Chapter 3

The next day

Aaliyah entered her first period class and headed towards her desk located by her close friend, Ariel. She took her seat and sat her notebook on the desk. The tardy bell rung, indicating students to be in class. “Alright students. You know the drill.” Mrs. Whitefiled spoke up. “Do the daily journal then Ms. Hitman will turn the television on four our morning announcements.” Aaliyah rubbed through her silk hair as she slowly closed her eyelids. She hadn’t gotten any sleep last night and it was really starting to affect her.

“Aaliyah?” someone whispered behind her. She looked over her shoulder to stare at Hailie. “Here.” she handed her a note. “Could I use your lip liner?” 

“Sure.” she handed her, her purse and unfolded the note, slowly beginning to read.

Welcome back, LiLi

Meet me after class at the student parking lot. You should know what’s up. If you’re interested…right back.

Love, Curly

She looked up to gaze at the familiar looking curly haired dude that sat two rows away from her. She jotted down her answer and folded back up the note. “Hey, Ariel.” she looked up to gaze at him. “Could you hand this to JuJu?” she accepted the note and tossed it to Justin. “Thanks.”

She glanced at Mrs. Whitefield who eyed her down, giving her the look. “OH boy.” she rolled her eyes, and started on her daily journal.

After class

Aaliyah stepped on the student parking lot, and approached the familiar jaguar with a guy leaning against it. “What’s up, boo?” she pulled him in a hug.

“Hey, cutie.” he pulled back to stare in her eyes. “Wanna go for a ride in the jaguar?”

“Sure.” he pulled the passenger’s door open and allowed her to get in. He hopped in on the driver’s side and cranked the car up, pulling out of the lot afterwards. “This ride is SO tight. Woooo hooo.” he chuckled and gazed at her.

“You really like it? I should’ve drove the BMW…I meant the Benz to school today. The BMW and this car is TOO expensive.”

“The Benz is also.” she spoke up.

“Well…yeah. You can say that.” he stopped at a red light.

“Where’s your girlfriend?” she asked curiously.

“Who? Oliver?” he pulled off when the light turned green.

“Yes. Who else could I possibly be talking about?” she spoke smartly.

“Well excuse me, Ms. Smarty pants. Nah…I’m just kidding. Oliver didn’t come today. She’s at home…sick with the flu.”

“Oh. I didn’t know. Sorry.”

“Nah. It’s okay.” he made a right at the stop sign. “Oliver and I aren’t…doing very well. She’s beginning to have feelings for her best friend who lives next door to her. Boy, when I heard that come from out of her mouth…I just wanted to hit someone. I was so pissed. Any way…I know we’re gonna break up sooner or later.”

“Hmm. To tell you the truth…I can’t stand her.” he chuckled. “Seriously. She’s too stuck up, and bossy. She thinks she’s better then everyone.” she complained.

“Yeah. You’re right about that. You think I deserve better?”

“Hell yeah.” he broke out laughing.

“Look how you said it. Hell yeah. Haha.” she shook her head pathetically.

“Justin…can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Anything.” he payed his close attention to her.

“Um…I noticed…you like thick women more. Um…do you think I’m too skinny for you?” he held an hilarious look.

“First of all…where did you hear this thick women crap from? I don’t like thick women better than slim women. That’s what you assumed. And to answer your question…nope. You’re not too slim for me.” she blushed and held her head down. “Actually…you’re too perfect for me.” she looked up to gaze in his eyes. “Sometimes…I wonder if I’ll ever have a chance with a girl like you.” at that point, she was absentminded by his words. “What do you think of me?” 

“Well…” she gulped down as she looked away. “Um…I think…” a horn interrupted her. He looked up to realize the red light had changed to green.

“Shit.” he pulled off and proceeded down the road.

“Ahaha.” Aaliyah laughed underneath her breath.

“What’s so funny?”

“Um…nothing. Ahaha. I dunno. I’m just…being foolish.” he chuckled as he kept his eyes on her and the road at the same time.

“You know…you’re very beautiful, LiLi.” she looked up to gaze in his eyes. “I realized a long time ago but…I couldn’t tell you. I don’t know why.” she gazed deeply in his eyes. “Um…I need to stop by my house for a minute.”

“Um…okay. Fine with me.” he chuckled and looked back at the road as he proceeded towards his destination.