Black Smoke

A Problem Escalated

-6:25 p.m.- Friday Night

"What do you think? Hawaiian shirt or Van's tee?"

Dante had been so anxious about Vanessa's party for tomorrow night that he had almost pulled out his entire closet.

"You see my problem, right, Zay?"

"Not really," I responded, paying more attention to his bedroom ceiling. I had been lying on his bed for hours, debating whether or not even to attend this little get-together. If it was with just Vanessa herself? Yeah, I could handle it. But a girl like Vanessa is hosting a party? It'd be a prep-jock jamboree.

"I'm trying to get noticed. With all this going on between you and this Taylor girl, I may want to try this whole cupcake phase again. It's been a long time, you know?"

"When you say that, do you mean getting with someone? You don't have standards. Knowing she had a boyfriend, you flirted with Celease at the hospital."

"First of all, long-distance relationships don't last long, and kudos to those who do. But Celease was cute. I couldn't help it." He held up the Hawaiian shirt in front of him. "I need something that says Follow me for a good time, but in the most innocent way possible."

I chuckled. "If you want Logan and them to jump you, please. Go with the colorful fabric."

He placed it back on his bed. "You know appearance is a big deal for me, Zay. You know this. I just...I don't know. I want what you have right now. I'm not trying to sound as jealous as I may be because I still want what's best for you, but I have to be honest, man. I'm trying to have those moments with all the little arguments and flings and-"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "A complicated sense of feelings? It's not the best choice for you right now."

He rolled his eyes. "Can you attempt to face reality for just a quick second? Look at what's going on. Your old man is changing. It's close to the end of the year. Graduation is a couple of months away. This little party she's having is the perfect opportunity to rekindle what was there to begin with."

"Dante, in the beginning, she admitted she stalked me. She admitted she paid close attention to me. Without me knowing." I rolled my eyes. "All this Vanessa talk is getting old. It's getting repetitive, and honestly, it'll make getting tired of her that much faster."

He sighed and threw his colorful shirt at me. "Alright. Alright. Just go tomorrow night. This will be the last time I push you to go anywhere with her. From now on, after the party, you'll make your own Vanessa-related decisions. I'll back you up on whatever. Sound good?"

I stood up slowly and rubbed my stomach. "Whatever man. I'm going to get a slice of that cookie cake you got in that refrigerator."

He chuckled. "It's in the fridge. Bring me a slice, too."

I gave him a thumbs up, then made my way to the refrigerator. I found the round plastic container and snatched two slices of cookie cake. Just then, right as I was about to scarf one down, there was a knock on the door.

"Coming," I spoke, jogging over to the door and opening it.

"Aye," A familiar guy said with his hand up, ready for a handshake. He held a small black bag under his opposite arm. I put my hand up and gave a subtle wave.

"Yo. Ricky. What's up?"

"Dante texted me a while ago. Is he here?" He caught sight of the dessert in my hand and reached. "Sick memes! Cookie ca-" I pulled it away quickly.

"Do you wanna keep your hands? You can buy your own. And yeah, he's in his room."

Ricky laughed, patting me on the shoulder. "Gotcha. Thanks!" The guy hurried off down the hall, and they exchanged greetings. I shut the door and returned, handing Dante his slice.