Author's Note: Yoooooooh Guys! I would like to apologise AGAIN for the long wait. I've been having exams so I never had the time. I'm basically done now and I'll be on holiday soon so updates will be more frequent. I also want to sat thank you for all the good reviews :) The more amazing reviews the more I get inspired to write, honestly. So here's a long ass chapter and I will update in three days, five days max.

Ie - 'No' in Japanese

Chapter Seven: Weakness

Huey stormed out of Hiro's house and paced his way to Dorothy. He didn't understand. Why was Jazmine hugging another guy? Why would she? Did their kisses mean nothing to her? What the hell? Is Jazmine playing him? Wait… why would he think she was playing—

"Freeman!" Ming shouted from the gate.

Huey turned around swiftly to see who was calling him. "Ming, what do you want?"

"What I want to know is why you're storming out of my welcoming party" she said with an arrogant smirk.

"Not now."

"Freeman…?" Ming said.

"I just got updated on news that I did not need to know about" Huey stated.

"You mean between Jazmine and Ace?'

"I don't want to know that punkass' name!" Huey shouted.

This made Ming jump a bit, because it is not every day that you hear Huey raise his voice. Captain composure had finally cracked.

"Huey, it was obvious that they were getting comfortable" Ming said bluntly.

Huey did not reply. Instead, he clenched his jaw and started diverging his eyes to places where he could possibly find a distraction.

"It's clear that her getting comfy is just making you more uncomfortable." Ming said. Huey still did not speak. "Huey, if you need someone to talk to—"

"Ming, what are you doing?" Huey asked as he saw Ming putting her hands on his biceps and coming too close to him for his comfort.

"What do you want me to do?" Ming asked.

"Ming, you can't be serious" Huey asked surprised understanding what she was doing. "No."

"Let me speak."

Huey crossed his arms, "Go on."

"Ever since I moved into Woodcrest, I've been able to make changes. I'm not as feisty and rude as I was in my childhood and I've actually made friends. Another thing that changed was my heart, because of you Huey. Your have made my mind go all stupid and it's pissing me off. A lot. So please, can we try?" Ming asked looking up to Huey with her beautiful dark blue eyes.

Huey did not do much. He just stood there, still with his arms crossed and breathing normally. And then he answered, "No."

"Shit, Huey. Is that it?" Ming asked with complete shock in her eyes and her face now glum.

"Yes. I'm not interested."

"It's her, isn't it?"

"Who's her?" Huey asked a bit confused, but seemed to understand who she was talking about.

"Jazmine, Huey! I'm not dumb! Every time she's around you ignore me and do stuff differently with her than how you would with me! Was me sending that picture not enough for—"

"What?" Huey asked now looking Ming dead in the eye with his eyebrows furrowed more than usual.

"I meant—"

"Are you fucking kidding me Ming?" Huey asked very disappointed. "Now that I question it, was she really even doing anything significant with that guy?"

"Huey you don't know that!" Ming asked now scared for her friendship with Huey.

"Ming, you need to compose yourself, look at your dumb ass actions and check your personality, because you're becoming way bitchier than how you were ten years ago. You might have become kinder somehow, but you're still acting as that immature girl that lies and turns on other people to get what she wants. You know what we call people like that here? Two-faced."

Ming just stood there stunned with her eyes wide open and her eyebrows raised. After letting all of Huey's words sink in, it stung like a bitch. Right now she wanted to deck Huey Freeman in the face.

"I'm going home, so I don't have to deal with you and any more stunts you had planned." Huey stated as he continued walking to Dorothy.

Ming stood still as she watched Huey get into the car, switch it on, and let the toxic fumes hit her face.

Back inside the Otomo's…

Hiro had out in a new mix of his on the deck so he could have some fun for once. Music is Hiro's passion, but a hommie also needs to get down. He spotted Jazmine just standing by the door as he got off the deck and started to get worried.

"Jazz, what's up?" Hiro asked putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Some stuff that I just don't understand just happened." Jazmine said, already knowing who's behind her.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked feeling bad for his friend.

Jazmine shook her head. "No, its okay don't worry about it."

Hiro wasn't taking Jazmine's dampened mood, so he spun her around and started shaking her a little. "Lighten up! You were killin' it just now on the dancefloor! C'mon, it sucks seeing you like this" Hiro said pulling Jazmine back to the floor.

She really did appreciate her friends. "You're such a weirdo and I love you for that" she said before lightly punching Hiro's shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah! Now go with the flow" Hiro said as he starting doing the Shmurda on the dancefloor.

Jazmine followed his moves and not long after, the rest of the gang and some other strangers joined them on the floor.

After a couple of drinks, Riley was as drunk as a sailor. Riley was the flirtiest but funniest drunkard you could ever come across, and right now he was making a fool out of himself as he draped his arm over a random girl and started talking to her.

"Wassup, boo? You fine as hell" he said licking his lips.

The girl rolled her eyes and turned her head towards Riley. "Riley, you're drunk."

"Damn girl you know my name! Do you know what that does to my heart?"

"I don't wanna know" she said as she started chuckling.

"It makes my heart go BOOOOOOOOMMMMM…mmmmmmm…mmmmm" he dragged as he started smelling her "mmmmmm girl you smell like peaches" he said grabbing her waist. This made the girl and her friends laugh. "Do you wanna smell me?" he said lifting up his arm.

"OOOOOOKAAAAY! That's enough Reez" Cindy said interfering with Riley's attempt to woo a girl.

"C-Murph! What it do girl!" Riley said reaching out to hug her. Cindy caught him just in time and started laughing herself.

"Sorry Yanda" she said to the assaulted girl.

"It's cool. He's funny as hell. Keep your boy in check though" Yanda said with a smile.

"Gotcha" Cindy said with a wink before dragging her best friend outside. She figured he needed the fresh air.

"C-Murrrpppphhh… she smelled like peaches dawg what the hell?" Riley said as he put his head in her lap.

"You need to keep your wack job in check hommie" she said chuckling, which made her legs vibrate.

"Shhhhhh! Your legs are making noise! Make them keep quiet!" Riley exclaimed now scolding her thighs.

This just made Cindy laugh even more that she almost fell back. This made Riley laugh a bit as well. His true goofy yet slightly gangster laugh was finally out.

"You know, I miss that laugh. I don't get to hear it often. In fact, I don't get to see the real you lately. Why is that?" she said, now trying to take advantage of his drunken state.

"I just don't feel like myself" he said now comfortable on Cindy's thighs. Cindy was now rubbing and petting in between his braids.

"Why?"

"Emotions are a bitch, Cindy" he said now feeling a bit vulnerable.

"Riley, c'mon you have to give me more than that."

"Cindy, do you know how much I –"

"Yo'! The party is inside!" Skylar said approaching the duo.

"Oh, ugh, yeah! This punk is just wasted" Cindy said now trying to hide the emotion in her voice. She didn't know why, but she felt that Riley was going to say something really important. It just didn't settle right with her that she could only get this information out of him when he was either drunk or sleepy. She would like it if her best friend could spill his feelings more often with a sober body and mind. She has felt a change in their friendship. She feels as if he has been starting to distance himself from her and she did not like it one bit. She misses her best friend. She misses days where they could just park outside of school and play basketball because they felt like it. She hates that they don't have deep meaningful conversations anymore. In whole, she misses Riley Escobar Freeman. Everything has changed ever since the new school year began, and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

"Skylaaaarr! Wha's poppin' girrrl?! You look fresh to death!" Riley slurred.

"Damn Reezy you reek of alcohol! How are you gonna get passed your grandfather?" Skylar said covering her nose. She might have a crush on the boy, but that is no excuse for him to smell like Southern Comfort.

"Man, shut yo' ass up! Speakin' of ass, girl have you seen yours? Would you by chance smell like peaches? I mean, you can smell like anything else but like, peaches are the shit right now bruh! SKYYYY!" he rambled on.

"Riley, I think it's time you went home" Skylar said in between her laughter.

"Reezy nigga!" Riley randomly shouted.

"Yeah, okay, I'll call your brother" Skylar initiated as she quickly went to another side of the house to find Huey.

Cindy just sighed at her previous thoughts and at her drunk friend. "You's a crazy nigga, fo'real." She chuckled.

"Cindy…" Riley started. There was something in his voice that frightened her a bit.

"Y-yeah?" she asked frozen in her spot.

"I care about you. You know that right?" he asked as he looked up at his long-time friend.

Cindy's breath hitched as she looked down at her friend. There was this sincerity in his eyes that just made her heart flutter, but then sink. She was confused, very confused. They stared at each other until Skylar came back.

"Apparently Huey went home. Should I ask Caesar to drop him?" she asked.

"Nah, Riley has to wait for Jazmine. Caesar lives a bit of a distance away from Riley and Huey. Gas ain't cheap." Cindy stated. "Yo' ass better be lucky that Jazmine brought her car and that she don't drink!" she yelled at Riley trying to bring back a friendly vibe after their encounter.

"A'iiiight" he dragged as he tried to pull himself together.

"I think he should chill out here until Jazmine's ready. It doesn't seem like she'll be taking long." Skylar said.

"Yeah, a'ight cool. Reezy, wanna chill out here for a bit?" Cindy asked.

"Yeaaah, I gotta make sure I don't look too messed up in front of Grandad." He said getting off of Cindy's lap and finding his own balance trying to sit by himself.

"Stay strong hommie. I'll call both you and Jazmine just in case, okay?" Cindy initiated kindly.

"Yeah, yeah" Riley said with a thumb up in the air while his head was between his knees trying to relax.

"Cool. Later Reez" Cindy said patting his back as she went inside with Skylar.

Back inside Hiro's …

Jazmine was enjoying herself dancing with her friends and some new ones, but every single time she wasn't distracted, her mind drifted to Huey and his irrational behaviour. Huey doesn't get angry without reason. Why was he being such an asshole all of a sudden? Is he playing her? Were her thoughts all wrong?

"Ey, Jazmine, you alright?" Ace asked while they danced.

"Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind." She answered.

"Care to share?" he politely offered.

"Nah not today" she kindly denied.

"Do you know what I do when I don't wanna think of depressing crap?"

"What?" she asked.

"Dance. Dance Jazmine! Let your body speak words that your mouth can't offer. Dance, Jazmine." Ace exclaimed.

Jazmine smiled at her new friend and dance partner. He seemed like a really laid back guy. She kind of already knew that he wasn't with her to mack on her, because Cindy wouldn't be dick enough to get another guy when she was still figuring out how to control her feelings for Huey. Especially since they kissed, twice!

After Jazmine heard Ace's words, she danced with her new found friend and the rest of the gang to some of the songs Hiro played. After a couple of minutes, Jazmine quickly went to the kitchen to fix herself a glass of water. She bumped into Ming when she got there.

"Oh, hey Ming" Jazmine said casually. She might not like her, but there was no way in hell that she was going to allow Ming to see her emotions or act like a bitch. Jazmine doesn't act like that unless it is really necessary.

"Hi." Ming greeted bluntly as she walked passed Jazmine.

'Uhm, okay?' Jazmine thought as Ming flew passed her with very little acknowledgement. What happened to her being super annoying, clingy, and bubbly with her? Does this girl have an emotional disorder or something? Because her attitude changed in a minute. Jazmine however did not ponder it for long though. As she finished off her cup of water, she saw a cute boy with brunette hair and blue eyes walk up to her.

"Hey, Jazmine. Jazmine DuBois, right?" he asked kindly.

"Ugh, yes, can I help you?" she asked a little taken aback from this boy. It did not change the fact that he was handsome though. His eyes were a very vibrant blue and had flawless skin as well as pearly white teeth to show when he smiled.

"The name's Corbin" he stated letting out his fist for a fist pump. Jazmine quickly returned it.

"Nice to meet you Corbin. How do you know me?"

'Damn, she's so cute" Corbin thought as she spoke. "Oh, I'm one of Ace's closest friends. We go way back. I think five years or more."

As much as this boy was trying to make pleasant conversation, it was not working because it only made her think of Huey even more now. 'Five years, huh? Try seven, but this time have a major crush on your best friend. Goodness, maybe even fall in love with him!' Jazmine as she tried very hard to listen to Corbin. They carried on like this for a couple of minutes until Skylar become her saviour and interrupted their conversation.

"Hey Jazz, has Cindy spoken to you about Riley?" she asked cutting into their conversation. This made Corbin frown and furrow his eyebrows. Skylar knew exactly what she was doing and therefore knew she was being very rude at the moment, but she knew this benefited both Jazmine and her.

"Ugh, no?"

"Well, you have to drop him off home because he's wasted. Huey's already gone apparently and you're the only one going to your street."

'Why is Huey suddenly in every sentence?!' Jazmine thought. "Oh, sure! When does he wanna leave?"

"Whenever really, but preferably now though. I'm catching a ride with Yazz since she lives in Woodcrest Estate as well because Cindy's sleeping over at Caesar's." Skylar answered.

"Okay cool. Well, let me say my goodbye to everyone and I'll see you hopefully tomorrow. If not, Monday" Jazmine said as she hugged Skylar. "Bye Corbin! Nice to meet you" she said before leaving.

This left Corbin glaring at Skylar and Skylar smirking at Corbin. "Oh, honey, you weren't gonna get her anyways" Skylar said before walking away chuckling.

In Jazmine's Car…

Jazmine had said her farewells to all the new people and close people she knew at the party and collected Riley with the help of Caesar and Hiro. Right now, Riley was drooling on her back seat.

"Ew Riley! Close your mouth! You are definitely cleaning my car tomorrow." She said when she looked at her rear-view mirror.

"Pssshhhht! Bitch whatever!" Riley exclaimed as he threw random gang signs in the air. This made Jazmine chuckled.

"At least you've sobered up a bit. Here, drink this. It'll help by the time we reach home" she said as she got a water out from her cubby hole and threw it to Riley.

"Thanks, Jazz" he said as he started drinking the purified water.

Jazmine mentioned that it wasn't a problem and continued driving the rest of the way home. In fifteen to twenty minutes they were home. Riley was still quite hammered but not as bad as before. He was able to keep his mouth shut but his walking was still crap. Jasmine helped him across the road and knocked on the door. As she expected, Huey had answered the door. He must've stayed up for Riley for once.

"I believe this belongs to you." She said without giving Huey any eye contact. She was upset with him, but she was not going to give him the pleasure of knowing she was still very upset by his outburst.

Huey nodded as he took his brother with his right arm and Jazmine started leaving. As he was about to close the door, he finally spoke up.

"Jazmine." He called.

She stopped in her tracks but didn't turn around, because looking at him might make her sadder than she already is.

Huey dragged his hand down his face with his free hand as he tried to think of what to say. "Thanks ... for bringing him." Was all he said.

Jazmine nodded and still did not turn around. She was grateful that she got a thank you, but she wanted an apology. Yet, some things needed time and therefore let it go, for now. She carried on her way back to her house.

Saturday – The next day…

Riley woke up with the biggest hangover he had experienced yet.

"Uuuugh, shit" he said as he held his head up with his hand. His head was spinning and he didn't like it. He roughly knew what happened last night and he knew he had a blast.

He got out of bed and went to get ready for the day. After bathing and brushing his hair and teeth, he went to get dressed. Not bothering with his outfit of the day, he wore black basketball shorts, a baggy grey t-shirt and a pair of superman socks. He quickly went downstairs and immediately looked for the medicine cabinet.

As he took out the aspirin, he heard someone clearing their throat behind him. Not knowing whether it was Grandad or Huey, he stiffened. As he turned around, his stiffness faded away as relief hit his body when he saw it was his brother.

"You're an idiot" Huey said as he drank some orange juice while reading the newspaper.

Riley quickly got a glass of water and drank it within his pills before he went to get cereal. "Yeah, whatever" he said to his brother.

"How could you put Jazmine in that position Riley? She does not need to deal or stress with how your drunk ass should be getting home." Huey ranted.

"Ey, don't come here accusing me about troubling niggas. You's the punkass that basically shut the door in front of Jazmine's face." Riley said sternly and clearly. He could obviously see that he hit a nerve for Huey because he gave him that look. A look that showed that he had no comeback because Riley's right.

"Yeah you better shut the fuck up bitch. Don't ever accuse of that shit. I might've been drunk as fuck last night, but at least I didn't leave my best friend randomly without her knowing with the hell I'm so mad." Riley continued.

"Riley that's none of your bus—"

"Oh shut the fuck up with that 'none of your business' shit! Damn! Really Huey? Honestly, you can be a bigger dick than normal brah. Look, all I saw was you busy cussing her out and she was looking confused as hell. When you ran off like a bitch, she almost started crying like one. She cares Huey, she really does. The fact that she has heart to help me get home and sober up is a lot. She cares brah. She cares about all of us. It's your punkass self that doesn't acknowledge that shit. And when you don't or spit it in her face it hurts her big time"

"Riley, you know I care."

"Then act like it punk!" Riley said throwing and apple at his brother, which he easily avoided. "I want you to go over there and apologise to that girl. As much as it sounds odd nigga, I care for that girl too. She's my mulatto sister. Shit, I'm over here with a hangover and you're out here bitchin'." he muttered his last words as he carried on preparing breakfast for himself.

Huey hated it when Riley got all emotional and philosophical on him. It was one of the traits of Riley that really annoyed Huey, because once Riley starts talking about emotions, his points are always valid and leaves you feeling like crap. Apart from Riley's gangster façade, he was a really intelligent kid. He doesn't like flaunting his average B's and few C's because 'gangsters can't be smart'. That boy is going somewhere. He just needs to find the right path.

After Riley's psychology lesson, Huey felt like crap and therefore finished his breakfast and reading the newspaper before heading to Jazmine's.

At the DuBois'…

Jazmine had a much laid back morning. She didn't have a busy day at all today and therefore woke up and ate late. She still hadn't bathed and was busy watching a cartoon before she heard knocking on the door. Jazmine had her hair in a loose pony tail and wore the most baggy clothes as she wore grey pyjama pants that had baby pink hearts all over them and a white baggy t-shirt with the words 'I Woke Up Like This' in baby pink and her pair of glasses. Nobody really knew, but Jazmine actually wore glasses, but only at home since she wouldn't see anyone but her family. The only person that really teases her is Caesar by calling her four eyes whenever he comes over. When she opened the door, she was not expecting the person in front of her.

"You haven't bathed?" Huey asked with his one eyebrow raised.

"No" Jazmine answered plainly. There was nothing special about Huey seeing her this way because he's seen her like this too many times to count through the years, but he always found a way to criticize her.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because I'm not going anywhere, Huey. Now, I'm sure that there's a reason for your visit." She stated as she leaned against her doorframe.

"May I come in?" he asked politely. Huey Freeman may be an asshole, but he wasn't an asshole with no manners.

Jazmine nodded as she allowed him inside her home. Just as he entered, he was bombarded by Tom.

"Goooood morning, Huey! How'd you sleep! Good to see ya!" Tom exclaimed with that annoying laugh of his.

"Morning Tom." Huey greeted flatly, "I slept fine."

"Good! What brings you here?"

"Your daughter."

"Oh! Well, alright. Tell me if you need anything! I'll be in my study" he said to the teenagers as he went deeper into the household.

Huey and Jazmine nodded as they went to the living room.

"What on earth are you watching?" Huey asked with disgust.

"Adventure Time, Silly" she answered with a gleeful smile.

"This show has inappropriate themes. You shouldn't be watching it."

Jazmine sighed, "Huey, what do you want?" she asked getting irritated. It was tough acting normal around him after all of the events they've been through. Thankfully, it was the same for him.

"Well?" Jazmine asked growing impatient.

"I came to apologies for my actions last night." He stated.

"…And?" she asked, moving her hand around suggesting him to continue.

"...And I'm sorry I did it without telling you why and yelling at you in front of a lot of people" he said while looking down. He was not used to apologising.

"But why did you do it?" she asked curiously.

"Some idiot really got on my nerves" he started.

"Yeah, but who?"

"That punk with the green eyes and slick blonde hair" he ended.

"Oh Ace!" Jazmine exclaimed with excitement.

Huey cringed, "Yeah that punkass."

Jazmine could sense his unease. 'What's wrong with Ace?' she thought. "Well, that guy offered me a place in his father's dance studio. He saw me dancing at the party and he thought I deserved it. You know, before you started chirping me out I was about to tell that great news but you – ooooooooohhh…" Jazmine said as she realised her best friend's actions. She started to smirk at Huey. Huey noticed the way she was looking at him and started feeling uneasy.

"Jazmine why are you looking at me like that?" he asked as he started feeling more uncomfortable by the second.

"You, my friend, were jealous!" Jazmine exclaimed before she cracked out laughing. This didn't go well with Huey.

'Jealous?' he thought as he scolded Jazmine. "I was not jealous, Jazmine." He said trying to defend himself.

"Then why did you get so angry?" Jazmine with another cheesy smirk.

"Because I saw a picture of you two getting cosy" he blubbered getting fed up with Jazmine feeling a victory.

"Cosy?" she asked as her smirk dropped now getting confused. Huey took out his phone and showed her the picture of her and Ace hugging. "Oh, when I hugged him thank you for the offer. Huey he just broke the news to me. Do you really think I was not going to hug him after all of that?" she retorted.

"A handshake would have been fine" he said as his eyebrows furrowed even more. He could see Jazmine rolling her eyes behind her glasses.

Jazmine just gave Huey a look. A look that meant that he would be stupid to think Jazmine was not going to hug someone for doing that for her. Fed up with Huey's jealous words and actions, she got up off the couch. "I'm gonna go shower" she stated as she walked passed him.

However, Huey was quick to grab her wrist and pull her down onto his lap. "Huey c'mon" she whined now trying to wriggle out of his grasp. Huey was silent the whole time so that Jazmine could calm her ass down. Jazmine sighed and gave in. she quickly grabbed the remote and searched for CNN.

Huey inwardly smiled at her kind gesture. 'She really does care' he thought as she saw her trying to find a channel he likes. After finding a good channel, it dawned on him what position they were in. Jazmine didn't seem to notice yet but his cold heart fluttered at their position.

After some time Jazmine leaned back onto Huey and let her head rest on his shoulder. She was very comfortable as well. Without him seeing, she smiled and continued watching television with her crush. 'Huey was jealous. Huey was really...jealous' she thought as she felt butterflies in her stomach.

As Sarah was coming down the stairs, she saw her daughter and her best friend. She haulted and smiled, making sure her presence was not identified. Her smile as so big it was shocking it didn't break her face. She quickly headed to her husband's study and left the lovestruck teenagers alone.

At the Otomo's…

Hiro and Ming were busy cleaning up after last night's events. They must say, they were clever about things. They had made sure that all couches were covered, and that all valuable ornaments were hidden in their locked bedrooms. There just a lot of sweeping, dusting and mopping to do. There weren't many dishes, but that went into the dishwasher and just cleaning off counters. Redoing the house's furniture was the biggest hustle with only two bodies.

"No, my left" Hiro ordered his cousin as they held a sofa. "Ie Ming! I said my left!" he yelled now getting irritated with his cousin not listening to instructions. "Ugh, you know what, let me just call the gents and ask them to help."

"Ie!" she shouted. This caused Hiro to freeze for a moment and turn to his cousin. "Why? Caesar and Huey could really—"

"Don't call Huey." She said sternly.

This caused Hiro to raise one of his eyebrows. "Ming, what dumbass thing did you do this time?" he asked knowing his cousin way too well.

"It's complicated." She answered not wanting to discuss this with her cousin.

"Ming" he said a bit annoyed.

Ming just sighed and told Hiro about the events that occurred last night. Hiro, was not impressed, and therefore did not respond to her.

"Hiro, Hiro!" she exclaimed now getting anxious about his silence.

"Ming, you're an idiot!" he exclaimed disappointed in her. This took Ming by surprise, because Hiro does not just randomly insult people. "You know it's going to take you a damn long time to be in that guy's good books again. And you need to apologise to Jazmine too."

"I don't owe her anything!" Ming exclaimed, which showed her bitchy side.

"Ming, this is why you have no friends" he stated flatly.

"Maybe I don't need any." She said as she crossed her arms over her chest. This caused Hiro to roll his eyes.

"You know what, this is a battle that you need to concur on your own. Don't come crying to me when shit gets real" he warned her. "Now help me with the damn sofa. Damnit Ming MY LEFT!"

At the Caesar's…

"Gooood Moooorniiing!" Anika exclaimed as she jumped on Cindy's bed.

"Ugh, Anni really?" Cindy said as she started chuckling at the child. "You have too much energy fo'real."

"Cindy it's 12:15! And it's a Saturday come ooooonnn!" Anika whined as she tried to pull Cindy out the blankets. Cindy started resisting her as she tried to bury her head in the guestroom pillows, but was then enchanted by a very nice aroma. "Anika, baby, what's that smell?" she asked the seven year old.

"It's Caesar's pancakes" Anika said just before Cindy jumped out of bed and ran to the kitchen. "Now do you understand why I woke you?" she shouted towards Cindy as she ran to the kitchen. This just made Anika roll her eyes.

"I heard someone's making pancakes!" Cindy excalimed as she reached the kitchen. Caesar saw her and started laughing.

"Which one would you like? Blueberry, Chocolate or Strawberry?" he asked casually, but the ingredients he mentioned just caused Cindy's eyes to light up.

"All of them!" she squealed. This made Anika and Caesar to laugh. "So uhm, where's mom?"

"I'm right here baby" Samira answered from the tv room.

"Oh! Hey Mrs Caesar I didn't see you there" she said as she approached the beautiful woman.

"Don't worry about it honey, come sit right here and tell me what happened yesterday?" Samira asked initiating conversation. This carried out for about ten minutes before Caesar called out that brunch was served.

Everyone gathered around the table and started eating their hearts out. Cindy had to admit that this was one of her best relationships because she has never felt like home with such amazing people. Summer had done well for her. She was actually glad that everyone went their separate ways during summer or else she would not have had the opportunity to get to know Caesar and his family. However, there was this guilt that she felt in their relationship and she did not understand what it was and why it was there in the first place. Therefore, she ignored it and enjoyed the day with her boyfriend and his family.

She did hope that Riley went home safely with Jazmine and was not being the dumbass that he is. Although she did keep on thinking about what he said to her last night. 'Cindy, I care about you. You know that right?' he said to her. But care for her in what manner? It was easy to say a friend, but she felt like he meant something deeper, but it could just be her brain playing tricks on her so she shrugged it off for now. But, it still didn't change the fact that she was still a bit worried for him.

"Say, Caesar?" she asked him as they washed the dishes.

"What's good girl?" he replied.

"After we bath and whatever else, mind if we head over to Riley's? He was a drunk son of a bitch last night and I just wanna know that he's alright." She explained to her boyfriend.

Caesar deep down was not too fond of this because of the fact of the matter that today was supposed to be about the two of them, but he didn't want to seem like the clingy boyfriend so, "Yeah, sure" he answered as he rinsed a dish.

"Thank you" she said before kissing him on the cheek. He gave a slight smile but Cindy could tell it was as genuine as his others. 'Must just be tired'.

Back at the Freeman's…

Riley was busy playing Grand Theft Auto V in the tv room before he heard the doorbell ring. He rolled his eyes and groaned as he got up to answer the door. Grandad had already gone to the park with Uncle Rukus and Huey was still over at Jazmine's so he had no choice but to answer the door. As he opened the door, he was a bit surprised to who it was.

"Sup Reez" Skylar said as Riley opened the door.

"Sky? What you doing here?" he asked casually.

"What, I can't come over to a friend's?" she teased with a smile.

"Nah, nah it ain't that, it's just that I wasn't expecting you at all man" he answered rationally.

Skylar just smiled and understood his thoughts. "May I come in?" she asked politely.

"Yeah, sure" he replied as he shifted to the side to let Skylar in. She was dressed very laid back today with a pair of ruby coloured sweat pants and a black tank top with a peace sign on it in yellow with an old pair of white Levis shoes.

"Thirsty?" he asked as he headed to the kitchen.

"Yeah" she said to him.

"Here" he said as he got out a lemonade flavoured Snapple bottle for her and himself.

"Thanks. Oh I see you got GTA V! May I play?" she asked as she sat down on the floor and took the controller.

'This bitch knows GTA?' Riley thought taken by surprise. "Ugh, yeah whatever."

"I wanna be Trevor" she said with a chuckle. Riley joined her on the couch and watched her play, and damn this girl has skill. He finally knew the true meaning of the saying 'never judge a book by it's cover'.

After a lot of GTA, they swapped over to NBA 2K15 and later FIFA15. Riley had to admit that he was really enjoying himself around Skylar. She really was not as bad as he thought in the beginning. He was really comfortable around her and it seemed that she felt the same way.

"Ey! My X button ain't working'!" he yelled as he saw that Skylar was winning 2-0.

"It don't change the fact that I'm beating yo' ass!" she said before she started laughing.

"You cheatin'!" he yelled.

"That's a lie!" she yelled back.

"Sky why you cheatin!" Riley exclaimed.

Riley kept on fiddling with his controller but it was not helping at all.

"Score bitch! Woooooh!" Skylar screamed and she jumped up and started break dancing like an idiot.

"Man, whatever!" This caused the both of them to laugh and chill out for a bit. "You know, you a'ight man" Riley said before giving Skylar dap.

"Told you I wasn't that big of a bitch" she said as she slightly pushed him. They hung out a bit more until 14:37 came and another ring came from the doorbell.

"I'll get it, put on Call of Duty while I'm at it" Skylar said as she went to the door. When she opened she saw her cousin.

"Hey Cuz!" Skylar said before she hugged Cindy.

"Sky what you doin here?" Cindy asked stunned.

"Why is everyone saying that?" Skylar said before rolling her eyes.

"It's not every day we see you at the Freeman's."

"Yeah well they my friends too" she teased as she let her and Caesar in. she saw an unhappiness on Caesar's face and therefore frowned a bit. "Ceez, what's up?"

Caesar was shocked that Skylar was able to identify his discomfort. "Oh, don't worry Sky" he said with a weak smile. Skylar just gave him a look and crossed her arms. She didn't bug him much because she could see that he really did not want to talk about it.

Cindy quickly asked if Riley was alright after last night and started joining the trio in game playing.

Skylar laid back for a while so that Cindy and Riley could play and went to join Caesar on the couch.

"So are you gonna tell me?" she asked Caesar again.

He was silent.

She rolled her eyes, "The more you hide the, the more obvious your emotions can be seen Ceez. It doesn't have to be me, but you gotta tell someone that there's something wrong." She said with a reassuring smile.

Caesar smiled and nodded. He really appreciated this Bronx girl. The only problem now is how he is going to let his feelings out to the Woodcrest one. He looked at Riley and Cindy. He smiled, but frowned unknowingly afterwards. 'This is gonna be a long ass day' he thought as he hung out with part of the crew.

Author's Note: Hope yal enjoyed! Will update soon, but reviews also have an impact on when I should update. See you all on the flip side! - Elle