~Chapter 11~

When I had finally gotten home, Jesse didn't even notice how long I had been gone. His eyes had been glued to the TV and his hands in the half empty bowl of popcorn. I only chuckled and moved back on the couch to join him. He shot me a quick smile before going back to the movie. As I watched the movie I began to think about Dom and the group. I hoped they were okay, but I knew they would be. They were good at what they did which was stealing car parts. I think Johnny did the same thing, but I wasn't sure. But all I knew was that most of the parts in his garage were stolen. Once it was late around six-thirty I decided to head home. I knew my mom would be blowing up my phone with texts wondering where I was.

I made it back to the house by six-fifty and mom was rushing me to get dressed. She also commanded I wear a dress and put my hair in curls. Father would be home any minute and I wanted to at least be ready before he got home. I was slipping into a white dress this time when I heard a firm knock on my door. I knew that knock.

"Come in." I said. Half my hair was curled and I turned to see my father coming in. He had on a black suit.

"Hey little one how's your day been?" he asked. I chuckled and turned back to my vanity mirror and continued curling my hair.

"Haven't heard that name since I was a little girl." I said softly and he came into the room.

"Yes I know. Well I was just coming in to check on you to see if you'll request another car again." he said jokingly and I chuckled.

"No. I do not need another car at the moment, father." I said. He nodded and came up behind me.

"I know you're a responsible woman. You go to school and you get good grades and you don't make a fool of yourself. These are one of the many reasons why I turn my mind away from what you do when you're not home. Or I don't pay attention with you hang around with. But these cars I'm getting you… I'd like to hope you are being smart with them." he told. I looked down for a moment thinking of all the cars he's gotten for me and how I have given them away.

"Don't worry father I am." I replied and he nodded and patted my back.

"Hurry and get ready. Our car awaits us." he said and left out the room. I looked back at my reflection in the mirror. It was time to put on another mask. After finishing my makeup we were off to The Golden Dragon. I heard that place was a very expensive dance place, but nothing we couldn't afford. Mother was in a grey and black dress with her hair braided. I could only imagine what I was going to order there. Once we arrived we entered the restaurant and a Chinese woman was at the podium. Her hair was in a tight bun and she had on a black Chinese dress with a gold dragon imprinted on the front of the dress.

"Hello, may I help you?" she asked. She had a thick Chinese accent. My dad nodded.

"Yes we're here with the Tran party." he announced and the woman nodded.

"Yes. Follow me please." she said and turned and began walking away. We followed her and my eyes scanned the large dance floor on my right and a bunch of different sized tables on the left. There were Chinese lanterns hanging everywhere and all the waiters had on black uniforms with gold dragons somewhere on the clothing. We were taken to the back of the establishment and I could hear laughter. I lifted my head to see Mr. Tran sitting in the middle of a large rectangular table. Mrs. Tran and Suki were on his right and Johnny and…Lance were on his right? When my family and I came into eye's view everyone stood up and we all greeted each other. When Lance looked at me his happy smile slowly faded and I only gave him a serious stare.

"Ah this is Lance; he is my sister's son. He and Johnny are almost inseparable." Mr. Tran introduced. "Lance this is Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their daughter Cazara."

Lance gave polite smiles to my mother and father and I decided to be a tad out of character. When Lance's eyes came on me I smiled and stuck my hand out. Johnny watched us almost carefully and Lance took it giving it a firm squeeze and I gave almost a snobbish smile before pulling back. Once we were all seated everyone began to converse with one another. Well almost. Suki was glaring at me from her side of the table, but managed to cover it up whenever her or my parents looked at her. Our parents were talking about jobs and other stuff. Meanwhile Lance and I were having a mean glare contest, but Johnny broke it by hitting Lance in his chest.

"Both of you cool it. We are with our families. We are not enemies here." he said sternly.

"Speak for yourself." I said viciously not letting my eyes leave Lance. Johnny glared at me for a second then lifted his head upon seeing the waiter come and ask me and my family for drinks. I was craving a coke and so I ordered one. Mom got sweet tea and dad got some type of alcohol, but I didn't really hear what it was. We also ordered our food and were now waiting for it to come.

"Kids feel free to go dance while we wait for the food to get here." Mr. Tran suddenly said looking at us and Suki. Mrs. Tran nodded.

"Oh yes. Tonight is dance night so there will be lots of nice music playing and people singing." she added. Johnny smiled.

"Perfect." he said standing and looking at me bowing his head. "Ms. Monroe may I trouble you for a dance?"

Lance looked at his cousin with shock and to be honest I did too. Weren't there any Chinese girls he would want to dance with? I could feel my parent's eyes on me so I didn't even bother to look at them. I just nodded.

"Sure why not." I said which only made his smile grow and he stood up and God I wish I wasn't standing. We met each other at the end of the table and I let him lead us to the dance floor. When we were out of their sight he hooked his arm around my waist.

"Don't let petty rivalries make you forget when it's appropriate to be immature." he scolded. I looked at him with a glare.

"Excuse me? I didn't do anything." I said and he looked down at me.

"When you and I are with our families, we are the older children who do no wrong, who set good examples for others beneath us. When we are on the tracks anything goes. In other words learn your place in certain situations." he said and I stiffened at his words, but they were true. I had to learn to control my street side when I was with my family and be able to handle any surprises that may show up. There can be no hostility with my family.

Johnny led me to the dance floor and I had no idea what was playing, but the music was loud and had a nice beat. It was easy to dance to. Johnny shook his hips with mine and we were actually keeping up with each other's movement. He smiled at me and I couldn't help but smile back. I couldn't help, but admit he had a beautiful smile. Another song came on and it was a very familiar song. I paused and gasped at Keri Hilson's Pretty Girl Rock.

"Oh shit this is my song!" I said happily and Johnny chuckled.

"Show me what you got." he said and I grinned and as the first verse began to play I began to lip sync with the words and shake my hips seductively around and Johnny's smile widened as he danced a bit slower so he could watch me.

"All eyes on me when I walk in. No question that this girl's a ten. Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful. My walk, my talk, the way I dress. It's not my fault, so please don't trip. Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful." I sang towards Johnny shaking my hips smoothly and he smiled even more holding his hand out to me and I took it and spun into his arms and my back pressed against his chest and now our hips were moving in sync with each other. My right hand came up and caressed his cheek as his lips pressed against my cheek. His other hand stayed on my hips as we moved together. My fingers began to comb through his hair and I noticed some people in the crowd were staring at us, but we didn't seem to care. I had to admit Johnny could dance, but I was curious to see what more he could do. We stopped after a few more songs and decided to go back to our table to see a whole bunch of food was on the table and everyone was eating.

"Oh son, we're sorry we didn't call you, but you two seemed to be enjoying your dance." Mr. Tran said and Johnny pulled my chair out for me and I smiled my thanks and sat down.

"It's okay father." he said. I saw Mrs. Tran smiling at me and I blushed and started to eat my noodles. I was noticed Suki was shooting my glances. I could understand why Lance was glaring, but I didn't understand her. Maybe she knew something about Johnny and didn't like it. Or maybe she didn't like me.