Jagged Story

"We have to talk about it sometime, Jess." Joe says.

"No, we actually don't. Why can't we just pretend nothing happened?" I reply, walking away from him faster.

He darts in front of me and cuts my path off, making me stop in front of him. I sigh deeply before trying to walk around him.

"Joe, move." I demand, still not looking up at him.

"I'm not moving until you tell me what's wrong." he tells me.

"There's nothing wrong. I'm fine. You're fine. We're fine." I lie.

"Is this about Georgia? Because I told you I don't like her. I've specifically told you a million times that I don't like Georgia." Joe states.

"Wh-. No, this is not about Georgia." I respond softly.

"Then what is it about?" he queries.

"It's about you! You go out there everyday and you do whatever you want. And I'm supposed to-. What, wait for you to realize that I don't want you to do that?" I question in a whisper.

"That's what friends do, Jessie. Friends support their friends. In everything that they do." Joe rebuts.

"I don't want to just be your friend, Joe! Because that means that kiss was a one-time thing and I don't want it to be." I exclaim too loudly.

I know what you're thinking. How did I end up in this situation? Well, since you asked so nicely, I'll tell you. It all started when I got kicked out by my parents so I went to go stay with my brother's baby mother.

Yes, I'm her. Jessie Miller. Sister of reformed playboy turned father, Zion Miller. We're straying off track, though. This is how it all began.

"Jessie, you're going to college!" Mom shouts.

"I never said I wasn't! I said I want to take a gap year to see if college is the right fit for me." I respond as I go towards my room.

"As long as you're living under our roof, you will go to college immediately after high school." Dad butts in.

"So, if I don't go to college by next year, you're kicking me out?"

"No, that's not-." he begins.

"Yes! Because those are our rules. So, if you don't plan on going to college next year, you may as well leave now. You're 18 now. It won't take a long time to find somewhere to stay." she finishes.

I look to Dad for help and he looks at the floor. As I stop the tears from flowing down my face, I push past them. I go into my room and I pull my suitcases out of my closet.

I pack up everything I own into my suitcase, boxes from my closet, and containers from the basement. I immediately begin to stuff all of it into my car.

I turn to my parents and they refuse to look at me. I nod my head before climbing into the driver's seat of my car. I wipe the tears from my eyes before I drive away.

———

After driving for hours, I finally get to Georgia's new house. I pull into the driveway behind her drop-top BMW and I park my car.

I exit as I nervously make my way up to the front door. I was about to knock but the front door was open. I walk into the house and I hear chatter coming from the kitchen.

I walk closer and I smile as I see Georgia, Austin, and Ginny sitting down. I gain Austin's attention and I hold my finger to my lip, urging him to be quiet.

"Hey, y'all!" I exclaim.

Ginny and Georgia turn in my direction and their expression change instantly.

"Jessie!" they say excitedly.

All of them rush up to me and engulf me into a tight hug. Once they pull away, I smile at them.

"Well, what are you doing here?" Georgia asks in her lofty southern accent.

I ask if I can talk to her and she agrees. She pulls me into the bathroom and we shut the door behind us.

"My parents kicked me out." I tell her.

"Aw, shit. What'd you do?" she questions.

"Why do you assume I did something?" I respond.

She raises her eyebrow at me and I sigh.

"Okay, fine. I told them I wasn't going to college next year." I reveal lowly.

"Just like your brother, I see." Georgia drawls out.

"No. Zion had no interest in going to college. I want to take a gap year before going to college. We're not the same." I state.

"How is your brother, by the way?" she asks.

"Fine, I guess. We don't really talk. He's here and there, you know." I answer honestly.

She nods her head and I shake my in concentration.

"Anyways, I was wondering if I could live with you. You're the only person I trust, G." I whisper.

"I don't know, Jess. I'd have to check with the kids-." Georgia begins.

"Yes! Please, Mom!" they exclaim from outside the door.

Georgia raises her eyebrow once more before opening the door. In falls in a snooping Ginny and Austin. I laugh a little before Georgia looks down at them.

"Mom, we would love it if Jessie came to live with us. Please?" Ginny begs.

Georgia contemplates it for a while before giving all of us a huge smile.

"Well, of course you can. We have an extra room that I was going to turn into a guest room but it's yours." she exclaims happily.

I thank her excitedly before running out to my car. I immediately begin to bring all of my things into the house and I sit them down. By the time I finish decorating and unpacking, it's almost 3 in the morning. I crash onto my bed and I sigh.

Thank God for Georgia.

———

School was fun. I wasn't the only black kid so there's that. Now, I'm outside the mayor's office. I have to find a job. Even though my parents never gave me anything, they "cut me off".

I have a good amount of savings from my job back in Virginia. But, that's in the past. And I only care about the future.

I walk into the office and I smile. I go up to Mayor Randall's door and I knock.

"Come in!" a voice calls out from behind the door.

I slowly open the door and I'm greeted with a white man. In his early, maybe mid 30's. He's attractive, I'll give him that.

"Hi, Mayor Randall. I'm Jessie Miller. We have an appointment." I finally say.

"Ah, yes. Come in and close the door behind you, Ms.Miller." he instructs.

I close the door behind me before I go to sit in the seat across from him.

"I understand you applied to be my assistant, Ms.Miller. I've had a lot of candidates. How do I know-. Do you have the experience is my question." Mayor Randall states.

"Yes. Even despite my young age, I worked as the assistant to Levar Stoney, Richmond mayor, for 3 years." I tell him.

"Yes. I noticed that you're only 18. And you're still in high school?" he queries.

"Yes. Last year. Hope to make the most of it." I reply happily.

"Why should I hire you, Ms.Miller?" Mayor Randall questions.

"Despite my skills, my upbeat attitude and cheery personality are sure to brighten up any room." I answer back.

"The starting pay is only $25 an hour. Are you okay with that?" he inquires.

"Absolutely! As long as you can find a place for me in your family here, it's perfect." I say honestly.

"Well, it seems like I have no choice but to hire you. When can you start?" Mayor Randall asks.

"Today is perfectly fine, Mayor Randall." I respond.

"Please. Call me Paul." he instructs me.

"Only if you'll call me Jessie." I tell him.

He nods in agreement as someone knocks at the door.

"Come in!" Paul calls out.

The door opens and in walks the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. He walks up to the desk and smiles.

"Hey, Joe. Is it time for our meeting already?" Paul queries.

"Yes. But, I can come back if you're busy." Joe replies.

"No, Jessie and I were just finishing up. She's my new assistant so you'll probably see a lot of her. Jessie, this is Joe. He owns the town's best restaurant, Blue Farm Café. Coincidentally, he also owns the town's best farm as well" he states with a laugh.

Joe finally looks down at me and gives me a huge smile. I give him a goofy smile in return before clumsily standing to my feet. I offer him my hand to shake and he grabs it. His warm and soft hands shake mine before I pull away.

"I'll sex you-. I mean, see you around, Joe." I start, my face burning red with embarrassment.

"Nick can help you out with the system, Jessie." Paul chimes in.

"Mhm." I quickly respond, darting out of the office.

I shut the door behind me before walking over to my desk.

So much for a great first impression. Good going, Jessie.