Jazmine DuBois…
Had just finished her sophomore year, She was walking to her home in Sacramento California. Her book bag over one shoulder, sunglasses on her face and her phone in her hand, she was texting and not paying attention to the familiar route to her home. Her dad had texted her, which in itself was weird; her dad could barely work the toaster let alone the little flip phone he had. And not only did he text her but what he texted her was even more weird, staring at the screen that said,' C ST8 H I HV S!'
I mean what was that even supposed to mean… is this a code for something? She came to the familiar house she'd been staying in for the past 8 years. Her dad's car in the driveway and to her utter surprise her mother's blue Chevy truck was also there, which means Yazmin, was also there. Yazmin is her younger twin sister (by 6 minutes and 58 seconds (best almost seven minutes of my life)). Yazmin and she were completely identical in looks. Same slender yet muscular build, wild strawberry blond curls that flew every which way, the only difference is that while Jazmin's eyes were a hunter green, Yazmin's eyes were a soft green, almost silver.
She almost turned and ran away, she loves her sister don't get her wrong but as much as they looked alike, they had two completely different outlooks on life. While Jazmin was diligent and hardworking, everything seems to come so much easier to her sister. She And Jazmin competes for almost everything. Who has the best grades, which got the lead in the ballet or the school play. Jazmin knows for a fact that if her sister at the age of 5 hadn't said 'I could so get a black belt before you' when they watched Karate Kid one Saturday, she would not have it this day. But Jazmin worked ten times as hard as her sister, Her YOUNGER sister and she could still never beat her.
She started to walk away from the massive home that her and her father lived in, when the door suddenly opened, her father and sister standing in the door way. 'HOOOOOONEEEEEYYYYY, your home!" Her father Tom Dubois yelled out the front door making her cringe. Yazmin smiling next to him her curly hair pulled back into a pony tail over her shoulder. She slowly made her way to the door glaring at her sister.
"Hi daddy, what's going on? What's mom doing here and what is the devil doing here?" She said entering the house, walking past her sister without acknowledging her.
"Oh bite me Jazz, still sour over this morning?"
"I totally beat you at gym, you totally trip me at the last minute, Yazzie" she said turning to her. Both of them bent forward in the same fashion.
"Your just clumsy, stop being such a baby 'big' sister."
Then her mom came around the corner, her mom was in short jean shorts and an off the shoulder crop top with the American flag on it, showing off her taught tummy and belly ring. Her mom looked like a 25 year old instead of the 35 she was. Her long blond hair and perfect teeth and smile, she looked like Blake Lively, in the last season of gossip girl. She opened her arms and pulled her into a hug. "Oh c'mon girls stop yelling at each other." Their parents divorced when they were 8, it was kind of the reason that they moved out here.
"She started it" we both yelled at the same time. We glared at each other, our parents looked between us.
"Now girls," Their father says, "we have something really important to talk about."
The girls looked at each other, the last time they 'had something to talk about' they were getting a divorce and we moved to California. Our parents sat us both down on the couch and mom cleared her throat. "Well," she continued. "You two and your dad are moving and IwasInvitedToGoOnAtwoyearSabadicalInRussia!" She said in one quick breath, and like me when she was nervous she just continued talking." Isn't that amazing! I get to go to Russia and since I can't take my car with me, when you move all the way across the country back to Woodcrest and get your license you two can so have it, totally paid for and the insurance is good for the next four years."
They both were stunned into silence, they somehow had grabbed each other's hands and Jazmin had squeezed her sister's hand. Their mom was flighty so they know this is something that could happen. Their mom was always on the move, she couldn't stand being still, and it's kind of the reason their parents got divorced.
"And hons," their dad continued," I was able to find a lovely place for me to open a beauty Salon, what do you think of the name 'Dubois'. Oh and we are moving back into the old house that we had before we moved here. So what do you think?" he asked while they both looked at us. Their dad was very eccentric; he was a 6'5 buff black dude with a tattoo of a chain on his neck, who loved nothing more than hair and makeup. The only reason the girls hair looks as great as it does is because of their father. But then the girls finally realized what he had just said.
"Wait…What? We're moving back to Woodcrest?" they said simultaneously. Realizing they were still holding hands like they did when they were little, they put their hands in their laps.
JAZMINS POV
I couldn't believe this, I had just gotten used to everything here in California with Yazzie and me going back and forth between mom and dad's house, they lived around the corner from us a good 15 min walk five min drive away. We were doing great in school and we finally got our schedules right, and between dance and gymnastics studying and our martial arts class, that's not an easy thing to do. But this isn't the first time we would have to adjust because of our parents and it won't be the last time. I just hope that they can at least wait until we graduate before doing anything more.
"okay, when do we leave?" we said and both of my parents smiled and hugged us in a big sloppy hug, which makes me happy. My mom is still hugging us when daddy leaves to make a call, before he is completely out of ear shot I hear, "ah yes, they agreed to-" then he was too far for me to hear. Mommy was still holding her arms around us. Mom used to be the same height as us but we're a couple inches taller now than her at my 5'7. Daddy is 6'5 so we must get our height from him, but we look just like our mom. We had the same green big eyes and tiny little nose, our skin color was a few shades darker than hers but our skin was clear and healthy. She released us and looked in our eyes, and smiled her megawatt smile, a tear coming from her eye.
Oh NO, "Mommy! You cannot start crying! Mommy, NO!" Yazzie said clinging on to her for dear life. I was trying to remember every inch of her. Her glossy blond hair that she has been growing from the time we left Maryland, the way she smelled of sunshine and the ocean. Even her laugh that reminded me of all the times we have laughed together.
"I am going to miss you so much honey." She said, "Jazzy baby you have to call me and text me and video skype me and we can get this app called glide, Yazzie honey, you too we can be besties even from far away. Don't grow older and stay the same for me please?" We just laughed, we both knowing that won't happen but I nod my head in her shoulder anyway.
"I want some of those Russian stacking dolls for Christmas, and handwritten letters." I said holding back my own tears.
"and I want a Russian boy with a cute accent and that is financially stable." Yazzie said
"when do you leav-" I was interrupted by daddy entering the room again.
"Alright Sarah, the cab is here to take you to the airport." What? Right now? Mommy kisses me on the forehead and moves some of the wild curls from in front of my face and smiles. She does the same to Yaz.
"Don't give your father too much trouble okay sweethearts, and I love you." She kissed my forehead again. We walked arm and arm to the door, and when we opened the door the cab was indeed there. She gave us both one more hug and then she left. I felt a tear go down my cheek but, I'll see her again.
The taxi went down the street and when we could no longer see it daddy brought us back in the house, closing the door behind us. "okay girls we leave next week so pack your clothes and anything you need the house back in Woodcrest still has all of our furniture. "
Yazmin and I both started up the steps to get to our shared floor, we both had our own rooms and bathrooms just on the same floor, she was walking slightly ahead of me when she stops and I run into her back.
"yaz wha-"
"SHHH" she steps forward being silent and I do as well, then I hear it a little bump and someone scratching. What is that? We walk closer to my bedroom door where the noises were being emitted she does this hand movement which mean get on the other side.
"Open the door Jaz" she says in a whisper
"Me? You open the door." I say back in the same whisper
"It's your door, open it."
I couldn't deny that fact, I nod my head and reach for the handle. Slowly pushing it down and quickly opening the door then look down to see two little fluffy dogs. "OH MY GOD" we both said only I said it excitedly while Yaz seemed more horrified.
I kneel down to the dogs that immediately attack me with cute fluffy doggy kisses . Yaz steps around us and sits on my bed and then the dog on the left goes to her and started to scratch it's little cut paws at her leg.
"AWWWWWW see Yazzie, It likes you." I said and then under my breath I said "at least someone does."
"Eww get away you ball of fluff." She gently moves it back with her foot, and the little thing just smiles and sneezes.
"AWWWWWWW" we both say at the same time, only Yazzie quickly realizes that she showed emotion and just picked the thing up and out it in her lap. Then dad walks into the door way, he is smiling.
"I see you two found your dogs, they are twins just like you two. Your mom and I decided to get them as a thank you for being so understanding." He said "Do you like them?"
"oh daddy she is the cutest thing I think I ever did see." I said
"I guess it's not completely ugly. Still a mutt though."
"Well I'm glad you like them, "he says smiling. "Now we leave in a week let us get to packing."
The dogs barked a tiny bark at the same time as if to say let's get to work.
Huey Freeman…
"Aye nigga, open yo damn door. Granddad said go mow the lawn and turn off that punk ass music." Ugh not one moment of peace ever. All I am trying to do is get a few minutes of meditation in and can't even do that. I exhaled the breath in my lungs, I was in a handstand my shirt off and wearing black basketball shorts. I lowered one leg and then the other and then another round of loud banging on my room door came from my, oh so lovable little brother Riley.
"Nigga, I'm not gon' tell yo ass again, get the oof-" I open the door and kicked him in the gut, launching him across the hallway.
"I heard you the first time, bang on my door like a Neanderthal again and you'll get worse than a kick in the gut." I said exiting the room and going downstairs. I heard riley get up and try to get me from behind.
"Bitch nigga, who da fuck you think your hitting, I am THE 'YOUNG REEZY' nigga, the silver spoon coon. Yo ol' hatin ass surprising a nigga like you aint got no couth. Niggah- he said trying to kick me down the steps, but I just step over to the left and he went flying down the steps and crash landing in to the vase granddad kept next to the door.
"What the fuck are you lil niggas doing now?" granddad yelled from his recliner.
"Riley broke your vase." Huey said, going into the kitchen.
"Riley, I'm going to beat the black off you." Granddad said getting up and cracking his belt at Riley.
"Granddad ouch it's Huey fault, ouch he being a hatin' ouch ass nigga again."
Huey placed his ear phones in his ears and went to the back yard to get the lawn mower out the shed. A song came on his head phones it was a Biggie song and he started to nod his head along to the beat. Pushing the lawn mower out to the front lawn He started the lawn mower moving it from one end of the lawn to the other, in the burning hot sun, he noticed a moving truck sitting in the house across the street. Who would want to move to this boring ass neighborhood and into a house that hasn't had anyone one in it since we moved here eight years ago? After about thirty min of mowing, he is finally done mowing and pushes the lawn mower to the side of the house, he sees something orange in the corner of his eye and turns to see a girl looking out of the window. She had long curly hair that was a reddish blond color; she was ripped with a six pack and green eyes I could see from here.
Well Damn…
Jazmin Dubois…
It's hot, and the sun is shining. I was in the diver seat of our new blue Chevy, Yazzie was in the passenger seat and daddy was driving the truck with all of our boxes in it in front of us. We just left the airport and were driving to our home in Woodcrest. Having not been here for eight years, Istill remembered a lot. The familiar houses and the big high school that was only a few blocks away from where we lived on timid deer lane. Yazzie and I were both looking out the windows and examining the surroundings, and reminiscing.
"Oh look at that, the old studio is still there. I wonder how Jamell is and didn't she get married?" Yaz said, pointing out the window.
"That's what she said on facebook and Kelcey is what almost nine now, wow."
"We have to stop by there soon."
"We will, we need to get settled in first though. We should talk to dad about getting re enrolled there and we still have to find a dojo."
"I'm sure they have one somewhere." She then looked at me and then my outfit and chuckled. "how did we end up in the same outfit?" Then I noticed that we were indeed dressed in similar blue jean shorts and Nirvana crop tops except while mine was a pink hers was blue.
"Awww you wanted to be like your big sister didn't you." I patted her head.
"bitch, I will cut you."
"Try me hoe" I said pulling up to the house.
The house was big but not as big as our place in Sacramento, but it did have a pool and a finished basement. Daddy was already out of the truck opening it, while we got out of the car and let out Gambino and Kendrick. This is what we decided to name our little dogs, mine was Gambino and Yazzie named her Kendrick.
"Ahhh, it's good to be back. I missed this place." He said carring a big box filled with his numerous different hair care products. "You girls can grab, some boxes and bring them into the house. Luckily there isn't a lot of them." This was true the house still had all of our old furniture so with a little dusting and some elbow Greece all will be better.
A few hours later and the place looked good as new. I looked out the window to my room and it was facing the house across the street, I look down and see an old man walk out the front door, he was handsome. He was around 60 years old and had grey hair, he walked up to daddy and they started to have a conversation. I decided to explore while Yazzie was preoccupied by getting her room together. I walk out the front door with Gambino and Kendrick on their leashes. I immediately know where I want to go. I wonder if the big tree is still there, it is my favorite spot because you can see all of Woodcrest from the top of the hill it's on.
Walking the familiar route that I still seem to remember from oh so long ago, I see it and it's much bigger than when I last saw it but it still has that perfect curve that is perfect to lay your back on. I get to the top of the hill and sit down at the tree. The sun was just setting much earlier than I was used to going to have to get on east coast time and soon. i wonder if mommy is okay in Russia she texted me a few hours ago asking for pictures of Yazzie and I.
My phone vibrated 'J come home we having guest over for dinner. The new neighbors X.x'
Well time to meet the neighbors.
Huey Freeman
"Boys get dressed, we are going over to the Dubois's, for dinner." granddad came into the living room where Riley was playing grand theft auto five and I was re-rereading the Malcom X biography.
"What type name is Dewbwah? He a gay nigga?" Riley so eloquently stated.
"No Mr. Dubois and his daughter invited us, so get ready we leave in ten minutes."
I sighed and slid on my shoes, I was wearing a black shirt and cargo shorts with some flip flops, I hope he didn't expect me to get any more ready than this. Riley came down five min later wearing a fresh white beater and blue jeans that were hanging to low on his hips. I rolled my eyes and granddad came right after him.
"Ready boys?" we walked the short distance between our houses, Riley knocks on the door and a man opens it yelling, "the freeman's are here, hello I'm Tom Dubois but you can call me tom." He says and Riley and I's mouths were wide open this man was large, Not like fat but huge. He stood at least 6'5 I am already 6'2 and riley and granddad are 6'1. Granddad spoke first.
"you have a lovely home Tom, these are my grandsons Huey," he gestured to me as we walked into the house, "and Riley. Say hello boys.'
I did a head nod and Riley said 'Sup', and we walked further into the house.
NO POV
Jazmin was in her room putting her hair in a ponytail and finishing putting on mascara, she herd her father yell upstairs that the freeman were here. 'Great,' she thought why her father would invite guest over the first night they are here is a mystery to her and Yasmin who was downstairs in the kitchen cooking. Her hair was flowing her father had straightened it for her, she herd her father talking to the neighbors that just walked into the door.
She herd a bump from upstairs, Huey also herd the noise and looked toward the steps, all of a sudden a small bundle of hair and legs rushed passed him pushing him into the door.
"Sorry, move out the way. Jazzy don't-"she was interrupted by another crash. Jazmin who was upstairs looking for her hoop earrings in her sister's room immediately tripped on the boxes piled at the door. Then fell again knocking the earrings off her sister's dresser. She immediately thought this wouldn't happen if her sister stopped taking her things.
"Ugh Yazmin."
Tom grabbed the boys. "Okay while my daughters finish getting ready, let's have a seat at the table. "
Huey Riley and Robert, followed him in to the beautiful dining room. Huey needed a moment, "Mr. Dubois where is your bath room?"
"Oh, Right upstairs first door across the hall on the right."
Huey walked up the steps and saw the door but before he could get to it the same hair on legs came rushing at him.
"Ugh Move it, Afro Thunder." The girl with light green eyes said to him.
"why the hell are you running down a narrow hallway"
"it's my hallway and I do as I please, not git." She walked down the steps her hair bouncing as she went. Whatever, I just hope this dinner doesn't last long. As he was turning the corner the same girl was walking towards him. She looked at him with dark green eyes. "Hello" she said walking past him her ponytail swinging as she walked.
Wait, hold on. He turned around but the girl was gone, ugh what a weird de ja vu moment. He no longer felt the need to pee so he just washed his hands and went back downstairs.
As he entered the dining room the Girl was sitting there with her hair down.
"Afro Thunder, you made it." She exclaimed
"Ha Afro Thunder," Riley said " imma have to use that one." He hi fived the girl sitting next to him, while Tom and Robert we talking amongst themselves at the other end of the table.
"I would prefer if you didn't, and you should stop as well."
"oh so scary, what are you going to do fro?" she said getting up and heading out the door to the kitchen, where her sister was finishing the veggie lasagna.
"Here Jazzy go in there and take the bread and salad I'll finish the lasagna and bring it out. You have to meet these boys."
"you not messing with them too much are you Yazzie it's only been a day."
"Pssh, Time waits for no man." Jazmin laughed taking the bread and salad to put on the table.
Her pony tail swinging threw the door she sat the food down in front of Riley.
"Welcome, everyone dinner is almost ready. "She said noticing the handsome boy with the afro glaring at her. Not sure what she did she sits next to him. Huey wonders why this girl keeps putting her hair up if she is just going to take it down again.
"why do you keep putting your hair up if you just take it down again?" He asked her
"what are you talking about?" she said "my hair has been like this all day?"
"You were just in here, and you hair was down though." The boy sitting across from her said.
"this is the first time I'm entering this room though, so how is that possible."
"why lie, you were just sitting right there calling me Afro thunder"
"I am certain your mother didn't name you Afro Thunder so why would I call you that, unless that is your name?"
"why would 'Afro thunder' be my name?"
Then the door leading to the kitchen opens again, entering the other girl in the home. "Nigga your afro so big it has its own weather. And every time you swing your head I hear thunder claps."
Huey and Riley both swung their heads to the door, looking at the copy of the girl sitting next to him.
Jasmin rolled her eyes finally understanding and turned to Huey. "Hello, My name Is Jazmin Dubois and- she was interrupted by her sister.
"And I am Yazmin Dubois. Pleasure"
OH, Twins.
Well Damn…