Crush

Written by Denitta

Chapter 31

"Java, this is for you." Java turned at the sound of her name, seeing Lisa, a fellow FBLA member holding out a Valentine gram to her. The younger girl was giggling softly, her blonde hair bouncing and blue eyes twinkling.

Java smiled as she took the package of candy, rose and note from Lisa. You just had to smile whenever you were around Lisa, her sunny personality evoked it; so much so that her nickname amongst her team members was 'Sunshine'. "Thanks, Lisa, I wonder who this could be from?" She shared a conspiratorial grin with the other girl. Lisa giggled again. "It's from Ram isn't it? Aw, that is so sweet. All my boyfriend got me was a box of those stupid candy hearts, you know with the 'cutesy' sayings on them." She frowned for a moment, but then like her nickname, her smile rose again, radiating happiness. "But we are going out to dinner tonight, I'm sure he'll make it up to me then."

The braided girl silently admired the speed and ease with which the younger girl became upset and recovered. "I'm sure he will. He'd be a fool not to. Um, was there something else? I just want to see what this says."

Lisa shook her head no, and winking, bounced off to deliver more grams. Java sniffed the rose in her hand, smiling as she read the attached note.

Javie,

Meet me at the diner tonight at 7:00. I have a surprise for you. Wear something sexy.

Love,

Me

She grinned to herself. Something sexy, huh? I can do that. Humming happily under her breath, she practically bounced down the hallway as she continued to make her deliveries.

*******

"Coach Whitten, can I interrupt for a moment? I just need to deliver a couple of these grams." Dee interrupted the American Government teacher-slash-football coach in the midst of another story of his adventures in training as a competitive bicycle rider.

"Hmm? Oh yeah sure, go right ahead." He waved an arm, opening his class up to Dee.

"Thanks, Coach." She nodded her cotton-candy colored head at him before turning towards the class. She looked inside her basket, pulling out a few grams. She went around the room handing out the rose and candy packages, receiving blushing smiles from some and smug, self-satisfied smirks from others. Finally, she stood in front of Ram's desk, grinning broadly.

She placed the blood-red rose and candy gram softly on his desk. "Here you go sir, one Valentine gram for you. Your lady must have slipped it into my basket when I wasn't looking." She bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing as the tips of his ears colored up.

"Thanks Dee." He picked up the flower, twirling the stem in his hands, and subtly raising the petals to his nose. He looked up to see Dee still standing in front of his desk. "Yes, Dee. Was there something else?"

She continued to bite her lip, letting loose a small giggle as she asked, "Well aren't you going to open it?"

"Yeah Ram. What does the note say?" Lex asked from the seat next to Ram.

He was saved from answering by the voice of Coach Whitten. "Dee, are you done now? I still have a class to teach." Dee rolled her eyes. Oh yes, please tell another story of how you rode your bike to Palm Beach and hit the wall. With a last look at Ram she turned around, addressing the teacher. "Now, I am Coach, and I'll just be going now." She nodded to him and left the classroom.

The class quieted down, settling back to normal. Again, Coach began relating some tale of how he had gone riding with his buddy without money and had to trade his watch to get a Twinkie when he'd bonked. Immediately, students began sleeping or doodling or catching up on homework for later classes, all the things they usually did in this non-challenging class.

Lex had gone back to the paper football game he was having with one of their classmates, and Ram took advantage of the other boy's distraction to open the note portion of his gram.

Ram,

My Valentine. I have a big surprise for you. Meet me at the diner at 7:15.

Love,

Me

Ram smiled softly to himself. Java had a big surprise for him. He wondered what it was. He had high hopes. Suddenly he was impatient with Coach's droning, and the remaining two classes he had for the day and with time in general. He couldn't wait to see what Java had in store for him.

*******

Java smoothed down the skirt of her dress. It was a body-hugging, halter-necked lavender silk that fell in asymmetrical peaks to mid-thigh, with a plunging neckline, revealing a provocative amount of milk-chocolatey flesh. She paired it with strappy silver sandals to complete the jaw-dropping ensemble. She stood outside the diner, allowing herself to get jittery and excited about the upcoming evening. She couldn't wait to see what Ram planned.

She entered the diner and a smiling Sarah greeted her, directing her to a familiar booth in the back, decorated with a red tablecloth, a vase of red roses and several white votive candles. Java smiled, delighted at the display and slipped into the booth, noticing an orchid corsage and a card with her name on it. She admired the delicate bloom and opened the card:

Java

This orchid pales in comparison to your beauty. It's petals are like sandpaper when compared to the softness your delicate flesh. It's fragrance like manure when up against the delectable scent of you. Your beauty is my sun and your smile is my light. All I ask is that you love me always.

I know that we have had our share of difficulties, but I know that our can overcome them and that we can move forward to a beautiful future together. I love you above all things and want us to be together forever.

Me

She was misty-eyed when she finished reading the note, touched by the sentiments. Frantically, she searched through her miniscule clutch for tissues before dabbing the corners of her eyes.

"I didn't mean for you to cry. But seeing your reaction, I know the hour I spent composing that note was worth it." The calm, low pitched, slightly machine-like voice spoke from above her head.

Java's head whipped around, convinced her ears had deceived her. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock. "Mega! What are you doing here?"

Chapter 32

Java quickly recovered from her surprise, her eyes narrowing and her nostrils flaring as she looked at her ex-boyfriend. "Well, what do you want? And what do you mean you wrote that note? Did you send the other note too? You manipulative b*stard! Get out of my way, I'm leaving." She turned, angrily reaching for her purse, making to exit the booth.

"Wait Java, please don't go. I need to talk to you, to expla..." He stepped closer to the booth, blocking her way.

"Explain what? Why you couldn't keep your dick in your pants, and with Trudy of all people? Get out of my way!" Her eyes were hazel lasers as she glared up at him. "I suggest if you don't want to sing soprano from now on that you move, now, " she said, through gritted teeth.

He jumped back, hands automatically flying to protect himself. "Java wait, dammit! I didn't want to leave with Trudy, I was drugged!"

She paused in her attempts to leave, brought up short by his words. She turned skeptical eyes at him. "Drugged? That's a new one. Fine, you've got 10 minutes. Then I'm walking out of here." She sat back in the booth again, her expression impatiently expectant, as he slipped into the seat across from her, leaning forward.

"Yes drugged. Let me start at the beginning. Last May, at Amber's big end of the year bash, you know the one you missed because of FBLA state competition? Well, while I was there, someone, I later realized it was Trudy, slipped something in my drink, Rohypnol. I..."

"Roofies? The date-rape drug used on a guy? That's a first." Java snorted.

"Can I finish? I don't have a lot of time to say this all, and I need to tell the whole story." He arched an eyebrow at her.

Her expression was a cool mask. She waved her arm like a Barker Beauty revealing showcase number three. "By all means, continue."

He looked at her again, before continuing. "So Trudy slipped a roofie in my drink. And apparently we had sex that night." He paused again as he heard Java's audible in-drawn breath, but then he doggedly continued. "I didn't know what happened when I woke up the next, though I did know that there had been sex involved. I don't usually go to bed naked and I haven't woken up with sticky thighs since I was thirteen." She flinched at crude words, but he didn't notice, his eyes faraway as if his mind was busily working, pulling up the events of that time.

"I was worried, and didn't know what to do. Then I remembered health class lectures about unprotected sex." He smiled faintly. "Who knew those stupid lectures would actually do me some good? I went to a clinic and had a test done. Those were the longest two weeks of my life. I don't know if you recall, but I was very distant with you. I couldn't be affectionate or intimate with you, what if I was positive? The results came back negative and I was so relieved and then I worked so hard to make it up the you, the way I'd been acting."

Java thought back, recalling that strange month when Mega had first avoided her, then had been almost fierce in his attentions to her. She had been confused and whenever she'd brought up his strange behavior, he'd brushed it off as just her imagination. Then he'd just...left.

"Trudy came to me and told me she was pregnant. I realized then that she was the one who had drugged me. I told her it was nothing to do with me, that as far as I was concerned, she had raped me." His jaw tensed and he unconsciously gripped the salt-shaker on the table tightly. "But she played her trump card. She had told her parents and mine that she was pregnant and that I was the father of her baby. They, of course were ecstatic. They finally got what they wanted; me and Trudy together to solidify the merger of their businesses. We were married right after finals and whisked off to live with my aunt and uncle in Palm Beach. I'd been attending school up there and trying to make the best of a horrible situation and trying to forget about you, but I couldn't."

He reached out a hand, covering hers with his. She didn't notice, caught up as she was in the tale he was telling. She had leaned in towards him, as this story was meant to be related in soft tones, not broadcasted for all the world to hear. It was this intimate tableau that greeted Ram's eyes moments after he entered the diner. His broad grin froze and his eyes lost their sparkle as saw Java, dressed to kill, having a tete a tete with her ex. His jaw tightened as he turned on his heels, brushing past a confused Sarah.

Mega caught both Ram's entrance and exit, from his position facing the entrance. By neither movement or word did he reveal to Java this occurrence, rather continuing with his tale, smirking internally at the efficacy of his plan.

"Then a couple of months ago, Trudy tripped wearing some ridiculous heels and fell down a flight of stairs. She was rushed to the hospital and they tried to save the baby, but it was too banged up by the fall. It was still-born. And eight months along, as opposed to the seven I thought. After all she'd done to me and had our parents force me to do, she'd been lying to me. The baby wasn't mine. She didn't know who the father was. She ruined my life and I wanted nothing more to do with her." He slammed the shaker down on the table, startling Java and himself, as he realized what he did, and blinking to clear the cobwebs, he let it go.

He swallowed and continued speaking. "I immediately began divorce proceedings. Both parents tried to talk me out of it, but my mind was made up. Trudy didn't say anything to me, but there was nothing she could have said that I would have listened to. I was done with her, with her lies and her manipulations. The decree came through last week and then I left, and came back here, to you." He finished speaking and leaned back in the booth, rubbing the bridge of his nose, pushing up his glasses, before readjusting them and looking at Java, waiting for her reaction.

She blinked and shook her head, shaking off the invisible veil that had cloaked their intimate discussion. "You came back to me? Well I'm sorry to say that li'l ole me is not available anymore. I'm with Ram now and he loves me and we're very happy together. Yeah, your story was sad, but so are a million other stories out there on the boulevard. At no point during any of this did you think to come to me and tell me the truth. Well, guess what? I couldn't sit around waiting for you to come back to me. I've moved on, and I suggest you do the same." She rose, grabbed her purse and walked out, ignoring his pleas behind her.

Chapter 33

Pregnant. At least according to the stick. The little box on it was pink. Of course it could be wrong. They were only 98% accurate or something like that. But the other stick had turned blue. Another stick had had a plus sign and yet another stick had had two plus signs. There was no getting around it. She was pregnant. What was she going to do? She who was the mistress of keeping it simple and no strings attached was going to have a pretty hefty string tying her down. And she was only sixteen for goodness sakes. She couldn't take care of herself, much less a baby.

Her mother was so going to kill her. Java and Siva, they were going to be so shocked. And oh shit! Pride! What was she going to tell him? He thought she wasn't pregnant. How was she going to tell him? There was no way to do it; he wouldn't understand. That is why she wasn't going to tell him. In fact, she was not going to tell anyone. She wouldn't have to if she got rid of it. And no one was going to stop her. This was her cross to bear, her decision to make.

*******

"Jay, have you seen or spoken to Ram this weekend? I called his house and his cell and all I got was his mom saying that he had some bug and that he didn't want any visitors." Salene sank down onto the bench of the outdoor picnic table, dropping her bag and draping an arm over his shoulders.

The blonde boy turned to face his girlfriend, shifting to straddle the seat. "Nope, neither one. I got the same answer from his mom."

"You don't think there's something really wrong with him and she doesn't want us to worry, do you?" She worried her bottom lip as she spoke. He pressed a finger to her lip, sliding across the surface, releasing it from her teeth.

"I'm sure it's nothing. She's probably just trying to keep us from getting sick. She is a mom after all." He trailed a path to her cheek. She shook her head, dislodging his finger.

She giggled, as he intended. "Yeah, you're right. I forgot about that."

"Good thing I didn't" He drew his finger down the bridge of her nose, to the tip. "Tell you what, if I don't see him today, I am going over there."

"I'm going with you."

Jay looked down at Salene, noting the determination in her eyes and upturned chin. He pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes open and meeting hers, marveling at the silver flecks in her blue eyes. "I kinda figured you would want to; the fierce mother protecting her cub. Did I ever tell you how hot you are when you get like that? It really turns me on." He could see her pupils dilate at his words and felt a wisp of hot air against his mouth as her nostrils flared slightly.

She pulled her head away from his. "Oh really?" Her breathing became uneven and her eyelids drooped heavily, closing as she offered up her lips to him.

"Yes, really." He lowered his head, gliding his tongue along her lower lip, seeking entrance. Her mouth opened and his tongue slipped inside, dancing with hers. Her other hand crept up his shoulder, slipping around his neck, pulling him closer. His hands slid to her hips, pulling her forward, before sliding down her thighs, lifting her legs over his for a tighter fit. He slanted his mouth on hers, needing more, more wetness, more heat. He gripped her hips, lifting her onto...

"Jay, Salene, have you seem Ram?"

Jay lifted his head, turning to see Java, her forehead scrunched up in concern, her eyes worried. He blinked and shook his head to clear it. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Salene doing the same.

"No Java, we haven't. His mom said he was sick, though, so that's probably why." Salene said.

"Yeah, she told me that too. I just wondered, if, you know - if he had spoken to one of you guys at all." The braided girl bit her lip, her eyes uncertain.

Salene reached out a hand to grasp Java's. "Don't worry. I'm sure he's fine. He probably told Aunt Melanie that he didn't want to see or talk to anyone. He's a big baby when he's sick." She grinned up at the other girl.

Java smiled faintly in return. "I'm sure you're right. I'll just um, get to class. Sorry I interrupted you guys." With another fleeting smile, she turned and walked away.

The couple looked at each other with questioning eyes. Jay spoke first. "Sal, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

She nodded. "Possibly. Are you thinking that Java was a little too nervous? That maybe something is up with those two, and that's why Ram has been MIA?"

"Exactly. Now I really want to talk to Ram. Let's go." He stood up, grabbing both their bags, pulling Salene to her feet before they walked off into the building.

Chapter 34

"Java. So kind of you to join us." Ram looked at his watch. "I didn't realize we were showing up the SG meetings whenever we felt like it now." He looked up at her again, his eyes and voice dropping the temperature in the room.

She flinched, looking like a kicked puppy. "I'm sorry, I..."

"You what? Had to catch a Mega sale at the mall, or let me guess; your FBLA meeting ran Mega long?"

She threw stricken eyes at him, wondering how he knew about Mega. But wait a second; she hadn't done anything wrong. Mega had sought her out, tricked her into meeting him. Mmph! She squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head on. "I wouldn't know if there was a sale at the mall. Perhaps you should ask your old flame, Kandi. She looks to be a girl who lives for that kind of thing. And since when did SG start attacking members for being," she glanced at her watch, "five minutes late? Are these some new Gestapo tactics?" She crossed her arms, quirking a dark brow at him. "Well?"

KC looked from Ram to Java then back at Ram. Boy, he didn't want to be him right now. If looks could kill, he'd be winging his way to Heaven right about now. He shook his head; he was not getting involved. Ruby held up her papers to her face, covering her smile as she tried not to laugh. Teeheehee, Ram's done it now. He had come into the meeting all snarky, snapping at everyone, while surreptitiously checking the doorway every few seconds. Now she knew why. He was waiting for Java, waiting to verbally attack her. Well, he fired off the first shot, Too bad for him, Java responded with a bazooka. Her shoulders quaked as she tried to contain her mirth.

Ram's eyes widened in shock. She wasn't supposed to answer him back. She and Mega were the ones getting damned cozy at the diner, right? She was supposed to look guilty and worried, like she had for Jay and Salene. Of all the nerve. He wasn't explaining anything. As a matter of fact, he planned to give her a piece of his mind! "Java, can I speak to you outside for a minute?" His voice was all silky like sex-draped chocolate as he spoke. Without waiting for an answer or breaking eye contact he said, "Ruby, please take over. You have the agenda. Please just go through it until we get back. Thank you." He got up, brushing against Java before walking to the doorway, where he stood, giving the dark-complexioned beauty the same look she had previously given him.

She swung around, sashaying over to the door. As she walked past, she trailed the fingers of one hand across his crotch, winking at him. He yelped, jumping back into the doorjamb. She laughed throatily, looking at him over her shoulder as she walked down the hall. He pulled the door closed behind him and followed her. She turned into an empty classroom, holding the door open for Ram. He entered after her, just turning to face her when she lunged at him, wrapping her arms and legs around him as she planted her lips on his.

His eyes widened, his arms wind-milling wildly before they settled on her hips. He stumbled backwards a few steps, his thighs coming up against the teacher's desk. "Hmph." She shoved him backwards onto the desk's surface, trailing her lips along his jaw, biting gently, then found the tense column of his neck, grazing her teeth down along his pulsing skin into the V of his shirt. Impatiently, she slipped buttons out of loops, ripping the shirt open half-way down, seeking out the hard, coral-colored nubbins with her mouth, circling first one then the other with her tongue, then blowing on them, again and again. Moist swollen lips encircled his nipples, checks hollowed out as she sucked deeply before slipping like mercury through his grasping fingers, clasping them in hers and slapping them down on either side of his head.

She shook her head, curling braids brushing clenched ab muscles, sending shivers down his spine, before lifting herself up off him, sliding back down in a long stroke of damp, fragrant heat over his thrusting hips. She stroked him with her body, grinding her hips against his. White knuckles gripped the edges of the desk, his neck corded as he arched his body off the desk, causing her to grab his waistband for balance. He sucked in a breath at the accidental touches of her fingers so close to where he wanted, then stopped breathing entirely when her hands began unbuckling his belt, unbuttoning and unzipping, slipping inside his shorts to hold him.

"Arrgh!" Her fingers circled him, pumping up and down, alternately squeezing and gliding across his firm thrusting flesh as she leaned forward, capturing his mouth, teasing his tongue into her mouth, sucking on it, before lifting her head and sitting back on his thighs, his head lifting to follow her mouth, his green eyes glazed and needy. She pushed his head back down, shaking her head no again, her other hand still working on him. Her eyes locked with his, she slid her hand up his length, capturing the drop of liquid on one manicured finger, sucking the entire digit into her mouth. She moaned softly, "Tasty. I want more." She shifted her body lower on his thighs, dropping her head to suck him into her mouth. "Fuuuuuck!" His mind shut down, his body boneless, before tensing up completely. It was too much, the moist heat, the licking, Oh God! the sucking. He lifted his head, needing to see. Her mouth moved up and down and him, full lips leaving a trail of moisture along his length; then she paused, her lips circling his head, her tongue swirling around the tip before sliding down, taking all of him into her mouth. She pulled back to just circling his tip again, then deep-throated him again, then it was all over. He thrust up, arching his neck, mouth open in a silent scream as her mouth and lips milked him of his essence.

She sat up, drawing the back of her hand across her mouth, looking like despoiled schoolgirl in her white button down blouse and pleated, plaid miniskirt, still in near-pristine condition, contrasting with her glazed eyes and swollen lips. He groaned as her pink tongue darted out to glide along them, from corner to corner. She focused her eyes on him. "You're forgiven." His brows scrunched in confusion. "Uh?" She rolled her eyes before focusing on him again. "They really are letting just anyone into that debate team these days, aren't they? I said I forgive you." She quirked a well-arched brow at him.

"For what?" He pushed himself up, covering himself and doing up his pants.

"Aw poo; I'm going to miss him." She pouted, watching him buckle his belt, before smiling at him. "For being an ass, of course. Obviously, you heard about my meeting with Mega, but instead of talking to me, you sulked like a child. It's a good thing you're hot when you sulk. You pout and your lips stick out and then I start thinking about what I want you to do with those lips and then my mind starts to wander. Only this time it wandered to what I would like to do to you. So, what do you think of my musings?" She turned her head, fluttering her lashes at him.

He leaned forward, kissing her, before gripping her hips and lifting her off him to the floor, sliding off the desk to stand in front of her, holding her hands in his. "I love you musings. Muse about me anytime...Oh shit! What time is it? We missed the meeting!" He dropped her hands, whirling around to pick up his shirt, slipping it on without buttoning it up, grabbed her hand again and pulled her along back to the SG meeting room. He halted in the doorway, noting the room's emptiness. "Man! We missed the whole thing." He looked down at Java.

She grinned up at him. "Honey, breathe, it will be okay. That's what the minutes are for. You can get them from Ruby later." He grinned back, sheepishly. "Right, I just kinda panicked."

"Don't worry about it. I like you all frantic. It's cute. You didn't even button your shirt."

"That's because I can't. Some people felt the need to rip my shirt open." His eyes sparkled at Java, whose turn it was to look embarrassed.

"So I got carried away. Who hasn't?"

He walked into the room, tugging her forward with their clasped hands, picking up both their bags. "Certainly not me. Wanna get carried away some more? It's bridge night." He leered, waggling his eyebrows at her.

She laughed, nodding. He slipped his arm around her waist, walking with her down the hall.

Chapter 35

Just hold it together Ebony, you can do it. Ebony leaned her forehead against her locker, trying not to cry. God, she hated crying, but that's all she felt like doing these days. She couldn't even watch General Hospital anymore. Sonny and Carly, Sonny and Sam and Jason, and Emily and Nicolas required a box of tissues an episode. Right now, however, the culprit was the film on puberty that they had shown in health class. The 'traumas' of the young girl in the film, growing body hair and menstruating, had all been too much for her. In an uncharacteristic move, she had run out of class to the nearest girls' room to rinse and dry her face, before coming here to her locker. No way was she going back into that classroom. She would just start wailing again. Stupid hormones; and stupid baby doing this to me. I'm getting rid of you, got that? As soon as I stop crying. "Dammit!" She dragged the back of her hand across her eyes.

"I think this will work better." Ebony spun around to face the owner of the voice, tangling up her feet and falling forward towards him. Strong arms caught her, encircling her body and pulling her close to a nicely chiseled chest. God, this felt good. Even better than before because she missed it so much. She allowed herself to savor the moment, to snuggle into his protective embrace, re-living so many previous moments like this. And, Oh crap, it's the tears again.

Feeling his shirt moisten, Pride loosened his arms from around her, pushing her slightly away from her. He again offered her a handkerchief, which she silently took, dabbing at corners of her eyes. He gripped her shoulders, feeling the soft skin and delicate bones, even through her red sweater. He leaned his head down close to hers. "Ebony, look at me." She raised glistening eyes to meet his. "What's wrong?" Lip quivering, she tucked her head beneath his chin, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her throat filled with tears, she whispers, "Nothing. I just miss you so much and you hate me andIcan'thandleit, and ..." Her words were swallowed up by the sobs wracking her slight frame.

"Ebs, I don't hate you; I could never hate you." Again, he gently pulled her away from his chest, placing a gentle kiss to her forehead before holding her cheeks in his hands, lifting her face to meet his gaze. "You know that right? I could never, ever hate you." Moisture glistened in her eyes and on the lashes she blinked up at him. He could not resist those eyes, large and round, like a puppy seeking affection. His head lowered, his lips meeting hers. She sighed softly, giving herself up to his embrace. It was a kiss unlike any other they had shared, it was softer, gentler. It wasn't a precursor to more intimate events. It was the intimate event. His tongue glided along her full lower lip, rediscovering taste and texture, before slipping inside to seek her tongue. Not to battle, but to dance, to explore. He slanted his head on hers, unable to get enough.

Bringggg! The bell sounded, signaling the end of class. Slowly they parted, she stepping away from him and dropping her forehead to his chest, taking deep breaths. Enclosed in their own little world, they barely noticed the boisterous activity of their classmates. The second bell rang, beginning classes again. Ebony lifted her head, "I have to go, English." She pushed past him, stopping and turning when he grabbed her hand. She looked at him in inquiry. "You know things have changed right? You can't go back to ignoring me." She nodded slowly, before walking off to class.

*******

"A pair of threes? I can't believe you bluffed so well, sitting on that pitiful hand." Ram held the cards in his hands, shaking his head and grinning self-deprecatingly.

"Yeah, ha-ha very funny. I'm a great player, whatever. Just drop your shorts, now." Java sat back in the dining chair, arms crossed, looking very much like a queen surveying her kingdom. The only thing spoiling the effect was the playful gleam in her eye and her tendency of licking her lips and the fact that she was only wearing a matching periwinkle silk bra and panty set.

"You really want the full monty? For me to get naked here and now?" He put on his best aren't you glad to see me smile, but Java wasn't budging, instead raising her brows at him. He huffed, throwing down the cards, rising to his feet. He lowered his head, tucking his thumbs below the band of his boxer briefs, then stopped, flicking his eyes up, head still bent, smirking at her as he slowly tugged the material down, revealing the ridges of his hip bones and a widening of the narrow path of hair running down the center of his lower abdomen.

Suddenly he froze, his head cocked to the side, listening. "Shit! My parents are home! Grab your clothes and get upstairs." He pulled his hands from his shorts, picking up his clothes, pushing Java ahead of him as they raced across the living room, pounding up the stairs and ran into his room, closing the door. He leaned against the back of the door, his chest heaving as he tried to slow his breathing. "That was close. See what you do to me? Have me stripping in the middle of my dining room, where my family eats!" He shook his head and looked over at her putting her clothes back on. "Why are you getting dressed? The fun's not over?" He walked over, taking hold of her hands, preventing her from buttoning up her shirt.

She raised her eyes to him. "Your parents are home. Fun time is indeed over. What kind of girl do you take me for?" She reached up on her toes, placing a soft kiss on his pouting lips, softening her words. "Sweetie, I've really got to get going," she whispered against his mouth. He pressed his lips more firmly against hers, for a long kiss before stepping away from her and beginning to dress himself.

"Fine. I'll take you home. Just understand that this isn't over."

She slipped the final button through the hole, winking at him. "Of course it isn't, you still owe me the fully monty."

Chapter 36

"You're going to be the death of me yet. I don't think I've worked this hard during a practice or even a game." Jay took deep breaths, trying to slow his heart rate. His arm stroked Salene's back, as she laid half-on, half-off his body. They were in his room on his bed, with only a thin cotton sheet to cover their cooling bodies. "Mmm. I told that we should have stopped before that last time." She lazily circled his nipple with her index finger.

He held on to her hand, stopping her movements. "Are you trying to kill Brodie?" She pushed herself up on her other elbow, pouting down at him. "Now you know I would never do anything to hurt Brodie, I love Brodie." She pulled her hand from his, slipping it down beneath the sheet. "Brodie's the best, you just wanna hold him and snuggle him and..." She smiled at him, licking her lips.

His breath hissed out, as he squirmed beneath her, dropping his head onto the pillow, his eyes closed as he savored the ecstasy that was her touch. He felt the sheet lift away, welcoming the cool air against his overheated body. "Kiss him and make him my own little lollipop." Her words were his only warning before he felt it, her mouth on him. He couldn't help himself, he howled, quieting to gasps when she lifted her head to look at him, her damp, swollen lips saying, "What? Too much for you?"

He shook his head no, raising beseeching eyes to hers. She smirked at him before dipping her head again, relaxing her throat to take him deep. He thrust his hips up and she complied, bobbing her head up on down, setting a rapid pace. "Arrgh!" He sat up, pushing up her shoulders, gripping her hips and lifting her astride him. "You want him. You got him. Can you handle it?" She cried out, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, pulling him down for a kiss, devouring his mouth. He raised her hips up, slowly bringing them down on his, driving deep and pulling out almost completely, then thrusting deep again. The slow pace was killing her, the friction singeing her flesh, but not giving her the inferno she wanted..

So she made the pace her own. Like a woman possessed she rose and fell faster and faster, ignoring his hands trying to slow her down. She didn't even hear his throaty yell as he reached completion, she continued on, her inner walls milking him until the moment overcame her and she collapsed on him, succumbing to la petite mort. She didn't feel Jay partially slide from beneath her, once again drawing the sheet over their heated bodies, before placing a gentle kiss to her forehead and allowing himself to drift off to sleep.

*******

"...and I'm sorry that I got so preachy about the whole Amber thing. It wasn't that big a deal and it wasn't my place to talk to you like that. I should..." Ebony looked into Pride's eyes, allowing his words to float over her without listening much to what he was saying. He was apologizing, for his words to her about Amber. Didn't he realize? Couldn't he see that she had committed a bigger crime? Amber was in the past, an insignificant bump on the roller coaster ride that was their relationship. "...you mean so much to me and I respect your independence, both of mind and spirit. So just let me know if, or most likely when I get too much on my soapbox." He looked at her expectantly.

"Mmm, what?" She shook her head, breaking her reverie. "Oh right. I forgive you Pride. We both said things we have come to regret. I say let the past be the past. We've got so much ahead of us." Yeah, like diapers and two am feedings and pre-school and... He grinned down at her. "That's what I wanted to hear." Then he became serious again. "Does that mean that you're not afraid anymore, of us?" She looked away from him for a second, before looking back up at him. "I can honestly say that I'm not scared of us any longer." That's right. A bigger concern is filling my mind these days.

He hugged her close. "I'm glad we had this talk. It's good to get everything out in the open. It prevents problems in the future." He tucked her head beneath his chin. She hugged him close as well. Oh God, kill me now.

*******

Lex opened his front door, greeting Jay and Salene. "It's about time you got here. Everyone's waiting in the Florida room." He cheek-kissed Salene and man-hugged Jay, leading the couple back to where everyone else was gathered. "The gang's all here now, so Jack and I can share our brilliant idea." He beckoned Jack over and they stood like two performers on a stage. From his position on the floor, Ram tossed Skittles at the pair. "Get on with it, already, I wanna watch a movie." Lex looked down at the candy on the floor then at Ram, again the floor, then back at Ram, looking like a spectator at a tennis match. "You're picking that up right?"

Ram threw some more at him, laughing. "Sure, whatever, can we hear your genius plan now?" Lex glared at him before speaking. "Right, Jacky-boy here and I had a great idea for what to do this spring break. We've done the beach and skiing..." Jack chimed in, "And the lake and hiking, so this year we were thinking..." The boys spoke in unison. "Universal and Islands!"

Chapter 37

"I still can't believe that you gave up Universal and Islands to do Alternative Spring Break." Pride spoke to Ebony over her shoulder as they moved through the line to pick up a box lunch.

She looked him up and down. "What?!" I can't give back to the community? I care just as much about my fellow man as you do." She rolled her eyes at him, grabbed her box and flounced over to the drinks table, coming up short when she noticed who was running it.

"Well if it isn't Little Miss Jailbait. I see we did our usual rummage through the Goodwill bin to dress ourselves this morning." The blonde girl cast a patronizing eye on Ebony's ensemble of an oversized T-shirt, black track pants and sneakers. Pride came up behind her, slipping his arm around her waist. He nodded to Amber, before checking out what was available to drink.

The younger girl curled her lip at her adversary. "Oh, I'm so sorry we can't all manage the Biscayne Blvd. working girl look like you do Amber." Her eyes flashed fire. Amber's nostrils flared, her eyes narrowing. Ebony held up a hand, forestalling a retort. "I don't want to hear it. Just give me my damn drink."

Amber dropped ice into two cups and shoved them at the couple, spilling some of the contents onto their hands. "Sorry." She affixed an artificial smile to her face. Ebony glared at her, rolling her eyes as she and Pride walked away.

Settled comfortably beneath a large oak tree, Ebony groused. "The nerve of her. Where does she get off? Jailbait? Better than being a used up hag like her." She pulled out a sandwich, a banana and a baggie of Oreos from the box, tossing them onto the blanket.

"Ebs, calm down, there's no reason to be so angry. Let it go."

Her eyes shot daggers at him. "Let it go? She started up today, not me. I would have been perfectly happy never speaking to here ever again, but no, skank had to say something." She tore into her sandwich, taking a huge bite and chewing furiously. She swallowed, taking a gulp of her drink before slamming it down again.

"Ebony slow down, you're going to give yourself indigestion." He just held his own sandwich, watching her eat. She took a smaller bite, washing it down with more of her drink.

"That girl is beyond belief. She acts so goody goody, Miss Butter-Wouldn't-Melt-In-My-Mouth, while at the same time her legs haven't seen each other since middle school. I know, I know, that was catty and I'm trying really hard to put this THING with her behind me but..."

Pride tilted up her chin, kissing her softly on her lips. "I know you're trying and I'm glad you are. Not for me, but because it's the right thing to do. All that animosity isn't good for anyone." Ebony nodded, taking more of her drink. She picked up her sandwich for another bite and her stomach gurgled, beginning to roil. She dropped it back onto the plate, scowling. "Ugh! She's put me off my food, now." She began fanning herself. "And is it hot or is it just me?" She took another large swallow and began fanning herself vigorously. Pride paused, sandwich half-way to his mouth. "Ebs, are you okay? You're really hot aren't you? You're perspiring." He dropped his sandwich, quickly forgetting it as he moved to assist the younger girl.

Ebony looked miserable. Her forehead shone with the sweat that covered it. She was drinking more of her drink, quickly finishing it and grabbing hold of Pride's as he offered it to her. She held the cup up to her head, seeking relief from her extreme heat as Pride picked up a paper plate and fanned her with it. "God, it's like I'm in a furnace."

She drank continuously while drawing the back of her hand across her forehead. "Here, use this." Pride offered up a handkerchief to Ebony.

She smiled wanly. "I'm going to have to buy you more of these, as I seem to be using up your supply." She extended an arm to take the white square, and froze, grimacing.

"Ebs, what's wrong?" Pride queried. She jerked as if struck and wrapped her arms around her stomach moaning. She jerked again, falling on to her side and curling up in a fetal position.

"Ebony!" Talk to me! What's wrong?!?" Pride's voice rose with his level or alarm.

"It...hurts." She moaned. "Hurts so...much. Make it stop. Aaah!" She screamed as another pain hit her, rolling her body backwards and forward. After a moment of indecision, Pride acted, scooping up the slight girl and running in the direction of the parking lot. As he passed Amber at the drinks station, he yelled over his shoulder.

"Amber, tell Mrs. Black that I'm taking Ebony to the hospital. There's something wrong."

The blonde responded sweetly that she would, waiting only until he was out of earshot before laughing softly. "Mind sharing the joke?" She jerked around, seeing Mega standing behind her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head down for a kiss. Long moments later, she pulled back, smirking. "Can this day get any better? First, I get back at my nemesis and now we get to have some fun." She reached up again, but he kept his head away.

"Amber, what did you do? Pride looked pretty panicked and Ebony was a limp noodle in his arms." She pouted. "Well if I must, I'll tell. I slipped a couple of capsules of 'X' into their drinks. But that pig Ebony drank both of them, I saw." She shrugged. "I guess she had a bad reaction, though I don't see why. "I've done more than that in one night and been fine."

Her matter of fact words were like a red flag in front of a bull's eyes. Mega's voice was colder than the breezes of the Antarctic when he spoke. "Let me get this straight. You slipped 'E' into their drinks, and Ebony drank all of it? And you don't understand what the big deal is? Why she's sick?" Amber's voice was hesitant as she responded. "Well yeah, I don't know why she's having a reaction like that. I never have and I've done mo..."

"YOU'RE LIKE TWICE HER SIZE!!!" She recoiled from his shouted words. "Of course the drugs, the drugs YOU put in their drinks are going to affect her to a greater extent and faster. I can't believe you! After I told you what Trudy did you me?"

"That's what gave me the idea..."

"SHUT UP!!!" She jumped as he yelled even louder than before. Her hands flew up, covering her quivering mouth. His eyes were like lasers, piercing through her core. His voice became very calm, very controlled, making his next words all the more devastating. "I don't ever want to talk to you again. If you see me in a hallway or on a sidewalk, turn the other way or cross the street. We're through. Forget my number, better yet, forget my name and that you ever knew me." He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the blonde girl sobbing.

She had done it. She had ruined possibly the best relationship in her life because she could not let go of her petty need for revenge. God, she was stupid; she should have seen this coming. Anything easily captured was also easily lost.

It had started with an accidental meeting. Valentine's Day. Her date for the evening had been a bust. She had sent out all her usual signals, letting the guy know that she was open for business and ready to work out a deal, but it had been a no-go. He was either too stupid or gay. She didn't stick around to find out which. Half-way through dinner she excused herself to the bathroom and left the restaurant.

In the back seat of the cab on the way home, hunger pangs hit her and she directed the driver to the diner instead. She'd ordered a cheeseburger with fries and pie a la mode to be served up later. She was backing away from the counter with her tray when a solid male form bumped into her. "Oops, Sorry." Large hands had encircled her waist steadying her. She looked over her shoulder, needing to see the source of that mellow, low-pitched voice and to know if the face lived up to the body.

Her smile outshone the sun as she realized who it was. Mega! She had not seen him since the previous school year, when he had been going around with Java. But Java was unavailable now... "As you should be." She beamed at him, twirling in his grasp to face him. "But I know how you can make it up to me." She licked her lips slowly, deliberately.

He arched a knowing brow, well aware of her game. "How?" A small smile played along his lips.

"By joining me. I hate eating alone."

He shrugged a broad shoulder and nodded, following her to a table in the old smoking section, on the opposite side of the entrance. They later admitted that they had both been surprised at how quickly and how naturally they connected. He watched her eat, occasionally stealing a fry as they shared any and everything about themselves, including his experience with her old club-hopping partner, Trudy. Well, not everything. She didn't tell him about her and Trudy's past. It was irrelevant, she told herself, no reason to sever this connection with something so trivial. Ha! What was that old saying? Birds of a feather...

Or, better yet, you reap what you sow. She'd planted a tornado and now she was reaping the whirlwind. She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking as she bawled uncontrollably. As if she could stem the tide of pain with her tears.

"Dry your eyes, Amber." She whirled around to see Mrs. Black standing behind her with Cody standing next to her. The knot-headed girl raised red-rimmed eyes to their advisor. "I heard most of your conversation with Mega after Cody here relayed Pride's message to me." She inclined her head in the direction of the young boy. "You and I are going to have a lovely chat with Principal Thompson, followed by the police. You should be well acquainted with our school's zero tolerance policy; you helped draft it."

Chapter 38

Ram stopped, bending to remove his chirping phone form a pocket on his cargo shorts. "Pride! Wassup, cuz? You and Ebs decided to join us after all?" He grinned as he waited for a rejoinder from Pride. But instead, his smile disappeared. "What happened? How is she? Oh God. Just hold on, man. We'll get there as soon as we can." He clicked off, going to find Java and the others. They were standing in line for the Spiderman ride.

"Javie, Siva, can I talk to you for a minute?" The sisters gave him curious looks then followed him away from the line. "What's up? The ride too much for you and don't want to admit it in front of the guys?" Siva joked. "I wish," he said, his tone grave.

"Sweetie, what's up?" Java was concerned.

He swallowed before responding. "Ebony is in the hospital. Pride took her. They're working on her now and he's waiting to hear and he'll let us know."

*******

"Mr. Montgomery, I have some good news and some bad news. Your fiancé is recuperating very well, considering and all her vitals are stable. Unfortunately, we were not able to save the baby. The drugs in her system caused her temperature to rise to dangerous levels and her pregnancy could not remain viable. Babies rarely survive when they are exposed to these party drugs you young people are so fond of. I expect you are old enough to realize that even if Ms. Collins is not." Dr. Gibson's tone implied censure both for the supposed drug use and apparently for the age difference between Pride and Ebony as well.

"You may see her now. I suggest the both of you think about your lifestyles and the consequences that come with fast living. She lucked out this time, but there is only so many times that she can do this and not permanently risk her health." The older man stared at Pride sternly before he walked away, stopping at the nurse's station to drop off a chart before continuing on his rounds.

Emotions ranging from relief to outrage to shock overtook Pride. He stood for several moments, swallowing a painful lump as he blinked rapidly. Shudders wracked his body from head to toe. He rode the waves coursing through him, giving himself one final shake before walking into Ebony's hospital room. He stopped just inside the door, receiving another emotional blow. She looked so small and fragile on the big bed, with those machines around her and an IV tube in her arm. Her skin was paler than he had ever seen it and he had to swallow another lump as he approached the bed.

Her head turned towards him slowly and she croaked out, "Who's...dere?" She blinked, trying to focus. "Pride? What - happened?" He leaned over the nightstand, pouring a cup of water. "Sssh, don't talk," he whispered, raising her up and tilting the cup to her lips for her to drink. She swallowed slowly, turning her head when she had had enough. "Thank you," she whispered, her head falling back onto the pillows as he stepped away to put the cup back. Her hands shifted to her stomach, and she winced as she met with sore flesh. Pride stood frozen, uncertain what to say, only acting when tears slid from the corners of her eyes to dampen her pillow as she pulled her knees to her chest, curling into a fetal position.

"Ebs, don't cry. It will be alright, you'll see." Taking care not to disturb the IV tube coming from her arm, he slipped onto the bed, lifting her into his arms, holding her close, whispering soothing words in her ear. He swept his hands up and down her back, gentling her until she felt able to release the tightly wound ball she had shaped her body into. "Fmph zshk" He pulled back, tilting her chin up and smoothing away the tear-tracks down her cheeks. "What did you say?"

"Pride, I'm so sorry. I meant to tell you about the baby, I swear. I was just so confused and scared and I thought I was going to get rid of it but I just couldn't. Our baby was a part of you and me that I wanted it more than I even knew. Now it's gone and it's my fault. It's just what I deserve for not telling you and thinking about killing our baby. Our baby is dead and it is because of me." She ducked her head onto his chest again, sobbing as she rocked back and forth in his arms.

He allowed her to cry herself out, her sobs reduced to hiccups. "Ebs..." He called her softly, but she did not hear him. "Ebony." A little louder this time, bringing her watery gaze up to his. "This is not your fault. You didn't cause our - our baby to die." He stumbled over the words, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea. She looked away from his piercing gaze, but he held her pointed little chin, lifting her gaze back to his. "This was not your fault. Even the all-mighty Ebony couldn't control this, it was out of your hands." She gave him the smile he was trying for, but it did not reach her eyes, he noticed.

"Talk to me Ebs. Say something."

She closed her eyes, a pearly drop trailing down her cheek and clinging to her chin. She scrubbed it away with the back of her hand, speaking. "Why don't you hate me? Why aren't you cursing my name and threatening to never speak to me again? I probably would in your position." She looked away from him, dropping her eyes to the bracelet around her wrist, picking at it.

"Ebony." She flinched away from his voice. He grabbed hold of her hand, stopping her from picking at the identification bracelet, circling his thumb on the inside of her wrist. He tugged gently on her arm, propelling her into his embrace, holding her as closely as he could while being mindful of her smaller frame and fragile state. "Ebs, I could have sworn we settled this before. I could never ever hate you. I love you so much that even a blow like this can't stop it. It's with me always." He felt her begin to cry and he rocked them back and forth, occasionally rubbing her back.

She slipped from his embrace sitting up against the bed pillows, staring sightlessly out the window. "But how? This isn't a stupid argument about insults thrown at Amber."

"No. This is a lot bigger than that."

"Well it was. Now it's just another casualty of Ebony having her way when she wants it." The vibrancy had slipped from her voice, leaving drone-like monotone.

"Ebony stop it!" His voice cracked like a whip. "I know you're hurting, I can feel it. Right now, your hurt is an open wound, the flow of pain unceasing, demanding more pain, in a vicious cycle. You blame yourself and beat yourself up and you expect me to do the same. Well I can't. I will not feed your selfishness." Her head snapped round, his words the last thing she had expected to hear. "That's right, I called you selfish."

"Our baby is gone, our baby; through no fault of your own. If you're going to blame someone, blame me." Her eyes widened and she blinked inky-wet lashes at him. He continued, "By all rights, I should never have touched you or gotten involved with you in any way. You're sixteen, I'll be eighteen in a couple of months; old enough to know better. You're so feisty all the time, I forget just how tiny you are; you shouldn't be trying to bear a child, especially one that could have had my frame. That's probably why our baby didn't make it. I know you probably don't want to hear this right now, but if it had come down to a choice between the two of you, I would choose you every time. I can't survive without you."

She lowered her gaze from his, chewing on her lower lip. He brushed his thumb over the bruised bit of flesh, tipping her chin up, placing a soft kiss to her lips. "I love you, you know that, right?" She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him close. He didn't see the see her gritted teeth and unblinking gaze, her eyes hot with tears she refused to shed. She didn't see the tears overflow and spill from his eyes as he dropped his head onto hers, completing their circle of loss.

Chapter 39

The car sped along the Florida turnpike, the speedometer hovering around the 100 mph mark. Ram could feel the tension emanating from Java riding shotgun and Siva in the back seat. Between that tension and his own concern for Ebony's condition, his foot rode heavy on the gas pedal. His right hand sat on Java's lap, gripped tightly by both her hands as she tried to keep it together. As often as he dared, he gave her comforting looks to Siva in the rearview mirror.

He looked over at Java again. Her eyes were closed and her head rested on the seat as she murmured quietly to herself.

"It's going to be okay, you'll see." He lifted his hands, bringing hers to his lips, placing a soft kiss on them.

Her eyes opened and he saw the depth of love and concern she felt for her sister. "But what if it isn't? What if there's something seriously wrong with Ebony?" She shook her head back and forth. "I should have known. No way would she have voluntarily missed going to Universal and Islands. I should have known something was wrong, I should have..."

"You should have done exactly what you did." Siva spoke for the first time. "You and I both know how strong-willed Ebony is. She would not have stood for us hovering over her, not that we had any reason to. She was happy when we left; perfectly all right with not going to Orlando with us. You and I both know this, so please stop beating yourself up. It's not productive and it's unnecessary," she concluded, going back to staring at the passing scenery.

Ram checked her out in the mirror again, seeing what her words did not reveal. Belying her words to her sister, she too appeared to be caught up in regrets and what ifs. Her hands twisted endlessly on her lap and her brows knitted as she spoke to herself, sometimes shaking her head as if in disagreement with herself.

He faced forward again, decelerating as he approached another toll-both. His left hand gripped the wheel tightly, tension flooding his body. Even with his SunPass prepaid toll transponder, it still took too long to get through. Just as he was about to honk his horn at the car in front of him, Java grabbed his thigh, pinching him. "Don't. I know you're just as worried as we are, but this isn't the time to lose it."

Her words and action jerked him out of his reverie, releasing the tension that had gripped his body. He held her hand tightly, allowing the love and general sense of well-being she gave him to flow through his body. "Yeah Ram, we haven't come this far for you to give in to road rage a half-hour away from home." Siva squeezed his shoulder briefly.

He threw her a grateful glance and relaxed his grip on the wheel, flexing his fingers to get the blood flowing again. In a few moments, they were though the booth, accelerating to merge back into the flow of traffic. Again, the needle crept up to the 100mph range as they raced towards home.

*******

"Lex, I'm pulling into the next rest area; I need to fill up, over" Jay spoke into the walkie-talkie they used whenever they went on caravan road-trips. At the crackle and a "ten-four" he shifted into the left lane, decelerating to pull into the Fort Pierce rest area. He pulled up to a pump and they all spilled out of his truck: himself, Salene, Dee and Patch. Shortly after, Lex pulled up to a pump as well, he, Tai-San and Jack emerging from his car. Jay and Lex headed inside to pay, leaving the others to stretch their legs and catch up.

Patch leaned against Jay's truck, his arm around Dee, who was leaning against him. Salene hugged herself, overcome by a momentary chill. Tai-San touched her arm reassuringly, smiling at the taller girl. Jack walked away from the others, trying again to reach Siva or anyone else in Ram's car. He also tried Pride's cell, but met with the same lack of success. He re-joined the group, shaking his head at Salene's unspoken question. "No one's answering their phones. I have to assume that they're all at the hospital." Salene, Dee and Tai-San embraced him while Jay and Lex filled their tanks and Patch wiped the bug matter off the windshields.

"Oy!" Lex softly yelled to Jay, jerking his head in the direction of the girls. "Ain't that a kick in the head? Here we are acting like pump jockeys and Jack gets all the girls. What is the world coming too?" He shook his head as if truly perplexed and Jay choked, trying to hold back a laugh. He couldn't hold it back, however, when Tai-San slapped Lex in the back of his head. He scrunched his shoulders up to his head, turning to look at her. "What did I do?"

"Don't try to act innocent with me; I heard what you said." She poked a finger in his chest. "This is not the time for levity. Ebony's in the hospital in who knows what condition and you're joking. Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you." The petite girl walked away from him, towards the concourse.

"Tai, wait!" Lex chased after her, pulling her to a stop and turning her to face him. The group by the car watched as he pleaded his case, using his whole repertoire. First the puppy dog eyes to soften her up, followed a little humor, sending her musical laugh to drift back to them, then flirtation, his dimples flashing as he ran his fingers through his dark silky hair. Tai-San flirted back, flipping her hair and licking her lips. Lex closed his eyes leaning in for a kiss and she punched him in the shoulder.

"Ow! Tai, that hurt!" He rubbed the sore spot, looking confused.

"Don't look at me like that! You don't think I know all your tricks by now? The pouty eyes, then make her laugh, then a little flirting? I've seen it all more times than I care to count and most of the times it can be cute, but now is not that time. Now get in that car and take us home!" Lex looked like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away as he walked back to his car, opening Tai-San's door before going around the hood to slide behind the wheel.

Their friends very studiously did not look at each other during the exchange between Tai and Lex, but then Jack caught Patch running his fingers through his hair in an imitation of Lex out of the corner of his eyes and began to laugh. His laughter set of Salene, who set of Dee and Jay and Patch himself. Lex scowled at his friends through his windshield, all set to honk at them when Tai's graceful hand held his, quaking with the silent laughter that shook her body. "Not you too, Tai!" He exclaimed, setting off her tinkling laughter.

His lips protruded in a pout as he glared at no one in particular. Then, fed up, he stuck his head out his window. "Jack, mate, let's get this show on the road. We don't know when visiting hours end." Like a flame doused by water, the group's laughter died at Lex's words, being replaced by sheepish looks all around. In a somber mood once more they entered the vehicles, continuing their journey home.

Chapter 40

"Momma, Daddy!" Java and Siva called out, slipping from Ram's arms to run to their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Collins turned, opening their arms to welcome their two older daughters. Forgetting their hard-won battles for independence, the young women emotionally reverted to childhood, instinctively relying on their parents to step in a make everything better.

Pride stood off to the side, momentarily forgotten by the Collins' senior as they comforted the girls. He looked past the small group, noticing his cousin and responding to Ram's jerked head, walked to him. "How is she?" Pride swallowed hard before answering, looking at the mini reunion going on in the hallway as Siva and Java received reassurances and updates from their parents.

When he looked away, his eyes glistened and he spoke hoarsely, his voice thick with unshed tears. "She's so small, Ram. Just a tiny little thing and she has all these tubes hooked into to her and - and..." Words failed him as he began to cry, great heaving sobs racking his body as he leaned on his cousin's shoulder, no longer able to contain his emotions.

Ram awkwardly slapped Pride on the back, trying to comfort his cousin and maintain his guy-ness at the same time. Over the taller boy's stooped shoulder, he made eye contact with a expressionless Java just before she turned and followed her sister into Ebony's room.

Siva stopped right inside the door of the sterile, antiseptic-smelling hospital room. Ebony lay, reft of her usual exuberance and sheer force of will. Java gasped, a carefully manicured hand flying up to cover up her mouth. Ebony's head turned slowly, hearing the involuntary utterance. "Sivee, Javee?" Her voice was low and scratchy, rough to the ear.

"Don't talk Ebee, let me get you some water." They had all instinctively slipped into their childhood names, and Java, ever the big sister went over to the nightstand and filled a cup with water. She lifted up her baby sister, tilting the cup to her lips. "Shh, don't talk, just drink." When Ebony had her fill, Java put the cup back on the table and plumped up the pillows behind the younger girl, helping her remain upright, before pulling up a bedside chair. Siva settled herself at the foot of the bed, drawing up one leg beneath her butt.

"So, what happened Ebee, why are you here?" Java spoke first, breaking the brief silence that had fallen amongst them.

Siva chimed in as well, adding, "Yeah Ebs, what's wrong?"

Ebony looked away from the concerned inquiring eyes of her sisters, picking non-existent lint from the sheet tucked across her torso. "Mom and Dad didn't tell you?"

Java reached out and grasped one of Ebony's hands, drawing the younger girl's gaze back to her. "No they didn't. They said that you would. Now what's the big secret? Did you and Pride go joyriding and got into an accident? Is that why he looks so guilty?"

"He's acting guilty? He has no reason to be guilty. It's all my fault, I did it." Ebony's voice rang with the conviction she felt.

"You did what? Ebony, talk to us. What did you do?" Siva demanded answers.

"I lost the baby! Our baby, Pride's and mine! It was a precious little baby and now it's gone because I was going to get rid of it. I told Pride I could not do, but I think I could have. Deep down inside, I could have done it, killed our baby." She laughed, not a mirthful laugh, but a harsh laughter, tinged with hysteria. "What do they say 'be careful what you wish for? Well, I was so sure I didn't want the baby until it was gone. It was never really here and yet I miss it so much, like a part of me is missing? Do you understand that? I'm missing something I never had."

Again, laughter burst from her, deeper than her small frame would indicate, deeper than her voice had ever been. It echoed off the walls, bouncing back at the occupants at a much louder volume, sending chills down the backs of the two older girls. "Ebony, stop it!" Java grabbed her youngest sisters arms, shaking her, sending braids flying. The laughter did not stop and the older girl slapped her sister full across the face. The laughter stopped then, to be replaced first by shock and then remorse as reality set in and tears traveled haphazardly down her cheeks.

Ebony looked into Java's eyes, her own seeming small and lost. "Javie? It's going to be okay, right? One day this will all make sense?"

Java held her gaze, even though it took all she had to do so. It hurt her to see Ebony, normally like a tornado, a force to be reckoned with, like this - so fragile, like if you spoke to her too harshly, she would break. There was no other option than to give her the answer she so desperately craved. Even if it wasn't true now, Java would makeit true. She enfolded Ebony in her arms, feeling her shoulder dampen with the younger girls tears. She held her tight, reassuring with that most basic sense: touch. She relaxed only when she felt Siva join in the embrace, shifting to include her as well. They were what they had always been: sisters. So simple a word, but infinitely indescribable in meaning.

Chapter 41

A dark-haired teenager ran through the hallways of the hospital, drawing startled shouts of "Hey!" and "Stop!" and glares of disapproval for disturbing the unwritten rules of decorum and restraint that always seemed to permeate the sterile environment. He ignored these faceless strangers, his mind focused on his goal, shutting out all else, including shouts not from strangers, but from his friends, who tried followed behind him, albeit at a lesser pace. "Jack, wait up!" He glanced over his shoulder, seeing Jay's mouth open to say something further, but he ignored it, facing forward again just in time to plow into Pride.

The pair went sprawling, tumbling in flurry of arms and legs to the floor. In moments a nurse stood over them, reaching down to extend an arm to help them up. She quickly and professionally checked them over, ascertaining whether or not either of them was injured. After determining not, she turned to Jack. "Young man, this is precisely why we don't allow running in these hallways. You're very fortunate that neither of you got hurt. I know when someone you care about is hurt, we tend to forget all in our need to help them, but you can't help them if you're in a hospital bed yourself." She smiled, softening her words.

Crimson crept up Jack's neck to his chin then his nose, blossoming into a full blush across his face and even his ears. His head fell and he became very interested in the pattern of the floor tiles. He didn't hear the group that had been chasing him approach his back, nor did he see the smiles they were all fighting to suppress. "Young man, you will promise to be more careful in the future, right?" Jack didn't lift his head, but he nodded vigorously, only looking up when he saw the white sneakers walk away.

"Thank you, Jack, I needed that." Pride smiled at his younger friend, his face carefree for the moment. At Jack's quizzical look, he explained. "Thanks for being - you. No one else seems to get into the situations you get yourself into. And it's good to know I can still laugh. For a while it seemed like I never would again." The collective group sobered at his words, seemingly recalling the reason they were all here in the hospital.

"Pride, how is she?" Salene spoke softly.

He grimaced before speaking. "Physically, she'll be fine, good as new. Mentally and emotionally, we just don't know yet." He looked up, meeting the eyes of his friends, no their friends, both his and Ebony's. They were here because they loved them. He looked at Salene, which somehow made it easier to say the words. "Ebony lost a baby, our baby." Her gaze became stricken and unable to meet Pride's eyes any longer, she buried her head in Jay's shoulder, sobbing quietly.

"Are you alright, man? 'Cause you know we're always here for you, if you need anything." Pride wasn't surprised at Lex's comment. It was almost a given with their little group. You hurt one, you hurt them all. When one was hurt, they all worked together to make things better. Yet, coming from the usually aggressive young man, it held gravitas and meant a little more.

"Thanks. I'll be okay. I think. Right now, I'm more worried about Ebony. She's not taking this well at all." Shadows danced in his eyes as his mind once again turned to the matter at hand.

Tai-San blinked sooty-black lashes at the much taller boy, placing a small hand on his shoulder, even as he flinched at her touch. "Don't underestimate your own pain, Pride. Please don't bottle it up inside. If you do it will be as a poison, consuming you from the inside out. However, at present, it would appear that Ebony's need is more pressing and we will go to her now." She walked away, Salene and Dee following her, but not before she gave a meaningful look to Lex.

"Wait, I'm coming with you." Jack stepped away from the guys, joining the waiting girls as they headed to Ebony's room.

Ram slapped a hand on Pride's back, resting it there. Lex did the same on Pride's other side. Jay and Patch came up behind them placing a hand each on his shoulders. They stood, this display of potent male testosterone, giving their support to one of their own who was in need. It wasn't awkward, though it easily could have been, and there were no sense of homosexuality, though a callous observer might be crass enough to suggest it.

Those who looked a little deeper would see them for what they were: a thing of beauty. These young men were able to put aside ego and come together to heal one of their own.

It was this sight that greeted Cody as he walked hurriedly down the hall. He slowed, stopping about a yard away from the group. "Pr - Pride?" He spoke, his voice low and hesitant. All eyes focused on the younger boy, expressing varying degrees of curiosity and even some annoyance at the interruption. Cody cleared his throat, as if to take away the slight tremor. "Pride?" He asked again, looking only at him. "Can I talk to you? I have something to tell you - about Amber."

Pride's eyes flashed with momentary confusion then impatience. "Cody, can't it wait? I've got bigger things to worry about right now."

"No, Pride, let him talk. Cody wouldn't have come all the way here if he didn't have a good reason, right Cody?" Ram smiled at the young boy, encouraging him to relax.

Cody smiled back at Ram. "Ye - yes, that's right." You could hear almost hear the relief in his voice. "Um, Pride, can I talk to you in private?" Some nervousness was creeping back into his voice.

"It's not necessary. Anything you have to say can be shared with my friends."

The young boy chewed his lower lip before he spoke. "Like I said, this involves Amber. Back at the assignment, she slipped some drugs into your and Ebony's drinks."

"She did WHAT?" Pride's shout caused Cody to jump and drew disapproving looks from the hospital personnel. One stern-looking nurse was heading in their direction. "Tell me the rest of it, Cody." This was not a request.

"She - she put ecstasy in both your drinks. She was gloating about it to Mega, right before he dumped her. Mrs. Black and I heard the whole thing. Mrs. Black took Amber to see Mr. Thompson then she called the police. I had to go with them to give a statement or I would have been here sooner. Ebony is my teammate and my friend. Is she going to be okay?"

Pride didn't answer. His green eyes had narrowed, his nostrils flaring as he clenched his fists at his sides. Cody looked at him and began to shiver. Ram shook himself from his contemplation of the boy's words and answered his question. "Yeah, Cody. Ebony is going to be okay. She should be out of the hospital tomorrow." The young boy nodded, standing silently.

"I defended her. When Ebony didn't like her and called her names, I defended her. I knew her reputation as well as everyone else, but still I defended her to Ebony, trying to bring her around to my lofty ideals. Ha! Ebony could have died, what would ideals have mattered then? That bitch could have killed Ebony. It's a damned good thing she's in jail, otherwise..." Pride let the threat hang, too angry to think of a retaliation large enough to match Amber's transgression.

"Calm down, Pride. Now's not the time for this. Besides, you're scaring Cody." Ram jerked his head in Cody's direction, and Pride blinked, finally seeing Cody, even though his gaze had been locked on him the whole time he ranted.

"Sorry, man. Guess I got a little carried away. None of that was directed at you, okay."

Cody nodded, smiling hesitantly. "I - I understand."

"Pride?" The guys all turned to face Java, who was in front of the girls. "Ebony wants to see you."

He nodded once, then walked away through the opening the girls made for him. Both groups watched him leave, which was why Ram did not notice Java until she was inches away from his face. Her voice was all sweetness and light, but her eyes were all business as she pinned him with her gaze. "Ram? What was Pride so pissed off about?"

Chapter 42

"Ram? What was Pride so pissed off about?"

He looked at the guys for assistance, but in a bid for self-preservation, they were all very busily studying the ceiling or the floor or in Lex's case, his nails. Ram brought his eyes back to his girlfriend and grinned imploringly. "Java, surely we could discuss this later. Right now isn't a good time and we should be focused on Ebony, not trivial things."

"Ram, just answer the damn question!"

His head swung round, his mouth gaping. "Tai, you don't curse."

"Not usually, but you're trying my patience. Why is Pride angry? He was upset before, but there was no ire in him. What changed?" Her normally serene manner had changed to one of unyielding iron. This was the part of her that kept Lex in line, reminding them who truly wore the pants in their relationship.

Ram closed his eyes briefly, sagging in resignation. "Fine. I'll tell you, but you're not going to like it. Let's get out of the hallway first, though; we're getting dirty looks from the nurse's station."

The group made their way to a nearby lounge, shifting the available sofas and chairs around to form a sort-of circle. Ram sat in the middle of a sofa, with Java on his right and Salene on his left. Tai-San sat on another sofa directly across from him, with Dee and Siva on either side of her. The guys took the armchairs and perched on the arms of the sofa, depending on what was available. Ram related the information that Cody had told the guys earlier, leaving out only the part about Mega.

"That bitch!" Salene exclaimed, sending off similar statements by Dee, Siva and surprisingly, or maybe not so much, Tai-San. Java alone remained silent, but her fingers were claws digging into Ram's leg. He clasped her hand, prying her fingers loose and holding it in his hand. The guys were trying to calm the girls down, with vary degrees of success. Jack was actually yelling just as loud as Siva when a voice came from the doorway.

"Guys, Guys, GUYS!" All activity stopped at Pride's shout. "I know you're all upset on our behalf, but this is for me and Ebony to deal with. There will be no retaliatory actions on the parts of any of you." He focused on Lex. "Got that?"

Lex tried to looked innocent, but failed miserably. "Fine, I'll let her be. But if she tries anything else..."

"She could go to jail, Lex; I don't think she's going to be pulling anything else. She's got other things to worry about." The shorter boy noticeably calmed down, as did most everyone else. Pride continued, "Ebony's sleeping now, she'll be out for the rest of the night. I'm going to stay with her, but..."

"We're not necessary right now." Jay finished and Pride nodded slowly. "Fair enough." Jay turned to the others. "Guys let's clear out. Like the man said, Ebs is sleeping and there's not much we can do for her right now." He slipped his arm around Salene's waist and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm not going anywhere. Ebony would want me to be there when she wakes up." Java spoke quietly but firmly.

"Java..."

"Don't 'Java' me, Ram! I'm not leaving and that's that!" Java jumped up from the couch and ran out of the room.

Ram looked at Pride, who nodded to him and after a brief glance back at the rest of his friends, he too raced out the door.

*******

"Goodnight! We'll see you tomorrow." Salene called out to Patch as he headed into his house. They'd already dropped of Dee, with promises to go back to the hospital in the morning. Jay pulled off into traffic and she leaned her head against the headrest. She sighed heavily, her eyes closed.

"Sweetie, what is it?"

"It's just - no, never mind."

Jay looked at her in that long-suffering guy manner. "You know I hate it when you do that. Just tell me."

"Well, I was thinking that it's just luck that kept us from being where Pride and Ebony are. Not necessarily the miscarriage, but the pregnancy. We've taken so many chances. Remember that time in the dressing room at Sarah's closet?" Salene named an exclusive local boutique.

He grinned, flashing his blindingly white teeth. "Do I ever! That day has a special place in my memories, right up there with making the varsity team and our first kiss." Jay's eyes glazed over a little as he recalled that particular afternoon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Jay, I promise, we're going to the movies. I just need to find a new black skirt. It should take too long." He rolled his eyes behind her back. She quickly pulled several skirts from their racks, shaking her head 'no' at the nearby attendant who asked her if she needed assistance. She made her way to the dressing room, passing Jay, who had settled onto a leather armchair, his head dropped back as he stared at the ceiling.

In a couple of minutes, she came out, having put on a short leather skirt that made her already long legs seem endless, especially when paired with the four inch knee-length boots she was wearing. "Jay, what do you think?" Her hands were slightly splayed as she turned slowly in a circle.

His head had come up when she opened the door and now his eyes boggled and his mouth hung open.

Salene laughed, low and huskily. "I take it you like it. Well I'll be right back." She put a little extra swish in her walk as she entered the dressing room. Short minutes later she came back out in another short skirt, an a-line with a four-inch pleat that moved easily with her body. This time she did a little runway walk, spinning with her hands on her hips.

"What about this one?"

"Um, it's, yeah."

"You like." She laughed again. "Well, just one more to be absolutely certain."

Jay now sat at the edge of the chair, his body rife with tension.

Sal came out of the room again, and as soon as Jay saw her, she knew if was the one. It was short, it was silk, and it whispered across her skin. She walked slowly, reveling in the slack-jawed expression on Jay's face. Her laugh was low and positively diabolical as she said, "I think we have a winner, but just to make sure..." She twirled around, leaving her back to him and bent forward slightly, looking at him over her shoulder.

The small movement lifted the hem of her skirt up above the tops of her thigh-high stockings and revealing just an inch of pale flesh. She grinned when Jay stood up, but then felt a frisson of fear when he began walking over to her, his face a granite mask.

She released a small yelp as he wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her and carrying her back into the dressing room.

"Jay, honey, I was just play...ohhhh" She moaned as he put her back on her feet, his hands gripping her hips and holding them very firmly against the result of her teasing. His head dipped, biting down on her shoulder, the sensation, this side of pain. She moaned again, and tried to turn to face him. He held her still, pressing her up against the wall.

"Mmph." She exhaled sharply, gripping his thighs behind her.

"No. Hands on the wall." He practically growled, pulling her hips back. She slammed her hands on the wall to keep from falling.

"Oh!"

"Shhhh." He slid his hands along her hips, down her thighs, stopping just below the hem of her skirt, his hands burning her already overheated skin through the stockings. His thumbs moved insidiously against the strip of bare flesh just above the tops of the silky material.

But this wasn't about gentle seduction; it was about lust, sharp, instant and all consuming. He flipped up her skirt, slapping her on her ass, before dragging her tiny thong panties down her thighs. When they couldn't go any further on her spread legs, he ripped then off completely. Sal couldn't help herself, she whimpered.

"That's right." Jay made quick work of his belt and pants, shoving them down around his knees, then he was where they both wanted. He bent his knees, driving into her deep. She gasped; she was wet, but still tight and he seemed fuller than usual. He pulled back, almost completely out and drove back in again. He pistoned into her and she shoved back, as needy as he. Her hands slid against the wall as she ground herself into him, the friction riding her, owning her; her whole existence narrowed to the rhythm. Then the heat swallowed them both, sucking them both down. He thrust one last time, exploding inside her, setting off her own release, her inner muscles squeezing out every last drop. She bit her lip, determined not to scream and he collapsed against her back, his heavy breathing shaking both their bodies. Her legs quivered, unable to support both of them. She fell to her knees with him riding her back, sliding out of her, setting off little aftershocks within her. She held onto the small bench and tasted blood on her lip as she broke flesh.

"Did you get the number of the truck that hit us?" She gasped out.

"No, but maybe if we're good, it'll hit us again."

"Lech."

"And don't you love it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Jay, the light is red!"

Jay came back to the present, slamming on his brakes and setting off a cacophony of angry horns. He looked sheepishly at Salene. "Sorry, my mind wandered."

"It better have been to diapers and car seats and three am feedings."

He gulped, flushing. "Yes, dear."

*******

Ram caught Java entering an outdoor atrium. She stood over a koi pond, the fountain gurgling gently. "Java" Ram called out softly, but it was like the word drifted away on the wind. "Javie," he said a little louder, his voice right next to her ear, sending a fine shudder all through her body and she hugged herself tightly. He encircled her with his arms, until her back was snug with his front. "Javie, talk to me. Let me in."

She didn't speak, but relaxed just a bit, resting her head on his shoulder. When she spoke, her voice was thick with emotion. "I remember when we kids, the three of us. Siva and I would be doing something, talking about boys, putting on make-up, whatever, and Ebony would always want to butt in, insisting that she was old enough to join us. But we would tell her no. She was just our super-annoying baby sister, always running along behind us, demanding to be allowed it. Now she's so still, so quiet. I'd give anything for her to be that demanding, instead of looking like a kicked puppy."

Ram tightened his hold on her, ducking his head to be next to her ear again. "I know, I know. I want the same thing for her, we all do. But you can't do anything more for her right now. And spending the night and looking like death warmed over is not going to do much for her frame of mind in the morning." She made small protesting sound and he pressed his lips to the crook of her neck. "Shh, shh. I'll bring you back in the morning, I swear." She resisted for a moment more, but then the fight went out of her completely and she allowed herself to be turned in his arms, where he hugged her, before leading her back inside and to his car.

Chapter 43

"So I hear you're leaving us this morning." The cheerful young nurse smiled at Ebony.

Ebony was tempted to respond with sarcasm, as she was soooo not a morning person, but restrained herself, thinking, guess I must be on the road to recovery, my snarkiness is back, before replying. "Yup. As truly exceptional as the cuisine has been, I'm ready to go home."

"I can imagine. Just let me get the doctor for a final check and then you'll be good to go." The nurse walked out of the room.

Ebony quickly changed into her street clothes, and was just about to put on her U of M tee when the door opened. "Just a second," she called out.

"But in a second, I would have missed this wonderful view."

She whirled around, facing Pride. "You startled me."

"And you amaze me, but I passed the doctor on his way here, so you might want to put your top on." He crossed his arms and legs, leaning against the wall.

She finished dressing, slipping her feet into platform flip-flops a moment before the doctor entered.

"Ms. Collins, I see you're dressed and ready to go."

"I should think so. I'm as fit as a fiddle, good as - new." She paused, looking down, missing seeing Pride tense up, noting the pause.

"That was supposed to be my line." The doctor checked her vitals, then made notes on the computer in the corner. "Everything looks really good." His voice became mock-stern. "You'll stay away from doctored drinks?" Ebony nodded. "Then you're free to go." He made a final note then exited the room.

The silence stretched out as neither Ebony nor Pride moved, rather staring at each other.

"Well." Pride spoke first.

"Well, what?"

"Well, we better get going before the others catch on."

Ebony nodded. "Right. Just let me get my -" Pride lifted her overnight bag from the bed.

"You can get the flowers and the stuffed animals."

"Sure, leave me the awkward stuff." Ebony muttered, scooping up the gifts from her friends.

"What's that, Ebs?"

"Nothing. Lead on McDuff." She followed him out of the room.

*******

"Hullo?"

"Ram, it's me. Have you checked your messages?"

"No, I just woke up."

"Well, check your messages and call me back." Click.

He swung his legs over the side of his bed, looking at the silent phone. "Bye Java," he said wryly. He pressed a button, then held the phone up to his ear. He listened dully as the message began, but snapped to attention half-way through, fully awake. He ended the call and pressed another button, calling Java back.

They've already checked her out of the hospital and want some time alone? They're taking a drive?" He forewent the preliminaries.

"I know. What are they thinking? They knew how much we all wanted to be there when she went home. This is impulsive, and disruptive and sneaky..."

"And so Ebony."

Java stopped speaking and silence hung in the air. When she did speak, her voice was thick. "It is, isn't it? Oh Ram, she's going to be okay."

He could hear the smile in her voice, even through the tears, and he grinned. "You know, I think she really is."

*******

"Okay, that's seven Cokes, four Diet Cokes and three raspberry teas?" Everyone agreed. "Right then, I'll be right back to take your orders." Sarah smiled at the occupants of the tables before going off to get the drinks.

Salene stood up. "Guys, I really think we should do something for Ebony, like a 'Welcome Back' or something."

"Is she back? She appears to have ran off with Twig-Boy." Lex called out.

Jay responded, "Can it, Lex," receiving a smile from Salene.

"Look who's whipped." Lex replied, then "Ow, I was just kidding, babe," as Tai-San pinched him.

Jay grinned. "You were saying?"

Lex glared at him but kept silent.

Salene rolled her eyes. "As I was saying, we should have a welcome back for Ebony, maybe not a big party, but at least a gathering of all of us and maybe a few more."

"Well not too many more. I don't want to fell like I'm on display or anything."

The tables went quiet., taken by surprise, but then choruses of "Ebs" and "Ebony" rang out and the girls all rushed over to hug her and talk to her.

Pride sat down in Java's chair. "Hey fellas."

"Don't 'hey fellas' us. You two ran off this morning." Ram glared at his cousin.

"We needed to talk. I had to tell her about Amber."

"How did she take it? Amber is soooo dead." Jack's expression darkented.

"Calmly, actually. But only time will tell."

"And how is she?" Lex's manner and tone was very concerned, belying his earlier remarks.

Pride looked over at Ebony, embraced on either side by her sisters, smiling and talking animatedly with the girls. Then he faced Lex, smiling. "Still not 100%, but better, so much better."

Chapter 44

Her heels clicked against the gleaming floor, ringing out like gunshots. At least that is what it seemed like to Ebony, in the empty hallway. It was 6:30 am, way too early for students to be here, but she had something she needed to do and this was the perfect time. She fiddled with a blond braid that had fallen over her shoulder, hanging just below her bosom. She was wearing her favorite black boots, with the three and a half inch heels that went so well with her gray pantsuit. The over-sized collar of her white shirt contrasted sharply with the snug-fitting jacket and the straight-legged pants made her legs look longer. This was her confidence-boosting look, and she needed all the shoring up she could get.

All too soon, she was there, outside Principal Thompson's office. She rubbed damp palms against her pant legs and knocked.

"Come in."

Ebony opened the door and entered, smiling shyly at the principal.

"Ebony, come in, sit. How do you feel?"

She sat. "Much better, thank you."

Silence. She looked at a photo of his family on his desk, her hands clasped so tightly they were beginning to go numb.

He smiled at her sympathetically. "I take it you're here about Amber."

She nodded, finally meeting his eyes.

"Don't you worry about a thing, Ebony. We have a solid case against her and she should be going away for a while, and she certainly will not be back here."

"But I don't want that."

"Excuse me?"

She ducked her head, looking at her shoes, then squared her shoulders, meeting his eyes again. "I don't want Amber going to jail, not because of me."

To say Principal Thompson was shocked was like saying the Grand Canyon was a ditch. "But what about - your baby?" This last was whispered, as if the topic was too delicate to mention out loud.

Her eyes teared up, and she blinked rapidly. "My baby is gone, and yes Amber is to blame. Sending her to jail is not going to bring my baby back, but it will ruin her life. I couldn't live with knowing I was a part of that.

He leaned across his desk, resting on his elbows. "Ebony, that has to be one of the most selfless things I have ever heard, but it is out of my hands. Charges have already been filed, as per the school's policy, which Amber helped to draft."

The light glinted off the pearly drops caught in her long lashes as she unblinkingly faced the principal. "Then drop the charges. And the reverse the expulsion. Please."

His brows rose at the steel in her voice. "Are you absolutely sure that this is what you want?"

Ebony swallowed. "The loss of my baby will be with me for the rest of my days, I know that. It's something that I have made my peace with and will live with for the rest of my life. I do not have to live with the ruination of another person's life on my conscience. So yes, I am sure."

"Then I'll reverse the expulsion and drop the charges. Amber will graduate, but that is it. All her extracurricular activities are gone, and she certainly will not be a part of prom, grad night or the graduation ceremony."

She nodded. "That's more than fair."

He snorted. "It's way more than fair. It's literally a get out of jail free pass and it is certainly more than she deserves."

"I understand and thank you."

"No need to thank me, Ebony, I just hope you don't regret this decision."

She stood up. "I can't predict the future. Perhaps one day I will regret this decision. But I do know for certain that I would have regretted no making it even more."

Principal Thompson nodded.

Ebony extended her hand for a shake. "Thank you."

He held her hand. "No thank you, Ebony, for showing me that hope is not for the future."

"I - I don't know what to say."

"No need to say anything, my dear." He released her hand.

"Well, then goodbye and again, thank you." She walked to the door and opened it, pausing before she left.

She walked down the hallway, stopping in front of her locker. She didn't open it; she just stood there, staring at it.

"Ebony." She whirled around quickly. She caught her foot on the pant-cuff of the other, losing her balance, falling...into Pride's arms. He held her close, pressing her head to his shoulder. He held her as her slight frame quaked and her tears soaked his shirt. "Let it out, my Ebony. Let it all out."

Chapter 45

Ram and Java walked down the hallway, his arm about her waist, holding her close and providing a buffer between her and the jostling bodies in the crowded pathway. He guided her over to a table set up right outside of the entrance to the cafeteria. Java smiled and waved at the cotton candy-haired girl sitting there as Ram pulled her in front of him, wrapping both arms around her waist and dropping his chin onto her soulder.

"Hey Dee." He grinned at their friend.

Dee smiled back, beaming at the couple. "Ram, Java, I know I can count on you for two tickets to the prom, right?"

"Oh definitely," Ram replied, confidently.

Java leaned away from him, turning her head to face him. "Oh really? And just who are you going with?"

He gave her a confused look. "You, of course."

She pulled out of his arms completely, winking at Dee before turning to face Ram. "How do you know that I don't already have a date for the prom? With someone who asked me?"

Ram's expression remained bewildered for a moment more the understanding dawned. He dropped down on one knee, clasped Java's hands and said very earnestly, "Java my love, my sun my stars, my reason to be, would you do me the great honor of being my date to the prom?"

Java pulled her hands from his, bringing them up to cover her mouth and her silent laughter. She blinked wide eyes at him before responding. "Ram, my love, my gentle sweet knight, I would love nothing more than to be your date to the prom."

Ram rose to his feet in a rush, with an exultant cry. "That's great. The guys and I are getting a limo and we're going to South Beach and..."

"Ram, Ram! You didn't let me finish. I would love to be your date, but..."

He froze, looking at her sternly. "But what?"

"But I already agreed to go - with Cody."

"With Cody? But he's just a kid and he's dating that Squirrel girl and he's not a senior. He can't even buy a ticket! Can he?" He turned, addressing the last question to Dee, who was shaking in her efforts to restrain her laughter. She wasn't able to do this, however, when she saw Ram's genuinely distressed face. Her merrily tinkling laughter drew smiling looks from others in the area and first impatience then dawning understanding upon Ram's face as he realized that his girlfriend had been pulling his leg.

Java had by this time decided that prudence was the better part of valor and had taken off down the hallway, running awkwardly as she held her sides.

He quickly caught up with Java, grabbing her and pulling her into an empty classroom. She was short of breath as he bodily held her up against the wall, pinning her arms above her head.

She blinked up at him, her breath catching. " I'm sorry. I just couldn't help myself," she whispered breathily.

He pressed into her a little harder. "Neither can I."

"Hmph." She exhaled in a whoosh before saying, "Is this supposed to be a punishment? Because I have to tell you, it's not hard - or maybe it is." She grinned at him suggestively, then gasped as his head swooped down, covering her lips with his lush ones. Java responded just as aggressively and soon they both forgot the time and the place. That is until...

Bringgggg!

The bell rang out and they pulled apart. Java's lips were red and swollen, still glistening and Ram's hair was a mess, where she had run her fingers through it when he had released her hands.

"We need to, um go." She licked her lips, nervously.

"Huh-huh" He didn't move.

"Let me just..." she slicked his hair back, trying to bring some order to it. "Better."

"Thanks."

She turned, looking at the door then back at him. "We should go, the second bell is going to ring any minute now."

His eyes unconsciously fell to the front of his pants then back at her. "I know, I just need a minute - or five."

"Ohhhh" She grinned at him. "****, I'm good."

He arched a brow. "But I'm better. In a different time and place I could have shown you how much better."

"Promises, promises." She opened the door.

"Java."

She looked at him over her shoulder.

"You are going to prom with me, right?"

She pouted. "But what about Cody?"

"Java!"

She grinned. "What?"

He stared at her pointedly.

"Of course I'll go with you, wouldn't miss it for the world. After all, Homecoming was so much fun, I can't wait to see how you're going to top that." She walked out, closing the door softly behind, chuckling to herself when she heard a strained, 'Java! That didn't help!' yelled after her.

*******

"So Slade is going to be your date? You two are coming in the limo with everyone else? This is going to be the best prom ever; I can't wait!" Dee smiled brightly at Ruby, her hair practically bristling with her excitement.

The blond nodded, smiling back. "Yeah. He's getting his tux and booking a room today."

"When and where? I should call Patch and tell him to go with Slade. I just know if I leave it up to him alone, he'll show up in a pastel tux with ruffles!" She laughed.

"Oh, I don't know. I think Patch would look cute in a baby-blue tux."

Ruby and Dee faced their younger friend looking stricken. "Ebony, we didn't see you there. How do you feel?" Ruby said in a concerned voice.

"I'm fine." Something flashed imperceptibly across her eyes. "But what's this about Patch in a tux with ruffles?" She grinned at the girls.

Dee spoke hesitantly. "I was just telling Ruby that - that left on his own he would probably get the wrong tux."

"You're probably right. Lord knows I'll probably have to pick out Pride's tux."

Ruby's eyes widened. "You - you're going? Are you sure you're up to it? What about..." She looked around and reassured no one was listening, but still cautious, she whispered. "The baby?"

Ebony's grin slipped, but then she caught herself and straightened her spine, determined to brazen it out. "What about it? The doctor said I'm completely better, and I feel great And I plan to dance the night away." She raised her chin, as if daring them to say something.

Dee opened her mouth but then closed it, as if she thought better of what she was about to say.

The younger girl quirked a brow at her friend, then nodded and went to her seat as Ms. Lopez called the class to order.

*******

Ebony slowed her pace as she approached the couple kissing by the lockers. She had been watching their little drama from down the hallway. Salene had been trying to leave for at least five minutes, but her efforts were thwarted by Jay's reaching arms and her own reluctance to be parted with him. It was pretty amusing to watch. Salene's entire body was pulled away from Jay but her lips and her hands were firmly in his grasp as he tried to persuade her to stay with him. Actually, it now looked like he was winning the battle. Time to intervene, I think.

"Get a room why don't you?"

The couple sprang apart, Jay looking irritated and Salene blushing. It was almost comical how both their expressions shifted to worried ones when they noticed who had interrupted them. Great, here it comes.

Salene spoke. "Ebony, hey; how do you feel?"

The younger girl fought the grimace that threatened to cover her face. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Good actually. But obviously not as good as you." She smirked at them. Aha! Take that.

Sal colored up again and Jay shifted his feet and cleared his throat.

Ebony decided to take pity on them. "Well, I'll see you guys later. I was just saying hi."

"And I was just leaving myself, actually; I'm late for a meeting." Salene responded. "Sweetie, I'll talk to you later?" Jay nodded. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, waved at Ebony and ran off.

Jay smiled at Ebony and she smiled back, waving to him and walking away. As soon as her back was to him her smile slid away. If one more person asks me how I'm feeling today, I think I'm going to scream. Or better yet, hit them, right in the nose.

"Ebony, can I have a word?"

She looked up and smiled when she saw who it was. It wasn't a nice smile, rather like one you gave to the jerk during a heat wave who felt the need to say, 'Is it hot enough for ya?' Ebony cheered on the inside. Talk about timing. It doesn't get any better than this.

Her smile spread wider, almost feral as she exposed gleaming white teeth. "Why Amber, just the girl I wanted to see."

Chapter 46

"You wanted...to see...me?" Amber's expression revealed her surprise. "But why? I'm the one who owes you an apology..."

"Oh no, Amber, you owe me a lot more than that." The diminutive girl braced her hands on her hips.

"You owe me your life, you owe me your future, you owe me your goddamned first born child, but an apology? That and fifty cents might get you a cup of coffee at Burger King, but it means nothing to me."

Confusion and affront flickered across the taller girl's face.

"Do you have any idea what you did? Do you have even the slightest clue in that knot-headed rat's nest that covers what you consider a brain? You destroyed a life that day; did you know that? I was pregnant and you killed my baby and for what, a prank? Well guess what, I'm not laughing. Pride's not laughing either, or my sisters or our parents. We don't find your prank funny or amusing. It was mean, spiteful and destructive."

Horrified understanding dawned in Amber's eyes and tears immediately flowed down her face as she raised shaking hands to cover a silently screaming mouth.

"You could have been in jail today, did you know that? You could have been rotting away for the next 20 years for what you did. Good-bye college, sayonara career, Bon voyage your whole fucking life! But I asked them not to. And before you start spouting protestations or platitudes, understand this: I didn't do it for you. As far as I'm concerned, if I was on fire in the middle of the street, I wouldn't even want you spitting on me to try and put me out. I don't want a single thing for you. I did it for me and for my baby. So it's little soul isn't tarnished by your petty bullshit."

Ebony turned her back and dropping her hands to shake out the kinks, walked away from Amber. She didn't see the other girl fall to her knees, sobs shaking her shoulders as she dragged her sleeves across her eyes. When Ebony turned back and saw the prostate girl, she rushed over to her, grabbing her arm and pulling her to her feet.

"Oh, no you don't. You do not get to grieve, you do not to turn this into your drama. You do not pass go and you certainly don't get the damned two hundred dollars! This is not about you! You may not be going to jail, but your free parking passes are more than used up."

Again, confusion shone on Amber's face, but Ebony was having none of it.

"Don't play coy. I've known about you since the third grade. My sisters filled me in on all the things I didn't find out for myself. The parties, the drinking, the drugs, the indiscriminate sex; take out your classes and you could be any working girl out on the stroll. Oh, I know you put on a good act, the straight-A honor student with the impressive list of extracurricular activities, but I wonder what those admission counselors would say if they know the real Amber?"

"Not so confident now are you?" Ebony was inches away from Amber, her body quivering with rage. Her eyes flashed green fire. Angry tears occasionally streamed silently from the corners of her eyes, but she didn't even notice. She was glorious in her anger.

"Well don't worry. I'm not going to tell them. As they say, what goes around, comes around and you have shoveled enough shit into the universe that I don't want to be anywhere near you when it comes back to bite you in the ass. Don't come near me or mine, got that? I don't want to see you or hear you or even smell that waste by-product you call perfume blowing in the hallways. If we enter a room, you leave, if you see us in the hallway, turn around, if I see you on the street, run. This is the only time I'm going to say this to you, so heed my words. Life as you know it for the rest of the time that you are here is over. And so is this conversation."

Ebony spun on her heels and stalked away, her heels echoing in stark counterpoint to the sobs of the girl lying in a crumpled heap on the cold, tiled floor.

*******

Salene sat in the sand, arms wrapped around her drawn-up knees, unmindful of the damage being done to her hair by the brisk ocean breezes. She stared unseeing at the waves crashing tens of feet away, the ferocity diminishing by the time they reached the shore into gentle foaming laps.

She had been sitting like this for a couple of hours. But she didn't notice the stiffness in her joints or the chill that rode her skin. She was lost to the outside world, caught up in cycle of thoughts, going round and round in her mind. The school year was almost over, and not just any school year, their senior year, hers and Jay's. Grad Nite, Prom, Graduation, then it was over.

She had seen the drama played out time and time again in senior years past. Great couples, the ones most in love or most compatible or most destined to succeed, falling apart, the relationships breaking apart like eggs for an omelet. She and Jay weren't perfect. Lord knows they had problems. How could they expect to make it? She was going to the University of Miami for primary education. He was going to play football, God knows where. He had been getting offers and scouts coming from Michigan, Florida State (his father's alma mater), Nebraska, Iowa State, Notre Dame and even an industrious scout from Hawaii! How was she to compete with that? She couldn't; she didn't even want to.

Salene blinked back the moisture threatening to spill forth. She was not going to cry. She had cried enough, and she made her decision. She was going to break up with Jay after graduation, for his own good. It would be a clean break. She would present logical arguments for why they should break up and he would understand and not make a fuss. Right, she didn't even believe that one. But it was the best she had and it would have to do.

She stood up slowly, stretching out stiff joints, and rubbing chill-roughened skin. She let the tears fall this time, it seemed appropriate, somehow. You cried when you mourned, and that was what she was doing. She loved Jay, but obviously, it was not meant to be. She had known it, heck, even Amber had known it, trying to split them up and now irony or ironies, she was going to finish what Amber started. They just didn't belong together.

*******

"Jay, it's your turn to rack. You lost the last game. Come to think of it, you've lost the last three games, so what gives?" Ram paused in chalking up his stick to talk to his distracted friend.

The blond boy shook his head and looked at Ram, staring at him intently. "Can you keep a secret?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"I'm serious. Can you keep a secret?" Jay's gaze was unblinking.

"Of course I can keep a secret. Your dad never found out who put that dent in the door of his 'stang, now did he?"

Jay smiled reminiscently at the memory. "That was a great game of stick ball, wasn't it?"

"Yes it was, now what dark secret are you hording?" Ram said impatiently.

Jay looked around to make sure no one was looking then he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.

"Oh man, please tell me that isn't what I think that is, because if you pop the question, you know it's only going to be a matter of time before Java is demanding the same thing." Ram chuckled, leaning forward to peer at the half-carat diamond solitaire nestled in a bed of burgundy velvet.

"No it's not an engagement ring. We're only in high school, you dope. It's a promise ring, to show Salene how much she means to me." Jay closed the box, pocketing the ring again.

Ram rubbed his nails against his shirt-front, then raised his hand high in the air.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting ready to pat myself on the back. I do good work." He ducked as Jay threw a chalk cube at him.

"Just for that, I think I will show the ring to Java. That should start all kinds of ideas in her head." The taller boy grinned broadly.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Ram put his hands together in a beseeching way. "Please?"

Jay laughed. "How 'bout you rack 'em and we'll see how it goes from there?"

The brunette-haired teen grumbled but complied.

"Cheer up, Ram. You wanted me out of my distraction, and now I am. So mission accomplished."

A rude gesture was all he received and he threw back his head laughing. Life was good.

Chapter 47

"So when are you going to give it to her?"

"I will, I will, when the time is right."

"When the time is right, when the time is right? I hate to be the one to tell you this, but angels are not coming down from high to provide background music, fireworks are not going to light up the sky and Hollywood is not going to provide the scenery and lighting. What are you waiting on? I though Cinderella's Castle would have been the perfect spot."

"So did I. I was planning to give it to her then, but she was acting weird. In fact, she acted funny the entire trip. On the bus, she sat with Dee and Ruby instead of me and it was like she was distracted or in a fog or something." Jay looked troubled.

"Have you talked to her about it?" Ram looked up at his friend.

"I tried calling her, but she was either busy working with the prom committee or doing homework or studying for AP exams. I even went to her house, but her mom told me she wasn't home. I think she's avoiding me." Jay's shoulders drooped dejectedly.

Ram slapped his friend on the back. "You want me to talk to her?"

The blond shook his head. "Thanks, but no."

"If you're sure..."

"I'm positive. Thanks anyway."

Ram pointed past Jay's shoulder. "Here's your chance coming along right now."

Jay spun around. Salene and Java were approaching them, both deeply engrossed in their conversation.

"Hey Boo." Ram grinned.

Java looked at them, frowning at her boyfriend. By her side, Salene appeared distinctly uncomfortable, as she shifted from foot to foot and her eyes wandered everywhere but in Jay's direction.

"Sal, can I get a minute?"

"I - um, Java and I were discussing the final arrangements for the prom. You know it's next weekend."

She threw Java a petrified 'deer in headlights' look, but Java pretended not to notice, saying "I'll call you about that later, Salene; right now, I have to go kill your best friend." She grabbed Ram's arm and pulled him after her.

He made one last apologetic look at his friends, stumbling along behind Java before turning to walk at her side, slinging his now-free arm over her shoulder.

"Do you think we did the right thing, practically abandoning her like that?" Ram chewed on his lower lip, fighting not to look back again.

Java rolled her fingers through his hair, enjoying the sensation of the silky waves against her hand. "Aw, you're so sweet to be concerned, but something's bugging her and she needs to talk to him about it." She pulled his head down for a quick kiss.

"Mmm, thanks Boo." He smirked at her, a little less worried.

She slapped him on the shoulder. "I told you not to call me that."

"No you didn't. In fact, you begged me to call you that several times Saturday ni..."

She covered his mouth, blushing and looking around to make sure they were alone. "If you know what's good for you, you will not bring up that subject again..."

His eyebrows hit his hairline and he looked panicked.

"...While we are in public," she finished.

He clutched a hand to his chest and dragged the back of his hand across his brow in an exaggerated motion of relief.

She giggled. "Ass"

*******

"So, what did you want to see me about?" Salene stared at a point just over Jay's shoulder.

Jay was incredulous. "We haven't really spoken in six days, since Grad Nite, and all you can say to me is 'what do I want to see you about'?"

She frowned at him, still not meeting his eyes. "No need to get testy. I told you I was busy."

"Aw jeez, Sal, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just..." He stepped in close, tipping her chin up for a kiss. She turned her head so that his lips brushed against her cheek.

"What was that?"

"I couldn't kiss you."

"Why the hell not?" His voice raised slightly.

She focused on the bridge of his nose, giving the illusion that she was meeting his eyes. "Because - because then I would be cheating!"

His brows furrowed. "How can you be cheating? I'm your boyfriend." He muttered, "If you even remember."

"It would be cheating on my new boyfriend."

*******

She watched him, stretched out on the float, eyes covered by his shades, drifting on the artificial waves generated by the pool's pump. His pose could be mistaken for relaxation, but she knew the truth: he was brooding. He had been doing it off and on since they had checked her out of the hospital. And she was tired of it. She was sick of all of it, of feeling depressed, the pitying looks, the anger, the tears, Pride's brooding, and treating her like she was made of spun sugar - she was just fed up.

She went into the cabana, toeing off her sneakers and socks quickly, then unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, shimmying out of the clinging material. She went into the closet, picking out a miniscule bikini from the selection that was always there. Providing items like extra bathing suits for guests were just what a good hostess did, as far as Pride's mom was concerned, and of the latest, briefest style, if that was the current vogue.

She changed in the enclosed bathroom then came back out into the main area, looking around for something in particular. Her eyes glimmered, coming to rest on a set of shelves to the left of the entrance. There sat a colorful array of water guns, usually the domain of the guys when they came over to hang out. She picked up one of the smaller Super Soakers and ran to the bathroom, filling it in the tub, then raced back to the entrance of the cabana. She stuck her head outside to make sure her quarry was still in position: he was, though he had drifted even more and she would have to take care to keep from being spotted too soon.

She waited for what seemed like hours, but was less than a minute, until the waves cooperated with her, turning Pride away from her direction. She held the gun with both hands, finger on the trigger and ran to the pool, stopping at the edge and crying out.

"Gotcha!"

She sprayed him full in the face, knocking his sunglasses into the pool and causing him to shoot straight up, upsetting the float and tipping him into the water. He sank like a stone, a few air bubbles breaking the surface above the spot where he went in.

Thirty seconds passed and he still didn't up for air. Ebony dropped the gun and dove into the water, heading for the spot where she had seen him last. She saw his shades on the bottom of the pool, but not him. Then a strong set of hands grabbed her waist, lifting her out of the water. As she broke the surface, she felt herself thrown over his shoulder and she went into danger mode. She kicked her legs and beat her fists on Pride's back, but to no avail. He wrapped his arms around her legs keeping them in place and whacked on the butt with his other hand.

"This has been coming for a long time Ebs. I didn't want to, okay that's a lie. I did want to do it, but I restrained myself...until now."

That being said, he pulled her from his shoulder and sat down with her lying face-down across his lap, landing a bit harder than she needed to.

"Oomph."

"And that's about all I want to hear from you." He bent and whispered in her ear, his hand cupping her ass, burning hot even though her bikini bottom.

"Pride, Sweetie, you would not really do what I think you're going to - ow!" She exclaimed as he raised his hand, bringing it down firmly against her skin..

"You bastard!"

Thwack!

"Twig-eating, berry-picking, woman-beating son of a...Aggh!"

Thwack, Thwack!

Ebony began struggling in earnest, but it was to no avail as Pride's hands made contact with her red swollen flesh repeatedly, the loud smacks punctuated by her screamed insults then sniffling tears. She was so busy carrying-on, that she didn't notice at first that he stopped, his hand now rubbing circles on her ass.

"What *hic* are you doing?" She lay still as stone on his lap.

"Soothing you."

She scrambled to sitting position, still on his lap, her face within inches of his. "Soothing me? I wouldn't need soothing if you hadn't beat me."

"I didn't beat you. I spanked you - big difference."

"I'm in pain. What's the difference?"

He grinned at her crookedly. "Well - if I had beat you, your nipples wouldn't be hard."

"They are not!" She looked down and gasped, pushing against his chest to stand.

He held onto her arm and pulled her back into his lap, laughing when she ducked her head against his chest, the laughter changing to a yelp when she bit his right pec.

She smirked at him. "Oh shush, you know you like it." She dropped her eyes.

He looked down and saw what she saw: his nipples standing at attention. He looked back up at her, leering. "If you think those are impressive, you should see my big'un."

She leered back. "Oh, I'm well-acquainted with your big'un; in fact..." She wriggled her lower b