Laying on the floor of the treehouse Prince and I were quietly looking up at the moon through the huge makeshift skylight that my dad built in at the last minute and covered with super clear plexiglass. Even thought it was damp for a warm night in September Prince didn't seem to mind the crisp chill in the air. I however grabbed on of the extra blankets and wrapped myself up because I get cold easily if the temperature drops below 70 degrees. I looked over at him and he was really out of it. He looked like he was really deep in thought. My first thought was to slap him and tell him to snap out of it but on the other hand I like this side of him. He's cute when he's not so much of an ass.
"Nelson?" I called to him trying my best to pull him away slowly from his thoughts.
"Yeah?" He said as he still looked up.
"You ok?"
He turned his head to me and smiled. It was 'yes and no' type of smile. He knew I wasn't gonna let this one slide at all.
"Alright Skipper. What is it talk to mama?"
"Have you ever thought about your future? Like where are yourself from now and if it will end up that way?"
"Sometimes. Why?"
"Because Morris was right. We did suck."
"Prince! Why would you say that? You did great!"
"Of course you would say that. You're my friend. You're obligated to lie to us."
"If you don't get those jive thoughts out of your head right now! I'm disappointed in you! You know I want nothing but happiness for you and if I didn't then that would make me a horrible friend. What's with you tonight? And then why listen to Morris? He can't even keep count half the time!"
"Yeah he can you're just saying that."
"Ok well Andre is a crap bassist! I'd feel much better if he was on keyboard."
"Are you kidding me? Andre is one of the best bassists I know! Nobody is as bad on the bass as Andre......or me."
"Well then I'd kick Dez to the curb. All his notes are always a beat and a half off."
"Listen woman-"
"And the lead singer. Can he hold a note please?"
"HEY! Now you're goin' too far!"
"What? Isn't that what you want me to say?"
"No! I want you to at least say we were good not trash u like you did just now have a heart!"
I sat up and giggled because he was getting all upset over nothing.
"Skipper I do have a heart and I already told you that you guys did great. But you didn't want to hear that because your so worried about the opinions of other people! Stop doubting yourself. If anything in a few years you'll be recording your first album with the band and out on tour in no time. I have faith in the guys. I also have faith in you."
Prince sat up next to me and gave me a much more believable smile. We laid back down and looked up at the moon once again in silence before we changed topic.
"What about you Mouse? Where do you see yourself?"
I actually never thought about that question. This was the conversation I was hoping to have with my dad when I was younger.
"I don't know. My daddy said he wanted me to go to college and get a degree in something with structure and substance. We never really talked about it fully because I was 10. Then......"
I could feel Prince looking over at me as I was still looking up. I felt his hand slowly grab at mine as our fingers interlocked together.
"Hey. You're dad will be happy with what ever choice you make."
"But I don't wanna let Ma down either."
"She won't be let down. Your mom wants nothing but the best for you and so do I. You're like.....my annoying but lovable little sister."
"And your my annoying but lovable older brother who's in serious need of an attitude adjustment."
"You're sadly mistaken mama."
"How?"
"I didn't jump down Andre's throat earlier."
"You lie! You did too!"
"Not while he was hitting on me."
"First of all your friend is a damn creep! If he can't talk to me without having his hormones involved than there's no need for him to say anything to me."
"What about Wilson? He's a creep but you talk to him?"
"Wilson is NOT a creep. He's.....smooth with his game."
Prince rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Yeah as smooth as chunky peanut butter."
I backhanded him in his chest nearly making him choke on his chewing gum.
"Didn't ya mama teach you about keeping ya hands to yourself?" He snapped.
"Don't know. Didn't ya daddy teach you to watch your mouth?"
"Leave my dad outta this."
"Leave my mama outta this. Bout that?"
We laughed at ourselves because this was was who we were. Young and stupid. We were like family me and Prince. He was looking out for me and I was looking out for him. We have a funny way of telling each other the truth about ourselves. We'd get mad at each other and not speak for a few hours and then go right back to being friends as if we never were mad at each other. We laid in my treehouse for another few minutes laughing about the things that happened to us after we split from each other at the second half of the day. What made his day the most was my best friend passing out in the middle of the hallway. I don't understand what she sees in him but hey to each their own I guess. Skipper is cute and and all the girls at school love him. They know not to mess with me because they know Prince is hotheaded. It's going to different once we graduate next year. We'll be going our separate ways. But for now I'm just going to enjoy what we have for as long as possible. Good old Skipper Nelson. We were having such a good time talking that we forgot we were outside until the roar of the distant thunder reminded us that Prince had to hurry up and walk home before he was caught in the storm. We scrambled down from the tree before the rain began to fall and ran out of my backyard closing the wooded fence behind us.
"Get inside before you catch cold Mouse. See you for school tomorrow." He said.
Prince gave me a hug and ran off home. I went inside the house and locked the door then went up to my mom's room to let her know I was already home. Given the smile on her face I assume she heard us laughing in the tree for an hour from her bedroom window. I went back down the hall to my room to get out of my damp school clothes and hop in the shower when my phone rang. I answered to an out of breath Prince on the other end.
"I made it! I'm wet but I made it!" He giggled.
"Good. I'll see you in the morning."
"Ok. Come early. I wanna do something before school."
"Breakfast?"
"How'd you know?"
"Andre put you up to it."
Prince laughed and gave his friend away.
"Can we Mouse?" He pleaded.
"You're lucky my mom is off tomorrow. I'll be there."
"Cool. Good night mama."
"Goodnight Skipper."
I hung up the phone and grabbed my pajamas and towel took a quick shower then hopped in bed. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.