“Fool, you need to shut up,” James exclaimed as he pointed to one of his friends, laughing out loud.

“So, James,” one of his friends named Dabu called, “when are we gonna see your next girlfriend?” James just turned and looked shockingly at Dabu. Then he turned his head toward Robert Timber. Just like James, Robert was muscular, but James was more muscular than Robert. James wore a white muscle shirt, a white-over shirt that he kept open, a pair of dark jeans, and a pair of white Jordans. James, he told himself. Let the ladies see your body. Maybe you’ll find a new girlfriend. He was 6’2”, and skin had a milk chocolate tone. His eyes were a magnificent brown, and his smile was so seductive, it felt as if your heart melted.

But when James got a quick look at Robert, he saw that he was checking out the new girl. When James saw what Robert saw, his bottom jaw hit the floor. Then the rest of the boys, Dabu and Tyler, did the same thing. Robert was the only person who didn’t drop his jaw. They all watched as the new girl was asking somebody a question. The person pointed to where James, Tyler, Robert, and Dabu were, so she could find her answer over there. The only guy that moved was Robert; he decided to surprise Candy.

“Um, excuse me,” Candy said, as she walked towards me the Popeye’s Gang. But before she could ask them her question, she had to close their mouths.

“Um,” James began, fidgeting with his hands. “C-C-Can I help you?” he asked clearing his throat.

“I was wondering if you’ll help me find locker number 18?” she asked timidly.

“Number 18, you said?”

“Yeah,” she replied. Then James went to his locker, pulled out his books for his first period class, closed his locker, then patted on another locker right next to his. “This is you right here. Do you have the combination?” James asked. Candy nodded.

“How you doing, Candy?” Robert asked. “I know one thing you are still so beautiful.”

“What are you doing here,” Robert?” Candy asked as she looked at Robert with anger in her eyes. With her anger, her left hand was starting to shake. James looked at Robert, then Candy, then back at Robert.

“You two know each other?” James asked, indicating the two.

“James, this is Candy Miller,” Robert responded, “me ex-girlfriend.” When James heard that, he looked at Candy then Robert; Robert then back at Candy.

“Wait a minute. Did you say that this is your ex-girlfriend?” James asked.

“That’s right, James,” Candy said.

“What happened?”

“Well,” Candy began. “Let’s just say that he cheated on me.”

“W-w-w-w-wait. What the—“ James said as he looked at Robert. “Robert, were you high or were you drunk? Dude, how could you cheat on something that beautiful?” Then he smacked Robert upside the head. “What were you thinking?” Candy still looked at Robert, shaking her head.

“James?” she called to him. “Can you show me where these classes are?” she showed him her schedule. When she gave it to him, he looked at it for a moment then started to laugh. His laugh was really rich and warm.

“I can show you these classes all right,” he said chuckling.

“You can?” Candy asked excitedly.

“Yeah, girl, I have these exact classes with you.” Then they both chuckled. All of a sudden, the homeroom period bell rang, making Candy and James jump in surprise.

“Oh, my goodness,” Candy exclaimed.

“Yeah,” James said. “The bell always does that. It is annoying.” James said good-bye to his friends, and then Candy looked at Robert and said good-bye.

So while James and Candy walked to their homeroom class, laughing at whatever they were talking about, Robert watched with jealousy. He wanted to run behind Candy, sweep her off her feet, and kiss her soft, juicy lips.

In homeroom, Candy and James sat at the back of the room on the couch. James loved the sound of Candy’s voice, every time she talked. But the main thing he was starting to like her for, was her eyes. They were a mocha colored, sweet, innocent, and long eyelashes that can attract you every time she batted them.

While Candy and James was talking and laughing on the couch, Vanessa Williams watched with an angry expression. The devil is a lie, Vanessa thought to herself. She will not take my man. That nasty little heifer! On the outside appearance, Vanessa kept her cool and didn’t say anything, but was huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf on the inside.



“So, Candy,” James began. “How are you enjoying life here in California?” he asked as he put his arm around her, and pulled her closer to him. Candy was so shocked at what just happened, that she didn’t have time to react, because of its smooth and quickness.

Being so close to him, brought a certain warmth through her body. It felt so good that she just wanted to stay there, exactly how they were, put her head on his big, broad shoulder, and fall into a deep, peaceful sleep. “Well,” Candy said as she lightly placed her hand on his knee. As soon as she touched him, she felt James shudder for a second. “Are you okay?” she asked. James slowly opened his eyes and looked into her mocha-colored eyes. They had so much care and concern, but beneath that, James saw love, embrace, and kindness. “Anyway, it’s been okay,” Candy started. “I mean, it’s not as exciting as my life was in Texas.” Blah, blah, blah, was all James heard. In his head, a song by Trey Songz was playing in his head.

As Candy and James walked towards their second period class, James made sure that he stayed pretty close to Candy. “Wait a second,” Candy began, with a queer look on her face. “What’s a guy like you,”—she pointed at James—“doing in a class like Home Economics?”

“Well,” James explained. “My mom thought that I wasn’t active enough. So, she decided to come up to the school and talk to my counselor, with me in there.

“While we were in the office I was stuck between three choices: Home Economics, Cosmetology, or Choir. At first I was gonna say none of the above, but then my mom blurted out Home Economics. I have to admit, it’s pretty cool.”

“There’s one thing a girl likes about a man,” Candy said.

“Oh, really? And what’s that, may I ask?” James said with sarcasm.

“A man that can cook,” she said as they walked into room 201, with Mrs. Richards.

Mrs. Richards was a middle-aged African-American woman, with salt-and-pepper hair, and thin-rimmed glasses. As Candy and James walked inside, James introduced Candy and Mrs. Richards. Mrs. Richards looked on her roll sheet, confirmed that Candy was in her class, and partnered her with James.

“James,” Mrs. Richards said. “Please go over your project with Candy and get her a head start. Thank you.” Then she went back to writing something on her clipboard.

“Well, Candy,” James said as they walked towards his workbench. “How do you think you’re going to like this class?”

“I would love it, if we’re stuck with designing, making clothes, and cooking,” Candy said with a smirk.

“That’s exactly what we’re stuck with.” James said as they arrived to his bench. Once they set their stuff down, James told Candy to him a few minutes to get the materials out of his locker. While he was walking to his locker, he couldn’t help himself but think about going out with Candy. But then he realized something; this morning when she came up to them and Robert said hello to her. Candy had a certain look on her face. She tried not to show how scared she was.

On the outside, James thought. Candy tried to be cool, but I bet on the inside, she was shaking like crazy. Not only that, but I even noticed hat she was kind of shaking. As James thought to himself that Robert did more than just cheat on her when they was together.

But he wasn’t going to worry about it right now. At the moment, he wanted to get to know Candy and find out a little bit more than what he knows already.

As Candy was sitting inside of James’s ride, she couldn’t help but admire it. A pitch black Escalade, with 20-inch rims and his name on the grill of it. On the inside, James had eight leather seats, TV screens on the back of the driver and passenger seats. In the front of the Escalade, was a touchscreen that lets you listen to the radio, make phone calls, get on the Internet, and has a GPS system. “Wow,” Candy admired in awe. “This is hot, right here.” James couldn’t help but smile as he heard Candy checking out his ride.

“Yeah,” James said. “My parents got it for me. They called it an early birthday present.”

“Wow,” Candy said, still dumbfounded. “You’re lucky. I’m just stuck in an apartment with my mom. Me and her don’t get along very well.” Once Candy said that, she looked guiltily down at her hands in her lap. James took his eyes off the road and looked at Candy. She felt him looking at her, so she just looked back into his eyes and tried to smile, but it didn’t work. Candy couldn’t hold back the tears that was swelling in her eyes.

Softly, James reached over and touched her hands. Candy looked down at their hands in her lap. Smoothly, James reached up, lifted her chin, looked back into Candy’s eyes, and wiped away a tear that ran down her cheek. Then all of a sudden, James leaned over and gently placed a soft kiss on her lips.

As Candy and James sat in the car, looking intently into each other’s eyes. James looked at the road waiting on the red light to turn green. “James?” Candy said softly. James immediately looked back into her long-lashed, seductive, aluminous eyes. “I meant to ask you: How did your parents afford this kind of ride?”

“Well,” James shrugged, not wanting to brag. “My parents are divorced. My mom own her own clothing store. It’s called Mama’s Wonders. She got different types of clothes from babies all the way up to women over 40. Then, my dad owns all of the Hilton Hotels in this state alone. So, that’s how my parents were able to afford this.”

“Wow,” was the only thing Candy could say. She thought about how lucky he was to have a whole lot of stuff he wanted. He has his own car, he has both of his parents; even though they’re divorced. While all she has is an alcoholic/drug addicted mom and her mother’s boyfriend to deal with.

Baby boy you stay on my mind…goes off Candy’s phone. She reached into her back pocket as she apologized to James, looks at the caller ID, and gives an aggravated sigh. “What’s the matter, baby?” James asked.

“Nothing,” Candy responded. “It’s just my mom calling me.” She clicks the green button. “Hello,” she began. “What, Mama?...WHAT?!...Mom, are you serious?...Look, Ma, I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.” She clicks the End button and drops the phone on the floor. Candy was so frustrated at what her mom just told her. This time, she couldn’t bear the pain and agony much longer, so she just put her face in her hands, and bawled her eyes out.

James, not knowing what she heard, immediately pulled into an empty parking lot, turned off the engine, unbuckled his seatbelt, then hers, and pulled Candy into his arms. Candy receiving being held in a man’s arms, she instantly wrapped her arms around him. The more she cried, the longer and tighter James held her.

“What am I gonna do?” Candy asked through sobs. James didn’t know what she was talking about, but he didn’t interrupt. “My mom just old me that we were four months behind on our rent. The landlord just gave us an eviction notice.” Candy cried even harder. “My mom, doesn’t have a job, her boyfriend doesn’t have a job, and I don’t have a job. How am I suppose to take care of me, them, and my two little sisters?”

“I got an idea,” James said. On the car phone, James dialed his dad’s cell phone number, as Candy quieted down a little, but watched with anticipation.

His dad answered on the second ring. “Hey, son,” James’s father said. “What’s up?”

“Where are you, Pops?” James asked, still holding Candy.

“I’m at the hotel.”

“Which one?”

“The one that’s a block from the house. Why?”

“I need to talk to you about something. I’m on my way. Mind if I bring a friend?”

“Sure, bring your friend. See you in a bit.” Click. Before James turned the engine on, he slowly lifted Candy’s face to his, and gently placed a kiss on her lips and stayed like that for a while, until Candy’s phone went off again.


On their way to the hotel, Candy was reading a book while James had the radio playing. Most of the time, they held hands, sung duets, talked about their classes, and laughed at they saw or happened during the day. In another five minutes, James pulled into the parking lot of the Hilton Hotel. “This Hilton Hotel?” Candy asked with amazement. “Yep,” James replied as he turned off the engine, unbuckled his seatbelt, and started gathering his stuff. “Nice, ain’t it?”

“Very,” Candy said still in awe about how bright the hotel lights were. Following suit of James, they got out of the car, and walked hand-in-hand into the hotel. Once they stepped into the lobby, Candy felt her jaw and eyes fall to the floor. The lobby had a very cozy feeling about it. The floor had a cherry wood color about it. There was a cheery colored sofa, love seat, and a recliner. In front of the cherry wood coffee table, there was a stone covered fireplace. “hey, James!” one of the tellers called out. James looked to his left and saw a guy waving towards him. James waved back.

He guided Candy behind the teller counter, and into a huge office. A large-sized mahogany desk took up the center of the room. Behind the desk, sat a man in his late-thirties, and was shockingly the spitting image of James.

James knocked on the doorframe, as Candy stood out of the man’s view. After the knock, the man looked up and saw his son at the door. “Hey, kid,” James’s father exclaimed. “What’s up, Pops?” James said as he appeared through the doorframe to hug his father.

“Yo,” James began as he was being released from his dad. “I want you to meet a friend of mine.”

“James,” his dad said. “I met all three of your friends already. Why would I want to meet them again?” James just laughed and left the room to get Candy. Once James saw Candy waiting, he saw how nervous she was about meeting Mr. Miller. James held out his hand, smiled, and urged her to follow him. At first, Candy was hesitant about her decision but soon enough she took his hand, and followed.

“Pops,” James began as he brought Candy in front of him. “This is my new friend, Candy Miller, the new girl at school.” Mr. Miller held out his hand and asked if she was interested in applying for a job at the hotel. “Pops, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. But first of all, I wanted to ask you if we can use one of the suites for tonight.”

“Sure,” Mr. Miller replied without hesitation. Mr. Miller, went out of his office to get the key. “How does suite number 418 sound like?” James replied that it was okay. “All right,” James began. “Let me take Candy to the room and I’ll be right back, okay?” Mr. Miller said that it was fine, then James and Candy left.

In the elevator, to the fourth floor, James and Candy were holding hands and laughing at whatever they were talking about. As the elevator reached the fourth floor, the bell said Ding, and the door opened. Once Candy and James stepped out of the elevator, James decided to blindfold Candy and lead her to the suite.

Being blindfolded, Candy felt James making her walk straight, then made a left, kept straight again, turned right, and then they stopped. She heard James put the key into the door, the beep of the door, and the door opening.

James slowly eased Candy into the open area. He turned of the lights and Candy could smell the freshness of the room as she walked in. “OK,” James said. “Are you ready to see the room?” Candy nodded and was very anxious to take the blindfold off.

Once the blindfold was off, Candy was so amazed at what she saw, that she was completely astonished.


After James brought Candy to the hotel room, and ordered an enormous room-service. The person over the phone told James that it would take an hour and a half. “That’s perfect,” James said. “Thank you. I’ll pick it up.” When James confirmed everything, he phoned his dad to make sure if he could come back to his office.

While James was on the phone, Candy was on the king-sized bed, doing homework. As she did the homework, she was thinking about her two little sisters, Lena and Tosha. But as soon as she thought about them, Robert’s face just popped up out of nowhere.

She could still see the evil look in his eyes when he did that horrible thing to her. Every time she thought about what happened, tears stung her eyes. As soon as James hung up the phone, Candy was able to hide the tears from him. “Okay,” she said, once James reminded her that he would in his dad’s office. As soon as he left, Candy went into the bathroom, looked at herself in the mirror, and images of Robert and what he did flashed through the glass. Instantly, Candy closed the toilet, sat down, and bawled her eyes out. While she cried, James was in his dad’s office, persuading him to let Candy and her little sisters stay at the hotel.

“So, Pops,” James said as he stood up to leave. “Will you at least think about it?” Before Mr. Miller could say anything, he gave a long sigh, and told James that he would think about it. “But I still want to talk to her,” Mr. Miller said. “Cause there’s something about how nervous she was. Something’s really troubling her.”

“Hmm,” James said. At least I’m not the only one who noticed something about Candy’s body language. “I’ll let her know that you want to talk to her. How about dinner tonight?” Mr. Miller thought that it was a really good idea. “It’s a good thing I already ordered it.” James said with a smile. “I’m about to pick it up right now.”

“Cool,” Mr. Miller replied. “I’ll come with you.” Mr. Miller and James walked out of the office. James waited as his dad locked the office door and together they walked to the hotel’s kitchen.

“AH!” the chef said with his French accent. “Mr. Miller and son! How are you today?” For a few minutes, Mr. Miller, James, and Monsieur Roman had a warm conversation about how each family was doing, if James had a new girlfriend, and how he was doing in school.

Ding! says the bell. “Ah!” Monsieur exclaimed excitedly. “Who’s food is that?”

“Room 418,” said the waiter, as he was about to push the cart out of the swinging double doors.

“Oh, Bobby!” James yelped, catching the waiter. “I’m in that room, I can take this off your hands.”

“OK,” Bobby, the cart-waiter, replied. Before James was about to leave, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, took out a fifty-dollar bill, and handed it to the waiter. “I’ve been waiting a while to give this to you.” James said as he was putting his wallet into its proper place.

“Thanks,” Bobby said with a shocked but happy face.

“No problem,” James said. “OK, Pops, let’s go and eat.” While James pushed the cart, Mr. Miller watched as his son was smiling quite profusely.

While Mr. Miller and James were walking to the hotel room, Candy was on the phone, talking with Lena and Tosha. “Candy?” Lena said sweetly.

“What is it, sweetie?” Candy said.

“Where are we gonna stay?”

“I don’t know,” Candy said honestly. “I’m working on it, though.

“OK,” Lena said.

“I have to go. But I’ll be home later on tonight. Be careful. You two know what to do when there’s trouble. Love you.” As she hung up the phone, Candy heard voices coming near the door.

Wait a minute, she thought to herself. I know those voices. She slowly crept off the bed and quietly tiptoed toward the door. She heard the same voices again. “Oh,” she said laughed. “It’s just James and his dad. Duh!”

She immediately opened the door, and poked her head out. Instantly she saw James rolling the food cart towards the door. Just to be funny, he put his left foot on the bottom of the cart, lifted his right leg and carved it like a ballerina. Candy stifled a giggle with her hand covering her mouth.

But James saw that she wasn’t trying to laugh, he immediately went back to his neutral walk, and turned the cart into the room. “Oh, so you thought that was funny, huh?” James asked as he found a spot in front of the bed. He stopped the cart, looked at Candy and said, “You won’t find it funny when I do this!”

James ran towards Candy like a bull, picked her up while she shrieked, threw both of them on the bed, and started tickling her. “Hey!” Mr. Miller shouted, trying to get their attention. “Can we eat, please? Plus, I need to talk to the two of you. Especially you, Candy.” While James was getting the table from the other room, Mr. Miller was getting chairs, and Candy was thinking about why is it that James’s father wanted to talk to her. As she thought about it, she was in the kitchen, getting plates and taking the lids off of the food.

From lifting the lids off, the smell off of every plate hit Candy in the face like a ton of bricks. There was so much food, that her stomach couldn’t take it. The first plate was taken over by a gigantic, juicy, scrumptious, and mouth-watering ham. You could tell it was showing off by how it was glistening in the light of the room. The second plate was a bowl filled with delicious-looking chicken alfredo. The chicken and pasta looked full and proud at being created. The sauce looked extra rich and warm, making you all tingly inside, and your hands itchy, just waiting to grab the bowl and eat it all by yourself.

“Wow,” Candy said, completely amazed at how much food James ordered. “This looks so…good!” As she said this, she was holding her stomach. “Let’s hurry up and eat. Because my stomach feels like it’s about to jump out and eat everything.” She and James laughed.

Wanting to be chivalrous, James decided to pull Candy’s chair our and push her up to the table. “Thank you, James,” she said and quickly placed a kiss on his cheek. There was a really large glow in his face that Mr. Miller immediately noticed. When James sat down next to his dad, Mr. Miller whispered in his ear, “I can tell you really want to go out with her.” James just looked at his dad with a surprised but guilty look on his face, and nodded.


Once dinner was served, Mr. Miller took his napkin, wiped his face and hands, dropped the napkin onto his empty place, and looked straight at Candy. “So, Candy,” he responded after a moment of silence. “How did you like the food?”

“That was…” Candy began, but stopped herself to think about how to describe the food. “It was indescribable. I’ve never tasted anything this good in my life.” She, James, and Mr. Miller laughed.

“Look, Candy,” Mr. Miller continued soon as the laughing was over. “James tells me, that you are looking for a new place to stay.” Mr. Miller looks at James while Candy looks down, with guilt on her face, at her hands. Again, James noticed the guilty look on her face, and how she played with her hands. He immediately touched her hands and gently held them in his. “It’s OK, Candy,” James said. “Just tell him, tell us everything.”

“But,” Candy began. James instantly placed a finger over her lips and gently shushed her. He slowly rose out of the chair and moved it closer to her. As soon as he was next to Candy, she put his left arm around her shoulders and his right hand held both of hers. “It’s ok, baby,” he whispered softly as he stroked her long brown colored hair.

“Candy,” Mr. Miller said. She slowly lifted her head and made herself look at James’s father. “Why do you need to find a place just for you and your little sisters? James told me how, we’re sorry about being in your personal life, that you and your mother don’t really get along. Is there anything else you need to tell us? I mean, why don’t you want your mother to join you and your little sisters?”

“Well,” Candy started. “It’s kind of a long story.”

“I have a whole lot of time,” Mr. Miller responded. “Take your time.”

“Well,” Candy hesitated. “I’m not sure if it’s actually a long story, it’s more like a life long situation. This life-long situation is my mother and her boyfriend and former boyfriends. My mother is an alcoholic and a drug addict. My sisters and I have suffered years of abuse, starvation, and every day low self-esteem.

“We grew up living in the slums and have been going back and forth from foster care to our mother, because of her being a repeat offender. My sisters are tired; I’m tired of the every hour crap that we go through.” Hearing her own voice cracking, Candy stopped and took a few deep breaths. Realizing that it wasn’t working, she broke down crying in front of James and Mr. Miller, while James held her and tried to bring comfort.

The next morning, James woke up in his bed thinking about Candy, and the long night they had. After Candy told him and her father what her life has been like, Mr. Miller decided that it would be best if she and her little sisters stayed in one of the suites. It was a miracle to Candy, because she wouldn’t stop saying thank you and promised him that she would look for job in order to pay for the room.

But Mr. Miller merely told her not to worry about it. “Are you sure, Mr. Miller?” Candy asked for the umpteenth time.

“I’m sure,” Mr. Miller patiently replied. “Now, let’s go to your house, get your sisters, pack up your stuff, and bring you back.” Candy looked at him with a queer look on her face.

“You’re gonna help me get my stuff and my little sisters?” Mr. miller nodded and added that James was coming along. Candy was totally speechless; but soon enough she agreed to let them help her.

In Mr. Miller’s Mercedes-Benz, Candy briefly directed Mr. Miller to her house. While in the back seat, James was thinking about how he was going to ask her to the homecoming dance that’s coming up. It’s gonna be on Saturday, he thought to himself. The theme is Party Underwater. The dance will be on October 17. I’ll ask while I’m helping her pack.

When they arrived at Timberland Apartments, you could have mistaken it for the dirty streets of London. There was so many people sitting on the curb, apartment dumpsters overflowing with trash, torn and messed up furniture on the sidewalk, the worst thing about the area was the atmosphere. It had a pungent smell that would take your breath away or quickly kill you.

Candy pointed to a flight of stairs that led to a gothic black door. On the stairs, there saw two little girls playing patty-cake. When they pulled up in front of them, the little girls looked up and shielded their eyes from the bright headlights. Once they were turned off, the girls unshielded their eyes and looked to see if they recognized anybody inside. The moment they spotted Candy, they immediately jumped up at the same time and ran towards the opening passenger door.

“CANDY!” they called out with open eyes.

“Hey, Lena,” Candy said as she kissed the first little girl on the head and hugged her. “Hey, Tosha,” she said to the second little girl, then kissed her head, and hugged her. “Are you two okay?” she asked looking them over thoroughly. James and Mr. Miller got out of the car and stood behind Candy as she introduced them to Lena and Tosha.

“Hi,” they said timidly.

“Come on,” Candy said. “I found a place for us to stay.” Before Candy stood up to urge them to start packing, Lena pulled her back down and whispered in her ear. “Is Mommy and her boyfriend gonna live with us?”

With a comforting smile, Candy looked at them and replied, “No, Mommy and her boyfriend are not gonna live with us.” Lena and Tosha’s face brightened up and with joy. That is the most cutest and brightest smile I’ve seen in six years, Candy thought to herself. Seeing that smile on their cute little faces brought tears to Candy’s eyes.

Quickly drying her eyes, Candy urged Lena and Tosha into the house to hurry up and pack. Following them, James and his father chuckled as the two little sisters were dragging their older sister into the house. “Wait,” Candy said, stopping and looking down at her sisters. “Is Mom or Bobby here?”

“They left us,” Lena said. “Mommy and Bobby were way too high to even pay attention to us.” Candy didn’t want to show how angry she was. Her mother and Bobby have beaten her so many times, because of how many times she’s complained about doing all that smoking around them.

“Come on,” Candy said immediately. “Let’s get packed and up and moved into our new place.” She didn’t have to say that twice. But as such as the five of them walked through the door, the smell of weed, hit James & Mr. Miller so hard, that they stumbled backwards and stopped for a second to get themselves together. “I’m sorry,” Candy said, walking back to them. “It’s always like this. Are you gonna be okay?”

James nodded that he was gonna be okay, and so did his father. The living room, dining room, and kitchen was full of empty or half-empty alcohol bottles, pizza boxes, trash from months ago, old junk mail, cigarette trays, and cigarette butts. “Oh, my God,” James exclaimed disgustedly. “Is this really how y’all living?”

“The thing is,” Candy replied, trying not to trip over trash, “down here this is how it looks,” she said gesturing to the living room, dining room, and kitchen. “But in our room,” she continued, “is neat and clean. So clean that you can actually see the floor.” Candy and James laughed at the silly comment.

“So,” Mr. Miller started. “What do you want us to do?” James volunteered to help Candy and his dad volunteered to help Lena and Tosha since they were sharing a room. Luckily, they were able to have everything packed up before Candy’s mom and her boyfriend got home.

It took a few hours to have everything packed and put into the car. On the 45-minutes drive to the hotel, Lena and Tosha sat in the backseat with James in silence. But just when they were about to fall asleep, Lena curled up against James, and fell into a very sound and peaceful sleep. James put his arm around her small body and pulled her closer.

Just when he pulled her closer to him, he felt her shuddering violently. “Lena?” he asked. At the sound of her name, Lena looked up at him with fear in her eyes, like she did something she wasn’t supposed to. “Are you cold, sweetie?” Lena nodded shyly and watched as he took out a sweater that was folded in the back pocket of the driver’s seat.

James wrapped the sweater loosely around her small, fragile body, and put her in his lap. Feeling comfortable and safe for the first time, Lena went to sleep under five minutes. Once they arrived at the hotel, Mr. Miller had some bellboys get the luggage and had them brought into the suite. Candy and James got the girls into bed, all the suitcases into the room, said good-night, then James went home and fell into bed, snoring.

The next morning, Candy woke up at 5:45 A.M. at the feeling of the shun shining on her. Slowly, she cracked her eyes open, and breathed softly. I don’t think I’ve ever slept so peacefully, Candy thought to herself. Maybe I should do something nice for James and his father. They’re so generous.

At 5:48, Candy was in the shower, relaxing as the hot water was massaging her body. Three minutes later, she carefully wrapped the towel around her body, and removed the hair-clamp that kept her hair up. Letting her hair down, Candy looked at herself in the mirror and asked the question as she asked a million times: Am I beautiful?

5:55, Candy woke up Lena and Tosha. While they showered, Candy went through her luggage and debated what she was going to wear. Even though it’s cold, she thought to herself. I still want to at least look cute, but be warm at the same time. After a thirty-second quick search, she finally found what she wanted to wear.

In five minutes, Candy was wearing a beige deep V-neck cable knit sweater, black skin tight jeans, with brown zipper knee high heeled boots. In the bathroom, Candy carefully put on her makeup and then put on a pair of black feather and chain earrings. “Hmm,” Candy said. “Do I wanna curl it or leave it straight?”

“You look very pretty when you’re hair is curly,” Lena said. Startled, Candy turned and looked at her little sister. “Thank you, Lena,” Candy said chuckling. “You all ready for school?” In her regular Hello Kitty shirt and jeans, with Hello Kitty sneakers and a pink backpack. Looking so cute with her hair in a ponytail, she jumped up and down towards Candy and hugged her. In the next ten minutes, Candy and her little sisters sat in the lobby, waiting for James.

Baby boy, you stay on my mind…goes off Candy’s phone. Looking at the caller ID, she smiles brightly at James’s name and number. Beep. “Good morning,” she says sweetly into the phone.

“Good morning, beautiful,” James replied happily. “Are you guys ready?”

“Yep,” Candy replied. “We’re waiting for you in the lobby.”

“That’s what’s up,” James said. “Come on out, I’m pulling into the parking lot right now.” Before they hung up, James immediately caught Candy’s attention. “Do you guys like hash-browns, steak and egg burritos, and drink Cokes?”

“Yeah,” Candy said with suspicion. “Why?”

“Ahhh, nothing. Just got some breakfast for us that’s all. I figured you girls might be hungry.”Candy laughed as she said thank you, hung up the phone, and motioned for Lena and Tosha to go outside as James pulled up in front o the hotel. She opened the back passenger door for them and helped them inside the truck. As Candy was getting into the truck, James was passing out the food and drinks, while he was eating as well. “Thank you, James,” Candy, Tosha, Lena said in unison. James looked at them, laughed, then said, “You’re welcome.”


Once Lena and Tosha were dropped off, Candy and James were talking about their favorite things to do. “Candy,” James began. “I have a question for you.”

“Shoo,” Candy said as she looked at him.

“Will you be my date to this year’s homecoming dance?” Candy looked so surprised, that her eyes almost fell out.

“Umm,” was all Candy could utter after five minutes. “I’ve never been asked to a dance before.”

“Really?” James asked with astonishment. “Now, you really have to be my date to the homecoming dance.”

“When is it?” she asked.

“Saturday, October 17,” he replied. “The theme is Party Underwater. The colors are turquoise, tan, and coral.” Candy actually thought about going.

“Well,” she started, “this would be my first homecoming dance.” In James’s head, he was hoping that she would say yes. “Okay, I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you,” James said. But in his mind, he was actually jumping up and down, signing at the top of his lungs, and hugging Candy fiercely. Silently they rode to school.

“Wait a minute,” Candy replied a few seconds later.

“What’s the matter?” James asked.

“Did you say that the dance will be on October 17?”

“Yeah,” James said with a confused look on his face. “Why? Is something going on?”

“That’s my birthday,” Candy replied sullenly.

“Cool,” James said smiling. “At least you get to celebrate on your birthday at the dance.” Flashing him a reassuring smile, Candy thought about when was the last time she celebrated her birthday. Come to think about it, Candy thought to herself. I’ve never had a birthday party in my life.

In homeroom, Candy and James sat on the couch watching the announcements on the TV screen. “And now here’s a special announcement,” said the student announcer. Suddenly a couple of cheerleaders were on the screen.

“Hey, McClenton High” began the first cheerleader. “This is Vanessa Williams, the captain.”

“I’m Bianca Valores, the co-captain,” said the second cheerleader.

“We are in need of another cheerleader on our squad,” Vanessa started. “Due to one of our cheerleader’s injury, she has not been able to stay on the squad.”

“So starting today, after school,” started Bianca again. “There will be tryouts until 4:45. Come on out and show off your best skills in cheerleading.”

“The girl that we pick,” Vanessa said, “will receive a $500 gift card to any shopping mall within her area. Good luck.”

“Your homeroom teachers will have the cheerleading applications,” Bianca said. “Get one and bring it to the tryouts.”

“See you there!” Bianca and Vanessa replied together. As the class watched the announcements, Candy quietly walked up to Mr. Garcia, and asked him for an application. Secretly walked back to the couch, she immediately pulled out a pen and started filling out the application.

“Are you really gonna try out?” James asked.

“Yeah,” Candy replied as she looked at James and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

“Okay,” James replied with a satisfied look on his face. “I hope I get to see that.”

“Maybe you can,” Candy said, smiling. “I’ll probably have you record me on my phone.”

“That’s a bet,” James said as he watched Candy as she was happily filling out the application.


During first lunch, Candy and James sat at the same table with Tyler and Dabu. “Yo,” James started. “Where’s Robert?”

“Hmm,” Tyler started, but stopped with a full mouth. “He got moved to second lunch.” After everyone was done eating, Candy asked James if they could go to the library.

“Why?” he asked.

“I want to…” she stopped, obviously she knew that Tyler and Dabu didn’t know about them going out; well, not yet. She whispered in his ear, “I want to look up some homecoming dresses.” The sound of her looking up homecoming dresses, brightened up his face.

“OK,” he said, clearing his throat. “Let’s go. To the library” Laughing, James, Candy, Tyler, and Dabu walked to the library.


Sitting in the darkest corner of the library, he watched with anger. As he sat in the corner, he watched with anger. As he sat in the corner, his focus was on Candy. Admiring at how beautiful looked, his anger only deepened. Wait a minute, he thought. With a queer look on his face, he watched intently as James was holding Candy before she sat down and logged into the computer. Oh, hell no. I know damn well they are not dating. As he watched, he devised a plan on how to get Candy away from James.

“Ooooh,” Candy exclaimed as she looked at a dress. “James, what do you think about this one?” Leaning over her shoulder, James looked at the picture Candy enlarged. The woman in the picture wore a short red one-shoulder dress. On the sleeve, there was a shiny silver strip from the shoulder to the wrist.

“That looks cute,” James replied. “How much does it cost?”

“Well, it’s on sale,” she replied. “70% off. $130. 98.” With a scared look, she looked up at James. He just looked at her and shrugged.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“it’s too much money,” Candy complained looking back at the picture. “How am I gonna pay for that?”

“Who even said you were paying for it?” James replied. “Let me do the buying while you worry about trying to look good. But I just remembered something,” he said as he put his index and middle finger on his temple, looking like he was actually thinking.

“What is it?” Candy said as she looked at him with concern on her face.

“That you don’t have to try to look good,” James responded, as he removed his fingers and looked into Candy’s eyes. “I know that you are gonna look good. In fact, you’re looking good right now.” Biting his bottom lip, he looked at Candy up and down, then back into her eyes. Looking around to make sure nobody was watching, he quickly learned forward and kissed her.


Sitting with her friends at a table in the library, Vanessa Williams was laughing at how her friends were talking about what her future was going to look like. “Uh-oh,” Bianca Valores said. Looking to her right, she saw James kissing the new girl. “Uh, Vanessa?”

“What’s up?” she said as she stopped laughing and followed to where Bianca was pointing. When she saw James kissing the new girl, ooh-wee!, she was not a happy camper. “I’m gonna kill her!” was the only response that made all of her friends look at her with terror written on their faces.

All of a sudden, she stands up, starts taking off her jacket, jewelry, and hair bow. Bianca immediately stood up and jumped in front of Vanessa, restraining her from making a scene. “She’s not worth it, Vanessa,” Bianca said angrily. “She is not worth it. You are smarter than that. I know you are not gonna mess up your life over some guy. You can do better than that.” Finally, Vanessa stopped struggling, looked at Bianca, backed away from her, walking to her seat, she kept a watchful glance at James and the new girl. Just when she was about to sit down, the bell rang for them to go their fifth period class.

Ring! “Oh, snap!” Candy exclaimed. Hurriedly, she logged off the computer, grabbed her stuff, and walked with James to their English class. As they walked, Candy was asking James which dress, if he remembered, would he really buy for her.

“I don’t remember the dresses or the styles,” he answered truthfully. Candy smacked him upside the head. Laughing, James just hugged her as they continued to walk. Walking into the classroom, James and Candy said hello to the teacher, sat at their table, and waited for the end of the day to come.

While in the car, Candy was reading a romantic novel, while Tyler, James, and Dabu were talking about the basketball game from last night. In her book, Candy had gotten to the really intense part of the story. “Oh, my God,” she mouthed.

“What’s up?” James said, noticing the movement of her lips.

“It’s this book,” Candy replied, not taking her eyes off. “Don’t pay any attention to me.” When they reached a red light, James stopped, and peeked over to see what got her attention. “Read from this sentence,”—as she pointed in the book—“to the end of this paragraph.”

Handing the book over to James, he immediately started reading from where she had told him to start. When he reached the intense part, he looked extremely shocked. As he read the intensity, he held his hand to his mouth—as he looked out to the light, which was still red—to keep from hollering. “Oh, my God!” he muffled. Handing the book back, his eyes was so wide that they looked like they were going to fall out. “I’ve never read something like that before.”

On their way to pick up Lena and Tosha, everyone laughed, talked, and did profiles on each other. As soon as they pulled up to the girls’ school, Candy got out and slowly stride up the sidewalk and into the double-door entrance. While she was inside, Tyler whispered to James, “We know you like her, dude.”

With a confused look, James turned and looked at Tyler asking, “What are you talking about?”

“James,” Dabu butted in. “Don’t play dumb. We know you got a thing for her..” Before James could say anything, he saw Candy and her little sisters walking towards the car. “We’ll talk about this later.” James said as he unlocked the car and turned the engine on. Candy opened the back seat for Lena and Tosha; while they were putting on their seatbelts, James introduced them to Tyler and Dabu. Timidly, they waved and politely said hi. Once Candy was in the car and had her seatbelt on, James pulled out from in front of the school and drove towards the hotel.


In the hotel suite, Candy sent Lena and Tosha into another room while she and the boys were doing homework. Candy and James used the bed while Tyler and Dabu were sprawled out on the floor, they unanimously agreed to watch the BET Awards. Lucky for them, James turned it on just when ti was about to tart.

As their host, Mo’Nique, the greatest female comedian welcomed the audience and the TV viewers. “Lena! Tosha!” Candy called out. “The BET Awards are on!” Next thing you know, you see two little girls sitting with Dabu and Tyler on the floor. “Are you two done with your homework?”

“We didn’t have homework,” they announced in unison.

“Okay,” Candy said, laughing. “Just don’t disturb the rest of us, all right?”

“Okay,” they replied, keeping their eyes glued to the flat screen TV.


About fifteen minutes later, James ordered up some room service for everybody. Once the food was ordered, it only took the server ten minutes to bring the food up to the suite. While they ate, everybody was singing dancing, laughing, and having a great time. When things quieted down, Candy’s phone was going off like a drug dealer. “Hello,” she politely responded. “Hello? Anybody there?”

Over the phone, someone was breathing rather harshly. Before Candy hung up the phone, the person on the other line responded, “If you want your little sisters to live,” the person said with a raspy voice. “I suggest that you stay far away from James Miller. In fact, get out of dodge right now.” Click.

After hanging up on Candy, T.J. looked up to his boss with a grim smile on his face. “How was that, Boss?”

“Perfect,” the Boss said, as he stepped out of the darkness and into the spotlight in the middle of the room. “Tell the boys who are around the hotel to keep a close eye on her. Wherever she goes, they follow her. As a matter of fact, tell Richard to plant a bug in her cell phone.”

“Right now?” T.J. asked as he was writing the instructions down so he won’t forget.

“No,” the Boss replied, turning to look at his accomplice. “Tell him to do it tonight.” Agreeing to what his boss said, T.J. made note of it, and started dialing on the phone and giving the other guys instructions. Meanwhile, the Boss walked towards the only window in the room and looked out to see Candy telling the others that were in the same room something. It must have been something serious, because she looked completely freaked out.


After the raspy-voiced person hung up the phone, Candy looked at her phone then at James and her little sisters. Lightly placing a hand on her arm, James asked, “Candy, you all right?” Looking into his eyes and then back down at her phone, she began hyperventilating.

Sitting next to her big sister, Lena asked in her angelic voice, “Candy, what’s the matter?” Hugging her fiercely, she simply sobbed gently, while she thought about the warning the Voice left on her phone. “Candy,” James pleaded, “please tell us what’s going on.” Before she could say anything, she told Lena and Tosha to go the other room so they can talk.

Once they were gone, Candy briefly explained to James, Tyler, and Dabu what the raspy voice told her. “Should I listen to the warning?”

“No, but,” James said, “you probably should watch your surroundings. Whoever that was, is probably stalking you or is actually making prank calls to random people. So, I suggest you watch your surroundings and keep your cell phone close to you. Somebody might try to come in at night and put a big in your phone.” As Candy nodded in agreement to his suggestion, she never let that fear in her face go away. James noticed how scared she looked, immediately crept closer to her and held her in his arms. Once again being in his arms, Candy ferociously cried her eyes out.


As Vanessa Williams was in her room doing her homework, she thought about James and that new girl was kissing at the library. Wait a second, she thought to herself, didn’t that new girl try out for Michelle’s place? Yes, she did! Hmm, if I let her on the squad, maybe I can get Trevor to keep up with her. Then… “Then she’ll forget all about James and he will mine.” Once she came up with this thought out plan, she screamed for joy and laughed. Finding the new girl’s application, she stamped “Accepted” onto the paper as she smiled evilly and thought about what fun she and James would have together. “Oh,” she began, “this is going to be so much fun!!!”


“Hey, Boss!” T.J. yelled. Entering into the one-window room, T.J. saw his boos sitting in an enormous chair in front of the fireplace. “Uh, Boss?” T.J. said softly.

“What is it?” the Boss replied, sounding really groggy, like he had just awakened from a nap.

“I talked to Richard,” T.J. began. “I told him that you wanted him to plant a bug in Candy’s cell phone.”

“Good.”

“But, Boss,” T.J. added with a worried tone and expression. “What if she calls the cops and they plant a bug in her cell phone and hotel phone. What do we do then?”

“Patient, T.J.,” the Boss replied calmly. “Patient. Let me think about that situation and I’ll let you guys know what I want y’all to do.” Still sitting in the chair, the Boss had a grim smile on his face as he thought about how he was going to kidnap Candy and force her into doing what he wants her to do. Candy, he thought to himself, you’ll be mine real soon, baby girl.


At Vanessa’s house, she invited her friends over and decided to have a girls’ night with them. Once the girls were in their pajamas, Vanessa assembled everyone in a circle so she can discuss with them her plan of what to do with the new girl. “Okay, girls,” Vanessa started. “I have something very important I need to tell y’all.” It took her friends a few seconds to get quiet and focus their attention to her. “Now, me, being the school’s captain of the cheerleading squad, and Bianca being my co-captain, you all know that we had cheer tryouts to replace one our girls. Do y’all remember…” she hesitated with her question. Every time she thought about James and that new girl, Candy, kissing in the library, you could see her face getting extremely hot and see the steam coming out of her ears. It took her a while to calm herself before she could continue.

“Do we remember what?” asked Patricia, with a confused look on her face.

Slowly opening her eyes, Vanessa restated, “Do y’all remember James and that new girl kissing…in the…library today?” a sigh of relief followed after she asked that question. Her girlfriends stifled a laugh as they replied that they remembered that certain event. “Well, I just thought about something that will make James irresistible to me.” As she briefly explained her mischievous plan, a smile brightened upon her face once she was done.

“Vanessa,” Bianca started, chuckling. “Do you really think that plan is going to work out?”

What are you saying, Bianca?” Vanessa asked with crossed arms.

Imitating Vanessa’s movements, Bianca admitted, “I’m saying, that there’s no way you are going to separate the new girl and James. Plus, you’ve seen how James is really attached to her and wants to go out with her. Shoot, I wouldn’t be surprised if they shop up together at this year’s homecoming dance.” Before Vanessa could say anything, she had to think about the way they looked at each other and how hard he was smiling as she was around him. Oh, my God, Vanessa thought to herself. Bianca is right. He is attracted to the new girl.

Back to the hotel, James ordered some pizza from Domino’s. As they waited they were coming up with ways to make Candy inconspicuous to whoever is watching her. “OK,” Candy responded with irritation. “Please let’s talk about something else. I can’t handle the idea that someone is stalking me and knows my every step. I just…” she stopped and shuddered at the thought. Being near her, James swiftly wrapped his arms around her and held her until she calmed down.

“OK,” he consummated. “Let’s talk about something else. Hmm…how about the homecoming dance that’s coming up next month?” Dabu and Tyler cheered about the mentioning of the dance. James told them that he and Candy were going together and that brought a smile on their faces, especially Candy’s. As they talked about what they were going to wear to the dance, they also laughed at what kind of dance moves they were going to do.


Down in the basement of the hotel, Josh was watching the video that he planted in Candy’s hotel room. He mainly kept his attention on Candy and her cell phone. Damn, he thought to himself, this is chick too fine. “Yo, Josh,” T.J. called in the earpiece.

“This is Josh,” Josh responded as he touched the earpiece with his left index finger and middle finger.

“Yo, the Boss got a job for you, man.” As Josh listened to the instructions, an evil smile placed on his lips. “Tell the Boss he’s got nothing to worry about. I got my eyes planted on this pretty little missile.”


Entering the hotel lobby, Vanessa came in with a cheerleading bag. She met all the requirements, Vanessa thought as she stood in a line, and she does make a pretty good cheerleader. But it doesn’t matter, because James will be mine. “Can I help the next person in line?” said the clerk.

“Hi,” Vanessa started politely. “May I know the hotel room of Candy Miller? I’m a friend of hers from school.”

“What’s the name again?” asked the clerk.

“Candy Miller.”

“She’s in one of our suites. Suite number 418.”

“Thank you,” Vanessa responded. In the elevator, she thought about what to say to Candy. Ding! said the elevator doors. As she stepped out, she followed the numbers on the walls and found herself standing in front of room number 418. Vanessa hesitated for a second and finally knocked on the door.


Candy, James, Lena, Tyler, Tosha, and Dabu were in the same room watching TV when someone knocked on the door. James looked at his watch with a confused look on his face. “Who is it?!” James yelled almost busting Candy’s eardrums.

“Vanessa Williams,” the person called out.

“Oh, hell,” James muttered to himself in a quiet, disgusted tone.

“Candy Miller?” Vanessa called. Candy looked at the door, like she was looking at the person, with a queer look on her face. She quickly went to the door, unlocked it, and stepped outside to face Vanessa as she closed the door.

“You called for me?” Candy asked timidly as she folded her arms.

“Yes, I did,” Vanessa said. “I came be to let you know that you have made it on the cheerleading squad.” Taking the cheerleading bag off her left shoulder and handed it to Candy. “Congratulations. We meet everyday afterschool and on the weekends we go to my house and have extra practices then. Also” she stared before she turned to leave, “the sports schedule is inside of this bag as well as your uniform, spanky pants, and shoes. My name and the co-captain’s name and number are written on the schedule. If you have any questions call either one of us. Again, congratulations and I’ll see you at practice tomorrow.” As Vanessa walked away, she looked back over her shouted and shouted, “Oh, and at practice, make sure you wear some comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. See you later!”

As Vanessa was walking away, Candy looked at the cheerleading bag that she held in her hands. Then, with some excitement, she hurriedly opened the door, went inside, locked the door, went into the room with everyone and squealed happily as she told them that she made the squad. Everyone agreed to see her in her uniform. Giving in, Candy dropped the bag on the floor, searched the bag, found the uniform, and rushed into the bathroom to put it on.

Once she put the uniform on, she looked at herself in the mirror and asked herself, “Am I really beautiful? What about me does he see in me? All I see is a nobody who is worth absolutely nothing.”

Knock, knock, knock! “I’m coming out!” Candy yelled.

“No, Candy,” it was James at the door. “Let me in I want to talk to you alone for a minute.” Candy opened the door to let James in, but he slid through the door so that the others wouldn’t see her. As he stared at her contently, he smiled and locked the bathroom door and walked up to her. But Candy didn’t know what in the world he was going to do so, she backed up a couple of steps. James noticed she had a nervous expression on her face. To gain her trust, he soothingly reached, grabbed her hands, and pulled her close to him. As he pulled her closer to him, James decided to meet her halfway and stepped closer to her.

“I heard what you say,” James started. Shocked was shown on Candy’s face. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but overhear it. One; yes, you are really beautiful. Two; I like your smile, your eyes, the way you walk, the way you talk. Three; I see a stone cold fox in you. I see an independent woman who’s ready to show what she can do. Four; you are a somebody. You are worth something. You are worth every penny in this whole world. This is a little I like to call number five.” James cupped Candy’s teary-eyed face, and kissed her softly. As he let go, Candy pushed away from him and sat down on the toilet seat as she cried her eyes out again.

James instantly stood in front of Candy and lifted her back to her feet and held her in his arms. “No man’s ever told me anything like what you just said. How do I know that you’re not just saying that just you cal have sex with me? Because that’s what Robert tried to do to me.”

Once he heard that, he released Candy and held her by her shoulders. “What did you say?”

With tears stinging her eyes, she looked into James’s eyes and admitted, “Yes, I lied about Robert cheating on me. He did much worse. He raped me!” Again, she started beating on his chest, as she cried her eyes out. All James did was hold Candy extremely tight in his arms.

Sitting in a room by himself, the Boss decided to make a phone call to the person that was paying him to kidnap Candy and her sisters. The Boss picked up the phone and started dialing his client’s number. “Hello,” said his client.

“Yeah,” said the Boss. “It’s me. So far everything’s going good. My men are keeping a close eye on the girl and her sisters. I’m pretty sure she got the warning that my boy T.J. sent her.”

“Good,” said the client. “How much do I owe you?”

Doing the calculations in his head, he came up with, “$17,000. I want you to wire it into my bank account. Here’s the number…” The Boss recited the account number and hung up the phone.

“Yo, Boss,” T.J. came in a few seconds after the Boss got off the phone with his client.

“What’s up, T.J.?” the Boss replied. “Josh from the Hilton Hotel, that Candy’s staying,” T.J. began. “He just told me that Candy apparently has made it on the cheerleading squad at the school she goes to. He sent a picture of her in her uniform.” Getting one last look at the picture in his hand, T.J. hurriedly walked to his boss and hands him the picture.

“My, my, my,” the Boss replied in a very flirtatious way. “Well, my client picked someone who is mighty and I do mean mighty good-looking.” Standing next to the Boss, T.J. nodded in agreement.

“What do you want us to do?” he asked patiently as the Boss had his eyes glued on the picture. “Just as I ordered everybody what to do,” the Boss replied. “Not only that, but we’re gonna wait.”

“Wait for what?” T.J. asks with a confused look on his face.

“We wait for what our client wants us to do with our hot cheerleader,” the Boss replies with an evil smile on his face.


On her way back home, Vanessa was thinking about how she was going to hook up Candy and Trevor up. “Right now,” she said to herself out loud. “I need to focus on what I’m going to wear to the homecoming dance.” Once Vanessa stopped at a red light, Vanessa pulled out her IPad from her purse, went on the Internet, and looked up homecoming dresses.

Her first choice was a short, white and black dress. The top part was criss-crossed with a black ruffled strap for the left shoulder. The bottom was also ruffled; black with white stars decorating it from the top of it to the bottom all around.

“Wow,” Vanessa said. “It’s only $99.85. That’s not a bad price for a homecoming dress. Now I know James will notice me when I’m in this dress.” Deciding that this would be the dress that she wants, she called her mother and persuaded her to buy the dress. After she hung up the phone, Vanessa thought about who she would go to the dance with her. “There are a lot of guys who wouldn’t mind being my date,” she started just as the light turned green. “The question is…who would be perfect that would make James so jealous, that he will forget about the new girl and fall for me?”


Now, once Candy showed everybody her cheerleading uniform, she immediately ran into the bathroom and changed into her nightclothes. After she was done, she curled up next to James on the bed while Lena and Tosha were on the floor with Dabu and Tyler playing UNO. “So,” James said as he slowly and softly caressed Candy’s left side. “Have you figured out what dress you want to wear to the homecoming dance?”

“Hmm,” she said out loud. “I think so, but I need to look at that website I went to at school.”

“Yo, Dabu!” James called.

“What’s up?” Dabu replied, still looking at his hand.

“Could you hand me my backpack? It’s behind you.” Dabu looked behind him, grabbed James’s bag, got up from his spot, brought it to James, and returned back to his spot. “Thanks, man,” James said. Looking through his bag, James took out his Apple laptop and handed it to Candy.

When Candy opened the laptop, she noticed that she needed a password in order to continue. “James,” Candy started as she snickered. “Two things. One; nice picture. Two; type in your password.”

“One;” James started sarcastically, “I thought I look good in that picture.” With his lips close her ear, James whispered to her his password.

“Well,” Candy said as she typed in the password. “At least it will be easy to remember...unless you decide to change it.” Looking into her eyes, with his right hand, he gingerly touched her left cheek as he said softly, “That password will never change.” Then slowly but softly he placed a kiss on her forehead, her nose, and her lips.

Five seconds later, there was a knock at the door. Cursing under his breath, James called out, “Who is it?!”

“Who do you think it is?” Mr. Miller called back to him. Laughing, James got up to open the door for his dad. Once the door was open, Mr. Miller stepped inside with the pizza order from Domino’s. “You better be lucky to have a dad like me. Even though you ordered it, I volunteered to pay for it.” Stepping into the room, he saw that everyone was doing something to keep each other busy. “Hey, everybody!” Mr. Miller called out.

“Hey, Mr. Miller,” everyone called in unison.

“So, Candy,” he said as he sat the pizza boxes on the bed. “How are you liking the hotel room?”

“I love it,” Candy responded as she looked around the room. “So do Lena and Tosha. They love how spacious it is.”

“Yep,” says Lena. “I really like the Jacuzzi that’s in my bathroom. It’s so big.” Candy and Mr. Miller laughed at Lena’s cute response.

“What you doing, Candy?” Mr. Miller asked curiously.

“Just looking at some homecoming dresses,” she responded sheepishly.

“Oh, really?” Mr. Miller said as he looked at James. “So, I see that someone has asked you to be their date to the dance that’s coming up. You plan on wearing a suit or shirt, tie, and jeans?”

“Haven’t quite decided yet,” James admitted as he walked back to his spot next to Candy.

“Umm,” Mr. Miller said looking at James with his arm around Candy. “is there something that I don’t know about that I need to know about?” Shrugging with a guilty look on their faces, James and Candy just laughed. “Good God Almighty, and I thought dads are supposed to know everything, it took me a few days to figure you two out. Whew! I need a vacation!”

The client was in his car driving to the bank. With the $17,000 check in his pocket, he thought how it was worth all the trouble for finding someone that would do the job for him. Arriving at Chase bank, he slowly got out of his car and breathed that cool refreshing air. “This money,” he said to himself, “will be my way of getting Candy back to me. She won’t even think about leaving me.” Actually, in his mind, the client wants to plan for her beautiful funeral.


In Vanessa’s room, she was going through the list of numbers of guys that wanted to go out with her. Then all of a sudden, a name in particular had jumped out at her. Robert Timber, she thought to herself. “Well, he is pretty cute. Let’s see if he will be available on that Saturday.”

Reaching for her phone, Vanessa immediately dialed Robert’s number. “Hello,” said Robert, as if he had just woken up from a nap.

“May I speak to Robert Timber?” Vanessa asked politely.

“This is him,” he said in a grumpy voice. “Who is this?”

“Vanessa Williams,” she replied confidently, “the head cheerleader at school.”

“Oh, what do you want?”

“Nothing, I just wanted to talk and get to know you and see what you had planned on Saturday, October 17.”

“Well, I have to check my calendar.” Robert said. “Why are you asking?”

“I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind being my date to the homecoming dance?”


At the hotel room, Mr. Miller volunteered to take Dabu and Tyler home. While they were gone, Candy and James continued to look at homecoming dresses and Sweet 16 dresses. As they looked up dresses, Candy finally made a decision on the homecoming and Sweet 16 dress.

“OK,” she began as she placed the order. “It comes to a total of $214. 95. Whew! That’s a lot of money. Are you going to pay that much? Not only that, but if we pay for these dresses it will come in two days before the dance.”

As Candy complained about the price, James was reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. After pulling out his black American Express Card, he grabbed the laptop from Candy and started placing in the order. In five minutes, the order was placed and the dresses would be arriving on October 15.

In astonishment, Candy looked at James questioningly. Then she grabbed the laptop and stared at the screen with a blank expression. Seeing that James paid for the expense and gave the address for the delivery, she was absolutely stunned. Laughing, Candy thanked him the tremendously for paying for the dresses. “You can thank me by looking extremely beautiful at the dance,” he replied with a slick smile on his face.

“You do know that you also paid for my Sweet 16 dress, right?” Candy asked with guilt written on her face.

“Yeah, I know,” James said slyly. “I’ll be planning your Sweet 16, too. If you wanted to do anything for your birthday, what would you want to do?”

“Hmm,” Candy thought out loud. “There’s a lot of things I’ve always wanted to do, but I really want to go on a cruise to Hawaii. While I’m in Hawaii, I want to stay in a cabana next to the beach.” With a regretful look on her face, she said, “But I know that it’ll never happen. Cause a lot of good things never happen for me.”

Caringly, James put his left arm around her and pulled her close to him. “You’re wrong,” he softly whispered in her ear. “You do have a lot of good things around you. You have my dad, me, your cute little sisters, Dabu, and Tyler. Not only that, but you have yourself. That’s something that you always have to be proud of.”

Tears started welling up in her eyes. Once a tear fell down her cheek, she moved the laptop to the right, buried her face in a pillow behind her, and cried till her body was shaking. Being the only other person in the room, James put the laptop on the floor, laid next to Candy, and wrapped her in his arms. Candy then turned towards James and buried her face in his chest as she continued to cry.

Very proud of her accomplishment for landing on Robert, Vanessa celebrated with a piece of red velvet cake that she baked. “This would go so well with vanilla ice cream.” In the living room, Vanessa watched one of her old time favorite romantic movies, Romeo and Juliet. “If only there was a school play of this,” Vanessa complained. “I would so audition for Juliet.” As soon as she said this, her cell phone was vibrating on the coffee table next to the ice cream. “Hello” she said politely into the phone.

“Hey, girl,” said the familiar voice of her best friend Bianca. “What you doing?”

“Nothing,” she replied, “just eating cake and ice cream and watching Romeo and Juliet. What about you?”

“Nothing,” Bianca repeated, “just on my way to your place. Save some cake and ice cream for me.”

“OK,” Vanessa laughed. “Not only that but it’s your favorite kind of cake and ice cream, too.”

“Please tell me and that you have red velvet cake and vanilla ice cream?” Vanessa laughed as she admitted that that was exactly what she had in front of her. “Umm, let’s see, I’m around the corner of your house, so unlock the door and have an extra spoon ready.” Click. Five minutes later, Bianca and Vanessa sat in the living room eating cake and ice cream and watched Romeo and Juliet. “Oh,” Bianca started as she remembered something. “There’s something I wanted to tell you.”

“What’s up?” Vanessa asked as she focused her attention to Bianca.

“There’s going to be a school play,” Bianca stated, licking the spoon. “It’s going to be on something Shakespeare.”

“Please tell me that it’s on Romeo and Juliet,” Vanessa retorted, wide-eyed, “because if it is, you know that I’m going to audition for it.” But with a confused look on her face, she asked, “How did you know that there was going to be a school play? And how did you know that it would be about Romeo and Juliet?”

“You do know that I help out with the announcements, right?”Bianca replied. “I get to look at everything that there are going to announce the next day. Gosh, I thought you knew me by now.”

“Well,” Vanessa started. “Let’s hope that Candy doesn’t find out about the play.”


At midnight, Candy and James were still up watching BET with Kevin Hart performing his live stand-up comedy. Five minutes later, James received a call from Michael Peterson, the school’s student announcer. “Hey, James,” said Michael.

“What’s good Michael?” James responded. “What’s new on the school announcements? Wait, let me put you on speaker, I’m with my girl.” Beep. “Okay. What’s new?”

“There’s a school play,” Michael started. “It’s about Romeo and Juliet. Auditions will start Monday after school through Friday from 3:00 to 4:15. Not only that, but we have the results for the IPAD 2 and the IPHONE 4. There’s two people who won both of them. Don’t ask me who it is, because I can’t tell you. I’ve been meaning to ask you…who is your new girl?”

“Dude,” James said laughing, “she’s sitting right here listening. Say hey to Michael, baby.”

“Hi, Michael,” Candy said timidly. But the look on her face told James that she didn’t know what in the world she was suppose to do.

“Hi, James’s new girlfriend,” Michael replied excitedly. “You sound really cute. May I ask what your name is?”

“Candy,” Candy replied laughing. “Candy Miller. Thank for the compliment and I am not in relation to James.”

“Whew!” Michael replied with relief. “I was about to say…whew! James you better be lucky she’s not related to you.”

“You think?” James said sarcastically.

Hmm, he thought to himself. The homecoming dance will be here soon. Good thing I have my ways on getting certain information out of people. I think I’ll call the Boss and tell him where I want him to play. Picking up his cell phone, he dialed the number of the Boss. “Hello,” he heard the deep voice on the other line.

“It’s me,” he responded. “I know where you can get the girl.”

“Where?” the Boss asked happily. As he was giving the Boss the address and event that was going on, he heard the Boss repeating what he was saying. “What time does it start?”

“Starts at 7:00 at night and ends at midnight. Did you get the money?”

“Yep,” the Boss said.

“Good,” he replied. “I’m going to let you do it your way.” Hanging up the phone, he said out loud, “You will be mine in less than a month. Happy birthday, sweetcheeks.”

In the middle of the rose garden, there was a beautiful white pavilion. Inside the pavilion, there was a man. A man wearing a white tuxedo with black outlines. As Vanessa was walking up the stairs, wearing an elegant white strapless dress with gold glittering across the top and bottom of the dress. Hearing the heels coming up the stairs, the man turned around, and Vanessa was extremely shocked because she was looking into the eyes of James Miller. Smiling at Vanessa, James pulled from behind him a bouquet of roses. “Make a wish, beautiful,” he said in his smooth voice as he gave Vanessa the bouquet. Receiving the roses, Vanessa closed her eyes as she smelled them. Five seconds later, she opened her eyes and found that they had withered and died in her hands. Looking up, she saw that she wasn’t in front of James; instead that new girl, Candy, was in front of her. “You will never have James,” she said as she walked towards Vanessa. “Aaaaahhhhh!!!” Vanessa screamed.

Vanessa suddenly wakes up gasping. “Oh my God,” she said to herself as she laid back down, trying to breath. “I’m thinking about that boy so much, he’s becoming a beautiful nightmare. What the heck was Candy doing in the middle of it?”

Waking up in the middle of the night, Candy finds herself still wrapped in James’s arms; as usual, she felt safe. Slowly creeping out of his arms, she quietly walked to the bathroom. Closing the door, Candy turned on the light and stared at herself in the mirror. All of a sudden, she started to see a smile smiling back at her. “Wow,” she said to herself. “You know something Candy. You have a very special guy with you. He’s treated you very special and a lot better than that last boyfriend you had.” Again, she smiled, looked at herself one last time, opened the door, turned off the light, and crept quietly like a rat back in James’s arms.

“You okay?” James asked groggily.

“Yeah,” Candy replied still smiling. “Yeah, I’m all right. Go back to sleep.” Softly, he placed a kiss on her shoulder and neck and fell back to sleep.


In the basement with Josh, Richards was watching Candy and James as they were sleeping. “Awww,” Josh said sarcastically, “look at the cute couple as they are sleeping.”

“Hmm,” Josh said, looked at his notes. “She wakes up at 5:45 in the morning and the little sisters wake up at 6:00. The boyfriend isn’t here. How are you gonna plant the bug in the cell phone?”

“I’m gonna do it…” he said out loud. “…tonight.” After he said that, he left the basement and went to his own hotel room that’s on the first floor. In his room, Richard was creating a memory card that had Candy’s same information, except, he put a bug inside the card. At 1:35 A.M., he was done with creation of his bug implanted memory bard. Richard then went through his luggage and found a black sweater, pants, shoes, gloves, and a mask. After he was dressed, Richard grabbed his Baretta from his nightstand, put it in his pocket, grabbed the memory card off the desk, placed it inside a ring box, and set it in his sweater pocket. “All right,” he said to himself. “I think I won’t be seeing this room again. Cool. Now to handle my business with Ms. Hotbody.”

Waking up at 1:45 in the morning, James couldn’t go back to sleep after he woke up five minutes ago. Quietly getting out of bed, he tiptoed into the bathroom. Gently shutting the door, he turned on the light and looked at himself in the mirror. But before he could say anything, he thought he heard Candy’s footsteps. So grabbing the flashlight and turning off the light, he crept the door open and peeked to see if Candy was awake. But when he opened the door, James saw something very mysterious. Standing over Candy was man

In under thirty seconds, the man had removed the original memory card and replaced it with the bug implanted memory card. Behind him, in the bathroom, James was watching with fire burning in his eyes and steam coming out of his ears. Next thing that happens, the unknown man takes off his shirt and his pants but leaves his boxers on. Still looking at him from he back,, James is clenching the flashlight so tightly that he heard a crack. The man heard something in the bathroom. Oh yeah, James thought in his head. Why don’t you mess with somebody your own size?

Before James could do anything, a hand was placed on his shoulder. But James learned now to defend himself; once he turned around and flashed the light in his opponent’s face, he realized that it was his father. Making sure that the an wasn’t at the door, he instantly pressed the end of the light against his body. When he heard the footsteps walking away from the door, he flashed the light back at his father. “Pops, what are you doing?” he whispered in relief from fear.

“Same reason why you are here,” his father replied, “to watch over Candy and her sisters. Right now we need to watch this man and what he’s about do. If he does something crazy,” his father cautioned, “sneak up on him, and put him to sleep.” Nodding in agreement, James and his dad watched the man carefully.

At first, all he was doing was lightly touched Candy’s arm and chest. But then, all of a sudden, the man pulls the covers off of Candy’s body and started taking off his boxers. But before he could get of top of Candy, James came rushing out the bathroom quietly snuck up on the man, and put him to sleep.

Mr. Miller, having rope in his hands, he immediately grabbed a chair, picked the man up, and set him on the chair, and tied him down. While Mr. Miller was tying down the masked man, James turned on the lamp that was on the nightstand, grabbed Candy’s phone and took out the memory card the man put in. Clearly upset, James started looking through the man’s pants for the ring box. The memory card that he took out, he cracked it in half and saw the small yellow bug that was inside. Finding the box, he sees the original memory card and places it inside Candy’s phone. “Candy,” James said, lightly shaking her. “Candy, baby wake up, we got a problem.”

“What is it?” Candy groggily replied. “What the heck is going on James?” Looking at the masked man that was tied down to a chair? And where are his clothes?”

James looking madder than a junkyard dog, stormed up to the man, and snatched off his mask. Candy looked at James and the man with a confused look on her face. “James,” she began nervously. “What’s this about? I mean, who is this guy?”

“That’s what I’m about to find out,” James replied angrily. Just as he said this, he struck the man across the face, making the man jump. Gasping, the man finally calms down as he slowly eyed Candy with an evil look. “Who are you?” James snapped. But the man ignored him and his question. As the man was looking at Candy, he started winking and blowing kisses at her.

But Candy was so freaked out, that she just sat on the bed, looking beyond scared. Just when James was about to slap the man again, Mr. Miller stepped in and restrained James from slapping the man. “Excuse me,” Mr. Miller stated politely. The man looked at Mr. Miller with a, “Who the hell are you?” look. Mr. Miller continued. “May you please tell us your name?”

The man just scoffed at him. “I’m not telling you a damn thing,” he said to Mr. Miller. Then he looked back at Candy and said, “But I wouldn’t mind telling Mr. Sweetness over there a little something. If y’all know what I mean.” With a funny look he looked at James and said, “Oh, you are a lucky boy to get her.” He paused to laugh and then he said, “but this chick needs is a man, punk!”

Now being extremely upset, James was about to punch him in the face until Candy stopped him. “Why did you stop me?” James asked in astonishment. “This beast almost raped you, and you just stopped me. Why?” Walking up to him, she cupped his face in both of her hands and replied quietly, “I stopped you because he wasn’t worth it.” Kissing James, she slowly released his face and turned toward the man. “Will you tell me who you are?” she asked, looking the man right in the eyes feeling sorry for what he almost did to her, the man replied, “My name is Richard…Richard Jones.”

The Boss being clearly upset, he yelled, “T.J.! Get in here right now!”

“What’s up, Boss?” T.J. asked panting.

“What is the update on the bug being implanted in Candy’s phone?” the Boss asked angrily.

“Josh just called me,” T.J. started. “He just told me the issue with the implant.”

“Issue?” the Boss said as he paced back and forth. “What the hell is the problem about planting a bug into a girl’s phone while she’s sleeping?”

“The problem,” T.J. began calmly, “was that the boyfriend and his dad showed up.” Just when he said that, the Boss stopped in mid-step and looked at T.J.

“How was that possible?” he asked in disbelief. As T.J. was explaining everything that Josh told him, the Boss’s anger became shallow.

“Okay,” the Boss said very smoothly. “Since the boyfriend and Daddy Stephen Fetchet want to become involved with Candy. We’ll make sure that they will be involved. Now call the boys and tell them that some plans have been added.”


At four-thirty in the morning, Vanessa woke up seeing the beautiful rays of the sun as they blasted through her window. Feeling the softness of one of her favorite teddy bears, Teddy, and hugged him fiercely before she got out of bed. Routinely, Vanessa went downstairs in the kitchen to fix herself a cup of coffee.

As she made her coffee, Vanessa looked out the window and noticed how beautiful it was. Next Saturday, Vanessa thought to herself. Next Saturday will be the day that James will belong to me and that Candy will belong to Trevor. Still looking through the window, she felt the light breeze through the slightly open window. “Well,” she said out loud, “time to get ready.”

Walking back up the stairs, carrying her cup of coffee, she walked into her room and turned on her clock radio. Before going into her bathroom, Vanessa took a sip of coffee and placed it next to the radio. As she showered, she started coming up with a mental to-do list for today.

Being wrapped cozily in her terry- cloth bathrobe, she looked at herself in the mirror and said to herself, “I’m so gorgeous and popular. How come James doesn’t see that? I’m more important than that new girl he’s dating. But that’s okay, cause I am gonna fix that real quick.”

At four-thirty, James and his dad went home to get ready. But before they left, they made the ropes on Richard’s wrists extremely tight, took all of his weapons, and left. Before Candy took a shower, she looked through her suitcase to figure out what she wanted to wear. In three minutes, Candy went into the bathroom with her choice of clothing, shoes, intimates, and accessories.

While Candy was looking through her suitcase, Richard was patiently watching her every move. He never took his eyes off of her until she went into the bathroom. Hearing the shower running, he knew that she had just turned it on and stepped in. Closing his eyes, he thought and envisioned about him about him watching Candy as she showered. Wow, he thought to himself, the full of her breast look so…beautiful. The curve of her lips, the curves on her body, the thickness of her legs, the brown highlights of her hair, those gorgeous brown eyes, those extremely seductive long eyelashes, and that brilliant caramel skin tone. Oh, my God, I feel a disturbance in the force.

But his vision and disturbance was soon interrupted by the beep of the door. Entering the room, James was walking in, still upset at Richard. Wearing a black short-sleeved button-down shirt, black jeans, and white Jordans; James walked past Richard as he gave him the evil eye.

Walking towards the bed, James looks at the bathroom door and hears the shower. Still keeping his eyes on Richard, James went to the door, locked and went inside. Stepping inside, he saw the relief on Candy’s face. “I’m glad it’s you,” she said moving back behind the curtain. “I was scared that Richard had found a way out of those ropes.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” James said, balling up his fists, “because if he did, I would be in jail right now.” With a sorry look on her face, Candy turned off the water and wrapped herself in a towel. Stepping out from behind the curtain, she noticed how upset he looked.

“James?” Candy said softly. Timidly walked towards James, she softly grabbed his hands and held them in hers. “I’m very thankful that you’re here to protect me. I am. Now that you’re here, I don’t have to worry about me or my little sisters. Because I know that you will do anything to protect us.” Giving James a reassuring smile, she hugged him as she said, “Now go watch Richard while I get dressed. I want to go to the mall.”

As the Boss impatiently paced around the one-window room, he thought about where he would keep them. Hmm, he thought to himself. I have a nice, quiet place over in Tahiti. That would be a good place to keep Candy. The rest of them can come back or stay in the U.S. The client already paid me, so I can clear my bank account, take Candy, and move to Tahiti. Perfect!

Once the Boss had figured out his plans, he immediately walked towards his desk and pulled out his cell phone. With a slick smile on his face, he dialed his client’s number. “Hello,” the client said groggily.

“Yeah,” the Boss said. “It’s me. Got something I want to talk to you about.”


At the mall, Vanessa was casually walking around. “Oooh,” she cooed. “Those are really cute.” Stepping into Journey’s, she saw a really nice pair of stilettos that matched her homecoming dress that was coming up. In her pocket, she felt the sudden vibration of her cell phone in her pocket. Looking at the caller ID, she saw that it was a number she recognized. “Hello,” Vanessa said timidly, with a confused look.

“Yeah,” the voice over the phone said. “May I speak to Vanessa?” Confirming that it was her, “Whew! It’s Robert. I really need someone to talk to. You’re really the only person that’s been on my mind. Are you busy?”

“I’m at the mall right now,” Vanessa confessed. “But I don’t mind talking, while I’m shopping. So, fire away. I’m all ears.”

Friday, October 16

“Oh, my God!” Candy exclaimed.

“What’s the problem?” James asked, rushing out of the bathroom. At the hotel room, Mr. Miller volunteered to take Lena and Tosha to Peter Piper Pizza. Candy and James stayed at the hotel to finish up some weekend homework.

“I just realized,” Candy responded with astonishment. “I just realized that tomorrow is my birthday and the homecoming dance. How can I celebrate both occasions?”

“Well,” James said. “I was thinking that we could have your birthday part at the homecoming dance.” Hearing the suggestion, Candy took a minute to think about it before she agreed. “Good thing the cops have Richard in custody.”

“Me too,” Candy said with relief. “I still don’t understand why he would have so many warrants in 15 states. I mean that’s just crazy. Well, let’s not worry about that. Let’s see if these dresses fit.” Going into the bathroom, Candy was carrying the first box, a she looked very happy. Opening the box, she saw that it was obviously for the homecoming dance. The dress was black with silver outline at the top. At the bottom was the look alike rose garden that bloomed in the sunlight.

Looking at herself in the mirror and made confirmation that it was just right, she rushed out to show James. “Can you zip this up for me?” she asked. “I need to really see if it fits.” After zipping up the dress, James looked at Candy and approved of the dress, he pulled out his phone to take a picture. “Give me a sexy pose, baby,” he said.

“I don’t know about sexy,” Candy said. “But I’ll try to do something that’s at least cute.” After giving a pose, James helped her get unzipped and she grabbed the other box. Quickly rushing into the bathroom, she was thinking about the things that she wants for her birthday. “I want the kind of things that I’ve never had before.”

The second dress Candy pulled out was a turquoise one-shoulder dress. A silver strip laid on the right sleeve of the dress. Needing no zipper or buttons, she easily slipped into the dress. Looking at herself in the mirror, she realized how short the dress was. “Umm, James?” Candy called as she stepped out of the bathroom. “I’m not too sure about this dress.” But when James saw her, he saw star struck. Mouth was open like a catfish and eyes were as big as baseballs. Then all of a sudden, he had gotten a quick snapshot of Candy in her dress.

“I know you’re not sure,” James started as he looked at the picture, than at Candy, “but I’m most definitely sure about it. Please say that you’ll wear this dress to the homecoming dance?” With a confused look on her face, she said that she will think about it and wait till tomorrow night to see which dress she will be wearing.

Coming back out of the bathroom in her T-shirt and jeans, she carried the boxes as she thought about the dresses. “James,” she began, setting th boxes on the bed next to James.

“What’s up?” he asked still looking at the picture of Candy in her dresses.

“How am I going to celebrate my birthday at the homecoming dance when you bought me two different dresses?”

“Let me worry about that,” he said with a slick smile on his face. Then looking at Candy, “I got it all under control.”

“All right, boys,” the Boss said. The Boss decided to have a plan arrangements meeting about kidnapping Candy. “I can tell you this,” he began as he paced back and forth in the one window room. “We have some new people that’s been added with Candy and her little sisters. T.J. if you will.”

“You got it, Boss,” T.J. said, stepping out of the crowd. “Yo Pete, pull up the first picture!” All of a sudden, on the barren wall, there was a picture of James. “This is James Miller,” T.J. started, looking from his notes. “17years old, a junior, goes to the same school as our girl.”

“And what’s the name of that school again?” one of the guys asked.

“McClenton High School,” T.J. answered then continued. “James is an only child and happens to be the boyfriend of Candy. Pete show the next one.” Again on the barren wall, was of James’s father. “Now, we have Matthew Miller. He’s been divorced by Elaine Miller. 36 years old and owns all of the Hilton Hotels in this state. Ex-wife owns a clothing store. Both have an inheritance. If Daddy dies, son gets control of all the hotels and if Mommy dies, again son controls the company. So, let’s just say that the Millers, they have a whole lot of money in a back account.”

As the Boss was pacing, he intently listened to the information T.J. was talking about. Hmm, he thought to himself. Since there’s money in this, maybe I can kidnap James and Candy and ask for a ransom in Florida or New York. Actually New York doesn’t sound too bad. You know what, I think I might stick with Florida. While thinking about his plan, he didn’t realize that T.J. was calling him.

“Boss!” T.J. said and it finally woke him up. “What’s the plan? What do you want us to do? As he evilly smiled, the Boss told them the whole plan.


As he sits at home, he is thinking to himself about what to do with Candy. The one thing I have to do, he thought, is leave to the experts to capture her. “But what would he do with her?” he asked out loud. “I mean, he can’t just hand her over to me after he kidnaps her. Maybe I should call him and ask what’s he’s going to do with her?” Holding the prepaid cell phone in his hand, he decided against it. “I have to trust him. Well, I can at least decorate the brownie I bought from the store. Come tomorrow, it’ll be somebody’s birthday.”


Excited about tomorrow, Vanessa instantly called Bianca. Hearing Bianca’s familiar voice, she screamed in the phone, “AAAAAAAHHHHH1!! Bianca tomorrow is the dance. I need you, right now, pronto, immediately. So you can spend the nigh. If you have a date tell him to pick you up over here.

“We are going to do each other’s make up and hair. Not only that, but we are going to take pictures with each other’s dates. Whew! Hello?”

“you completely lost me,” Bianca finally said. “Please start over, slowly.”

Saturday, October 17 7:15 A.M.

As Candy lay in bed, still sleeping peacefully, James was already up and getting his plans for the day ready. Wearing just a pair of jeans and Jordans, he walks out of the bathroom towards Candy’s sleeping corpse. With his chocolate skin tone and well-oiled muscular body, he crept towards the bed as quietly as he could. “Happy birthday, baby girl,” he softly whispered in her ear. As he watched her slightly stir in her sleep, he smiled softly and kissed her on the neck. Quietly moaning, Candy turned to face James and slightly smiled. “Happy birthday,” James repeated.

“\Thank you,” she said softly and James placed a soft kiss on her lips. With a smile on her face, she lightly placed her hand on James face and kissed him again.

“Come on,” James whispered, “we have a lot of work to do.” At &:25, Candy and James were all dressed and walking towards the elevator. Inside of the elevator, James was singing to Candy the “Happy Birthday” song and was going her 16 birthday licks on her arm.

As soon as the elevator reached the first floor, Candy noticed that everything in the lobby was quiet. “Huh?” she asked suspiciously. “I wonder what happened to everybody.” Looking at James, she noticed that a playful smile was on his face. Then suddenly, she remembered, “We left Lena and Tosha in the room!”

Just as she was about to dash for the elevators again, James grabbed her with his left arm as he said, “Don’t worry about them. While you were in the shower, Pops came and picked them up. He said he was taking them out for breakfast.” Once Candy calmed down, James looked on his watch and said, “Speaking of which, let’s go get something to eat right now.” Leading the way to the banquet hall, Candy looked completely astounded at what she saw.



Waking up early, he decided to go the tuxedo shop. “I need to get ready for tonight.” Before leaving, he made sure that he had his dress shoes, a white jasmine flower, and a black and white corsage for his date. “I do hope she’s wearing black or white. It would be nice if she wore a dress that had both colors together.” A few hours later, he’s at the tuxedo shop, picking up his order. Walking up the cash register, he said, “Hi, I’m here to pick up my tuxedo. I’ve been here before with the tailor and paid for everything.”

“What’s your name, sir?” asked the small elderly woman. He told her his name and smiled about how today was the day. It’s going to happen, he thought to himself, oh, yeah. She will be all mine in a few hours. A few minutes later, the elderly woman came back with a tuxedo bag and smiled. “Here you do, sir. Have a wonderful day.”

“You too,” he said as he walked away. “I know I will have a wonderful day. I’m going have a wonderful night as well!”

At the hair supply store, Vanessa and Bianca picked up hair grease, curling irons, and flat-irons. “OK,” Vanessa started as they exited the supply store, “what else is on our to-do list?”

Looking at her phone, Bianca started. “One, we have to go and get accessories for our dresses. Two, we have a mani-pedi appointment. In another hour and a half. Three, go back to your place and spend the rest of the time getting ready and be at the school by 6:45 tonight.” As Bianca recited the schedule, Vanessa squealed with glee. “All right,” Vanessa started, “let’s get it done, girlfriend!”

3:45 P.M. Vanessa’s house

In Vanessa’s room, he girls were in their intimates and wearing their robes as they got ready. With their robes on as they got ready and with their differences in the certain styles they wanted, Bianca volunteered to do Vanessa’s makeup and Vanessa volunteered to do the same. All of a sudden, Vanessa’s phone started going off. Makeup artist Bianca, had to pause to let her star client answer the phone. “Hello,” Vanessa said politely.

“Hey, V,” the person said on the other line, “it’s Robert.”

“Oh, hey,” she said in recognition. “What’s up?”

“I had a question,” he started, “did you want me to pick you up or do you want to meet you there?”

“Um,” Vanessa contemplated. “I’ll meet you there. What time will you be at the dance?”

“Maybe around six o’clock, maybe six-thirty.”

“Cool,” Vanessa cheered. “I’ll see you later.” Click.

“Who was that?” Bianca asked as she stood back up.

“Oh” Vanessa said, blushing. “Robert Timber, my homecoming date for tonight. I told him to meet me at the dance tonight. He’ll be there by the time we get there.”

“OK,” Bianca stated, “let me finish your makeup. Close your eyes.” While her eyes were closed, Vanessa envisioned what was going to happen at tonight’s dance.


It’s 4:30 in the evening and James and Candy are at the hair salon. James had gotten his hair cut a couple of hours ago and is now waiting with Candy at the hair salon. As they waited, Candy was looking through a hair-design magazine. Some of the styles she noticed were very ostentatious. I don’t want to show off, she thought to herself. “Candy Miller!” a hairdresser called, holding a piece of paper. Hearing her name, Candy nervously looked at James. Her look was asking, Do I have to go by myself? But he gave her a reassuring look that said, I’m coming with you.

Smiling, she set the magazine back in its proper place and rose up. As they walked to the hairdresser, James had his hand slightly on Candy’s back, to assure her that he was still there. Walking up to the hairdresser, Candy was warmly welcomed. “Hello, Candy,” he replied as she sat down in the chair. “Michael is my name and doing hair is my game.” Five seconds later, Michael pulled out a cape from the drawer and put it on Candy. “OK,” he said in his very gay voice. “I’m gonna need you to follow me, sweetie,” he said as he lead the way to the sinks. After picking a spot, he grabbed a towel out of the cabinet looked at Candy as she sat down, walked to James and whispered, “Are you the husband or boyfriend?”

“Boyfriend,” James said smiling as he looked at Candy then Michael.

“Hmm,” Michael contemplated. “I like how you decided to pay for her hair. Here’s my question…what do you want me to do with her?” Thinking to himself, James finally responded after five minutes, “Make her…beyond beautiful.”

6:45 P.M. Homecoming Dance in New Gym

As the music was playing, Vanessa waited with Bianca by the punch bowl. “Ugh” Vanessa started, “where is my date?”

“Your date?” Bianca retorted, “where in the world is my date?” Laughing, Vanessa and Bianca turned their backs and didn’t see their dates walk in. Robert and Dabu instantly noticed their dates by the punch bowl, took long strides towards them, and asked them to the dance floor.

7:45 P.M.

Dabu was constantly looking at the front door, looking for James. Being curious, Bianca asked, “Dabu, why are you looking at the door? Are you expecting somebody?” With a face, she stared at him with crossed arms, and an obvious attitude. Dabu noticed how upset Bianca looked, he slightly chuckled, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him.

“Bianca,” he said calmly. “I’m looking for my boy James and his date. That’s all. If I was looking for someone else, I would’ve just left you and hook up with some other chick that’s here. But right now, you are my main focus tonight. Maybe tomorrow evening, I can take you out to the movies and then to dinner. If that’s okay with you.” Looking down at her shuffling feet, Bianca felt herself blushing. Staring into Dabu’s eyes, smiling, she said, “Ok. That’s sounds like a good plan. Let’s say seven o’clock?” By his way of agreement, Dabu gingerly kissed until they were interrupted by James.

“What’s up, fool?” James said. Wearing a tuxedo, he carried a mall parchment with a black and white bow.

“Where’s your date?” Bianca asked.

“oh,” James replied as if he just remembered, “she’s in the ladies’ room. Talking about she thought she wasted something on her dress and she wants to clean it off.”

“Speaking of which,” Bianca stated. “I need to run to the ladies room myself. I’ll be right back.” She grabbed her purse and started towards the restroom. As soon as she walked in, she saw Vanessa applying more makeup to her face. “Hey, girl,” she said walking to her best friend in front of another sink and mirror.

“Hey!” Vanessa responded in astonishment. “I was looking for you on the dance floor. Where were you?”

“I was by the punch bowl with my date. And girl, he wants to take me out on another date!!” Both girls squealed with joy and hugged each other. Going back to finish applying more makeup, Candy comes out from one of the stalls and walks slowly towards a sink mirror. Bianca looked over and said, “Hey,” but then realized who she was talking. “Candy Miller?”

“Yeah,” Candy said, “can I help you?” Hearing that familiar name, Vanessa immediately came behind Bianca to see if she was there. And she was! Bianca and Vanessa looked at her with shocked expressions. Candy wore a red halter dress, with a silver strip under the breast that criss-crossed. The straps were clipped together with a silver hook around her neck, had a medium sized split, and she wore red-and-silver- heels.

“Oh, my goodness,” Vanessa whispered looking at Candy up and down. “I know this is not the Candy Miller that’s now on the school’s cheerleading team.”

Candy chuckled, with embarrassment. “Yep, it’s me. Do I have something on my face?”

“No,” Bianca jumped, “but…on, my God, girl…you look gorgeous! Please tell me where you got that dress and how much did it cost?” For five minutes, Candy took her time to tell Bianca and Vanessa where she got the dress, and how much she paid for them. “So, you’re James’s date, aren’t you?”

“yep,” she admitted. “I’d better get to my date right now. So, talk to you guys later.” Once she left, Vanessa and Bianca just stared at each other for a few seconds and then went back to apply makeup.

“All right, boy,” the Boss yelled. “I need something. Tell me where she is and what she’s doing.” Inside the control room, looking at the TV screens that were being displayed from the cameras they secretly installed in the school gym. “Are you boys getting anything?” he asked as he paced back and forth.

“Boss,” one of the accomplices shouted. ‘I think I got her. She’s standing over by the punch bowl with her date.” The Boss hurried towards the guy who had a clear view of Candy. “Question, Boss. What does your client want with this pretty little thing?”

“Don’t worry about my client, kid,” the Boss replied with an evil smile on his face.

“Why?” the accomplice asked, with a startled expression. As he stared at the screen, the Boss was explaining his whole plan to him, and then a smile appeared on his face. “God, I love working for you, Boss. You come up with the most craziest and exotic plans anyone has ever heard of. In fact, no one could ever think of plans like you can.” He paused for a few seconds, and replied, “I like it.”


Standing in a dark corner, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed the Boss’s number. “Hello?” came the deep voice on the other line.

“It’s me,” he said. “How’s everything going?”

“Pretty good,” the Boss replied calmly. “Don’t worry, we’re watching her right now.”

“What about the little girls?” he said. “No what…never mind about the girls. Leave them alone. It’s Candy I’m more concerned about at the moment.”

“All right,” the Boss agreed. “I’ll tell my men that’s by the door and tell them to come back. Oh, one more thing,” he started before his client hung up the phone. “I wanted to let you know that I have some of my men are at the homecoming dance waiting for me to let them when to grab her.”

“Good” he said. “In another fifteen minutes, grab her, and take to a place that I can meet you.”

“No problem,” the Boss agreed. “Have fun.”


“James,” Candy said softly as she looked up into his eyes. On the dance floor, James and Candy stood very closer to each other as they moved to a slow jam. “I’ve noticed something very funny that’s going on here.”

“What?” he asked as he looked around.

“OK,” Candy said. “Look at the water fountain by the door.” James instantly turned towards the water fountain. “Do you see that a man next to it?”

“What man?” he asked in surprise.

“Look a little harder,” Candy whispered. “I’m sure you can see him.” Thirty seconds later, James noticed a man was standing there, arms folded with a smug on his face.

“I see him,” he said. “I’m gonna keep an eye on him.”

“But James,” Candy replied, sounding afraid. “I’ve noticed that there are more of them here. And they’ve been watching me very closely. I’ve seen how they looked at me. Something isn’t right.” Then pausing for a few seconds, Candy stated, “I wanna get out of here. I don’t wanna stay in a place where I’m constantly watched. Another brief pause. “Especially if Robert keeps looking at me.” Hearing that, James looked around to find Robert and saw him dancing with Vanessa as he himself looked at them.


“OK,” James said. “Let’s go over to the table. I’ll call out limo driver and tell him to be here in five minutes.”

“Why can’t we wait outside?” Candy asked as they started to leave the dance floor. “I don’t want to be under the same room or be in the same room where people are constantly watching me.” In agreement, James ushered Candy out the door and stood outside as James called the limo driver.


“All right, fellas,” the Boss demanded in the earphone. “Give me some details..”

“Yo, this is Jack reporting,” one of the guys replied.

“What’s your 20?”

“I’m by the water fountain inside the gym. She just went outside with the boyfriend. Should I follow them?”

“Yeah,” the Boss replied. Then a few seconds later, “I want you to tell me everything that’s going on. What they say or do. Got it?”

“Roger that,” Jack replied. After receiving his instructions, he quickly rushed out to watch Candy but to his astonishment he found her nowhere to be found. “Boss, we got a problem,” Jack urgently replied.

“What?!” the Boss shouted, almost bursting his eardrum. “What’s the problem? We can’t risk having a problem right now!”

“She’s gone!” Jack shouted. There was total silence.

“Then suddenly, “Get the rest of the boys. We need to get out of here. We have to go far away from here. Abandon he mission! Hurry!” In under three minutes, Jack and the other seven guys were there, to be put in the cars and back at the room that the Boss and everyone else were.

As Candy and James were leaving, he was watching them and the men that the Boss had posted inside the gym. The girl he was dancing with, was looking at him shockingly as he pushed her off and walked outside. To his left, he saw James and Candy getting into a limousine. To his right, he saw the eight men from the Boss get into a van. In anger, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed the Boss’s number. “Answer the phone!” he yelled into the phone. But all of a sudden, he hears the voicemail politely asking him to leave his name and number. Frustrated, he hung up the hung and jammed in into his pocket.

“Is everything okay?”she asked.

“No,” he said. “Everything is not okay.” He looked into her eyes and saw the concern that she showed. “I have to go. I have something that I need to take care of.”


In the limousine, James dialed his father’s cell phone number. “Hey, James,” Mr. Miller happily relied over the phone.

“Hey, Pops,” James replied. “Where are you?”

“I’m in the hotel room with Lena and Tosha. Where are you?” Mr. Miller asked in astonishment.

“Something’s come up so we’re heading back to the hotel,” he replied back. “I’ll tell you when we get there.”

“OK,” Mr. Miller acknowledged. “I’ll see you too in a bit.” Click. After hanging up the phone and putting it in his inside pocket…he looked to his left and saw that Candy was fiddling with her fingers. She had a sort of sad expression on her face as she played with her fingers. Slowly moving closer to her, James kept his eyes on her face and thought to himself how that some expression, opened an opportunity for him to move in.

Once he was next to Candy, he softly started to put his arm around her. She looked up, startled at the sudden movement. She remembered the fist time he put his arm around her. It happened so fast, she there was no reaction to it. But this time, Candy had time to react to his arm. But before she could do anything, James’s cell phone goes off. Using his right hand to grab the phone from his inside pocket, he looks at the caller ID and saw that it was his dad called him. “Pops, is everything okay?”

“Do I sound like your daddy, punk?” a familiar voice shouted over the phone.
“What are you doing at my father’s hotel?” James asked after realizing who he was talking to.

“Don’t worry about that,” the familiar voice replied back. “I know one thing, that you and Candy had better get back to this hotel in another 20 minutes or else she will lose her two little sisters every 10 minutes you two are no there.” Click. Hearing the phone being clicked in his ear, James looked at the phone and then at Candy with a shocked expression on his face.

“Driver,” James shouted. “Step on it! We have to be at the hotel in another 19 minutes. Hurry!” Putting his phone to sleep, put it into his inside jacket pocket, and looked protectively at Candy. “We have a problem.”

At the hotel room, Mr. Miller held on to Lena and Tosha protectively. Mr. Miller carefully whispered to Tosh, “Do you two know him?” She slowly nodded in response. “Does Candy know him too?” This time, she couldn’t even nod…instead she buried her face in his chest and cried.

“What is she crying for?” he asked in total frustration.

“She’s scared,” Mr. Miller shouted back. “What five-year-old and seven-year-old girls be afraid of besides of a guy they know and he has gun? Who wouldn’t be afraid of that?” He just looked at Mr. Miller while he was huffing and puffing like a psychotic person. “Why are you doing this anyway?”

“You will find out soon enough,” he said in a gruff voice. As he looked at his watch, he said, “They have 17 minutes left,” he paused and looked at Lena, “or else little Lena’s gonna be dead.”


It was 10:20 pm when he called James and told him that they had 20 minutes to get to the hotel room. It’s now 10:30 and the elevators were turned off. “Well,” James said as he reached in his pockets for some keys. As he fumbled with them, he continued, “It’s a good thing that my dad gave me a spare key for the elevator.” At 10:33, James and Candy were inside the elevator, impatiently waiting to get to the room and save Mr. Miller and Candy’s little sisters.

At 10:35, they finally reached the fourth floor and took off running towards the room. It was exactly 10:40 when they burst through the door and saw him sitting down in a chair with a gun in his lap. “Well, well, well,” he responded. Looking at his watch, he continued, “I thought that I was going to start shooting.” Candy looked at him with anger in her eyes. He looked back at her with a slick look on his face, and a sly smile that she suddenly remembered…it was that same look when he did malicious thing to her.

“Robert Waters,” she whispered violently.

“What did you call me?” he said rising up with the gun in his hand. Candy paused and stared into his eyes as he slowly strode towards her. As he walked to her, she walked towards him too. On her second step, James grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him. With that sudden movement, he immediately raised the gun to James’s face. But James instantly lunged towards him and wrestled with him until the gun went flying out the window.

With him down, James was punching him in the face. After five punches, James finally knocked him unconscious and left him on the floor. Still standing by the door, Candy looked at him with anger in her eyes. James returned from the bathroom with the same rope they had used before. She quietly watched as James tied him up and connected one end of the rope to one of the legs on the bed frame.

As Candy watched, she was clenching her fists and felt felts running down her cheeks. After tying the man up, James looked towards Candy and saw that she was crying. “Shhh,” he said calmly. Hearing his voice, Candy instantly looked at James and cried even harder. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” As James held her, Mr. Miller was holding Lena and Tosha while he dialed 911.


At the airport, the Boss and seven of his accomplices were going through the security checkout. What they forgot, was the fact that their guns were in their luggage. The first accomplice to get caught was Josh. Whooooo! Went off the alarm when Josh went through the metal detector. “Excuse me, sir,” said in a security guard stopping him in midstep. “I’m going to need for you to step back and empty your pockets.”

Wanting to be the bigger man, Josh had agreed to empty out his pockets. While he emptied out his pockets, the Boss gave the boys the look that said, “Don’t get us busted.” With that same look, the boys agreed saying, “All right, Boss. We got you.” But when it was the Boss’s turn, his situation was ten times worse than Josh’s problem. Because in Robert’ bag, they found his gun, asked him about it, Josh told them to take it away, and walked towards Subway to grab a bite to eat.

On the hand, the Boss and the rest of the boys were stuck in the security section because of their multiple weapons. “Josh!” the Boss called. In Subway, Josh was sitting down with his back to everybody else and had an evil smile displayed on his face. While the Boss was calling Josh, security was called for backup and holding him and the rest of the accomplices down on the ground. After finishing his food, Josh grabbed his trash and backpack. As he walked out of Subway, he threw away his trash while he was laughing. Along with his trash, he threw away a knife that he somehow managed to hide from security.

THREE MONTHS LATER

It’s Saturday morning, and Candy, James, Mr. Miller, Lena, and Tosha are at the three-month long trail of Robert Jenkins Waters. In the middle of the courtroom, Candy wore a navy blue jacket and skirt with a white V-neck blouse, and navy blue stilettos. With a hair clamp, she clipped her hair tightly but had bangs that she tucked behind her left ear. Her only jewelry was a silver watch, a diamond necklace with the initial “C” that James bought for her last month, and big silver hoop earrings.

James and Mr. Miller wore the same dark-grey suit, white button-down shirt, and maroon ties, and black shoes. Lena and Tosha are wearing identical white dresses with a black bow in the center, white ruffled socks and black shoes. Candy even curled their hair and put a white bow in their hair. I

In the courtroom, in their pew, they watched as case after case was being called and judged and received their sentencing before leaving. When it was around 10:00 in the morning until the judge called for Robert’s case. Just when the judge called him into the room, Candy instantly straightened up in her seat and stared at the door he would walk through. Two minutes later, Robert Jenkins Waters walked through the door wearing that horrible orange jumpsuit. As soon as he came out, he looked through the spectators and spotted Candy. As soon as they locked eyes with Candy, he stopped, looked at Candy with the most evil and hateful look. In Candy’s eyes she was saying, “I should just make your life a living hell. But jail is going to be doing that for me. Then with a smile, she waved good-bye when he was sentenced life in prison.


Now, for the Boss and the boys, they were sitting in the LAPD holding cell, waiting to be fingerprinted. “Listen to me, boys,” the Boss quietly to the others. . “When they open the gate, we’re going to stand by it, and then run out.”

One of the other boys angrily muttered, “I can’t believe Josh did this to us.” The rest nodded and murmured in unison. The Boss gotten a very p.o. look on his face as he thought about Josh and his betrayal.

“I can’t believe,” he started, “that I have him access to the bank accounts in Florida.” He paused, stood up and walked towards the gate. “Can you believe it? When he reaches Florida, he’ll probably empty out the accounts. There’s $17 million in each account, and there’s only five of those accounts. His record is clean. He can enjoy life with $85 million. He can go to hell.” Gripping the bars of the gate, his knuckles whitened and looked as if they were going to pop out and knock somebody out.

Twenty-five minutes later, a female police-officer came to the gate. Instead of opening the gate, she looked down at her clipboard, and called out the first name, “Leslie James.” The Boss looked at the other boys, sighed, stood up, and walked to the gate towards the officer. “Are you Leslie James?” she asked with a queer look on her face. Nodding his head, it validated that his name was Leslie James. “Walk this way, please,” she started as she walked to the right. As she walked to another gate, she jiggled her keys out, and opened the gate. The thought of trying to run away was wiped away from his mind. He just guiltily obeyed orders and followed the uniformed officer. In another ten minutes, he was back in the holding cell after being fingerprinted. “Well,” he told himself. “I might as well live the rest of my life in prison.” In another two hours, the rest of the boys were fingerprinted and waited in the cell. Soon enough, about 10 police officers came, the police officer from before opened the gate, and one by one, the Boss and the boys were arrested for warrants they have in other states.

7:51 A.M. courtroom #375

The Boss and the boys were sitting in the front pew in front of the spectators. In his mind, the Boss thought about killing himself as soon as he went to jail. How he was going to do it was another question. “Since I couldn’t take someone else’s life, I’ll just take my own.”

“Next case,” the judge impatiently demanded. The bailiff looked down at his clipboard and called, “The state of California vs. Leslie James, Juan Rodriguez, Michael Woods, Nicholas Johns, Trey Martin, Raymond White, and Alex Burns.” Hearing their names, they rose and walked in front of the judge in a straight line. “Mr. Foreman,” the judge demanded. An elderly man, wearing a white shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots, rose up with his hands behind his back.

“Yes, Your Honor,” the foreman announced.

“Have you reached a verdict?”

“Yes, we have, Your Honor,” the foreman said looking at the Boss and the rest of the boys.

“What say you?”

“We find the defendants,” the foreman paused, “guilty.”

“Then the sentence will be life in prison with no parole,” the judge said and pounded the gravel meaning that the case was over and done with finally.

2 Months Later

“Yo,” Trey called to the rest of the boys. “Where’s the Boss?” The boys had just realized that the Boss was nowhere in sight.

Nicholas stated, “I’m his roommate. When I woke up this morning, he was already gone.” But then Nicholas realized something…last night, he heard the Boss talking in his sleep. He mentioned something about wanting to kill himself. To see what really was or what went on in his head, Nicholas left the table, jogged towards his room he was sharing with the Boss, and blasted through the closed door. Once he was inside, Nicholas Johnson saw the most macabre scene he has ever seen before. In the room, on the floor, where the spot was the sun was shining, lay the dead body of the Boss, with a knife stuck in his heart, and a pool of blood spread out underneath him.