Chapter Ten

Saturday morning is spent helping my mother clean the whole second floor. That means washing, wiping, and dusting every available surface in the living room, kitchen, and dining room. I had to hold back the urge to throw up every time I was forced to look at those hideous green walls. I don't understand how Jace can love a color this disgusting.

After the whole cleaning spree is finished I get a text from Dylan who wants to hang out at the mall. Apparently, it's his mother's birthday tomorrow and he's yet to buy her a gift. I'm not surprised, he told me that it took him until he was 16 years old to remember his brother's birthday; obviously, his memory isn't up to par. I agreed, only if I could pick the mall because I'll be damned if I go to any of the ghetto hood malls. He agreed and he texted me his address since I offered to drive. I needed to be ready in an hour even though I haven't picked an outfit or showered or figured out the hair situation since it's in a bonnet at the moment.

I did everything before I tackled my hair. I just decided to gel it up into a skull snatching ponytail that showed my massive bush. For clothes, I just threw on a Beyonce t-shirt and ripped jeans with my Nike Air Max 270s. I remembered stepping into Jace's closet yesterday just for fun when he went to the bathroom and seeing every sneaker imaginable. He had at least twenty pairs of 270s all in elaborate colors. It was like sneaker heaven; I may have almost shed a tear.

I left soon after I did my hair and nobody was home to stop me. While I was in the shower there was an emergency meeting at the church, for what I couldn't care less. All I know is that I don't have to be there.

Dylan's house isn't very different than mine. His neighborhood was ten minutes away from mine and he lived in a two-story brick house almost identical to every house on the block. He had the same metal fence surrounding his property as me. I honked the horn causing some unwanted attention from the people sitting out front on their porches. Dylan runs out and hops in the car, narrowingly missing the shoe being thrown at him on the way out. I notice the black durag on his head and Adidas tracksuit to match. I decide not to comment on his choice of clothing and instead take a look at the sweat rolling down his face. He's probably hot from the ridiculous durag.

"Sorry, my mother's pregnant and the hormones are getting to her." He says in a rush. "She is freaking out since it's her 39th birthday tomorrow and feels like she's getting old."

I took a look at his mother, she was gorgeous and obviously very pregnant. She was standing on the porch with a bonnet and long nightgown. I sped off after we waved to each other and she went back inside the house. We talked about random life things to pass the time mostly about his family. I learned his brother goes to UCLA which is amazing considering it's across the country. His mother had his brother at 19 making him almost 20 years old and they shared different fathers. The guy who knocked her mom up with the new baby was Dylan's dad after his dad had left for a few months and came back. His mother was so happy that he came back to her that she rushed into the bedroom and when she got the pregnancy test results back, he was nowhere to be found. I felt bad for Dylan who had his father leave in and out of his life. I've never been able to relate to my friends with single parents because my parents were still happily married. He told me about his family looking to God for help in their dark times and I had to force myself to listen to him preach to me about what God can do. His cross was swinging from his neck as he spoke about his experience in various churches and etcetera.

By the time he was finished we were already here and I couldn't get out of the car fast enough.

People talking about religion kind of freaks me out. It makes me feel out of place when everybody expects me to be one thing, but my heart and mind expect me to be another. Jace is the first person I've met who shares my lack of belief, that makes him special.

The mall is overcrowded by the time we get there at close to four in the afternoon. The first place we stopped in was Chick Fil A because I've been desperately craving a Cookies and Cream Milkshake. I also force Dylan to try their chicken nuggets because he claims that he's never had Chick Fil A. He moans in delight at the taste of the crispy golden chicken nugget as I do the same after I sip my milkshake.

I know the mall like the back of my hand so he asks me where J- Crew is.

"It's my mother's favorite store," He adds.

"That's my mom's favorite store too." I take him to the store on the second level.

I personally hate the store because she's forced me inside of it more times than I can stand and I'd rather not go in there willingly. I opted to sit outside the store and wait for him to be finished. I'm playing iMessage games with Erika when I hear a familiar voice. I look up to see Jace and his friends along with another boy who is holding hands with Alexander walking in my direction. They are discussing a movie they are seeing later and obviously haven't seen me yet. I'm about to say something, but then I remember Dylan inside the store. I can't let them see anybody from my school, they might ask questions and that could lead to answers that contradict everything that I've told them so far. I hide behind a potted plant that's next to the bench, hopefully, the group will just walk past and I won't have to interact with them.

"Guys, hold up I have to tie my shoe." Of freaking course. It has to be Jace who needs to tie his shoe at this very bench.

I lower my head further into the potted plant and watch as he raises his black Converse clad foot onto the bench. I watch his large fingers grab hold of the tiny laces. Suddenly he turns his head in my direction and we make eye contact. I hastily look back down and feel around the potted green (blegh) plant. His face morphs from calm to shocked and confused.

"Scarlett?" He asks, putting his untied shoe on the ground, and the boys who were deep in conversation turn to see me. I look up at them in fake surprise and raise to my feet.

"Oh my god! What are you guys doing here?" I force a smile onto my face to seem friendly and take a nervous sip of my milkshake.

"We were going to the movie theater down the street and wanted some mall food," Jace answers after a few seconds. The boy holding Alexander's hand looks uncomfortable and I've never been able to relate to somebody more. "What are you doing behind a... plant?" He pushes his glasses up from the edge of his nose.

"I dropped my contact lenses."I stammer out quickly. "Who's this guys?" I say motioning to the curly-haired mixed boy who dropped Alexander's hand.

"Cameron. I'm Alexander-" He hesitates. I give him a light smile. "Boyfriend." He and Alexander blush and glance at each other before looking away.

"I'm Scarlett. You guys are adorable," Carter groans from the spot next to Jace.

"They are sickeningly adorable got singles like me and Jace-y feeling bad," He slings an arm around Jace's shoulder who is still trying to tie his shoes. It's like he didn't go to kindergarten.

"Speak for yourself, I'm not hating on the couple, not after all the work it took to get them together." The group of boys shares a laugh and I see Dylan walking out of the store. He already saw me and was walking over.

"I have to go, so I'll see you later," Jace looks at me confused. "It was so nice to meet you, Cameron. I hope to see you soon as well."

"SCARLETT!" Crap. I hastily walk away from the group towards Dylan.

We walk in the opposite direction and I glance behind me to see the boys still standing there, looking at me. We are walking past the Apple Store and I drag Dylan inside. I lead him to the newest iPhone display so we can mess with them, something Destiny and I do every time we are in the mall.

He looks up at me from in front of the new iPhone 11s.

"Who were those guys with the expensive ass sneakers?"

"Nobody, just some guys I met while sitting there," He looks at me weirdly.

"You make some fast friends."

"Yeah, that's me! A social butterfly."

"H-" Before he can question me any further or get me strung into a deeper web of lies I drag him back into the hallway.

"What's in the bag?" I ask, suddenly noticing the small J- Crew bag in his hand.

"Just some earrings that she said she wanted a few weeks ago."

He's a better child than me. I can barely remember where my mother works, nevertheless something she wanted more than one day ago. My parents think I have selective memory and only remember what directly concerns me. I'm not saying they are wrong, but I'm not that bad.

"What's the next store?" I asked an hour later after we messed around in Dave N Busters.

He looks around before pointing excitedly at the Nike store below us. I lead him downstairs and we are stuck behind a family on the escalator. They give us dirty looks as we can't stop laughing at the spoiled little boy screaming about getting the newest Call of Duty that comes out next week. The parents especially the mother don't take so lightly to our laughing.

"You are what's wrong with children today!" She sneers. I look down at her son who is yanking the bottom of her dress.

"Am I really?" She grunts and turns back around, ignoring the little boy. We finally get off the escalator and walk inside sneaker heaven. I've never been a really big sneakerhead, but I can appreciate a nice pair of Jordans.

"I remember she showed me a nice pair of tennis last month that she wanted." Again, the good child of the year award goes to him.

While he searches for the tennis I go over to the women's section to see if I can find myself a new hoodie. I look out the huge store window to see Carter, Jace, and Henry talking to three girls all with red hair. I narrow my eyes in on Jace who is tugging nervously at his t-shirt. The girl in front of him is leaning forward, heavily engaged in whatever conversation they are having. He isn't looking directly at her instead he's looking past her. His mouth is moving and the girl touches his shoulder and starts laughing at something he said and knowing Jace it wasn't that funny, obviously flirting with him. He's stiff as a board when she touches his chest and I almost want to laugh at his shyness. The girls walk away and Jace visibly relaxes.

I tear my eyes away and focus on Dylan at the cash register. He looks up and catches me staring and sends me a wink. I give him my favorite finger in return and walk over to the door so I can wait for him. He meets me outside the door a few minutes later and I stop at the trash can outside of the store. His phone rings loudly, a DaBaby song playing, and when he answers I can hear his mother screaming through the phone.

"Pregnant hormonal women calling." He says to me and I wave him away.

"Who's that?" I hear Jace's voice before I see him. He's sitting alone on a bench a few feet away. I look around for his friends, but none of them are in sight. "They went to find girls." I nod and take a seat next to him.

"Why aren't you with them?" He shrugs his shoulders.

"Never really been my thing." I faintly smile, remembering what just occurred with that red-haired girl.

"I'm surprised, honestly. A guy like you..." I trail off, hoping he'll understand my reference.

"I guess you're disappointed to find out I'm not a girl magnet like you thought." I shake my head

"I like you just how you are now," He smiles warmly. "An annoying asshole who doesn't get any girls!" I stand up before he can grab me. He stands up soon after me and grabs my arm pulling me back down.

"Do you really want a repeat of what happened yesterday?" I snatch my arm away from him

"Funny you say that because from what I remember, I was the winner yesterday."

"You cheated, so..." I punch him in the arm

"Did not!" I shove him with my shoulder

"Did too!" He shoves me back.

"Yo Scarlett." I look up and see Dylan looking down at us. That shuts me right up and I quickly look over to gauge Jace's reaction, but he's already standing with a calm easy smile on his face. He looks the entire opposite of how I feel right now

"Hey dude, I'm Jace." Jace holds him hand out for him to shake, but Dylan doesn't take it. He hangs his hand back down limply at his side.

"Dylan, this is Jace." I want nothing more than to snatch that cheesy durag off of Dylan's head, but I can't do that without looking completely insane.

"You guys look awfully close for just meeting an hour ago." He drawled out and Jace looks at me confused.

"I met Jace a few weeks ago actually when I started tutoring his sister." Not completely a lie. Jace's smile is gone, replaced by a thin line.

"Jace, this is Dylan, my..." Can't be friends because guys that look like him don't go to my ritzy fake private school. "Friends cousin." He looks at me strangely but doesn't question it. "Okay, we have to go now. See you next week, Jace!" I patted him quickly on the shoulder before scurrying away like the lying rat I am with Dylan in tow.

It's worth being a lying rat if it means that Jace and I don't have to factor wealth and zip codes into our friendship. It would just make his life more complicated to be associated with somebody of my stature. Not that I'm ashamed of where I'm from. I just don't want Jace to feel obliged to be nice to me because I have less than him. This way we start on equal playing fields and can build a stable relationship without him jumping to conclusions. Let's be serious, he probably gets shivers down his spine every time he hears the words Baltimore City.

It was easy to convince myself that what I was saying was true, but when I tried to explain this to Dylan or Destiny hey thought I was crazy. Dylan interrogated me on everything that went down with Jace after we got in my car.

"Why did you lie to that guy back there?" I had no reason to lie to Dylan. Lying would cause more complications and wouldn't benefit either of us.

"He doesn't know where I go to school or where I'm from or that I have friends that dress like gangbangers from the 90s," I say quickly like we are discussing the appetizers at a restaurant. I can tell Dylan was surprised at my blunt response.

"Why are you lying to the kid?"

"It's easier this way," I say easily as I pull out of the parking garage. "That dude back there is like crazy rich. His house is almost the size of our school. If I told him where I lived then he would pity me or something and I wanted him to like me for me not because he feels sorry for me."

"That's insane."

"No, it's smart," I shake my head. "You wouldn't understand."

"I understand that you're scared." I scoff at his outrageous accusation.

"I'm not ashamed of where I come from or anything. I'm really helping him if you think about it."

"Really, how?"

"He can stay in his perfect life without any complication from somebody outside of his perfect bubble." He looks at me, dumbfounded.

"So, let me get this straight," He starts. "You lied to him about basically every single personal detail about your life and this is supposed to benefit him. He's going to find out eventually. What happens then?"

"Simple, he's not going to find out," He is about to interrupt, but I keep speaking. "Until we've grown a good enough bond and he doesn't care about any of that other stuff."

"How do you know that he even cares about that kind of stuff?"

"I know his type."

"What if he's different?" He questions.

"He's not."

"You can't build a relationship based on lies."

"Watch me." I dared. We didn't speak after that.

I don't even know why I thought I could trust Dylan with this. I just met the kid last week, but there's something about him that makes me want to spill all my secrets. Maybe it's the curse of being undeniably attractive.

I turn up the radio and a Megan Thee Stallion song is blasting through the speakers. We listen to the radio for the rest of the ride. A long hour later, we made it to his house where his still very pregnant mother was waiting for him on the porch. She was less angry this time and we talked for a few minutes before she started talking about pregnancy cramps and hurried back inside the house.

"You should tell him the truth before he finds out the hard way," Dylan advises, leaning on my window.

"I know what I'm doing, trust me." He nods, but I know he still doesn't believe me.

"Thanks for taking me to the mall."

"Anytime," He turns around and walks toward his front door, but not before saying one last thing,

"Good night, Scarlett." I wave at him and he goes inside the house. I hear his dog Baxter barking from inside.

I pull off and get home in ten minutes. The church emergency must still be happening because nobody is home. I sit in my kitchen eating grapes a few hours later with a cami and bonnet on and freshly showered when Jace FaceTimes me. I was dreading this since our last encounter at the mall when I lied to Dylan about how I knew him. I answered him on the last ring, knowing that putting off this possibly awkward conversation won't make it any better.

My phone is taken up by a close-up shot of his nose riddled with faint freckles that I never noticed before.

"Hey Jace, how was the movie?" He moves his camera back and now I can see his whole head including his hair sitting on his forehead

"How did you know about the movie?" I forgot that I wasn't actually supposed to hear that part.

"I saw your story?" I say as more of a question because I'm not entirely sure that his story said he went to a movie mainly because I haven't looked at his story all day.

"Oh it was cool," Thank you universe. "What was up with that guy in the mall?" Here we go

"Nothing, my friend's cousin needed a girl to help him with a gift for his mother." Or just a girl that knew her way around the mall and could provide some company.

"Why didn't you tell him we were friends?" I'm quiet for a second. "Unless you don't think we're friends!" He said hastily.

"NO! Of course, we are friends, but do you really want to tell people how we met? This way is just easier." He nods in understanding and I let out a sigh of relief.

"You're right, let's not tell everybody you were an insuff-"

"I swear if you finish that sentence Kingston!"

"I'm kidding-" I hear ruffling in the background. "KINGSTON COME ON!" I hear Carter's voice in the background. Jace looks at me apologetically.

"Carter is going crazy because I promised him that I would watch the finale to The Voice with him tonight,"

"Yeah, and it's about to start and you're missing it!" Carter enters the camera, upside down with his blonde hair covering most of what I can see of his face. "Hi, Scarlett!"

"Hey, Carter!" He moves out of the camera. "It's fine Jace. Talk to you later!" He sucks his cheeks in like a fish and I imitate him. He fixes his face and shoots me a dorky smile.

"Good night Scarlett!" He drags out and I press the end button before running upstairs (nearly tripping face-first on the stairs) and flopping onto my bed.

I turn on the TV and flip to the latest Ms. Mojo video on Youtube. I'm obsessed with this channel because it caters to my need for endless movie reviews and recommendations. I was never a fan of real Youtubers who do vlogs and mindless challenges because I never cared enough to watch their lives while I could be living mine. I've only ever watched movie reviews where nobody showed their face and the occasional Seventeen Bestie Picks Bae.

I differed from all the kids in middle school who were obsessed with Jake Paul and all others just like him, but I was just there living in the now. Focusing on what was important instead of somebody's life that I was watching on a screen. I knew the difference between what was real and what was fake just like now. I wasn't living in a fantasy-like everybody else.

Right now, living in a fantasy doesn't sound so bad.