“Well, holla at your boy when you get a free moment, Miss Jackson,” Rah says, momentarily giving up the battle. But I'm sure he's not retreating from the war.
“Fo shizzle,” I say, again giving Rah a good laugh before hanging up. Before I can flip my phone, Mickey starts going off about Nellie and her crown.
“You need to check your friend, Jayd,” Mickey says, rolling her neck and making her three pairs of descending bamboo earrings jingle. Mickey's quite a sight when she gets pissed. But Nellie's presence has made her look more like a force of nature.
“What the hell happened?” I say, gently pushing Mickey and Nellie to their opposite sides before opening my locker. The warning bell for first period just rang, and the hall is crawling with students. I need to get all my Spanish books and get to class on time. This mess between the two of them will have to wait until later.
“I'll tell you what happened,” Nellie says, straightening her perfectly centered crown on top of her head, making Mickey suck her teeth in disgust. “Your girl here is jealous because everybody's looking at me now and not her ghetto-fabulous ass,” Nellie says, putting her hands on her hips and rolling her neck. Although not quite as sassy as Mickey, her chill is still felt, and Mickey's up for the fight.
“You see what I'm talking about, Jayd? This trick is trippin',” Mickey says, looking Nellie straight in the eye. Mickey takes a step toward her, looking like she's about to slap her clear across the face.
“Who you calling a trick?” Nellie says, stepping back from Mickey's approach. Nellie's not a fighter, but she'll be damned if anyone calls her out her name. “You're just a hater, Mickey. You can't stand it when someone else is in the spotlight.”
“Okay, you two, calm down. You're causing a scene,” I say, placing my books in my backpack before slamming my locker door shut. “Can we discuss this at break? We're all going to be late for class.” I lead the way through the busy crowd. It's so loud in here we have to practically shout to hear each other.
“There's nothing to discuss, as far as I'm concerned,” Mickey says, sounding like she's done with the chatting.
“I don't have time anyway. I have to prep for my entrance. The Homecoming court is being presented in the Main Quad at lunch, and then we're all going out,” Nellie says, flipping her hair over her right shoulder as we exit the hall through the front door into an even busier outside. This girl is getting on my nerves, too.
“Okay, then, we'll talk about it after school,” I offer, trying to appease our princess. I hope this phase wears off soon. I'm afraid Mickey's going to whip her ass before it's all said and done.
“I have plans after school,” Mickey says. I know she means she's meeting Nigel at football practice. If Nellie found out the two of them were dating, she would flip.
“You know what?” I say, stopping in the middle of the walkway. “You two were friends before I came along. So, y'all work it out. I have enough issues of my own right now to be dealing with this BS.” As I head down the path toward Spanish class, I can feel their eyes still on me. Unfortunately for them, they have most of their classes together, including first period. Misty, KJ, C Money, Del and damn near the rest of the Black junior population is on the same track and therefore in the same classes. With the bell ringing above my head, I step into Spanish class and momentarily away from the drama. I'm sure it'll resume soon enough.
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Getting through my first two classes smoothly is pivotal for me to have a good morning. And I was able to get some of my homework done in the library during break, giving me more time to work on Mama's assignment, which is also a good thing. But for some reason, this day is determined to be a rocky one. It's lunch, and instead of going off campus with Jeremy and his crew, I'm in the Main Quad waiting for Nellie to appear. Why am I still such a good friend to her?
As Nellie and the rest of South Bay's Homecoming court struts from the cafeteria through the Main Quad, Nigel and our winning football team are escorted by the cheerleaders. Nellie's gleaming and sucking it all in. Tania, right behind her, has a strange look on her face, like she's just smelled something horrible. And then, right on Nellie's back, she throws up.
“Ahhh!” Nellie screams. She's got vomit in her hair, on her neck and back. Tania, embarrassed, runs from the procession back into the cafeteria. Covering her mouth with her left hand, I notice a big diamond ring. This girl's engaged? My dream may be unfolding, but Nellie getting hurled on was an extra perk.
“Damn, that's never going to come out,” Reid says into the mic, making light of Nellie's humiliation. I can't stand it. I have to help her. The rest of the court, football team and campus can't contain their laughter any longer.
As I approach Nellie at the front of the quad, I follow her eyes through the crowd, where I see Mickey and Nigel meet up and head toward the front parking lot. Nellie, already hot, has a new fire lit under her now. That was all the validation she needed to know there's something going on between Nigel and Mickey. She looks at me as if I somehow orchestrated this entire event and walks off toward the cafeteria. I should've gone off campus with Jeremy. I've had enough of Nellie's drama for one day.
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Thank goodness the day's finally over. Mickey and Nigel never resurfaced after Nellie's unforgettable episode at lunch, so all I have to do is go to my locker and meet up with Jeremy and Chance outside the Main Hall. Damn, I hope I don't run into Misty. That would add to the rest of the day's negativity.
Making my way through the busy hall, I notice my counselor, Mr. Adelezi, talking to some hysterical blond girl. I wonder if he likes his job? Just when I think I'm home free from running into my nemesis, Misty rears her curly head. She must be waiting for her mother to get off. I don't know if Misty's lucky or not, having her mother work in the attendance office. But I'm sure she milks every advantage out of it she can.
As I walk toward her, Misty turns around. Noticing my gaze, she smiles a twisted grin, licks her lips and blows a kiss at me. That girl works my last nerve. Lucky for her, I'm almost to the front door, where Jeremy and Chance are there waiting for me. Otherwise I might send a kiss of my own back to her.
“Hey, Lady J,” Jeremy says, instinctively taking my backpack from my right shoulder and slipping it over his. We hold each other's hands as Chance leads the way. Sprung on Nellie, he starts the conversation off as we exit the front door to chill on the steps for a quick minute before heading home. I sit in between Jeremy's legs, leaning back and ready to give my counsel.
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“If you want to get close to Nellie, I suggest you start hangin' out with Tania, Reid and them,” I say more than a little salty. After all we've been through, how can Nellie give up our friendship for a crown? It ain't like she's getting paid for it or getting her own reality show.
“Man, those fools are busters. I went to elementary school with them. We used to whip their asses in kick ball. Remember that shit, Jeremy? They've always been little bitches,” Chance says, sounding like I really touched a nerve. Jeremy doesn't have to voice his obvious repulsion. He and his brothers have had beef with Reid and his brothers since the beginning of time.
“Well, busters or not, they're Nellie's new crew. Me and Mickey have no influence over anything she does, including who she dates,” I say, leaning in close to Jeremy. He bends his arms back, leaning against the cement step, making more room for me.
“That's some stupid shit right there,” Jeremy says. “I know Tania's capable of pulling a stunt like that. And Reid's just the punk to help her carry it out. Nellie's jaded if she can't see thatâno offense, baby,” he says. Like Mama says, everything positive has a negative, names included.
“Yeah, she is acting a bit ignorant these days, and I'm over it. She and Mickey are going at it like two cocks in a fight, and I'm caught in the middle,” I say, gently twisting Jeremy's wrist to reveal the time. Our chill time is over, and I need to head home.
“Time up?” he says, knowing the drill. If I still had to take the bus, I'd only be halfway to Compton by now. I'm glad Jeremy enjoys kicking it with me, allowing me a steady ride home.
“Yeah, it's getting late,” I say, rising from our cozy spot on the front steps of the office, right across from where the cars are parked. I've lost all feeling in my backside from sitting on the cement steps. But that's all right. At least I got to chill with my baby. I turned my phone off to avoid Rah's after-school harassment. I'm half expecting him to be at my house when I get home.
“All right, y'all. Be safe. And, Jayd, Nellie will come around. I know it,” Chance says, with undying faith in her. If I didn't know better I'd say this cat's in love with her.
“You keep on believing that player,” I say, following Jeremy to the car. If I know one thing for sure, it's that Nellie's gotten bit by the rich girl's club and would do anything to stay in that clique, including sacrificing her true friends for fake ones.
2
Dangerous Liaisons
“You might trick me once
No, I won't let you trick me twice.”
âKELIS
S
ince we now have mandatory AP meetings during break and lunch on Wednesdays, I won't be able to chill at all today. Sometimes this whole AP thing is highly overrated. And when the AP exams come in the spring, I won't have any time to socialize outside of the informal club at all.
I hate these meetings. They're long, boring and led by my least favorite teacher, Mrs. Bennett. After our confrontation about Jeremy, I have no patience for this trick. Her voice and perfume are making me lose my appetite. Usually, I can always eat a Snickers barâbut now it tastes like chocolate-coated perfume. Luckily Mrs. Malone is here to balance the energy.
“Jayd,” China says, snapping me out of my little world. I'm glad because I was about to mentally choke Mrs. Bennett in my daydream and get away with it.
“What's up?” I whisper over my shoulder. China's the coolest white girl I've ever known. China's just down and proud to be a white chick from northern California. She kinda reminds me of Mrs. Malone's daughters but even more out there. China's mom committed suicide when she was three, leaving her and her brother to be raised by her dad, a tattoo artist with his bad-ass studio behind their mini mansion. Her house is off the chain, and she has a maid. She can do pretty much whatever she wants.
“Are you going to finish that?” China says, pointing to my Snickers bar. Normally I'd never share this with anyone, but I have little use for it now and I know she's got the munchies. It's only break and this girl's already high.
“No, but it'll cost you,” I say, picking the candy bar up from my desk, ready to pass it back.
“How much?” she says. Although I can't see her face, I can tell she's smiling.
“Notes from the meeting at lunch. I can't take any more of this for today,” I say.
“I would, but I'm not going to be here either. My man's coming to get me at lunch so we can go surfing. There's going to be a high tide this afternoon,” she says, sounding like the surfer chick she is. Must be nice to ditch on a regular basis and not get caught. “But I got you next week, for real,” she says, reaching over my shoulder and taking the candy bar, catching Mrs. Bennett's eye.
“I know we agreed to let you eat during the meetings because it's break, but please be ladylike,” Mrs. Bennett says, talking to China but looking at me.
“Sorry, Jayd. I got you for break and lunch next week, if you want,” China says while devouring the chocolate treat. I'm glad she's enjoying it. It's worth it to me if I can miss an entire day of Mrs. Bennett. The meetings are mandatory, but as long as you can get someone to take notes for you, you won't miss much and the teachers won't trip too hard. They'll just try to make you feel guilty as hell, but I don't care. China takes good notes, and for freedom from Mrs. Bennett, it's worth it.
“All right, China, but don't conveniently come up missing next Wednesday,” I say, teasing.
“I got you, Jayd, for real.” I'm glad someone does. I feel less of an attachment to my girls and Jeremy lately, and I don't know what to do about it. For starters, I'm going to talk to Jeremy next period and try to get through to Nellie. I hope they are both open to listening to what I have to say.
Since Tania's vomiting scene on Monday, she and Nellie took yesterday off. But today they're back and feeling as cocky as ever. I guess the whole thing was a personal bonding session between the two of them or something, because they've been inseparable all day. It's already Wednesday, and I have so much schoolwork due on Friday. I already gave up my break again today, and now I have to skip lunch, too. The things a girl will sacrifice for good grades.
As I walk away from my English class toward third period, I see Tania and Jeremy having a heated discussion in the hallway outside our class. I hate that we all have government together. I hate it even more that my dreams are usually right on, which means she's carrying the next Weiner heir. I just wonder if they know it yet. From the looks of it, somebody knows something and I want to know what.
“Hey, Jayd. Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere,” Mickey says, looking like she's running from the cops. “I need a favor.”
“What is it?” She and Nigel have been working my nerves this week, too. Their little affair is causing all kinds of ripples, and I can see a tidal wave coming soon.
“I need you to sign this note for me so my absence from yesterday can be excused,” she says like she's asking me to drive the getaway car.
“Hell, no,” I say, pushing her letter aside and walking into my classroom. Mickey turns around in hot pursuit.
“Jayd, please! The office won't accept the phone calls from home anymore. They said they needed this signed for Monday's fifth- and six-period absences, but since I wasn't here yesterday, they won't let me back into class until I bring them my note from home. I told them I left it in my locker and I'd bring it at break so they'd let me go to first and second period. Come on, man. Just sign it.”
“Why can't you sign it yourself? You've done it a million times,” I say, taking my seat before the bell rings. Tania and Jeremy are still outside. I wish I had super hearing. Mickey's distracting me with her drama when I've got business of my own to handle.
“Because I think they're catching on to my handwriting. Look, my homegirl Kitty was making the calls to the attendance office for me, but they said they needed my mother's signature on file for their records. They already had me sign a signature card in my name. You only have to do it this one time. Please.” As she begs for me to commit perjury, my teacher, Mrs. Peterson, notices the scene and calls me out, causing the otherwise lively class to come to a screeching halt.
“Miss Jackson, would you mind telling your friend that visiting hours are over?” she says, glaring at me from her desk across the room. That lady gives me the creeps. For the second time today I've been chastised by another teacher I do my best to ignore.
“Mickey, is this all over Nigel? Is it really that serious?” I say, snatching the letter from her hand, scribbling down her mother's name and tossing it back to her.
“Thank you, Jayd. You're my girl,” she says, hugging me hard before walking out the door. That girl is too much. But at least I know she won't turn on me, unlike some people. Mickey's a ride-or-die chick for life. And Nellie used to be her road warrior. Now, if she's not careful, Nellie's going to end up dead in Mickey's eyes.
Tania and Jeremy walk into the classroom just as the final bell rings, looking flustered and upset. Now I'm really curious about their conversation. I think my mom should hone her skills for reading people's minds and use it to our advantage. Man, I wish I had her gift.
“Hey, baby,” Jeremy says, taking his seat next to mine. He breathes in deeply and then lets out a sigh like he's stressed the hell out. Mrs. Peterson looks at me again like she wants to say something, but she doesn't.
“What's up? You look upset,” I say, caressing his left hand with my right. On cue, Tania walks in, giving me and Jeremy a wicked smile.
“I just wish I'd been smarter in the past, that's all,” he says, almost letting his conversation with Tania slip. But, like Chris Rock said, even if we know the truth, women always need the confession, and that's exactly what I'm going for.
“Do you want to talk about it? Maybe I can help,” I whisper as the final bell rings, signaling the beginning of class. The rest of our conversation will have to wait until after school, but maybe I can still get something out of him indicating he knows about the baby.
“No, it's nothing, really,” he says, moving his hand away from mine and picking up his pencil, copying today's agenda from the board. Mrs. Peterson leaves our assignments in the same place on the board every day, and we always start the day off with a quiz. Some of her students say she teaches the same lesson plan every year, right down to her infamous quizzes. “It'll blow over soon, I'm sure.”
“Blow over,” I say, almost letting my supernatural knowledge slip. How does a baby blow over, I wonder? “Whatever y'all were talking about looked more serious than something that'll just go away.” Jeremy stops writing to look me in the eye. It's as though he wants to tell me but can't say the words. I've got to get him to confide in me about this. It's the only way I can help him. I'm sure I can find a way to get the truth out of him, one way or another.
“Oh, and I forgot about our AP meetings after school today and tomorrow. I hate that shit,” he says. “I'm sorry, babe. But maybe you can catch a ride with Chance.” Truthfully I'm glad for the space. I just wish I had my own ride so I wouldn't have to take three buses to get home. But I'd rather do that today than be forced to talk about my relationship with Jeremy, Nellie or anyone else, and that's exactly what Chance will do. The only person I want to talk to about any of it right now is Mama.
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When I get home, Bryan is in the kitchen. He and Jay are excellent cooks, taking after Mama, of course. But neither one of them can hold a candle to me. The hot smell of olive oil popping in the cast-iron skillet makes me hungry, and I'm tempted to ask for a bite. But knowing Bryan, he'll laugh in my face just because he's that greedy.
“What's up, Jayd?” Bryan says, grabbing the oversize container of Lawry's Seasoned Salt and sprinkling it generously over his smothered potatoes and peppers. Damn, his food looks good.
“Same shit, different day,” I say, watching him return the container to the kitchen cabinet behind him and grab the metal spatula from the stove, skillfully turning the sizzling potatoes.
“You sound just like Mama, girl. Want to talk about it?” he asks. I know he's genuinely concerned, but I can't trust him with this one. He's friends with Rah, and that's just too close for comfort to discuss me and Jeremy's relationship with him.
“Not with you. You chill with the enemy. But thanks anyway,” I say.
“Since when you don't want to talk to your favorite uncle, and what enemy?” he says, testing one of the now golden-brown potatoes with a fork. They smell so good, making my stomach growl like an angry dog. “I know you ain't calling Rah your enemy,” he says, looking satisfied with his culinary skills. “Oh, you must be having issues with that White boy, huh?”
“You know his name, and, yes, it's about him,” I say, cutting my eyes. “And who said you were my favorite uncle?” I tease, snatching a potato out of the skillet while heading toward the back door to go check on Mama. I know she has a lot of work to do for her clients, so she's probably in her spirit room.
“You did when you were four years old,” he says, scooping most of the potatoes out of the skillet onto his plate. “Here,” he says, leaving some for me in the skillet. “Don't say I never gave you nothing.”
“Thank you, favorite uncle,” I say, taking a fork from the dish rack and slamming the potatoes down.
“By the way, Tarek said hi,” he says, leaving the kitchen. Damn, his friend is fine. If I were a few years older, we could work something out, I'm sure. But I have enough boy drama as it is.
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After finishing my food, I make my way to the backhouse to join Mama. I'm sure she has plenty of work for me to do.
“Hi, Lexi,” I say, stepping over the lounging pooch through the opened door to greet Mama.
“There she is,” Mama says, reaching over the full table to kiss me on the cheek without getting up from her stool. “Grab your apron and wash your hands, child. We've got lots of bags to stuff and vials to fill,” she says. “These people around here get so scared when Halloween comes around. I ain't gone let them drive me crazy like they did a few years back,” she says, pulling up a stool next to hers. There's barely enough room in here for the antique stove and sink, large wooden table and two stools, not to mention the dozens of shelves lining the walls. But everything seems to fit just right.
“Yeah, I remember that,” I say, washing my hands in the sink before taking the bright orange apron off the wall next to it. Some of the church folks swear that Halloween is evil and they need something to ward off the impending bad luck it brings every year. Mama always honors the dozens of instantaneous requests for her protection herbs and oils. We work for at least three weeks straight on those things. This year she's getting a jump-start on the crowd.
“Those church people are just so superstitious, and they think I'm some sort of witch who can cast spells,” she says, scooping the crushed, dried herbs into her sifter. Mama hates to be compared to a witch. She says that description is more suitable for our neighbor, Esmeralda. “We work with the spirit world and the earth together to influence our reality. All I can do is open the door. They have to attract the protection.”