"Okay, Cory," Candace said one night as they sat at the bar alone, "I have to admit something. I know I came here just looking for friends after being through such a terrible relationship but I really wanted to come find you. I haven't stopped thinking about you since Ricky dumped me and I needed to see you face to face. I transferred to USF on purpose but I refused to be so desperate to actually look you up."
"So… you still like me?" Cory asked, a little dumbfounded.
"Yes, I do. And I know it's been a few years but I was wondering if maybe we could try dating again, even though it didn't work in middle school or senior year. I promise I won't leave you for anyone," she pleaded.
"You know, Candace, I'd like that." He grabbed her hand and she smiled at him.
Today's the day, Stanley thought, I won't pick up a single cigarette today. I have will power, I'm strong, I'm going to kick this stupid habit. Stanley picked up his football bag and jogged down the stairs to get to his mustang. He drove to the school and walked into the locker room with his gym bag. After a quick change, the team gathered while listening to the coach.
This is easy, Stanley said in his head while he should've been paying attention to the plays, I haven't even thought about those… what are they called? Oh yeah, cigarettes. See, it's easy! I'm so free now that I don't smoke, I'm even pumped up to win this game!
Stanley dominated the field for the entire duration of the game. He had never played better in his life. Maybe trying really hard to remember to forget actually makes you better at football?
Days went on and Stanley didn't touch or see a single cigarette. Sometimes he would look over and see tiny puffs of smoke from behind the bleachers and he smiled with a sense of satisfaction. Weeks went by, he hadn't smoked one cigarette.
Mission accomplished; habit kicked.
Three weeks after reuniting with Danny, Chelsea was in the lobby of her apartment building waiting for the moving truck. Danny had no luck finding a place of his own to look for, so she finally suggested he move in with her. She was so excited that after not seeing him for two years that now she was able to see him every waking minute. Danny pulled up with the U-Haul and honked the horn with a goofy smile on his face. Chelsea squealed and went out to help him with his boxes.
Luckily, all he had were boxes of clothes and some personal things like old books and only one armchair he had just bought from a catalogue. Danny had told Chelsea that all his stuff barely fit in his mom's trailer and he didn't want to take any of her lawn furniture. Yes, he was making plenty of money from his new job as a P.E. teacher at a public high school, but he just didn't feel right living with his mom. He gave her a little money but he was uncomfortable feeding her addiction to heroin.
"That's okay," Chelsea had told him, "I have plenty of furniture. I'm so excited you're moving in!"
"Me too! We'll be able to watch latenight talk shows and even have a little privacy," he laughed.
She smiled. It was like having her best friend as her roommate. Raven was already married, Eddie was living with Alexis, and the only person eligible to move in with her was Danny. Of course, it's not like he was her last choice. Two days ago, when they had decided to move in together, she had butterflies in her stomach as soon as he said yes. The last two days dragged on, as Danny spent as much time as he could with his mother and now he was finally here and all moved in. She couldn't be happier.
Eddie stood under the flowers and lights in his tuxedo. This is it, the last few minutes of being an unmarried man. No turning back now. Raven sat a few rows back next to Devon, Chelsea sat holding Danny's hand, Cory was sitting with his old girlfriend, Candy, and even Mr. and Mrs. Baxter had made it to the wedding. Under the stars and the decorative lights, he could barely see them but he knew they were all smiling. Except for maybe Raven, she was very pregnant now.
A few months ago, Eddie hadn't pictured this happening. He could hardly say "I love you," to Alexis a few months ago. Now it's all he can think about. The minister offers a few reassuring words in a low voice and Eddie nods. He looks over to the bride's side and Alexis's mom winks at him. Mother-in-law. What a strange concept. This lady he had no relationship with at all will now become family.
Music starts. Eddie turns to see Alexis in the beautiful (expensive) gown she had picked out and was so proud of. Her eyes were perfectly positioned under a row of Christmas-looking lights and her smile made his eyes tear up. This was it, this was the greatest day of his life. Alexis's dad walked her down the aisle with his face shining with pride. His daughter was finally getting married.
The service was simple, it had actually flown by faster than Eddie thought it would. He socialized with his friends during the reception and enjoyed all the dancing and food at the reception. The day flew by, and suddenly the wedding was over. He was sitting at home with Alexis just thinking about it. He was married. He couldn't be happier.
Raven woke up at about eight in the morning with stomach pains. True, the baby was due any day now but she couldn't help but pass it off as stomach pain. She pulled the covers over her head and tried so hard to go back to sleep. She moaned, her stomach hurt so much.
"Ray, are you okay?" Devon asked sleepily.
"Yeah just contractions," Raven replied.
"Okay, well make sure you tell me if they're serious or…" his voice stopped. "Raven? Did you just pee?"
"No, why?"
He didn't respond and she looked down.
"We're having a baby!" Devon exclaimed as he got up threw on a shirt and pants and grabbed Raven's pre-prepared hospital bag. She got up slowly, didn't bother getting dressed and next thing they knew they were in a birthing room in the hospital. Devon had called Eddie, Chelsea, Cory, and both of their parents in the car and they were expected to be there any minute now.
I'll spare you the details by just skipping ahead.
Many hours of labor later, Raven lay half asleep in the hospital bed and Devon sat holding her hand. The others waited in the waiting room and a nurse walked in carrying their baby. They still didn't know what the sex was, but the baby was wrapped in blue.
"What would you like to name him?" the nurse asked.
"Adam," Raven said. She didn't know why, but Adam had popped into her head as soon as the nurse let her hold him. "Adam."
"Adam… Lucas. Adam Lucas," Devon added.
Raven smiled and nodded. In all their months of planning they had never come up with a name so fitting. She knew her adventures weren't over but her pregnancy was. Adam was such a blessing and she knew her life would change from that point on.