Zakiya and Rylander.

Friends Are Worth Several Injustices.

RYLANDER

"Argh!"

I woke up, halfway off my bed, unable to do anything but shout out in surprise. Falling off, I hit the floor and rolled myself into a seating position. In my very confused state, it took me a bit to figure out that my phone was ringing. When I finally did, I clambered back onto my bed and picked up without even looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Hey, babe. Just woke up?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, I was just calling to make sure we were still on for breakfast."

Breakfast?

"Yeah, yeah, of course-"

"Rylander- you forgot, didn't you?"

"No, babe, I wouldn't-"

"You did. Denny's. At ten. Be there."

With that, Nyla hung up. I checked the time on my phone- it was eight thirty. I tried to close my eyes and maybe get five more minutes of sleep, but it didn't really work. Groaning, I began to think that Zakiya was accurate when she called Nyla Jasmine. She was drop dead gorgeous, intelligent and quite imperious, with something bordering on a 'come-hither' air. I know, I know, I always let Nyla do what she wants- even though I'm not a pushover. It's just that, when she wants to be, she can be a bit of a steamroller and will flatten any opposing idea, with a smile and a word. And, personally, I don't really like the idea of being run over and crushed.

Unable to even get into a pre-doze mood, I got out of bed and resigned myself to getting up early. Walking out of my room and into my bathroom, I picked up my toothbrush and squeezed toothpaste on to it. Placing my brush in my mouth, my phone beeped. Sighing, I walked back into my room and picked it up. I turned it on and was astonished to see that Zakiya texted me.

Zakiya: Up and at 'em, sunshine.

Zakiya: You owe me 16 bucks.

I shook my head at her tenacity, as playful as it was.

Me: Stop trying to deprive me of my livelihood.

Z: Stop trying to deprive me of the fruits of my labor.

I burst into laughter, and replied quickly.

Me: You're such a bully.

Z: Tell me something I don't know... what are you up to right now?

Me: Want to brush my teeth- just got up...

Z: Well, aren't you the early bird. I've been up since five.

Me: Why would anyone do that to themselves?

Z: Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.

Me: Okay, now you're just ripping off Harry Potter...

Z: Kudos if you can remember which one. Brush your teeth and stuff, text me later.

I brushed my teeth and took a shower. Hopping out, I snapped my bedsheets and fixed my bed, and then I pulled on a shirt and shorts. Grabbing my keys from the kitchen counter of my mother's house, I jotted down a note for her:

Hey Mom;

Going out for breakfast with Nyla. Don't assume that my dad snuck me back to his place- please no more fights about where I slept. I will be back soon enough to drop Gale off at her tae kwon do class.