Twisted Cinderella

Pieces of the puzzle II

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, L'Oreal finally left the wash room. Sean was still on the phone talking, though she couldn't make out any of the words. Instead of returning to his bedroom, she made her way back to the living room. Avatar: The Last Airbender was currently playing on the television. It happened to be one of her favorite cartoons so she watched it. Today was Saturday so most of the channels Sean had would be occupied with kid shows. No matter, though, because they both still liked cartoons. Zuko was just apologizing to Katara when L'Oreal heard Sean making his way down the hall. 

Much to her surprise, Sean plopped down on the couch and laid his head in her lap. Though she forced herself to frown, her flushed cheeks gave her away. She was happy. Childish, yes, but happy. Sean smiled. 

"So?" He asked 

"So, what?" 

"Don't you want to know what she said?" 

"Judging by the huge, goofy smile on your face, I can only guess she said yes?" Her fake frown turned into a smile as she spoke. 

"Is your boy good or what?" 

"Good at what? Being a mama's boy?" 

"Oh, so it's like that now, huh?” Sean quirked a brow at her.

"Yep, it's like that." 

"Okay. You sure have a smart mouth for someone who's depending on me to help give you a chance at graduating on time. Why don't I just go call mom back and tell her not to do this favor." He started to pull himself up, but L'Oreal quickly pushed him back into her lap. 

 "Okaaaay! I'm sorry. Geez." 

He grinned triumphantly. "That's more like it. Now make me some breakfast, woman!" 

L'Oreal raised an eyebrow at him. "Now, do you really want me to do that?" She asked. 

Sean thought about it. ".....No. I can't afford to pay these people back if you burn down the entire apartment complex. I need my deposit back." They both laughed. 

"Shut up, boy. I'm not that bad at cooking.” L’Oreal was almost relieved she wasn’t great at cooking, though. It sure saved her from having to do it all the time.

"Please! You can't even boil water without burning a pot." 

"You're so mean!" 

He shrugged. "Nah, it's just that the truth hurts." 

"I'm about to give you the fist, Sean. Anyway, did the phone beep while you were talking to your mom?" 

"No. No one called. I'd have answered if someone called since I know you said Grammy's suppose to be calling you back." 

"Oh, Okay." 

"Anyway, if everything goes well, we're gonna go and get you some new clothes and shit." 

"And a new laptop," she said 

"Yeah." 

"And some new internet service ’cause yours is really slow, dude," L'Oreal added and laughed. 

"Damn. Okay, that too" 

"And you a new toothbrush," she mumbled. 

"Yeah...wait! Wha?!?" 

"‘Cause boo, your breath is kickin'!" 

"Oh, shit! You just said that," he said in disbelief as he sat up. L'Oreal pulled herself away from under him and stood, laughing. "You really just said that, girl" 

"Ha! Pay back for what you said yesterday!" L'Oreal said pushing him down then ran for his bedroom. Sean chased her, but she closed his bedroom door and locked it before he could get her. 

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~ 

Sean's mom called back that night and told him that Mrs. Wiley had agreed to help L'Oreal, which was great. Because L'Oreal was considered a model student, the school would do just about anything to keep her. Plus, she was eighteen and old enough to make decisions for herself without her guardian. She had an appointment to meet with the principle Monday morning.  

L'Oreal didn't hear back from Grammy until Sunday morning at around seven AM. Because she had keys to the Benoit house, it was easy to get her thirteen year old grandson, Jamal, in. He's had a crush on L'Oreal since he was six years old so being able to go in her bedroom was like heaven. He got everything from the room L'Oreal had asked for and more. He even got her school uniform. Not that she'd need it now, but it was the thought that counted. She and Sean were on their way to meet Jamal at a park near his home to get her things. Since she used to babysit Jamal when he was younger, she knew exactly where that particular park was. 

L'Oreal was so happy to see a non-threatening face when she spotted Jamal that she ran up to him and pulled him into a tight hug. 

"Jamaaaal! I've missed you, boy. You've grown so much." 

He blushed at having his crush hug him with so much endearment. Having her big boobs pressed against him didn't hurt, either. Sean knew exactly what Jamal was thinking and frowned, but the boy only gave him a sly smirk and continued to bask in L’Oreal’s squishiness. 

"Jamal, you remember Sean, don't you? Say hi, Sean."  

"'Sup, lil dude." Jamal never really liked Sean and has always seen him as a love rival so when Sean spoke, Jamal only nodded and turned his attention back to L'Oreal. 

"Here's your stuff, Lori," Jamal said, handing her a small duffel bag. "Your ID and stuff is in the pocket on the inside of the bag." 

"Thank you, Jamal," She said, hugging him again. 

He hugged her back eagerly. "You're welcome." 

"Grammy told me that you had to sneak into the house. Were you scared?" 

"No! Scared of what?" He asked. His voice was already cracking from puberty and L'Oreal couldn't help but giggle, "Hey! Don't laugh. It's not funny" 

"Aww. Okay, okay. I'm sorry. It's just that you're growing up without me even knowing. Your voice is already trying to change. And you even have a little peach fuzz going on," she said, running her fingers against the thin hair teasingly. It embarrassed Jamal, much to Sean's amusement. 

"Okay, enough about me," the young boy said, trying to change the subject.  

"Okay, anyway, thank you again, Jamal. I'll have to make it up to you someday." 

"Oh, you can do that now." 

"Huh?"  

Jamal pointed to his cheek, "If you give me a kiss then I'll consider us even." Both L'Oreal and Sean's mouths fell open in disbelief. 

"You little sly devil. Come here," L'Oreal said, pulling him in, then placed a chaste kiss against Jamal's chocolate cheek. The young boy was so enthralled that it was embarrassing. Even L'Oreal was a little embarrassed. 

"Umm....I-I gotta go. Bye, Lori." He managed to get out before running off in the direction of his home. 

"Bye, Jamal! It was good seeing you!" 

"Don't go home and do something indecent on a Sunday morning, boy!" Sean yelled. 

"SHUT UP!" Jamal yelled back before turning the corner from them. 

"Boy gets one little kiss on the cheek and damn near has an orgasm in his pants," Sean said, laughing. 

"Shut up," L'Oreal said, but laughed along with him.