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Prologue Part 1a Part 1b Part 2a Part 2b
Once Raya got the chicken in the oven and Addison made the cookies, Jasmine pounced.
“Alright girl, get that behind of yours in the shower.” As a way of emphasizing “behind,” Jasmine swatted Addison right in the behind! “Raya and I will pick out your outfit!”
All Addison could think to do was keep walking to the shower. How else does one react to being smacked in the ass? She figured, or at least hoped, that if she kept walking and ignored it that would be the last smack. Addison had discovered that if someone drew attention to something or expressed shock, then they were sure to experience it again and frequently. In the first week Belle had demonstrated her strong distaste for completely white, butt covering, underwear. Since that point it had been a running joke, and Addison had heard plans for some interesting pranks to take advantage of her dramatic reactions. It seemed the goal of all the “roomies” as they began to call themselves, was to get a reaction. As Addison closed her eyes and let the warm water hit her in the face she wondered what reaction Raya and Jasmine were planning to pull out of her.
Once Addison was out of ear shot, Jasmine grabbed Raya’s arm and pulled her into Bella and Addison’s room. “Let’s see what she’s got.” It only took 5 minutes for Jasmine to realize there were no dresses in the closet. “Does she own a dress?”
“I don’t think so. She is about as tomboy as they come. In high school she only wore a skirt when she had to for chapel. I’m not surprised to see a lack of them now too. Besides, if you put her in a dress or skirt she will kill you!”
“I have an idea.” Jasmine headed into Raya’s closet and came out with two outfits.
“What are you going to do, layer it?”
“No! I am going to show her this one and have the real outfit in the room. I want to see if she will react.”
“Oh, you’ll get a reaction alright. We should make her wear her hair down and curl it!”
Jasmine’s smile stretched to a full Cheshire cat grin, “she’ll hate you for that.”
“Yes, but what is she going to do? Disown me? Our parents are such good friends that she will never escape the Chapel in the Hills family. Honestly, though, I am pretty sure she will understand it is all in good fun. Besides, we used to play some pretty harsh practical jokes on each other when we were kids; some of them were even cruel!”
“You know what else we have to do?”
“What?”
“We have to do her makeup!”
With that the door to the bathroom opened and the turban headed, robe clad, Addison stepped out to see Raya and Jasmine standing in the hall grinning at her. “Alright do your best you two. What do you have planned for me to wear?”
Jasmine produced from behind her back a black denim skirt that Addison knew would only hit her mid thigh, a purple spaghetti strap tank top that had pink hibiscus flowers cascading down one side, and a pair of Raya’s heeled sandals.
Addison, with no facial expression, turned around, walked back in to the bathroom, shut the door, and locked it.
Raya and Jasmine could hardly contain themselves. They both emitted several nasal laughs in an attempt to gain their composure before trying to coax Addison out of the bathroom. Eventually Raya succeeded. “Addison, you can come out. We were just joking. Jasmine picked out a different outfit, but we are doing your hair and makeup.”
“Seriously, Addison, I chose a pair of dark denim jeans with a wide strapped plain tank top.”
“Seriously?” was all that penetrated the bathroom door.
“Seriously!” Raya said with a smile.
Addison cracked the door and reached her arm out, “give me the outfit.” Jasmine handed her the jeans and tank and as quickly as Addison opened the door she closed it. In a matter of moments, Addison stepped out of the bathroom wearing the jeans and purple tank.
Jasmine whistled. “You look great in those jeans and purple is definitely your color.”
“Thanks. Raya, are these your jeans?”
“Yep.”
Addison walked out to the family room and turned to look at her butt in the full length mirror that was leaning against the wall. “These actually make my butt and legs look good! Raya, we have to go shopping together next weekend.”
“Definitely, but right now you need to sit in this chair so Jasmine and I can do your hair and stuff.”
Addison raised her eye brows, “Stuff?”
“Trust us.” Raya flashed a smile, “we didn’t make you wear a dress, did we?”
With that Addison sat down with her back to the mirror and tried to relax as she heard the whir of the hairdryer; was told to open this eye, close this one, suck in her cheeks, and “this is going to hurt a little,” all while trying to keep her head still for the curling iron.
“Done!”
Finally, Raya had given Addison the go ahead to look in the mirror. Addison turned slowly to peer at her own reflection. She had to admit she looked pretty good and not too girly. Every fiber of her being wanted to reach up and pull her hair back into a pony tail.
As if Raya knew, she quickly said, “and absolutely no pony tails until the volleyball game tonight.”
The oven timer buzzed and there was a knock at the door that made all three girls jump. They looked at each other, and laughed with their hand in various comfort positions.
Raya answered the back door as jasmine put the skirt outfit away and Addison cleaned up her clothes from the shower.
“Just sit at the table boys. We will bring dinner out to you.”
Addison heard Ian say, “Will do.” Her heart began to race as she wondered if Chase would be the new mystery roommate of Ian’s.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
F, H, & S Part Two: Continued
Okay, here is the long awaited update...Enjoy!
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“I’ll clean the kitchen. Why don’t you guys go get the food,” Narissa said as she walked back toward her room. Then just before she walked back into the room, she looked right at Addison and said, “when you get back the real work can start.”
Once Jasmine had disappeared behind the door, Addison grabbed a mug and poured herself some coffee. “Wow! That wasn’t subtle.”
“She means well.”
“I know, just don’t let her make me into something I’m not. You know I like to dress up occasionally, but not all the time. I don’t want to give any false impressions.”
“It’ll be okay. I’m going to go get dressed.”
“Alright, I’m just going to go like this since I’m the next project anyway.” Raya vanished into the same room as Narissa and left Addison to sip her morning coffee alone at the kitchen table.
Addison smiled as she thought about the events of the last hour and a half. Her jog had been great! Of course her jogs always were. It was the one comforting constant she continued. Her jogs were the one time Addison felt she didn’t have to fit in. No one was there to judge her or wonder why she was doing what she was doing. She didn’t second guess herself when she jogged all she had to do was put one foot in front of the other and cover some ground. Over the course of her high school career, Addison had second guessed herself and focused on planning the future instead of taking things one step at a time. She had gotten distracted from God’s purpose for her life. That distraction, like so many for young girls, came in the form of a young man named Stephen. When the bottom fell out on their relationship, Addison ran from the memories and found herself at the small Southwestern College campus in Phoenix. After that catastrophe, Addison had promised herself she wouldn’t think about future plans until she had finished college. She needed three more years to practice trusting God for the next step.
She finished her last sip of coffee just as Raya walked out of her room. “You ready to go?”
“Yep, just let me put this in the sink and grab my purse.” As Addison grabbed her purse off her desk she found herself thinking about Chase and getting a little excited about dinner that night. “It couldn’t hurt to just meet him. I have to get to know people right.”
“What did you say?” Raya yelled as she started to her car out the back door.
“Nothing.” Addison ran after her.
“Are you going to make a habit of talking to yourself? I just want to know when I should listen.” Raya shot Addison a smile over the car roof as she unlocked the doors.
“Sorry, I guess I just got lost in my thoughts. I’m a little nervous about tonight.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about. I invited all the roomies so it wouldn’t feel like a set up.”
“How long did it take you to fit in with everyone?”
Raya started the car and looking over her shoulder as she backed out said, “I don’t know a little while though. It didn’t happen overnight if that’s what you were thinking. Once this year or even semester is over you will look back and think the same thing. Heck, I bet people won’t even realize you weren’t our roommate last year.”
“I hope so, but I am getting a little homesick. This is a little harder than I thought it would be. Back at CU I had my friends from high school and AWANA to hang out with and introduce me around. I am not sure exactly what to think of some of the roommates.”
“Well, some of the roommates didn’t know what to make of you only a week ago so I think you will find you all have more in common than you think.”
“What do you mean?”
They pulled into Fry’s parking lot and headed in to the store.
“Well. Take Bella for example. Grab that bag of chicken. She didn’t know what to make of you when you first got here, she was actually scared of you.”
Addison stopped in her tracks and snickered. “What!” She grabbed Raya’s shoulder to stop her from grabbing the Italian dressing and look her in the face. “You’re joking right.”
Raya smiled. “No, I’m being entirely serious.” She turned back to grab the dressing. “She told me you were kind of intimidating and tough looking.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously! Why would I lie?”
“Oh, I don’t know, to make me feel better.”
“I don’t like you that much.”
The two girls laughed and finished getting the salad mix, garlic, French bread, soda, rolled oats, and cocoa powder so Addison could make her mom’s no-bake cookies for dessert. Once they loaded the groceries, Addison closed the car door and as she pulled the seat belt across her lap she came back to what Raya had said. “So why did Bella find me intimidating?”
“The first thing she said was you were a giant.”
“A giant? I’m not that tall.”
“Well apparently you looked tall to her and she mentioned that you didn’t talk much. She wasn’t sure about you until she took you to that party at Mitch’s house.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you had a drink or two. Don’t get all secretive. I don’t care.”
“Sorry. Why at the party though?”
“She said you loosened up and were joking around. The guys thought you were pretty funny too.”
“Great. A clown. There’s the first impression every girl wants.”
“Well, you can redeem yourself tonight after dinner. We are going to start up our night volleyball games again.”
“That sounds fun. I still can’t get over Bella being scared of me. I am going to give her a hard time.”
STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS AT DINNER!
********************************************
“I’ll clean the kitchen. Why don’t you guys go get the food,” Narissa said as she walked back toward her room. Then just before she walked back into the room, she looked right at Addison and said, “when you get back the real work can start.”
Once Jasmine had disappeared behind the door, Addison grabbed a mug and poured herself some coffee. “Wow! That wasn’t subtle.”
“She means well.”
“I know, just don’t let her make me into something I’m not. You know I like to dress up occasionally, but not all the time. I don’t want to give any false impressions.”
“It’ll be okay. I’m going to go get dressed.”
“Alright, I’m just going to go like this since I’m the next project anyway.” Raya vanished into the same room as Narissa and left Addison to sip her morning coffee alone at the kitchen table.
Addison smiled as she thought about the events of the last hour and a half. Her jog had been great! Of course her jogs always were. It was the one comforting constant she continued. Her jogs were the one time Addison felt she didn’t have to fit in. No one was there to judge her or wonder why she was doing what she was doing. She didn’t second guess herself when she jogged all she had to do was put one foot in front of the other and cover some ground. Over the course of her high school career, Addison had second guessed herself and focused on planning the future instead of taking things one step at a time. She had gotten distracted from God’s purpose for her life. That distraction, like so many for young girls, came in the form of a young man named Stephen. When the bottom fell out on their relationship, Addison ran from the memories and found herself at the small Southwestern College campus in Phoenix. After that catastrophe, Addison had promised herself she wouldn’t think about future plans until she had finished college. She needed three more years to practice trusting God for the next step.
She finished her last sip of coffee just as Raya walked out of her room. “You ready to go?”
“Yep, just let me put this in the sink and grab my purse.” As Addison grabbed her purse off her desk she found herself thinking about Chase and getting a little excited about dinner that night. “It couldn’t hurt to just meet him. I have to get to know people right.”
“What did you say?” Raya yelled as she started to her car out the back door.
“Nothing.” Addison ran after her.
“Are you going to make a habit of talking to yourself? I just want to know when I should listen.” Raya shot Addison a smile over the car roof as she unlocked the doors.
“Sorry, I guess I just got lost in my thoughts. I’m a little nervous about tonight.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about. I invited all the roomies so it wouldn’t feel like a set up.”
“How long did it take you to fit in with everyone?”
Raya started the car and looking over her shoulder as she backed out said, “I don’t know a little while though. It didn’t happen overnight if that’s what you were thinking. Once this year or even semester is over you will look back and think the same thing. Heck, I bet people won’t even realize you weren’t our roommate last year.”
“I hope so, but I am getting a little homesick. This is a little harder than I thought it would be. Back at CU I had my friends from high school and AWANA to hang out with and introduce me around. I am not sure exactly what to think of some of the roommates.”
“Well, some of the roommates didn’t know what to make of you only a week ago so I think you will find you all have more in common than you think.”
“What do you mean?”
They pulled into Fry’s parking lot and headed in to the store.
“Well. Take Bella for example. Grab that bag of chicken. She didn’t know what to make of you when you first got here, she was actually scared of you.”
Addison stopped in her tracks and snickered. “What!” She grabbed Raya’s shoulder to stop her from grabbing the Italian dressing and look her in the face. “You’re joking right.”
Raya smiled. “No, I’m being entirely serious.” She turned back to grab the dressing. “She told me you were kind of intimidating and tough looking.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously! Why would I lie?”
“Oh, I don’t know, to make me feel better.”
“I don’t like you that much.”
The two girls laughed and finished getting the salad mix, garlic, French bread, soda, rolled oats, and cocoa powder so Addison could make her mom’s no-bake cookies for dessert. Once they loaded the groceries, Addison closed the car door and as she pulled the seat belt across her lap she came back to what Raya had said. “So why did Bella find me intimidating?”
“The first thing she said was you were a giant.”
“A giant? I’m not that tall.”
“Well apparently you looked tall to her and she mentioned that you didn’t talk much. She wasn’t sure about you until she took you to that party at Mitch’s house.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you had a drink or two. Don’t get all secretive. I don’t care.”
“Sorry. Why at the party though?”
“She said you loosened up and were joking around. The guys thought you were pretty funny too.”
“Great. A clown. There’s the first impression every girl wants.”
“Well, you can redeem yourself tonight after dinner. We are going to start up our night volleyball games again.”
“That sounds fun. I still can’t get over Bella being scared of me. I am going to give her a hard time.”
STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS AT DINNER!
Friday, February 13, 2009
F, H, & S: Part Two
Addison turned the corner of the gym and started walking toward the apartment as her cool down. She put her index and middle finger on her neck while watching the second hand on her watch. The next thing she knew her progress had been abruptly stopped by someone.
“Hey, watch it!”
“Watch it yourself! I wasn’t even moving.”
“Sorry,” was all Addison could manage as she took in the full stature of the man she had apparently accosted in the parking lot. “I’m Addison. Do you go here?”
“I’m Chase and yes I am a student here. Do you run into people every Saturday?” He flashed a confident smile as he leaned on the car he had originally been attempting to enter.
“Most mornings I run if that’s what you mean. Why?”
“Maybe I will have to run into you again some other time.” With that Chase opened the door and slid in to his car. As he drove off he shot Addison another toothy grin.
“What a strange guy.” Addison smiled to herself as she continued across the grass court yard to the front door of apartment 14.
Addison still had a smile on her face when she walked in to find Diedra and Raya in the kitchen holding a box of chocolate covered strawberries.
“Diedra, what are you still doing here? I thought you had to be at work 5 minutes ago?”
“Crap! Crap! Crap! Fill me in on everything tonight.”
Diedra ran out the back door and sped off.
“Fill me in on what? What happened while I was gone?”
“Jasmine got chocolate covered strawberries from her secret admirer, but before we hash that out why are you grinning so much?”
“What do you mean and what secret admirer?”
“I haven’t seen you smile like that since you first got here. Frankly, Addison, you have been a little well down. Now you walk in smiling! Are you going to tell us what happened on your jog or what?”
“Jasmine, how did you get a secret admirer? Any guess as to who it is?” Addison redirected hoping Raya wouldn’t catch on and get distracted.
“Oh no, I’m with Raya. Why are you so happy all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know. I think this guy was hitting on me.”
Jasmine and Raya both looked at each other, smiled, and surrounded Addison on the couch. Raya began the inquisition with “What guy? What did he look like? Where did you meet him?”
“Do you want an answer or are you going to just question me to death?”
“Sorry! Tell us what happened.”
“I just ran into a guy in the parking lot, literally.”
“Did you get his name?” Jasmine asked expectantly.
“Chase, but that’s all I know.”
“Was he tall with dark hair and a Celtic tattoo on his arm?”
“I don’t know about the tattoo, but he was tall and had dark messy hair.”
“Raya, that sounds like Ian’s friend. The one he said just moved out here from California.”
Ian was Raya’s boyfriend of ten months and one of the best huggers on campus. His long arms combined with his towering six foot six inch frame had the comforting effect of completely swallowing a person, even Raya and Addison who both neared six foot themselves.
“It could be. I will call Ian and see if he wants to bring him over for dinner tonight. I was planning on making Belle’s Italian marinade chicken anyway and that always makes a ton of food.” Raya stood up to go call Ian.
“Don’t you dare tell him I want to meet his friend or I will conveniently be out of the apartment.” Addison yelled at Raya as she walked into her room. She turned to Jasmine, “So what’s this about a secret admirer?”
“I don’t know, but it is kind of exciting. I guess Diedra found by doing a face-plant when she tripped over it. Whoever he is, he must know chocolate covered strawberries are my absolute favorite.”
“I thought Nutela and pretzels were?”
“That too.” Jasmine said and the two girls smiled. “Do you want one?” she asked as she started toward the box in the kitchen.
“Sure.”
“Alright, it’s all set.” Raya said as she turned the corner outside her room and entered the living room. Five steps later, she was with Jasmine and Addison in the closet kitchen. “The guys are coming tonight. They will be here at six thirty.”
“You know what that means,” Jasmine interjected.
“No, what?” Addison looked a little confused.
Raya finished, “We only have eight hours to make a scrumptious dinner and to make you gorgeous!” Raya said the last bit with her usual imitation of a New York accent.
Addison looked at them nervously. "What exactly is this going to entail?"
"First of all we have to get the sides for dinner." Raya smiled at Addison. "What did you think we were going to do?" Raya winked and headed back in to her room to get dressed.
"Hey, Jasmine, can I have one of your strawberries? These are my favorite."
"Sure. I won't eat that many anyway. I have to meet my mom and sister for some shopping, but I will be back in time for dinner. Heck, I want to see if Ian's friend is the same guy that made you grin like a kid in a candy store."
"I suppose I'm okay with being a project." Addison took a bite of the strawberry. The thick layer of dark chocolate cracked off into her mouth and mixed with the juice of the berry in an explosion of flavor. If only Addison had known how explosive that night would be and how it would alter the course of the roommates relationships with one another.
“Hey, watch it!”
“Watch it yourself! I wasn’t even moving.”
“Sorry,” was all Addison could manage as she took in the full stature of the man she had apparently accosted in the parking lot. “I’m Addison. Do you go here?”
“I’m Chase and yes I am a student here. Do you run into people every Saturday?” He flashed a confident smile as he leaned on the car he had originally been attempting to enter.
“Most mornings I run if that’s what you mean. Why?”
“Maybe I will have to run into you again some other time.” With that Chase opened the door and slid in to his car. As he drove off he shot Addison another toothy grin.
“What a strange guy.” Addison smiled to herself as she continued across the grass court yard to the front door of apartment 14.
Addison still had a smile on her face when she walked in to find Diedra and Raya in the kitchen holding a box of chocolate covered strawberries.
“Diedra, what are you still doing here? I thought you had to be at work 5 minutes ago?”
“Crap! Crap! Crap! Fill me in on everything tonight.”
Diedra ran out the back door and sped off.
“Fill me in on what? What happened while I was gone?”
“Jasmine got chocolate covered strawberries from her secret admirer, but before we hash that out why are you grinning so much?”
“What do you mean and what secret admirer?”
“I haven’t seen you smile like that since you first got here. Frankly, Addison, you have been a little well down. Now you walk in smiling! Are you going to tell us what happened on your jog or what?”
“Jasmine, how did you get a secret admirer? Any guess as to who it is?” Addison redirected hoping Raya wouldn’t catch on and get distracted.
“Oh no, I’m with Raya. Why are you so happy all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know. I think this guy was hitting on me.”
Jasmine and Raya both looked at each other, smiled, and surrounded Addison on the couch. Raya began the inquisition with “What guy? What did he look like? Where did you meet him?”
“Do you want an answer or are you going to just question me to death?”
“Sorry! Tell us what happened.”
“I just ran into a guy in the parking lot, literally.”
“Did you get his name?” Jasmine asked expectantly.
“Chase, but that’s all I know.”
“Was he tall with dark hair and a Celtic tattoo on his arm?”
“I don’t know about the tattoo, but he was tall and had dark messy hair.”
“Raya, that sounds like Ian’s friend. The one he said just moved out here from California.”
Ian was Raya’s boyfriend of ten months and one of the best huggers on campus. His long arms combined with his towering six foot six inch frame had the comforting effect of completely swallowing a person, even Raya and Addison who both neared six foot themselves.
“It could be. I will call Ian and see if he wants to bring him over for dinner tonight. I was planning on making Belle’s Italian marinade chicken anyway and that always makes a ton of food.” Raya stood up to go call Ian.
“Don’t you dare tell him I want to meet his friend or I will conveniently be out of the apartment.” Addison yelled at Raya as she walked into her room. She turned to Jasmine, “So what’s this about a secret admirer?”
“I don’t know, but it is kind of exciting. I guess Diedra found by doing a face-plant when she tripped over it. Whoever he is, he must know chocolate covered strawberries are my absolute favorite.”
“I thought Nutela and pretzels were?”
“That too.” Jasmine said and the two girls smiled. “Do you want one?” she asked as she started toward the box in the kitchen.
“Sure.”
“Alright, it’s all set.” Raya said as she turned the corner outside her room and entered the living room. Five steps later, she was with Jasmine and Addison in the closet kitchen. “The guys are coming tonight. They will be here at six thirty.”
“You know what that means,” Jasmine interjected.
“No, what?” Addison looked a little confused.
Raya finished, “We only have eight hours to make a scrumptious dinner and to make you gorgeous!” Raya said the last bit with her usual imitation of a New York accent.
Addison looked at them nervously. "What exactly is this going to entail?"
"First of all we have to get the sides for dinner." Raya smiled at Addison. "What did you think we were going to do?" Raya winked and headed back in to her room to get dressed.
"Hey, Jasmine, can I have one of your strawberries? These are my favorite."
"Sure. I won't eat that many anyway. I have to meet my mom and sister for some shopping, but I will be back in time for dinner. Heck, I want to see if Ian's friend is the same guy that made you grin like a kid in a candy store."
"I suppose I'm okay with being a project." Addison took a bite of the strawberry. The thick layer of dark chocolate cracked off into her mouth and mixed with the juice of the berry in an explosion of flavor. If only Addison had known how explosive that night would be and how it would alter the course of the roommates relationships with one another.
Update on FH&S
Since what I have posted previously is a rough draft I will be making changes periodically and adding details/dialogue. When I do this I will do it in GREEN so you can see the adjustments that have been made. I hope you enjoy the story...I will have another installment for you Saturday.
Monday, February 9, 2009
F, H, & S: Part One Continued
Raya smiled back at Addison as she left.
"Did you make some coffee?" Belle asked Raya as she headed back into the bathroom to begin her makeup and hair ritual.
"Yep. Want me to make you a cup?'
"Sure!"
Raya set her journal and Bible on the stained couch cushion in preparation for taking a break from writing, "I need a break from this poem anyway."
"What?" Belle yelled over the whir of the hair dryer.
"Never mind!" Raya yelled as she began to make Belle's sweet vanilla coffee. Raya was the resident coffee virtuoso, but wasn't really the strong coffee type. All the roomies liked it best when she made the coffee, except Addison who always liked it black and strong. Military coffee as she called it, which had always been odd since she was in no way connected to the military.
The aroma of the vanilla and freshly brewed coffee began to rouse Diedra. Raya would have to make her a cup as well. She enjoyed making the coffee and seeing the gratitude on the roomies’ faces, but she had to admit that the assumption and expectations sometimes became a burden. She delivered the over sized cup to Belle who was now on to curling her blond locks.
"Thanks! You know, you should open a coffee shop. I would pay you to make my coffee any day."
"How about now?" Raya said expectantly with her hand on her hip and her lips in a lopsided smirk.
Belle froze and looked at Raya in the mirror. "Are you serious?"
"No, dork."
"Oh." Belle paused to study Raya's expression and then went back to curling her hair.
Raya chuckled to herself as she headed back to the kitchen to start Diedra's cup. It wasn't hard to get a confused look from Belle, especially before she had her morning coffee and Raya relished every moment she could. She passed Diedra, who was now looking sleepily toward the kitchen.
"Don't worry, I'm making it now."
"Cool! Thanks." Diedra stretched then sprang to her feet like something had bitten her on the butt. She sprinted toward the bathroom. "Heads up! Gotta pee!"
Raya laughed as Belle jumped out of the way with a gasp expressing her frustrations. "Why don't you keep doing your makeup? She's only peeing."
"Oh gross!"
"Honey, out of all of us you have the least amount of modesty."
"Yeah, but I draw the line at toilet related body functions."
"Did you make some coffee?" Belle asked Raya as she headed back into the bathroom to begin her makeup and hair ritual.
"Yep. Want me to make you a cup?'
"Sure!"
Raya set her journal and Bible on the stained couch cushion in preparation for taking a break from writing, "I need a break from this poem anyway."
"What?" Belle yelled over the whir of the hair dryer.
"Never mind!" Raya yelled as she began to make Belle's sweet vanilla coffee. Raya was the resident coffee virtuoso, but wasn't really the strong coffee type. All the roomies liked it best when she made the coffee, except Addison who always liked it black and strong. Military coffee as she called it, which had always been odd since she was in no way connected to the military.
The aroma of the vanilla and freshly brewed coffee began to rouse Diedra. Raya would have to make her a cup as well. She enjoyed making the coffee and seeing the gratitude on the roomies’ faces, but she had to admit that the assumption and expectations sometimes became a burden. She delivered the over sized cup to Belle who was now on to curling her blond locks.
"Thanks! You know, you should open a coffee shop. I would pay you to make my coffee any day."
"How about now?" Raya said expectantly with her hand on her hip and her lips in a lopsided smirk.
Belle froze and looked at Raya in the mirror. "Are you serious?"
"No, dork."
"Oh." Belle paused to study Raya's expression and then went back to curling her hair.
Raya chuckled to herself as she headed back to the kitchen to start Diedra's cup. It wasn't hard to get a confused look from Belle, especially before she had her morning coffee and Raya relished every moment she could. She passed Diedra, who was now looking sleepily toward the kitchen.
"Don't worry, I'm making it now."
"Cool! Thanks." Diedra stretched then sprang to her feet like something had bitten her on the butt. She sprinted toward the bathroom. "Heads up! Gotta pee!"
Raya laughed as Belle jumped out of the way with a gasp expressing her frustrations. "Why don't you keep doing your makeup? She's only peeing."
"Oh gross!"
"Honey, out of all of us you have the least amount of modesty."
"Yeah, but I draw the line at toilet related body functions."
Diedra came swaggering out of the bathroom with Belle's cup in hand, bringing it close to her lips, and baiting Belle all the while.
"Uughh! Diedra, that's my coffee."
"Relax, I didn't actually drink any." Belle grabbed the cup and headed back into the bathroom to finish getting ready.
"Here ya go Diedra. I put it in a travel mug so you can take it with you back home."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing." Raya sat down at the kitchen table and prepared for entertainment. "Last night you said you needed to leave by 9:30 and it's now 9:20."
"WHAT!? Thanks I gotta go." Diedra grabbed her duffel bag and threw open the back door.
Raya turned just in time to see Diedra do a face plant into the grass. "Addison said you had coordination issues, but that was hilarious! Are you okay?"
" I will have to thank Addison for that during practice Monday. What the heck is this box doing outside your back door?" Diedra said as she rolled over and examined her knee.
"I don't know. Does it say anything on it?" Raya topped off her coffee and sat back down at the kitchen table.
"It's for you."
"What?"
"Are you expecting anything?" Diedra stood up and brushed the dry grass off her arms and legs.
Raya walked over to the door to inspect the box. "No, are you serious?" She picked up the box that was deceptively light and placed it on the kitchen table. "Diedra, this isn't for me. It says care of Raya, that's what the c/o means."
"Well who is it for then?"
"I don't know there isn't anything else written on it."
"Open it."
"Don't you have to get to the Y?"
"Macy will cover for me till I get there. Now open the box!"
Raya studied the generic brown packing paper to determine the least invasive way of opening it in case she needed to re wrap it for the true recipient. The end opened easily to reveal red wrapping paper so she ripped through the remaining paper to see if anything else was written on the new wrapping.
"It's for Jasmine."
"How do you know?"
"Diedra, there's a card."
"It's not her birthday is it?"
"No..."
"Who do you think it's from then?"
"I don't know"
Diedra pushed past Raya. "Jasmine! Get up! You got a box!"
In a moment, Diedra returned tot he kitchen with Jasmine who was trying unsuccessfully to rub the sleep from her eyes.
"You woke her up! This could have waited till later."
"No it couldn't, I have to be at work. I should be at work."
"Can someone tell me what's going on? Diedra, why did you wake me up, this is my one day to sleep in?"
"Diedra is being a snoop."
"Hey!"
"She tripped over this box on her way out and now has to know what is inside it for her life to be complete and fulfilled."
Jasmine smiled as she caught Raya's sarcasm. "I'll open it so Diedra can get to work, but who is it from?"
Diedra jumped in, "that's why I can't leave yet, we don't know who it's from."
"Oh," was all Jasmine said as she opened the card and read it. "I have to sit down."
"Why?" Diedra grabbed the card to read for herself as Jasmine sat on the couch.
Diedra read the card out loud, "Dear Jasmine, You were beautiful last night. E"
"Who's E?" Raya questioned.
"I don't know."
Diedra and Raya looked at each other, grinned, and in unison said, "You have a secret admirer."
Raya followed up with, "Where were you last night that you would have been beautiful?"
Jasmine broke from her trans, "Gee thanks."
"I didn't mean..."
"I was no where. I was with you guys last night."
"You guys are forgetting something."
"What?" Raya turned to look at Diedra.
"What's in the box?" Diedra squealed. "Whoever this E is, he got you a gift! Are you going to open it or what?!"
"Oh yeah!" Jasmine walked over to the box and began unwrapping it. Inside she found a box of chocolate covered strawberries.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
F, H, & S: Part One
Okay so I feel like I am on a roll and want to keep it going so here is your second instalment...enjoy!
Addison woke up at 8:45 Saturday morning still a little homesick. She rolled over and looked at the team photo of the Avalanche on the wall next to her bunk. She had wanted to escape the cold, but missed her friends back in Denver. Besides that, Phoenix was stinking hot.
She lay in bed going through the list of things she wanted to get accomplished that day, which wasn't very long since classes had just started 2 weeks ago. Between volleyball practice and class, she hadn’t had much free time to explore the Paradise Valley area around the college. Addison decided she wanted to hit the mall after doing some of her New Testament Survey course work. First she would go workout to get the blood flowing. Just then the bunk started moving signaling Belle's arrival into reality. Addison rolled back over just in time to see something that would be irreparably burned into her memory.
Belle's bare legs hung over the edge of the top bunk for a split second before the rest of her near naked body followed. Addison saw the navy blue lace thong slicing through the flat, white butt of Belle and immediately hid her face under her purple fleece blanket.
"Belle! A little warning next time."
"Sorry." With that Belle grabbed her clothes to hop in the shower.
Addison heard the door to the bathroom close and the shower water start to run before she ventured to peek out from her purple safe-haven. It had been only six weeks since Addison had started at a new college, in a new city, and in a new state, and getting used to roommates was proving to be somewhat of a challenge. Especially one as liberated as Belle.
Addison looked in the closet mirror as she slipped into some form fitting workout pants, a tank top, and pulled her hair back into her characteristic ponytail and wondered if she would ever truly fit in with the other seven roomies. She knew she would always be close to Raya, after all they had been best friends since kindergarten, but she wasn't so sure about the others.
Since she had arrived on campus, Addison found herself trying to be everything to everyone. She tried to be the athlete to get to know Deidra better, but that seemed to backfire since she wanted to hang out with Jasmine, Belle, and Mona mostly. Addison found it a little depressing that someone she brought into the “roost” hit it off with the girls faster than she did. She became the soap watcher/updater for Tamah who was completely addicted to a new soap called Passions. Her favorite roll, as difficult as it was, had to be the schemer/goof ball which she became to try to fit in with Belle. The philosopher, or at least thinker, was the persona she took on to fit in with Jasmine and Narissa. With Mona, Addison had no clue where to begin and mostly felt uncomfortably awkward. These girls had known each other for at least a whole year before Addison came into the picture, and finding her place hadn't been easy.
Addison was putting her tennis shoes on when Belle walked back into the room. The blue towel was wrapped around her blond hair, turban style. The shower had done a number on the remnants of her makeup from the previous day. Addison had learned she could count on the raccoon eyed Belle to put a smile on her face each morning.
"Where are you off to this morning?"
"Jogging. Do you want to come?"
"As fun as that sounds, I have to be at work by 10:30." Belle worked at Lone Star Steakhouse which fit right in with her interest in country music and her hyper activity.
"How long are you working?"
"I am covering a shift for Lacey, so I will be there till close. Bring on the tips."
"Hope you do well," Addison said as she walked out of the room and headed toward the kitchen. Diedra was still fast asleep, her blond curls looking like a rouge cue tip sticking out of the top of Raya's plaid blanket. Mona had already left, and replacing her was Raya. She sat on the shabby blue couch in her over sized plaid flannel pajama pants, glasses on, reading her devotion. Addison smiled at her as she walked out the back door to hit the neighborhood streets.
Addison woke up at 8:45 Saturday morning still a little homesick. She rolled over and looked at the team photo of the Avalanche on the wall next to her bunk. She had wanted to escape the cold, but missed her friends back in Denver. Besides that, Phoenix was stinking hot.
She lay in bed going through the list of things she wanted to get accomplished that day, which wasn't very long since classes had just started 2 weeks ago. Between volleyball practice and class, she hadn’t had much free time to explore the Paradise Valley area around the college. Addison decided she wanted to hit the mall after doing some of her New Testament Survey course work. First she would go workout to get the blood flowing. Just then the bunk started moving signaling Belle's arrival into reality. Addison rolled back over just in time to see something that would be irreparably burned into her memory.
Belle's bare legs hung over the edge of the top bunk for a split second before the rest of her near naked body followed. Addison saw the navy blue lace thong slicing through the flat, white butt of Belle and immediately hid her face under her purple fleece blanket.
"Belle! A little warning next time."
"Sorry." With that Belle grabbed her clothes to hop in the shower.
Addison heard the door to the bathroom close and the shower water start to run before she ventured to peek out from her purple safe-haven. It had been only six weeks since Addison had started at a new college, in a new city, and in a new state, and getting used to roommates was proving to be somewhat of a challenge. Especially one as liberated as Belle.
Addison looked in the closet mirror as she slipped into some form fitting workout pants, a tank top, and pulled her hair back into her characteristic ponytail and wondered if she would ever truly fit in with the other seven roomies. She knew she would always be close to Raya, after all they had been best friends since kindergarten, but she wasn't so sure about the others.
Since she had arrived on campus, Addison found herself trying to be everything to everyone. She tried to be the athlete to get to know Deidra better, but that seemed to backfire since she wanted to hang out with Jasmine, Belle, and Mona mostly. Addison found it a little depressing that someone she brought into the “roost” hit it off with the girls faster than she did. She became the soap watcher/updater for Tamah who was completely addicted to a new soap called Passions. Her favorite roll, as difficult as it was, had to be the schemer/goof ball which she became to try to fit in with Belle. The philosopher, or at least thinker, was the persona she took on to fit in with Jasmine and Narissa. With Mona, Addison had no clue where to begin and mostly felt uncomfortably awkward. These girls had known each other for at least a whole year before Addison came into the picture, and finding her place hadn't been easy.
Addison was putting her tennis shoes on when Belle walked back into the room. The blue towel was wrapped around her blond hair, turban style. The shower had done a number on the remnants of her makeup from the previous day. Addison had learned she could count on the raccoon eyed Belle to put a smile on her face each morning.
"Where are you off to this morning?"
"Jogging. Do you want to come?"
"As fun as that sounds, I have to be at work by 10:30." Belle worked at Lone Star Steakhouse which fit right in with her interest in country music and her hyper activity.
"How long are you working?"
"I am covering a shift for Lacey, so I will be there till close. Bring on the tips."
"Hope you do well," Addison said as she walked out of the room and headed toward the kitchen. Diedra was still fast asleep, her blond curls looking like a rouge cue tip sticking out of the top of Raya's plaid blanket. Mona had already left, and replacing her was Raya. She sat on the shabby blue couch in her over sized plaid flannel pajama pants, glasses on, reading her devotion. Addison smiled at her as she walked out the back door to hit the neighborhood streets.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Flimflam, Hijinks, and Solidarity: The Prologue
Bang, bump, thud!
The quick succession of sounds and actions made Deidra's stomach drop. Deidra's eyes focused in on the sapling as she remembered she was in Sexy Lexy, Belle's red Saturn, and not her own car. She jumped out of the driver's side to assess the damage and saw that the white granny panties were still hanging from the car's antenna. It was all she could do to keep from buckling over in laughter as she pictured that glorious moment when Belle opened the box to find her very own pair of tent sized, granny panties. The horror that filled Belle's eyes as she squealed and threw them across the room followed by the eruption from the roommates, Deidra knew would be legendary.
She forced herself to gain her composure and look at the front of the car. As her eyes scanned the bumper, she heard Raya and the others preventing Belle from retrieving her car laughing all the while. There was no visible damage to the car, but the sapling would never be the same.
Diedra hopped back in Sexy Lexy and drove the hundred yards around the freshman dorm to the back door of apartment 14. As the uncontainable rag tag group of roommates came into view, Diedra couldn't help musing how this strange group of girls came to be such close friends. Most people would not think of finding these eight personas in the same room let alone infringing on one another's lives.
Diedra slammed on the brakes and stopped just in front of the curb.
"Get those things off my car!" True to form, Belle was making a commotion about the granny panties, demanding attention while the others laughed hysterically.
"Belle...it isn't that big a deal, seriously!" Addison said in between fits of laughter and the essential breathing.
"Diedra, take those things off this instant!" Belle asserted with the stomp of her right foot which only served to throw the others into a new fit of laughter.
Standing behind Jasmine for protection, Diedra decided to share the tale of the unfortunate sapling, "Dude! I hit the tree."
"What!?" Mona and Tamah choked out together.
"The one on the other side of the freshman dorm," Diedra responded flinching as she noticed Belle had stopped laughing. "The car is fine Belle, but I can't say the same for the tree."
"I gotta see this," Addison asserted as she began running to the far side of the parking lot followed by Narissa and Raya. The minute Addison saw the tree holding on for dear life at a forty-five degree angle, she laughed through her nose and sat down to keep from falling over. Raya sat down next to her laughing to the point of tears.
Narissa interrupted the laughter, "I think I saw the RA's light go on in the girls dorm!"
"Crap!"
With that all three girls ran back to the apartment. They jumped over the curb and sprang to the back door.
"What's going on?" Tamah asked.
"RA's" was all Narissa had to say and all eight girls hurtled into apartment 14 landing on the couches.
The rest of the night was a whirlwind of laughter.
As usual, Tamah had plans Saturday so she was the first to leave. Eventually Narissa snuck over to her apartment, a whole five feet away; while Mona and Diedra claimed the two couches in the living room. Who knows what the night held for the girls dreams, but one thing was for sure, if it was memorable it would be talked about the next morning.
This group of girls had a unique mix. There was the confidant, the comedy relief, the sympathizer, the naive, the sporty, the unpredictable, the intellect, and the creative. All playing their part. Each leaving the others changed. If it weren't for this group, who knows where each girl would have ended up.
Tune in the find out what happens!
The quick succession of sounds and actions made Deidra's stomach drop. Deidra's eyes focused in on the sapling as she remembered she was in Sexy Lexy, Belle's red Saturn, and not her own car. She jumped out of the driver's side to assess the damage and saw that the white granny panties were still hanging from the car's antenna. It was all she could do to keep from buckling over in laughter as she pictured that glorious moment when Belle opened the box to find her very own pair of tent sized, granny panties. The horror that filled Belle's eyes as she squealed and threw them across the room followed by the eruption from the roommates, Deidra knew would be legendary.
She forced herself to gain her composure and look at the front of the car. As her eyes scanned the bumper, she heard Raya and the others preventing Belle from retrieving her car laughing all the while. There was no visible damage to the car, but the sapling would never be the same.
Diedra hopped back in Sexy Lexy and drove the hundred yards around the freshman dorm to the back door of apartment 14. As the uncontainable rag tag group of roommates came into view, Diedra couldn't help musing how this strange group of girls came to be such close friends. Most people would not think of finding these eight personas in the same room let alone infringing on one another's lives.
Diedra slammed on the brakes and stopped just in front of the curb.
"Get those things off my car!" True to form, Belle was making a commotion about the granny panties, demanding attention while the others laughed hysterically.
"Belle...it isn't that big a deal, seriously!" Addison said in between fits of laughter and the essential breathing.
"Diedra, take those things off this instant!" Belle asserted with the stomp of her right foot which only served to throw the others into a new fit of laughter.
Standing behind Jasmine for protection, Diedra decided to share the tale of the unfortunate sapling, "Dude! I hit the tree."
"What!?" Mona and Tamah choked out together.
"The one on the other side of the freshman dorm," Diedra responded flinching as she noticed Belle had stopped laughing. "The car is fine Belle, but I can't say the same for the tree."
"I gotta see this," Addison asserted as she began running to the far side of the parking lot followed by Narissa and Raya. The minute Addison saw the tree holding on for dear life at a forty-five degree angle, she laughed through her nose and sat down to keep from falling over. Raya sat down next to her laughing to the point of tears.
Narissa interrupted the laughter, "I think I saw the RA's light go on in the girls dorm!"
"Crap!"
With that all three girls ran back to the apartment. They jumped over the curb and sprang to the back door.
"What's going on?" Tamah asked.
"RA's" was all Narissa had to say and all eight girls hurtled into apartment 14 landing on the couches.
The rest of the night was a whirlwind of laughter.
As usual, Tamah had plans Saturday so she was the first to leave. Eventually Narissa snuck over to her apartment, a whole five feet away; while Mona and Diedra claimed the two couches in the living room. Who knows what the night held for the girls dreams, but one thing was for sure, if it was memorable it would be talked about the next morning.
This group of girls had a unique mix. There was the confidant, the comedy relief, the sympathizer, the naive, the sporty, the unpredictable, the intellect, and the creative. All playing their part. Each leaving the others changed. If it weren't for this group, who knows where each girl would have ended up.
Tune in the find out what happens!
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