Hey cuties! I'm back with another chapter, a bit later than planned, but here it is!

Here's the deal: I usually make sure I have one or two chapters ready before publishing another one so I can post regularly (cuz we all know the agony of waiting months for a new chap...) And I had a whole ass chapter before this one to publish, but it was cringe af so I decided to cut it, that's why some stuff might feel slightly rushed, but I'll make up for it.

Also, this was supposed to be one chapter, but this part is so damn big that I decided to cut it in two chapter (and a half) for the sake of people like me who can't stand to read a long ass chapter in one sitting lol.

Enjoy!

Sweet Sixteen (part I)

Jazmine got excited over a lot of things. She was excited when she had to get her wisdom teeth removed, she was excited when she broke her arm and Riley had drawn all over her cast and was beyond herself with excitement when she first got her period (though that didn't last long at all)

But the thing that excited her the most was birthdays. Jazmine would begin getting on everyone's ass about it a month in advance and her parties were always something that their whole class would look forward too, and this year, being the long awaited Sweet Sixteen meant that she couldn't go a few hours without mentioning it somehow.

Which was why Huey could not for the life of him come up with a reason as to why he had forgotten to buy her birthday present.

They were at lunch on thursday when realization hit him like a bucket of cold water. Maybe he had forgotten because he was trying so damn hard to keep Jazmine out of his thoughts, which he deemed virtually impossible. It seemed that as soon as he came to terms with the fact that he maybe-probably-kinda had feelings for her the more and more she'd assault his train of thoughts.

"So, what are you planning to get her anyway?" Caesar asked as they made their way to the mall. Huey shrugged, not knowing the answer himself. He couldn't just give her anything sparkly and cute like he always did. She had given him a good, thoughtful gift when it wasn't even near his birthday and he had to at least try to actually please her.

"I'm stumped." Huey sighed. "I has to be something she actually likes and doesn't bust my budget". God, for the first time ever he wished Cindy was there with them, she'd know what to pick, though the girl didn't care too much about price tags.

"I've got an idea," Huey looked at Caesar hopefully. "A passionate kiss," He smirked and Huey rolled his eyes. After he admitted to Caesar that he was maybe-probably-kinda right about the whole thing he had to endure relentless mocking and 'I-told-you-so's, and that wasn't really unexpected, but it sure was annoying.

"Can you stop being a dick for like, five minutes? I'm serious." Huey shot at his friend.

"Me too! Look, honestly I think there wouldn't be a better time for you to grow a pair and make a move, that for me would be the best present." Huey hadn't even put too much though into it, or rather he avoided thinking about it. After all, it was one thing to acknowledge his feelings for the girl, but actually confessing? A whole different level.

"Okay, whatever, now think about something materialistic." He looked at the stores and felt like the more they walked the more he was lost.

"Look man, Jazmine likes things with emotional value. She likes to keep stuff as memory. If you can think of something that, i dunno, is special to both of you in a way..." Caesar shrugged.

"What did you get her?"

"I'm not telling you," He shrugged and Huey shot him a look. "Sorry man, I had three years of missed birthdays to account for, can't have your ass copying me." Huey rolled his eyes and went on a mission to find the perfect birthday gift.

And damnit, even if he had to spend all day at the stupid mall, he'd come up with the perfect gift.

Jazmine woke up on cloud nine friday morning. For the first time in a long time her birthday coincided with a good day to have her party, she had already handed out invitations, her hair was properly moisturized and the new outfit her mom had bought fit her perfectly. She couldn't even count how many Birthday messages she had gotten and how many pictures she was tagged in, and it was only seven a.m.

She headed downstairs and the scent of food made her mouth water uncontrollaby. "Good morning honey! Happy birthday!" Sarah gave her daughter a tight hug, kissing the top of her head. "You've grown up so much!"

"Thanks Mommy," When Jazmine was in a really good mood she'd call her parents mommy and daddy, and it wasn't no different just because she was sixteen.

"I made you your favorite!" Sarah said, fixing her daughter a plate of french toast and a few slices of bacon. "Baby, today is going to be perfect! We've got your whole day planned out..." She started talking on and on but Jazmine coouldn't pay attention, her smile subcounciously turning into a grimace. French toast and bacon were probably two of the things Jazmine like to eat most, but all she could think about was the amount of calories she'd have to burn off later. If she wanted to have at least a shot of getting the special part in the dance than she'd have to watch her weight closely. "Aren't you gonna eat?"

"What? Oh yeah, sorry mom." She took a bite off the french toast, it tasted so good Jazmine had to refrain from rolling her eyes. Maybe today she could splurge a little, after all it was her birthday.

Even then, the voice in the back of her mind was incessant.

"Your father is picking you up from school at one and dropping you off to get your hair done-"

"Where is he by the way?" Jazmine regretted saying anything as soon as th question left her mouth as she saw her mothr's jubilant expression dim slightly, but she quickly stamped a rather fake smile on her face.

"He didn't...He had to stay at work until late, honey..." Jazmine nodded, not wanting to press her mother.

The sound of honking outside saved them from the density that had taken over the air suddenly, and Jazmine immeaditely knew it was Huey. She swallowed the last of her breakfast, kissed her mother on the cheek and headed out. She slid on the passenger seat, smiling so much her face was going sore, but still not saying anything.

"You know, you have really deep dimples," Huey poked her cheek, snorting when she shot him a glare.

"Aren't you gonna say anything?" She asked, crossing her arms and pouting. Huey chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"Don't die anytime soon." He delivered the same line He always did on her birthdays and she snorted, rolling her eyes, knowing too well it was the best she could hope for.

"Thank you, Huey, you are so kind." Just then Riley left the house, looking dead on his feet, as he usually did on mornings.

"Happy B-day Jazzey," He said as he set himself on the backseat. He punched her arm, not too hard but hard enough for her to hiss and rub the spot.

"Ow! Do you have to do that every year?"

"O' course gurl, shit ain't change just 'cuz you all grown up now, you still gettin' them birthday licks!" Jazmine rolled her eyes, but didn't hide her smirk as Huey started the car. "Man, I been dreaming 'bout this birthday party, shit's finna be lit!" Riley exclaimed, making Jazmine laugh.

"Don't jinx it! I don't want anything to go wrong today." She sighed. "God I'm so nervous."

"The only thing that can ruin this day for you is your own anxiety." Huey said as he pulled up in front of Caesar's home, where the dreadhead was already waiting for them, a giant grin on his face.

"Happy birthday Jazzy Fresh!" He went over to her open window and pecked her cheek before slidng on the backseat besides Riley. Jazmine started to giggle, that was the difference between Huey and Caesar, they had different ways of showing affection, which was good. For the last three years she had grown accostumed to Huey's cold and distant antics. "How's sixteen treating you so far?"

"Pretty good," She responded. "It's a nice friday, I don't have any classes I don't like and I'm leaving early to go to the salon," She smiled. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She pulled out two blue paper wristbands out of her pocket and handed one to Huey and one to Caesar. "If you guys feel like getting anything at the bar," She answered when they gave her odd looks. "They'll ask for ID at the door but just slap these on when you get in."

"Why don't I get one?" Riley complained from the backseat.

"Because you're fourteen?"

"Man dat's dat ol' bullshit!" He spat. "Y'all ain't old either, shit." He glowered, but didn't say anything else. They pulled over in the parking lot and Jazmine had barely gotten out of the car before she felt someone jumping at her so harshly that if Caesar wasn't right behind her she'd have fallen backwards.

"Happy birthday gurl!" Cindy squealed, Jazmine started laughing. "Finally the big one-six!" Huey rolled his eyes. Cindy was so extra. "I love you so fuckin' much!" She finally let go of Jazmine, smiling. "You ain't even ready fo' the post imma drop on mah insta real quick," Jazmine smiled at her friend, loving the positive attention she was getting.

Riley slid an arm over Cindy's shoulder and gave the girl a quick kiss. "Ain't gon' say hi to yo' mans?" She giggled, rolling hey eyes. Huey and Jazmine shared a look and she had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. She couldn't look at the couple and not think about the events that Huey had told them.

As Jazmine walked through the hallway many people stopped to wish her happy birthday or talk about the party. Jazmine mostly stuck with her crew, but since she participated in a bunch of clubs and extracurricular activities she was quit popular and well liked person.

"Wassup girlie," Cindy said from behind as Jazmine put a few things on her locker around lunchtime. The hallways were already getting uncomfortably packed with people heading to the cafeteria. "I got you a lil sum' sum' special for yo' lunch," She waved brown paper bag at her and Jazmine smiled, though it didn't really meet her eyes.

"What is it?"

"I ain't tellin' you girl! Shoot, it's a suprise-AY!" Cindy jumped a foot in the air as she felt someone grab her ass from behind. "Brandon?!" Cindy immeaditely turned beet red and her eyes were set ablaze. "What the fuck is wrong wit' you?" She screamed, shoving the boy with all her strenght, not caring about the people walking behind him. Jazmine bit her lip, her heart already pounding.

Brandon Wood was a senior and Cindy's ex. He stood at a at least a good six feet something, and was one of the stars of the football team. Jazmine couldn't understand how her friend ever had the courage to date such an imbecile, but it wasn't too long before the girl grew sick of him. She had avoided the hell out of him all summer and even at school, So much so that Jazmine had almost forgotten about him, she just knew that he meant trouble.

"What's wrong babe?" He smirked at the girl and Jazmine wanted to be sick to her stomach. "Why you acting so shy now?"

"Get the fuck away from me, Wood!" Cindy spat, her nostrils flaring up. "When you gon't get through you thick head that I'm done wit' you stank ass?!"

"You're such a fucking bitch," His voice deepended and Jazmine gasped when he pressed Cindy against the locker. Jazmine didn't know if everyone else was too focused on getting their lunch to pay any attention to the commontion or if they were just scared shitless of messing with Brandon Wood, but she couldn't believe that not even the teachers were doing anything. "What, you thought you were just gonna get away from ghosting me for months just like that?! Damn, I was hoping I was gonna run into you."

"Get away from her Woods!" Jazmine squealed, not sounding nearly as menancing as she'd hope. Wood snorted, rolling her eyes at the girl.

"What you gonna do about that, DuBois?" he tightened his grip to Cindy's shoulder, making the girl wince.

"Let. Me. Fucking. GO!" Cindy growled, burying her sharp nails into his arm, making his hiss.

"You fucking-"

"What the hell is goin' on?!" Riley showed up behind Jazmine, immeaditely shoving the boy away from Cindy. "Now I know dis nigga ain't sweatin' on mah gurl!" Jazmine didn't know if she felt thankful or frightened that Riley had showed up just then. He had an enraged look on his eyes and his fists were already balled up tightly.

"Your girl?" Woods started cackling. "Damn C, I knew you were a hoe, but going after the freshmen?!" Riley just didn't jump on his ass right then and there because Jazmine had blocked him, her heart spiking.

"Nah, quit playing Jazmine, this nigga asking fo' sum ass whooping!" Riley growled, and suddenly everyone's attention was on them. God, a bomb could go off and all teenagers cared about was fighting.

"Not in the middle of the freaking hallway Riley!" Even though Riley was considerably shorter and less buffed up than Woods, Jazmine was more afraid of the damage that he could cause. She had seen Riley fighting enough times to know not underestimate his ability to fuck shit up.

"Reezy, she right," Cindy took Jazmine's place in restraining Riley, who was only getting more and more agitated with that stupid smile on Brandon's face. "If you get suspended yo' granddad wont let you come to the party,"

"Man fuck that party, ain't nobody gon' disrespect you while I'm around," He sneered. "Fo' sho' not dis nigga!"

"Riley! I'm fuckin' serious!" Cindy growled, matching his tone. "Cut. That. Shit. Out!" Riley stopped forcing is ways out of Cindy's grip and glared dagger at the boy in front of him.

"This ain't done." He said pointedly and grabbed both Cindy and Jazmine by their arms, walking them down the hallway.

"Pussy ass, I ain't scared of you!" He yelled down the hallway and Jazmine felt Riley's grip on her arm tighten before she pulled away.

"That's what he wants Riley..."

"Yeah, don't be givin' that fool no audience..." Riley groaned, almost shaking with anger.

"He lucky...if we out in da streets his ass woun't even kno' what the fuck hit him." Jazmine sighed. She really did not need than kind of stress right now. She spotted the table where Huey and Caesar were sitting and quickly dragged the couple there.

"Finally!" Caesar said as they roughly sat on the table. "What took y'all so long?"

Huey looked at his brother and rose an eyebrow. Riley's scowl was even deeper than his. "Do I wanna know what's wrong with him?"

"Man!" Riley started, not waiting for one of the girls to reply. "This bitch ass, punk ass, fat ass Brandon Wood all up in mah gurl's face, who the fuck this nigga think he is?! Man I swear to God I'm finna wear that ass out!" He said it all seemingly in one breath. "No homo." Caesar blinked.

"Translation?" Jazmine sighed, shaking her head.

"Cindy and I were hanging ou in the hallway when Brandon Wood grabbed her butt outta nowhere-"

"Dis nigga what?!" Riley stood up abruptly, Jazmine pinched the bridge of her nose. "How y'all ain't tell me that? Aw hell nah I'm finna-"

"Riley!" Cindy snapped. "Sit yo' ass down! Shit, you really like causing a scene!" Riley scoffed, but did sit down anyway.

"A scene?! How I gon' let a nigga grab yo' ass in front of errybody?"

"I ain't no fuckin' damsel in distress!" She said pointedly, the words seemingly making her sick. "You better quit playing that game boy, I'm serious!"

"Can I continue?" Jazmine cut in. annoyed. "Anyway, He started talking smack, and you know Cindy doesn't take crap from nobody. He shoved her into the locker and just then Riley showed up." Both Caesar's and Huey's eyes widened and Riley bounced his legs, clearly itching for a fight.

"Man, if y'all asses weren't in da way I'd beat that fat ass nigga into shape!"

"Who the hell is Brandon Wood?" Caesar asked, still a bit clueless.

"Oh, you don't know him...He's Cindy's ex, they broke up before summer break..." Jazmine looked for his pudgy face around the cafeteria and spotted him at the lunch line. "The tallest kid at the line." Caesar squinted at the line and grimaced when his eyes landed on the boy they were talking about.

"Damn," He shook his head, looking at Cindy up and down. "Do you have no self-respect?"

"Shrek lookin'-ass nigga," Riley grumbled.

"Damn, I was stupid aight? Y'all ain't nevah do no dumb shit when y'all were kids?"

"Cindy, that was four months ago."

"Oh mah god! Quit the judging!" She glared at Huey who rolled his eyes. "Damn, can we focus the attention back to what's really important?" She grinned at Jazmine, retrieving that same paper bag, albeit a bit crumpled, out her bag. "Happy sixteenth gurl." Jazmine beamed at her friend. Inside there was a thick slice of red velvet cake kept in a pastic container that almost made Jazmine gasp.

"oh, Cindy!" She squealed. "Cream cheese frosting?!" Cindy smirked and shrugged.

"Duh, your favorite!" She dug into her backpack. "But that ain't all," She retrieved two birthday candles with the numbers 1 and 6, sticking the candles into the thickest part of the slices. "Now it's really your birthday," Jazmine beamed at her. Cindy pulled out a lighter from her back pocket.

"Cindy! You'll get in trouble!" Jazmine hissed at the blond, who in turn rolled her eyes, swiftly lighting up the candles.

"So? I ain't care," Jazmine, sighed, but didn't hide the smile that decorated her face. Cindy got her phone and started recording. "Ahem...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU," She started yelling, loud enough for the whole cafeteria to hear. Jazmine's cheeks turned a deep red and Huey rolled his eyes as Caesar started clapping and Riley banged the table, singing in unisom.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JAZZY,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUU!" a few other people on the cafeteria started clapping as well and Jazmine felt like hiding under the table, but couldn't hide the giant smile decorating her face. "Make a wish!" Caesar ushered.

She closed her eyes tightly, beaming at everyone on the table, her eyes pausing briefly on the afro haired boy sitting across from her. She blew out the candles, still hearing clapping around her.

"What did you wish for?" She gave Huey an odd look. The boy was the complete antithesis of her when it came to birthdays, or most special dates for that matter, so why would he ask that?

"She can't tell you fool!" Cindy answered for her. "Then it won't come true!"

"Whatever," He rolled his eyes. "This is stupid."

"Don't start, you!" Jazmine narrowed his eyes at him. "Actually, you know what? Keep it up, not even your negativity can ruin this day for me."

"I'm not trying to ruin anything for you, I'm simply stating the obvious."

"Ain't nobody asked fo' all dat, McHater!" Riley snapped.

"Can you at least pretend you have, I dunno, a soul?" Caesar mocked and Huey loudly breathed, looking directly at Jazmine and contorted his face into a toothy smile. It looked kinda...painful.

"Happy birthday, Jazzy." Huey never called Jazmine by her nickname, and it sounded so forced she wish he'd never do it again.

"Stop!" She said, shaking her head. "Nope, it doesn't suit you, go back to being your usual brooding self." Huey snorted, rolling his eyes.

"Thanks," He smirked. "I knew that that would work."

Jazmine laughed along with the rest of the group. Yes, Huey was a huge Debby-Downer, but she wouldn't trade him for nothing.

Even if it could mean that her maybe birthday wish would become true.

Most girls her age loved spending the day getting their hair, nails and makeup done.

Cindy on the other hand hated it.

But, if it meant her friend would be happy, then she'd do it any day of the week. Or, more realistically, any day of the month.

"Cindy, you really should not have done that," Jazmine sighed as one of the hair stylist worked on her mane. "Aren't you afraid of getting in trouble?"

"Girl, I'm slick," She tried to relax as she got her hair washed. "And even if I wasn't, my mom couldn't give less of a fuck." She shrugged, shivering as cold water hit her scalp. "Damn, y'all ain't got no hot water up in hurr?" The girl doing her head scowled, turning on the other tap. "Thank you,"

"But what about your grades though?" Cindy let out a deep breath. She hated when Jazmine went all mother-hen on her ass.

"Girl, please, I ain't gon' flunk because I dipped half a day to be with mah bestie on her birthday!" Jazmine trid to hide her grin. "Besides, you dipped too, don' go acting all hypocritical."

"I didn't dip!" Jazmine narrowed her eyes. Cindy snorted, that girl was too much of a goodie-two-shoes. "I got permition Cindy, don't know if you know what that word means."

"I do, it just don't make no difference." Jazmine sighed, relaxing on the chair as the woman struggled with her hair.

"Whatever you say, Cyn." Cyndy looked at Jazmine and rolled her eyes. That girl could be irritating she didn't push Jazmine to do anything she wasn't comfortable with, so she couldn't understand why homegirl had to be sweating her all the damn time.

She heard Soulja Boy's voice and giggled as Jazmine picked up her phone.

"Hey Pete," Jazmine said, noticing Cindy raise her eyebrows with a grin.

"What's good Jaz?" She heard from the other side of the line. Happy birthday! I thought I'd see you at bio today, but you didn't show up."

"Yeah, I left after lunch to get my hair done for the party today. You comin', right?" There was a beat of silence on the other end. "Aw, come on!" She whined, earning a snort from Cindy.

"I dunno Jazz. I kinda have some shit to do, and I don't know anyone...I'm gonna be all awkward and shit."

"Stop being silly!" She rolled hr eyes, not that he could see her. "Aw, come on Pete! It's the perfect opportunity for you to get to know them!" She heard a sigh.

"Look, I'll try, but don't hold your breath alright? Besides, if I do go I won't show up until late." She pouted. "I gotta go, just called to wish you a happy day. Bye Jazz."

"Bye-Bye" Jazmine hung up, rolling her eyes when she saw her friend's malicious grin. "What?"

"Pete, huh?"

"Shut up," Jazmine chuckled.

"I ain't say anything," She smirked. "Though that Peter nigga prolly did,"

"He said he didn't know if he would make it to the party."

"Boy couldn't just text you? Aon't kno' Jaz, just straight hittin' you up like dat...seems pretty intimate..." Jazmine avoided her eyes, feeling her cheeks grow hot.

"He called because he wanted to wish me happy birthday, okay?" Jazmine crossed her arms around her chest. "We're good friends."

"You know his ass fo' a whole three weeks," Cindy said pointedly. "What nigga you know would call a girl they barely know just to wish happy birthday?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Unless, y'know, he tryna hit dat-"

"Cynthia!"

"What?! Don't act like you ain't like it either boo," Jazmine couldn't supress her smile. "See?! I knew you wanted a taste of that Mexican Snack." She grinned, narrowing her eyes. "You ain't foolin' no one girl. Pssht, especially not me."

"Well, there's nothing wrong with it," Jazmine retorted. "i mean, I could do with someone, you know, nice for a change."

"Unlike your love-bug?" Cindy shrugged when Jazmine glared at her. "Sorry."

Jazmine sighed, defeatedly. "I'm done hoping to get something out of Huey. It's all Caesar's fault, if he hadn't just filled my head with ideas since we were kids I would've probably been saved a lot of trouble." Jazmine winced when the woman gave her hair a harsh tug. "An probably a lot of tears too..."

"Oh Jazzy..."

"No, don't," She shook her head. "Huey and I are friends, and it'll always be that way. I need to get that through my head. I'm a changed woman now!" Cindy snorted.

"You been sixteen for half a day and already wanna act all mature and shit." She gave her friend an amused look. "Good for you girl."

"Gotta start somewhere, right?"

"I feel you. Fuck Huey's lame ass anyway, If yo' nigga come thru today ain't nothing stopping you to have some fun..." Cindy wiggled her eyebrows and Jazmine giggled.

"Not too much fun, though. Get your mind out of the gutter Cindy!"

"Girl, you know me, you know I can't do that," She laughed, though it suddenly turned into a wince. "OW! Girl is you trynna make mah ass bald?" She hissed at the woman who rolled her eyes.

Jazmine smiled at her friend. Cindy was something else.

Huey really didn't understand all the hype around birthdays.

It was just another day in the calendar, if anything, in his mind it just meant you were a year closer to death, but something he really didn't understand were Sweet Sixteens.

Why sixteen had to be this big thing anyway? Why not fifteen? Or maybe twenty, which at least meant you got through another decade.

And why the hell did he have to dress like a white boy for said occasion?

I look stupid. He thought as he glanced at himself in the mirror. The event was a semi-formal, and he had to borrow one of Granddad's social shirts. It took a while to convince his grandfather to give him the shirt, and even longer to find something that actually fit and didn't look too stupid. He opted for a gray button up shirt and some khaki pants. He sighed, picking his hair out. He couldn't remember a time where he dressed up and there wasn't a funeral involved.

"See nigga, dis why I'm hot." Riley walked into the bathroom smirking, checking himself out on the mirror. He was wearing a navy tuxedo with a black button up shirt under it and white Jordan's.

"Where did you get this?" Huey asked, looking suspiciously at him.

"Don' worry 'bout it," He retorted, grabbing one of their colognes and spraying it all over himself. Huey grimaced as the smell assaulted his nose causing him to sneeze. "Ew nigga, back off."

"The hell did you expect?" Huey wiped his nose, glaring at his brother.

"Shit, I look good, gotta smell good too." He put the cologne back on its place and left the bathroom. "and don't use the same cologne! Can't have a nigga smelling like myself, that's gay!" Huey rolled his eyes and sighed, picking another cologne, one that didn't smell like something straight out of an axe can, and spritzing his neck.

He felt a weird nausea climb up his stomach as he got into his room and looked at the package that sat on his bed. He didn't know why he felt so anxious.

Should he take Caesar's advice and just go for it? Put six years of friendship in jeopardy just because he had the hots for her?

He took a deep breath. He just felt really stupid. It shouldn't be that hard, he didn't know why he was making such a big deal out of a small thing.

But he still couldn't shake this really bad feeling.

"Boys! Y'all ready to go?" He heard his grandfather downstair. "Shoot, I wanna be there before they get all the good things in the buffet!" Huey sighed, grabbing the package and heading downstairs. Granddad was wearing his usual tuxedo he wore to every occasion. "Where's your brother?"

Huey shrugged and just then Riley swaggered down the stairs. Granddad gave him an once over and looked like he was about to say something, but instead shook his head and headed to the door. Riley was holding a square frame wrapped in a pink gift wrapper; a picture he had painted for her, seeing as he didn't want to spend his money on a present.

"Now," Granddad started as he started driving. "Y'all betta behave, especially you, Riley!" He narrowed his eyes through the rearview mirror. "Y'all better not embarass me at that fancy party, I don' need that." Huey couldn't agree more, but somehow he just knew that something was gonna happen.

And his intuiton was never wrong.

Granddad pulled over at the parking lot of the event hall. Damn, the place was quite big, and they could hear the music from outside. The entrace was decorated with white and pink balloons and big professional photos of Jazmine. Huey gulped.

"Names?" The girl in at the front desk asked as they entered hall with a clipboard on her hands.

"Robert, Huey and Riley Freeman," Granddad said as she nodded, ticking of their names with a bored look.

"ID's," Huey fumbled with his wallet and handed his ID to her, Riley and Granddad doing the same. She nodded once again, handing the ID's back to them along with a little white card. "Gifts are over there, your assigned tables are on the card." She pointed her pen to the mound of presents behind them. "Enjoy the party."

They opened the doors to the main hall where the party was taking place and Huey was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of people. He didn't even know how Jazmine knew so many people anyway. He saw familiar faces from school whom he didn't even know the name. Damn, it was an event.

"I'm in table seven," Riley said, looking at his little card.

"Me too, what about you Granddad?"

"Fourteen," He said with a shrug. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Imma find myself sum nice to eat," He hummed as he walked through the party, throwing dirty looks left and right at those rowdy teenagers.

"C'mon, let's go find them," Huey told his brother. He looked around for table seven, since Jazmine probably had everyone of their group sitting together, but they weren't there when they arrived.

"There they are," Riley squinted through dance floor and saw Caesar and Cindy dancing together with the beat of the music; some lame R&B in Huey's opinion. Riley's mouth went slightly ajar as they approached the duo, and if Huey was honest, he too was fairly impressed.

Cindy, whose wardrobe choices were usually on the masculine side, was looking like something from a barbie movie. She was wearing a tight, navy blue dress that went up to her mid-thigh with navy heels to match, almost reaching Riley's height. The dress also showed a fair amount of cleavage which Riley was quick to notice, and hugged her thin frame nicely. She had on blue eyeshadow that accentuated her eye color and made them look bigger, but the thing that stood out most was her hair, which instead of being in a bun like usual was cascading down her back in waves and layers.

"Damn," Riley muttered, almost hungrily, and Cindy smirked at him, her eyes narrowing seductively.

"Like what you see, Reez?"

"Shit, you gotta ask?" He asked goofily, before taking a hold of Cindy's waist and offering her a sloppy kiss. God, now that it was old news that they were together they just were too comfortable, especially after Huey had admitted to telling Caesar and Jazmine about the whole ordeal from a a few weeks ago, and Cindy threatening to fight him if he ever did so as much thought about that day too hard.

"Um, hello? Hi? We're right here?" Caesar grimaced mimicking Huey's expression. Cindy and Riley both pulled away with a roll of their eyes, Cindy's blush visible even under her foundation.

"Yeah, yeah, whaddup nigga? Whatevah." Riley answered impatiently, checking his girlfriend out one more time. "We matching, girl." He commented. Cindy looked at herself and then at Riley and smirked.

"Smart minds think alike," She said, winking at his direction.

"Dumbasses too apparently-OW!" Caesar received a hard blow at his arm from an annoyed looking Cindy. "You hit like a nigga! Damn!"

"Where's Jazmine?" Huey rolled his eyes, eager to end this buffoonery. Cindy glared at Caesar one last time before giving Huey a look.

"Fool, you ain't evah been to a Sweet Sixteen before?" Huey shook his head. "Damn, you are lame."

"Can you just answer my damn question?" Huey was already impatient and he had been at the party for less than ten minutes. Cindy had that effect on him.

"She's up there, probably." Caesar pointed to french-style door on the second story, where the big adorned staircase led to. "She has to make an entrace, and like officially "open" the dance floor or whatever."

"What do you mean?" Riley asked. "Ain't we standing on it? All these fools, ain't they dancing?"

"Yes, but when she comes down is when when all that sappy Sweet Sixteen bullshit begins," Caesar snorted. "There'll be like a father-daughter or something..."

"Gay." Riley stated, shrugging as he looked around the hall. "Shit, I know the DuBois had paper but damn,"

"If I were in her place I'd ask for a car, or something useful!" Caesar said. "I mean, nice party, but I don' see the point in spending thousands of dollar for something that'll last five hours."

"Her parents didn't want to give her a car of her own because they didn't trust her with one,"

"Well...They ain't wrong," Caesar snorted. "Shit, I don't think I would be able to ride with Jazmine at peace." Caesar glanced to the second story as the music suddenly came to a halt. "Speaking of which..." His eyes widened slightly and Huey turned his head. His mouth gaped slightly as, unlike himself, he was almost in shock.

Huey felt his stomach turn upside down as he looked at the girl. Jazmine didn't even look like herself, it was as though he was staring at something straight out of a fairytale. Her rose gold dress gown was strapless, tight fitting on her torso and with a flowy skirt on the bottom, as though she was floating. Her makeup was done to match the color of the dress and her eyes looked the greenest Huey had ever seen them. She was flashing her recently aligned smile and her hair went down in wavy cascades all down her back in a way that even Huey couldn't find it in himself to complain about.

"nigga, you good?" He heard Caesar snort from behind him, a hand on his shoulder. "Betta not start drooling." Huey simply shook his head, unable to think of a clever retort to give his friend as he watched Jazmine make her way through the crowd to her parents, hugging the both of them.

"Well," She said and all the chatter inside the hall stopped at once. "Let's get this party started!"

Will Huey be able to get through this party without dying from cardiac arrest? Lemme know what y'all think lol.

Guys as I said on the last chap, i'm not from the U.S so my knowledge on sweet sixteens are all from research. I tried to model the party after my own fifteen birthday, hre in Brazil we also throw a big ass party which is kinda like a quincenera in a way.

As I said, I'm sorry if this chapter feels kinda rushed with the OC's. I've never really taken my stories as seriously as I'm taking this one, and for the first time I sat down and mapped out all the major plot points and subplot that I want to happen lol. ORGANIZED KWEEN (Also, online school? Never heard of her...)

LEMME KNOW WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS! You guys have NO idea how inspired and motivated I get when I read your reviews! I absolutely LOVE them, and keep re-reading them all the time like a dork lmao!

That's it, I'll see you guys soon with the sequel to this mess.

XOXO

-Ágatha