Chapter 1: The Beginning

Beep! Beep! Beep!
Jaliyah's alarm clock rang loudly. She groaned as she hit the snooze button. Another day at school... Jaliyah got up and got dressed. She dressed in a chic yellow tunic, dark denim jeans, heels, yellow hoops, and her hair was curled and up. She was pretty content in her life. She's currently a junior in high school and she's pretty popular. She has the bestest friends anyone could ask for, her mom was the greatest mom ever, she gets good grades, she one of the captains of the cheerleading squad, and she's pretty. She's Vietnamese, White, and Black. DeAsia would call her a mutt. She's short, has pretty dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a fit body. She had just got her driver's license and loves the feeling of being on the road except the fact that on the road, she's in a Camry.

7:37 am
M.C. High School
Jaliyah walks down the hall to her locker. Today, she has Advanced French with Miss Lucas. If there's one thing on this earth that can stay alive from the prehistoric age to the present, it's Miss Lucas.

DeAsia: Hey boo!
Jaliyah (hugs DeAsia): Hey!

DeAsia was one of Jaliyah's bestest friend. She was mixed, also. She had Latina and black in her but somehow got the offspring of looking white. She has gorgeous brown/blonde hair. She was another one of the captains of the cheerleading squad.

DeAsia: Got you your caramel frappy! (Hands her the cup)
Jaliyah: Thank you so much! (Takes the cup)
Sha’Niece: Hey Jay.
Jaliyah: Hey babe. What's up?
Sha'Niece: Nothing. Anyone get me anything?

Sha'Niece: All-Star basketball player. The female MVP of the school. She's was fully African American. Her mother born in the islands of Jamaica and her father, who was a very successful lawyer, was also from Jamaica. Though her mother has a very strong African Accent, Sha'Niece has a pure American voice.

DeAsia (hands Sha'Niece a cup): Strawberries and crème Frappachino. (Sips her frappy) And a double double chocolaty chip frappy for me.
Jaliyah (laughs): You're gonna choke on one of those chocolate chips.
DeAsia (coughs): I'll die happy.
Sha'Niece: Come on; let's get to class.
Nick: Hey, ladies.
DeAsia: Hey what's up?
Nick: A little thirsty...
DeAsia (moves her frappy away from Nick): Don't even think about it.
Nick (laughs): Alright, I got you.

Nick was the football player and just the player. He was pretty hot. He had sloppy hair, which made him even cuter. But what makes all the girls go crazy about him were his piercing blue eyes.

7:53 am
Advance French Class
Jaliyah sat on her desk next to DeAsia. There was 5 minutes until the bell rang and Miss Lucas would ramble on and on about something OTHER than French. Darrion sat down in the seat 3 rows below Jaliyah’s. Darrion was the Star-Football player and he was a bigger player than Nick was. He was tall, light skinned, perfect smile, green/hazel eyes, and the cutest dimples. He is known for his hard rock abs that makes girls scream and bow down to his feet. Unlike the other girls, Jaliyah doesn’t find Darrion’s ways charming. She thinks he’s one of the biggest jerks in the world. He uses girls. He could care less about how girls feel and what girls think about.

Miss Lucas: Sit down, children. Let’s get to our Françias. Now, today we’ll be learning about….

57 minutes later…

Miss Lucas: …and that’s what happened when Harriet Tubman rescued all those people.
Sean(raises his hand): How did you know so much?
Miss Lucas: How did I know? (laugh aloud) Child, I was there. Me and Harriet, or Harry as I like to call her were close like that.
Jaliyah: Can we talk about the trip to Spain? Because I have some questions.
Miss Lucas: Oh, of course. This trip to Spain will be wonderful. We'll be exploring everything from Madrid to the Eiffel Tower.
DeAsia: But the Eiffel Tower's in Paris.
Jaliyah: How long will we be in Europe?
Miss Lucas: About 3 to 4 weeks depending on the weather.

Ring!
Everyone picks up their stuff and head out.

Miss Lucas: Remember to have your permission and money in by tomorrow or you're not going!

Jaliyah and DeAsia walks to her next class, College Prep. with Professor Jacobs.

Jaliyah: I can't believe we're actually going to Spain!
DeAsia: And I can't believe we have to pay $170 for a trip to Spain!
Jaliyah: Well, I hear Spain guys are very hot.
DeAsia: Ooh la la. (pauses) You know what I don't get?
Jaliyah: What?
DeAsia: We're in French class and we're going to Spain where they mostly speak Spanish. Shouldn't we be going to Paris?
Jaliyah: You know, I never realize that. Well, at least we know Spanish in case Miss Lucas get lost.
DeAsia: In case? I bet you everything I have that she'll get lost and she'll ask one of the people, "Ca va?"
Jaliyah (laughs): This trip won't be that bad. We speak Spanish so we'll be okay.
DeAsia (stops in front of the College Prep. room): Alright. I'll see you at lunch. (hugs Jaliyah)
Jaliyah: Alright. (goes inside the classroom and sits near Sinfony)

Sinfony was the person for everything. She knew everyone and their names from freshmen to senior. She had all the connection at school for anything. She was white and had beautiful blue eyes. Her hair was brown with natural caramel highlights.

Sinfony: Hey babe.
Jaliyah: Hey. You're in class early?
Sinfony (laughs): Yeah. Professor Jacobs had to see me in the morning.
Jaliyah: About what?
Sinfony: Nothing.
Jaliyah: You went to class early for nothing?
Sinfony: Sure.
Jaliyah: So, are you going on the Spain trip?
Sinfony: Of course. I would never miss an opportunity that for anything.
Jaliyah: I can't believe we're leaving in less than a week!
Sinfony: Did you figure out what group you are in?
Jaliyah (sighs): Nope. The list will be up tomorrow at 3 o' clock.
Sinfony: I already found out the people in my group.
Jaliyah: Who? Am I in it?

 

Sinfony: Psh. No. My group is Shay, Andrew, Candi, DeMarco, and Kenny.
Jaliyah (smiles): At least, you have Shay.
Sinfony: Yeah...
Professor Jacobs: Okay, it's my turn to talk. Since, the Spain trip is coming up and most of you are going. I have assigned all the projects ahead of time.

Class moans.

Professor Jacobs: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. (passes out the papers) First project is going to be the on the subject we've been working on the past few days. Persuasive. As you know, I have two classes. I gave each student in one class a different subject and when the times come. We will have a debate with the other class.

Jaliyah opens her slip of paper to reveal her subject: men/women should have equal rights. Jaliyah groans. Great. She gets to argue with somebody from the higher class about how women should be treated equal.

Jaliyah (raised our hands): Do we get to know who we're debating against?
Professor Jacobs: No. A few days of brainstorming and we'll debate.
Sinfony: When exactly are we debating?
Professor Jacobs: Friday.
Jaliyah: But today's Thursday!
Professor Jacobs: Then you better start brainstorming.
Sinfony: Are you serious?!
Professor Jacobs: Serious like a heart attack.
Jaliyah: I don't get it.
Professor Jacobs: Just get to work.

Lunch
Jaliyah sits at her regular table, with Sha’Niece, DeAsia, Sinfony, Candi, Jake, DeMarco, Darrion, Nick, Andre, and Kevean. Jaliyah and Darrion were the first to sit at the table. Jaliyah sits down without saying a word to Darrion.

Darrion: Why do you always have to be a bitch, Jay?
Jaliyah: Excuse me?
Darrion: I don’t do shit and you get pissed. You don’t know me like that.
Jaliyah: I didn’t say a word to you!
Darrion: That evil look you give me is enough to scare medusa.
Jaliyah: What evil look? Darrion, I don’t even know you enough to be pissed at you!
Darrion: Why do you hate me, Jay?
Jaliyah (roll her eyes): Here we go again… I do not hate you.
Darrion: Then why can’t you ever have a decent conversation with me without arguing.
Jaliyah: I don’t want to start a conversation with you. Why do you think I don’t say anything to you.
Darrion: Why? What about me is it that you really can’t stand?
Jaliyah: Nothing. You are the best person in the world. You’re sweet and nice.
Darrion: I know what sarcasm means. Jay, I’m trying real hard to get along with you but your bitchy attitude is always up. Why can’t you be cool and relax for once?
Jaliyah: Oh, shut up!
DeAsia (sets her tray down next to Jaliyah’s): What’s going on here?
Jaliyah: Nothing. We were just practicing for Professor Jacobs’ debate.
Darrion (mumbles): Debating on how bad of a liar you are… (Jaliyah kicks him under the table) Ow! Yeah, she was helping me out on my debate topic. (rubs his knee)
Jaliyah (smiles sweetly) : Your welcome, Darrion.
Darrion (fakes a smile right back): Thanks a lot.
Nick (sits down on the other side of Jaliyah): What’s up?
Darrion (gives Nick a handshake): All good.
Nick: How bout you, Jay?
Jaliyah (smiles): I’m great.
Sha’Niece (sits next to Darrion and puts her arm around him): Hey babe!
Darrion (hugs her): Hey!
Sinfony (sits in a random seat, which happens to be between DeAsia and Darrion): Hello peoples.

Once everyone got situated in their seats, they all started a conversation with on another.

DeAsia: I can’t wait for the trip to Spain!!
Jaliyah: One more week, baby!
Sha’Niece: Skipping school for 3 weeks and enjoying the art of Spain.
Darrion: Ain’t this French class?
Nick: Yeah, Why is we going to Spain?
Jaliyah (shrugs): Oh well, Spain is just as good for me.
Sha’Niece (hi-fived Jaliyah): Amen!
Darrion: Did anyone figure out what group they’re in?
Sha’Niece: My group is Sinfony, Andre, Candi, DeMarco, and Kenny.
Darrion: When are they posting up the list?
Everyone: 3! 2! After 5th period!
Darrion: What?
Jaliyah: I thought it was at 3 o’ clock.
Nick: No, I heard it was at 2.
DeMarco: It’s at 1.
Andre: Lucas said it was after 5th period.
Kevean: I think Jay’s right. It is at 3 o’ clock.
DeAsia: Yeah, I thought so, too.
Sinfony: Actually… (pointed at the large group around the door) The lists are up now…

Everyone rushed to the door.

DeAsia Wilkins
DeAnthony Slate
Nick Warner
Elaine Carter
Darrion Thompson
Alex Bell
Jaliyah Jones
Jessica Carey

Jaliyah (squeals and hugs DeAsia): I’m in your group!!
DeAsia (jumps up and down, hugging Jaliyah): I know!!
Darrion (joins the hug): Yay!!
Nick (joins in): Whoo!
Jaliyah (stops jumping): Okay, feeling dizzy.
DeAsia (laughs): You okay?
Jaliyah (sits down on the nearest chair): Yeah.
DeAsia (squeals): We’re in the same group!!
Nick: Who else is in our group?
DeAsia (shrugs): DeAnthony Slate, Elaine Carter, Alex Bell, and Jessica Carey.
Jaliyah: Who are they?
DeAsia: DeAnthony’s in my P.E. class. He’s totally hot.
Jaliyah (laughs): Works for me.
Nick: Jessica Carey is pretty hot, too.
Darrion (handshakes with Nick): She sure as hell is.
Jaliyah (mumbles): Pig…
 DeAsia: Anyone know Alex Bell?
Jaliyah: Alex who?
Darrion: He on the football team. He new here. Heard he pretty cold. He’s new and coach just put him on the team (snaps his finger) like that and the coach didn’t even do that for me.
Jaliyah (cooed): Awww, is someone jealous that someone’s better than them?
Darrion: Me? Jealous? Girl, please!
Nick: I met dude before. He is pretty cold on the field.
Jaliyah: Sinfony!
Sinfony: Yes?
Jaliyah: Alex Bell? Hot or not?
Sinfony (laughs): Believe me. He is a definite hot.
Jaliyah (raised her eyebrow): Really?
Sha’Niece: Who?
Jaliyah: Alex Bell.
Sha’Niece (squeals): How could you ask if he is hot or not?
Jaliyah (shrugs): I don’t know him.
Sha’Niece: Tall, strong, and sexy. Baby, he the whole package.
Jaliyah (smiles, showing all her best smile): Really? Well, since he’s in our group… I think we absolutely need to meet him.
DeAsia (laughs): Agreed.
Sinfony: Come on, let’s look for him.

Darrion, Jaliyah, DeAsia, Sha’Niece, Nick, and Sinfony went in to the football field to look for Alex. Sinfony spotted him across the field and called him out. He ran across the field and went up to Sinfony.

Alex: What’s up?
DeAsia: Hey… (smiles flirtatiously) I’m DeAsia, you can call me Dee. We just found out you’re in a group so we just wanted to meet you.
Alex (shakes her hand, shows off his Colgate smile): Nice to meet you, too.
Jaliyah (holds her hand out): I’m Jay.
Alex (takes her hand): I know. Everybody talks about you.
Jaliyah (laughs slightly): In a good way, right?
Alex (chuckles): Of course.
Guy: Yo, Alex! Can we get back to our game?
Alex: Gimme a second! (turns back to Jaliyah) I guess I’ll catch you later?
Jaliyah (smiles): Yep.

After lunch, they went to class. Science with Mr. Fuller. Mr. Fuller was the funniest teacher in the school. He listen to hip hop and acts black when he’s white. Jaliyah took a seat next to Tyler, the laid back skater boy. 

Jaliyah: Hey Ty.
Tyler: Hey. What’s good?
Jaliyah: It’s cool. Are you going on the trip to Spain?
Tyler: Nope. I got in-house for that whole day.
Jaliyah (laughs): Fun.
Mr. Fuller: Okay, class. Take your rockets, we’re going outside to shoot ‘em up.
Jaliyah: What? We made those rockets freshmen year!
Mr. Fuller: Well, it’s nice outside. Perfect time to shoot up rockets.
Sha’Niece: Why don’t you give them to the freshmen so they can shoot ‘em up? It might be actually interesting for them.
Mr. Fuller: Sadly, they’re not interested.
Sha’Niece: And you think we would be?
Mr. Fuller: It’s this or work packet on 87 way photosynthesis was discovered.
Jaliyah: Let’s go shoot some rockets up!
Sha’Niece: Yeah!
Nick: What’s a photosynthesis?
Jaliyah (hits her head): Damn, he’s  a dumbass.
Nick: Huh?
Jaliyah: Be lucky you’re cute.
Nick: Thank you.
Mr. Fuller: Let’s go. Single file line. Freshmen are taking tests.

The class went outside. All the guys went in the big field while the girls stayed  by the fence and watched from afar.

Jaliyah: Why are we doing this stupid 3rd grade stuff anyway?
Hannah: Mr. Fuller says that he didn’t want to start a project when we’re leaving in a week.
Sha’Niece: That makes sense.

After School….
Jaliyah grabs her purse from her locker and headed out to the parking lot. She ran into Darrion. Shit-f***-Damn! Darrion looked directly at her with a smile. A genuine one. The first one she seen from him. He walked towards her, looking directly at her. Jaliyah stopped in her tracks. Darrion came closer and closer. He walked right past her and went to Candi. What?! He walked right past me!, Jaliyah thought. But he… And he… Then he… Damn! Jaliyah walked into the parking lot. Someone grabbed Jaliyah’s hand.

Darrion (with a devilish smile): Where are you going?
Jaliyah: Home?
Darrion: You mad that I didn’t approached you in the hallway?
Jaliyah (laughs out loud): Please, don’t flatter yourself.
Darrion: I don’t have to.
Jaliyah: Whatever. Can I get in my car?
Darrion (opens the car door for her): After you.
Jaliyah: Shut up.

Jaliyah gets in the car and slams the car door, almost crushing his hand.

Jaliyah (rolled down her window, smiles sweetly): Sorry.
Darrion (mocks her smile): I’m okay.

Jaliyah put her car in reverse and almost hit Darrion.

Darrion: Learn how to drive!
Jaliyah (laughs): My bad!

She drove off. Within 10 minutes, she was home. She opened the door to see DeAsia.

Jaliyah: Damn! Dee, how are home before I am? And this ain’t even your home!
DeAsia (eating dip n’ dots ice cream): Cause you were flirting with Darrion.
Jaliyah: I was so not flirting with him!
DeAsia: Mhmm. Sure…
Jaliyah: I’m serious! Darrion is a complete jackass. Why would I even think about getting with him?
DeAsia: Cause he’s a complete hottie!
Jaliyah: So? He’s not the only hottie?
DeAsia: He’s the hottie.
Jaliyah: No, he’s not.
DeAsia: He’s the star football player, one of the most popular guys at school, and  he’s sexy. Can you ask for more??
Jaliyah: Yes, I could ask for somebody that’s sweet.
DeAsia: Like who?
Jaliyah (smiles coyly): I’m thinking Alex Bell…
DeAsia (laughs): Ooh…
Jaliyah: So, my mom ain’t home?
DeAsia: No ma’am. She called earlier says she and Mami are going out.
Jaliyah: Dang! I guess we’ll be eating out tonight.
DeAsia: Sounds good. What are you in the mood for?
Jaliyah: Hmmm. Tacos?
DeAsia: I want Chinese.
Jaliyah (sigh): This is why we can never eat out.
DeAsia (laughs): Long John Silver’s?
Jaliyah: That sounds okay.
DeAsia: Me drive or you?
Jaliyah: I’ll drive. You drove last time.
DeAsia: Fine…

They get in the car and drove to Long John Silver’s. They waited in a long line.

Jaliyah (tapping her foot on the ground impatiently): I knew we should’ve went to Taco Bell.
DeAsia: Well, we’re already here. Might as well, buy something.  (gasps)
Jaliyah: What?
DeAsia: It’s Alex.
Jaliyah: Where?
DeAsia (lowers her voice): There.
Jaliyah (whispers): Where?
Cashier: Next!

Jaliyah was next. She walked up to the cashier and look at him. It was Alex.

Jaliyah: Wow…
Alex (laughs): What? A guy can’t work now?
Jaliyah: I just didn’t know you worked here.
Alex: You just met me today.
Jaliyah (laughs): That’s true.
Alex: So, what can I get you? There’s tons of people waiting behind you.
Jaliyah (laughs, turns around): Yeah…. Two chicken, fish, and shrimp platters.
Alex: For here or to go,.
Jaliyah: Uhmm…. I think we’ll eat here.
Alex: Alright. That’ll be up in second.
Jaliyah (smiles): Great.

Jaliyah paid him and sat down at the table with DeAsia.

Jaliyah: Guess what?
DeAsia: What?
Jaliyah: We’re eating here.
DeAsia (laughs): And you want to go to Taco Bell.
Jaliyah (laughs): Shut up.

Within 10 minutes, their order was done. Alex took the time to bring their order to the table.

Alex (putting the food down): You ladies enjoy.
DeAsia (smiles): So, since you work here, do we got a connection to free food?
Alex (laughs): Funny.
Jaliyah: Shouldn’t you getting back to work?
Alex : Actually I’m off my shift.
DeAsia: Would you like to join us on our dinner?
Jaliyah (taps on the seat next to her): Yeah, why don’t you?
Alex (takes the seat): Sounds good.
DeAsia: So, when did you move here?
Alex: Last week.
Jaliyah: And you already have a job?
Alex: Yeszir.
Jaliyah: Damn. It took my older brother forever to find a job. Luckily, he got a girlfriend to mooch off of.
DeAsia (laughs): How is Janelle?
Jaliyah: Her name’s Julie.
DeAsia: No… It was Janelle.
Alex: Is that even important?
Jaliyah: It was Janie!
DeAsia: That’s it!
Alex: And this is important how?
Jaliyah: I don’t know.
DeAsia: So, why did you move here?
Alex (shrugs): I know more people here.
Jaliyah: Where do you live?
Alex: LakeTown Apartments.
Jaliyah: Aren’t those the apartments with one room and one bath? (Alex nodded) How do you and your family live there?
Alex: I live there by myself.
DeAsia: Oh, aren’t you too young to live on your own?
Alex (shrugs): I’m living on my own.
Jaliyah: Where’s your family?
Alex: They live up north.
DeAsia: Canada?
Alex (laughs): Wisconsin.
DeAsia: Oh…

Ring! Ring! Ring!
Jaliyah’s phone start ringing.

Jaliyah: Hello?
(……)
Okay.
(……)
We’ll be home in a minute. We went out to eat.

Phone Call Ended.

DeAsia: What was that about?
Jaliyah: Celina wants us home. She says she has some news.
DeAsia: Good or bad?
Jaliyah (shrugs): She sounded happy to me plus my mom was screaming happily drunk in the background. I’m guessing good news.
DeAsia: Alright.
Jaliyah (gives Alex a hug): We’ll see you at school.
Alex (hugs DeAsia, too): Alright.

Jaliyah and DeAsia drove home. She noticed there was tons of cars parked in the driveway. Party? She drove  her car straight into the garage.