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“Spring break is in a matter of weeks and I can’t wait,” Malajia happily declared as she and the rest of the gang ambled out of the cafeteria and down the steps. “I’m sick of these damn classes. It’s like every class decided to have a test the same day.”
“I know, it’s like the professors get together and figure out the best ways to torture us,” Sidra added, adjusting the books in her hand.
“With they old asses,” Malajia sneered.
Mark laughed as he put his arm around her shoulder.
David pushed his glasses up his nose. “So, what is everyone doing tonight?” he asked the group.
“I have to work, and then I’m gonna hang out with Eric after that,” Alex informed, smoothing some of her wayward tendrils back into her high ponytail. She caught the gaze of her friends. “No, we’re not doing that. We are just hanging out. I told you guys we’re not doing the ‘benefit’ thing anymore,” she assured, voice filled with amusement.
“Yeah whatever,” Chasity said, voice laced with sarcasm. “For the past week you’ve been complaining about being horny and suddenly your ass is calm? Yeah you got it in recently.”
“Oh shut up Chasity,” Alex shot back, giving her a playful nudge.
“She didn’t deny it,” Malajia teased. “She got that back cracked real good.”
Alex rolled her eyes as her friends snickered and giggled at her expense. “Look, I gotta go get ready for work,” she huffed, hurrying off.
“You guys want to hit the skating rink?” David asked the rest, shifting his books from one arm to another.
“Sorry bro, Chaz and I are going to drive down to the waterfront later,” Jason informed as he put his arm around Chasity. “They’re having some sort of festival down there,”
“Ooh, that sounds like fun, we might as well come with y’all,” Mark put in of him and Malajia.
Chasity frowned. “You’re not invited,” she hissed.
“We don’t need an invite to go to the waterfront,” Mark shot back. “It’s free space. So, me and Mel can go down there if we want to.”
Chasity narrowed her eyes at Mark for several seconds. “I hope you know you’re the least liked person here,” she spat, earning snickers and laughs from the group.
“Oh shit,” Jason laughed.
Mark stood there with a salty look on his face. He then slowly turned and looked at Malajia, who was cracking up laughing. “You laughin’ kinda hard there Malajia,” he spat at her.
Malajia composed her laughter. “Awww,” she teased, pinching his cheek. “That’s okay, we can get them back by ruining their alone time,” she joked, much to Mark’s amusement.
“Good idea babe,” Mark approved. Then looked back at Jason and Chasity. “We’re gonna follow y’all everywhere you go.”
Jason and Chasity glanced at each other. “Run Chaz!” Jason belted out as he and Chasity took off running down the path.
“They’re tryna avoid us, Mel come on!” Mark laughed, taking off running after them.
“Boy, I got heels on!” Malajia yelled, trotting along after him. “Damn those two and their athletic asses!”
David suppressed a chuckle. “So anyway, you guys want to do something tonight?” he asked Sidra and Josh.
“Sorry man, I’m hanging out with December,” Josh revealed.
Sidra shot David a sympathetic look. “I’m afraid you’ll have to count me out too, sweetie,” she chimed in, adjusting per pocket book strap on her shoulder. “James is in town for only a few hours, so we’re going out for a quick bite.”
David shrugged. “Oh,” he said, not masking his disappointment. “Well, you guys have fun. I guess I’ll just head to the library and get a head start on my paper.”
“Why don’t you go see a movie or something?” Sidra suggested. “It’s Friday and a nice day out.”
David looked at the ground as he shuffled his weight from one foot to the other. Truth was, he would love to go see a movie, but not alone. “No, I think I’m pretty settled on my library plans,” he replied solemnly, approaching the library steps. “See you later,” he said, before heading for the entrance.
“Later man,” Josh responded, as Sidra gave a slight wave.
Sidra frowned slightly. “Is it just me or does David seem a bit sad?” she asked Josh.
“It’s not just you...he does,” Josh agreed. “But I’m sure he’ll be okay.”
Sidra just let out a small sigh as they continued their walk back to the clusters.
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David looked at his books spread across the library table and sighed. “Why am I in here on a Friday afternoon?” he mumbled to himself.
He felt pathetic at that moment. All his friends had plans, and here he was, sitting in a half empty library, working on a paper that wasn’t due for another few weeks. Letting out a loud sigh, he quickly began to gather his books and place them back into his book bag. Just as he was about to shove the last book into his bag, he noticed a young lady standing near a shelf, thumbing through a book.
She’s so pretty, he thought as he stared, starry-eyed. He had a thing for short, curvy women and this brown skinned beauty with shoulder length locks had curves in all the right places. He must have been staring with his mouth open because when she caught sight of him, she shot him a questionable glance.
David shyly pushed his glasses up on his nose, looking down at the book in his hand. Stupid, just go say something to her. Even though his head was telling him to go talk to her, he couldn’t. He just grabbed his belongings and made a mad dash for the exit. He was so relieved to get away from the awkward situation, that he didn’t even see Emily as he headed out of the door.
“Hey David,” Emily said, spinning around.
Startled, David turned around and gave a nervous chuckle. “Oh, hey Emily,” he stammered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”
“That’s okay,” she smiled. “Everything okay? You seem to be in a hurry.”
David scratched his head. “I’m fine. I was just...never mind,” he replied with a wave of his hand. How embarrassing would it be to admit that he was trying to make a hasty get away to avoid talking with a girl? “Hey, how are you doing anyway? Coping with your grandmother’s passing, I mean?” he asked, changing the subject.
Emily looked down at the floor as she smoothed her hand over her low ponytail. “I’m um...I’m doing okay,” she admitted. “I mean, it’s hard.”
David shot her a sympathetic look, nodding. “It’s only been a few weeks Emily, of course it’s hard,” he consoled. “I mean, my mom has been gone for almost six years and it still gets hard for me sometimes.”
Emily reached out and touched David’s shoulder. Emily felt for him; she couldn’t imagine losing her mother, no matter how annoyed she was with her. Especially at fifteen years old.
David waved his hand. “Hey, I’m fine. Like I said, it’s been almost six years,” he reiterated. “I said all that to say...take all the time you need to mourn.”
Emily nodded. “I will.”
“And if you need to talk, you can call me anytime,” he added.
Emily smiled. “Thank you, and I will,” she replied. “I have to return these books, so I’ll see you.”
“Oh sure,” David said, giving a slight wave to Emily as she hurried inside. David, alone once again, trotted down the steps.
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Chasity happily clapped her hands together as she stared at her laptop. “Yeeessssss, finally got this stupid program to work,” she rejoiced to herself, rising from her seat. After the successful implementation of a program that she had been working on for a week, Chasity was in a good mood. She flung open her room door and headed up the steps. “Malajia!” she yelled, banging out a rhythm on the door.
Malajia jerked open the door and frowned in confusion. “Girl, why are you making beats on my damn door?” she grunted, walking back over to her desk.
Chasity laughed. “Just paying you back for all the times you did that on my door,” she teased.
Malajia flagged Chasity with her hand as she sat down. “What are you so damn happy about?” she asked, noticing Chasity’s bright mood.
“I just got this hard ass computer program to finally work,” Chasity beamed, doing a silly dance.
Malajia shook her head. “You shouldn’t do that,” she jeered, of her dance. “It’s not cute.”
Chasity quickly stopped. “No? Not even a little bit?” she wondered, frowning slightly. Malajia quickly shook her head, earning a shrug from Chasity. “Oh well, can’t win ‘em all.”
“True,” Malajia replied evenly, staring at the screen of her laptop. “Yo, since you’re the computer expert in the group, can you tell me why my laptop is running like damn molasses?” she ground out, vigorously clicking her mouse over and over before smacking the screen.
Chasity frowned. “First of all, stop abusing the damn thing,” she bit out, walking over to look. “Malajia, come on!” she exclaimed, laying eyes on the image frozen on the screen.
“What?” Malajia questioned, confused.
Chasity narrowed her eyes at her. “So you’re just gonna act like there isn’t porn on this damn screen?” she sneered, folding her arms.
“So?!” Malajia barked. “You act like you never watch it.”
Chasity rolled her eyes. “I never said that I didn’t, but I don’t let people in the damn room when I do, you fuckin’ weirdo.”
“Whatever,” Malajia hissed. “I’m not ashamed.”
“Yeah well you should be,” Chasity shot back. “You probably have a damn virus on the thing.”
“Well can you fix it?” Malajia asked, exasperated.
“Not with that dick on the screen,” Chasity chuckled.
Malajia sucked her teeth as she tapped on the power button, shutting down the laptop. “Fuck this laptop,” she scoffed, closing it and sliding it back on the desk. She then reached down to the floor and grabbed her cell phone. “I can always watch it on my phone.”
Chasity shook her head. “Go get laid Malajia,” she teased.
“I would, but I don’t want my first time with him to be on some ‘I-just-watched-porn-let’s-get-it-in-right-quick’ shit,” Malajia sneered, thumbing through her phone screen.
“Still haven’t crossed that line yet, huh?” Chasity asked.
“Nope, we haven’t,” Malajia answered.
“Well, don’t do it until you want to. You made that mistake last time,” Chasity pointed out.
“Yes Chasity, I know that,” Malajia spat. The last thing she wanted to be reminded of was losing her virginity to Tyrone.
“Eww to your attitude,” Chasity sneered.
“Sorry, being horny makes me cranky,” Malajia shrugged, tossing her phone on the desk. “Anyway, I’m over this porn mess.” She got up from her seat and stood in front of Chasity. “You wanna go do something?” she asked.
Chasity eyed her skeptically. “Malajia, get your freak ass away from me,” she spat out.
Malajia’s eyes widened once she realized what Chasity thought she meant. “Girl ain’t nobody tryna get freaky with you. I don’t swing that way!” she exclaimed, then smiled. “But if I did, you’d be my first choice with your sexy self.”
Chasity frowned in disgust. “Gross,” she scoffed, turning to walk out the room.
“No wait,” Malajia laughed. “Let’s go out to eat.”
“Fine, come on,” Chasity replied evenly.
Malajia happily bounced up and down, putting a hand on Chasity’s shoulder. “Yay, best friend time,” she cooed.
“Don’t touch me,” Chasity hissed, jerking Malajia’s arm off of her, earning a giggle from Malajia.
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“Oh, so you’re just gonna cheat like that?” Josh laughed, tapping the keys on his game controller.
“Don’t accuse me of cheating because you suck at this game,” December taunted, pushing her buttons.
“Oh really?” Josh replied, before taking his hand and covering her controller.
“Josh, stop cheating!” she exclaimed, watching her car crash into a wall on the game.
Josh jumped up and tossed his arms up in victory, letting the controller slip from his lap. “Yes! I win, hoagies on you,” he teased.
December adjusted the messy bun on her head. “You so cheated, Joshua,” she pouted. “I thought you were Mr. Nice Guy.”
“I am,” he assured. “Except when it comes to this game,” he laughed. December rolled her eyes as she rose from the couch. “Fine, I’ll buy the hoagies,” she relented. “But you buy the soda.”
“Don’t have to, already have some in the fridge,” Josh boasted. As he began to wrap the cord around his controller, the front door opened.
“Playing that game again, huh?” David asked, noticing the game title on the TV screen in the living room.
“Yep and December lost,” Josh taunted, pointing at her. December gasped as she playfully slapped his hand down.
“Cheater,” she hurled.
David gave a slight smile as he shook his head. It was nice to see Josh spending some quality time with a nice girl like December. He deserved it after the emotional mess that he went through over his feelings for Sidra. David only wished that he could find someone to spend time with himself. “Alright, you two carry on. I’m gonna go study,” he said, heading for the stair case.
“Um, do you want to hang out with us David?” December asked. “We’re just going to pick up some sandwiches and watch a movie.”
“Yeah, I know that we couldn’t hang out with you the other day, but today we can,” Josh added. “Come chill.”
David forced a smile. Great, they want me to be a third wheel. “Thanks for the offer, but I really do need to study,” he declined.
“David, you study all the time,” Josh chortled. “You have a 4.0 GPA, you’re good man.”
“And studying is how I keep that 4.0,” David chuckled. “Later guys,” he said, heading up the steps.
Josh shrugged as he grabbed December’s light weight jacket from the arm of the couch. “Come on, the hoagies await us,” he commented.
December made a face at him as she snatched the jacket.
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Malajia stood over Chasity’s shoulder, watching her fix several plates of chicken and broccoli alfredo; she let out a frustrated groan. “Why do you get to dish out all the dinner?” she asked.
“‘Cause between you and Mark’s greedy asses, nobody else will get any,” Chasity shot back, shoving a plate of food in her hands. “Now stop breathing on my neck and take the damn plate to your greedy ass animal.”
“Hey! I heard that,” Mark barked from the couch in the living room.
Chasity looked over at him. “Point is?” she sneered, causing Mark to loudly suck his teeth.
“Smart ass,” he mumbled.
“Say what now?” Chasity barked.
“Nothing,” Mark lied. “Aye Mel, hurry up with my plate before she throws it away,” he ordered, holding a hand out.
Malajia stopped suddenly and fixed an angry gaze. “Don’t get embarrassed boy,” she warned. “I’ll spit all on this plate.”
Mark chuckled. “I’m just messing with you,” he assured, holding a smile. Malajia held her gaze as she slowly walked over, then shoved the plate in his hand. “Better had,” he said once the plate was out of Malajia’s hand. He then laughed and hopped up from the couch when Malajia tried to snatch the plate back. “Mel, chill I’m playing.”
“Stop showing off,” Malajia hissed, poking him on the arm.
“I said it once and I’ll say it again,” Sidra began, picking up her glass of water. “You two have the weirdest relationship.”
“Naw, we got the awesomest relationship. Right sugar face?” Mark replied, holding his hand up for Malajia to high five it.
“No, awesomest isn’t a damn word and stop talking to me,” Malajia scoffed, walking away from him.
Mark shook his head as Jason laughed. “You need to stop messing with her, man,” Jason advised, placing a fork full of food into his mouth.
“He just had better,” Malajia agreed, flopping down on the couch. “Or he’ll be waking up with something missing.”
Mark looked at her. “Sugar if you want to touch me, just do it,” he teased. “No need to use bodily harm as an excuse.”
Malajia made a face at him.
Sidra grabbed her plate and stood from the dining room table. “This conversation seems like it’s about to get vulgar,” she muttered. “I’ll just excuse myself.”
“Please take me with you,” Chasity jeered, spearing her food with her fork. Sidra laughed as she walked upstairs.
Jason chuckled. “You’d leave me down here with them babe?” he directed at Chasity.
“In a heartbeat,” she immediately threw back. “Love you though.”
Jason shook his head in amusement. “Love you too.”
Malajia cut her eye at Mark. “Why can’t you be cute like that?” she barked at him. “You always gotta be an ass.”
Mark dropped his fork on his plate, a shocked look on his face. “Me?!” he exclaimed, pointing to himself. “You just threatened to cut body parts off me.”
“Well...stop making me mad,” Malajia said in a sad attempt to defend herself.
As the couple once again started to bicker, Chasity stood up. Signaling Jason, she gradually walked backwards into her bedroom. Following suit, Jason slowly rose from the couch and crept to Chasity’s room, darting the rest of the way in.
“You get on my damn nerves,” Malajia hissed, folding her arms.
“What the hell else is new?” Mark threw back. He looked around, noticing the empty seats. “Wait, where did Chaz and Jase go?”
Malajia too looked at their empty seats. Annoyed, she sucked her teeth. “See? Your black ass ran them off,” she bit out, slapping her hand on the arm of the couch. Mark tossed his hands in the air in frustration.
