Beliefs (Interracial Teen Story)

Azalea

    Short Chapter

"You're really fuckin' crazy you know that?" Johnny stared at Azalea as she put the umbrella back where she got it.

"What? I was defending myself," Azalea tried to explain.  She only went crazy like that when she knew she was in real danger, and all her senses go into defense mode.

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Now you're in even more trouble. He's gonna go get Frankie, and and James, and.."

Azalea interrupted him. "Well what was I supposed to do Johnny, let him get himself killed?"

The room was quiet for a moment, then they both burst out laughing, momentarily forgetting the incident with Wes.

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A few days later on a Sunday afternoon, Azalea layed underneath the big oak tree at the park down the street from her house.

She had come because living with her aunt was hell. She was always cranky, had men in her room all the time, and always picked fights with Azalea over nothing.

The only good thing about being home was the little boy next door, Willie, and his timid older sister, Ama-Rye, who paid her visits every time she was off work, asking crazy questions and playing in her long hair.

Azalea liked work, because she got to see the only friend her age she'd made since arriving in Mississippi; Johnny.

They had now established the fact that they were best friends, and they themselves were shocked at how quickly they hit it off.

Azalea found herself dazed and barely awake under the tree, which gave a generous amount of shade in the Mississippi sun.

Suddenly,  she felt a hand nudge her shoulder. She looked up to see Johnny standing over her with his Sunday best on.

Oohh! Why don't you look delicious!" Azalea howled mocking some crazy girl  named Lucile Johnny had told her about.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't make me get the umbrella now," Johnny chuckled taking a seat next to Azalea. She looked him over for the first time. Not like a friendly look, but a real look.

He had short dirty blonde hair that was short and tousled to perfection. His hazel eyes were truly his best feature, and he had an athletic body and was about 6'3. To be 17, he was the manliest white person Azalea had ever seen. And his country accent was so adorable.

"What are you doin' here under this tree?" He asked sitting Indian style. People stared and mumbled at the two, but neither cared.

"Trying to get away from that   

she - devil a naive person would call an aunt," Azalea scoffed picking up a leaf.

Johnny laughed. "You really hate her huh?"

Azalea simply nodded.

"Oh! I know! You could sleep in our shed! There's no bed but..."

"No, Johnny," Azalea laughed, smiling at the thought of Johnny trying to help her.

" Shoot, that's all  I got then."

There was a short silence between them, then Johnny's eyes lit up. "How about we have a camp out?"