Author's Note- Not happy with how this chapter came out. I know what I wanted to convey but it just came out….not right. I may rework it a bit later. Hope you enjoy anyway.

Friday April 3, 1987

At Carter High School the students were quietly filing into the auditorium for the memorial service in honor of Principal Johnson. Everyone was in a somber mood. The faculty was seated on the stage and there was a large picture of Dwayne Johnson in the middle. Soft music was playing as the students took their seats.

"This is weird. I never thought I would be going to a funeral for one of the school staff." Randy said.

"I know. And for Mr. Johnson….he was young. I would understand if it were one of the older teachers." Chevonne said.

"I think it is just now real that he is gone. Not that I was close to him or anything….but seeing all this makes it real that our principal is really dead." Jey said as they took their seats.

"I feel strange being here. Seems…surreal." Cody said.

They sat quietly as a local church choir filed onto to stage and sang a few hymns. As the choir filed off the stage, Mr. Flair walked up to the podium.

"I'd like to welcome all of you to the service honoring Mr. Dwayne Johnson. You all knew him and I am sure you feel his loss. I'd like to offer my condolences to his family, his friends, his co-workers and his students." Mr. Flair said. "In the short time that I have been here, I have heard many wonderful stories about Mr. Johnson and how much he loved his job and you kids. I wish I had known him better instead of just being acquaintances that would see each other at a school board meeting now and then."

Chevonne tuned out as Flair continued talking. She was quietly grateful that the students were all well behaved and none acting out at such a serious moment. She looked at Roman beside her who was silently watching the proceedings. Randy on her other side was looking down. She could hear a few students crying in the auditorium.

Coach Simmons got up to speak next. "I was a new teacher here at Carter High when Dwayne was a senior…that was back before the school was renamed after Jimmy Carter. I immediately saw that he was a special person…..unstoppable on the football field, dedicated in the classroom and very ambitious. Later after he had finished college I got the privilege of being his colleague when he was a teacher. The students loved him and we all knew he was going to be moving on to bigger and better things. But Dwayne surprised us all, wanting to stay in his hometown and work at his alma mater. He was a wonderful principal, fair with both the staff and the students. I am very sad that his goal of one day working on the board of education will never come true. And I am also saddened that I have lost such a good friend and colleague."

"How does a young person working steady hours fall asleep at the wheel?" Randy leaned over and whispered as a student got up to read a poem.

"Who knows? We don't know his personal life. Maybe he suffered insomnia or something." Chevonne whispered back, noticing a few more students getting choked up. She sighed to herself, wishing she didn't have to be at such a sad event.

(5pm)

Roman walked into the Reigns house with Chevonne. He had waited for her after school because she had a prom committee meeting. He was bringing her home for dinner to meet his family.

"Roman, I am a little nervous. What if your parents don't like me?" she whispered.

"What's not to like? Relax; my folks are very down to earth people." Roman said. "Come on, everything will be fine."

"Are you sure? What if they heard some of the gossip about my mom?" she whispered.

"Baby, you worry too much about that." He said.

They walked into a nicely decorated dining room. Roman's mother was placing food on the table. She looked up and smiled at them.

"There you kids are. Dinner is nearly ready." She smiled. "You must be Chevonne, it is so nice to finally meet you in person and have a chance to sit and talk with you."

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Reigns." She smiled.

"Roman was right, you really are pretty. You kids have a seat. I will finish getting dinner on the table." Mrs. Reigns said.

Roman and Chevonne sat down at the table. Roman's father walked in and sat down at the head of the table.

"Well, you must be Chevonne. Roman has told us a lot about you. Glad you are joining us for dinner." He said.

"Thank you for having me. It is nice to meet you. I have heard a lot about you from Roman and the twins." She said.

Roman's mom re-entered the dining room setting more food on the table. "I think that is everything. We can eat now."

"Chevonne, Roman tells us you will be going to Georgia State University. I think it is wonderful you wish to continue your education." Sika said as they began passing around dishes.

"Well I want to be able to take care of myself. I have seen how hard my mother struggled and….." she trailed off.

"She must be a wonderful woman to have raised such an ambitious and nice daughter." Mrs. Reigns said pouring herself a drink. "Don't worry, Roman told us about your mom. And Fatu has told us great things about her."

"Thank you…you have no idea what that means to me." She smiled, feeling a bit relieved.

"Roman tells me you two are going to the lake tomorrow." Fatu said.

"As long as you don't mind. Roman took me out on the pontoon boat while we were up there and I loved it." She said as she ate her dinner.

"Oh go and have a good time. Rome knows how to handle the boat." Mrs. Reigns said.

"And you have her home at a descent hour." Sika told Roman.

Saturday April 4, 1987

Roman had brought Chevonne up to the lake for the day as promised. They had packed a cooler and brought their swimsuits since it was a nice day. Chevonne stood by Roman as he steered the boat out onto the lake.

"It is so beautiful up here today." She smiled.

"I always enjoy coming here. I am glad you suggested it." He told her.

"So….what did your parents think of me?" she bit her lip.

"Baby, relax they loved you." He smiled.

"Really? You're not just saying that?"

"They really loved you. Mom said you were adorable and well mannered. And she is very gung ho about me dating a smart girl. Dad liked you; said you were cute to be so pale." Roman chuckled.

"Pale? I am fair skinned, not a ghost." She said.

"We're Samoan….compared to us, you are pale. But it goes perfect with your reddish blonde hair and blue eyes, pretty smile." He winked as he steered.

"You are so charming." She kissed his cheek.

"I told you that you had nothing to worry about that my parents would love you. You need to stop worrying." He smiled. "Of course after I took you home, dad sat me down for a man to man talk."

"Why? You have dated other girls before."

"It's not the first time we had that talk." Roman shrugged.

Roman stopped the boat in the center of Forrest Lake. He put the anchor down to keep them from drifting too much. Chevonne handed him a soda.

"Would you like to go swimming?" he asked her.

"I am not sure. The water is probably still cold. It's only April and I am just getting over being sick." Chevonne said.

"The water can't be that cold. We have been having good weather since I moved here." He said.

"I know, but the nights are still chilly. I will think about it. For now I am just enjoying being out here." She cuddled against him.

"I am glad you are feeling better." He wrapped his arms around her.

"Why hasn't Jimmy brought Naomi out here? I mean this is very romantic." She asked.

"Probably because he never learned to properly drive the boat. My dad taught me how, but I don't think Jimmy ever took the time to learn. Not sure about Jey." He said.

"Well I am glad you learned. I love coming out on the boat." She smiled.

"You want some lunch? I packed the cooler full. Mom wanted to be sure we had plenty. She packed enough for a week, instead of just a day." He chuckled.

"Sounds good. I saw a bunch of stuff when I got our sodas." She smiled.

Roman opened the cooler as Chevonne sat down on the bench. He handed her a couple sandwiches.

"There is potato salad. I got a bag of chips somewhere. Mom made some eggs too." Roman chuckled.

"The potato salad looks good. Your mom is a good cook." She smiled.

"How is your mom? I know she has been worrying ever since the murder." He asked as they settled in to eat.

"She is fine. Busy with work. And yes she still worries. Mama Elaine worries too." She said.

"Mine too. I guess it's what moms do." He shrugged.

"Have you heard from Seth and Dean?" she asked.

"Yeah, talked to them the other night. They were all nosey about you." He chuckled.

"I hope I get to meet them some time. They sound like fun guys." She smiled.

"I miss them. But I have made good friends here. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be." Roman said.

(2pm)

"Are you sure you don't want to go swimming?" Roman looked over at Chevonne who was lounging on the top deck of the boat beside him.

"I don't know. How cold is the water?" she looked over at him.

"How about I get in first? If it is cold I will tell you." He offered.

"Okay." She agreed.

Roman pulled off his t-shirt and climbed over the rail and jumped into the water. Chevonne laughed and walked over to the railing and watched as he resurfaced.

"Water isn't bad, come on in." he said.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"You'll be fine."

She walked to the lower deck and took her t-shirt off. She walked over to the ladder that Roman had lowered earlier. He swam over to the boat.

"Come on." He encouraged her.

She slowly started down the ladder but when her feet got in the water she stopped.

"The water feels kinda cold." She said.

"Here, let me help you." He took her hand.

She slowly started in the water again. Roman pulled on her hand and pulled her into the water. She resurfaced and looked around.

"Roman, the water is cold!" she said.

"It's not that bad. Come here." He swam to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"You knew it was cold." She chuckled. "You just wanted me to come swimming with you."

"Give it a minute, you will adjust. I don't think it is cold enough to make you sick." He rubbed her arms.

She moved closer to him, waiting to get used to the temperature of the water. Roman leaned down and nuzzled her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, enjoying being close to him.

Roman lifted her chin and leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back feeling him pull her closer. He shifted and she could feel him growing hard against her.

She pulled back. "Roman….I…."

"Sorry, I got carried away."

"No, it's okay. I was kissing you too. It's just…..we haven't been together that long and….I am….you know." She said.

"Are you a virgin?" he asked.

She nodded. "Does that bother you?"

"No, why would it? I kinda figured you were." He said. "Don't worry, we don't have to do anything you don't want."

"Did you…had you heard anything about my reputation? I mean…..you don't seem the type but…" she struggled for words.

"Reputation? The only thing negative I heard was from that Nikki girl and her sister. Which I ignored. I wouldn't ask out a girl with a bad reputation. Quit worrying about that." Roman said.

"You mean that?"

"Of course I do. Do you think I want a girl that is gonna give me something nasty and then have to explain to my mom why my crotch is itching?" he smirked making Chevonne laugh out loud. "There is that smile."

"Thank you for understanding." She smiled.

"Can you promise me you are gonna quit worrying about what small minded people around here think of you? I like you just the way you are." He said.

"I'll try." She nodded.

"Come on, let's swim a bit." Roman kissed her forehead.