Just As I Am

Chapter 20

Jasmine

The next morning, Isaiah called early and told me to get dressed. He said he would be at the house in fifteen minutes, and I’d better be ready. I would’ve been upset if my mom and dad hadn’t called at the crack of dawn. They talked about how their baby was a young woman now, not knowing how close I’d actually come to that the night before. They wanted to come to Dallas for my birthday, but dad had a conference he had to attend and mom had a banquet. We stayed on the phone for about thirty minutes before I told them Isaiah was taking me to breakfast. I was surprised when neither of them said anything about that, though Mom didn’t seem to have any problem with me spending time with him. I told them I’d talk to them later and got dressed. I hardly recognized the house when I got downstairs. Mia had already started decorating for the party, even though it would be contained mostly to the pool house and back yard. 

“Happy Birthday!” Isaiah smiled and hugged me.

“Thanks, Zay! Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah, but I think there’s someone in the kitchen who wants to see you.” He laughed, nudging me in that direction. I walked in to the kitchen to a chorus of happy birthdays. Trey’s sister, Meagan, and Mia’s best friend, Shawn, both smiled brightly at me. I rushed to give each of them hugs and kisses. Meagan was a lawyer and married to the famous David Randall. Shawn was the superintendent of DISD and married to a very successful real estate agent. I’ve known both ladies for as long as I can remember, and I love them like family. With their busy schedules, I’d only seen them two or three times since I’d moved to Texas.

“I can’t believe you’re seventeen!” Meagan gushed. “You’ve grown into such a beautiful young lady!”

“And still hanging out with Zay, I see.” Shawn added. “I think they’re worse than Mia and Trey were. At least they acknowledged it!”

“Huh?” I said, causing all three women to laugh. It took me a moment to get what she was insinuating. “Isaiah and I are…”

“Just friends. We know!” The three of them finished before laughing again.

“Well, I’ll be back in a little, Aunt Mia.” I said before hurrying out of the kitchen. Isaiah had a smirk on his face, but didn’t comment as he opened the door for me. The trip to Ihop was a silent one, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

"So, what exactly was all that about last night?" I asked as I cut into my pancakes.

"What?"

"Don't play with me, Isaiah!" I warned.

"Or what?" He laughed.

"Zay!" I whined.

"Okay, okay. You can quit with the puppy dog eyes." The waitress came over and asked if I wanted a refill for my almost empty glass of milk.

"Yes, thank you." I waited for Isaiah to finish when she left, but he attacked his eggs with gusto instead. "Any time now."

"Oh, right. Do we really have to talk about that?" He grimaced.

"You said that you would."

"It's just..."

"Was it about what Dashawn said? You know, about us not hanging out so much. Because you should know I'd never let anyone come between us. I remember the promise we made."

"Yeah, I know, Jazzy." He smiled.

"So, that's what it was about?

"Yeah, that's what it was about." He wasn't making eye contact for whatever reason, which led me to think there was more to it.