"Two things I'm about it, talkin' blunt and staying blunted Pretty women, are you here? Are you here right now, huh," Lexi and Maxine rap with Drake in unison.

The bass and tremble equal out, shaking Maxine's Jeep while she's speeding down the highway. The sun is out and actually warmth spreads on skin. Maxine's sunroof is open, blowing our hair wildly.

Pushing some strands back, I continue to observe the new post on UMD Chicks on Instagram. They deleted the photo thankfully and I got an apology too, I definitely wasn't expecting that. However, they posted a replacement video of Ava drinking some cocktail and sending a wink with a few guys in her face. The caption is, 'Drink with UMD's Cheer captain at Terrapin's Turf. Hottie Alert!'

I press my lips at the video and at all the comments about how she is so hot, she is so beautiful, sexy, she is so gorgeous, I wish I had her body, she wears the best clothes, can't wait 'till she cheers for the NBA, she's the baddest chick at UMD and - my personal annoying favorite - how Jaylan could let her go.

I can tell you why.

Ava is trouble with capital letters spelling it out. Better yet, she is loca.

Glaring at her photos on Instagram of her and her family, I ponder what provokes her to be so mean, full of hatred, cold, and spiteful with such a loving family. At least her family has it put together.

She still has photos of her and Jaylan up, which actually makes my blood bubble like a volcano about to erupt.

Who does she think she is?

I can't believe she would do that, to ruin Jaylan's relationship. He was very upset. His voice sharpened in the same anger and pain when I heard them arguing outside his car. Despite his scary voice, the way his veins popped outside his neck caused the butterflies to peek through their blinds and some just opened their blinds wide open.

He is cute when he is angry.

I don't know if she will ever let up on us actually being together but from what Jaylan tells me about her, she definitely has a hard time letting things go and holding things over his head.

I told him I will be fine, but honestly don't know what to do when Jaylan leaves, especially because she is going to be here. But I hope I have the courage to stand up to her because, at the end of the day, Jaylan Alexander Parker is mine and only mine.

The one thing Ava did was give Jaylan physical attention with minimal play. But one thing I know that my future NBA star has taught me is taking your shot of the heart is a true win.

Ava might have given up quantity but, with my first shot, I'm going to give Jaylan quality.

Crinkling my nose, I continue to scroll through her Instagram. Not one photo hints she is disturbed, although she is the true definition of a Fresa, a valley girl... rich... snobby... conceited.

Sofia was a fresa too.

Sighing, I click the magnifying glass to look up Sofia Chavez. There she is and her five hundred thousand followers.

Sofia always took the best photos ever since I could remember, when I helped her take photos for our senior year photos. She knew the right poses, angles, smiles, and just had the face for it. Lighter skin, perfect brown curly hair, brown eyes to die for and button nose, she had any boys' attention. She was the whole package since elementary school, she didn't get ugly no matter how much I asked for her to grow an ugly bumpy nose because she deserved one.

She wasn't always this mean... but she just turned into a green witch after her Papá died when she was six. I... I can see why it angered her but she didn't have to take it out on me. She just was so angry all the time. When we played together, she got really aggressive, pushing me down during tag or stepping on my glasses when I took them off because I got dirt in my eyes.

In fifth grade, when she got so focused on makeup and clothes, she just ditched me and I was actually glad because being friends with her was truly exhausting. I wanted to be there for her because she lost her Papá but at the same time she really really was hard to please. I just stuck to myself but she wouldn't let me be, she had to be the one in control.

I don't think Sofia knew what true friends meant because she pushed away everyone who tried to help her.

She still seems the same...

Sighing, I scroll through her Instagram of selfies, endorsement deals, and Hugo. Wow, he definitely grew into his body.

I can't believe they are still together. I guess they really were meant to be... good for them.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I like their recent photo of her and him at a party, the typical pose with her hand on his chest with her foot propped up and him kissing on her cheek with about five thousand likes.

Just like Ava.

It's a shame when the prettiest girls have the ugliest personalities.

Rolling my eyes, sighing quietly but not enough because Lexi shifts her body around in the passenger seat.

"You are awfully quiet back there." Lexi arches her brow then looks down at my phone. "Lizzie.... You better not be doing what I think you are doing."

"I'm not, I'm actually.... Looking at p-pajamas," I stammer out, clicking back on SHEIN because I really was, even though they don't deserve my business after yet another pajama set was too small for my mangoes and my conga drum.

Don't get me started on the space pajamas, I actually returned them this morning. Their cami was so tight on my mangoes, the seams broke... and the matching shorts suffocated my thighs. I think my mangoes grew overnight or maybe it was Jaylan who made a wish at the starry night last night for them to grow bigger. Not surprising.

"You are a terrible, terrible,terrible liar." Max laughs, pointing her finger in the air.

"I'm not lying," I squeak, meaning yes I'm lying.

My lips tremble, trying to hold back a smile and Lexi presses her lips at me.

"Liar," Maxine teases.

"You better not be looking at that Heffer's page again," Lexi clips and I shrink in my seat.

"Gimme your phone." Maxine wiggles her fingers and I grunt softly, furrowing my brows.

"I... it's nothing."

"Oh, it will be nothing because I'm going to pinch you to remind you to stop looking at Ava's Instagram!" Lexi's voice booms over the music and I shrink back in my seat.

"You don't have to pinch me," I sass back, holding my arms to avoid her from getting me.

"Lizzie, for the last time... I'm coming to you as your friend... your sister.. Please don't compare yourself to that rag doll.... She is very worn out, being played with too many times... " Maxine preaches, flipping her hair to the side as she maneuvers quickly into the next lane.

"Right, the fact she hides in Jaylan's car is plain creepy and disturbing. Like get a life," Lexi grumbles, looking at her nails and back at me.

"She will never get a life until she gets what she wants, which she won't and Lizzie you need to stand your ground with her." Maxine's eyes focus on me in the rear view mirror.

I know my best friends believe in words... and violence but for me... There is always a right moment to speak your peace and I just never know when to do it. I know I let Ava walk all over me in the beginning but all that builds up and I wouldn't even know what to say or the words to say.

"I... I-"

"We aren't saying to beat her up..." Lexi chuckles softly.

"Well..." Maxine grins but Lexi rolls her eyes.

"Just give her a talking to, like you did with Sofia," Lexi suggests. "She backed off."

Barely...

All I remember before I left for college was our 'talk' in the middle of a party she threw. I told her that everything she did to me is going to come back to her and that no matter how much she tears me down, I will rise up to be better than she will ever be.

My eyes close and I still see me, wagging my finger in her face, with stern eyes, holding my ground with all the anger of finding out Mama went on a date with Señor Ricardo and meeting him and a bouquet of flowers at the door.

It was also the same day Sofia decided to post the video of me practicing kissing on Facebook and it getting almost two hundred likes, even turning into a meme.. I'm glad it didn't go far. She picked the wrong day to bully me because I did chew her out, only for her to laugh and fling her hands in my face.

My throat burns a bit from thinking how everyone in our neighborhood and school witnessed that.

"You have it in you, think about talking to Ava like you talk to me when I go off the wall," Maxine admits.

"Oh, so you finally admit it?" I giggle, deflecting the topic.

Lexi snickers while Maxine rolls her eyes in the rearview mirror with a smirk.

"Just think, it's only a couple months and we don't have to see her ever again," Lexi reminds me.

"Thank the Lord," Maxine cheers.

Shifting my focus out the window, I sigh deeply. "One day at a time."

"Girl, don't you want to be a nurse? I know you're tired of studying and just want to be one." Lexi says, pushing her curls out of her eyes.

"It's just... I want to live in the moment... and I don't want to think about Monday," I softly remind them.

Lexi reaches back and touches my knee. "I'm sorry, I-"

"It's fine, just well..." I look down at my hands "I just don't want to think about it."

Nicki Minaj's Super Bass takes over the silence and I clear my throat. I hear Lexi shift back in her seat.

My friends are supportive in every way but what they fail to realize is right now my life is like a fault line and an earthquake is bound to happen. Last night, I looked at my parents' wedding photos, snuck into school, and just cried.

I just feel like I'm in this realm of the unknown if a miracle will happen, if something will happen to change Mama's mind but nothing is moving in that direction. Isabela told me today that Señor Ricardo finished moving his stuff into the house. I don't know the details, other than how his son will be staying sometimes and staying in Mateo's room and may permanently have it when Mateo comes to school.

I just don't understand Mamá's logic, her understanding, why she needs to be with someone when she has Isabela, Mateo and myself to worry about. Why does she have to get into a relationship so quickly? Why wasn't Papá enough?

I keep going into circles with grief and it's making it worse with the homesickness that has been arising because Isabela wants me home. I know I need to be home but part of me feels like I just need to stay here, work out my own emotions, and process on my own through our parents getting a divorce.

Leaning against the car door, I touch my necklaces. One represents heartbreak and one represents healing. I turn my phone to see my Vegetable Therapist. Despite his constant counseling sessions about the importance of vegetables and fruit, which I already know from my nutrition course, his words and actions weigh heavy on my heart.

My mind keeps replaying like Novella rerun on us being in the diner and the basketball court, and I would be lying if I didn't mention our moment in the car. Jaylan all around works my mind and body in new ways, making all these emotions and feelings stronger than I've ever felt or ever felt.

When he told me how special I am to him, it feels like he actually really means that. He is special to me too and that's why I want what we have to grow and flourish. I know these things take time but I help but I just want more of him.

"Lizzie, I'm sorry," Lexi breaks the silence with stress in her voice.

My eyes lift to hers, full of sympathy. "Lexi, it's okay. I'm not mad.. I just have a lot going on."

"I know and I don't want to be selfish with my anxiousness about life after school," she replies softly.

"Believe me, I'm excited to be done... just wish Monday didn't exist."

"I understand that... July seventeenth still gets to me." Maxine clears her throat and takes the next exit on what feels like only two wheels.

I nod, knowing that Maxine's parents have been divorced for five years now and she told me it just doesn't get easy but you find ways to work through your own emotions. "Well, hopefully the massages gets some of the stress out."

"I agree, I got this kink in my neck." Maxine rubs her neck and I giggle as she groans.

The sunrays of joy lighten the dark space of my heart and I smile at the both of them. "It was probably you doing that advanced high squeeze with Marcus you were raving to try all day yesterday." Lexi playfully presses her lips, and turns up the radio a bit.

"Shut up," Maxine laughs, with pink streaks across her cheeks.

"I heard yall so," Lexi smiles with her pressed lips and Maxine rolls her eyes.

I hate to ask but..."The Advanced high squeeze?" I perplex.

"Ignore her." Lexi shakes her head.

"I thought you said you wanted to give her the talk" Lexi giggles, digging through her big, black Marc Jacobs tote bag.

"No, please... No." I cross my hands and shake them but my arms are too short to stop their nonsense.

"Lizzie, come onnnn, I want to see Jaylan bust like a- oww Lexi!" Max smacks Lexi's hand away from trying to pinch her again.

Snickering, I watch as Lexi and Maxine start bickering like an old couple about the talk but little do they know I know more than they do well.. Maybe just how the sperm meets the egg. That's as Sex I got there.

I sink my teeth in my lower lip at the electrifying feeling of last night, getting the butterflies in my tummy get butterflies in their tummy.

Despite my mixed emotions last night of how Jaylan reacted towards me being a virgin, I don't know what to think about sex honestly. It's a big thing, like a really big thing...and Jaylan and I, well, we have known each other for a while but I don't think we are anywhere near ready.. Well... I don't know.

I do want to try more things with him but I just don't know how to communicate that. The tingling sensation between my thighs and even in my tummy when we were so close to each other... I like the feeling... It made me feel alive and I wanted to rip Jaylan's shirt off.. But if I could be honest, I was also scared because I don't know what to do.

Maybe I should ask...

"Umm... If I tell you guys something, will you promise not to freak out?" I clear my throat as the bickering ceased.

"Freak out as in killing tiny dick for taking your flower without me teaching you about the champion room! Lizzie! I knew I shouldn't have let you go out with him last n-"

Lexi waves her hands in front of Maxine to stop her parental panic. "Let her speak... Go ahead Lizzie, jeep is yours."

"Umm... last night.. Um,.." I fidget with my hands and Lexi arches her brow at me "We had a really nice time at the diner and umm.. We got into the car and... well.. We kissed a lot and I, just, well... I wanted more and the night before he touched my mangoes and..." Word spill out like vomit.

Lexi's eyes brighten with a wide smile. "Okay... that's okay that you admit you like that, Lizzie. So, what's your question?"

Maxine bounces in her seat and I facepalm my forehead. Lexi snickers, shifting in her seat and looking right at me. "I.. well... how, uhh..." At my flustered words, Lexi tilts her hand and reaches out to touch my knee again.

"Lizzie, I know you said you wanted more but have you told Jaylan?"

My teeth sink into my lip and I shake my head. "I don't know how."

"Okay... Well, what about your little games you play?" Maxine teases.

"Max," Lexi scolds, waving her hand to hit her arm and she shrugs up.

"Well... I did want our sleepover to be special for the both of us," I admit shyly becauseI have an idea but am not sure if it's a good one.

"So, what are you thinking?" Lexi beams.

My cheeks flush warm. "I... well... I haven't fully figured it out but I think I wanted to get some lingerie and maybe, like, do a fashion show for him?"

"Ooooo, I like that idea!" Lexi bounces in her seat. "And I'm sure he would love that."

"Is he going to take it off you, Lizzie? I don't want you split into two," Maxine seriously admits.

"Shut up!" Lexi laughs, shaking her head and looking back at me. "So... do you have the lingerie picked out or..."

At this point, my entire face is flaming. "Well... I was wondering if we could go to the, umm... novela store again."

Maxine's head snaps around at me, taking the car slightly out of her lane. "Say less, we will go after these massages!" she squeals in happiness.

Lexi mouths ignore her and I giggle, touching the side of my face and closing my eyes at how blazing hot it is. Lexi's voice cracks open my eyes. "Well, this is exciting. Lizzie, it's okay to feel this way."

"What do I do?" I genuinely ask.

"Take it slow, the best part is getting to know what each other likes... You know.. We obviously know he likes your booty." Lexi teases. "So let's get some options that accentuate it."

Likes my conga drum is just understatement. Jaylan said my conga drum is a nice pillow to put his head on and chill. I'm not furniture, however, I'm sure it'd be a nice way to cuddle.

Maxine places the jeep in park and shifts around with a big smile but then pokes out her bottom lip. She clasps her hands to chest, murmuring, "Please?" and I shake my head because she really wants to give the talk but I'll let her know when she can.

I unbuckle my seatbelt and smile, listening to Maxine whine when I ignore her pleas. I fix my staticy hair that's flying over the place and hop out of Maxine's massive jeep. The ending winter warmth feels so good on my face, pulling my lips up into a bigger smile.

"Lizzie, you honestly, need to make a Pinterest board of Couple Intimacy tips, because seriously Stephen really loved that dice game," Lexi notes, typing on her phone and coming around my way.

"Speaking of, I'm borrowing them for the weekend," Max chimes in. "I have plans with Marcus."

We shift our eyes at her and she arches her brow. "What?"

"Plans like what?"

"We..." She looks between us. "We are going out of town before we are run thin for March Madness."

"Mhmm," Lexi hums, sizing up Maxine and not buying it either.

"Are you guys dating now?" I tilt my head to the side and Maxine turns her head and mumbles something.

"Huh, what was that?" Lexi cups her ear like she couldn't hear.

"I saaaaaidd, we are in the talking stage," the denial queen insists.

"For what, Maxine." Lexi scoffs, shaking her head as we look both ways to the Jasmine Oasis Spa.

"Because we are taking our time," she really isn't backing down.

"When Jesus comes back?" Lexi deadpans.

I snicker and Maxine scoffs at her but it's true. Marcus was really nice this morning and picked up Maxine to take her to breakfast, despite her protest of doing a last minute project I was helping her with. She procrastinated because she could never turn down mimosas. He was so sweet, he even brought her Gerber daisies, her favorite flowers.

I wish she would understand that Marcus is trying. Despite their rocky start, he really, genuinely likes her.

"No, just it takes time," she corrects, pulling open the door for Lexi and I.

I am immediately welcome with lavender and tranquil water sounds in this minimalist spa atrium. This screams Maxine all the way, with upscale radiating through the walls. I'm sure this visit costs more than what I'm earning from Cinco and working the hospital prn paychecks combined... in a week.

"Hiii, welcome to Jasmine Oasis. My name is Melissa, how can I help you today?" A maple brown brunette comes up to us. Her black slick uniform has an embodied patch on her black polo and she's holding an iPad.

"Yes, I have a reservation for Jordan." Maxine digs through her big Chanel bag and pulls out her wallet.

"Oh yes," Melissa's eyes light up. "Three Lilac Packages, which includes an hour deep tissue massage, mani pedi, facial, and milk bath," the associate lists off on the iPad.

"Milk Bath," Lexi mumbles, nudging me and I giggle at the idea it's chocolate milk, making Maxine shoot her eyes back at us.

Maxine and the associate's voices filter out as my attention is drawn through the fancy structures and the waterfall behind the associate cashier desk. "Okay, we have to set up the room for you all but if you could take a seat in the lobby, we will call you when the masseuses are ready."

We walk over to the white sofas and I smile at Lexi and Maxine. Through my time here, I never imagined going to a spa, let alone going with friends.

Having friends like Maxine and Lexi is something I've always prayed for, always hoped for, and wished for. Yes, we have our moments but everytime we come back stronger and love each other more instead of tearing each other down.

Believe or not, I really had a hard time trusting them and opening up to them after my experiences with Sofia back home. I always felt the thorn in my side that, at any moment, Lexi would turn her back on me or Maxine would discard me after freshman year but they've shown me unconditional friendship and I couldn't ask for anything better.

"What do you think about this?" Lexi shows her phone to me at this lingerie piece she's found from SHEIN.

It's really lacy, delicate even, sheer... I don't think that's me. "Is there any nightgown option?"

Lexi swipes her finger back and my eyes catch sight at this pretty white, floral print, lace trim, satin teddy bodysuit.

"I like that one." I beam. Lexi clicks it and gets a medium but I furrow my brows "Probably a large, Lexi," I mention with my fingers pointing to my problem bags.

"It says it runs large," she murmurs, her eyes flicking over the screen.

"That's what the others said," I grumble quietly.

Lexi grins and switches it to large and we keep looking. She finds some really interesting lingerie for Stephen. I'm sure he will be happy.

"Here." Maxine throws a magazine at my chest and pouts. "Since I'm not allowed to say anything yet, page thirty-seven. You're welcome."

My hands turn over the magazine and I see it's a Cosmopolitan. With quick fingers, I flip to her referenced page and... oh my.

"Max," I whisper over the page at her, holding it closer to my mangoes so no one sees me reading... this.

"Step one," is all she says.

"Everything you need to know about giving a great hand job," Lexi whispers over my shoulder. "I mean, she's... not wrong."

My eyes widen with the interesting Novella tips. With Maxine checking herself in her black Coach compact mirror, looking at herself, and Lexi scrolling away, twisting her lips, I softly tear off the sheet and shut the book, tossing it back on the table. I quickly fold the sheet and tuck it into my purse so I will be able to read up on more on... massaging the intimate parts of your man's... jewel-

"Jordan?"

Maxine hops up off the sofa and claps her hands in excitement. I'm actually excited too because the last time I got a massage, it was on my butt by the butt burglar. As we follow the associate, Maxine holds up her phone and we gather together to take a photo together.

"Okay, here is the changing room. We have special locks with a code specifically for your party, so that nothing is stolen. We just ask that you keep your cellphones on silent and even in the lockers just so that you can really enter in Zen."

She is right, I really need some Zen, considering my phone has been a bit of a distraction with constant texts from Izzy and nursing school...waiting to hear back from Spencer....

It's been an entire month since he talked to me, looked at me, or laughed with me. All that keeps playing in my mind is him looking at me in disappointment and I can't just help but think he fell into the belief I actually did what the photo implies with Jaylan. I thought he knew me better than that but I guess you don't know a person until they turn their back on you...

I really hope he texts me back... We have a project coming up together with Jessica and Carly... so I really hope he comes around so we can finally work together.

"Here are your robes and towels. Enjoy your zen and welcome to Jasmine Oasis. When you are ready, slide the doors open and the masseuses will be ready for you three." The associate walks out the room, sliding the doors.

Maxine wastes no time, throwing things in the cabinet and flinging off her clothes, even getting her top thrown in my face. I giggle and go to a corner, grabbing the soft, velvety, warm white robe for me and peel off my beige V-neck top.

I reflect in the mirror at my white lace bra, getting a feeling how much I would like Jaylan's eyes to be on my body to see this... Maybe... I hurry and get into my robe and sit on the sofa while Maxine and Lexi finish off getting ready.

I go to the mirror and take a few photos of myself for Jaylan and nibble my lip, clear my throat, and send them to him right away. I sit down and watch each get delivered and instantly he reads them, using the explanation point at all three.

I let out a soft giggle knowing his devil horns are on full display with his pitch fork in his free hand.

Seeing myself reminds me of when I stood in front of Jaylan in my pajamas and how the same feelings of confidence and sexiness are stirring inside me now. Before him, this was a side of me I didn't know existed but I like it.

I giggle, pushing some strands out my face as I see his grey dots appear and disappear over again until Lexi takes my phone and throws it right into the cubby.

"Lexi!" I gasp.

I wonder what he thought about the photos.

"Zen timeeeeee," Maxine sings, opening up the bamboo doors.

I silently huff when I hear my phone ding three times.....

Edited and spiced up by still_just_me!