Chapter 3

CHASITY DAWSON P.O.V

When we got home, I walked to the kitchen and started thinking about what I should make for dinner. Now that it was just mom and me at home, I started learning how to cook; that way I can make dinner for her, instead of her having to cook all the time. Most of the things I made were very easy to make. I pulled out the box of mac and cheese, from the cabinet and the rest of the ingredients from the fridge, and started cooking dinner. 

“Mac and cheese for dinner tonight mom,” I shouted from the kitchen.

“Okay honey. I’m just going to head to bed and take a small nap. Wake me up when you’re done.” She replied in an exhausted and yet grateful tone.

“Okay, mom.” That was the last thing I said before I started making dinner.

Half an hour later, when I was finally finished with making dinner; I turned off the stove and grabbed the freshly made bowls of mac and cheese. I put them on the dinner table, along with a cup of water beside each bowl, and left the dining room to wake my mom up from her nap. I knocked on my mom’s bedroom door.

I put my ear close to the door, listening to any movement “Dinner is ready mom.” 

I could not hear any noise coming from the other side of the door, so I opened my mother’s door and walked in. She was lying on the bed, head on the pillow and hands underneath it. I sat down on her bed and lightly shook her shoulder. If she didn’t want to eat, then I’d just wrap her bowl and put it in the fridge.

“Mom, dinner is ready,” I said, in a soft tone.

She yawned and smiled “Thank you. I’ll be right down.”

It took her a while to come down afterward because she decided to shower first before eating. After we ate dinner, mom was quick to head back up after helping me with dishes.

“Goodnight sweetie,” said my mother as she kissed me on the cheek goodnight.

“Goodnight!” I replied as I began to shut off all the lights downstairs.

I then headed back up to my room to get some clothes; put my backpack on the ground and phone on the nightstand beside my bed. Then headed into the shower to take a long-welcomed bath. I cracked my neck as I stepped out of the shower, exhausted from a long day at school. The memory at Joe’s house still fresh on my mind. I plopped myself onto my bed and turned off the light to go to sleep.

Just as I was about to close my eyes, I heard my phone beep, letting me know I got a notification. I opened my eyes and reached over from the bed to the nightstand, and grabbed my phone. I unlocked it and saw that it was a text. I didn’t recognize the number and the message was suspicious.

[phone]: Chasity?

I raised my eyebrow, curious as to who this could be.

CHASITY: Who is this?

[phone]: Joe

My eyes widened and I quickly sat up in bed. I turned on the lamp on the nightstand and stared at my phone. Rereading the text message that was just sent. I only know one ‘Joe’ and that is Joe Bandit. I have never given Joe bandit my phone number, nor have I ever given it to anyone that is friends with Joe Bandit.

CHASITY: Joe who?

[phone]: Joe Bandit.

CHASITY: How do I really know this is Joe Bandit and not some creepy person trying to steal information from me or something?

[phone]: Say’s the girl that tried to steal Oreo cupcakes from my kitchen.

“It really is him,” I gasped out loud, then saved his number on my phone.

CHASITY: I did not steal those cupcakes.

JOE: If you say so. It is okay if you did or did not. I will have the chief make extra for you, the next time you come over to the house. They are my favorite snack too.

Deciding to change the subject, I asked something practical.

CHASITY: How did you get my phone number?

JOE: Does it really matter?

CHASITY: Yes.

JOE: Let’s just say finding it, was not as easy as I thought it was going to be.

I raised an eyebrow at that reply, and then quickly replied.

CHASITY: Care to explain how you found it?

JOE: No.

CHASITY: Why are you texting me?

JOE: I have a question.

“A question?” I repeated the text in confusion.

CHASITY: What is the question?

JOE: I need help with something and I am not sure how to handle it.

CHASITY: Out of curiosity, why don’t you ask your friends for help.

JOE: No one else can help me.

I tilted my head in confusion. I highly doubt that no one can help him with whatever he needs help with.

CHASITY: What do you need help with?

JOE: I will tell you tomorrow. Can we TALK in person tomorrow?

I scoffed in amusement and rolled my eyes, noticing the fact that he emphasized the word ‘talk’ to me in the text. I do not want to talk to him, because I know deep within my heart that I will stutter. He is so freaking handsome and charming; I will look like a fool. I wanted to say no, but at the same time, I wanted to say yes. I groaned and kicked my legs back and forth on my bed in frustration. I started contemplating my answer; I must have taken too long to reply because he texted me again.

JOE: Please?

He said please Chasity, it would be mean to say no, said a tiny voice in my head.

I groaned and sighed, then texted him back.

CHASITY: Okay.

JOE: Thank you, Chasity!

He’s so sweet, to say thank you, I thought to myself with a hint of a smile.

CHASITY: You’re welcome.

After sending the text, I put my phone away and laid my head on my pillow. It took me a while to fall asleep because I was too busy thinking about what Joe was going to need help with. I was nervous to see him but at the same time excited. I got nervous with another problem of worrying when I thought about what if he was going to ask me to help him win another girl over?

That would break my heart.