Monday March 16, 1987

Randy walked down the hall towards his locker. Chevonne had run off to the bathroom complaining that her helmet had flattened her hair too much. Randy rolled his eyes as he heard Cena and Nikki arguing again and her crying as usual. He opened his own locker and tossed his book bag inside.

He looked down the hall and Roman at his locker. Randy shut his own locker and walked down to where Roman was pulling out his books.

"Roman, you got a minute?" Randy asked.

"Sure, what do you need?" Roman looked at him.

"Chevonne tells me you're hanging out after school today." Randy said.

"Yeah, is that a problem?" Roman lifted an eyebrow.

"Listen Roman, I think you're okay. You've been cool since you got here. I just want to know what your intentions are about Chevonne." Randy said.

"Intentions?"

"Look, Chevonne has been my best friend for 14 years. She is my sister. And I can tell you that despite her thick skin, she hides the hurt that she is different in this little stuck up town. And I know that a few pricks have always thought Judi Williamson was a slut and now that Chevonne is in high school…..well those same pricks think the same about her. So if you think she is….."

"I don't, no…shit. Randy, do you really think I would think that?" Roman glared.

"I had hoped not, but I had to be sure. She is my sister and I am very protective of her." Randy said. "Sorry if I came off wrong but I don't mince words."

"I know, Jimmy and Jey warned me you were protective of her." Roman said. "I just want to get to know her better and see where things go. I could tell from spending time with everyone that she wasn't the type to sleep around. Besides, I ignore stupid high school gossip."

Randy gave a small smile. "You're okay Reigns. Just be honest with her. She hates guys that play games."

"I will. I think if I wasn't you would scalp me." Roman shook his head.

"I am protective of her….but the girls would be the ones to really hurt you." Randy laughed. "See you later."

(Last Period)

"Chevonne, you want some of my make up? I know Roman is taking you out after class." Kristin asked.

"You think I should try more than my basics?" Chevonne asked as she finished spraying her hair.

"Maybe a little blue around your eyes, really bring out your eyes." Kristin said.

"The good thing about you, you're already pretty." Brandi wrapped her arm around her. "Not like a few of the bow wows that have to spend an hour on their make-up."

Chevonne chuckled. "Okay Kristin, just a touch of blue and then I need to go. The bell rang five minutes ago."

Chevonne sat on the bench next their gym lockers and let Kristin put a little bit of eye shadow on her eyes.

"There you look great." Kristin stepped back and smiled.

Chevonne checked her outfit in the mirror. Tight jeans, a plain white shirt tucked in, and a denim jacket.

"Here, wear my heels since you aren't riding on Randy's bike." Naomi handed her a pair of white heels.

"Thank you Naomi, I owe you one." Chevonne hugged her.

"It's no problem. Now get out there before I dump Jimmy for him." She winked.

Chevonne laughed, grabbed her book bag and headed out to meet Roman. He was sitting on the bleachers in the gym waiting for her. She smiled seeing he was in jeans and a black shirt with sneakers.

"Roman, hey. Sorry about the wait." She smiled.

"It's okay, I haven't been here long. Come on, I brought my car today." Roman stood up.

Chevonne and Roman walked out of the school to the student parking lot. He walked over to a blue and black mustang and opened the door.

"You have a mustang?" she stared.

"Yeah, early graduation gift." He smiled.

"It's beautiful." She smiled and got in.

Roman closed the door and climbed in himself. He drove them a few blocks from the school to a pizza parlor that many of the Carter High School students used as a hang out. They walked inside and grabbed a booth near the back.

"A large with everything, is that okay?" Roman asked.

"Sure, sounds great." She smiled.

A waitress came and took their order and brought them back a pitcher of soda.

"What were your friends like in your old school?" Chevonne asked.

"I had two I was really close to…Dean and Seth. Great guys, I am hoping they are able to come visit me at some point." He said.

"What were they like?" she asked.

"Dean was rough around the edges and sometimes I had to talk him down from getting in trouble, but a great guy down deep. Seth was like the quiet prankster, never knew what he was going to get into." Roman smiled.

"They sound really nice. It must be hard to have had to leave them." Chevonne said.

"We're still in touch." Roman said.

"And your dad is Fatu's uncle?" she asked about the Uso's father.

"Yes, it's a large family." Roman said. "What about your family?"

"I live with my mom….it's just the two of us. I…." Chevonne seemed to struggle for words.

"It's okay….Randy didn't want me believing false rumors about you or your mom and explained to me that your dad took off before you were born." Roman assured her. "I didn't mean to pry."

"Randy…he is definitely my brother, we just lack the bloodline." She smiled. "We're very close."

"I can tell. I am sorry if I upset you. Sometimes I don't think before I speak."

"It's okay. As I have grown and matured I have found that I haven't missed out on anything." She said. "But sometimes people treat me….."

"I can imagine…small town, Bible belt." Roman said.

"When I was a young child, I felt very different from the other children…..all those kids with two parents while I had mom and the Orton's…..celebrating Father's day with Randy's family….I always wondered what having a dad was like. But when I got older, I realized I hadn't missed out on anything. I realized that the Orton's had become my family and Bob was my dad in my heart. Family is not always who you share blood with, but who your heart chooses." She smiled.

"It's great that you had them." Roman said.

"They are seriously like family. When we were little and mom would work late, Bob and Elaine kept me at their house…sometimes keeping me overnight." She smiled.

He smiled at her as the waitress brought their pizza. He admired the fact she didn't let her home life hold her back.

"Does it bother you….me having a single mom?" Chevonne asked.

"Not at all. Quit worrying about that." He assured her.

"Any plans for college?" he asked her.

"Yeah, I have already been accepted to Georgia State University on academic scholarship. I haven't declared a major yet." She smiled. "What about you?"

"I am going to Georgia Tech….looks like we will both be in the Atlanta area." Roman said.

"What are you going to major in?" she asked.

"I haven't decided yet. I have no clue what I want to do for the rest of my life. I thought I would take basics for a few semesters." He said.

After they finished their meal, Roman drove Chevonne home with her pointing out the way to him. Both had enjoyed the evening and Chevonne knew her friends would be calling her asking a hundred questions. Roman walked Chevonne up to her door even though it wasn't dark yet.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school." Chevonne smiled at Roman.

"Listen, this weekend, Jimmy, Jey, Naomi and some more of their friends are planning to go to the family's cabin at Forrest Lake." Roman said. "If you haven't been invited yet…I'd like you to come with us."

"I have been to the cabin a few times before." She said.

"I'll even invite Randy." Roman said.

"It sounds like it could be fun; I'd love to come with you guys." She said.

"Great, we leave Saturday." Roman said.

She nodded and stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "See you tomorrow." She said and walked into her house.

Author's Note- Special thanks to cdajr for reviewing. I feel a bit like I am flying blind but trucking on until I can get some more feedback to help guide me a bit. Hope everyone is enjoying.