Chapter Four

DANICA

When my dad came outside, Topanga put both hands on my shoulders and kissed my forehead, saying everything would be okay. Then she walked inside, squeezing Shawn's arm in a friendly way.

"Where the hell were you?" he asked. It was really dark, I could only make out his face by the passing cars, but I could tell he was really upset – even in the dark.

"Didn't mom tell you?" I asked, combing through my hair with my fingers.

"Yes, Danica, she did. And – stop that!" he took my hand with his and kept it there between us. "But I want to hear it from you. Tell me. Where were you?"

"Just out." I told him.

"You weren't just out, Danica. You were with Malcolm Jemero. Chanise called your mom."

"So?" I asked. "Dad, you're just gonna hafta accept that Malcolm is my best friend."

"That kid isn't a best friend! Why don't you be best friends with Vanessa Matthews or maybe Eva, your cousin!" my dad yelled.

"Who's Eva?"

"You'll meet her soon. Uncle Jack and Aunt Rachel are coming from Hershey, Saturday. But that's beside the point. Out of all the good people – you pick Malcolm Jemero! This kid's dad's gone and he's been on the streets – doing God knows what!"

"You're friends with Chanise! You and mom are!" I yelled. "And you know they were homeless dad, so don't play!"

"Well Chanise isn't a bad person!"

"Neither is her son!" I grabbed the door and threw it open, feeling the shock of the steel shaking underneath my sneakers as I raced up to the apartment. I threw open that door and instead of playing good girl and hugging everyone, I just stormed down the hall, into my bedroom, burying my face in my pillow and screaming; my voice drowned out from the City that seemed to live and breathe on its own below me.

I pretended to be asleep until I was sure Corey, Topanga, and Vanessa left and my mom and dad were asleep. I got out of bed, still dressed in the wet clothes I had been wearing all morning and opened my Instant Messenger on my computer. Malcolm had gotten a laptop for his sixteenth birthday. His mom used two whole paychecks just for him.

MrX2: Hey D.

DanicaDreams33: Hey M.

MrX2: Did yo mama bust ya?

DanicaDreams33: Yeah, but my dad was PISSED.

MrX2: Cus of me right?

DanicaDreams33: Why'd you think that, boo?

MrX2: Cus it always is at least one reason, D. I guess most people don't like me very much.

DanicaDreams33: Not always. And I like you M.

MrX2: I like you too.

DanicaDreams33: Sorry about my dad, M. I really am. I just don't get it. My parents are real nice friends with your mom, but it's like my dad thinks you're a bad seed.

MrX2: Wasn't he a bad seed when he was our age though D?

DanicaDreams33: That's what mom said.

MrX2: Did ya ask yo dad?

DanicaDreams33: He used to tell me stories when I was little.

MrX2: Maybe he's just scared, D. Nothin' to worry about.

DanicaDreams33: You sure?

MrX2: Yeah. Ya wanna go out Saturday night?

DanicaDreams33: Sure. Where?

MrX2: We'll just walk. Like we usually do. That ok?

DanicaDreams33: Perfect.

MrX2: I'm shot. Mom wants me to watch Bree before I go to school tomorrow. 'Night D.

DanicaDreams33: 'Night M.