Just Friends

Part 1

The weather was hot, it was the last day of school, and of course everybody was looking forward to the end of the day. As I walked out the house and to Cammi's car I realized this would be the last time I would be waking up this early, for school that is. I walked down the narrow passageway that lead to the sidewalk and noticed three huge moving vans. I tried my best to see if I could see our new neighbors but all I saw was the moving men. I looked one last time but I still didn't see anyone. I got into the car and greeted Cammi, Omari, and De'mario. As Cammi pulled off she turned on the radio and the song that was on just happened to be my favorite. I began humming bits and pieces of it and eventually started singing along with it when it came to my favorite part. When it went off we started reminiscing about some of things that happened earlier in the year. It didn't seem like a regular school day, more like a reunion of memories that would be remembered by me and many of !my friends. The car was filled with laughter all the way until we made it to school. When we finally arrived at school the campus was covered with hundreds of students. There wasn't an area not occupied with dozens of people. Since it was so crowded they decided to go to hang out in the bleachers near the football field. At the time the football team was doing some drills to prepare for their scrimmage that would take place sometime after school. They talked for a while until one of them spotted Jerome. Jerome was in the middle of the field sprinting towards the bleachers. Finally about a minute later he made it up the bleachers.

"Whas up ya'll?" he said a little out of breath.
"Nuthin' much just chillen." Mila replied.
"Got any plans for tonight?"
"No. Why?"
"Cause I'm having a party at 7:30."
"Aight I'll be there around 8." Omari chimed in.
"Coo . . . well I gotta go. See ya tonight."

Jerome left and they went back to their conversation. The rest of the day went by quickly. At the end of the day when Cammi and I walked out of our sixth period class we saw Omari, De'mario, and Jerome waiting for us at the other end of the hall. When we finally met them we walked outside and hopped in Cammi's car. Before we got to her house we got a few movies. We arrived at her 10 minutes later. When we all got in the house the first place we went was the living room. Since I was the one with the bag full of movies I picked one out randomly and pushed it into the vcr. Without thinking I sat down on the couch and just happened to sit on Omari's hand.

"My bad." I quickly responded as I scooted over.
"Nah it's cool."
"Mari you got problems you know that." I said as I hit him.
"It's not like it didn't feel good. Besides I'm a guy what you want me to say? Yuck?"
"Something besides nah it's cool." I said in a mocking tone.
"Can ya'll be quiet the movie is about to start?" De'mario exclaimed.
"What are we watchin' anyway?"
"Dracula 2000 now be quiet."

We all sat there observing the movie until it came another scary part. Taking all that I could of all the gory violence I got up and went to the kitchen. I walked towards one of the seats behind the counter and let my hands cup my face. With my head still in my hands I heard someone come into the kitchen. I removed my hands from my face and looked up at Omari.
"Are you feelin' okay?" He said looking concerned.
"Yeah I'm fine. I got sick of seeing all that blood."
"Oh I see." He said laughing.
"I don't see anything funny about that. That stuff makes my flesh crawl."
"I'm sorry I just got a kick out of the face you just made."
"Really? Well enjoy the feet I'm bout to kick in your behind if you don't stop teasin' me."
"Aight . . . aight Imma leave you alone."

He left the room and went back into the living room to watch the movie. I decided to go outside and clear my head so I went out the back door. About thirty minutes later I came back in and Cammi, Omari, and De'mario was watching 106 & Park while they waited for the movie to rewind. Soon after the movie was through rewinding Cammi went up stairs to pick out her outfit for the party later on. After she gave it much thought she took out the outfit she was gonna wear and hung it on her door. I figured since I didn't know what I was going to wear I might as well she what she's wearing so we don't end up wearing the same outfit. I went up stairs and found the outfit hanging on her door.

"Cammi when did you get this?"
"Gurl I just bought it last week."
"Ooh you gone look like a hoochie."
"I know you ain't talking bout nobody."
"Whatever."
"What are you wearing?"
"I don't really know."
"Why don't you wear your baby blue two piece?"
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Plus you've never worn it."
"Well I guess I'll wear that then."
"Coo . . . well I'm bout to freshen up some I think you should get started too. Cause you know the party don't get started until we get there."
"Gurl you already know. Well I'll be over here ten minutes before we leave."
"Aight gurl. Bye."
"Bye"

She walked back downstairs and walked next door to her house. Then she went up to her room and pulled out her outfit and started getting ready. About 7:20 she walked back next door to Cammi's house. By the time I got there Omari and De'mario were already there and dressed. De'mario got up to answer the door since Cammi wasn't ready yet. He opened the door and looked me up and down in astonishment and then looked past me as if he was looking for someone else.

"Mila is that you?"
"Yes it's me now let me in."
"Omari come look at Mi Mi."He called out to Omari.
(Omari walked out of the kitchen and around the corner so that he could see Mila.)
"Where are the rest of your clothes?"
He said in a fatherly tone.
"Right here." I said laughing at him.
"Your parents let you walk out the house looking like that?"
"My parents aren't home they're on vacation."
"That explains it cause I know your dad won't let you out the house like that."
"The only thing showing is my stomach. I don't know why ya'll trippin."
"Ma that ain't the only thing showin'." De'mario mumbled looking at Mila.
"I heard you while you over there trying to talk about somebody."
(Cammi's finally ready so she walks down stairs.)
"Are ya'll ready to go?"
"It's about time but aren't you forgetting something?"
"Like what?"
"Another shirt."
"Uh uh who you tryin' to be? Last time I checked my parents were on vacation." Cammi retorted rolling her eyes.
"Yeah Mari what Cammi said so stop trippin'."
"Girls." Omari and Mario both replied in unison.

***~~~***~~~** *~ At the Party ~

They could hear music down the street from Jerome's house. Cammi found an empty spot on the side of the street and parked the car. Jerome answered the door and welcomed us with a warm greeting. At the time the DJ was playing "I Yi Yi Yi" by the Ying Yang Twins. I walked to the middle of the dance floor with Cammi. Omari and De'mario eventually made it to the area we were dancing at. In the middle of the next song Jerome tapped me on my shoulder and told me to follow him. I followed him upstairs to the game room. There were two boys who seemed very unfamiliar to me. The darker skinned one took off his sun visor that hid is short curly hair and pretty eyes. The light skinned one just sat back in his chair waiting for Jerome to introduce us.

"Mila this is my nephew and his friend. Jarell meet Mila (and vice versa) Druex meet Mila (and vice versa)."
"Hi nice to meet both of you." I replied smiling giving an innocent smile.
"I figured ya'll could show them a good time since they just moved here and don't really know anybody."
"Yeah we can definitely do that." I replied with a mischievous grin.
"Ay I got somebody I want you to meet."
"Aight."
Mila lead them both down the stairs and through the crowd downstairs trying to find Cammi. Mila spotted her dancing as they walk down the stair well. She wiggled her way through and behind her was Jarell and Druex.
"Cammi I want to meet someone."
She turned around and made direct eye contact. As Mila introduced them it seemed like the words were going through one ear and out the other. All she could really focus on was the fine light skinned boy standing in front of her.
"Cammi . . . CAMMI!" Mila said trying to get her attention.
"What?" She said snapping out of her trance.
"This is Druex Fredericks. He just moved here and this is his friend Jarell."
"Oh okay." She said pretending that she heard what I said.

~ Druex & Cammi ~

"Whas up shorty? I noticed how you lookin' all sexy over here. Why don't you come here so we can talk a lil bit."
"Okay"
They went back upstairs in the game room and talked for the longest.
"Ay c'mere for a minute." He mentioned to her.
"For what?"
"I need to tell you something."
"Well I can you from here."
"Nah I can't say it out loud."
"Well I guess you just gone have to come over here."
"Why don't you meet me half way?"
"Fine." She said scooting over.
"I jus wanna . . ." He said whispering in her ear.
She felt a smile crept up on her face but just as soon as she thought he was going to continue he began tickling her.
"Oooh oh thas not fair." She said in between laughs.
"Yeah it is."
"Please stop you making me cry!" She said laughing even harder.
"Uh uh"
"Ahhhhhh . . . Druex p-please." She said barely able to get it out.(laughing)
"Dang gurl it sounds like I'm doing more than jus ticklin' you."
"Shut up boy!" She exclaimed pushing him over so that she was now on top of him.
"Whoa you takin' this kinda fast aren't you?" He said playfully.
"Boy if you don't shut up Imma . . ."
"What?"
"This!" she said tickling him.

While they were upstairs Jarell and Mila were outside talking and trying to get to know one another. By the time they were ready to go they had already exchanged phone numbers. As they walked to the car Druex opened the door for Cammi and gave her a peck on her lips. On the other side of the car Jarell gave Mila a hug and they said their goodbyes.
(Cammi drives off)
THE NEXT MORNING . . .

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