Ethically Speaking

0.2

•- Quincie Jackson -•

Academics had been an indoctrinated priority in the Jackson household. My younger siblings were on the right track to Ivy League acceptances as they continuously excel in their schooling.

We were groomed for success and anything less than achievement was frowned upon.

I once spent my nights cornered away in the school's library. It had been roughly two days since the arrival of Professor Fields. With no new class work to stable my feet in growing my future, my night was spent sulking on the couch as the boys plays on of their malicious war games.

"Why are you so mopey?" Grace asks as she reaches over the couch to hand me a bowl of ice cream.

I graciously accept as my knees pull to my chest.

"It's library night," I mumble before shoving a sooonful of chocolate ice cream into my mouth, "I'm meant to be studying my philosophers not watching Anthony get his ass kicked."

My scowl was prominent and the chocolate surrounding my face from my sloppy eating was making me less than presentable.

"Watch your potty mouth, Quince. Don't make me wash it out with soap," Fletcher does not draw his attention from the screen as he speaks. I groan in response before silently devouring the remains of my chocolate ice cream.

"I don't know why you're complaining. The man is giving you a break. You aren't stuck in that dumb little study box. I'm pretty sure you're the only one on campus who uses it for it's actual purpose," Grace shrugs her shoulders before retreating back to the kitchen.

My face scrunches at her comment as I lean towards to coffee table to place my now empty bowl.

"I second that," Anthony calls out as his fingers skillfully move about his controller, "Some of the best sex of my life has happened in those study rooms."

"Gross," I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts I most definitely did not want.

"You can't spend your last years of college worrying about this new guy. We all know if it were up to the system, you'd have graduated college already. Just take this year to relax, it never happens."

I watch as Anthony's character falls from a high place killing him instantly. His heartfelt words were lost to murdered profanities as he falls back into the couch with frustration.

Grace's hand slaps the back of Anthony's head.

"What was that for? I gave her solid advice!"

Grace makes a face of apology before offering to take my empty bowl from me.

"I'm used to you saying something stupid, sorry," she mumbles before ruffling his hair.

The start of our friendship with the boys I had always been hesitant. I had always known Grace better than myself and I could easily spot her falling in love with Fletcher from the moment her eyes laid on him. She would deny it at first and mask her emotions by calling him rude names or teasing him when he was embarrassed. It came as no shock when he drunkenly confided in Anthony who blabbed the next day. After a week of the pair ignoring each other, Anthony and I had pushed them together making them the couple they were now.