(AN: Just a heads up, I know in the previous story, Between Us, I said that Ezee moved away when she was 15, she and Monica got together when they were both 13, and they'd been together for two years. However, I do not feel comfortable writing about people in a relationship who are that young. So, for me to be more comfortable writing this story, it is taking place during the summer between Jr. and Senior year. This will make them both 16 going on 17. Everything else still applies, the only difference is their age. Also be sure to comment and vote. I love reading yall comments)
"Me and Monica met when we were both five. Her dad and my dad were like best friends, they still are. We played ball together, went to school together, and spent all of our free time together. We were like sisters until the age of 13, then we both had our first kiss with each other. We were together for two years before I moved to Louisiana with my grandma the summer of my 17th birthday. Monica was my first everything and I was hers. We thought we would be together forever, and when I moved away, we were both distraught. We made a promise that if we ever saw each other again, no matter when, we would be together. When I broke up with her it was because I knew I would never be back home permanently. She called me for weeks after the breakup, but I wouldn't talk to her"
Before Ezee met Natalie ...
Happy birthday to you. happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dead Zia, happy birthday to you.
Ezee's family and friends sang in unison while watching her blow out the candles that sat on top of the Vanilla cake.
"Happy thirteenth birthday Ezee", Monica held a box wrapped in a bow outstretched in her arms. Ezee accepted the gift with a smile.
"Thank you, Mon. I don't know what it is, but I know I'll love it". Ezee opened the box carefully revealing a custom black LA strap back hat with white letters engraved on the side that read Ezee, with a heart next to it
"Oh, dang this is dope, thank you it's the one I wanted that we saw a few weeks ago"
"Yea. I remembered. That's why I wanted to give you my present last. So, it would be special". Monica put the hat on Ezee's head before the two young ladies hugged then rejoined the party. This was the first party that any of the kids in the neighborhood had been to that wasn't "kiddie". Ezee's dad and grandmother decided that since she's a teenager now she would be able to have a dancing party in one room while the parents were in the other room.
After singing happy birthday and saying thank you to everyone a some people left leaving only a few of Ezee and Monica's travel ball teammates, some neighborhood boys, and some random girl who was from the church both Ezee and Monica's grandma attend.
"We should play spin the bottle. I was watching this movie last night and they were playing. It looked fun", a bright-eyed Ashley suggested.
The room sat quiet for a few seconds while all of the teens and preteens looked at one another.
"I'm down to play. It's my birthday and I'm a teenager now and I ain't scared of nothing", Ezee said with confidence.
"Yea scared of nothing except coming out to ya dad", Monica leaned over and whispered.
"Shut up. And you scared to tell Tevin you like him. So, we both scary", Ezee stuck her tongue out which was mimicked by Monica.
"Whatever"
The group decided they would play spin the bottle and if the parents walked in, they would just lie. The rules were if you spin the bottle, whoever it lands on has to go into the closet with the other person for three minutes.
Ezee's teammate and friend Anna had already went into the closet with Terrell, Tevin's younger brother, and the church girl went into the closet with Kalvin.
"Okay Tevin it's your turn", Ashley rolled him the empty water bottle
Tevin grabbed the bottle and spun it. It seemed like forever for the bottle to stop spinning, especially to Monica who was watching it spin intensely, hoping it would land on her. When it did stop, it landed on William, another boy from the neighborhood.
Everybody busted out laughing except Monica.
"Aye the rules are the rules", Ezee laughed while holding her stomach.
"Will and Tevin sitting in a tree", Anna started singing before everyone started laughing again.
"Shut up Anna, you to Zia dang you play too much. Here your turn", Tevin said rolling the bottle over to Ezee.
Ezee spun the bottle without really caring who it landed on, she could care less it's just a kiss and she didn't like anyone right now. These are all her friends. When the bottle stopped it was pointing to Monica.
"aYe tHe RulEs aRe tHe rUleS", Tevin mimicked what Ezee said before.
"Nah uhh, we not about to do that. Monica, we don't have to do noth-"
"Somebody set the timer. Ezee, let's get this over with", Monica grabbed her friend by the shirt, and they went into the closet.
"Okay yall three minutes, starting now", Ashley closed the closet doors.
"Well this is awkward", ezee spoke avoiding eye contact.
"Why cause you're really gay?"
"No, because it's you. You're like my best friend and I'm gay"
"Yea but they don't know that so don't be weird about it"
"I guess. Well, what are we about to do in here for three whole minutes?"
"Who cares. Your hat looks nice on you tho"
"Thanks. I'll probably wear it every day. It'll match everything"
They both laughed while uncomfortably standing in the small closet.
Monica looked at Ezee, thinking things that caught her off guard. That hat looked really good on her. Maybe it was the teenage hormones kicking in or the closeness of their bodies in the closet that had Monica confused about what she was feeling.
"How'd you know you liked girls?"
"I don't know I just did. It's just something you know".
"Close your eyes"
"Why"
"Come on just trust me please"
Ezee did what she was asked and closed her eyes, unsure of what was to come.
While her friends' eyes were closed Monica pressed their lips together making them kiss. Ezee's eyes shot open and shock was written all over her face. After making sure she wasn't dreaming and coming to full realization of what had just happened Ezee leaned forward and kissed Monica, letting their lips meet again then pulled back.
They'd both stood quietly stepping back from each other while trying to take in what just happened.
"Monica I'm sor-"
"Time! Three minutes is up!", Ashley snatched the closet door open. "Dang yall are boring. In here just looking at each other".
Monica and Ezee said nothing. They just left the closet and sat back in the circle.
"Who's next", Ezee asked while looking around and the game continued.
"Ezee, don't tell anybody, okay"
...
