Shrimp, Grits, N' Pimp Sh*t

She just sits there with this indignant ass smirk on her face. It makes me want to slap her. We had been going back and forth all week about whether or not I should go out of town with my friends because she "doesn't trust them". I could never understand how, seeing that all of my friends in the circle have at least one parent that has a position in our PTA. But that's always been my mom; never wanting me to do anything or go anywhere. "But you know Los and Nita's parents! All of y'all planned and hosted the End of Finals cook out last year!" "You know I don't allow you to go anywhere unless I've already spoken to them anyway, and you just sprang this up on me like you didn't have to get permission first." "But--" "The answer is no." I didn't even bother to say anything else because I don't like to argue with her. It drains me, diminishes my brain cells, and all-around makes me feel small. ...

Chassity is officially mine. For real. And I almost can't believe it myself but shiiiiiiiiid, it happened. Me and her been chilling for a minute since we met at school, we always meet up after school to do our homework together n' shit ( ... LOL), and she always makes us grilled cheese sandwiches and Yoo-Hoo. Like, I feel like this is some middle school type shit, but it's dope and the fact that I'm... Happy is kinda messing me up. I be in class trying to do my work and can't because I'm too busy looking at her. Talking to her. Thinkin' bout her. I swear the other day the teacher asked a question and my "Space Cadet" headass was so far in the clouds I answered the question with HER NAME. He done moved me across the room because I guess he peeped it's something going on betsheween us now, but that ain't stopping this distraction lmfao Her daddy STILL scares the shit outta me though. I told you that man is a skinny ass, 7-foot giant and ...

I met this girl at school a few weeks back. Her name's Chassity. She's in my fourth period Honors A&P (Anatomy & Physiology) class; I think she was new or something. I haven't ever seen her before three Mondays ago... And I KNOW I've never seen her before 'cause there's no WAY I missed somebody fine as she is... As many dusty hoes as it is at BH, I would've seen her RIGHT through them. Seriously. Anyway, the day she walked in I had already been having a whack ass day. It was raining, I was tired, and hungry as hell because I overslept and left the house without grabbing anything to eat. The first two periods just kinda went by uneventfully. I sat down in my usual seat by the window with two seats in between me and the person to my right. The bell rings. The teacher walks in and starts the daily warm-up on the board. About maybe... Ten minutes later, the door opens and here SHE come looking all flustered and pissed off. She asked the teacher was she...

[Valentina's POV]  Since me and Nathaniel have gotten serious, we've started trying to get our families more and more involved with each other. It was his idea to start having dinner every Sunday, and I've pretty much fallen in love with the idea. I feel like I haven't seen Mami, Grant, & Adriana this much in so long, and it feels good to finally have time to see them again. Both Nate & I had really long and stressful weeks, so what better way to wind down than a nice dinner. Mami had to work, so Adriana volunteered to drive her and Grant over to the house. I had been lounging in my underwear all day, because... Like I said. I had a long and stressful week. And to be honest, pants stress me out. Me : So, Booger. Nathaniel : Yes, babe. Me : What's on the menu for this evening? Something good I hope. [Grins] Nathaniel: [Smirks] Now you know EVERYTHING I put on a plate is extraordinary, don't do that. Me : I'm kidding. [Giggles] S...

[Valentina's POV] Me and Adriana have always had a love/hate relationship; most of it due to the way we grew up. Obviously, we look hella different. I got this rich, even, yummy brown skin tone, while both her and Grant are on the lighter side. I'm the oldest of course, but we don't have the same father. My daddy never really gave a shit to settle down and raise me so I knew, even as a kid to just let it go. I knew I'd always have my mom around, and let's be real. I liked her better anyway. Adriana & Grant's dad, a man by the name of Fernando was a great man. He took good care of all of us. Continued to raise me as well just like I was his, but then he died around the time Grant was two.  Anyway,  Since that little Shade Fest at dinner the other week... I called her just to see what's up and how she was doing. Of course when I asked, I was met with attitude and MORE shade. She asked if I was just calling her because Nathan was gone and ...

Nathan's POV My mama and daddy showed up about thirty minutes after Val's people, my mom looking surprisingly laxed and my dad looking sharp with a fresh haircut and everything. [Chuckles] Wow. I stand up like the gentleman I am and introduce my people to Val's folks (her lil sister still got that ugly ass mug on), and they exchange greetings. Val starts telling her mom about how it was her idea to bring everyone together but it was my idea to do all this 'Gourmet Cooking'. Her mom gave me this weird little smirk that embarrassed me a little bit so I just said 'yeah I guess', and kept it moving. Everybody's pretty much silent except for the TV and sounds of chewing and utensils clattering on the plates. Nathan's dad [Mr. Edwards]: *Abruptly* So Nathaniel. Me: Wassup. Mr. Edwards: How you like living on ya own? Me: It's straight... Got responsibilities now. Freedom. Y'know. Mr. Edwards: Mm-hm. Freedom , huh? ...

Nathan's POV Me and Val finally got settled into this li'l bitty crib. Honestly, I hated the place the moment I laid eyes on it. It looked like one of them bandos on the corner on the south side, all boarded up... Minus the boards on the windows. But I wasn't really worried about it because now we could finally say we had something that belonged to us. We've been spending a lot of time getting to know the city... We went on a brunch bar/gallery crawl or something like that Sunday afternoon. (Val's always been into that bougie, Sex & the City type lifestyle lol) It was dope. I just gotta remind myself to watch how many drinks shorty orders... She's a lightweight. [Chuckles] Valentina: [Sprawled across my bed] Naaaate. Me: What's up? Valentina: We should invite our people over now that we're settled in here or whatever. They'd be glad to see the place! Me: Girl your mom gon think we got married or something. [Laughs] ...