B I T T E R

C H A P T E R SIX

It was Superbowl Sunday and I hadn't heard a word from Ace. He went absent often and came back at random times. I didn't understand at all. Did he enjoy our kiss? Despite his shaky knees, I enjoyed all of Friday into Saturday.

"Charlotte, you watching the Superbowl with me?" my dad yelled upstairs. He was an anti-Patriots fan, so I already knew who he was rooting for. I wanted to go out with my friends rather than listen to him curse at the TV every time the Patriots advanced.

"Maybe!" I called back.

My mother was already gone to sleep since she had to get up early for work and didn't care about football.

My phone went off and I checked to see who had texted me.

Ray: Aye, want to hang?

Me: Always!! Thanks sm. Send address and i'll b over shortly

I put on jeans and a sweater. It was freezing this time of the year. When I was done, I texted the girls about going to Ray's. They said they would come if they could.

"I'm gonna go watch the Superbowl with my friends." I told my dad as I walked to the garage door.

"Who is going to be there? Where are you going?" he questioned, always being the suspicious type.

"The girls and Ray. I don't know if anyone else will and it's at Ray's house."

"Who is Ray? You've never mentioned him before." My dad raised an eyebrow.

"He's good people, Dad. I'll see you later."

"Be home before midnight! It's a school night. Don't let your mother know you're gone." He said.

"Got it!" I closed the door behind me and hopped in my car. I found myself wondering what Ace was doing at this time. He could've at least texted me to tell me that he wasn't going to come over. I wasn't sure where he came from but it shaped him into an odd person.

I pulled into Ray's driveway and his house amazed me. It was huge and there were two Mercedes out front. Everyone around here is doing well financially, but Ray could pass in the Beverly Hills.

I rang the doorbell and he answered. I laughed at his fleece pajama pants and white tank top.

"What's good with you?" he seemed confused.

"I like your pajamas. My friends are coming too." I told him.

"Okay. That's cool." He allowed me inside. There was a bucket of fried chicken, ice cream, soda, and pizza in his chicken. My mouth started to water from looking at this glory.

Without asking, I helped myself to a plate. For some reason, I felt really comfortable around Ray. It was like we were destined to meet and become friends.

"Geez, girl. You starving?" he joked.

"I have to stay thick." I replied.

"You got a nice ass, no lie." He smiled a silly grin.

"Oh, thanks." I rolled my eyes. Wouldn't be the first time someone made a comment about my butt.

"You don't mind if I smoke, do you?" he asked when we sat down in his room. He had a lot of comfortable bean bags.

"Yeah, but I don't smoke."

If you want to be a stoner and blaze it like it's 4/20 everyday, go ahead. I just don't like when people don't accept my rejection. I can't stand the smell of it.

"I smoke weed, though." He started to roll a blunt.

"Cool." I laughed, unsure of why he told me.