"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself."
-Jim Morrison

• • •

The plan for today is to head to Abel's at around two ish to join him in the pool. I'm not completely sure if dinner is part of this whole shindig but I'll just see how it goes.

Now, the issue I am currently facing at 9am in the morning is my clothing choices. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard since I'm just going to his house but I also want to look alright since it's possible I might meet the parentals. On top of that, I also have to decide on swimsuit that Abel will see. I don't exactly hate my body, but I do sometimes struggle with not comparing myself to others with more toned physiques and believe that I'm not what someone would want.

Moving on, the three musketeers (Rolo, Rani and Ana) are coming over in like an hour to help me out.

In the mean time, I'm going to shower and do some of the chores that are assigned to me.

I head downstairs after dressing up to get started and run into both of my parents drinking coffee at the breakfast bar.

"Good morning mum and dad."

"Morning Keziah." My mother replies.

All my dad does is grunt. Glad to know talking to me is such a struggle.

"How was work last night?"

"Tiring as usual." My mum says with a sleepy smile. Most people say we both look a alike with our similar skin tones and high cheekbones. The difference is that she has hair styled in a shoulder length  black weave with glasses. Even though she's reaching 50, she honestly doesn't look a day over 35.

"Was everyone begging you to stay again?" I ask.

"Mmhm, especially the younger ones. I worry for the older kids though, I sometimes think they feel more unwanted because of their age. But I'm trying my best to find each and everyone a loving home."

I nod my head and smile in response, feeling happy that she enjoys her job.

"What about you dad?"

"Nothing too different, just the usual difficult patient."

My dad on the other hand is like a whole 3 shades darker than I am. When I say charcoal, I mean charcoal. He's bald but usually wears hats to cover it up. He's kind of toned and slim in a way. I personally don't think that I look much like him but my mum says we have the same smile and photogenic nature. What can I say?

Omari and Nolan both come running down the stairs at an alarming rate.

"Boys! What did I say about running down the stairs!" Mum exclaims.

"Nolan keeps launching his tennis balls at the back of my head!" Omari rubs the sore spot on his head while glaring at Nolan.

Like the baby he is, Nolan runs to dad and climbs in his lap pretending to act all innocent. I can see right through him.

All of a sudden, Marcel enters the kitchen dressed up and ready early for once on a weekend.

"I'm going to see Tenaya!" Marcel grabs an apple from the fruit basket and heads towards the door.

"Can you take your brothers with you!"

Marcel freezes when he hears this and slowly turns around.

"Why?"

"Because they're your brothers and Tenaya isn't the only person in that family last time I checked." My mum replies.

Marcel groans loudly and takes dramatic steps up the stairs to wait for Omari and Nolan to get ready. He's so ridiculous. I bet he just wanted to spend time with Tenaya alone. Sucks to be him.

At 11, my friends arrive at my house making themselves at home by grabbing whatever food they see. Animals.

"Um hello to you too. Glad to know you only come here for my food." I cross my arms and shake my head at their horrible manners.

"Sorry Keziah, but your mum makes the best food ever." Rolo speaks with his mouthful showcasing his every bite.

"He's right you know." Rani Adds.

Ana now decides to speak up. "Well hi!"

I give her a blank stare and head to the living room. "When you're done eating all of my food, can you please help me with my outfit. You know, the actual reason you came here for!"

After ten minutes of watching some mindless TV, my so called friends announce that they're ready to help.

"Hurry up Keziah! I thought you wanted us to help you with what to wear." Exclaims Rolo.

"Are you kidding me? I'm the one that's been waiting on you guys!" I raise my hands up in exasperation and walk- no stomp up the stairs.

Annoying, stupid friends.

"She's probably stressing over making sure she looks nice." Rani says.

I don't even give her the luxury of responding back. Anyway-

"So Abel has an indoor pool and I need to wear a swimsuit underneath my clothes. But do I wear a one piece or a bikini?"

"You have to wear a bikini! Showcase those curves girl." Exclaims Rani.

"I don't think it matters what you wear Kez as long as your comfortable in it." Oh Ana, always the voice of reason.

"Well in my opinion, the less material the better."

We all fling pillows at Rolos head for his comment. "Ow! I was just trying to help geez."

"We don't need your silly boy comments Rolo." Says Rani.

Rolo scoffs our loud. "I'm a boy and Abel's a boy. I know what boys are like ladies."

Ignoring him, I open my drawer and take out two swimsuits: one bikini and a one piece.

"Oh, I love the bikini!" Rani states.

"I second that. But only if your comfortable with it." Ana Adds.

While they all continue talking, I debate between which one to choose. The bikini has high waisted bottoms with a cupped bikini top that criss crosses at the back. It has navy blue and white vertical block stripes on both parts. The one piece however, is black and white checkered with a small cut out in the middle. Both of them are equally as nice as the other but I'm actually feeling quite bold today so I'm going to go with the bikini.

I know you're wondering why I'm thinking so deeply about my choice of swimwear, but I've never really done this whole liking someone thing before so I want to make sure that I look at least representable to him.

"Guys." I try to catch their attention but prove unsuccessful because of their loud chatting.

"Guys."

"Hello!" I finally shout.

"No need to shout at us, we're in the same room as you." Rolo Says this whole shaking his head even though they've all been ignoring me for like the past 5 minutes.

Give me strength.

"I'm choosing the bikini. Next up is my clothing."

"Well since it is November, you should probably dress warmly." States Ana.

"Oh gee Ana, I didn't realise that at all." I reply sarcastically.

"I think you should wear some jeans and that off the shoulder jumper you have with ankle boots." Rani has good sense of fashion so it would be wise of me to listen to her suggestions.

"I'm bored now."

"Oh my Rolo you didn't have to come. Go downstairs and keep yourself busy, I'm tired of your whining."

"You're so mean to me." Rolo pretends to sulk but swiftly head out.
"Keziah, you need to hurry up it's already past 1."

Wow, time flies.

I go to the bathroom to change into my clothes and debate putting make up on. After realising I'm getting into water, I quickly dispute that idea. Anyway, I'm not a biggest fan of all that product on me.

I reach my room afterwards where Rani and Ana are waiting for me.

"I love that sweater Kez." Says Rani.

"And those Levi jeans." Ana also says.

Basically, my sweater is cream coloured and is in an off the shoulder style. I tuck it in slightly into my jeans which is accompanied by a black and gold belt.

I grab one of my bags and fill it with all my essentials needed for the whole day.

"You should go now Keziah. Don't want to keep the boy waiting." Rani states excitedly

We all head down the stairs and I go to the living room where we find Rolo.

"You're finally done! It took you so long up there. Why did I even come today?"

"For the last time Rolo, you didn't have to especially if you were just going to complain all day."

Before he can protest further, Rani and Ana usher me out talking about how much fun I'm going to have and blah blah blah.

"Bye mum! Bye dad!" I holler out loud to them.

My brothers have already left for Rolos house. I wonder if he even knows they're going to be there when he gets home. Oh well.

"Thanks for the help guys."

"Your welco-"

"Not you Rolo."

He gasps in faked outrage which I obviously ignore.

"And can you please leave my house at a reasonable time?"

"No promises." Ana then proceeds to slam the door in my face.

Well alright then, guess I should be going.

• • •
A/N:
I absolutely love Rolo! I've always wanted a guy best friend and if I ever do have one, he's what I kind of envision. Does anyone still have a friend that they've known for over ten years?

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