They say it takes twenty-one days to break a habit. It had been forty days and I was still contemplating if you could fall out of love in that amount of time.

         The verdict?

Well, only time would tell.

It was sixth period AP English and Mr. Ventura had us discussing the classic romance novel he'd assigned. We had to write a paper on it in a few weeks and I was debating on going rogue and just writing the truth. Love was nothing more than some redundant need cooked up by man that only led to heartache and pain. Although I was sure writing fuck love would get me a detention along with a parent/teacher talk with my father.

Sighing, I turned the page of my book and lazily read over its text, feeling nothing at all.

"Let's talk about Shakespeare," Mr. Ventura said as he leaned against his desk, crossing his ankles and his arms. "His interpretation of love is something that's lasted for centuries and is still relatable today. Wouldn't you agree?"

Castidad raised her hand and was called on. "At first I thought he was weird, but now that I'm older I kinda grew to like his style. Romeo & Juliet is such a beautiful story when you look at the idea of it. Those two people really loved each other, enough to die at the thought of living without the other. That's sweet."

I rolled my eyes and I could've sworn I was going to gag.

"Cree," Mr. Ventura called me out. "You don't seem to agree, care to explain?"

"I'm sorry but Romeo & Juliet was a stupid story about a couple of idiots who were impatient and just dumb. People died over their stupidity and I'm supposed to cry at their 'love.' No thank you."

"Then let's talk about your favorite love story. I seem to remember last year you were very elaborative on this topic, causing a debate."

"I don't have a favorite love story. Love isn't important, not like knowledge and survival."

Mr. Ventura's brows furrowed. He faced the class. "Anyone agree?"

Castidad raised her hand, looking back at me with concern. This poor, naïve girl. "I think love is an important component to being a human being. We need love to survive. I think people in our age group barely grasp the concept. They're too busy worrying over trivial matters."

Mr. Ventura got that look in his eye like was he excited about this discussion. It was sixth period, the end of the day for some of us, and he just had to pull this bullshit now.

Tremaine spoke up next. "I disagree. We're in the prime of our lives. Knowledge should be our main goal. People our age have a whole lot of life to live," he glanced at Castidad, "oats to sow, settling down now never works out. We should strive to achieve our dreams and to be successful for our careers and future endeavors."

Castidad turned and looked at Tremaine who nodded towards her. She shook her head and whispered something to her best friends Lucia Muñoz and Michigan Hoover.

Tremaine held his hand back, waiting for Him to high-five him, but He merely pushed his hand away.

"Interesting point, Tremaine," said Mr. Ventura. "I also think that that goes along with our reading. Can anyone relate this debate back to Percival telling Anna he had to go out on his own and leave her behind?"

In the book we were reading Percival and Anna were two young lovers. Percival was poor and struggling and Anna was high class. Percival's father had died, leaving his mother and younger siblings to tend to a farm all on their own. Percival wanted to go off to war and make money, and though he loved Anna, he wanted to do what was right by his family. I'd read the entire book and felt nothing at the ending: he died.

At least his family got insurance and a new start.

I raised my hand.

"Yes, Cree," Mr. Ventura called on me.

"I agree with Tremaine. Love isn't important. We should focus on college and getting our dream jobs and being the best that we can be. Wu-Tang was right, it should be all about the C.R.E.A.M."

Everyone turned and looked at me like I was crazy. Perhaps bringing Wu-Tang into it was a bit far.

Some blonde kid named Trevor, who smiled way too damn much, raised his hand and agreed with Castidad. He also agreed with Tremaine, stating that we should focus on who we are now to be better lovers in the future.

Kiss ass.

Class ended and Castidad collected her things and kept talking to Lucia, no doubt about the big debate with Tremaine. A part of me wanted to warn her about wasting her time with love or Tremaine. The Ballas were all alike. No good dogs who lured innocent girls in with their looks, charm and gold chains, just to smash their hearts.

As I was making my way to the door, Tremaine stopped me.

We hadn't really spoken in a month. I no longer hung around the Ballas or shared lunch with them. Tremaine called it "the Divorce," stating that He got full custody and I got nothing. I didn't care. I didn't care about any of it.

"I gotta go, Tremaine," I said.

"Just hold up, okay? Did you see that debate? I'm in there with Castidad, man."

I shrugged. "Sure, I guess."

"You guess? I can tell she's talking about me."

"Why don't you just leave her alone? She doesn't need you or your shit, Tremaine."

His brows furrowed and he took a step back. "Okay, I'ma let that slide, because it's been a tough month. I know the Divorce was harsh, but I miss you. We all do. Come out tonight with us."

"I can't," I told him as I hugged myself.

"Why not?"

"Because we've got plans," Omari said as he came up behind me. He pulled me close and I leaned into him.

"What? Organizing your Star Trek collection?" Tremaine mocked, holding up the Trekkie symbol.

Omari smirked. "It's comments like that that makes me glad we don't hang around you anymore."

"I bet you are glad you took her from us."

"Trey," I sighed, feeling tired and drained.

Tremaine reached out and held my arm, appearing concerned. "Cree, blink twice if he's hurting you."

For that I furnished a smile. "Come on, Trey. Stop."

"I don't get why you had to cut us off. We were friends. I thought we meant more than that. I thought I meant more than that."

I felt nothing.

"Maybe I regret all of the end of last year. Maybe I regret ever being your friend. What was the point anyway? You're all a bunch of heartless assholes who only look out for yourselves. If it's not about some 'bad bitch' or party, it doesn't matter. Sorry, Trey, I just don't care anymore."

He looked hurt for a moment before he stepped to me. "Okay you need to chill out. I always kept it a hundred with you and I wasn't the one who hurt you. So take some Prozac and get over it already."

Omari pushed Tremaine back. "She said her peace, let her go."

Tremaine sized Omari up, but then He came and pulled Tremaine back. "Let's just go," He said.

Tremaine looked at me and shook his head. "Have fun fuckin' with Urkel here."

Tremaine left the room and Omari turned me to face him. "You okay? You seem a little testy."

"I'm fine," I let out.

"You sure? What was that whole anti-love, spiel?"

After the Sever, I had gone back to the basics Troiann and I had come up when we first got to Moorehead High:

1. Never date a guy with a tattoo on his face—because clearly it says that they'll do anything

2. Never mess with athletes with egos

3. Feel nothing until they make you feel something

4. Guard your heart because no one else will

And you know what? I discovered that Omari was everything I'd ever wanted and then some. Funny thing about getting what you want, sometimes once you got it, it wasn't at all like what you expected and you didn't know how to feel. Omari was a nice guy and I felt safe with him. We weren't official, more so still getting to know each other, and so far, so great.

"Sorry, sometimes Ventura can be a little hopeless with his romance stuff," I said as I led the way out to the hall.

Omari scrunched down to my level, giving me a goofy smile. "You sure? I still see steam coming from your ears."

For that I managed to crack a smile. I liked Omari. "I'm good."

He nudged me. "Yeah? You free after school then?"

I was off for the weekend, and the only thing I'd be doing that Friday evening would be homework, or continuing to feel sorry for myself.

Pathetic.

"I'm free," I said.

"Good. If you don't mind, I'm taking you somewhere."

Nervous, I had to take a step back. "Where?"

Omari got this clever smile on his face. "A surprise."

Omari's surprise was exactly that, a surprise.

After school I found myself sitting beside him in his car outside of a local community center for boys and girls.

"In Cleveland, to escape pressures to be like all those other guys who were out in the street or up to no good, I found myself here a lot. Growing up going to places like this kept me calm, and I like to give back by giving the young brothers advice or guidance, girls too, if they'll have me."

A soft smile curved my lips upward. This was why I really liked Omari, call him a square, a nerd, or a lame, but he was so sweet and respectable. My father absolutely adored him, while Loraine did as well, though, she'd once commented on how He was kinda cuter.

The thought brought my eyes down to my right wrist, where the rose gold Marc Jacobs watch remained. I fiddled with its band, feeling unwarranted emotions bubbling up.

Focus, Cree. You, Omari, volunteering, together. Enjoy this.

We got out of the car and Omari came and placed his hand on the small of my back as he led me towards the center's entrance. One step inside and I could already hear the riotous screams and cheers of the children in the nearby gymnasium. Omari flashed me a smile and I felt a wave of nerves hit me as I grinned back. My experience with children were lacking if I were being honest, but having Omari by my side, I felt comfortable enough to go into the unknown.

After we signed in at the front desk we went into the large gymnasium where twenty little boys and girls were running wild. Jump ropes lay on the floor along with hula-hoops as girls chased boys or ran from them.

Some boys were shooting basketballs and the sight caused me to pause at the door.

Three black boys and a white one stood by a hoop, waiting on one of the boys to shoot. An image of a toddler flashed through my mind and I wondered...

No.

Omari came into my line of vision. "I know this isn't the best flooring or environment, but I was thinking maybe you could talk to the girls about dancing or something. I'm not the best ball player, but it's one of the easiest ways to connect with these guys."

I looked towards the group of girls sitting on the sideline talking amongst themselves. For practically my whole life, it had always been Troiann by my side, and while I still had her, I could admit one of my favorite past times was dancing with her at After Hours or whenever she felt like coming with me to Aunt Louise's studio.

Dancing was life.

"Can't hurt to try," I said with a sense of peppiness.

I took off towards the girls and kept my head held high as I approached them confidently.

"Hey girls," I said with a wave. "My name's Cree, and I was just wondering if any of you can dance?"

One girl with thick braids in her hair eyed me sideways and lifted a brow. "Like twerking?"

Goodness, this generation.

"No, like art. Like power. Like Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Usher."

The mention of the famous female dancing machines, along with the handsome and talented Usher, got the girls' attention.

An Asian girl stood up proudly. "Look what I can do. I saw it in a K-Pop video."

She demonstrated a move where she rolled her shoulders and gave a cute little shimmy before dusting off her shoulder.

It was a simple move, but I loved the girl's bravery, so I clapped for her.

"Anyone else?" I asked.

The other girls weren't as brave. They all barely looked at me as they focused down on the floor.

I looked back to the Asian girl. "What's your name?"

"Hailee."

I went and stood by Hailee. "Okay, Hailee, can you show me that move again?"

Hailee did it again and I imitated her, causing her to reach up and high-five me.

Soon another girl stood up. "I can do something, too!"

And then another girl stood and wanted to show me a dance move, and soon another and another.

It lasted for a good forty minutes before the girls got a little wore out. At first the girls were shy, but then they all loosened up and we had a blast. I'd been able to play some music for them and show them a few moves of my own, upon doing that, I then went and helped them perfect each move. There was something about their little smiles and faces as they learned that touched me deeply. Going pro wasn't my dream, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad to help someone else accomplish theirs.

While the girls winded down on the sidelines once more, I went and sat at a table off to the side and began to browse through magazines as Omari was still off with the boys. On the table top was a couple of teeny bopper mags that didn't really cater to my style, so I opted for the copy of Vibe. It was while reaching across the rectangular table that I saw a sports magazine in the pile. It was some magazine with the Parkers on the cover.

At home under my mattress was a personal copy of the same magazine signed by all four of the Parkers on the cover. It had come in the mail from Him. At first I wanted to burn it, but then I felt like that was too dramatic, so I kept it tucked away instead.

My eyes fell upon Him and I almost felt my armor crack, but I snapped my attention elsewhere.

Omari was approaching me and I felt myself smile.

He came and eyed the sports magazine. "Pretty cool, huh? I'm not the biggest fan of Tremaine and the others, but Dre's always nice. I'm happy for him."

I blinked. "This was fun. I've never been the teacher before, except with Troiann, but this was something more."

"I'm happy I could help."

Nice guy Omari, safe and respectful Omari.

Sometimes thing didn't go the way you originally planned, and others, sometimes something even better came along.

As we stood to go, I leaned into him comfortably. "Maybe I can return the favor?"

"Oh yeah, and what's that?"

I flashed him a genuine smile. "My house, I owe you a movie."