. (You walk over to the wall and you try to jump up on it but it’s about a foot too high.) I’ll be right back okay? (He nods and you walk through the house and go next door and jog up their walkway. You hesitate and then you ring the doorbell and look out at the street. You hear the door unlock and you look back at the door and a young black guy opens the door.)
BGuy: Hi.
U: I’m so sorry, my little brother and I were playing catch in our backyard and the ball kind of went over that brick wall into your yard. I was wondering if I could get it, I didn’t want to just walk into your backyard and get shot or anything. (You laugh a little and he smiles.)
BGuy: Sure, it ain’t my house. (He steps back and you look at him.) You want the ball or not?
U: Yeah. (You step in the house and he leads you into the kitchen and you glance over at the counter and J-Boog from B2K is sitting there eating French fries.) Hi.
Rell: Ay Terrance, who is this?
Terr: She lives next door, her ball went over the wall.
Rell: Oh, hi I’m Jarell.
U: I’m y/n. (Terrance keeps walking and you speed walk and catch up with him and you follow him out to the backyard. Jarell hops down off of the counter and walks out behind yall. You step on the grass and a brown pit bull starts running towards you.)
U: Oh my God! (You turn and run right into Jarell and you pull him in front of you.)
Rell: Don’t worry, he won’t bite you. Sit! (The dog sits down and you spot the red ball a few feet away from the wall.)
U: Is he going to chase me when I go get the ball?
Rell: Terrance, get the ball for her. (Terrance walks out into the yard and picks the ball up and the dog stares up at you and Jarell.) Bobby, get. (He gets up and walks across the yard and Terrance hands you the ball.)
U: Thank you. (You turn and walk back through the house and Jarell and Terrance follow behind you.) Thank you guys again, my little brother would go crazy if I’d lost his ball for good.
Rell: No problem. (You leave out of the front door and Terrance locks the door back and you run back to your house and race into the living room with your mom.)
U: Oh my God mom, you will not believe who lives next door.
Lyn: Who?
U: J-Boog, do you remember him?
Lyn: From what?
U: He used to be in B2K like two years ago. I know you remember.
Lyn: No sweetie, I’m sorry I don’t. You never really were a fan of them, remember? (She looks up at you.)
U: I know but still, I knew who they were. (She looks back down at the table and keeps polishing it.) But he lives right next door mom, do you know how many connects his has with producers who could give me an internship?
Lyn: I see you’re not getting off of this music production phase.
U: It’s not a phase, that’s really what I want to do mom, I’m sure phases don’t last all throughout high school.
Lyn: Okay Kenzi, I understand. (She looks up at you.) So you should go and ask him if he could help you out.
U: No, I can’t just go over there begging.
Lyn: Well it’s not just going to come to you.
U: I know, but dad could like… offer to fix his gap or something. (Your mom starts laughing.)
Lyn: So now your dad has to be in this?
U: He knows a lot of celebrities; he could try to build up his clientele at the same time as helping his daughter out.
Lyn: Well I’m sure that this J-Boog guy is content with his gap if he hasn’t gotten it fixed by now.
U: I know, but change is good.
Lyn: But what if he doesn’t want to change?
U: But what if he does?
Lyn: I’m thinking you should look more into law than this music production thing.
U: Mom, how could you say that to me? (You hear Marcus yelling outside.) Oh shoot, I forgot I was playing with him. (Your mom shakes her head and you run through the kitchen and go outside.)
Marc: You found it!
U: Yep. (You hold the ball up and throw it to him and he kicks it back at you and you kick it back. The two of you play every game imaginable with the little red ball until it starts to get a little chilly outside. Your mom calls the two of you in and your dad helps you move your bed, which he just reassembled, where you want it. You struggle moving your dressers around on your carpeted floor but you manage to set your room exactly how you want it and you unpack through the night. In the morning, you wake up and get dressed for school and you rush out of the house trying to get a half-hour jump-start before you’re late. You jump in the car and toss your backpack on the floor of the passenger seat and put on your seat belt. You start the car and back out of the driveway and pull off. When you get to school your best friend, Melanie, walks up to your locker and pushes your head.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

Mel: Hey.
U: Hey Mel. (You grab your notebook and shut your locker.) What’s up?
Mel: Nothing, I’m just waiting to be invited to your big ass house. (You laugh.)
U: My mom would kill me if I let you see it how it is now. Maybe like this weekend.
Mel: All right, I’m spending the night too.
U: Aiight. (The bell rings and you spin your combination lock.)
Mel: See you next hour.
U: Yep, oh and remind me to tell you something.
Mel: All right. (You two go separate ways and you slip into your computer class just before the tardy bell rings… After school you and Mel go to the mall together and get a few things.) Okay, so what is this thing you had to tell me this morning? I completely forgot until last hour.
U: Oh yeah, you will never believe who lives next door to me.
Mel: Jada and Will.
U: Okay, I wish you would get off of them for a day. (She laughs and you shake your head.) Okay, guess again.
Mel: I don’t know, Halle Berry?
U: Okay, stop guessing. (She laughs.) J-Boog.
Mel: Who?
U: J-Boog, you know from B2K?
Mel: Ohh, I don’t know who I thought you said. (You shake your head.) Really?
U: Yep.
Mel: You saw him?
U: Yeah, and I grabbed him.
Mel: What? You never liked him like that.
U: I know, I was trying to get away from his dog. (She laughs and you smile.)
Mel: I was about to say, we may be fans of a few people but one thing we never are is groupies.
U: Hell no I wasn’t grabbing on him like that. I threw him in front of me.
Mel: Oh, so does he look the same?
U: Yeah, well what did he look like before? (You laugh a little.) I just remember when he had that spiked hair, other than that I didn’t care for them.
Mel: Yeah. Well maybe yall will become best friends and then get married one day.
U: Oh shut up. (You roll your eyes and walk into Rue 21 and she follows behind you.)
Mel: What are you getting out of here?
U: A shirt. (She walks on the other side of the store and you grab a shirt that says, “Hard To Get (Harder To Keep),” and walk over to the register. Melanie walks up to the register with a pair of flip-flops and stands behind you. You pay for your stuff and she gets hers and yall leave out.)
Mel: So anyway, are you going to try and talk to him?
U: No, why would I?
Mel: I don’t know, connections.
U: No, I’ll just have my dad ask around some more for me.
Mel: But I mean he’s DIRECTLY in the music business.
U: And so are the other musicians whose teeth my dad has saved from hell. (She laughs and you walk over to the Dairy Queen and get a slush.)
Mel: So anyway, I think you should at least try to run into him a few more times, just to see what you could make of it.
U: I know, but what will I say? I can’t just be like, “Yeah, I didn’t care for you when you were in your little group but now I really want you to get me some connects with a music producer.”
Mel: Well, you’re not trying to get a record deal so he shouldn’t be too offended.
U: You’re retarded. You need anything else?
Mel: Nope.
U: So where am I taking you? Home or over Cody’s?
Mel: Home, we’re mad with each other right now.
U: Not again.
Mel: I know right. He claims that I don’t love him anymore, whatever.
U: Aww poor Macintosh.
Mel: Oh my gosh I hate that name. (You laugh and push the door open and yall run to your car trying to beat the traffic that’s coming. You unlock the doors and toss your bags on the back seat and get in. You pull out of the parking lot and head over Melanie’s house.) You coming in?
U: Yeah, I don’t feel like driving all the way home right now.
Mel: K. (She gets out and you grab your purse off of the back seat and get out and jog up her walkway and catch up with her.)
U: Is Kennedy here?
Mel: Nah, she’s over my dad’s.
U: Aww, I wanted to see her.
Mel: She’ll be back tomorrow I think.
U: Oh okay. (She walks in the house and you walk in after her and speak to her mom, Kari.)
U&Mel: Hey mom.
Kari: Hey girls. (She looks at the bags in Melanie’s hands.) Been shopping?
Mel: Just a little. (She jogs up the stairs and you follow behind her and go upstairs to her room.) Okay, so I want you to read something Cody sent me last night okay?
U: Yeah, where is it? (She turns her computer on and sits down.)
Mel: We were on AIM and I saved the convo.
U: Oh, okay. (You sit down on the foot of her bed and she logs onto her computer and gets on AIM.)
Mel: And he’s on right now too.
U: Ooh, let me talk to him.
Mel: No, he’s going to think I’m trying to play like I’m you or something.
U: Okay, unless you’ve done that before he shouldn’t. (She smiles.) Terrible.
Mel: Okay, come read it. (You get up and she gets out of the chair and lets you sit down.)
U: Okay, so you haven’t called him in four days.
Mel: Because we rotate, it was his turn to call so I was waiting for him to call.
U: Oh God. (You shake your head and keep reading.) So just call him retard. (You look at her.)
Mel: I know I should, but like what if he starts expecting me to like take over and like call all the time.
U: Okay first, tone it down on the likes. (She laughs.)
Mel: You know that’s how I get when I’m nervous.
U: I don’t know why you’re nervous, but just call him. (You log off of her name and sign on with your username and send Cody and IM.)
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Heyyyyy MACintosh!
~KallMeeDaddy: Heyyyy MACkenzi!
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: How are you?
~KallMeeDaddy: I’m getting better, you?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: I’m good.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Ok, so what’s going on with you and Mel???
~KallMeeDaddy: Nothing at all.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Okay, so why nothing at all?
~KallMeeDaddy: Because she stopped calling me.
~KallMeeDaddy: And I haven’t called her either.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Why not?
~KallMeeDaddy: No reason, just trying to see if she really stuck to this rotation thing.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: So you’re not mad at her for real right?
~KallMeeDaddy: Naw, I love her. J
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: K, wanna talk to her?
~KallMeeDaddy: Sure.
U: Mel, he wants to talk to you.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Here she comes… (You sign off on your name and get back on hers and she sits down and sends him an IM.)
U: The two of you are beyond retarded.
Mel: I know. (She smiles and you shake your head and turn on her TV. Your cell phone starts playing your parents’ ringer and you pull it out of your purse and flip it open.)
U: Yes ma’am?
Lyn: Are you home?
U: No, not yet, what’s up?
Lyn: I have a package coming around 6 and I really need you to be home to get it. (You look at Mel’s clock and it’s 5:13.)
U: I can leave now and pray I get there in time.
Lyn: Okay, thank you so much.
U: Yep.
Lyn: I should be home around 8, your dad’s picking Marcus up.
U: Okay.
Lyn: All right, have you eaten?
U: No, but I’ll find something when I get home.
Lyn: I can bring you something if you’d like.
U: My stomach might cave in by then. (She laughs.)
Lyn: Okay, well just let me know if you need anything.
U: All right.
Lyn: Bye.
U: Bye. (You close your phone.) All right Mel, I gotta hit the road. (You stand up and put your phone back in your purse.)
Mel: All right. (She types “BRB” and gets up and walks you downstairs.)
U: Byeee.
Kari: You’re leaving already?
U: Yeah, my mom needs me to be home for a package.
Kari: Oh okay, well tell her to expect a call from me tomorrow.
U: All right. (You leave out and Melanie’s dad pulls up in the driveway and her little sister Kennedy hops out of the back seat and runs up to you.) Heyyyy.
Ken: Where you going?
U: I gotta get home, I’ll be back tomorrow.
Ken: K.
Mel: Hey Kenny.
Ken: Hi Mel. (She waves and walks up the porch steps and runs in the house.)
U: Hey Mr. Hanson.
MH: How you doing y/n?
U: I’m good. (You unlock your car doors and Melanie stops and her dad says a few things to her and then goes in the house.) See you Mel! (She rolls her eyes at her dad and smiles at you and waves.)
Mel: Bye! (You laugh and she runs back up the stairs and goes in the house and you head home. You pull up in the driveway and you get your things off of the back seat and you pop the trunk. You get your backpack out and put it on and set your alarm. You rush up the walkway and unlock the front door and drop your purse and a few bags. Jarell walks out of his house and walks over to his car and he looks at you as he opens the door. You bend down and get your bags and push the door in and rush in the house and shut the door. He shakes his head and gets in his car and pulls out of his driveway and races down the street. You lock the door and rush up to your room and toss everything on your bed and then you go downstairs and try to find something to eat. After about a half-hour of zero success the doorbell rings and you rush to it glad that the package is finally here so you can leave to get something to eat. You pull the door open and you jump a little when Jarell is standing there instead of some mail carrier.)
Rell: Didn’t mean to scare you but this was sitting on your porch for a while now. (You look down at the FedEx package in his hand and smile.)
U: Wow, I’ve been starving waiting on this thing. Thank you. (You take it out of his hands and he nods and turns to leave.) Umm… I don’t know if you’re familiar with this area or not but do you know where the nearest Jack In The Box is? (He turns and looks at you.)
Rell: Uhh, Jack In The Box, Jack In The Box, that’s a restaurant right?
U: Oh, never mind. (He laughs.)
Rell: Sike naw, yeah, there’s a million of those around here. There’s one on right down there on Sunset, that’s the closest one from here.
U: Oh yeah. (You laugh.) I saw that one. Thanks. (He nods and walks back down the walkway and you shut the door and sit the package on the table and grab your purse and car keys and rush back out and head to Jack In The Box. You get a Chicken Fajita Pita, a side salad and a medium lemonade and you eat there and then head back home. You plug your computer up and you set your printer and web cam back up on your desk and you sign onto AIM and your cyber journal. You read all of your replies and then you update…)
Wow, I see I have a lot of friends already. I’ll make sure I save you all in a second. I’m going to try and answer as many questions as I can today. A lot of you paid a lot of attention to my icon I see. My little brother is Puerto Rican and black just like my dad, my mom is more than black but the other races are so distant they shouldn’t really matter lol. No, I don’t have a weave, I haven’t gotten a haircut in about a year and a half now and my ends look terrible. I don’t wear contacts, my eyes just look really light in that picture because I was looking towards the sun, and they’re brown. My mom wears contacts but hers are clear. No, my little brother doesn’t know he’s adopted just yet, my parents said they’re going to tell him once they’re sure he understands what it means. Right now he’s just figuring out that Spiderman doesn’t actually exist so we don’t want to throw too much on him. My boyfriend is mixed. (His dad is white; his mom is black and Italian.) I’ll post a better picture of both of us once I get my scanner hooked up. Okay, I think those were all of the questions. Oh, and my best friend Mel is my age lol. She does look a little grown with her make-up on but she was just experimenting. Okay, so let me tell you all about my day. It was fun. School is always fun, after school I went to the mall with my best friend Melanie who is so retarded. We got a few shirts and I got a pair of jeans and a new belt. I was over her house for about fifteen minutes and then I had to come home and wait on a package for my mom. 9 days until my 18th birthday! Yes, I’m counting down lol.
(You save that as your journal entry for the day and you close it out and talk to a few people on AIM in between hooking your scanner back up to your computer. Once everything is hooked up, you find the pictures that were already on your computer and you start to make a photo collage to post on your journal. Your mom comes home around 8:30 and you turn your computer off and hop on your bed and start doing your homework. She walks into your room and you look up from your book.)
Lyn: Did you eat?
U: Yeah, Jack In The Box.
Lyn: Oh okay, well I stopped by the grocery store once I realized that the only thing we had was bread. (You laugh.) So now there’s food.
U: All right.
(She nods and closes your door back as she leaves out and you look back down at your book and finish your work; well start on your work. You finish your homework around 10 and you go downstairs and pick around in the kitchen. Your dad walks in a little before 11 with Marcus asleep in his arms. You grab your dad’s things and he carries Marcus upstairs and puts him to bed. You put your dad’s things in your parents’ bedroom and you skip back up to your room and climb in the bed just as your cell phone sings Joey’s ringer. You pick your phone up and turn on your side and answer it.)
U: Hello?
Joel: Hey, what you doing?
U: Just got in the bed.
Joel: You going to sleep right now?
U: No, just lying down though.
Joel: Oh, well what are you doing tomorrow?
U: Well… besides school and practice, nothing.
Joel: Oh damn, yall do have practices on Tuesdays.
U: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Joel: What about Friday?
U: Nothing this Friday but next Friday I start skating again.
Joel: Oh… okay so this Friday, let’s make it you and me.
U: Okay. (You smile.) Where we going?
Joel: Don’t worry about it, just be dressed and ready to go around 5-ish.
U: Mmhmm.
Joel: All right, I’ll call you tomorrow so you can get your beauty rest; not that you need it. (You smile because he always pulls that “beauty rest” card when HE’S tired.)
U: All right Joey, talk to you tomorrow.
Joel: Love you Mrs. Klein.
U: Love you too Mr. Klein. (You laugh.) Bye crazy.
Joel: Bye. (You close your phone and sit it down next to your pillow and turn on your stomach and close your eyes… The week passes by in a routine fashion. Everyday you go to school, some restaurant, Melanie’s house, home, and to sleep. You manage to add to your journal one more time and post a few pictures that end up filling your reply box with a million questions about everyone. Finally, Friday after school you rush home and shower and change your clothes.)
(You put your earrings on and grab your purse and go downstairs and wait on Joel. Luckily you got dressed earlier because Joel pulls up a little after 4 and you leave out and lock up. You walk down the walkway and he gets out and opens your door and kisses you before you get in.)
Joel: I missed you. (You smile and sit down.)
U: I missed you too. (He shuts your door and walks around to his side and gets in and backs out of the driveway.)
Joel: This is a nice place.
U: You find it okay?
Joel: Yeah. (You put your seat belt on and he pulls off.)
U: So when are you going to tell me where we’re going?
Joel: When we get there.
U: I’ll know on my own by then.
Joel: Exactly. (You roll your eyes and turn the radio on and he switches the station.)
U: Well YOU had it on that to begin with. (He smiles and you lock the doors and look out of the window.)
Joel: So what you doing for your birthday? (You smile and look at him.)
U: I don’t know, five more days.
Joel: Well, do you know what you want?
U: Nope.
Joel: So do I have to go through this again? (You nod.) Man, I’m so glad I missed your sweet 16. (You laugh.)
U: Well 18 is just as important. I’m 5 days away from legally being able to do everything for myself without the consent of my parents.
Joel: Except drinking.
U: Come on, it’s not like I even want to do that.
Joel: Yeah, stay that way.
U: I will. (You kick your flip-flops off and fold your legs.)
Joel: You got on flip-flops?
U: Yeah, why?
Joel: Baby, it’s April 1st. (You smile.)
U: So.
Joel: Your feet not cold?
U: I’m fine Joey, just drive.
Joel: Don’t tell me what to do little girl.
U: Whatever, I’m about to be grown in 5 days.
Joel: And I’m still 4 months older than you.
U: So.
Joel: Could you please give me a hint as to what you want?
U: I don’t know. (You look at him.) You did fine last year.
Joel: Maaan, I had my mom with me shopping and she like picked everything that was for a girl. (You laugh.) I really would love it if you could just give me a list of some things and let me get what I want from that.
U: Okay, let me think. (You rest your arm on the door and your head on your fist.) Umm… I don’t know Joey. (He sighs and you look at him.) Just get me whatever you like; I’m sure I’ll like it. Just no skateboards.
Joel: Ohh, is that a joke? (You smile.)
U: No.
Joel: Yeah, okay.
U: So umm, are we going to get something to eat because if not we need to stop real quick. I haven’t had anything all day.
Joel: I won’t starve you… (He pulls into the parking lot of the Beverly Center and he gets out and you get out before he can get to your door. He stares at you and you smile.)
U: Babe, it’s been 15 months, I know you’re a gentleman.
Joel: You’re a little early, but still you know how my mom is always talking to me about you.
U: Yeah. (You smile and shut the door and he grabs your hand and yall start walking.)
Joel: Well, she’s always telling me how girls end up breaking up with you if you change from how you were in the beginning.
U: But you haven’t changed, not opening the door for me all the time isn’t changing.
Joel: I know, but once I start slacking on one thing it’s going to be like a domino effect.
U: Oh okay. (He opens the door for you and you step into the mall and he walks in behind you.) So where we going?
Joel: We can go and get you something to eat first.
U: Thank you. (You smile and grab his hand and start swinging it between the two of you. He leads you to the Hard Rock Café and he pulls your seat out for you and you sit down.) I haven’t been here in a while.
Joel: Here or the mall?
U: Here.
Joel: Oh, because I was about to throw this menu at you for lying. (You laugh and he smiles and opens his menu.)
U: Ooh, remind me to go to Old Navy okay?
Joel: Yep… you know what you want?
U: Umm… I think so. The umm Tupelo Chicken Tenders and the Homestyle Cheesecake.
Joel: That’s it?
U: And a lemonade.
Joel: You and them damn lemonades. (You smile and the waiter finally comes.)
Waiter: Hello, how are you today?
U&Joel: Fine.
Waiter: Okay, my name is Josh and I’ll be your waiter for today. If you need a little more time just let me know.
Joel: No, we’re ready.
Josh: Okay, go ahead.
Joel: For me, the Wings Around the World and a Coke and for the lady the Tupelo Chicken Tenders, Homestyle Cheesecake and a lemonade.
Josh: Will that be all?
Joel: Yeah.
Josh: All right, let me get these out of your way. (He picks up the menus and walks off and quickly returns with the drinks.)
U: Thank you.
Josh: No problem. (He walks back off and you look at Joel.)
U: So what man in their right mind would make a date with me and bring me to the mall?
Joel: A man who just got promoted at work so I can do these things.
U: Really!? (He nods.) Why didn’t you tell me!?
Joel: I wanted to wait.
U: So what are you now?
Joel: Junior manager.
U: Whooooa, you’re doing real nice up there then huh?
Joel: Trying to.
U: That’s awesome.
Joel: Thanks, now maybe I can get you in for sure.
U: That would be really great.
Joel: I’ll keep trying.
U: So does your discount go up or anything?
Joel: No, but my pay increased by three dollars.
U: damn. (He laughs and you smile.)
Joel: So I make 15 more dollars a day if I keep working these 5-hour days. This summer I’m going to be working like 10-hour to 13-hour days so my checks are going to be crazy.
U: That’s great, I can’t wait until I get a job.
Joel: You could have been had one.
U: I’m not doing fast food. (You shake your head.) No way.
Joel: Stop being so picky.
U: YOU work at fast food and then I’ll give it a try.
Joel: Now that’s a stretch. (He sips his Coke and you smile.)
U: Exactly. My mom told me that I could work with her but I really don’t want to be around her alllll day.
Joel: I think you would have fun, sitting in an air-conditioned office all day with your mom as your boss. That’s nice.
U: I don’t know, she’s a different person at work. She’s super judgmental and she just turns into a psychiatrist basically.
Joel: That’s her job.
U: No, like if I call her while she’s at work with any problems, she starts naming all these illnesses and mental disorders and phases like, “Well maybe you’re just going through a phase of this,” or something like that. (He laughs a little.)
Joel: Well at least she takes her job seriously and doesn’t sit there drawing while people are talking to her.
U: Man, sometimes those people get carried away. She always gives her business cell number out in case of an emergency and they’ll like call and try to get a free session. (He laughs and you shake your head.) She is kind of expensive though.
Joel: Yeah, I was just about to say that… (Josh finally comes with the food and you and Joel swap a few pieces of chicken and start eating. When you’re halfway finished, he brings your cheesecake and you rush and finish your food and then you start on your dessert. Joel pays the bill and leaves the tip and then yall head back out into the mall and go straight to Old Navy.)
U: Aww Joey look. (You hold up a shirt and he looks at it.)
Joel: You like that?
U: Yeah, what’s wrong with it?
Joel: Nothing if you like it. (You suck your teeth and put the shirt back down.)
U: You get on my nerves. (He smiles and follows you across the store.) What about this one?
Joel: Aren’t your titties going to be all out?
U: No Joey.
Joel: I think you should get this one. (He holds up another shirt and you look at him.)
U: Are you serious?
Joel: Yeah.
U: Okay, I’ll just come back to this store when I’m alone, come on. (You grab his hand and he laughs and follows you out of the store and yall walk around and then go into American Eagle Outfitters.) Ooh Joe look at this. (You hold up a shirt and he reads it and laughs.)
Joel: What about this one? (He holds up a shirt that says, “I swear it’s this big,” with two hands insinuating the length of whatever.)
U: Oh my God. (You start laughing and he smiles.)
Joel: I’m getting this. (You shake your head and he grabs another shirt and you walk over to the girls’ section and start looking through the shirts.)
U: Oh my God, I want all of these. (You start throwing shirts over your arm and Joel walks over to you and stares at you.) What?
Joel: Did you even read all of those?
U: Yeah. (You laugh and you grab one more shirt.) K, I’m done in here. (He shakes his head and you follow him to the register and he takes your shirts and pays for them with his.) Aww, thank you honey bun. (The cashier laughs, you smile and Joel shakes his head.)
Joel: Get your bag. (You pull your bag down and he grabs the other one and yall walk out and go into Armani Exchange. You both get a few shirts and a pair of jeans and leave out and go into Banana Republic, Footlocker, Lady Footlocker, M.A.C., Macy’s, Rampage, Up Against the Wall and a few other stores before you’re both tired of carrying bags and walking. When yall get back in the car, Joel goes through his CDs and puts one in the CD player and backs out of the parking space.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

U: I’m so tired. (You lay your head back and he glances over at you.)
Joel: You should be, running in and out of stores like the mall was about to close.
U: It is.
Joel: But still, it’s not like it was closing forever.
U: But still, I wanted to get my stuff. (He shakes his head and sits back and you lay your head on the window.)
Joel: Bet not leave any grease stains on my window.
U: Shut up, I don’t have grease in my hair.
Joel: Man I wish it was the 15th.
U: Why?
Joel: Amityville Horror comes out.
U: Ohhh no buddy. (He laughs and looks at you.)
Joel: Ohh yes. I got whole listing of everything that’s coming out for the next four months. We about to live at the movies. (He glances at you and you shake your head.)
U: Not with you loving all scary movies. You got me once with the Village.
Joel: Baby that was not scary.
U: I know, but I thought it was and I scared myself more than the movie did. (He laughs and shakes his head.)
Joel: That’s because you need Jesus.
U: Whatever, I got Jesus.
Joel: There’s a movie coming out called House of Wax, it’s supposed to be scary but Paris Hilton is in it and you know her vocabulary doesn’t include screaming. (You laugh.) “That’s hot… that’s hot… that’s hot.” I just don’t see that scaring me.
U: You’re so retarded. I want to see Beauty Shop. That came out on the 30th.
Joel: Did you ever take Marcus to see Robots?
U: Yeah, my parents came with us too.
Joel: Wow.
U: Yeah, exactly.
Joel: I remember they were trying to come with us to see Be Cool.
U: I would have died.
Joel: We go to the movies a lot.
U: I know, I was just thinking about that.
Joel: Maybe we can go tomorrow if you’re not too busy.
U: Not to see that scary movie.
Joel: I’ll hold your hand.
U: No, because last time you were like pulling my hands down so I couldn’t cover my face. (He starts laughing.) And I didn’t find that funny then and I don’t find it funny now. (You turn his CD off and he raises his hand as if he’s going to hit yours.) I wish you would. (He taps your hand and you smile.) Exactly.
Joel: So where you wanna go now?
U: Doesn’t matter to me, our house is coming together finally so I don’t think my mom would mind if you came over.
Joel: Aiight, your place it is… (When he pulls into your driveway Jarell is going in his house. Joel gets out and opens your door and then gets your bags off of the back seat and carries them for you. You unlock the front door and walk inside and he follows you and you shut the door and lock it.)
U: Wanna see my new room?
Joel: Sure.
U: Come on. (You jog up the stairs and he follows behind you and you walk into your room and turn the light on.) Tadaaa. (You laugh and take the bags from him and toss them in your closet.) Nothing much, just a little more space and my own bathroom.
Joel: What, no more sharing with Marcus?
U: Right. (You close your closet door and lean up against it and he walks over to your computer and looks at the pictures you have stacked up next to your monitor.)
Joel: What’s all this about?
U: What?
Joel: These pictures?
U: Oh, I have this little cyber journal thing and they wanted to see what all the people I was talking about looked like.
Joel: What you say about me?
U: I just told them how you were conceited and spoiled.
Joel: I’m not conceited and I’m definitely not spoiled.
U: So what are you?
Joel: Convinced and well taken care of. (You laugh and sit down on your bed and he sits down at your desk and turns the computer on.)
U: What are you doing?
Joel: Nothing, just sit back and relax. (He signs onto your name and your mouth drops.)
U: How did you know my password?
Joel: It’s easy.
U: It is not. (He laughs.)
Joel: I saw you type it once.
U: Stalker.
Joel: Right. (You smile and he gets on the Internet.) Okay so where is this journal thing?
U: I’m not telling you.
Joel: Oh, okay. (He clicks on your favorites and finds the exact link to your journal.)
U: Aww, you suck. (He laughs and starts reading your first entry.)
Joel: Well, I’m new to this whole Internet journal thing so I guess I’ll introduce myself to you all. My name is y/n, but my parents call me by my middle names more than anything else.
U: You don’t have to read it out loud.
Joel: Okay. (He keeps reading it and you watch him closely as he scrolls down and starts reading the part about him.) Okay you make it seem like I get a new Benz every year for no reason.
U: You do.
Joel: Someone crashed into it while it was parked so I got a new one, then I got a new one for my 18th birthday. Why don’t you tell them that way?
U: Because I like to continue with the, “He’s so spoiled,” theme.
Joel: Aww, yall going to Cancun?
U: Yes, I told you that already.
Joel: You sure did. Ooh what’s this picture?
U: Me and Mel acting crazy. (He scrolls down and looks at the pictures of you and him and then he starts reading your second entry.) Joey, you don’t have to read everything.
Joel: I want to know what you got to say about me. damn just telling them all about my background.
U: They wanted to know, white boy.
Joel: Yeah okay… Can I type something?
U: Get your own journal.
Joel: Okay, help me get it.
U: (Thinking, “What the hell?”) You serious?
Joel: Yeah, come on, what I do? (You get up and walk over to the computer and he scoots back and pulls you down on his lap. You sign out of your account and then you start registering for him.)
U: What do you want your name to be on here?
Joel: Umm… let me see. (He starts typing and you laugh.)
U: Pleez_Dont_Scream?
Joel: That’s right.
U: You are so conceited.
Joel: Convinced.
U: Anyway, type a password. (He types your name and you smile a little.) Type it again. (He types it again and you click the “Next” button.) That’s it, now you can start personalizing everything. (He nods and you get up and he starts changing the colors and everything. When he finally finishes you strain your eyes trying to see what he’s writing but his blue font on a black background does no justice for your sight. When he finishes, he signs off of the Internet completely and stands up.)
Joel: Where your people at?
U: They should be getting home soon, especially my mom.
Joel: Well in that case I think we need to be getting downstairs. (You laugh and he pulls you up off of the bed and yall go downstairs and sit in the living room. About ten minutes later your mom walks in with Marcus.)
U: Hey mom.
Lyn: Hey, umm- hey Joel!
Joel: Hey Ms. Marilyn.
Lyn: How are you doing?
Joel: I’m fine, and you?
Lyn: All right.
Marc: Mommy, I want to play in the pool.
Lyn: Not right now sweetie, maybe tomorrow when it’s light outside. (Marcus sits down on the floor and folds his legs.)
U: How was your day?
Lyn: Oh my God don’t get me started. (You smile.) I don’t even want to recap on today.
U: Oh okay.
Lyn: What about you?
U: It was great, Joey took me shopping. (Your mom looks at him and shakes her head.)
Lyn: You’ll learn sooner or later.
U: What is that supposed to mean? (She smiles and walks off and you look at Joel.) Luckily we came down here just in time.
Joel: Yeah, I was thinking that as soon as she walked in… (Joel stays over until around midnight and then he decides to leave before he falls asleep on your couch. You walk out to his car and he pulls you into a hug and kisses your forehead.)
U: Call me.
Joel: I will. (You lift your head and kiss him and pull away.)
U: See ya.
Joel: Yep. (He gets in his car and backs out of your driveway and as soon as he pulls off your dad pulls into the driveway. You wave and turn around and Jarell is getting in his car. You wave at him and then you run in the house and leave the front door open for your dad. You sit back down on the couch and watch Cartoon Network with Marcus and your dad walks in.)
Marc: Daddy!
Marcus: Hey kiddo. (He looks at you.) You know that young guy next door?
U: No, but I had to go through his house to get Marcus’ ball out of his backyard. (You laugh a little and your dad shakes his head.)
Marcus: Figures that these brick walls would have a downside.
U: Yep. (You push yourself off of the couch and you jog upstairs to your room and turn your computer back on. You check your e-mail and then you pull up a search engine and type “J-Boog” in the search bar. Fifty pages of links pop up and you click on the first one you see and start reading.)
Real Name: Jarell Damonte Houston
Birthday: August 11, 1985
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Foods: Fried chicken, jambalaya and gumbo
Favorite Subject: Art
Favorite Sport: Football and basketball
What He Likes In A Girl: A girl who doesn’t smoke; into her schoolwork or career, has a good sense of humor, always by his side, a little old-fashioned and goofy, into sports and demanding.
Siblings: Terrance and Nia
U: Hmm… you click around a little more and no site really tells you anything other than his full name, his birthday and a few of his favorites that may have changed since three years ago. You log off of the computer and change into your pajamas and climb into the bed and fall asleep thinking about your next door neighbor… In the morning you wake up pretty early and dig through your clothes and toss a few things on your bed. You turn on your shower and you pin your hair up and undress and step in and wash up. You dry off and lotion up and get dress in some Abercrombie jeans and a white tee and some white flip-flops.)
(You change your purse and take your cell phone off of the charger and stuff it in your purse and grab your car keys. You skip down the stairs and walk into the living room.)
U: I’m going over Mel’s.
Lyn: All right.
U: See you later.
Lyn: Okay. (You leave out of the house and you unlock your doors and walk down the driveway to your car.)
U: Oh my God nooo. (You toss your purse in the car and you run back inside the house.) Mom!
Lyn: Yeah?
U: I have a flat.
Lyn: Huh? (You walk into the living room.)
U: I have a flat tire.
Lyn: Really? Which one?
U: The back one on the driver side.
Lyn: Your dad just left sweetie.
U: What am I going to do? I don’t know how to change a tire.
Lyn: Okay, let me call someone. (You turn on your heels and go back outside and stare at the tire.)
U: This sucks. (You push the tire a little and your rim looks sad. Your mom walks outside with Marcus following close behind her.)
Lyn: Okay, Triple A said it’ll be about thirty minutes?
U: Thirty minutes? (You sigh and lean up against your car and Jarell walks out of his house with a backpack and tosses it in his car and looks over at you and your mom staring down at the tire.)
Rell: Hello ladies. (Your mom looks over at him.)
Lyn: Hello. (You give him a little wave and he glances down at your tire.)
Rell: Flat?
Lyn: Yeah, we’re waiting on Triple A. (He laughs a little.)
Rell: Got a spare?
Lyn: Yeah, it’s hooked up to this car somewhere.
Rell: Got a jack?
Lyn: That’s hooked up somewhere too. (Jarell laughs and walks across his driveway and crosses the small trail of grass and walks over to your car.)
Rell: I could help you out if you want.
U: Could you please? That would be great. (He nods and walks around to the back of your car.)
Rell: Pop the trunk. (You look at your key pad and pop the trunk and he pulls it open and starts moving stuff around. You walk around to the back and he’s pulling the tire out of the trunk.)
U: Sweet, I didn’t know it was back there. (He laughs and sits the donut down on the ground and unscrews the jack.)
Rell: Okay, you can tell Triple A never mind if you’d like.
Lyn: I will. (Your mom walks back over to the porch and Jarell starts jacking the car up. You stand back and watch him trying to catch on and stare at him at the same time. When he gets your tire off, you’ve completely forgotten about the flat and your mind is all on him having friends who are music producers and how he could help you out in so many ways.)
Rell: All right ladies. (He stands up and dusts his pants off.) You can’t ride on that for too long and you can’t go too fast. I’d advise you to get right to a tire shop and get it replaced right now. (You nod.) And take that tire with you so they can put your rim back on.
U: Oh my God, my poor car. (You stare at the front tire and then the back donut that’s making your three rims look terrible.) Mom, can you go with me?
Lyn: I’m waiting on a package sweetie. (You sigh.)
U: They’re going to jip me. (Jarell puts your flat tire in your trunk and you smile because he struggles lifting it because the rim is so heavy.) What time is dad going to be home?
Lyn: He just left so I don’t know.
U: Okay, well if they charge me too much it’s not my fault. (Your mom shrugs and Jarell shuts your trunk.)
Rell: I can drive behind you if you want; I’m going right by a nice tire shop on my way to the studio anyway.
Lyn: See Kenzi, he’ll go with you. (You look at her and she smiles a little.)
U: Thank you but you’ve done enough.
Rell: You sure?
U: Yeah, thank you for everything. I owe you one. (He nods and walks back over to his car and gets in and pulls off.)
Lyn: Crazy girl, you could have made a friend.
U: I did. (You smile and get into your car and start it and wave as you pull off a few minutes after Jarell... After about an hour at the tire shop you finally get to Melanie’s house and she runs out and gets in your car.)
Mel: Man, what took you so long?
U: I had the worst time trying to get my tire replace. They were trying to put a used tire on my rim and I wasn’t having it so I had to wait for them to mysteriously find a tire that was like my other three to put on my car.
Mel: Oh, you’re so picky.
U: I am not; I’m just not about to drive around with three of the exact same tires and then one completely off tire in the back.
Mel: Anyway, where we going?
U: I need you to help me pick out an outfit for my birthday.
Mel: Oh okay, you know I can do that.
U: Yeah, that’s why I called you. (You switch the station on the radio.) So how are you and Macintosh doing?
Mel: Better, he came over yesterday and played Don’t Wake Daddy with Kennedy. (You laugh.)
U: I haven’t heard about that game in years.
Mel: Exactly, she just HAD to find it in the closet.
U: It still works?
Mel: Yep.
U: Wow, I think your mom changed the batteries.
Mel: Yeah, me too. (Her cell phone starts ringing and you turn the radio down and she answers it.) Hey hun. (You turn the radio back up since it’s Cody and not her mom. When yall get to the mall, you park as close as possible and you go straight to Bebe. As soon as you walk in you spot the dress you want on a mannequin.)
U: Ooh Mel look. (You point at the dress and she looks.)
Mel: That’s cute; I think that would look really nice on you.
U: Really?
Mel: Yeah, ask her to get it down for you.
U: Off the mannequin?
Mel: Yeah. (You laugh and look at her.)
U: Okay, that’s ghetto.
Mel: It is not. (She looks around the store.) I don’t see any on the floor so tell her you want it off of the mannequin.
U: Maybe it’s a display and it isn’t out yet. (She walks away from you and finds someone who works there and you see her pointing at the dress talking. The lady walks over to you and Mel calls your name.) Yeah?
Mel: This is Amy and she said they only have one dress in and they won’t be getting the shipment for another week. You can rush order it if you want and get it in three days.
U: That’s kind of pushing it. My birthday is in four days.
Amy: Well we can order today, they’ll ship it out Monday and it’ll be here Tuesday morning if we rush it.
U: How much is that?
Amy: I’ll put it on store credit since it’s your birthday and you can just pay for the dress.
U: Oh really? Okay, I want to do that.
Amy: All right, follow me. (She walks across the store and Melanie smiles at you.)
Mel: Don’t you just love me? (You smile.)
U: Yeah. (You walk up to the register and Amy starts filling out papers.)
Amy: Okay, so do you want to pay for it today or when you pick it up?
U: How much is it?
Amy: The dress is… (She starts typing on the computer.) $139 plus tax.
U: Okay, I’ll pay for it today before I spend the money.
Amy: All right. (She rings it up and the price shows up on the opposite side of the screen for you to see.) $149.08 is your total. (You take out your debit card and your ID and she swipes it and you put in your pin number and accept the purchase.) All right, just let your receipt print out. (You nod and she rips the receipt off of the strip of paper and hands you a pen to sign it with.) And this is your receipt to pick up your dress, don’t forget to bring this.
U: I won’t.
Amy: All right, have a nice day; I’ll see you Tuesday.
U: Thank you.
Mel: Bye. (You both turn and leave out of the store and you wander around and walk into the Coach store.)
U: Oooh, this purse matches that dress! (Melanie looks at the price tag.)
Mel: It’s like over $300.
U: Really? (You laugh.) My mom would kick me in my spine. Let’s go. (You turn and leave out of the store and yall walk around for a little while longer and you find some inexpensive jewelry that goes with the dress so you get it and then Melanie pushes you out of the mall before you get your debit card taken away again for overdrawing. You go back over Melanie’s house and Cody comes over with his friend and yall all play the game; well you and Mel watch the two of them play. You leave a few hours later and you stop by the Dairy Queen and get a chicken strip basket and a slush and you go home. You pull up in the driveway and park and start eating and you don’t realize that Jarell has walked up your driveway and is standing about three feet away from your car.)
Rell: Is it good? (You scream and grab your chest and he starts laughing.)
U: Oh my God, that is so not funny.
Rell: You okay?
U: I’m getting there. (You shake your head and put your fries down.) How long were you standing there?
Rell: Just walked up.
U: Oh. Well, don’t do that again okay?
Rell: All right. (You look back down at your food and you look at him.)
U: Want some?
Rell: Nah I’m good, I just ate.
U: Oh, just trying to make conversation.
Rell: So I have a question.
U: Uh huh. (You push a fry into your mouth and look at him.)
Rell: What are you doing next weekend? (You shrug.) Because I’m having a house-warming/just-because party next Saturday and I didn’t want to be rude and not invite my neighbors.
U: I thought house-warming parties were for people who just moved in.
Rell: They are, I beat you moving in by three days. (You smile.)
U: Really?
Rell: Yeah, you couldn’t tell when you walked in?
U: No, I wasn’t really paying attention, I just wanted to get my brother’s ball.
Rell: Oh I see, so if you’re free, come on over.
U: I don’t know, that’s the weekend after my birthday and my friends might try and kidnap me.
Rell: Oh, when’s your birthday?
U: The 6th.
Rell: Aww, that’s real soon.
U: Yep.
Rell: How old are you going to be? 17?
U: 18.
Rell: Oh okay, so you’re a senior now?
U: Yeah.
Rell: What school you go to?
U: Hollywood.
Rell: A couple of my friends went there.
U: Really?
Rell: Yeah, I wanted to go but ended up going to the neighborhood school.
U: Yeah, my parents had me in a private school for my freshman year and then we moved and I went to Hollywood.
Rell: You look kind of young to be turning 18.
U: I guess that’s a compliment.
Rell: I think it should be. Looking young is expensive nowadays. (You laugh.)
U: Well, thank you then.
Rell: You’re welcome. (He looks over at his car.) So you going to college?
U: Yeah, I plan on it. (You look down at your food and pick a piece of your chicken strip and put it in your mouth.)
Rell: You know what you’re majoring in?
U: Umm, I want to go into music production. My parents aren’t too excited about that.
Rell: What are they?
U: Huh? (You look up at him.)
Rell: Your parents. What do they do?
U: Oh, my dad’s a celebrity dentist basically and my mom’s a psychiatrist.
Rell: Oh okay, they bringing in the bucks. (You laugh.)
U: I guess.
Rell: I mean, this is a nice little car you got here. Let me check this out. (He starts walking all around your car and looking inside.)
U: It’s nothing compared to your car.
Rell: That’s nothing. (He waves his hand at his car.)
U: It costs more than mine.
Rell: The price and the way the car looks are two different things. This car looks like some money went into it.
U: My dad has connections through connections so I got my car I guess “pimped” for free. (You laugh.)
Rell: West Coast?
U: Yeah, my dad knows a lot of people.
Rell: What’s his name?
U: Marcus Evans. (You look up at him as he walks back towards your door.) Ever heard of him?
Rell: I don’t know, I might have to see him in the daylight.
U: Oh yeah, it was dark when you saw him.
Rell: Yeah… Well I just wanted to invite you and your family to that party thing. Umm enjoy your Dairy Queen. (You smile and nod.)
U: I will. (He nods and walks back down your driveway and down to his walkway and up to his porch. You shake your head because he could have walked across the grass like he did earlier. You finish your food and then you stuff everything in the bag and grab your bags off of the back seat and lock your car up. You unlock the front door and take your trash in the kitchen and throw it away and Marcus scares you running in from the backyard.)
Marc: Kenzi! We’re about to get in the pool!
U: It’s not hot Marky.
Marc: Uh huh, mommy said it’s heated.
U: Oh okay, have fun.
Marc: I am. (He runs through the kitchen and runs upstairs to his room and runs back down with his Spiderman inner tube. You wash your hands and take your things upstairs and then you go out into the backyard and sit down with your mom.)
Lyn: Any success?
U: Yeah, I found a cute dress at Bebe.
Lyn: How much?
U: Mom, is that all you think about?
Lyn: Yes it is, since I’m the one with the job. (You smile.)
U: I don’t think it should matter, it’s really cute.
Lyn: How much y/n?
U: 149. (Her eyes get big and you quickly try to alleviate her anger.) But mom it’s really cute and it’s so worth it. It comes like right here- (You form a line across your leg.) And it’s striped, it’s really cute, I can show it to you on their website.
Lyn: A hundred and fifty dollars for something you’re going to wear one time y/n?
U: Mom, it’s for my birthday. I promise I’ll wear it later on.
Lyn: You say that about everything y/n, and then later on comes and it’s out of date so you want to give it away.
U: But mom, this one hasn’t even hit the store yet, they just have it on display. I rush ordered it and she didn’t make me pay for that because I told her the dress was for my birthday.
Lyn: Okay so you saved us about ten dollars, your dad is going to go crazy.
U: Mom, oh my God, last year you spent $300 on my birthday outfit.
Lyn: Because sweetheart, your dad had just gotten that big raise and everything was wonderful. We’re in a bigger house now, bills have gone up we can’t just throw away $150.
U: Okay, so do you want me to go and get a refund and dress like Raggedy Ann on my birthday?
Lyn: None of your clothing resembles Raggedy Ann, Mackenzi; don’t exaggerate.
U: But mom, every year I get something nice for my birthday, and this time I’m 18.
Lyn: Did Melanie talk you into getting the dress?
U: No, I spotted it myself and it’s really cute. They have this purse at Coach that matches it so perfectly and I know they have the shoes.
Lyn: Oh no, no, no. You have a million purses upstairs young lady.
U: Mom I don’t have any that match the dress though.
Lyn: What color is the dress?
U: It’s a lot of colors.
Lyn: Well I hope it’s cute.
U: It is mom, could you pleaaaase tell dad about the purse and the shoes?
Lyn: No, you tell him.
U: No, he’s going to tell me no.
Lyn: And what do you think he’s going to tell me?
U: Mom, he always says yes to you.
Lyn: I don’t know y/n, I have to see how he’s feeling when he comes home.
U: Okay. (You hop out of the chair and go in the house and you run upstairs to your room and print the shoes and the purse out and you take a picture on your web cam of you clasping your hands together with your eyes shut tight as if you’re begging hard or praying seriously. You paste the picture onto the page with the purse and the shoes and you run back downstairs and give it to your mom. She looks at it and starts laughing and you smile.)
Lyn: Let me guess, you want me to give this to him?
U: Please? (You mimic the picture of you and she shakes her head.)
Lyn: All right child, I’ll see what I can do.
U: K, thanks. (You blow her a kiss and she shakes her head and looks at the paper and you walk back in the house and start watching TV.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

(Around 5 o’clock, Marcus and your mom finally come in and she carries him right up to his room wrapped up in a towel and he’s cracking up. You shake your head and the doorbell rings. You push yourself off of the couch and jog to the door and open it.) Hey.
Joel: Hey baby. (You look down at his shirt and laugh.)

U: I’m mad you couldn’t wait to wear that shirt.
Joel: Yeah, it’s funny. My dad laughed for a while, Josh took pictures on his phone. (You shake your head and shut the door behind him.)
U: So what are we going to see?
Joel: It’s up to you.
U: Thank you! (He laughs.) K, let’s go see Beauty Shop. (He drops his head to the side and you smile.) And then if it’s not too late we can see the Amityville bull.
Joel: Bet, come on. (He grabs your hand.)
U: Wait, I have to tell my mom.
Joel: Oh yeah. Tell her I said hi. (He lets go of your hand and you run upstairs into Marcus’ room.)
U: Mom, Joey and I are about to go to the movies, and he said, “hi.”
Lyn: Okay, call me, and tell him I said, “hello.”
U: All right. (You turn and run down the hall to your room and grab your purse and cell phone and you run back downstairs and turn the TV off and leave out with Joel. When yall get to the movies, Joel pulls a slick one and buys a 6:30 ticket for Beauty Shop and a 10:15 ticket for The Amityville Horror. You both get cherry Icees and a box of candy and go in the theater and sit all the way at the top. When the movie starts you kick your flip-flops off and fold your legs and continue to eat your candy… After laughing for a whole movie, Joel pulls you into Amityville Horror and you end up watching the palm of your hands and peeking through fingers for most of the movie. Once it’s over you quickly slide into your flip-flops and pull Joel out of the theater into the light of the lobby of the movie theater. He drops you off at home around 1 and he walks you to the front door and you kiss him.)
Joel: I’ll call you tomorrow okay?
U: Yep.
Joel: Love you.
U: Love you too. (He kisses you again and you pull away and walk in the house and wave as he starts the car. You turn around and walk through the foyer and you freeze in your tracks when you see Jarell and your dad sitting in the living room talking…)
Marcus: Hey Kenzi, how was the movies?
U: Fine. (You look at Jarell and then back at your dad.) How long have you been home?
Marcus: Got in around 10.
U: Did mom talk to you?
Marcus: About those shoes and that purse? (You smile.) Yeah.
U: What you think?
Marcus: I don’t know.
U: Dad- (You start to whine and then you glance at Jarell.) I’ll talk to you in the morning okay?
Marcus: All right.
U: Umm, hi and bye. (Jarell waves and you run up the stairs and fly into your room and shut the door.) You have GOT to be kidding me. What does my dad need with him… at ONE o’clock in the morning!? (You pull your jacket off and hang it in your closet and you change into your pajamas. You brush your hair up into a ponytail and wrap it around and put a scarf on and hop in the bed. You toss and turn all night long because your mind won’t calm down and let you rest. Finally after staring at your phone until 4 in the morning, you fall asleep without even knowing it. You wake up a little after 1 the next day and your mom is downstairs fixing the den up. You walk into the kitchen and your dad is looking in the refrigerator. You cough a little and he looks back at you.)
Marcus: Hey Kenzi, sleep good? (You smile.)
U: Barely. (You open the cabinet and take down the Pop-Tarts.) Dad, I have a question.
Marcus: Yeah?
U: What was Jarell doing over here last night? (He stands up and shuts the refrigerator.)
Marcus: Man, he was over here for about three hours. When I got home I ran into him outside and we started talking so I invited him in.
U: What were you two talking about?
Marcus: I guess he was trying to see if he recognized me. We discussed a few of the things I do for most of my clients and then we started talking about you after you walked in.
U: What about me?
Marcus: He was wondering what you wanted for you birthday that was so extravagant.
U: What did you tell him?
Marcus: I showed him the paper your mom gave me. (Your mouth drops.)
U: Even with the picture of me begging on it? (He nods and you laugh a little.) Wow… so what happened after that?
Marcus: Do you like this guy or something? (You frown.)
U: No. I just want to know what kind of conversation yall were having about me.
Marcus: He just asked general questions, what college you’re going to, stuff like that.
U: Oh. (You take out a pack out Pop-Tarts and put them in the toaster.) And that’s it?
Marcus: Yep. (He opens the refrigerator again and takes out the orange juice and you hand him a glass.)
U: So, did mom tell you about my dress?
Marcus: Yes.
U: And?
Marcus: Well, I don’t think it’s that bad compared to last year.
U: Thank you! That’s what I was trying to tell mom.
Marcus: But that’s your last time spending money like that on a dress.
U: Oh my God, what about prom?
Marcus: That’s an exception.
U: What about my wedding? (He starts laughing and you smile and get your Pop-Tarts out of the toaster and sit them on a piece of paper towel.)
Marcus: We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
U: All right.
Marcus: Is that all right? (You nod and start eating your Pop-Tarts and he puts the orange juice back and leaves out of the kitchen. You walk around the kitchen and finish your breakfast and then you drink some orange juice and run back upstairs and lay your clothes out on the bed and turn your shower on. You unwrap your hair and comb it down and you grab your shampoo and conditioner and go in the bathroom and get in the shower. When you get out, you wrap your hair up in a towel and then you dry yourself off and get dressed. You brush your teeth and floss and then you brush your hair back and put a clip on it. You pull your jewelry out and sort through it and put it on and you get your jacket out of your closet and toss it on your bed. You look in the mirror and grab your purse.)
You grab your jacket and throw it over your arm and turn your light out as you leave out of your room. You go downstairs and you go in the den.)
U: Mom, I’m going to get a car wash, you need anything? (She looks up at you.)
Lyn: Umm, no thank you. Are you only getting a car wash?
U: I don’t know, I need to get gas too.
Lyn: Dressed like that? (You smile.)
U: And I might stop by Joey’s.
Lyn: Oh okay, no, I don’t need anything.
U: Sure?
Lyn: Yep.
U: All right, see you. (She nods and you turn and leave out of the house and unlock your car doors. You toss your jacket across the back seat and you pull your pants up and get in your car and start it up. You glance over at Jarell’s house and you put your seat belt on and back out of the driveway and pull off. After you fill your tank you head to the car wash and then over to Joel’s. You pull up behind his car and call his cell phone and he walks to the front door and answers the phone and you laugh and get out of the car and he opens the door.)
Joel: Hey sugar. (You laugh and he smiles.)
U: Hey. (You step up on his porch and he turns to the side and you kiss him and walk in.) What you doing?
Joel: Homework man. (You smile.)
U: What? I never heard that before. (He laughs and shuts the door and walks in behind you.)
Joel: Yeah I know. So what brought you over this way?
U: Just thought I’d visit.
Joel: Good, you can help me. (He turns and walks upstairs and you follow behind him and walk into his room. You sit down on his bed and he sits down and looks at his book.) Maybe I’ll finish this later.
U: No, do it now. (You push your shoes off and fold your legs and he looks at you.)
Joel: But you’re over here now, that’s kind of rude.
U: No it’s not, I’m telling you to finish.
Joel: I don’t want to. (He closes the book and tosses it on the floor and you shake your head.)
U: See, that’s why you got a C in that class now.
Joel: Uh uh, I got a B minus.
U: I don’t believe you.
Joel: I do, wanna see it?
U: Yep. (He gets up and walks over to his desk and hands you his progress report.)
Joel: Get at your boy. (You laugh.)
U: Okay, I guess you came up in three of your classes.
Joel: Yep, and my dad said he might get me that bike I wanted for graduation if I keep that up. (You shake your head.)
U: The last thing you need is a motorcycle.
Joel: Why? (He sits back down close to you and you look at him.)
U: Because you’re crazy, who jumps down a flight of stairs on a skateboard? (He laughs.) And THEN breaks their arm trying to not fall on their face.
Joel: That was one time.
U: Okay, so what kind of stunts are you going to try once you get a motorcycle?
Joel: None man.
U: Yeah right, and I’ll never go shopping again.
Joel: Now that’s a long ass stretch. (You laugh and look back down at his progress report.)
U: This is good though, you only have one C left.
Joel: Yep, best report card since 9th grade. (You shake your head and he pulls it out of your hand and tosses it over on his desk.)
U: I wasn’t done.
Joel: Yeah you were. (You get up and he pulls you back and throws you on the bed.) Where you going?
U: Move.
Joel: Nuh uh. (He climbs on top of you and reads your shirt and then looks at you.) What you doing tomorrow?
U: Uhh, going to school.
Joel: Don’t get smart, yours days are usually filled from the time you wake up until you fall asleep.
U: No, I’m just going to school.
Joel: Aiight. (He leans in a little and kisses you and you peck him back and turn your head.) Don’t play with me. (You smile and look at him.)
U: I’m not playing.
Joel: So what’s been going on with you?
U: What are you talking about?
Joel: It’s been five months. (You nod.) That’s it, it’s been five months.
U: Okay.
Joel: So what’s going on?
U: Nothing.
Joel: So why we start and just stop?
U: Because, who wants to just do that all the time?
Joel: Uhh… a lot of people. (You smile.)
U: Not me.
Joel: So you just quit? You gone be a virgin again.
U: Joey. (You lift up and push him off of you.) Just because I don’t want to have sex everyday doesn’t mean that I quit.
Joel: Five months is not everyday. (You laugh a little.) I’ve been dying man; I was already dying the first ten months.
U: Anyway, next issue.
Joel: Ain’t no more issues.
U: Exactly, so leave it alone. (He stares at you and you push his head back and grab the remote and change the channel.) What the hell are you watching?
Joel: A movie.
U: Oh, let’s see what’s on. (You lean back on your elbows and keep flicking through channels.) Oh yes, the Inferno rerun. (You sit the remote down.)
Joel: So was it bad or something?
U: What? (You look at him.)
Joel: Was your first time bad?
U: Joey, it was perfect. I loved it; it just hurt like hell.
Joel: I told you to stop me if I hurt you.
U: I know, but it’s like if you’re doing it now you might as well go ahead and finish and not lose your virginity half-ass.
Joel: So it hurt that bad that you don’t even want to do it anymore? (You start to speak and you laugh a little and shake your head.)
U: I’m not putting it off forever; I’m just not in a rush to feel that pain again. (He nods.)
Joel: I can respect that.
U: Thank you. (You sit up and fold your legs again and stare at the TV.)
Joel: So I know you didn’t come over to just watch TV, I mean, you could at least be within a foot of me. (You laugh and unfold your legs and scoot closer to him and he pulls you closer and wraps his arms around you. You turn onto your side and look at him and he looks at you.) What?
U: Nothing. (He looks back at the TV knowing that you’re staring at him and then he looks back down at you.)
Joel: You weird. (You laugh and he looks back at the TV and you run your hand down his arm and he pulls you into him and softly kisses your neck. You close your eyes and he nimbly grazes his teeth over your skin and gently sucks. You slide your hand from his neck to his chin and lift his lips to yours and kiss him. He slides his hand down to your butt and then the back of your thigh and he pulls your leg over his. He rolls you onto your back and rests between your legs and you pull your other leg from under him and place your feet flat on the bed. He slowly pulls away from the kiss and you look up at him and smile.) I love you.
U: I love you too. (He pecks your lips and drops his head next to yours.)
Joel: I’m dying! (You laugh and he kisses below your ear.) You see what you do to me?
U: I didn’t do it.
Joel: Yeah you did. (You shake your head and he nods his. You hear a car alarm beep outside and you close your eyes.)
U: Somebody’s home.
Joel: That’s my dad.
U: How you know?
Joel: My mom left like a few minutes before you got here so I know she’s not back.
U: Oh. Well, don’t you think we should sit up? (He laughs and lifts off of you and you sit up and fold your legs and look at the TV. You hear his dad jingling keys in the hallway and he taps on the door.)
Joel: Come in. (His dad, John, peeks in.)
John: Hey y/n.
U: Hi Mr. Klein.
John: How are you?
U: I’m fine, and you?
John: I’m just great. Joey, there’s a package downstairs for you.
Joel: All right.
John: Call your mom too.
Joel: Okay.
John: All right. (He closes the door back and you look at Joel.)
U: That was weird.
Joel: Why you say that?
U: He usually says much more than that.
Joel: Oh. (He gets off of the bed.) I’ll be right back. (You nod and he leaves out and goes downstairs to get his package and he runs right back up. He tosses the package on the floor by his dresser and climbs back in the bed with you.)
U: You’re not going to open it?
Joel: Nah.
U: Why not?
Joel: I know what it is.
U: Oh. (His sidekick goes off and he leans over the bed and pulls it off of the nightstand and flips the top up and reads the message someone sent him. He starts replying and then his cell phone starts ringing.) Well dang, you hot right now. (He laughs and you get his cell phone and hand it to him and he answers it.)
Joel: Hello… naw, I’m at home… I know… yeah… whenever yall ready… aiight… bye. (He closes his phone and finishes sending the message on his sidekick.) We’re about to go to the skating park, you wanna go?
U: I’m good. (You laugh and he smiles.)
Joel: Why you don’t want to go?
U: Because, I’m not into that stuff Joey.
Joel: I know, but it would be different.
U: Naw, I got homework to do too, I just wanted to come chill with you for a while.
Joel: Well, we’re not leaving for another hour so you can stay until I leave if you want.
U: I’mma go ahead and head home. (You slide off of the bed and you slide into your shoes and pull your pants legs down.) Call me when you get back, okay?
Joel: Sure thing.
U: All right, see you.
Joel: Wait, dang. (He gets up and you get your purse and walk out of his room and he walks behind you. He opens the front door for you and you peck him on his lips and walk out to your car and wave as you pull off. When you get home, you pull up behind your dad’s car and you grab your jacket and purse and get out and your dad walks out.)
U: You leaving?
Marcus: Yep, let me out. (You turn around and get right back in your car and let your dad out of the driveway and he pulls off and you pull back in and get out and go inside. You take your things up to your room and you put on your house shoes and go downstairs and sit in the living room with Marcus and watch TV.)
Lyn: KENZI! (You push yourself off of the couch and walk into the den.)
U: Yeah?
Lyn: What you think? (You look around the room and you nod.)
U: It’s nice, a lot more space than usual.
Lyn: Yeah, I noticed that too. (You walk over to the couch and sit down and your mom turns the TV on.)
U: This is perfect. I can sit in here now and avoid Jimmy Neutron with your son.
Lyn: Or Fairly Oddparents. (You both laugh and she walks across the room and turns the light out on you. You stretch across the couch and end up falling asleep watching Room Raiders… When you wake up, it’s starting to get a little dark outside so you turn the TV off and go upstairs and change into some pajamas and start on your homework. You finish a couple hours later and you pack your backpack up and you pick out your clothes for the morning and sit them at the front of your closet and you finally climb in the bed and watch TV until you fall asleep again. When you get to school in the morning, all of your school friends are asking you what you want for your birthday. You, being the honest person you are, tell them all money because you’d hate to return their gifts. They all laugh it off but you and Melanie both know that you’re being completely serious. Tuesday after practice, you go and pick up your dress and show your parents, trying to do a last minute persuasion for your purse and those shoes. Your mom takes you to get a French manicure and pedicure and then you both go to the beauty salon and get your hair done. By the time you get home, you’re so tired you forget to bug your dad to death before going to bed. In the morning, your parents wake you about a half-hour early putting balloons in your room. You sit up and wipe your face and stare at your mom.)
U: You guys are so loud.
Lyn: I know! Happy birthday! (You laugh.)
U: Thanks mom.
Lyn: Okay, let’s open gifts.
U: Oh my gosh, what time is it?
Marcus: 5:30.
U: Are you serious? (You wipe your eyes and put your feet on the floor.) Okay, let me brush my teeth first. (You laugh and get up and run to the bathroom and brush your teeth and wash your face.) I’m ready. (Your mom hands you a box and you sit down and open it and pull out the Coach purse you wanted.) YES! (You start dancing.) I KNEW you guys would get it! (You open it and pull the tissue out and your dad shakes his head and hands you another box.) Please, please, please. (You pull the ribbon off of the box and open it and it’s the shoes that match the purse.) I loooove you guys!
Marcus: I figured I’d get that out of you. (Your mom laughs and she walks out into the hall and walks back in with a tall gift bag.)
Lyn: Okay, this too.
U: Okay. (You pull the tissue out of the bag and you pull out a stack of clothes.) Oohh! These are cute. (You separate the jeans from the shirts and sit everything at the foot of your bed and dig in the bag and pull out a Juicy Couture purse and a gift card to Up Against the Wall.) Thank youuu! (You get up and hug your mom and then your dad and you jump and get your dress out of the closet and lay it next to your purse.) Ah ha, perfect! (Your mom shakes her head.)
Lyn: Okay, go ahead and get dressed, we have your tiara downstairs so you can take pictures.
U: Okay. (Your mom pushes your dad out of the room and you jump in the shower and you duck and dodge, trying not to get your freshly done hair wet. When you get out of the shower, you dry off and lotion up and you take the pins out of your hair and let it fall. You put on your jewelry and you put your things into your purse and slide into your shoes and grab your backpack. You walk downstairs and toss your backpack into the foyer and walk in the living room and your mom looks at you.)
Lyn: That is so cute.
U: Thank you. (You smile and she takes your tiara out of the case and puts it on your head and pulls at one of your curls.) They’ll fall by the time I get to school.
Lyn: Yeah I know. Okay, stand over here. (You walk over to the fireplace and you take a few pictures by yourself and then your parents take turns snapping the pictures and being in them. You look at the clock and you smile for the last picture.)
U: Okay you guys, I have to get going. Melanie and the rest of my music class has something for me before school starts.
Lyn: Okay, hurry up. (You grab your purse off of the table and you rush out and grab your backpack as you leave out and you put it on the back seat. You hear someone clear their throat and you turn around and Jarell is crossing the grass with a small box in his hand with a ribbon it.)
Rell: It somebody’s birthday today right? (You laugh.)
U: Yeah, mine.
Rell: Well happy birthday.
U: Thank you. (He looks you up and down.)
Rell: You look nice, real coordinated.
U: Thanks.
Rell: So I didn’t want to be a bad neighbor and pretend like I didn’t know your birthday was coming up. (He holds the box out to you and you look at it and glance at your house.)
U: Umm, are you serious?
Rell: Yeah, take it.
U: I hope I didn’t miss your birthday. (He smiles.)
Rell: Naw, you got a while.
U: Oh okay. (You slowly take the box from him and you look at it and back at your house. He looks at your house.)
Rell: Somebody watching us or something?
U: No, I’m just making sure they’re not; they’re good at things like that.
Rell: Oh okay, well if you don’t want to open it now you don’t have to.
U: Oh, oh yeah. (You laugh a little and you sit your purse on your seat and shut the door and pull the ribbon off. You rip the tape and pull the box out of the wrapper and pop it open.)

Rell: Your dad told me you were a little high maintenance something so I couldn’t get you anything that you’d want to throw back at me. (You laugh.)
U: No, I definitely wouldn’t throw these. These are beautiful, thank you so much. (You look up at him and he nods.)
Rell: You’re welcome. (You step a little closer and hesitate at first and he opens his arms a little and you quickly hug him.)
U: I have to get to school though, my friends are planning something for me.
Rell: All right, well I hope you enjoy your birthday.
U: I will. (You smile and reach for your car door and he steps up and opens it for you.) Thank you. (He nods and you move your purse off of your seat and toss it in the passenger seat and sit down. You close the jewelry box and sit it by your purse and look at him.) I’ll see you later then.
Rell: Yep. (He shuts the door and taps the window and walks back across the grass and you almost scratch your ignition up trying to put the key in while staring at Jarell. You start the car and put your seat belt on and slowly back out of the driveway and pull off. You glance over at the jewelry box and shake your head.)
U: This cannot be real…
(When you get to school, your locker is decorated with ribbons and balloons and there is a column of birthday cards going down the middle. You open your locker and stuff your backpack inside and you walk down the hall towards the cafeteria and one of your friends, Gabriel, runs into the cafeteria when he sees you. You laugh and shake your head and walk inside and your friends half four long tables lined up, two side by side and the other two at the top of the first two, making a huge table.)
U: Aww! (You walk over to everybody and they’re still signing your huge card. You laugh when you see the “18” made out of dollar bills on the front of the card.)
Mel: Happy birthday! (You laugh and hug her.)
U: Thank you so much.
Mel: Ahh, you got the purse and shoes. (You smile and nod.) Don’t you just love parents?
U: Especially today. (She laughs and pulls you over to the other side of the table.)
Mel: Okay, I picked this cake. (She uncovers the cake and you start laughing at the picture of you posing crazy on the beach last summer.)
U: I’m so mad you used that picture.
Mel: I know, I love it. (Gabriel walks up to you and taps you and you look at him and he pulls you into a hug.)
Gabe: Happy birthday brat. (You laugh.)
U: Thanks Gabe baby. (He runs his hands up and down your back and you push him away.) Don’t get too carried away now sir.
Gabe: All right, you caught me. (He holds his hands up and you smile.)
U: This is so nice.
Mel: Okay, sit down. We have thirty minutes before school starts. (Gabriel pulls out your seat and you watch as the card travels from Erin to Warren to Heather.)
U: How long have you been up here?
Mel: Since like 6:45, oh my God, I have never been here so early in my life. (You laugh.)
U: It sucks that you’re 18th birthday is going to be right in the beginning of your freshman year of college.
Mel: Yeah, I know right. (She sits down.) But that means more hot boys. (You shake your head and she smiles.) So Cody said he wants to see you after school, he bought you a gift.
U: Really? Aww, my Macintosh.
Mel: He sucks, he was shopping for you like you were his girlfriend or something.

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

U: Oh my God, you won’t believe who got me a gift.
Mel: Huh?
U: Guess who got me a gift.
Mel: I don’t know, J-Boog. (You laugh.)
U: You suck.
Mel: Wait, he seriously got you one?
U: Yeah.
Mel: Oh my God! What is it!?
U: Some earrings.
Mel: Really? What kind?
U: Tiffany.
Mel: Woooow. (You laugh.) Are you sure he’s not trying to buy you or something.
U: It was just a birthday gift, I’ll get him something for his.
Mel: Sounds fishy to me.
U: Just shut up and cut the cake.
Mel: Oh yeah. (She laughs and picks up the knife and you grab the camera off of the table and snap a picture of the cake before she cuts it.) Genius, I already took a picture of it.
U: Oh, sorry. (You sit the camera down and she starts cutting the cake into rectangles.)
Mel: Jess, hand me the plates. (Jessica shoots the plates down the table and they almost fly right into the cake.) I should kick you. (You laugh and Melanie starts putting the slices of cake on plates and you grab the first piece and get a fork. Once everyone has their cake, Melanie stands up and gets extra sentimental.) Okay you guys, listen up. This is our last time celebrating your birthday together. You’re staying here for college and I’m going a couple states away so I want this to be your best birthday ever. I love you, you’re my best friend forever and I hope you get all the gifts in the world. (You laugh and everybody claps.)
U: Thanks Mel! (She nods and sits back down and Gabriel stands up.) Oh gosh. (He laughs and eats a little of his cake and clears his throat.)
Gabe: We only have six more weeks of school and I want you all to know that I’m going to miss you, especially y/n, Melanie and Heather-
U&Mel: Aww. (You laugh and look at her.)
Gabe: Sexy ass mothafuckas. (Mel starts laughing and you shake your head.) Now don’t get me wrong, no ladies at this table look bad but I’ve had the honor to look at these three fine ladies since 6th grade. (You laugh.) And y/n, don’t think that you’re too grown to hang out with us 17-year-olds anymore.
U: I won’t.
Gabe: And if you go to UCLA, I’ll see you there. (You nod and he sits down and Warren, the funniest homosexual ever, stands up and starts talking.)
Warren: Okay, I’m not going to cry so don’t count on it. (You laugh and he tugs at his jacket to make sure his collar is upright.) Can’t wait to see you whores at prom, I know you’re going to look great. Y/n, you look wonderful today, I want that purse. (Everybody starts laughing.) Just using this little party as my way of saying I’m going to miss everyone, especially the girls because you bitches rock! (Everyone starts laughing.) And y/n, you need to strut your stuff today because you fabulosa.
U: Thanks. (He bows and sits down and yall all start talking to each other and finishing up the cake. You open most of your gifts and hug everyone just as the bell rings and everyone disperses into the halls and goes on with their day. During lunch, you and your usual friends form a huge table again and sit around and talk about prom and how everything is coming together.)
Mel: All I need to do is find a vest and tie for Cody’s retarded self.
U: I have nothing, I think I’ll shop for that this weekend. (You laugh.) I just haven’t been thinking about it. I have to get two of everything too because I’m going to Joey’s prom.
Warren: How is Joey boy?
U: Fine. (You look at Warren waiting for him to make an outrageous comment.)
Warren: Yeah I know he’s fine, I said how is he? (The entire table starts laughing and Warren stares at you.)
U: He’s great Warren.
Warren: I bet he’s great. (You shake your head and pick at your cookies.) So, my boyfriend’s coming to prom dressed like me, we are going to win best dressed.
Mel: Oh okay, excuse me Warren.
Warren: You are excused Miss Melanie, yes you are. (You shake your head.)
U: I’m gonna miss you so much Warren.
Warren: I know. (You laugh and he smiles.) I’ll miss you too doll.
Mel: I cannot believe our last day is six weeks and two days.
U: Okay, not with you knowing the exact day. (She laughs.)
Mel: I can’t wait until grad night, oh my God that’s going to be so much fun. (One of the star basketball players/one of your former crushes, Louie, walks over to you and leans over and starts whispering in your ear.)
Louie: How’s your birthday going so far baby girl? (You smile.)
U: Fine.
Louie: That’s good. (Mel stares at him and you look at her and he glances up and starts whispering in your ear again.) So you still got that little boyfriend?
U: Yeah, why?
Louie: I just wanted to know.
U: Why?
Louie: Just wondering if I could take you to prom but if you’re going with him, it’s cool.
U: I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
Louie: All right, happy birthday.
U: Thank you. (He nods and kisses your jawbone and you shiver and he stands up.)
Mel: Hey LOUIS.
Louie: Hey MELANIE. (You laugh because they’re saying each other’s real names so hard.) What’s good?
Mel: Nothing much.
Louie: All right, take it easy. (He pats her arm and walks off and she looks at you.)
Mel: Did he kiss you!? (You start laughing.) Don’t laugh at me! Did he?
U: Yeah, on my jaw.
Mel: What did he say to you?
U: He asked me if he could take me to prom. (She gasps and covers her mouth.) Stop, don’t do that. (You pull her hand down and she stares at you.)
Mel: What did you say?
U: I told him I’d have to get back to him.
Mel: So you’re not going to take Joel?
U: I don’t know… I would be saving so much money if I went with someone from here.
Mel: True, but I’m going with Cody.
U: That’s you. (You laugh.)
Mel: But Louis is really cute.
U: I know right. (You look over at his table and shake your head.) This is terrible.
Mel: I think the two of you would make a cute couple. Plus, you could wear like five inch heels and still be shorter than him.
U: I know, with Joel I’d have to wear the lowest heel possible.
Mel: Yeah, and you would have a better chance at prom queen.
U: I’m not running for that.
Mel: But if you get nominated, you’re automatically on the first ballot.
U: I’ll shoot you. (She winks at you and sips her juice.) I’m serious, I’ll shoot you.
Mel: You will not, you love me.
U: There is thin line between love and hate.
Mel: And you’re going to trip over it. (You both start laughing and you shake your head.)
U: So do you think I should go with him? (She shrugs.)
Mel: What are you going to tell Joel?
U: I don’t know, I could still go to his though.
Mel: That’s kind of messed up, he can’t go to yours but you can go to his.
U: I know… well I don’t know what to do then. I should just stick with Joel before things start going wrong for me.
Mel: But Louis is the cutest guy here, look at him. (She turns her head and looks over at his table and back at you.) Are you looking at him?
U: Yeah.
Mel: Just imagine all that in a nice tux, hair nice and even and his smooth baby face all dappered up for you.
U: Shut up Mel. (She laughs.)
Mel: I was getting a little too into that.
U: Yeah, I know.
Mel: I say take him, just NO sex after prom.
U: That wasn’t happening with Joel. (She laughs and everyone starts leaving the cafeteria so you both get up and throw your things in the garbage can and leave out.)
Mel: See you after school.
U: Yep. (You go to your locker and get your books and you fall into the crowd going down the hall… After school, Melanie and Warren help you carry everything out to your car and you put a few things in your trunk.) Thank you guys.
Mel: I’m going over Cody’s, call me later okay?
U: Yep.
Mel: See ya. (You wave as she jogs across the parking lot to her car and Warren gets in his car right behind yours. You wave at him and shut your trunk and walk around to your side and get in. As you pull out, he backs out and you both pull out of the parking lot one after the other. When you get home, you open the front door and then you rush back down to your car and pop the trunk and take your balloons and stuff in the house. You walk back out to the car and get a few bags and you turn around and jump a little when you see Jarell walking around from the side of his house. He looks over at you and then he switches his path and cuts across the grass.)
Rell: Need some help? (You smile.)
U: I’m okay. (You drop a bag and the bottle of lotion and body spray rolls down the driveway.)
Rell: Doesn’t look like it to me. (You shake your head and rush up to your porch and sit your things in the foyer and Jarell picks up the bottles and puts them back in the bag and hands them to you.)
U: Thank you. (You get your last bag out of the car and you put your backpack on and shut the door. You take your stuff in the house and you drop it on the floor and walk back outside.) Umm, so do you work? (He laughs and you smile.)
Rell: Yeah I’m doing fine, how are you?
U: I’m sorry; I’m no good at starting conversations huh?
Rell: Not really. (You laugh.) But yeah, I work. A little something here and there, trying to work out this project with my best friend.
U: Oh okay. (You lean up against your car.) So you don’t have like a fixed schedule or anything?
Rell: Are you trying to figure out when I’m going to be home or something? (You laugh.)
U: No, just trying to make conversation.
Rell: Okay, so this is a conversation. How was school today?
U: It was fine, my friends gave me a little party and I had lots of gifts and balloons and birthday bears and cards and stuff.
Rell: Oh, so do you feel 18?
U: How is that supposed to feel?
Rell: I don’t know, I still feel like I’m 15 sometimes and other times I feel thirty and I’m not even 20 yet.
U: So when is your birthday? (He stares at you for a second and then he leans back on his right leg.)
Rell: August 11th. Can I count on a gift from you?
U: Definitely, I owe you two now. (He stares at you, a little confused.) One for the tire, two for the birthday gift.
Rell: Oh, okay, two favors.
U: Yeah. Ohh, you thought I was saying birthday gifts?
Rell: Yeah, threw me off a little.
U: No, I just owe you two things. One favor and one gift. (He nods and sticks his hands down in his pockets.)
U&Rell: So. (You both start laughing and he squints his eyes from the sun and looks at you.)
Rell: So… how about getting that one favor out of the way and letting me take you to dinner… a birthday dinner. (You smile and laugh a little.)
U: Umm… (You look at the house and then you look back at him.) Sure, why not?
Rell: All right, I’m ready now if you want to.
U: Okay. (You laugh and walk up to your door and grab your purse off of the floor and pull the door shut. You walk back down the stairs and he pulls his car keys out of his pocket and unlocks the doors and pulls the passenger door open.) Thank you. (He nods and you get in and sit your purse in your lap and he shuts the door and walks around to his side and gets in. He shuts his door and glances over at you.)
Rell: You don’t mind if I let the top down do you? It’s nice out today and I don’t drive that fast.
U: No, go ahead. (He nods and presses a button and the top folds into a compartment in the back of the car and he puts the car in reverse and backs out of the driveway.)
Rell: So do you have any favorite restaurants?
U: Not really, I eat some of everywhere.
Rell: Good, so you’re not picky.
U: Now, I didn’t say that. (He laughs and you smile and he pulls off down the street.)
Rell: Your princess crown won’t fly off will it?
U: No, it has these little comb things on the sides that are stuck in my hair.
Rell: Oh okay, just making sure. (You nod and he turns the radio on.) Do you listen to rap?
U: Yeah. (He nods and switches the station and you glance at the tattoo on his wrist as he turns the steering wheel.) What does that say? (He looks at you.)
Rell: Huh?
U: Your tattoo, what does it say?
Rell: Pain. (He lifts up one arm and then he lifts the other.) Pleasure. (You nod.) You got any tattoos?
U: No, my parents would flip.
Rell: Yeah, I had to wait until I was out the house for good to start getting inked up. I got one right here. (He pats his upper arm.) And one on the other side, but I want more.
U: So they really are addictive?
Rell: Very. (He glances at you.) Got any piercings?
U: Just my ears. (You smile and he nods.) I want my navel but my parents said if it gets infected they’re not going to be buying medicine or taking me to the hospital so I shied away from that too.
Rell: Sounds like someone’s a little sheltered.
U: Not at all, I know a lot about the outside world, my parents just don’t want me “putting holes” in my body, as they put it. My dad calls tattoos permanent scars, and he’s like, “Have you ever had a scar on your body that you liked being there?”
Rell: He’s a clever man.
U: Exactly, so they talk me out of everything.
Rell: Well you’re 18 now, so whenever you get the urge to want to do something, you can just go ahead and do it.
U: Yeah, then I’d have to hear the aftermath. (He laughs and switches the station and a pop song is on.)
Rell: You like this kind of music?
U: It’s okay. (You look at him.) Are you like judging me off of the music I like?
Rell: I- I’m just trying to get a feel of who you are, you seem complicated to me.
U: And how is that?
Rell: Because, I don’t know, you seem affected.
U: What?
Rell: You know, like you’ve been around something all of your life so now you think that’s how you should be. You know?
U: No, I’m sorry, I don’t know.
Rell: Okay… how can I explain this… okay say my brothers and sisters were raised in Compton. (You nod.) Then, when I’m born, my parents move to the suburbs and I’m around all these uppity, high maintenance people instead of the people my siblings grew up around. (You nod.) So, as I grow older, I become uppity and high maintenance because that’s all I know but that’s not really who I am. So I’m acting like these people-
U: So who do I act like?
Rell: I don’t know, you act a little white to me.
U: How do you “act white?” How do white people act that is so distinguishable in other races?
Rell: I mean… okay I saw you a couple days in a row with some Abercrombie & Fitch and some American Eagle and stuff like that on. Do you really like that stuff?
U: Yeah, why else would I wear it?
Rell: I don’t know, it just seems like you’ve been thrown into the life of someone else. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me being judgmental.
U: Yeah, maybe. Or maybe you’re the one who’s sheltered. (You smile at him and he glances at you and starts smiling.)
Rell: Oh okay, so you be the judge. If you were me and you saw someone like you, you wouldn’t think they were a little different?
U: No, what’s wrong with the way I dress? (You look down at your clothes.)
Rell: You look wonderful today, a little uppity still but you look beautiful.
U: How is this uppity?
Rell: How much was your dress? (You smile.)
U: Why does that matter?
Rell: My point exactly.
U: It was only 150 and I have friends who spend 150 on shirts so I think I did really well.
Rell: See, you’re affected man. When I was growing up-
U: Oh no, I hate comparisons. You sound like my parents. (He laughs and looks at you and you smile.)
Rell: I’m just saying, I’m only two years older than you and I could get a whole outfit for 150 and if I caught it on sale, I could get some kicks too.
U: Okay, so bargain shopping. I do that.
Rell: When?
U: All the time. (He looks at you and you smile.) What?
Rell: I don’t believe you. You seem like the Jessica Simpson type.
U: And what type is that?
Rell: The type that doesn’t look at price tags, just wait until you get home to look at the receipt like wow, I bought a thousand dollar pair of underwear. (You laugh.)
U: No, I look at price tags.
Rell: Do they matter?
U: Of course, I’m on a monthly budget.
Rell: Man, you’re so spoiled.
U: How?
Rell: A monthly budget? Most kids have allowances, you have a BUDGET.
U: Okay, so my parents word it differently.
Rell: And pay it differently too. I bet you got a bank account, stacked to death.
U: No, they only put so much in there every month.
Rell: Like a G a month huh? (You sigh.)
U: So where are we going? (He laughs.)
Rell: Look, can’t even tell me how much it is.
U: It doesn’t matter. So where are we going?
Rell: I don’t know, I’m just enjoying the ride right now actually. (You shake your head.) So can I get in on your life for a second?
U: Only if you don’t try to dig too deep. (Your cell phone starts ringing.)
Rell: Okay, so do you have a boyfriend?
U: Yeah, and this is him right now. Sorry.
Rell: It’s cool. (You flip your phone open and put it up to your ear.)
U: Hello.
Joel: Hey, where are you?
U: Umm, I’m going out to dinner with my neighbor.
Joel: Oh, I’m at your house.
U: Really?
Joel: Yeah, I wanted to give you your gifts.
U: I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were coming over so early. I didn’t even go to practice either.
Joel: Oh… well umm… I’ll just go home and call me when you get home and I’ll bring it over.
U: All right.
Joel: All right baby, I love you.
U: I love you too, bye.
Joel: Bye. (You close your phone and put it back in your purse. You stare down at your hands afraid to say anything.)
Rell: Okay, so back to my Jeopardy. (You laugh and look up.) Have you ever been in a not so monogamous relationship?
U: Like an open relationship?
Rell: Yeah.
U: No, never wanted to try it. I’m a consciously spoiled person and if I can’t have you all to myself, I don’t want you. (He nods.) What about you?
Rell: Well, I don’t know if you know much about me but I used to be in a group- (You laugh.)
U: I know who you are; I just don’t see the purpose in living that life offstage.
Rell: Exactly. (He glances at you.) So while I was doing that I was in an open relationship because I didn’t want to completely break it off with my girl at the time, but I also didn’t want to limit myself while I was traveling all around the world.
U: So to you an open relationship is talking to other people while you’re with this main person, or actually having sex with other people?
Rell: Depends. (You look out of the window and he glances at you.) But, I never really had sex with anyone, unless you count receiving oral sex as having sex.
U: Oh, that’s nice. (He smiles a little.)
Rell: So how many boyfriends have you had? Can you count ‘em?
U: I’m insulted. (You laugh and look at him.) I can count them on one hand, and not use my thumb.
Rell: So four?
U: No, three, but I didn’t want to sound pitiful. (You both laugh.)
Rell: You’re silly.
U: Thank you, I don’t get that often.
Rell: You should, all you’ve been doing is laughing. (You smile.) Unless I’m privileged enough to be the cause of all this laughter.
U: Maybe, maybe not.
Rell: I’ll take maybe and run with it. (You laugh and he smiles.) I like your laugh, it’s cute.
U: Thanks. (You look at him and he switches the station again.)
Rell: Do you eat Chinese food?
U: Umm, yeah. Not often, but yeah.
Rell: Okay, so do you have a certain type of food you would like to eat?
U: I can do some kind of Asian eatery. (You smile.)
Rell: Eatery?
U: Yep. (He laughs a little and nods.)
Rell: So when is your prom?
U: May 20th.
Rell: That’s not that far.
U: I know.
Rell: You got a date.
U: I have two actually. (You smile.)
Rell: Playerrrrr.
U: Nooo, my boyfriend and then a guy from school asked me today so I’m kind of stuck because if I go with someone from my own school, I’ll save money.
Rell: What? You’re talking about saving money.
U: Not funny.
Rell: I think it is. I don’t know much about you, but that’s amazing to me.
U: Well I don’t know if I should take my boyfriend and go to his or not take him and still go to his.
Rell: What if he doesn’t want to take you since you’re not taking him?
U: Then he’ll just have to find a date in the next four weeks.
Rell: That’s not hard. I know people who called girls up a week before their proms and had them as dates.
U: Well, maybe he’ll luck up like they did. (He shrugs his shoulders and pulls up in front of a restaurant. He pays the valet guy and they open your door and help you out.) Thank you. (You walk around to Jarell and he reaches for your hand and your palm immediately starts sweating. You take a deep breath and walk with him inside.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

U: What’s this place?
Rell: Geisha House. (He walks up to the lady at the podium.) Reservations for Jarell Houston.
U: (Thinking, “Reservations?”)
Lady: Yes sir, right this way. (She picks up two menus and escorts you through the dining room and over to a table that is one table away from the corner.)
Rell: Thank you. (She nods and sits the menus down and walks off.)
U: Wow, this place is truly oriental. (He laughs.)
Rell: You’ll like it. (You sit your purse on the edge of the table and look around and you flip your head back to Jarell.)
U: Oh my God, the guy from that TV show is sitting over there.
Rell: What show?
U: I don’t know, I don’t remember it right now. (You look back over at him.) He’s so cute.
Rell: Chad Michael Murray?
U: Yes! (You laugh.)
Rell: Wow, someone’s star struck.
U: No, but he’s really cute. (You look back at him and then you turn around.) Okay, don’t let me look back anymore, I think I’m scaring him.
Rell: You’d be scaring me too. (You smile and pick up your menu.)
U: Umm, I don’t know what any of this is talking about.
Rell: Do you eat meat?
U: Yes. (You put your menu down and look at him.) And what is that supposed to mean?
Rell: Nothing, I was just going to recommend the kobe beef.
U: Oh. (You smile.)
Rell: See, look at you. (A waitress walks over to you and you glance up at her.)
Waitress: Hello, ready to order?
Rell: Yes, can we have the Grilled Alaskan King Crab Leg, the Grilled Flat Iron Kobe Beef Steak, the Oshitashi, and some Yaki Onigiri.
Waitress: Will that be all?
Rell: Do you eat sushi? (You look at him and nod.) And a platter of sweet shrimp sushi.
Waitress: Dessert?
Rell: We’ll order that after we eat. (She nods.)
Waitress: Drinks?
Rell: Umm, this right here. (He holds up the menu and points at something and she nods and writes it down.)
Waitress: I take these.
Rell: Okay. (She nods and takes the menus and walks off.)
U: Aww, she barely knows English.
Rell: I know right.
U: Okay, so I’ve never had a dinner like this before. (You laugh a little.)
Rell: Don’t worry it’ll be good, I promise.
U: What is oshitashi? (He laughs.)
Rell: You’ll see when it gets here.
U: No, I really would like a warning.
Rell: It’s Japanese spinach with this stuff on it, it’s really good.
U: Okay, and yaki something. (He smiles.)
Rell: It’s grilled rice on this stick thing, it’s different. Just wait.
U: I’m scared.
Rell: Don’t worry, you won’t get sick, they don’t cook cats and dogs in here, this is real Japanese food.
U: I would hope so, steak costs 40 dollars.
Rell: Oh, I’m surprised you looked at the prices.
U: Whatever. (He laughs and your waitress walks over with a bottle of wine in a basket of ice and sits on the table.)
Rell: Thank you. (She nods and walks off and you look at him.)
U: Umm, I’m 18 not 21.
Rell: And this is sparkling, not alcoholic. (He winks at you and you laugh and he pops the top and pours your glass and then his and picks it up.) Cheers, to your birthday. (You smile and picks you glass up and tap his.)
U: Cheers. (You sip from your glass and lightly sit it back down on the table.)
Rell: You don’t taste any alcohol do you? (You smile.)
U: No, should I?
Rell: No, just making sure you don’t give yourself a mental buzz.
U: No, I’m fine. So… let me into your personal life.
Rell: Go right ahead, you can’t dig too deep though. (You nod.)
U: So how many girlfriends have you had? (He laughs and you smile.) That many huh?
Rell: Uhh, real girlfriends? Like, the ones that should count?
U: Which ones don’t count?
Rell: Like middle school and all those.
U: Oh okay, so from 9th grade until now, how many girlfriends?
Rell: Oh… wow. (He looks at his glass and starts smiling.) About-
U: No, no about anything. Exact numbers. (He nods and starts counting on his hands. Once he gets back to his left hand again you shake your head.)
Rell: Fourteen.
U: Wow.
Rell: No, but let me explain. I’m counting the girls who I was going with when I first got into B2K and I would find out that they didn’t even like me, they just wanted to be attached to my name so I would break up with them after like a week, so should they really count?
U: Okay, so take them off. (He nods and starts counting again.)
Rell: Eight.
U: Okay, that’s not that bad.
Rell: I know, I’m a good boy.
U: I doubt it.
Rell: I’m insulted.
U: Well, it’s the truth. I highly doubt that you’re a good boy, AND you’re a Leo so you’re the bossy type too, you’re not good.
Rell: Okay, I am a little bossy but I’m an angel at heart.
U: We’re always something totally different at heart. (He smiles.)
Rell: That’s true but… home is where the heart is.
U: And what does that have to do with this?
Rell: Absolutely nothing but it kind of flowed didn’t it? (You both start laughing.) Didn’t it?
U: Yeah… you’re crazy.
Rell: Thank you.
U: Yeah I’m really afraid of you now, taking crazy as a compliment. (He laughs.) Yeah, might have to put a brick wall up in the front yard too.
Rell: You can’t block the street.
U: Dang. (He smiles and looks at you and you feel awkward so you look away.)
Rell: So are you happy with your relationship right now?
U: Yeah, it’s been going pretty good so far.
Rell: How long have you been with this guy?
U: Fifteen months. (He nods and sips his sparkling wine.)
Rell: So you have a lot of long-term relationships?
U: My first boyfriend was in beginning of the 7th grade and I broke up with him the summer between eighth and ninth grade. My second boyfriend was a month after that one and I broke up with him a year later and then I got with Joel and we’re still running.
Rell: Joel? (He laughs a little.) That’s a hoe name. (You gasp and smile.)
U: That’s not nice.
Rell: I’m sorry, I’m not trying to down him or anything but that’s a real… yeah, anyway.
U: It isn’t too far from your name actually.
Rell: Jarell… Joel… JArell… JOel… yeah they are far from each other.
U: Whatever you say.
Rell: At least I can stand by name if somebody tries to call me out. Like, “What’s your name punk?” I can say my name, your boy might change his up.
U: Anyway, I don’t do the off and on thing with boys either. Once we break up, we break up, I move on, simple as that.
Rell: What if you’re really attached to that person?
U: I have to suck it up and move on.
Rell: What if you broke it off and then realized that you made a mistake?
U: I have to live with that mistake.
Rell: So you’ve never been in love before huh?
U: I’m in love. (He shakes his head.)
Rell: You wouldn’t talk like that if you’ve been in love before. No person on this earth that has ever been in love will tell you that if they had the chance to get back with that ONE person who they were SO attached to, they wouldn’t.
U: Uh huh, ME!
Rell: You don’t count; you’ve never been in love.
U: I have! I am in love.
Rell: You’re infatuated, I can see it.
U: Okay, thank you Love Doctor Jarell.
Rell: I like that. (You laugh and he smiles.)
U: Oh my gosh, I can’t say anything. (He smiles and the waitress steps up and places the dishes on the table and stands there. You look at her and then you look at Jarell.)
Rell: Thank you. (She nods and walks off.)
U: Are you serious? She has to stand there until you say that?
Rell: I guess. (You look down at the table.)
U: Okay, I don’t know what to touch first.
Rell: Whatever looks best. (He picks up his chopsticks and stabs a piece of steak and bites it.)
U: I thought you were really going to use those. (He shakes his head.)
Rell: I drop everything. (You laugh and pick up your chopsticks and you pick up a piece of shrimp and bite it.) I don’t care if you know how to use them. (You laugh and he smiles and gets another piece of steak.) So do you know what college you’re going to?
U: Umm, it’s between USC and UCLA.
Rell: I like USC.
U: Really? (He nods.) Why?
Rell: Because… it was in Love & Basketball. (You laugh and he smirks.) No for real, it’s a nice school. My brother went there.
U: Did he like it?
Rell: Yeah, plus he had a lot of in-state scholarships so he was spending refund checks like he was balling out of control up there.
U: I wish.
Rell: I mean, you balling out of control now so-
U: I am not. So anyway, why didn’t you ever go back to school?
Rell: I don’t know, I wanted to but I was making more money in the industry so I just stayed there.
U: So what are you doing now?
Rell: I’m building a label with my boy Dreux. (You stare at him.) Lil’ Fizz.
U: Oh. (You laugh.) Sorry, I just wasn’t into you guys like that.
Rell: It’s cool, I’m glad. But we’re working on the final touches to this FBI thing. (You frown a little.) Fizz and Boog Incorporated.
U: Ohhh, okay. I’m so slow.
Rell: I see. (You smile and he sips from his glass.) I have two acts so far. A group of four boys and a solo girl.
U: What’s the group called?
Rell: 4Deep.
U: And the girl?
Rell: Devyne.
U: Oh okay, so are you working on getting more artists or are you just trying to work with them first and then build it up?
Rell: Depends on whether or not I run into something I just can’t pass up.
U: I can understand that. (You pick up a piece of sushi and bite it.) Wow, this is good. (You look at it and he nods.)
Rell: Sweet shrimp sushi.
U: This is really good.
Rell: Told you. (You nod and eat the rest of your piece and wipe your mouth with your napkin.) So are you looking into any internships for the summer or anything like that? (You shrug.)
U: My dad was telling me that it would be pretty hard to get one with my major.
Rell: How? You live in LA.
U: I know right. He just didn’t want to ask any of his clients for a favor like that I guess.
Rell: Well… if you’re willing to be open minded and learn a few things, I’m willing to hire you as an intern. Our official studio will be open in a few more weeks.
U: Really?
Rell: Yeah, then I’ll be busy most of my free time working with those five artists.
U: So do the boys sing?
Rell: No, they rap.
U: And the girl?
Rell: She sings.
U: Oh okay, she’s good?
Rell: Yeah. (He laughs.) Like I would sign a mess.
U: I’m just making sure you got faith in your artists.
Rell: Yeah, she’s real nice. She writes and everything, so all we do is listen to the beat that she kind of makes with her mouth or hands or whatever she needs to make the beat and we remake it and let her do her thing.
U: Oh okay, sounds like fun.
Rell: It is… especially when you’re doing what you love.
U: Yeah, explain that to my dad. (He nods.)
Rell: Your dad’s just looking out for you. I can’t tell you how many times my family told me to sit the hell down when I was up dancing everywhere. (You laugh.) But I never sat down and that’s basically what got me into the industry actually. So don’t let him make you doubt your dream, if that’s what you want to do, do it.
U: Easier said than done when your parents are the ones paying for you to go to college.
Rell: Work on some scholarships. You seem like a smart girl. (You shrug and eat a piece of the steak.)
U: Mmm, this is good.
Rell: I know, I love it here.
U: So you come here often?
Rell: Not often, but whenever the occasion is worth it, yeah.
U: Oh, so this occasion is worth it?
Rell: Yeah, birthdays are the best. You get older, a little wiser, a little dumber in some areas, but it’s all good because… you’re older. (You shake your head and he stares at you.) So did you learn anything life changing today?
U: Umm… I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ll know until tomorrow. (You smile and sip your wine and he nods. You sit your glass down and lick your lips.) I’ll be sure to let you know.
Rell: Deal. (You pick up some of the Yaki Onigiri and bite into it and he stares at you. You slowly chew and look at him and then you wipe your mouth.)
U: What?
Rell: Nothing.
U: It’s rude to stare.
Rell: Is it?
U: Yes.
Rell: Thank you for informing me.
U: Okay, I see I have a smarty-pants on hand.
Rell: That’s true.
U: I bet it is.
Rell: So, is it rude to stare at you like this? (He turns a little put his index finger on his bottom lip and looks you up and down. You start laughing and he drops his hand and sits up straight.) That was gay.
U: That was a little weird. Yeah, I’ll give you that one.
Rell: Umm… so are you still going to be busy this weekend?
U: I have no idea, I still don’t know what people may have planned for my birthday. Oh, and speaking of plans, I like your little reservations here.
Rell: Hey, you have to have reservations or you just might end up waiting for hours on a table.
U: Mmhmm.
Rell: Don’t think that I had preconceived notions of how our conversation was going to go. I was actually going to ask you on more of a date and then I remembered that I never asked if you had a boyfriend, so when the opportunity arose I jumped at it.
U: The favor thing?
Rell: Exactly.
U: Aren’t you slick.
Rell: Not at all.
U: Well, although I was a little offended by your absoluteness of me coming, I’m still having a nice time.
Rell: And I’m glad. So are you going to try the Oshitashi? (You smile.)
U: Say it again.
Rell: Oshitashi. (You giggle a little and he blushes.)
U: You sound so cute. One more time. (He shakes his head.) Come on, one more time.
Rell: Oshitashi.
U: Aww, I want to record you. (You laugh and reach for your purse and you take your phone out and he laughs a little.) Okay, one more time. I promise. (You hold the phone up to his mouth.)
Rell: Man, I’m not Japanese.
U: One more time please; for me. (He sighs and looks down at the phone.)
Rell: Oshitashi. (You squeal and save it and he exhales.) You’re silly.
U: Oh my God, that is- I love the way you say that. Oshitashi. (You laugh and he smiles and picks up some sushi with his hand.) Okay, you need to learn how to use chopsticks. (He clicks his thumb and his index finger together.)
Rell: Works fine to me. (You laugh and he smiles.)
U: Okay, look. Pick ‘em up. (He picks them up and looks at you and you pick yours up.) Okay, the secret to using chopsticks is to hold one in place while pivoting the other one to pick up your food. (He nods.) Okay, so place this chopstick so that the thick part rests at like the base of your thumb and the thinner part rests on the lower side of your middle fingertip. (You position your chopstick and he mimics you.) Then bring your thumb forward, like this, so this stick is like trapped in place. (He mimics you again.) Make sure it’s extended past your fingertip enough to pick food up with. (He reaches for the chopstick with his other hand.) No, no, just tap it on your plate. (You tap yours on your plate and he mocks you.) Okay good, now the other chopstick. You’re going to position this one so it’s held against the side of your index finger, like so, and by the end of your thumb. (You turn your hand so he can see.) Make the ends even and eat. (You tap your plate and then you pivot one chopstick and pick up a piece of steak and bite it.) See. (He stares at his chopsticks and he slowly opens them and picks up the steak and drops it before it gets to his mouth.) Almost! (He shakes his head and laughs a little and tries it again and he tosses it into his mouth.) Okay, although you cheated, you got it.
Rell: Yes!
U: Did you know it was bad manners in Japan to hold your chopsticks with all fingers?
Rell: Really? (You nod.)
U: And it’s bad to pass food from your chopsticks to someone else’s.
Rell: Why don’t they just use forks and shit? (You laugh.)
U: My mom told me something about forks and knives resemble violence and something like that.
Rell: Oh okay, well that would be our utensil of choice in the US.
U: Right. (You smile and pick up your chopstick wrapper and stick them halfway inside and fold it over.)
Rell: Why you do that?
U: To let them know that they’re used.
Rell: So do you know a lot about Japan?
U: Umm no, just about their eating customs. We used to dine out a lot when I was younger when my parents first started opening their own businesses, never had home cooked meals.
Rell: Well, you’re very well rounded.
U: Thank you.
Rell: I want to be like you when I grow up. (You both start laughing and you shake your head.)
U: I haven’t had this much fun in one place in a long time.
Rell: That’s good right?
U: Very good. I think my cheeks are going to break if I laugh again.
Rell: Well we don’t want that, so let me sit here. (He looks down at his lap and you smile and stare at him.)
U: You’re not helping me. (He slowly looks up at you and you’re smiling.)
Rell: Whatever you do, don’t laugh.
U: Stop acting retarded.
Rell: I’m not acting. (He folds his arms and stares at you with a angry/sad look on his face and you laugh.)
U: Oh, I’m sorry are you retarded? I thought you guys only went by autistic or mentally impaired.
Rell: What’s with all the name calling? (You laugh and he shakes his head.) You’re fun.
U: Thank you.
Rell: I could definitely see myself hanging with you, buddy.
U: (Thinking, “Buddy!?”) Yeah, me too, pal. (He smiles and you quickly raise and lower your eyebrows.)
Rell: What was that about?
U: What was what about?
Rell: That little eye movement you just did. (You smile.)
U: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Rell: You did one of those, “I’ll call you my pal but I’m really thinking about you and me doing something pals don’t really do often.” (You laugh.) I’m just kidding. (He rubs his hands together and looks up.) Where’s that lady? (He looks around and then he waves her over and she rushes right to the table.) Yes, can I have the check please?
Waitress: Sure.
Rell: Thank you.
Waitress: Sure. (She nods and walks off and you look at him.)
U: They’re so… well mannered.
Rell: Yeah, ‘cause there ain’t no WAY I’m going to stand at no table and wait for them to dismiss me, I’m out of there when the talking is done, or almost done.
U: Okay, that’s rude. You’re just going to walk away while they’re talking?
Rell: Exactly, I know what you want, it’s coming right up. No need for all that thank you madness. (You shake your head and she walks back over and sits the book down and nods and Jarell nods back and she walks off.)
U: Let’s see. (You reach for the book and he pulls it back and looks at you.)
Rell: Where are your manners?
U: What? Half and half right?
Rell: Wrong.
U: Well, I mean I can pay the whole thing; I was doing YOU a favor right.
Rell: I’mma put you on timeout for a minute. (He puts his index finger up to his mouth and you smile.) Shh. (He opens the book and digs in his pocket and pulls out his wallet and takes out a hundred dollar bill and slides it in the book and closes it.) You reach for it and you’ll pull back a nub. (You laugh and the waitress returns.)
Waitress: Want change?
Rell: No thank you, you have a nice day.
Waitress: Thank you sir. (She nods at you and you nod back and she walks back off.)
U: Wow, they’re SO different. (You scoot your chair back and grab your purse as you get up and Jarell grasps your hand and leads you through the restaurant. When you get outside, he hands his valet ticket to one of the guys and a few minutes later they pull up with the car and open both of your doors. You get in and they shut the door and Jarell pulls his door shut and pulls off. The entire ride home is you laughing until your eyes fill with tears and Jarell with a constant smile on his face. He even takes the long way back to extend the nice conversation the two of you are having. He pulls up into his driveway and hops out of the car and opens your door and holds his hand out for you.) Why thank you, sir.
Rell: No problem madam. (You giggle and he shuts the door and holds his arm out for you to hold onto.) I guess I’ll be a gentleman and walk you home. (You smile as you cross over the grass and he walks you up onto your porch.)
U: Thank you for everything. (You unlock the door and push it in and turn around.) I had one of the best birthdays today and I have to thank you for that. (He nods.)
Rell: I had a great time too. I’ll see you later then.
U: Yeah, later. (He nods and turns to walk off of your porch and you stutter out his name.)
Rell: Yeah?
U: Umm, can I have a birthday hug? (He laughs a little and walks back up to you and opens his arms and you wrap your arms around him.)
Rell: Happy birthday old lady. (You laugh and he squeezes you tight.) Now get on in there and eat your dried fruits and prune juice.
U: Whatever. (You pull away and you both lock eyes and quickly look away.) Thanks again. (You slowly step backwards into the house.)
Rell: Any time. (He hops off of the platform you call a porch and cuts across the grass and you go in the house and shut the door and start going crazy, something you’ve been wanting to do all day. You kick your shoes off and pick them up and run upstairs and fall out on your bed.)
U: Oh my God, he’s so cute. (You put your hands over your face and your cell phone starts ringing and you almost jump out of your dress.) Woo shoot. (You sit up and get your phone out of your purse and flip it open.) Hello?
Joel: Hey, you home yet?
U: Oh yeah, I completely forgot to call you.
Joel: I’m about five minutes away.
U: Okay.
Joel: All right, bye.
U: Bye. (You close your phone and you hop up and run to the bathroom and brush your teeth. You try to wipe away every glowing feature about you but you can’t seem to drop your smile. You wash your face and fix your tiara and Joel rings the doorbell. You run back downstairs and open the door to be greeted by a huge cluster of birthday balloons and an even bigger gift bag in the arms of the infamous Joel.) Heyyyy. (He walks in and you shut the door and lock it.) Wow, those are nice. (You look up at the balloons and he follows you into the living room and you sit down.)
Joel: So where did you go to eat with your neighbor?
U: This place called the Geisha House. Ever heard of it?
Joel: Yeah, that’s like a celebrity spot.
U: Yeah, I saw Chad Michael Murray off of that show.
Joel: One Tree Hill?
U: Yeah, I thought it was OC. (You laugh.) Glad I didn’t say anything to the guy.
Joel: Yeah, that would’ve been a piss off. (You smile.) Okay, so open your gift.
U: All right. (He scoots the bag towards you and you untie the balloons and let them fly up to the ceiling and you pull the layer of tissue paper out and dig in.) Oh my God, you suck! (You pull out every single item that you picked up at the mall that he said he didn’t like.) You tricked me!
Joel: I know. I didn’t want to get you the wrong thing, so I was sure that these would be fine.
U: Oh my God, I was going back to get this stuff too.
Joel: I know, glad your birthday was before the weekend.
U: Right. (You laugh and you sit the stack of clothes down and you turn and hug him.) I love you punk.
Joel: I love you too but you gotta finish.
U: Ooh, there’s more. (You sit back up and dig in the bag and pull out a box and you smile.) Is this jewelryyyy? (He smiles and you open the box and your mouth drops.)
Joel: You like it?
U: (Thinking, “And I have the earrings to match.”) Yeahhh. (You stare at it and he waves his hand in front of your face.)
Joel: Earth to y/n.
U: I’m here. (You smile and look at him.) This is beautiful.
Joel: I’m glad you like it.
U: Yeah, I love it. I love it…
Joel: All right, one more thing.
U: Are you serious? (Your eyes get big and he nods.) You’ve got to be kidding me. (You dig in the bag and he laughs.) I don’t see anything.
Joel: It’s right here. (You look at him and then you look down at his hand and he’s holding a ring box open. Your eyes get big and he smiles.)

U: Whoa, that is… whoa.
Joel: It’s whoa? (You laugh.)
U: What’s that for? (You look at him.)
Joel: Well, it’s actually for two things. (He pulls it out of the box and reaches for your hand.) One, it’s a promise ring. Now, I don’t like promising that we’re going to get married and promising that I’ll never hurt you because you can’t really predict the future.
U: Right.
Joel: So, this is promising you that no matter what happens I’ll always love you and promising our friendship. (You smile.)
U: Thank you. (He slowly slides the ring on.)
Joel: And the second thing is my apology.
U: For?
Joel: I’m going out of town the week of your prom. (He looks at you and you nod.) Is that okay?
U: I guess, I mean I can’t really change it. What are you going out of town for?
Joel: To visit these colleges for these track scholarships, like they want me to come down and make a decision and sign right then and there, so my dad said we’re going to take a week off and visit them all and once I make my decision by the end of the week we can go back and I can sign.
U: Oh.
Joel: I’m so sorry though, if you don’t want to go to my prom I completely understand.
U: No, I’ll still go to yours. I just have to find another date for mine.
Joel: I’m sorry, I tried to change the week but then I would be missing my prom and you know I’m a pretty good candidate for king.
U: Oh shut up. (He smiles and slides the ring all the way down and you look down at your hand.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

U: Thank you for everything… although you just threw me for a whirl with prom.
Joel: If I can change it, I’ll do it, but if not you’re just going to have to be mad at me for a few days.
U: I’m not mad; I’m just a little disappointed.
Joel: Take a lot of pictures, okay? (You smile.)
U: You already know.
Joel: Right, what am I saying?
U: This is kind of heavy. (You wave your hand up and down and he laughs.)
Joel: My mom picked it out, I guess I don’t have much taste when it comes to jewelry.
U: No, you don’t. That’s why I was so surprised with the necklace too. (He smiles.)
Joel: Well… I hope you can find a date, if not you can take Josh.
U: I’ll find a date sweetie, Josh will make me rip my dress laughing at his slow ass.
Joel: Yeah, he’s trying to dress like that umbrella dude for prom.
U: Umbrella dude?
Joel: You know, he be on Borrow My Crew.
U: Farnsworth Bentley?
Joel: Yeah, him. (You laugh.)
U: Oh no.
Joel: Exactly. So what colors do you want to wear to my prom?
U: I don’t know, it’s your prom. I have to worry about mine now.
Joel: I know, but it would be so much easier if you just told me some colors and I went out and got the tux. (You shrug and his cell phone starts ringing.)
U: We’ll figure something out.
Joel: We got three weeks. (He glances at you and you nod as he answers his phone.) Yes sir… umm, around 7… okay… I know, but I was giving y/n her gifts… okay… all right, I’m on my way. (He closes his phone.) Dammit.
U: What?
Joel: My mom’s riding my ass.
U: About what?
Joel: This fucking Calculus class, I got a D on a quiz and now she’s like, “You need to be home studying, have you studied today?”
U: Well, thank you for coming over.
Joel: I don’t wanna go home. (He drops his head back and you laugh.)
U: Come on. I’ll walk you to the door. (You get up and hold your hand out and pull him up and he pulls you into a hug and you laugh.) You’re silly.
Joel: I don’t wanna goooo.
U: You’re just saying that because you don’t want to go study, you think I’m stupid.
Joel: No, but I love you too. (You smile and walk around the table and walk him to the door.)
U: I’ll see you tomorrow okay? I’ll come over after practice.
Joel: All right. (He leans in and kisses you and you slowly kiss him back and he walks you into the wall. You wrap your arms around his neck and he slides his hands down to your butt and pulls you into him.)
U: Mmm. (You pull away and lick your lips.) Get out of here before you get in trouble.
Joel: Trouble, I like trouble. (You laugh and open the door and push him.)
U: Bye babe, call me when you finish studying.
Joel: All right, that means when I get home. (He kisses his index and middle finger and presses them into your forehead and you smile.) See ya.
U: Yep. (You pull your lips into your mouth and slowly release them and he gets in his car and backs out of your driveway. You wave as he pulls off and he honks his horn like he’s crazy. You shake your head and shut the door and go back in the living room and put everything back in your bag and you run and take it upstairs and sit it up against the wall with the rest of your things. You get your cell phone out of your purse and go through your phone book and press Call. You put your phone up to your ear and take a deep breath.)
Louie: Hello?
U: Hey, it’s y/n, what you doing?
Louie: Uhh, leaving Jack In the Crack. (You smile.)
U: Umm, yeah I was calling you about prom.
Louie: Yeah, about that… umm my ex kind of reminded me of the pact we made in tenth grade and I have to go with her.
U: Oh… oh well that’s great because I was calling to let you know that I couldn’t just dump my date with no explanation so everything’s perfect then.
Louie: All right beautiful, I’ll see you in school.
U: Yep, bye. (You close your phone and fall back on your bed and your eyes start watering.) Oh my God, I don’t have a date. (You turn onto your stomach and wipe your eyes before the tears fall and you lay your head on your pillow and close your eyes tight.) Ugggh, how did I go from two dates to none? (You roll back onto your back and stare up at the ceiling and the doorbell rings.) Perfect. (You roll out of bed and walk downstairs and open the door.)
Guy: Package for Marilyn Evans.
U: That’s my mom. (He holds out a device for you to sign electronically so you sign it and hand it back to him and he hands you the box.) Thank you. (He nods and walks out to his truck and you shut the door and shake the box.) What is she ordering everyday? (You toss the package on the table and run back upstairs and start going through your phone book. Every guy’s name that you pass either has a definite date already or you just don’t want to go with them. You toss your phone on your pillow and you hear someone come in the house. You walk out into the hall and look over the banister.) Mom! (Your mom looks up at you.)
Lyn: Hey birthday girl.
U: I have a problem. (You run down the stairs.)
Lyn: Okay, what is this on your hand. (You laugh and she pulls your hand up and looks at your ring.)
U: Joel gave it to me, it’s a friendship ring.
Lyn: You guys broke up?
U: No, he just doesn’t want to promise marriage or anything too far in the future.
Lyn: Oh okay, smart move. (You laugh.) Okay, so what’s the problem?
U: Okay, Joel told me today that he’s going out of town during the week of my prom.
Lyn: No. (She looks at you in disbelief.)
U: Yes, and I don’t have a date anymore.
Lyn: Couldn’t you ask someone from your school?
U: Someone asked me today and I told him I had to get back to him and then when I called him he told me that he made a pact with his ex in tenth grade and he has to go with her.
Lyn: I’m sure there are plenty boys that would go with you.
U: But I don’t want to go with them. (She laughs.) Mooom, you’re not helping.
Lyn: Well you can’t be picky at a time like this sweetie.
U: I cannn, it’s my prom.
Lyn: Well who would you like to take?
U: Joel or Louie, but I can’t have either one.
Lyn: There’s absolutely no one else?
U: No… well… I don’t think he’d say yes.
Lyn: Who?
U: The boy next door.
Lyn: Jarell?
U: Yeah.
Lyn: Why wouldn’t he say yes? He’s been eyeing you, actually.
U: Really?
Lyn: Yeah, you haven’t noticed?
U: Well, he did take me out for dinner today.
Lyn: Really!?
U: Yeah.
Lyn: Where?
U: The Geisha House. (She gasps.)
Lyn: Wooow, that’s an expensive place. How was it?
U: It was different, but good.
Lyn: You have fun?
U: Yeah, but-
Lyn: So ask him.
U: No mom, the idea is to get the boy to ask you and-
Lyn: You better ask that boy before I do.
U: Oh my God no, you cannot ask him for me.
Lyn: That would be perfect, he’s right next door so he wouldn’t be late picking you up and you guys could stay out really late because you live right next door to each other so it’s not like driving home would be a problem.
U: Mom, I’m not asking him, and you’re not either.
Lyn: Okay, lady, back up. (You laugh and she walks over to the table and picks up her package and opens it with her house key.) So when are you going to ask him?
U: I’m not mom.
Lyn: Okay, so when would you like for him to ask you?
U: How is he going to know that I don’t have a date? He asked me today and I told him that I had two.
Lyn: So just hint around at it and give him a few clues about you wanting to go with him.
U: I don’t know mom, I don’t want to seem desperate.
Lyn: Well at this point y/n, you kind of are.
U: I am not, I just really don’t want to go with anybody else from my school. Louie was so perfect, oh my gosh I’m mad at his ex. (She laughs.) Mooom, stop laughing.
Lyn: Girl, get away from me whining. (You pout and fold your arms.) If I were you, I’d go outside and throw a ball into his yard again so you’ll have a reason to bug him.
U: Well you’re not me, and that is obvious. (She looks up at you and you laugh and run up the stairs and go into your room and call Melanie.)
Mel: Hey girl.
U: Hey, what you doing?
Mel: Umm, walking into my room.
U: I have a huge problem.
Mel: What?
U: I don’t have a prom date.
Mel: What happened?
U: Joel is going out of town the week of my prom.
Mel: So now you can go with Louie.
U: And he made a pact with his ex back in the tenth grade and now they’re going together.
Mel: What the hell, are you serious?
U: Very.
Mel: So… ask someone else at school.
U: Who Mel?
Mel: Umm… Xavier.
U: He’s going with Tina.
Mel: Umm… Richard.
U: Amaya.
Mel: Ryan.
U: Liz.
Mel: Well damn, do you know every couple that’s going to prom?
U: Just about. (You laugh.)
Mel: I don’t know, umm, you could go with Cody’s best friend.
U: Definitely not, his retainers freak me out. (She laughs.)
Mel: I promise he won’t take them out.
U: I’m okay Mel, I’ll pass.
Mel: What about Joel’s best friend.
U: He wants to dress like Farnsworth Bentley.
Mel: Okay he’s out.
U: My mom told me to ask Jarell.
Mel: Yeah!
U: Oh gosh, I shouldn’t have said anything.
Mel: You could ask him and have the best time, plus everyone will hate you because you brought a celebrity.
U: I’m not worried about making people hate or envy me, I seriously just need a date.
Mel: So ask him.
U: How do I look asking him?
Mel: Like you’re going to prom. (You laugh.) I’m serious, I’ll ask him. Call him.
U: I don’t have his number.
Mel: Well go get it. (You laugh.)
U: What do I look like knocking on his door like, “Hey, can I have your number?”
Mel: Like you want to talk.
U: Okay Mel, nice talking to you.
Mel: No, no, no, okay listen. Just umm tell him that you want a guys input on your dress and get him to go with you.
U: What? Since when did girls what a guy’s input on her prom dress?
Mel: You know, so he can see you try it on and look sexy and then hint around at you going by yourself and say something like, “I’m not going to have anyone to even slow dance with, everyone’s going to be all close and lovey dovey and I’m going to be alone,” he’ll so ask you. (You laugh.)
U: Mel, go to sleep okay. (She laughs.) You’re a little crazy right now, so take a nap and I’ll call you back.
Mel: All right, I’m sleepy anyway.
U: Goodnight.
Mel: Good day.
U: Whatever. (You both laugh.) Talk to you later.
Mel: TTYL too.
U: You will never, bye.
Mel: Bye. (You close your phone and shake your head and you get up and go back downstairs and the front door is open. You walk to the door and peek outside and your mom is standing on the grass talking to Jarell. You gasp and run upstairs and put your shoes on and walk outside.)
U: Mom, telephone.
Lyn: All right sweetie. (Jarell looks at you and you smile and walk back in the house. You stand in the living room for about five minutes and then you go back outside.)
U: They hung up.
Lyn: All right. (You stand there and they stop talking and look at you.)
U: Well excuse me. (You go back in the house and peek through the windows and Jarell nods and laughs and your mom waves as she walks away and you run over to the other couch and sit down.)
Lyn: So who called me?
U: I don’t know, they hung up, I didn’t ask. (She sits down and shrugs.)
Lyn: Must not be important.
U: What were you two talking about?
Lyn: Your father.
U: What about him?
Lyn: Okay, what is the third degree.
U: Someone’s telling half-truths. (She smiles.)
Lyn: And someone else needs a prom date.
U: Mom, you didn’t say anything did you?
Lyn: I don’t know, go out there and see.
U: No, I’m never going outside. Oh my God, what did you say?
Lyn: Nothing y/n goodness, we were seriously talking about your father and a few of his clients who Jarell knows.
U: Mmhmm.
Lyn: So go on out there while he’s cleaning his car out.
U: No. (You look over at the TV and she gets the remote and turns it off.) That’s fine. (You stretch out across the couch and close your eyes and she turns the TV back on and puts it on Lifetime.) Oh my God, I hate these movies. (You get up and she laughs and you run upstairs to your room and climb in the bed and stare at the TV.)
Lyn: THAT’S NO WAY FOR THE BIRTHDAY GIRL TO SPEND HER BIRTHDAY! (You cover your head with your pillow and your cell phone starts ringing. You pick it up and flip it open and slide it under the pillow with you and clear your throat.)
U: Hello?
M/V: Uhh, can you do me a favor?
U: Who is this?
M/V: Jarell. (Your eyes get big and you sit up and fix your hair as if he can see you.)
U: What is it?
Rell: Can you step outside for a moment?
U: Umm… uhh yeah sure.
Rell: All right.
U: Bye. (You close your phone and walk downstairs.) Mom, you gave him my number!
Lyn: Yeah, that’s the only thing we said about you.
U: Yeah right, I’m so much smarter than that. (She smiles and you open the front door and go outside and he shuts his car door and looks at you.) Yes sir?
Rell: Come over here. (You look down at your shoes and you cut across the grass and stand in his driveway.)
U: Yeah?
Rell: Keep coming. (He starts walking towards his house and you shake your head and follow behind him. He walks in his house and holds the door open and you stop on his porch.) I mean, you’ve been in here before.
U: I know, but I was on a mission.
Rell: Well, just think of this as a mission. (You look at him and then you peek inside and walk in.) Don’t worry; nothing’s going to jump out at you, unless you want it too. (He smirks a little and you walk into his living room and stand there.) I usually make people take their shoes off, but-
U: Oh, no problem. (You kick your shoes off and hold them in your hand and he takes them from you and sits them in the foyer.)
Rell: Follow me. (You follow behind him and he walks into a room, much like a den, but with much more activity.) Have a seat. (He points over at the couch and you slowly walk over to it and sit down and he walks around to the back of the couch and stands behind you.) Now, I have something I want to get off my chest. I’ve never said this to a girl before, so bare with me. (You nod and he leans over and puts his mouth next to you ear.) Can I take you to prom?
U: Oh my God, I KNEW my mom said something.
Rell: Are you embarrassed?
U: Yes, she said she wouldn’t say anything. I didn’t want to seem desperate by asking you.
Rell: Well I guess I’m the desperate one then because she only told me that you were upset because you didn’t have a date, I’m the one that asked her if I could take you.
U: Really? (You turn your head and look at him.)
Rell: Yeah. (He turns and looks at you and you lean back a little because your faces were so close.)
U: So you really want to go?
Rell: Yeah, I never got to go to mine and then when I went to one it was with contest winners and they weren’t that cute so it didn’t seem to fairy tale-like. (You smile.)
U: Well in that case, sure you can take me to prom.
Rell: All right then, it’s a date birthday girl. I’ll pick you up at 7. (You nod and he stands up straight.)
U: So you brought me all the way in here to ask me to prom?
Rell: No, I brought you all the way in here so I could stall.
U: Stall for what?
Rell: I don’t know, you should go home and see. (You smile and he stares at you.)
U: What is it? I know you know. (He shakes his head.)
Rell: Go look and see.
U: Come with me. (You grab his arm and pull him around the couch and you run through his house and slide your shoes back on and drag him next door with you. You walk in the house and before you can take in everything, everybody screams, “SURPRISE!” You start laughing before you can get surprised.)
U: Heyyyy! (You walk over to your mom’s sister and hug her.) Auntie Bunny! (She laughs and hugs you.)
AB: How you doing birthday girl?
U: Good. (You smile and pull away and hug her husband and then your other aunt.) When did you guys get here? (You look at your Aunt Helen and she looks at your mom.)
AH: Well your mom had us hiding in the backyard for about fifteen minutes.
U: Really? (You laugh and walk around the room hugging every family member.)
Lyn: Okay sweetie, we got you a cake.
AB: Who is this handsome little boy? (You smile and look at Jarell.) Is this your boyfriend?
U: Oh, that’s our neighbor, Jarell. (He walks up to her and she holds her hand out and he hugs her.)
AB: Oh, okay. (You laugh.) Nice to meet you son.
Rell: Nice to meet you too…
AB: Bunny, just call me Bunny.
Rell: Bunny. (She nods and he goes around the room hugging all of the elders and you walk into the kitchen and look at the huge sheet of cake.)
U: Wow, what kind is this?
Lyn: Half yellow half marble.
U: Oh okay.
Lyn: Okay everybody. (She walks to the kitchen door.) Okay everybody, let’s sing Happy Birthday and get this show on the road. (You shake your head and fix your tiara and she walks back over to the table and starts lighting the candles. Everyone packs into the kitchen and you laugh because your little cousins start climbing on the island.)
Marcus: Okay, everybody sing. Happy birthday to you… (Everybody joins in and you laugh and look down at the cake and your mom starts singing after she adjusts the cake.) How old are you?
Rell: CHA CHA CHA! (You start laughing and everybody smiles and keeps singing.)
Marcus: How old are you girl. (You sigh and close your eyes.)
U: I’m 18 years old.
Rell: CHA CHA CHA! (You smile and your dad looks at Jarell and laughs.)
U: I’m 18 years old… I’m 18 years old… I’m 18 years old.
Marc: Yaaaaay! (He starts clapping and your dad picks him up so he can see you blow out the candles.)
Lyn: Make a wish. (You close your eyes tight and then you blow the candles out and everybody starts clapping.) All right, lights on. (Someone turns the lights on and you glance at Jarell and smile. You cut the first slice and then your mom takes over and lets you go back into the living room while she passes out cake and ice cream to most of the kids and just cake to the adults. You sit down on the couch and Jarell walks in the living room and sits down next to you.)
Rell: What you wish for?
U: I’ll never tell.
Rell: Then it won’t come true. (You laugh.)
U: I think it’s the other way around.
Rell: Well, I’m just trying to get you to tell me.
U: Yeah, I see.
Rell: So is there anything you wished for that doesn’t cost more than my life? (You giggle.)
U: Whatever, everything about me isn’t high maintenance, you know?
Rell: Really?
U: Really.
Rell: So what isn’t?
U: My friendship isn’t high maintenance.
Rell: What else? (You look up at the ceiling and he starts laughing and you smile.)
U: Well, to be honest, that’s about it. (You both start laughing.) But I’m not that bad, like I can deal with everything not being name-brand, as long as it’s cute. (Everybody starts making their way back into the living room and your aunt pulls you right out of your conversation with Jarell and starts handing you gifts… You hug your aunt and she walks outside with your mom and you walk back into the kitchen with Jarell.) Wow, long day.
Rell: Your family looooves you. (You laugh and put the rest of the cake on a plate and cover it and break the box down and throw it away.)
U: I’m so tired though, my feet are killing me.
Rell: Shouldn’t have worn heels.
U: I like these shoes though. (You wash your hands and Jarell hands you a piece of paper towel.) Thanks. (You dry your hands and toss the paper towel and turn the light off.)
Rell: Aww, it’s like that?
U: Yep, come on. (You laugh and walk into the living room and your mom walks in.)
Lyn: Okay, I’m going to bed, your dad’s taking your grandmother home.
U: Okay. (She disappears into her bedroom and you sit down on the couch and kick your shoes off. Jarell sits down next to you and you turn the TV on.) So can I ask you a question?
Rell: Shoot.
U: Why are you being so friendly to me? (You look away from the TV and slowly look at him and he looks at the TV.)
Rell: What you mean?
U: Like… you barely know me and you bought me Tiffany earrings. It took me 15 years to get some Tiffany jewelry up out of my parents and you just gave them to me.
Rell: Well actually I bought them for my ex-girlfriend and she dumped me before I had the chance to give them to her so I gave them to you. (Your mouth drops and he laughs.) You’re so retarded, I wouldn’t do that. I took those earrings back. (You smile and shake your head.) But… I don’t want to be disrespectful to your boyfriend so I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to answer that honestly.
U: What is being disrespectful?
Rell: Telling another man’s woman any emotions or feelings you have for her, in an attempt to get her to break off whatever she has to fulfill YOUR desires. That’s disrespectful, and I refuse to be the man to cause any problems in any relationships because I know what it feels like to be disrespected.
U: Oh. (You look around the room without turning your head and he pushes himself off of the couch.)
Rell: I should get out of here, you got school in the morning.
U: Yeah. (You get up and turn the TV off.) I guess I’ll walk you out.
Rell: I’m a big boy.
U: And I have manners. (You both smile and you walk him to the door and open it.) Thank you for everything you did today, I’ll put this one down as my best birthday experience ever.
Rell: Don’t prejudge the future. (He winks his eye at you and you smile and he walks down your walkway and once he’s halfway down he cuts across the grass and you wave and shut the door.)
U: Oh God, why me? (You lock the door and run upstairs to your room and turn your TV on and change into some pajamas. You sign onto the Internet and start on your homework and a pop-up for love-matching horoscopes pops up. You close it out and continue your homework and it pops up again. You suck your teeth and close it out and as soon as you start typing it pops up again.) Okay, dammit. (You click on it and select your sign and then for your partner’s sign you skip past Joel’s and click on Leo. You laugh a little to yourself and click Next and the next page pops right up and you start reading.)
Aries and Leo
When Aries and Leo come together in a love affair, the sparks will fly! Both are Fire signs, passionate and dynamic, with a healthy love of sportsmanship and competition. There is a lot of action in this relationship. Both signs want to be the boss and problems can arise when their equally large egos get in the way. When it’s good it’s very, very good, but when it’s bad it’s all about loud arguments and damaged egos. In this partnership there’s always competition as to who’s in charge. Since a love relationship shouldn’t be about power, this can become a problem. Both of these signs have boundless energy, so both will always be on the go. Although they may disagree often, their differences of opinion don’t last long; Aries is too busy moving on to the next challenge to hold a grudge. Leo needs to remember not to be resentful if their Aries lover doesn’t show them enough respect. These partners have genuine admiration and respect for each other, but they need to learn to take turns commanding and giving orders -- even when they’re only choosing a movie at the video store!

This partnership is all about fiery passion, domination and who’s on top and when! Both signs can be impatient and proud. Leo likes to be adored and their egos to be stroked, services which easily-bored Aries may not want to provide. Aries may also be bothered by Leo’s flirtatious nature, but this relationship is always exciting. Despite their sometimes-noisy differences, Aries often looks to Leo as a guide or counselor. Leo is the Lion and, with Leo, Aries can be the lamb. As in the myth The Lion and the Lamb, any differences between these two can be overcome. Aries gives Leo the assertiveness to charge ahead and take chances, while Leo can help teach Aries to stabilize and follow things through. Aries may sometimes hurt Leo’s feelings by saying something hurtful without thinking. Conversely, Aries may be irritated by Leo’s bossy nature and tendency to sulk. But they’re both loyal and care about each other deeply, and when they can understand there doesn’t have to be a boss, their relationship can be exciting bliss. Both signs are usually respected by others and it’s important that this respect exists within the relationship as well. Aries is ruled by the Planet Mars and Leo is ruled by the Sun. Both are masculine energy archetypes, and together they make a good combination; they understand each other because they’re coming from the same place. The Sun is about the self and Mars is about aggressive energy, so they’re highly compatible and can make a powerful team.

What’s the best aspect of the Aries-Leo relationship? The mutual admiration both signs share for one another. With Aries as the initiator and Leo as the one who follows through, they both have their integral niche within the partnership. Their mutual energy and passion makes theirs a dynamic relationship

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

(You close it out and it pops up again.)
U: I did it! (You minimize the window and continue on with your homework, constantly thinking about the horoscope. When you finish your homework, you sign onto your cyber journal and start writing a new entry.)
Today was my birthday! Well yesterday now lol. I had a great time. When I woke up, my parents had me open a few gifts and I got the purse and shoes I wanted to match my dress. Then I got this cute tiara, I’ll make sure I show you guy the pictures we took in school when I get them. Then, my next door neighbor, he’s really cool, he got me some Tiffany earrings and when I got home from school he took me out to eat at the Geisha House. While I was sitting at the table I saw Chad Michael Murray, he’s so cute. Then when I got home my boyfriend came over and he got me so much stuff, and he bought me a promise ring. No, not a promise ring for marriage but for friendship. I actually like it better since it’s not about marriage because I’m not trying to get married any time soon, and I’m not trying to make promises I’m not sure I can keep. So anyway, my mom had a little get-together with most of my family at our house. They got me so much stuff too; I have new clothes for days now. I can’t wait to wear them. My granny bought me some new ice skates, just in time too because I start practice this Friday. Well… I wish I could say more but I’m sooo tired and I have school in the morning. Tootles!
(You save your entry and turn your computer off and climb in the bed. You plug your phone and charger up and sit it on the floor and turn your TV on and fall asleep watching That’s So Raven… The next day at school is pretty fun, they finally open the outdoor cafeteria and you, Mel and a few of your other friends take a million pictures. After school you go to practice and then you rush home and shower and change into some jogging pants and a tank and take Marcus outside and let him ride his bike, Jarell isn’t home… Friday, after school you rush home and change into your skating clothes and you run outside and toss your skates in your car and run back in the house. You lock up and walk back out to your car and Jarell taps on his horn as he pulls into his driveway. You smile and wave and he stops at the end of his driveway and gets out.)
Rell: Where you going dressed like that?

U: Practice. (You laugh and open your door.)
Rell: Practice for what? Playboy?
U: Whatever, I’m so covered up. (He smiles.) It’s ice skating, retard.
Rell: You ice skate?
U: Yeah. (You sit down in your seat and pull your seat belt on.) And I’m going to be late in .2 seconds.
Rell: Oh my bad, have fun Christi Yamaguchi. (You laugh.)
U: I will. (He shuts your door and you toss your leg warmers in the passenger seat and start the car and pull out of the driveway and he hops back in his car and pulls it up and goes in the house… You pull into the parking lot of The Glacial Garden at exactly four thirty and you grab your skates and your leg warmers and run inside. You get your membership card scanned and you go into the arena and put on your leg warmers and Natalie, your instructor for the past 7 years, waves you out into the rink. You lace up your skates and you run on the tips of your blades over to her and stop.)
Nat: Good to see you.
U: I know right, I almost didn’t make it on time.
Nat: I know, have you stretched?
U: Umm, not quite.
Nat: Okay, go ahead and do that and I’ll finish up with her. (You look over at the other girl and smile.)
U: Hi.
Nat: Y/n, this is Camille, she just started with me a few weeks ago.
U: Really, you’re going to have so much fun. I promise.
Nat: Aww thank you. (Camille smiles and you skate back across the rink and step out and put your blade protectors on and start stretching. Once you finish stretching you do your warm up laps forwards and backwards and then Natalie starts working with you.) Okay, let’s work on those jumps.
U: Wait, wait, wait. (You laugh.) I need to work on my spins first.
Nat: Okay, let’s do Camel spins then.
U: Okay. (You skate across the rink and you turn around and skate back and you lift your left leg and bend over and spin.)
Nat: 90-degree bend. (You bend over a little more and she nods and you stop and skate around again to regain your speed and try it again.) Perfect, one more time. (You do it again and she nods.) Okay, make sure when you’re doing your crossovers that you don’t let your skates rub at any time. (You nod.)
U: I know.
Nat: All right, let’s try an axel jump. (You nod and skate around and you do a single axel jump and your land isn’t that nice.) Try it again. (You skate back across the rink and do it again and it’s much better.) Much better, do a combination and add a Scratch spin. (You nod and take off down the rink… After you leave the ice rink you stop at Jack-In-The-Box and get large Oreo cookie ice cream shake before heading home. When you pull into the driveway, you get out and grab your skates and toss them over your shoulder and you get your house keys out and your dad opens the door for you before you stick the key in.)
U: Oh, hey dad. (You step in and he shuts the door.)
Marcus: Hey, how was your first day?
U: Okay, I was a little rusty for the first hour.
Marcus: Things got better?
U: Yeah, she keeps trying to make me try a triple axel and I keep telling her no. (He laughs knowing your fear of that jump because you tried it once and sprained your ankle from landing wrong.) What you doing home so early?
Marcus: Only had two clients today.
U: Oh, aren’t you happy.
Marcus: Extremely. (You laugh and sit your skates down and sit on the stairs.) So when is your next practice day?
U: Tomorrow from 9 to noon.
Marcus: Wow, you’re asking for it all at once huh?
U: Well, this year the Ice Show is in June and not August so I have two months less time to get ready.
Marcus: Oh, okay. So when are you going to shop for your costume?
U: Probably the middle of May.
Marcus: All right now, don’t wait until the day before like you did last year.
U: I wanted the newest costuuume. (You laugh and your shakes his head and goes in his room. You finish your shake and you toss the cup away in the kitchen and you grab your skates and your purse and run upstairs and turn your shower on. You undress and hop in the shower and you wash your hair as well. When you get out, your cell phone is ringing in your purse. You rush to it and pull it out and as soon as you grab it, the ringing stops. You flip your phone open and smile and call Jarell back.)
Rell: Hello.
U: Yeah, what’s up?
Rell: My bad, I didn’t mean to call you. Your number is 5 and I thought I was pressing 8. Sorry.
U: Oh, it’s okay. Bye.
Rell: Talk to you later. (You close your phone and smile.)
U: He has me on speed-dial. (You start dancing and you laugh at yourself and get some clothes out and your phone starts ringing again.) Helloooo?
Joel: Hey, what you doing?
U: Getting dressed.
Joel: You just now getting dressed?
U: Umm, well I had skating practice today so I kind of wanted to shower and change after that.
Joel: Oh. (He laughs.) My bad, uhh you wanna go bowling with me, Josh, Perry and Sidney?
U: Umm, what time?
Joel: About an hour.
U: Sure, you picking me up or should I ride over your house?
Joel: We’ll come get you.
U: Oh God, who is we?
Joel: Perry’s riding with me; you know how Josh and Sid get.
U: Yeah, all right. Call me before you come.
Joel: All right, bye.
U: Bye. (You close your phone and toss it on the bed. You pull your light blue jean Gaucho pants out of your closet and toss them on the bed and you go through your shirts and toss one on the bed and shut your closet. You dry off and put on your underwear and get dressed and you change your purse and slide into your brown flip-flops and toss a pair of socks in your purse. You stand up and look in the mirror.)


With matching belt.
(You brush your hair back and put it in a bun and put on your earrings, necklace and bracelet. You go downstairs and sit in the living room and you hear Jarell set his alarm outside so you get up and walk outside as if you’re going to your car. You glance over at his house and Dreux is walking up his driveway. You quickly turn towards your car and unlock the doors and get in and he glances over at you and then goes in the house.)
U: Oh my God. (You start your car and sit there and Jarell walks outside to get something out of his car and makes his way over to your door. You roll your window down and look up at him.) Hey.
Rell: I like your shirt. (You laugh.) It’s the truth.
U: It’s an overstatement but it’s close enough.
Rell: It’s an understatement. (You smile.) Where you headed to?
U: Bowling with my boyfriend and some of his friends? (He leans into the car and looks down at your shoes.) What?
Rell: Witch flip-flops on?
U: Well if you must know I have my own bowling shoes and I have socks in my purse?
Rell: You go bowling that often?
U: No, but I’ll never rent shoes. Ugh, that’s so disgusting.
Rell: Spoiled. (He shakes his head.) Well, I’m handling some business right now, have fun all right?
U: I will. (You smile and he nods and taps your car and jogs back across the grass and hops up on his porch and goes inside. About ten minutes later a car pulls up behind the car that must be Dreux’s and four girls get out, dressed like it’s July in Africa, and go inside. You roll your eyes and your cell phone starts ringing. You jump and pull it out of your purse and laugh as you answer.) Hello?
Joel: I kind of forgot to call before I left the house.
U: Where are you now?
Joel: Coming down your street.
U: Good, I’m outside already.
Joel: Oh okay.
U: Bye. (You close your phone and turn your car off and get out and you grab the bag with your shoes in it and you walk down the driveway and Joel pulls over in front of your house and Perry gets out of the front and gets in the back and you get it.) Hey guys.
Perry: Hey y/n. (You look at Joel and he looks at your feet.)
U: I have my shoes.
Joel: Oh, I was about to say, you’re about to get a serious case of fungus. (You laugh and glance back at Jarell’s house as he pulls off… Bowling is okay. You try to have fun but your mind can’t get off of the four girls going into Jarell’s house and for what. After bowling, the five of you go out to eat and then yall go over Perry’s house and chill because his parents have a pool house where yall can make as much noise as you wish and not have to worry about waking anyone up. Joel drops you off at home a little after one in the morning and you run up the driveway and go inside. You tiptoe up to your room and once you get in you shut your door and drop your bowling shoes in the bottom of your closet and change into a huge T-shirt and climb in the bed. Your alarm clock wakes you at 7:30 and you get up and shower and get dressed for practice and head out around 8:15. You stop at Burger King and get some French toast sticks and you eat in the parking lot of the skating rink. You get inside and scan your ID and head to the rink and change into your skates and hit the ice and wait for Natalie. She gets there a few minutes late but she makes up for it when she starts teaching you your routine for the Ice Show. You do a few faulty jumps and fall a few times but by the end of practice, you know all of what she was trying to teach you.)
Nat: All right, see you Monday.
U: Yep. (You skate across the ice and step out of the rink and take your skates off. You pull off your leg warmers and put your sneakers back on and head on out to your car and go home. After showering and finishing all of your homework, you straighten up your room and climb in the bed and take a two-hour nap. Marcus wakes you tosses action figures on your bed and running out of your room. You roll over and Batman’s cape stabs you in your back and you hop off of the bed.) MARCUS! (You hear him laughing and running down the hall so you grab all of his toys and throw them down at his door and he starts cracking up. You shut your door and lock it and climb back in the bed and start watching TV. After you get tired of that, you throw on some white terry cloth pants and you grab the matching jacket down and pull on a white tank and your sneakers.)




(You walk down the hall to Marcus’ room and he’s sitting on the floor playing with his toys.)
U: Hey, want to ride your bike?
Marc: Yeah!
U: Come. (He jumps up and puts his shoes on and you turn and go downstairs into the den.) Mom, I’m going to take Marcus out so he can ride his bike.
Lyn: Okay, thank you. (You nod and you hear Marcus racing down the stairs. You walk into the living room and then you jog back upstairs and grab your cell phone and run back down and leave out. Your mom opens the garage for you and you roll his bike out and tease him with his helmet. He starts riding down the driveway and you start walking behind him.)
Marc: How far can I go?
U: As far as you want.
Marc: Yes! (He stands up and starts riding faster and you shake your head and start jogging after him. You let him ride all the way around the block, which is a long way with all these huge houses making up one block. When he gets back to your house he stops and looks back at you.) Are you tired yet?
U: Not really, why?
Marc: I wanna go again.
U: All right, come on, one more time. (He turns around and starts pedaling and you start jogging behind him again. When yall get back you let him drive up and down the block, five houses each way and he has just as much fun and you sit on the porch and watch him. Jarell walks out of his house and gets in his car and waves before he pulls off. You wave back and look back down the street at Marcus. After another hour of watching Marcus riding his bike, Jarell pulls back into his driveway and gets out with bags from Victoria’s Secret and Coach. You pretend as if you don’t even see him and you get up and walk down the driveway and stare down at Marcus.) Come back this way! (Marcus turns in someone’s driveway and races back down the street.) Thank you. (You walk back up to the porch and Jarell walks back out of his house, empty-handed, and walks over to your porch.)
Rell: You been out here all that time? (You look up at him and squint from the sun.)
U: Yeah, letting him ride his bike.
Rell: I saw you jogging with him too.
U: Yeah, because he likes to go far and I can’t let him go unless I go.
Rell: Oh I see, you’re a good big sister.
U: I guess. (You look out at Marcus and he tries to ride without holding the handlebars and falls.) Oh shit. (You jump up and run down the driveway and he looks up at you and then looks at his hand.)
Marcus: It’s bleeding.
U: Come on, mom’s going to kill me.
Marcus: It’s not hurting though.
U: Still Marcus, come on. (You pick him up and he dusts his pants off and you roll his bike back down the street and then pick it up and carry it up the driveway and sit it by the garage.) I have to clean him up, you can come in if you want.
Rell: Naw, I got some stuff I need to wrap up. I’ll talk to you later though.
U: Okay, see you.
Rell: Yep. (You walk in the house and shut the door and carry Marcus upstairs to your bathroom and start cleaning his hand…)
U: Better? (He nods and you wrap the band-aid around to the back of his hand and stand him up.) No more bicycle stunts okay?
Marc: K. (He takes off running out of your room and you put your peroxide and band-aids up and wash your hands. You turn your lights off and go back downstairs in the den and sit with your mom.)
Lyn: You guys done riding?
U: Yeah, Mr. Stuntman tried to ride with no hands and he just got off the training wheels.
Lyn: What did he hurt?
U: He just cut his hand a little. Well, he skinned it. (She shakes her head.)
Lyn: Crazy.
U: Yeah I know. I’m so tired. (You pull your shoes off and fold your legs.)
Lyn: Go to bed.
U: Then I’ll wake up later and be up all night.
Lyn: Oh yeah, don’t you just hate that?
U: Yeah mom. (You look at her and the house phone rings and she pulls it from under her pillow and answers it.)
Lyn: Hey girl… no kidding… girl tell me about it.
U: Oh no. (You get up and grab your shoes and leave out and go back upstairs and get on the computer and Joel is online. You turn your volume off and IM him.)
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Hey babe.
~No1butJoey: Hey love.
~No1butJoey: What you doing?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Umm, bored to death. You?
~No1butJoey: In a crazy chat with Josh and Perry and some other people.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Oh.
~No1butJoey: Wanna come?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Naw, I just want to talk to you.
~No1butJoey: Oh okay, so what’s on your mind? Want me to call you?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: No, it’s not like that. I just don’t feel like chatting.
~No1butJoey: Oh…
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: If you’re busy we could talk later.
~No1butJoey: No, I’m good. So what did you do today?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Umm, skating and took Marcus bike riding.
~No1butJoey: You rode a bike!?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: No, lol, I jogged behind him.
~No1butJoey: Oh, lol. I was about to say.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Yeah, I know right.
~No1butJoey: So what are you doing tomorrow? Going to church?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: I doubt it, haven’t been in about a month.
~No1butJoey: Tsk, tsk, tsk.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Oh whatever, when was the last time you went?
~No1butJoey: I’m the one asking the questions here.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Lol, exactly.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: I’m so tired, sing me a song.
~No1butJoey: Umm… *thinking*
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Lol
~No1butJoey: I’mma record it and send it to you.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Lol, ok. (You sit there smiling and he connects the two of you and you turn your volume up just in time.)
~Joel: Baby you should let me love you, let me be the one to give you everything you want and need. Baby good love and protection, make me your selection. Show you the way love’s supposed to be. Baby you should let me loooove you, loooove you, loooove you, looooooove you, yeaaaaaaaah! (You start cracking up because he has no vocal talent whatsoever.)
~No1butJoey: I kind of cracked huh?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Aww, that’s precious. I’m saving it.
~No1butJoey: Nooooooo! (You laugh and save it as, “JoeySINGING.”)
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Saved!
~No1butJoey: Don’t play that for anyone else okay?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: I won’t…
~No1butJoey: Good, what’s with the …?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Just thinking.
~No1butJoey: Thinking what?
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Ohh nothing.
~No1butJoey: I don’t like that way that looks lol.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Well, I’m about to fix myself something to eat and try to go back to bed okay?
~No1butJoey: All right beautiful, call me if you can’t get to sleep.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Sure will.
~No1butJoey: Looooove you.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Love you too.
~No1butJoey: Night.
~SpOiLedRoTt3n: Byeeee. (You sign off of AIM and turn your computer off and go downstairs and start looking for something to eat. You put some chicken tenders in the oven and you go in the living room and watch TV with Marcus until your timer goes off and then you take your food up to your room and eat. After you eat you take your plate back downstairs and skim through the DVDs in the den and take a few upstairs with you and watch movies until you finally fall asleep, long day… In the morning you wake up to the wonderful sounds of Marcus “flying” up and down the hallway. You toss your sheets off of you and sit up and look around your room.)
U: Are you serious? (You shake your head and fall back on the bed.) Why is he up at 8 in the morning running around!? (You stare at the ceiling and then you hear your mom yelling up at Marcus and he gets extra quiet.) Thank you. (You pull your sheets back over you and fall right back to sleep and wake up a little after ten. You take a shower and put on some mint green Old Navy Capri pants and a mint green tee that says, “Most Likely to Succeed Class of 2005.” You go through your purses and every green purse that you have is a little too light or too dark so you dig through the back of your closet and pull out your Louis Vuitton Murakami bag and put all of your stuff in it. You get your Louis Vuitton flip-flops out and slide into them and glance in the mirror.)




(You turn your bedroom light out and pull the door up behind you and you go downstairs.)
U: Ma, I’m going out, you need anything?
Lyn: No sweetie. (Marcus runs into the living room.)
Marc: Where you going?
U: Out.
Marc: I wanna go. (You look at his clothes.)
U: You’re so lucky you’re dressed. Mom! I’m taking Marky with me!
Lyn: Okay.
U: Come on rat.
Marc: You a rat. (You laugh and open the front door and he runs out and looks next door.) Ooooh. (You walk out and shut the door and glance next door and Jarell is standing in his doorway kissing a girl.)
U: Come on, let’s go. (You unlock your doors and you open Marcus’ door and help him get in so he won’t get the bottom of his shoes on everything.) Seat belt. (He nods and reaches for his seat belt and you glance over at Jarell and he’s looking right at you. You roll your eyes and open your door and get in and start your car.) You want some ice cream?
Marc: Ooh yeah!
U: All right, we’ll get ice cream. (You back out of the driveway and the girl looks back at your car and you pull off.) Marcus, you think she’s cute?
Marc: Who?
U: The girl that was on the porch next door.
Marc: No, plus she was kissing a boy and she has cooties.
U: That’s right. (You laugh.)
Marc: Do you have cooties?
U: Naw.
Marc: Good because, I don’t want to ride in your car if you have cooties. (You look at him.)
U: Really now?
Marc: Yeah because cooties are nasty and I don’t want nothing to do with cooties. (You laugh and shake your head and turn on the radio.)
U: I look so much better than her.
Marc: What?
U: Nothing… (You turn into the Dairy Queen parking lot and Marcus jumps out of the car and runs around to you and grabs your hand and yall go inside.) What you want?
Marc: Umm, vanilla with strawberry serp.
U: Syrup.
Marc: Serp.
U: Okay, whatever. (You laugh and step up to the counter.) Yes, can I have a medium strawberry cheesequake and a cup of vanilla ice cream with strawberry syrup?
Lady: How many scoops?
U: Umm, two should be okay. (You look down at Marcus.) Yeah two. (She nods and her partner starts making your Blizzard while she gets Marcus’ ice cream… You pay for the ice cream and you hand Marcus’ to him and you go outside and sit at the tables and eat because there is no way you’re going to let a three-year old eat anything in your car, not even ice. After you finish with the ice cream you head to the mall to do your weekly rounds of seeing what’s new and what you might have to beg for pretty soon.)
Marc: Ooh, look! (He points into the toy store and you start walking faster and he almost throws a tantrum trying to get his hand out of yours.) Noo, pleeeease Kenzi, pleeeease! (You sigh and turn around and he takes off running into the toy store and finds the first Spiderman thing and holds it up.) This! This! (You pick it up.)
U: What is it?
Marc: It’s a punching bag.
U: What you need this for Marky? You got two.
Marc: It’s Spiderman! (You look at him and he smiles and you shake your head.)
U: This and that’s it.
Marc: K, thank you. (You walk to the register and sit the box up there and the guy picks it up and scans it.)
Guy: $26.80. (You nod and pull out a twenty and a ten-dollar bill and hand it to him.) Out of 30. (He rings it up and gives you your 3 dollars and 20-cent.) Have a nice day beautiful. (You smile and he hands you the bag and you hand it to Marcus.)
U: Thank you, you too. Come on little boy. (The guy laughs and Marcus hops out behind you and you go into Banana Republic and look around.)
Marc: I’m bored. (You laugh and look down at him.)
U: Well we’ll be out of here in a minute. (He looks down into his bag.)
Marc: Oooh! There’s gloves in here!
U: Better had been something for twenty-seven dollars.
Marc: Oooh! I can’t wait. (You shake your head and grab his hand and leave out of the store. When you get in your car, you toss your one bag on the back seat and Marcus holds his all the way home because he’s staring at the back of the box as if he can read what’s going on. You pull up into the driveway and blow your horn and your mom opens the front door and Marcus flies in. She shakes her head and looks at you and you get out and shut you door and walk up on the porch.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

Lyn: Say what? No bags?
U: Oh. (You laugh and turn back around and your mom shakes her head and goes in the house. You get your bag out of the back seat and you hear Jarell’s door open and shut. You shut your car door and turn around and try to speed walk to the house but he decides to call your name instead of sneaking up on you. You stop and look over at him.)
Rell: You in a rush?
U: Not really, just don’t like being outside. Sometimes you see a little more than you would if you stayed in.
Rell: About that, umm-
U: What? I’m cool with everything, we’re friends right?
Rell: Right.
U: Okay, so that’s that. (You start walking and he grips your arm and pulls you back.) Wow, there’s a thing called asking me to turn around.
Rell: I’m sorry but I don’t want you to think that I did that on purpose. See umm, she’s an old friend and we kind of just got reunited after a long night and-
U: Why are you explaining to me? (You smile.) I’m so not worried about your little girlfriends.
Rell: See that’s thing, she’s not my girlfriend.
U: Well whatever, your little one-night stands. I don’t know, but I’d really love to get inside.
Rell: Can we chill later on? …Friend.
U: Umm, sure call me.
Rell: All right. (You hop up on your porch and go inside and your mom hops out of the window and turns to the TV and you walk into the living room.)
U: Did Marcus even let you see what I bought him today?
Lyn: Of course not. (You laugh.)
U: It’s a little Spiderman boxing thing.
Lyn: Oh gosh, he has a million of those things.
U: Yeah I know, but he was dying for it so I just got it.
Lyn: How much was it?
U: Only twenty-seven dollars.
Lyn: I’ll reimburse you.
U: No problem. (You turn and jog upstairs and hang up the two shirts you picked up and throw the bag in the garbage can. As soon as you sit down on the bed your cell phone starts ringing. You get up and walk across the room and grab your purse and pull your phone out and flip it open.) Hello?
Rell: Can you come over now? (You laugh.)
U: Are you serious?
Rell: Dead serious. (You smile a little.)
U: Okay, I’ll be over in about five minutes.
Rell: All right.
U: Bye.
Rell: Bye. (You close your phone and stare at it.)
U: Ooh, he’s so up to something. (You get up and run in the bathroom and brush your teeth and check your face. You wash your hands and you check your shirt and spray on a little more body spray. You toss your phone back in your purse and pull it off of the dresser and go downstairs.) I’m going next door. Jarell wants to “chill.” (Your mom laughs at your hand quotations and nods.)
Lyn: Have fun.
U: I probably will, he’s retarded you know? (She smiles and you leave out and shut the door behind you and cut across the grass. You ring his doorbell and in a matter of seconds he opens the door and you step back open the glass door and go inside.)
Rell: Thank you for coming over. (You nod and he shuts the door and holds his hand out towards the living room. You slide out of your flip-flops and he looks at them and shakes his head.) Even your damn flip-flops Louis Vuitton.
U: Those are old, shut up. (You walk in the living room and he disappears somewhere in the house and you sit down and make yourself comfortable.)
Rell: You drink soda!?
U: Umm, not really.
Rell: Juice!?
U: Yeah. (He walks into the living room with two bottles of apple juice and he hands you one.)
Rell: Thirsty?
U: Now I am. (You smile and take the bottle and he sits down next to you.)
Rell: I cooked you dinner. (He looks at you and you laugh.)
U: Yeah right.
Rell: What? You don’t think I can cook?
U: I highly doubt it.
Rell: Why? I can cook.
U: Yeah, so what are you cooking?
Rell: That’s a secret, hope you’re hungry.
U: Whatever. (He leans over and gets the remote and turns the TV on.) Ooh, I want one of these for my room.
Rell: Oh, you don’t have a flat-screen?
U: No, my parents think I’ll break it.
Rell: Ha ha, finally something I have that you don’t.
U: You have plenty things that I don’t have. (You grin and look at him and he shakes his head.)
Rell: Bad girl. (He sips his apple juice and you look at the TV and fold your legs.)
U: I mean, let’s just be honest.
Rell: I see you getting comfortable.
U: Oh I’m sorry; do you not want me to fold my legs on your couch?
Rell: No, you’re fine. I like to see you getting comfortable.
U: I hope no sexual escapades occurred on this couch. (He laughs.) Oh my God, did they? (You start to get up and he puts his hand on your chest and pushes you back.)
Rell: Chill, nothing happened on this couch.
U: I was about to say. (You look down at his hand.) If your hand inches down any more I might have to hurt you.
Rell: Oh, my bad. (He pulls his hand back.) Reflexes.
U: Mmhmm.
Rell: No, for real. That has gotten me in trouble a couple of times actually. Whenever you have to like hit your brakes really hard, do you ever reach over into the passenger seat and hold the person back?
U: My little brother, yeah.
Rell: Well I do that to almost everybody, it’s just reflexes. And one time this girl had the biggest titties I’ve ever seen, I mean, they didn’t even look right and I did that and got a handful and she got PISSED. (You laugh and sip your apple juice.) So that date ended as soon as we got where we were going to.
U: Aww, poor thing.
Rell: She wasn’t all that cute anyway.
U: Oh okay.
Rell: So anyway, when are we going to go looking for this prom stuff?
U: Umm, I don’t know. When are you free?
Rell: Whenever you need me to be. (You look at him.) What? Whenever you want to shop, I’ll bend my schedule around that.
U: I don’t want to cause any problems with you or any of the people you work with.
Rell: It won’t cause any problems.
U: How do you know?
Rell: Because I just do.
U: Whatever. (You hear a light beeping sound and he hops off of the couch and runs out of the living room.) Okay. (You turn and look at the TV and sit your apple juice down on the table and Jarell returns a few minutes later with a plate full of Pizza Bites. He starts smiling before he can even sit down and you laugh.) Ohh Chef Jarell, so this is what you prepared for dinner.
Rell: Well, more of lunch since it’s only 2 o’clock, but I figured we could indulge in this goodness and go out for something else later.
U: My, my, my, I must say I am impressed. You didn’t burn them. (He smiles and holds the plate over to you and you get one and bite it in half.) I really like these. (You look at him out of the corner of your eye.) Have you been talking to my mom again?
Rell: What? Why do I always have to talk to your mom? Why can’t we just coincidentally like the same thing, I mean there is a such thing as having things in common.
U: I know, but there’s also a such thing as having too many things in common. It’s called too good to be true.
Rell: I don’t think anything is actually too good to be true. Sometimes we’re so used to things going wrong by a certain time we don’t know how to take it when they don’t.
U: I guess Mr. Philosopher.
Rell: What’s with all these nicknames?
U: Well what would you like for me to call you? (He smiles and stuffs a Pizza Bite in his mouth.) Up, never mind. I understand that gesture. (He laughs and picks up a Pizza Bite.)
Rell: I bet you can’t catch this in your mouth. (You look at him.)
U: Reverse psychology, so you’re a psychologist too huh?
Rell: Just catch the damn pizza roll. (You laugh and turn towards him and scoot back a little and he throws the pizza bite and you catch it.)
U: Aha!
Rell: Lucky catch.
U: Whatever, you try it. (You get a Pizza Bite and toss it and it lands right between his nose and mouth. You laugh and he jerks his head and it falls right into his mouth.)
Rell: Oh yeah, two points off the assist. (You laugh and turn back around and look at the TV.)
U: So what is this?
Rell: This is Meet the Barkers.
U: Oh, who are they? (He laughs.)
Rell: Well he’s in Blink 182 and that’s his lazy ass wife. (You gasp and start laughing.)
U: That’s not nice.
Rell: Actually this premiered on your birthday; this might be the show for you.
U: I don’t know, if it’s anything like the Newlyweds then I don’t think so.
Rell: You don’t like the Newlyweds?
U: Not really, her little idiotic stunts really irritate me.
Rell: Well Shanna’s not dumb, she’s just really lazy and she sleeps until like two in the afternoon everyday.
U: Oh.
Rell: Well, that’s what they’ve been showing on the previews. And on the intro thing, on her to-do list they like scratch out everything and put “sleep” in its place.
U: That’s terrible. (You stare at the TV and he throws a Pizza Bite and hits you in your temple. Your mouth drops and he starts laughing.) So you want to throw food, you have this wonderful carpet and you want to throw food?
Rell: Are you threatening my carpet?
U: No, I’m threatening the guy who paid for it.
Rell: Oh, so you’re threatening ME!? (He points at himself and starts bobbing his head everywhere like Will Smith does on Fresh Prince.)
U: Okay bobble head. (He laughs and looks at you.)
Rell: Can I tell you something?
U: Sure.
Rell: Promise me you won’t laugh.
U: Okay.
Rell: Promise.
U: I promise.
Rell: Okay. Hold on, you want anymore of these?
U: No, I’m fine.
Rell: All right. (He gets up and takes the plate back in the kitchen and you get a piece of gum out of your purse and fold it into your mouth and put your purse back on the floor. Jarell walks back in and sits down a little closer to you and you look at him.)
U: Okay, spill it.
Rell: Well dang, can I warm up to you first?
U: Well I mean you’re throwing food at my face, how warm can you get? (He smiles.)
Rell: Okay, let’s play a game.
U: What game?
Rell: The staring game.
U: What? (You laugh a little and he smiles and turns.)
Rell: Come on, turn my way. (You shake your head and turn towards him.) The object is to keep a straight face and constant eye contact. If you blink too long you lose. (You laugh.)
U: Oh okay.
Rell: I’m going to count to three and then it starts.
U: Okay. (You laugh.)
Rell: Get all your laughs out now.
U: I’m trying. (You smile and wipe your hand over your face.) Okay, let’s go.
Rell: All right, one, two, three. (You both stare into each other’s eyes and you bite down hard on your teeth and he has the calmest look on his face. You blink and start fighting away your smile and Jarell leans in a little and keeps staring into you eyes and you start smiling and you drop your head and laugh.) Look at you, can’t win the staring game.
U: Shut up, you started getting closer and my eyes were about to cross. (He smiles and you sit up and look at him.) Okay, let’s do it again.
Rell: You’re going to lose.
U: Chicken.
Rell: Oohh, so you’re the psychologist now huh? (You smile and he nods.) Yeaah, I peep you ma.
U: Come on, one more time.
Rell: All right, one, two, three. (You stare at him and before the first ten seconds are up you’re dying laughing.) You suck.
U: I quit. (You look at the TV and fold your arms and Jarell looks at you and then the TV.)
Rell: You’re a beautiful girl.
U: Huh? (You look at him.)
Rell: I said you’re a beautiful girl. (You smile.)
U: Thank you, you’re very handsome as well Chef Jarell. (He smiles and you look back at the TV.)
Rell: Sometimes I wish I were a very disrespectful person. (You laugh.)
U: Why?
Rell: Because there are so many things I want to say but I don’t want to disrespect you or your boyfriend. (You nod and look at him.)
U: How are you so sure that these things are disrespectful?
Rell: Because if I put myself in your boyfriend’s shoes I would be offended, so they’re disrespectful.
U: And how are they disrespectful to me?
Rell: Because you’re taken and you respect yourself so I should too.
U: So give me a hint as to one thing you want to say to me and I’ll let you know if it’s disrespectful or not. (He nods and stares at you and you look at the TV.)
Rell: Look at me. (You turn and look back at him and he pulls your chin towards him and gently kisses your forehead. You close your eyes and he lowers his lips and kisses between your eyes and then your nose. Your body immediately heats up and he kisses you on the side of your mouth and pecks you on your chin.) Did you understand that? (You nod and open your eyes and look at him.)
U: I- I think so… (Your cell phone starts ringing and you blink hard and bend back and lift your purse off of the floor and pull your phone out.) It’s my dad. (You flip your phone open.) Hello?
Marcus: Hey, where’s your mom?
U: Home.
Marcus: Where are you?
U: Next door.
Marcus: Ohhhh.
U: Dad, stop.
Marcus: Well tell your mom, whenever you get home, that I won’t be in until after 7.
U: Oh, okay.
Marcus: All right, see you later.
U: Bye dad. (You close your phone.) I hope you didn’t hear him on here acting like a five-year old.
Rell: Yeah I did but I won’t bring it up in the future. (You smile.)
U: Thank you. (You look over at the TV.)
Rell: So, I wanna get out of this house. (You look at him.)
U: And go where?
Rell: Wherever you’d like.
U: Ohh no, I hate picking stuff like that.
Rell: Well I don’t want to take you to the wrong place and you feel uncomfortable or something.
U: I’m sure you wouldn’t take me somewhere that bad.
Rell: All right then, let’s go. (He gets up and turns the TV off and you stuff your phone back in your purse and get up. He tosses the remote on the couch and walks through the room and opens the front door.)
U: Don’t you need car keys or something?
Rell: Already in my pocket lady, just keep on walking. (You smile and walk out to his car and he locks up his house and jogs over to the car and opens your door.)
U: Thank you.
Rell: No problem. (You get in and he shuts the door and walks around to his side and gets in.)
U: So where are we going?
Rell: I don’t know, you couldn’t think of anything. (He smiles and starts the car and winks at you as he looks back and backs out of the driveway… He pulls around to the back of a row of buildings and he turns the car off and gets out. You sit there staring at the buildings and he walks around to your side and opens the door.)
U: Umm, what is this?
Rell: Just come on.
U: This doesn’t look too safe.
Rell: Want to hold my ID? (He digs in his pocket and pulls out his wallet and hands you his ID.) If anything happens you can turn me in. (He smirks and you roll your eyes and get out of the car and he shuts it and takes your hand.) Now come on. (He walks up to one of the doors and taps it and someone opens a small square and looks at him and then opens the door.) What up killer? (He slaps hands with the guy and looks at you.) This my friend y/n, y/n this is BJ.
U: Hello BJ. (He looks at you.)
BJ: Why hello y/n. (Jarell laughs and steps in and pulls you with him.)
Rell: You tattin’ anybody right now?
BJ: Nope just finished.
Rell: All right good, I want another one. (Your eyes get big and he walks into another room and there are tattoo prints all over the wall.)
BJ: What you looking for?
Rell: I wanna get her name. (You turn away from the wall and look at Jarell.)
U: Who’s name?
Rell: Yours. (You smile and laugh and he stares at you.) What?
U: You’re serious? (Your smile drops and you stare right back at him.)
Rell: Yeah, I can see us being friends for a long time.
U: Okay so let’s get friendship bracelets, not tattoos.
Rell: Bracelets get lost.
U: Tattoos stay forever.
Rell: Just like you will.
U: How do you know that?
Rell: Trust me. (He sits down in the chair and BJ starts messing around with ink and needles on his table.)
U: No seriously, like you should get your mom’s name or your grandma’s or something like that. Somebody who’s your relative.
Rell: Why shouldn’t I get your name?
U: Because!
Rell: Because what?
BJ: Where you want it at man?
Rell: Oh, right here. (He pulls his shirt and beater over his head and points at his chest.) Kind of like right over this part.
U: Okay no, I have the best idea. Why don’t you get like a lion or something since you’re a Leo? That’s better. (He laughs and BJ dips the needle in the ink and starts tapping the on lever.) Okay, stop please. Jarell, are you crazy? I’m just your neighbor; we’ve just established the friend thing. Let’s be real, you don’t get tattoos until like… never!
Rell: But I really like you… as a friend.
U: Okay, tattoos are for people you love, ready to die for type of love. Not because you like them as a friend.
Rell: Aiight then. (He turns around in the chair.) I’mma just get her initials then all right?
U: What you say?
Rell: Nothing. (You stare at him and BJ leans over and starts drawing something on his chest. BJ looks up at you and looks over at a stool on the other side of the room.)
BJ: You can have a seat if you’d like, this might take a minute. (You look back and walk across the room and sit down and Jarell looks down at his chest.)
Rell: NOOO, that’s not how you spell her name! (You jump up and run over to the chair and look at his chest and there’s nothing there. Jarell looks up at you and starts smiling.)
U: Ooh, you scared me! Don’t play so much.
Rell: So I scared you because you thought I was actually getting your name or because he spelled it wrong?
U: Both.
Rell: Naw ma, I can to get a little more shading on my wrists. (He laughs and BJ looks at you and starts laughing.)
U: So you were in on this?
BJ: Yep. (He switches the needle and dips it in the ink and Jarell pulls his shirts back on and holds his arms out and BJ starts shading the outline darker.)
U: That doesn’t hurt?
Rell: It stings. (He looks up at you.) Want one?
U: Oh no. Those are not for me.
BJ: Every got a piercing?
U: My ears.
BJ: Oh, well I was about to say it rates about the same on pain.
U: Oh.
BJ: Want a piercing? I do those too. (Jarell looks at you and you shake your head.)
Rell: Her parents don’t want her putting holes in her body.
BJ: Piercings aren’t as bad as tats, you can take those out once you’re sick of them.
U: True… (You start walking around the room looking at the tattoos and BJ wipes Jarell’s wrists and Jarell stands up.)
Rell: You ready?
U: You’re done? (You look over at him and he picks his cell phone up and nods.)
Rell: Yeah.
U: Oh… okay I changed my mind. (You look at BJ.) Do you do navel piercings?
BJ: Sure thing, want one? (You nod and he tosses the small cap of ink into the garbage can with the needles and washes his hands.) You want a barbell or full circle bell ring?
U: Barbell I guess.
BJ: All right. (He walks out of the room and comes back with a small stack of plastic bags in his hands. He spreads everything out on the table and you glance at every bag; navel ring, clamps and a thick needle.) All right, come on. (You walk over to him and he lifts your shirt up and cleans your stomach around your navel and tosses the gauge in the garbage can. He rips the seal off of the bag with the clamps in it and he grips your stomach and clamps it. You look down and he rips the bag out with the needle and the navel ring and he dips the needle in a little jar of some gel and looks up at you.) Count to three.
U: One, two, three. (He sticks the needle through your stomach and your mouth drops and you look at Jarell.)
Rell: It hurt?
U: Stings like shit. (BJ laughs a little and slides the end of the barbell through the end of the needle and slowly slides it through as he pulls the needle out and he screws the ball back on and pulls the clamps off.)
BJ: All done. (He wipes your navel off and gets a strip of gauge and tapes it across your navel.) Clean that with Dial soap or anything with triclosan as an active ingredient. Dial has the best antibacterial stuff. (You nod.) Clean it about twice times a day. Always wash your hands before you touch it. The best time to clean it is in the shower because the water will freely run over it and not just sit on it like it would in the tub. Don’t clean it too much, it may get a little crusty during the day, you can clean that off but don’t clean it all the time because it will get irritated. It’s like growing a scab, if you don’t let the scab grow the sore won’t heal, so if you don’t let it get a little crusty it won’t grow.
U: Eww, why does it get crusty?
BJ: Because this little discharge comes out of both holes and it hardens once it hits the air.
U: Eww, it is going to itch?
BJ: It shouldn’t, if it does, clean it.
U: Okay.
BJ: Okay, when you clean don’t use your nails because you’ll scratch it and irritate it. Lather it up and let it sit for about three minutes while you rotate the barbell.
U: Okay.
BJ: You can dry it with cotton swabs or something, never go crazy with a towel, you’ll make it bleed.
U: Wow, I didn’t know it was so much stuff.
BJ: Yep.
U: And this boy is stinging. (He laughs.)
BJ: Few more things, you can use warm salt water to get the crusty part off and stop the itching IF it itches. After you soak it you don’t have to clean it but don’t think of that as one of your two times cleaning it for the day.
U: Okay.
BJ: Do not allow your piercing to come in contact with another person’s bodily fluids during the healing process. This includes saliva of others and your own. Do not use laundry detergent containing stain-removing enzymes, if you do try to cover your piercing with a gauge or something like what you’re wearing now. (You nod.) After the healing process is complete you should continue to clean your piercing once a day as part of your bathing or showering routine to prevent a build-up of dirt and dead skin cells.
U: Okay, what if I shower more than once a day.
BJ: Then clean it whenever you shower, after it heals it’ll just be a piercing.
U: Oh okay, that’s it?
BJ: And if you’d like you can use something like Neosporin on it to try and speed up the process. It really doesn’t speed it up too much though.
U: Oh okay, and how long is the process?
BJ: Well before it’s completely healed, about 8 to 12 months, but at least 3 months before you can change it. Don’t change it before then, and when you do finally change it make sure you’re next ring is sterilized and surgical stainless steel.
U: All right, how much is this?
BJ: Since you’re here with J, it’s free.
U: Aww, thank you so much.
BJ: You’re welcome. Yall two have a nice day.
Rell: Aiight man. (You fold your shirt back down and follow Jarell to the back and he opens the door for you and you walk out to the car. He opens your door and you get in and sit down and put your seat belt on and hold it down so that it doesn’t scrape your stomach. Jarell gets in and puts on his seat belt and looks at you.) I can’t believe it.
U: What?
Rell: You got it done.
U: Spur of the moment. My parents would kill me if they knew though; I’m going to be on sneak mode for a little while. (He smiles and starts the car and pulls off.)
Rell: You wanna go get your soap and stuff now?
U: Sure.
Rell: All right. (He turns down a street and turns the radio on.) I didn’t even realize it was off. (You smile and you close your eyes.) What’s up?
U: This thing is burning!
Rell: You’ll be straight in a minute. (You lift your shirt and lift the gauge a little and there’s a little blood on it.)
U: And it’s bleeding.
Rell: Well there are two holes in your body now.
U: I know but wow, I know so many people who have these, I thought they were simpler.
Rell: No pain, no gain.
U: You get your navel pierced and then we’ll talk.
Rell: Naaah, that ain’t the piercing for me. I’mma stick with my ears. (He pulls into the parking lot of Walgreen’s and you go inside and get your soap and some Neosporin and rush back out and get in the car. Jarell closes his cell phone and tosses it in the cup holder and you look down and “Mya” is flashing across the screen along with the length of the conversation, 2 minutes and 13 seconds. You glance at him and pull your seat belt on and sit your bag in your lap.) So where to next ma’am?
U: I think you should just take me home. (He looks at you.) This thing won’t stop burning.
Rell: Oh okay. (He backs out of the parking space and pulls off and takes you back home. He pulls into your driveway and you get out and wave and run in and he backs out and pulls off. You run upstairs to your bedroom and you toss your things on the bed and go in the bathroom and pull the tape off of your stomach and toss it in the trash. You get some cotton swabs out of your room and you wet it and clean the dried blood off of your stomach and look in the mirror. You pull your shirt off and you walk over to your bed and push everything on the floor and you lie on your back and stare at the ceiling. You slide your hand along your covers until you feel the remote and you turn the TV on and look at it. Your mom knocks on your door and you sit up and grab a pillow and toss it on your stomach.)
U: Come in. (She walks in and looks at the TV.)
Lyn: Home so soon?
U: Yeah, I’m tired.
Lyn: Oh okay, well your dad’s buddy sent you a birthday card. (She hands you the card and you look at it.)
U: Ooh! Eric is so paid mom. (She laughs and you rip the card open and skim over the front and open it.) YES! (You hold up the 100-dollar bill and your mom shakes her head.)
Lyn: Go to sleep girl. (She walks back out and shuts your door and you toss the pillow and lie back down and sit the card and the money on the floor next to your purse… Your phone starts ringing and you open your eyes and glance at the clock and reach for your purse. You pull your phone out and look at it and slowly flip it open.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

U: H- hello?
Rell: You sleep?
U: Yeah, kind of.
Rell: I didn’t know you could be kind of sleep.
U: Well I was sleep and now I’m up so-
Rell: Oh, well I just wanted to check on you and see how your stomach was feeling.
U: It’s much better now, thanks.
Rell: All right, well I’m about to hit the sack.
U: Goodnight.
Rell: Night. (You close your phone and look at the time.)
U: How in the hell do you sleep ALL day? (You get up and you look down at your navel and the crusting has begun.) Eww! (You grab your Dial soap off of the floor and run in the bathroom and turn the shower on. You quickly undress and hop inside and clean your navel before anything else. After you shower you get out and dry off and dry your navel with a cotton swab and you throw on your pajamas and go downstairs. You go in the kitchen and grab an ice cream sandwich out of the freezer and you sit in the living room and eat it… In the morning you wake up extra early and hop in the shower and clean your piercing and then yourself. You put on a light flare halter so that it doesn’t irritate your navel and you throw on some all white gaucho pants.)


(You brush your hair up into a ponytail and put on your jewelry and your sandals and you change your purse and grab your backpack and a jacket and fly out of your room. You run outside and toss your things in the back and you get in and back out of the driveway and race to school… average day. When you get home Jarell is driving right behind you and you laugh because he honks his horn at you and holds it all the way down the block. You turn into your driveway and get out and he pulls into his and gets out and looks at you.)
U: You’re so retarded, you know that right? (He nods.)
Rell: Yeah, they told me when I was 5. They had to explain all the medication. (You laugh.)
U: Go in the house. (You shake your head and get your things out of the back of your car and you shut the door and walk up on your porch and Jarell blows you a kiss and you catch it and put it on your cheek and he puts his hand over his heart and looks up. You laugh and blow him a kiss and he catches it and starts mashing it into his lips. You start cracking up and he laughs and you both go in your houses. You run upstairs to your room and start on your homework and get it all out of the way and then you sign onto your cyber journal and start writing a new entry.)
Heyyy you guys! Guess what I did… I got my navel pierced! Yeah, my neighbor… let’s just call him Jay, he took me with him to get some finishing touches on his tattoos and I decided to get it pierced and I actually did it. Jay is soooo much fun, but lately he’s been having a lot of female company. Not that I care but like he’ll be outside kissing a girl and the other day he went in the house with these bags for Coach and Victoria’s Secret. I’m sure he doesn’t wear purses or flower scented lotion. Well anyway, I’ve been getting to know him a little better, he’s really cool. He has a great sense of humor; I’ve never laughed so much in my life compared to when I’m around him. Today was fun, he blew a kiss at me and I caught it and put it on my cheek and blew him one back and he like mashed it into his face and went crazy. He’s really funny. Today in school my best friend Mel was completely tripping because I got my navel pierced without telling her. She forgave me of course and I’m going with her this weekend to get hers. My friend Warren wants to go with us to get his tongue pierced; don’t ask any questions please lol. Well, thanks for all of the replies and I’ll be sure to reply to some of your journals as well. Tootles!
(You save your entry and get up from the computer and run back downstairs into the kitchen. You find some popcorn shrimp in the freezer and you turn the oven on and toss them in and set the timer. You go in the living room and stretch out across the couch and wait for your food to finish. After you eat you watch TV in your bedroom until you fall asleep… In the morning you get up and go through your everyday rituals. After school you go to hip-hop dance practice and then you and Mel go to the Dairy Queen before you take her home. When you get home you rush inside and race up to your room and shower and throw on some red terry cloth shorts and a white tank and your white flip-flops and you go outside and clean out your car. You run in the house and throw the garbage in the trash can and you run back out and get your practice bag and your backpack and lock your car up and Jarell walks outside.)
Rell: Ay! Bag lady! (You laugh and look over at him.)
U: Yes?
Rell: Go put that down and come back. (You walk in the house and run your stuff up to your room and walk back outside and Jarell walks in his house. You cut across the grass and walk up on his porch and stop at the door. He walks back past and looks at the door.) You better come in. (You smile and step in and he disappears and then walks back out with a brown paper bag in his hand.)
U: So what’s up?
Rell: I picked this up for you today at the liquor store. (You smile and he holds the bag out.)
U: What? I don’t drink.
Rell: I know, just look and see. (You sigh and take the bag and look in it and your mouth drops.)
U: Ooh! Purses! (You snatch the purse out and dig in the bag and pull out the matching wristlet.)


U: These are bright, I have the perfect outfit.
Rell: Figures. (You laugh and look at him.)
U: No wait. (You put the purses back in the bag and hold it out for him and he backs up like it’s AIDS-in-a-bag.) I can’t take this.
Rell: Why not?
U: Because, I- I didn’t get you anything so why should I get anything?
Rell: Because I saw it and I thought about that night you walked in when I was talking to your dad and how you were whining over the pink and white one. (You smile.)
U: Okay, but I didn’t say anything about this one.
Rell: I know but I walked past the store and saw it and thought of you, so I got it for you. (You stare at him.)
U: And what did you get for yourself?
Rell: Out of Coach!? (You laugh.)
U: No, while you were out shopping, I guess.
Rell: I got a lot of things.
U: (Thinking, “So why did you come home with two bags?”) Oh okay. I still can’t take it.
Rell: So you want me to take it back? Ask for my money back like I had to pay rent and couldn’t afford the purses?
U: No, I’m sure you have other friends you could give them too. What about the nice young lady you were swapping spit with the other day? (He smiles.)
Rell: You never forget do you?
U: No, short-term memory is just fine.
Rell: Oh so how long will it take for you to forget that incident. She and I aren’t even on terms like that; it was a spur of the moment thing. Sort of like your navel ring.
U: Ohhh, okay. So call her up and thank her for that moment with those purses. I’m sure she’d love it. (He stares at you and you look around the room.) Is that all?
Rell: No, I had other things but since you’re not accepting this I shouldn’t even bother huh?
U: Why are you buying things for me? If anything we should make gift buying mutual, not something you just throw in my face and expect me to be like, “Oh thank you so much!”
Rell: Every other girl does it. (You look at him, silently, and he waits for you to say something.)
U: Bye Jarell. (You turn around on your heels and start walking and he jogs up in front of you and turns around.)
Rell: Look. (He tosses the bag into the living room and it bounces off of the couch and hits the floor.) Forget the purses. (You look at him.) I’m honestly- I’m- …I’m just trying to be “disrespectful” in a subtle kind of way. (You stare at him and then you understand what he’s saying.)
U: So don’t buy me things Jarell just keep acting the way you do. It’s fun that way, I don’t have to defend myself as not being the one to take, take, and take. I like to give too; my parents are the only ones I take from constantly. (You smile and he smirks.) So going out and buying me purses and whatnot won’t let me know anything that you haven’t already hinted at already… and I honestly like it better when we get to just sit around and laugh, not when you buy me something. My birthday gift was more than enough, you’re putting me in a debt I may not be able to get out of.
Rell: I never said you had to pay me back.
U: I know, but that’s my mentality. I tally up everything that you’ve done for me and I remember it. I’ll never be at ease until I pay you back, I have to be sure that I owe you nothing. That’s just me.
Rell: You don’t owe me anything.
U: Oh, yes I do. $5500 Tiffany earrings after knowing me for how many days? I think I owe you something.
Rell: You priced them?
U: Jarell, I live at Tiffany’s, I knew the price when I opened the box. (He laughs and shakes his head.)
Rell: That’s a shame.
U: I know, but that’s me.
Rell: So can you just do me one more favor?
U: It depends.
Rell: No, you have to promise that you’ll do it or I won’t ask you.
U: As long as my reputation isn’t at stake, sure. (He shakes his head.)
Rell: I just want you to accept the purses.
U: Ja-
Rell: Nope, you said sure.
U: I know but I thought I had already established that I wasn’t going to take them. (He walks into the living room and picks the bag up and walks past you and runs upstairs and you shake your head. He runs back down with the original Coach bag and holds it out to you.)
Rell: Couldn’t ruin the surprise, wanted you to think I got you some Hot Cheetos or something. (You laugh and he pulls your hand and slides the handles in your grip.) Thank you.
U: No, thank you. (You shake your head.) I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.
Rell: Depends on whether or not you’re disrespectful. (You laugh.)
U: No, I’m not. I’m a very respectful girl, thank you.
Rell: That’s good. (You nod and turn around and start walking to the door and he walks beside you.) So, how about we go for a walk later on.
U: Later on like when? (You stop and turn to him.)
Rell: Later on like when the sun starts to set because it is PRETTY hot out there.
U: It really isn’t, but I’ll ring your doorbell.
Rell: All right, I’ll be here. Probably sitting at the peephole. (You laugh and he opens the door for you.) Don’t get no stains on those purses, it messes up the optic illusion.
U: Oh, I know, I have all the white ones. (You wink at him and he smiles and watches you jog across the grass and run inside your house. You run in the den and your mom looks at you and then down at the bag in your hand.)
Lyn: Ohhh noooo, take it back, take it back! (You smile.)
U: I didn’t buy it, so you take that back, take that back!
Lyn: What you talking about?
U: Jarell got it for me. (She sits up and waves for you to bring the bag to her. You laugh and walk over to her and she pulls the purse and the wristlet out.)
Lyn: Now baby, I know we like to have our own privacy and everything but you’re not doing anything to this boy or WITH this boy are you?
U: Mom, if you’re trying to ask me if we’re being physical in any kind of way the answer is no. He’s just really… really giving I guess.
Lyn: Mmhmm, watch his ass. He sneaky, he a Leo. (You laugh.)
U: Ma, just- give me this. (You take the purse and wristlet and toss it back in the bag and shake your head.) Just so judgmental nowadays.
Lyn: That’s right. (You laugh and walk out of the den and run upstairs to your room and hang the bag on your purse rack and lay down on your bed… You look out of the window at the sun halfway up in the sky and you jump up and run to the bathroom and brush your teeth and wash your face. You change into some blue jogging pants and you put on your all white Air Force Ones and grab your house keys and leave out of your room. You walk past the den and your mom is lying across the couch dead asleep. You tiptoe out of the front door and slowly pull it up and walk across the grass and ring Jarell’s doorbell. He opens the door and steps back for you and you walk in.)
Rell: I was wondering what was taking you so long.
U: Well excuse me for not staring at the sun. (You laugh and he smiles and shuts the door.)
Rell: Just let me finish this phone call and we can leave.
U: No problem. (He jogs back into the living room and picks up his phone.)
Rell: All right, so they’re going to who? …Man, that’s bull shit, me and Dreux put a lot of money and time into them… I know man… That’s not the thing, they worked with us and now they’re just going to up and leave… Aiight man, I’ll get at you later though… Yep. (He closes his phone and tosses it on the couch and stands up.)
U: You sure you don’t want to bring that with you? (He looks in your hands.)
Rell: You don’t have yours.
U: I know, but I don’t co-own a record label either.
Rell: They can wait. (He grabs his keys up and grabs your hand and walks outside. He shuts the door and turns around and walks you right past his car.)
U: Okay, so where are we going?
Rell: For a walk.
U: Oh, okay. I can walk. (He smiles and looks at you.) So, do you mind if I ask about your phone call?
Rell: Naw, it’s cool. You know those boys we signed?
U: Yeah.
Rell: They left us.
U: For who?
Rell: Genuine Music Group.
U: And they are?
Rell: Some other people that are a little more established than Dreux and I. They’ve been around much longer, I’m guessing.
U: Oh. So you still have the other girl right?
Rell: Yeah, she’s still on good terms with us. She doesn’t have her “publicist” calling me telling me that she wants out… I really don’t want to talk about it.
U: Okay, that’s fine. (You look up at the sky and then you look down at the ground.)
Rell: So what’s your worst fear?
U: Huh? (You look at him.)
Rell: Your worst fear, what is it?
U: I don’t know if it’s safe for me to share. (He laughs.)
Rell: You think I’d do something to you?
U: No, but no one really knows my worst fear but me.
Rell: Oh, so you’re secretive with it.
U: Yeah, people are ugly nowadays, there’s no telling who would try and see my reaction if my fear began to come true.
Rell: That’s true, but some people are just curious.
U: Okay, so what’s yours?
Rell: I asked first.
U: And I asked second, what’s the relevance in stating the order? (He laughs.)
Rell: Smarty-pants. (You smile.) My worst fear is being lonely and dying alone… I guess that’s how I could put it. (He looks at you.) Your turn.
U: Wow, mine isn’t as deep, I’m just- I- I’m a little afraid of drowning.
Rell: So death?
U: Not death in general, although I am afraid of a painful death, I’m not afraid of death. I’m not asking for it but I had an incident in a pool when I was younger and I was technically dead for about a minute and some seconds. (You look at him and he frowns.)
Rell: Word?
U: Yeah, lungs and water don’t mix. Learned that the hard way. (You laugh a little and he smirks.)
Rell: So are you afraid of certain animals?
U: Dogs.
Rell: Really?
U: Yeah, I’m sure you noticed.
Rell: Yeah, you did kind of grab the shit out of me that day.
U: I was so embarrassed, I didn’t even know you.
Rell: It was funny though, Bobby won’t hurt nobody.
U: Yeah, that’s what most dog owners say about their man killers. (He laughs.)
Rell: Man killers? Is that so?
U: Yes.
Rell: Mmm, so have you ever had a pet?
U: Tetras.
Rell: What are those?
U: Fish. (You laugh and he shakes his head.)
Rell: Terrible, we need to get you a real pet. Something you can play games with.
U: I played games with my fish, I’d hit the tank and watch them swim to the other side really fast. (He shakes his head.)
Rell: Poor childhood you must’ve had. (You laugh.)
U: It was great, thank you.
Rell: So do you have a favorite animal, even though you don’t like them?
U: I don’t have a favorite animal but I have a favorite insect. (You look at him and he frowns.)
Rell: You actually like bugs?
U: No, I only like dragonflies. Don’t ask me why. (You laugh.)
Rell: So you’d hold a dragonfly in your hand if you could?
U: Yeah.
Rell: Wow.
U: It’s not weird is it?
Rell: No, different, not weird. At least you don’t like worms.
U: Oh no, those are so disgusting.
Rell: Yeah, I used to throw them at girls like you when I was younger.
U: What do you mean girls like me?
Rell: The girls who never had a stain on their clothes, hair always perfect, no scars on her face. I’d get the meanest handful of worms and piss girls OFF. (You laugh and he shakes his head.) Good old days. (You smile and look up at the sky and he looks up and you walk for about a minute silently swinging your arms in between the two of you.)
U: So back to your worst fear… where’d that come from? (You look at him.)
Rell: I don’t know, I guess… I’ve had times in my life where I’ve felt like there was absolutely no one I could trust. I was alone, I didn’t speak to anyone outside of my apartment for months and I was just isolated and so many things went wrong during that time and I’m just afraid to ever go through anything worse. So, I’m just afraid to not have at least ONE person that I can turn to and ask for advice or just express myself and vent. I’m afraid to die alone because I don’t think I’d ever be at rest, I think those kinds of things make the dead come back and haunt people.
U: True.
Rell: So I’m like in a rush to find that forever-person. (He glances at you.) I know it doesn’t sound like something any guy would say but if you’ve been through half of the things I have, you’d understand with no problem.
U: So you’re looking for a wife?
Rell: Yeah, sort of. I’m not actually out here like, “Ooh she’s wifey material.” But I’m trying to find someone that I could see myself with for the long run, not just a month thing or an overnight bust-a-nut. (You laugh and he smiles.) But someone that I could happily wake up to everyday and dream about every night.
U: That’s beautiful. Not many guys consider the whole “for the rest of my life,” thing when they get married but you’re actually looking forward to it.
Rell: I guess… So let’s learn a few things about each other.
U: Okay.
Rell: What’s your favorite color?
U: Red.
Rell: Me too.
U: Aww, you’re trying to be like me.
Rell: I think red was my favorite color first.
U: Red has been my favorite color since I could see it. (He laughs.)
Rell: Well I came home in red and it’s been my favorite color since then. You couldn’t see when you were born. (You smile.)
U: Whatever.
Rell: Favorite food?
U: Pasta.
Rell: Mine are jambalaya, gumbo and fried chicken. Favorite drink?
U: Any kind of juice.
Rell: Yeah, I like apple juice though. Favorite movie?
U: I really don’t have one. It changes all the time.
Rell: Mine do too but I love the Five Heartbeats.
U: Yeah, I like the part when the little sister helps him write the song. I always sing along like I have talent. (He laughs.) Favorite TV Show?
Rell: I’m starting to like The Barkers.
U: Mine is most of the shows on the Disney Channel. (You laugh.) I’m a big kid.
Rell: Yeah, you are. That’s So Raven and shit?
U: Not particularly that one, but I watch it. I’m mad you know the name.
Rell: Hey, it’s always on the TV Guide.
U: Mmhmm, you know you watch it wishing you were Eddie. (He laughs.)
Rell: Who is that? The fat kid?
U: Aww, that’s not nice.
Rell: I’m sorry, the big kid?
U: Yeah.
Rell: Naw, I’m fine being me… Favorite kiss?
U: I don’t understand.
Rell: You know, use some adjectives and describe a kiss.
U: Oh… it has to be neat. (He starts laughing and you smile.) Filled with emotion, those are the best… and I guess aggressive and submissive all at the same time.
Rell: You’re a complicated one. (You laugh.)
U: Your turn.
Rell: Gotta have tongue. (You smile and he glances at you.) I really like when the girl messes with the back of my neck. But just not super wet and sloppy, nice tongue work and a dry face.
U: I’ve never had a really bad one but I’ve come pretty close.
Rell: They’re terrible, one girl was so bad at it she was like kissing my chin for the longest. I just stared at her. (You laugh.)
U: That’s not right.
Rell: She thought she was getting it. (You shake your head and look back.) Favorite position. (You look at him.)
U: I don’t understand. (You smile and he looks at you.)
Rell: Yeah right, you understand. Look at that smile.
U: You answer first.
Rell: All right, chicken. (You smile.) I have a few but the best one is having the right girl on top. (You giggle a little and he looks at you.) You’re not a virgin are you?
U: Umm, not really.
Rell: Not really? What does that mean?
U: Umm, I lost my virginity and then I never had sex after that.
Rell: How long has it been?
U: Five months.
Rell: damn! (You laugh and he shakes his head.) With the little white boy?
U: He’s not white, he’s mixed.
Rell: Well excuse me, with the mixed white boy? (You laugh.)
U: Yeah.
Rell: He wasn’t working it right, I ain’t never heard of no shit like that before.
U: Maybe I just made a mistake when I lost my virginity.
Rell: Well you’re a virgin again by now, that’s for sure. It’s going to feel the same all over again.
U: Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m in no rush.
Rell: He don’t be trying to get none?
U: Yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Rell: damn, that’s just bold. You should’ve just stayed a virgin. That’s like letting me watch a movie all the way until the end and cutting it off before I see the outcome.
U: Well I don’t feel sympathetic. I was dying.
Rell: He didn’t know what he was doing. I bet you would feel so good with me.
U: Yeah, I bet I would. (You cut your eyes at him and he looks at you.)
Rell: No, I’m not trying to game you up or come at you wrong but when a guy knows what he’s doing the girl won’t feel THAT bad. Did you cry?
U: Why?
Rell: I just want to know. A lot of girls cry their first time.
U: No I didn’t.
Rell: Naw, he really wasn’t working it.
U: I guess you make girls cry.
Rell: I don’t want to brag or anything, but yes I do. (You laugh and he smiles.)
U: Anyway, next subject. (You look up at the sky and you look over at him.) We’re so far from home right now.
Rell: I know right. (He looks back.) Can’t even see our block or the block next to ours.
U: So where are we going?
Rell: Nowhere, I just like to walk with you.
U: Oh, okay. (You adjust your hand in his and he grips your hand again. You cross the street to the other side and start walking back towards the houses. Jarell pulls you in front of him and walks you backwards.) Oh my God, I’m going to fall. (He wraps his arms around you and you clasp your hands behind his back.)
Rell: I got you. (He keeps waddling from side to side, walking you backwards and you stare up at the sky.) So what does a guy have to do to get on your bad side?
U: Why?
Rell: So I can tell your boyfriend that you’d really like it if he did that. (You laugh and he smiles.)
U: Lie. (He smiles because you actually gave him a reason instead of defending Joel.)
Rell: Oh, so what’s the one thing you hate for a guy to lie about?
U: Things that wouldn’t matter if he told the truth… oh and cheating.
Rell: Oh okay.
U: My turn to ask a question.
Rell: Shoot.
U: What’s your favorite thing to do with your girlfriend? Like where do you love to go or-
Rell: Go for walks… like this. (You look up at him and he kisses your forehead and rests his chin on your head.) So… what do you like to do with your boyfriend?
U: Umm… depends. I really love simple things believe it or not. (You smile and you feel his chin move as he smiles.) But I really have fun like going over each other’s houses and just laying around.
Rell: Uh oh.
U: Well not lying around like that but like chilling on the couches, watching TV and just talking, that’s fun with me. I love deep conversations although I often try to run from questions that allow people to get to close to me.
Rell: Why?
U: Because, I’ve never been heart broken and I don’t want to know what it feels like so I try to avoid being attached.
Rell: So are you attached to your boyfriend now?
U: I’m not attached but I wouldn’t feel the same if we broke up.
Rell: Oh, so you think you’re in love?
U: Yeah. And why’d you say, “think?”
Rell: Because I honestly don’t think that you’re in love.
U: Why not?
Rell: Because if you were you wouldn’t be in my arms right now, walking down the street in the dark talking about the things we’re talking about. I just don’t see you really loving this guy.
U: Well I do. (You pull away from him and he stops walking and you turn around and start and he starts back up.)
Rell: So now I can’t touch you?
U: I didn’t say anything; I just didn’t like walking backwards.
Rell: Oh… I don’t mean to be blunt but… where exactly do we stand?
U: As in our friendship?
Rell: Or whatever –ship you’d like. (You smirk.)
U: Friends right? (You look at him and he shrugs.)
Rell: Whatever you want it to be.
U: Well we can’t be more than friends, I’m in a relationship.
Rell: We could be best friends. (You laugh.)
U: Oh no, Melanie would kill me if I got another best friend. We made a pact that no other people would get that title unless we fell out which is never going to happen.
Rell: You never know.
U: Oh, I know. (He smiles.)
Rell: So we’re just friends?
U: Friends.
Rell: No strings attached, strictly friends?
U: Right.
Rell: You sure?
U: I’m positive.

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

Rell: So you’re going to stay with your boyfriend and do your thing and just chill with me whenever you get the chance?
U: If that’s what you want.
Rell: What if I want more?
U: More like what?
Rell: More like… a definite day out of each of your weeks to just chill and go do whatever we want. (You laugh.)
U: So you’re reserving my time basically.
Rell: Yeah, basically.
U: Well is that actually fair to my boyfriend? I mean, what if he wants to do something on that day?
Rell: Too bad, you promised me. (You scrunch your nose up.)
U: I don’t think so J… maybe a couple of months from now I could commit my Saturdays to you but not right now. There’s so much I have going on, I can’t just fill up my schedule with promises. (He nods.)
Rell: That’s cool, at least you’re honest with me of all people.
U: What?
Rell: Nothing.
U: No, wait. (You stop and he turns and looks at you.) What do you mean with you of all people?
Rell: You say you don’t like dishonesty but you sit up here and lie to me with a straight face.
U: I haven’t lied to you about anything, what are you saying?
Rell: Can you honestly tell me that a friendship is all you want to have?
U: Jarell! I’m in a relationship!
Rell: So dump him.
U: I can’t just dump him because you say so.
Rell: Dump him because you want to, because you know that there’s someone better out there.
U: And let me guess, that better would be you. (You fold you arms and start walking and he walks behind you.)
Rell: You know, you were a really cool girl until you started pulling me through hot water and then cold.
U: Just walk. (You pick up your pace and you jog across the street to your block and Jarell catches up with you.)
Rell: Are we in a rush to get home now? Running from the truth?
U: Jarell, hush.
Rell: No, because you know I’m right.
U: You can’t bicker me into anything more than a friendship. I’ve made up my mind; we should be friends. Friends just like you are with your boys, nothing extra. If you can’t handle that then maybe we shouldn’t be friends either. (You glance at him and start jogging down the street and he shakes his head and watches you run up your driveway and you disappear into your house by the time he makes it to his. You jog upstairs to your room and you turn your shower on and hop in. You clean your piercing and bathe yourself and then you get out and throw on a huge T-shirt and some cotton shorts. You climb in the bed and you pick your phone up out of your purse and Joel has called you back to back for an entire hour. You frown up and call him back and he picks up on the third ring.)
Joel: Hey, what you doing?
U: Umm, lying down now.
Joel: Was your ringer off?
U: No, I was outside and my phone was in my room.
Joel: Oh okay.
U: So what’s up?
Joel: Guess what I did.
U: What?
Joel: I sprained my wrist. (Your mouth drops.)
U: How!?
Joel: Skateboarding.
U: What? I thought you were done?
Joel: I never said that, I just don’t try crazy stunts anymore.
U: So what did you do this time?
Joel: I jumped up too high and lost the board and I fell and tried to break my fall and messed my wrist up when I hit the ground.
U: You’re crazy. So how does it look?
Joel: My wrist is a little purple and it’s swollen but I’ll be good four weeks.
U: Oh my God, you’re crazy Joey.
Joel: I’m done ‘boarding for now.
U: I bet you are. (He laughs a little.) So when did this happen?
Joel: Around 8-ish.
U: See, that’s why you don’t need a motorcycle. I just KNOW you’re going to try some stunts and hurt yourself.
Joel: Why you gotta doubt me baby?
U: Because you have a crazy white mentality and therefore I should be the realistic black mentality to tell you that you aren’t Superman.
Joel: Why you always bringing up races?
U: Because it’s so obvious that you aren’t all black.
Joel: Okay, I’m a little light.
U: Little? Sounds like an understatement to me. (He laughs.)
Joel: My dad’s a little white.
U: Okay now you’re getting over. Next lie.
Joel: My mom’s a little light.
U: Okay, that’s true.
Joel: Ah ha, that’s where I get my complexion.
U: Yeah right! Your mom is like ten shades darker than you.
Joel: Next subject. (You laugh.)
U: Don’t use my stuff on me, please don’t try it.
Joel: Yeah, you do so that a lot.
U: I know.
Joel: Ahh!
U: What are you doing to yourself?
Joel: I hit my wrist splint on the dresser and that shirt HURT. (You laugh.)
U: See, you probably did it on purpose.
Joel: Naw, I’m not THAT crazy… (After you joke around with Joel for a few more hours you go to bed and get up and get ready for school. For some odd reason, school is a drag. Every class seems to take forever and your practice time passes in snail minutes. When you pull into your driveway, you get out and grab your things out of the back seat and you hear a girl giggling across the yard. You shut your door and throw your backpack on and walk around to the other side and glance over at Jarell’s house and he has his arms wrapped around some girl and he’s smiling and saying something in her ear as he walks her to her car. You grab your practice bag out of your car and shut the door and set your alarm and you jog around your car and run up on your porch and fumble with your keys. You suck your teeth and take a deep breath and stick the key in and turn it and push the door in and snatch your key out. You shut the door and run up to your room and drop everything on the floor.)
U: Ugghh. (You pull your shirt over your head and toss it in your hamper and you walk in the bathroom and turn your shower on. You pull your ponytail holder out and let your half-sweaty half-dry hair fall down in your face. You undress and climb in the shower and try to wash all of your feelings away. After you shower you change into some pajamas and turn your cell off and start working on your project for Music History… After three whole weeks of not really speaking to Jarell but constantly seeing him with the same giggling girl, you manage to cut across the grass and ring his doorbell. He pulls the door open and you step back and he opens the glass door and steps out onto the porch.)
Rell: What’s up?
U: Nothing much, I just had a quick question.
Rell: Yep?
U: Are you still going to my prom with me?
Rell: Yeah, I was planning on it. What’s up?
U: Well we really need to get to looking for something to wear because prom is next Friday. (His eyes get big and you laugh a little.)
Rell: You waited until the weekend before?
U: Well it’s Saturday morning, we could start looking today.
Rell: You’re a crazy girl. (He shakes his head.) All right. (He looks in his house and then he looks back at you.) Give me an hour to clean up a little and get dressed and we can hit some shops up for our stuff.
U: Okay.
Rell: All right. (He steps back in and you turn and jog across the grass and hop up on the side of your porch and go back in the house. Jarell shuts his door and goes in the living room and shakes the girl lying across his couch.) Danielle, get up. (She turns on her back and looks up at Jarell.)
Danny: What time is it?
Rell: Umm, about 9-ish.
Danny: What are you up so early for?
Rell: I got things to do today; you need to uhh… get on out of here so I can head out. (She sits up and looks around the room.)
Danny: I’m really tired.
Rell: And I understand but I really have some important things I need to take care of, so if you didn’t mind-
Danny: Okay, okay, damn. (She gets up and tosses the sheet back on the couch and slides into her sandals and fixes her shirt.) My fucking back is killing me.
Rell: Ice it. (He walks to the door and she follows behind him and grabs her purse and overnight bag on the way.) Call me later. (She leans in to kiss him and he turns his head.) Morning breath, girl.
Danny: Shut up. (She laughs and walks out to her car and gets in.) Don’t forget, I leave in two days.
Rell: I won’t. (She starts her car and backs out of the driveway and Jarell exhales and jog back inside and cleans the living room up… You get out of the shower for the second time and you put on a brand new pair of low-cut panties with the matching bra and look for something to wear. You turn the TV on and look at the weather and decide to wear white and blue Apple Bottoms cami with your dark jeans with blue stitching. You dig through your closet and find your blue and white BCBG heels and slide them on. You lotion up your legs and arms and spray on a little body spray and you toss your hair up and clip it however it was when you held it up. You put on your earrings and your other jewelry and empty your purse out and hang it up and start looking for another one. You pull out your purse that matches your shoes and stuff your things in it and throw it on your shoulder.)



Blue like the shoes with silver accents.
(You grab your sunglasses and stick them in your hair and you quickly brush your teeth again for freshness and throw on a coat of lip gloss. You turn your bedroom light out and walk downstairs and grab a bottle of water out of the kitchen and walk outside. You cut across the grass and as soon as you place your finger over the bell Jarell opens the door.)
Rell: About time.
U: What? It was like an hour and some change.
Rell: A whole lot of change. (You laugh and he walks out and pulls the door up behind him and locks the glass door.) So where you want to go?
U: I don’t know, let’s just ride around and see what we can find.
Rell: Sounds good with me. (He looks you up and down as you step off of his porch and shakes his head.) See, I thought you were turning urban on me with the Apple Bottoms but you had to break out the stilettos. (You laugh.)
U: Whatever, there’s nothing wrong with my shoes.
Rell: I didn’t say it was, you just know how to turn an outfit into something you would definitely wear.
U: Anyway. (He smiles and unlocks your door and opens it and you get in.) Thank you sir. (He nods and shuts it and tries to slide across the hood and he slides down in front of the car and starts laughing.)
Rell: I tried. (You smile and he gets in and shuts his door and starts the car up.) So let’s see… where can we go? (He back out of his driveway and pulls off… He parks on a residential street and unlocks the doors and looks at you.) Come on pretty woman. (You laugh and open your door and get out and he walks around and hops up on the sidewalk and grabs your hand and starts walking down the street.)
U: So exactly where are we going?
Rell: You’ll see in a second. (You shake your head and keep walking with him and you look up at the street sign when you reach the corner and start laughing.)
U: I have NEVER parked in front of someone’s house to get to Rodeo Drive.
Rell: Free parking baby. (You laugh and he smiles.) I know you don’t think I spend money just to spend it.
U: You could’ve fooled me. (You smile and cross Santa Monica and he starts pulling you into stores.)
Rell: So do you know what color you want to wear?
U: Whatever looks good. (He starts holding up dresses and you frown at a few and almost slap him on a couple.) Okay, I’m not going to wear a yard of fabric and call it a day. (He laughs and hangs the dress back up.)
Rell: Let’s go somewhere else then, they’re just getting worse.
U: Yes, let’s do that. (He walks around the mannequin and grabs your hand and walks out of the store and you walk past a few stores and he pulls you into another one.) Ooh, that red dress is cute.
Rell: I knew that color was coming sooner or later. (You smile and walk over to it and pull it out by the bottom of the dress.) That is tight though. I like this sheer part.
U: I bet you do. (He laughs and you pull it off of the rack and hold it up.) This is cute. It’s simple but different.
Rell: Get it. (You look at him.)
U: Do you really think I should?
Rell: I mean, that is your favorite color.
U: I know but I haven’t really looked around.
Rell: If you like it, get it and stop looking. (You laugh.)
U: Let’s see. (You lift the price tag and look at it.) Not bad.
Rell: How much is it?
U: 4.
Rell: Four what?
U: Hundred.
Rell: Oh, I was about to say. (You smile.)
U: No, not thousand, I would cuss myself out for buying a one-time only dress for four thousand dollars and it’s not my wedding dress.
Rell: Ohhh, so that dress can be four thousand?
U: If that’s what it takes to get it how I like it.
Rell: Oh okay, well I think you should try that dress on and see how it fits.
U: I hope this fits because it’s the only one. (You raise your eyebrows and look at him as you walk past and head for the fitting rooms. You try the dress on and walk out and model it for Jarell.) Okay, so just imagine me without this bra on because it’s kind of messing everything up, but I really like this. (He smiles.)
Rell: Okay, I can definitely imagine that.
U: You’re terrible, you know what I mean.
Rell: I really like that one, turn around. (You turn around and he nods.) That one is nice, it matches you. Not showing too much but just enough to make a nigga look twice. (You laugh and walk back into the fitting room and he walks up to the door.) So you getting that one?
U: I think I need to get it taken in a little on the hips.
Rell: Well couldn’t you buy it and then get that done?
U: Yeah.
Rell: So let’s buy it.
U: Ask them if we can hold it and look around a little more before I buy it.
Rell: All right. (He walks away from the fitting room area and finds a worker.) Excuse me- (He looks at her name tag.) –Elizabeth.
Liz: Yes sir?
Rell: I wanted to know if you all held dresses here? Like, my friend wants to hold this dress she’s trying on and go look around for a little more and then if she doesn’t find anything we’ll come back and get it.
Liz: We only hold dresses for 24 hours, sorry sir.
Rell: Okay, so if we put it on hold and came back just before you closed, it would still be here right?
Liz: Right.
Rell: Okay. (You walk out of the dressing room with the dress in your hand and she looks at you.)
Liz: Is this the dress?
Rell: Yeah.
Liz: Okay, let me get this for you. (She takes the dress from you and walks over to the register and starts typing.) Name please.
U: Y/n Evans. (She types your name.)
Liz: Method of payment if you get it today.
U: Debit card.
Rell: Cash. (You look at him and she looks up.)
Liz: Which one?
Rell: Cash.
U: No, debit card. MY debit card.
Rell: MY cash.
U: It’s MY prom.
Rell: You’re MY date.
U: So what, it’s MY dress.
Rell: It’s MY money.
U: So. (You laugh and he smiles.) Debit card ma’am. (She nods and clicks around and then prints up a little receipt and puts the dress in a bag and staples the receipt to the bag with your name on it.)
Liz: If you don’t pick it up today you have until noon tomorrow to pick it up or else it will be put back on the rack. It is the only one of it’s kind so it will sell quickly, please be aware of that.
U: Okay, thank you. (She nods and you push your purse up on your shoulder and turn around and walk out of the store and finish looking around. After trying on a thousand and two dresses, none fit your body like the first one you tried on. You and Jarell shuffle back to the store and you pay for the dress with your debit card and Jarell carries it for you.)
Rell: That’s it?
U: Yeah, I can get accessories and things like that on my own. Now we just need to get your tux.
Rell: No, no, no, I’ll get that on my own.
U: Whyyyy?
Rell: Because I know what your dress looks like, you don’t have to be my chaperone.
U: Whatever, you really need my input or you may piss me off prom day.
Rell: I highly doubt it.
U: Yeah, yeah.
Rell: I’m good with the ladies.
U: Mmhmm, whatever. (You cross the street and jog around the corner leaving Jarell behind and you pop a piece of candy in your mouth and lean up against his car. He unlocks the doors and walks over to you.)
Rell: Don’t be leaning on my ride like I’M slow, you ran.
U: Shut up and get in. (You laugh and open your door and he hangs your dress in the back and lays it across the back seat and puts his seat belt on.)
Rell: I’m starving; you wanna get something to eat?
U: Yeah.
Rell: What you up for?
U: I don’t know, you. (He looks at you.) You pick.
Rell: Wait, rewind. You’re up for me?
U: I was asking a question.
Rell: That wasn’t a questioning tone.
U: It was.
Rell: It wasn’t.
U: It was!
Rell: I wish you drank.
U: Why?
Rell: Because then I could get some truth out of you.
U: Yeah right, I’d still be saying the same things.
Rell: Yeah right, you want to know how I know you wouldn’t?
U: How? (He starts the car and looks at you.)
Rell: Because drunken words are sober thoughts…
U: Boy just drive. (He smiles and pulls off and you look out of the window. He pulls into the parking lot of the Cheesecake Factory and he gets out and you get out before he can get to your door and he stares at you.) What?
Rell: Nothing. (You shut the door and smile and he reaches out for your hand and you grab his and walk inside. He walks up to the lady at the podium and says a few things and she smiles and picks up two menus and he grabs your hand and pulls you with him. She seats you by the window and hands you both a menu and you start flipping through yours.)
U: Do you come here often?
Rell: Not really, I’m a Jack-In-The-Box person.
U: Oh okay. (You look back down at the menu and Jarell looks outside.) Ooh they have jambalaya.
Rell: Yeah, that’s what I’m getting.
U: I think I’ll get that too. (You turn the page.) Ooh, I’m going to get fat in here.
Rell: I doubt it. (You put your menu down and look at him.) The food’s really not fattening.
U: I’m talking about the cheesecakes.
Rell: Oh. (He smiles and puts his menu up and you shake your head. Your waitress walks over and Jarell sits his menu down and checks her out.)
Waitress: Hey, my name is Trisha, I’ll be your waitress for today. Would you like something to drink while you think about your order?
U: I’m ready to order.
Trisha: Oh okay, go ahead.
U: Yes, I would like the Cajun jambalaya pasta with strawberry lemonade and umm, for dessert the Godiva chocolate cheesecake.
Trisha: Okay, and you sir?
Rell: Same thing, with a regular lemonade and giant brownie ice cream sandwich for dessert.
Trisha: Okay, so you just want the jambalaya pasta to be the same? (He nods.) Will that be all? Rell: Yep.
Trisha: Let me get these out of your hair. (She picks up the menus and walks off and quickly returns with the drinks.) You guys don’t need anything else do you?
U: A straw please. (She digs in her apron and sits two straws on the table and you peel yours open and Jarell stabs his into the table and sticks it in his cup.) So mean with it.
Rell: It’s a straw.
U: So what, you’re like banging it on the table.
Rell: I’m sorry, did that disturb your table etiquette.
U: Shut up.
Rell: Ohh, getting a little rude. This doesn’t mean someone might be a little disrespectful does it?
U: No it doesn’t. It means that someone is a little hungry and ready to eat.
Rell: Yeah, yeah, yeah, tell me anything. (You smile.)
U: Anyways. (You take a deep breath and exhale.) I’m tired.
Rell: What? You’re tired from shopping. I thought that gave you energy.
U: Yeah, when I’m shopping for clothes that I can wear on a regular basis, not something that’s supposed to be like super extravagant for one night and whatever. (You flick your hand in the air and sip your lemonade.)
Rell: So umm… never mind.
U: No, what?
Rell: I lost my train of thought. (You laugh and he shakes his head.) I’m getting old.
U: Ohh okay.
Rell: What’s that sarcastic tone about? I am. I’m going to be 20 in August.
U: Yeah, I know. Remember that birthday gift that I owed you? (He nods.) I’m working on it now.
Rell: Oh, so should I expect something big?
U: I don’t know, depends on your behavior.
Rell: What does that mean? Like should I be disrespectful?
U: No, just be you.
Rell: I want to be disrespectful though.
U: Well respect me and don’t. (You smile and look out of the window and his sidekick starts going off. He pulls it off of his hip and flips it open and starts typing someone a message. He closes it and sits it on the table and looks at you.)
Rell: So your obsession with dragonflies, when did that start?
U: Huh? (You look at him.) I told you about the dragonflies?
Rell: Well you told me they were your favorite insects.
U: Oh… well my mom used to collect these crystal dragonflies and I guess it started from there.
Rell: So she likes them too?
U: No, the crystals were just really pretty. (He laughs.) So when I was old enough she gave them to me because I used to always get caught trying to sneak in the china cabinet and hold them, so after she gave them to me I turned my room into like dragonfly world. (He shakes his head.)
Rell: That’s weird.
U: I know right. (You shrug.) Whatever, there’s always a lot of stuff at the store for me because no one really buys it.
Rell: I feel you. I bet you got like dragonfly everything. You got a ring and shit don’t you?
U: No, I never saw any cute dragonfly jewelry, it always looks cheap, or it doesn’t really look like a dragonfly.
Rell: Look more like a dying butterfly and shit. (You laugh.)
U: Yeah, basically. (You look up and Trisha is walking towards the table with two plates in her hands. She sits both plates down and walks off and you both look down.)

Rell: I love this.
U: It smells good. Excuse me. (He nods and you get up and sit your purse in your seat and go to the bathroom. Jarell’s sidekick goes off again and he replies and puts it back on his hip and starts eating. You walk back to the table and sit your purse in your lap and start eating.) This is so good.
Rell: Mmhmm. (You look up at him and smile and he shakes his head.) If I could cook this I would never leave the kitchen. (You laugh and continue eating… After you fill up on the jambalaya, Trisha takes the plates away and replaces them with the dessert dishes. You look down at yours and then you look at Jarell’s and he does the same thing.)


Rell: Looks like someone is on their period.
U: Whatever, I’m so off.
Rell: Well all that chocolate is uncalled for.
U: Excuse me for liking Godiva chocolate.
Rell: You’re so spoiled, not just chocolate but the most expensive chocolate I know of.
U: It really isn’t, but I won’t get into that.
Rell: I bet you know the most expensive one too, and it must be your favorite.
U: It is not. (You roll your eyes and he smiles and digs into his ice cream sandwich and you slice up your cheesecake and he stares at you.)
Rell: Who really cuts up cheesecake like it’s a steak?
U: Stay over there. (You pick a piece up and eat it and he stares at you.) Stop.
Rell: Irritating you?
U: Staring is rude, especially when someone’s eating.
Rell: Oh, okay. (He looks down at his food and you smile and continue eating until you can’t eat anymore.)
U: Okay, I’m seriously stuffed. (He looks at your plate.)
Rell: Take that home.
U: Oh, I am… (When you get home, Jarell gets your dress out and carries it for you and you unlock the door and he walks in.)
Rell: Where you want it?
U: Upstairs. (You jog up the stairs and he follows behind you and you open your closet door and hold your hand out and he hands you the dress and you hang it up. He looks at your purse rack and shakes his head.)
Rell: Ain’t that many things to wear in the world.
U: Okay, you can get out now Mr. Criticism.
Rell: Hey, I’m just speaking the truth.
U: Yeah, yeah, yeah, tell me anything. (He laughs and you walk out behind him and go back downstairs. He walks outside pulling you with him and you pull your door up.) Thanks for everything, and please get a nice tux.
Rell: I will. (He kisses the tips of his fingers and smacks your forehead and you hit his hand and he laughs.)
U: Bye crazy.
Rell: Bye uppity. (You laugh and he jogs across to his house and you go in as soon as he opens his door. You jog up to your room and kick your shoes off.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

U: Oh my goodness, NEVER wearing those shopping again. (You plop down on your bed and turn on your TV and your phone starts ringing. You look at it and it’s Joel, you press the silent button on the side and sit the phone down and start watching TV… After two long weeks of spending every free second with Joel before he left and shopping for you accessories, prom day finally arrives. You wake up at 8 in the morning and shower and get dressed and rush across town to get your nails and toes done. After leaving the nail shop you drive back home and eat and your mom takes you to get your hair done by her hairdresser, Janie. She pulls your hair back in the front and uses your diamond studded hair clip to hold your hair. She swoops the sides up and pulls a little hair out and spirals it down your face. She tightly spirals the back and turns you towards the mirror.)
Janie: Okay, by the time you leave for prom your spirals will fall and be really loose and pretty so don’t worry.
U: Okay. Thanks!
Janie: No problem, takes lots of pictures.
U: I will. (You get up and your mom pays her and takes you to get your underarms waxed, she absolutely forbids you to shave, “it never gets rid of all the hair,” and as for depilatory creams, you’ve had some terrible experiences so those are out of the box. After getting your wax you head home and your mom helps you wrap your hair up and you get in the shower and she calls her beautician over to do your make-up. When you get out of the shower, you put on a button up and some shorts and your mom’s beautician starts on your make-up.)
Lyn: Kim, don’t do a lot. You know we don’t really like make-up.
U: Yeah, could you just like do like a shimmer gloss and some glitter above my eyes? My dress is red and I don’t want anything on my face to be red.
Kim: Got you. (She applies a little foundation around your eyes and smoothes it out with the rest of your skin and then puts a reddish silver glitter above your eyes and mixes it with your gloss and puts it on your lips.) Looks good to me. (She holds the mirror up and you smile.)
U: I like it, you can barely see the stuff above my eyes too. I like that a lot. Thanks! (You jump up and run back upstairs and look at the clock.) Oh shoot, 6:27. (You grab your dress out of your closet and you put on your sticky bra cups and you take your dress out and slide it on.) Mom! (You walk to your door and your mom runs upstairs and zips you up and you put on your shoes and let your hair down. You put your cell, lip-gloss, prom tickets, and money in your purse and sit it on the bed and put on your deodorant and light perfume. You hear the doorbell ring and your heart drops and you look at the clock; 6:59.) damn, he wasn’t playing. (You grab your purse and adjust the pin in your hair and take a deep breath. Your mom taps on your door and peeks in.)
Lyn: You ready?
U: Yeah. (She snaps a candid picture and your mouth drops.) Mom!
Lyn: I’m sorry sweetie. (She laughs.) Jarell looks so nice!
U: Really?
Lyn: Yes honey, he looks so great.
U: I’m nervous.
Lyn: Come on. (She runs out and goes downstairs and you close your eyes and breathe and turn your bedroom light out. You step out and look down the stairs and Jarell is standing there with your corsage in his hand looking more than sexy.)

Black shirt.
Black shirt.
(You smile and grip the banister and your purse hits it and they all look up at you. Jarell swallows and smiles and you giggle a little and walk down the stairs.)
Red like Jarell’s vest.


Red w/ the jewels from your dress on the satin straps.
U: What if I fell you guys? (Your dad laughs and Jarell holds his satisfied smile. You step off of the last stair and your dad gets all in your face with the camcorder.) Thanks dad, I hope my nose is clean.
Marcus: Me too because this thing is all in it. (You laugh and Jarell opens the plastic box with your corsage in it and your mom runs in the kitchen and returns with his boutonniere. You pin it on him and he slides your corsage on your wrist and your mom snaps a million pictures.)
Rell: You look beautiful.
U: Thank you, you look really good yourself. I like the effect of the all black with that splash of red.
Rell: Yeahhh. (You laugh and he pulls you close to him and you smile for the camera and then your mom moves you guys outside and you gasp.)
Candy red.
U: Oh my God, I didn’t know they had convertibles.
Lyn: What is it?
U: That’s a 300C, but I didn’t know they had convertibles.
Rell: It’s not out yet, but you know I decided to pull some strings. (He smiles and pulls you in front of him again and your mom snaps a few more pictures and your aunt pulls up with your grandma.)
U: Oh gosh. (Jarell smiles and your aunt runs up on the porch recording on her camcorder.)
Lyn: Hey Bunny.
AB: Hey girl, what did I miss?
Lyn: Just her getting dressed and everything before that.
AB: Aww shut up. (You laugh and your grandma snaps a few pictures and you try to ease down to the car.) Okay, take some pictures in front of the car. Ooh that matches so perfectly. (You look at Jarell and he smiles and turns around in front of the car and you smile for the camera and talk through your teeth.)
U: I never thought my prom day would be like this.
Rell: Like what?
U: Them going frantic with cameras and camcorders. (He laughs and walks around to your side and opens the door and they flash more pictures as you walk to the car.)
Lyn: Wait, wait, you have money?
U: Yes mom! (You laugh and walk around the door and get in and your aunt runs up and snaps a picture as he shuts your door. You laugh and he walks around and gets in and she snaps another picture as he starts the car and you wave at everybody.) See you later!
AB: Don’t come home until tomorrow now, you gotta do it big!
Lyn: Bunny! Get yo’ ass up here. (Your aunt laughs and sticks her tongue out at your mom and Jarell laughs and backs out. Everybody waves at you and he slowly pulls off and looks at you.)
Rell: Don’t worry; I’ll ride slow so your hair won’t get messed up.
U: Thank you. (You laugh and put your seat belt on and he turns the radio on.) Man, I never imagined what this day would be like.
Rell: So how has it been so far?
U: Great. (You smile and look at him.) Thanks for coming with me.
Rell: No, thank you for letting me come. (He glances at you.) You know I never got to go to my prom.
U: Well then we have to make tonight a night we both will remember.
Rell: I’m with that. (You smile and look out of the window and he pulls his bottom lip into his mouth… Yall drive around LA and random people scream “Congratulations,” out of their cars and you laugh and thank them. After burning a few hours, Jarell pulls up in front of the hotel and pays the valet and they open both of your doors and you get out. Jarell walks around to you and locks arms and you smile and they pull off with the car as you two walk through the automatic doors.)
U: I’m nervous.
Rell: Why?
U: I don’t know. (You laugh and look at the signs leading you to the crystal ballroom and a junior from your school snaps a picture of you and Jarell and starts hyperventilating when yall walk off. You look at Jarell.) I kind of forget you’re famous.
Rell: Not tonight, you are. (You laugh and the ushers open the doors to the ballroom and you step in and Melanie races over to you with Jennifer.)
Jen left/Mel right.
Mel: HEYYY! (She looks at Jarell.) Hey.
Rell: Hi.
U: Oh my God, I love your dress.
Mel: I love yours too. You look like an Arabian princess or something. Like you’re royalty.
U: Shut up. (You laugh.) Hey Jen.
Jen: Hey. (Her date pulls her arm and she looks at him and then wanders off.)
Mel: Hungry? (She looks at Jarell.)
Rell: No, I’m good.
Mel: Okay, well take a picture! (She steps back and holds up her camera and you smile and she snaps it.) Beautiful. Okay, I have to finish making my rounds, save me a seat at your table.
U: What about Cody?
Mel: Oh yeah, him too. (You laugh and shake your head and she wanders off and keeps taking pictures. You go over to the photo tables and you pay for your pictures and you and Jarell take four pictures and get all four in 5 x 7 photos and key chains. Jarell carries the larger pictures and you put all of the key chains in your purse. A few people constantly stare at you and Jarell and every time you pull him with you and go to another side of the ballroom. The DJ starts playing “Slow Down” by Bobby Valentino and Jarell stands in front of you and starts dancing.)
Rell: I saw you walking down your driveway. (You start laughing.) You looked like an angel, straight out of heaven girl. I was blown away by your expensive ‘fits. Now all I have to do is catch up to you. Slow down, I just want to get to know you. But don’t turn around, that expensive ass jewelry is blinding meeee! (You shake your head and he laughs.) Slow down, never seen anything so lovely, now turn around and bless me with your beauty, cutie.
U: You’re so retarded. (He smiles and pulls you close to him and rocks you from side to side.)
Rell: I know. (He pulls away and spins you around and wraps his arms around you and you laugh and Mel runs over to you.)
Mel: Cassie just broke her heel. (She starts cracking up and your mouth drops.)
U: Are you serious?
Mel: Yes, and it’s so funny because she just thought she was the cutest thing alive, okay?
U: Aww, that’s messed up.
Mel: I love it, I snapped a picture of her falling.
U: She fell!?
Mel: Yes! I cannot WAIT to get these developed. (She laughs and lifts her dress and takes off and you shake your head. After “Slow Down” goes off the DJ starts playing “T-Shirt” by Destiny’s Child.)
U: Ooh, I like this song. (You pull his hand and pull him to the dance floor and he turns you around and you wrap your arms around his neck.) At night when you’re far and I’m alone, I feel the fabric from your T-shirt close to my body. I can still hear your baritone; in my ear telling me you’ll take it slow. And I was in the mirror playing a role; like you work it I couldn’t turn me on. So I fell asleep with the music on woke up again hearing the same old song playing. Oh give it to me deeper… (Jarell turns his head and looks at your neck and you keep singing. He slowly eases his hands down to the bottom of the V on your back and you start gently grazing the back of his neck with your nails. Melanie pulls Cody over by you and waves and you laugh and wave back and place your fingers back on his neck. He drops his head on your shoulder and you glance at his neck and lean in to it. You close your eyes and your eyelashes flutter over his skin and he bites his bottom lip and lifts his head.)
Rell: You bad.
U: Why you say that? (You lift your head and look up at him.)
Rell: Because… I told you how I love it when a girl messes with the back of my neck. (You smile.)
U: I completely forgot. I’m so serious, I wasn’t doing that on purpose, it’s just a habit.
Rell: Mmhmm.
U: It is! (You laugh a little and he nods and blinks slowly.)
Rell: I believe you.
U: You’re being sarcastic. (He shakes his head and “Let Me Hold You” comes on and you look at him.) Wanna go sit down?
Rell: Naw, I’m good. Your feet hurting?
U: No, not yet.
Rell: Oh okay, well stay right here. (You nod and he slides his hands down to yours and pulls back and looks at you.) I been watching you for a minute, come through here so sweet scented. (You laugh and he smiles.) Your life girl you need me in it, I’m determined to win it. I know what you need, I know what’s wrong, I know how to make it tight. Everything will be all right if you… (He pulls you close to him and wraps his arms around you and you laugh and wrap your arms around him. He kisses your temple and you pull back and look at him.)
U: I didn’t think you would like this song?
Rell: Why not? I’m cool with Bow.
U: Oh okay.
Rell: All you gotta do is be with it and… Down like a real man’s supposed to, I never would’ve approached you if I ain’t have intentions on doing good. See dude you with is so fooled, to me girl you’re so cool and all I’m asking you to do is be rude. (You laugh and he smiles.) …Down like a best friend and two homies in the game. When you cry I wanna feel your pain, no secrets, no games. All excitement nothing plain, keep you happy that’s my aim and all you gotta do girl is let me hold you. (He rocks you from side to side over the chorus and squeezes you to “Let me hold you,” every time it comes around. You laugh and yall dance for the rest of the song and then the DJ starts playing “Back Then” by Mike Jones and almost everybody leaves the dance floor. You sit down at a table and Jarell’s cell phone goes off. He pulls it off of the clip and flips it open and puts it up to his ear and Mel walks over to you.)
Mel: Ay, are yall going out to eat after this?
U: Most likely, I’m starving. I haven’t eaten all day. I wanted to look good in my dress.
Mel: I know, me too and like every other girl in this room. (You laugh.)
U: Where you and Macintosh going? (She looks back for him.)
Mel: I don’t know. I can’t even keep up with his ass; everybody’s being his friend.
U: He can make friends quick as hell though Mel.
Mel: I know, gets on my nerves sometimes. (Jarell closes his phone and puts it back on the clip.)
U: Hey, you want to go out to eat after we leave here?
Rell: Yeah, where you wanna go?
U: Whatever’s open.
Rell: When is this over?
U: One.
Rell: Oh, okay. We could probably go to IHOP.
Mel: Ooh yeah. Okay, let me find Cody.
U: All right. (She walks off and you turn and look at Jarell.)
Rell: So are you enjoying yourself? (You nod and Warren hugs you from behind and you turn around.)
U: Hey!
Warren: Hey honey. (Jarell looks down at the table.) You look hot, okay?
U: You do too.
Warren: Oh I know, you don’t have to tell me. (You laugh and he looks at Jarell.) Who’s your date?
U: Oh this is Jarell. (Jarell looks up and Warren’s eyes get big.)
Warren: Get the fuck out of here! You were in B2K. (Jarell nods.) You were the one that could dance, I was all on your shit in that little movie. Mmhmm. (You smile and look at Jarell.)
Rell: Uhh… thanks.
Warren: Mmhmm. Well I gotta go take pictures, see you later sweetie.
U: All right. (You look back at his date and your eyes get big and you look at Jarell.) He really brought his boyfriend.
Rell: That nigga SUPER gay. What the hellll? (You laugh.)
U: He’s cool though.
Rell: Man, he called you honey, sweetie, everything that sounds even more gay coming from him. (You smile.)
U: He’s really funny to me.
Rell: Yeah he’s funny all right. (You laugh and Melanie comes back with Cody.)
U: Heyyyy! (You stand up and hug him.) You look nice.
Cody: You look good too. (You lean up against your chair.)
U: So where are yall going after this?
Cody: IHOP with yall.
U: All right, bet.
Cody: Where my nigga Joel at? (You roll your eyes.)
U: Somewhere visiting some colleges.
Cody: What’s with the eyes?
U: I don’t know… long story, I’ll tell you about it later.
Cody: Aiight. Who’s this dude? (You look at Jarell and he’s looking around the room.)
U: Jarell. (He looks at you.) Meet Cody.
Rell: Oh. (He stands up.) What up man? (He holds his hand out and Cody shakes it.)
Cody: What up.
Mel: Okay, everyone knows each other, let’s go dance. (You shake your head and she pulls you and Cody and you pull Jarell back out onto the dance floor and the DJ plays “Errtime” by Nelly and everybody starts dancing crazy. Jarell starts laughing and you turn and look back at a circle of white girls trying to chicken head.)
U: Oh no. Mel look. (She looks and smiles.)
Mel: At least they’re trying.
U: Oh my gosh, I wish I had a camcorder. (“Beverly Hills” by Weezer comes on and you start cracking up at everybody jumping up and down singing the chorus.)
Rell: The fuck is this? (You laugh.)
U: I guess something they like. (Mel walks past you singing.)
Mel: Beverly Hills, that’s where I want to be. Living in Beverly Hills!
U: Oh no, not you too.
Mel: I like this song. It’s funny; they’re like talking about themselves being lame. (She laughs.) -Like a celebrity! Living in Beverly Hills! (You shake your head and she walks off.)
Rell: Your friends are crazy. (Gabriel pulls at your hair and you turn around.)
U: Hey Gabe! (You hug him and he pulls back and looks at you.)
Gabe: damn is it like that? Let me get a picture. (He bends down and holds the camera between your breasts and Jarell laughs and you push him away.)
U: Don’t play with me.
Gabe: Okay okay, for real. (He steps back and you pull Jarell next to you and smile.) Thanks.
U: No problem.
Gabe: Don’t let your titties fall out.
U: It’s a sheer part right here, you ass.
Gabe: I know, don’t let me see nothing right there.
U: Shut up. (You laugh and he winks and his “girlfriend” pulls him and he starts walking with her. Jarell pulls you back into his arms and holds you close to him. You turn your head and look back at him and he’s looking down at your shoulder.) You okay? (He looks at you.)
Rell: Yeah, what’s up?
U: Nothing. (You dig in your purse and pull your phone out and look at the time.) Well, we got one more hour. (Janet and Yvette, from the hip-hop dance squad, rush over to you and start doing an old routine. You laugh and join in with them and Jarell steps back and watches you. You start cracking up and Janet starts doing another routine and you and Yvette follow her and a few more girls from the squad jump in and everybody starts staring at yall. When the song goes off yall all laugh and someone starts snapping pictures and you walk back over to Jarell.) Okay, now my feet hurt.
Rell: I bet they do. (You laugh and bend over and unhook them and pull them off.)
U: Woo. (Jarell looks at you and then looks down at your shoes.)
Rell: damn, you just shrunk. (You laugh.)
U: Three and a half inch heels.
Rell: That’s ridiculous.
U: But they’re cute. You can’t say they aren’t cute. (He looks at your shoes in your hand and nods.)
Rell: Yeah, they straight.
U: Whatever, they’re cute. (You lift your dress up and walk back over towards the tables and sit down and sit your shoes on the floor.)
Rell: Your feet hurt that bad? (You smile and nod.) Shame. (He bends down and pulls your feet up into his lap and you look at him. He slowly presses his thumb into your heel and slides it up the arch in your foot to the ball of your feet.) You have pretty feet. (You laugh.)
U: Thank you.
Rell: Your little designs are cute.
U: Thanks. (He looks at you.)
Rell: So what you wanna do after we leave IHOP?
U: I don’t know, what you wanna do?
Rell: I don’t know, that’s why I asked you.
U: Well since we both don’t know I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. (He nods and looks around and keeps massaging your feet. Your cell phone starts vibrating in your purse and you open it and pull it out; Joel. You flip it open and put it up to your ear.)
Joel: Hello?
U: Yeah?
Joel: What you doing?
U: Umm, at prom.
Joel: Oh shit, call me back okay?
U: Yep. (You close your phone and put it back in your purse and close it. Jarell looks at you and Melanie runs over to you.)
Mel: Come on, they’re about to announce king and queen.
U: I didn’t run.
Mel: I did whore! (Jarell laughs and you smile.)
U: Okay, okay. (You look at Jarell and he lets go of your feet and you pull them down and pick your shoes up and slide them on and shuffle across the room and stand in the middle of the dance floor. Your class sponsor, Mrs. Roberts, gets the microphone and stands by the DJ.)
MR: Okay everybody, I need the royal court to come up here. (Melanie squeals and you laugh and she walks up on the small stage and Jarell steps next to you.) Okay, everybody here? (She looks down at the three girls and the three boys.) All right. Your prom king and queen runners-up are… Jennifer Trent and Nicholas Williams. (Everybody starts screaming and you cross your fingers and hold them up and Melanie crosses hers.) Your prom king and queen, for Hollywood High, Class of 2005 will be… Melanie Hanson and Gabriel Archer! (You scream and jump up and down and Melanie jumps and hugs the other two girls and starts dancing.)
Mel: I won! I won! (You look for Cody and you spot him on the other side clapping his hands.)
U: That’s my best friend! (You laugh and they crown her and give her a dozen roses. They crown Gabriel and put a little velvet cape around his shoulders and pin it across the front and Melanie hands you her camera and you snap a picture of them.)
MR: Okay, if everyone could clear the floor so our king and queen can enjoy a dance that would be great. (You all step back and Gabriel pulls Melanie close to him and you snap a picture.)
U: She won! (You look at Jarell and he smiles.) I know she’s so happy.
Rell: Why didn’t you run? (You shrug.)
U: I don’t care much for stuff like this.
Rell: Really? Could’ve fooled me. (You look at him and he smiles.) I’m just saying, you seem like you would really love to be prom queen.
U: It’s a popularity thing and I really don’t care about all of that. Melanie’s mom was prom queen and she’s always competing with her mom.
Rell: Word?
U: Yeah, her mom was like a pageant star until she was like 26.
Rell: Dang.
U: Exactly, so she has like all these things all over the house and Melanie tries to compete with her. I think her mom like complains about her not really wanting to be in pageants and stuff so she tries to get as close as she can.
Rell: That’s messed up.
U: She hates make-up and stuff, that’s why she wouldn’t be any good in pageants. Her mom loves that type of stuff. (He nods.) She used to be a crazy tomboy until I started talking about her clothes, then she like turned into a girl.
Rell: Does she like dressing like a girl?
U: Now she’s even worse than me. She loves skirts and stuff; her mom loves me for that. (He nods and the DJ starts playing another song and everybody gets back on the dance floor and Melanie walks over to Cody and hugs him and you look at her and she’s so excited. The DJ announces that he’ll be playing the last two songs and you pull Jarell out on the dance floor and “One Thing Remix” by Amerie and Eve starts playing.) What in the world? (You laugh and Melanie walks over to you and gets her camera.)
Mel: Thanks.
U: No problem. (You turn around and Jarell pulls you close to him and you roll your hips on him. Melanie and Cody walk back up to you and she steps close to you.)
Mel: I heard valet is a bitch so if you want to get out of here you better get out now.
U: All right. (You laugh and grab Jarell’s hand and pull him with you.) Come on.
Rell: We leaving?
U: Yeah.
Rell: You sure?
U: Yes! (You laugh and pull him and they give you your gift bag with your prom wine glasses, photo album, school key chain and a rubber band that says “Prom 2005” in your school colors. Yall rush downstairs and outside and there’s about fifteen people out there waiting on their cars. Valet starts pulling the cars out quicker and quicker and traffic gets backed up. They bring your car around and Jarell hands him the ticket and he opens the door for you and you get in.) Thank you. (He nods and walks around to his side and gets in and follows the line of cars leaving the hotel. Your cell phone starts vibrating and you pull it out of your purse and open it.) Yeah?
Mel: Which IHOP are yall going to?
U: Jarell, which IHOP are we going to?
Rell: We can do the one on Sunset, because the ones around here are going to be packed.
U: Okay, we’re going to the one on Sunset.
Mel: K, I’ll see you there.
U: All right. (You close your phone and stick it back in your purse and pull your seat belt on and Jarell turns down the first side street and leaves the traffic.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

Rell: That was fun.
U: Yeah, we took like a million pictures.
Rell: Felt like the paparazzi huh? (You smile.)
U: I guess. (You sit your purse on the floor and you unhook your shoes and pull your feet out of them.) I should have brought some flip-flops. (He laughs.)
Rell: You want some for real?
U: Yes.
Rell: I got some. (He looks at you.) My mom told me to bring some for you.
U: Really?
Rell: Yeah.
U: You told your mom?
Rell: Yeah girl. (He smiles.) I can’t just go to a prom and not tell my mom, come on now. She never went through that with me, she helped me get the tux and everything.
U: Aww. You’re a mama’s boy.
Rell: I didn’t say all that.
U: I can tell now.
Rell: Whatever. (He stops at the red light and puts the car in park and gets out and pops the trunk and pulls out a pair of red flip-flops. You laugh and he gets back in the car and rips the plastic string holding them together and hands them to you.)
U: Thanks. (You slide the flip-flops on and sit your shoes on the floor in the back.) These feel so much better. (He nods and turns the radio on and “Slow Down” is on again. You laugh and he starts dancing.)
Rell: Slow dowwwn! (You shake your head and he looks at you.) Can I get on the freeway?
U: Yeah, prom’s over, forget the hair.
Rell: All right. (He signals and speeds down the ramp and switches to the middle lane.) ‘Cause that pretty round thing looks good to meee! (You look at yourself in the side mirror and dig through your purse. You put on a little lip-gloss and adjust your dress and look at him. He gets off of the freeway and glances at you. He turns into the parking lot of IHOP and you see Melanie and Cody walking inside. You take your seat belt off and get out and he gets out and looks at you.) Keep doing that.
U: What?
Rell: Getting out.
U: Jarell, I know you’re a gentleman.
Rell: So. (He takes your hand and yall walk inside and Melanie sees you.)
Mel: Ooh, make that a table for four. (The lady she’s talking to nods and picks up two more menus.)
Lady: Right this way. (You pull Jarell with you and catch up with them and she sits the menus down and Mel and Cody slide in the booth and Jarell takes his jacket off and slides in and you sit on the outside opposite Cody and Mel.)
Mel: Yall were flying huh?
U: He was. (You smile and pick your menu up.) Ooh, I want breakfast food too. (You dance around and Melanie shakes her head.)
Mel: I hope you know she’s retarded for pancakes. (Jarell smiles and Cody looks at you.)
Cody: Ay, why didn’t you run for prom queen?
U: Me?
Cody: Naw, the girl who won prom queen. (You laugh.)
U: Because I really don’t care for that stuff, besides Mel was running and I wouldn’t run against her anyway.
Mel: Right. (She looks at Cody.) Retard. (Jarell smiles and holds his menu up in his face and you look at him and laugh a little.)
U: Okay, I know what I want.
Mel: Me too.
Cody: Woop-e-doo.
U&Mel: Shut up.
Rell: Dang man, you can’t even come back from that one. (Cody laughs and Mel smiles.)
Mel: So Jarell, do you like y/n? (Your eyes get big.)
U: MEL!
Mel: What? I’m just asking a question. (She looks at him.) So do you?
U: I’m going to the bathroom. (You get up and walk across the restaurant and Jarell looks at Melanie.)
Rell: Yeah, I do.
Mel: So do you LIKE her like her? Or do you just like her?
Rell: I don’t understand.
Mel: Do you LIKE her or like her?
Rell: That’s the same thing. (He smiles, knowing exactly what Melanie is asking but just wanting to be difficult.)
Mel: Man, do you want to be with her or do you want to be friends?
Rell: I don’t know yet. She’s a real cool girl and all, but I don’t want to disrespect her boyfriend.
Mel: Forget her boyfriend. He’s boring. She tells me all the time. She’s always complaining about how he doesn’t make her laugh anymore.
Rell: Oh.
Mel: But she’s always talking about how she can’t stop laughing when she’s with you.
Rell: Really?
Mel: Yep.
Cody: I’m telling her too, you out here just putting all her business out there.
Mel: You try and tell her and your balls with look like blueberries. (Jarell smiles and Cody locks his mouth and throws the key in the air.) Exactly.
Rell: Yall crazy.
Mel: So, I mean… if you want to get with her I could help you out.
Rell: Naw, I’m not trying to break them up. I want everything to happen on it’s own. If it’s meant to happen it will. (She nods and looks up and you sit back down.)
U: The bathroom is filled with prom dresses.
Mel: Really?
U: Yeah, and this girl has on a dress just like yours but it’s hot pink so it’s not that cute.
Mel: Ugh, she actually bought that one? They tried to get me to get that one, I was about to leave that store completely for fucking with me. (You laugh and your waitress walks up.)
Waitress: Hello, you guys went to prom tonight?
U&Mel: Yeah.
Waitress: Well you all look wonderful.
U&Mel: Thank you.
Waitress: Okay, so are you ready to order?
U&Mel: Yes. (You laugh and look at her.)
U: Would you stop?
Mel: That’s you.
U: I’m ready.
Waitress: Okay, go ahead.
U: Yes, can I have the International omelette and the cinnamon apple pancakes?
Waitress: All right, and you?
Mel: The Colorado omelette and buttermilk pancakes. (She nods and looks at Jarell.)
Rell: I just want the blueberry pancakes and a plain ham and cheese omelette.
Cody: And I want the International omelette and the banana nut pancakes.
Waitress: All right, any drinks?
U: Orange juice. (Everybody nods.)
Waitress: Orange juice for everyone?
U: Yep.
Waitress: All right, let me get these. (She takes the menus and walks off.)
U: What you guys doing after this?
Mel: Umm, we have a room.
U: Ohhh. (You smile.) Nasties.
Mel: Whatever, just because I didn’t do it once and stop doesn’t mean I’m nasty.
U: I like how you’re just putting my stuff out there.
Cody: You should’ve heard her while you were at the bathroom.
Mel: Blueberrieeees. (Jarell laughs and Cody starts reading his napkin.)
U: What?
Mel: Nothing.
U: Yeah okay… (When the food comes you all start eating and the conversation turns into little comments here and there. After yall eat Jarell and Cody split the bill and yall go your separate ways. You put your seat belt on and Melanie waves at you as they pull out of the parking lot. You wave back and Jarell gets in and backs out of the space.)
Rell: So you know what you want to do yet?
U: No, you think of something.
Rell: It’s your night though.
U: So, I’m fresh out of ideas. (He glances at you and you look at the clock.) It’s only three.
Rell: I know, so where would you like to go?
U: I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.
Rell: I can drive all night; we’ll end up in Seattle. (You laugh.)
U: Yeah right.
Rell: Don’t test me.
U: I’m not. (You smile and he gets on the freeway heading towards your house. You tug at your seat belt and he keeps looking at you out the corner of his eye. He pulls into his driveway and you look at your house and he gets out and shuts his door. He walks around to your side and you get your shoes out of the back and he opens your door.) I can’t believe I’m home so early. (You get out and he looks at you.)
Rell: You don’t want to go home?
U: Not really. (He shuts you door and looks back at your house and then at you.)
Rell: So don’t go home then. (He holds his hand out and you take his and he walks around the car and walks up on his porch. He opens the door and holds it open and you walk in and he walks in behind you and closes the door and locks it.)
U: I can’t see.
Rell: Don’t worry. (He takes your hand and you sit your shoes down by the wall and you slide out of your flip-flops and he walks you through the hall.) Okay, there are stairs right here. (You nod and step up and he guides you upstairs. You grip the railing and you start walking straight once you don’t feel the railing again. You graze the wall and you start laughing and Jarell smiles.) You all right?
U: Yeah. (He smiles and holds you in front of him and guides you through a doorway and he slowly turns the light up a little and you turn around and look at him…)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

Hey you guyssss! Yesterday was my prom and I had a blast! I’ll post the pictures that I scanned for yall to see. I went with my neighbor and yall will finally get a chance to see what he looks like. Well yesterday was hectic at first but once I put the dress on everything kind of slowed down. It actually had me thinking about what my wedding day would be like. So my date looked really nice and I was excited and the car he got for the prom isn’t even out yet. We turned a lot of heads yesterday and it was fun because he’s really silly and he was like making up the thoughts in other people’s heads when they would look at us. Prom was fun, Mel won prom queen and Gabe won king. Both of them are my friends so I was excited. I danced until my feet were killing me. My date massaged my feet for me, he’s a sweetheart.

After the prom we went to IHOP and had breakfast lol. It was like one something in the morning and we left a little before three. I had a lot of fun. Jay is really romantic. He’s starting to confuse me. Like, last night I didn’t want to go home because it was like three so we just went to his house. So we’re chilling in his room and it was the first time I was up there so I was browsing around and he walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me and looked at our reflection in the mirror and asked me if I liked what I saw. I didn’t know what to say. It’s like, I know I have a boyfriend and I know that I’m in a serious relationship but there’s just something about Jay that kind of makes me forget about everything but him. It’s not right, I know, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I can’t force my feelings to be a certain way. I don’t know what to do because I’m not going to just cheat on my boyfriend but I have come pretty close a few times. Last night Jarell attempted to kiss me and I stopped him just in time. I felt bad for being up in his room but that didn’t make me leave. I’m so confused. I really wish somebody could just tell me what decision to make so I can do it without worrying about what may happen afterwards. I wanted to kiss Jay so bad last night but I kept thinking about Joey and that’s just dirty. I told myself that I won’t go back inside of Jay’s house again because it just doesn’t seem right. I’d love some advice from some of you all, just tell me something lol. I’m so lost anything will help.

I got in the house around 8 in the morning when my parents were leaving out. They didn’t say much to me because they were already in their cars when I was going in the house. I showered and threw on some pajamas and decided to tell you all a little bit about my night before I went back to sleep. Oh yeah, and before I leave click on the links at the bottom for the prom pics. K, tootles! *Bites nails*
(You save your entry and push away from your computer and shut it down. You get up and climb in your bed and fall right to sleep with no problem. You wake up around one and you go downstairs and find something to eat. You sit in the living room and eat and watch cartoons on Nickelodeon. After you finish eating you climb right back in the bed and watch your TV until you fall back to sleep… You end up sleeping most of the day away and you miss every phone call because your cell phone is still on vibrate from last night. Sunday morning you wake up and get in the shower and wash your hair. You get out and blow dry your hair straight and brush it up into a puffy ponytail. You get dressed in some small gray shorts and a white tube top and you slide into your white Old Navy flip-flops and toss everything in your white Christian Dior purse.)




(You toss your purse on the bed and go in the bathroom and brush your teeth and you dry your face and hands and put on some lip gloss and grab your purse and cell phone and leave out. You get in your car and you start it up and back out of the driveway and you pass Jarell on his way home. You wave and smile and he lifts his hand and keeps going. You pull into Melanie’s driveway and you call her and she opens the door and waves you in without answering her phone. You get out and run across her grass and hop up on her porch and walk inside.)
Kari: Hey y/n.
U: Hey, how are you?
Kari: I’m good, how’s your mom?
U: She’s good.
Kari: That’s great. (You jog up the stairs to Melanie’s room and she’s sitting at the computer.)
U: What are you doing?
Mel: Talking to Gabe.
U: Oh, tell him I said hey.
Mel: Yep. (She types something and then looks at you.) Okay, so let me tell you my dilemma.
U: Yes please, do you see what I have on?
Mel: I mean, I didn’t dress you. (She laughs.)
U: I know, but I grabbed anything and ran out of the house.
Mel: Okay so prom night after Cody and I left IHOP.
U: Yeah?
Mel: We went to the hotel right.
U: Right.
Mel: And you know what we did.
U: Right.
Mel: So… I don’t think he pulled out quick enough. (Your mouth drops.) Oh my God, don’t do that. I’m scared enough.
U: Wait, yall don’t use condoms?
Mel: Not that time.
U: Mel!
Mel: I know! But I was like so caught up in the moment and he left them in his bag in the trunk of the car and I would’ve been sleep if he went and got them so we just kept going and now I might be… you know.
U: I should choke you.
Mel: Kenzi, help me!
U: I don’t know what to do. You could take that 72-hour pill or something.
Mel: Will it still work?
U: I guess, it says 72 hours.
Mel: Okay, now all I need to do is find a way to get them without my mom finding out.
U: I’m 18.
Mel: Ooh! Could you please?
U: I mean, my doctor’s office is closed on Sundays. Maybe tomorrow.
Mel: Tomorrow is the last day I could do it. Because okay yesterday was 24 hours, today is 48 hours, okay never mind. (You laugh.)
U: Yeah, you can’t count.
Mel: You think you could get them?
U: Yeah, unless my insurance doesn’t cover it.
Mel: Oh my God, what if it doesn’t?
U: Then we’ll just have to pay out of pocket I guess.
Mel: I’m like going crazy. I told Cody and he asked his sister if she had some and she’s on the pill so she didn’t have any.
U: Aww man… well I guess we’re going to have to wait until tomorrow.
Mel: Man, what if I don’t get them. What if I’m pregnant y/n?
U: Just shut up and stop jinxing yourself.
Mel: I can’t just shut up! I might be for real! (You shake your head.)
U: Just talk to Gabe.
Mel: My body would be so ruined.
U: So that’s what you’re really worried about? Your body?
Mel: No, my life would be ruined too.
U: Oh okay, just making sure you knew that other things would be messed up as well.
Mel: I will like rip my uterus out before I have a baby. (You laugh and she smiles.) I’m serious.
U: You’re crazy, that’s what you are. I’m supposed to be a skating practice in like an hour.
Mel: Really?
U: Yeah.
Mel: Oh my gosh, well go home and change; I know how much you care about your Ice Show.
U: You sure?
Mel: Yeah, I call you and sulk later. (You laugh.)
U: You positive? Don’t call me and tell me I should’ve been there when I was and you told me to left.
Mel: I’m sure, go ahead. Call me when you get out.
U: All right. (You get up.) I’ll call you then.
Mel: Yep. (You walk out of her room and skip down the stairs and Kennedy runs from the kitchen into you.)
Ken: Oops! (You laugh.)
U: Hey Kennedy.
Ken: Hi. (She runs up the stairs.)
U: I’m gone mom.
Kari: All right. (You leave out and get back in your car and rush home and change into your practice clothes. You run back out to the car and toss your skates in the back and race to The Glacial Garden. You rush in and lace up your skates and run out on the ice and Natalie finishes up with the girl before you and you do a few laps around the rink backwards and forwards to warm yourself up. Once you start rehearsing the Ice Show number you really start working… You leave skating practice three hours later and head back home. You get your skates out of the back seat and run up the driveway and go in the house. You drop all of your things by your bedroom door and undress and get in the shower. After you shower, you put on some jogging pants and a beater and you climb in the bed and your phone starts ringing. You get it out of your purse and flip it open.)

[FizzsGurlyGurl]

U: Helloooo.
Joel: Hey beautiful, how you doing?
U: Tired, I had skate practice today.
Joel: Really?
U: Yeah. What you been up to?
Joel: I signed to Duke.
U: Really!?
Joel: Yep.
U: Wow, that’s great babe.
Joel: I’m on my way home in a few hours.
U: So you’ll be here like in the morning basically?
Joel: Yeah.
U: Oh, so do you really like the campus?
Joel: Yeah, it’s cool.
U: Wow, that’s so far away though.
Joel: I know.
U: So what else did you do today?
Joel: I read your journal. (You freeze.) Y/n?
U: Huh?
Joel: Did you hear me?
U: Yeah… Did you really?
Joel: Yeah, so why didn’t you tell me?
U: Tell you what?
Joel: About how you feel; why didn’t you say something?
U: Joel, it’s just a cyber journal. The more drama you have the more people visit your page and the more cyber buddies I get. That’s all it is.
Joel: Y/n, you never cared about popularity, I’m not dumb. What’s up?
U: Nothing, I pro- it was just a journal entry, nothing serious.
Joel: So, what am I doing wrong that’s making you look at other guys like that?
U: Joey baby, nothing. I’m so in love with you, it’s just a stupid journal. (You sit there and you start playing with your nails and he finally speaks.)
Joel: Y/n, don’t lie to me please; I really just want you to tell the truth right now. I read the journal, I saw the pictures and you look happier with him than you’ve ever been with me.
U: It was prom night! Was I supposed to sulk because you weren’t my date, although I wanted you to be my date?
Joel: I’m not saying be mad all day, but damn you looked like you were glad I wasn’t your date.
U: That’s nonsense Joel, are you trying to break up with me and make me look like the bad person when you’re really the one who wants out? I mean, how was your vacation? Meet any cute girls at your school?
Joel: Don’t try to flip it on me; you know I’m faithful to you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.
U: So let’s leave it at the best thing and stop trying to find flaws.
Joel: But you’re writing about other guys! You’re talking about being confused about where you want to be! I’M not the one who’s confused!
U: Do you want me to delete it? I can delete it if that’s what you want.
Joel: No, you keep that, save that to a disk and remember it. Save all your little cyber buddies and save every conversation that you have about that damn journal and delete me.
U: What?
Joel: I’ll see you around. (He hangs up and you pull your phone away from your ear and stare at the time flashing on the screen.)
U: Oh my God, are you serious!? (Your cell phone starts vibrating in your hand and your eyes water and you press OK and put it up to your ear.) Hello?
Rell: Hey, what you doing?
U: Nothing.
Rell: Come open the door.
U: Okay. (You close your phone and push yourself off of your bed and walk out of your room. You rush down the stairs and walk up to the front door and open it.)
Rell: CONGRatulations… (His voice fades out as soon as he sees the tears running down your face.) What’s wrong? (You sniff.)
U: I think I just got dumped. (He frowns up and steps in and shuts the door behind him.)
Rell: Joel? (You nod and he locks the door and sits the flowers on the floor.) You want to talk about it? (You take a deep breath and hold it in and you burst into tears.)
U: I wrote a journal about you and I forgot he had one too so he read mine and he’s mad because I was saying how I liked you and how I don’t know what to do because I have a boyfriend. (You take a breath and Jarell stares at you trying to take it all in.) And I asked him if he wanted me to delete the journal entry and he said no and he told me to delete him.
Rell: He’s corny. (You look at him and he holds his hands up.) I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m being insensitive. (He steps closer to you and holds his arms out and wraps them around you and you cry onto his shoulder.) He’s dumb. (You sniff and wipe your eyes and he rubs your back.) He’ll be back and he’ll wish he never broke up with you.
U: I don’t know what to do, I’ve never been dumped before. I didn’t know it felt like this.
Rell: So you’re always the dumper?
U: Yeah.
Rell: It’s okay, you gotta hurt sometimes. (You wipe your eyes.)
U: It came out of nowhere, I just asked him what he did today and he’s like, “Read your journal.” I didn’t even expect that to happen.
Rell: Maybe you should close down your journal.
U: Nope. (You close your eyes and his hand stops on the small of your back.) I’ll get over him.
Rell: Exactly.
U: I’m just so mad, he like dumped me for the dumbest reason. It’s a stupid ass journal. It’s not like he caught me with you or something.
Rell: I don’t think that would’ve been nice either. (You laugh a little.)
U: Yeah, you’re right… so what were you congratulating me for?
Rell: You don’t know?
U: No, know what?
Rell: Your parents told me that you got a nice scholarship to UCLA.
U: Really!? (You pull away and look at him.)
Rell: Yeah, you didn’t know?
U: NO!
Rell: They told me yesterday night. (You gasp and you turn around and run into the living room and pick up the phone and call your mom.)
Lyn: Marilyn Evans speaking.
U: Mom, what is this Jarell is telling me about a scholarship to UCLA?
Lyn: Ohhh, he wasn’t supposed to tell you.
U: Well who was?
Lyn: We were going to surprise you. They sent you umm full tuition, fees, room and board in the mail.
U: Are you serious?
Lyn: Yep, keep up the good work.
U: Oh my gosh, I know where I’m going to school now.
Lyn: Yep. (You smile and look up at Jarell.)
U: I’m going to college. (He laughs and sits down on the other end of the couch.) Okay mom, I’ll talk to you later.
Lyn: All right.
U: Bye. (You hang the phone up and wipe your face.) I can’t believe it.
Rell: What?
U: Everything… getting dumped and winning that scholarship. (You pull your foot up on the couch and rest your forehead on your knee.) I still can’t believe he did that. (A tear falls out of your eye and hits your leg and Jarell glances at you.)
Rell: Do you mind if I turn this on? (You shake your head and he reaches for the remote and turns the TV on.)
U: Does it hurt like this every time?
Rell: Does what hurt?
U: Heartbreak.
Rell: Depends on how much of your heart the person had. (You wipe your eyes and look at him.)
U: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about this with you.
Rell: Why not? We’re friends right? (You nod.) Okay then.
U: But… like… now you know how I really feel. That’s the whole reason behind this.
Rell: I been knew how you felt, I was just waiting for you to admit it to someone other than yourself. (You laugh a little and he leans over and pulls your arms and you get up and walk down to the other end of the couch and sit down next to him. You turn your back to him and he turns a little and pulls your head down on his chest.)
U: I wasted 16 months of my life with him.
Rell: Do you really think it was a waste?
U: Yeah, especially for it to end like this.
Rell: Is that because you didn’t dump him?
U: No, I don’t even care about being dumped anymore, it’s the fact that he called me with intentions to do it from the beginning and he pretended like it was just a regular phone call.
Rell: Oh. (He runs his hand over your hair.) If he comes back will you take him back?
U: I told you, once it’s over with me it’s over. Nothing he can say will make me take him back now. I’m shutting him out of my life completely. I’m good at that.
Rell: I bet. (You wipe your face and look at the TV.)
U: What’s this?
Rell: The Barkers.
U: Oh yeah. (Jarell keeps rubbing his hand over your hair as you both watch TV and the tears finally stop coming.)
Rell: So do you still think you were in love with him? (He sits there waiting for you to answer and you don’t.) Y/n? (He lifts his head and looks down at you and you’re knocked out. He slowly lifts your head and slides from under you and gently lowers it down and pulls a pillow and puts it under your head. You turn on your side and he turns the TV down and tiptoes across the living room and leaves out of your house and goes home… You wake up an hour later and you sit up and look around the room. You lift up and get the remote and turn the TV off and run upstairs to your room and climb in the bed. You look at your phone and you missed 6 calls, three from Melanie, one from your dad, one from your aunt and one from a private caller. You close your phone back and pull your sheets over your head and stare at you promise ring until you fall asleep again… In the morning, you wake up early and take a long shower. When you get out you slide your promise ring off of your finger and toss it into your jewelry box with the rest of your things. You dry off and start looking through your closet for something to wear. You pull out some light pink dickies Capri pants with the matching white tank and you toss them on your bed. You put on your underwear and you get dressed and put on some white ankle socks and your all white Air Force Ones.)


(You don’t feel like changing your purse so you pick up your white Christian Dior purse and grab your books out of your backpack and leave. You get in your car and drive to school and go inside and turn in all of your books and get your lock off of your locker and sign a few memory books. You leave right back out a little before eleven and you go get something to eat. Melanie calls you as soon as you pull out of the drive-thru and you fumble trying to get to your phone.)
U: Hello?
Mel: I GOT THEM!
U: Really?
Mel: Yep, Cody’s sister got them for me. He was stressing more than I was.
U: I bet. (You laugh.) So you took one?
Mel: Girl I took two.
U: Uh uh. (You laugh.) You’re crazy.
Mel: Cody was like all up under me like, “You don’t feel sick or anything do you?” I wanted to hit him in his face; I would DIE if I ever get pregnant by him. He seems like the type to make me sit down all day when I’m only three weeks pregnant.
U: Hell naw, you crazy.
Mel: Did you go turn your stuff in yet?
U: Yeah, I had a lot of stuff to do today so I decided to do that. But guess what.
Mel: What?
U: Joey dumped me. (She gasps.)
Mel: You’re lying!
U: I’m dead serious.
Mel: WHY!?
U: I wrote about Jarell on my cyber journal thing and he read it and he must’ve got super jealous.
Mel: What the hell, are you serious?
U: Yes girl.
Mel: Are you sad?
U: Not anymore, I was for about twenty minutes yesterday. (She laughs.)
Mel: Twenty months and you get over it in twenty minutes.
U: 16 months, ass.
Mel: Close enough. (You shake your head.)
U: Well I’m about to go home, I’ll call you back when I eat and stuff.
Mel: All right, I’mma go turn my stuff in and get the hell out of there. (You laugh.)
U: All right, bye.
Mel: Bye. (You close your phone and toss it in the driver’s seat and you turn into your driveway and pull up to the garage door. You grab your cell and stuff it in your purse and you get your food and get out. You walk up to your door and Jarell walks around from the side of his house.)
Rell: Ooh shit. (He laughs and hops up on his porch.) Hey lady.
U: Hey. (You unlock the door and push it in and he goes in his house and you both shut your doors at the same time. You jog upstairs to your room and eat your sandwich and you go downstairs and get a bottle of water and drink half of it and put it back in the fridge. You go back outside and you cut across the grass and ring Jarell’s doorbell. He opens the door and you step back and pull the glass door open and he turns to the side.)
Rell: Coming in?
U: Yeah. (You step in and he pulls the door shut behind you and closes the door behind him and locks it.)
Rell: What you doing home so early?
U: I just had to go turn in my books and stuff, I graduate next Monday.
Rell: Word?
U: Yep, can’t wait.
Rell: I feel you.
U: So what you doing?
Rell: shit. (You shake your head.)
U: Oh okay, I didn’t know that was something you could do. (He smiles.)
Rell: So what you gone be doing while you’re out?
U: Hopefully finding a job really soon. (He nods and slides his hand around your waist and pulls you with him into the living room. You sit down on the couch and he sits down next to you.)
Rell: So how have you been holding up?
U: About?
Rell: Joel.
U: Pssh, I’m fine. (He nods and starts flicking through channels and you kick your shoes off and fold your legs.)
Rell: You seriously don’t like shoes. (You laugh.)
U: I just like folding my legs and it’s rude to put your shoes on people’s furniture.
Rell: Oh okay. (He looks at your hair.) Rough day?
U: What?
Rell: Your hair. (You laugh.)
U: Well I washed it last night and let it air dry and I woke up like this.
Rell: Ohh, so that’s what happens.
U: Yeah, basically. So I dropped a little oil on it and threw it in a ponytail.
Rell: Oh, I see.
U: I don’t want to be rude or anything, but can I get something to drink? (You laugh and he smiles.)
Rell: Yeah, go ahead.
U: Go by myself?
Rell: Are you scared?
U: No. (You get up and walk through the other room and go in the kitchen and you look around and open the refrigerator and get a bottle of water. You walk back into the living room and sit it on the table and you go to sit down and Jarell sticks his leg out and pulls you in front of him.) Excuse me.
Rell: Come here. (You look at him and you step back and put your hands on your hips.)
U: What?
Rell: Don’t do that.
U: What? (You smile and he sits up and pulls your arm and you fall over and catch your balance on the top of the couch.) You’re trying to kill me.
Rell: No I’m not. (He pulls your legs and lifts you up and sits you down, straddling his lap.)
U: What? (He stares up at you and you adjust your legs and sit down on his lap.) What Jarell, quit staring at me. I told you that was rude.
Rell: Is it?
U: Yes, I told you that at the Geisha House, I clearly remember it too.
Rell: Oh. (He slides his hands up the front of your thighs, around to your butt and pulls you closer to him.)
U: Okay. (You push yourself up and you stand up and pick your water up off of the table.) That’s a little much… all right?
Rell: No problem. (You sip your water and screw the top back on and sit it down and you sit back where you were at first. You look at the TV and you feel so awkward. You clear your throat and Jarell looks at you.)
U: I think I’m just going to get going okay? (You get up and get your water and you step into your shoes and he gets up and walks behind you. You unlock the door and he reaches his hand out and locks it back and you look at him.) Umm, to get out the door has to be unlocked. (You smile and he smirks and turns you around by your waist and backs you into the door and lifts your chin and kisses you. You close your eyes and he slides his hands from your waist down to your hips and you drop the water bottle on the floor and wrap your arms around his neck. He slowly tilts his head to the side and you part your lips and he pulls your bottom lip into his teeth and you pull back. He slowly eases his tongue inside of your mouth and you drop your hands down to his chest and rub down his stomach. You push him back and lift up off of the door and you turn him and push him backwards into the wall. He bites his bottom lip and you kiss him and he pulls away and starts kissing down your neck. You slowly open your eyes and look at the wall and he gently sucks on your neck and pulls your body into his. You pull back a little and he lifts his head and licks his lips and softly whispers to you with a seductive look in his eyes.)
Rell: Don’t run. (He pulls one side of your pants and turns you and pulls your butt into him. You turn and look at him and he tilts his head to the other side and starts sucking on your neck. You drop your head to the side and close your eyes and he slides his hand around to your stomach and eases them down and unbuttons your pants. Your heart starts racing and he slowly unzips your pants and you grab his hand and lift your head.)
U: Stop. (He lifts his head and you fix your pants and turn around.) I can’t do this. I can’t just do all this with you and we’re supposed to be friends. (You step back and he looks at you.) It’s not right; you’ll like… lose all respect for me or something.
Rell: Do you really believe that?
U: Yes, that happens to a lot of girls. I’m not like that though, I was with Joel for almost ten months before we had sex.
Rell: I’m not trying to have sex with you. (You push your lips to the side in doubt.) I’m not. (He holds his hand out for you and you stand there.) You gone leave me hanging? (You take his hand and he pulls you close to him.) I just like being close to you. You know? (You nod and he slides his hands down to your wrists and pulls your arms around his neck and you lock your fingers.) I could just stand here like this. (You look at him and he kisses your forehead.) I have plenty of respect for you.
U: But if I would’ve let you keep doing what you were just doing you would’ve thought I was easy and then things would’ve been over between us.
Rell: I don’t think you understand how much I like you.
U: I do but that has nothing to do with losing respect.
Rell: I won’t lose respect for you, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. Nothing you can do with me will make me lose respect for you. What you do with other people and how many times you do it is what could make me lose respect.
U: I don’t want other people.
Rell: Well what do you want?
U: Who do I want? (He looks down and then looks back up at you.) You.
Rell: You can have me.
U: But I don’t want us to rush into anything. We can’t just start off at the middle of a relationship. (He nods.)
Rell: So, will you be my girl?
U: You sure?
Rell: Positive.
U: As long as you promise that I’ll be the only one.
Rell: I promise. (You nod and a smile slowly creeps on your face and he licks his lips and smiles. You take a deep breath and he tilts his head and kisses you and you kiss him back and slowly pull away. You reach for his phone and you pull it off of the clip and look at the time.) What?
U: Nothing, just wanted to know what time it was. (You stick it back on the clip and he pulls you close to him and wraps his arms around your neck.)
Rell: I’m so happy right now. (You smile.)
U: Me too… I’m not confused anymore.
Rell: I never was. I always knew what I wanted.
U: Did you get it? (He nods.)
Rell: Yep…