Hi, Everyone!

I hope you enjoy the latest chapter! Your support really means the world to me, and I'm so thankful for all of you.

If you have any thoughts or feedback, I'd love to hear them in a review. It really helps me get better and keeps me excited to write more.

Thanks for reading!

- Miss Ace Thank You

Step One:
Spend one weekend grieving your relationship.
If single, mourn a past relationship as a precaution.
Do not watch any plays, shows, or movies produced by Gary Hardwick, Tyler Perry, Kenya Barris, or Lee Daniels.

Catfish Friday made everything better.

Ms. Paula's food was just that good. She'd quickly become one of Jazmine's favorite people at Woodcrest High, and it was clear to everyone that the feeling was mutual.

"There's my beautiful Jazmine Flower!" The woman exclaimed, already preparing her tray. "I threw in an extra piece, just for you!"

"Thanks, Ms. Paula." She grinned. "You're a lifesaver."

"Honey, you deserve it." Ms. Paula lowered her voice. "I know I'm not supposed to say this, but I can't stand that ex-boyfriend of yours! Galivanting around here with all those little hussies!"

"Ms. Paula, noooo!" Jazmine laughed, admiring the fresh batch of fries on the heater. "They're not the hussies. He is."

"That bad, huh?" Ms. Paula placed another piece of fish on her tray. "Here, baby. It'll help with the heartbreak until he comes back around."

"Well, even if he does, I'm not interested." Jazmine grabbed the tray and moved to the next station, her eyes on the fries. "I'm done with him this time."

Ms. Paula lit up with pride. "Good for you, Jazmine. You're too young to be running behind some big-headed fool." She glanced back at the other cafeteria lady, who nodded in agreement. "If I were sixteen again, I'd be living, okay? Out there getting my mack on!"

Jazmine laughed while she placed a small basket of fries on her tray. "Ms. Paula, what do you know about macking?"

"Honey, don't let these old bones fool you." She winked. "Ms. Paula enjoyed herself back in the day."

Before she could respond, a hand reached around her shoulder and plucked some fish from her tray.

"Huey!" She slapped him in the chest. "You know better. What am I always telling you about jacking my fish?"

"The same thing I'm always telling you about saying that word." Huey nodded at Ms. Paula. "Good afternoon."

"Boy, where have you been?" She tilted her head towards a table full of girls, staring at Huey as they watched from their seats. "Staying out of trouble, I hope."

Huey smirked and waved at them, lifting his hands in mock innocence. "I only stay in good trouble, Ms. Paula. I came here for the veggie burgers, nothing else."

"That explains why you skipped class earlier." Jazmine remarked as she grabbed some ketchup packets and tartar sauce. "Where were you? Our entire group project fell apart!"

"It's not a group project if I'm doing all the work. Plus, I already passed US History. Twice." Huey patted her head. "I let Mrs. Francis know our group project wasn't collaborative. She was gracious enough to give you another chance to make it up to her. Jeremy and Robert on the other hand…"

"So, you're the reason I have to write that ten-page essay?!" She waved at a visibly amused Ms. Paula before following Huey to their usual spot, loudly stomping her feet. " I can't stand you! How could you do something like that?"

Huey picked up his phone, recreating the conversation. "I'm surprised too, Mrs. Francis. I take governmental policy seriously, and my group refused to do their part. I can't let them take all the credit for my ideas. It's unjust."

"Unjust? It's a fake government, Huey!" Jazmine rolled her eyes. "We all wanted to do something simple, anyway! You're the one who terrorized those boys into doing something complicated in the first place!"

"Jeremy and Quentin were cool with voting against you and Casey." Huey shrugged. "The best proposal won."

"Then how come Jeremy looks nervous whenever the lights flicker?" Jazmine popped a piece of fish in her mouth, savoring the taste. "Because-"

"Your mouth is full." He cut her off, handing her a napkin. "And I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes, you do!" Jazmine snatched his earbuds away before he could drown her out with music. "It sounds a lot like those electric gloves you have. You threatened Jeremy and Robert with one, didn't you?"

"Again, I don't know what you're talking about." Huey shrugged. "Doesn't sound like something I'd do to be honest."

"Uh-huh."

"Huey, what's up with it, dude?" Caesar dapped his friend up. "Where were you last period? We missed you. Jazmine and nem' were awful without you."

"They weren't that bad, Ceez." Cindy slid into the chair next to his. "I thought it was cute."

"Thank you!" Jazmine threw up her hands. "I think we did okay, considering someone abandoned ship."

"How bad was it?" Huey glanced over at Caesar.

Caesar pulled out a chair and gave Huey a grim expression. "They said they would simply elect not to have a government."

Huey groaned and turned back to Jazmine. "Please tell me he's exaggerating."

"I just think my constituents can choose for themselves!" Jazmine shrugged nonchalantly. "What's the big deal?"

"My people perish from lack of knowledge." Huey glared at her. "You'd fit right in with the current administration, and I don't mean that as a compliment. You're lazy."

"I'm adaptable." Jazmine took a sip of water. "Caesar, c'mon, help me out!"

"Gotta agree with Huey on this one, sis." Caesar snatched a fry from Cindy's tray and kissed her on the cheek. "That was bad. Did you guys even try?"

"I was busy." Jazmine shrugged.

"So busy you couldn't work on something worth half your grade?" Huey raised a brow. "And before you start, keep in mind that I have my A. You don't."

"You're graduating early. Big whoop." Jazmine shrugged with an indifference she didn't feel, popping another piece of fish in her mouth. "I found out Vince was hooking up with Winnie last night. I guess the news sort of threw me for a loop."

Huey put down his veggie burger and stared at her. His poorly veiled sympathy made her feel even worst. "I'm sorry. I guess this means the bet is off."

"It's not." She groaned, putting her face in her hands. "I didn't go running back to him, I swear! I'm just upset that he's sleeping with someone that I was friends with. "

"I'll whoop that skanky hoe's ass!" Cindy flew out of her chair and rushed to Jazmine's side. "After listening to everything you've been through with him, she goes and does this?! Did you at least cuss her out?"

"Honestly, I was too surprised to say much of anything." Jazmine wanted to sink into the floor. "I'm an idiot. I can't believe I didn't see it coming."

"You're not an idiot." Caesar said gruffly, scanning the cafeteria. "Where's Vince right now?"

"Not here." Huey remarked coolly, still studying Jazmine's face for signs of a breakdown. "Which leads me to my next question…how'd you find out?"

They all turned to Jazmine, who'd become remarkably quiet.

"You didn't." Cindy shook her head. "Girl, tell me you didn't do that."

"Jazmine!" Caesar gasped, smirking at her. "After all that shit you were talking?"

"He said he wanted closure." She said quietly, suddenly realizing how pathetic that sounded. "He left a sweet note in my history book, asking me to swing by so we could talk."

"And you flew over there thinking it was a white flag." Huey shook his head. "Whole time, he was purposely rubbing Winnie in your face."

"He didn't do it on purpose, Huey." She sighed, frowning at her tray. "I should've stayed where I was."

"You should have." Huey took another bite of his veggie burger. "But he knew what he was doing. Probably saw us out the other day and got jealous, as usual."

"He doesn't care." Jazmine's heart raced despite her tone, excited by Huey's observation. "He didn't even notice me."

"Wait, you two hung out the other day?" Cindy raised a brow at her friend. "You didn't mention that to me."

Huey put a hand up. "Because we don't have to mention anything to you. We were friends before you came along."

Cindy snorted. "Boy, bye!"

"You're leaving?" Huey handed her his used napkin, a playful smirk on his lips. "Good. Take this with you on your way out."

"Caesar, get your friend!" Cindy used her empty salad bowl to flick it off the table. "He's starting with me, again!"

"Leave my baby alone, Huey." Caesar wrapped his arms around Cindy. "She's just surprised. You two don't hang out much these days."

"Fine." Huey shrugged. "Jazmine and I went to see Star Wars." He didn't miss the way Caesar and Cindy's eyes widened. "And before you two start whining, it wasn't planned. We skipped class at the same time, and I dragged her along with me before she ruined my chances of winning the bet."

"I knew you had ulterior motives." Jazmine batted her eyes dramatically as she bit into another fry. "It's just wrong how you treat me. If only there was a way for you make it up to me. I wonder what you could do."

"Cute try. I'm still not letting you take credit for my project." Huey cut his eyes at her. "Vince has been a shitty boyfriend for years. You should've known not to risk half your grade for him. Be grateful I kept Mrs. Francis from flunking your sorry ass."

"You were gone for weeks when Arielle dumped you her first semester of college." Jazmine cut her eyes back at him. "I still did your part of the physics project, and I went the extra mile so our teacher wouldn't flunk your sorry ass!"

"Fair." Huey deflated. "I'll talk to her after lunch, and if that doesn't work, I guess I can help write most of your essay."

Jazmine nodded, silently declaring her victory with a lift of her chin. "Thank you."

"Now let's get back to Jazmine seeing Star Wars with you." Cindy leaned forward, still fascinated with their trip to the theater. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you hate everything Star Wars related? Every time Huey and Caesar invited us before, you always made up some lame excuse."

"I did not!" Jazmine's jaw dropped. "I just have a busy schedule!"

"Yeah, when it's convenient." Caesar laughed, nodding at Cindy. "What was the last excuse, Huey?"

"Her great grandma died. Again." Huey chuckled at Jazmine's face flushing. "Actually, that poor woman has died three times now. Must be an awful experience for her, raising from the dead so that Jazmine can get out of things."

"It was the anniversary of her death!" Jazmine rolled her eyes. "You guys don't pay attention! I was grieving!"

"All three times? I remember one time you said…" Huey trailed off and pushed his chair back. "Okay, now I've had enough of this shit. Vince!"

Vince whirled around, nodding towards Caesar and Cindy with Winnie clinging to his arm. "Huey, whassup? Haven't seen you in a minute, my guy."

"Quit playing. You know you saw me with Jazmine, yesterday." Huey took a step forward, with Caesar and Cindy not too far behind. "I'm not a fan of the make-her-jealous routine you got going. You want a reminder of what happened the last time you pulled it?"

"She started it when she went to the movies with you. I ain't scared of a little rematch." Vince smirked, closing the distance between them. "Cuz we're getting back together, whether you like it or not. I'm just figuring some things out right now."

"Well, stay away from her while you're doing that." Huey growled, eyeing the boy with a frown. "She's done this time."

"That's weird." Vince lifted his fist, pausing when Huey lifted his own. "She ain't told me that."

" Huey don't." Jazmine frowned at him as she stepped in between them. "He's not worth it. Not anymore."

They both dropped their fists when they noticed she was seconds away from crying. They softened, turning towards her as she raced away, her vision blurring from the tears filling her eyes.

"Jazmine, come on." Vince snatched away from Winnie and brushed an arm around Jazmine's waist. "You know you're the only girl for me, right? I was just trying to make you jealous. You know the routine by now."

"I said don't." Jazmine turned away from him. "I'm not doing this to myself again. I'm not falling for your lies ever again."

"Jaz, please." Vince pulled her closer, staring into her eyes. "I know I messed up, aight? Seeing you with Freeman just did something to me. So I got a little jealous? You know how it is."

"I don't know how it is. " She jerked back before she could change her mind. "I just know that I'm tired of going back and forth with you."

"You don't mean that." Vince stepped away when Huey and Caesar stood next to Jazmine protectively, their fists at their sides. "We always find our way back. We love each other."

"You dumped me, Vince!" Jazmine covered her face before sprinting into the hallway, just in time for the tears to spill over. "There is no we. It's over!"

As soon as Jazmine was out of sight, Cindy charged towards Winnie, her hand outstretched. "Come here, bitch! I ain't forgot!"

"You're clinically insane!" The girl screamed, falling to the ground as Cindy delivered a series of loud, open-palmed smacks across her face. "Get off me!"

"Get off Jazmine's sloppy seconds, hoe!" Cindy slapped her again, glaring at the girl's back when she ran away. "Punk ass bitch."

"That….was wild." Caesar shook his head. "Huey has the whole Jazmine thing covered. Do you mind if we stay here and finish eating? I think she left behind that fish Ms. Paula gave her. And you know she always gets the good pieces."

They both stopped and stared at the tray Jazmine left behind. Sure enough the pile of untouched fillets was still there.

"Yes." Cindy grinned, pulling him back to the table so they could dig in. "We absolutely can."

Huey hurried down the hall, straining to keep up with Jazmine.

"You good?" Huey managed as he followed behind her. "You still seem upset."

"It's fine." She said softly, wiping away her tears. "It's just harder to get over him this time. We go to the same school, live in the same town, do the same things…."

She threw up her hands and groaned, tugging her locker door open. "Who am I kidding? I've never tried to move on from him before today. I'm not even sure how to."

"That's why you need to start the grieving process." He sighed, leaning against her locker in the empty hallway. He pointed at the book in her locker. "I know you haven't started reading, but I can give you a rundown."

"Actually, I did read a little of it." Jazmine admitted as she reapplied her mascara. "Those rules in Chapter One were ridiculous."

"How were they ridiculous?" Huey stared at her, fighting the urge to say the back and forth with her ex was what was ridiculous. "Those rules are for your own good!"

"No movies featuring Vivica Fox, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, or Bell Bellamy?!" Jazmine pulled out her lip gloss and tapped some powder on her face. "That's ridiculous. Huey! The movies they're casted in are classics!"

"Classics from the many horsemen of bad black movies." He put his hand on top of her locker and shook his head. "Their movies promote unhealthy relationship dynamics!"

"That's not true!" Jazmine rolled her eyes. "It's just fun drama. It's not that serious."

"Name one movie they're in that portrays healthy black relationships." Huey watched Jazmine let out an irritated huff and opened his wallet. "I'll give you fifty right now if you can do it."

"The Brothers!" Jazmine snatched her binder out her bag. "Now what?"

"Now this." Huey leaned closer and folded his wallet shut, placing it back into his pocket. "She was dating his dad and got mad at him for wanting to break things off! Crazy!"

"It was in the past, and they moved forward! He tried to write her off over something that meant nothing to her! She just wanted a real chance!" Jazmine closed her locker. "You just don't like art."

"No, I love art. What I don't love, is the clear disregard for his very rational boundaries." Huey pulled her out the way before she crashed into an opening door, quickening his pace as the bell rang. "They should've left it out the script."

"Whatever." Jazmine's keys jiggled in her hand as they walked to class. "There's Two Can Play at That Game. Even you can't hate that."

"Who said I can't? Matter of fact, I do." Huey snatched the book from her and turned to the prologue. "I made it clear it was banned on page one, along with several other horrible, unrealistic movies!"

"Love and Basketball, The Best Man, and Think Like a Man are all great movies." Jazmine grinned. "Besides, I love Two Can Play That Game. All her methods to get your man back work! You're just mad because Vivica Fox served you that cease and desist four years ago."

"Ain't my fault Vivica can't handle constructive criticism." He snorted. "And how many times have you had to get Vince back, again?" Huey stopped when they arrived at the door of her next class, amused once she ran out of insults. "Exactly. Won't be so cute when you're in your thirties playing the thousandth game with ole boy."

Jazmine shrugged. "It's still a great movie."

"It's still a terrible movie." Huey didn't know why he bothered with her. "Contrary to popular belief, relationships aren't about playing games. It doesn't have to be this hard."

"Then why are you adding stuff to my book?" Jazmine frowned, fumbling with her sweater as he scribbled furiously.

"I'm adding rules better suited to your needs." Huey kept writing. "Like no talking to your ex's friends."

"We have mutual friends." Jazmine countered. "They didn't break up with me. He did!"

"Oh, really?" Huey stared at her, blinking. "Do you want to ask Winnie her thoughts on that philosophy?"

"You're an ass." Jazmine snatched the book out of his hands. "And a judgmental one at that!"

"I'm trying to help you." Huey snatched the book back. "If you gave Vince half the attitude you give me, you wouldn't have so many problems."

"So you're saying I'm the problem." Jazmine stormed into the classroom and plopped into her seat.

"Somewhat." Huey followed behind her. "It's like I keep telling you. He can only do what you allow him to do."

He casually tossed the book onto her desk and eased into the seat behind her, watching her with a mix of concern and frustration.

"How does this even work?" Jazmine groaned, flipping through all the pages. "Your book has only worked for guys. How do you know this will work for me?"

"It will." Huey leaned back and stretched his legs. "My great aunt read it and got back with her old boyfriend, a rare exception to my no-boomerang rule, but still a success. She'll probably be married within a year."

"Interesting." Jazmine reached into his backpack to look for a pen. "Wait. Isn't this your free period? What are you doing here?"

"Making sure my bet doesn't fall through. Your teacher won't mind." He already knew what would happen next. He turned his head towards the door. "Five…Four.…"

"Why are you doing a countdown?" Jazmine glanced up from the notes she'd started jotting down. "And why are you looking at the door?"

"Just wait." Huey held up his hand. "Three…Two…One…"

Vince came running through the door.

"Zero."

"Freeman." He shook his head, frowning as he looked over at Jazmine. "We just keep running into each other, don't we?"

"Steadman." Huey nodded, his fists clenching. "How did I know you'd pop up here? Didn't I just tell you to stop sniffing around her?"

"I just need to talk to Jazmine for a sec." Vince held up his hands, gesturing towards her. "Can we go talk in the hall? It won't take long, I promise."

Huey turned to Jazmine, eyeing her bright red face. "Is that what you want, Jazmine?"

"She can answer me herself." Despite the slight scowl settling on his lips, Vince's tone was even. "Jaz, please. Just give me two minutes to clear things up!"

"There's nothing to clear up, Vince." Jazmine picked up her pen and kept writing. "It's actually pretty cut and dry. I'm tired of the back and forth. Go talk to Winnie. We're done here."

"Oh, I get it." Vince smirked. "You've been watching Two Can Play at That Game again. Well, I just watched it last night, girl! Ya boy is ready for war. I even watched the sequel."

"Vince, no!" Jazmine frowned, groaning when Huey turned to her with a smug look. "I'm not playing games. I'm serious!"

"Sure, girl!" Vince chuckled. "Whatever you say. I'll give you your 'space' now. Keep a close eye on her, Huey."

"Will do." Huey nodded as Vince walked out the door. Once he was out of earshot, he turned to Jazmine and laughed loud. "Told you. No. Vivica. Fox."

"Whatever, Huey." She shushed him. "Some of us have class to worry about."

"And some of us don't." He lifted to his feet. "My work here is done. Be good."

She couldn't help but laugh watching him walk away.

Her friend was so crazy.

When her final class let out, Jazmine met up with Cindy in the hallway, relieved that the day was finally over.

"I'm so happy it's the weekend!" Cindy did a happy dance with Riley. "A few days away from our soft ass rookies is good for the soul."

"Maybe you should try being nicer to them." Jazmine suggested before waving goodbye to her friend Casey. "You two fouled them left and right earlier. You're way too rough. Physically and mentally."

"That shit builds character." Riley kept his expression stony as a trembling freshman handed him his math homework. "Tony don't mind. Ain't that right, Tony?"

"Y-y-yeah." The freshman nodded. "The a-a-advanced math homework is good for me. K-k-keeps my m-m-mind sharp."

"G-g-good!" Riley mocked the boy's stutter. "Now g-g-get your ass outta my face lil nigga! And you'd better be running those laps until six like I told you!"

"It's three o'clock, Riley!" Jazmine's jaw dropped open. She turned and smiled at the freshman. "You don't have to do whatever he says. If you tell Coach Lionel, he'll lighten up. You don't have to take the bullying."

Tony stared between her and Riley, as if trying to figure out if she was in on it.

"Don't een' think about it." Riley pointed at the boy wuth hard eyes. "Yo ass better keep yo mouth shut, ya heard? Ain't gone be nun if you don't start nun."

"I gotta go." The boy blurted, speeding to the gym like Riley told him to.

"You two are terrible." Jazmine laughed at Riley's fake gangsta routine. "You two hated it when you got hazed."

"Nigga, we ain't hazing nobody!" Riley fist bumped Cindy with a smile. "We're breeding champions over here, ya feel me? If you hopped off that nigga's nuts every once and a while, you'd see our hard work is paying off! The junior and varsity squads are whooping ass this year! Me and my niggas are undefeated!"

"One, undefeated or not, you're still hazing. Two, I'm done with Vince." Jazmine told him, pausing when she realized that Cindy and Riley were still talking. "I said I'm done!"

"Okay, and?! Yo ass is always saying you done!" Riley dodged the book Cindy launched upside his head. "Yo ass can't help it. You act just like yo weakass daddy. Being a punk is in ya genes." He shrugged.

"What?!" She jerked back, the anger inside her building.

It wasn't like what Riley had said anything wrong. She was a lot like her father. Neither one of them did well with confrontation, they were both painfully diplomatic, and they tended to allow their partner to walk all over them, even if they both swore they were sick of the mistreatment.

Any other day, Jazmine would've let it go.

But today was a new day, where she could choose to take a new, assertive route when expressing her feelings to Riley….

By lashing the hell out.

"You're one to talk." She rolled towards Riley with all the anger she could muster. "Before this year, you were dating any girl that would have you, even if it put everybody else in danger!"

"Psshhhh. That ain't true." Riley laughed. "Yo ass is just mad-"

"Nigga, I'm not playing with you!" Jazmine hissed. "Your first girlfriend almost ran Cindy over! The second one tried to blow up your house and ours! The third one was only dating you to get intel on Huey! The fourth one-"

"Okay, damn!" Riley folded his arms. "At least my ass left the when they stepped outta line. You've been going back and forth with Vince since eighth grade!"

"Whatever, Riley!" Jazmine hollered. "Apologize!"

"For what?" Riley raised a brow. "It ain't like it's a secret you're just like your pops. Don't get mad at me! Cuz ian' the one that lied to yo ass."

"You don't know anything about who lied to me, so drop it!" Jazmine yelled, nearly bulldozing him out of her way. "At least the rest of us know when to shut the fuck up! You want to talk truth? You're the one whose well on their way to prison! Good luck getting my punk ass Dad to bail you out again! I'm sure the Woodcrest Juvenile Delinquency Center will be seeing you again soon."

"The fuck?!" Riley glared at her, glancing over at Cindy. "Yo, get ya girl, C-Murph! Cuz if she keeps pushin a nigga, imma give her ass sum' to be upset about!"

Jazmine returned his glare, walking back into his face. "Oh, really? You want to step to me and say that?"

"Okay, seriously!" Cindy snapped, grabbing her friend. "What is with you? You've been an emotional wreck all day!"

"What's 'with me' is that I'm tired of you all throwing Vince in my face!" Jazmine snatched away from Cindy. "It may not mean much to you guys, but I'm tired of not being taken seriously! I say I'm gonna leave, and you tell me I won't. I say he spoke to me, and you tell me to stand up for myself. I stand up for myself after Riley disrespects me, and you act like I'm crazy…"

"Jazmine, we don't think you're crazy, okay?" Cindy grabbed a tissue from Riley, who looked equally alarmed. "I get that your parents' divorce and your breakup have been difficult to process, but you know Riley didn't mean anything by what he said. You're nowhere near as bad as your scary ass daddy. You know that."

"We just don't want cho' ass to keep doin the same shit over and over." Riley's was surprisingly patient, nodding as he glanced across the hall. "Huey actually gave me a book that helped with that. Ian' gon lie. I thought that shit was gay as fuck at first. That nigga banned me from watching black classics and BET. Plus, it was long as hell."

He paused, his eyes softening as a caramel-skinned sophomore with blonde braids breezed past, blowing him a kiss. "I never would've bagged Shanice without it."

"So his dating book really works?" Jazmine .

Riley smirked. "Hell yeah, that shit works! You see I didn't mollywop your ass, didn't I? That's progress, nigga!"

"I guess." Jazmine thought his words over. "And I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Yeah, whatever, Mariah." Riley sprinted over to greet his girlfriend. "I'll catch you lames later. See ya!"

"Jazmine, seriously." Cindy stayed behind and stared at her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Jazmine pulled out the book Huey had given her, heading to the parking lot. "After this weekend, I'll be good as new."

"If you say so." Cindy hugged her. "Text me when you make it home?"

"I will." Jazmine promised. "Scout's honor."

She plastered a smile on her face as she approached her father's car, tossing her things inside.

"How was your day, honey?" Tom smiled at his daughter. "Anything exciting happen today?"

She didn't bother telling him the truth. Instead, she leaned onto the window, her eyes on the sky.

"Nope. Just a regular day, as usual."

Huey's backpack landed on his bed with a thud. He'd been so tuned in to Jazmine's drama, he'd forgotten he had plans of his own.

"Granddad!" His voice echoed down the hall, urgent but pleading. "Can I borrow Dorothy tonight? My car's in the shop!"

He retrieved his silver watch from his dresser, his fingers tracing the familiar grooves before slipping it onto his wrist.

"I didn't hear you, Huey!" The muffled shout came from the living room, where the television had finally been muted. "What did you say?"

"I was asking if I could take your car tonight, Granddad!" Huey hollered back, exasperation lacing his tone as he snatched his black button-down shirt out of his closet and laid it on the chair.

"What?!"

"I SAID-"

"Yes, Huey!" Ebony's voice interjected from downstairs. She had become an expert in mediating their lively exchanges. "You can take his car!"

Huey moved toward the bathroom, his shower caddy swinging lightly as he yanked a towel from his shelf.

"Take what car?" He heard his Granddad talking to Ebony downstairs. "Dorothy? Hell no!"

"His car broke down, Robert." He could hear the sweet smile in her voice, even from upstairs. "Have some compassion."

"Absolutely not!" Granddad responded indignantly. "God probably broke the car down himself, so he could stop Huey from running around on with all those little hoochie mamas of his!"

"Crystallin is not a hoochie mama, Robert! She goes to Gaines Baptist with us." She continued, working her magic as only she could. "Let Huey take her out, get to know her. What's the worst that could happen?"

"The little girl who goes to our church….is going out…...with Huey?"

"Sure is."

"Straight-A, voice of an angel, respectful to authority, Crystallin?"

"That's right, Robert. That Crystallin."

"You keep that car for as long as you need, boy!" Grandad's voice echoed up the stairs, filled with an amusing delight. "Matter of fact, you two's first date is on me! You need a good, Christian woman, someone with strong morals and values. Who knows? You might even marry the little girl!"

He didn't know about all that, but he wasn't going to ruin his date before it started.

"Praise, God!" His Granddad continued, his feet shuffling as he headed towards the landline. "Let me call up Cookie. You know Jesus stays on her line! This one could work out well- for me!"

"Robert, please!" Ebony laughed. "Let's wait and see how things play out before you put their nonexistent relationship in a Chicago prayer circle."

Huey let his thoughts drift to Jazmine. Knowing her, she was at home, torn between her phone and all the movies he had banned.

He'd honestly been a bit worried she'd break and call Vince after school, but Riley had come to him earlier, whining about how she'd snapped in the halls. Even though her behavior was a bit much (and a tad bit unhealthy), it was proof that she was moving past denial and towards acceptance.

Which was great news, considering he really needed that car part.

Jazmine Dubois would be his best challenge yet, and he'd taken on much more difficult projects before. Ones where he hadn't been sure they would ever find love.

"Don't be using up all my hot water in there, boy!"

Exhibit A. His Grandad.

Compared to him? She'd be a piece of cake.

For now, he pushed Jazmine out of his mind. It was Friday, he had a hot date planned, and things were looking up. Not a bad setup for the weekend.

He smiled to himself, whistling. Not bad at all.