Chapter 3: Crestwood

Chapter 3

Crestwood

Aisha and I sat at the table dumbstruck as Ya-ya looked back and forth between us.

"Do you know who that is?" asked Ya-ya completely clueless.

"Yeah. He's a teacher from Crestwood." Said Vicky.

The only reason we knew he was a Crestwood teacher was because he was wearing their school shirt. I bet you're saying "oh that could just be a guy that bought that shirt cuz it looked cool" well you're wrong. Crestwood only gives their shirts to students and teachers and he didn't look like a student.

"How are you girls doing today?" asked the mysterious Crestwood teacher.

"Fine." We all said simultaneously.

We avoided eye contact and Ya-ya followed suit. Our mother came down the stairs wearing her expensive red Vera Wang dress. She hasn't worn that since Christmas and that was five months ago.

"Girls this is Ted. He's a Geometry teacher at Crestwood." Said mom walking up beside "Ted".

"Why is he here?" I didn't mean to sound rude but it just slipped out that way.

"He was at the seminar I hosted and he complimented me on my work although I can't understand why a man like him would need motivation." She turned and smiled at him.

"Oh. Well we're all going to the mall so I'll see you later, mom." I wasn't hoping to see Ted later.

We all got up from the table and walked towards the front door. I was the last one out the door and just before I closed it a hand stopped it.

"What the-

It was Ted.

"You girls behave yourselves." Said Ted.

"Uh sure."

Who the hell does he think he is telling us to behave? Please. He is not my dad. I let go of the door instead of closing it and walked to the car. He watched us back out of the driveway before closing it.

"What was that about?" asked Aisha when we were a safe distance away.

"He told us to 'behave ourselves'." I said putting air quotes around behave ourselves.

"Who the hell does he think he is?" asked Vicky repeated what I thought when he said it.

"I don't like him." Said Aisha.

"Me either." I said.

"So are we really going to the mall?" asked Ya-ya who finally spoke up.

"Do you guys want to?"

"It's kind-of early," replied Aisha. "Why don't we head to the basketball court? I bet Derwin and Ray are there already."

"No." I said sternly. Tears began welling up in my eyes and I bit my lip to hold the retched tears back.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

I noticed the car had stopped moving. We were in front of Jeremiah's house. I haven't seen him in days, and he lives in my neighborhood.

"Tell us please." Pleaded Ya-ya.

I sighed and prepared myself for telling the awful thing I witnessed at HIS party. I wouldn't dare say HIS name.

"AT THE PARTY LACEY WAS IN A ROOM ON HER KNEES IN FRONT OF HIM DOING THE NASTY!!!" I blurted out. Tears the size of grapes overflowed in my eyes and ran down my face. I hiccuped and cried and couldn't speak anymore.

"Lacey was in front of who?" asked Aisha.

"Doing what?" asked Vicky.

"In front of..... Derwin!" I sputtered.

They still had half clueless expressions on their faces, so I showed them by putting my finger in my mouth and poking it around until they got the picture.

"Oh my gosh. No he didn't!" screamed Aisha. "I'm going to slap the chap of his lips and then imma smack the cum off of Lacey's."

"Didn't you two start going out yesterday?" asked Vicky. I'd never seen her so concerned.

"Yes, but I broke up with him when he tried to act like I didn't see what I saw. He texted me all last night, but I didn't even look at them."

I took my phone out of my pocket and Ya-ya snatched it out of my hands.

"I knew I wasn't going to like him." She said.

She tore through my phone and found the text messages.

"Damn he texted you 35 times." Said Ya-ya. She began reading all the texts out loud.

"I didn't do it I swear. Please listen to me. Lacey is just trying to get you its not true. I didn't let her come on. Well at least let me show u da video."

"Ew he video taped it." Vicky's face twisted in disgust.

"That perv." Said Aisha. Ya-ya continued reading the texts.

"You seriously think I would do that to you? I can't believe u think that's the kind of guy I am."

They gradually got more and more accusing.

"You are so lame for thinking I would do this. Why can't you get over your insecurities and trust that I didn't do anything with her? Fine, don't text me back.

Maybe I will go do something with Lacey."

"Just stop. I don't want to hear anymore. Delete them all." I said.

"I'll do better than that. I'll call him and give him a piece of my mind." Said Ya-ya.

"Wait no-

Too late. She called Derwin's number and the phone rang three times before he answered.

"Oh thank God. Baby thank you for calling me." He said.

"Sorry I'm not your 'baby' but I am your ex-baby's friend. Now listen here Derwin. I don't know what your angle was trying to play Jazmaine like that but-

"What are you talking about?" interrupted Derwin.

Aisha took the phone from Ya-ya and answered his question.

"We're talking about Lacey giving you head at your wack ass party. That's what we're fucking talking about." I could tell she was getting aggravated.

"No that's not what happened! Put Jazmaine on the phone."

"You ain't my daddy telling me to put Jazmaine on the phone. I put her on the phone if I feel like it." Aisha enunciated every word trying to make her point.

"Damn it Aisha. Please put her on the phone." Said Derwin.

"I don't know. I'll ask her if she wants to talk to you. In the meanwhile talk to Vicky." She handed the phone to Vicky who proceeded to curse Derwin out in every language she knew.

"So, do you want to talk to him?" asked Aisha.

"Not really. What did he say?"

"He said that's not what happened and he wants to talk to you." She replied.

"Ugh let me have the phone Vicky." I said.

"Hold on." She replied. She returned to the phone conversation she was having. "Oye pendejo maricon-

I snatched the phone from her before she could finish that sentence. She's not taking Spanish but someone is teaching her the bad words.

"What do you want Derwin?" I asked sounding exasperated.

"Please just hear me out before anyone else curses at me in foreign languages." He pleaded.

"Whatever." I said.

"Okay Lacey just came out of nowhere and followed me into the bathroom. I didn't invite her. I told her to leave me alone. When I came out she was on my bed. I told her to leave so I could lock the place up but she didn't leave. She was all over me and it was gross. She pushed me onto the bed and got on her knees. I was like 'what the hell?' She said she could make me feel good and what not and I felt so grossed out. I closed my eyes so I didn't puke all over her face. She tried to unzip my pants, but I pushed her hand away and left the room. She stayed on the floor and I went looking for you. That's all please believe me I don't want to lose you." He was out of breath and his voice started to crack.

"I don't know. You said you had the video, right?"

"Yeah. I have cameras all over my room."

"Good to know. Bring the video by Jeremiah's house and we'll see if you're telling the truth. Oh yeah and you have twenty-five minutes to get here or I'm leaving and you will never see me again." I hung up the phone and laid my head on the car window.

I realized I was the only one still in the car. Everyone got out giving me some privacy I presume. I took the keys out of the car and got out. I slowly walked towards Jeremiah's front door. I noticed his parents' car was gone. I let myself in and everyone was in the kitchen.

"Back so soon?" asked Vicky. "Cuz I sure as hell could've spent another twenty minutes cursing him out."

"They told me what happened. I'm so sorry." Said Jeremiah.

"Its alright." I told him.

I pulled up a chair and sat down.

"Do you want me to kick his ass?" asked Jeremiah.

He's so sweet. "If his story turns out to be a load of crap and he doesn't show up here in twenty minutes you can."

"Okay."

We sat there in silence for a few minutes. It wasn't one of those peaceful silences it was more awkward than anything.

"So, who wants to jump in my new pool?!" asked Jeremiah trying to be the first to start a conversation. Bless his heart.

"We didn't bring any suits." Said Vicky.

"Well, Jazmaine left hers here from her last visit a couple months ago." Said Jeremiah.

"Tell me you don't still have that."

"I do. I sniff it every night before I go to bed." He had a really serious look on his face and busted out laughing.

We all had a good laugh for a while and then I said, "Okay let's do it."

"What about us?" asked Ya-ya.

"Jeremiah's gay so just swim in your bra and panties."

"You're gay?!" screamed Ya-ya. She looked so disappointed.

"No. I am bi though." He replies smiling.

"Oh okay. Then let's do it!" She threw her shirt off and waved her arms in the air.

We stared at her in shock for a few seconds before we all did the same. Jeremiah led us to his massive backyard and showed us his new underground pool. I was the first to jump in because I'm crazy like that. The cool water comforted me and for a while I completely forgot about Derwin.

Jeremiah had a stereo outside for parties so he turned it on and put on Back to the Crib by Juelz Santana featuring Chris Brown. He also had one of those mini basketball hoops in the pool and we started playing against each other. The bell rang and Jeremiah jumped out of the pool to go answer it. His jeans were soaking wet but he left them on and went inside. The next song that came on was Frozen by Tami Chynn featuring Akon.

"He is so hot." Said Ya-ya as soon as he was gone.

There wasn't a specific way to describe Jeremiah. He looks like Jason Derulo mixed with Drake and Chris Brown. He has the voice to back it up.

"You should spend some more time with him then Ya-ya." I replied.

"Ooh Ya-ya has a crush on Jeremiah!" squealed Aisha.

"Shut up." Said Ya-ya. Her face started getting red.

Jeremiah walked back to the pool with Derwin by his side.

"Look what the Lacey dragged in." said Aisha. She made a face at him and rolled her eyes.

"What are you guys doing?" asked Derwin.

I realized we were all in a pool with bras and shorts on. I grabbed my shirt from the side of the pool and put it on. I got out of the pool and walked over to Derwin.

"Do you have the tape?" I asked.

"Yeah." He said as he stared at my now wet outfit.

"Can we use your DVD player Jeremiah?" I asked.

"Go ahead." He said. He turned back to Ya-ya and it seemed as though they were flirting. It made my heart hurt just looking at them.

"Let's go." I said to Derwin as I walked past him into the house.

Not wanting to get the couch wet I sat down on the tile floor in front of the television as Derwin put the DVD in.

"Now watch." He said as he pressed play.

The video started and I watched impatiently as I saw Lacey walk into Derwin's room and sit on the bed.

"What the hell are you doing here? You scared the shit out of me."

"I came to help you." Said Lacey.

"I said I didn't need your help."

"I mean help you get away from that stupid girlfriend of yours."

"Who's getting A's and B's and who's getting D's and F's then tell me who is stupid you ugly bitch." I mentally screamed at the TV.

"What girlfriend?"

Oh so he's gonna act like he didn't have a girlfriend? Typical.

"Don't play dumb with me." She got up and walked over to Derwin. "I'm talking about Jazmaine." She said as she traced her finger up and down his chest.

"How do you know about that?" Derwin asked.

"I saw your little scene in the locker room. I was getting something I forgot when you came in."

"Well you should leave now. I've gotta lock this room back up." Derwin started pushing her towards the door but she grabbed onto the bed and held on tight.

"I want to stay. And you have to stay with me." She closed the door and moved towards him. She pushed him onto the bed and got on her knees.

"What the hell are you doing Lacey?" shouted Derwin.

"I can treat you so much better than that ugly little girlfriend of yours Derwin. I can make you feel good." Said that ho-bag named Lacey. She giggled and put her hand to his zipper.

"Stop," he said and pushed her hand away.

"You don't have to fight it Derwin. I know you want me as much as I want you."

"Get off me Lacey. I don't want you and I never will. The only girl I want is Jazmaine and you are so not her." Derwin left the room and Lacey stayed on the floor.

The video ended there, and I felt as though a great weight was lifted off my shoulders.

"So, do you believe me now?" asked Derwin.

"I'm sorry." I said. I feel like a huge douche. Why couldn't I trust him?

"Why did you just jump to conclusions?" he got up and started pacing again.

"I said I'm sorry okay." I raised my voice slightly. He was making this apology thing harder than it should be.

"Oh, I heard you. I also heard your friends and sister cursing me out for something I didn't do."

"I apologize for them too. They were only looking out for me." He's starting to make me mad.

"I'm still pissed." He said.

"Well maybe if you had any friends you would know why they said those things!" I yelled and stood up.

"And maybe if you weren't such a judgmental bitch you would still have a boyfriend!" he screamed back.

I gasped and everything went in slow motion. If you heard a loud cracking it was my heart breaking. If anyone else had said it I would've said screw you and walked away but somehow coming from him they hurt more. His face softened once he realized how hurt I was.

"You know I didn't mean it like that." He said. He stepped towards me and I took a step back.

"You so did." I bit my lip and closed my eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"Fuck off." I said and tried to get back outside.

"No wait come on." He said and tried to hug me.

"Get off of me!" I screamed and ran outside.

I noticed the music was no longer on and everyone was staring at Derwin through the door with surprised expressions on their faces.

I guess they heard what he said and it hurt them too.

"Get him out of here please." I said to Jeremiah.

"If I go in there I'm going to rip his head off." He replied grinding his teeth together.

"I'll do it." Volunteered Ya-ya.

She got up and went inside.

********************************************************************

Ya-ya's Point of View

I got up to make Derwin leave Jeremiah's house. I walked in and Derwin was still in the same spot staring out the door with a hurt look in his eyes.

"Hey you gotta leave dude." I said.

"I can't." he replied.

"Oh yes you can." I said and started shoving him towards the door. "She has enough to deal with in her life. Her mom is dating some creepy Crestwood teacher named Ted and she doesn't need your retardedness on top of that."

"Wait did you say Ted?" he asked.

Damn maybe I wasn't supposed to say that.

"So, what if I did?"

"That's my dad!" he said in surprise.

"Oh shit." Was all I could say.

I need to get him out of here so I can go tell Jazmaine.

"Let me go talk to her." He said.

"Uh no." I blocked his way and pointed at the front door. "You wouldn't want to talk to a judgmental bitch now would you?" I said.

"I didn't mean it."

"Of course you didn't. Bye, bye now." I said gesturing to the front door.

He sighed reluctantly, took one last glance at the door leading to the backyard and left. Finally!

******************************************************************

Ya-ya came back and ran towards me.

"O.M.F.G" she yelled out.

"What happened?" I asked.

"He didn't break anything did he?" asked Jeremiah.

"No, he didn't break anything but I have news."

"What?" I asked.

"Tell us." Said Aisha.

"That Crestwood dude at your house is Derwin's dad!" she screamed.

"Where did you hear that?" asked Vicky.

"Derwin said it himself."

"But how did he know about him?" asked Aisha.

"I accidently told him but that's not the point. It's his freaking dad." Ya-ya started jumping up and down.

"Shit." Said Jeremiah. "You got some serious problems."

"I know." I said.

We stayed at Jeremiah's house for three more hours and we realized we missed lunch. We went out to Outback Steakhouse for lunch and Vicky and I returned home. We walked through the door and saw our mom in the living room laughing and having wine with Ted.

"Why is he still here?" whispered Vicky.

"I don't know. Let's go upstairs." I whispered back.

We slipped through the door as silently as possible and went half way up the stairs.

"Oh girls come here." Said our mom.

"Damn she spotted us." I said to Vicky.

We slowly came down the stairs but stayed at a distance.

"Girls keep Ted company while I go get the photo albums please."

Hell no!

"Of course mom." I said.

Vicky and I walked towards the couch and sat down as far away from Ted as possible. Mom went upstairs and we were alone with him. We took our phones out and began texting each other even though we were right next to each other.

He's staring at us, I texted Vicky.

I know, she texted back.

"So girls how old are you?" asked Ted.

"15." I said.

"16." Vicky said.

"I have a son that's fifteen." He said.

"Do you?" I asked trying to sound interested.

"Yes his name is Derwin."

"Oh." Said Vicky.

It is true!, texted Vicky.

We kept our heads down and stared at our phones.

"What school do you go to?" he asked moving closer.

"Turion High. Go Titans!" I said with fake enthusiasm.

"My son goes there." He said still moving closer.

I pressed closer to Vicky and avoided eye contact.

Why is he getting so close?, I texted Vicky.

He's such a creeper, she texted back.

He put his hand on my knee and smiled. I smiled back and crossed my legs. (It gave me an excuse to get his hand off of me)

You saw that right?

Hell yeah. What is taking mom so long?

Idk, I texted back.

"You know you girls are very beautiful. Just like your mother." Said Ted.

His honey brown eyes caught the light and made them sparkle weirdly. It scared me.

"Thanks, but we gotta go. Vicky promised to do my hair. Come on Vicky." I grabbed her hand and jogged up the stairs with her.

Just as we got to the top of the stairs our mom appeared with the photo albums she'd been looking for. She was probably trying to give us time to "bond" with Ted. I think we've bonded enough for a lifetime.

"Why did you leave Ted?" she asked.

"I'm doing her hair." Replied Vicky.

"Oh that's nice." She went down the stairs and we ran into my room.

I slammed the door shut and went over to my dresser. I rubbed hand sanitizer on the spot where Ted touched my knee.

"I don't like him." Said Vicky.

"Neither do I. I hope mom doesn't start dating him or something. The dude has been here for four hours." I said sitting down on the bed next to Vicky.

"She wouldn't date a creeper like him." She said.

"I know but she's been single for so long. Maybe she just wants to be sure guys are still attracted to her." I sighed and laid my head against Vicky's shoulder and she rested her cheek on top of my head.

We sat in silence a little and I lifted my head up. I walked over to my laptop and started it. I opened Microsoft Word and began typing.

"What are you doing?" asked Vicky walking over.

"Writing." I said. I didn't want to interrupt my thought process.

I write songs and an occasional poem. When I get inspired, I turn everything off whether it is a TV or music. If I get even the slightest bit distracted the lyrics are lost. I began typing what came from my heart.

Pre-chorus: Little girl with tears running down her cheeks. Tell me why you are all alone. The darkness you sit in is bleak. Tell me why you do not go home. Every time I hear your voice it moves something within me. Every time I see your face it brings to life what is empty. I typed furiously thinking of Derwin and Lacey the whole time.

"Damn I'm stuck." I said.

Vicky who had been staring over my shoulder said, "How about, and she loves the rain because it hides her tears. And she loves the night because it hides her fears. These elements can not be apart. She may seem like a little girl but she's also the queen of hearts.

"That's really good." I said typing in the lyrics she suggested.

Chorus: And she loves the rain because it hides her tears. And she loves the night because it hides her fears. These elements can not be apart. She may seem like a little girl but she's also the queen of hearts.

"Um..." I thought hard before the words formed in my head.

And she loves the sun because it warms her laughter. And she loves the rejection because it makes her stronger. These elements can not be apart. She may seem like a little girl but she's also the queen of hearts.

Verse: Little girl with a heart that screams despair. Tell me what the problem is. Little girl with a dead flower in your hair. Tell me why your hands are in fists. Every time I hear your voice it moves something within me. Every time I see your face it brings to life what is empty.

Chorus: And she loves the rain because it hides her tears. And she loves the night because it hides her fears. These elements can not be apart. She may seem like a little girl but she's also the queen of hearts. And she loves the sun because it warms her laughter. And she loves the rejection because it makes her stronger. These elements can not be apart. She may seem like a little girl but she's also the queen of hearts.

"Ooh can I please write the bridge Jazz? Please!" asked Vicky using her puppy dog eyes.

She's always loved watching me write but this is the first time she's actually taking part.

"Um..." said Vicky. Then she started typing.

Bridge: I don't know if I can go on without you. You're the reason I'm here right now. Stuck in this crazy world I'm glad I'm your little girl. But I'm also the queen of broken hearts.

She then copy and pasted the chorus after the bridge she wrote.

Chorus: And she loves the rain because it hides her tears. And she loves the night because it hides her fears. These elements can not be apart. She may seem like a little girl but she's also the queen of hearts. And she loves the sun because it warms her laughter. And she loves the rejection because it makes her stronger. These elements can not be apart. She may seem like a little girl but she's also the queen of hearts.

"What shall we call it?" I asked dramatically.

"Queen of Hearts!" squealed Vicky.

"It couldn't be more perfect." I hugged Vicky and we gushed over the new song we wrote together. It's heartwarming because we haven't been this close. I hope this lasts forever.