“Like You”

Chauncey Brown took another sip of his fourth Cherry Coke of the night as a soft breeze rolled over his body. His short wavy hair stayed motionless as his blue and green dress shirt flailed in the wind.

Chauncey kicked a can that used to contain Sprite from in front of him; it was one of the many he had gulped down to drown his sorrows. Chauncey brought the Cherry Coke can to his lips once again and started to drink when a voice called out,

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” It was a girl’s voice. As a matter of fact it wasn’t just any girl’s voice; Chauncey knew that voice! He turned around to see a short, brown haired, tan skinned girl with large hoop earrings standing behind him. Her head was cocked and her hand was placed on her side with attitude. He followed from her brown boots upwards past her long legs, perfect waist, curvy chest, and focused on her face. She had bright white teeth that shinned, long narrow slanted eyes surrounded by black eyeliner, thick curly eyelashes and a cute little button nose.

“Come to gloat?” He asked; his tone dropping. Even though there was a magnificently looking gorgeous girl in front of him, Chauncey frowned. Why? Because this magnificently looking gorgeous girl wasn’t his friend; in fact they were enemies when it came to most things. School debates, cliques, Student Government, everything!

“Not really; I wouldn’t waste my time and look for you; you’re not that special to me.” She replied, smirking a little.

“Now, now, don’t try to pretend you don’t pine for me somewhere inside.”

“Who says I’m pretending?” She snapped back. Chauncey mockingly grabbed his chest,

“Ouch. That one hurt, but you know you think I’m just as handsome as I think you’re beautiful.” He said. The girl walked over to him, still standing over Chauncey who was sitting on the ledge outside of Abraham Lincoln High School.

Inside currently was the school’s Fire & Ice Dance, however as said earlier; Chauncey was outside drowning his sorrows.

“Stop trying to pretend it doesn’t hurt. You know it does, your jokes don’t even sound the same.”

“So you know what happened? What’d she do, go brag in the Ladies Room?” He asked. The girl shook her head, though Chauncey didn’t see it. She stepped forward and bent down, sitting on the ledge next to Chauncey,

“No, but I heard, what matters is how you’re doing though.”

“I’m fine. I don’t care so much really, I just didn’t think she’d be the one to dump me.” He said. The girl gave an exasperated sigh.

“You know what Chauncey, you’ve very conceited.”

“Yeah, I know. But that’s not what I meant. I mean . . . like . . . I wanted to first, you get what I mean? I wanted to break up with her first, but I couldn’t do it, so I’m more mad at myself for not doing it.”

“Oh, so you’re outside the Fire & Ice in a depression because you got what you wanted?” She asked skeptically.

“Kinda, I’m really pissed off now though. Do you know the whole story?”

“No, I just heard that Davian broke up with you.”

“You wanna hear the entire story?” He asked, kicking his legs and looking over at the girl. She nodded slowly, shrugging her shoulders at the same time.

“Well, see, I didn’t really wanna come here, this dance is always weak. I just came because she begged me to over and over and over again. So after I got the tickets she planned this huge night for us, dinner, a movie and all this stuff before the dance right.”

“Uh huh.” The girl stared at him as he continued, it was getting interesting.

“So then she makes me buy her a brand new dress, of course I’m paying for all this stuff. Then when we get here, the second she gets out the car she says, ‘I don’t think this is working out. I think it’s best if we see other people. Don’t worry, we can still be friends though, I still love you. Bye bye.’ Just like that.”

“Sorry Chauncey.” The girl said.

“It’s alright, thanks Shanesia.” Chauncey said. The girl; Shanesia smiled.

“How’d you get here?” She looked out into the parking lot, scanning the cars.”

“I drove the orange Mustang, third row from the left.” He replied. Shanesia swung her legs out as they sat there. Chauncey broke the silence,

“So why aren’t you inside? Shouldn’t you bee with your beau; what is it Mitchell, Margot?”

“Michael, his name’s Michael and we’re not really seeing eye to eye right now, so I decided it’d be good if we got away for each other for a little bit.”

“You got into a fight.” Chauncey said simply. Shanesia nodded and the two went silent again. Chauncey however once again broke the silence.

“He’s a jerk anyway. I see how he treats you, how he ignores, and how he flirts with other girls. You deserve better.” He said, putting his hand on Shanesia’s shoulder.

“Like Who?” She asked, turning and staring Chauncey in the eyes. As she stared into his eyes something dragged her in. ‘His eyes are really deep. It’s like getting lost in them’ She thought to herself, sitting outside the school with someone whom she considered one of her worst enemies.

But she still couldn’t get off his eyes. They were almond shaped with sharp ends. The Mahogany- hazelnut color seemed to swirl like clouds around a summer Sky.

“I don’t know, but whoever they are, they should treat you right.” He leaned in to her a little more. Shanesia felt as though their heads were magnets, and swayed as the attraction seemed to draw their lips closer and closer together. She leaned in toward Chauncey, her mind in some sort of trance. She hovered right in front of his lips, waiting for him to kiss her; wanting him to kiss her.

He didn’t however. She stayed still as did he, and suddenly their moment was ended by Chauncey’s voice,

“Do you hear the music?” he asked.

Shanesia’s ears seemed to open up once again; her trance was removed. The Nat King Cole song was emanating from the building.

“L is for the way you look at me. O is for the only one, I see. V is very very, extra ordinary. E is even more than . . “

Shanesia turned her hear to the building, and when she turned back, Chauncey was standing over her with his hand outstretched.

“Would you care to go back inside?” He asked politely. Shanesia looked up at him, took his hand, and followed him silently back into the building.

A burst of hot stale air slammed into the two as they opened the doors to the dance. Immediately they parted hands, but still they stood in a close proximity to each other.

“Love is more than just a game, for two.” The song still played as they walked across the dance floor.

Chauncey and Shanesia were pushing their way through the crowd, trying to find an area for just the two of them when Chauncey’s name cut through the air. He turned to see a tall redhead girl push a little blonde out of the way and run to catch up wit him,

“Kerri.” He said simply, acknowledging the girl; she was one of Davian’s friends.

“Chauncey, I heard about what happened, I’m so sorry. If you need to talk I’m always here for you, you have my number right?”

“Yeah Kerri, you put it in my phone at lunch today, remember?”

‘Oh yeah. Anyways-“

“Sorry Kerri, but this is kinda important, “ He gestured toward Shanesia, “And I must finish my conversation, I’ll talk to you later though okay?” He said.

“Sure Chauncey. Call me okay, come over sometime, you know my parents leave town tomorrow morning.”

“Will do Kerri.” Chauncey said, turning back to Shanesia. The pair took two more steps before a short blonde girl hopped in front of them.

“Chauncey!”

“Hi Lauren.” He said. Shanesia rolled her eyes.

“Hey. I heard abut you and Davian; are you okay?”

“I’m still living. It’s no biggie.”

“Oh, well in that case, do you wanna dance?” She asked, grabbing his hand before he even got a chance to answer. Chauncey held firm though as he heard a ‘tsk’ sound come from Shanesia,

“Actually Lauren, I would love to, but I’m kinda busy right now. How about a little later okay?” he said, grabbing Shanesia’s hand and continuing through the crowd.

Chauncey and Shanesia found an empty spot and headed toward it, however no sooner did they get there than did another girl pop out,

“Chauncey.” She said simply; it was Davian, she turned and saw Shanesia standing next to him, “oh, hi Alicia.” She added sourly.

“It’s Shanesia.” She said. Davian turned back and looked her up and down with a countenance of disgust.

‘Anyways, you can shoo off now, me and my boyfriend have some things we need to talk about.” She said, making a motion with her hands for Shanesia to go away.

“You’re not my girlfriend Davian and- Shanesia, hold on.” Chauncey said, looking over Davian’s shoulder at the retreating girl.

“No, if you wanna get back with your girlfriend you can. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know what we were thinking Chauncey. We’re enemies. I’ll see you Monday at school okay.” She said in one big breath, her eyes glazed over. Chauncey could tell she hadn’t meant any of it; or maybe he just didn’t want her to mean it.

“Good, now Chauncey listen, I’m sorry about earlier, but it’s better now, and I’m willing to take you back.” Davian said, but Chauncey was focused over her shoulder at the retreating girl;

“What are you talking about Davian, we’re not together anymore, and I have other things to take care of.” He said, moving around her and stepping toward Shanesia who was headed toward the back entrance of the dance floor.

Davian grabbed his arm and pouted, stomping her foot,

“Stuff to take care of that’s more important than me?” She asked. Chauncey looked back; twenty minutes ago, nothing would’ve been more important, but right now, Davian seemed like nothing.

“Yes.” He answered, moved his arm from her grip, and ran toward Shanesia.

He ran to her front and stopped in front of her; she spoke first.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend to go dance with?” She said,

“She’s not my girlfriend anymore; there’s nothing to be jealous of.” Chauncey replied. At these words however, Shanesia’s eyes narrowed. Who the hell was he to say she was anything; especially jealous.

“Who are you calling jealous!” She yelled, damn he infuriated her, “You know what your problem is? You’re so freaking conceited. If you want your little hoochies then have them alright; don’t let me stop you!”

“So you’re not jealous?” He grinned.

Ohhh, he pissed her off! Shanesia flew off the handlebars!

“Damnit Chauncey!” She nearly screamed, she was surprised nobody in the dance was staring at them yet, however she wasn’t really that focused on them so maybe they were; she didn’t really care though, “Maybe I am jealous okay! Maybe after all we’ve been through we’re closer than we were before. Maybe all that stuff you said outside was special to me. Maybe you make me feel something special when you’re around, and I’m afraid of that because I can’t control myself. That’s why we fight, that’s why I push your buttons. Did you ever think it was that! Did you ever think I was afraid of liking you because of the way girls flock to you like ants to sugar?” Damn he made her angry. Shanesia turned around to stomp off, but Chauncey grabbed her arm.

He yanked her back toward him, grabbed her arms at her biceps on both sides and pulled her into a kiss.

His lips locked with hers and the whole time all she could think was I’m kissing him! I’m kissing him! Oh my god, I’m kissing him! She didn’t move, she was too shocked and too content to, but something about it was special. She felt all her anger melt down. Everything was calm again, actually it was more than calm, it was serene. She had never known what that word meant really, but now she could understand it.

“Shanesia. You don’t have to be afraid to like me.” He said, letting go but staying in her face. His eyes were staring into hers once again and she felt her knees go weak at the sight of them.

“Chauncey . . . I . . . I have a boyfriend.”

“If you cared, you wouldn’t be here right now.” He said. Shanesia still didn’t move.

“But I-“ Chauncey put his finger to her lips and whispered a small ‘shh’ to her.

“Don’t speak, just listen. You deserve so much better.”

“You said that earlier.” She replied.

“I meant it.” He stated.

“Like who?”

“Like someone who sees your worth. Someone who knows how beautiful you are, how smear you are.” Chauncey moved around a little so that the only thing in her focus was him, “Some whose heart beats faster and slower at the same time whenever you’re around, Someone who can feel stronger, yet so much weaker at the same moment whenever they look into your eyes.” He paused and reached one finger up, to slowly wipe away a single cascading tear from her cheek. Shanesia sniffled a little, but moved her arms upward and trailed her fingers along his forearms. She moved upward until their palms touched, and she grabbed his left hand into her right one,

“Someone who loves you the way you should be loved.” He finished. Shanesia grabbed his other hand, and placed them down on her sides. She moved her arms back up and wrapped them around his neck.

Chauncey tensed up, but released it as Shanesia laid her head on his shoulder. He took a deep breath and the two swayed slowly to Usher and Alicia Keys.

“Shanesia, you deserve someone like . . . “ But he didn’t even get a chance to finish because she cut him off,

“Someone like you?” She asked as they rotated slowly on the dance floor. Chauncey looked down at her questioningly,

“Someone like me?” he echoed. Shanesia smiled, nodded her head strongly and repeated,

“Like you.” The words came out with a strong conviction, her voice had confidence, and she seemed sure of her decision. Nothing more was said as the two rocked back and forth to Alicia Keys and Usher’s melodies.

The End.