Lonnie stretched his neck, peeking around the corner of the door. The sounds of hush breathing echoed behind him. He grinned upon seeing the class beauty walking into the classroom. She took one look at all the eyes staring at her, gave a polite smile, and walked to her desk. Sweeping her skirt down and taking a seat in the front row by the window on the farside. 

“You guys are acting like you don’t have anything else to do,” Brenna said, pushing up her glasses.

“You are just upset, nobody bothers to tease you like this.” Tanner dropped into his chair and checked his phone. 

“Why would I want a bunch of morons eye-fucking me?” Brenna glanced around but her eyes couldn’t help falling on the two guys she crushed on.

Like almost every girl, she followed the media trend to the T. Being nerdy and unimpressive compared to her fellow female students but she thought she held a chance because she wasn’t shallow. In truth, her jealousy showed an unattractive side of her that prevented anybody wanting to do anything more than tap that. 

Lonnie shook his head and walked to the back row. Not bothering with the argument that went back and forth. He pulled out his phone and took a look at the three messages sitting on top of his notification bar. 

Sabrina: School is such a waste of time.

Lonnie: What do you want me to do about it?

Sabrina: I didn’t say you had to do anything about it?

Lonnie: Okay.

Sabrina: Do you have anything planned this weekend?

Lonnie: I have a few engagements that I have to take care of but it’s spread out over the course of the week. Are you coming over? 

Sabrina: Yeah, if you want me over.

Lonnie: Yeah, I do.

Sabrina: Teach here.

Funny that she said that. The sounds of heels clicking down the hall alerted him to his own teacher. He leaned back into his chair and fished out his homework from his bag. He just sat it down when a beautiful blond walked into the classroom, closing the door with a slight backhanded push. 

Mrs. O’neal stares at the classroom from in front of the door. A smirk plastered on her red painted lips. Her blue eyes were almost hidden by the long black lashes but it didn’t hide the few wrinkles at the corners. 

“You guys know what time of the year it is. My favorite time of the year…” She took one step at a time, almost crossing her legs just to walk to the front of her desk. “I won’t waste too much time today because even this old lady has things planned for the spring break. So…”

She didn’t even need to finish her sentence. Many of us stood up and brought our homework over. It very much sounded like a stampede with all the chairs scraping the cheap tile floor. Paper rustling from some trying to straighten out the folded lines. 

Lonnie rubbed his chin and snatched up his bag. Going to be a great spring break for some of these people but for me… He stepped into line, tapping a folder against his palm. The folder paused for a brief and he dipped his shoulder, stepping out from a friendly pat. 

“Are you going to the party on 98th and Sanchez,” Taylor said.

“I have things going on.” Lonnie turned his body sideways to show this guy that he was listening even though he didn’t want to.

“When are you going to set me up, fam? I’m pretty good looking…”

“You’re not face on a screen good looking and no make up can help you with that.” 

“Whatever,” Taylor said, “you haven’t been to a party since the beginning of freshman year. You need to at least come hang with your boy. Or just swing by the court. We aren’t going to hate on your rich ass.”

Throwing a polite smile at Mrs. O’neal, Lonnie handed over his homework, and snuck out the class while Taylor came up with an excuse for why he didn’t have his.

“Mr. Lamar,” Mrs. O’neal exasperated voice echoed out of the classroom. “Why are you wasting my time when we both know you aren’t intelligent enough for this class? Just move on and allow those with some hope of graduating to turn in their work.”

“Can you believe her,” Taylor said, running up.

Spring’s breath blew through the hallway and the sound of lockers slamming almost covered Taylor's response. Yet, Lonnie still had to dodge Taylor’s hands that couldn’t stop reaching out towards him. If Taylor’s was gay, it would have been fine, but he wasn’t. Thus it made it awkward that the kid wanted to put his hands on another man so much. 

“She makes sense. Her class is a core class of the program and if you can’t even pass her class, then you might not graduate. Nothing wrong with her saying what you need to hear.” 

“I know what I’m doing,” Taylor replied but his eyes tracked the best looking girl of our program.

Sadly, just as pretty as she was. She wasn’t into broke brothers who didn’t have an obvious future. Of course, he didn’t have a game either. 

The smell of vanilla body wash from a cheap store snuck its way into Lonnie’s nose. He turned with a dimple smile towards a yellow-bone making her way towards him. Her hands in her hoodie, dragging it down while she talked with her best friend who dyed her hair red instead of blue. 

Damn, they say birds of a feather flock together and it’s true. Sexy greets sexy. Lonnie licked his lips and grabbed his backpack strap, strutting to block Sabrina’s way.

“Prince Charming here,” Davea said, throwing a heavy scan over his way. “And his broke ass tag-a-long too.”

Taylor snorted. “Who said I’m broke? I just ain’t got the money these rich college kids have to waste on materialistic pursuits.”

“Nice excuse for a bum.” Davea rolled her black eyes and turned to Lonnie. “Why are you always with this fool anyway? Thought you would be doing it big somewhere with people of like minds.”

Lonnie threw a lazily smile Davea way before taking in his lady. Her hair cut short but it fell past her cheek and looked like she was fresh out of the shower. Plus the faded right side helps emphasize her good facial structure and clear skin. He lifted up her chin with the crook of his finger and grazed her pink-painted lips.

“I love this style more than the last,” he said in a quiet whisper.

“Yeah, I do look good. A little more mature and less edgy.” Sabrina didn’t pull her hands from her hoodie pocket but she did throw her elbow into his chest. “Let’s go. It’s really a lot of work keeping the guys off me. I need a break.”

“Narcissistic much?” Taylor fell in behind them as they began to walk shoulder to shoulder, leaving him as a third-wheel of a four-man team. 

“It isn’t narcissistic when it’s true,” Davea said, swaying her ass in those pink-striped leggings . “Look at how many couldn’t help but look at our fine ass.”

“Are you sure they are looking at your face or all that ass you’re throwing left and right?” Taylor’s eyes register those lethal weapons with a quickness.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Not everybody is as thirsty as you,” Davea said, turning to Lonnie. “Right, L?”

Lonnie scratched his chin. “I’m sorry but I have been parched since I dropped y’all off this morning.”

Sabrina giggled and Davea rolled her eyes. 

“Figures.” Davea pulled out her phone the moment they stepped out of the air condition hallway into the spring’s heat that felt more like the middle of summer. “You guys going to the party tonight or what? I heard the boys managed to book a rapper this time. Shit is supposed to be lit!”

Taylor nodded and threw a glance at Lonnie. “I’m going but you know how the Prince is. All about that paper and no time for the nonsense. Probably going to be at home drinking milk tea from Sabrina.”

“Naw, Sabrina is coming with me tonight, right?” Davea tugged on Sabrina’s other arm with her pink nails that barely extended past the bed.

Sabrina shook her head and elbow Lonnie. “I’m going over to his house to work on my catalog and he has work stuff.”

“Are you really going to let me go to a party by myself?” Davea gave her puppy eyes.

“Yep,” Sabrina shot back.

“I see how it is. Get a good man and forget about little Ole me. Not like I wasn’t there getting ass-whooping with you when you snuck back in after curfew. Or standing right behind you when you fought those girls on the 12th block.” Davea turned her attention back to her phone.

Sabrina didn’t say anything to that. Which is a wise decision in Lonnie’s eyes. 

 He laughed and took out his key fob, hitting the unlock button as they neared the parking lot. 

“Yo, isn’t that Derek and the fuck-boys who couldn’t even score a touchdown during a home game.” Taylor pointed across an open field of green grass with people spread out on blankets. 

Not too far from one of the tall birch trees, hung out a few guys from the football team. From the looks of it, they were being lectured by a middle-aged man in a maroon polo button-up in front of a white board. The guy looked to be real agitated with how many times he slammed that white marker into his hand or onto the white board. Making extra wide flourish when drawing on the board.

“You better shut up,” Davea advised, “you aren’t even big enough to handle one of them let alone all of them.”

Taylor snorted. “What are you talking about? I’m a national champ on the wrestling team.” He threw his arms back, flexing hard. The shells on the end of his braids jumped like they thought this was a rave.

“How does wrestling help you survive a four v one?” Davea swung her head to look at the other two who shrugged. “Does that even make sense to anybody else? Or just me?”

“You would understand if you came to watch a training session. We do more than just wipe sweat on each other. We also take part in striking training which is first contact.” Taylor threw a few punches and then bob and weaved.

“Wow.” Davea clapped. “So impressive but four of them, One loudmouth idiot.”

“Lon will side with me and then the odds even.” Taylor reached for the passenger door of a white SUV.

“Sorry, I don’t get into fights started by others who couldn’t keep their mouths shut.” Lonnie opened the front passenger's door, smiling at Sabrina.

“Wow,” Taylor said with a drawl. “Here I thought we were childhood friends.”

Lonnie closed Sabrina’s door and walked over to the driver’s side. He took a glance at his phone, quickly reading a message that said ‘Meeting 8pm.’ He threw himself into the car and crank it up, turning the A/c all the way up.

“Yo, pass me a drink,” he said to Taylor.

“Get me one to. Fruit punch.” Sabrina tossed her backpack down between her feet.

“Drop me off first,” Davea said, “the nail salon.”

“You still fucking up people nails?” Lonnie grinned in the rear-view as he drove out the parking lot.

“What do you mean I’m fucking up nails?” She held her hands up. “Look at this design. It might not be top dollar but it’s definitely worth at least sixty on a good day. Besides, the shop just has me maintain the nails. Other girls are doing all the designs and stuff.”

The car stopped at a red-light and Lonnie couldn’t help but throw a few glances in the side mirror. He picked up on a black four-door that’s been trailing a few cars behind him. 

Thinking for a second, he squeezed into the right turning lane and took the next right. Circling the block, and only then did he drive back onto the main road.

“Why are you going in circles,” Taylor asked, looking up from his phone.

“Aren’t you getting a free ride?” Lonnie glanced back at him.

“Yeah, but this is just a waste of gas. I know you are packing and everything but I do need to get home on time.” 

“Bro, shut the hell up.” Lonnie threw a few more glances into the mirror and caught another car with two people inside. 

It trailed him through two left turns and switching from the direct route to Broadway to the road that ran slanted off the direct route. Both cars switched a couple of times but the number of people stayed the same. 

It didn’t take long to drop off Davea and switch directions to drop off Taylor. Or that was the plan he had in mind.

Sabrina glanced at her side mirror. “Stop here and let’s do some grocery shopping.”

Taylor looked out the window at the Grocery store passing on the right. He looked back at Lonnie with raised eyebrows.

“Are you really about to go grocery shopping, right now?” 

“Yeah, he probably hasn’t gone grocery shopping since I did it last time. Besides, you don’t have work and are just pretending to be an IT nerd.” Sabrina pulled her wallet out the small part of her bag.

“What do you mean I’m pretending,” Taylor grabbed the back of the seat and stuck his head between the chairs.

“Exactly as I have said.” 

“Excuse me but I already have a gig as a Dev for a new game. You will be thanking me for providing you with a source of entertainment in a few years.” 

“I doubt you are even working on the main project. Probably doing some auxiliary thing like some event that will fade after the holiday passes.” 

“But that’s programming and you said I was pretending too.” Taylor sat back with a victory smile.

Shaking his head, Lonnie pulled into the parking lot, parking at the back.

Taylor rolled down the window and stuck his head out, looking at the big store front with the towering words ‘Nuggets Market’. He threw a gaze at Lonnie as they got out.

“You guys really, really about to shop at this place?” Taylor threw a hand at the nugget front which lit up with lights and a glass front window. The beige pavement in front sat a contrast to the black road marked with yellow lines.

Lonnie shrugged, checking his pockets for his phone and wallet. Only after ensuring he had everything did he close the door.

“She’s the cook and if she wants to shop here. Why will I say no?” 

“Bro,” Taylor said, “this is where posh white people shop. Look..” He pointed at a couple getting out a BMW x5. 

The man wore a white shirt, rolled up to his elbows. His bearded-neck is white and only around his nose did he have a stronger presence of grey-black strands. He walked to his blond wife, touching her back before swinging his hands at his side. She wore an open sleeve yellow shirt and leggings that didn’t really emphasize her ass.

“I have yet to see any other nationality walk into the shop,” Taylor said, following behind Lonnie and Sabrina.

“I see a black man in black jumper and white shorts,” Sabrina said, curling her fingers around Lonnie’s.

“Wow, one guy out of six I have seen enter and exit so far.” Taylor glanced around. “Why are all the cars top of the line luxury? Oh, one Honda sitting in the handicap spot.”

“You sound mighty jealous for what? Aren’t you working on a major project and expected to pick up at minimum, sixty thousand?” Lonnie glanced at him in order to scope out the parking lot for the tails.

“That’s different.” He waved his hand, but his chest seemed a little bigger in that tank top. “I won’t get paid until after I complete segments and it’s not all at once. These guys are making it all at once.”

“So what you are saying is that you are going to be broke after this project ends?” Sabrina pulled a buggy free of the line up and led the way into the depth of the store, angling for the meat section. “Did you eat all the steak I bought last time?”

Lonnie scratched his ear. Don’t you know you cook the majority of them for me during the first week and I cook the rest. “I think the only meat left is the ground turkey and not much left.”

“What about seasons?”

“All there. I only used salt and pepper,” Lonnie said, “maybe a little lemon juice.”

“Why don’t you go back and make a shopping list instead of this spur of the moment thing,” Taylor grumbled and snatched a pack of bacon, tossing it into the cart.

Sabrina moved it to one end. “I don’t need a list to guess he is out of all meat and probably only used rice.”

Lonnie nodded. 

“Are you serious? Can’t you cook anything else?” Taylor slapped Lonnie’s arm.

“My wife can cook. Why do I need to?” Lonnie kissed Sabrina’s forehead when she went to grab a rack of ribs.

“So you're making fun of us single dogs, huh?” 

“You’re single for a reason.”

“What reason is that?”

Sabrina gave him a look and shook her head. “Do we even need to talk about it? You know damn well why you ain’t in a committed relationship.”

Taylor snorted. “It’s not my fault they are high maintenance.”

“Mm, blame them and not yourself. Mister shoe collection.” Sabrina pointed at the section of chicken breasts. “Grabbed two of them.”

Lonnie laughed, and picked up two packs with four big breasts inside. 

“Wait.” Taylor grabbed one of the packs with six inside but they were much thinner. “Why didn’t you pick this and save yourself two bucks?”

“Because I can afford the two ninety-five,” Lonnie said, throwing his own in the cart.

“Rich bastard.” Taylor put it back down.

Sabrina laughed. “I used to think the same thing.”

Am I being gang-raped for putting in work and bringing home the bacon? Wow! Lonnie leaned against the handle, playing an idle game while Sabrina and Taylor glitch out over prices.