Smile

I Like You

"Dude, what happened?", Euriah asked looking at the girl I'd just knocked out.

I shrugged impassively, "Nothing".

Euriah pointed to the girl who was now being lifted up by the school guard and carried away. "That was not nothing!".

He was getting spastic and I was getting arrested. "Tell you about it when I get out". The officer clamped the handcuffs around my wrists and put me in the back of the car. "What? I'm not getting mirandized?", I sounded impatient but really I was freaking out. My dad was gonna kill me. See he's not just old school black but he's also old school Korean and I'm about to get my ass kicked in two different languages.

"Calm down, you're not getting arrested", he said calmly. "I saw the whole thing and she deserved it, but I have to make it look like I'm doing my job, so we're gonna ride around the block, maybe get a shake at Eddie's then I'll bring you back here".

I stared at the back of the officer's head in shock. I wasn't getting arrested? I guess this wasn't going to be such a bad day after all.

...

Officer Kyle dropped me back off at my car twenty minutes later then sped off. He wasn't half bad. Turns out he's a twenty-two year old from Kansas who came out here to live with his fiancée a couple years ago. He also has a blue eyed baby boy named Jacob who is just the cutest kid ever - he showed me a few pictures.

I got in my car and started the engine. Halfway home I got a call from Chris. I decided to take it since I was thinking clearly. It wasn't like he was my boyfriend or anything, he could talk to who he chooses.

"Hey, I'm driving. What's up?", I said answering with Bluetooth.

"Hey. What happened?".

I scoffed humorlessly, "You didn't hear? I got arrested for knocking that girl out".

Chris was silent for a moment. "Are you okay?", he asked finally.

"I'm fine. On my way home now", I said smiling. He was worried.

"Good. Come over later?".

"Sure thing".

"Bye".

"Bye", I hung up drumming my fingers on the steering wheel. Wait, I was supposed to be mad at him. Darn. I was so happy he was worried that I forgot I was on Chris-hiatus.

I turned into the driveway and cut the engine. There was a silver Prius where I usually park so I parked on the right side instead of the left. Dad was on the porch talking to some old bald guy in a dark grey suit. When I got out of the car my dad pointed to me and the man nodded understandingly. As I approached them I tried to figure out what they were talking about.

"Steph, this man is Ashley Hill's father, Simon. He came here to discuss the fact that you gave his daughter whiplash and broke her nose", he had an eyebrow raised in amusement but his voice was wary.

I held my hand out politely, "Nice to meet you Mr. Hill. I'm sorry about what happened with your daughter. I felt threatened by the way she insulted my culture. I wasn't thinking correctly". Okay, maybe that was a stretch but it was somewhat true. She had mentioned my culture.

Mr. Hill looked surprised. "She did what?", he sounded almost pissed, his bushy brown-grey eyebrows raised the corners of his mouth pulled taut.

"She mentioned the fact that I'm black in a very negative way, sir. Perhaps I overreacted but I didn't feel comfortable at all", I was milking it but I was not going to be sued for that broad. "So, what else would you need cleared up?", I didn't care, I just wanted him gone. I would already have to deal with Dad, and I was exhausted.

"Well, quite frankly she wants to sue but if what you say is true I'd rather not take it to court", he looked almost nervous.

"I think that would be best", my dad said placing a hand on my shoulder. "Is there anything else we can help you with sir?".

"No, no. That will be all. Thank you for your time", he said and hobbled off to his car. It was strange because he was obviously no older than fifty-five but the way he moved made him seem much older.

We waved goodbye until his car disappeared. "Alright, in the house", my dad said sternly. Shit.

I took a seat at the island while Dad leaned up against the counter assessing the situation in his head.

"So, tell me what happened".

I went through the whole story leaving out the part about me being all lovey-dovey with Ashton and by the time I was finished Dad looked a little amused, shocked, proud, and uncertain all at once.

"Am I in trouble?", I asked feeling sheepish. I hated it when Dad was mad at me.

"No", Dad sighed while pinching his nose. "You went through a lot of bullshit today, I get that, and you tried not to fight but they both deserved it", then he smiled proudly at me. "And it's not everyday a man gets to brag that his baby girl broke someone's jaw and knocked someone out with one hit", he ruffled my hair.

I swatted at his hands, happy he wasn't the fire and brimstone type. "Dad!", I groaned. He chuckled the way only a dad can, you know the deep hearty chuckle that rattles the house and cheers you up.

"Alright, well, I've gotta go into the office and Vanessa is out shopping. If neither of us are back before seven order a pizza. Love you, pumpkin", he said giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"Love you too, Dad". I waved goodbye to him and then waved hello to Chris.

Dad's car disappeared down the street as I walked over to the Collins house where Chris was washing his car. He was shirtless only wearing his pants from earlier, no shoes. Not gonna lie I was checking him out.

"Stare much", Karisma giggled from the porch.

Oh, that's embarrassing. My face sparked like the fourth of July.

Chris hadn't noticed me until he stood up from rinsing his tires. Immediately he broke out in a smile. "Hey".

"Hey", I waved awkwardly. "Nice job", I stuttered pointing to the sports car in front of me.

"Thanks", he glanced at the sparkling wax job, "it's my baby".

"I see", I shifted uneasily from foot to foot. He looked absolutely gorgeous right now. His hair was styled to perfection as always, and his eyes weren't quite green or blue right now, but sort of a teal or aqua marine. He had on a pair of jeans that fit just right, hanging off his hips just enough to show off his American Eagle underwear. His abs glistened in the sun, skin wet from the spray of the hose he was using. My eyes traveled to his lips. Oh, I'm such a pervert, but they looked so... kissable right now. "I'm mad at you", I said trying to distract my own thoughts.

"What? Why?", he asked chuckling. Damn him for having a cute chuckle.

"Because! You actually think that girl is hot", I mused.

He just shook his head and went to turn the water off. He beckoned for me to follow him into the house. I trailed behind him up the stairs into his room.

Closing the door behind me he gestured toward a comfy looking bed, "Sit".

I sat down and felt like I was falling on a cloud. Oh, this was amazing. "Temperpedic?", I eyed him as he moved around the room.

He nodded before going into his dresser and pulling out a white shirt. He tugged it on not bothering to dry off. I pouted a little inside--he looks so good without a shirt, why do they make those awful things.

"Wanna listen to music?", he asked booting up his computer.

What was he up to. I looked at him suspiciously, "Sure".

He turned on an artist I didn't know but the music wasn't bad, it was like a pop/rap crossover but it wasn't quite hip hop.

"Are you gonna kill me?", I blurted out.

Chris laughed like a full out laugh. "Nah, I like you too much to kill you".