Chasing Pavements

Krys723

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews guys and now…I need a favor. I love the cover for my story, but I would like some Fan Art. If anybody can make a good piece of Juey Fan Art, then please send it to me. I'll give you my email address in a PM…thank you!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BOONDOCKS!

Setting: The Hill-Timid Deer Lane, Woodcrest; Silver Springs, Maryland

Date: December 3RD, 2010

Time: 4:30 P.M.

Chapter Four

Acceptance

Jazmine DuBois…

Its been a few weeks since I came back to Woodcrest and I was slowly getting back into the swing of things. On Mondays-Thursdays, I had an after-school job at Barnes and Noble and I usually didn't get home until 8:30. I had got my license changed and Dad promised me a car for Christmas if I maintained my 3.5 GPA that I had while I was in Virginia. Its currently at 4.5, the same as Huey's. I hadn't spoken to Huey since I slammed my bedroom door in his face. I apologized the next day, but we really haven't spoken to each other. I would sit with him, Caesar, and Cindy at lunch and I sat beside him during classes, but we didn't talk. At Dad's persistence, he helped me baby sit Abby and Alex while he and Rachael went out for weekend, but I didn't have much questions for him. He would leave as soon as the twins were in bed, which was perfectly fine with me. If I could give a status about where I stood with the African-American revolutionist, then we would be nothing more than neighbors who went to the same school or whatever.

As for Caesar, I instantly realized that he wanted to date me…I put a stopper on that the next day. I told him that we could be friends, nothing more, nothing less. That still didn't stop him from flirting with me. I didn't mind the flirting, as long as it didn't turn into anything more. Christmas break would soon be here, which meant that the Freemans were coming back for another holiday meal. Even while I was gone, the DuBoises and the Freemans did things together because the Freemans had one more relative that was alive and she lived in Chicago. Dad didn't mind it, he thought for Huey and Riley as his sons.

Today was Friday and school was out for the weekend. I had no homework, other than study and when I came home, I saw three plump letters waiting for me in on the dining room table. I only applied for three schools and I applied for early action for all three; Salem University, Georgetown University, and Ewah Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. When I was in seventh grade, my extracurricular activity was learning Korean language. I liked the culture and respected everything Koreans had to go through to get where they are now, so I decided to apply there. When I moved back to Silver Springs, I had to change my address for all three schools and I was glad they accepted the change without canceling my applications. I took the three letters and I headed outside, walking towards the Hill. Glad to see it empty, I took my old spot on the ground and placed the three letters in front of me, all of them were facing down so I couldn't see which school it was from until I opened the letter.

"Come on, Jaz," I said to myself. "You know you got in, just open them."

"You're in my spot." I looked up and saw Huey Freeman standing above me. It was like we were ten all over again. He was wearing a black trench coat with a scarf and black gloves.

"Freeman, this is my spot. I claimed this spot when we were ten. Now, go away I'm doing something," I said. It wasn't snowing so Huey sat down opposite of me, taking out two thick packets I only knew as college applications. I guess he decided to do early action as well. "I guess we're doing the same thing."

"I guess so, it's probably easier to open these in silence," Huey stated. I nodded and the next noise you could hear was Huey and I opening our letters. I got into all three of my schools, even though Ewha was my international backup. I seriously wanted to cry, the last five years didn't matter the moment I got accepted into every school I applied for.

"So how did you do?" Huey asked me.

"I got in all three," I said. "You?"

"I got in both of my early action schools, I won't know the rest until spring. Congratulations," Huey said as I stood up. "You'll probably have to tell Tom and Rachael huh?"

"Yes, I'm sure they'll be happy. Bye," I said walking down the Hill and back towards my home. I don't know if it was me, but I could've sworn I felt Huey's eyes on me as I walked away. Did I just have an actual conversation with Huey Freeman?

Setting: 1948 Timid Deer Lane, Woodcrest; Silver Springs, Maryland

When I reentered the house; Dad, Rachael, and the twins were all in the dining room. I took off my boots and hung up my coat and hat. My hair hated the cold, it became frizzy and made it look more like a puffball than it already was. Rachael made a tsking sound with her teeth, but for once I let it go. I was too excited to let this woman ruin my mood as she would've done days before. I walked over to my Dad and handed him my acceptance letters. He read them over and smiled. He then got up and hugged me.

"Congratulations, Jazmine! I am very proud of you!" he said as he embraced me in a tight Dad hug. "I know, I'll call Robert and together the Freemans and the DuBoises are going out to eat! I am so proud of you, Jazmine!"

"What school are you planning on attending?" Rachael asked me as Dad finally released me.

"Either Ewha W.U. or Salem," I said. "They both have amazing Liberal Art courses."

"I'll miss you either way," Dad said. "I'll call Robert while everybody gets ready. I will not take no for an answer!" The twins got up from their seats and went to change, Rachael wasn't that far behind them. I went downstairs to my basement room, finding something suitable to wear. I also looked over at my notebook. I needed to write to her, she needed to know. I wasn't going to leave her out of my life forever. I sat down and started writing.

Dear Mom,

How are you, how are things in jail? Wait, why did I ask you that? Things are bad right, your feel alone, like nobody cares for you right? I'll keep my letter short, Dad got remarried shortly after you and I left for Virginia. Her name is Rachael and she's nice 50% of the time. She has two kids, both of them are biologically Dad's, their names are Abby and Alex and they're twins. Aged five. I'm writing to you to let you know that I got accepted into three schools at early admission. I haven't decided which school I wanted to go to yet. I'll write you back when I figure it out. Please don't write back to me and please don't call, I just thought that I should do the sensible thing and give you updates.

Your daughter,

Jazmine

—Break—

Setting: O'Charley's-Downtown Woodcrest, Woodcrest; Silver Springs, Maryland

Time: 7:30 P.M.

Huey Freeman…

We met the DuBoises at O'Charley's at seven-thirty, Granddad let me drive there because I told him about the two school I got accepted into so far. Me driving a car that I've driven since junior year was a way of congratulations. I knew the moment Jazmine told Tom he was gonna plan a dinner like this, I just knew it. Granddad thought of it as an evening that Tom was paying for and told us to get dressed. I entered up wearing black slacks with a black dress shirt and black and white tennis shoes that Granddad got for me back in October. Riley wore his white pimp suit. He looked the same as he did when he was eight. I rolled my eyes.

"Why can't you two dress up nice," Granddad said as we waited for the DuBois.

"It's just a stupid dinner Granddad," Riley argued. "I don't see why we can't just go home and eat like we usually do? Why we always gotta do things with Mr. DuBois? We ain't no goddamn Family Circus."

"Hush, boy. Cutie pie got into an international school…that's more then you'll never do." Yep…this was a typical thing in my family. I'll be glad when I'm gone.

"She kicked me in my member the first day she came back," Riley said.

"You deserved it," I said. Before Riley could say anything else, the door of the restaurant opened and Jazmine, Rachael, and Tom entered the lobby.

"Robert, hello!" Tom said with a smile plastered on his face. Rachael was now six months pregnant and she looked big. She had on a blue maternity dress that actually looked like something a woman would buy out of a place like Barneys or Cato. She had on flats that matched her dressed and her hair was in an elegant ponytail. Tom wore a pair of navy blue slacks with a crisp, white dress shirt. His shoes were freshly polished and as usual his hair was neatly kept scalped. When I saw Jazmine, I had to force my mouth to stay closed. Her outfit was semi-casual. It was a black skirt with a white blouse that she paired off with her infamous black pleather jacket and black heels. I couldn't help but notice that the skirt hit her in all the right spots nor how long her legs were. Her hair was curly and tied using a black and white hair band.

"Hello, Robert. Sorry we couldn't bring the twins, it would've been pasted their bedtimes," Rachael said as she planted a kiss on Robert's cheek. Riley and I rolled our eyes as a waiter walked us towards our table. He handed us menus and everybody found something that they wanted for the evening. It was hard for me, I couldn't eat anything in this place. When the waiter came back with our drinks, I ended up ordering the Shrimp Scampi pasta while Granddad, Riley, and Mr. DuBois ordered burgers and Jazmine and Rachael had chicken.

"Tell me cutie pie, which school do you wanna go to?" Granddad asked as we waited for our food. She was picking at her first bread loaf, tearing off pieces and putting butter on it before eating it and plopping in her mouth.

"I don't know, Mr. Freeman. It's a touch call," she said politely. "When I applied to those schools, it was only because I needed to leave. I still need to leave, but I doubt that I'll end up in Seoul." She was starting to sound like the old polite Jazmine, but I could tell by her voice that she was keeping her walls up.

"Nigga, why is you looking at Jazmine like that," Riley whispered loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm not looking at her like anything," I whispered back in an irritated tone.

"Don't be bullshittin on me, I sees you nigga. Just admit your gay-ass finally like her and we'll be on our merry way," Riley whispered back.

"Jazmine DuBois is the last girl on my mind, I don't date. I'm not like you and Cindy," I whispered. "Or are you two off again?"

"We still on…nigga, don't worry about my ass. At least I get to use my dick for more than pissin," Riley said as two waiters came with our food. As we started eating, I noticed how Jazmine cut her chicken into slices, she used to do that with all her food when we were in school. It was nice to see that come back. She looked up and raised an eyebrow, as though the two of us were sharing a conversation using our thoughts. I was already battling inside my head.

Stop looking at her! You don't like her, you don't date!

Oh who are you fooling? You hated it when she stopped talking to you, even when she slammed her door in your face, you liked it.

Are you insane! She pissed you the fuck off!

She's been gone for five fucking years, give her a break!

No! She deserves an ass whooping!

You like her Nigga, you keep staring at her and shit!

"HUEY!" I looked up and saw everybody was staring at me. Granddad's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked.

"Are you going to eat or not? Don't you refuse Tom's generous offer, boy!" I rolled my eyes as I begun eating the pasta in front of me.

"Sprung ass gay nigga," Riley whispered to me. I reached over and smacked him upside his head.

When we finished eating, Granddad decided to hitch a ride back with Tom and Rachael, which left us with Jazmine. I hated it when Granddad and Tom drank, something stupid might happen. I guess that's why Rachael's with them, she's the designated driver.

"Jazzy, let me ask you a question," Riley said. Why do I have the feeling this is going to end badly for him. Jazmine looked at him.

"What?" she asked with a curious look on her face.

"You ever had a boyfriend?"

"No, I don't want to date."

"That's a lie, bitch. Every girl want a boy or a girl if you go down like that," Riley said. I rolled my eyes as I unlocked the car doors. Jazmine got in the passenger side with me.

"Riley, I don't want a man and I don't want to date, that's that," she said as she closed the door behind her. I started the park and pulled out of the O'Charley's parking lot. Traffic was going at a normal pace tonight, so we made it home with ease. When I pulled into our driveway, Jazmine's been doing the same thing she done all evening; looking at the window.

"I'll walk you to your door," I offered. I know it was across the street, but even Granddad wouldn't let me get away from walking her across the street. She nodded and Riley went inside the house as Jazmine and I walked towards her house. When we got to her door, I saw something hanging off her door frame.

"What is that?" I asked her.

"It's a mistletoe, my Dad put it up so he'd kiss Rachael, Abby, and I every time he walked in the house with us," she explained. "You don't have to walk me to do the door, I don't want you to get caught." I nodded and watched from her porch as she walked towards her house. Every inch of me wanted to go farther, but I couldn't move. If I moved, then I would have no other choice but to kiss her. She got inside her house without any trouble and I walked back across the street.

Setting: 1951 Timid Deer Lane, Woodcrest; Silver Springs, Maryland

Date: December 4TH, 2010

Time: 2:30 P.M.

Granddad didn't come home until 3:30 in the morning, drunk off his ass as usual whenever went out drinking with Tom. He fell asleep on the living room couch, neither Riley or I could watch TV until he woke up, even the slightest sound could ground us. There was a knock on the door around 2:30 while I was studying. Damnit. I got downstairs before Granddad could wake up and cuss out the person at the door. When I reached the landing, he was still fast asleep, so I opened the door. It was Cindy, who wore a pair of jeans with a red blouse that showed off her figure. She had on red kitten heels and dare I say, she looked like an actual girl.

"Yo, Huey! Where Young Reezy at?" she asked. I pointed upstairs towards his bedroom. Whenever Cindy was here and dressed like a girl, I knew that they were going to have sex sometime she before she left again. I decided to grab my coat and books before heading towards the library. The last thing I wanted was to hear Riley and Cindy having sex while I was in the next room trying to study. I grabbed the car keys from their hook and left into the cold air.

Setting: Wuncler Public Library-Downtown Woodcrest, Woodcrest; Silver Springs, Maryland

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Wuncler Public Library was the only library in the state of Maryland—or probably the world—that stayed opened until 8:00 on a Saturday, especially near the holidays. It was spacious and two levels high. The downstairs level was where the children and young adult book stations were, along with two multipurpose rooms and the computer labs, one for homework for kids and local college students, the other was free time and personal use. The second level was where ever adult book resided, along with encyclopedias, dictionaries and study areas. I headed upstairs—I had no wish to be around kids today—and got a table that wasn't that far away from Jazmine DuBois.

She was typing furiously on her laptop, she wore a pair of black jeans with a red sweater and her pleather jacket. She had on red socks, her black boots were underneath her seat. She didn't even glance up when I sat down at the table across from her. I took out my books and my music player, midterms were coming up and I needed to study.

It wasn't until 5:00 when I felt somebody tapping on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw that it was Jazmine and she had her laptop back inside her bag and her black boots were on her feet. A red cap was on her head and she also wore red gloves.

"What are you doing here?" she asked me.

"Studying, the same thing you were doing," I told her. "Are you leaving?" She nodded. "Did you need a ride?"

"No," she said. "I just wanted to know if you were alright. You hardly spoke last night at dinner."

"I'm fine, Riley was just being stupid that's all," I told her. She nodded. "I'll give you a ride, Jazmine."

"Huey, I'm fine. I need to walk anyway, I wanted to get something to eat because I doubt that my Dad or Rachael would feel like cooking. I'll see you later." Before I could offer her the ride again, Jazmine walked down the stairs and out the door. What was wrong with me?

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