Ernest's eyes burned with tears. His throat felt clogged from all the different emotions knowing Ariel could be in serious trouble.There's a serial killer and rapist targeting black girls."Did you guys call the police?" Ernest's mother asked."We did, but they said a person has to be missing for twenty four hours.. Total bullshit!" Polly exclaimed, making Michael put his hand on Polly's shoulder."We'll find her, Polly. I'm sure she's okay." Polly let out another sob before hugging Michael. Michael felt nervous that Polly hugged him so suddenly, but she needed it and was willing to put his nerves aside for her."We gotta look for her." Ernest said."Ernest, no.. It's da

"You are NOT leaving here with just TWO outfits. Three or more, that's the rule." Polly explained. "Plus it's 3 pm. We've been here too long for you to just leave here with two outfits, Ariel.""Ugh, alright.""Great, Ernest, go find something. I'm tired." Ernest stared at Polly in disbelief. What would Ernest know about clothes? He was a boy and Polly knew so much more than he did. "I didn't stutter. Get to it."Ernest got up and started to look around the store for literally anything. While looking, he found a yellow and black shirt, and a black overall skirt to go with it."Hey, what about this?" Ernest asked. Ariel looked at the clothing, gently touching it with her hands."Well, I suppose there's no harm in trying it." A

"Yes?.." Ariel replied hesitantly."You have the capability of being hot?!" Polly exclaimed, making Ariel very embarrassed."Polly, cut that out!""How come you never wear that to school? You look so pretty!" Polly said. "And how come I've never seen you in this?" Polly huffed."Because Polly, we're normally both busy on weekends. And also, I don't have time for boys trying to catch my attention. I need to focus on school and make it to a university. Life may be short, but it's long enough for me to do goals first and boys second.""That's my daughter!" Ivory yelled from the kitchen in a proud tone."Okay, then what about Ernest?"

"Oh, Ariel, I got a letter from your school talking about homecoming. Are you going this year?" Ivory asked. "Oh.. I don't know, momma. Probably not." Ariel said. "It's for the best anyway. I don't really feel like dealing with all the stares." She explained. "Hey, I'm going to go take a shower, okay?" "Yes. Of course." Ivory said. Ariel grabbed her things and brought them upstairs to her room to take a shower. While Ariel is taking a shower, not too far from her was her friend’s scheming. "This is crazy!" Frankie whispered. "Polly, when you asked for my help, I didn't know it was to break into your school!" "Look, I usually don't ask for your help, but you're the best at picking locks and plus, the cameras back here don't work. Just pick the lock and you can go straight home. No harm done." Polly said. "Easy for you to say. You're not black." Frankie retorted. "Dude, just open it." Michael said in annoyance. "No, fuck you guys. I need to get home." Frankie said before trying

The day is here. Where all the women dress like royalty and all the men dress like business men; homecoming.And Ernest is freaking out."Ernest sweetie, we can get another suit.." His mother said, but that didn't slow Ernest pacing at all."Homecoming is TODAY! I can't get a new suit right now! It's impossible!" He exclaimed."Well, maybe you still wear this.." His mother lifted up his suit to reveal it covered in bleach stains.Apparently, his father tried to wash clothes while he was drunk and Ernest’s suit paid the price."Oh no.." Ernest sighed and slumped on the couch. "I can't go to the dance in that, mom. My first date and I fucked that up too.." Ernest mumbled."First date? But I thought you've been on plenty of dates?" His mother asked.Ernest found himself blushing at his mothers catch on; yes, he has been out with other girls before, but those girls asked him out. Ernest never wanted to take someone out and show them a good time before meeting Ariel."Yeah, I meant the fir