Ch. 26
First off ..S/0 to Cutechibilolita For The Help (: …Two sorry for taking so Long ya'll no excuses lol ..and third I need reviews on what you truly think of Ashley tell me what you think her motives are ..But enough rambling let's get on the Road and thanks for the Reviews !(:
Cairo. You were smoking with Cairo?" Jazmine said in astonishment and anger.
"Well ain't that bitch." Riley chimed in while shaking his head.
"Damn you a pothead and you chilling with the dude that put his hands on ya cousin." Cindy said, shaking her head.
"What? You know Cairo too?" Ashley asked in surprise.
Jazmine bristle with anger, either the girl was still somewhat blaze from her latest high or she thought Jazmine was born yesterday.
"Ashley we met his friend at the mall. Don't act like you don't know who Cario is." Jazmine said feeling heated.
Ashley blinked in confusion for about a minute, but then her gray eyes raised in realization.
"I didn't know you was talking about that cairo Jazmine, I swear" she said holding up her hands.
"Man her ass lying. What nigga you know round here named after that place king tut was from?" Riley said cutting in.
Huey sighed and raised his eyes to the heavens.
"I assume you mean Egypt Riley." Huey said.
"Yeah nigga, Egypt. But the real question is how the hell y'all know each other anyway?" Riley asked while nodding his head.
"I'm not lying, and we went to school together. Why don't you all like him? He's really nice to me." Ashley said defensively.
Huey raised his eyes with interest.
"Wait, didn't you say you went to school in London?" Huey pointed out, looking at her with confusion.
Ashley nodded her head.
"Cairo went to school in London as well?" Huey asked suspiciously. An expression of doubt appearing on his face.
"Yes, he was part of this ''change for the better'' program. The schools from Chicago and New York send a bunch of different people overseas to experience education in a different country. He was there last semester, that's why I'm so surprised to see him here. I thought he was back in Chicago. Why do you dislike him? " Ashley said.
Jazmine, Huey, Riley, and Cindy all snorted at her reply.
"Nice is what I would not use to describe that boy." Jazmine said with distaste.
"And that nice behavior he is putting on for you is fake." Huey added while scowling.
" He gave you that fucked up weed that you obviously can't control yourself on. You was like a new version of a crackhead in here singing your abc's and shit and calling me lil wayne. Do I look like Lil Wayne to you?" Riley asked her while scowling.
There were two rappers Riley hated the most, Lil Wayne and T-pain (Drake and Kendrik are the best yo!). Being compared to Lil Wayne was not something that set well with the dreadhead.
Ashley rolled her eyes and snorted.
"Well you have his hair." she snapped at him, flushing red from being reminded of her previous behavior.
Riley frowned and tried to think of a retort, but couldn't. He turned to Cindy
" Bae beat that broad." He said annoyed.
Cindy rolled her eyes.
"Look Ashley. If you loyal to jazzy you will keep ya ass away from Cario, whether you know him from school or not. That nigga tried to assault a friend of ours and pushed jazzy on the ground. Jazmine scraped her face because of him." The blonde said while sitting on Jazmine's bed next to Riley.
"So Jazzy, that night I saw that cut on your face it was from Cairo?" Ashley asked, looking at her cousin.
Jazmine nodded.
Ashley rubbed her damped hair and shook her head.
"I'm sure it was an accident." Ashley defended.
They all looked at her like she was crazy.
"So attacking people is an accident now? I don't find what he did at all accidental." Huey said.
"You don't know him!" Ashley said fiercely, suddenly aggressive.
Huey was not fazed.
"Apparently you don't either, since I've known him longer and we used to be best friends." Huey said coolly.
Ashley wrinkled her nose.
"He never mentioned you, or any of you for that matter" she said as she pointed at Huey and the rest of the gang.
"Gee I wonder why." Cindy said sarcastically.
"Why all Jazzy's family members slow and shit?" Riley mumbled under his breath.
Jazmine smacked him on the back of his head.
"Ow." Riley complained, frowning at her and rubbing his head.
She was tired and quite frankly she had a few words for Ashley so she was going to end this conversation before it could take a turn for the worst.
"Look Ashley you can clearly see that we don't care for Cairo. But instead of being upset about the dangerous high, your defending him. I know we haven't know each other long but as family all I'm saying is you should cut him loose, the Cairo you know isn't the one we know here. But i won't tell you that you can't hang out with him cause i don't have the right to. All I ask is please don't do any smoking with him and don't talk about us to him cause we don't wanna hear about him." Jazmine said stepping in and feeling the tension in the room.
Ashley bit her lip and nodded in agreement. She looked up with a flash of worry.
"Jazmine you're not going to tell auntie and uncle what happened, right?" Ashley asked with a twinge of worry in her voice.
"She should." Huey cut in.
"No snitching" Riley chimed in.
"No, just don't let it happen again. I don't ever want to deal with something like this ever again." Jazmine said firmly.
Ashley nodded and let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks cuz." she said gratefully while hugging Jazmine and making the girl wince a little at Ashley's cold skin.
Jazmine just nodded and ignored her boyfriend's disapproving stare.
"I'm going to go to my room now." Ashley said and with that she left the room, mainly to get away from Huey's burning eyes that was glaring at her.
"Damn Jazzy I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow." Cindy said, getting up and putting her coat on.
"Ok." Jazmine said, giving Cindy a hug.
"Glad this shit over, now back to my game and nobody better interrupted me or I'm beating their ass." Riley said right behind Cindy.
As soon as everybody was gone Huey closed the door. Jazmine couldn't help but blush, this was the first time she and Huey were in her room alone.
"You should tell your parents Jazmine." Huey started.
Jazmine groaned, she really didn't want to talk or hear a lecture about what just happen. And she certainly didn't want to tell her parents either. Her father would have a heart attack. If it got out that his niece was a pot head his lawyer buddies will never let him hear the end of it.
"Huey I think that Ashley won't pull a stunt like this ever again. And even though telling my parents sounds like the right thing to do, it could make the situation worse than it probably know how dramatic my father is." Jazmine said,laying down on her bed.
"You should tell your parents Jazmine." Huey repeated, leaning over her.
"And you should kiss me! Better yet, tell me what you got me for Christmas." Jazmine said, sitting up and draping her arm around the tall boy's neck.
Huey rolled his eyes and lifted her slightly from the bed.
"You never listen to me. " He said, shaking his head. He was holding her easily, 'He must be really strong Jazmine.' thought.
"Only to the important stuff" Jazmine said, rubbing her nose against his.
"That was important stuff. " He said, sitting her down.
"But it's stuff that really doesn't need to be dwelled on. Now what did you get me for Christmas? Or better yet I can show you your Christmas present." Jazmine said excitedly heading to her closet.
"I thought you were only supposed to open gifts on Christmas day?" Huey asked, watching her pull out the black and sliver wrapped box.
"Well, we're opening them early." Jazmine said, smiling giddy with excitement.
"Here" she handed the sliver wrapped box to her boyfriend.
"I rather wait." Huey said simply, taking the box anyway.
"Why?" Jazmine whined with slight disappointment.
"Because for one,I don't have your gift with me. I would have to walk back over to my house to get it. Since I think Christmas is a waste of time, in my opinion, I do think it should be special. Besides your parents should be back soon and I don't want to be here to see Tom having a heart attack because I'm alone in his daughter's room." Huey pointed out.
"When did you start taking Christmas traditions so serious?" Jazmine teased while smirking.
"Never. I should be writing to the government to ban the damn holiday, it's just a ploy to distract us from the real issues in the world." Huey said not amused.
"Well, who cares, I can't wait until you open your gift. I know you will love it." Jazmine said bouncing into his lap, making the boy roll his eyes at her.
"I already have the thing I love. " He mumbled under his breath.
He said it so quietly, he didn't think Jazmine would hear him.
"Me too." Jazmine agreed loudly, making them both blush.
"I gotta go. It's getting late and your parents should be back soon." Huey said standing up instantly.
Jazmine nodded while watching him. He left so fast that he didn't even give her the usual goodbye kiss, she couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.
Well, that felt weird and awkward and it was all because of the word love. they haven't even said the words I love you to each other yet and they were already acting out of place by the word love how crazy was that.
Jazmine sighed and looked at her clock, her parents were not back yet and it was getting dark. She decided to get ready for bed and prepare for the festive activities tomorrow.
Her phone buzzed. Jazmine groaned and slightly popped one of her eyes open, trying to avoid the light pouring in her window.
"No I can open gifts tomorrow mommy." she mumbled sleepily turning over and covering her face with her blanket.
The phone continued to buzz loudly. Jazmine grumbled irritated and sat up grabbing her phone. it was an unknown number, she wonder who the hell it was and how they got her number in the first place.
"Hello?" Jazmine answered groggily, rubbing her eyes and blinking with annoyance.
"About time you answer your phone Dubois." A familiar voice said snootily.
"Rayonna?" Jazmine asked, confused. Why in the hell was she was calling her?
It was Christmas morning and her negativity was not needed this early on the heavenly father son's birthday.
"Bingo, look I'm just calling you to let you know that your first photo shoot is this Monday and to be at my house after school. My sister says Merry Christmas and whatever/" Rayonna said and with that the girl hung up.
"Okay?" Jazmine mumbled into her phone, rolling her eyes and getting up. She looked out the window and the sun was shining, making the gleaming pure white snow look pretty.
Jazmine wanted to dress extra special for today so she pulled out a snow white sweater dress, some stockings, and brown snow boots. She quickly showered and did her usual hygiene routine. She decided to wear her curly hair in a fishtail braid.
Feeling happy with her appearance, she headed downstairs inhaling the pleasant smell of pancakes, bacon, and sausage.
"Merry Christmas Mommy and Daddy!" Jazmine anounced happily while entering the kitchen. Her mother was at the stove preparing eggs and her father was setting the table.
"Merry Christmas sweetheart." Her mom said, smiling at her.
"Merry Christmas pumpkin. Did you sleep well?" Tom asked, smiling at her as well. Jazmine nodded and sat down at her usual spot.
"Good morning and Merry Christmas everybody!" Ashley said, beaming and coming downstairs looking fresh and perfect in a dark blue wool sweater, black leggings and dark blue uggs. Her hair in a neat bun.
"Morning honey." Mrs. Dubois replied back.
"Good morning and Merry Christmas to you too. Come sit, breakfast is almost ready." Tom said, putting a pitcher of orange juice on the table.
Ashley smiled
"Merry Christmas Jazmine" she said, taking a seat next to her.
"Merry Christmas Ashley." Jazmine said giving her a small smile slightly praying that it would be a smooth Christmas and no high activities would happen today.
"Everything is ready." Sarah announced, putting the platters of food on the table.
"After we finish eating we can open the presents." Tom said, pouring himself some coffee.
"Ashley have your parents called and wished you happy Christmas yet?" Sarah asked as she passed the bowl of eggs around. A glimmer of sadness passed on Ashley's face, but it past quickly she shook her head.
"I don't expect them to." she said in an unreadable tone.
"Why would you say that honey?" Sarah asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise.
"No reason, holidays is something they don't have time for when there working. Can we not talk about it anymore?" Ashley said shrugging, daintily biting into a piece of bacon and shrugging.
Both Tom and Sarah shared a look with each other, while Jazmine couldn't help but feel sad for her cousin. how horrible for her parents to not call her and wish her a Merry Christmas. 'If it was me, my feelings would be terribly hurt.' Jazmine thought as she sipped her orange juice. She decided to let the anger about Ashley being high go because right now it didn't matter.
"Well, you have us tell you Merry Christmas." Jazmine said smiling at her.
"Thanks Jazzy." Ashley said, smiling.
Jazmine nodded and the four of them ate their breakfast happily.
"That was great mom" Jazmine said, rubbing her belly.
"Yeah, it was good auntie." Ashley agreed.
"Okay everyone gift time!" Tom sang happily, making them giggle as they headed to the living room. Jazmine couldn't help but admit that she got some pretty great gifts this year. She received some clothes, a pair of new shoes, money from both her parents, a pair of really cute Jordans from Cindy of course, and nice drawing and silver necklace with her name on it from Riley. She also got a pair of diamond earrings and matching bracelet set from Ashley, it was the most expensive gift in the pile especially since the set came from tiffany's.
"Wow." Jazmine said, looking at it.
"Ashley this is really nice, but you didn't have to." Sarah said, stunned looking at her own diamond set while Tom was speechless over his Rolex watch.
"It's no problem, I'm finally glad I had a reason to get some great gifts for once." Ashley said beaming. Very pleased that her presents made a great impact.
"It's just that these are some very expensive gifts." Tom finally said, still looking stunned at his watch.
"Yeah, I feel that those earrings I gave you are pitiful." Jazmine said, her mouth feeling dry thinking about it.
But Ashley waved them off.
"It's nothing. I'm just glad you loved them. " She said while clapping her hands.
She had opened all her gifts, except her parents, those she left still wrapped and untouched.
"Aren't you going to open your other gifts?" Jazmine asked, pointing it out. Ashley looked at the presents with indifference.
"No. I'll open them later." she said while shrugging.
"Well, if everybody ready, we can head to the Freeman's. Robert invited us for a Christmas dinner party." Sarah said standing up picking up the scattered wrapping paper.
"Yay." Jazmine cheered running upstairs and grabbing Huey's gift from her closet. She threw on her jacket.
Ashley was coming out her room, waiting for Jazmine. she almost scared the living daylights out of jazmine. 'Um creepy much.' Jazmine thought. Ashley was holding a small black box and some other boxes.
"What are those?" Jazmine asked curiously. "I bought gifts for your friends too." Ashley said smiling.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that. It was really nice of you though." Jazmine said surprised, wondering when Ashley had the time to shop for them.
Ashley must have known what Jazmine was thinking.
"I have a ton of things that I don't want anymore and I figure what better way to get rid of them than to give them to your friends." Ashley said smiling.
Jazmine nodded, looking at the boxes and thinking that those things that Ashley was giving away was pretty expensive and why did she want to give them away so easily.
"Okay, if you want to." Jazmine said while heading downstairs.
"Ready ladies?" Tom asked.
He bowed and that made them giggle. He was wearing a hideous Christmas sweater, but was rocking his new watch on his left wrist and Sarah was wearing her new diamond set as well. Ashley beamed at them with pleasure.
They trudged into the chilly air across the street to the freeman's and ringed the doorbell Mr. freeman opened it instantly, smiling happily and looking dapper in a dark green sweater and nice black pants. "Why hello Tom, Sarah, little babies, come on in and get out of this cold." The old man said letting them in.
"Hello Mr. Freeman, Merry Christmas." Jazmine said, smiling and handing him their Christmas present. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, Ashley even had given the man a gift as well. Her parents had also looked surprised.
"Why thank you little babies, I surely do appreciate it. Come in and help ya'll selves to some Christmas cake." Mr. Freeman said grinning.
"Yo yo!" Riley greeted them clearly.
He was wearing all his new Christmas gifts,Cindy was right behind him looking nice in a peach sweater, skinny jeans and a pair of tan botties. Her blonde hair in a bun.
"Aye Bae, you forgot one more gift." Cindy said, smiling widely holding a red envelop.
"Oh yeah." Riley said excitedly rubbing his hand and taking the letter from her , opening pulled out what appeared to be two tickets. "Oh My God!" Riley stuttered, his eyes bulging wide at them. The boy face went through a series of emotion, happiness shock and then he did something that alarmed them all
He started crying.
"Riley are you ok?" Jazmine asked, a little worried.
Crying wasn't something the freeman boys did hell they didn't cry at all so it was alarming to see actual tears coming out the youngest freeman who was the one that swore he was the hardest majority of the time.
"Man, I'm going to see Lauryn hill in concert!" Riley sniffed,wiping his eyes.
But he straighten up quickly once he saw his eyes was wet, " he scowled quickly trying regain his thug image which was late due to the fact that everybody was watching him very amused.
"What the hell y'all looking at? Shit a nigga had some lint in his eye damn." he said angrily leaving, well not before giving Cindy a thank you kiss. She giggled and watched her boyfriend leave the room.
"Where in the world did you get Lauryn Hill tickets?" Jazmine asked while giggling, besides her and Huey were the only ones that knew Riley liked her music and would listen to her CD's when he was angry or upset or stressed.
"I got connections you know." Cindy said smirking.
"Here you go Cindy." Ashley handed Cindy her gift.
Cindy raised her an eyebrow in surprise and suspicion.
"You bought me a Christmas gift?" the blonde asked.
"Yes, it's my way of saying thank you. "Ashley said nodding her head.
"Oh well you didn't have too damn, I feel bad and shit now cause I didn't get you a gift." Cindy said looking at the box guilty.
"Nonsense, it's no problem. Open it." Ashley said urging her. Cindy shrugged.
"Thanks" she said, giving the girl a small smile and opening it.
Inside was a small diamond tennis bracelet.
"Wow." Jazmine muttered, looking at it.
"This is pretty. did you get this from tiffany's?" Cindy asked, looking unimpressed but taking the bracelet and putting it on her wrist.
"Yes." Ashley said a little disappointed that Cindy wasn't acting star struck over her present.
"Thanks, I love it. Don't mean to sound rude or anything but my mom gives me a lot of shit from them cause she'll believe I'll become a girly freak overnight. I had a ton of jewelry but this bracelet is dope, so I'll most certainly rock it." Cindy said nodding at the bracelet.
"So your parents are rich?" Ashley asked.
Cindy nodded and rolled her eyes.
"Yeah and I can't stand it. Money doesn't bring you happiness." Cindy said sarcastically.
Ashley nodded in agreement, her own eyes darkening with the thought.
"Tell me about it." Ashley said.
'What's that about?' Jazmine thought curiously.
"Jazmine." a voice called out, making the three girls jump.
They turned to see Huey frowning at all of them.
"Damn Afro puff, why you sneaking on people and shit?" Cindy said angrily, rubbing her chest.
Huey ignored her and came toward Jazmine, looking nice in a gray sweater and black vest with khaki pants. He was holding a small pink box with a white ribbon.
"Is that for me?" Jazmine asked excitedly while bouncing on her toes.
"Yeah here. I don't know how this goes so I rather you just open it so this can be over with." Huey said muttering and blushing.
Jazmine giggled furiously and took it, not before kissing him on the cheek and handing him his own. She eagerly opened her gift wondering what it was as she pulled the ribbon and top off. Inside was the beautiful heart shaped necklace pendent that was in the jewelry store she had her eyes on.
Its glitter was pretty as Jazmine took it out the box and dangle it on it's pretty sliver chain.
"Oh, Huey I love it!" Jazmine said ecstatic.
He nodded, he seemed relieved and pleased that she liked it. Jazmine was amused by the thought that Huey freeman was nervous.
Just as Jazmine was giving him a kiss for the gift.
"Wait." Ashley said cutting in.
"Jazmine raised her eyebrows in slight annoyance.
"I have a gift for you too Huey" Ashley said proudly holding a small black box.
Huey stared at the box.
"Why?" he asked looking at it.
"Because your Jazmine's friend and I wanted to give you a gift." Ashley said smiling.
Jazmine's friend ? Really? Ashley knew that Huey was her boyfriend not friend what was up with the sudden memory loss Jazmine thought.
"You mean Jazmine's boyfriend" Huey corrected her.
Ashley blushed at the correction.
"Ops, sorry it slipped my mind. But please open my gift" Ashley said urging him, as though it was very important.
Huey looked at Jazmine who shruged, she just wanted him to open the damn gift so she could get back thanking him.
Huey sighed and took the box and open it to find
A ring..