Ayanna: Wait for me by the main entrance. I'll be there in ten minutes or less.

Erica sent a quick reply to her new friend and opted to sit on the top stair and get a head start on some of her Math homework. Ayanna asked her to be her companion to the learning center she tutors at on most afternoons. Selby usually helps out but for the three days of the last week, she was a no show. Erica knew the friends were worried about Selby, despite her new behavior and her tie-cutting of their friendship, they were silently waiting for her to come to her senses but Erica knew it may never happen. She was an observer and had seen it too many times back home. It's all about self-preservation. Selby believes in her judgment and won't allow outsiders to her relationship to place doubt on her judgment. After all, it was her life. Ayanna, Raine, and herself spoke over the phone about the situation between Selby and Harem. The two girls filled her in about the duo's friendship to its dire end. From her perspective, the group was more mature than the average teenager, maybe it was their upbringing or the people they look up to probably their personal views of the world, Erica realized they were loyal to each other. They stood with Selby when she justified her love for her boyfriend but still gave their take on him in a loving manner.
 Raine believed she will come back but needed to figure her shit out, Ayanna was on either side of that wall, the boys... well the boys were neutral.
 Mischa was more vocal in his opinion. He didn't want Selby near his cousin after she made her choice.
Elijah quietly gave his views which made Erica smile softly as she did an Algebraic equation. The timing was off. That was what he said. Harem's timing was off plus it was said with desperation for belief and in a very heated situation so obviously Selby wouldn't believe him. If he did tell Selby his feelings outside of that, she would still stay loyal to Derek. In either situation, Harem will come out as the underdog. 

"Wrong person. Right time" Erica muttered to herself. Selby and Harem weren't meant to be, the drama between them was proof enough. Friends maybe but not a couple. 

"Talking to yourself, Island girl." The crass voice of Natalie reached her. She ignored the girl and continued her equation, relief when she was nearing the answer. She wasn't a fan of Math but found out she had a penchant for it. "Someone has found popularity and thinks she's too good to talk to anyone beneath the rich and famous. Someone from a third world country and thinks she can cash in on the golden boy," Natalie continued. Erica stayed silent and went on to another equation. The harsh push of her head then the vision of her backpack tumbling down the stairs, spilling her books and other things in the process, lit her temper. Taking a deep breath, she gathered the books in her lap and tucked her phone in her jeans pocket. She eyed Natalie who was standing above her with a smug grin on her face and her arms folded across her chest. Erica finally noticed two other girls behind her, dressed similarly to their friend, they too wore smug grins.

'There it is' Erica thought to herself, 'The cliched prima donna bullies.'

Standing to her full height, she heaved a heavy sigh and prayed to the lord her bad side won't show. She had no qualms with her and Bree, she was good with her twin Shaun, the guy is a damn saint plus she couldn't figure out why they hated Elijah and his friends. Yes, they were filthy rich but that's their parents' hard-earned money which they built for their kids' future. Isn't that what most parents do? Maybe it's something more.  Rolling her shoulders, she prepared for battle.

"Yuh alright?" Erica asked adopting a nonchalant stance.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Natalie returned.

Pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance, she focused on Natalie and her cohorts. "De whole ah last week yuh ain't bother me. Been good inno. Now outta de blue, yuh upgrade to a frickin' cunt. Wah yuh want?"

It took a while for Natalie to decipher what Erica said before she turned on the self-righteous anger. She didn't have time to unleash it the way she wanted. Elijah and Shaun came through the front doors talking animatedly, becoming silent when they saw the standoff. Elijah always quick to check his girl over, noted the absence of her backpack. He spotted it down the stairs and quickly went to recover it. 

"What's going on?" Shaun asked but he kept his eyes on his twins'. 

"Just a conversation being saved for another day," Natalie said in a cryptic tone before sashaying down the stairs with her friends in tow. 

"Baby, what happened?" Elijah asked wrapping his arms around her. Her body relaxed in his hold the moment his skin touched hers. 

"No idea. Practice canceled?" she returned.

"We've got a few minutes to spare so I dragged Shaun along to come to see you before you leave with Ayanna," he said smiling down at her. Propping her chin on his chest, she too had a large smile on her face, showing how happy and content she was. Never in her wildest dreams did she envision this. Elijah's long brown curls were loose and were framing his face perfectly. His brown eyes were shining and it pleased her to see so much happiness reflecting in them.

"Miss mih?"

"You know I did," he said softly. Chuckling lowly, he lowered his head closer to hers, allowing her the option to continue or not. He wasn't surprised when she closed the small distance between their lips. Slowly their lips began a dance only the two of them knew the song too. Not rushing but savoring, Elijah prayed that the woman in his arms will be his. He wanted what his family had and this time his heart and head were speaking the same language. Erica was the right woman for him, he planned to hold onto her unless she says otherwise. Feeling her arms go around his waist, he groaned against her lips when he felt the tips of her fingers under his t-shirt. 

"Okay, you two. Enough of making feel like a pervert, standing here while you two make out," Shaun whined. The two laughed between a kiss and slowly ended it and turned to their friend. He was grinning in plain old happiness instead of grimacing in discomfort by their show of affection. 

"Sorry, man," Elijah said.

The school door opened revealing Ayanna who was on the phone, struggling with some folders in her arms and a heavy backpack on her shoulder. The boys quickly went to assist her, the relief of the acquired help showed on her face as she continued her conversation.

"For crying out loud, Mischa Johnson I know how to do my job!" she shouted into the phone. That got her friends' attention quickly. Mischa left right after school to help his aunt in one of her jobs. One of her crew members for the landscaping job was out sick and it was a day for major duties that needed to be done. If you gave Janine Johnson a chance she would have been the one driving the truck full of flowers and yard trees to help her crew. To ease his uncle's worry, he offered to do the quick evening job.

Ayanna got quiet when she realized three pairs of eyes were looking at her with curiosity. "Umm.. talk to you tonight. I gotta go," she quickly said before ending the call. "So late guys and I'm sure you two are also. Let's get these things to my car and Erica and I will be on our way."

They allowed her to ignore the bright green elephant standing in front of them and walked to her car. The boys placed their bags and the folders in the backseat while the girls got comfortable in the front seats. "Text me when you reach and when you leave. I'll call you after practice," Elijah said softly. 

"Okay," she whispered, eyeing his lips as he got closer. Leaning into the car, he kissed her lips softly and slowly, taking in her natural beauty up close before backing away from the car. Giving Ayanna a wave and a playful wink to his girl, Elijah rushed back to the school entrance with Shaun following close behind. 

The girls left the school parking lot in silence. In her peripheral, Erica can see Ayanna's grip on the steering wheel tighten and loosen, over and over as she drove. Hiding her smile, she knew whatever Ayanna was holding back will be simply sublime. It took another three minutes and a very long stop at the red light for the pressure of holding it to last.

"We kissed," she blurted out.

Acting clueless as to what her friend was speaking about, Erica gave her a noteworthy confused look. "Kissed who?" Inside she was cackling like the mad hatter with her innocent baiting.

"Mischa! Mischa and I kissed," she said loudly in near hysterics. She ran her hand through her hair and released a nervous puff of air. 

"When dat happened? So both allyuh like... together?"

"We just kissed over summer break and since then things have changed between us. He became jealous and possessive. I.."

"You?" Erica pushed biting her lips in amusement. 

"I got catty and got more annoyed with all those girls throwing themselves at him. We get it he's hot. All the guys are hot. Damn perfect gene pool!"

Erica couldn't hold it in any longer. Her boisterous laugh filled Ayanna's car, the more she laughed the more Ayanna pouted. "Alright. Alright. Ah done. So you two like each other den?" 

"We haven't talked yet, well to an extent. He got wind of my students for evening tutoring. One of the guys I have to tutor turns out to be the school's bad boy," she answered with a roll of her eyes.

"Doh tell me. Dat guy messes wid all de girls he meets an' Mischa thinks you will be another one ah dem, "Erica offered.

"Yeah. It's like he's putting his claim on me then, on the other hand, he doesn't  want to be with me because he doesn't believe in high school love and relationships."

Erica took note of the disappointment that was tinged with her even tone of voice. Ayanna liked Mischa beyond the normal friendzone. "Even wid his family history? Shit, if my family had luck in relationships with real I woulda jump on dat bandwagon long time," she returned. Ayanna stayed quiet for a while before she spoke up.

"It's okay. I'm not looking for a relationship also. I've so much on my plate right now and to have a boyfriend like Mischa Johnson, will mess up my thinking extremely bad. He's too much for a woman's psyche."

Thinking of the blonde-haired, blue-green-eyed teen with a leanly muscled frame that always earns appreciative looks, Mischa reminded her of a GQ model lazing about in high school until his next show in London. He was protective and serious-minded, she witnessed how loyal he was to his family over the weekend. Elijah asked her to join them at his sister's house when Harem returned to Spencer. He went all out in making sure the girls were comfortable alongside his cousin and approached his uncle about available jobs for the girls. From their daily interactions, he was straightforward in talking but observant, nice to those who deserved it, and comfortable in his skin. Mischa would have been a great match for Ayanna and her cheerful personality but the two knew why they decided to hold off on relationships.

"Yup," was all Erica said with a smile. 

"Yeah," Ayanna said dejectedly, getting lost in her thoughts.

The two reached the Learning Centre moments later, both lost in their minds. Erica stood outside the car and took a look at the colorful three-story building with large glass windows and doors. Other kids were being dropped off by parents, their loud chatter of greetings reached her ears, a few called out to Ayanna in which she returned a cheerful greeting. Following her friend into the building, they stopped at the reception area where an older woman set in her late forties and dressed in a red t-shirt and jeans with a bright smile on her face, greeted them. "Hi, Miss Mellie. This is Erica. She's new to the area," Ayanna said signing on the clipboard the woman pushed towards her. 

"Welcome to Spencer, sweetheart. Where did you live before here?" she asked kindly, splitting her attention to the folders Ayanna brought her and Erica.

"Tobago," Erica simply said. She was curious about the daycare she can see, through glass walls and the kids and even adults bustling up and down the corridors.

"Tobago? Where is that?"

"The Caribbean. It's a twin-island country, Trinidad and Tobago to be exact," she explained.

"Wow. How are you adjusting? Must be a culture shock for you right?" Miss Mellie asked.

"Yeah. I gotta get accustomed to wearing different clothes an' ting for de seasons plus how allyuh do tings differently up here."

"Your accent is so exotic. What I know about the Caribbean is the sun, sea, and sand part. I hope you like it in Spencer."

"I'm beginning to," Erica answered honestly. The events that led up to her being in the US were all memories she wished to forget but the new ones with her father, her new boyfriend, and friends were the ones to mold her new life. Ayanna motioned for her to follow in which she began an impromptu tour of the learning center. 

"The JLC or Johnson's Learning Center was established eight years ago by Marielle and Janine Johnson. The main reason for its creation was a much-needed neutral ground for tutors to meet their students. Not every home life is ideal so a safe and comfortable space was built. JLC offers educational help for all ages with qualified teachers. We also help with learning disabilities. The second floor is called the Bronson Corridor, dedicated to Issac Bronson, a world-class chef and artist. He has dyslexia and it was in his senior year he got the help that he needed from Marielle and her mother. He was able to graduate with a 3.8 GPA and got accepted into college. He became an advocate for learning disabilities among other things. The center has helped a lot of kids in town. Mr. Johnson created a scholarship program for kids who not only do great academically and athletically in their respective schools but who improved greatly here."

She was shown the daycare section which was open till late, helping single mothers, more so, the teen mothers. There was an always open dining area where they picked up a few snacks, the offices for the center administrator, and a small lounge area for the teachers and tutors. On the second and third floors were classrooms, the small library, bathrooms, and a counselor's office. The walls were all blue and adorned with awards, pictures of students, and the Johnson family. A large family photo caught her eye which was the starter shot for the few other candid shots of the family at events.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Ayanna voiced. Erica nodded in awe, to see so much infamy in one photo shocked her to the core. People she followed religiously on social media were there, in color, with genuine smiles and love. Anyone can see how close they all were. They were all positioned by generations of success. At the back were famous fashion designer for all women, Cole Tramaine, billionaire power couple, Janine and Eli Johnson, Greek tycoon and renowned surgeon, Hiram and Emily Kertalis, Hollywood lawyer and top female director, Eric and Katherine Johnson, Elise Johnson celebrity makeup artist, and Eamon Johnson retired pro baseball player. 

"The Johnsons are a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention the ties made by marriage and friendship. Justin Hector, the billionaire has his fleet of airplanes and is now the owner of the biggest technology company, Marielle's father-in-law. Do you know who that is?" Ayanna asked pointing to a blonde with shining grey eyes. 

"Holy shit! Katie Tramaine from the show Heart and Dance?" Erica exclaimed.

"Yup. She's cool. She has two dance studios, in high demand by music stars, and the number one girl in Bryan Winshall's life," Ayanna said beaming.

"Is true all ah dem were friends in high school?"

"And still are. We all see them as our older brothers and sisters. If we need anything and I mean anything they are just a phone call away. No matter their position in the world, they are all down to earth. This Christmas they'll be back home, each year someone hosts the Christmas vacation, this year is Issac and Luanne Bronson. We all expected them to be busy or want time for themselves but they both insist to head this year's vacation."

Erica eyed the other famous faces until she reached Elijah's, he was seated on the lush green grass between Harem and Mischa. His brown eyes were so bright, matching his smile, his long curly hair was brown and held back in a sleek man bun. She glanced at his father's features and saw a lot of similarities but it was his mother's eyes he inherited. His older sister had their father's eyes and their little sister Shaye was the perfect mix of both parents. Knowing their status and what they all offered the world made her feel small and had her thinking. What can she offer the world? She was in a country that has much more resources to help her find a fulfilling career, it was time to think of a future here. Her sister got her start, why couldn't she do the same? 

'Because you wanted your mother's support,' that little voice of insecurity found itself back in her positive thoughts, dampening her mood. 

"Ah have some homework to finish before Elijah come fuh me. Ah will be in de library. You go and do ya ting," Erica said with a smile. Though it was forced, Ayanna accepted it and bid her goodbye. Retracing her steps to the library, she found a corner with a single armchair that had an attached table and got down to business. Try as she might, the thoughts of her mother's bad treatment of her and her older sister's tauntings assaulted her fiercely.  In that weak moment, Erica searched for her sister on Facebook, they had each other as friends on the social page for appearance sake. There will never be any 'I love my sister' posts between the two nor the tagging of photos. Finding her sister's profile, a frown marred her face, there as her cover page was Giselle being hugged so tightly by their mother in front of her college. In the photo section, Erica punished herself some more by viewing and reading the caption of each photo. Images of them at restaurants, outings, her mother and step father's new home, Giselle's dorm and whatever candid shot of the three of them. Tears rolled down her cheek when she saw the caption on a photo of the three, 'The Moore Family living the life.' Checking her posts, Erica read every enthusiastic post of her new life and funny ones with their mother. They were living their life like she didn't exist. 
Coming out of Giselle's profile, Erica berated herself for allowing their actions and united front to affect her. She should be glad that they no longer had to fake their acceptance of her. She was with her father now and he sure as hell not hiding his love for her, nor was he faking it. His family was excited to meet her, video calls and regular phone calls have been the norm in the house, not to mention her weekly calls from her grandmother Tia.  

Being accepted into her father's family was great but there will always be the need for her mother. 

"Hi!"

Quickly drying her cheeks and clearing her throat, she looked up at her visitor and gave them a small smile. The girl before her was dressed in a simple sweatshirt and leggings with her natural 4C hair framing her cocoa brown face. Her smiling face and bright coal black eyes seem familiar but she couldn't place her at the moment.

"I'm Honey. I'm a senior also at Spencer High but not in any of your classes. You're Elijah's new boo," the girl said animatedly. Her mention of Elijah and her being his new girlfriend had Erica on guard and visibly tensed in defense for any oncoming harsh actions. Honey saw this and quickly silenced her next words. The smile on her face fell and respectfully she took a step away from Erica. 

"You haven't had a good reception  since your relationship became public huh?" Honey asked softly. The understanding and sympathy were written on the girl's face but Erica knew not to take everything at face value.  She was already down in the dumps and wasn't in the mood to get tongue-lashed for her relationship with a rich kid.

"Yuh can say dat," Erica said. 

"It's alright. I just wanted to meet you officially. You're a whole step up from Bree. We can all see how free and unguarded Elijah is now," Honey said with a smile.

"Oh. Um.. okay."

"Though you're with Elijah now, still be on your guard. There are a few girls who have major crushes on him and were waiting for their chance to be with him. Bree messed with his trust and needed time to find himself."

"Are you one ah dem?" Erica asked with a raised brow.

"No. No. Elijah is totally hot and all but I'm already crazy for someone. His name is Chaz and on the same soccer team with Elijah. Both of us had our own drama but we got through it. I hope you're strong enough to withstand a Spencer High drama. I swear every day is like a new scene for the Bold and the Beautiful."

"That dramatic?" Erica asked.

"It's what shapes us at Spencer High. A lot of stuff goes on, things beyond your wildest imagination but it's our lives. It may not happen to you but it will happen to someone else."

Erica took note of the sad smile on the black girl's face and the faraway look in her eyes, she wondered what drama the girl had to endure.

"Thanks for de advice."

"Your accent is so cool and you're welcome. Feel free to holla at me at school or wherever. I've got some books to check out then head home. Nice meeting you Erica." Honey's cheerful disposition returned and with a graceful turn, her hair bouncing in every step, she left Erica in a thoughtful mode. 

What kind of drama will she have to go through since she's now the girlfriend of a popular guy?

                                                                  *********

Mischa Johnson loved his aunt to death. She's like a second mother to him, his confidant and an adult he can rely on to give him advice uncensored. Doing this delivery for her and also helping out in planting the trees for the backyard was done without any arguments or coercing from uncle Eli.

"Mischa!"

"Yes, aunt Jay," he called out. Placing the last decorative stone around the tree, he stood to his full height and turned to the direction of his aunt's voice. Dressed in cotton shorts and a loose t-shirt, Janine Johnson looked like a college kid doing an odd chore and not a high powered businesswoman with three kids. 

"You've done enough, sweetheart. Why don't you go home and relax?" she offered. Using the back of his hand, he wiped the sweat from his brow and slowly approached his aunt. "The boys aren't there," he grumbled like a petulant child. 

"Last time I checked, you three weren't joined at the hip," Janine teased.

"I don't mean it like that, it's just..."

"You didn't expect either of them to be so occupied."

"Yes! What if I come to work for you in the evenings? I don't think I can stand being around two lovesick guys," he mumbled.

"You don't like the boys being in relationships?" Janine asked. She eyed her nephew, he's always so sure of himself, confident in everything he did but something was bothering him.

"I'm happy for them, don't get me wrong but why go into a relationship now and in a few months they have to break up because of college," he replied. Caught in agitation, Mischa pulled off his headband and roughly ran his fingers through his lengthy blonde hair. Tugging at it, his mind began to mess with him, thinking of that asshole putting the moves on his Ana. Taking a deep breath he reminded himself that Ayanna wasn't his anything, she was just his friend. His friend whom he kissed and wanted more of. 

No.

It was just a fluke. 

'Yeah, a kiss that sent your heart in overdrive and have you behaving like an obsessive jerk, is a fluke.' 

"It's their choice to do so. Some of them can survive the distance, Mari and the twins did, Issac and Luanne, your parents while others either go to the same college or do a mutual break up. It all comes down to the type of relationship you have. What brought this on?"

"Nothing," he muttered avoiding her gaze. 

"Alright. Come on. Let's lock-up. The rest of the crew already left for the afternoon and I've finished my walkthrough. Eli is cooking dinner tonight so we can head home."

"Okay. I'll meet you back at the office," he said softly. Janine gave him a wan smile and left him in the back yard. 

Unable to resist the urge he messaged Ayanna.

Mischa: What's up?

Ana: I didn't fall for Parker Riout's charm. Does that answer your unspoken question?

He read her reply over and over, feeling triumphant and also like an ass. He underestimated her and partly belittled her in thinking she couldn't handle herself nor do her job.

Mischa: I'm sorry. I just don't want to see you hurt. He doesn't respect women and sees fucking them to be a sport he excels in.

Ana: I know this, Mischa. I do go to the same school as him. I'm still with my last student. See you tomorrow?

Mischa: Yeah.

She was either still annoyed with him or something heavy was on her mind. Mischa can read Ayanna clearly from afar or within a distance of her. She was the only girl he was close to in his group of friends. They naturally clicked and found themselves doing things together away from their friends. Back in Texas, he saw her in a different light when some guys were openly checking her out when they both went to the mall. He knew and noticed her beauty, he always complimented her on her best features but to have outsiders react to her that way, he went full possessive mode. Mischa was confused. 

Friendship with a girl shouldn't be so hard. 

'It is when you like her more than a friend.'

"Oh shut up," he muttered to himself. 

Mischa swore he heard his subconscious laugh raucously at the back of his mind. Slowly he was turning crazy and it's all because of his best friend.