Cocoa's POV

I could hear the following in the background, "Say yes, girl!!," "Why did he pick her?!" And, if my dad gave him permission, it must be a sign.

So, I answered, "Yes, I will be your girlfriend." He opened the jewelry box and it was a beautiful necklace.

"My mom helped me pick it out. She said a beautiful girl deserves a beautiful necklace."

"It's beautiful. I love it. Thank you." He took it out and placed the necklace around my neck. "Now, I am going to tell you what is not going to happen - no kissing and absolutely no sex. I am not that kind of girl. So, did you still want to date me?"

"Of course."

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Channing carried my school bag for me to each of my classes.

As the school bell rang, signaling that the day ended, I struggled. Channing had practice, so he wasn't able to carry my backpack.

First, I put my purse inside my backpack, then put it on my back. Then grab my crutches, walking out of the classroom towards the elevator.

Getting on the elevator was fine, but as soon as I stepped off on the first floor, I felt my backpack being pushed.

"What's your problem?! I'm not in your......" I regained my balance quickly and turned around to see Bianca and her two minions.

"Look here Bridget, you have five seconds for you and your little friends to get out my face!! I'm not afraid of you." I know what her name is, so I called her that on purpose.

"My name is not Bridget, it's Bianca!!" One of the other girls walked behind me and started poking my backpack.

"Look, I don't know what your problem is, but you better fix it fast! I have never done anything to you, so get out of my face! It is bad enough you broke my ankle. And, you are very fortunate my parents didn't sue yours. Oh, and just so you know, there is a big security camera on the wall watching everything you and your minions are trying to pull."

"Cocoa!!" Tosca and Mercedes ran over. "Bianca, get away from Cocoa or else!!!!"

"You're going to pay for breaking me up from Cam!!" Then, she and her two cronies stormed off.

Whatever. She caused her own breakup. What is it with girls like her, thinking she can talk down to someone, push someone around, or hurt someone thinking it is okay? I am not the one.

"Thank you, girls, because she was about to get my crutch up her butt. Channing had practice right after school, so I had to carry my backpack."

"You're welcome, Cocoa. I'll carry your bag for you."

Mercedes took my bag off and we made our way outside. We found a bench that I could sit on.

"Thank you, ladies. That girl has a serious problem. I had nothing to do with her breakup."

"She is jealous because Cam broke up with her, and Channing asked you and not her to be his girlfriend. Speaking of, he is in one of my afternoon classes. He could not stop talking about you, girl. He put every boy on notice that you are his and they better leave you alone."

We heard a car horn blowing. We looked over and it was my dad. He got out and came over to where I was sitting. "Hi, Tosca and Mercedes. Ready to go, Cocoa?" He grabbed my backpack.

"Yes, daddy. See you, girls, tomorrow." Then, we made our way to his truck to go home.

Channing's POV

Boy, that was a long practice. I had already showered and changed my clothes before some of the guys entered the locker room from the practice field.

"Yo, Channing we heard about your new girlfriend. She's pretty hot!"

"So, are you planning to score with her?" Brent and David say with stupid grins on their faces.

"No, I am not. Cocoa is different. She is smart, beautiful and feisty. And, she doesn't put up with anything from Bianca."

"Too bad, man. She has a nice body."

"True, she definitely does."

Then, out of nowhere, Calabro grabs me by the collar of my shirt and bangs me against the locker.

"Man, what's your problem?!"

"You better not hurt her, Jones!! Cocoa is not like any of those airheads you talk to!!"

"Why do you care?! You didn't even give her a chance to say what happened over the summer!!" He loosened his grip on my shirt.

"As a matter of fact, you were pretty rude about it too. Do you like her?"

"Just don't hurt her!!!" Then, he stormed off.

Interesting. Cam knew I liked Bianca, but they started dating. Now, Cam without saying it likes Cocoa, but we are dating. I just don't understand why he won't hear what she had to say. Oh well, not my problem.

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Narrator's POV

The rest of Winter flew by. Cocoa and Channing were still the talks of the school. Cocoa was also able to stop using the crutches and just had a bandage wrapped around her ankle.

Bianca was still fuming about her breakup with Cam and how Cocoa now stole Channing from her. She has been plotting ways to get revenge on her.

The school posted signs for the Spring dance that was being held in April. So, the teens started wondering who was going with who.

Channing already asked Cocoa to go with him to the dance, and of course, she said yes. He was not only the star quarterback, but he also played on the basketball team. Cocoa came to all of his games.

Cam took an interest into someone else - Taylor and asked her to the dance. But every time he saw Channing and Cocoa walking together in school, he became irritated.

Tosca tried, even his friends tried, to get him to at least hear Cocoa out. But, he blew them off.

"I can't believe he is being such a hotheaded fool about this!" Tosca says over and over about her twin.

Anyway, dance time is approaching and that is what everyone is talking about.

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Friday, April 8th, 2011

Cocoa's POV

"I am so ready for the dance tomorrow. Do you ladies have your dresses?" Tosca says to the girls.

Shortly thereafter, the boys joined us at the lunch table. Surprisingly, Cam came too. He still has not said one word to me, but I don't care anymore. Channing threw his arms around me and I leaned into his embrace.

"I have mine. I even let Leilani pick it out. She likes the sparkles on it. My mom said you ladies can get dressed at our house tomorrow."

"Cool. Mrs. Alyshea is the best! We love your mom, Cocoa." A smiling Li Ming says.

"So, the plan is we are coming to pick you girls up from Cocoa's house, then head to the dance?" Leighton asked.

"You got it." Kalyani answers.

Cam's friend, Taylor joined us. She is really nice, and we actually became friends. Taylor is getting dressed at my house too. "Hi, everybody," She says and sits next to Cam. "What time should we be at your house, Cocoa?"

"My mom actually said I can have a weekend sleepover. So you all can come over tonight. So, pack for tonight and Saturday after the dance. Leilani and Lalita are excited too. Here is my address, Taylor." I grabbed a sheet of paper from my notebook to write my address down. Then, passed it over to her.

"Sweet. Thank you, Cocoa. Now, I really can't wait until this day is over."

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Narrator's POV

The rest of the school day went by fast. Once the girls got home, they asked their parents about staying the weekend at Cocoa's house. They all got the approval they were looking for. So, they packed for the weekend.

Meanwhile, Cocoa and her sisters rode to the store with Alyshea to get snacks and food for the sleepover. Her brother, Michail declared he was not going to be around with a bunch of screaming teenagers, so he spent the night over his friends' house.

Friday night, the girls ate snacks and watched a movie before going to bed. Richard made the girls and family a hearty breakfast Saturday morning.

The girls then played board games with Lalita and Leilani until it was time to get ready for the dance.

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Saturday, April 9th, 2011

Cocoa's POV

Everybody has taken their showers, and my mom even helped us with hair and makeup. I didn't put too much on because I really don't like wearing it. I grabbed my dress from my closet and put it on.

"See, look at the pretty sparkles," Leilani excitedly proclaims. "It's pretty, Cocoa."

"Thanks for picking it out, Lei." I gave Leilani a big hug. I love my sisters very much. The rest of the girls came into the room after my mom finished with their makeup and hair.

We then heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it!!!" My dad yelled as he answered the door.

Mom came into the room. "You all look very pretty. How about a group picture? Lei and Lalita, you girls can get in the picture too."

We all gathered together, then put Lei and Lalita in the front. Mom then snapped a few shots of us. "Beautiful, ladies. Now, let's go downstairs."

One by one we made our way down the stairs, making our grand entrance. The guys were lined up, looking handsome in their suits.

After reaching the bottom step, I made my way to Channing. He had a box in his hands and gave it to me. "Present for my beautiful girlfriend."

"You didn't have to get me anything. Thank you." He took the corsage out of the box and wrapped it around my wrist. "I have one exactly like it, so we can be twins."

I couldn't help but giggle. Cute.

"How about a group picture everyone? Girls, stand in front of your guys." My mom tells us, so that is what we did. Channing wrapped his arms around my waist. "Say 'Spring Dance!"

So, we all screamed, 'Spring Dance!!' Then, my mom snapped our picture.

"Enjoy the dance and have a great time, ladies and gentlemen." I gave my mom and dad a hug, then we opened the door to leave. "Wow!" That was the first word that came to my mouth. Out front was a stretch BMW limousine.

"Sweet ride. Very impressive."

"My dad rented the limo for me and my friends. You are really the first girlfriend that I had, so I wanted to impress you," Channing says while blushing.

"Well, I am impressed." We all got inside, and the driver headed towards the hall for the dance.

***************************************************

Once the driver pulled up to the reception hall, the guys got out first. Then, one by one each of the girls was helped out. After Channing helped me out, we held each other's hand and walked inside.

"It's beautifully decorated!"

"The ninth graders had their dance here last week. This week, meaning us sophomores, is our dance. Then, the next two weeks are the juniors and seniors. We can sit wherever we want to, but first, let's take a picture."

We walked over to the picture booth. We stepped in and sat on the bench. We took several silly pictures. Channing and I even went cheek to cheek in one picture. After we were done, we went to find the table our friends sat at. The principal then came made an announcement.

"Welcome students to the Spring Dance for 2011. We hope everyone has a great time. Also, we will announce the Spring Dance king and queen for the sophomore class. If you haven't voted yet, please do. Right now, dinner is being served. Enjoy."

Suddenly, waiters came out with carts loaded with plates for each student. The waiter came over to our table and passed out a plate for each of us. On each plate was fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and we were given a bowl of salad. Then right behind them, a different waiter came out with drinks for us.

Once we finished eating, dance music came on. "Let's all go dance." Everyone from the table got up and went to the dance floor. We were now two hours into the dance and having a great time. Then, the principal made another announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the votes are in. The king of the sophomore dance is................Mr. Camdyn Calabro!" The students clapped and cheered as he went to stand beside the principal.

"The queen of the sophomore dance is.........................Ms. Cocoa Baker!" The girls were pushing me to go on the stage. I may be outgoing, but I do not like the spotlight. There was a spotlight shining now on me and Cam.

"Camdyn and Cocoa, please head to the center of the dance floor for the king and queen dance." This is going to be interesting.

Cam and I made our way to the dance floor and a slow song began to play. He reluctantly took my hands and we danced.

I didn't say one word to him. But, he finally decided to speak to me. "Watch your little boyfriend."

"You finally talk to me and that is what you say?! You have some nerve, Camdyn Calabro. Don't tell me about my relationship, and I will not tell you about yours. Oh, and let's not forget Bianca who broke my darn ankle to start the school year!" As soon as the dance was over, Cam walked away. But, as soon as I took two steps, I was splashed by a bucket of water that fell on me.

Some were shocked, and some laughed. I just took off in any direction I could find.

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Thank you for reading chapter 3.

Image of Dance hall is courtesy of Oidutse on Pixabay.

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