Chapter Twenty-one

Wow, guys are we halfway through already? Yes, we are. I want to thank my old and new readers for taking this journey with me and hope you enjoy this next chapter.

. . .

"Because she's interested in him and you guys have big mouths."

It was almost nine and I was standing at my front door. My hand was trembling in my front pocket. The girls and their boyfriends Cory included were chatting behind me happily, and didn't have a clue that I was stalling. I decided dumbly oh so dumbly that just bringing them to my house was a better idea than just telling Mi'a ahead. Don't ask me why. I thought it would be harder for her to say no.

My freshly painted nails sparkle underneath the moonlight. I sighed. Please don't be mad. Please don't tell them to leave. Please don't tell my parents- I mean mom. I really was scared. I opened the door and let everyone in. I gasped in surprise. In the living room were sleeping bags and a table full of Pizza Hut and other snacks. The balloons from earlier were now multiplied and more pink and white decorations were hanging on the walls. I smiled at Mi'a who was holding a gorgeous cake in her hands. The candles were lit and then I looked into Mi'a's eyes. They burned brighter than the candles on my cake.

"Mi'a, oh my gosh. Did you do all this?" I begged her with my eyes not to yell at me not in front of my friends.

She must have got the message because she bit her lip until it started trembling and then smiled. "No, your parents sent help and wow look at all your friends. You must be hungry from all that shopping. Why don't you blow out your candles and you and your friends can eat and watch a movie. I picked out Little."

"Ooh, dope." Dustin, Danny's boyfriend said.

"Yeah, that sounds great." I walked toward my cake and an angry Mi'a. Please let her allow me to keep everyone here. I blew out my candles and everyone cheered. I smiled softly and helped Mi'a to pass out plates.

"Lillian, help me in the kitchen." Mi'a demanded more than asked. I followed her into the kitchen and looked over to my friends who were digging into the food.

"I'm-"

"In so much trouble. Your parents are going to flip. Their. Shit. Boys?" Mi'a growled. I was just happy that she was whispering and facing me her back to my friends as we spoke.

"Please don't tell them."

"You didn't even tell me."

"I know." I said sadly.

"What else are you hiding? Do they have weed or alcohol?"

"No!" I said sternly. "It's just us and the items we bought at the mall. The boys can sleep out here with us. Nobody's going to try anything just some making out."

"Oh, that's it." Mi'a said sarcastically. "You can't seriously think I'm going to house four teenage girls and three boys under this roof. I'm the adult. If something goes wrong I'm to blame. Not happening."

"No, we'll be good. I swear. We aren't going to do anything." I begged.

"You didn't even ask Lillian." Mi'a said, shaking her head. She looked at me with disappointment and then turned.

I grabbed her arm, "I'm sorry Mi'a. Don't hate me."

"What? I don't hate you. Oreo," I smiled at the nickname. "Am I going to regret this Lillian?"

"No, I swear."

"Fine. They can stay."

"Oh my gosh! Yes!" I shrieked hugging Mi'a. "She said everyone can stay." I said turning around to face the group. They all whooped with glee.

"No sex. No clothes off. None! No leaving. If you do, I'll call your parents. Don't have their numbers but i'll find a way." Mi'a lectured.

Everyone nodded their heads and smiled.

The party was full underway with everyone dancing to Cardi B. The movie was over and we all were high off of sugar sticks and Coca-Cola. Mi'a stayed in the kitchen keeping an eye on us. She hadn't said anything to anyone and gave off an air of aloofness and maturity.

The boys couldn't keep their eyes off of her and the girls wouldn't stop asking questions about her. "Can she chaperone at my party?" Jade asked.

"Does she have a boyfriend?" Marshall implored with a Pepsi in his hand.

"She's nineteen. She don't want you." I growled at him.

"Ha, that's rich." I heard Mi'a say from the kitchen. I blushed at her words and turnt the music up. I watched Sasha and Cory as they danced together. I was happy for them. Someone deserves some black love around here. I looked over at Mi'a. I sure as hell wasn't getting any. I had a crush. A crush on my twin siblings babysitter. When did it start, I wasn't sure. Mi'a was everything I wanted to be, confident, sure of herself and her body and she knew who she was. I wanted her. I wanted her to want me. I wanted to be wanted.