Three to Tango

02

She had been waiting for it. The moment Cash decided to enact his revenge. At the beginning of the day she had been on edge just waiting for him to do something. She wasn't dumb enough to think he didn't have something planned for her. The boy didn't disappoint either.
It was after gym class. After sweating her life away doing the bare-minimum of exercises she was in deep need of a shower. Somehow during those precious seven minutes her underwear disappeared. She thought maybe she dropped them and they got kicked into a dusty corner somewhere, but they were nowhere. None of the girls had seen them either they'd told her. Didn't seem like they cared much anyway. So she left the locker room panty-less.
It was when she turned down one of the hallways that she realized what happened. Lined up along the walls were lost and found photos...of her underwear. The part that really annoyed her? They were in color. They used up the schools color ink for this mess. Yes. It was sad that she was mostly disturbed by their recklessness with school supplies. She needed her head checked.
She wasn't dumb. It was obvious who did this. So she stormed through the halls looking for the bastard; lost and found flyer in her hand. Once she was through with him she would find his accomplice. One of those girl had to have told him where her locker was. When she did find her she was gonna let her know who not to fuck with.
She found him easily. He was standing with his group of dumbasses. Marcus saw her first and tapped his shoulder. When he turned to face her he had a giant smirk on his face.
"What's good, mami?" He asked.
"Can I have them back please?" She held her hand out to him.
"Have what back?" Oh he wanted to act stupid.
"The underwear you stole from me."
"Underwear? I don't have anything like that."
"So you free ballin' it today?" He wanted to play she could play too. He had the wrong one.
"Worried about what I got in my pants? I can show you better than I can tell you."
"I gave up Vienna sausages back when I was a kid. There's no need for you to upset my tummy right now."
His friends snickered and the smirk on his face wasn't as big as before. She hit a nerve. Good. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out her yellow cotton underwear.
"Are these what you lookin' for?"
He dangled them in front of her face trying to get a reaction.
"Yes that's exactly what I'm lookin' for." She was all smiles on the outside but on the inside her heart was racing with fury and embarrassment. She was glad she took off the panty-liner before washing up. She didn't take long either so she was amazed by how fast he printed and posted the flyers. They probably just finished when she caught up to them.
"You gonna do somethin' special for me to get them back, mami?"
"No nigga. Either you give them back or you don't. The choice is yours."
"I think I'll keep them." He swung them around his finger.
"That your final answer?"
"I think they'll make a nice addition to my collection." Whore.
"Okay." She sent him a smirk as big as his and walked away. She had something for his ass.
She was seething in anger. He thought he could get away with anything just because he was good looking. She hated people like that. She hated to admit it but she was also a little jealous.
She wasn't ugly, but she knew she wasn't as beautiful as most people. She had flaws. Although she had a nice shape the stupid flappy pudge really got on her nerves. The stretch marks didn't help either, but she could live with that. She had some serious bags in her eyes that she hid sometimes with concealer. But what she hated most? The acne.
Because of her poor diet she just couldn't get rid of it. She wanted to eat healthy, but that was expensive and she had small will power when it came to a good burger. And since she was able to eat while at work, her diet consisted of exactly that and other fried foods. So her skin was covered in dark spots. Not just her face, but her back, chest and arms. When she looked in the mirror that was all she could see. She wished she could just get a pencil and erase it all. But for some reason her teenage hormones kept her this way.
        At her locker she felt a sharp sting on her ass. She glared back at Cash as he laughed and waved her panties around like a damn flag. She rolled her eyes and sighed. She didn't really care about them anyway. She hurt his ego yesterday and now he was trying to break her down. It wouldn't work. He couldn't be any worse than what she went through at home.
       "Umm are those yours?" Noelle asked coming up to her.
        "Yeah, unfortunately."
        "And did you smack the shit outta him?"
        "Nah, I got something better for him."
        "Yeah? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"
Jazzy told her friend the plan and she got a scrunched face in return.
"You wanna go to jail?" Noelle asked.
"No because you're coming with me."
"Oh, so you wanna risk both of our criminal records?"
"We don't even have one."
"We will if we get caught."
"C'mon. Ride or die fool. Ride or die."
"How can I ever resist you and your nefarious schemes."
"You can't."
        The rest of the day people were snickering and whispering at her. Like she couldn't hear them. She didn't really care all that much. It was just a pair of underwear. Most people wore them. Unfortunately for her she hadn't for the rest of the day. It was slightly uncomfortable. And she had recently shaved so everything was slipping and sliding in her jeans. Ugh!
The principle even made an announcement on the loud speaker about the flyers. He wasn't as amused as her classmates were.
        So before she went to work she had to stop all the way back home to get some fresh ones. She hated going home before work because her dad was never there, but her mom was.
As soon as she stepped through the doors her mother came stumbling down the steps. Totally spilt. Did she speak to her only child that took care of her ungrateful ass everyday? Of course not. She just grabbed something to snack on and went back to her cave. And boy was Jazzy grateful.
        Moments with her mother always left her drained of energy. Either from a physical altercation or a simple argument turned into a big one. And without her dad here to mediate it would definitely turn into a physical altercation.
        After getting what she needed she headed back out to get to work. Sadly it took her forever to find a clean pair of underwear. She made a mental note to go to the laundromat. This meant she wound up late for work.
        She flew through the doors like a hurricane and it bounced off the wall. It may or may not have left a dent. She didn't look back to check.
        "Yesterday you were an hour early. Today you're ten minutes late. Consistently inconsistent, my dear." Chris shook his head at her.
        "I keep you on your toes, don't I?"
    "That you do."
    she quickly changed into her uniform and put her bag in its usual spot. Getting straight to work she took an order from a couple sitting in her section. They were very sweet. Too sweet for her actually. Who the hell smiled that much? They must be in that honeymoon phase of their relationship. Ew! She laughed to herself. She took their order to the back ringing the bell. Her smile grew as she saw the man take it from the carousel.
    "Hey Elijah. I didn't know you were coming back today."
        The 19 year old part-time chef gave her his signature half smile. It was one that never really reached his eyes, but it was still swoon worthy. She wished one day to see the full thing, but she wouldn't hold her breath.
"Just got back. Came straight here." Curt and to the point as always.
"Good. I've been bored as hell. Noelle hasn't even been by in days." She rolled her eyes. He only gave her a chuckle in return.
To other people he was this knuckle-head white boy raised in the same hood as the rest of us. More than likely doing illegal things as well. Hated practically everyone accept for a few she could count on one hand. He wasn't misunderstood either. What you see is what you get with him. And she liked that just fine. If you got close enough you could see what people forget when they look at his tattoos and piercing.
She wasn't a stalker or anything. Hell she only shared a blunt with the guy. Yeah, she probably shouldn't be sharing drugs with strangers, but she was having a rough day and a little weed wouldn't hurt. All it did was have her too horny to be in his presence any longer. She ran like a bat outta hell before she embarrassed herself in front of him. Neither of them brought it up and that was fine by her.
She didn't try to force the rest of the conversation. Those few words from him were enough to keep a smile on her face for the rest of her shift. It only grew bigger as her best friend burst through the doors immediately singing the song playing in the background.

"And I...dreamed of you ever since.
And I...built up my confidence
The next, next time you come my way
I know just what to say..."

Elijah turnt up the dial on the volume, already prepared for what came next as Jazzy joined in.

"Can we taaaaaaaalk for a minute?
Girl I want to know your name.
Can we taaaaaaalk for a minute?
Girl I want to know your name."

This was a regular thing. Noelle would burst in when it was close to closing time and "perform" for the remaining costumers. Depending on how many there were Jazzy would join in. And at that moment the place was practically empty.
Mr. Chris didn't mind too much. He was a big softy and loved watching them dance around like Gypsies. And this time - like any other time when they weren't paying attention - he secretly recorded them. He always showed it to his wife when he made it home. It always brought a glorious smile to her face.
Decades without kids they enjoyed the youthfulness of his employees. He loved giving opportunities to those just starting their journey into adulthood. Jazzy's home situation had thrust her into that world sooner than it should have. She was a determined ambitious little thing and was the main reason he'd hired her. Even behind all her bravado he noticed the child long hidden away and he was a lucky bastard when she let it out at times like these.
He hadn't sired these children but they were his nonetheless.

⏭⏭⏭

"Girl hurry up. I think I hear someone coming!" Noelle whisper-yelled.
         "Wow, I didn't take you for a pussy."
        "Then you must not know me that well cause I'm as pussy as they come."
        Jazzy laughed shaking her head. Noelle was a damn liar. She was down for anything. If she wasn't she wouldn't be here helping her right now. And she would never let Jazzy do something like this without her. She was very protective of her best friend.
        The bag was empty and she stepped back admiring her work. He is going to be pissed. That boy thought he was a god. Untouchable. And he definitely thought she was weak. She wasn't. Hadn't been in a long time.
        After watching her parents all these years she vowed never to bow down to anyone. Never show fear or weakness. Never let anyone take advantage of her kindness. And she won't let Cash break her.
        She picked up the white paint, empty plastic bag, and any other evidence that might be left behind. He would know who did for sure. The note in the white paint would tip him off. But she didn't wanna make it easy for him. She couldn't wait to see his face come Monday.
        "Mr. Panty Stealer'. You're terrible at this you know that?"
        "I didn't see you coming up with anything better."
        "Well you should've gave me like a week or two. I could've had something better by then. You wanna wait til the last minute and shit."
        "You had several hours."
        "A proper plan takes time and effort."
        Not like we're planning to take over the world Dr. Evil."
        They made their way back to Jazzy's car that was parked some distance away. Couldn't have her car being recognized.
        She was taking this way too seriously.
        She dropped off Noelle at exactly 10:00. Didn't need to have her mother ground her again, then who would Jazzy play criminal with?
        Getting in the house she realized it was abnormally quiet. The place was spotless - obviously dad's work. She went up to their room and opened the door. No need to be afraid of what was behind it. They hadn't touched each other in months. Not since her last relapse.
        She was right. They both were asleep in their bed. It didn't make sense that as did gang as they were emotionally they still went to bed together.
        She shut the door and got herself ready for some much needed sleep. Tomorrow was Saturday and she was going to do nothing but that.