Love and Music (Based on Love and Basketball)

September 2000

Alyssa POV

"Ok, this is it." My mom smiled while pulling up into our new home in Los Angeles.

"Yay!" My older sister, Ryan, was a little too overly excited for my liking.

My parents decided to move us out to LA after my dad got a big job opportunity working for a security agency. I was happy for him, but I missed Detroit. It's just too far from home.

"Cheer up, kiddo. You'll adjust." my dad nudged me on my head. I couldn't help but to smile. We unloaded our things into the house and got as settled as possible. It hadn't even been an hour of unpacking until I heard a knock at the door.

I skipped downstairs to find my mom talking to some lady and a goofy looking kid with her.

"Yeah, my daughter is 11 as well." my mom said.

"Oh great, Chris and Alyssa should be friends. They'll have to get used to it cause they're going to the same school." the other lady chuckled.

"Oh, here she is." my mom motioned me over.

No, no, no, no..... leave me be

"Alyssa, this is Ms. Brown, our neighbor. And this is her son, Chris." she forced me to smile and wave at both.

Chris wasn't an ugly kid, just really goofy looking. Big teeth, long t-shirt and shorts, and a peanut shaped head. Still, he was oddly attractive.

"You wanna come play with me and my friends? We listening to music and dancing." Chris invited me.

I reluctantly looked up at my mom and she gave me the "ok" to go. Chris and I walked a house down to find 2 other boys and a girl sitting on the corner with a boom box separating the 3. An upbeat tempo blasted through the speakers

"Hey guys. This is Alyssa. She just moved in." Chris introduced me.

"Hey Alyssa, I'm Brandi. That's my brother Mike and his friend Lucas." the girl smiled and waved at me.

"Ok. Cool, hey Mike and Lucas." I waved. They waved back at me, but had their minds fixed on the music playing.

Out of nowhere, Chris started break dancing to the song and everyone else cheered him on. I admit, Chris had some skills, but not like me. I took the opportunity to break dance with him in a challenge. The others instigated, forcing an intense dance battle.

"My money on lil Lyssa." Lucas pointed at me cheering me on.

"Man, you tripping. We all know Chris got the skills." Mike argued.

We finally caught our breath and took a break. Everyone agreed it was a tie.

"Alright, I'm out. Mama gone kill me if i'm not in the house before the street lights come on." Lucas tapped his fist to his chest twice, then held up the peace sign to Chris. Chris did the same to him and Lucas walked down the block.

"We should get going to. It was nice to meet you, Alyssa. I've never seen anybody last that long in a dance battle with Chris." Brandi hugged me goodbye. Chris gave her a funny look, but I took it as a compliment. Brandi and Mike both tapped their fist to their chests twice and held up the peace sign and walked in the opposite direction, leaving just me and Chris.

"What is that?" I asked.

"What's what?" he questioned.

"The...um.." I attempted to do the chest thing.

"Oh." Chris busted out laughing. "That's how we dab each other, say bye, say hi, say thanks. All that shit. It's our thing."

"Ooh, cool. Guess I'll see you tomorrow." I shrugged.

"Yeah, cause that dance battle just a warm up compared to what I'm gone pull on you tomorrow." he punched my shoulder. I punched him back.

"Damn, man. You didn't have to hit me hard like that!" he complained. I skipped along my sidewalk, ignoring him.

"Oh, Lyssa!" he called for me and I turned to see what was up. He tapped his fist to his chest twice and held up the peace sign. I smiled and attempted to do the same.

"See ya!" I smiled and closed the front door behind me. Now I kinda don't regret hanging out with Chris and his friends. I actually had fun.