I finish my painting and quickly put it away. I step over to check on what Perla is working on. She’s a much better artist than she led me to believe. At least I can tell what her painting is.
But standing this close to her makes me dizzy and confused. I’m wondering what would happen if I kissed her on her bare shoulder. How would it feel to pull her close and wrap my arms around her narrow waist? Woohoo with Inata was one thing, but I can tell it would feel completely different with Perla.
But damn, we could never go there. I made a promise to my brother. I have to end this once and for all. That’s what I’m here to do, right?
Wade: Um, Perla – can we talk?
Perla: Yeah, sure. Here, or -?
Wade: Downstairs? We might be able to find a good spot down there.
Perla: Lead the way.
We find comfy couches in what used to be my Gran-Peri’s living room and take a seat. Thank the Watcher Perla doesn’t sit too close to me.
Perla: Is this about you moving away?
Wade: Yes, and I’m sorry you found out the way you did.
Perla: Where are you going?
Wade: Maybe an apartment in San Myshuno, or better yet – a house in Brindleton Bay.
Perla: That’s pretty far.
Wade: It is. I want to be closer to the city.
Perla: So, you won’t be going to college, then.
Wade: I will, but remotely.
Perla: Oh
Wade: What about you?
Perla: I plan on attending Foxbury, like my parents. I’ll be moving into the dorm this weekend.
Now for the hard part –
Wade: So –
Perla: *interrupts* I guess that’s it – for us.
She saved me from having to say it.
Wade: Yeah. And honestly, things have been weird between Mase and I because of our dating. He saw it as me stealing your friendship away.
Perla: Oh. I never thought about that.
Wade: That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m so sorry.
I get up, and she stands up with me.
Perla: Good luck in the city.
Wade: Yeah. Same to you – I mean, in college, not the city.
We share an awkward hug, which is torture to me. I finally have Perla in my arms, but it’s not for the reasons I’d like.
Perla steps back from my embrace, but I gently grab her hand and stare into her face, and all I see is her beauty. Yeah, I said that her features are clustered into the middle, but it’s also the clearest, silky-smooth brown skin I’ve ever seen. Her eyes are small, but her pupils are a beautiful deep Mocha, or is it Umber? And her chin – I look up a few inches to her attached lips that I’ve had the pleasure of kissing more than once. If I close my eyes, I can still remember how soft they were. She’s not the prettiest girl I’ve seen – no, but she’s gorgeous beyond any other girl I could imagine.
I know I should go, but I stand there for a moment too long, and she hits me like a steamtrain.
Perla: I always thought you’d be my first.
Holey shit! What?
Wade: You – really? Well –
Perla: I don’t know why I just said that. It means nothing now.
But it does. It means everything! How do I leave after hearing that?
But for some reason, I suddenly remember Mase’s angry face in Batuu. I remember him and Dray leaving in the middle of the night. I don’t want a repeat of that. I have to go.
Wade: Maybe in another lifetime?
Perla: Yeah, another lifetime.
Wade: I’d better go.
And I do! Somehow, I find the strength to put one foot in front of the other and walk towards the door.
Dad is outside cleaning the grill for some odd reason when I return home. I approach him.
Kai: Just the person I wanted to see. So your ma and I talked, and we decided it would be better for you to pay for your own place in the Spice District.
First, the train and now a bomb –
Wade: What?? Like a plebeian?
Wade: *continues* But we have the money for something better! And I thought Ma said it wasn’t safe.
Kai: Actually, there’s no we. Your Ma and I have the money. You are a plebeian – a broke one. You’re lucky you’re not homeless. But before you dig yourself a hole you can’t get out of – let me tell you our actual decision.
Wade: Okay
Kai: Although I’m now having second thoughts – we’re buying that house in Brindleton Bay. We did some research, called the real estate agent, did a virtual tour online, and found out the place is fully furnished, so your Ma and I think it will be perfect for you.
I feel like I should be picking my face up off the floor.
Wade: *relieved* OMW, thanks Dad!
Kai: But it’ll be OUR house – as in your Ma and me. The place will cost over 92,000 simoleons. You won’t just be living it up on us, inviting women over and throwing parties every weekend. You’ll have to earn it.
This isn’t starting out too well, but I’ll hear him out.
Wade: How?
Kai: By working hard, succeeding at your job, and earning your degree remotely.
Wade: Okay. I can do that. Thanks, Dad.
Kai: Don’t thank me yet because if what I initially said about you living in the Spice District was a test of humility and character – you would have failed miserably.
Wade: I’m sorry, Dad.
Kai: Damn right you are. But here’s a chance for you to redeem yourself. One more condition for us buying the house—you will do volunteer and charity work for the people in the Spice District and anyone else who needs it. If we’re satisfied that you’ve met our conditions—we’ll sign the lease for the house over to you.
Wade: Just like that. No cap?
Kai: Yes, just like that, no – uh, whatever. See you inside.
Dad walks away, and I realize how quickly I almost blew it. But I’ll meet every one of their conditions and more. I will prove to them that I deserve that house.
Kai enters the house and sees an old man sitting on the couch next to Me-Me.
Kai: Uncle Merit, is that – *sees that it’s Dray* What the heck is going on here?
Drake: *unbothered* Hey Dad.
Kai: What the hell Dray? I thought I told you to wash the dye out.
Drake: I did wash it out – and replaced it with this one.
Me-Me can see where this is going. She gets up from the couch.
Melisa: I’m out of this.
Kai: That’s not what I wanted, and you know it! The principal has already told you – no hair dye!
Drake: No, she didn’t. She said no hair dye that’s not a natural color.
Kai: But that’s not your natural color!
Drake: She didn’t say that it had to be. She just said that my hair has to be a natural human color. White is a natural human hair color.
Kai: If you’re 75 or older!
Drake: There are plenty of young people who have natural white hair. Let me show you!
Dray pulls out his phone and searches for pictures of young people with natural white hair. But Kai is tired of his sons right now. He can almost feel white hairs popping up on his head. Why didn’t they have any daughters?
Kai: *resounding sigh* Don’t bother, Dray. It doesn’t matter. It looks good on you. Wear it proudly. *looks at the TV* What are we watching?
Drake: There’s a premiere of a new show on the action channel.
Kai: Turn it on.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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