by B Truly
I can’t help being surprised finding Regan and one of the twins moving around in the kitchen. I’m not sure which twin it is with his back turned. Regan is stirring a pot over the stove.
“You guys are cooking dinner?” I blurt.
Startled hazel eyes shoot toward me, followed by a crooked grin. A deep dimple forms in his left cheek, igniting a thrill through my body. Justin, I shiver, then play it off, smiling back.
Regan turns, greeting me. “It’s Sunday. I was raised on eating big Sunday dinners as a family.”
“We did, too.” My grin widens. “I’m kinda shocked to see the two of you preparing the meal. Mama and I did most of the cooking.”
“Glad you approve.” Regan beams.
“I’m a pretty good cook, actually,” Justin chimes in.
Regan rolls his eyes. “My son’s an okay cook. I’ve taught him everything he knows, but he still has a lot to learn.”
Justin chuckles. “I can take him on. He just won’t admit it.”
I laugh, too. What is it about Justin’s playful demeanor? His smile takes the weight off the world—like everything will be okay. “Maybe you two should have a cooking contest and the judges can decide,” I suggest.
Justin’s face lights up. “Sweet idea.”
Regan removes the lid from the pot and takes it over to the sink, dropping noodles into the colander. “We’ll see,” Regan replies.
“What are you making?”
“Chicken fettucine,” Regan responds.
“Anything I can do to help?”
“You can help me make a salad.” Justin’s dimple displays as his lips curl up.
I ignore the tingle it gives me. I never knew a dimple could be so attractive. After washing my hands, I go over to Justin for instructions. Regan eyes me with curiosity. He’s probably wondering about my pleasant attitude.
This week I’ve said a vocabulary of five words to him—good morning, hi, hello, I’m good, I’m fine. I feel guilty. My life seemed to turn upside down so quickly. Still, I was raised with manners. Regardless of our situation, Gigi would be disappointed with how rude I’ve been. At the end of the day, my father’s shortcomings aren’t Regan’s fault.
Another philosophy my grams taught me: “Make the best out of things, even unpleasant situations.” So that is what I’m attempting to do. A positive attitude will get you a long way, I hear Grandma Thibodeaux’s voice in the back of my mind.
Dinner with my new family isn’t half bad. Definitely awkward and will take getting used to, but it’s tolerable. Regan asks Tanya and me about our hobbies and things we like to do. Also, what we think about Houston. Jackson and Justin make jibes every so often, which is amusing. Gigi’s good attitude philosophy is a better alternative. Pouting and throwing a fit isn’t going to change anything.
The chicken fettucine is scrumptious. I must hand it to them—they sure can cook. Food is one of my favorite qualities of life. Although, one probably can’t tell from my size five frame. Thankfully, I’ve been blessed with Grandma Thibodeaux’s genes—short and petite. Tanya is five inches taller than me at 5’8”, the same height as our mom. They both have hourglass figures and are blessed in the bust department. I have an average size bust and a well-rounded behind—the curviest thing on my body. Neither of them gorges on food, claiming they need to watch their girlie figures. It’s all good. I eat enough for all three of us.
After dinner, everyone scatters to prepare for tomorrow morning. Justin stops me on my way upstairs. “Madison, my brother’s gonna drive tomorrow. He’s already offered Tanya a ride, and I’ll probably tag along. So, let’s just all ride together.”
His statement startles me. When we registered, Taylor gave us a bus number, so I assumed I would have to catch the big yellow bus. Justin’s full lips curl up slightly as I glance up at his impressive height. He must be at least 6’2”. I kinda like how he towers over me. My cheeks flush not used to a boy having this effect on me. Though I’m certain he probably affects the majority of the female gender this way. Anyone with eyes can see. Both him and his brother have a slender build with sculpted chests and firm biceps. Their faces are fit for the cover of a magazine—high cheek bones, perfect noses, smooth skin the color of caramel and dreamy hazel eyes. Gah! What’s wrong with me, practically drooling over him! Justin’s long eyelashes flutter, waiting on my response.
Enough, Madison! I chastise myself.
Squaring my shoulders, I reply, “Sounds good. Thanks.” I need to get a grip around him. For one, I don’t want him knowing how much he flusters me. Second, it’s inappropriate. Our parents are dating, which brings up an important question. “Um … what are you going to tell people at Taylor about me and my sister?”
“Haven’t given it much thought,” he ponders, rubbing his thumb along his chin. “Kinda weird, huh?”
“It’s more than strange.”
“How do you wanna go about it?”
“I’m not sure about Tanya, we’re total opposites. But I’d rather people not be in my business.”
“Yeah, y’all do seem completely opposite.” I smirk. “I mean that in a good way. You’re probably right, though. We’d be the gossip of school. You’ll see tomorrow that folks at Taylor love being in me and my brother’s business.”
“Have you guys been in a lot of drama?”
“No more than normal teens.” He raises his eyebrow up and down. I try not to grin, failing. “We’re just well-known. I play basketball and Jackson is great in track.”
That makes sense. They’re popular athletes. Even more reason to be discreet. “What if we just say we’re neighbors? Moved in this summer across the street.”
Justin chuckles. “Sounds like a feasible strategy. Personally, I don’t really care what they say about me. Only opinions that matter are those of my family and friends. But I agree it would be best to keep how we know each other on the down low for now.”
I nod, changing my footing.
“Don’t worry. I’ll let Jackson know. No need to give our pupils gossip material on our first day.”
I shake my head. Justin seems to always sway an uncomfortable topic in a positive light. A good quality. “Well, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thanks for helping with dinner.”
“You’re welcome. It was delicious. You were right to toot your own horn.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.” His hazel eyes sear me. “Meet us downstairs at 6:45 am.”
Did the temperature heat up in here? Suddenly, I feel really warm. I scurry to my room before he can notice how red my cheeks are.
9
Dora & Diego
My alarm sounds, jolting me awake. I’m normally an early riser. It feels as if I just closed my eyes, and I’m on edge with how it will go today. After a quick shower, I throw on a pair of jeans, an emoji short-sleeve tee, and black Vans. Blowing out my breath, I give up on taming my curls. The spirals fall at shoulder-level. I apply lip gloss, glancing myself over in the mirror. My appearance will have to do. Downstairs, I put a pack of Pop-tarts in the toaster.
A few minutes later, Justin appears in the kitchen. Handsome as ever, he’s sporting gray jeans, and a white Nike T-shirt with black and gray Jordans.
His eyes dilate for a second. “You look nice,” he compliments.
There go my cheeks, flaming red—a dead giveaway. “Thanks, so do you.” I don’t dare meet his eyes. He grabs OJ from the refrigerator and chugs down a glass.
“You nervous?”
“A little.”
“You’ll be fine. Taylor’s a huge campus, but I’ll show you around.” He glances at his cell. “That brother of mine is always running late.”
“Sounds like my sister.”
He shoots me a grin before walking to the end of the stairs. “Yo, Jay! Hurry up man, or we’re gonna be late.”
Moments later, Jackson hustles down the steps, with Tanya not far behind. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get your panties all in a wad, bro.”
“Bite me,” Justin teases.
Jackson is rocking all black. From his T-shirt, to his jeans, to his black Jordans—more of a bad-boy swagger. He’s wearing earrings and a fancy watch, blinging with diamonds. Gems that I’m sure are real.
Jackson glimpses at me. “Looking good, sweet-cheeks.”
I’m not fond of his nickname for me. I don’t bother correcting him. I’m learning it eggs him on. Tanya smirks as she comes downstairs. Next to her, I look like cotton compared to silk. We are polar opposites in personality and appearance. Her toffee complexion is similar to the twins, but theirs has more of a reddish tone.
Tanya looks gorgeous strutting skinny jeans, a trendy silver and black casual shirt with a pair of chrome dress sandals. I can’t fathom how she can walk in three inch heels like a pro. Tanya’s make-up enhances her honey-brown irises. The texture of her hair isn’t like mine, either. She has black, straight hair, as opposed to my brown curls. Even though she has a good grade of hair, she prefers to wear weave. Since we came to Houston, Mama lets her go all out, wearing a long, wavy glamorous weave that costs three-hundred dollars.
“Hi, Tanya,” I speak.
She turns up her nose. “Hey.”
“You look great,” I add.
“Right! I could give those girls on America’s Top Model a run for their money. Ready, Jay?”
“Let’s go. You’re wearing those jeans, by the way.”
Tanya smiles so big—I think her face may crack. Justin’s brow furrows, eyeing her skeptically. I shake my head, so used to Tanya’s arrogance. Jackson grabs his keys, and we file out.
“Is she always like that?” Justin wonders.
“Yep.”
It still amazes me that Regan bought them both such fancy, expensive SUVs for their sixteenth birthdays. Mama loves talking about how prestigious a real estate company her Rico Suave owns and how successful a broker he is. Regan drives an Escalade. He bought Jackson a black Tahoe and Justin a silver Aviator. Both SUVs look brand spanking new. Jackson’s appears flashier with huge, shiny chrome rims.
Tanya hops into the passenger side of the Tahoe. Justin and I take the back. On the way, I fidget with my backpack.
“Are we all good on how we are acquaintances?” asks Justin.
“Yeah, got it,” Jackson replies. “The two of you are our lovely new neighbors.”
“For once, I agree with Madison,” Tanya speaks up. “Folks don’t need to know that our parents are bumping pelvises.”
I shallow hard. “You don’t have to make it sound so vulgar.”
Tanya smacks her lips. “Why not? It’s the truth.”
Jackson snorts, pulling into Taylor’s parking lot. “FYI, until track starts, I’m cool with giving you ladies a ride. That’s if you don’t misbehave, Tanya.”
She giggles at him. “Give me a break. You’re always the one who’s cutting up.”
Jackson snickers. Those two have become chummy. Justin rolls his eyes at them as he gets out of the car. Already, I’ve begun noticing students in the parking lot staring. A group of boys have come over, talking with Jackson.
Justin strolls over to my side. “Let me see your phone?”
I fetch my cell out of my purse, handing it to him. He makes a silly face, snapping a selfie, and then puts his number in. I can’t help laughing at him.
“There, my number is saved. Call me now, so I’ll have yours. That way we can communicate with each other.” I dial his number, so he can save mine. “We’ll see how this goes. Jackson’s been known to pull stunts.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let him hook up with a girl. That will end up with us stranded. No telling with him, so we’ll rotate driving.”
We walk to the front of his Tahoe, standing closer to Tanya, Jackson, and the group that’s formed. I idle for a moment. Normal sisters would walk together. Tanya seems more than happy to engage with these dudes.
“I’m going to head inside,” I tell Tanya.
“Okay. See ya,” she replies, not even looking at me.
“Have fun today.”
“Oh, I will,” she adds.
“Later, Jay,” Justin tells Jackson. They make fists, hitting each other’s knuckles.
Justin tags by my side. “It’s really starting to annoy me how dismissively your sister acts toward you.”
The fact that it bothers him warms my heart. Shrugging, I reply, “It doesn’t hurt my feelings anymore. We’ve never been close.”
“My brother and I have always been close. I don’t get why y’all aren’t. You guys are less than two years apart. Did something happen to tear a rift between you two?”
“Not that I’m aware of. When we were younger, I use to follow her around like a puppy. I think she loved telling me what to do. As we got older, she preferred hanging with her friends. In the past, I’ve tried to bond with her. I have just always felt like I get on her nerves.”
Justin shakes his head. “It’s weird.”
“Maybe it has to do with my father.”
“What do you mean?”
“My mom has always favored my sister and my dad, me. Tanya always sought my father’s affection. I don’t think she felt that he ever loved her as much as he loved me and maybe she holds it against me.”
“That isn’t your fault. Besides, there shouldn’t be favorites.”
“Who you telling? I feel the same way about Mama’s affection, but you don’t see me holding a grudge against her.”
“That’s because you have a kind heart, Madison.”
“I wish Tanya and I could be closer. I’ve just given up on trying. It takes two people in any relationship.”
“I don’t blame you. Just know that I’m your friend.”
“You are?” He nods. “Being the new kid on the block, I could use some friends.”
His lips curve upward, showing his dimple. Butterflies twirl in my stomach. This twin is really sweet. Deep in our conversation, I’d forgotten about all the curious stares. Now scoping out my surroundings as we enter the massive school, every eye seems to land on us with “who the heck are you” glares, to flirtatious, lust-filled expressions directed at Justin. Every chick is checking Justin out, more like eating him up with their hungry gazes. When they get wind of me, they sneer. This is what Justin must’ve meant. I get the drift Justin and Jackson are more than popular. These girls want him badly.
I clear the moth ball in my throat. “Everyone’s staring at us.”
“It will be okay. It’s your first day, after all.”
Easy for him to say. He’s getting warm and fuzzy looks while I’m getting hateful glares.
“Yo, Jenkins!” a dude hollers from across the hall.
“Hold on a sec,” Justin tells him. “Where’s your first period class?”
It’s interesting that Justin and I are both juniors. I don’t want to admit my hope for us to have a class together. Grabbing my schedule, I skim it. “English, South 322.”
“South is that way,” he points. “Do you know where to go? I can show you.”
Haven’t a clue, but I don’t want Justin to feel like he needs to babysit me. As intimidating as Taylor is with four thousand students, twice the size and occupancy of my old school, I need to come into my own here.
“I can find it.”
“You sure?”
“Yep. Go with your homeboys. I’ll see you later.”
“Don’t get caught with your cell in class or they’ll take it. I’ll text you between classes.”
I wave at him as he heads with his friends. I hate feeling like I’m a burden. At Winsten, I overcame the insecurities I’d had, happy to fit in with a crowd who was like me. At Taylor, I’m starting all over. Students pass by. Some of them aren’t paying attention to me and a couple of guys are checking me out. The most common trend is the females blatantly staring, wondering who I am.
Yep, I’m the new chick, I want to scream.
A fangirl of Justin’s who looked at him with puppy dog eyes when we came in walks by me with
her friend. Turning up her nose, she shoots daggers in my direction. I hold her glower, refusing to back down. She breaks first, whispering in her home-girl’s ear. I’m not a fan of confrontation, but if push comes to shove, I will stand up for myself. My senses tell me that I’m going to have to stand my ground this year.
* * *
Third period Spanish II is easy to find. The class is set up with individual student desks. I sit at a desk next to a wall, a seat in front of the last on that row. Normally, I prefer being in front. In my first two classes, I’d chosen seats toward the front, and felt like I was part of a buffet. Almost every student blatantly stared. At least Lina, who sat next to me in second period, had been friendly.
Spanish is filling up. I pull out my notebook when somebody sits behind me. Seconds later, they tap my shoulder. Glancing over my shoulder, I meet warm, hazel eyes. I’m aware of which brother he is because of his clothes. My cheeks grow scarlet.
Not again! My response to him is getting ridiculous.
“Well, what do you know? We have a class together.” A wide smile stretches across his face.
I can’t help my silly grin. “I took Spanish I last year.”
“Me, too.”
Across from me, a chick’s mouth gapes open at us. I can’t determine if she’s shocked Justin is in our class, or at the fact that he’s speaking to me.
He leans over, whispering in my ear. “This should be fun.” The chick’s eyes grow large, appearing to hang on his every word. “How did your first classes go?”
“They were fine.”
“Did you get lost a lot?”
I did. Snorting, I reply, “Nope. Piece of cake.”
Another fella plops in the desk across from Justin. “What up, Justin?”
“Hey, Travis,” Justin replies.
Travis looks over at me and bites his lip. “I’m Travis. I haven’t seen you around. You new?”
“Yeah, I moved from Baton Rouge.”
Travis’ lips curve sideways. “What’s your name?”
“Madison.” Justin frowns at Travis.
“I can show you around scho....”
The tardy bell cuts Travis off. Our teacher, Ms. Perez, begins class, so I turn forward. I overhear Travis asking Justin if he knows me. Justin doesn’t answer him. The girl across from me laps Justin up like she wants him for dinner, maybe dessert. Her eyes finally dart away from him as Ms. Perez takes attendance.
