Zora POV

I was sitting in the kitchen with Carlton who was reading a Victoria's Secret Magazine. I never understood why guys look at stuff like thst but I'm not a guy so I can't tell you.

My grandfather has actually been feeling more sick lately so I told him to stay home and I'll bring him food back. I want to get him a nurse but he is so stubborn he just wants to do everything for himself a lot Like me I suppose

"Alright, you pervert. Hand over my "Victoria's Secret"catalogue." Hilary told Carlton

"This one's Geoffrey's. He filled out the order
form." Carlton said as I looked over his shoulder at the magazine

"I see that for free" I said pointing to a woman in the magazine who was modeling bras and underwear

"Geoffrey, you know a woman with a 46-D cup?" I asked reading the form

"No, but if there's a God in heaven I will by Christmas." Geoffrey said as he walked away

"Yo. What's up, y'all? You know if Uncle Phil is in a good mood?" Will asked walking into the kitchen

"I'm trying to hit him up for 50 bucks for the homecoming." Will said

"Will, 50 bucks is only going to cover the tickets." Carlton told him

"There's still the tux, the limousine" I listed

"the pre-party party" Carlton said

"the post-party party" I told him

"and, in your case, bail." Carlton told him

"Man, you're right. This could cost a fortune." Will said

"Oh, that's okay. Daddy's got a fortune. I always find that when you ask for large sums
it helps if you take his hand look deep into his eyes and tell him you have cramps." Hilary told Will

"That only worked for Hilary. When I tried it,
he sent me to a specialist." Carlton said

"Or just ask him. The worst thing he can say is no." I told him

"Uh, thanks a lot. I think I can handle this myself, guys." Will told us

"Well, compliment his clothes, you know
tell him that he's lost some weight. But no more than 20 pounds." Hilary told him

"And it helps to keep a straight face." Carlton told him

"Why don't I just get on my hands and knees and beg?" Will asked sarcastically

"Well, that's only worth 25. Besides, it's really
hard on your knees." Hilary told him

"Thanks. I really appreciate that but I think I can handle this myself, guys." Will said as Mr. Banks walked into the kitchen

"Hi, daddy." Hilary said kissing his cheek and walking out

"Hi, dad." Carlton said patting his shoulder and walking out

"Hi, Mr. Banks" I said as I kissed his cheek and walked out

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The next day I walked to the Banks' Patio with a sandwich and lemonade and saw Ashley and a girl working on a project

"Hi girls what are you doing"  I asked sitting down

"We're doing a science fair project" Ashley told me as I nodded

"I'm Zora" I introduced to the girl shaking my hand

"Tina" the girl told me shaking my hand

"I bet you we're gonna win first place." Ashley sais

"Yeah, this volcano is gonna be the coolest
thing at the science fair. Where shall we put
the tiny missionaries with the shocked expressions on their faces?" Tina asked as I picked up one of the missionaries and looked at it

"Anywhere, when the lava flows it's every missionary for himself." Ashley told her

"That's cruel" I said laughing then I put it down

"Oh, wow. Oh, wow. Look at that guy in the swimsuit. Is he buffed or what?" Tina asked as I continued looking at the volcano

"Where? I don't see a buffed guy. I only see Carlton." Ashley said

I looked over and saw Carlton was shirtless as I covered my face. Carlton's surprising buff. When did he get so buff. 

"Oh, God, he's coming over here. I can't look.
Hand me a missionary." Tina said covering her face

"Hey, Ashley, how's the science project coming?" Carlton asked

"Oh, it's going great. Carlton, this is Tina.
Tina, this is my brother Carlton." Ashley introduced

"Hi, Tina." Carlton said smiling as my stomach started churning He really does have a nice smile

"Hi. I love your towel." Tina told him

"Thanks. Well, I've gotta go prepare for debate practice. Zora you coming?" Carlton asked

"You're on the debate team? That is so cool." Tina said

"I must say, it is refreshing to see the younger
generation taking an interest in the art of persuasion. It's my favorite extracurricular activity next to, uh, table tennis." Carlton told her

"You're athletic, too? I should've known
by your bulging forearms." Tina said as I looked at his muscles

"They, uh...do draw stares." Carlton said confidently.

I just started laughing out of nowhere the weird one Oh my god no stop it

I stuffed my face with my sandwich to stop myself from laughing

Carlton looked down at me as he wrapped his arm around me

"Hey Zora we still on for our study session" he asked me as I stood up

"That's tonight like tonight tonight" I asked as he nodded

"Yeah" he told me as I tried to think of an excuse why I couldn't go

"I I cant I cant I have to wax my turtle" I told him

"I didn't know you had a turtle" Ashley said smugly as I faked a smile

"Yep. I just got him. I have a turtle named Myrtle. Myrtle the Turtle. That's his name." I said

What is some Dr. Suess boom" He joked as I began doing my weird laugh thing again

"If you will excuse me I have to go to the bathroom" I said as I tripped as Carlton grabbed my hand before I fell

"Are you okay" he asked as I laughed again but I kept laughing because I couldn't stop. It's so awkward right now

"Bye" I said as I ran into the house. I put my hand over my chest trying to calm down

I can't like him he has an entire girlfriend

"Zee" I heard as I screamed and turned around and saw Will as I signed in relief

"Hi Will" I said as I walked over to stand next to Geoffrey

"Man, I thought a dip in the pool was gonna cool me off. I'm blazing about what Uncle Phil said to me." Will said

"Oh, I'm sure when he called you a sophomoric cretin it was just a figure of speech." Geoffrey told him

"No. No, that didn't bother me. It's when he said I was just like Carlton." Will said

"The nerve of that man" I said sarcastically

"Yes. I can understand your concern.
Sandwich?" Geoffrey said

"Yeah. Sure. I mean, look, I known where I come from, man. I'm coming straight out of Philly, man. And I'm proud of that."

"Will you're not a sellout because you have nice stuff" I told him

"I'm not a sellout" he told me 

"Hey, could you put that on a croissant for me?" Will said to Geoffrey

"Certainly. You know, Master William,
we all change." Will said

"Hey, look, look, man I haven't changed. I'm not gonna change. I'm not down with this bougie stuff." Will said

"Swiss?" Geoffrey asked

"Nah. Gorgonzola. Hey, man, I'm telling you, if there is one dude in the world that's the total opposite of Carlton it's this guy standing right here, man. Thanks a lot, G." Will said taking the sandwich

"Hey man, how you going to play a brother on the grey poupon?" Will asked when Carlton walked in as I ducked under the counter I know if I saw him I'll say something stupid

Geoffrey, I'm famished. Can you make me a gorgonzola sandwich on a croissant? Heavy on the grey poupon." Carlton asked

"Certainly." Geoffrey told him

"Thanks." He said as he looked down at me and looked at me confused

"Zora what are you down there" he asked as I smiled

"Oh just hanging out" I told him

"Okay" he said awkwardly

"Oh, my God. Uncle Phil is right, G, Zee. I'm turning into Carlton. Alright. Alright. That's it. That's it. No more of these sissy sandwiches.
No more, no more valet parking. And no more of these preppy parties, man. Oh, oh, and that homecoming? No. You can kill that noise. I'm gonna call Cindy right now
and I'm gonna tell her the whole thing is off.
Oh, and his check, this check that Uncle Phil gave me now you see it, now you don't.
Yo, the funky fresh is back in the flesh
with a vengeance, homes." Will said ripping the check

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. I'm going to eat that, though...but I ain't going to enjoy it." Will said taking the sandwich and walking away

"Master Carlton's gone" Geoffrey told me as I stood up

"Thank Geoffrey" I said

"Now that it isn't any of my business but why were you hiding from Master Carlton" he asked me

"Just a little game I like to play" I told him as he nodded

"Ah and this doesn't pertain to your crush on him" he asked as my eyes widened

"You know" I asked as he chuckled

"I know everything that goes on in this house. I always know about your love triangle" Geoffrey said as I put my head down on the counter

"What am I gonna do Geoffrey. I love them both but in different ways." I told him

"Well you want my advice. You can do so much better than those to dim-wits" he told me smiling  as I smiled

"Just choose with your heart" he advised as I groaned

"Everyone's telling me follow my heart but my heart is what's getting me into this trouble" I told him

"It'll get easier as you grow older" he told me as I looked up at him

"Promise" I asked as he smiled

"Promise" he told me kissing my head

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It's been a couple of days and I manged to bottle up my feelings for Carlton for now. I was in Ashley's room laying on her bed reading a magazine

"Tina, we need to talk." Carlton said walking in as she walked up to him

"Oh, Carlton. Those khaki pants make you look so "Field and stream." Take me camping." Tina said

"Tina, I'm at my wit's end..Look, it's bad enough you call me every hour on the hour when I'm home but I don't appreciate
being paged at school." Carlton told her as I looked at her weirdly

I mean I've had crushes on guys but not a  border line obsession over one

"I'm so sorry. I try to sound official." Tina apologized

"Well, I don't think anyone believed you were Colin Powell. It's obvious there could never
be anything between us.nDo you understand what I'm trying to tell you?" Carlton asked her

"Yes, Carlton. I do." She said

"Good. I'm going to go study now." Carlton told her walking out

"Studying. That is so cool. Are you going to highlight or underline?" Tina asked following him as I put down my magizne

"It's none of your beeswax!" Carlton yelled

"Well there goes the Nerdlyweds" I said as Ashley laughed

"So how are you" Ashley asked me

"I'm fine. I managed to bottle up my feelings for now" I told her as she gave me a look

"You guys have to talk about it" she told me. I know she's bugging but she just wants what's best for my mental health and bottling up my emotions isn't healthy

"We will just not now" I told her when Will walked in

"Hey. You know, Ashley, Zee, that's beautiful. I think those two are a match made in midget heaven." Will said as Ashley and I laughed at him

"Will, are you coming to the science fair
to see me do my volcano presentation?" Ashley asked

"Uh, look, I'm sorry, Ashley. I'd like to, but I can't." Will told her

"Why not?" She asked

"I got a job." He told her as she walked out

"Yeah, right. And I can't go either. A dog ate my volcano." Ashley told him

"No, I'm serious. I'm waiting tables at Treasure Island. I wanna pay for the homecoming." He told us

"Oh, you couldn't lie to daddy about his weight either, huh?" Ashley asked

"No, that's... Look, Ash, Zee, it's just not my style. You know, I'm a man. I want to pay my own way. I'm going to save up the money
and I'm gonna show Uncle Phil what I'm made of." Will said

"Oh, that's great, Will. He's gonna be really proud of you." I told him hugging him

"Yeah, I know. Hey, but, look, until I get the money we gotta keep this a secret, alright?" Will asked

"I won't tell." Ashley told him

"Me either. Oh I'm so proud of you" I said hugging him again as he held on longer than he was supposed to

"Will, buddy. Let go"I told him as he let go and rubbed the back of his neck

"Sorry" he apologized

"No, Tina. I don't care if you get in for half price. I'm not taking you to see "Jungle Fever!" Carlton yelled as we laughed at them

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After Ashley's Science Fair we were all waiting to go out to dinner. My grandfather has been cleared by the doctor so he's coming too.

Ashley, Carlton, and I were all sitting on the couch as Ashley was showing us her award

"Most promising future scientist."
This is incredible, Ashley." Carlton told her

"You really think so?" She asked

"Absolutely. It means I'll never have to see Tina again." Carlton said

"Oh give her a break her crush on you is adorable. It's almost like Romeo and Juliet meets Fatal Attraction" I told him as he looked at me

"You do know how both of those end right" he asked me

"Miss Tina." Geoffrey said as Tina walked in and up to Carlton

"Hi, Carlton. I know you told me to buzz
off but I had to see you one more time.
Tina, you've got to get over me. It's time you
get on with your life. I'm no good for you.
Now, I want you to walk out that door
hop on your bike, and pedal like hell." Carlton told her

"Okay, Carlton. If that's what you want. Bye." She said as she was about to leave when Mrs. Banks stopped her

"Oh, Tina we were just about to take Ashley
out to dinner to celebrate your award.
Would you like to join us?" She asked

"If I can sit by Carlton. I'd better go call my mom." She said as she left and Ashley followed her

"Well, I might as well face it. I'm irresistible to women. Now I know what Tom Jones feels like." Carlton said as I laughed and hugged his torso

"Vivian, take a look at this. Will's basketball coach says he hasn't been to practice all week." Mr. Banks said walking in

"His English teacher called and said he's been falling asleep in class." Mrs. Banks said

"And he missed curfew twice this week." Mr. Banks said

"Uh, by my count, it was four times but I'll go check my videotape." Carlton said as he ran up the stairs as I ran upstairs to go and stop him

I ran into his room and saw him holding a videotape

"Drop the videotape" I told him as he dropped it. I took it and took all the film out of it

I looked around in Carlton's room. I haven't been up here in forever. It looked almost exactly the same from when we first met

"Wow I haven't been in in your room in a while"  I said as I noticed a toy hippo sitting on his bed as I smiled and went over to it

"Hey Mr. Snuggles" I said as I sat down on his bed hugging it. It smelt like Carlton. I don't know if that sounds weird or no

"Yeah remember when I got him for you" he told me smiling

"We were 13. I had to get my surgery on my ankle and I was so scared. You told me everytime I hug him Its like your right there with me"  I told him as I smiled at the memory

"I thought I lost this" I said hugging it again

"You left it at my house one day and I just kept it" He told me when I noticed my stuffed Duck

"Hey Mr. Ducky" I said putting down Mr. Snuggles and picking up Mr. Ducky

"Yeah remember we went to the carnival and you really wanted him" he asked me as I laughed

"Yeah and you spent all your money at the ring toss trying to get him for me even though I told you it's okay"  I said when I noticed a piece of paper framed on his dresser with a picture of me and him next to it

"Oh my god. Our marriage proposal" I asked laughing as he laughed too

"Yeah it makes me laugh everytime I look at it" he told me 

"We were 14 and just starting high school and everyone was getting into relationship" I said as I picked it up and began reading it

"I, Zora Abigail Allen/Carlton St. William Banks will get married to Zora Allen/Carlton Banks if I'm not married or in a committed relationship by time I'm 35"  I read as I laughed at how ridiculous it was

"So does that proposal still stand" Carlton asked me as I stood up and looked at him smiling

"I don't know ask me again in 20 years" I teased

"and you'll say yes" he asked as I nodded laughing

"I'll say yes" I told him as he smiled 

"I'll hold you to that promise" he told me as we pinky sweared as we kept staring at each other smiling

Wait Michelle. I unhooked my pinky from his and took a step back

"We should go" I told him as we both walked down stairs

Ashley decided she wanted to have dinner at Will's job

"Ashley, sweetheart, what an interesting
choice of restaurants. It's so, um...piratesque." Mrs. Banks said as I saw Will in a pirate costume

"Welcome to the Briny Deep where none of our prices are ever too steep. We've got fresh fish..You can look at our tank. To get to the bathroom. make a left at the plank. Follow me." Will said in a pirate voice as he lead us all to a table to sit down

"Get a load of his costume. You couldn't pay me to wear an outfit like that." Carlton said as I tried to sit down next to him but Tina took the seat so I went sit down on the other side of him

"Think you'll be needing a booster seat, little boy?" Will said as I tried not to laugh

"Vivian, let's not let Will ruin our dinner." Mr. Banks said as Will snapped his napkin at his

"He hasn't ruined anything for me. I think he's a great kid." Mrs. Banks said

"I do too. Very bright future ahead of him. Very good kid" my grandfather said.

He was always fond of Will because he said it reminded him of when he was younger. Poor kid who was an outsider when he went to Harvard he felt like nobody understood him.

"Complimentary champagne for the lovely young lady and gentleman" Will yelled snapping

"I'll have a glass of that." Mr. Banks said

"Sorry, man, we ain't got no more.
Would you like to order before I bring you back the menus?" Will asked

"I'll have iced tea, please." Ashley said

"Perrier with a twist of lemon." Hilary said

"I don't know. I just can't seem to decide." Mr. Banks said

"Well, sir, we've got all three flavors of slim fast." Will said

"I'll have a cola, wise guy." Mr. Banks said as Will walked away

"That waiter has been exceedingly discourteous. I can't put my finger on it
but the way he treats me reminds me of someone." Carlton said

"Well, I think the waiter's really nice.
And I bet he's really honest, too." Ashley said

"I like his eye patch. Makes him look kind of dangerous." Tina said fawning over Will

"You know, table tennis isn't exactly safe." Carlton mumbled

"Thank you for my iced tea." Ashley thanked him

"You are really fast, you're reliable, and trustworthy." I said

"I really like your beard." Tina told him

"Tina, I doubt if it's real. And there's a French fry in it." Carlton told her

"Waiter! This soda's flat." Mr. Banks yelled

"Ah, you don't say, sir?" Will asked as he blew bubbles in his drink

"Try that." He said

"Well, that does it. You are the rudest,
most incompetent waiter. I've ever met." Mr. Banks yelled

"I'm not a waiter, according to my uncle
I don't even have a job." Will said taking off his hat and eye patch

"Vivian, James, I...think I've made a mistake." Mr. Banks said

"Oh, my. Carlton, you were my third love
and I'll never forget you but I like Will now.
He's dressed like an idiot and he's still so cool." Tina said

"He's not the only guy who could dress like an idiot." Carlton said as I smiled and rubbed his arm

"Aw are you jealous that she doesn't have a crush on you anymore" I whispered

"It's not fair" he mumbled putting his head on my shoulder

"Well you always had me...chelle. You always have Michelle" I told him as he lifted his head up

"Yeah" he told me flatly as we both took sips of our drinks and went back to dinner