Researching With the Jock {BWWM High School Romance}

New Jack Saturday

Vivian

I'm standing in front of my mirror, trying to tame my wild curls into something resembling a ponytail. It's Saturday morning, and I've got about fifteen minutes to get ready before I have to leave for work. My uniform, a red polo shirt with the golden arches and a pair of black pants, is laid out on my bed, staring at me like it knows it's going to be covered in grease and fry salt within the hour.

I grab my scrunchie, twisting it around the mess of hair until it sort of holds together. Good enough. I check my reflection one last time, give myself a nod of approval, and then turn to grab my uniform. As I pull on the polo shirt, I can't help but cringe a little. Why does this thing have to be so stiff? It's like it was starched in concrete.

Just as I'm about to leave my room, I hear my mom's voice from the kitchen, "Vivian, don't forget to eat something before you go! I made pancakes!"

"Thanks, Mom! I'll grab one on the way out!" I call back, already knowing that I'll probably just stuff it in a napkin and eat it in the car. Saturdays at the McDonald's food court are no joke, and I need to be there on time, or Mr. Bailey will give me that look. You know, the one that says, "You're late, but I'm too tired to care enough to write you up."

I make my way to the kitchen, where the smell of pancakes greets me like a warm hug. My mom, Patricia, is at the stove, flipping the last of the pancakes onto a plate. Penny and Johnnie are already at the table, stuffing their faces.

"Morning, squirt," I say, ruffling Johnnie's hair as I pass by.

"Hey!" He protests, but he's too busy trying to drown his pancakes in syrup to really care.

I grab a pancake, fold it in half, and take a bite. "Mmm, perfect as always, Mom. I gotta go, though. Lisa's probably waiting for me."

"Drive safe, honey!" She yells as I head for the door. "And tell Lisa I said hi!"

"Will do!" I call over my shoulder, grabbing my keys off the counter and making a beeline for the car.

My old Toyota Corolla is parked in the driveway, looking as tired as I feel. But it's reliable, and that's what matters. I hop in, throw the pancake on the passenger seat, and start the engine. The radio comes to life with "N.E. Heartbreak" by New Edition, and I can't help but bob my head to the beat as I pull out of the driveway.

I pull up to Lisa's house, and she's already outside, leaning against the mailbox with her arms crossed, a smirk on her face. She's wearing the same uniform as me, but somehow she manages to make it look less like a potato sack and more like something from a music video. I swear, Lisa could make a garbage bag look stylish.

"'Bout time you showed up!" She teases as she slides into the passenger seat.

"Hey, I'm not late," I shoot back, pulling away from the curb. "Fashionably on time, thank you very much."

Lisa laughs, pulling the pancake from the seat and taking a bite. "Your mom's pancakes are the best. You know, you could've brought me one."

"Yeah, well, I figured I'd make you beg for it," I say, grinning.

"Oh, please, your Highness, may I have a bite of your delicious pancake?" She says in an exaggerated British accent, holding the pancake up like it's some sort of royal offering.

"Granted," I say, doing my best to mimic the Queen. We both crack up, the sound of our laughter and New Edition fills the car as we make our way to the mall.

When we get there, the parking lot is already filling up with cars. I park and we head inside, the familiar smell of fast food hitting us as soon as we walk through the doors. The food court is buzzing with activity, and I can already see a line forming at the McDonald's counter.