by L. Divine
“Jayd, do you give out samples? I need to slang some of this around the hood,” Leroy says as I rinse his hair, ready for a second wash. If he likes this then he’s going to love the coco-mango conditioner I’ve got for him next. I’ll use my own products to braid him up with.
“I never thought about it but that’s a good idea.” Why not pimp my products like Mama does? It’ll be more money in my pocket and a way to help out folks, with natural options for their crowns. I’ll probably even get some more clientele out of it. Right now, I just need to finish this one client and get moving. I want to make sure I have any and all work that may be due in my classes, including my government paper. Hopefully Mrs. Peterson won’t be that mean, but I know her better than that.
My car didn’t overheat on the way back to Mama’s and for that I am truly grateful. Rah has mad skills when it comes to cars and music production. I just wish he were better at managing his personal life. We kicked it this weekend, but without his daughter. I can’t help but miss Rahima when she’s not around. I hope his court case at the end of the week ends favorably. Otherwise, I can count on Rah being in a bad mood eternally, and that’s not good for anyone. I also hope it ends with his little girl in his home for her own sake. Even if Rah is still in school and slanging, I know he’ll do right by his child, and his grandparents will help in any way they can. Rahima’s sweet disposition and loveable spirit are fragile and she needs to be raised in the right hands, and those hands unfortunately don’t belong to her mother.
Speaking of unfit mothers, I notice Misty’s mother’s car parked outside of Esmeralda’s house. I wonder if Misty’s over there too. I just hope we all keep our distance from each other, mainly Esmeralda from me. That lady works my nerves even when she’s not around. Although I can’t see Esmeralda I know she sees me, and that’s not a good feeling. I can see why my mom moved out the first chance she got. Anonymity isn’t an option on our block.
I park my car right in front of the house so I can keep an eye on it. I’m not really worried about anyone jacking the car, especially considering the dilapidated state it’s in. But I still don’t want anyone breaking into my shit. Glass costs money just like anything else and I’m not spending any more of my hard-earned cash on this thing .
Before I can get through the back door good my phone rings. Damn, Mickey’s on my jock this evening. Whatever she wants to talk about must be important.
“Yes Mickey,” I say, stepping over a sleeping Lexi and through the kitchen door. I put down my garbage bag full of dirty clothes, set my weekend bag and backpack on the floor, and take a seat at the table. I guess I’ll be doing laundry tonight if no one else is in the garage using the machines already. It’s Jay’s first day back to school tomorrow too, and I know he has mad clothes to wash just like I do. Mama’s out with Netta this evening so I’ll have the bedroom all to myself once I make it back there.
“I’ve had it with that bitch,” Mickey says, waking my tired ass right up.
“Which bitch?” It’s a fair question considering how many girls have earned that title in Mickey’s book. I’m sure even I get called the occasional bitch when the mood suits her.
“The original bitch. Your girl Nellie.” Here we go. I roll my eyes and prepare to hear my girl vent. I know she misses our third musketeer just as much as I do, but Mickey will never admit it. She’d rather just talk shit about her.
“Nellie’s no more my girl than she is yours, if you recall correctly.” I reach for my backpack and take out my multiple school folders. I might as well check my schoolwork while I’m sitting here.
“Whatever. I saw her at the mall earlier and she and her little white friends were talking shit about me, I just know it.”
“Haven’t you had enough of the mall? You’ve been to a different one almost every day we’ve been on vacation.”
“That’s not the point, Jayd,” Mickey says, now completely irritated. Getting through this pregnancy is proving to be anything but easy. “She’s got her nerve and then some, trying to talk shit without coming right up to me and saying something. She’s forgotten who she’s messing with.” I hope Mickey never finds out that Nellie ratted out her, Nigel, and myself so she could be in Laura’s clique. As mad as I am at Nellie right now, I still don’t want to see her get her ass beat by Mickey. Just the thought of it makes me cringe. Fighting an enemy usually isn’t as personal as going at it with a homegirl. And, as tight as they once were, Mickey’s liable to kill Nellie for what she’s done.
“Mickey, you can’t let what you think she said bother you. Stress isn’t good for you or the baby.” I look over my English folder and everything looks like it’s in good order. Hopefully the mandatory AP meetings won’t resume after the new semester begins in a few weeks. I can’t take much more of Mrs. Bennett, especially after being forced to deal with her in rehearsal during the last month of drama class. I’m not looking forward to seeing her tomorrow, but I can’t run from my destiny. If she finds proof that I forged Mickey’s absences then so be it. I’ll just have to deal with the consequences and I might have to kick Nellie’s ass myself for squealing to the administration.
“I’m just saying, if that trick says one word to me I’m slapping her in the face, hard,” Mickey says through my new cell. I love that I can put my phone on speaker, but I don’t love the words that are coming through it. Life was so much easier when Nellie and Mickey were friends. Now there’s just not enough balance in my life, and my girls are making me tired.
“Mickey, have you ever heard of thinking positively about the situation? You have enough fighting on your plate.” I open my government folder and take out my paper on Queen Califia. Five pages don’t do my great ancestor any justice, but it’ll have to do for Mrs. Peterson’s class. I couldn’t find valid proof that she existed, but there’s enough oral history and art to make a good case, so even Mrs. Peterson won’t be able to deny Califia’s contribution to California history.
“Who are you talking about?”
“It’s not a who, it’s a what,” I say, thinking about my many battles with the administration at South Bay High. “You’re going to have to plead your case to the powers that be at our lovely high school.”
“I ain’t pleading a damn thing to anyone. I’d rather go to the continuation school than fight with them fools, and for what? School is school, and we’ll still see each other. And you know they can’t keep me from seeing Nigel on a regular basis, so I’m straight.”
“Mickey, you can’t be serious?”
“How come I can’t? I’ve got better things to do than fight with those fools. And the letter says my parents would have to come up there and sign some affidavit, and you know they’re not going to be bothered with all of that.” I know how she feels in that regard. Mama wouldn’t waste her time, and my mom can’t be bothered with missing a day from work to deal with my school.
“Mickey, this shit is serious. They could keep you out through senior year if you don’t contest the decision now. Did you know that for as long as your baby’s in diapers they can keep you out of a regular school environment if you let them? I read over the school’s guidelines and bylaws yesterday and it says that you have the right to a hearing. If your parents cannot be present another adult can act on their behalf.”
“Jayd, you’re taking this way too seriously. It’s not a big deal.”
“And you’re not taking it seriously enough. Don’t you care about your education?” I can hear Mickey breathing through the phone but I’m not sure she’s listening to a word I’m saying.
“Yeah, but not that much. I’m just not into school like you are.”
“Mickey, why are you at South Bay if you don’t care about school?”
“Because I got sick of fighting every day at Centennial High. And my daddy wanted to distance me from my man, not that it helped much.”
“Mickey, you have the opportunity to set a precedent for other girls in your predicament. Don’t let them bully you into submissi
on.”
“No one’s bullying me, Jayd. You sound like an after-school special, with all of your big words and shit. Damn, once you get on your soapbox you don’t get off, do you?”
“Not when it’s something like this. I could ask Ms. Toni to step in for your parents, if you like. Or maybe Mr. Adewale would be willing to play your daddy,” I say, trying to make a joke, but Mickey’s deep sigh tells me she’s not finding me humorous at all.
“Jayd, there are times to fight and times to just keep it moving, you feel me? I’m going to focus on me and Nigel and our baby being a family, which means keeping quiet for his sake as well. I don’t want to make trouble for him at school. He’s already dealing with his family. So please, just shut up about it. It’s not your problem. See you in the morning.” Mickey hangs up the phone, taking the last word with her. I can’t stand it when she does that.
I look over my papers and everything seems to be in order. Besides, I can’t concentrate on this stuff when my girl is in so much trouble. I might as well pick out my school clothes and take an early bath. I need to be in a good mood for tomorrow. Seeing all of my friends, enemies, and the people in between will drain me, and I don’t want to be unprepared for the battle.
When I arrived at school this morning I was hella early because I didn’t know exactly how long it would take me to get here. I made it in thirty minutes, and that’s without traffic. Maybe I can leave a little later tomorrow and sleep in even longer. That alone would be worth driving this deathtrap around. I parked in the parking space closest to the front entrance, and Mickey’s the first of my crew to arrive even if she wants to be here the least.
“That was the shortest two weeks ever,” Mickey says, rubbing her growing belly. She finally broke down and bought some maternity clothes and she looks cute in them, too. “We need at least a month from this place.”
“I agree,” Chance says, scanning the parking lot for his girl. But instead of catching Nellie, we see Misty. Damn, I don’t want to see her today. I haven’t run into her since I saw her at Esmeralda’s house on Christmas, and it’s been a nice break. Mickey sees Nigel pull up in the other lot and goes to meet her man.
“Hey Jayd,” KJ says. He, Money, Del, and Misty all look like they went shopping at the Swap Meet over the holiday, sporting new gear right down to their socks. “How was your holiday?” Misty looks less than happy that her supposed man’s making small talk with me and honestly, I can feel her on this one.
“It was cool,” I say, not returning the inquiry. His boys look at each other then at my ride and start to snicker. Oh, I see. They came over here to clown.
“Yeah, I can see that. Nice ride.”
“I know you ain’t talking with your piece of shit over there,” I say, nodding toward his old Toyota.
“Yeah, but you see my new twenty-twos and I got new speakers in the trunk. You look like you need, well, another car.” His boys and Misty get a good laugh out of KJ’s insults but then Chance responds. He takes his keychain out of his jeans pocket and presses a button on his alarm, starting his classic Nova. The speakers immediately start to throb. Lil Wayne never sounded so good.
“Do they sound like that?” Chance asks KJ, who now looks completely deflated. “Didn’t think so.” I hate that the brothas had to get punked by a white boy, but that’s what they get for trying to clown my ride.
“Whatever, man,” Del says, coming to his boy’s defense. KJ looks at Chance and knows he can’t say shit. “Rich white boys can get anything they want. It still doesn’t make your car look any better, Jayd.” Why is Del hating on me so hard right now? Is he that jealous of someone else getting a car while he’s still buying a backup bus pass?
“And what do you have? You and your boy here are just some scrubs lucky enough to get a ride with your boy right here,” I say, tired of them. “Y’all are trifling and everyone knows it.” Misty looks at me with narrow eyes like she wants to do something to me she knows she doesn’t have the power to do. I wish she would try to put something on me. I’d give her a run for her money plus some.
“So defensive this morning, aren’t we, Jayd?” Misty asks, stepping in front of her boys, if I can even call them that. I must say this is the longest KJ’s ever kept a girl around. Maybe she’s paying him with more than her obvious assets.
“Not at all. You should tell your boyfriend to get a new hobby. Antagonizing me is your sport, isn’t it?” Chance laughs at my sarcasm and nods his head toward campus, indicating it’s time to roll, and I’m right behind him. Before we can escape the scene of broken egos, Misty steps in front of me, forcing me to look down at her short ass. I know I can’t really talk with my five-foot self, but next to Misty I feel like Shaquille O’Neal.
“So, I didn’t see you around for New Year’s. You too good to hang out in Compton with the rest of us?” Why would Misty be checking for me when we’re not girls anymore? I know she’s nosy, but damn. This is borderline stalking.
“Since when do you care where am I or what I do?” Between hanging with KJ and being under Esmeralda’s wing, she’s really gone off the deep end. Before Misty can answer, I notice my real girl and homeboy coming our way.
“Hey, Jayd,” Mickey says, walking up the lot with Nigel right by her side. They must have come in through the back entrance.
“Hey, y’all,” I say, not taking my eyes off of Misty, who’s waiting for an answer from me that’s never coming.
“What’s going on here?” Nigel asks, noticing the tense vibe between me, Misty, KJ, and his boys. All of the other students are happy to see each other and for the most part they seem happy to be back at school. But of course, the black folks have to bring the drama back to school with them. What the hell? I’m tired of being a part of this shit.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” I say, defusing the situation before we all get carried away. I’m still curious as to why Misty would miss me being at Mama’s house on New Year’s, but I’ll let it slide for now. “We’d better get to class before the bell rings.”
“Yeah, let’s,” Mickey says, stepping up next to me, which instantly causes Misty to stand down. Ever since Mickey busted her out for catching gonorrhea from KJ, Misty avoids her at all costs. KJ and his boys retreat right behind her and I’m grateful for the space.
“I wonder what’s keeping Nellie,” Chance says as we walk toward campus, causing Mickey to suck her teeth loudly. “I guess I’ll have to catch her at break,” he says as the first bell rings. It’s time for all of us to face the rest of our inevitable first day back. Hopefully it’ll get better as the day progresses.
My first two classes went by without incident. Mr. Donald wasn’t even there for Spanish, and in English class Mrs. Malone wanted us to write an essay reflecting on what it means to come into a New Year. Personally, I’m just glad to be alive and working hard, and that’s pretty much what I wrote down.
I’m not looking forward to third period at all. Why the nutrition break is only twenty minutes long baffles the hell out of me. It should be at least a half hour, not that there’s ever enough time to get ready for Mrs. Peterson.
“Jayd, wait up,” Chance says, catching up to me on my way into the main hall. I need to switch out my books for my next two classes. I also want to avoid Misty and Nellie for the rest of the day, if possible. I feel like if I can avoid them I can avoid drama, but no such luck. Nellie, Laura, and the rest of the ASB bitches are lined up outside of the ASB room and the rest of the clique’s probably inside holding Ms. Toni hostage with their boring holiday stories. I’ll have to catch up with my favorite teacher later in the week, preferably when these broads won’t be around.
“What’s up, Chance? You see your diva’s straight ahead, don’t you?” Even if Nellie’s not talking to me, she can’t keep me and Chance from being friends, although I know she’s trying hard to tempt Chance to the dark side.
“Yeah, I know,” he says, waving to Nellie, who gives him an evil look in return. “Listen, I want to talk to you abo
ut your car,” he says, stepping in front of me and walking backwards. Nellie notices the change and tenses up at the sight.
“What about it?” I ask, stopping at my locker and entering the combination.
“We can hook it up, if you let us. Me and Jeremy love projects. Well, not Jeremy so much because he’d rather surf than work on a car, but if it’s your car I’m sure he’d make an exception.” I know Chance means well, but having my little hoopty be their rags-to-riches project is not my idea of a blessing.
“That’s really sweet of you, Chance, but I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I say, watching Nellie and her new girls approach us from over his shoulder.
“Why not? You see how sweet my ride is? I can do the same for you, girl.”
“But you don’t have to. Besides, what would your girl say if she knew you pimped my ride?” Chance turns around to an angry Nellie looking up at him. I shut my locker door and begin to walk toward my government class only to see Mickey speed-walking our way, with Misty not too far behind her. Please don’t tell me this trick let it slip that we have Nellie to thank for the administration finding out about Mickey’s forged absence letters. Mickey already wants to kill Misty, and now that she’s leaving the school there’s nothing stopping her.
I turn around to warn Chance and his girl of the impending collision, only to see that Nellie has something of her own to say. “Jayd, can’t you find your own man to play with? Oh, that’s right, you don’t have one at the moment.”
“You know I would warn you that Mickey’s on her way over, but I’ll just let her at you instead.” Nellie looks past us and sees Mickey, who’s now breathing over my shoulder.
“Guess what I heard?” Mickey says, stepping in front of me and looking eye-to-eye with Nellie, who’s shaking behind her brave stance. Laura and the rest of their crew look on, waiting for the next move like the rest of us. Students are slowly making their way back into the large hall and all eyes are pulled to our small group.