𝙈𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚 |𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣|

𝘾-𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚

May 5th, 2005
Maurice's Sixteenth birthday

"Maury whatcha' doing today? It's the big 1-6".

Asia hung onto Maurice's back as they maneuvered out of University High School. It was the end of the day and the teens were ecstatic, the end of the day was always the best.

"Ma was just asking me that, you know it don't matter as long as I'm spending it with you". Asia cheeks became pink as the teen boy gave her a deep- dimple smile.

It wasn't a secret the pair were crushing on each other, their naiveness wouldn't allow them to act on it.

Maurice and Asia have been friends since kindergarten, their friendship meant the most to him so jeopardizing it wasn't in his plans.

"Here you go being the sweetest boy again, I would love to spend it with you but you know how my mother is". Asia's voice trialed off sadness leaking through.

Maurice lowly kissed his teeth, Felicia Terrell wasn't the biggest fan of him and he couldn't understand why.

He was a good kid, played basketball all while keeping his grades up. Maurice could run with the in crowds—the guys who were hustling, gang banging, or causing trouble—all he wanted to do was play ball and be with his best friend.

Ms. Terrell had express to Asia on numerous occasions that Maurice was trouble, she couldn't put her finger on it but she just felt in her spirit he would get her daughter caught up into some mess.

Joy Browning-Maurice's mother wasn't a fan of Felicia. Anyone that would stereotype her son who she raised right was no good in her book.

Joy adored Maurice and Asia, she could see that her baby boy was indeed in love and so was Asia. If they were maintaining their grades and being appropriate overall what was the problem?

Maurice didn't let Ms. Terrell's words get to him but they always got to Asia—she was very overprotective when it came to Maurice. You couldn't breathe wrong in his direction without her seeing what was up.

"Well at least grab a cupcake with me so we can celebrate before I walk you home". Maurice suddenly stopped at the bakery they normally passed squatting down so Asia could get off of his back.

His 5'10 frame towering over her 5'0 body making her appear small. Maurice wasn't your average height teen, if anything he probably was the tallest kid in his class.

"Come on!". Asia grabbed ahold of his hand as he pushed the door open for her.

"Welcome to Gladys Treats, what can I help you guys with today?". The brown older woman greeted with a small smile.

"Today is my best friend birthday and we would like a cupcake and could you possibly put a candle on it please? Thank you!". Asia smiled while digging into her book bag to retrieve her pink wallet that was stuffed inside.

"Whatchu doin A? I got it". Maurice frowned digging into his jeans to grab the crinkly twenty dollar bill his mom had given him this morning.

"No it's your birthday, I got it Maury". Asia waved him off waiting for the cashier to say the total.

"A single cupcake with a candle is $2". Asia nod handing off the $5 bill.

"Choose your cupcake Maury". Asia nudged him as she collected her three dollars.

Maurice eyes scanned the display case, there were so many flavors to choose from.

Tapping his chin lightly his eyes landed on a reddish-blue cupcake. "That one". He pointed towards it seeing that it was vanilla flavor—his and Asia's favorite.