She had changed her pants into black skinny jeans and put her hair up. Huey, on the other hand, looked the same as he did that morning. The Foxxy House sounded dirty but it wasn't. It was actually a coffee house that held karaoke or poetry reading on different nights. The schedule looked more like this:

Sunday: Ethnic poetry reading

Monday: Soft/classical rock singing

Tuesday: Blues/Jazz

Wednesday: Free style songs/poetry

Thursday: R&B

Friday: Pop

Saturday: Anything

Today was Tuesday so they would be listening to people sing the blues or play jazz music. It wasn't Huey's cup of tea so to speak, but it wouldn't be all that bad.

They walked in and, as usual, the groups were divided. Near the far left wall were smokers and the far right, nonsmokers. They usually met in the middle for chatting, drinks, or to get closer to the stage. Justin was helping some of the stage hands but when he saw her and Huey, he stopped and walked over to them. He was a few shades darker than Jazmine and usually kept his black hair short.

"Jazzy! I'm so glad you guys came! We have a special band coming in from Louisiana and you have to see them. They were so amazing when I went on that trip last Christmas. Oh, and is this the friend you were talking about?"

"Yeah, this is Huey. He's my best friend from back home. Huey, this is Justine."

They shook hands and made small talk. Huey, as usual, not saying much but she could tell he was getting annoyed with Justin's incessant talking. Justin was called back to the stage to help set up the stereo system.

"He's annoying," Huey muttered.

"But…?"

"But nothing. I still don't trust him."

Jazmine rolled her eyes at him. "Let's just get something to drink."

They were settled in the back on the right side. Jazmine was sipping a chai latte and Huey just had water. "So what do you think of the club?"

"It's alright, I guess. I wasn't expected this when I saw the name of the building."

"I know, it sounds like a strip club. Cindy and I thought the same when Justin brought us here. His dad actually owns the club and he hopes to take over it one day and he'll change the name. Unfortunately they get a lot of hecklers who cause a scene because they were expecting strippers and alcohol. Then they find out that there are no scantily dressed women and the only alcohol is the Irish cream coffee."

They didn't say anything else but sipped their drinks. "Do you come here often?" Huey asked.

"Every now and then. Mostly when I feel like it."

"Did Jazzy ever tell you?" Justine asked Huey in that excited tone of his. Huey just shook his head with confusion written on his face when he looked at Jazmine.

She felt her cheeks grow hot from embarrassment. "No, Justin, please don't."

"Don't be so modest! Jazzy would come in here from time to time to sing or recite poetry."

"Oh really?" Huey still looked at Jazmine.

"Yeah! She's pretty good too." Justin got called away again. Huey continued looking at her.

"I had no idea you were deep like that Jazmine."

"Sometimes, Huey. It's not like I'm overcome from inspiration and creativity all the time. It just happens every so often."

"What do you write about? Your poetry I mean."

"It's nothing really. Most of them are about being mixed. Some of them is about the hardships of it and the rest are acceptance, or encouragement to embrace all of your heritage."

He nodded in thought as she talked. It felt awkward talking to him about it so she didn't say anything and watched the bands play. Some of them were professional singers and others were volunteers from the crowd. When the jazz band from Louisiana began playing, people got up and danced to the music. Their bodies were swaying on the dance floor and they had huge smiles on their faces as they enjoyed themselves even for a moment. It was actually refreshing to watch them have fun. Sometimes it was good to just sit in the backseat and watch everything unfold before you and you get to relax.

A few people came up to her and greeted her, asking when the next time she would be on the stage. She gave them all the same reply that she didn't know when and they were looking forward to next time.

"The first time I stood before an audience was in this building. I almost threw up and felt faint," Jazmine told Huey as she scoffed at herself.

"Public speaking is one of the most common phobias there is," Huey told her as he watched the band play.

"I know. It eventually got easier though. Of course this is a place where you're supported for almost anything you recite no matter how poorly you do it." Jazmine had her head rested in the palm of her hand and sat in a position so she could see Huey's face and the band.

"You don't do too bad from what people are saying."

She just shrugged her shoulders and took the last gulp of her second cup of tea. The band finished and thanked the audience for listening to them. "It's getting late," Huey stated and looked at his watch. Jazmine took the hint and left a tip for the waitress before standing up.

Justin saw them stand and came over to walk them to the entrance. "So what did you think? They were pretty good. I didn't think so many people would be dancing out there."

"We had a great time, Justin. You did a good job of picking out the band."

"As future heir of this joint, I take it upon myself to find nothing but the best for this little Texas town."

Jazmine laughed, "I'll see you later, Justin."

It was a little chilly outside and the night breeze nipped at her face. Huey stood close by as they walked the short distance to her apartment.

"You're pretty popular, Jazmine."

"I don't know about that. I just know a lot more people here than I did in Woodcrest. You know, the start life anew and reinvent yourself thing kinda got to me down here."

"Yeah it really did. But at least it suits you. It looks natural seeing you this way."

"Well Cindy really helped me out. She started with telling me to believe in myself and stuff like that and I took over the rest."

"I still can't believe how much you changed," Huey said as they neared the apartment.

"Huey, the last time you said something like that we ended up in my bed," Jazmine stopped tried to sound as seductive as possible.

"Maybe that's my plan," he smirked at her.

"Maybe I like that plan," she stepped closer to him and whispered. He leaned down and their lips barely touched but his head radiated off onto her.

"Inside," he ordered coarsely. He opened the door for her and she led him up the stairs with her hand in his. She was still nervous and her hand fumbled as she took out her keys to unlock her door. She couldn't get the key inside the lock and kept jiggling it before it finally clicked and the door was unlocked. Embarrassed of not being able to unlock her own door, she opened it and kept her head down. Once they were inside, she turned to close the door and when it was, Huey's hands were on her hips and he brought her closer to him.

She couldn't help but gasp in surprise and excitement. "We still have to finish what we started earlier," he whispered in her ear, his hot breath sent shivers down her spine and she shivered in his arms. What did he mean by earlier? Jazmine couldn't think much as her mind went blank when he kissed her neck. Oh right, the laundry room. They had stopped when the man walked in. His hands slid down her thighs and around back to her rear end. She moaned softly and her hand finally found its way to his erection. He jumped a bit and held her closer.

Twenty minutes later, Jazmine was lying down with her head on Huey's chest. Her body glistened and she was panting and Huey was doing the same. It was better than last night. Her hips were still sore but Huey took it slow made sure not to hurt her.

"Wow," she said, exhausted. "Yeah, I know" he said. His index finger traced circles on the back of her hand. She was even happier than she was last night. It felt more natural being with him and she did what her instincts told her in bed. Even he was impressed by what she could do.

"Don't push yourself so hard next time. You're still getting used to everything."

"It's better now though. I promise." She flashed a smile to him and he rolled his eyes. Jazmine began to get cold so she pushed herself off of Huey's chest and pulled back the covers to snuggle underneath them. Huey did the same and pulled her close by wrapping his arm around her waist so she was back at his chest. It was beginning to get late but before falling asleep Jazmine had to ask him something.

"Huey? Next month, if everything turns out alright, what's going to happen?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will you still live in the dorm and go to school?"

"I don't know yet. The counselor told me that if I'm found innocent then they'll review with the dean to decide if I can return to school or not but they may still kick me out regardless."

"What will you do then?"

"I'm still thinking about it. I'll probably just move in with Granddad and think of another plan."

A thought hit Jazmine. "What if you move in here?"

"With you and Cindy?"

"Of course. It'll be fun." She brushed her lips on his skin.

"With you maybe but only with you. I don't think I could bear to live with Cindy. I wanted to kill her in fourth grade and I'll want to kill her now."

"You may not even notice her."

He grabbed her chin to bring her closer to his face. "We'll see after everything is done ok?"

She mumbled back to him but it wasn't heard as he began kissing her. Every single time he brought his lips down upon hers it felt like she was floating with the clouds. His scent made her dizzy and she was never satisfied with just one kiss. She felt herself grow moist for him and was ready to pounce on top but he stopped her as if he knew what she was planning. "Go to sleep." And so she did.