✨It Doesn't Even Matter✨

(I'm No Longer A Kid)

I looked around one more time and in the distance I saw Xander. His hair was covering his face sort of and he had his bike with him too.
"Sorry I'm late, my mom had a crap attack because the garage was dirty, so I had to help clean."
"Ohh, you're good! I was just about to get worried. So, why'd you wanna meet here?" I asked.
"Because, Marty's is nearby." Marty's has the best custard and icees. I guess he was listening to me.
"Last one to Marty's has to pay!" He declares.
"This is no fair, I still have to get on my bike!" I giggled and hopped on. I totally have the money to pay, I just don't want to! As we rode over there, I felt sorta weird. Butterflies, I guess you call it? I don't know why though, I'm not nervous or anything.
"You're too slow, My-My!"
"Am not! I'm conserving energy. Just wait!" I started to speed up, because we were getting closer to the shack. Suddenly, he just started slowing down. Which makes zero sense because he said that the last person there has to pay. Boys are really weird. Why would he want to pay? He has to be playing me. Whatever, I'm not gonna let him distract me. I continued biking and only slowed down when I was right in front of Marty's. I looked behind me and Xander was a couple of feet behind.
"Looks like I have to pay."
^^^^^^^^^
Marty's Water Ice
Xander bought me a blueberry cherry swirl ice with custard and sprinkles on top with a sugar cookie. Victory tastes sweet!
"He has to be putting something in these cookies! I mean, my sister Allie's the best baker I know and her cookies don't even taste this good!" He laughed.
"They are good. Hey, are you still watching Nat and the Gang?"
"Yep! I love it! Every Friday I steal the TV from Andrew to watch it. Who's your favorite?"
"Other than Nat, probably Luka." He said. I widened my eyes.
"Me too! He's really kind and if you think about it, he had the strongest powers."
"Finally someone agrees! Everyone always picks Dawson, but Dawson's just a-"
"Jerk!" We both giggled.
"I'm convinced people...well..., girls only like him because he's blonde and cute." I said matter-of-factly.
"You don't like him...in that way?" Xander asked.
"Nope! I mean...a guy doesn't have to be blonde for me to like him. I'm not super picky when it comes to the way a guy looks, I guess. My Mom says it's important to pay attention to the type of person they are on the inside." He nodded.
"Speaking of liking people, I heard someone in our friend group likes you." I raised my eyebrows.
"Really?" I played with my custard a bit. I'm one of the only black girls in my grade, my school even. Sometimes I feel like no one would ever like me because everyone wants the skinny blonde girl with blue eyes and well... I'm not that. So, I have a hard time believing this.
"Yeah."
"I hope you're not pranking me because that isn't funny."
"I'm not! I swear. I swear on Luka." I let out a tiny smirk.
"I suppose you wouldn't bring Luka into this for nothing... Who is it?"
"Well, I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"I promised I wouldn't say who."
"Can I get a hint?"
"No hints. You gotta figure it out."
"You're no fun, Xander!"
******************
Mama's Trailer (Mon. June 5th) (Allie's Perspective)
It's here. Prom day. I'm pretty pumped, I'm not gonna lie. We've been looking forward to this for three years, so I just know it has to be epic! Plus, I officially got an invite from Kimmy to her after-party. I get to go ON A TWISTY SLIDE!
"So Allie, since your dress is a powdery blue, silver would perfectly pair with it. So I'm going to do a smoky-silvery kind of look." My mom's makeup artist said.
"Cool! I trust you! You always make Mama so beautiful."
"You're so sweet, Allison." Mama stood there with her arms crossed, smiling. Daddy's here, but he didn't wanna see me getting glammed up because he's quite the emotional dude.
"So Allie, what's the plan for prom?"
"Well, everyone's gonna meet at our house for photos, we're gonna go in the limo, go to the prom, and then I'm going to go to Kimmy's house."
"Why is everyone going to Kimmy's house?" Mama asked with a raised brow. Gotta come up with something quick...
"She's having a little social thingy! Like a photo booth and milk and cookies and stuff. We're just gonna mingle some more, swim in her pool, ya know."
"Sounds like an after-party to me."
"After party's a big word, Mama."
"I'm fine with it, as long as you're being true to yourself and remember who you are and what you stand for."
"What about Daddy?"
"You want to give him a heart attack?"
"Right.... But um yeah I won't be home anytime soon. Ooo, could I also have my friends sleepover?"
"Hmm, I'll have to think about that."
"M, Allie we have to head over to the airport in like an hour." Dad said.
"Don't worry, we're good on time." My prom's happening in the Hamptons, so instead of sitting in traffic, I'm gonna have to hop over there on a plane. It's one of those things that makes me pinch myself. The fact that I can just take a plane whenever and get there in like half an hour. 7 years ago I was in my parents' house, and we never had that. It's so weird to think about. I stared at myself in the mirror as I got glammed up. I was getting more excited but also more nervous. I don't know why.
**********************
31 Cottage Ave (Easthampton) (Josh's Perspective)
"Woah." Allie stepped outside in her blue dress and she looked stunning but... something felt off.
"You look...beautiful." She blushed.
"Thanks. You look handsome. That tie is perfect by the way." I smiled.
"Alright, everyone! Pictures!" Allie's Dad made us all line up and take pics, which took forever.
"Look, the limo!" Andrew pointed out. It was white and decked with balloons.
"Sweeetttt."
"Your parents always do something with balloons." Leila pointed out.
Yeah, it's sort of a thing in our house..."
"You kids be good. And enjoy all of the drinks in the limousine." Mariska said.
"You gave them alcohol?" August asked.
"August!" She playfully swatted him and he laughed.
"Hey, you guys behave yourselves." Andrew said while walking over to me.
"Or what?" Allie asked.
"You don't wanna know. And you be nice to my sister!"
"You don't gotta worry about me, promise." We shook on it.