"Erica! Girl, you go be late for your own wedding. Yuh know what time it is?"

A frustrated growl left her pouting lips as she tried for the hundredth time to get her hair in the perfect bun. Sitting before her vanity with the needed combs, brushes, and hair products, Erica eyed the still loose bun on her head which felt and looked messy. 

"Ah cyah get mih hair to look good," she shouted at the door. 

"Alright. Ah coming in," her father said before he knocked twice and opened the door. Julius's shoulders slumped with pity when he saw how defeated his little girl was. It was a look he saw so many times on his sister's faces when he was growing up. They all wore their hair long and to do quick styles or to get the picture-perfect look was always a stressor for them. His mother so many times had to step in to help them, even roping him and his brother to learn a thing or two about females with natural hair.

"It's okay, baby. Leh me help. Later ah will give you, yuh auntie dem number so dey can teach yuh how to plait yuh hair. Who used to comb yuh hair back in Bago?" Julius asked. Taking a wide-tooth comb he began to gently comb through her thick mass, section by section.

"Mih friend mudda. Normally it in ah ponytail," she answered softly. Her focus was on the mirror before her, she watched on as her father sectioned off her hair, applied natural oils to her scalp then protective hair lotion to the lengths of her hair. Shifting to her side he held the top half of her hair away from the back of her head before neatly braiding two tight cornrows upwards. When he reached the center of her head, he used two gold hairbands and tied them off. He then placed his undivided attention to the front, using a soft hairbrush, he placed her hair in a neat and slicked ponytail. "Ah won't even ask why yuh mudda ain't help yuh," Julius muttered. Erica's eyes widen when he created a perfect bun from the ponytail, then used the now twisted ends of her cornrows and created coils around the bun. Putting the final touches on, making sure her baby hairs were slicked done perfectly. 

"Oooooo. Thanks, daddy. Who teach yuh to comb hair?" she asked inspecting the quick updo he did. Putting on her jewelry, she stood up from the vanity and appreciatively took in her perfect choice of outfit. She looked great and was comfortable in everything. 

"Yuh granny. Yuh get everything? Coming back home and change for yuh date with Elijah Johnson?" Julius laughed raucously when he saw her blush at the mention of her date that afternoon. Grabbing her bag and phone, she hid her face and rush past her father. "Stopppp!!!" she whined. Julius followed her out of the house after securing the house. He was still grinning when he entered the car, she was so easy to taunt. 
"We going to the flea market after school," she finally answered. 

"You will like their flea market. Dem doh have plenty clothes and ting like wah you used to. Dey have real nice things ah know you might like. Here. Put dat with yuh vex money," Julius said handing her a few bills for her date. 

"Thanks. You good wid me going out wid him right?"

"Yeah. Just doh let dat girl, train up yuh head with ol' talk. Dat whole family off," her father grumbled. Erica wanted to ask why he thought Bree's family was weird but something deep in her said to let it be. She was mainly focused on how today will play out. It will be wrong to flat-out ignore Elijah when they've been talking all night and excited to see each other at school. Not to mention their... 'outing'. In her mind, it was a date but she understood why he was apprehensive in going all 'light on your toes' new dater around his cousin. 
Poor guy. 
Her heart went out for Harem, Erica saw how devoted the guy was to Selby yesterday even if her rude boyfriend was next to her. Elijah relayed how crushed he was before he left the house for some 'alone time'. The whole group's dynamic was falling apart. She wondered if she should still talk to Selby or ignore her because of what she did to her best friend. Releasing a heavy sigh, Erica already felt drained and the day hasn't started yet.

"You good?" her father asked.

"Yeah. Just high school drama all ova again."

"Its part of growing up. See yuh later." 

"Thanks, daddy. Later."

Hopping out of the car, Erica instantly felt the shift in the atmosphere. Walking on the sidewalk that led to the school, she spotted Bree and Natalie in the midst of some guys, flirting outrageously near the steps. Further up in the parking lot, a few students were milling around but their glances were pinging between two groups.

"Oh. My. God!" she said to herself. Getting closer and ignoring Bree's annoying calls, Erica tried to calculate how a guy like Harem messed up a big-looking footballer like Derek so bad. Both eyes were black, a bruise on his cheek and jaw, a busted lip, and possibly a broken nose judging by the medical tape on it. Harem was awfully pissed off by the looks of things. Selby was huddled under the guy's arm, soothing him as he told some story. What made it obvious that Selby wasn't bosom buddies anymore with her friends, was the cold shoulder she was giving them and how she had her back to them.
Like a few bystanders, she was frozen to the spot looking between both groups. Erica's gaze landed on one particular pair of brown eyes. She felt her face heat up when he flashed her the same teasing smile from the library. He motioned for her to come over while listening to the two girls talking to him. Raine and Ayanna noticed his distraction and looked her way. The duo giggled and waved her way, also motioning to her to come over too. Elijah blushed when Alec nudged him playfully and said something to him behind his hand.
Shaking her head in amusement, she made a step towards them, not seeing or hearing her surroundings. Erica was only focused on Elijah, her mind was focused on walking steadily so she won't trip and fall in front of her crush. The group's expression changed from teasing and welcoming to annoyance and concern in less than a second. The reason why the change came in the action of being tugged back harshly from her destination. Losing her balance, Erica stumbled backward expecting whoever touched her to help her but she only fell harshly on her butt onto the curb of the sidewalk. The pain didn't resonate, but the anger flared in her. Turning to the culprit, she pinned Bree Lincoln with a pissed-off glare. 

"Wah de muddacunt wrong wid you girl? Who de fuck yuh think I am fuh yuh to be pulling me so? If you mek me damage my phone is you and me eh!"

Erica's loud outburst caught the ears of the students milling about. Grumbling to herself, she got to her feet, stumbling a bit but a strong arm was there to help her. The scent of a familiar cologne made her anger dissipate somewhat. 

Elijah.

Looking down to see why she stumbled, Erica sucked her teeth harshly then looked back to Bree who was glaring daggers at her, arms akimbo and eyes glancing at the arm around her waist. "Wah de hell!!" Erica shouted, "Yuh ass mek me buss me sandals. Stupid cunt. Wah de hell wrong wid you."

"English dear heart. I was calling you so fucking long, only to see you ignoring me for my sloppy seconds,'' Bree returned with a sneer.

"Bitch if I hear yuh don't you think I wudda answer yuh?. Yuh crazy ah wah. Look jus move yuh self now I have to go home to change dis. He ain't yuh seconds, that's jus your way of being a fuckin' bitch." Crouching to take off the busted sandals, Elijah grabbed her bag and sent a frown Bree's way. 

"What are you looking at?" Bree asked harshly.

"Nothing, just noticed how much of a bitch you really are. I take back my excuses I gave about you," he said.

"I don't need your pity. You just trying to distract people from seeing how pathetic, soft and vulgar you really are. I hope you know what you're getting into with that nasty bourgeois ass family of his. When he cheats on you, don't come crying to me."

"Why would I do that? We were never really friends. How's that for English, dear heart?" Erica returned in a sickly sweet voice.

"You're in for it, island girl. You don't understand how things work around here. Your new boy toy here and his friends will sweeten you up then fuck with your head. You're middle class, just like his last girlfriend, the girl who has been there for...."

"Nah. Nah. Doh be playing the role of an innocent bystander wid ya ratchet self. De same rich people yuh be doggin' is de same ones you wanna fuck and earn some fame. Doh feel I didn't hear yuh saying to miss lady here dat if you get dah Winston boy you will be good for life. Play de loving girlfriend then trophy wife. De boy don't even like ya overprocessed cunt. Look I ain't have no time for this. Be on your high horse with yuh break up and get rich plans, mind yuh mash horse shit when allyuh finally fall down," Erica interrupted. Elijah bit his lips trying not to laugh but the crowd around them didn't. 

"Let's go, tiger. We can go change your shoes and be back for the ending of the first period. There goes the bell, now."

Listening to the first call bell, Erica gave Bree and Natalie one last evil eye and allowed Elijah to take her away. This time she didn't miss the inquisitive stares due to his attention. She caught the eyes of his friends though and she was relieved when they all had genuine friendly smiles on their faces. Giving them a small wave, she hurried along with Elijah to his car, wanting to have proper shoes on her feet and to start the entire day all over again.

"I expected worse."

"Worse?"

"The outcome of today. I know Bree would have flipped, well more publicly but you tampered her .... let's say 'grudge' against me," Elijah continued softly. They were on their way to her house in companionable silence when he broke it with his assessment. Again she wanted to ask him about their past but the words were stuck in her throat. 

"You can ask but I'm not entirely ready to go back down that road. I will say that I am not a cheater nor have I ever been one. My parents and possibly every married couple in my family taught each kid how to be in a long loving and honest relationship," he said aloud after her silence.

"That's a great thing to live up to," Erica mused, thinking of her own family or what is left of it. 

"It is."

"Your breakup really hit you hard huh?"

Elijah threw a pained smile her way. "People can change in the blink of an eye and you will be too blinded to see it."

"Lesson learned?"

"The hardest way," he answered.

Pulling up at her house, she tried to look at it from his point of view. It wasn't a mansion like his but it was home. She saw countless photos of their home and cars from media houses to know how lavish his families live. "Cool house. It stands out. Just like you," he commented. A silly grin spread across her face, giving him a quick order to stay put, she rushed out of the car and made a fast shoe change then back out. In less than ten minutes she was back in his car, just in time to see him end a call. Erica said nothing but simply stare. Relaxed in the driver seat with his head turned her way, a ghost of a smile was on his full lips as he held her gaze. "You look really gorgeous today. I like your hairstyle," he complimented.

"Thank you. I-I-I wanted to look nice for you today," she softly confessed. 

"I bet you will look gorgeous any day no matter what you do to your hair or dress but thank you for this special look," he returned.

The two held each other's gaze like lovesick puppies before the shrill ring of his phone cut through their moment. Elijah glanced at his phone screen before answering it. "You okay, bro?" Erica can hear the genuine concern in his voice and knew right away it was Harem. His entire body went from relaxed to tense in the span of seconds. Turning her head away from him to focus on the view outside, her heart twinged a bit with hurt due to what they spoke of last night. She understood and found it endearing that he wishes not to rub his new thing with her in his cousin's face. But. On the other hand, what about him? How long will he put a filter on the connection they both have. In that moment of vulnerability, her fragile mind allowed Bree's and Natalie's words to get to her then her mother's. From a young age, she believed she wasn't good enough, always doubting herself and her abilities, striving to be in her mother's good graces. Wanting to be like her older sister Giselle. 

"I understand. I'll bring dinner over tonight. Take it easy." Elijah's ending words to his call brought her back to the present. She plastered on a fake smile for him but he saw right through it. He frowned and turned in his seat towards her. "It feels like there's so much between us and you're anxious to catch up, right?" he asked. 

"Yeah," she replied softly.

"This thing between us is crazy. When I first saw you yesterday, I swear I was being set up by my friends. They all want me to move on, I decided to do so when I saw you in my seat...."

"Den ah open mih mouth," she said with a laugh. Elijah saw the look on her face after she spoke in her native tongue. 
"I like your accent, you don't have to polish your English for me, nor for anyone. I understand you perfectly."
She nodded her head and waited for him to continue. 
"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I want you. We've only met yesterday but I wish to explore what we have but slowly for now..."

"Because of what happened wid yuh cousin. Ah understand. Ah was jus' in mih feelings. Sorry bout dat," she continued for him. Elijah eyed her closely for a while then shook his head in denial about something. 

"Come here, baby," he whispered. Cupping the back of her neck, he gently helped her bring her head closer, keeping his hooded gaze on her widened shock filled eyes and her full lips. Both their bodies melted in content when their lips met. Slowly their lips moved against each other, biting and teasing each other, giving into their first kiss. Erica's arms reached around his neck, wanting more of him. She couldn't believe Elijah Johnson was kissing her. She was kissing her celebrity crush and he liked her, how out of this world was this. A groan came from him before his hands slide down her torso before he gripped her waist tightly and pulled her across the console to sit on his lap.
"Better than I expected," he whispered against her lips. So much for taking it slow, his conscience taunted.
A blushing smile formed against his lips, she brushed her own against his cheek and tucked her face into the crook of heck. 
"One step at a time. That's all I ask, baby," he said softly in her ear. Erica didn't answer at first, her insecurities threatened to resurface but Elijah's gentle caress calmed her. Here she was in a new country, a new school, more opportunities, and a boy who genuinely wants her. She was given a new life. It was up to her now.

"One step at a time."

                                                               **********

If there was a word to what Bree was feeling to anyone looking at her in the busy school hall, it will be jealousy. She ignored the snickers from girls as she walked past them, she knew they just witnessed her ex grinning at something the little uncivilized runt said to him. Even Trey who was known for his aloof demeanor cracked a smile. The group just walked past her and Natalie in all their glory, chatting it up. It was actually anger she was feeling at the moment. She didn't care if the mama's boy moved on. Bree was pissed that she didn't break him enough, just like her mother was currently broken. 

It's all their fault. 

Checking the time on her watch, she rolled her eyes thinking about the time spent in watching those two. "We can still do it, you know," Natalie said by her side.

"We can but the plan will have to be foolproof," Bree answered. 

Glancing at her watch again, she huffed at the time, it wasn't lunch hour yet. Their present block was free and she wasn't in the mood to sit quietly and wait for the lunch bell to ring. "We'll make it the most memorable senior year for him. Teach them all a lesson," her friend added. Bree knew just where to start as she caught Raine eyeing a certain geeky senior. They all will come tumbling down. Though they didn't bother her at all, their friendship with Elijah placed them in her path. She will finish what her brother started when the shit hit the fan at home. Bree was about to tell Natalie about the first plan when her phone rang. She grinned at the name that popped up on the lighted screen.

"Hi, baby."

"Hey, beautiful. What you up to?"

"Waiting for lunch hour. I missed you last night," she cooed into the phone.

"Missed you too, cutie. Why don't you and your friend come over for lunch, I have a little gift for you."

"I love your gifts. We'll be over there soon," Bree replied, bouncing on her toes. 

"That's my girl."

After ending the call, she pulled Natalie into an empty classroom and gave her the message. "We can leave through the boys' gym, the cameras are down. It won't be long before Costas has them back up," Natalie suggested.

"Let's go before I do something I regret now."

The two walked down the empty halls, chatting about nothing and everything until they reached the hallway which led to the locker rooms. On the walls were signatures of past football, soccer, and basketball teams, and the hall of fame cabinet was located at the front hall of the school but a secondary one was placed near the gym. This one had photos of past athletes who made it to the big leagues. Bree stopped and took a good look at Jayden Hector, NFL star now. It was a portrait picture of him holding the high school championship cup and a t-shirt from Baylor University. She remembered thinking the Hector twins were god-like with their identical good looks and great body, not to mention how popular they were. They're still hotties, it just sucks that one woman has them. Their menage relationship was highly disgusting but the media portrays them like the best thing since sliced bread. Jayden confirmed the rumors after a few gossip magazines began to slander Marielle with infidelity with his twin.  Oh, how she thought they will get their comeuppance in the real world after the town basically welcomed it. But. They all accepted it. 

Scoffing at the photo, she proceeded to enter the locker rooms with Natalie, hoping to make a clean escape from this prison they called school.

"This isn't working out. When are you going to tell them?" 

Bree's eyes widen along with Natalie's, they both recognized the voice speaking a few lockers down.

"Soon. Please, don't do this babe, I love you. This won't be easy. I have a plan but I need your patience. Please babe," said another voice. Glee settled in the girls' eyes as they moved closer to the persons now having a loving conversation. Natalie was already recording the conversation but Bree wanted visual confirmation. When things got quiet, she tiptoed closer to where they were and peeked around the locker wall. She pulled back with evident shock on her face, Natalie quickly switched to see what her friend saw and return with an identical look. They both grinned at each other with calculating looks in their eyes. Pulling out her phone, she looked around the wall and discreetly took photos without flash before taking a video. After the deed was done, she stepped out casually, making sure she made a sound. The two jumped apart, trying to look innocent. Natalie cackled as Bree held their gaze with a smirk on her lips. 

"Well look at what we have here."