Chapter One: Six Down To One: A Story of Us

Diamonique sat comfortably on her front porch, as she appeared to be in a deep trance. The weather had been a bit chilly, as it was nearing the start of the school year. Despite the chilly temperature, Diamonique wore only a Micheal Jordan jersey, and basketball shorts. She had her red socks pulled up to her knees, and had Micheal Jordan shoes on as well. Diamonique was starring off into space, when she was approached by Shanell. Shanell had been dressed more fitting for the chilly weather.

"Hey girl, you okay? You look lost in space or something." Shanell had joked, brushing herself up against Diamonique. Diamonique then chuckled, to acknowledge the facetious situation. Once the laughter had subsided, Shanell added, "Are we still bout to go meet at our group meeting place, and if so, are you still going?" Diamonique then picked up her basketball, and began to twirl it around her finger. She then stood up to relax against her front porch poll.
"Yeah, I'm going. Just got a lot on my mind, you know. But yeah I'll be there....you here for Ronny?" Diamonique then asked. The six friends had all chipped in to pay for an abandon old shack of a house, which was located about two block away from their neighborhood. Once they finished paying for it, about four years ago, they had painted it, and place nothing but sofas inside the building, which was about 600 square feet. Diamonique had spray painted their faces on the walls inside the building, as she had been an outstanding artist. The friends had labeled that place their meeting place, and had met their everyday since they had bought the place.
"No, Ronny had left already with Lionel this morning, they are already there silly, and i told them I would go and get you, so come on!" Shanell stated, as she then pulled Diamonique off her porch. Diamonique allowed a smile to arise onto her face. Shanell then added, " So tell me what is wrong..." She said taking a moment to pause, she had just noticed Diamonique's choice of clothing, "Aren't you cold?" Shanell had asked. Diamonique let out a fake laugh, and then proceeded to dribble the basketball between her legs.

"Naw, I'm not cold, I just been playing with the boys this morning, at the park...besides I got much more important things on my mind to be worrying about if I'm cold or not, you feel me." Diamonique replied. She then stopped dribbling the basketball, and then went back to twirling it on her finger. Diamonique then stopped walking, and then turned to face Shanell. "Fontaya told me that like people be hassling her about me. Like they won't to know if I'm gay or straight. Like because of my baggy clothes, and my tattoos, that I got to be gay or something." Diamonique stated. Shanell stared down at the street, as if she had refused to make eye contact with Diamonique. Diamonique had never been linked to any form of relationship with a man, and thus resulting in lesbian speculations. Although, she had been Shanell's best friend, Diamonique also knew how Shanell felt about homosexual. Shanell held strong to her christian beliefs and thus far looking down on anyone whom associated themselves as a homosexual. Diamonique had denied being one, in fear of being rejected.

"Well, I know that I am your best friend, and if you were you would of told me by now, and you haven't, so I know you are not gay, and that is all that matters, right." Shanell stated staring into Domonique's eyes. Diamonique nodded her head in agreement, and did not speak another word for the remaining walk. Fontaya and Shayla had been sitting on a sofa engaging in their own conversation. They appeared to be reading a world sexiest men magazine. Ronny and Lionel was sitting on another sofa conversing about their up coming basketball season, when Diamonique and Shanell walked in.
"Bout time!!" They all yelled simultaneously. Diamonique and Shanell then smiled at them, before joining Fontaya and Shayla on the sofa. Ronny then stood in the middle of the room, as too address everyone.
"Well, as you all know that today is me and Shanell's three years anniversary," Ronny paused to acknowledge all the pro founding awes from everyone. Shanell blushed. Ronny continued, "So I want to take this time to say, I love you baby, and I always will...Happy anniversary." This caused Shanell to blushed even more, as she received a kiss to the lips from Ronny. Lionel then stood up.

"Well, ain't that just the cutest array of love..." Lionel said drawing imaginary hearts into the air. Ronny had then threw his basketball at Lionel, facetiously. Lionel caught the basketball, and then proceeded to rest it onto the table he had been standing in front of. He then stated back up, "Well, I don't have no anniversary today, but umm, do anybody else have anything they would like to say today?" Lionel had asked. Fontaya and Shayla continued to congratulate Ronny and Shanell, while Diamonique sat staring down at the floor. She then stood up.
"I have something to say..." Diamonique paused, allowing her time to walk to the front of the room. Lionel the sat down, as everyone stopped their side conversations to listen attentively to Diamonique.
"Umm, everyone had been wondering if I am Gay or straight, and like you guys are my best friends, so I thought I tell you guys first, before I tell..." Shanell had stood up to interrupt Diamonique. Diamonique then stopped to allow her time to speak.
"We already talked about this, Diamonds, you said you were straight, so why bring it up again?" Shanell had asked. Shanell appeared angry, while the rest appeared interested to hear what Diamonique had to say next. Diamonique was reluctant to make eye contact with Shanell, but nonetheless, she spoke.

"No Shanell, I lied, and I'm sorry. But ummm, I am gay...I always been gay..." Diamonique replied. Lionel smiled, as did Ronny, to which they both begin to shout out "I knew it I knew it," simultaneously. Fontaya and Shayla both stared at one another. Shanell walked up to Diamonds, stared her in the face, pushed her out of her way, and then ran out of the building. Everyone's mood grew to complete and utter silence.