Zora POV

Hilary, Ashley, amd I walked into the kitchen through the back door

"Hi, everybody." Ashley said as everyone greeted us

"Oh, hi, almost-birthday girl." Will said

"Well, sweetie, how does it feel to be almost 12?" Mr. Banks asked her

"Dad, as you get older, birthdays have less and less significance. You know, I really
stopped counting at ten." Ashley said

"Oh, come on, Ashley, aren't you just a little bit excited about your birthday party?" Hilary asked

"Well, I know it's a little immature but, yes, yes, I can't wait!" Ashley said as we laughed at her excitement

"So what are you gonna wish for when you blow your candles out?" I asked her

"Well, there is one thing I've been wishing for." I asked her sitting down on a stool

"A doll?" Mr. Banks asked

"A dress?" Mrs. Banks guessed

"A game?" Will asked

"No." She told us as she held up a magazine cover of Little T he was this kid singer that preteens everywhere were in love with

"A boy!" Hilary said as me, her, and Ashley giggled

"Look. Now, this is a really good picture of him." Ashley said holding up a picture when Carlton walked in

"Who's he?" Carlton asked wrapping his arms around my shoulders

"His name is Little T." Ashley told him

"Uh, you know, that kid singer." Will told him

"He's not just a kid singer. He's the coolest, cutest guy in the universe." Ashley said as Carlton scoffed

"Some would beg to differ." He said

'I've been reading all about him. Listen to this. "He loves video games, cheeseburgers and basketball. He hates rainy days, anchovies and phony people." He is so deep." Ashley said as Will took the magazine

"You're tellin' me. He like all the same stuff I like." Will said

"God, I'd love to meet him someday. I wonder what I'd say." Ashley said

"How about, "Hold the anchovies?" Carlton said as he laughed

"Very funny, Carlton. You know, it's just because you have never really been in love." Ashley said as she walked out the kitchen

"I don't like the ugly turn this is taking." Carlton said

"Carlton, what are you talking about?" Mrs. Banks asked

"I just don't think it's healthy that Ashley's so boy-crazy. I mean, shouldn't she be playing
with those toy ponies with the pink hair?" He asked

"Carlton, it's just puppy love. Don't you remember your first crush? I remember my first celebrity crush it was River Phoenix and then there was this boy whole lived across the street" I told them

"Yeah. Mine It was Tootie in "The Facts Of Life, but then I remembered there was a girl who moved across the street from us" He told us as everyone gave Carlton amd I looks

"What" we asked as they just shook thier heads

"Wait. You-you had a love thing for Tootie? When did you get over it?" Will asked

"What do you mean, "Get over it?" I'd still love to meet her someday. I wonder what I'd say." Carlton said

How about, "Hello, Tootie. I'm Fruity?" Will told him

"Just because you've never been in love." Carlton yelled as he stormed out the kitchen

"Well, I've got the perfect idea for Ashley's birthday present." Hilary said

"What's that, sweetheart?" Mrs. Banks asked

"I know Little T's agent. He used to go out
with my friend, Jennifer. I'll bet he could get Ashley a front-row seat at Little T's next concert." Hilary told us

"Hilary, if you know his agent uh, you can get somethin' twice as good as that." I told her

"Oh! Two seats!" Hilary said laughing

"Let me walk you through this one.
Tomorrow is Ashley's birthday party.
Ashley has a crush on Little T. Birthday party. Little T. Birthday party. Little T. Something beginning to gel here?" Will told her

"Oh, wouldn't it be nice if Little T came to Ashley's birthday party?" Mrs. Banks asked

"Hm. That would be so cute." Mr. Banks said

"Will everybody please be quiet? I'm trying to think." Hilary told us as we all gave up

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Today was Ashley birthday party. I was standing with Hilary putting Candles of Ashley's birthday cake when walked over to us

"Cousin Hilary, this party has been goin' on for an hour. When is Little T gonna get here?" Will asked

"Well, you know nothing about celebrities.
They always come to parties fashionably late.
And for a celebrity, being an hour late
is like being a half an hour early." Hilary said

"Yeah? Well, if he's not here 15 minutes ago, that's his butt." Will told us when Geoffrey and my grandfather walked in with clown suits on

"Hi, kids. I'm Tidy the Clown and this is my sidekick Spotless. We are going to play
a new game. It's called Clean Up After
Your Spoiled Little Selves." Geoffrey yelled when my grandfather tried to juggle kitchen supplies

"Mom, dad, make him stop!" Ashley whined

"What's the matter, baby?" Mrs. Banks asked

"Oh, come on, a clown at a birthday party?
It's so babyish." Ashley said. She is right thier treating her like she's 2 not 12

"No, no, it's cool, Ashley. I'm about to get this party started right." Will said as he walked to the front

"Alright, kids, check it out. I'm Ashley's cousin, Will, right? And I'm about to hip y'all
to this new style of dancin'. It's called dumb dancin', right? And no matter what you do
you got to have a serious mug goin' the whole time, right? So y'all peep this here." Will said as he put on some music and began dancing as we all watched him as Ashley shook her head in embarrassment 

"Alright, here, go on, go on. Now you give it a try." Will said

"Yeah, like that'll be happenin'." Ashley's friend Jaclyn said

"Yeah, man, who invited the old guy?" One of her other friends Khafre said

"My brother, you want to take this outside?" Will asked as Ashley dragged him to the side

"Will, will you cut it out? You are wrecking the party. I mean, this stuff is for babies. Clowns, dance contests." Ashley said

"Hi, kids. Prepare to be amazed. It's time
for the great Carltoni!" Carlton said coming into the room dressed as a magician

"I wish I was never born." Ashley said as I walked up to her and hugged her

"Oh don't worry honey. One day you're gonna be laughing about this in therapy" I told her soothing her head

I saw Little T walked in from the conner of my eye as I grabbed Ashley's hand and dragged her to the front

I walked to the side and grabbed the camera as we all watched him sing to her

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ He sang as her eyes widened when she noticed who was singing to her

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
♪ Happy birthday ♪
♪ Dear Ashley ♪
♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ he sang as we all smiled. I'm so happy for her if my favorite singer sang at my birthday party. I would pass ouu

"Happy birthday, Ashley." He told her then she passed out. I put the camera down as we all ran to check on her

Little T went in the kitchen with Ashley so she could ice her head. Will, Carlton, and I went go check on her

Little T kissed her cheek as I cooed and the boys furrowed thier eyebrows. Ashley held her cheek smiling.Teenage Crushes are so cute because they're so awkward and its so innocent but apparently Will and Carlton don't feel the same way

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The next day I walked into Ashley's room as I saw her fixing her hair

"Oh Ashley you look so pretty" I told her

"Thanks Zora. I'm glad somebody's being normal" she said

"Zora what if I embarrass myself" she asked me

"Oh Ashley its okay everybody embarrasses themselves in front of thier crush" I assured her

"Oh please your like the coolest girl I know" she told me as I looked around and closed her door

"Ok I'm bout to tell you something bit you have to pinky swear it never leaves this room" I told her as I sat on the bed as she sat next to me

"Pinky Swear" she said as we both hooked pinkies

"I know I look super cool and confident but I'm not when I'm around a guy I like I do this super weird laugh" I told her

"That doesn't sound to weird" she told me as I scoffed

"Trust me its weird I get sweaty, my stomach is in knots, and I can't stop laughing. I don't wanna say anything because I don't want to say anything stupid" I rambled

"You mean like how you get with Carlton" she asked as I furrowed my eyebrows

"What" I asked

"Come on everyone knows you like him" she told me as I shook my head

"I don't like Carlton" I denied as she gave me a look

"I mean I always had a small little crush on him but I never thought as us being a couple or anything besides he's dating Michelle" I told her as I looked at the time

"Little T should almost be here. This never leaves this room" I told her as she nodded

We both walked downstairs and into the kitchen

"Here she is" I said as Ashley walked into the kitchen as Mrs. Banks and Hilary cooed

"Oh, guys, don't do that." She told them

"What?" Mrs. Banks asked

"You know, sigh like that. You make me feel like Benji or something."

"I'm telling you, 10-20 years from now. You and your therapist are gonna be having a great time" I told her kissing her head

"Okay, okay, we're just excited, that's all. We'll calm down." Mrs. Banks said

"Thanks. Could you make sure my hair is okay?" Ashley asked

"Sure." Hilary said as Ashley turned around and Mrs. Banks, Hilary, and I silently squealed

"Thank you. Well, I'm gonna go in the living room. And wait for Little T." Ashley said

"Oh, just a second. Baby. I just wanna get one picture." Mrs. Banks said pulling out the camcorder

"Oh, mom, not the camcorder." Ashley groaned

"But, sweetheart, this is your first date." Mrs. Banks told her

"Oh, come on, Ashley. This only happens once in your life." Hilary told her

"Thank God!" Ashley said

"Okay, now turn around so we can see your pretty dress." Mrs. Banks said as Ashley turned around

"Go back out and come in again the way you did." Mrs. Banks told her

"Mom!" Ashley pouted

"Go on." She said as Ashley walked out

"Hilary, baby, you sit there drinking your coffee the way you were." Mrs. Banks said

"Okay." Hilary said as she fixed her hair and sat down

"Zora introduce her again like you did before" she told me as I walked out then walked back in 

"Here she is" I said as Ashley stomped behind me

"Oh! That was great." Mrs. Banks said

"No, no, no, no, mom. Let's do it again.
I wasn't happy with what I did." Hilary said

"Ashley, go back out again." Mrs. Banks said

"Guys, will you cut it out? You're driving me crazy!" Ashley told them

"Maybe I should recommend you to my therapist" I told her

"Now, he's a very special boy and I don't wanna be so nervous that I mess things up.
In case you don't remember, this is my first date." Ashley said as Hilary and Ashley laughed

Little T walked into the kitchen with a bouquet of flowers. That's so sweet

"Hi Ashley. These are for you" he told her giving her the flowers

"You guys might wanna go before she makes you do it all over again" I told them as we all walked out the kitchen

"Well, you kids have a great time at the pizza place." Mrs. Banks told them

"We will." Little T said smiling

"Alright, kids. Let's party!" Lee said as we began telling them goodbye

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play? I sang teasing them. I had to get my moment too

I don't remember growing older
When did they? I sang as I walked over to them

W

hen did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall? I sang wrapping ny arms around them

Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small? I sang leaning my head against thiers

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days I sang dramatically throwing my hands in the air

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze I sang as I kissed thier heads

(All)
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset I sang making the sunrise amd sunset motions

Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears  I finished as I bowed dramatically

"Thank you. Thank you. I'll be here for the rest over your lives" I said as they left

I noticed Will and Carlton leaving as I grabbed my keys to my grandfather car and followed them

They went to the Pizza Place Ashley was having her date. I noticed they were watching Ashley and Little T's date. I snuck up behind them and watched them

"What are yiu guys doing" I asked as they jumped

"Zee what are you doing here" Will asked me

"Stopping you guys. Their kids this is innocent what were you both doing at 13" I asked then held my hand up not wanting to hear the answer

"Don't answer that" I told them

"You guys can't treat her like a baby her entire life" I told them

"Watch us" they told me as I shook my head and rolled my eyes

Little T put his arm around Ashley as they started playing video games

"He's got his arm around her already" Carlton said

"Yeah, that's the same arm I used when I was 13. It's that love arm." Will said

"We better work fast. Let's roll." Carlton told him as I stopped them

"Stop it. Thier playing video games" I told them

"That's what he wants you to think" Will said as they walked over to the table as I followed them

"Hey, Ashley, Little T, what's goin' on?" Will asked as they looked up

"What are you three doing here?" She asked as I was about to say something but Carlton put his hand on my mouth

"Well, Uncle Phil got hungry so he sent us out
to pick up a dozen pizzas." Will said

"Hey, Ashley, can I speak to you for a minute?" Carlton asked

"Excuse me." She said as they went off to the side. I sat down and looked at Little T

"I am so sorry for what's about to happen" I told him as he looked confused

Will and Carlton pulled up two chairs and sat down glaring at Little T

"I'mma be straight with you. You're going out
with my little cousin. You better not try nothing!" Will told him as he looked confused

"Uh, don't-don't-don't-don't give me that innocent role. I know what you people in the music business are like. Makes me sick!" Will told him

"Sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about." Little T told him as Will threw his arma up

"Perhaps this will refresh your memory.
From the current issue of "Right On" magazine. There's a picture of you at the recent Soul Train Awards. Maybe you'd be kind enough to tell us who this bimbo is on your arm." Carlton told him

"That's my mom." Little T told him

"Uh, sorry. Wow!" Carlton said looking at the picture as I shook my head

"Okay, alright, alright, alright, look you covered yourself on that one but what about this girlie action you been gettin' on tour?
Your agent told me all about it." Will said as Little T laughed

"Do you believe my agent? Man, he lies about everything." Little T said

"He told me I could have a career in singing." Carlton said as I rubbed his arm sympathetically

"Look, guys, with all the recording,  touring, and my homework I haven't had any time
for girls. To tell you the truth, this is my first real date." Little T told them as Will blew a raspberry trying to cover up thier mistake

"I knew that. I just brought Carlton down
cause I had to prove it to him. Let's go." Will said as we stood up

"See I don't wanna say I told you so. Oh who am I kidding I love saying it. I told you so"  I told them as Ashley walked back

"Carlton, I looked at my hair and it was fine.
Now, if you don't mind I'd like to continue with my date alone." Ashley said

"Okay, we're going." Carlton told her

"Check you later, Ash." Will said as Ashley sat back down

"What was that all about?" Little T asked

"I don't know. Don't worry about it." Ashley told him

"So you want to play some more Tetris?" He asked her as she smiled

"Okay." She told him

"Okay." He said why does that sound so familiar

"I'm really having a good time, Ashley." Little T told her

"So am I." She said as they smiled at each other as Will, Carlton, and I cooed

We made it back to the house as I had a bix of pizza on my lap and was eating it. I wasn't making a blank trip for nothing

"I don't believe you, Philip. Sending Will and Carlton to spy on your own daughter?" Mrs. Banks said

"So what's wrong with that? She is my daughter. I'd do it again, dammit." Mr. Banks said as Will and Carlton stood up

"Yo, word to big bird. Just say the word and we there, Uncle Phil." Will told him

"But this was such a big night for Ashley.
And mom, Zora and I were so happy for her.
What got into you guys?" Hilary asked

"I know it was a big night for her. I knew it had to come sometime. I just didn't think it would come so soon. She's really growing up.
I guess it's time for us to stop butting into her life so much." Mr. Banks said

"I've been saying that since the beginning of the episode" I said

"No, it's not" Will said as Ashley ran into the living room

"Hi, everybody." Ashley said

"How did it go?" Hilary asked

"I'm not going to talk about it." Ashley said

"Oh, come on! Please." Hilary begged as I put down my pizza and walked to her

"Okay. Well, he did kiss me." Ashley said Mrs. Banks, Hilary, and I squealed and Will, Mr. Banks, and Carlton groaned

"I wanna hear all the details. We'll pop some popcorn, we'll do our nails and you can tell me every single thing that happened tonight." I told him

"I'd like a written copy of that report." Carlton said as he and Hilary walked away

"Ashley, sweetie when you walked in
from that date with that smile on your face...that's a moment I will always remember." Mrs. Banks told her

"That's nice, mommy." Ashley said

"Could you go out and do it again and I'll go get the camcorder?" Mrs. Banks asked as Ashley gave her a look

"Okay, okay, just askin'. Goodnight." She told her as they hugged

"Goodnight." Ashley told her as Mrs. Banks left the room

"My little princess. I cannot believe my little girl went out on a real date tonight." Mr. Banks said

"He's a really nice guy, daddy." Ashley told him

"I know. But there's something you should know, sweetheart." Mr. Banks told her

"What?" She asked

"I'm never gonna like anybody you bring home." Mr. Banks told her

"Well, that's awfully fair of you." She told him

"Well, it's not that they're not good. It's just that nobody is good enough for you." He told her as he kissed her cheek and they hugged

"Goodnight, daddy." She told him as he left the room

"Uh, l-look, I'm just sorry I wrecked your date, Ash." Will told her

"You didn't, Will. It was the most wonderful night of my life." Ashley told him

"Really? Well, that's great. And you know, I think your second date is gonna be even better, 'cause when you're 21 you can appreciate these things a lot more." Will told her

"Will, I'm going out with him again next Saturday." She told her

"Well-well, well, next Saturday I'm busy.
You're gonna have to change that." Will told her

"I know you're busy. That's why I made it for then. Zora taught me that" Ashley said as Will glared at me as I shrugged

"Im such a bad influence on you" I told her hugging her

"Goodnight, Will." Ashley told him kissing his cheek

"Goodnight, Ash." Will said as he walked out the room

I watched as Ashley fixed herself in the mirror as I smiled. I've known her since she was 8 years old. She really is growing up to be a mature young adult and I'm so proud of her.