Meet David Woods, or like I prefer to call him Dave. His middle name was Prudence. Yeah, don't call him that, except you want to see one of the cutest scowl on his face. His aunt however never seemed to give a bugger.
Dave and I have been childhood friends... scratch that, siblings, ever since his parents death. I remembered that day. Mum and dad finally disclosed to us that we were going to be expecting new faces that stormy night. Yes,long time visitors they said. Then, before that dreadful night I had always being curious to discover what dad and mum were always talking about in hushed tones. And finally, out of good investigating and snooping, I heard the name David and Max.
That evening, a woman who looked in her mid fourties ', came to our house with two sad boys. They were downright cute...yes, cute. I was seven and I knew they were also going to be my age mates. It was an exciting moment. The woman name was Caroline Carughi and she wasn't married. While I sat in the corner with four years old Chloe, they talked urgently... convincingly and emotionally. I knew Caroline was pleading with my parents to let them stay with us.
My parents and the Carughi's met at college and became friends , but ever since the Carughi's relocated to LA, they lost connection. And all of a sudden, out of the blue, situation has bought them back together. I pitied the boys more than I mourned the lost of my tooth that stormy night. God knows how bad I was staring at that Max...and I was supposed to be seven- years old!
After much pleading my parents finally agreed to take the boys in on agreed terms that Caroline was to constantly send money to carter for the boys and constantly keep in touch.
Caroline was a very busy woman, unsettling and cunning. As soon as the deed was done, she went to catch a flight to Korea for she had a company there and she just couldn't bear to wait till the next morning. At least she didn't forget her nephews, she constantly called. Max and David no longer lived with us. They had their own apartment now which was their decision.
....
I drew closer to their apartment and over the little fence I spotted a figure coming out of the house. It was Dave. He he was talking to someone by the doorway. I strode into the compound which was still same but always found myself staring at the lavender lined paths on the lawn. The beauty of the apartment was designed with pale grey walls and tall french windows. I had always admired their lobby which I found myself staring at now. I drew even closer and saw that Dave was talking to his brother, Max.
I forgot to tell you, his full name was Maxwell. The Mr Hot stuff I fell in love with the moment I laid my eyes on him that night. I became so conscious of my miserable pinafore and faded shirt and wondered if my fringe was out of place. His ocean eyes were making matters any less worse. The way he stared at me in a cool regardless manner made my stomach chum; in a regardless manner. Exceedingly embarrassing.
"Mary Jane," Dave said in an excited voice as he saw me, his mouth widened in a big smile as he engulfed me in a bear hug ."So good to see you."
We broke off. "Look at you!" I squeaked. He was wearing his favorite colour, blue. Blue joggers. " I know it's just one week but I missed you so much. My phone just fucked up." I sighed.
"I tried to reach you through your parents but it was not going."
"Yeah about that, my parents thought we should have a quiet time...no gadgets." I said. His eyes beamed again, his cool blue eyes almost like my own but almost translucent like Max gray eyes.
"Jane, you look good and chubby. I bet they spoilt you in Miami." He said teasingly.
I feigned a frown. "Dave, not cool. So you are trying to tell me I gained weight?"
I probably already knew the answer to that anyway.
"But seriously tell me, you really look fresh, I bet there's someone feeding you all those juices." A naughty smile came upon his teasing face.
God, I swear I could hear my breathing stopping mid way...I wish he said that in a low voice because Max was still by the doorway and hearing this conversation. A bit of panic rocked through my face as I stole a glance at Maxwell.
Juice!!! Seriously!? In the presence of my crush? I was so going to twist Dave's hand after now.
I gave Dave the sting eye and he was busy enjoying the moment. I told myself to act natural as I looked at Max. " Hey, you don't seem so excited to see me."
There was no familiar expression on his hot face as he said, " You seemed to be lost in your conversation with your favorite brother so I decided to wait."
Ohh...
"You guys better hurry and don't miss your lectures." He told Dave and went into the house.
"What's up with him?" I asked.
"Just some problems at work." He replied."Shall we go?"
"Not yet." I frowned and just like I promised myself I dug my elbow into his stiff belly and twisted his arm.
He yelped and winced looking at me in shock and confusion. I began to walk away, accomplished.
"Hey, what was that for?" He called after me.
"Juice!" I shot back still walking ahead of him.
"Come on now, it was a joke."
"Well now I'm laughing." I swirled around to let him see the broad smile on my face. I laughed at his expression. He stuck his tongue in his jaw looking at me laughing at him .
"If you don't stop laughing, I'll make you regret it." He said..
I laughed harder.."Not if you can catch me first." I took to my heels, treading softly.
"Seriously??" I could see the amused look on his face.
"Yeah."
He gave me this look that inclined 'you asked for it.' I began to run even faster when I saw Dave coming after me..
He was fast... faster than me and before I could even run pass the lavender, I could smell his perfume.. I spun round, he was close..closer . We ran in circles around the little garden like little children... just the way we played while we were little, feeling no shame and loving the moment.
But that was when I was small. And much thinner. Now it felt like I was out of breath and my legs were already tired.
I was going to give up, I knew.
Just then a large paw caught me when my body was about to crash into the wild berry bush. Dave pulled me up in one swift motion, looking me over.
"Are you okay?"
I clenched my eyes shut, trying to collect myself. My head was spinning and I felt dizzy. "I guess.."
I pressed my hands to my skull. "Thanks," I mumbled.
"Well I guess I won and I get to laugh last." He said with a satisfied smile.
I surrendered. " Fine, player." I rolled my eyes and came out of his grip.
He chuckled as he studied my unsteady movement. Everything was spinning around me. I staggered again and he was there to hold me still.
His hands held my arms and he gave me an intent look. "Are you sure you don't need to take a drink or something?"
I gulped and shook my head. " Okay, look at me.. look up." He tilted my chin upwards. I was confused at the action but he said, " how many fingers do you see? " He waved two fingers about, so close to my face.
I squint my eyes but not because I was still kind of dizzy but because his fingers were too close to my eyes and I feared they might poke my eyes.
" I might see non if you continue to wriggle your fingers like that near my eyes."
"Oh sorry." He pulled away.
I sighed. "We should head to school already, we're gonna be late."
We picked our bags from the reckless spots we dropped them while running and headed to the subway.
.....
We made it to campus at 10:20. Social studies class was going to start ten minutes later. Like a little thunder forming in a clear sky, my mood darkened. It was going to rain...
By that I mean, Lacey Evans.
Remember I mentioned her name earlier? Well let me tell you. Meet David Woods girlfriend, Lacey. You know in high school, there was usually a particular girl that rules the school premises like they owned the school. Don't try and disbelieve me when I tell you it still exist in College.
Lacey was in one side of the campus looking all pretty and listening to Dave's crazy friend, Lennox then she glance over and caught sight of Dave. I stood there watching it all ...the way he flashed on his brightest Mr Cool Smile. She began to walk towards our direction, along with mad Lennox who was smiling awkwardly at me.
"Alright see you later." I told Dave and walked passed them. Yes I saw it ...that part of her face that was smiling at Dave and the other part was a big sour expression....for me.
Now back to what I was saying. Lacey Evans. She was pretty. She was blonde and her hair was so sleek that all the miserable college boys fell in love with her, just with one flick of it. Her face was as smooth as glass, like a mannequin, and her perfect nose and face and 'Jezebel's' eyes. Her lips were so small, almost invincible if not for her pronounced red lipstick.
Lacey Evans was so slim. But thankfully she wasn't a sickle cell victim. Dave always tells me to use slender for pretty girls, and when I asked him what he thinks of fat girls, he simply told me they were special creatures. Poor Dave, always trying to make me feel good about myself.
So Lacey was slender and too much of a feminist. She stands by her wits and don't let anyone ride her...play her. But I'm not sure she really knows much about my best friend being a player.
David was a play boy and he likes girls alot. Partly it wasn't his fault because he was a charming creature but what I blamed him for is how well he attracted them like magnets....how well he manages to two-time them.. how well some girls apart from Lacey could deal with the fact that he's not in for commitment.
Oh God, how will you ever be able to forgive me! Something skipped
my mind....Emma Brown and Jackie Beecher!
But glad I saved them for later because my girlfriends were a package of fun and craziness mixed together. I don't know what I'll do without them. We all met right here in college, in our first semester. It was a dramatic meet and till date even to our last semester in first year we are very tight. Honestly I don't know what I'll do without my female besties.
"Hey guys!" I rushed over to where they were lounging by the courtyard.
"My baby, how was your stay in Miami?" Asked Emma as she pulled me in for a hug.
" It was amazing dear," I replied. God my friends looked amazing. Emma was on a skimpy dress and her brown hair was worn in a french plait. Her eyes sparkled.
And Jackie was looking all killing on that black badass baggy pants and big tee. What added more style to her sence of dressing was the fact that she was a black girl with the prettiest ebony skin and wild eyes that matched her curly hair..and her arm tattoo.
One more thing,Emma was a vegetarian and Jackie was the fighter. Yep I was
the odd one amongst my friends .
" For goodness sake, Jane, why must you dress like this." Jackie stared at me in distaste.
I rolled my eyes. I know Jackie must complain, I just couldn't meet up to her fashion expectations.
" It's not a big deal, after all no one is looking at me."
"Right," Hint of sarcasm registered in her voice.
"I could see you guys giggling madly, probably discussing evil stuff. Are my right?"
The two girls exchanged exciting looks. That had to be good.
"Well." Emma beamed. " We just found out that our HOD is a porn star."
Jesus!!! I choked on my own spit.
This wasn't good...it was too good to be true.
"Miss Helen?? "
Jackie nodded peacefully.
"How is that possible? How did you guys know about that? But God, that woman..." I trailed off, still unsettled by the shocking news.
"Right?" Jackie sighed. That woman looks like she has never seen a dick in her entire life."
Emma and I looked at Jackie. Well it was true Miss Helen looked innocent, even though she wasn't married but the way Jackie put it was the pitiful part.
" Well are you guys going to tell me about it? " I asked impatiently.
"Jackie tell her what happened." Emma said.
Jackie bit her lips before finally speaking. " I know you guys gon' think this weird but my cousin happened to host a porn award show and he crossed paths with Miss Helen."
I took a moment to digest what she had said then I shrugged. " It could only be that she attended the show."
"Oh, she just decided to attend the sex show on bikinis huh?" Jackie smiled at me. " Joe told me everything. He said she was so surprised to see him and you know they know each other. She begged him not to let anyone know about the encounter."
"Then how did you get him to tell you, or why did he even tell you?" I asked
She shrugged." Joe barely keeps anything from me..he told me to. be mindful of people that may look innocent but what is in there can't be spoken of. I knew that was the oddest thing my cousin will ever tell me so I asked him what was going on and finally, he told me that our HOD is a porn star."
I gasp. From now on I won't stop imaging our HOD in a lacey underwear.
The bell chimed. Time for class, time to see Miss Helen address us.
....
Social studies was a general course which meant about three hundred students were occupied the hall, including me and my friends. We were just in time to claim either of the four front roles. We settled at the third role and brought out our books.
"Where's your boyfriend?" Emma asked with a knowing smile.
Don't worry, I was used to this endless teasing. "Dave's with his real girlfriend."
I wanted to say he's probably having hot monkey sex with Lacey but I knew I would just sound like a monkey.
Three pairs of eyes looked straight at the door when a suited and responsible Miss Helen walked in with her files.
But gosh, Emma, Jackie and I were probably mean. Miss Helen noticed the way we looked at her and immediately felt suspicious and intimidated.
"Good morning everyone." Miss Helen kept her voice warm and neutral with a blistering smile. Do you know what I was thinking?
Bikini and the rest. I had to mentally scold myself to stop! The class greeted back. Miss Helen took our attendance and gave us a quick notification that the school was going to organise our matriculation a bit late and that our holiday was going to be postponed.
Everybody groaned and grumbled. Just like it use to be when we were in highschool.
After the announcement, our eyes met. Her eyes flickered from Me to my two friends, skeptically and I knew she probably knew what we were thinking.