The next few weeks at school are what I'd call great, well what most would call normal, but I've been hanging out with Toby and Tony a bit more. They're cooler than I give them credit for. Adelaide and Heather still think they're trouble, but to be fair, when have I ever cared about a little trouble? I like the more bad girl side of things.
"Pierre! A little participation in this conversation would be good any day now" Toby says, oh shoot, I forgot I was even sitting with them. "Yeah, yeah, I think the Simpson's were a great show" I say in response, not really paying attention to my answer. Well I must get it wrong because I hear Tokyo behind me say "that was three conversations ago love, we're talking about who should give gifts on valentine's day now" ah hell, my friends love to remind me that I'm single don't they.
"if you asked me to be your valentine, what the hell makes you think I'll buy you a present? You think I'm throwing money around like it's some daily manna or some shit?" I say, getting comfortable in the corner of the McDonald's booth, a hang out spot that has become our usual over the last few weeks.
Tony agreed to keep my club endeavours a secret, at least until I'm ready to come out with the truth, if that doesn't make him a real one, I don't know what will.
"what happened to 'independent women' y'all broke now" Toby says with a laugh, "I could ask you to be my valentine and get you a gift too, I'm just saying, whoever asked buys the gift" I say in response, shooting a warning look at Toby.
"Before this gets heated y'all, and I know it will, I'll step out for a sec, my man's here" Heather says, grabbing her bag and running out, once again reminding us how single we all are. "Aight girl, you better get all that tongue, get in there real good, be his toothbrush today" I say, sticking my tongue out barbarically, she laughs and runs out.
The others continue with their conversation for a while, I wouldn't know what they're saying, I zoned out, but when I do step back into reality, it's just me, Tony and Toby. "Party at mine tonight?" Toby asks, looking at me. "yeah, I'll have to check with my manager when my shift is but sure" I say, reminding them that I work in the very same McDonald's we're getting comfortable in. "I am definitely coming, and I'll ask my brother to borrow his car so I can swing around and pick you up too Dom" Tony says, wrapping his arm around me.
Toby shoots Tony a warning look, and Tony quickly changes the subject. To what, you may ask? How reckless we should be on my birthday, which happens to be in a month and a few weeks, yeah, I'm counting down, it's important for me.
It doesn't take a while for Toby to leave the restaurant, and a few minutes later, Tony and I step out too. "you going to the club tonight?" he asks, running to catch up to me, "no, I'm not"
"Pierre, why are you being so distant?" he holds my arm and stops me in my tracks, "look, Devante is at home right now from school so I'll go give him some food, make sure he's alright, and I'll see you at 7, that's when my shift is supposed to start so you'll walk me back here" I say in response, shivering and walking away.
The walk over to my house is tiring, and mostly quiet, but well needed, ot feels like time to clear my soul.
"Hey Dom, today in school, I colored an apple, and my teacher gave me a sticker" Devante says as soon as i open the door, "Is that so my love? Well that's great, can I see the sticker?" he pulls out his lunch bag with a bright gold sticker on it. "well done my baby, well someone just earned himself a grilled cheese sandwich, would you like that?" I ruffle his hair a little after asking, he nods his head yes, and I walk over to the kitchen to make his food.