In the Midnight Hour

Chapter 2

Saturday's are like magic. There's so much potential built into one day, and so much promise for the night to come. I roll over in bed and take a look at the clock on my nightstand: 8:43am. I smile because I know that no one is up yet and I can get ready in peace. I get out of bed and head to the shower. While I'm washing my hair, my mind goes back to the new face I saw yesterday. He's unlike anyone I've ever seen here. I find myself hoping that I'll see him again, that I'll look into his dark eyes and figure out their mystery.

After my shower, I make the responsible decision to work on some homework while my hair air-dries, knowing that I'll be home late tonight and not in the mood. Just as I'm getting lost in my work, the phone on my nightstand rings. My heart sinks, I don't want anyone else to hear the ringing and wake up. I rush over to my bed and grab the phone, impressed that I only let the phone get in two and a half rings before answering.

"Hello" I say.

"Me and Eddie are about to leave the house to come pick y'all up, you better be ready!" Deeno's undeniable voice replies.

"I'm almost ready. I'll see y'all soon." I say.

I hang up before she can say bye. I go over to my dresser mirror and make sure that my hair has curled up nicely while air-drying. I part my hair to the side, and grab a scrunchie for my wrist just in case I want to put it up later. My skin looks pale against my brown hair as I examine my face next, wondering what to do with it. I grab the tweezers and pluck a few unruly eyebrow hairs, making sure that my thick eyebrows don't go overboard. Then, I grab some mascara and put just enough on to make it look like I actually have eyelashes. Once I'm finished with my face, I grab an old faded pair of bluejeans and put them on, making sure to put some cash and my lip balm in the front pocket. I pick up one of my brother's old white t-shirts that I cut into a crop-top, and throw it on next. I start heading for the front door, still trying to be quiet so that I don't wake anyone. I grab my worn leather boots and start lacing them up on the couch. Just as I'm lacing my last shoe, I hear the car horn beeping outside and I know that is my cue. I run outside, satisfied with myself for being able to get out of the house without having to tell my mom or my brother where I'm going.

Eddie stops honking the horn as soon as he sees me come out. Then, Calvin hops out of the back seat and opens the door for me. I start sliding towards my seat in the middle.

"You want a piece of gum?" Angie asks as I slide closer to her.

"Well good morning to you too, Ange" I laugh and take a stick from the gum packet.

"Oh I'm sorry, let me give you a formal greeting to the same backseat that you sit in every weekend." she says sarcastically.

Deeno turns around in the passenger seat, "You always gotta be unpleasant don't you Ange?"

Angie fake smiles at Deeno and rolls her eyes. Deeno and I chuckle at her response. I turn and look at Calvin sitting next to me.

"Hey Calvin" I say.

"Well hey yourself" he says with a smile. He leans in close to me, "You smell good enough to eat."

The way that Calvin looks directly at me makes my heart flutter. I love everyone else in this car, but Calvin is always the one I'm most excited to see. I refuse to tell Deeno and Angie that information though. Sometimes I even try to convince myself that it isn't true, but then moments like this happen and I know I'm lying to myself.

"Where to for breakfast?" Eddie asks, as if we don't go to the same breakfast spot every weekend.

"Hmm, that's a tough one" says Angie, going along with it.

We all smile and before we know it, Eddie's pulling into the parking lot at Ralph's Pancake House. We all get out of the car and walk inside, picking our booth in the corner that we always sit at. We always spend hours here, eating, talking, studying, or just enjoying each other's company.