by Pinky Dior
Mercedes got up and walked into the kitchen. Her stomach growled as she sat down at the table and dug into her plate. It was filled with fried chicken, Spanish rice with gravy, and fresh vegetables. She was famished and ate all of her dinner. After she was done, she called Candice and they reminisced all night. They caught up and promised to never lose touch again.
Class is in Session
Mercedes awoke on Friday morning overflowing with excitement. She began school on Wednesday and it was already the end of the week. She was happy that the weekend was here. She removed the covers from her face and pulled herself out of bed. She began her ritual of brushing her teeth and hopped in the shower. School started at 7:30 AM, and she usually took a long time to get ready. In anticipation, Mercedes picked out her outfit last night.
She wore a pair of black Rhinestone Skull skinny jeans with a design of an embellished skull and heart on the right leg. Along with a pink Ed Hardy shirt; roses and spiders covered the front. She knew she was looking fly as usual. As she got dressed, she looked at herself in the mirror and grinned from ear to ear. She put on her pink love cross hat, also from Ed Hardy. It was embroidered with flamboyant colors. Her hat was pulled low, but positioned so that you could still see her eyes. Her long pretty hair flowed down the sides of her face.
Mercedes grabbed a pen and a note book and threw it in her Farrah Satchel Ed Hardy bag. She walked down the spiral staircase and into the kitchen. She noticed a bag on the table and it was a note attached to the bag that read,
“Baby Girl don’t starve yourself -Love Daddy”
She cheerfully grabbed the bag. She was definitely a Daddy’s Girl. She loved every moment of his attention, except when he was overprotective. She headed out the door and Mr. Gates was already outside waiting to take her to school.
“Thank you Mr. Gates.” Mercedes said as she got into the car. They pulled off and she anxiously waited to pull up at the school. As they arrived, Mercedes informed Mr. Gates that he didn’t have to open the door. She didn’t want to feel too privileged. She wanted to fit in with others, even though she knew she wasn’t like them.
She reached for the latch and opened the door. She stepped out and noticed that everyone was grilling her. Her home girls were posted up on the side waving her down. As soon as Mr. Gates pulled off, Mercedes started walking towards them.
“Hey, what’s up girls?” Mercedes greeted them. “Hey.” They all said in unison.
“Shit, waiting for the bell to ring.” Candy added in. “Class starts in five minutes and I don’t feel like going,” she sighed. Mercedes wasn’t paying them any attention; she was trying to look around for Chino.
“Girl, you look cute.” Chamari smiled. “You got that Ed Hardy on deck huh?” Chamari asked admiring her bag, “This shit’s official.”
“Yeah that’s how my girl rolls.” Candy gave Mercedes dap as they snickered. The bell rang and everyone started rushing into the building.
Shateeya looked Mercedes up and down, “Cute,” she said with obvious envy. “I’m off to class.” Everyone noticed Shateeya acting funny, but they didn’t comment. They all headed up the stairs and off to their respective classrooms. They had arranged to meet up at lunch time.
In her French class, Mercedes almost fell asleep because the teacher was so boring. India’s loud popping of her gum woke her up. She grilled Mercedes. Mercedes took it in stride and mean mugged her from head to toe.
Finally, class was over and Mercedes exited to meet the girls in the cafeteria. She passed the line and shook her head at the people who stood in line waiting for that nasty ass food. Mercedes took a seat and placed her bag on the table. She was happy that her father decided to prepare a lunch for her. She opened it and noticed it was one of her favorites. He had cooked this one, some chicken ziti with broccoli covered in alfredo sauce. She had a Sprite to drink.
“Damn girl, you got it made.” Hazel said as she bit into her pizza.
“Nah, I’m just not fucking with that nasty ass shit.” Mercedes screwed up her face from the thought of eating the food served in the cafeteria.
“I’ll eat it with no damn problems.” Chamari added in as she laughed.
“I know your fat ass will.” Shateeya laughed, but no one else found her funny. She’d been saying some slick shit lately, but no one called her on it yet.
“She ain’t fat Shateeya, don’t say that shit.” Hazel shook her head and tried to hide the smirk on her face.
“Anyway, what are you guys doing today?” Mercedes quickly changed the subject because she didn’t want her girls beefing over stupid shit.
“Nothing,” Candy said as she looked at the girls and they nodded their heads in agreement.
“Well, Um, how about you all stay at my crib for the weekend?” Mercedes asked wanting to further build a relationship with her new crew.
“We don’t even know you like that.” Shateeya barked.
“Well, I know her like that.” Candy looked at Shateeya and rolled her eyes. “How about ya’ll, are ya’ll down too?” Candy asked looking over at Chamari and Hazel.
“I’m down.” Hazel agreed.
“As long as you got some food, I’m down too.” Chamari laughed, as she rubbed her belly.
“You ain’t got to worry about that, I have a maid named Claudia who cooks three meals a day and dessert too.” Mercedes assured her.
“So are you coming with us or not Shateeya?” Mercedes looked in her direction.
“Come on, don’t be like that Shi.” Candy chimed in.
“Yeah, I guess I’ll go.” A smile appeared across her face.
“Cool, I’m having a sweet 16 next month for my birthday and need help with my invitations and shit.” Mercedes informed them as she began digging into her food. All this conversation was holding her up from eating.
“Damn, you’re only fifteen?” Hazel asked. “You look at least seventeen or so.” Hazel was amazed that Mercedes was so young and beautiful. She stayed in the flyest gear and had everything that the others wanted.
“Yup,” Mercedes ate her food, “How old are you?”
“I’m fifteen too.” Hazel said. Mercedes finished her meal and lead the way for them to go back into the gym. Today was Friday and the teachers didn’t feel like doing anything, so they allowed everyone to mingle. They had popcorn, music, sodas, and little games to entertain the students as a ‘Welcome Back’ ceremony.
Mercedes and the crew walked in. Chino sat with his eyes on her as soon as she entered. He walked towards her; Mercedes began panicking inside. She didn’t know if she should walk away with her friends as if she didn’t see him coming, or to stay and talk to him.
“Hey, how you doin Ma?” Chino greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
“I’m fine and you?” Mercedes smiled internally feeling his warm lip on her face.
“I’m aight, just chilling you know.” Chino nodded his head, “What’s your name?”
“My name’s Mercedes.” He extended his arm and shook her hand as he stared into her eyes. “Mercedes Carter…what’s your name?” She already had the scoop on him, but she didn’t want him to think he had her open, or that she was already stalking him.
“My real name is Chanito, but my peoples call me Chino.”
Mercedes stood there and didn’t know what to say. His swag was on point, and she swore she was already falling in love. His voice was deep, but was soft and sexy. When he spoke, his New York accent became more prominent and she admired it. She looked over to her girls and spied them being nosey trying to overhear her conversation. Candice waved to her. Mercedes chuckled.
“So, where are you from Ma?” He asked.
“I was born in Cuba, but raised out here; I live in Long Island now.”
“Oh word, why did you come to Queens for school?”
“My pops was trying to send me away to a private school and I didn’t want to go. I wanted to come here.” Mercedes replied and was rudely interrupted by India. She walked over and stood
between the two of them, blocking Mercedes vision of Chino.
“Why you all up in her face?” India barked as she looked back and rolled her eyes at Mercedes.
“I told you about that shit India, you’re not my fucking girl.” Chino barked back. Mercedes didn’t have time for the girl drama. She walked off, went over to her friends, and watched from a distance as the two of them argued.
“What happened?” Candy had to know.
“Hating ass bitch came over trying to cock block.” Mercedes waved her hand in the air.
“Yeah he’s definitely feeling you, and that bitch trying to get in the way.” Candy added for effect.
The day in the gym quickly flew by and the girls were making their way outside. Mercedes saw Chino in her peripheral sitting down and leaning forward with his hands folded. He looked like he was pissed. She and her friends bypassed Chino and India and made their way into the hallway. When Mercedes walked outside, Mr. Gates greeted them all. The girls all called their mothers and informed them where they would be staying with a friend for the weekend. Shateeya and Chamari had never been in a limo before and were having the times of their lives. Candy had experienced a limo ride a few times, so she wasn’t as gassed as the other two. They rode in the car and bumped the hottest music. When they go to the Carter home, Mercedes introduced her mother to her friends. She couldn’t wait until tomorrow; they had a big day ahead of them.
The following morning the girls woke up to the pleasant aroma of breakfast cooking in the kitchen. They made their way downstairs and sat around the large table located in the dining room. Claudia prepared a variety of food, French toast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausages and sweet biscuits. Everyone was grubbing like they hadn’t eaten in days. After they finished eating, Mercedes led the girls back upstairs to her bedroom.
She opened her closet and let the girls pick out an outfit. She had more than enough to share and wanted everyone to match her style. She watched as they were all amped, fighting over who got what. There were plenty of fashionable selections, enough for all of them.
Mercedes felt bad because Chamari was the only one who felt left out; she couldn’t fit any of her clothes. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a Juicy Couture bag and gave it to Chamari. She was so excited that she hugged Mercedes and almost squeezed the living life out of her.
After the girls finished their mini makeover, they headed out. The first place they went too was the spot to pick her Quincenera’s. They arrived at the party planning store called Ante Up Entertainment. Maria knew the owner, so everything she wanted was discounted as a gift to Mercedes. The party planning process took a while, but they decided on all pink and white affair.
They all hopped into the car and headed to the Plaza Mall. The girls were excited entering the mall. They were in and out of stores looking for the perfect party dress. Parisha’s Boutique was an obvious destination. It was also owned by one of her mother’s good friends; she was a lady from Paris and was working her way up to compete with Chanel, Fendi, and Prada. As they walked through the door the girl’s jaws dropped. They were surrounded by so many beautiful dresses and accessories.
“Hello Mercedes, how are you doing today?” Parisha asked.
“I’m doing fine and you.” Mercedes shook her hand.
“I hear you’re having a Quincenera’s coming up soon.” Mercedes nodded her head and smiled as she looked over at her mother. ‘It’s my sweet sixteen not a Quincenera.’ Mercedes said to herself.
“Well, I have a few selections you may like.” Parisha assured her. “Come this way.” Mercedes and the girls followed her towards the back of the boutique. The girls sat on the couch, as Mercedes went into the fitting room to try on the dresses which Parisha picked out. As she walked in and out of the fitting room, the girls lent their approval or disapproval of the dresses. The last dress that Mercedes tried was sure to be a crowd pleaser. It wasn’t too fancy; it was just perfect. It was a short pink cocktail dress with a demure strapless bodice top. Mercedes loved it, but she needed something to jazz it up.
“That dress looks beautiful on you Mercedes.” Maria complimented.
“Yeah, it’s really pretty.” Candy added, and the other girls nodded in approval.
“Turn around.” Maria said. Mercedes danced and twirled around showing off her dress. The girls chuckled as she danced.
“I love it mom, but I want the big puffy stuff that makes the dress look all pretty.” Mercedes frowned.
“Baby don’t worry about that. Claudia will take care of it.”
“I’ll take this one.” Mercedes grinned as she walked back into the fitting room to change back into her clothes. She came back out and picked out the perfect shoes to match her dress. She wanted to make sure that everyone would envy her.
“Girls, you can get something too.” Maria told them.
“Oh no Miss Maria, we can’t.” Candy spoke out loud.
“Shooooooot, I’ll take you up on that offer.” Hazel smiled as she was already looking through the dresses. Candy shot her a dangerous look. If looks could kill, Hazel would have died on the spot.
“It’s okay Candice, if you’re going to my daughters Quincenera. No problem. We want everyone to look as good as her on her special day.” Maria smiled and waved her hands to the girls to go pick out something. They got up and Parisha showed them to her finest dresses. Mercedes helped the girls pick out their dresses. They all had style, but she didn’t want them coming to her party looking too plain.
Candy picked out a pretty, short, cream and pink dress with a pink bow in the back. Hazel got a white strapless ruffle dress. It was hard for Chamari to find a dress in her size; all of the ones she tried on were too tight. Paris disappeared into the back and pulled out an all pink dress that she believed might fit. Chamari smiled as she put on the dress and it hugged her body perfectly, detailing all of her curves. Shateeya picked out a plain all white strapless cocktail dress.
After the girls picked out their dresses and shoes, they went to grab some ice cream from Baskin Robbins. They talked and giggled over the ice cream, then headed home with all of their shopping bags. They were truly enjoying themselves and Mercedes could tell by all the laughter.
For the entire weekend, Mercedes, Candy, Hazel, Chamari and Shateeya had loads of fun. They went out to the mall, movies, and the arcade. They did everything they could during the weekend and it brought them much closer. They all got along really well. They even told each other secrets that they would never tell anyone.
Late Sunday evening, as they sat in Mercedes’ room, they began to share deeper secrets about each other.
“You still a virgin Mercedes?” Shateeya quizzed her. “Yeah,” Mercedes shook her head, “Why you not?”
“Hell no girl, I lost my shit when I was thirteen.” Shateeya proudly said.
“She's going to lose hers to Chino.” Candy cooed as she playfully nudged Mercedes in the arm with her elbow. The girls burst into laughter. Mercedes blushed because she secretly wanted that to be true. She was excited about the chance to see Chino the next day when she would be handing out invitations. The fun would really begin and everyone would remember who she was, if they didn’t already know. The haters were sure to come out in full force now.
You’re Invited
Mercedes was excited. Today she would be officially passing out her invitations. People crowded the cafeteria because Candy made an earlier announcement about Mercedes’ Quincenera. Everyone anxiously anticipated their invitation to her birthday party. Mercedes stood on top of a chair, with her girls standing next to her, as they called out people’s names and handed them their invitations. The ones who didn’t get invitations would be highly upset.
They were all aware that this was going to be the biggest party of the year, especially since it was Mercedes’. She called Chino’s name out first, but he wasn’t in the cafeteria at the time. She was a little sad at first, but she knew that he would get his invitation. His presence was vital.
After they were done passing out invitations, everyone who received one was excited. They were dancing around and chatting about what to wear. It seemed like everyone except for the Queen Bee’s was invited.
They were livid. They sat at the table mean mugging the other happy students. India looked as if she wanted to kill Mercedes. She had her arms folded across her breasts and watched Mercedes laugh with her girls. Mercedes saw Chino walk in the cafeteria. He was looking better than she remembered. His hair was straightened and had it pulled back into a sleek ponytail. She immediately grabbed her pink Louis Vuitton bag and made her way over to him.
“Hey Chino,” Mercedes smiled. She made sure she sprayed on some of her Ralph Lauren perfume before she made it over to him. She wanted him to smell her when she wasn’t around.
“Hey Ma,” Chino kissed her on the cheek. Mercedes pulled out an invitation from her purse and handed it to him.
“What’s this?” he asked, shaking the invitation.
“Open it,” Mercedes urged.
“What a beautiful picture.” Chino complimented. Mercedes blushed and watched him open the invitation. He read it aloud, “You are invited to Mercedes Carter’s Sweet 16, a Pink and white affair- Leave the drama at home.” Chino laughed as he rubbed his chin.
“So are you coming or what?” Mercedes wasn’t amused, but she hid her annoyance.
“Of course I’ll be there, why wouldn’t I?” Chino asked.
“Maybe your little girlfriend won’t let you come.” Mercedes joked, but noticed he had a serious look on his face.
“Nah Ma it ain’t even like that, that’s my ex and she be tripping.” He assured her, as he shook his head and chuckled at India’s crazy ass.
“Alright that’s cool.” Mercedes nodded and turned to leave, but he stopped her with a question she never thought she would hear.
“So when are you gonna let me take you out and get to know you?” Chino asked while staring into her pretty eyes. Mercedes’ heart dropped while he was asking her to take her out on a date. She wanted to scream, but she held her composure. Mercedes caught India grilling her and talking shit to her crew about her, but she didn’t care.