What's up fam! I'm back at it!

I just wanna give a HUGE shoutout to everyone who's been supporting this fic since the beginning! You don't even know how special this is for me!

THANK YOU TO: ThickBlackGirl, LovinHueyFreeman, Chel29, Paige1292, Bulmas Ego, RabbitMelody, SammiSweetheart, Your Hitta, GREENPEACE1990, JohnnyD31 and finally DaeImagines! YOU GUYS ROCK!

Now let's get on with the chapp!

People Like You and People Like Me

"OW! Girl chill with that heavy ass hand!"

"Riley, I'm going as light as I can. You're too tender-headed."

"No I ain't, that's gay!" Jazmine sighed, getting started on the next cornrow. Hearing Riley's complaints had become a weekly routine since they were kids. "Ow!"

"Well, if you had moisturized it yesterday like I told you to your hair wouldn't be so tangled." Riley sucked his teeth.

"Jazmine dat's-"

"Gay, I know." Jazmine rolled her eyes in frustration, trying her best to keep her touch gentle while still keeping his braid neat. "Whatever Riley," Her patience was wearing thin; she didn't want to be here at the Freemans after what had happened between her and Huey.

And yes, he had told her that they were fine, but she knew better, and if it was already quite difficult to tell what was going through his mind when you talked to him in person, through texting it was virtually impossible.

"Jaz-"

"What?" Her voice sounded more snippy than she intended, but she didn't care. She had only agreed to do his hair today because he had nagged her into submission.

"Damn girl, the fuck is wrong witchu?" He shot back, sounding irritated himself. "Shit, I just wanted yo' intel on sumthing, ain't gotta treat a nigga like that!"

Jazmine frowned, sure Riley was annoying as they come, but there wasn't any point in lashing out on him. "Sorry," She mumbled. "What do you want to know?"

"Um...You and Cindy talked last night?" Jazmine raised an eyebrow that went unnoticed as Riley had his back turned to her.

"Uh, yeah?"

"So like...just how mad is she?" She let out a breath.

"Pretty dang mad," Jazmine stated, shaking her head as she remembered how much Cindy abused her ears as soon as she got home last night. But then again, what did you expect? What you said wasn't very nice."

"Dat's sum bullshit!" He huffed. It was as though Jazmine could see his scowl. "I mean shit, you know she trippin' for no reason! I just had to tell her like it is!"

"You didn't have to tell her that you wanted to break up though, just saying…"

"What?! OW!" Riley snapped his head so roughly that the braid Jazmine had currently been working on almost got ripped off his scalp. "What the fuck did you just say?" Jazmine's eyes widened slightly.

"Um...That's what she told me-"

"She lyin'!" His voice sounded high pitched in a way she never really heard before. "Dat shit ain't ever come out of mah mouth!"

"Then what did you say, Riley?" Jazmine turned his head back to its original position and resumed the braiding, though she could tell Riley was still fuming.

"I just told her that if she gonna trip just because I'm gonna defend her from them lame niggas then we ain't need to do dis no more!" Jazmine cleared her throat, sure, it didn't sound as bad as Cindy made it out to be, and she knew her friend had a tendency to blow things out of proportion, but it still didn't sit right with her.

"I mean...That does sound a little breakup-y,"

"I just don' get her," Riley sounded frustrated rather than angry. "She actin' like I ain't been sticking up fo' her since we kids." Jazmine noticed how this time Riley didn't whine when she combed his hair. "And it ain't even all about her, knaamean? Shit, if it came down to it I would throw hands with a nigga for you."

"You would?" Jazmine's eyes lit up slightly even when Riley sucked his teeth.

"The fuck you mean? Course I would! you like my sister, you think I'd let a nigga treat you any sorta way? Especially you wit' you wimpy ass." Jazmine smiled at that. Just like his brother Riley rarely showed affection, and when he did it was in his own weird sort of way, but Jazmine appreciated it nonetheless. "You know she trippin',"

"Well Riley, you know how proud and stubborn Cindy is…"

'Just like you' She thought to herself, but didn't say it. She knew it would do nothing to help the situation. "Would you rather be happy or be right?"

"Whatchu mean?"

"Look, sometimes it's easier to just let stupid stuff go instead of fighting over everything. I know this is rather hard for you," She ignored the huff Riley offered her. "But you know how you two are. Don't you think it's better to just save this energy to something worthwhile?"

"you ain't wrong." He seemed thoughtful for a moment, which in and of itself was a rarity.

"You'll work yourselves out," She stated confidently. "You always do."

"Ya think so?"

"I'm positive," Jazmine giggled. "You guys are too much alike."

"True dat," Riley smirked. "She a crazy-ass bitch but she my crazy-ass bitch,"

"See?" She smiled, almost longingly. "You guys were made for each other."

"Okaaaay, chill wit' the gay shit." Jazmine didn't even answer him, focusing on finishing the last of his braids.

She always knew Riley and Cindy would end up together eventually, they were two peas in a pod. C-Murder and Young Reezy, the most feared duo in Woodcrest. Their relationship had always caused Jazmine the slightest bit of envy.

She used to vehemently believe that opposites attract, but as time went on, it began to feel more like a thing that only existed in cliche movies and romantic novels.

People needed to share things in common to be together. To have similar interests and whatnot, and meanwhile, Huey and her couldn't even agree on what font was better to write in (And yes, it had been a topic of serious discussion).

And of course, despite their differences, they were friends, but she couldn't help but think that their friendship was based on a mutual loneliness more than anything, at least in the very beggining.

Even then, the puppy love she had developed for him all those years ago seemed to only get stronger as time went by, but she wasn't as naive as she used to be, she could thank Huey for that.

"You're done," She told Riley as she finished up the last row. He looked at himself through the hand mirror she had given him and grinned at his perfectly neat hair.

"Thanks fo' hooking a nigga up Jaz," He stood up, stretching his back slightly. "Gotta be looking fresh if I wanna get mah girl back." Jazmine chuckled, but it didn't quite meet her eyes.

She felt a weird twinge in her chest. She really had to stop thinking about him.

She had to find the Riley to her Cindy.

Someone like her, who'd laugh at silly jokes and be willing to go on cute dates. Someone who would be patient, who wouldn't be afraid to be passionate and affectionate.

Someone sweet.

Someone like Peter.

Cindy didn't know how to cope with anger. Not in a healthy way at least.

That was just a fact that she knew about herself, but would never admit it if one were to ask. Not that anyone had any doubt really, after all, she was called McFearsome for a reason.

She was definitely more impatient than was considered appropriate, and her temperament sometimes seemed like a ticking time bomb that was seconds away from going off. She lashed out, she got violent and she simply couldn't stop the storm when it was already happening.

Which was why Riley was the very last person she wanted to see at the basketball court that day.

The girl was so furious that she was sure that if he got any closer she'd shove the orange ball up his narrow ass, as she was so tempted to do when he gave her that stupid sheepish look that she absolutely hated.

She did nothing but glare at him, her eyes ablaze as she quickly turned her back towards him and shot the ball towards the hoop, but the unnecessary extra force just made it ricochet loudly towards the ground. She huffed; only Riley could throw her off her game.

"Where yo' game at girl?" She clenched her jaw at his voice, scowling when she noticed the ball was in his possession.

"The fuck are you doin' here Riley?" She saw him flinch slightly at her tone, but that didn't faze her. "Gimme back the damn ball."

"Let's play one-on-one."

"I don't wanna play wit' yo ass!"

"Let's play one-on-one!" He insisted, and Cindy could already feel the heat radiating off her body. "What? Scared you gon' lose to this nigga?" She snorted humorlessly, rolling her eyes.

"Puh-lease," She sized Riley up and down, noticing the fresh braids he sported. "I just said that I ain't wanna play wit' yo' ass."

"Cindy-"

"No, nigga!" She barked, interrupting whatever he had to say. "You were the one who said you 'didn't wanna do dis shit anymore' " She made sure to emphasize the air-quotes. "So we don't have to do dis shit anymore! Carry your ass up outta here!"

"Cindy you know damn well I didn't mean it like dat!" He sucked his teeth. "What the hell? I know you fo' six years, you think I'd wanna break up over this stupid little fight?" Cindy's heart was thumping, but she crossed her arms over her chest, her expression stoic as ever.

"Just one game," He repeated, approaching her as he bounced the orange ball. "Just one."

"Nigga I ain't repeating myself-"

"If you win, I'll get the fuck out." Cindy's eyebrows twitched. That boy knew she couldn't handle competition. "But if I do, we're working our shit out."

She closed her eyes, trying to control the urge to throttle the boy in front of her. One game couldn't be all that bad...besides...

She really wanted to kick Riley's ass. One way or another.

"Fine." She stated flatly. Riley grinned, passing her the ball. "First to twenty-one."

This was gonna be easy.

"Goddamnit!" Cindy cursed as Riley's final shot passed swiftly through the hoop with a swish. Twenty-one to her eighteen. "Nigga you cheated!"

"Bitch you know damn well I ain't cheat!" He boasted, bouncing the ball. "Yung Reezy got that game son!" Cindy sucked her teeth. She hated losing, especially to Riley. She put her sweaty hair in a bun and sat down on the ground. He let the ball go and sat down beside her.

She felt the air tense around them and could almost see the engines on his brain trying to work. "Look," He started with a tone of uncertainty. "I said some stupid shit that I didn't mean. Okay, I get that," He looked at her solemnly. "And I'm sorry."

Cindy's eyebrows rose. In all six years of their relationship she hadn't heard Riley apologizing once, at least not to her directly. They'd either fight it out or play it out and just move on like it never happened. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I don't wanna break up...You make me happy Cindy."

There was a beat of silence caused by Cindy's utter loss for words. "I…" Damn. She didn't know what the hell happened, but she wasn't going to complain either.

"You…?"

"I'm sorry too," She heard herself say. She closed her eyes, sighing. God, this was difficult. "I was a bitch. You were just looking out fo' me." Riley's smile was almost enough to make her pride hurt less.

She loved it when he smiled. His slightly chubby cheeks were the last remnants of how he used to look as a kid. He could both make his face look angelic and devious whenever he wanted. He scooted over to her and pulled her into a soft kiss. Not hungry or desperate like their usual make-out sessions were; just soft. Reassuring. Comfortable.

"We actin' gay as fuck," she giggled when they pulled away.

"I ain't got a problem wit' dat right now,"

"Yeah, me neither." Cindy laid her head on his shoulder, his musky scent of sweat not bothering her. This side of Riley was something that only herself got to witness. She wondered if Huey had a soft interior under his shell too. That'd be something funny to see.

"C?" Riley interrupted her train of thoughts. "Look, I don't wanna start shit again okay? I'm just peacefully asking-"

"Just say it, Reez." She couldn't stand when people beat around the bush.

He sighed, giving her a wary look before continuing. "I dunno...I mean, I know you don' like people all over yo' shit, but you never got this angry whenever I'd throw hands wit' a nigga before. What's different now?"

That was the question she was afraid he'd ask. She let out a breath, not looking Riley in the eyes. "You don't wanna mess with Brandon." She blurted out. "You just don't…"

Riley scoffed, rolling his eyes. "He a pussy-"

"Riley, you don't understand." Riley raised an eyebrow and she sighed. "Just trust me okay?"

"C-"

"Please, Riley…" He looked her up and down with a questioning look, but she almost melted with relief when he just nodded.

"Of course I trust you girl."

"Good," she took his hand into hers. "Promise me you ain't gon' look for trouble with him. Especially now that you're all insta-famous over this bullshit," Riley smirked at that last comment. The video was already over 150k views.

"Well first of all, I didn't go look fo' shit in the first place-"

"Riley…"

"Aight, aight. I promise, but you gonna tell me what the hell dis is all about eventually." Cindy bit her lip but nodded nonetheless.

"We can just enjoy this moment..." She placed her lips back onto his much more fiercely than the first time around.

"Aight...I can live wit' dat," Cindy giggled as they made out on the basketball court.

If you told a nine-year-old Cindy she'd be kissing that boy who trash-talked her momma and made her team almost lose on the exact same court it had happened she wouldn't have believed you and probably would tell you to fuck off.

But now...Now she couldn't imagine herself being anywhere else.

It had been one of those nights again.

One of those nights where the tension at the dinner table was palpable, those nights her parents would send her to bed early, where she could hear yelling and screaming reverberating through the thin walls.

When her parents would go off on each other like the whole freaking neighborhood couldn't hear them.

like their daughter couldn't listen to everything in the room next door.

Yet another one of those sleepless nights.

Jazmine turned her alarm before it went off and sighed heavily. She hadn't gotten a blink of sleep. How could she, if her parents were roaring atrocities at each other until ungodly hours of the night, and it didn't take too long after sunrise for them to get back at it again.

The girl stood up unsteadily on her feet, mind feeling heavy with that pulsating headache from lack of sleep and her eyes stinging from crying all night, and she didn't need to look into the mirror to know that she looked rough.

Her dark circles and the puffiness around her eyes were so prominent one might think she had been punched, so in an effort to make it less obvious that a girl was struggling she decided to put on her reading glasses, even though she absolutely hated wearing them.

She didn't even bother with her hair, deciding to put it up in a poofy ponytail and her outfit was nothing more extravagant that a pair of black leggings and one of Huey's old hoodies which he had left with her and she never bothered to return it.

"Congratulations, Tom! You've burned the eggs again!" She heard her mother squeal and groaned, making her way down the stairs.

"Well Sarah, if you hadn't been all over my ass maybe I'd have paid attention to the fucking eggs!" Tom roared back. Jazmine hesitated, feeling that nauseating anxiety assaulting her body.

"You're one to talk about being all over someone's ass! You overbearing son of a-"

"Oh my god!" Jazmine yelled, finally making her presence known as she walked into the room. Sarah clamped her mouth shut, alarmed, as soon as she saw her daughter. "Can't you give it a rest for five minutes?!" Her lips trembled, the silence around her was deafening. "At least wait until I'm out to start verbally abusing each other! At least!" Her voice though shaky, was sharp, unlike herself.

"Honey..."Sarah looked between Jazmine and Tom, a deep crimson decorating her cheeks. Of course she was embarrassed, she should be. Both of them should.

"W-We didn't know-" Her father stammered. "We didn't know you were awake yet..."

"You didn't know?!" Jazmine snorted loudly, though there was no sign of humor on her voice. "Do you even know what time it is? I guess it's easy to lose track of time if you're just screaming all day long!" She heard honking outside and huffed, wiping her face harshly and throwing her backpack over her shoulder.

"Jazmine-"

Her father was cut off by the slamming of the front door, as she felt her heart palpitating. She felt her whole body quiver as goosebumps riddled her arms and legs. She tried to take a calming breath before turning to the car pulled over in the curb, but it didn't yield any results.

She didn't even acknowledge Huey's startled look as she slid on the passenger seat, forcefully shutting the door behind her.

"Don't do this again if you're not planning on paying for repair," He said after a beat of silence. Jazmine knew that was his attempt to lighten up the mood, but she couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it in her state.

"Sorry,"

"Tough morning?" His answer came quietly in the form of quivering lips and teary eyes. Jazmine stared intently out the window, avoiding him and Huey sighed. He had seen her crying so many times that he didn't even know why she still got embarrassed anymore. "Wanna talk about it?" Silent tears tracked their way down her face as she slowly shook her head. She did, of course, but it felt like if she started right now the waterworks would never cease, and it still was seven in the morning.

Huey eyed her carefully, opening up the glove compartment and retrieving a small tissue box.

He shrugged when the girl offered him a curious look. "Better have these things handy,"

"Thanks," She sniffled, narrowing her eyes when he crossed his arms. "A-Aren't you gonna drive?"

"Yeah," He answered. "When you're ready."

"You don't have to-"

"It's okay," He looked at her, offering a very slight a reassuring nod, "Besides, Caesar won't mind." She gave him a small smile, appreciating the gesture, knowing fully well how Huey could get stressed with time.

Jazmine had been so sure that this ride would be awkward that she had almost considered just walking to school, but she didn't want to be the one to acknowledge the fact that something was actually wrong between the two, but now these thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind as she felt the familiar silent sense of comfort Huey offered without even knowing.

He looked at her once again and she noticed his eyes lingered around her neck. "You're wearing the necklace I gave you." He deadpanned. Jazmine subconsciously clutched the golden chain around her neck, her thumb grazing over the miniature hair pick pendant.

"Yeah, it's really pretty. Thank you." She noticed the trace of a smile so faint she could be sure she had imagined it. He gave her a curt nod and looked straight ahead again.

"Well, glad my money went into good use."

"Remember my eleventh birthday?" She asked suddenly after a moment of silence, catching Huey's attention once again. "When you gave me an actual hair pick and I was so pissed-"

"You were bawling," Huey shook his head, smirking. "Didn't talk to me for a whole week. I didn't even understand why you were so mad, I actually had put a lot of thought into your gift back then." Jazmine raised an eyebrow at the revelation. "Even had Riley draw your name on it-"

"I thought you were making fun of me,"

"I've never made fun of your hair." He retorted without missing a beat. "You know that."

"Well, there was that one time you said it was frizzier than Angela Davies'..." She trailed off and Huey gave her one of his raised eyebrows.

"That was literally on the day we met, damn!" He rolled his eyes. "And anyway, that wasn't making fun...that was just stating facts." Jazmine shoved him lightly.

"Shut up," She smiled slightly, looking down at the pendant. "I was just really hellbent on my hair back then."

"Geez, tell me about it." He mumbled. "Took me three years just to convince you that you had an afro."

"Well, mission accomplished." Huey gave her one of those indistinguishable looks that made her stomach feel funny and he just seemed to hold his gaze for a moment too long. God, how she hated when he did that. "Happy?" She broke the silence, and with it, his eye contact.

"I suppose so. You good now?" She nodded carefully and Huey started the car again.

Huey Freeman just made her feel better like that. She couldn't understand why, no one could honestly, but despite his pessimistic, and borderline depressive, personality he just had this power over her, and she liked to think that the same was true when the roles were reversed. They just worked well together, in a sort of chaotic harmony that only the two of them could understand.

And it was that exact chaotic harmony that she didn't think she was willing to give up.

"Yo, whaddup fam," Caesar said, sliding into the backseat after Huey pulled up in front of his house. "Y'all took longer than normal. Did you sleep in Jaz-" He looked up, and Jazmine avoided his look through the rearview mirror. "What happened to you? I haven't seen you rock the glasses in years," His tone sounded light, but Jazmine picked up the concern on his voice quickly.

"Nothing Ceez, I just woke up with a headache." She brushed off, but she had never been a good liar. Caesar sucked his teeth loudly, shaking his head.

"You look like you ain't even slept." He looked between her and Huey and glared at the latter. "What did you do Freeman?!"

"What?!" Huey sounded incredulous. "I didn't do anything! Why do you just assume that I'm the reason?"

"Well, I mean..." Caesar sounded a lot less menacing now. "That's kinda your thing." Huey just rolled his eyes and began driving again. "Reez's skipping?" Caesar asked after a few moments and Jazmine looked back. She was so in over her head that she didn't even realize that Riley wasn't on the backseat.

"I sure hope he doesn't," Huey said. "He went over to Cindy's yesterday to makeup or some bullshit like that and never came back." Jazmine saw Caesar's grin and shook her head, unable to hide her smirk herself.

"Nothing a good make-up sex can't fix-"

"Goddamnit," Huey hissed, making Jazmine giggled on the front seat. "Isn't it a bit early for you to start talking shit?" Caesar made a show of looking at his watch and shrugged.

"Not really. I'm just on schedule."

He was a celebrity.

Well, maybe not actually, but he sure as hell felt like one.

He strutted down the hallways of Wuncler High and smirked as he noticed the whispers and looks he was receiving. Attention was never something Riley hid away from, and as of right now, he was getting a whole lot of it.

Cindy was still on edge about the whole situation, which Riley found incredibly hypocritical, considering the fact that her whole reputation revolved around the fact that she thoroughly enjoyed throwing hands. She was called McFearsome for a reason, but they were finally cool, and he didn't want to screw that up.

"Ayo, Esco!" He heard a familiar voice as he put his things inside his locker and turned to see Jayden, one of his few classmates whom he hanged out with, approaching him. "What's good G?" Riley dapped him up with a cocky shrug and smirked, closing his locker.

Jayden was a freshman, even though Riley was quite sure he was old enough to be in his brother's grade. He was the typical white boy who didn't do much other than smoke weed and skate, but he was cool.

"Shit's crazy dawg," They walked down the hallway where Jayden could see for himself the looks Riley was getting. "I mean, whatevah but like-"

"Boy, you gon' pretend like you ain't enjoying the clout?" He sucked his teeth, rolling his eyes. "Miss me wit' the bullshit." Riley snorted. "You already walking around here like yo' shit don't stink!"

"Nigga and?!" He sounded annoyed, but the smirk didn't leave his face. "You just mad cuz you ain't gettin' no bitches o' stackin no paper like Yung Reezy."

"Bruh, what fucking paper?"

"Quite being jealous nigga, it ain't a good look."

"I ain't jealous, I'm just stating facts," Jayden waved off. "What paper you gettin' from beating some punk's ass? Who the fuck you think you are? Mike Ty-" He cut his answer when he looked forward and saw just about the last person Riley wanted to see. "Oh...shit…"

This had to be a fucking joke. Was that nigga stalking him or something? Brandon towered over both of them. Just then did he realize how drastic the height difference actually was and grinned to himself. Not that he wanted to admit that Caesar was right...but he really did take down a nigga twice his size…

"Man, what the fuck do you want?" Riley wasn't even trying to make an effort to try and sound menacing, he just really did not need this shit, especially after his talk with Cindy. "Hop off my balls nigga, damn!"

"What? You were acting all big and bad!" He began, his voice sounded nasally and Riley saw just the extent of how abused his face was. The little bruising he had on his was nothing in comparison. His lips were still slightly swollen, both eyes were blackened and Riley noticed the bandaging the covered his nose. He didn't even realize how badly he had fucked him up. "What the fuck was your friend here calling me?" Jayden audibly gulped beside Riley. "A punk, was it?"

"Ayo, cut that shit out!" Riley stood in front of Jayden. He wasn't gonna let his homie take heat for something between him and Brandon. "Nigga, you carried yo' ass all the way to the party looking for a fight! You got it! Ain't you happy?!" This was so fucking frustrating, especially when people started gathering around the three of them, some even whipping out their phones. Riley groaned, he wasn't gonna hear the end of this.

"You think you're tough shit, don't you?" He snarled, gripping the straps on his backpack with such force that his knuckles turned white. Riley offered the most shit-eating smirk he could muster. "You're still a fucking nobody."

"Bruh, you got yo ass beat by a dude four years younger and a whole foot shorter, who the fuck are you?" Jayden offered, still behind Riley who would've appreciated the back-up if it wasn't for that backhanded compliment. He saw some people around them laugh, and Riley couldn't tell if it was at him or with him.

"Jay?"

"Whaddup Homie?" Jayden's eyes never left Brandon, as if he was ready to throw them hands and Riley rolled his eyes because he knew that unless he had a death wish, he wouldn't fight Brandon in a million years' time.

"Shut the fuck up."

"...Aight…" He seemed dejected and Riley rolled his eyes.

"I've been getting shit because of that goddamn video for days," Brandon growled lowly. "You know what? I should-"

"Should what, nigga?" Riley inquired, crossing his arms over his chest and grinning. "Beat my ass?" He snorted at the shade of pink his face turned. "Shit, I'm scared now!" The audience cackled. "Bruh, you wanted a fight, you got a fight, it is what it is. I ain't had shit to do wit' the video, but if you didn't want an audience you woulda gone one-on-one with me like a real nigga."

"You tell 'em Reez!"

Brandon seemed to shake with anger, but that only served to feed Riley's ego. As he always said: If niggas ain't hatin', you doin' something wrong.

God, he wished he had his Lethal Interjection chain on.

"You better have eyes at the back of your head," Brandon said lowly, pushing Riley roughly and almost causing him to topple over Jayden. "Consider this your warning." He grunted, walking away. Riley felt a chill run down his body, suddenly it wasn't as funny anymore.

You don't wanna mess with him

You just don't

He had to figure out what she meant by that.

"Shiiiiit," He felt Jayden holding his shoulder, a goofy smile across his face. "You put his ass in check boy, damn!"

"Yeah, whatever," Riley wasn't even in the mood to entertain the boy anymore. His palms were weirdly sweaty all of a sudden, and his stomach lurched uncomfortably inside his gut.

You better have eyes at the back of your head

Consider this your warning

"Y'all nosey niggas ain't got nun' better to do?!" He snapped at the crowd that had gathered around them. "Shit, the fuck y'all looking at? Mind yo' own goddamn business!" He shoved past some of them. "And get that damn camera off of my face!"

"Yo, Reez," He brushed Jayden's hand off as he walked quickly down the hallway. "Bruh, what's up? Why you so-"

"Quit sweating me nigga, damn!" Jayden was taken aback. Riley sighed, fidgeting with his hands. "Just get to class bruh, Imma be there in a bit."

"You good?"

"Yeah bruh!" Jayden sized him up and down and shrugged, heading to their class alone.

"You acting weird as fuck." Riley rolled his eyes, heading in the opposite direction, towards the bathroom.

He didn't take threats to heart mostly, but this had unsettled Riley more than he'd like to admit. Maybe Cindy just had gotten to his head, making him paranoid over some white boy bullshit for no reason…

But he couldn't help but wonder just what the hell he had warned him for.

And he was scared he was gonna find out soon enough.

Caesar didn't consider himself a nosey nigga per se.

He'd like to think that he was an informed, well rounded nigga, who just happened to be at the right place at the right time when people started talking about a particularly interesting topic. What was he supposed to do? Not listen? Hell no!

And sure, he didn't usually keep said information to himself, but was he gossiping or merely passing knowledge along to a fellow man?

It was all about perspective.

Which was what he was trying to rationalize when his ears piqued interest at a particular conversation that he heard at the library while he was trying to do his homework. A few tables away Jazmine and Jade sat down and he went seemingly unnoticed. Probably because he had opted to wear a hat that mostly covered his dreadlocks.

"You never told me what the thing you said at ballet on saturday was all about though," He heard Jazmine say, and for a moment rolled his eyes, thinking that it was just girly talk and went back to his essay.

"Well, it's not like you asked me afterward anyway."

"Well, I had my mind on more pressing matters…"

"I know, sugar." Caesar noticed the slight venom on the other girl's voice, wondering if Jazmine had caught on too. He doubted, Jazmine never really was good at taking a hint. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. It really wasn't his business, and he couldn't give less of a fuck about ballett. He was just looking for drama at this point to be honest-

"Well, then say it now! What did you mean when you said he and I weren't a good match?" Caesar furrowed his eyebrows, suddenly very intrigued by the conversation. He held the book up to his face, peering over the girls trying to go unnoticed.

He wasn't snooping. He was simply looking out for his girl and…

Okay, who the hell was he kidding? He really wanted to know all about that tea.

"Girl...Why are you still pressed over this?"

"Because," Jazmine huffed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Caesar raised an eyebrow. Jazmine was acting weird since their ride this morning, and when he did ask her what was wrong in class she was just all snappy and rude, much unlike herself. He didn't think she'd be acting like this even with her girlfriends. "I've been talking to you about this dude since we met, and after I told everything that happened at the party to just...say that like it was nothing?!"

What dude were they talking about? Was it Peter?! Oh, he hoped it was. Girls listened to other girls, that was a fact. Whenever Caesar spoke a bit of his mind Jazmine only passed it off as him being overprotective, which wasn't a whole lie to be honest-he knew what those Latino niggas did to sweet girls like Jazmine-But hopefully, he wouldn't need to get into this argument again if Jade stirred her into the right direction.

"It's the truth!" She insisted. "Jazz, look, you're a wonderful girl. You gotta give yourself some self-respect! You can just let that boy walk over you like it's nothing!" What was she talking about though? He was generally a peaceful guy, but if that lame-ass tried anything funny he was ready to throw hands!

"He doesn't walk over me," Jazmine's voice was small and Caesar rolled his eyes. Why was that girl just so naive?

"It sure sounds like he does from what you've been telling me." He heard Jade snorting. "Why would you want to be with someone who makes you feel like shit all the time?!" Caesar's grip on the book tightened. Just what the fuck was she talking about?! A sudden rush of anger passed through his body. Would he have to kick some ass? Why wouldn't Jazmine tell him in the first place?

"It's not that he makes me feel like crap, I do it on my own."

"Because he made you think that you're not good enough for him, when in reality it's the other way around! See, and now you think it's your fault!" Jazmine groaned, laying her head on her arm. "Girl, you need to wake up...why suffer when there's another guy who suits you much better just around the corner?" He grinned to himself. His homeboy was in for a nice surprise.

"You're right…"

"Girl, I know I am." Jade gave her a smug grin. "Listen to what I tell you, you need to drop Huey's ass as soon as possible." Caesar's eyes widened. and he was caught so off guard that he dropped his book. He dived under the table before the girls could look at the noise behind them and cursed silently, waiting for them to turn around before plopping back down on his chair, trying to hide his face even more.

"I mean, he's borderline verbally abusive-"

"Wait, okay, I think you're blowing this waay out of proportion " Jazmine interrupted. "I mean, he can be really blunt and rude, but it's just his personality. He's not trying to make anyone sad...it's just tough love I guess…"

"Girl...You don't have to listen to me, I don't know him. I'm just going off what you tell me and what I see. But in my humble opinion, you can do better." Caesar sucked his teeth, rolling his eyes. Ain't nobody askin' for all that sistah. "You guys have absolutely nothing in common...I don't even know how y'all are friends…"

"He can be really sweet when he wants to, you know? " Jazmine stated, and Caesar was somewhat relieved he wasn't just gonna let this girl shit on their friend like that. "He just doesn't know how to express it...like Caesar for example," Said boy grinned slightly. "But he's always had my back, and he helped me grow so much…"

"Your friendship is lovely," Caesar didn't know if he was tripping or not, but he was sure he heard that same snide, spiteful tone again. "But sometimes...just because two people are good friends doesn't mean that they'll be a good couple."

"I guess...I was just thinking about that yesterday...you know, with the whole Peter fiasco…"

"Ooh, let's talk about that, it's much more interesting," She giggled. "You've seen him today?"

And Caesar took this as his cue to leave. If there was some gossip he did not wanna dig was this. And of course, he had much more pressing matters at hand.

Not even Huey could complain about his nosiness this time.

"Bruh, but forreal, how the fuck can anyone just excuse all the shit Kanye West has been saying?"

"I don't think people are excusing his behavior as much as trying to protect a powerful black man's image in public," Huey answered Hiro as they made their way to the cafeteria. He didn't know how exactly they had reached the topic of Kanye West, but it was just one of those few topics that he really didn't wanna get involved sometimes.

"How though?" Hiro shook his head. "The dude used to be a symbol of black empowerment and what not and now he's running around saying that slavery was a choice and wearing MAGA hats…I mean, what the hell happened?!"

"The Kardashians, probably." Huey shrugged. "They're like...diseased or something…"

"Huh," The Asian boy seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Instead of the Mad-Cow Disease it's like, the Mad-Kardashian Disease."

"More like the Mad-Nigga Disease," Hiro snorted. "The symptoms? Rapid mental deterioration."

"You're evil."

"I'm truthful."

"Whatever man," Hiro was still chuckling when he squinted his eyes through the lenses of his glasses. "Yo, look at Caesar over there," Huey looked over to where Hiro was waving and sure enough he saw the dread head emerging through the crowd of students.

"Ah, if it isn't just the two people I was trying to find!" He dapped up both boys. Huey noticed the slightly uneasy look on his face and raised an eyebrow. "What's good with y'all?"

"We were just discussing what the hell happened to Kanye," Hiro responded. "Huey thinks it's the Mad-Kardashian disease, any thoughts?"

"Boy that nigga crazy since forever," Caesar snorted. "Black people have known that for a long time. The thing is, ten years ago his craziness led him to kick a white girl off the stage and write a song about it...now he's just crazy crazy…"

"Still though...Every single black man who's touched a Kardashian's ass-"

"Something goes wrong, yeah, I know…" Caesar bit his lip, giving Huey a weird look. "Anyways...talking about crazy ass bitches... " He tried to sound nonchalant but Huey picked up on his slightly strained voice. "What do y'all think about that Jade chick huh?"

"Who?"

"The black girl on our music history class," Caesar answered Hiro. "You know, the one who's always with Jazmine."

"Oh, the senior?" Caesar nodded. "I dunno, I never really talked to her...Why?" He threw Caesar a sly smirk. "You trynna hit?" Caesar rolled his eyes.

"No, it's just a simple innocent question."

"Yeah right, there's nothing innocent about you." Hiro grinned. "She's hot though. I'd hit that, if I do say so myself."

"Yeah, like you'd have a chance." Huey shot.

"Um, what do you mean by that?" Huey and Caesar shared a smirk and Huey just shrugged.

"Nevermind Hiro."

"Whatever...Oh shit," He stopped on his tracks. "I'll catch y'all later, forgot something on my locker," He made his way to the opposite end of the hallway quickly.

"Well that's convenient," Caesar muttered, taking hold of Huey's shoulder. "I gotta tell you something."

"So I've noticed." He seemed to be bursting at the seams to talk. Huey rolled his eyes. "Well, spit it out."

"See, I just in the library minding my business,"

"When do you ever mind your business?" Huey quipped.

"And I heard some shit," Caesar went on ignoring his friend's remark, but before he could continue he was interrupted once again.

"Caesar, I don't think I'm all that interest in whatever 'juicy gossip' you have to tell me." Huey rolled his eyes.

"Oh, trust me, you will be."

Huey was slightly dazed at the information Caesar had vomited in front of him. People giving their unrequested opinion on him wasn't at all out of the ordinary, and if anything, the negative assumptions other people had on his character worked on his favor since he wasn't one to socialize.

But this was another thing entirely. He didn't give a fuck about what Jade thought of him, but he did take Jazmine's opinion into a lot of consideration, and he definitely did not appreciate this random girl talking about him as if she knew anything about himself.

And calling him verbally abusive? Yeah, that really did not sit well with him.

"Yo!" Cindy snapped her fingers in front of him, stopping his train of thoughts as they sat at the lunch hater. "McHater, you hear me talking to you?"

"Thankfully no," He retorted. She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "What do you want?"

"I asked where the hell is Jazmine at!"

He gave her a weird look. "How the hell am I supposed to know?"

"Don't play all stupid with me boy, I know you did something!" Huey closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, begging for patience. "She been acting all mopey and depressed all day," She glared at him. "What the fuck did you do?!"

"Nothing!" He snapped, taking all of them aback. "I didn't do a goddamn thing!"

"Easy-"

"I'm sick of everyone acting like I'm this fucking monster!" Caesar looked at him warily as Huey felt himself tense up. Cindy and Riley both had their eyebrows raised, an almost startled expression etched on their faces at his sudden blowout.

"Well...you kinda are tho…"

"fuck off," He gnarled, taking his backpack and standing up roughly. "That's rich coming from you, at least people don't go around calling me 'Fearsome'."

"Where are you going?" His brother asked, looking rather stunned. Caesar sighed, shaking his head.

"None of your damn business," He was usually able to keep himself level-headed when something frustrated him, but he really didn't think he would be able to deal with their shit without jumping on someone's throat.

If there was someone who could drive him over the edge other than his brother, that person was Cindy McPhearson.

The scowl he had on his face seemingly repelled people as he trudged his way through the hallways and he couldn't bring himself to care as usual, but something made him stop on his tracks as he made his way to physics.

Usually, if a situation like this arouse Huey wouldn't even dignify it with a reaction, but he seemingly couldn't stop himself as he spotted Jade putting things on her locker.

The girl's eyes widened slightly as he approached her, and Huey thought he saw the faintest trace of a smirk, but he couldn't be sure. "Well hello there," She said, closing her locker. "Aren't you in a good mood?"

"It'd be better if my name wasn't in other people's mouths," She arched and sly brow, which was quite unnerving. "What the hell is up with you?"

"Whatever do you mean?" She was testing him. He could feel it.

"You know damn well what I mean," He tried to keep his voice leveled. "What the hell is up with you?" He repeated. Her eyes narrowed slightly and she shrugged, leaning against the locker nonchalantly.

"I just said what needed to be said," Huey clenched his jaw, her casualness was unnerving. "Somebody needs to open her eyes."

"you don't know shit about anything," He spat. "Just mind your business."

"You should tell this to your homeboy," She grinned. Huey stared at her, his mouth slightly agape.

"You knew he was there?"

"He's not really slick, is he?" Huey narrowed his eyes at her. He was usually really good at analyzing people and deciphering their intentions, but that girl was something else.

"Look, I don't know what the fuck are you trying to accomplish, but you better stop running your mouth about me," He said with more force than he intended. "You don't know me."

"I know enough," She retorted without missing a beat. "I know you're an arrogant ass who thinks he's that much smarter than everyone else, and from what I've been told, you have an awful habit of making the people closest to you feel like shit." Those words stung him more than he'd admit. He clenched the straps on his backpack, feeling his chest tighten.

"You're such a-"

"Bitch?" She quipped. "Go on, say it. You'll just be proving my point." She glared at him, her eyes burning into his skull. "You're a toxic person, Huey Freeman. If you cared so much about Jazmine as you claim you do, you'd realize just how harmful you really are."

Huey felt his stomach tighten as she strutted away. His fingers curled into fists as the undeniable feeling of utter shit fogged his mind. He never let other people's opinions corrupt his sense of self, but her words just hit differently somehow.

Nobody had ever called him 'toxic' before. He had been deemed arrogant and a smart-ass a number of times, but toxic? Surely, he didn't perceive himself as such, but how would he know if he was?

The thing he preached most about eating unhealthily was that it silently killed you. You don't even realize the extent of the damage until it has poisoned your body enough. Sometimes you only realized it until it was far too late.

Was that the effect he had on Jazmine?

Jazmine could feel the heat from the stage light warming up her whole body as she elegantly finished the turn sequence. She had made it, perfectly, elegantly. The thunderous standing ovation she received was the confirmation she needed.

Her feet didn't even hurt, weirdly enough. Her muscles weren't sore. It was as though she had floated on top of her point shoes. Floating, like the fairy that she was.

"Jazmine! Jazmine!" The crowd chanted her name. Rose petals cascaded down on to her as Mrs. Janette handed her a bouquet, her eyes tearing up. Her parents were in the front row, crying as well. She saw Cindy, Caesar and even Riley applauding her all with proud smiles on their face but- Where was Huey?

"Jazmine," She turned around to see him wearing a tuxedo. His voice sounded huskier than usual and...was he smiling? He grabbed her waist, much like he had done on her birthday. "Jazmine…I need you to..." He whispered to her ear, almost making her knees buckle.

"What?" They shared a smile, getting closer to one another. Jazmine's heart fluttered, her eyes closed and her lips pursed expectantly, but instead of being by his own connecting with hers, she felt herself being shoved.

"Wake up." He said, his scowl back to his face. "Wake up, Jazmine!"

"What?"

"Jazmine! Wake up!" He opened her eyes with a sharp intake of breath, groaning as she realized just where exactly she was. Biology. Damn. "Finally," He heard someone besides her chuckle. "You've been sleeping like a rock since the period started."

"Oh my god," She rubbed her eyes, watching as everyone was starting to get ready to leave. She had gotten in the class early so she had planned to just take a quick ten-minute nap before it started. "Ugh, the class is almost over," She said, looking at her watch. "Why didn't you wake me?"

Peter shrugged, putting his own things inside his backpack. "You seem pretty tired." He gave her a once over with an arched eyebrow. "Actually, are you okay?"

"Fine," She repeated the word for what felt like the umpteenth time that day. "I just didn't get much sleep last night."

"Uh-huh," God, Jazmine could feel the awkwardness permeating the air between them. She saw his cheeks redden and she wondered just how flushed her own face was. They had barely talked to each other since the party, and Jazmine felt it incredibly hard to glance his way without feeling like hiding under the table.

"Dang," They stood up as the bell rang, the sound seemingly drilling a hole on her skull.

"Dang what?"

"Shouldn't have slept through the class," she mumbled, cringing as she looked at the sheer amount of stuff written on the whiteboard. "You shouldn't have let me sleep so much." She shoved him teasingly trying to break the tension between the two, and it seemed to work when Peter chuckled as they walked out the classroom.

"Should I be sorry?" He asked, grinning.

"You should. Now I'm never gonna catch up..."

"Let me make it up to you then," She stopped in her tracks, arching an eyebrow at his smirk. "We can finally arrange that study session we've been talking about...or we could go somewhere..." Jazmine narrowed his eyes at him, her lips turning upwards.

"Are you trying to ask me on a date, Gonzalez?" Peter went red on the face, but kept his smooth composure.

"And what if I am, DuBois?" Jazmine giggled. "I mean, it's not like I wanna pretend that what happened at the party didn't happen…"

"Yeah…" She beamed at him. "Neither do I."

"You're a really good kisser by the way," Jazmine's eyes widened slightly at the sudden confession, and she could've sworn her cheeks had turned a deep shade of crimson before his eyes. "Just thought you should know."

"I-I Um...thank you!" She stammered, trying to keep it together. "You too…" She cursed herself for being unable to come up with a good comeback.

"You look really cute all flustered like that." That smirk was going to be the death of her.

"See now you're just trying to make me embarrassed,"

"Trying and succeeding." She rolled her eyes, unable to mask her grin. "It's a date then?"

"Yeah," she fidgeted with the straps of her hoodie. "Study first, but it's a date!"

"Of course Jazzy, I'm a man of my word," He was so suave with his words that it made Jazmine swoon slightly. His eyes, which were looking down at her looked up to something behind the girl. "Uh, hey Huey," Jazmine turned so quickly she almost stumbled on her own feet. And sure enough, there he was, stoic as ever.

"Hi," He said dryly. "You ready to go?" His expression was the same as always, but Jazmine did notice how strained he looked.

"Um-" Her eyes darted to Peter for a brief moment.

"I'll talk to you later Jaz," Peter said, nodding at Huey and turning around. Jazmine wanted to feel annoyed, but she couldn't bring herself to it as she took in Huey's appearance. While his stony face was seemingly the same, Jazmine noticed his usual scowl was more of a frown than anything.

"Let's go," He mumbled and walked ahead of her. She jogged a little on her small legs to catch up to him and just as they made their way out of school she put a had on his shoulders, stopping his walk. "What?"

"Are you alright?" He gave her an odd look.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I dunno...you look kinda off I guess…" His mouth was set in a thin line, his eyes not meeting her gaze. He shrugged, breathing out a sigh and shaking his head.

"It's nothing, I'm fine." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Let's just get to the car." Jazmine sighed, knowing fully well she wasn't going to get anything out of him.

The ride back home was excruciatingly quiet. The air seemed so dense that Jazmine could barely breathe in it and seemingly, everyone was in a weird mood. Riley seemed fidgety, Caesar was warily looking between herself and Huey, and Huey...was just extremely Huey today.

Jazmine sighed, wanting nothing more than to blend in with the backseat and simply disappear. God, this was uncomfortable.

"And a one and a two and-watch that Paux-de-Bourrée, Jazmine!" Her legs had already started to shake and she could barely feel her feet inside the pointe shoes, but she pushed forward nonetheless. "You need to be nice and light now! Yes, just like that!" Jazmine braced herself for the Arabesque, but her legs seemingly gave up on her and she almost fell forward on the ground. Mrs. Janette winced, offering her a sympathetic look as she paused the music. "Okay that's enough, go grab a sip of water."

Jazmine's body was fighting a losing battle against the first day of actual rehearsal. She wanted to push herself farther, to just keep on going, but her legs felt like they weren't made of anything more substantial than Jell-O.

Of course, she knew just how strenuous the role of the sugar plum fairy was. She had seen it in action multiple times, but to actually do it? Several times? She was positive she was going to collapse from overexertion, but she couldn't even care.

The strain, though painful, was exhilarating and weirdly numbing in a way. If she was too preoccupied with the physical side of things she didn't have time to dwell on the mental. The pain of a pulled muscle was enough to keep everything else at bay for a while.

She staggered back into the room, still slightly out of breath. She sat down on the ground, her muscles feeling like putty, and began unraveling the ribbon around her ankle. "I must say Jazmine, for our first day I am definitely pleased."

"But we didn't even get to the second half of the dance,"

"We'll get there in due time, but from what I've seen today I'm definitely impressed." She smiled at the girl. "We first need to build that stamina, then we'll focus on the more intricate details. This is why we start rehearsal so long before the show."

Jazmine nodded. Of course, she knew that realistically she wouldn't get the dance flawlessly the first time around. It didn't keep her from being slightly upset though. "Don't be too hard on yourself," Mrs. Janette said, as if reading her mind. "You've been in here since four in the afternoon practicing the other dances. I know this is exhausting, but the first time is the worst it's going to get."

"I know," She mumbled. The exhaustion was already getting to her, barely having half an hour after getting home from school before she was on her way to the studio. She wasn't used to the place being so eerily quiet, with only herself and Mrs. Janette incessantly practicing her solo for the last two hours.

"You need to work on your body too," The woman added. "This is a very labor-intensive role. If your fitness is not up to par you won't make it to the finale." Jazmine nodded, sighing slightly. She knew that better than anyone else, but she was determined.

This was what she had trained for since she was a child. Being the sugar plum fairy, performing in front of the whole town, this was her dream... which was why she couldn't understand why there was such an uncomfortable feeling at the pit of her stomach.

The memories from ballet camp were making a comeback with a vengeance. The stakes were high, but she was going to prove them wrong. She was going to be perfect, no matter what it takes. No one was going to stand in her way.

Especially if that person was herself.

Um...Sorry for the long ass chapter I guess?

So, as I said at the very beginning, thank you so much to everyone who's reviewing, following, liking or just coming back for more! You guys give me so much happiness between all the chaos we're living in! Thank you!

IDK lol I'm kinda emotional rn, Riley would definitely call my ass gay but oh well.

Some of y'all have already got an idea of what Jade's up to, but imma keep my mouth shut….;)

For now that's all, stay cool, stay healthy and stay safe

XOXO

-Agatha

P.S::: i have a tumblr you guys! You can find me at themoonlighter01! Let's chat! I'm more active there anyways, if you wanna interact with me one-on-one I'll most definitely answer there.

P.P.S (Damn shut the fuck up already):::: Anyone here would be willing to become a Beta-Reader? It would be MUCH appreciated, I've been looking for one since chapter 3 lol. Let me know! Hit me up on P.M or on tumblr!