by L. Divine
“The best. So, remember that the next time someone tries to steal my queen,” he says, pulling me in for a kiss. “So, anymore secrets I should know about?” Oh, nothing more than I come from a long line of voodoo queens and I think I’m still feeling Rah, but not like I’m feeling you. How do I drop all of that on him in one night? Best to leave this discussion for another time.
“No. Anything else I should know about?” Jeremy pauses for a moment, seeming to think about something he wants to reveal. I can see in his luminescent eyes something more. But, rather than full disclosure, he chooses secrecy, which I can respect no matter how hypocritical it may be.
“When there’s something to tell, I’ll let you know.” OK, now that sounds like something a little more than nothing. What the hell is he hiding now? “But, in the meantime, I want to enjoy being with you, Lady J.” As we settle in for a couple of hours of chill time, I can’t help but wonder what he’s hiding now. And furthermore, what Rah’s going to do next. Just my luck, I have two excellent chess players trying to seize the queen in me.
After Jeremy drops me off tonight, I stay up a little while longer reading my spirit notebook. I really need to catch up on my writing. But, the few things I’ve jotted down all have one thing in common: boys. Mama’s right. They’re at the root of most of my problems, especially with girls. I can see this Mickey and Nellie drama coming, and it’s over Nigel, who already has a girlfriend. Same with me and Rah. There’s already been tension in my relationship because of a dude who’s supposed to be my friend.
But, can boys and girls really be friends? I decide to make that today’s conversation topic at work. It’s a full crew today, being it’s the first Sunday and most Black folks go to church on this Sunday if none other for the entire month, which means our after church lunch crowd will be ridiculous.
“Hell no, boys can’t be your friend, Jayd. Look at Alonzo. He’s had a crush on you for over a year now and can’t get over it. He’ll never be your real friend, Jayd,” Summer says, dropping knowledge as always.
“I agree with you, Summer,” Alonzo chimes in, coming to the front from the kitchen to jump in the conversation. “I could never be your friend and I don’t want to,” he says, pulling me into him and hugging me tightly. He’s hella cool. With long, shiny black hair in fly cornrows and a tattoo of his native Mexico on his forearm, he has all the women that come through here hungry for his fine, short ass.
“Step off, Alonzo. She’s got a man or two,” Sarah says, trying to be funny. I already briefed her on my date last night.
“Shut up, smart ass. I only have one man,” I say, untangling myself from Alonzo’s grip. I have to admit, he does gives the best hugs. But, I get the same feeling hugging him as I do when I hug Chance or Nigel, which is nothing compared to the rush I feel when I hug Jeremy or even look at Rah. And, speak of the devil, Kamal and Raheem walk into Simply Wholesome, right on cue.
“Jayd,” Kamal says. I walk from behind the counter to give him a big hug.
“He was disappointed you didn’t say good night last night,” Rah says. “I thought I’d bring him by to tell you himself.” Summer, Sarah, and Alonzo look at Rah, already knowing who he is.
“Raheem, these are my coworkers Sarah, Alonzo, and our manager Summer,” I say, introducing the curious crew. “This is my friend Raheem and his little brother, Kamal.”
“Nice to meet y’all,” Rah says.
“I know what you want,” I say to Kamal as I go back around the counter to get us each a spinach patty.
“Yes,” Kamal exclaims. Satisfied, he goes to the book section to browse as Rah and I step outside to talk.
“So, you break up with the White boy yet?” he asks, assuming his stunt to make Jeremy look stupid worked last night.
“No and I’m not going to,” I say. “This is so typical of you, Raheem,” I say, referring to last night’s session. “Coming back into my life and stirring up all these feelings in me and not telling me you have a girlfriend. This story is so tired. When are you going to grow the hell up and leave me alone?”
“Never, girl. You know that. We made a pledge in the seventh grade to be friends forever. Now, I know those pledges in the dirt behind the bleachers didn’t mean much to you,” he says, making me smile through my rage. “But, I remembered them all.” Just when I think my memories of us kissing would remain just that—incomplete memories, Raheem takes me into his arms and kisses me long and hard. And, although I can hear myself protesting, I don’t act on it. Instead, I fully welcome the rise I’m getting from feeling his passion again.
Letting me go, Rah looks at me and smiles. I’m shocked and don’t know what to do next. Without hesitation, Rah slowly kisses me again, allowing us to stay locked in each other’s arms for what seems like an eternity. Oh, hell no. Now what? I can’t wait to get home and tell my mom about this mess. Maybe she’ll know what to do.
“Take it from me, men can never be friends with a woman they have feelings for,” my mom says as we load the car with my bags. I’ll be glad when I don’t have to move myself from place to place every week. It’s a hassle trying to keep up with my life as it is. It was very busy at work today and I had to write down all of my dreams plus the lessons I learned from Maman’s story before getting back to Mama’s tonight, not to mention working on my English paper.
“Well, I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to let go of either one of them. But, Rah just won’t get the message.” And, I don’t know that I want him to. Maybe it’s because he was my first kiss and my first love, but I can’t seem to shake him. And, after kissing me today, it’s going to be a rough road to recovery for me.
“Girl, you better stop this train wreck before it happens. You see what happened to Maman.” As we start our trek back to Compton, I can’t help but think of all the family heartbreak and tragedy over men. When will this legacy change?
“With you,” my mom says without actually saying a word. She turns and looks at me, giving me a slight wink.
“Mom,” I say, a little frightened of her silent confession. “Have you always been able to read people’s minds?” This must be her incarnation of our power.
“Only when people let me. But honestly, this is the first time it’s happened since you were born. I always told Mama you took my beauty and my powers. But, the truth is I never developed them. And, that’ll change with you, Jayd. Mama sees the future with her sight. Maman saw into people’s problems and how to fix them. I can see people’s thoughts. And, you. Well, you dream. Until now, that wasn’t a part of our legacy. But, then again, neither were brown eyes. You, my little brown-eyed girl, will keep our legacy alive and more powerful than ever before.”
“But, how come I never read about your powers in the spirit book?” I ask, when I really mean to say how come she never told me about them.
“I was never allowed to look at the book for long, let alone write in it,” she says as we merge from the 110 to the 91, almost home. “Like I told you before, I wasn’t at all interested in our heritage, until I needed it for my own good. When I graduated from high school and met your father, I basically cut Mama’s weirdness off. Damn, if I’d only known then what I know now,” she says, looking regretful. “Listen to Mama, Jayd. Even when you think she’s too much, listen to her. Study your lessons. Never turn your sight off.”
Although at times I wish I could control my dreams, I’m learning now to accept my destiny. And, with me embracing my gifts, our legacy will live on.
Epilogue
When I get home, Mama is ready and waiting for me in the spirit room. We stay in there all night, grating cocoa butter, me reciting parts of Maman’s history from memory and telling Mama the lessons I’ve learned so far. She also has made me recall all the prayers and recipes I’ve learned over the last month since school started. I had no idea how much I’d learned until tonight.
Before falling asleep, Mama suggests that Jeremy should come over for coffee and teacakes soon, making me feel even guil
tier about kissing Raheem. When did I become a cheating girlfriend? As I drift off to sleep, I immediately fall into a dream.
Jeremy and I are in the mall, relaxing and sipping on our cherry Icees. As we walk toward the front entrance, Jeremy goes to the restroom, leaving me to hold his cup. It’s then that I run into Tania, who looks completely different. Time has passed, and she for some reason doesn’t attend South Bay High anymore.
“Hey, Jayd,” Tania says, acting as if we’re old friends. “How’s it going?”
“Everything’s cool,” I say, feeling my hands become numb from the cold drinks. “How’s everything with you?” I ask, feeling extremely uncomfortable. Jeremy will be out in a minute and I don’t want him to see this broad.
“Oh, everything’s fine,” she says, putting her left hand in my face for me to see her huge ass diamond engagement ring. “I’m getting married in a few weeks and moving to New York where my husband’s law firm is.” Married? She’s too young to get married. But, to each her own.
“Congratulations,” I say, feeling relieved. One less broad to worry about.
“Oh, and when you see Jeremy, can you tell him to get the adoption papers back to me a soon as possible? It’s kind of important,” she says like she just asked which way to the MAC counter. “Later.”
Frightened by my vision, I awake and sit straight up in my bed. What the hell was that all about? I know Tania has deeper feelings for Jeremy, which are evident in her shameless flirting in front of me. But, this is much, much more. Like my mom and Summer said, dudes and broads can never be solely friends, not if one has it bad for the other. Those are the kinds of friends no one needs.
A Reading Group Guide
Drama High, Volume 3:
JAYD’S LEGACY
L. Divine
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The following questions are intended to
enhance your group’s reading of
DRAMA HIGH: JAYD’S LEGACY
by L. Divine.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
There’s always some drama going on at South Bay High. But that’s as it should be. After all, this is Drama High. In this volume, the drama club nominated Nellie as their candidate for homecoming Princess, Jeremy refused to take Jayd to the homecoming dance, and Jayd’s old boyfriend—her first love—shows up. That’s a lot of drama. Take a moment and consider the following questions to enhance your reading of this power-packed volume of DRAMA HIGH.
1. Did the Drama Club make the right choice in supporting Nellie as their candidate for homecoming Princess? Should they have chosen Jayd instead? Why or why not?
2. Is Raheem a threat to Jayd and Jeremy’s relationship? Who do you think she should be with? Should she go back to Raheem or stay with Jeremy? Why or why not?
3. How are Raheem and Jeremy similar? How are they different? Can the two of them be friends? (For those of you who’ve already read DRAMA HIGH: THE FIGHT and DRAMA HIGH: SECOND CHANCE, how different and/or similar is Raheem from KJ? For those of you who haven’t read DRAMA HIGH: THE FIGHT or DRAMA HIGH: SECOND CHANCE, go out immediately and catch up on the drama!)
4. Is Jayd changing for Jeremy? If so, in what ways is she changing? Are these changes for the better? If she’s not changing, how is she managing to stay the same person she’s always been? Is it difficult not to change who you are when you’re in a relationship?
5. Should Jeremy have taken Jayd to the homecoming dance? What would you have done in Jayd’s place? Would you have broken up with Jeremy or stayed with him? Did Jayd do the right thing?
6. What are Raheem’s and Nigel’s opinions on Jayd’s relationship with Jeremy? Are they right? Why or why not?
7. Both Mickey and Nigel have significant others. Knowing that, should Mickey have gone to the dance with Nigel? Is there anything wrong with having something on the side?
8. Does Tania want Jeremy back? Will she become a threat to Jayd and Jeremy’s relationship? How would you handle the Tania issue in Jayd’s place?
9. Chance is stone cold in love with Nellie. Why won’t Nellie put him out of his misery and go out with him? Would they make a good match?
10. Tania and Laura stand accused of playing a dirty trick on Nellie to ruin her reputation and ensure she wouldn’t win homecoming Princess. How would you have handled the situation? Is more retaliation still owed?
11. What do you think of Jeremy’s explanation for selling weed? Is it a good reason or is Jeremy a rich white boy without a clue? Was Raheem right to react the way he did? Is there ever a good reason to sell weed?
12. Did the details of Jayd’s legacy and her family history help Jayd in the school drama or did it hinder her?
13. What drama do you think is coming in the next installment of DRAMA HIGH? What would you like to see happen? Pool your ideas together and send them to the author at www.dramahigh.com.
Stay tuned for the next book in the DRAMA HIGH series FRENEMIES.
Until then, satisfy your DRAMA HIGH craving with the following excerpt from the next exciting installment.
ENJOY!
Prologue
“Sometimes, the people you think are your friends can be worse than enemies,” my mom says. I can hear her voice, but I can’t see a thing. I feel suspended in time, like I’m in between the dream world and reality.
“Yeah, mom. I feel you.” Did I say that aloud or in my head?
“They pretend to be your friend while all the time, they really want more. They either want to feed off your popularity, talent, cookies, anything you’ve got to give. Whatever they think they can have, they will take.”
This feels too real to be just a dream.
“Remember Jayd, lust takes and love gives. And, I’m not talking about material things. Friends give their true selves to you. Frenemies, on the other hand, pretend to give until you start reciprocating. Then, the giving turns into taking. And those are not friends. Those people are leaches. And, like all leaches, they must be eliminated in order for you to thrive.”
For the second time since falling asleep last night, I sit straight up in my bed, breathing hard and sweating like I just ran a mile. Good thing I shower in the morning. Damn, what was that? It wasn’t really a dream. It was more like a psychic conversation between me and my mom. I wonder if she did that on purpose.
My mom being able to read my mind still really freaks me out. She says she can only get in my head. Now she’s sneaking into my dreams. Man, this is getting to be a bit much for a sistah. But, like my mom said, it comes with the territory of being a Williams woman, just like our never-ending drama.
“Jayd, wake up, girl. You’re already five minutes late,” Mama says without moving from her comfortable position in the bed across from mine. How she knows what time it is without looking, I’ll never know. But, I know she’s right. I can hear Bryan stirring around in the kitchen, so I know it must be past time for me to get up. As I stumble out my twin sized bed to retrieve my outfit for the day from the back of the bedroom door, I accidentally step on the rhinestone sandals Jeremy bought me; it’s sticking out from underneath my bed.
“Remember your mother’s words Jayd,” Mama says, making me recall the dream I just snapped out of. As if it isn’t bad enough that I have Mama in my head, now my mom has crept her way in, too. What the hell?
1
Just Friends
“You, you got what I need/ But you say he’s just a friend.”
—BIZ MARKIE
After both Rah’s surprise kiss yesterday afternoon and my first dream last night about Jeremy being Tania’s baby-daddy, I’m even more confused about what to do with Rah and Jeremy. I can’t front; Rah’s kiss is still making me tingle and I have to see Jeremy this morning. How can I look Jeremy in the eyes after what I did? Well, technically, what Rah did. But I could have stopped him, if I really wanted to.
“Jayd, get out the bathroom. I need to go, now,” my cousin Jay says, snapping me back into my morning routine. My cornrows are shiny from the mint shea but
ter Mama and I made last night. Mama supplies most of the beauty products for Netta’s Never Nappy Beauty shop: hair oil, sprays, lotions, soaps, essential oils, you name it. If it can be made, Mama can make it. And, it’ll be ten times better than anything you can buy at the beauty supply store.
“Give me one more minute and then the bathroom’s all yours,” I say, packing up my toiletries into my bath towel before taking one more look in the mirror. My yellow Africa 1 T-shirt goes perfectly with my complexion, making my spirits lift. I love wearing bright colors. They make me feel good, despite whatever shit in my environment may be coming my way.
“I don’t have a minute, girl. Get out, now!” Jay can be such a drama queen sometimes, I swear.
“Go around back and let it out. You a dude,” I say as I continue to primp in the mirror. My uncles and Jay—probably Daddy, too—have all taken a piss out back before either out of necessity or some sort of male bonding thing. It ain’t nothing new to him.
“It ain’t like that Jayd,” Jay says, almost groaning. I guess I better let him in. Man, I miss the semi-privacy of my mom’s house on the weekends. At least I don’t have to share the bathroom with a bunch of men while I’m there. But, it’s only Monday, which means I have a entire week before I get some privacy again.
After returning my bathroom necessities to one of my three garbage bags turned dresser drawers in Daddy’s room, I head to the kitchen to find Bryan eating breakfast and ready to go to work up the street at Miracle Market. He didn’t get in until hella late last night and I’m surprised to see him up and alert, even though his eyes are beet red.