Epilogue.“3…2…1!”The rope was cut and the doors of Cocoland were thrown open. Cheers erupted from the guests gathered in front of the building.Sophie, Penny, Paul, Fiona and everyone else who was a friend was clapped and cheered. Nolen was running wildly between everyone’s legs and was the first to enter the building.Yolanda clapped and hugged me cheering.“We did it!” She shrieked and kissed my cheek.Mom was next. She nearly lifted me off the floor as she hugged me close to her enormous breasts. “I am so proud of you, baby!” She searched for Yolanda and hugged her close too. “And you too. Look at you. My girls have wrong into women,” she cried. “I am so proud of you. I know your dad is too.”I felt Yolanda’s eyes on me and I realized she was watching to see if I would break down again but I didn’t. Instead, I responded to Mom’s comment with a smile.“Yes, he is.”We made our way into the building and I almost swooned. I still can’t believe that this – this belongs to me.Cocolan
“Jason, it’s 9 remember?” “Of course babe, I’ll remember. I’ll be there before you know it. Chill out.” I glared at Jason, my boyfriend of six months, my longest relationship ever. Actually, my first relationship ever since I turned seventeen last year. He brown eyes were glued to his phone and he was texting rapidly. Is he even listening to me? “Jason,” I said again, craning my neck to see what had him so engrossed in his phone. He finally looked up, placing his phone on his chest, and smiled. Even after six months I still get butterflies in my belly when he smiles like that. Jason is top ten in our class and I can’t believe how lucky I am to be his girlfriend. “I hope that’s my birthday present you’re picking.” “You’ll see. I’ll be there babe,” he drawled and leaned across the gear to press a kiss to my lips. I grinned foolishly and returned the kiss before getting my bag to leave the car. My friends Lurane and Sophie waited at the entrance of school in front of Lurane’s car. She
“Oh my God!” I said suddenly. “What?” “I forgot the shoe box in Jason’s car! Shit mom is going to be so mad! We need to go to Jason’s now!” Sophie cocked a brow. She threw my gown carelessly on my bed. “Why? He is coming, right? He can just bring it along.” “Maybe I can call him.” But after 5 unsuccessful calls I threw my phone on the bed. “It’s no use. Can you come with me?” I hope he hasn’t forgotten about the dinner?! He had seemed a bit distracted this morning so I gotta make sure my boyfriend makes it for my birthday. Also, I was way too distracted by his distraction that I forgot the box of shoe mom asked me to pick up from the store that morning. “Do I have a choice,” Sophie asked with a roll of her eyes. The side of her lips tilted up. “No, you don’t.” I kissed her cheek. “You are the best.” “Of course I am.” I changed my clothes and wore a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt. Still an hour until dinner, that’s enough time to get Jason, maybe hang around for a make-out se
Buzzzzzzzz!!!!I slammed the alarm bedside my bed. It clattered to the floor with a dull thud but the alarm kept buzzing.“Arghhhhh, I’m up already.”The lights came on. A small figure stood at my door smiling sleepily at me. His hair curly black hair was all over the place, and his JJBA pyjama's bottom was lowered on one hip.“Hey baby, come over and give mommy a hug.”My six-year-old son, Nolen, came running into my arms. Yes, I named him after his father. Seven years ago I was a bitter youth, angry and ready to revenge against my best friend and boyfriend’s betrayal, ran into the arms of my neighbor, and made my son. I regret that night, I regret the words out of my lips to Nolan. His hurt eyes tormented me ever since and I never got the chance to apologize because he moved before I could finally find the courage to apologize for taking my anger on him. I never thought I was ready to be a mother until I had little Nolen in my arms. At that moment I knew God was giving me a second c
It can’t be! No. Your eyes are playing tricks with you, I repeated in my head. There is no possible way this ghost from my past would be here in flesh and blood, standing with his hand out to take mine. No fucking way! Nolan Pierce in flesh and blood! Except this wasn’t Nolan Pierce, this person standing in front of me walked out of GQ magazine or something equivalent. No way the Nolan Pierce I know fills out a suit like this. But here he was in front of me. I remember the green eyes because I see those green eyes every morning, afternoon and evening in Nolen. Every other thing about him from the chiseled jawline that would most definitely cut glass, to the well-groomed fingers of the hand still stretched out and the tall imposing build belongs to someone else, not the Nolan I know. Who the heck is this handsome 6-foot whatever stranger?! “Get over yourself, Chantelle and have a seat.” I opened my mouth to speak and found myself stuttering. “Y-yes ma’am.” I took a step forward to
What are the chances that the first person you ever loved, spent days hoping she would notice you someday and speak to you would crush your heart in her pretty hands and come back into your life unexpectedly looking hotter and sexier than ever? Okay, maybe she’s not coming back into my life but running into her and having her plan your engagement party counts as being in your life right?And still as beautiful as ever. I remember the first time I saw her, I was the awkward kid on the block, just moved from another state where I got into trouble in school with a guy who called my mom a whore for not knowing who my father is. I punched his face so hard I nearly broke his skull. After that incident mom moved away and found a new school for me and also found a new job for herself. But I was having trouble blending in. I never joined the neighborhood kids in their basketball games on the local court, nor did I attend parties. Even before moving, I preferred being alone. But I saw Chantelle
Let’s just say the rest of my day was great. My back was bent and sprained after running to answer all of Penelope’s demands by the time I got home. Sophie’s fried chicken welcomed me home. A pop song played loudly from the speakers. I sniffed the air appreciatively making my way to the kitchen where Sophie danced in front of the pan with a pair of tongs in her hand. “Under your sexy body,” her off-key voice rose above the music. “Do you mind?” I yelled above the noise. My head pounded. She turned to see me standing at the kitchen door and immediately turned down the volume of the music. “Nice dress. Penelope’s cast away? I thought you were going to sleep over with The Dragon.” I dropped my bag on the counter, kicked off my heels, and picked a piece of chicken from the bunch she had cooling on the rack. It was delicious! “Where’s Nolen?” “In his room. I kept him busy with some comics. You are welcome.” “Sophie!” I groaned. “He should be doing his assignments…” “Done and dusted
“Bye, mommy. Bye Aunty Sophie.”“Bye baby,” I waved at Nolen for the third time and finally forced myself to stop adjusting his uniform and let him go join his friends.“Get in the car,” Sophie called out to me. “You will be late for work.”I waited until Nolen and his friends were in the custody of their teacher before joining her. She had left her car at home and chosen to be my chauffeur today since it was her day off. Also, Penelope had sent a message to prepare me for the tedious work of organizing and decorating waiting for me today so I may work late and leave with Penelope after work. To be honest, a bit of Sophie’s reckless driving is what I need to take my mind off my life’s complications right now. Nolan, Lurane and mom. With mom coming I bet she will take one long look at me and know something is bothering me. She always had that knack for knowing such things. The last thing I want is an interrogation from her.25 minutes later Sophie drifted into the parking lot of the co