DIGGY's POV

I got up early this morning. For some reason I was feeling nervous, I don't know why. Today was the last day of school before winter break and it was also spirit day at school. Everyone is supposed to wear the school colors -- black and yellow -- so I decide to throw on my black sweatshirt with 'Wesley High Bumblebees' on the front in gold letters and wear some black sweatpants with my black and gold Nikes. I look comfortable and fresh today in my all black everything. Then, again, I always look fresh ;)

For the past two days, me and Julie have been joined at the hip. I've been walking her to all of her classes even when my classes are on a different floor. I sit with her during lunch; we've studied in the library after school; she even waits for me after basketball practice is over at night. She's all I've been texting, too. Of course, my boy Khalil is texting me asking what's up though. He was complaining about how I just abandoned the crew at lunch and how we barely talk since Julie snatched me up. I told him to calm down and stop exaggerating. I'm not leaving him or Becca or Sam. I'm just spending some time with a new person -- a person that is different, and funny, and drama-free. We're just friends. Khalil know he's my homie for life. 

My other "best friend", Sam, is tripping lately. Ever since Julie came to our school, Sam has been acting childish, dramatic, and jealous for some reason. I think she just needs to stop being petty and get to know Julie. We haven't talked since I had to leave early after we all went out bowling on Wednesday night. I don't even care anymore...

I finished brushing my teeth and winked at my good-looking reflection in the mirror. 

"You are the man, Dig," I say to myself. 

After my little gussying up session, I headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. I saw a huge stack of pancakes, eggs, and bacon sitting on plates on the table and immediately made myself some breakfast.

"Good morning, Diggy," my mom said from the living room. I grabbed my plate and followed her voice into the living room. She was sitting comfortably on the couch watching the news.

"Morning, Ma," I greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for the breakfast."

"Mhmm," she nonchalantly replied, kissing my cheek. "How was basketball last night?"

"Good. We just did a bunch of warm-ups and ran drills. Same old stuff," I say.

"That's good. How are your classes?"

"They're good," I reply, munching on a piece of bacon.

"Hmmm. That's good. I spoke to Sam's mom the other day at their house. We were talking about kids, and work, and lots of things."

"Yeah?" Where's my mother going with this?

"I was just wondering... are you going to Homecoming tonight?"

"I wasn't planning on it... me and Sam were having our best friend night thing since it's Friday. Khalil and Becca are going though. Oh, ma! You won't believe it! Khalil asked Becca to the dance the other day. See, I knew that fool had feelings for her and he couldn't hide them," I laughed to myself, picturing my friend's proposal to his special lady. I still can't believe he did it.

"Oh, how sweet of him! Why don't you and Sam go to the dance with your friends?" My mom asked.

"No, mom. They're going as a 'thing' and it'd be awkward. Besides, I'm hanging with Sam anyway so she won't feel jealous," I reply, sitting down on the couch and shaking my head.

"Why would she be jealous?"

I shake my head once more and proceed to tell my mother the whole story.

"Because... ever since this new girl Julie Martinez came to our school from California, she's been bugging her. We all have Spanish together and Sam got mad because I wanted to be Julie's partner, then she gets mad because she sees her flirting with me at practice. By the way, Julie's a cheerleader. But all Sam goes on about is 'she's fake, I swear' or 'she's up to something, don't trust her' and blah, blah, blah. Then the other day she got into it with Julie at lunch and... she's just causing too much drama. I'm trying to be nice to the new girl; I told her she's too judgmental."

"So, this girl Julie, do you like her? You think she's pretty?" My mom looks at me with a smirk on her face.

"Yeah, I mean, she's really cool, and she's not bad looking." I shrug my shoulders.

"Mhmm. Well, Diggy, you're a gentleman. I've always admired the way you treat others; I'm not worried about you. And it's perfectly fine talking to whatever girls you like. Just don't forget your friends that got ya back."

"And I'm not. They act like I can't talk to other people and be their friend at the same time," I complain, setting my completely clean plate on the small table in front of the couch. I love my mom's cooking.

My mom giggles. "Diggy, I understand you, baby. Your friends just care about you, that's all. What time are y'all having your friend day tonight?"

"Probably after school around 5:00."

"Alright, I'll tell your father so we can get out your way around that time. And be patient with Sam," my mom tells me before she gets up to get ready for work.

"I'll try. Thanks, ma, see you later," I reply.

I lounge back on the couch and flip through some TV channels  before I have to go to school.

***

After the bell rang to indicate the end of first period, I quickly gathered all of my things, stuffed them into my small backpack, and walked out of the classroom expecting to run into Julie. She wasn't in class today and she didn't text me this morning. I hope she's okay.

I power walk down the hallway to her second period class, English, and wait by the door to see if she'll show up. I nodded a few 'wassups' to people I knew in the hallway while waiting for Julie. Looking further down the hallway I merely see two figures in the corner talking to each other and one of them looks like Julie! But who is she talking to? I try to get a better look at the two figures down the hall but I'm stopped by a hand hitting my arm.

"Sup?" Sam looks at me and smirks.

I sigh and roll my eyes, "Hey."

"Eww. What's the attitude for?" She frowns and gives me a disgusted look.

"Nothing. Nice spirit day uniform, " I say, noticing her yellow Wesley High sweatshirt, black sweatpants,and black and grey Nikes.

"Thanks, you too," she says.

I nod my head and return my gaze to who I assume is Julie and an unidentified guy still talking down the hall.

"I see you stalking that trick again. Dang, Diggy, I didn't know a girl could get you so whipped! Walking her to class, carrying her books, agreeing to her every command. Ha! I didn't know you had it in you," Sam says while laughing.

"Sam, don't start, alright?" I warn her. I'm trying to remember what mom told me... keep my calm and be easy on her. "I'm trying to figure out who she's talking to."

"Probably her baby daddy. You know that girl has been around," Sam replies nonchalantly.

"Whatever. I'm getting to class. Hopefully, I'll see her at lunch. Bye, Sam," I say and start walking to my classroom on the third floor. Whoever Julie is talking to, she's really enjoying her conversation. I can't stress too much about it though. 

"Wait! We still on for our bestie night?" 

I turn around and look at Sam, who looks hopeful but worried at the same time.

"Yeah. 5 o'clock at my house," I reply before ascending up the stairs once more. After school, the basketball team has to put up some flyers about our match tomorrow morning and I also plan on finding and talking to Julie after school too.

***

"Alright, fellas," Coach Jerry begins, "Thanks for helping with the flyers. You should be proud of yourselves."

"For putting up flyers?" Jake asked. The whole team laughed.

"No, for working hard this season and getting us into the State Tournament!" Everyone cheered and our couch smirked at our excitement. "Now, for those of you that are going to the Homecoming dance tonight, have fun but be careful. Don't do anything I wouldn't do..."

"Yeah, and you don't do a lot, coach," one teammate said. Everyone laughed again.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm serious boys. Don't get into trouble. At least not before our tournament."

"Listen to coach, unless you want a baby on the side like Chris, ha," Khalil said sending snickers over the whole team.

"Shut up, man," Chris replied. He hit Khalil upside the head. I wonder if Chris really has a baby?

"Okay. I'll see you all at the tournament tomorrow morning. Don't stay out too late," Coach said while walking away. Everyone started to disperse and go their own way, leaving the halls empty to only me, Khalil, and Chris.

"Yo, you going to Homecoming, Khalil?" Chris asked him.

"Yeah, man. I'm going with Rebecca."

"Aww, I see you little dude. You gonna turn up?" Chris winked at Khalil.

"I doubt it man. I'm not tryna be a father any time soon... besides, Becca's too old-fashioned for that."

"Have fun, man," I say to my friend.

"I will -- catch you later!" Khalil sprints down the stairs. Dang, he must really be looking forward to the dance.

"So, Diggy, you going to the dance?" Chris looked at me. He was tossing his basketball in the air and catching it.

"Nah, you know that's not my thing. What about you?" I ask him.

"I might. It depends if the girl I asked is willing to hang with me tonight."

"What girl?" Julie automatically came to mind. I can still picture her and that mysterious guy this morning chatting away in the corner.

"Sam," he said.

"Sam who?"

"Sam Goode," he replied giving me a smirk. I stop walking and look at him like he's crazy.

"You're joking, right? No way Sam talked to you, let alone agreed to go to the stupid dance," I said. I don't believe him one bit.

"Well, I asked her and she said she'll think about it. It took some time, but I think I'm starting to rub off on her," Chris said while obnoxiously stroking his invisible beard.

"Wow... well, I doubt she's going -- she's hanging at my house today. It's our weekly 'bestie day'," I say while air quoting the phrase "bestie day" with my fingers.

"Very macho. She got you whipped, huh?" Chris chuckled.

"Nah, man. It's not even like that. I'm just trying to be nice since nobody wants to hang out with her. Shoot. I should leave her hangin' honestly..."

"But?"

"But I'm a good friend."

Chris busts out laughing and pushes me. I slightly trip but gain my balance. I roll my eyes at him.

"Aye... is it true you have a baby on the side?" I ask him in a whispered voice.

"You don't have to whisper. I'm sure the whole school knows." He smiles.

"Do you know the baby's mother?"

"My last girlfriend, TyQueesha. That's why we broke up. She was mad at me, but I don't care, she can stay mad. Tryin' to blame me for getting her pregnant."

"Well, who else's fault would it be for getting her pregnant?"

"Man, I know it's both of our problem. She still has no reason to get mad," Chris retorts.

"Whatever you say..." I respond.

"She's my past now. When a shawty wanna play games, a real pimp playa like me says 'on to the next one', and Sam might be that next one."

"You sound really stupid right now, you know that?" I shake my head and prepare to end this ongoing conversation. Before I could get all the way downstairs, Julie appears out of nowhere. "Julie!"

"Hey, Daniel. I missed you," Julie says. She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me tighter than usual. I rest my hands on her lower back, patting her back a little.

"Yeah, I've been looking for you all day. Where were you?" I ask.

"Around," she says, while glancing at Chris who is standing behind me. "Hey, Chris."

"Sup," he says.

"Do you mind if I steal Daniel away from you? I need to talk to him about something," Julie says with a smile. Chris shakes his head and smirks. He walks down the stairs, leaving me and Julie by ourselves in the hallway now.

"So, what's going on?" I ask her.

"Just stuff with cheer-leading -- we were talking about Homecoming, you know. Nothing crazy."

I stare at Julie and look into her brown eyes. Something seemed off. She was looking around while talking to me and she seemed more fidgety than usual. She's not telling me the whole truth.

"Julie, are you alright? You seem really nervous," I say.

"Well... I guess you could say that." She bites her lip. "I've been meaning to ask you something..."