Boss Kermit presents...

DREAMS AND CHOICES
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WILLOW BROOK HIGH SCHOOL, MANHATTAN ISLAND

September 19th, First Day Of School...

It was a warm, serene day in New York City, the streets and sidewalks flourished with thousands of pedestrians and vehicles.The mass symphony of voices, footsteps, car horns and engines, and countless other sounds left the air without peace.
Manhattan was all the same, even though it was a small island offshore.

Willow Brook High sat roughly in the center of the island, it was surrounded by a large wire fence.To the left of the school just down the street was a small gas station, to the right of the school just down the street was a Pizza Hut.Across the street was a large apartment complex which many of the students at Willow Brook High live in.

A yellow school bus pulled up to the massive two floor school building.
Over a dozen students came pouring out, one of which was Damien Baxter, senior student and number one in the state basketball prospect.
He was adorned in a gray hoodie with black running pants on and a pair of green Jordan Team Strong shoes.
His small black backpack was comfortably slung over his left shoulder.

He stopped to take a look at the large red brick school building for a minute.
Senior year.Man...
He thought to himself as he walked up the steps in front of the main door and into the school building.

September 19th 6:30am First day of school….

A big yawn came from a small petite girl as she stretched her arms as far as they could go. This was the best she could do to actually waking up this morning. This morning was the very first day of high-school, and a new one at that. Her family had moved to New York in the summer and she still hasn't gotten used to the fast paced lives people lived in. With all the cars and traffic she knew she had to start quickly getting ready In order to make it to her high-school on time for her class. And she still needed to get her class schedule, locker number, and combination. She knew that today was going to be a very interesting day. The first day of school normally is.

Her short legs swung over the side of her bed, her bare feet touching the cold tile floor sending a chill up her spine. "Gatta remember to wear socks!" she exclaimed as she rubbed her arms to get the chill away. Reaching for her dresser door she grabbed a pair of plain white socks and tossed them on right away. Next to her bed was her sneakers, she has a hard time with surfaces on her feet, she is constantly having to wear shoes, even just wearing socks bothered her without shoes on. As she slipped those on and tied them, she then continued her morning routine to get ready.

This consisted of her daily devotionals, taking a shower, brushing, blow drying and styling her hair. And a little bit of makeup. She didn't wear much makeup, she didn't really see the need for it except for to cover some zits. Which everyone has, well, most people have. After finishing her long black hair styling it to be straight, she then picked out a white tank top, with a pink, short sleeved crochet shirt. Along with a long black skirt. Running downstairs she then grabbed a piece of toast "Love you mom," she said as she hugged and kissed her, taking the toast out of her mouth to do so. "Love you dad" she did the same with her dad sitting on the couch reading a news paper. "Gatta get ahead of the traffic!" she exclaimed before then headed out the door into her white Subaru to start off her journey to school.

As she got to school she grabbed the very few spots there were left. There was a bunch of people there for being early, she ended up getting there about quarter after seven thirty. Leaving the house at seven. It wasn't that bad of a drive, it was just very long, and she lived across town at that. Putting her keys in her purse she then put her phone on silent and stuffed that inside as well. Now was the start of her junior year in high-school.

Damien was adjusting the lock on his new locker when a hand grabbed his shoulder.
He turned to meet the smiling face of his old friend Skip Jackson.
Skip and Damien lived in Harlem in the same apartment conplex, but unlike Damien, Skip had a bike that he rode to school, and had done so since freshman year.
Skip was a good bit shorter than Damien, he stood 5'11 and wasn't nearly as well sculpted and ripped as Damien was either.
He had chubby cheeks and hazel eyes and his hair was growed out into a natural style with each hair forming small perfect curls.
His skin was lighter than Damien's and was a caramel color.
He wore a black hoodie and faded jeans and a pair of Melo's.

He spoke to Damien in his lively bright voice,"Yo what's up D?Ready for class?"
"Nope,"Damien said with a chuckle,"how bout you?"
Skip said with a huge cheering grin,"Nope."

Damien chuckled and said,"Like always,it's senior year man you gonna sleep less or more this year in class?"

Skip shrugged,"Depends.Depends how boring each class is.I only have four classes though.Financial Math, English four, Health, and Shop."

Damien nodded and replied,"I got Algebra two, English four, World History, Biology two, and study hall.Looks like we'll have English together, so don't worry you got somebody to cheat off of."

Skip made a mocking face of appall and replied,"I am shocked do you really think I'd do that man?Cuz umm,"he leaned forward and whispered in Damien's ear,"your right cuh."
Damien snorted and pushed him back making Skip laugh.
Suddenly Damien looked to his left and caught a glimpse of a small, slim, petite girl with dark raven hair and a face with equal beauty.
Skip turned around to see what Damien was looking at.
When he saw her he spoke,"Well now, I've never seen her before."

Damien spoke,"Me either, must be a new student."
Skip was smiling like a clown,"Mm-mm-mm, shawty got it going on."

Before Damien could respond Skip stepped forward and raised his hand and began giving the new girl a little wave and making his voice high in a joking manner,"Hey what's up baby?Come on over here and say hello."

As she approached the school, she didn't know what she would expect, or what to expect for that matter. Anything could happen on this day, there was no telling what it was. But she had a feeling something was going to happen, but she just didn’t know what. She continued walking past people and through the front halls of the school. A sigh escaped, it was a happy sigh. But yet, also a sad one. She missed her old school, but there had to be something good out of coming to this school right? They had to move here due to her fathers business, which she didn't really want to move to New York.

For some she may have seemed crazy for even thinking that, but there was just something she didn't like about the really fast pace people. Yes she did like to keep busy, but not that busy where every minute of your day is planned. School was just a must, that didn't bother her, but after school it seemed that everyone had somewhere to go, and somewhere to be. But not Mary, she didn't have anywhere specific that she needed to be after school, which was a good thing.

As she walked through the halls she saw a bunch of fliers for different clubs and such, she decided to not really pick one today, she was going to see how today went before she decided on if she even wanted to join a club. It'll keep her from just staying home all day, she doesn't have a job but she is looking for one. She hopes that after school she could maybe go look around, but she isn't sure if she should. A small yawn came out as she then passed by some lockers. Two boys where talking, she tried not to pay attention to them, she doesn't like it when people think she is ease dropping. Which she doesn't do that, she just is very observant and if she's too close to someone she just automatically hears what they say, even if she isn't trying to pay attention to the conversation.

Suddenly one of the boys then called her over. Her head looked over, her light blue eyes scanned both of the boys, then looked at the taller one once more. She noticed the other guy had called her baby, why did he do that? She was defiantly not HIS baby. She rolled her eyes at that. She walked over but stayed a good distance from them but still enough to be able to talk. "Did you just call me baby?" she said raising an eyebrow, "now do you call all the girls that, or do you just call the new people that?" she said waiting for an answer. This defiantly was going to be an interesting day.

Damien grunted and pursed his lips as tightly as he could, realizing Skip might have just bit off more than he could chew.
This wasn't the first time Skip had been so forward, and like usual it was about to get him burned yet again as it had time and time before.

Skip smiled and said,"Well honestly no not all of them and certainly never a new one until now that is.Of course you have a lot going on that many a lady does not have."
Damien lightly tugged on Skip's arm.
"Skip I wouldn't-"He started.
Skip lightly jerked away and continued talking.

"Pardon me for not introducing myself, the names Skip Jackson.Legend amongst these hallways."

Damien tugged on Skip's sleeve again,"I'm begging you stop talking."He said louder than before.

Skip rolled his eyes and said without turning around,"D, please, I'm trying to talk the sweet young lady here,"he then addressed the small girl,"so anyway, perhaps we can get better aquatinted today at lunch.Or perhaps after school over a pizza just down the street?How bout it,hmmm?"
His grin now wider than ever.

Mary waited as the boy was going to speak. "A lot going on?" she commented with a raised eyebrow. What does he mean by that, this guy certainly didn't seem like the "Relationship" type of guy. She glanced over at the guy who tugged this guys arm warning him not to continue. The boy finally introduced himself as Skip. "Hmm, skip, interesting name, but what makes you such a legend?" she was curious to see how highly this guy thinks of himself. Then the boy warned him again not to continue.

Mary couldn't help but grin, this guy knew what he was talking about, this Skip guy was going nowhere with her. She laughed when he called her a sweet young lady, "Oh so I went from baby, so sweet young lady…okay then" And then he finally said what his goal was. Or at least his goal for today. He wanted to get to know her, which she found very hard to believe by just the first impression. This other guy, who Skip referred to as D, seemed interesting, especially since he actually tried to refrain Skip from saying these words, which if Skip was smart, he would've listened. A sigh escaped her lips after hearing his proposal. She almost laughed at his big grin, "Aww, I would love to, but no I could probably think of something better to do, now if you excuse me I still need to find the front office so I can get my things before I end up late to class because of you."

And with that she then glanced over at the other guy and then started walking away trying to find the main office. She knew it'd be hard, especially since that Skip guy wasted her time. What did he think, that his supossingly sweet talk was just going to make her swoon over him? She didn't like the fact that he instantly decided the he "Liked" her just because of the way she looked. Yea, she does admit she doesn't look that bad, but no one needs to be talking to a woman like that. And there wasn't anything that he wanted that she was going to give him.

Skip's shoulders slumped as he watched her go.
Damien stifled a smile and said,"Cone on homes we need to get to our classes man."
Skip walked along beside him,"Man, she's a fireball, just how I like em', spicy and independent."
Damien snorted and replied,"Man did you not learn nothing just now?"

Skip smiled and responded,"Yeah I learned something.Shes strong, sassy, and independent.Her kind requires persistence.She'll come around.Besides, I'm not bout to give up man.She's petite, fiery, and she got it all working out.Whoo!I ain't gonna give up."

Damien rolled his eyes,"Man you ain't right.Ill see ya later."

Skip fist bumped him and headed off to class.

12:00 P.M, LUNCH

Amanda and Tamisha sat down their trays and sat at their table.
Amanda was a Caucasian girl with blonde hair, porcelain skin, a well chiseled and pretty face, and icy blue eyes.
Tamisha was an African American girl that was taller and slimmer, she had brown eyes, long hair she kept in braids which were tied in a bun on her head.
Both girls wore skinny jeans and their letterman jackets over their t-shirts.

Tamisha looked at the good before her and asked,"What is this shit?"
Amanda laughed and responded,"Uh,lunch Tamisha."
Tamisha snorted and said,"Not to me it ain't.Is this meat loaf or loaf meat?"
Amanda laughed again.
Lunch today was dry meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, Mac and cheese, and a cup of orange flavored ice cream.

Tamisha looked across the cafeteria,"Is that the new girl?"She asked.
Amanda looked around.
"Yeah I think so."Amanda said.
Tamisha responded,"Let's see if she'll sit with us."
Amanda nodded and they both started waving in the girls direction.

With trying to get that guy out of her head, she kept thinking about the other guy, the guy referred to as D. He seemed to know what he was talking about. But she didn't need to bother with that right now. She needed to get her school books, locker combination and class schedule. Once acquiring all these things she then headed off to her first class.

The first class wasn't all that bad, she actually had fun, although she loves school. She was excited for lunch, she really worked up an appetite, she wondered if that Skip guy was going to try to talk to her and get her to sit with him, she hoped not. Walking into the cafeteria she looked around, mostly looking for Skip to see if he had seen her or not, giving up she then got in line to get her plate of food. It was meatloaf, she didn't mind meatloaf, she actually has never had it, so she was okay with trying new things.

After finishing paying for it she looked around with her tray to see where she could sit. There was a bunch of different tables that had specific people, the jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, all sorts of different tables. She knew she didn't really fit into any specific category. Suddenly some arms waving caught the corner of her eye, she looked over and saw two girls sitting at a table waving her down. "I guess they want me to sit by them" she thought with a smile as she made her way to the table, looking around to see maybe this was a prank or something, she felt like something was going to happen.

She brushed the thought away as she then just set her tray next to Amanda and smiled. "Hello, I'm Mary and I'm new here, which you probably already know, anyways what's your names?" she asked then she grabbed her milk and started opening it. She realized she had to pray, "Please excuse me for a moment" she said and then prayed then she lifted her head back up and started eating. "So?" she added as she then waiting for the girls to answer.

Tamisha spoke first,"I'm Tamisha Gatson.This is Amanda Antley.We're both juniors how bout you?"

However Amanda cut in before Mary could respond,"She's a junior,I saw her coming out of Rodney's class.You are a junior right?"Amanda asked.

"Well let her speak and we'll find out."Tamisha laughed.

Mary looked at the girls as they introduced themselves, they seemed like pretty nice girls. Although she still feels like something is going to happen, she just didn't know what. "Well it's nice to meet you both" and she laughed at Amanda cutting in. "It's okay, yes I am a junior" she said as she then looked around trying to find the two guys, she didn't know why but she felt like she had to know where they were.

"There was this guy, he introduced himself as Skip, and another guy was with him. They talked to me before school, who exact ally are they?" She was more curious to know who that D guy was, but she didn't know his actual name. She wasn't really sure what to think of the whole situation, but there was something about that D guy that intrigued her. She wanted to know more about him. She continued to look around to see if she could see them. "Also, that Skip guy said that he is very famous among st these hallways, what exactly does that mean?" She felt like she wanted to know, but at the same time she didn't because she didn't know what she'd find.

Both girls looked at each other for about a second then busted out laughing for a good minute.
When they stopped Tamisha spoke.
"I can't believe that Skip fool had the nerve to try to pull his moves on you your first day at this school."She snorted.

Amanda spoke to Mary,"Yeeaahhh just stay clear of him.This may sound bad but he's a major man hoe.He flirts with every girl he sees.If he sees you so much as glancing at him he thinks you want him.And he doesn't understand the word no.So I'm sorry to tell you this but he's gonna' be chasing after you for the next few weeks, or maybe even months.Once he gets started it takes a long time to wind him down."

Tamisha then spoke up,"Don't worry he don't like us so just stick with us and he'll stay pretty clear of you."

Amanda giggled and said,"Yeah he slapped Tamisha on her butt last year at prom."

Tamisha then responded,"And I slapped him upside his stupid head right then and there in front of God and erbody' else."

Both girls laughed then Tamisha continued,"As for that other guy that's his best and only friend he'll ever have.That's Damien Baxter.Now he's an actual legend at this school."She said seriously.

Amanda said,"He's like the best basketball player in the whole state.Literally, practically every single college on the east coast wants him.
He and Skip grew up together and were raised together so their natural besties."

Tamisha replied,"Yeah he's bout the only one that likes that bum-ass Skip.Even the teachers don't like him cuz he's always either sleeping or acting up in class., even the janitor don't like him."She laughed.

Mary was a bit confused with the girls busted out laughing. She didn’t know why, then she found out and she shook her head with a smirk. "Well yea he did try to get me to eat lunch with him, and to get pizza after school, and so I told him I would love to but I could probably think of something better to do" she laughed at the statement she had told him. And Mary sighed when they said that he was going to be chasing after her, "Well, maybe I can just hire someone to pretend be my boyfriend and he wont bother me!" she laughed at the thought of even doing that.

"Alright well I will stick with you guys then" She said with a smile, When they said the other guys name, it stuck out to her. Damien, interesting name. She almost smiled at the thought of him, she didn't know why though. When Tamisha said that HE was the actual legend at the school she was a bit more intrigued, after listening that the guy was a very great basketball player she smiled. "That sounds very interesting!" she said almost a little to excited. Then she laughed.

Amanda and Tamisha both gave her their numbers.

Amanda spoke,"We're both on the cheer squad."

Tamisha nodded,"Yep, have been since freshman year."

Amanda snorted and said,"Yeah I'm a lot better though.In games anyway."
Tamisha looked at Amanda with a joking expression of anger and asked,"Excuse me what does that mean?"

Amanda laughed and replied,"Oh please you can shine in practice all you want to your too busy looking at Damien during the games,"she turned to Mary and laughed,"she literally missed two whole moves during a cheer cause she was trying to watch him dunk."

Tamisha shrugged and smiled,"Hey what can I say he got game and he fine hell yeah Ima' be watching him."
Amanda rolled her eyes and smiled.
She then asked Mary,"Do you do any sports?"

Mary laughed at the two as they pretend argued about who was better at cheer leading. Then she heard Damian's name brought up, "Oh are you two dating?" she asked Tamisha almost a little disappointment in her voice but tried to hide it. And she laughed at the fact that the girl was practically staring at him. When they gave her their numbers she then put it in her purse and was going to put them in her phone later, then she gave them her number.

When they had asked if she played any sports she laughed, "Nope, not a real sports fan" she replied, "Well, I like watching it, I just don't play it much. I thought it'd be fun to learn basketball, but I think I'm too short for that anyways" she smirked. She does like some sports, but she found basketball to be interesting, although she's never actually played a day in her life. She then took a few bites of her food as she waited for the girls responses realizing that she hasn't even eaten anything yet. She has a feeling that these girls were going to be really good friends of hers.

Tamisha responded,"Nope, we've never had any classes or talked to each other really.I mean he's a good looking dude but like I said we've just never talked much at all.The occasional 'hey' here and there and that's it."

Amanda said,"I'm dating a guy on the baseball team.His names Henry.Really sweet guy.Obviously.Weve been dating since tenth grade."

Tamisha smiled and pointed at Mary and said,"And we know you single cuz you been asking bout Damien all lunch break."
She and Amanda started laughing and Tamisha waved her hand at Mary to indicate she was joking.

Just then the lunch bell rang.
Tamisha and Amanda said bye and told her to text them sometime and left.

Mary had almost a smile when Tamisha said that they weren't dating, but almost felt sad for her. She seemed to like him. And then smiled as Amanda told her who she was dating. "Aww that's sweet!" she said with a smile when she said how long they were dating for. And Mary's face went red when Tamisha mentioned her asking about Damian all lunch break. She hoped that they didn't notice, but she was kinda making it obvious. Then she said how she was just joking and then she said bye to them and then quickly scarfed down the rest of her food.

She didn't eat much but she was happy that she made some friends on the first day of school. She wondered where Damian had went because she didn't see him in the cafeteria, but she also didn't really get formally introduced, they don't even know her name, just what she looks like. She shrugged at the thought and got up to throw her plate away. After doing so she headed off to her next class. English. She liked English and loved writing, she would always be writing in her journal about the day, and also another one about different stories and plot line she makes up. It's her most favorite past time.

3:05 END OF THE FIRST DAY

Damien sat on the bus stop bench with the other kids waiting for the school bus.He was chatting with one of his teammates and one of the school's track runners.He casually looked around and happened to see Skip standing at the bottom of the steps with Dare Devil.Thats what Damien called Skip's rickety old red bicycle.The chain was rusty, the paint was peeling and it even had a sad little bell that went click click instead of ding ding.
Damien smirked every time he saw that bike.
The funniest part was that Skip was proud of it.
He noticed Skip was eyeing the front door with precision.

After a minute Damien shook his grad and said aloud,"Good Lord."
"What?"Asked Kenyon, Damien's teammate.
Damien shook his head and said,"Nothing, nothing."
Kenyon looked confused but nodded.

Skip eyed the door from the bottom of the steps like an eagle hunting for prey.
Come on shawty where are you?He thought to himself as he kept looking.

"Well, that was a very interesting long day" Mary said with a sigh as she exited her last class. She headed to find her locker, she had yet to do that, didn't really have much time. So now she had to put all of her books in her locker. Finally finding it she set all her book on the ground unable to unlock her locker if she had them in her hand. After she stuffed them all in she grabbed her phone and put both Tamishas and Amanda's number in her phone, and she sent a quick "Hey it's Mary" text to the both of them. She wasn't sure if she should do a group text or not, but decided against it.

She put her phone back on ringer and headed for the door. As she walked through the doors the first thing she saw was him. It was Skip and he was watching the doors like a hawk, probably looking for her. She sighed as she walked through the school grounds. She wanted to just go past him, but maybe she'd go to the pizza hut down the street to apply for a job. That sounded like a good idea, but she wondered if Skip was always going to be there, then he'd think she got the job just to see him. She took a deep breath before then walking to the parking lot, which was right where Skip was. She didn't see Damien which was surprising because he normally was around Skip. So she thought.

Skip looked around and around.
There she was!
His face broke out into a big smile as he went trotting along after her pulling his bike alongside him.

"Hey gir-"He started, but didn't get to finish as he stepped into a large pothole and fell forwards.
He landed face first into some dirt along the edge of the parking lot, his sad little bike clattered down beside him.
He slowly raised his face.It was caked in dirt totally making him look like a clay sculpture.
Damien and the guys on the bench all broke out into loud laughter.

Kenyon called out to Mary,"Quick go before Sir Sad-So-Much recovers!"
This drew more laughter from the group, Damien stood and called out to Skip,"Hey Galahad you killed your horse!"
Skip stood and picked up his bike and wiped the dirt from his face and yelled back to Damien and his friends.
"Man y'all stop hating!This cheap-ass concrete needs fixing up anyway!"

Kenyon laughed and yelled out,"Oh yeah man that's one evil pothole.It gave that poor girl a chance to escape from you!"
The others laughed again.

Mary then looked over as Skip had noticed her. Then he started following her with his bike and instantly stepped into a pothole and fell down face first into some mud. Damien and some of his friends bursted out laughing. Yea it might have been funny but he actually could have gotten hurt. She looked up and saw them all calling out mean things. She gasped when he fell. "Are you okay?" she asked after he commented back to his friends.

She looked over at his friends with a stern look. It didn't matter if the guy wanted to just hit on her, she wasn't going to make that an excuse to run away, especially if someone was hurt. "Don't listen to them, I like the bike, yea it could use some fixing up. Do you need a ride home?" she asked feeling bad about his bike. "I have a Subaru, but I was actually going to head over to the pizza place to apply there first before I head home." others would tell her this was a mistake, to not offer him a ride home, but seeing as he brought his bike he didn't take the bus for some reason, and even if he did, he couldn't get his bike home. "We can put your bike in the trunk and I can drop you off at home if you like?"