Teenage Love Affair Read Free Page B

days.”
    â€œI knew I smelled something,” my cousin Seven said, laughing and running into her room.
    â€œI’ma get you!” I laughed while running behind her. “I’ma get you!”
    For the next few hours we played with my cousins, and before we knew anything my mother had returned with an even wider smile and the prettiest diamonds I’d ever seen dangling from her ears.
    â€œMommy,” I said, “those are pretty.”
    â€œThank you, honey.” She looked at my aunty Grier. “He said he was sorry.”
    â€œHe does every time.”
    â€œLook.” My mother grabbed me and my sister by the hand. “I have to go.”
    â€œI’m sure you do,” my aunty said as we walked out her front door. “I’m sure you do.”
    The next few weeks at home were surprisingly calm. There was no Chinese food, beer, or Hennessy. We even saw my brother more. I’d never been this happy and prayed that things stayed this way. We had a lot of fun together, and what I discovered during that time was my daddy had a sense of humor. Can you believe it? He was funny. Oh, and my mother could sing. I never knew any of those things. I hardly watched TV anymore because we’d become masters at entertaining one another.
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    It was the last day of school, and I was sad that I wouldn’t be seeing my friends every day for a while. I mean, I knew I would see them every now and then on the block, but it wouldn’t be the same as daily.
    Besides, I hated goodbyes, and this is exactly what today felt like…the end.
    We all signed each other’s autograph books and wrote crazy messages to one another. This was it for sixth grade, and we were on our way to junior high.
    From where I was standing I could see Malachi watching me from across the room. I thought about going over and talking to him for a quick moment, but then I changed my mind. There was no way I could let anyone, besides Courtney and Asha, know I was in love with him.
    When the bell rang and everyone gathered their things, I lagged behind so that I could say bye to Malachi, especially since my emotions and embarrassment wouldn’t allow me to say goodbye in front of anyone.
    Once the classroom was cleared and everyone rushed into the hallway, I walked over to Malachi and stood in front of his desk. I didn’t know what the heck I should do or what I should say, so while the teacher’s back was turned I did what I’d secretly been dreaming about for weeks. I planted a wet one on his lips, and then before he realized what had happened to him I took off running, leaving nothing but the echo of my Nikes behind.
    By the time I arrived home I was completely out of breath. I could hear music playing as I opened the apartment door, and spotted Chinese food on the dining room table. My heart immediately fell to my chest. Hell on Earth was back again. I swear I hated Chinese food.
    My mother looked at me and smiled. “Hey, Zsa.” She held her arms out for a hug. “How was the last day of school?”
    â€œIt was okay.” I hunched my shoulders.
    â€œWell, tell me about it later.” She smiled. “Your father brought Chinese food.”
    â€œI see,” I said, looking at the table and then glancing at the case of beer and bottle of Hennessy on the counter. It was official. Our dysfunctional routine was back in motion. Derrick didn’t waste any time leaving. I felt as if I was waiting on an inevitable car crash.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Zsa-Zsa?” my mother asked while I finished up my food.
    â€œNothing,” I said, watching my father drink his fourth beer.
    My mother followed the direction of my eyes, and she snapped. “Zach, don’t you see Zsa-Zsa is upset with you starting to drink so much again?”
    My eyes bugged out of my head. I couldn’t believe my mother did that! Now the argument was about me? It was my fault? Now I knew for sure when