Made in the USA

June 2012
I fixed my LA Kings Jersey and looked at my best-friend. Mason was currently typing away at the speed of light on his phone. Typical Mase. I looked around and smiled. It was nice to have a break from all the drama. As much as I loved LA I would be leaving in September. Why? I had been accepted to a 4 year college in Chicago. I accepted but took a year off. Well I didn’t really take a year off I went to a community college because I didn’t have the heart to leave my mom the way she was. She had gotten really sick and as the youngest child of my mom and dad it was my duty to take care of her. I had no resentment towards my mom because I did it for a good cause. Now that the year and Quarter was done, and Mason was home. We had gotten tickets for the Kings cause well his birthday was today and I needed to be a good friend.

“Dude I’m tired” he said rubbing his eyes.
“I took my finals a day before for you” he said slightly glaring at me.
I rolled my eyes and continued walking.
“Oh hush I got you tickets for two games Mason” I said.
“Thanks by the way” he said as we walked to my car.
“I still hate you because of this” he said.

I looked at him and I saw he was looking at my car. I had joined a raffle and apparently luck was on my side and I had won a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. It was grey and had a pretty good interior. I was glad I had won it honestly because well I had no form of transportation, My dad took the only truck that was at home because he used it to go to work in. My brother had his car, but he had work. My sister had her car as well, but she had a family so I couldn’t use the car as well. Yea my brother and sister still lived with my parents, and yes I am the youngest, well not really but I am the youngest currently at home. My parents have always tried to give us what we wanted. We weren’t spoiled and we weren’t rich, we just seemed to always be ok. I was never hungry and neither were my brother and sister. I thank my mom and dad for that. They worked their asses off for that.

“Hey you have your Truck and congrats, i heard from your mom you finished paying it off” I said.
“Yes I chose to not go out like a month and used that money and just finished paying it off. Mom and my Godparents helped me pay it but hey it's nice to know i helped you know” he said.
I nodded and he looked at me.
“You ready for the game?” he asked.
“Hell yea. I have a feeling Quick will do some magic tonight” I said.
He smiled and nodded.
“I bet, but come on Chicago is pretty damn good” he said.
I nodded and started the car.
“Yea they are, but I have faith in my Kings” I said as I checked my mirrors.
He laughed and nodded.

“I remember when your dad tried to get you to learn how to drive” he said.

I rolled my eyes and stopped when the light turned red. I looked at him and he laughed. Mason was a gorgeous boy and I had the biggest crush on him as a kid, but he friend-zoned me. I kindly accepted it and well grew up. I wasn’t pretty as a kid and I don’t think I’m pretty now. I guess being a chubby girl from grades K-9 lowers your self-esteem.

“Shush” I said turning my attention to the streetlight that had just turned green.
“Are we gonna stop by to eat? Cause I’m kinda starving” he said.
I rolled my eyes and nodded.
“Yea” I said.
“You work tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yes” I said.
He nodded and looked down at his phone.
“When do you have a day off?” he asked.
“I don’t know I think I don’t work tomorrow though” I said.
He laughed and looked at me.
“I have three days off so we can go to Six Flags or something” I said.
He nodded and looked up at me.
“Hell yea” he said.
He put his phone away when he saw I was parallel parking. He looked at me impressed when I parked the car.
“Nice” he said.

I winked at him and got out of the car. I got my purse and we walked over to the restaurant. My phone began ringing and I began digging through my bag.

“Why don’t you carry your phone in your pocket like a normal person?” Mason asked.
I rolled my eyes and stepped back hitting someone.
“I am so sorry” I told him as I found my phone in my bag.
I looked at the number and saw it was my sister.
“What a waste” I said to myself.

“Excuse me?”

I looked up and saw a bunch of men looking at me. I recognized them but didn’t say anything.

“sorry I kinda talk to my self” I said smiling.
They laughed and I looked at the host.
“Reservations under Ramirez” I said.
She nodded and I handed her my ID.
“who was it anyways?” Mason asked.
“Laura you know how much of a pest she is. Probably wants me to babysit her kids” I said.
He laughed and nodded.
“Yea you got a point there” he said looking down at his phone.
I took his phone away and he looked at me.
“Stop texting” I said.
He laughed and looked at me.
“Can I have my phone back?” he asked.
“No” I said throwing it in my bag with my phone.

I looked up to see many curious pair of eyes looking at us.

“You can text your girlfriend later” I told Mason.
“If I get in trouble it’s all your fault” he told me.

I made a whipping sound and he narrowed his eyes. I shrugged at him and he laughed.

“That’s just mean Nastia” he told me.
I laughed and fixed my hair.
“Gosh this sweater is killing me” I mumbled.

“Maybe cause it’s the wrong jersey”

I looked up and smiled.
“Nah…can I ask you guys a question?” I asked.
They raised an eyebrow, but nodded.
“No offense guys but this is no fancy restaurant to show up in a suit and tie” I said slipping off my Jersey. I was wearing a navy blue blouse under, so it was no problem.
They laughed and I turned.
“Follow me” the host said.
I smiled.
“good luck” I said walking away from them.
We were seated and I looked at Mason who was looking at me impressed.
“Where did the little shy Anastasia I knew go?” he asked.
I laughed.
“She took a speech class and was forced to go away” I said.
He smiled and nodded.
“I like it” he said as he looked at the menu.
Mason looked up and laughed.
“I know why you brought me here” he said.
I turned and smiled as I got up.
“MASON!” she shrieked as she jumped on him.
He laughed and hugged her.
“Hey Emma” he said.
“how was school?” she asked as she hugged me.
I looked at him and he raised an eyebrow.
“She lives like 2 houses away from me I see her everyday” I said.
He laughed and nodded.
“It went well” he said.
“Hey man how’s Berkeley?” he asked our other close friend Frank.
“Hard, but I guess it was hard for everyone”
He nodded and they sat down.
“who else is coming?”
“like 4 more other people” I said.
He nodded and looked up.
“12 o’clock” he said

I shrugged and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and smiled.
“Hi” I said.
The guy smiled at me.
“Hey cutie what’s your name?”
I smiled and leaned back.
“Well that’s something I can’t tell you.” I said.
“Why not?”
Frank raised an eyebrow.
“Dude back off” he told the dude.
“Why?”
“Cause that’s my girlfriend”
He looked at me and I smiled.
“Sorry sir but yea” I said.
He nodded and left saying he wasn’t interested. I looked at Frank and he laughed.
“Thanks” I said.
He laughed and kissed Emma.

“Jules long time no see” Mason said looking up.
She smiled and hugged him.
“Happy late birthday boy” she said squeezing him.
“No one is back yet” she said.
She rolled her eyes.
“The guys are still taking finals” she said.
He laughed
“So who’s coming?” he asked.
“You, Nastia, Frank, Emma, Lena and Muah” she said.
She looked around.
“And Polly and Mark” she said.
He nodded.
“How is Polly I haven’t seen her in a while” he said.
She shrugged.
“Neither have we so we’re kinda surprised she’s coming”

I laughed and Juliette was the first to look at Mason.

“So Masey…how’s the love life. I heard you got yourself a lady friend from Nas” she said.
He laughed and nodded.
“Let me see a picture” she said.

He looked at me and I pulled out his phone. I saw my phone was ringing.

“Hi Polly” I said smiling.
I laughed and nodded.
“Ok ok ill wait for you outside” I said getting up.
I walked over to the front and smiled at the group.
“Are you guys still waiting?” I asked.
They nodded and I pulled out my phone and texted someone. I looked up when I heard footsteps.

“Liv” I said smiling.
She smiled and I hugged her.
“What happened?” she asked.
“Well they haven’t been seated” I said.
She looked behind me and sighed.
“Jen was host right?” she asked.
I nodded and she smiled.
“Yea she kinda hates the Hawks, but ill get you your table right now I am so sorry” She said.
“You guys in there with Mase?” she asked.
I nodded and she smiled.
“ill go bug you guys make daddy’s workers you know work” she said winking.
I nodded and smiled.
“Let me go get Polly cause you know she gets lost easily” I said.
She nodded and I squeezed past them. I smiled when I saw the small girl.
“Nastia!” she said hugging me.
I hugged her and pulled away.
“Eww” I said.
Mark smiled at me and I hugged him.
“Come on come on hustle” I said leading them inside.
“Why did we come for early lunch though? It’s to early!” Polly said as she looked at her phone.
“I swear you waddle more each time I see you” I told her.
She laughed and Mark nodded.
“I got a pair of heels I’m trying to break in. Not all of us are tall you know” she said.

I laughed.

“I love my height Polly. I am 5’7 and a good height. If they don’t like my height well they can go you know” I said.
I looked up and saw Liv leading the guys to their table.
“Thanks”
I smiled and nodded.
“You’re welcome” I said.
“You going to the game?”
I nodded and smiled.
“Yes sir. Todays and the next one” I said.
“You know Hockey?”
I nodded.
“I know and I’m from LA!” I said.
He smiled and nodded.
“Where do you have seats?”
I looked at him and smiled.

“Near the glass. Worked my ass of to pay for the seats. Do you know just cause the Kings are playing you guys they are worth more?” I asked.
He laughed and I smiled.

“well have a nice lunch” I said walking away from them.
I walked over to the table and Mason looked at me.
“Well let’s catch up. who got pregnant and dropped out already?” Mason asked.
They all looked at him and Polly was the first to speak up.
“James is in Jail” she said.
And the gossip started. Oh how I miss high school!
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