SAM's POV

The first day of winter break is finally here! I swear last week went by so slow! I'm so glad we get two weeks off of school -- not to mention Christmas. Me and my mom haven't even put up our Christmas lights, or the tree, or any other decorations, or even went shopping. That's our plan for today.

My mom is off from work today, so she figured we can go to the mall before it snows and then come back home and put up all the decorations. I'm honestly not feeling doing housework and all that stuff. But I have no choice...

I was all dressed and ready for the day. Mama G was in the kitchen making oatmeal and she set out some blueberries, strawberries, butter, sugar, and cinnamon for toppings. She makes me a bowl of oatmeal and puts strawberry pieces and sugar on top of it.

"Oatmeal!" I yell, taking my bowl from her and reaching in the open drawer for a spoon.

"You're welcome," she says.

"Thank you, G dawg!" I say, skipping to the island in the middle of our kitchen and sitting down on a stool.

"I told you about calling me that."

I laugh a little while she gives me the look. I shove a spoonful of oatmeal in my mouth, also tasting a few strawberry pieces, chew, and swallow. The warm cereal goes down my throat instantly warming my whole body. Mmmm!

Mama sits on a stool beside me and eats her own bowl of oatmeal.

"So... since basketball season is over and you're a senior now, I think it'd be nice for you to get a job," mom tells me between spoonfuls.

"I don't need a job."

"And why is that? You can learn a lot from work experience. It can help you learn to prioritize in college, teach you to work with others, and it looks good on college applications. UCLA doesn't care about your basketball abilities if you can't learn to work with others--"

"Mom, I don't need a job. Besides, I don't got no bills to pay so... no point," I reply with a shrug.

"Oh, so you think only people who gotta pay bills need a job? You can make money and save it on the side for college--"

"Or I can make money and buy more things I don't need. Hmm... great idea, mama."

"Samantha..." She shakes her head. "Now, I want you to get a job. You grown now? Well, you're gonna get a job like a grown person and start helping around the house more."

I sigh and finish my oatmeal.

***

An hour later, we arrive at the Manhattan Mall. Since it's still late morning, there's not too many people here which is a good thing. Today, I plan on buying a whole new wardrobe, and I don't need anybody I know to be all up in my business. My mother gave me a MasterCard with $500 dollars on it to buy whatever I wanted; she also carried one for herself. I was quite surprised, but I guess mama been saving some extra cash on the side ever since she got a raise at work. She actually works at the headquarters of JCPenney's as one of the creative designers who works with up and coming designers on their clothing. She decides which products will be on display for each season. Whenever she comes home from work, she always has a smile on her face. I'm just glad she's happy where she's at... I'm glad for the cash too.

Our first stop was Charlotte Russe. She went immediately to the sheer printed tops and other long-sleeved knitted tops that were in the Women's section. My mother loves fashion! She is only 40 years old, but she still got a body of someone ten years younger, and she surely don't mind showing it every once in a while. She picked out a few shirts and sweaters.

"Sweetie, I'm gonna take these to the dressing room. Go pick you out something, okay?" She rushed to the dressing room, leaving me in the Women's section by myself. 

I walked to the other side of the store to the Junior section and checked out some clothes. I found this cute off the shoulder fringe crop top that I have always found stylish on other girls at school, but never thought of wearing anything like it. But since I'm Chris's girlfriend now, I need to step up my image... so I picked out a few more outfits that looked cute and headed toward the dressing room. 

Before I could reach my destination, I spotted Dana and Ladelle looking at dresses a few feet over from me. I covered my face with the clothes that I was going to try on, and quickly but carefully tried to find  my way to the dressing rooms without being seen, hiding behind clothes racks and sometimes people. Only ten more steps from my destination I heard someone call out my name.

"Sam?"

I slowly removed the clothes blocking my face and turned around. Ugh.

"It's really you. Ha, I'd never expect to see you in a prime and privy store like this. I'd assume you'd be at Footlocker or the boys section in Walmart," Dana says with a catty grin.

I let out a big sigh and rolled my eyes. I'm really not in the mood for this today. But I don't wanna walk away. I gotta set her straight.

"Look, it's dumb and dumber." I say.

"Haha, very funny," Ladelle says, then she looks behind her like she's looking for someone.

"So, do you work here? Because I know for a fact you don't have the money to shop here," Dana says.

"Um, you don't know what I do or don't have, and I can shop any place I want. The prices ain't even that bad..." I reply.

"Right... anyway, you take our advice yet?"

"I would never take advice from you, Dana."

"Hmm, well, maybe that's your problem. I'm only trying to help you out."

"You're only trying to help yourself, and please your little boss," I retort.

"Excuse me? If you're referring to Julie, she is not the boss of me. I'm just being a good friend... but of course you'd know nothing about that," Dana smirks and keeps on talking, "You wouldn't even support your friend Diggy when he wanted to be with Julie, and now that he's with her, you don't wanna help Diggy by helping Julie get her man Chris back. Instead, you're just being selfish and keeping him for yourself. What kind of friend is that?"

"Okay... I have no time for your illogical ideas about friendship. Just know this... " I step towards her and look her dead in the eyes, "What's between me and Chris is none of your business. What's between me and my friends is none of your business. So go pick up all the doo doo that Julie's dropping from her nonexistent butt like the little follower that you are, and go get some business. Buh-Bye."

I turn around and walk into the dressing room, leaving Dana and Ladelle speechless and looking stupid.

***

After me and my mom tried on a few outfits, we bought two outfits each and walked out of the store. Luckily, I didn't spot Dana or Ladelle again.

"So, where should we go next? I spotted some discount shoes from Von Maur on their website. Maybe we can find you a cute dress or a shawl..."

"Mom. I think it'd be better if we do our own shopping." I say.

"Oh, alright. You don't wanna be seen with ya mama, I get it. Well... be careful. And while you shoppin', see if you can find a job here somewhere." She walks off towards Von Maur and I start walking the opposite way. Towards the food court. I am extremely hungry. I haven't been able to splurge since basketball season started, but I'm on break and the season is over so now I'm about to get my grub on! 

With my shopping bags in hand, I walk over to S'barros Pizza and wait in line behind six other people. As I was waiting, I decided to check my cell phone for any messages or texts. I received two texts from Chris:

CHRIS: Good morning Sam. Hope you have a great day baby ;)

CHRIS: Can't wait 2 see ur beautiful face this week. Hit me up so we can hang

I replied to both his texts with one text:

ME: Hey Chris! Thanks & maybe we can do something this week. ttyl :)

As I put my phone back into my pants pocket, I looked up to see that it was my turn to order. I stepped up to the counter and smiled a little at the Hispanic lady that was waiting to take my order. I ordered two slices of sausage pizza, two garlic breadsticks, and a medium Mountain Dew. After I got my food, I searched for an empty table in the food court, which wasn't hard because there were barely any people in the mall. Finding a table, I sat down, quickly said my grace, and began devouring my slice of pizza.

"Slow down, girl. You act like you've never eaten before," a voice said coming from behind me. I pause from eating my pizza and turn around in my seat to see who the voice is coming from when I see Jake from school. He smiles and sits at my table directly in front of me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm on break from my shift. Why you over here acting like you never seen food before?" Jake asks again. He was unwrapping his chicken sandwich from Chik-Fil-A. He also had some waffle fries and a drink.

"A girl gotta eat," I simply replied, taking a big bite of my first slice, finishing it, and starting on my second one.

"So why are you here? I thought you hated malls," Jake takes a bite of his sandwich.

"I do," I reply, "But I'm here with my mom, actually, and we're getting new clothes for the new year. It's a thing."

"Mmm, okay. A girl thing I suppose."

"Yes..."

He nods his head before continuing.

"So... wassup with you and Chris? Are you guys really serious?" He asks with genuine curiosity. There's no hint of judgment in his voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you... really like him is what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, he's pretty cool," I reply with a nod.

"Hm. I would never think he was your type. Like, he's a sort of an arrogant, go-getter dude that likes to have lots of women. And also you said you didn't like him before so--"

"Well, things change and people change..." I respond back.

"Yeah, yeah. I just hope you're not one of those people that change because Chris ain't going nowhere. He's the same guy I've known since middle school," Jake replies.

"Look at you being all concerned. You my daddy now?" I ask with a hint of attitude and a raised eyebrow.

"Nah..." He laughs a little, "I'm just saying, if you wanna be with him, then I'll support you. But if he ends up leaving you, don't say I didn't tell you..." He shrugs.

"Whatever..." I don't know what Jake is talking about, but I think he's being too dramatic. I decide to change the subject. "So, where do you work?"

"At S'barros where your pizza is from," he chuckles a little, taking a huge bite of his burger.

"Oh... how long you been workin' there?" I ask.

"Like three months..."

"Is it a good place to work? My mom wants me to get a job."

"Yeah, it's alright. There's a lot of Hispanic people that work there, so I'm sure adding a chocolate girl to the bunch will be fascinating for them," Jake says while smiling. His words make me laugh a little. "No, but seriously. They're cool. I guarantee they'll like you, attitude and all."

I act offended and say, "Samantha Goode does not have an attitude."

"Oh, right. It's not an attitude, it's your personality." He teases.

"At least I have a personality..."

"What you trying to say?"

"Nothing at all. Just shut up and help me get an application."

After eating, we both rise from our table, throw away our food, and walk back to S'barros where I picked up a job application. I also talked with the lady that took my order, and she said that they've been looking for new employees so I'd most likely get the job. 

Leaving the food court, I walked around the mall looking for more places to shop at. I eventually ran into my mother, who was struggling with loads of shopping bags. I tried taking some of them from her and guided her to a bench to sit down.

"Mom, what the heck are all these bags?!" I say, looking at her crazy.

Trying to catch her breath, she replies, "There was a buy-two-get-three sale at Dillards and I couldn't resist. Not to mention the black and lovely boot collection at Josephina's. That was a workout, I tell ya!"

"Yeah, I can see. Are you ready to leave now?"

"No. We still need to get decorations for the Christmas dinner next week and you need to find a nice dress to wear."

"Do I have to wear a dress?" I whine.

"I thought you were into them now... since you and that boy--"

"Right! Right, I'm changing my style. I'll find a dress to wear," I say, reluctantly. I keep forgetting that I'm trying a new image to impress Chris. I mean I'm not trying to impress him... I wanna look like a nice girlfriend so people will think we're believable. It won't be so bad transforming from a tomboy into a girl. At least I don't think it will.

"By the way, if you'd like to invite your friend to our dinner, that would be fine with me."

"Alright..."

"Maybe I'll learn more about him since my own daughter couldn't tell me about her boyfriend."

"Mother, por favor. Let's go!" I rise from the bench and pull her arm as she drops a few of her bags on the ground. I groan and bend down to help her pick them up when a random man picks up her bags as well.

"Hey! Those are my mom's bags!" I stand up, ready to run after this thief if he doesn't let go of her bags.

"Why do you think I'm helping her pick them up?" He chuckles a bit and grins at my mother, who returns the same expression. Her whole face actually lit up.

"You dropped your bags, Martha."

"Oh, Antonio. Thank you so much!" They stand there gazing at each other with smiles on their faces. Am I missing something?

"Mom, we need to go," I say, looking over this stranger. He's tall with short shaved black hair, a mustache, and a little chin beard thing going on. He looks Mexican, or Hispanic, or something. His dark blue suit with a tie to match was perfectly ironed; his black leather shoes perfectly shined. Dang, this dude must have some moneeeyyyy!

Snapping out of whatever dream state she was in, my mom picks up the rest of her bags and looks at me. Then says to the stranger: "This is my daughter, Samantha. We were just shopping for the holidays."

"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you, Samantha. I've heard a lot of things about you," the man holds out his hand that's not full of shopping bags; I stare at it.

"Mama told me not to talk to strangers. Sorry," I say.

"Samantha." Mama rolls her eyes. "This is my co-worker, Antonio."

"Where are you headed? I can carry some of your bags for you," Antonio says to my mother.

"I was going to look inside JCPenney for a few things," my mother replied. I lead the way, hearing every bit of their conversation as we walked.

"Oh, trying to use your employee discounts, I see." The mystery man chuckles once again.

"You know me..." My mother laughs. I've never heard her laugh unless she's with her best friend, Mrs. Justine.

"Yes, I do," the strange man replies. His last remark made me uncomfortable. Reaching the first customer service desk within the store, "Antonio" said that he'd watch our bags and leave them at the desk while we shop. Mama G said thanks and sashayed her way to the home decor department. We found the Christmas area and she picked out some holiday tablecloths, stockings, and dinner plates.

"So... looks like I'm not the only one that didn't tell anyone about their secret boyfriend," I say, crossing my arms and glaring at my mother.

"Samantha--"

"Nope! I don't wanna hear it. It's okay, don't tell me. It's your business anyways." I say this a bit dramatically.

"He's a sweet gentleman--"

"Don't you use that word with me -- they're all gentlemen. Until they turn on you like dad did. Do you want that, Martha? Hmm? HMM?"

"Stop acting silly. I'm a grown woman and your father has nothing to do with this."

"Of course he doesn't... because he was a lying, cheating, son of a b--"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" My mother points her long fingers in my face and rolls her eyes. "I don't know what's gotten into you these days where you think you can just speak to me as if I'm not your mother. Don't forget lil' girl: I brought you into this world and I can take you right out! Now go find some ornaments for the tree so we can go."

I sighed, rolling my eyes, and slowly walked to the ornament section. My phone vibrated and I checked it to see two text messages:

CHRIS: You wanna chill at my house?

CHRIS: We can play video games

I replied back:

ME: Are you bribing me?

He replied back:

CHRIS: Yes. Now come to my house because I need to see you. wear something sexy ;)

I replied back:

ME: Thirsty or nah? lol ok see you soon

"Sam, you find an ornament yet?"

I stuck my phone in my pocket and randomly picked an ornament from the shelf. I handed it to my mom.

"I like this! Thank you. Now we can go," my mother said.

"Thank goodness," I mumbled. 

We walked back to the checkout desk where Antonio was keeping our other bags. He offered to check out our stuff. Him and Mama G were still making googly eyes as at each other...

***

Antonio walked us out to the parking deck to our car and helped my mom put her bags in the trunk. He needs to go now.

"I still can't believe Christmas is right around the corner," he says to my mother. I roll my eyes and cross my arms at his attempt to make small talk. I'm trying to get home. It's chilly outside and this negro wants to talk all day.

"I know. I still have lots to do, too..."

"I could help you decorate if you want? I'm off work and have nothing else to do except watch reruns of Family Guy in my quiet apartment."

"Oh, that's very kind, but you don't have to do that. That's what daughters are for," mom looks at me smiling.

"Actually, I have a date tonight..." I reply.

"A what? Did I give you permission?"

"Not yet..." I flash her an innocent smile but she doesn't budge.

"It's not with that boy is it?"

"We're just gonna play video games."

"I don't care -- and what kind of date is that? Where y'all playing video games?" She scrunches up her face.

"At his house."

"Oh, no. You're not going to some boy's house that I've never met and playing video games! You must think I'm real stupid, Samantha."

"Martha, let the girl have some fun. It'll give us time to get to know each other," Antonio intervenes, smirking at my mother.

"Nuh-uh, playa, nobody is getting to know nobody." I say. He's not about to be with my mother all night without my supervision.

"Actually, Antonio is invited to come to my house whenever he wants. You on the other hand ain't goin' nowhere."

"Whatever..." I get in the back seat of the car and slam the door closed.

"Slam that door one more time!" Mama yells.

Antonio gets in the passenger seat as my mother starts her car and we pull off toward the house.

***

As we got in the house, and put all of our bags in the living room as mom made some tea for her and her co-worker. I walked upstairs to my room, thinking of how to get to Chris's house. Walking was not an option because his house was on the other side of town. I could take the bus then walk the rest of the way to his house, but I don't have a bus pass. I would take my car, but she'd notice that I'm gone.

Knock, Knock.

"Samantha..."

"Come in."

My mother walked into my room with her hands in her pockets. "You okay?"

"Yeah..." I stare at her.

"Sorry about going off on you earlier. I was talking with Antonio and I was thinking... maybe it couldn't be too bad if you went to that boy's house. I mean he's your friend--"

"Boyfriend." I corrected her.

"Right, excuse me. I guess... I'm not ready for you to grow up and be independent yet. I still want my little baby girl that was afraid of boy cooties and that liked to make sugar cookies with her mama." She looked genuinely sad.

"Oh, mom, we can always make sugar cookies. And I'll always be your daughter, but I'm growing up now. Face it... boys aren't as disgusting as I thought they would be."

She laughs a little and sits next to me on my bed, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "My baby is growing up. Go ahead and go to your friend's house, but your curfew is 8 o'clock, ya hear? And y'all better be only playing video games."

"Ahhh, thank you, mom!"

"Have fun, baby."

***

~Later at Chris's house~

"I'm glad you could come over," he says, while wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"Me too. My mom was straight trippin', but she came through. I was surprised."

"She obviously knew we had to be together... we're a perfect match, baby," Chris says as he caresses my cheek with his finger. I move my head away from his touch and look at him.

"So, I thought we were gonna play some video games?"

"Girl, do you think I asked you over to play games?" He laughs a little and plants a soft kiss on my ear.

"Then what are we gonna do? Sit on the couch all night?"

"Not all night. We can figure out our favorite positions," he smirks and kisses my cheek for a few seconds while rubbing my shoulder.

Getting uncomfortable, I move away from him and out of his grasp. I get up from the couch and walk over to his DVD collection spread across two big bookcase shelves. Chris gets up and walks behind me.

"You like?"

"You have a lot of movies. Have you seen all of these?" I ask.

"Yep. My mom loves watching movies. She makes me watch them with her every weekend."

"How cute. Are you an only child?"

"As far as I know," he chuckles, "What about you?"

"The one and only."

"I love it. I don't have to share anything with no rotten little kids and I get anything I wish. But, of course, I get that regardless of being an only child," he pops his black collar and smirks at me. I shake my head and cross my arms, looking him up and down.

"You're so arrogant."

"I'm just confident."

"Yeah, overly confident."

"Don't hate, Miss Attitude."

"I'm not hating, I'm pointing out the facts."

"And aren't you so good at that?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask, offended.

"You stay talking crap about everybody and what they're doing instead of focusing on your life. You're judgmental and rude."

"I am not judgmental! I'm just real. Don't blame me if people can't handle my honesty--"

"You're rude, Sam. The way you treat your teammates, for example, or the way you treat Julie."

"What does Julie have to do with any of this? You don't even care about her, Chris!"

"I do care about her! I care for her more than Diggy does, shoot."

"If you cared about her, you wouldn't be here with me. You'd be at Julie's house telling her how you really feel instead of making of stupid lies and schemes."

There was a silence before Chris spoke.

"You're right..." He rubs the back of his head and walks defeatedly to the couch and plops down on it.

"I'm always right if you didn't know." I walk to the couch and sit beside him, turning my body toward him.

"But you promised you'd help me get her back. That's why we were acting like a couple."

"I know, but sometimes making someone jealous isn't the right way to get someone's attention. You just need to tell them what you want."

"But... what if we aren't meant to be -- Julie and I. What if you're really my soul mate?" Chris looks in my eyes.

"Mm... I doubt that," I reply with a laugh.

"You're extremely beautiful, Sam. You don't even know, girl..."

I look at the floor awkwardly then look back at Chris. He leans toward me, our noses touch, and he kisses me softly at first, then more passionately. I accepted the kiss and returned the gesture. It was getting intense and Chris began rubbing my thigh, then moving his hand up my hips and under my shirt. I pushed him away and ended our kiss.

"What are you doing?!"

"I was only touching, babe."

"Well, you were t-touching too much," I reply licking my lips.

"Alright. I'll keep my hands in check."

"Thank you."

We began kissing again, and without touching me, Chris gets on top of me. I wrap my arms around his neck as we continue making out...

***

~The Next Day~

Antonio slept the night at our house, but on the couch. Him and my mom put up all the Christmas decorations yesterday... it doesn't look too bad. The decorations makes it feel more Christmas-y. Now all we need is some snow. Mama and Antonio were already up early watching television in the living room. They were cuddled up against each other and laughing and smiling. There's no way she's that happy.

I just need to tell her that I'm leaving for my job orientation. Yep, S'barros called me last night to tell me that I'm offered a position as a cashier.  I hope they'll understand that I suck at math. Mama will be so proud of me when I tell her I got my first job!

"MOMMY!" I yell. They both jump and she gives me an angry look.

"You're up early this morning."

"Yeah, because I have a job orientation today. I'm gonna be working with Jake at S'barros in the mall," I reply while doing a little dance.

"That's great, sweetie. Have fun."

"...is that all? Have fun? No 'good luck' or 'I'm so proud of you'?!"

"Do you want a pat on the back after every little thing you do? You're supposed to have a job."

"Well, excuse me! I just thought you would be glad," I say, rolling my neck.

"I didn't say I wasn't. Now, after your job training, how about coming home and washing the dishes? Or vacuuming?"

"Bye, mom." I walked out of the house and got into my car to head to the mall. I expected a different reaction out of her. SMH. Forget her, I'll congratulate myself. 

***

A few minutes later, I arrive at the mall. I headed straight to the food court and walked up to the S'barros counter. I told the lady at the counter what I had came here for and she directed me into the back of the fast food place, past the ovens, deep fryers, microwaves, and walk-in freezer. There were a few office rooms past the freezer and she took me to the farthest one down the hall.

"Maria will be with you shortly," the lady said with a smile. She walked back around the corner as a Hispanic lady walked out of the office -- the same lady that served me the other day. I put a smile on my face and she returned the gesture.

"Samantha?"

"Call me Sam."

"I'm Maria, nice to meet you. Come into my office so we can fill out your paperwork."

"Okay."

After thirty minutes of filling out paperwork and going over the rules of the business, it was time to tour the facility. Maria told me about the big large freezer, the staff break room, and the cooking area. She introduced me to some staff and made me feel very welcomed. She told me she'd have a student staff member teach me how to cook the food. I told her that I knew how to cook, even though I don't. She laughed.

"Okay, Sam, Jake here will help you learn the method to our madness. Muchacho, show Sam how it's done," she says, speaking a little Spanish.

"Absolutamenta, Maria. She's in good hands, and it's lucky that I know her," he says.

"Oh, fabulous! Well, get to work!" Maria smiles while heading back to her office.

"She's nice," I say to no one in particular.

"Yeah, she's cool. She reminds me of mi madre..." Jake says.

"Okay, Antonio Banderas, the Spanish accent can go now. You can talk English to me."

"Hey, you better get used to it... this is el barrio, mami," he laughs and sticks out his tongue. I stare at him because he's weird.

"Just teach me how to make a pizza."

***

After work, I decided that I needed some more fun time, so I decided to hang out with Jake. We got something to eat and walked around the mall eating our food, basically. On our way out, we saw Dana and Ladelle. What are the odds of seeing them again?! I tried to ignore them, but of course their big mouths gotta say something.

"Nice outfit, Sam. Where'd you get it? The Salvation Army?" Ladelle laughs.

"Yeah, along with yo mama's weave. Two for a dollar!" I say, patting my head like a stereotypical black girl and smirking at them. I have natural hair and you'll never catch me wearing a weave. But don't get it twisted, if it's hooked up right and your hair is lookin' fresh, then you can wear weave as much as you want! Ain't no hate.

"Funny..." Dana says, disgusted. "Hey, Jake."

"Hey, Dana," he replies, looking only at her eyes. Jake is pretty admirable for a guy -- he actually respects women. Most guys talking to Dana or any other girl that is "thick" like her and doesn't mind showing it off would be staring everywhere but her eyes.

"I see you brought the loser with you. I had no idea you liked crazy girls," Dana spits out.

"Look, if you're only gonna diss my friend, then you can get out of our faces. We have things to do," Jake retorts, leading me out of the mall and out of their area. Once we were outside, he lets go of my arm.

"Awww, that was so nice! You defended me!" I say, astonished.

"I wasn't gonna let her bad mouth you while I was standing there. She needs to know her place," Jake says.

I smile really big while still looking at him. He looks at me like I'm crazy and smirks a little as we walk to our cars. Luckily, we were able to park next to each other in the parking deck.

"You're a good friend. How did I manage to find you?" I say.

"I'm like a magnet... very attractive," Jake pops his collar and laughs, "So are you still coming over?"

"Yeah. Meet you there."

We get in our cars and head toward his house. TURN UP!