Momma's Advice
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The next day at school, I got ready to hear Jessica's babble mouth. Instead of being greet by Jessica, I saw that Jacob was waiting for me at my locker. He was wearing his lettermen jacket with a blue plaid shirt underneath. He wore khaki pants. He looked so handsome, even if he was wearing the simplest clothes. He smiled that million-dollar smile that made my heart melt like an oven would melt butter.
"Hey Angel of mine", he said greeting me with a quick peck on the lips. I looked around to make sure no one had seen him kiss me. "where were you yesterday? I missed you, you know."
"I was ill. I couldn't come to school", I lied.
"Well it's a good thing you're here today. I want you to come over my house again. My mother is going to be there for god knows how many days. All I know is that she won't be there long, and its a good opportunity for her to meet you", he said with so much enthusiasm. I was quiet, thinking to myself about Jacob this new exciting thrill ride that came into my life, and Christian my "brother" who had just confessed his love for me. I wanted to go so desperately, but I thought about Christian and his feelings toward me. How would he feel if I went over to Jacob's house after he had just declare his love to me? I pictured his face, mixed with both resentment and wretchedness. I didn't want to hurt Christian, we were always so close to each other. I was battling with myself, when I heard Jacob say my name.
"Angel?", he said looking at me.
"I'm sorry. I'm just thinking so much about what I missed in school work."
"That's cute, but I'm pretty sure you didn't miss out on much. Well think about my offer, I want an answer by lunch", he said determinedly.
"I'll see", I said about to go into my homeroom class. Jacob grabbed my elbow, turned me around, and quickly kissed me on the lips. This time he looked around to see if anyone had seen. I, too, looked around to see a whole crowd of people staring at us. It was like it was a show for these people. I felt the blood rush to my neck and cheeks, and quickly disappeared into my homeroom.

The day went by at a snail's pace. After having math, social studies, and science the bell rang for lunch. I went out to the front of the cafeteria and waited for Christian. I looked around expecting to see Christian's face brighten up while he walked to me, but instead I saw two other people. Jessica was walking with Jacob; Jessica had a sneaky smile on her face, while Jacob smiled at me, showing his pearl white teeth.
"Hey Angela! I told Jacob you would be waiting for your brother out here", she said holding in her excitement. I thought she would burst any minute. It actually brought a smile to my face.
"Yes, but I don't know what's keeping him. He's usually here first than me."
"I think I saw him heading toward the library", Jessica said. Oh great! I thought. The whole day he was ignoring me. This morning he had deliberately woken up earlier in the morning so that he wouldn't see me. It wasn't fair. Not only did I feel bad, but he left me with no walking partner. Now he had ran away to the library.
"Thank you for telling me Jessica", as said as we sat down in the table.
"So, have you thought about coming over my house after school?", Jacob asked.
"I was going to say yes, but I can't since I haven't told Chris. If I go I'm going to have to find him first", I said.
"I won't take no for an answer", he teased.
"I guess I can go look for him. I wasn't planning on eating today, I have too much on my mind to be able to eat", I said getting up, "I'll see you two later." I walked out of the cafeteria and down the halls. As I walked down the hallway towards the library, someone called out my name. When I turned around I saw Johanna Jenkins, Jacob's ex-girlfriend, standing left to a locker. She had a smirk on her face. Johanna had a full body. Johanna was a redhead with blue eyes. She had a full-size bosom, a slender waist, and big hips. Every guy desired her and every girl wished to be her.
"I hear you're Jacob's new victim", she said. Victim? What did she mean?
"What are you talking about?, I asked.
"I see you don't know much about Jacob, so I'm going to do you a favor and fill you in. Every month he looks for a new girl, for the most part, most of them happen to be virgins You don't happen to be one?", she asked curiously. I only stayed quiet, "It'll only be a matter of time until he nails you, and then dumps you. It happens all the time".
"What makes you so confident that I'll be that easy?"
"He has a certain way of working, and he'll get what he wants, one way or the other", she said forbiddingly.
"I don't give myself up so easily, unlike others", I replied.
She laughed, a sinister laugh and said, "Only a matter of time". I turned away quickly and went toward the library. When I stepped inside everything turned quiet. I passed through every aisle of the library where there was no sight of Christian. Finally, I spotted him hiding in the corner behind a book. He must've spotted me first, I thought. I walked toward him and he turned his back to me. It hurt me to see him do that to me.
"Christian?", I whispered. He still kept his back to me as if I wasn't even there.
"Christian, please, I don't deserve this kind of unfair treatment. Please don't ignore me anymore. How can I possibly think of you as a worthy guy to like if you keep turning your back on me?" Had I just uttered those words out loud? Apparently I had, since it finally caught his attention which made him look at me.
"Christian, Jacob invited me to his house today after school", I said slowly.
"And you wanted me to cover for you in case Momma calls?", he asked acrimoniously.
"No!", I said quickly, "I just wanted to tell you that I wasn't going to go". Why not? I asked myself. I was arguing with myself, telling myself that I didn't want to hurt Christian.
"Christian, I can't go. Momma's in the hospital with Aunt Clarissa and it wouldn't feel right. Not only because of that, but also because of the promise I made to myself".
"Promise? What promise?", he asked.
"I promised myself that I wouldn't be anything but a friend to guys, so that I can at least give us a try", I said looking down, feeling ashamed.
When I looked up, he was smiling, his eyes lightened up with delight. I was trying so hard to not hurt him.
"Thank you, Angel", he said cheerfully.
I smiled. "You're making me lunch today, mister. You just made me miss lunch". He laughed and told me he would.

During gym class, I talked to Jessica about what Johanna had said.
"Jessica, I'm worried", I told her while sitting on the benches.
"Why? what happened?"
"Well, while I was walking towards the library, Johanna told me something?"
"Johanna? Who is – ", she gasped, "Johanna? Isn't that Jacob's ex- girlfriend? W hat did she want?"
"Well she told me that Jacob only wanted- well you know. She said he goes for girls every month, mainly virgins. After Jacob, well after you know, he dumps them", I whispered.
"She's lying. Jacob wouldn't do that. I think she's just jealous of you", she said strongly.
"You're right", I said still trying to convince myself.
"So, are you going to his house?", she asked enthusiastically.
"I can't, I haven't asked my mom, and I don't want to go without asking her again" She looked at me as if I were foolish. She insisted I go, but I still said no, knowing I would be doing more for her than for me. By the end of the day, I stopped talking to Jessica because she got too aggravating saying stuff about Jacob. Finally, the bell rang for all kids to get out of school and go home. I went outside to wait for Christian. When I got outside, he was already, talking to Michael Richards, one of Jacob's many friends. I turned my head to the side to make sure Jacob wasn't around. When I looked at Christian again, he was punching Michael. I couldn't believe my eyes. I ran to them, dropping all my books in the process.
"Stop! Christian! Stop it!", I yelled trying to get Christian off Michael, who were both rolling around on the ground. A group of people were around them now. Christian's face was full of wrath. I, finally, got enough strength to push him off the Michael who was now bleeding from his lip. As soon as Christian was off Michael, he ran away.
"Come on Christian, let's go home, now", I said getting my books that were scattered on the ground. We walked quickly to the house, we walked so fast that we reached the house in less than five minutes.
"You should go inside the room in case Tom comes home", I said opening the door. He acquiesced. He went to the room, while I got some ice in a bowl. I went inside the room and found him laying down on his bed. His cheek was enlarged and had turned crimson.
"Oh Christian, why did you fight with Michael? What did he say?" I put a cube of ice lightly on his cheek, holding it there with my hand.
"It was nothing", he said.
"You're not a very good liar, Christian. Don't tell me you got in a fight with Michael because you felt like it. Now what did he say?" He sighed and took the hand that wasn't occupied holding the ice cube. "He just said some stuff about you. He said stuff that I'd rather not tell you. I just got so angry at what he said, I just had to do something", he said.
"Christian, you could've just ignored him".
"No, he said some pretty filthy stuff. I just couldn't ignore it. I love you too much to just ignore what everyone says about you", he said earnestly. His eyes showed his emotions. I wondered just what Michael Richards had said. Christian's took my hand and kissed it. He sat up on his bed , cupped my chin and tilted it so he could kiss it. His kiss was so gentle, it felt like a feather had just passed through my lips. I wasn't even sure if he had kissed me. I closed my eyes when he kissed me again. His kiss sent an electrifying , but warm sensation all over me, from my head to my toes. He kissed me lightly on the lips. I wanted to invite his kisses, but something about it just didn't feel right.
"Christian", I said parting away from his lips, "do you think we should be doing this?"
"Angel, I love you. God knows I do, but if you don't feel the least bit comfortable I wont pressure you. I love you unconditionally, I just hope that maybe one day you can do the same", he said bringing me back into his embrace, kissing my hair soothingly.
"What about Jacob?", I questioned.
"What about him?"
"Christian", I said drawing apart from his again, "he asked me to the dance and I already agreed to go. I mean, what if he asks me to go to his house again? Do you think he'll be suspicious? I mean people in school still think we're related, I haven't told anyone", I said shooting one thing after another.
"What if I go to the dance too?"
"What?", I asked astonished.
"I mean, obviously since I can't go with you, but I can always ask Jessica"
"What? You're going to ask Jessica t-to watch me?", I asked flabbergasted, again.
"Sure, why not?", he asked as if it were nothing.
Because you're going a little overboard, I almost blurted out. "Well, it's a Valentine dance, and if you ask Jessica you'll be using her. She'll think you feel affectionate toward her. If that happens, she might become attached. I know because she likes you", I stopped, thinking about what I just said, "Christian, you'll hurt her feelings, she likes you. It won't be fair to her, you can't toy with her feelings."
"It's all right", he said unmoved embracing me again, "I won't let her get too close. Nothing will happen, trust me." I heard the house door close and jumped out of Christian's hold.
"That must be Momma" I went out to the living room. "Momma, you're home", I ran to hug her, "You look exhausted, sit down, I'll get you something cold to drink." She sat down on the couch and sighed, I got her some cold water.
"Here Momma", I said handing her the water.
"Thank you, Angel baby, always such a good girl. Where's your brother?", she asked taking a sip of her drink.
"He's in the room, Momma, he's tired. You know how tired Christian can become", I fibbed, "You should rest too".
"I wish I could rest Angel baby, but I have to go back to the hospital again. Your Aunt Clarissa is still sick. In fact, she's getting worse. I have to leave Georgie at you Aunt's neighbor's house so that I can work tonight. I just stopped by in a hurry to see you and Christian". Her face had aged since the last time I had seen her, which wasn't but a few days ago.
"Oh, Momma, don't worry, Aunt Clarissa will get better, you'll see. I'm so glad you came, I've been meaning to ask you something", I said apprehensively.
"What is it, Angel baby? Ask me whatever you want", she said attentively.
"Well, um Momma, this boy asked me to the school's Valentine's dance, and I would really want to go Momma. He's really nice-"
"Who is this boy?"
"His name is Jacob Anderson. He's the same age as Christian"
"Anderson?", she asked concerned.
"Yes, Momma, Christian is going to the dance too. He'll be there to watch-"
"Oh honey, you don't have to worry about that. I can't stop you from growing up, but I want you to be careful. Just because a boy may seem nice to you, doesn't mean he isn't thinking about other stuff. You have to be careful on who you trust. You don't want to give your innocence away so effortlessly, be careful with boys. I know it may feel as if you're on top of the world when your with your first love, but you don't want to end up like me. Don't make the mistake I made", she said with great pain.
"Oh, don't worry Momma. I won't let anything happen". I said reassuringly, hugging and kissing her. She laughed.
"Angel baby, I keep forgetting that you're blossoming and on the verge of becoming a beautiful lady. Why, I remember the day I went into labor with you. I spent ten hours in labor with you, but it was worth it. When I held you in my arms, I was the happiest mother there could be..." I felt like speaking up and just telling her that I knew about the truth, that she wasn't really my Momma. Oh Momma, why do you have to lie to me? You never gave birth to me. Instead of telling her that, I just sat, smiled and wished that it was really like that.
"Well Angel baby, I better be heading out and go to work. I wish I had more time to spend with you and Christian, but I just can't seem to find it", she sighed, kissed me on the forehead, and left. I sat on the sofa for a few seconds, just thinking about Daddy, Christian, and Momma. I got up from the sofa and went into my room.
"What did you tell Momma?", Christian asked the second i stepped inside the room.
"I told Momma that you were tired and resting in here for a while", I said avoiding his eyes as I spoke.
"What else?"
"I asked if I could go to the dance with Jacob, and if I could go with him to his house the next time he asked me. She said yes, but", I out spoke him just as he was trying to say something, "I told her I would be careful. Not to give my heart and myself up so easily." He relaxed a bit when I said that. I felt my face droop in sadness. Christian must have taken notice, for he stood up and took my hands in his. "What's wrong, Angel?", he asked.
"Oh it's nothing. I just got a bit gloomy because Momma was talking about my birth, and well I think you know why I would get gloomy."
"Look at me Angel, he said cupping my chin and holding it up, "that woman is your mother no matter what anyone else might say. A mother is not the one who gives birth to you; a mother is the person who nurtures you, and gives you tender, love, and care."
"I know Christian, but I still wish she was the one who had given birth to me", I said digging my head into his shoulder. He embraced me, kissed me on the forehead, and told me to try and forget about it, and to just look forward to the what the future held.