The next morning Jazmine isn't surprised to see the right side of her bed empty. With a yawn she doesn't even glance at her phone before heading into her bedroom and starting her day. After showering Jazmine continues to sing the lyrics to Stuck with me by the Neighbourhood while still wrapped in her pink and white robe and matching slippers. Her hair is also still wrapped in on of her white floral towels as she picks out her outfit for today.
It's the end of September and October is just a couple days away and it's starting to feel like already so she goes with a pair of white jeans with flowers on the back pockets, a light pink cardigan that she slides on top of a white long sleeve white collar shirt with little bunny clips on the wrists.
Once she's dressed she brushes her down and slides into a pair of all white converses with light pink laces before pulling her phone off of the charger and making her bed.
Leaving out of her bedroom she finally presses the home button on her phone making the screen come alive and presenting the time. 7:45. In a hurry Jazmine grabs her bookbag silently thankful that Huey made her pack her books away last night before running out of the door.
To no surprise Huey's car is already gone and the only sound on their street is the singing of birds as Jazmine tries to figure out how she's going to get to school. As she runs through her options she spots Mr. Freeman walking out of his front door and quickly approach him.
"Hi Mr. Freeman!" Mr. Freeman stops and smiles at Jazmine.
"Hey, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?"
"Yeah, about that...I'm sort of running late. And I don't know how I'm going to get to school." Mr. Freeman nods in thought and Jazmine notices his eyes look above her short frame at her house across the street, more specifically her empty driveway.
"Can't have you missing school plus I was just on my way out anyway, so I can drop you off," Mr. Freeman concludes.
"Thank you Mr. Freeman," Jazmine says before hopping inside the backseat of Dorothy once the doors unlock. Luckily she won't be too late to school. Why did she even sleep so late today? She usually has her alarm to wake her up every morning.
As they Mr. Freeman begins driving Jazmine pulls her phone from her back pocket and sees that her alarm did not go off at the correct time or rather at all this morning. Jazmine places her phone back in her pocket and wonders why her alarm did not work today.
When Jazmine finally arrives at school she heads straight to the front office and ignores the noisy secretary's look of disapproval as she writes her a tardy slip and stamps it before giving it to Jazmine. "Thank you," She says quickly before leaving and heading down the appropriate hallway and to her locker.
(*)
Glancing at one of the digital clocks in the empty hall Jazmine sighs and continues to grab her necessary items before placing her bag inside. As soon as the curly haired teen closes her locker she jumps in shock at the sight in front of her.
"Hi, little squirrel," Christie says as she leans against the lockers. Jazmine doesn't reply and instead moves to walk pass only to be pushed back into her spot with one firm, pale and perfectly manicured hand. "Well, that was rude. Am I not good enough for a 'welcome back' or at least a hello."
"Hi, Christie," Jazmine breathes out. "Now if you will excuse me," She continues exasperated.
"No, I don't think we're done here little J. I'm back now and as you will more than likely find out I'm reclaiming my throne as head b.i.t.c.h."
"What does that have to with me?"
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing if you stay out of my way that is. Off of my radar completely."
"Is that all?"
Christie steps closer to Jazmine until they're almost pressed chest to chest and Jazmine can feel Christie's breath on her neck, her pink glossed lips close enough to touch her neck. "You really are sweet little J. Did you miss me?"
Jazmine swallows, "No," She says attempting to sound firm, but from the light chuckle that emits from Christie's lips she failed.
"Crazy enough, I missed you too little squirrel. So just remember what I said and we'll...be in touch. And don't worry I can still keep a secret if you can." Christie says lips ghosting against Jazmine's neck before pulling away completely and leaving, the loud clack of her hot pink 'So Kate' Christian Louboutin heels echoing down the hall.
Jazmine runs into Cindy on her way to class and finds out that she was kicked out of their class. They talk for a little bit and plan to meet up later before Jazmine goes to class her mood has completely depleted from when she first awoke this morning.
(*)
As she enters class she instantly notices how packed it is in class today considering the wave of last minute registered students. She also a boy with a ice pack pressed against his face as she passes down the middle aisle of the room trying desperately to find a seat and avoid bringing anymore unnecessary attention to herself seeing as she's already late.
Pushing up on her tiptoes she looks over other people's heads and spots an open one in the ar back of the classroom. She slowly walks there in case someone might notice and try to take the free seat.
"Hey, can I sit next to you?" Jazmine asks the red-headed boy and he gestures that she can take the only available seat in the room. "Thanks," she squeaks out and pulls her pink notebook out along with her mechanical pencil and large hello kitty eraser from her matching pink binder. Once she has everything set out she finally looks beside her having felt someone staring at her.
"You're very unorganized," The boy beside her says very bluntly before returning his attention to his phone as Jazmine just stares at the boy, her mouth dropping open. She tries (once she snaps out of shock) to straighten the stray papers she's stuffed into her binder and places them inside the correct pockets properly without being obvious.
Class officially begins and Jazmine wishes that wasn't held up by Christie because she maybe would have been able to get a seat next to Cindy and therefore Cindy wouldn't have been kicked out of class for trying save Jazmine's seat. And now she has to sit next to a rude boy who she's never seen before on top of the fact that she has a class with Melanie next.
Trying not to think too much about it because she'll eventually develop a headache. Jazmine takes notes and completes her assignment to the best of her ability seeing as this is one of her hardest subjects.
Time goes by fairly fast once she turns in her work and zones out and when the bell rings she takes more time to neatly place her notes and homework in its appropriate place in her binder along with her pencil and erase. She stands up to make a straight beeline to her next class.
She listens to Melanie talk and answer her questions when prompted, and its surprisingly not as bad as she thought it would be to share a class with girl.
Jazmine mostly focuses on her work and when lunch time comes she does not go with Huey and Melanie to eat, but he brings her back chicken tenders, fries, and a strawberry lemonade.
Despite not being hungry she eats because she's not ungrateful, but continues to work on her homework while letting Riley lean against her shoulder as he naps.
(*)
The rest of the day goes the same and by the time study hall comes Jazmine is free to walk out of the school. Huey and Melanie are staying to study for their upcoming physics exam and Jazmine is waiting outside for Cindy to pick her up. Despite the blonde being sent home she proclaimed how she wouldn't leave her bestie to rot at school.
As she sits on one of the large cement square blocks outside the school Jazmine continuously rubs her temples trying to ease her throbbing headache.
"Skipping school too? You're obviously not much of a good student are you?" Jazmine whips her head around at the sound of that rude voice from earlier today. She could've sworn she was alone out here or at least on this side of the school.
"You're wrong."
"Am I?" Jazmine just glares at the teenage boy and he takes it as an invite to sit down next to her. "So, you gotta a name blue jay?'
"What kind of question is that? Of course I have a name, who doesn't have a name?"
"I don't know, babies as soon as they pop out," he makes a popping sound.
"Well, if you must know my name is Jazmine."
"Cool."
"Cool?"
"Cool."
Jazmine shrugs, "So, is that your name, cool?" The redheaded boy laughs out loud and it is lighthearted.
"Now, how is that a name?" Jazmine just shrugs again, "Romy, that's my name."
"I would say it was nice to meet you, but since you insulted me this morning...I don't think I will," Jazmine says turning back away from him, her elbows on her knees.
"I didn't insult you I just made an observation."
"It was still mean."
"Was it?" Romy asks looking at Jazmine with his mesmerizing grey eyes.
"Yeah, it was," The curly haired girl states staying firm on this, but secretly wondering what Romy will say next.
"Well, my bad," Romy replies smoothly and Jazmine tries not to let it show how those three words affected her.
"Well, you're forgiven...Romy. So, I'll be seeing you around, right?"
"We do have class together."
"Uhm, yes, we do," Jazmine says a little nervous not knowing really what she's trying to say. Romy just looks at her with those mesmerizing grey eyes as if he knows something she doesn't. Jazmine looks away and stands as she spots a familiar Lexus LX pull into the parking lot.
"Well, bye," she says still unsure as to where she stands with her new acquaintance or if she'll ever see him again outside of class that is. Cindy comes to a stop in front of the school and Jazmine makes her way over.
"See you later blue jay," Romy calls causing Jazmine to pause. She looks at him and gives a small smile and waves at the redheaded teen who just pushes two fingers forward from his temple in response.
(*)
As soon as Jazmine enters the Lexus she's assaulted by loud music that Cindy quickly moves to turn down. After turning down the music she stares at the strawberry blonde teen.
"What?" Jazmine asks sipping from Cindy's giant slurpee.
"Who was that?"
"Someone I met today. His name is Romy."
"Oh? How is he? He wasn't messing with you or nothin' because you know I'll hop out right now."
"No, Cin, its fine. We were just talking."
"Whatever you say. I heard you ran into Chris-thot today," Cindy mentions pulling out of the school parking lot and stopping at the stop sign before pulling out into the main road.
She turns on her right signal light and Jazmine knows they're about to go to McWunclers.
Jazmine rolls her eyes at the memory before asking, "How did you find out?"
"Sources. Now what happened?"
"She just mentioned how 'nice' it was to see me again and she hopes we can be 'friends' this year. Like I believe that. She's been gone for a whole year and she still will not leave me alone."
"All I know is she better not do anything to piss me off. I've been waiting to fight that hoe since the 7th grade. And if she's gone back to her old ways then," Cindy turns and taps her bright red nails on the steering wheel, "Imma fuck that hoe up."
"Cindy you are crazy," Jazmine says, but can't help the small giggle that falls from her mouth.
"Yeah, maybe," Is all the blonde teen says and bothe girls burst into laughter.
"A moment later Cindy's phone rings and she picks up her phone which is encased in a gun shaped cover with one hand and answers it.
"What's up?" Cindy bonks her horn, but stops as the car in front of her does so despite it being a yellow light. "The fuck you doin?!" Jazmine just laughs at Cindy's expletives.
"Yo, where you at?"
"Jus picked Jazzy up. Ain't you s'posed to be in class?"
"I am, aye pick me up somethin' from McWunclers."
"Nah, I ain't yo personal servant. Plus I ain't stopping nowhere."
Jazmine can hear Riley sucks his teeth, "You know you bout' to go to McWunclers." Jazmine watches as Cindy smiles as she turns into McWunclers.
"No, I ain't."
"Yeah, you are."
"Whateva, what you want?" Cindy asks pulling through the drive through.
"Get me a number six large."
"Why you gotta have a large tho?"
"Why frontin? You know you got it plus I gotchu."
"You do?"
"Yeah, forreal."
"Whateva Reezy, bye," Cindy says before hanging up and Jazmine pretends as if she was not listening. Cindy orders her and Jazmines usual and states Riley's order as wll. "Guess who just got back into town? Ed and Rummy."
"Why were they gone anyway?"
"They had to go pick up some 'product' from DC." Jazmine wants to ask about the type of product Ed and Rummy sell, but don't know if she really wants to know.
The girls talk about other things such as the new episode of Love and Hip-Hop and Are you the One as they wait for their food." Once they receive their food Cindy turns her music back on and blasts 'First day out' from her speaker as they make they're way back onto timid deer lane.
Cindy parks next to Jazmine's house and they both hop out and Jazmine unlocks the door and they go inside towards the living room. The two girls watch reruns of Futurama as they eat.
After a few hours of talking and watching TV when they hear the doorbell Jazmine stands up and answers it. She sees Riley and he nods in greeting before heading towards the living room. Jazmine takes her former seat and Cindy hands Riley his food.
"Thanks," Riley says over stuffing a few fries in his mouth. "Aye, where yo parents at Mariah?"
"At work?" Jazmine replies standing up.
"But where they been at tho?" He asks looking behind the sectional sofa at Jazmine as she heads to the bathroom. Jazmine just shrugs not really wanting to answer.
"Why you want to know big head?" Cindy asks.
"Cause I might need representin' if I bust that fat nigga Ace head in."
"Ugh, him again. What he want now?
"He been bugging me about getting him some snow."
"Well, Ed and Rummy back home so what's the problem."
"I ain't that nigga supplier alright. Plus he ain't cool."
"What happened?" Jazmine hears Cindy asks as she rounds the corner again, but stop outside the archway leading inside of the living room as to not interrupt her two friends.
"All Imma say is Ace is a fucking foul ass dude. Don't fuck with him, you hear me Cin?" Riley says his voice unusually harsh.
"Yeah, okay Riley," Cindy says seriously.
Jazmine makes her way back into the living room and reclaims her spot of the sofa. And Jazmine notices how the two teens begin to talk about something completely different. Their tones light again as they talk about what Danielle Royes got caught doing during third period in the boys bathroom.
Jazmine takes her phone out of her bag which stuffed into after second period for the first time since she called Cindy to pick her up and notices that she has one text and two missed calls from Huey.
As she's about to open the text to reply her phone vibrates with an incoming call and she immediately answers, "Hello?"
"Why did you skip study hall?"
"Because I wanted to."
"Why do you have an attitude?" Jazmine can practically feel his annoyance with her.
"I do not have an attitude," She answers quickly.
"Jazmine just tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong."
"Did you do your homework?" Huey asks and Jazmine wonders where he is trying to go with this conversation.
"Why do you care?" Jazmine asks and ignoring the 'ooohs' coming from Cindy and Riley.
"Why are you being like this?" Huey asks bluntly and Jazmine thinks a bit irate.
"Like what, you know you weren't so concerned about me at all today so what do you want?'
"Jazmine-"
"And did you turn off my alarm this morning?" The failed concealed chuckles from Riley and Cindy stop, but Jazmine doesn't notice.
"You seemed to be really tired lately."
"So that was an excuse to make me late for school? How was I supposed to get to school today if it wasn't for Mr. Freeman?"
"Your parents."
"My-" Jazmine stops short and closes her eyes. She haven't even seen her parents since yesterday morning. "You know what, I have to go." Jazmine hangs up and throws her pink fluffy phone on the sectional sofa beside her.
It's quiet and Jazmine makes no move to break the silence and she doesn't even care that Cindy and Riley are most likely talking about her phone call with Huey.
Eventually Riley breaks the silence and starts talking about a new pair of shoes he wants and Jazmine lets go the breath she didn't realize she was holding and mentions a pair of cute shoes she saw at the mall yesterday.
Later when Cindy and Riley leave Jazmine completes her homework and head to bed not feeling very hungry at all and before hooking her phone up to her charger she makes sure that her alarm is set for 6:00 sharp.
The next day Jazmine wakes up on time and to the smell of pancakes, she quickly runs through her morning routine before hurring downstairs and into the kitchen. She can't contain the upwards curve of her mouth as she sees her mother sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee, legs crossed, and a magazine in front of her.
Her mom is smiling at her father as he stands over the stove making pancakes and sausage. She just stands in the large archway for a moment and takes in the scene. The sun is shining directly through the kitchen bay windows and creating an overall glow of the rising morning sun throughout the room.
As if sensing her presence her father turns toward her after flipping a pancake, "Hey sweetheart, will you be joining us for breakfast?"
"Of course," the curly haired girl replies and enters the kitchen and sitting next to her mom at the table.
"Hi Jazmine, how are you sweetie," Sarah greets Jazmine a lovely smile gracing her red lipstick covered lips.
"I'm doing good mom."
"That's great, I was thinking that this weekend you and I go to the mall and do a little shopping. Does that sound fun?"
"Yes, I would really like that," Jazmine says not really caring that they're going to the mall just as long as she gets to spend time with her parents.
"Then we can all enjoy a nice dinner at Luigi's," Her dad inputs a smile gracing his face.
Jazmine squeals, "That's perfect."
"I hope you're hungry sweetheart because I made you favorite," Tom announces as he brings the plates full of pancakes and sausage over to the table.
"Extremely," Jazmine says as she begins to fill her plate with three large pancakes and four sausage links. She tops her pancakes with warm pure maple syrup before taking her first bite and reveling in the best chocolate chip pancake she's ever tasted. "Best pancakes ever." They really are.
Jazmine can't help, but think that her dad has a knack for making extremely soft and fluffy almost as if they will melt in your mouth pancakes.
They all talk about random topics, and to her relief her parents do not mention work at all and instead ask her about school. For once she doesn't mind the conversation being solely focused on her.
"-and mom we have to watch part two of this season of washington's cheerleading bootcamp. I really want to see who will make the team. I like all the girls, but I think my favorite is Addison, she's has to make the team this year, it's her third time trying out and making it to finals."
"Oh, sure honey," Sarah dabs her mouth with her napkin. "We will. So how is it going with Huey?"
Jazmine chews her sausage link in thought. Well, how is she and Huey? She did sort of argue with him yesterday, but she's not angry at him and Melanie is not as bad as she once thought.
"We're sort of in a weird place. It's not bad and it's not necessarily great." Her parents wait for her to expound on her statement obvious curious. "His friend from Chicago just moved here. Her name is Melanie and honestly...she's nice," Jazmine admits. "She's really nice and smart like Huey."
Jazmine's mom nods as if she understands the point she's trying to make, but Tom continues to wear a look of confusion. "Then why are things weird between you and Huey?"
"He wants us to get along. He says that it is important that we do and I haven't really made an effort to."
"Well, I think that if it's important to Huey then you should at least give it a try. Maybe you both will become the best of friends," Tom says as Jazmine finishes the last of her food.
She think about it and decides that maybe her dad is right, maybe her and Melanie could be friends. Maybe she won't feel as bad as she does about Melanie and Huey spending so much time together.
(*)
After breakfast Jazmine helps her dad cleanup before agreeing to let her mom take her to school today. She makes it to school on time and kisses her mom goodbye and she gets out of her mom's lunar silver metallic Honda CR-V before walking into the school. The curly haired girl goes to locker and is happy to see that her blonde best friend is already there.
"Hey Cindy!" Jazmine says as she maneuvers past bodies to get to her bestie.
"Hey, Jazzy," Cindy greets before diving into something she saw on TV last night and Jazmine laughs at the faces Cindy makes as she describes the events. Once she has gathered all of her necessary books and materials someone covers her eyes.
"Hey, whoever you are." Jazmine can hear other people beside Cindy laughing and she smiles.
"Let me guess, Hiro?"
"Yeah, how'd you guess?" Hiro says and as he pulls his hands away Jazmine notices that everyone else has arrived. And she smiles as she see's Huey placing taking books out of his book bag and placing them in his locker a couple lockers down from hers.
Turning she pokes Hiro's nose, "You always have cold hands. Plus, the texture of your hands are really smooth."
"How inspective of you Jazz," Caesar comments and Hiro agrees.
"I wonder if you'd notice if," Hiro suddenly stops mid-gesture and Jazmine stares in confusion.
"If what?" She asks as Caesar chuckles, she smiles wanting to be let in on the joke too.
"Nevermind," Hiro says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I heard you were cornered by Christie yesterday."
"Does the whole school know?" Jazmine asks not really wanting to be reminded of that little blip in her life yesterday.
"Yeah," Everyone says beside Huey who Jazmine has noticed is done with his locker.
"I even heard and I have no idea who Christie is."
"Just let it go, okay. I'm really not bothered."
"Really?" Melanie asks and Jazmine wonders why she would press this without even knowing Christie, but doesn't jump to conclusions. She's going to try to be better towards to Melanie.
"Yes. Also, Melanie do you want to go over notes before class starts today?"
"Sure, why not."
"Great," Jazmine smiles and turns her attention to something Hiro and Cindy is discussing.
Once the warning bell sounds everyone begins to head to class and as Huey moves to do the same Jazmine stops him by placing a hand on his forearm. "Hey, I barely uhm spoke to you," Jazmine starts, not really knowing what to say.
"Its takes two people to form a conversation."
"I didn't think you wanted to talk seeing how things went yesterday. I'm sorry about that," Jazmine stares at her feet nervously, something she's been feeling a lot lately while around Huey. "About starting an argument. I had sort of a bad day yesterday."
"I noticed," Huey states and Jazmine looks up.
"Yeah, and you didn't deserve that. Well...maybe a little."
"Just a little?" Huey asks sarcastically, but Jazmine as always picks up on the teasing edge to it.
"Yes, you did make me late. And that lead to a series of crazy events like Cindy being kicked out of class."
Huey raises an eyebrow which causes Jazmine to giggle, "I pretty sure Cindy's mouth caused her to get kicked out."
"That's most likely it, but still if I would've been there it all could have been avoided."
"You can't blame yourself for what other people do. Many things happen and most of them are not because of our own actions."
"Maybe. So do you want to hang out after school?"
"When have you ever asked?" 'Never,' Jazmine thinks. She usually just come over and find Huey or Huey would tell her to come over.
"Okay, well see you later bestie, that is if you're not too 'busy'," Jazmine winks exaggeratedly and Huey rolls his eyes at the gesture.
"Don't ever do that again Jazmine," He comments and begins walking to class and Jazmine laughs.
"Why not?" She asks as she falls into step with Huey.
"Well, I won't be 'busy' or whatever it is that you're implying."
"Great, just as well," The teen girl replies with a smile. She's glad that she's more important to him than having sex with whoever. And as they stop at her class she promises to eat with Huey today before entering class, feeling happier than she has in a while.
DOUBLE UPDATE! Don't forget to review~