"So where are you from young lady?",Santiago's father asked me.

"I'm from New York Mr. Rodriguez",i said while digging into the delicious rice and beans.

"So your an American",he said with a heavy accent.

"I'm Haitian. My parents are from Haiti."

"Ahh okay."

"Did you enjoy the service at church today?",his mom asked.

"Yes ma'am. It was great."

"That's good to hear. Santiago is very active in church and he needs someone who would share that value",she said.

"Yes that is how his mom and I met. In church and we raise our child to only know God and to put God in everything that we do",his dad said. I felt slightly judged but I contained my emotions.

"So he tells me you two go to the same school."

"Yes we do."

"What are you studying for?"

"I aspire to be a dentist."

"Ah that's good",his dad said eyeing Santiago with a smile. I knew his dad approved of me but I couldn't read his mom yet. Although the food was great, my stomach still bubbles out of nervousness. After his parents finished asking me 21 thousand questions, Santiago took me to his room and tried to ease my nerves.

"Why does she mention your ex so much?",I asked him while sitting on the side of his bed.

"Marisol was her favorite out of all the women I've dated. She has a close relationship with her."

"How am I supposed to compete with that?"

"You shouldn't have to because either way your still my girl",he said taking his vest off and hanging it in his hamper.

"You think she'll ever come around?"

"Yeah definitely. She's only acting this way because she thinks your a temporary girl like the others."

"Am I?",I asked him.

"No unless your thinking about leaving me again",he said loosening his tie.

"Don't give me a reason to and I won't."

"I didn't give you a reason last time and you did."

"Sorry."

"It's cool. It's the past and it's clear to me that you want to be here and no where else",he said climbing on top of me causing me to lay on his bed. I giggled and he got off of me.

"Does it bother you that I'm not into God like you or your parents are?"

"Nah. Not at all. You can't force faith on someone, they gotta realize it for themselves who they want to serve",he said unbuttoning the sleeves of his shirt and laying down.

"Don't make your decision based on me if you decide to accept God",he added.

"So why was you single again?"

He looked at me and chuckled.

"I've had my fair share of women. I don't want you to think I'm this perfect guy."

"You kinda are the perfect guy."

"I'm flattered you think so." We spent the rest of the afternoon in his room watching movies as I laid on his chest until it was time for him to bring me home. I could literally feel myself getting so attached to him and that's what I'm I was afraid of.

"Here you are",he said walking me up to the front of my door.

"I seriously don't want to go in there right now",I told him.

"Why? Your gonna get in trouble? It's not even midnight",he said confused.

"No I just wanted to be with you all night."

"I promise I'll make it happen another night baby",he said kissing me on my lips and watching as I went inside.

Next morning was a struggle for me to get up for class at 10. I looked at my phone and received a phone call from a unknown number that I missed. I didn't think nothing of it until it called again. Something told me to answer it and I did.

"Hey baby girl. It's ya daddy."

"Dad?",I said.

"Yea babygirl how you doin?"

"Why? It's not like you care",I said fully awake now.

"Don't do that Khia. What nonsense ya mama been feeding you?"

"You don't call me anymore or come see me."

"I be working Khia. Cmon now you ain't no baby no more. How's school? You still go to school right?"

"Yeah Im still in school."

"Good. You gotta keep ya head in those books. How's your mom?"

"She's fine no thanks to you."

"Khia she don't want me no more and I don't want her either. Ya mom's and I is never gonna get back together."

"I guess. I need you to stop being ghost on me because that's not cool."

"I got you. Alright I-I gotta go now babygirl. I'll call you some other time."

"Tomorrow would be nice",I said but he had already hung up the phone before I could tell him that. I looked at the end call and tossed my phone to the side of my bed. I missed my dad and the fact that he wasn't calling me like normal really bothered me. He left my mom and me when I was just a toddler and I haven't seen him since. My mom walked in my room and said, "you want me to drop you to school before I head for work?"

"Yea",I said.

"Alright then you best be getting ready now."

I rolled my eyes behind her back and screamed in my pillow. I hated Mondays. Everything about it was all bad.

Santiago

I drove by a local Starbucks and got me a iced coffee for Khia and I. I figured she'll need it since she got a early class today.

"Hey your Santiago right?",this curly blonde hair girl said to me as I open my locker to put my bag in.

"Yeah wasup?",I said.

"Are you going to the party this Friday ?"

"What party?"

"The party Juan is throwing",she said reminding me. Juan did say he was throwing a party but I've been so occupied with other things that I forgot.

"I'll probably be there."

"Your coming by yourself?",she said batting her flirty blue eyes my way.

"Nah I'll most likely bring my girl with me",I said closing my locker and walking away from her. They as thirsty as they come these girls. I waited near the front of the entrance to see if I could find Khia come but I saw no sign of her yet. A couple mins later I saw her hop out of what look like her mom's black Range Rover and care walking my way. She wore a nice African print short skirt revealing her long sexy legs and and a half sweater that revealed her belly. Her hair was pulled back and she wore yellow earrings that matched perfectly with her outfit. She spotted me and a big smile ran across her face. She put her arms around my neck and I kissed her lightly on her lips.

"Who's this for?",she asked looking at the two caramel iced coffees in my hands.

"For the queen herself",I said giving it to her.

"Aww sweetest boyfriend ever",she said taking a sip. We had 30 mind to burn before both of our classes start so we decided to sit outside by the steps and talk.

"You look sexy. I'm sitting here next to ya trying not to lust right now but you making it hard for a nigga",I told her. She laughed allowing me to see her straight white teeth.

"It's a little too early for jokes don't you think?"

"Nah I'm serious."

"Thanks",she said quietly and took another sip of her drink. I don't know why she was so self conscious and didn't think she looked good. She was one of the baddest chicks in school that I just had to get. I stole glimpses at her and she seemed deep into thought.

"You good?",i asked her.

"Yeah It's just my dad. He called me this morning out of nowhere."

"Oh how did that go?"

"It was good. I'm happy i heard from him but i wish his calls were consistent. I miss him."

"I'm sure he misses you too baby. I'm sure you'll hear from him again."

"I hope so. I hate not having a relationship with my dad."

"It's not your fault that y'all don't have one. So don't put that burden on your back bae."

She nodded and got up. I walked her to the front of her class and kissed her.

"All lips no tongue?",she said smiling.

"You can get tongue later",i said with a smirk and watch as she went in.