Lizzy

I was putting on the finishing touches of my makeup. Tonight was the night Sean would be receiving his award and I needed to look perfect. The last few days here had been fun until I thought back about the kiss he gave me. That kiss wasn't just a friendly kiss, it was full of something much more.

It had shocked me. Many times I had thought maybe he and I could take our relationship farther but if it didn't work out, our friendship would dwindle and die because no one else knew me the way he did. I brushed my hair from my face and popped my lips.

Could I be missing out on something fantastic with Sean or was this a warning that maybe I was being unfaithful to Aries?

There was a knock on the door bringing me out my thoughts.

"Come in," I called out.

It was Sean and he was looking so handsome in his tux. He had gotten a haircut, clean shaven and looked like he had stepped off the cover of GQ or Men's Vogue magazine.

"Wow Lizzy, you look absolutely beautiful."

"You think so?"

"I think you look beautiful in scrubs too but tonight I am literally speechless."

Sean had actually had this top designer create a dress for me. It was a long, off white gown with beading at the top with silk at the bottom and a short train. I had pinned my hair up with a beaded matching flower on the side. I wanted to look nice and it had been a long time since I felt like a princess.

"You are trying to make me blush."

"You have every right to blush. Your chariot awaits." He held out his arm and I took it. Walking out the door a long stretched limousine was parked outside.

"So you clean up pretty good too you know." Once we were in he passed me a glass of champagne as we headed to the venue.

"I'm glad you approve. I figured since I couldn't look better than you, I would try to get as close as I could."

"So how many women have you used that line on?"

"Ah...just you. How did it sound?"

"Corny but sweet." We both laughed.

"I'm not going to lie, I've had a ball since you have been here. I really wished we lived closer."

"Me too," I said putting my head on his shoulder. I intertwined our fingers.

"Do you ever miss home?" I asked him.

"Of course I do. I miss you the most though. I miss going to Red Zepplin Pizza ordering a meat lovers with extra mushrooms, I miss having breakfast at Louie's Cafe and eating beignets by the riverfront."

"I miss that too. It just doesn't seem right without you there."

"Good that means I don't have to worry about anyone taking my place."

"Nobody could ever take your place silly."

He leaned his head against mine and I closed my eyes.

"I can't believe you still wear the bracelet." He twirled it between his fingers.

"I never take it off. It's almost like a body part to me. The only time I take it off is when I do surgery but I still put it in my pocket." I looked up and he smiled at me.

The driver pulled up to the venue and opened our door. There were paparazzi everywhere. He got out first holding his hand out for me to take. I smiled as we stood there and watched a thousand flashes before us. A tall woman with a lanyard on came and escorted us in the building.

The huge theater had tables everywhere. There were famous athletes, rappers, actors you name it. Sean introduced me to some that came out to support him. I saw so many people that I felt I was at the Grammys.

"We should be sitting in the front," he said clearing our way.

We continued to the front getting stopped as more people were congratulating him and trying to get autographs and pictures. A few people looked at me I'm sure trying to figure out who I was. He would quickly catch on introducing me and putting his arm around my waist. Some knew me from him talking about me while others seem surprised.

"Nice turn out," I said as he pulled out my chair.

"Yeah it is."

He looked a little nervous so I grabbed his hand.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Your expression says otherwise. Talk to me."

"I do these things in the community not for recognition. I do it because it is the right thing to do."

"I think people honestly believe that. Look at the turnout. You are a good person Sean and you have a big heart. It's okay for being recognized for what you have done."

"You know I don't like speaking in front of a big audience. When the commentators are there it's only a few, tonight there will be a whole theater of people staring down at me."

I could see him getting nervous. I rubbed his hand and he took a deep breath.

"Thanks for coming Lizzy."

"I wouldn't have missed this. Everything is going to work out fine. Just stick to the speech and you will be sitting down before you know it."

"Okay, I can do this."

I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek giving him my signature blowfish smile. He shook his head and chuckled.

I sat there and watched as several other people received their awards. They finally called Sean's name. People clapped and cheered as he made his way to the stage. He took a deep breath looking out into the audience. He thanked the crowd and organization for the award and turned his attention to me.

"I would really like to thank my bestfriend Dr. Elizabeth Johnson. When we were nine years old she taught me the meaning of giving back. We didn't have much but there were others that had less than us. We would bring food from our houses, mostly peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or leftovers, then we would wrap it up and bring the neighborhood kids the food. There were only a few probably around six that actually admitted they had nothing to eat. Sometimes they would only have the meal from school and the food we brought. When we got a little older we donated our paper route money to the Food Bank. It wasn't much but we figured it could help a few more people."

The crowd started to clap and so did I. I remember those days fixing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with leftovers and our parents trying to figure out where all the food was disappearing too.

"Lizzy and I have been very blessed over the years with careers and successes. So when I got here I knew exactly where to go to lend a helping hand. My team along with management have matched my donation this year with a guarantee five percent increase for next year to the Los Angeles Food Bank. With their help along with other organizations, we can help thousands of people in the surrounding area to help provide food for their families. This award is very humbling and I share it not only with Lizzy Johnson but with my team and all those that are involved in the fight to stop hunger in Los Angeles and around the world. Thank you."

He got a standing ovation and roaring cheers from the crowd. I was so proud of him that my chest was poked out. I remember when we use to help the neighborhood kids. We had learned the lesson that the more you give the more you would receive and God had blessed us with so much.

He walked back to the table and he hugged me. I whispered," you did awesome. I knew you would."

"Thanks. I had my good luck charm with me," he said smiling.

Jill Scott sang a tribute to him called Blessed, which was one of his favorite songs. This boy loved some Jill Scott. He said her songs were his chilling out music. He was clapping and moving his shoulders to the beat. She looked at him and winked and sista was blowing. She had the crowd rocking from side to side and people singing the words.

When the ceremony was over we got to meet Jill and take pictures. I waited patiently as some of his fans took pictures and asked for autographs. It was weird that his celebrity was wide known. I just knew him as my BHAF- Big Head Ass Friend from birth. I watched and smiled until he would look every so often and wink or try to play the sly eye. A few guys tried to step, but I shut them down real fast.

Once the crowd died down we were able to leave.

"Sorry about that."

"No worries. Just enjoying my mini vacation. Superstars all around, I got some fab pics to put on Instagram."

"What about with me?"

"People already know you and I are friends."

He poked out his lip. "Here let's drink to a good night."

"Okay, what are we drinking?"

"Patron."

"Patron and what?" I asked.

"Patron and...Patron or would you rather Crown straight."

"Patron."

He pulled out two shot glasses. I took my first shot and before I could bring the shot glass back down he was pouring me another. One after the other we were going shot for shot. My vision was getting the best of me, did Sean have a twin?

"You are with the sexiest man alive and you should be jumping up and down to be in my kingdom," he said grinning like a Chester cat.

"Who lied to you?"

"Excuse me," he said pretending to be insulted.

"Sport Mag. I got the text from my agent while I was taking a picture with Bon Jovi. Bam! Who's the man? Aries ain't got nothing on me sweetheart." He showed me the text but the words were moving all over the place.

"What happened to the shy Sean that was afraid to get on stage to make a speech?"

"Hey I might be scared to do that but I will he alright when tens of thousands of women are looking and drooling on me. They want me to do the shoot tomorrow and you're coming."

"What makes you think I want to come?"

"You don't have a car."

"If I'm not mistaken you have three other cars parked in your garage. I'll just take a set of keys and be on my way."

"You don't know the city."

"You have navigation silly, I'm sure I can find somewhere to go."

"Okay but they will have a buffet of snacks there."

"Like what?"

"Whatever you want. You name it and they will have it for you."

"I'll make the list tonight," I told him laughing. He laid his head on my lap and I brushed his hair back. We were comfortable. I liked being like this with him. He turned around looking up at me smiling.

"I think we should make your favorite peanut butter s'mores. There is a grocery store not that far from the house."

"Sounds good."

He instructed the driver to head to the grocery store. I kicked off my shoes and leaned back in the seat while he laid his head in my lap.

"You do know we are in evening attire? People are going to think we are crazy to be walking down a grocery store aisle at midnight."

"Makes it even more fun. We look young, people will just think we are going to prom."

"Do you think we can pass for that young?"

"Of course. I don't look a day over 18 and I give you 21."

"Well geesh thanks Sean."

"Just kidding. I give you 19."

I slapped him on the side of his head and rolled him off me but the driver hit huge pothole. He hit the floor and he pulled me down with him. We were face to face laughing until I felt something down below poking me.

"Please tell me little man Tate is not trying to come out and play?"

"First of all you should know he ain't little. Secondly what do you expect when Mother Hubbard is all over him."

"Oh no you didn't!"

"Hanging with Aries I'm sure he still can't reach the cobwebs that linger."

"Cobwebs? At least I know how to work mine, you still trying to learn where it goes. Last time I remember you didn't know which hole to put it in."

"It didn't stop you from yelling out my name several times sweetheart."

"You make me sick Sean."

"Please you only wish you could have this again. Guess what? If you really want it come and get it."

"Please. Aries has more than enough for the both of you."

"Girl bye, his thumb is the biggest thing on his body. I've seen him in jeans, nothing to see."

"Why are you even looking then?"

"Because I needed to see what had you so henpecked. Do you honestly think you are the only chic he's banging?"

"Yes I do."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes. I'm not going to let you put doubts in my head."

"You right I won't. You'll see for yourself. I just hope it's not to late. By the way your ass is heavy."

"Boo please. Don't hate because I got a man and you are womanless. No coochie for poor ole Sean."

"Please I got a Rolodex full."

"Then call one up."

"What?!"

"You talking all that noise, call one of your cheap whores up."

"You're serious?"

"I want to see your game."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I'm curious."

"No!"

"Maybe I can help you. I can tell you what you are doing wrong."

"I don't have issues getting a woman or women for that fact."

"No you just can't keep one."

"Who's talking. You can't keep a man."

"Hello I got a man thank you very much."

"A piece of one, now get up. Your knee is in my groin."

I got up and sat back in the seat. He got up and sat across from me. His hair was sticking up and I laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You look like Albert Einstein," I said laughing hard.

"You got jokes." He brushed his hair down with his hand.

The driver pulled over and we got out.

"So do you know which aisles we need to hit?"

"Two and eight," he said.

"I'll take two and you take eight."

"Meet you at register five in five."

We both headed down our aisles. I scrolled down the aisle until I found the graham crackers. I chose the biggest box they had and stopped at the end of the aisle when I heard voices. I saw Sean talking to some chic and she looked familiar. I was trying to place her face until it hit me. Shaunte, the She-Devil, the witch that just cheated on him. I walked up closer and stopped behind the shelf.

"What are you doing here Shaunte?" he asked her.

"Baby I miss you. Congratulations on your award. I saw you on the news."

"Thank you," he said kind of dry.

"Was that Lizzy I saw you with?"

"Yes. She came to support me unlike you."

"I know I was wrong but I want to make it right."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"I thought I could come over and we could talk. Maybe work things out," she said putting her arms around him. All I wanted to do was snatch that synthetic hair out her head. What did he see in her anyway? She was ratchet looking and you could tell she was after his money.

I walked down the aisle towards them with a fake smile on my face. Sean turned and rolled his eyes. I came up and put my arm around Sean's waist. She stared me up and down and narrowed her eyes at me.

"I'm Lizzy and you are..."

"Shaunte."

"I don't think we have met."

"We haven't in person. But I've seen you plenty of times. All the pictures he has of you around his house, I thought he was married at first until he explained you two were just friends."

"I can't say the same for you."

I took a real good look at this wannabe. She had fake green eyes and was looking like a broke down Kenya Moore, I wish she would twirl right on out of here.

"Sean and I dated."

"Oh really, you don't look like his type," I said with an evil smirk.

She gritted her teeth. If she wanted a piece of me I was ready.

"That's right I've seen pictures and Snapchats of you making a fool out of yourself. To say you are suppose to be a doctor you act more like a silly little seventeen year old twit."

I looked from Sean to her. I know she didn't call me out my name? She was asking for it.

"Don't let the evening dress fool ya. I'm straight from Mall City. I'll beat a hoe and take names later. You messing with the wrong one you better tell her Sean."

"You two are making a scene. I'll call you Shaunte, let's go Lizzy."

"Yeah I better before she gets hurt. She betta recognize Sean, you need to tell her about Marie Washington, she was missing two teeth when I finished with her."

"Bitch bring it!" Shaunte said coming up in my face.

I stepped forward and Sean pulled me back swinging me to his side like I was a whip.

"I'll call you when you put the baby to bed," she said walking away.

"Please stop making a scene. I don't need this on the news."

"She's lucky. You better tell her."

"Let's go," he said picking me up and putting me over his shoulder.

"Put me down."

"No. She's right you are acting like a child." He walked up to the cashier that stared us down while he put the stuff on the counter. He swung me around and I dropped the crackers on the conveyor belt until the cashier rung up everything.

"She had a little too much too drink, don't mind her. She forgot to take her crazy pills today," he told the cashier paying for our stuff.

"Oh," the cashier said as we walked out the door. The driver opened the door to the limo and Sean threw me in.

"Ouch!" I said. He had made me bump my head.

"What was that Lizzie?!"

"What you talking about Willis?"

"I'm serious. Why were you trying to start something with Shae?"

"I didn't start anything. She stepped up to me."

"No she didn't."

"Well my memory is saying she did."

"You're jealous?"

"Me? Boy please. Elizabeth Johnson isn't jealous of anyone. You betta talk what you know." I burped, disguising.

"You're drunk."

"Am not. I know how to hold my liqueur."

"Is that right?" He started to tickle me. Every time somebody tickled me I had to pee.

"Stop," I yelled out in a laughter of tears.

"No," he said laughing continuing to torture me.

"I will puke on you."

"No you won't."

"I will pee on you!"

"You're nasty."

"Always been not going to change now."

I couldn't stop laughing and he was causing my bladder to move and I was trying to hold it in. The car stopped and I was the first one out. I was jumping up and down while he was taking his sweet time opening the door.

"Come on man. You killing me."

"I forgot tickles make you want to tinkle." He started doing James Brown moves. He finally opened the door and I pushed him to the side and went straight to the bathroom.

"Did you make it?" he asked from the door.

I didn't answer especially when I heard him laughing. I could see him with that goofy smile on his face. I needed to get him back. I couldn't let him get the upper hand. I stared at myself in the mirror. Maybe I had gone to far messing with Shaunte. She hadn't done anything to me. I did feel like she was using him though.

I walked out the bathroom looking for him and he was nowhere to be found. I walked outside and he had changed into some Nike shorts and tee.

"What took you so long?"

"I had a good look at myself in the mirror."

"And what did you see?"

"A girl who is sorry for acting the way she did earlier. I didn't mean to act crazy earlier. I was rude and obnoxious."

"You actually admitting to something."

"Yes. Treasure this moment because it may not happen again."

"Why don't you go change and I will light up the pit for our s'mores."

"Okay." I left and headed downstairs. I changed into an old Tara High t-shirt and some cutoff shorts.

"Comfy?"

"Very," I said getting the sticks together. He went in the house and grabbed some milk along with two glasses of ice. We both liked our milk cold.

"Thank you," I told him as he reached me my glass and poured the milk. We shared a lawn chair together talking about the