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No One In The World
No One In The World
No One In The World
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No One In The World

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The years 1986-1990's are very memorable for Tan and Tyler, mainly be- cause of their special love song by: Anita Baker, "No One In the World." These two individuals have had a special relationship since the 6th grade and now during their junior, senior, and young adult lives, they are just trying to figure out this thing called love. As life ta

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 6, 2024
ISBN9781962997775
No One In The World

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    Book preview

    No One In The World - Colandra A Blackwell

    No One In The

    WORLD

    In

    The Beginning

    By

    Colandra A. Blackwell

    Play List

    **No One In The World- Anita Baker

    ●                  What Have You Done For Me Lately- Janet Jackson

    ●                  The Men All Pause- Klymaxx

    ●                  Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop Goes My Mind– Levert

    ●                  Peter Piper- Run DMC

    ●                  Word Up- Cameo

    ●                  Sussudio- Phil Collins

    ●                  Brass Monkey- Beastie Boys

    ●                  The Show- Doug E. Fresh

    ●                  Computer Love- Zapp

    ●                  Sweet Love- Anita Baker

    ●                  Billie Jean- Micheal Jackson

    ●                  Tender Love- Force M.Ds

    ●                  Candy- Cameo

    ●                  Girlfriend- Bobby Brown

    ●                  Fly Girl- Boogie Boys

    ●                  I’m Bad- LL Cool J

    ●                  Fresh Is The Word- Mantronix

    ●                  I Ain’t No Joke- Eric B. & Rakim

    ●                  Looking For The Perfect Beat- Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force

    ●                  Bad - Micheal Jackson

    ●                  On Broadway - George Benson

    ●                  Something Just Ain’t Right - Keith Sweat

    ●                  Nite and Day - Al B. Sure

    ●                  Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston

    ●                  My Fantasy - Guy

    ●                  Poison - B.B.D.

    ●                   End Of The Road - Boyz II Men

    Diclaimer

    This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names,

    characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the

    author's

    imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to

    actual persons, living or dead, or

    actual events is purely

    coincidental.

    Dedication

    To my dear sweet loving parents, Lewis and Alberta Blackwell, who are both cheering me on from Heaven. I want to let you know that I appreciated the love and the encouragement you gave me while here on earth. Your love is still so powerful, that it is present in my life today.

    It is my hope that pursuing my dream of writing and becoming an author will make you proud. Never stop believing in me for this journey will be a rewarding one with your blessing.

    I love you Mommy and Daddy forever!

    Acknowledgement

    First and foremost I want to give all praises and honor to God. I am so thankful that HE has blessed me with an imagination and the ability to be creative. I am fortunate to have such a wonderful support team and I want to acknowledge each and everyone of you. To my family, thank you for being my strength all the way through this process. You all have been my rock.To my children Timmy,Tyuntra, and my grandson Noah, thank you. You all are my inspiration. To Mama Mary, thank you for your motherly love.

    To my book review crew: Janet Allen, Camilia Anderson, Kimberley Blackwell, Shonda Bonner, Rachel Brown, Denise Frederick,Tyuntra Fuller, Deloris Johnson, Rhonda Miller, Kimberlyn Moore, Cynthia Robinson, Lauren Robinson,Shontae Young, thanks so much for taking the time from your busy schedules to preview my book and giving me quality feedback.

    To Lillie Nesbitt and Isaac Tate III, I am so grateful to have friends like you. The two of you are always so supportive and encouraging and I thank you for that.

    Last but not least I want to give a very special thanks to my real life Tyler, thank you so much for being the man that you are. Life is so much sweeter with you.

    NOITW!

    Chapter 1

    Tan

    1986

    It just hit me, it's October! The prom is only six months away, and I will be there! With whom? I don’t know, but what I do know is I’m going to look like I have just stepped out of the most fashionable magazine. Oh yes, ma’am! I’m going to put this 5 '5, 96 lbs., brown sugar slim fine body in the flyest dress on this side of creation! And what in the world will I do with this hair? It’s crazy thick without a perm, naturally curly and wavy, jet black, and down my back! People always say, girl, you got good hair. I wish I had it! Yeah, I can wash and wear, but that look is old and tired. I want my hair to be straight, bouncing, and behaving!

    Who knows, I just might lose my mind and get rid of this black by coloring it honey-blonde! Who am I kidding? John Sr. and Cathy (my lovely parents) would never go for that! Maybe I will just shock the Hell out of them and just show up one day as a blonde! Or maybe I need to find a new place to live because that is not going to work well, and I will still be able to reside at 1238 Danson St. OK, I won’t risk it. I’ll play it safe and just get my hair straightened and perhaps cut me some bangs, or maybe not.

    Now that the excitement has erupted in me, I have to get some concrete plans together. Let me get on the phone and call my best friend, who lives next door. The phone is ringing. Hello, Deon, whatcha doing? I’m on my way over! I didn’t give her a chance to say anything because sometimes she had a way of making things about her when this time it should be clearly about me.

    Dad’s deep voice filled the air, Tan!

    Sir!

    Whose turn is it to wash dishes?

    Now, why does he feel the need to bother me about some raggedy dishes right now? I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS RIGHT NOW!

    Daddy, I don’t know whose turn it is. All I know it isn't mine.

    While I’m opening the closet, grabbing a jacket and putting on my shoes, and getting ready to touch the door knob to go out, I hear my sister Kerry’s quiet voice whisper, Daddy, I washed dishes last night. It’s Tan’s turn.

    In slow motion, I turned around with my left brow pointed up, giving her the meanest look I could dig up.

    Daddy said, Getcha butt back in here and do these dishes!

    Daddy, can I do them later? I’m about to go over Deon’s.

    Daddy stands up, with about ten frown lines accompanying his forehead, and he looks over at me like, Try me if you want to! So that is my cue; I immediately snatch my jacket off, kick off my shoes, and make my way into the kitchen before World War III happens!

    The frustrated me is now in the kitchen, slanging pots, pans, and suds everywhere. Alright now, break a dish if you want to! When I heard those words come out of my mother’s mouth, I knew she meant business! So, I managed to come to my senses quickly, finished the dishes, and wiped off the table, stove, and bar. After the kitchen passed a thorough inspection, I was able to make my getaway next door.

    As soon as I get to Deon’s porch to ring the doorbell, I hear Janet Jackson blasting, What Have you Done for Me Lately. Well, there’s no need for me to ring the doorbell. I will just twist the door knob and walk on in. Deon’s room is located at the front of the house. I’m knocking on her door and she yells, Come in!

    I’m dancing my way through the doorway.

    Deon jumps up from her chair, and now she’s beside me, snaking to the left, then the right! We both are dancing, laughing, and yelling, Hey! while jamming all over her bedroom floor. After that Soul Train tribute, we both fell down on the bed, laughing hysterically and trying to catch our breath.

    Whew. Girl, I’m here on business. Dee, you have to help me! You have to help me figure out how I can go to the prom this year!

    Hold up! How do you think that you are going to the prom? It’s only for seniors!

    That’s what you and I are going to figure out!

    Who are you planning on going with?

    Again, that’s what you and I gon figure out!

    Deon throws her head back and bursts out laughing, Tan, you are always up to something, and you always make me be your partner in crime.

    I just gotta go to the prom!

    Dee has this puzzled look on her face. It’s almost like she is afraid to tell me something.

    Dee, why do you have that look on your face?

    I don’t know why, but I am brave enough to inquire. What’s on your mind, Dee?

    Well, since you asked, what’s up with you and Tyler?

    Oh, my goodness! Why are you asking me about him? We are just friends!

    Really? Not the way y'all be looking at each other, and another thing. Doesn’t he walk you home every day? Now, that’s someone who secretly has a crush on you. Look how far you live from him after he walks you home. He has a long journey to his house. So, you really want me to believe that there’s nothing going on between y'all?

    A big smile just covers my face, and I’m trying not to look goofy while I try to convince her that he’s just my friend.

    Besides, I have been looking at Tyler since the 6th grade. I remember he was so short and cute in middle school. He agreed to be my little boyfriend while I also had a big boyfriend, and now that was some agreement we had. Also, I’ve fixed him up with one of my friends. How could I do that if I wanted him for myself?

    Now that I’m saying these things out loud, I’m realizing at this very moment that I have a lot in common with Tyler. We are always on the phone, talking for hours, and he’s always over here. WAIT! Am I trying to convince her or me?

    He is cute, Tan!

    Yes, he is, but we are good friends, and I never really thought of him as anything more. Hmmmm, I’m consumed with all kinds of thoughts about Tyler right now.

    My mind is racing. It’s hard to focus. I hear Dee saying something, but I’m not able to respond. What has she started? The doorbell rings. I’m thinking, who could that be? We both are running to the door, who is it, we both say in Unisom.

    JJ, said a small voice from the other side of the door. I am thinking, what could my little worrisome brother want? He gets pleasure out of delivering messages from our parents.

    Dee opens the door.

    Daddy said come home!

    Did he say why?

    No, he didn’t! You better hurry up before I tell him you said you are not coming!

    You make me sick with your big head! Dee, I’ll be back, or I’ll call you.

    Ok, girl!

    I’m taking my time as I walk across The Franklin’s well-manicured yard. I took a deep breath and walked through the front door, and the pleasant aroma of fried fish filled the air. One thing about the Breakfield household: before the end of the day, no matter what Mama cooked earlier that day, you were going to get some fried fish before you went to bed. My dad truly believes that fish is brain food, and he has done a pretty good job of convincing Mama of that, too.

    I’m standing in the den waiting for Daddy to take his focus off the TV and tell me what was so important for him to interrupt. OPERATION PROM!  I’ve been standing here for 3 minutes, so I’m just going to ease into the kitchen with Mama.

    Hey, Mama, do you need some help?

    Are you feeling well?

    Ha-ha, you act like I don’t ever offer to help you around here.

    Ok, what’s going on with you? "

    Well, Mama, I want to go to the prom this year. And before you say no, remember, Kerry went to the prom as a high school junior!

    I can tell she was not expecting that to come out of my mouth. She is looking at me, kind of happy and shocked at the same time.

    Then I hear these words, go ask your Daddy. Those are the very words I dreaded to hear coming from her mouth! I feel like someone has just pushed a knife into my stomach and was slowly twisting it.

    Sure, I will, but I’m no dummy. I will wait until he eats, and then he will be in a good mood.

    He sure will be in a good mood because I put my foot in this fish! Mama and I both started laughing while we grabbed plates and silverware to set the table.

    Mama made her daily announcement, Y'all come eat! The food is on the table!

    We are all sitting at the table, complimenting Mama on this delicious meal.

    I really don’t think I should mention the prom right now. I need to get a better plan together first. Somehow, I’m getting a feeling that everything is going to work out for me, and that brings a smile to my face.

    Chapter 2

    Tan

    Get up, girl, and get ready for school!

    Ok, Mama, I’m up.

    Don’t let me have to come back in here!

    I’m not ready to start my day. I could use just a few more minutes of sleep. So, I’m turning over and pulling the covers up around my neck, trying not to fall into a deep sleep by keeping my ears exposed so I can hear Mama when she’s on her way back down the hallway. I’m not trying to get knocked out before I even get up!

    Finally, when I have enough strength to get out of bed, I drag myself to the closet and stand there staring at all my clothes, trying to decide what on earth I should wear today.

    I’m extremely particular about my closet, so all of my clothes are arranged by color. Starting from the left side of the closet, it’s all of my light-colored clothes. The middle section holds all my jeans, and everyone knows that you can never have enough jeans! The dark-colored clothes are hanging on the right side. 

    My red and white Coca-Cola jeans and sweatshirt will be the perfect attire for today. Oh, and this outfit cannot be complete without my red and white oxford style Reeboks! Now I’m looking FOXY!

    It just hit me. I need to call Janis and tell her to wear her blue and white Coca-Cola outfit. Janis is my best friend at school, and we have been friends since the 9th grade. She would definitely feel some type of way if I stepped up into the school sporting my red and white outfit without her blue and white outfit coordinating with mine.

    Mission accomplished! After my speedy call with Janis, she is on board with the matching outfits, and it is understood that we will meet in our usual spot by the band hall. I’m feeling good about today, and for some odd reason, I’m excited to start my school day!

    Tan, get in here and eat your breakfast. It’s almost time for you to leave! I heard Mama yelling, and hearing that quickly distracted me from looking at myself in the mirror.

    The wonderful aroma of bacon fills the entire house, especially in the hallway leading to my bedroom. I can never turn down bacon. I think it’s my birthmark.

    Kerry and JJ have already eaten breakfast and are now walking out the door. Kerry drops JJ off at his school before she makes her way to the university. 

    I’m sitting and waiting patiently at the table for Mama to place my plate in front of me. She’s walking towards me with a plate of food in one hand and a glass of milk in the other hand. I see bacon and scrambled eggs. Is that what I think it is? I know I’m not seeing things!

    Mama is waiting to see my facial expressions when I discover the cheese toast. My face lit up, grinning from ear to ear, and I’m turning into that adorable little girl right before her eyes.

    Mama, you fixed my favorite, cheese toast! I practically have to stop myself from jumping around the room to see my favorite food.

    She’s looking at me, laughing, I shouldn’t have fixed you anything because you stayed in the mirror too long to be able to enjoy it!

    Immediately, I jump up to give Mama the biggest hug I can possibly give. She is peeling me off of her while saying, your breakfast is getting cold, and you know Mr. Braggs will be blowing his horn soon.

    Mr. Braggs is my friend Tracey’s father. Tracey and I are also good friends. We ride to school together every morning. Tracey is a grade ahead of me, so that makes her a senior. She’s serious about acting and really focused on her studies. Dating is so far from her mind, and whenever I mention it, she always rolls her eyes at me and changes the subject.

    As I’m chewing on this good food, my mind is in deep thought about the prom.

    Beep! Beep! Well, my thoughts just snapped me back to reality.

    Tan, you hear Mr. Braggs out there!

    Yes, Mama, I’m grabbing my stuff! See you later! 

    There’s a long line of cars waiting to enter into the school’s parking lot. There are students everywhere. Some getting off the buses, some taking their time getting out of their parent’s cars, holding up traffic without a care in the world. Davis High is a really cool school. We are known for our phenomenal basketball team and our jamming marching band.

    One thing is for sure: we are the majority here, and there are a precious few of the other races, only because of the magnet/engineering program. My sister Kerry was an engineering student here, and she was part of the first graduating class of the smart students in the program. Those smart students get the best of everything. It’s funny how in the front part of the school, where us regular students are housed, it’s always either too hot or too cold, but in the new wing where the magnet students are, it's always perfect. Those brainiacs go the extra mile by staying in school an hour later than us regulars, so count me out! I'm not sitting in classes any longer than I have to.

    We finally pulled into the school parking lot, and Tracey and I said our goodbyes to Mr. Braggs. We jumped out of the car to get to the specific groups of people that we hung out with. I’m walking really fast, trying to get to my crew, and Tracey is trying to keep up with me like we’re racing.

    Tan, Deon told me that you were trying to go to the prom.

    I say, trying? I’m going!"

    How, Tan? You are a junior, so that means you can’t go!

    Ok, we will see about that!

    Tracey just shook her head and walked off.

    Now, I really have to work hard to prove Tracey wrong! I’m walking swiftly through the crowds, trying to find Janis. I finally see her standing by the steps leading to the band hall. We see each other and immediately start smiling and yelling, Hey, girl!

    Somebody shouted out, look at the Coca-Cola Twins!

    It’s like the crowd gets quiet, and all eyes are on us.

    Janis and I are looking too good today. She’s cute, super short, caramel brown skin, slightly bow-legged, with a thin build and shoulder-length dark brown hair. Can’t nobody tell us that we don’t have it going on? As we sashay down the hall, I’m hearing my theme song in my head, The Men All Pause, by: Klymaxx. I’m sure every girl in this hallway is secretly cursing our names.

    Out of nowhere, Janis says, Tan, guess who just asked about you?

    I’m afraid even to guess. Just tell me!

    Janis is cheesing real hard, saying, you know who I am talking about? Think really hard.

    My eyes are looking up to the left, trying to figure out who in the world it could be. 

    Janis, really, I don’t have a clue!

    She’s so excited, all in my face, jumping up and down, saying, Tyler, Tyler!

    Why are you tripping? You know Tyler and I are just friends!

    I can tell this conversation is about to take off in a direction that I’m not willing to go.

    Friends, my foot! That boy walks you home every day!

    Now she’s sounding like Deon. I’m looking at her, wondering why she has to be so loud and country. It seems that Janis may know something that I don’t know. Has Tyler confided in her?

    Millions of questions are crowding my head. Does he like me, and he’s scared to say something? Do I like him like that? At this very moment, my thoughts are running wild.

    Tan! Tan!

    I squinched my eyes real tight and shook my head a little, responding, What, Janis?

    You were in deep thought, Tan, staring into space!

    I. I, Ring! I am saved by the bell!

    I barely made it to my first-period class on time. While sitting at my desk, new feelings are surfacing. Could it be that I have uncovered real

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