Our Love

by Sheena Binkley

  "How did you win the crown?" someone else asked.

  "Y'all just mad because y'all not up there!" Eva yelled at the crowd.

  I shook my head and sigh. Leave it to Eva to make a situation worse than what it was.

  "Why is her ass up there? She doesn't deserve the crown. She doesn't deserve anything," someone yelled.

  "Excuse me," I said into the microphone. When I found out who said that, I was definitely going to go off in here. No one, and I mean no one, is going to call me out like that.

  "Calm down everyone. The voting was done fair and square. There's no need to be upset over it," Mr. Davis said to the crowd.

  Michael got up from his seat and took the microphone from Mr. Davis.

  "Whoever said that please apologize to Charlie," he said.

  The crowd looked at each other and started talking all at once again. I had a feeling who said the last comment. Of course she wasn't going to reveal herself because she was a scared witch.

  "Fine then. You all are being really childish right now. Let's go." Michael said to me. He threw the crown on the stage floor and grabbed my hand. There was no way I was giving up my crown and slash, so I kept everything on and walked off the stage with Michael. As we were going through the crowd, someone stuck their foot out and purposely tried to trip me. I almost fell on the hard gym floor, but Michael caught me in time. I looked up and realized Danielle was standing in front of me with her friends looking at me with a stony glaze.

  "Now you know who's territory this is. You knew that crown was mine."

  "Listen Danielle, I don't want any trouble tonight. Now get out of my face."

  "I'll get out of your face when I feel like it."

  "Stop it, Danielle. This is getting out of control."

  "Shut up, Michael. I'm not finish talking to your girlfriend," she said as she got up in my face. It took all of my strength not to beat her right there on the gym floor.

  "You think you can waltz up in here and take everything that's mine? You have another thing coming. This is my school, so take yourself back to the hood where you belong."

  That was it. I was about two seconds from hitting her when someone stepped in my way. It was Brandy who jumped in front of me. Eva, Ashley, and Kim stepped in front of me as well. They looked at Danielle ready to jump her.

  "I think you want to take that last comment back," Ashley said while getting into Danielle's face.

  "Why should I? No one wants her here. The question everyone wants to know is why is Charlie Perry at Belmont? It's too late in the semester to just transfer schools. So what is the real reason you're here?"

  I looked at Danielle and walked right past her. On my way, I pushed her, causing her to lose her balance. My girls were behind me giving Danielle and her friends vicious looks. I think Eva and Ashley even scared her friends a little bit, because they jumped back from us as we made our way out the door. Michael looked at Danielle with a mean expression on his face.

  "You went too far this time, Danielle," he said as he started to walk away.

  I walked toward the gym door and opened it wide with both hands. I couldn't believe what just happened a minute ago. I thought things were going so well here. I thought I wouldn't have to encounter such hatred towards me. I knew it was going to be a rough transition transferring from one school to another, but I didn't think it would all blow up on me in a public event. Even people of my own race were giving me dirty looks when they found out I was homecoming queen. What have I done to make people dislike me?

  I looked at the clear night sky and sighed. Tears were starting to well up in my eyes, but I fought them back hard so none would spill. I didn't want anyone to see me cry, especially Michael.

  Michael came over to me and put his arms around me.

  "I'm really sorry about what happened in there. I didn't think people here would act that way."

  I pulled away from Michael and turned around to face him.

  "Well you thought wrong. I knew people here would act like that. They just didn't show their true feelings until now."

  "Come on Charlie. Don't let what happened in there ruin the rest of the night."

  "Why? Because everything going to be okay? If you're going to say that, don't bother because that's a bunch of bull. People at this school are always going to look at me as the black girl who tried to take over Belmont."

  "No one even said that."

  "But they are thinking it. I could tell from the nasty stares people gave me when I went up on stage."

  "Michael's right. You overreacting, Char," said Ashley.

  "What do you know Ash? You don't get stared at everyday from these people. When I'm walking down the hall, people begin whispering. I wondered if they were talking about me or not. You think I wanted to come here? No, I didn't. I just wanted to make myself feel comfortable around here."

  "And you have. Charlie, why don't you calm down? There's no point for you to be this upset." Michael said.

  I looked at him and sighed. He was right. I shouldn't care what people at Belmont thought about me.

  "I guess so. I guess I'm not used to being the person people loved to hate, that's all."

  "No one hates you, Char," said Brandy.

  "Besides, I don't even think it the issue with race that people are upset about. I mean look at you. You've only been here for four days, and you already cheerleading captain, and you're dating the most popular guy in school. That's enough to make people not like you," said Kim.

  I looked at everyone around me and smiled. Everyone made such good points. I looked over at Eva who nodded her head in agreement.

  I took a deep breath and sighed.

  "You're all right. I guess I let what happened in there get to me. Sorry everyone."

  "It's okay," Michael said. He went up to me and gave me a hug.

  Eva looked at the scene and sighed.

  "Well, since you calmed down, do you still want to go to Range?"

  "Sure," I said.

  "Alright then. Let's roll," Eva said.

  As everyone got into their cars, Michael looked at me and put his arm around me.

  "Don't worry. Everything is going to work out. Besides, on Monday, everyone will forget about this."

  I smiled and kissed Michael on the cheek. Even though he was dishing out some encouraging words, I knew that things were not going to go away overnight. After what happened tonight, I was wondering if it was a good idea to take Michael to Range.

  After changing clothes at Eva's house, and driving for thirty minutes, we were finally pulling up into Range's parking lot. As usual, the place was packed, as people were waiting in a long line to get inside. As I got out of Michael's BMW, wearing a blue and white flowing tube dress, a smile formed on my lips. I was home, and it felt pretty good. As Michael got out, he looked around the parking lot, taking in the environment around him. Range was considered one of the hottest teen spots in Houston. Almost every high school in the area, including Parker, was there dancing and having a good time. I looked over at Michael and took his hand. He looked at me and smiled.

  "You look really nice Mr. Collier," I said as I looked at him up and down. He was wearing a brown leather jacket with a black T- shirt underneath with blue jeans. He looked at what I was wearing and whistled.

  "I take that as a compliment," I said smiling.

  "Definitely," he said smiling.

  Although it was a little chilly outside, I didn't care. I never wore this dress, and I figured this was a good time to do so.

  Ashley and Eva got out of Eva's car wearing matching denim cat suits. I noticed Brandy and Kim have not pulled up yet. I didn't want to go into the club without them. A few seconds later, and Kim's boyfriend's car pulled up into a parking space near Michael's car. The four got out of a silver Lexus coupe and walked over to us.

  "Thanks again for inviting us tonight," Brandy said.

  "No problem. I know you're all going to have fun tonight."

  "I've been here before.
This place is hot," Andre, Kim's boyfriend, who also goes to Belmont, said.

  "We really need a break from the Belmont crowd," said Kim.

  "I don't see how you all put up with those people at that school," Ashley said as we all were walking up to the club door.

  "It something you get used to." Michael said as he took my hand.

  While going up to the door, the bouncer, who's a football player from Parker, opened the door for us to go in. He gave us all smiles as we all went in. That's one of the perks of being popular. You get to go into the club free without waiting in the cold trying to get in.

  "Why'd they get to go in?" a girl who was standing in line asked.

  "That's none of your concern," the guy said.

  While we were going in, several people gave Michael and me dirty looks, but it didn't matter anymore. People can stare all they want. It just makes us feel even more popular.

  "You all want anything to drink?" Ashley asked as we were heading to the bar.

  "Not right now," I said.

  "I'll get something. But I'll go with you," Brandy said.

  "Let's go try to find a table," I said to Michael as Kim, Andre, Eva, and a guy she knew all went out on the dance floor.

  "Sure," he said.

  When we were walking to the nearest table, someone walked by Michael and purposely bumped into him. The drink he had in his hand spilled on Michael's leather jacket. The guy looked at Michael as if he was the one who bumped into him and started to walk away.

  "Excuse you," I said in a loud tone.

  The guy turned around and looked at me with a crazy stare.

  "For what? Your boy bumped into me."

  "Don't pull that," I said as I tried to walk up to him.

  "Let it go, Char," Michael said.

  "No, I'm not. He needs to apologize."

  "Listen to your boy. Let it go," he said and walked off.

  "Man, some people are so rude," I said.

  "It not like he hit me or anything. It was just soda. I can wipe it off."

  "That's not the point. He did that on purpose."

  "So what if he did? Let's not let ignorant people ruin our night, okay?"

  I smiled and took Michael's hand.

  "Let's dance. I want to see you move again."

  Michael smiled and we went out to the dance floor. The sound of Daft Punk and Pharrell was full blast as we got closer to the floor. Michael took my hands and we started to dance to the beat of the music. I later turned my back to Michael and started to grind slowly on him. Just the feeling I was getting from dancing with him made me think about things I don't normally think about. It wasn't that I didn't think about sex, but since I met Michael, I been thinking about being with him more and more each second of the day. Hopefully these feelings would go away, because I don't think we're ready for that phrase in the relationship. It's too soon. While we were dancing, Michael whispered in my ear.

  "You are so sexy," he said.

  Just hearing him say those words made me tingly all over again. I could tell the feelings I was having were not going to go away soon.

  I could tell people were watching us, but I didn't care. I was just caught up in the moment with Michael. Nothing could bring me down now.

  When the song was over, and a rap song started to bang the club walls, Michael and I walked off the dance floor. While he went to the restroom, I was going back to the table we found earlier. On my way there, I bumped into someone.

  "Sorry," I said to the guy.

  I looked up and my heart dropped on the floor. There, standing in front of me, was Derrick Marberry, my first true love.

  14. Michael

  I had to admit tonight was turning out to be good. Even though we hit a rough spot at the dance, going to Range was fun. Maybe I should have listened to Charlie and skipped the dance, but I didn't think people would act so ignorant. I guess I never really saw the true side of Belmont until now. The next time I saw Danielle, I swear I would cuss her out. As I came out of the restroom, I went back to the table Charlie and I were sitting at before, but she was nowhere in sight.

  Maybe she ran into someone. I thought as I sat down. When I did, I saw Eva walking over to the table. She sat down near the chair facing the crowd and sighed. Since meeting her, I couldn't figure out why she didn't like me. I didn't really care, but I figured for Charlie's sake, I'd try to find out.

  "Are you having fun tonight Eva?" I asked politely.

  Eva looked at me and sighed.

  "Don't bother with the small talk Michael. You don't have to talk to me."

  "What is your problem? It seems like you don't want anything to do with me. What have I done to you?"

  Eva looked at me as if I knew what her problem was. She leaned in closer to me and stared into my eyes. The look she was giving me gave me the creeps. I leaned back toward the wall so she wasn't in my face.

  "As if you didn't know."

  "That's why I'm asking. What is it that makes you so angry towards me?"

  Eva looked around the club and sighed. I could tell from the look on her face she didn't want to bring up why she disliked me. But I needed to know.

  "Remember a year ago, there was a party after Belmont and Elkins game. Someone from Elkins threw the party."

  I looked at Eva as if she had lost her mind. I didn't remember anything about a party, especially one from last year.

  "Please remember it. It wasn't that long ago."

  "I believe so, if it was last year."

  "Try to remember alright. Let me refresh some of it for you. You were there with Danielle, and I was there with my boyfriend, who went to Elkins. Anyway, after Danielle went off with some of her friends, you were by the drinks table drinking yourself to a stupor. I came by and started to talk to you. We talked for hours about everything, school, life, Danielle. We decided to go upstairs to talk some more since we couldn't do it downstairs. I don't know if it was the alcohol or what, but before I knew it, we were on somebody's bed making out."

  I looked at Eva confused. I didn't remember any of the events she was replaying to me.

  "I think you have me confused with someone else Eva. I don't remember anything you're telling me."

  "Of course not, because you blocked it out of your memory. I don't have you confused with someone else because I remembered everything about you."

  I looked around the club in a blur. Everything about that night started to come back to me, really quick. Now that she mentioned it, I do remember that party and talking to Eva. I also remembered us doing a lot more than making out.

  "We had sex, didn't we?"

  Eva looked down at the table and sighed. She nodded her head yes.

  I started to shake my head. I couldn't believe this was happening. How could I have been so careless? Not only did I have a one-night stand that night, but, I had a one-night stand with a girl that was now my girlfriend's best friend!

  "Well that explains why you kept giving me the cold shoulder," I said.

  "Pretty much. I haven't heard from you at all after that night. I figured you went back to that skank of a girlfriend. Instead, you didn't. Turns out you're dating my best friend!"

  "How I was supposed to know you and Charlie were friends? Parker is a big school."

  "Yeah, but you knew that we always hung out."

  "It's not like I knew I was going to fall for Charlie. Eva, I really like Charlie, and I don't want anything to ruin it."

  "You expect me to keep my mouth shut about us? Think again, Mike. I have to tell Char about this. Ever since she told me about you, I've been miserable because of the fact that I was with you. When Char finds out about this, it will kill her."

  "That's why she can't find out about this. Please Eva, don't tell Charlie about us."

  Actually, I was begging Eva not to tell Charlie. There was no point for Eva to bring up the past by telling Charlie we slept together. What's in the past needed to stay in the past.

  Eva looked at me and gave a small gro
an. I knew she wasn't going to tell Charlie, but I could tell from the look on her face, she wanted to.

  "I won't tell Char. Happy now?"

  I nodded my head yes. "Thank you, Eva."

  "Just promise me one thing Michael. Treat Charlie right. I love her like a sister, so I don't want anything to happen to her. It wasn't what you said that made me reconsider telling Charlie. It's just the fact that I don't want to hurt her."

  I nodded my head in agreement. "I agree. I don't want to hurt Char either. Are we cool now?"

  Eva nodded her head and extended her hand out to me.

  "We're cool," she said.

  I took my hand and put it in hers. We disclosed our agreement with a handshake.

  Hopefully the conversation Eva and I had would be the first and last. But I had a feeling that it wasn't.

  After Eva told her revelation to me about us, she decided to let her frustrations out on the dance floor with the first guy that asked her to dance. I looked at my watch and wondered what was taking Charlie so long.

  She should have been back by now.

  I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Chris's number. I had to talk to someone about what Eva told me. I looked around the crowded club and sighed heavily.

  "I guess I'll look for her," I said to myself as I got out from the table I was sitting at. I waited patiently for Chris to answer as I went over to a quieter area, which was hard to find, by the second dance floor in the back of the club.

  "Hey Mike. You know you and Charlie caused quite a scene at the dance," Chris said.

  "Yeah, well I never realized how ignorant Belmont kids could be."

  "Nothing you can do about it. That's how they always have been. Are you having fun at Range?"

  I sighed. "At first I was, but not anymore."

  "What's wrong? You don't sound too good."

  "I think I messed things up with Charlie before they got started."

  "Why do you say that? You two got into a fight at the club?"

  "No, it's nothing like that. I just found out some stuff from her best friend, that's all."

  "Is it about Charlie?"

  "No, it's about me. Remember that party we went to that night after the game against Elkins?"

  "What about it?"

  "Well turns out I met Charlie's best friend there and we ended up hooking up. I guess I was so drunk that night I didn't even remember it."