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Saturday afternoon, Malajia was electric with excitement, counting the hours until the party. “What do you ladies think I should wear?” she asked. Bits of color that masqueraded as dresses covered Sidra’s bedspread. She picked up a short one-shoulder red cocktail dress, but after some consideration tossed it back on the bed.
“How many times are you going to ask us that damn question?” Chasity complained, her voice rising with each word.
“As many times as it takes to get a freakin’ answer out of you assholes,” Malajia shot back.
“Why do we have to be assholes?” Sidra questioned. “And why did you feel the need to bring your whole damn wardrobe over here to show us? Take that back to your room.”
“Look here, Ponytail—” Sidra couldn’t help but chuckle at that comment. “I already told you earlier that I was coming over here to ask y’all opinion,” Malajia explained, tossing a black dress back on the bed.
“I know that, and I asked you then why you were going to do that?” Sidra reminded. “We could have come over to your room.”
“Because that one over there was bitchin’ about not wanting to come over,” Malajia shot back, pointing to Chasity.
“And I was hoping you would take the hint that I didn’t want to see you. Obviously, I gave your simple ass too much credit,” Chasity retorted with an even tone.
Malajia sucked her teeth. “I don’t need this kind of treatment. I deserve you people’s respect.”
“Who told you that lie?” Sidra put in.
“Whatever, with your overdressed self,” Malajia pointed out, slowly surveying Sidra’s dark-blue pencil skirt and white silk blouse. “And,” she added, “Emily—what the hell do you have on?”
Malajia turned her nose up. She couldn’t believe that Emily actually intended to show up to a college party in a frumpy, shapeless maxi dress, paired with a cardigan. To make matters worse, she had tied her sandy brown, mid length hair into two ponytails.
“Emily, we’re going to a party,” she grumbled, “not to church. You look crazy; you better go pick out something else to wear. And please, take those damn ponytails down.”
“Malajia, the party is like eight hours from now,” Alex objected. “Will you chill out?”
“What’s wrong with this dress?” Emily asked, grabbing some of the fabric “My mother picked it out.”
“Should you take this? Or should I?” Malajia asked Chasity.
“Let me,” Chasity replied. “Emily, sweetie—that dress is ugly.”
“It is?” Emily asked as she looked down at her dress.
“Yeah, girl, Chasity’s right,” Malajia agreed. “That dress is quite ugly...extremely ugly.”
“Stop it you two,” Alex interjected. “Emily, your dress is not ugly.”
“Oh, like you’re gonna take fashion advice from Alex?” Malajia laughed. “Emily, have you seen her shirts?”
“Why do you always have to talk about somebody’s clothes?” Alex slapped her hand down on the loveseat. “Why can’t you accept that we all have our own sense of style?”
“I respect that and all.” Malajia moved a stray hair out of her eyes. “But if you have on something ugly, I’m gonna tell you. That’s just who I am.”
“How would you like it if we started picking on your clothes?” Alex questioned.
“Oh, there’s nothing that you can say about my wardrobe,” Malajia returned confidently.
Alex looked at Sidra. “Should you take this? Or should I?” she posed.
“Allow me,” Sidra replied.
“Oh, what are you gonna say Sid? What?” Malajia taunted. “That my clothes are too tight, too short? Come on, help me out here.”
“You look like a whore,” Chasity interjected, nonchalantly examining her nails. On hearing a loud huff from Sidra, she glanced up. “What? You were taking too long.”
“I don’t give a damn what you say, I still look good, screw y’all,” Malajia maintained, unfazed.
“Malajia,” Emily protested, “I like this dress. I’m comfortable in it.”
“Girl, when it comes to fashion, comfort has nothing to do with it,” Malajia instructed. “It’s all about style.”
“Sorry, Malajia,” Sidra objected, “but comfort rules in any case.”
“Playing Princess Dress Up every day cannot be that comfortable,” Malajia fired back.
“Neither is playing Come Fuck Me Dress Up,” Chasity commented dryly, prompting a laugh from Alex.
Malajia’s head snapped in Chasity’s direction. “Bitch!” she snapped.
“Too easy,” Chasity chuckled.
“That was mean, but you leave yourself wide open for her comments Malajia,” Alex commiserated.
“Whatever.” Malajia dismissed Alex’s intrusive sympathy with a wave of the hand. “Let’s get off me, and back to Emily. She’s needs to change that dress.” Malajia grabbed the unsuspecting Emily by the hand, and marched her toward Chasity’s closet.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Chasity demanded, following her progress.
“Emily doesn’t have anything in her closet that isn’t Mommy approved,” Malajia stated patiently, “so I’m gonna take her shopping. In your closet, Chasity.”
“Whoa.” Chasity shot Malajia a dangerous look. “Nobody’s body goes in my clothes but mine.”
“Listen—”
“Hell no!”
“No, listen...” Malajia pleaded. “Emily doesn’t have the guts to pull off my wardrobe, Sidra is too damn dressy, and Alex wears ugly colors.”
“Hey, dark green is bangin’, girl,” Alex inserted, amused at the summary. “Don’t knock it.”
“You’re not going into my closet, you freak,” Chasity warned, earning a snicker from Sidra.
“What she said wasn’t even funny!” Malajia yelled at Sidra. “You always laughing at dumb shit.”
“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to like that?” Sidra shot back.
“Whatever.” Malajia refused to be distracted. On a mission, she threw open the door to Chasity’s closet, and began closely examining its contents.
“I told her ass no,” Chasity gritted her teeth. At the sound of hangers clanking, she jumped up from the couch. “Are you fuckin’ stupid?” she charged, yanking Malajia away from her closet. “I said no.”
“I’m not stupid,” Malajia jeered, pulling the top of her shirt back into place. “But you’re being stingy. You have enough clothes in this closet to dress half the school.”
“Malajia, it’s no big deal. I’ll just wear this,” Emily put in. She hated all the fuss.
“Will you lighten up, Chasity?” Malajia appealed. “Look at her. Isn’t she too nice to say ‘no’ to?”
“No, not really,” Chasity answered, shaking her head.
“Okay, I am begging you. Please don’t make me be seen in public with her wearing that dress, please,” Malajia bleated out. “She’s gonna embarrass me.”
“I don’t give two shits about you or her,” Chasity barked, folding her arms.
“Listen, it’s just one outfit.” Malajia reasoned. “You won’t even miss it. Hell, you probably don’t remember you had it.”
“That’s not the damn point,” Chasity argued. “Now, skip your happy ass away from my closet.”
“So, you’re really gonna be like that?” Malajia pestered
“Get away from me!” Chasity snapped, prompting a laugh from Sidra.
“Man,” Malajia whined with frustration.
“Calm down,” Sidra advised. “I have an outfit that Emily can wear.”
“Nobody wants those damn dress suits,” Malajia groaned. “This ain’t gonna be no better.”
Ten minutes rolled by. Malajia sat on the bed, beating out a nervous rhythm on the side rail with her nails. What the hell is taking so long? she wondered. She was itching to get to her room. She figured it would take about three hours to perfect her look.
“Ooh, I found it!” Sidra finally exclaimed.
Malajia shifted on the bed and propped herself up on one elbow. “About time.”
“Malajia, I’m gonna hit you in a minute.” Sidra threw the outfit at her. It missed its target and slid off the bed. Malajia bent over and examined it.
“Not bad,” she concluded after checking out the baby-blue skirt and white sleeveless top.
“You don’t have to say it like that,” Sidra muttered and rolled her eyes. “I have more than suits in my closet, smart ass.”
“That’s so cute, Sidra,” Alex raved, “Perfect for Emily. She will look—”
“Nobody asked you,” Malajia pointed out. “You don’t need to give any fashion advice.” Malajia began taking the skirt and top off their hangers.
“Keep talking that smack, hear?” Alex warned, pointing a finger at her.
“Uhh, Sidra sweetie, these are clean, aren’t they?” Malajia questioned, ignoring Alex.
“No, I keep dirty clothes in my closet,” Sidra replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You do?” Malajia’s mouth fell open in shock. “Eww, dirty ass.”
“No,” Sidra spat out. “The damn outfit is clean. I’ve never worn it.”
“All right, geez,” Malajia shrugged. “That’s all you had to say. Can Emily try them on now?”
“No, wait.” Sidra shook her head and ran back to her closet. “I have something else to complete the outfit.”
“No, not one of your blazers,” Malajia pleaded.
“Shut up,” Sidra hissed and pulled a sheer, white, long-sleeved shirt off of a hanger.
“Oh, that’ll work.” Malajia nodded and handed it to Emily along with the skirt and top, while tossing the hangers on the floor. “Try these on.”
“Thanks,” Emily beamed, then looked at the floor. She hated getting undressed in front of anyone. “Um, can I use your bathroom?”
“Sure,” Sidra said, eyeing Malajia sprawled out on her bed. Ugh, she’s annoying me, she thought. A little push was all it took to dump Malajia on the floor. She landed on her butt with a thump and Sidra’s lips curled up in a satisfied grin.
“Ouch!” Malajia yelped. “What the hell was that for?”
“Talking about my clothes,” Sidra fussed, “and sitting on my bed.”
“Play nice, you two,” Alex cautioned as Malajia picked herself up from the floor.
“What’s going on out here?” Emily inquired, stepping warily out of the bathroom.
“Our friends are crazy,” Alex replied with asperity. “But you look nice Em.”
“Mmm hmm,” Malajia murmured, for once agreeing with Alex’s opinion when it came to fashion. “That’ll do, Emily. That’s a hundred times better than that raggedy mess your mom picked out.” She glanced at her watch and gasped. “Oh man, I have to go back to my room and start on my hair.”
Malajia darted for the door, completely unaware of the hanger that was lying on the floor. “Mel, be careful—” Alex was too late, Malajia’s stiletto heel had gotten caught, and she tripped and fell against the door. Loud laughter erupted from Chasity and Sidra; Emily covered her face with her hands, trying not to laugh out loud.
“God Mel, are you okay?” Alex asked between laughs.
Malajia jumped up from the floor embarrassed. “Really? Who left that damn hanger there?” she exclaimed.
“You did,” Chasity declared. “You were all hype snatching the clothes off the hanger. That’s what the hell you get.” Chasity noticed the menacing stare that Malajia was giving her. “Don’t get mad at me because you smacked your damn face on the door,” she shot back, earning a louder laugh from Sidra.
“Was it that funny?” Malajia glared at Sidra.
“Did you see her face?” Sidra laughed, tears rolling down her cheeks. Annoyed, Malajia stormed out of the room.
––––––––
“Ta da. I’m here,” Malajia announced, striking a pose outside Jason’s dorm. The short strapless dress in black and red left little to the imagination. Long sparkling silver earrings glittered, complementing her curly asymmetrical bob.
“Yes, we know. We walked over together remember?” Sidra muttered, rolling her eyes.
“I wasn’t announcing that for y’all,” Malajia shot back, tugging her dress up on her chest. “I was talking to those guys over there.” Gesturing to a group of guys posted up by the wall. Noticing the eye roll that Chasity gave her, Malajia placed her hands on her hips. “What Chasity? What smart thing do you have to say?”
Chasity flicked her long curls over her shoulder. “I’m paying you no mind. Just like they aren’t.” She pointed to the aforementioned guys before walking inside Thompson Hall.
Noticing the taut look on Malajia’s face, Alex chuckled. “Stop coming for her Mel, she’ll grind you up every time.”
“Shut up Alex, nobody says ‘grind’,” Malajia huffed, walking up the steps. Maybe the five-inch peep-toe pumps weren’t such a good idea, she thought. They looked great, but being a recent purchase she hadn’t had time to break them in; her feet were killing her already. The tiny dress kept slipping as she awkwardly navigated the steps.
“You look uncomfortable...and cold,” Sidra teased. “Bet you could use one of my blazers now, huh?”
The door to the dorm was open, the sounds of music and laughter radiated through the lobby. Chasity surveyed the tangle of bodies crowded inside. “God, why do I keep coming to these hot ass parties?” she commented tersely.
Alex looked around. “Wow, this party has a bigger turn out than the last one. Hopefully it won’t turn out like the last one.” She looked at Chasity, “no kicking anyone in the groin tonight okay?”
“Can’t make any promises,” Chasity proclaimed before walking away.
Emily stared. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. But there were just so many of them—it was intimidating. She wasn’t sure she wanted to stay, even if Sidra’s outfit had given her a major boost.
“Come on Em, let’s get something to drink before they run out,” Sidra suggested, sensing Emily’s reluctance. Alex moseyed behind them and joined the line at the drinks table.
“I don’t drink,” Emily stammered. “I’m only seventeen.”
“No kidding,” Sidra joked and assessed the supply. “They have water, cola and ginger ale.”
Before Emily could make up her mind, a burly guy in a button-down shirt and jeans sidled up to Sidra. “Forget the drinks sexy,” he slurred, “you gotta come dance with me.”
“How about no,” she tossed over her shoulder and immediately regretted it when she got a noseful of beer breath. “Eww! Get away from me. I don’t dance with drunks.”
“Forget you, bitch,” he muttered and stumbled away.
“Wow,” Emily whispered. “That was awkward.”
“Wait. Did he just call me a bitch?” Sidra questioned after registering what she had just heard. “Because I wouldn’t dance with him? How freakin’ rude.”
“Well, you certainly got rid of him,” Emily murmured. “Weren’t you even a little bit nervous?”
“Girl, no,” Sidra denied, “he was so drunk, he could barely walk straight. He was harmless.”
Alex reached for a bottle of water and turned to Emily. “A word of advice Em. Not all drunks are harmless. So be careful, alcohol has a way of turning some people into monsters.”
“Well, thank you for that advice, Mother,” Malajia mocked. She just heard what Alex had said as she approached them in line. Alex noticed that she took a sip from a red plastic cup.
“What are you drinking?” Alex queried. “There are no cups over on this table.”
“That’s because the corny drinks are over here. I have a real drink.”
Alex went to grab for the cup. “Girl, have you lost your mind?” she chided as Malajia moved it out of her reach. “You’re nineteen, you can’t drink.”
“I’m in college and I can do what I want,” Malajia shot back. “Back off, you’re not my damn mom.”
Alex sighed. “Fine Mel. Did you at least keep an eye on your cup when the drink was being poured?” she asked.
“No. I poured it myself, I’m not stupid.” Malajia took another sip and adjusted her dress.
“What’s the matter?” Mark jeered into her ear. “Dress too tight for ya? You look like you can’t breathe.”
“Where the hell did you come from?” she hissed. “And my dress is just fine, fool. You know you like it and you like what’s in it.”
“No chance in hell,” he fired back. “Now if the body went with a different face and a better damn attitude, then maybe I’d like it. Maybe.”
“You’re an asshole,” Malajia retorted, nudging him away from her. Taking her drink from her, he laughed and ambled along. Jackass, I didn’t want that nasty drink anyway, she thought.
The crowded room started to close in on Chasity. She rubbed her temples and knew she needed some fresh air, or she’d get another one of her tension headaches.
Chasity went outside and sat down on the dorm stoop, relieved to be away from the party noise. The night was clear with only a sliver of moon. Relishing the quiet, and the slight breeze, she let her mind wander.
“Leaving?” Jason asked from the doorway.
She jerked around, annoyed at the intrusion and the intruder. “So what if I am?”
“Well, I would be really disappointed,” he replied with a deceptive calm. All evening he’d been trying to engineer a conversation, but she’d sidestepped every approach.
“That would make me want to leave even more,” she muttered, standing and brushing off her black skinny jeans.
“Still with the smart mouth,” he chuckled, walking to the bottom of the steps.
“Look, shouldn’t you be getting back inside? I’m sure there’s some stank thing in there just waiting to throw herself at you.”
“If I wanted to be in there with another woman, then I would be in there. But I’m not. I’m out here with you.”
“Awe, I’m so touched,” she mocked.
“Really?” he said, ignoring the sarcasm. “When can we go out?”
“When hell freezes over twice,” she fired back instantly.
“You’re funny,”
“And you’re a pain in the ass,” she declared bluntly, “so go away.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t do that.” He folded his arms across his chest and stared at her.
“You are determined to piss me off aren’t you?” she hissed.
“No, not really,” Jason admitted, “But it seems to be the only way that I can get any conversation out of you.”
“You’re wasting your time talking to me,” she swore. “You make me sick and that’ll never change.”
Jason stared at her for a few seconds so intensely that she blinked and looked away. “We shall see.”
A high-pitched shriek broke the tension building between them. Chasity frowned, recognizing the voice of her roommate. A moment later Sidra sprinted down the steps. At the bottom, she spun round and stood still, hands on her hips.
“Listen, you drunk bastard!” she yelled. “Get the hell away from me!”
“Quit playing hard to get, you know you want me baby,” he mumbled, lurching forward.
“Enough of this bullshit,” Chasity decided, catching the worried look on her roommate’s face. “Jason, get him.”
“Way ahead of you.” Jason grabbed the guy off the stoop and threw him to the ground. Before Jason could haul him to his feet, he rolled over and moaned. Jason smoothed down his long sleeved shirt and, leaning down, grabbed the guy’s shirt collar. “The lady said leave her alone. Back off, or I’ll kick your ass. Got it?”
“Thanks, Jason,” Sidra said, as they watched the guy stagger off. “I could have handled him, but I’m glad I didn’t have to.”
“Sure, sweetie. Anytime,” Jason assured her with a wink. “If he bothers you again, let me know, okay?”
Sidra winked back, signaling a thumbs-up to Chasity when Jason wasn’t looking. Chasity returned the gesture with the middle finger of her right hand.
Chasity glanced over at Jason. “I bet you feel like the big hero, don’t you?”
“No, I was just helping the lady out,” he responded. “Why? Does that sort of thing turn you on?” he joked.
She couldn’t help but laugh. She was still laughing when she and Sidra turned to walk back inside the dorm. Jason followed their progress and smiled. At least he’d been able to make her laugh.
––––––––
Sidra groaned when she looked at the clock. It was almost three. She’d had a great time at the party, drunken thugs notwithstanding. She’d actually discovered that her callous roommate had a funny side. The byplay between Chasity and Malajia had her and Alex cracking up laughing. Even Emily managed a giggle or two at their comments.
“So, Chasity, when did you and Jason become an item?” she inquired.
Chasity’s head snapped around. “Look, just because you saw me outside with him, doesn’t mean that we’re going to start dating. I don’t even like him.”
“Sure you don’t,” Sidra retorted. “You were just having an unfriendly chat alone, outside, while a party was going on inside. His party.”
“I don’t!” Chasity protested defensively.
“I think you’re protesting a little too much. That’s a sign, sunshine,” Sidra chimed back.
“Don’t feed me that bullshit,” Chasity spat.
Sidra giggled as she heard someone bang on their door like they were the police. “Damn, is that banging really necessary?” she complained.
Chasity snatched open the door it. “What?” she sneered. The girl from across the hall stood there. Her head was wrapped in a scarf, she was wearing baggy printed pajamas, and her face held a mutinous expression.
“Do you know what time it is?” she hissed. “Keep the noise down. Some people are trying to sleep.”
Chasity frowned down her length. “If you don’t take your fuckin’ ugly ass—” Sidra softly backhanded Chasity, before she got her rhythm and the insults flowed.
“We’re really sorry,” Sidra apologized, barely able to smother a smirk. The girl huffed, threw Sidra a venomous look, and flounced back across the hall. When she slammed the door, Sidra doubled over with laughter. “Oh my god, Chasity. You are so ignorant.”
“No, her face was ignorant,” Chasity frowned. “With those ugly ass pajamas on.”
