Chapter Four: Epiphany

"Ayo, Reezaaay!" Cindy shouted as she approached one of her best friends.

"What's good girl!" Riley shouted back opening his arms for a big hug from his crush.

Cindy crip-walked all the way to Riley and jumped last minute into his arms. Riley picked Cindy up and spun her around as he squeezed her firmly and warmly. The duo laughed at their goofy encounter as her settled her back down to the ground.

'I wanna do that to you everyday' Riley thought.

"So wassup? It's been forever since we had one on one!" she said giving him dap.

"Yeah fo'real! We gotta plan somethin'! Yo'! Let's go out this weekend!" he said enthusiastically.

"Oooh snap! I promised Ceez that I'd hang by him over the weekend" she said now feeling a bit guilty.

"Oh, nah it's a'ight. We'll work around it" he said trying to seem normal while deep down his heart was wrenching. "So where is err'body?"

"I don' know. I think their all by the parking lot of somethin'. It's study hall so yeah." He answered.

"Wanna shoot some hoops?" she asked hopefully with those beautiful ocean eyes.

Riley's insides now turned to goo looking at her eyes. The McPhearsons always had the most beautiful smiles. "Psshht girl lets go so I can show you who the master is!" Riley said pompously.

"Sweet! Let's play Tip when we get there!" she said as she walked next to her closest friend.

Cindy was always happier with Riley, and he was always there when she was in trouble or when she needed a shoulder to cry. He's always been there for her and she just wants to make sure that Riley sees that she appreciates it. She really wants to hang around Riley more because they missed out on bonding during summer since he went Chicago to visit Aunt Cookie.

As they approached the courts, Riley started taking off his hoodie. Today Riley wore a more laid back outfit that consisted of black basketball shorts, a white hoodie and some green hi-top All Stars. Cindy wore printed denim jeans that had quotes written in white on them, black sneakers and a tribal crop-top with her in a high up.

When Riley finished taking off his hoodie, they got ready for their game at the 3-pointer line, squatting down with their legs apart infront of each other. Riley grinned as they gave each other a challenging stare down. Cindy also grinned just before she said, "Tip!"

In The Music Room…

"Could it be I'm suffering
Because I'll never give in?
Won't say that I'm falling in love
Tell me I don't seem myself
Couldn't I blame something else?" Jazmine sang the chorus.

As Jazmine was singing, Hiro was busy tweaking around at the table editing Jazmine's cover song. Jazmine kept on singing as Hiro bumped his head to his friend's beautiful voice.

"Just don't say I'm falling in love
'cause I've been there before and it's not enough
So nobody say it

Don't even say it
I've got my eyes shut
Won't look, oh
No, I'm not in love" Jazmine bellowed as she sang the final verse before she sang the final chorus, winging the end of the song just like Corinne Baily Rae does it herself. Hiro just smiled as he just watched his friend sing her heart out.

Hiro clapped as the song ended and walked towards his friend. "Now that's wassup Jazz! That voicebox is a gift!" he said appraoching her before giving her a hi-5. Hiro wore white torn skinny jeans, a jade coloured v-neck shirt and olive coloured Nikes. His hair has grown longer on the sides.

"Thanks Hiro" Jazmine gleamed as she started taking off her headset. "You know, I couldn't have done it without your help." She said as she gave Hiro a heartfelt hug. Jazmine wore an indigo coloured romper with white stars around it, a grey short sleeved open wooly sweater and brown combat boots. Her hair was in a high bun showing off her dangling butterfly earrings. Hiro and Jazmine haven't been friends since they were two, but they somehow always had each other's backs.

"Ready to head out of here?" he asked.

"Yeah. I just wanna go home and rehearse now" she said now sounding exasperated.

The two friends walked down the hallway making small talk on their journey to the parking lot since it was nearly the end of the school day. As they finally reached the parking lot, they hugged goodbye and Jazmine was on her way to her Mercedes.

Huey was leaning against Dorothy chatting with Caesar, Skylar and Ming. Jazmine walked straight passed him not even giving him a glance. Huey just kept on leaning against his grandfather's car while his best friend was putting her school bags in her boot. As she finished putting her bags away and shutting her boot, she said her goodbyes to the rest of the group, except for Huey. She walked straight passed him and into her car. The next thing Huey knew, she was idicating left for Timid Deer Lane.

"Okay, I could be wrong, but I'm feeling some bad vibes between you and Jazz" Skylar said as she was taking note of their encounter.

"How is that any of your business?" Huey spat.

Skylar just lifted up her hands in a defensive manner and chuckled, because Huey only spoke like that to her when he knew she was right.

"Is strawberry alright?" Ming asked innocently.

"Well that's what we're all trying to find out" Caesar said as he started eyeing Huey.

Huey just looked out into the distance avoiding eye contact with anybody. He clenched his jaw which expresses his beautiful dominant jaw line and folded his arms. Everyone chuckled at this because he rarely acted this way.

There's one thing all Huey's friend knew: Certain body language means a lot for Huey Freeman. Like the old saying goes, 'Actions speak louder than words.' And right now, Huey was saying a lot.

"Yup, they're fighting" Caesar confirmed, which lead to Hiro snickering.

"What are you two fighting about?" Ming asked.

"I said none of yal's damn business" Huey stated sternly.

This made Skylar and Caesar crack up. Hiro started laughing a long time ago. "Okay guys, well I'm gonna go to the courts. Halla if you need me" Skylar said as she dapped everyone goodbye.

"Huey stop being a bitch and just tell us" Hiro said now pushing it.

"Hiro shut your dumbass up!" Huey said now looking at someone for the first time since Jazmine walked passed.

"Huey you whipped man" Caesar said as he cracked out into a ghetto laugh while Ming was still shaking her head at this entire situation.

At the courts…

"Yeah yeah!" Riley shouted as he shot a three-pointer.

"Whatever man" Cindy chuckled as she rolled her eyes. They both went back to the three-pointer line. As they got into their stances, Cindy smirked. They were eyeing each other again, their breaths were heavy and their panting could be heard off the courts. "Tip" Cindy said before they separated into play.

Cindy had the ball this time and she was by the free throw line before Riley acted as defense on her with his sweaty arms up. Cindy was now shuffling. Before Riley knew it, he had been crossed by Cindy. Cindy did a swirl against Riley when she crossed him and did a lay-up.

"Boom!" Cindy yelled getting up in her hommie's face while laughing. Riley just chuckled as well. They were now both in each other's faces. They smiled. Cindy's ocean blue eyes gazing into Riley's hazel ones. They started smiling at each other. Riley's heart rate was increasing by the second. Cindy's, which was startling for her, was increasing as well. There was a beautiful moment between them before Cindy's cousin decided to cockblock.

"Heey!" Skylar yelled approaching the courts.

This caused Cindy and Riley to jump apart due to being startled by Skylar's voice.

"How was the ball sesh? You two are dripping" Skylar announced.

"Dripping with swaaag!" Riley and Cindy surprisingly said at the same time. This caused them to look at each other and laugh at their similarity.

Skylar chuckled and approached the two. "Ey yo Riley-"

"Reezy girl!" he defended.

"Reezy, walk with me for a bit?" Skylar asked plainly.

"Yeah, sure whatever" Riley said. He quickly gave Cindy dap and started walking with Skylar to wherever she wanted them to go.

Cindy still did not know why, but every time she saw Riley with another girl, her heart got angry. However, whenever they're together, it's happy. And whenever they enjoy each others company or her looking into his eyes, it started racing. Cindy's still trying to get with terms as to why her heart is playing with her.

By Woodcrest Park…

"So wassup? Someone get shot?" Riley asked.

"No dumbass. I just wanted to hang. Are you still thinking I'm gonna troll you?" Skylar asked a bit offended. She never knew she was dissing this boy that hard.

"Are you sure? 'Cause if this some kinda game imma get-"

"Riley, please!" Skylar said as she raised her voice slightly. "I'm trying to be nice. I'm trying to be cool. Damnit, Riley I wanna get to know you."

This surprised Riley. He wasn't expecting the person that dissed him the first time they met to be this serious with him all of a sudden.

"Listen Riley, I'm sorry I've been being a bitch and dissing you. I'm sorry I turned you down when you were just being yourself. Now I'm coming to terms with that. So now, I want to be myself around you . So please, just let me in?" she said as she stopped walking and looked at Riley.

Riley was now completely shocked. He gave a small smile. This caused her to smile. "A'ight, cool. Sorry that I've been shuttin' you down more than necessary. Yeah, I'll let you in girl. Truce?" he said giving her that look. The look that meant 'is this really happening?'.

"Truce" she said . Riley's eyes went wide, but quickly went back to normal size and smiled. Next thing Skylar knew, Riley's arm was around her shoulders and her arm wrapped around his waist as they continued walking and getting to know each other.

At The Bushido Brown Dojo…

"Final count! Ready, and-" Huey said to his class.

"Hah!" the kids yelled as they put out their right fist.

"Hah!" they yelled as they put out their left first.

"And!" Huey prepped them.

"Yī, Liǎng, Sān!" they screamed as they fisted both arms and spinned out their right leg.

"Bow" Huey ordered. They obeyed. "Xièxiè" he thanked the kids.

"Xièxiè gèwèi gāoshǒu!" they said before they went to change out of their robes.

Huey went into the staff bathroom and quickly changed back into his clothes. He wore a navy short sleeve dress shirt with a long sleeve white top under it. He also wore loose fitting jeans and Timbalands.

"Goodbye Mr Han" Huey said as he exited the dojo.

"Goodbye, Huey" Mr Han said as he bowed. Huey had a large amount of respect for that man. He was one of the few really nice people at the dojo and has been there for him ever since he stated taking martial arts more seriously at the age of 12. Huey bowed back and exited the dojo.
"Wow, Huey Freeman's a fighter?" Ming said leaning on Dorothy.

"Ming, when did you get here?" he asked a bit taken aback.

"Hiro lives a block away from here. I saw you drive past so figured I'd see where you went."

"…Ming that's called stalking" Huey said eyeing her suspiciously.

"Oh, that wasn't my intention Freeman. Sorry" she apologised now understanding her odd actions.

"It's fine. Just don't do that again" he said still eyeing her suspiciously.

"Ugh, it's getting late" she announced.

Huey rolled his eyes, "Get in the car."

Ming smiled. "Thanks Freeman"

Huey just nodded as he drove.

"So how was your day?" she asked.

"It was fine."

"Okay, mine was fine too thanks" she said sarcastically.

Huey rolled his eyes. "How was your day Ming?"

"It was alright I guess."

"Okay."

Ever since Ming and Huey started to hang more, Huey became bored and Ming just became more, clingy. There was an awkward silence after that. Luckily, Huey stopped in the Otomo's driveway just in time.

"Damnit Ming!" Hiro yelled from the porch.

"What?" she asked confused.

"Don't just go out without telling somone!" Hiro yelled in a desperate voice.

"Sorry Hiro…" she said now feeling guilty.

"What were you doing?" he asked.

"I went to that dojo down the street to see Huey. I want to start working there." She answered.

Huey whipped his head around from inside the car, "What?"

"I want to work there as well" she said to the boys.

Hiro and Huey just blinked at her. "Bye" Huey just stated closing the passanger door and started reversing. As he was about to drive off, he opened his window and spoke to Ming. "Ming, if you join that dojo, I will call you a stalker daily." He said before he drove off.

'This girl is acting crazy', he thought as he drove home.

At the Freeman's Residence…

"I'm home." Huey stated coming in.

"Boy! You're late!" Robert yelled.

"I know" Huey replied.

"Your work days end at 17:00! What you doing here at 17:31?"

"I had to drop Ming off at her house" Huey answered. At that, there was a crash in the kitchen.

"Ay yo, Jazz you a'ight?" Riley called from the living room.

"Cutie pie you alright?" Robert asked with concern in his voice.

"Yeah, ugh, I'm fine. The spoon just fell" she stuttered. "So uhm, the food is ready, the rice is just warming up in the microwave. I'm gonna go now. Thanks for the history notes Mr Freeman!" she said exiting the kitchen walking to the door.

"You're welcome little baby!" he said as she paced to the door.

Unlucky for Jazmine, she was being blocked by Huey at the door. She attempted to go around, but Huey would block her either way. She stopped for moment as she tried not to get angry.

"Look at me" Huey said trying to get Jazmine to look at him. "Look at me Jazmine." Jazmine tried to push Huey out the way, but that was her dumbest move all day, because he grabbed her wrist. She shoved him off her and went out the door.

Huey didn't walk away this time. This time he chased her to her door. Before she could make any move to open her door, her arm was grabbed a hold of once again by Huey. This was deja vu for them. Huey spun her around and pinned her to her front door. "Jazmine DuBois, I said LOOK. AT. ME" he growled.

For the first time since Monday, Jazmine made eye contact with Huey Freeman. Her eyes stated watering.

"Now, you are going to tell me why you cussed me out four days ago. Four fucken days ago Jazmine! It's Thursday Jazmine! You haven't spoken to me in almost four days?"

"Let me go!" Jazmine shouted while her tears rolled down her cheek.

"NO! I will not let this go any longer! It's like you forgot about me Jazz-"

"Don't you DARE call me that!" she screamed "Don't you dare call me that and don't you dare tell me that I've forgotten about you when you forgot about me! Ever since Ming came to this town, you've been hanging less around me! Do you even know what's been happening with me lately? Do you know that I was harassed by Jamal and Duval this week? Do you know that I became captain for the dance team? Do you know that I have a solo next week in assembly?! NO FREEMAN! YOU DON'T! So do me a favour and-"

"NO! You owe ME a favour! So my favour right now is for you to shut up and listen!" Huey said still having Jazmine pinned against a wall.

"Go ask Ming for a favour Hu-"

Huey now had both his hands by the sides of Jazmine's face. "SHUT…UP" he growled.

Jazmine bit her lip to keep in her sobs in as Huey was being an asshole. Huey put his thumb on her lips so that she didn't bite. Now he was focusing on Jazmine's lips. Jazmine's rosy pink, supple, pouty lips. The next he knew, Huey had his eyes closed, but his lips opening and closing against Jazmine's lips.

Jazmine didn't understand how her hands were intwind and tugging on Huey's hair. Jazmine still wanted to rant to Huey about his bullshit, but right now, she wasn't able to because instead of her mouth shouting words at Huey, it was punched up against his own mouth. It was as if they were still fighting, but with their lips, because they were now in the most heated make-out session they could believe. After a couple of moments, they let their lips separate for air as they panted.

One thing for sure, Huey Freeman and Jazmine DuBois has their first kiss.


Author's Note: Song used - Corinne Bailey Rae - Trouble Sleeping