New Life Motto

*Markus Serrano*

Surprisingly, we found a way to stop talking about our boy trouble and talked about life for a few hours.

"Yeah, we went on vacation to the Philippines and I saw the homeland where my ancestors were from. I was born in America, but that's where my mom and dad met. They showed me the bakery that my dad's side of the family ran. My mom was about nineteen I think, grandma was sick, and mom needed money. She just so happened to apply for a job at the same bakery my dad worked at and the rest is history." Piper cutely kicked her feet up.

"They showed me the rice farms that my mom's family still grows today. It was so amazing to be at that place and to meet people who are related to me that I didn't even know about. I learned so much of what my parents went through just to get me here. And getting to see all of it with Neo beside me." She paused like she wanted to continue but couldn't.

I smiled. "That's a beautiful story. Neo was there?"

She bit her lip at my comment. "Yeah, he came with us. Seeing what they told me the Philippines was like compared to what it is now, was life-altering. I've never felt closer to my heritage in my life. We went to the beaches there and explored the villages. It was gorgeous and made me even prouder of my culture."

Celia laughed, "I'm just white. I think I have Scottish lineage in my family, but I have no accent to show for it, just this red hair." She twiddled her fingers in the loose waves.

I decided to chime in, "I'm Native American by DNA, but we don't really belong to a tribe anymore. My dad taught me a little bit of the Algonquin language. He used to speak it to Denny and me and sing to us. He stopped the older we got, especially after we became less connected to his side of the family."

Cece rolled on my bed. "What happened with your dad's side of the family?"

I shifted awkwardly, "Um, my grandparents passed away and they really didn't have a reason to come back together." Tears prickled in my eyes just thinking about them.

Piper chuckled, "Hey, we were supposed to be talking about my family history," she joked trying to get me out of that state of mind.

We laughed, "We're all sharing, you can't hog it," Celia nudged her.

Piper pulled out her phone, "Neo said that practice is over and that they'll meet us at the spot." We all got off my bed and started heading downstairs. I haven't spoken to other girls about myself in so long. They were either rude or I was too anxious to let anyone else in.

Cece clutched her stomach, wincing slightly. "I need to go to the bathroom before we leave," she said, her voice strained.

"Sure, it's just down the hallway," I replied, pointing in the direction. As she left, Piper and I were alone in my room, the silence between us suddenly feeling heavy.

Piper broke the silence first. "It's okay if you like him, you know," she said, her tone gentle but probing. "Everyone likes Banks."

"What? Do you like him?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Piper shook her head. "No, Cece has always liked him. I would never do that to her."

Her comment made me feel like a jerk. Here I was, a new friend, and they thought I liked the guy Cece dated. Piper seemed to sense my discomfort and quickly added, "Not that Banks isn't hot or anything," she said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I just know him well."

"And because you know him, you wouldn't want to date him?" I asked, confused.

Piper sighed, her expression softening. "I love Banksy," she said. "He's just been through a lot, and I've seen him change over the years. I've been with Neo for years, and I've known Banks just as long. He was put through the wringer. He told me he might quit basketball. I've always had a soft spot for him. But he's not the best with girls, and I wouldn't want to put anyone through that. But if he's what Cece wants, I'll support her."

I sighed with frustration. So many things she said sparked my curiosity about Banks. "What happened? Why would he quit the team?"

Piper laughed softly. "It's okay if you like him too."

"I don't like him," I snapped. "He's annoying, and he's been bothering me. He just shows up and pisses me off. I'd never date him, and Cece knows that."

"You're crazy about him. I can see it," Piper said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

I playfully pushed her. "No, I'm not." I felt my face heat up.

"Fine," Piper said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "You don't like him. Do you like Brian?"

"Yeah, I do," I admitted, a small smile tugging at my lips. "He's been very sweet and caring."

Piper looked at me like she'd known me my whole life. "But is there that fire, that spark?" Piper asked, emphasizing the words.

"I don't know," I replied honestly, feeling more confused than ever. "And with everything going on with Jay, I don't want to get another guy involved."

Piper, Cece, and I walked back downstairs after Cece came back. "Mom, I'll be home by ten," I said as Celia went out to heat the car. As I started out the door Piper stopped me and said, "Hey, I'm sorry about what I said about you moping. I get it now," she seemed earnest.

I threw my arm up. "No, it's fine. I was moping around though. I still am a little. You two made me feel better and I think we did the same for Ce."

We heard a honk from Celia's car. When we looked through the door, we saw her waving her hand for us to come on.

We went to a local arcade/diner in our town called Patchy's. Dad and Denny used to take me there when I was younger. I hadn't stepped foot in there in years.

It had some obvious remodels, like the lights, chalkboards, a pool table, and the brick walls in the back looked cleaner somehow. It felt transformed into a teen hangout as opposed to the family diner characteristics of my childhood.

"This is the spot," Celia said putting both her arms out on the sides of her.

We sat down in one of the circular booths on the northeastern side of the diner area. Celia sat in the middle with Piper and me on opposite sides of her. "The boys will be here soon."

"Daya, I totally forgot to ask you about Brian. What's the story there," Cece trilled out his name.

"It's no biggie. He...uh saw me at the park and we talked a little bit. He made me feel really comfortable. I had never seen him in my neighborhood before. I was really upset and he went out of his way to help me even though we didn't know each other."

"Do you like him?" Piper asked expeditiously and very abruptly. She asked me this before, but this time it was in front of Cece.

I was so not used to being around someone with Piper's personality. "Well, he's cute, but with everything going on with... I want some time to myself."

"He's such a good guy and I think he really likes you. Give it some time and see where it goes," I leaned my head back and started playing with my hair, a little nervous tendency of mine.

Cece gave a perplexed look. "I thought he had a thing going on with Michy."

Piper zoomed in on Celia. "I'm pretty sure they still do. So, I guess you have some friendly competition, Daya. Do you know her?"

"Oh yeah, she and my brother Dennis just broke up. I didn't think she would move on so quickly," the break-up happened the same week. He was cheating on her so I guess I could understand if she was texting someone else.

Celia tried to smooth over the situation. "They aren't together or anything, but she told me that they were talking. I'm sure it was after the break-up."

"Plus, I heard he's a good kisser. I don't know from experience, but that's what I heard," Piper commented before Celia playfully hit Piper's shoulder.

Neo ran up to our booth and slammed into Piper's side as he sat down, "Hey babe."

"The rest of us are here too, Neo," Celia said with a chuckle in her voice.

"Yeah, I meant to say, babes, hey babes." He recovered.

Brian, Banks, and Mark slowly trickled in behind him.

"What's up ladies," Brian said as he scooted in next to me and Banks beside him. Mark sat on the other side of Neo. Brian smiled at me and I smiled back even though it was kind of weird now that I knew about Michy.

"I could hear Piper's cackle from outside. What was so funny," Mark said as the three of us girls all looked at each other mischievously.

"Nothing," Celia and I said at the same time.

"How about we order a pie?" Celia suggested as she gazed at Banks. I was so confused until I realized that's the way she referred to pizza.

Apparently, the pizza pie was getting freshly made, so it was going to take longer than we expected.

"Piper, can you please stop leaning on me while you make out," Celia complained as she pushed back on them.

Piper replied, "Don't be jelly."

"Let's play some games," Mark said as he rolled his eyes. Banks moved aside so Brian and I could exit the booth. He quickly sat back down before Celia could do the same. Brian followed Mark over to the air hockey table while I watched this go down.

"Banks!" She pushed him but he wouldn't budge. "You're like a boulder, let me out!" She sounded exasperated but I could tell she was craving his attention.

"No way, now scoot back over by Piper. I love watching you squirm." She hugged him displaying a kill him with kindness tactic.

He hummed, "Still not moving, look at them for mercy."

When Neo and Piper made no move Celia said, "Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to get out," Celia had her mouth parted and a puzzled look in her eyes.

"You shouldn't have sat there. I guess you're on your own," Banks said as he laughed. Celia slithered down under the table to get out of the booth.

When she popped up on the other side her hair was a bit messy. "Now that my plan has been foiled," he pointed to the arcade area and headed towards it, but I waited on her.

As she got out of the booth she looked adorable. I tried to flatten her wavy, auburn hair down but it wasn't having it. We walked to the back wall that was lined with all the classic box arcade games.

Cece said, "What do you feel like playing; Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, or Dig Dug?"

I ran my fingers on all the games as I walked by them. "Hmm, they are all classics." I saw a big shadow coming up behind us and I looked over my shoulder to see Banks a few paces behind me.

"Celia you escaped captivity, I'm impressed." Banks put his arm around her shoulders. I couldn't help but feel a pang of... maybe jealousy.

"Yeah with no help from you, big guy," she squeezed his arm and leaned into his every word.

He tilted his head, "Sure, but then I wouldn't have been able to see your face as I walked away."

I tried to walk away, to let them have their moment but Cece said, "Daya stayed with me."

I peeked at him again and then peered back at the screen. I could physically see why she was so enamored by him. He and Neo were duking it out for the tallest in the group. There was an air of mystery about him.

"Trust me she looked lovely," I said facing one of the machines and trying really hard not to be an awkward third wheel.

"I could beat all of you at Dig Dug," he said causing me to jump at how close he sounded.

When I turned my head to the side, I was surprised to see that he was right behind me. He pretended to be looking at the screen. But He didn't need to be that close to access that.

"You aren't even on the scoreboard man," Brian said as he walked up to us.

I took Brian's appearance as an excuse to get away from Banks. "Details, but my high score is still higher than yours."

"My dad was a beast at this game when we used to come here. He played as SuperDad87," I laughed as I shifted closer to the arcade machine.

Brian replied, "He's probably still on here."

"Let's see if it runs in the family," Banks leaned over me and put a quarter in the slot. I could see the variations of black and brown in his hair. He had a sly look on his face and I said, "Get ready to see a master."

I played under Day and finished the game with a score of 10,461.

"Wow, I'm honored to have seen a true master play," sarcasm laced his tongue.

I huffed, "In my defense, I haven't played in years and that was good for a first try."

He twisted his palm side to side," Ehh."

I huffed, "Fine, you should go then." He patted my hip to signal to me that I should move out of the way. A smirk played on his face as he slipped another quarter in that allowed him to destroy the underground monsters. Celia wasn't lying when she said he would flirt right in front of her.

He finished at 44,061 and winked at me. "Sure, that's better than me, but you're still not on the scoreboard."

He nodded, "I'm closer than you are to getting on it." Throughout our playing, Brian walked a few machines down to play SpaceJammers. Celia was standing on the other side of Banks, hovering over his shoulder.

"Cece, come here," Mark said to her from the pool table. She looked between the two of us and reluctantly walked away.

Leaning against the machine, he said, "I know your brother, Dennis right."

I nodded and asked, "You're a senior, are you?"

Banks turned his head left and right before leaning in and whispering, "Yeah, but don't tell anyone. It's kind of a secret, I was supposed to graduate a decade ago."

"You got jokes, huh," I crossed my arms around my chest.

He breathed out, "Hey, you're the one trying to send me back. I'm so ready to get out of high school."

"You can't handle all the drama, huh," I teased and leaned against the machine.

He chuckled darkly, "I can handle it. I just don't want to."

"That's my new life motto," I said in a serious voice.

He was so close I could feel the rustle of his jacket and see the light blue specs in his eyes. "I saw the video. The one with you and Liv."

My smile immediately dropped. "Has everyone seen it?" I asked nervously and pressed my hair into my face.

"It got to me. Were you talking about that kid I almost had to beat up?" His hand crept up to my shoulder, pushing my hair back.

I buried my face in my hand. "Yeah, that's him." Piper said you could barely hear it. Someone must have recorded better audio. I felt his hand cover mine as he slowly revealed my face.

"If he does something else, I'll deal with it for you. All you have to do is ask." He quirked his eyebrow and looked into my eyes intensely. I couldn't tell why he would offer, he didn't even know me. I paused and looked down at our conjoined hands before looking back up at him.

"I thought your eyes were gray," I said beaming as a smile languidly arose on my lips that I couldn't stop.

"They look gray from far away, but they're blue." He kind of laughed at me before leaning his head against the side of the machine he was on. He bit his lip and I giggled, "They're pretty."

"Are you flirting with me," he teased and my heart beat faster.

I shook my head and leaned closer to his face, almost as if I was going to kiss him. "Don't worry, I don't flirt with f-boys."

"Hey," I heard Celia say before I pulled our hands apart and took a few steps back. "Pie's ready," Celia said before she turned and walked away with a glare in her eyes.

I put both my hands on my hair. "That looked bad didn't it."

"What do you mean?" He looked puzzled as if couldn't tell that Celia looked at me like she would kill me given the opportunity.

"Celia, that wasn't supposed to happen," I said but she was too far away to hear it.

"Ugh," I groaned and started walking toward our booth when he touched my hand softly.

"Wait, I want you to come to my game tomorrow night." I looked at him with a bewildered face. Was he serious?

He brought me closer to him by tugging my finger, but not disrespectfully close. "I'm already in trouble for just talking to you."

"Please," he said prolonging the words for a few seconds longer than normal.

"Fine, but only if everyone else is going. And if Celia doesn't hate me." He chuckled and plucked my phone from my front pocket.

I grabbed his wrist. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"You should really put a lock on your phone." I gave him a 'really' look.

"I'm putting my number in your phone," after he finished that he got his.

He put my phone back into my pocket and then tapped that spot. "And I'm putting your number in my phone."

"God," I walked toward the booth with him trailing behind me. I could hear his weird chuckles in my ear. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to him.

We were the last two back at the booth and we sat at the ends. Mark scooted the pizza tray toward us because everyone else had already gotten their food.

"Thanks," I said avoiding the grimace I was getting from Celia.

Mark tried to relieve the tension by joking, "Ce, you need some water. You're going to be as red as this pizza in a minute."

Everyone else continued talking about basketball practice, but Celia and I stayed quiet. At one point Banks tried to play footsie with me under the booth. I kicked his foot, completely unamused. He just smirked in that annoying Banks way.

After I finished my pizza my phone buzzed in my pocket. The light of the phone illuminated my face and the words 'Family Emergency,' popped onto my screen.

"I have to go," I shoved my phone into my pocket and hurriedly moved from the booth.

"Celia, please take me home. I need to go now," my breath was quickening and I didn't even want to imagine what inspired that text.

Celia cut her eyes at me, "Why don't you ask Banks?"

I didn't have time for the pettiness. "Oh, stop Ce," Mark said as he squinted his eyes at her. Banks replied, "Listen to Serrano. But I'll take you if you need me to."

"No, Cece, give me your keys and I'll take her home," Piper said before Celia flung her keys on the table.

*I just want to tell you guys thank you for getting One Week Older to 5k! I'm very proud of what we have been able to accomplish!

What do you think the family emergency could be?

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