by Arthurs, Nia
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You don’t like it curly?”
“No way. I love it curly. It just looked so different.”
“I wanted to save money so I stopped relaxing my hair and let it grow natural.”
“Was that a wig then?”
I explained what a relaxer was and his eyes widened like I’d said something extremely fascinating. Most of the time, I barely remembered that James was white. Our social and economic differences were way more obvious than our differences in race and culture, but I realized we had that to overcome too.
“Why’d you go quiet?” he asked, his face close to mine.
“No reason.” I slapped the album closed. “We need to talk about Marissa.”
He sobered. “I guess that’s fair.”
“Since I might die today—”
“You’re not going to die, Monique.”
I waved him off. “Realizing I might die soon has shifted my perspective. To be honest, I wasn’t happy when I heard you got some other girl pregnant. We’re still in high school. That’s a huge responsibility for anyone, but it’s crazy at our age.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I know. I was stupid. It’s my fault.”
James looked repentant, but regret wouldn’t change what he’d done.
“I could barely sleep last night. Dating someone who has a baby mama at sixteen is too complicated for me. I mean, how’s that going to work? Will Marissa stay in school until the birth?”
“That’s what she told me.”
“Are you going to ask your parents for help with money and daycare?”
“We haven’t thought of that yet.”
I winced. “We, huh? I guess I finally know what the ‘project’ is.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask of anyone. That’s why I battled with telling you how I felt. If you want to back out now, I understand.”
My heart panged at the very thought of letting him go.
“That’s not what I’m saying.” I scratched my temple and struggled to find the right words. “I just, I don’t like competition. I’m a horrible loser which is why I don’t play games I can’t win.”
“There is no competition. It’s you I want. I have no feelings for Marissa.”
“So why’d you sleep with her?” I snapped and then squeezed my eyes shut. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair.”
“Before,” he said quietly, “I didn’t care about any of them. It was just about getting off and moving on.”
“Are you saying things are different with me?”
“I’m not going to say it.” He squeezed my hand. “I’m going to show it.”
“James…”
“I can’t change what happened with Marissa, but I want to be a different man. A better man. Because of you. I hope you believe me.”
“I do.” I inhaled deeply. “We’ll figure it out as we go along. Together.” I laughed nervously. “Babies are cute. I love babies.” I did some quick mental calculations and my chuckles turned into nervous huffs for air. “You realize the kid will be two by the time you graduate?”
“Relax.”
“I am relaxed,” I squeaked.
He pulled me in for a hug. “I’m sorry I’m putting you through this.”
“It’s okay.” My words were muffled against his shirt.
There were two thuds on the wall next door and Dad yelled, “It’s too quiet again!”
James let me go.
I chuckled and hopped off the bed. “We should talk in the living room. I don’t think Dad will let us rest if we’re in here alone.”
He allowed me to pull him up and we parked ourselves in front of the television.
James spent the rest of the day with me. Dad stuck close by as well. We left Mom none-the-wiser and enjoyed a breezy Sunday lunch. But the more it ticked down to eight o’clock, the more nervous I got.
Mom looked equally terrified. Her eyes darted from the clock to the television.
Dad chewed on his fingernails, a habit he’d magically started this afternoon.
James kept looking at me like he was memorizing my face.
Through it all, I tried to stay calm and pretended I wasn’t scared.
I’m too young to die.
“Well,” Dad said at seven forty-five, “I should get going.”
Mom clutched his hand. “Wait.”
“It’s okay.” Dad wore a brave smile. “If I don’t come back, at least you won’t have to deal with a failure for a husband anymore.”
A tear slipped down Mom’s cheek. “That’s not funny, Frederick.”
Dad pulled his hands away from Mom and she let out a heartbreaking sob. I realized I was crying when I felt James’s thumb against my cheek.
Dad’s eyes landed on me. “Momo.”
“Daddy!” I hopped up and threw my arms around him.
“I love you,” he whispered. “And… I’m sorry.”
A phone rang.
We all froze.
Dad chuckled nervously. “It’s mine.” I held my breath as I watched him pick it up. His expression shifted from grim to surprised. “What?”
“What is it?” Mom demanded.
Dad lowered the phone, his eyes dazed. “That was Tito. Apparently, the police launched a raid on Goya and his crew. Goya staged a shootout and he was killed in the cross-fire.”
My jaw fell.
James whooped.
Mom crumbled in relief.
And Dad, well, Dad grinned from ear to ear.
Just like that, our debt had been cancelled.
24
Take No Prisoners
James
I waited in front of Monique’s locker Monday morning. Yesterday, I offered to pick her up from home, but she said she’d rather walk. I figured I could whisk her out to breakfast anyway, so I didn’t put up a fuss.
I glanced up, routinely checking the front doors for her. Yes, I—James Sawyer—now hung around like a lovesick puppy waiting for his girl to show up.
And you know what? I didn’t care.
At last, I saw Monique trotting towards me. My smile grew, until I looked to the side and realized she wasn’t alone.
Harley walked beside her. They seemed to be deep in conversation. I wondered if she’d told him about the scare with Orlando Goya and his people. Probably not. Her skin was dark so her bruise was easily disguised with makeup. If I knew Monique, she wouldn’t want her friends to worry.
She saw me and waved.
I didn’t wave back since I was irritated at the thought of sharing.
Her smile drooped and she stopped in front of me. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I shot Harley a dark look that he returned in full. “I just… thought you wanted to walk.”
“Harley stopped by. It wasn’t planned. I swear.”
I sulked.
She grinned mischievously. “Are you jealous?”
“No.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
Monique wiggled a finger in my face. “That’s so cute.”
“Stop it.” I gently swatted her hand away.
She leaned back and tucked her thumbs into the strap of her backpack. “You two really need to stop all the hating now. Harley’s back in Eric’s band and James is doing his own thing. What are you even fighting for?”
Harley frowned. “Some people just don’t get along. You can’t force it.”
“Come on, guys. Can’t you forgive and forget.” She blinked her pretty lashes. “For me?”
I started to give in.
Her best friend did not.
“Mo, leave it,” Harley said. “It’s not gonna happen.”
I sneered. It’s not like I’m dying to befriend you either, buddy.
“Why are you guys so stubborn?” Monique tossed her curls over her shoulder.
We both shrugged.
“Anyway, I thought about your, uh,” her gaze slid to Harley, “project with Marissa yesterday and I think we
should do something to fix it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Can you set up a date with the three of us?”
“What?”
“I think we should go out together and really get to know each other. It’ll help.”
Horrified, I shook my head. “Monique, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“After everything that’s happened, I’ve realized that life is too short to spend it being miserable and jealous. If we’re going to have to deal with her forever, I might as well make an effort to be civil.”
“But—”
She patted my chest. “I’ve got to get to class. See you at lunch, Harley.” Without a backward glance, Monique glided away.
Struck dumb, I just stared at her as she disappeared into the crowd. I honestly had no idea how her mind worked. A date with Marissa? There was no way that would end well. For any of us.
“Who’s Marissa?” Harley asked. I whipped my head around. I’d forgotten he was still standing there. His blue eyes burned into me. “Is she the cheerleader that keeps following you around?”
“Yeah.”
“Eric says you two were hooking up last year.” Harley tossed his head in the direction that Monique went. “You better not be messing with both of them at the same time or I’ll make you pay. I don’t care how much Monique likes you.”
I chose my words carefully. “Look, I don’t like you either, but for Monique’s sake, we should try to tolerate each other.”
“We’ll see,” Harley said before walking off.
My fingers clenched into fists. Man, that guy got on my nerves.
I headed to class and struggled through it like I usually did.
When lunch rolled around, I hustled to the courtyard, hoping I could catch Monique before she got to her table with Harley and Angie. Since we didn’t have breakfast together, I figured I could steal her away for lunch.
But my plan was foiled when Baz caught up to me in the cafeteria. He waved at me, his beanie tucked low on his dark forehead and his lips not quite smiling but tipped up in welcome.
“James,” he said, “sup.”
“Hey, Baz.”
“Everything cool?”
I paused and thought of my trouble with Marissa and almost getting Monique killed last night. “Yeah, yeah. Everything’s great.”
“How’s the solo gig going?”
“I haven’t given it much thought. I’ve been busy lately.”
“I feel bad for leaving you on the lurch so I got this.” He went into his backpack and handed me a bunch of flyers.
“What are they?”
“All the song competitions between now and December. I figured you could hit one up and start getting your name out there.”
“Thanks, Baz. I appreciate it.”
“Anytime.” He nodded. “Hey, if you ever want to go downstairs and jam with us during practice, I’d be down.”
“I don’t think Eric would approve.”
“Who cares? We were a band for almost a year. You’re still family and you’re welcome anytime.”
I chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Cool.” Baz threw up a peace sign and walked off.
I studied the flyers and then stuffed them into my bag to consider later. When I glanced up, I noticed Monique entering the cafeteria with Angie. My plan to sweep her away crumpled, but I stuffed the disappointment down and strode toward the girls.
“Ladies.”
Monique stopped short. “James!”
“Hi, Catherine.” Angie grinned.
I tugged on my ear. “Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Read Wuthering Heights.” She slapped my shoulder. “Let me guess. You want some alone time with this cutie pie?” She gestured to Monique who, in that blue shirt and jeans, definitely deserved the title.
“If you could be so kind.”
“Too bad!” Angie linked arms with Monique. “We’re a two-for-one deal, hot stuff.”
Monique scrunched her nose. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Hey, guys,” a voice said. We all turned and watched Harley stride forward. He looked at me and frowned. “What is he doing here?”
“Get used to it, Blondie. Cath—I mean James is sticking around now.”
“I’m out,” Harley said.
Monique pounced on her friend. “Don’t go.” She pushed out her bottom lip. “For me?”
“If it’s going to be a problem, I can just leave,” I said, glaring at Monique’s hand around Harley’s arm.
“Guys are such children,” Angie huffed.
Monique nodded. “Tell me about it.”
“Hey!”
Angie chuckled. “Look! They just agreed on something.”
I looked away.
Harley stared at the floor.
“Let’s have lunch outside,” Monique said. “My treat.”
Harley’s chin snapped up. “But you can’t go off campus—”
“Outside in the courtyard, Harley.” Monique arched an eyebrow. “Chill.”
“Oh.”
Even though it wasn’t the date that I wanted, I decided to man up and enjoy Monique any way I could get her.
Harley frowned through most of the hour, but eventually, Angie had him cracking up so he forgot that he was supposed to be angry with me.
When he wasn’t being all touchy feely with Monique, the guy wasn’t half bad.
I walked Monique back to class after lunch. I wanted to hold her hand, but she didn’t seem keen on showing affection in public so I left my hands in my pockets instead.
“You’re quiet.” She nudged my arm. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“Your friends really care about you.”
“I guess they do.” She peered at me. “But are you saying yours don’t? Because the last I checked, you have a ton of friends.”
“Not ride-or-die friends like the ones you have. Even Harley. He’s only acting like that because he’s looking out for you.”
“Harley’s a baby who doesn’t want to share his toys.”
“He doesn’t trust me. And he has no reason to. I haven’t exactly had a stellar track record in the past.”
“That’s the past.” She stepped closer. “Things are different now.”
The temptation to kiss her boiled so strong in me that if Monique hadn’t pulled away when she did, I would have wrapped her up and let the entire school know she belonged to me.
Unfortunately, she scampered to class with a knowing twinkle in her eye.
I’d have to get her next time.
I strolled upstairs, moving cautiously as I texted Marissa to meet up after school.
She responded in two seconds.
MARISSA: Okay.
My phone chimed again.
MARISSA: I’m so excited!
I predicted she wouldn’t be that happy for long.
And I was right.
When Marissa saw Monique waiting in the parking lot with me, her face turned splotchy. She hurried over. “James, what’s going on?”
“Hi, Marissa.” Monique stepped forward. She looked regal and confident with no hint of jealousy or fear. I was suddenly struck with a huge dose of pride. That was my woman.
Mine.
“We’re going out,” I explained. “The three of us.”
“The three of us?” Marissa hissed.
“Yup.”
“I planned the evening,” Monique said. With a quick look at Marissa’s stomach, she added, “Don’t worry. I know about your condition and I didn’t plan anything too adventurous.”
Marissa turned to me, flames in her green eyes. “You told her?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not upset.” Monique held her hands together. “I just want to talk things out. Get to know you.”
“We have nothing to talk about.”
“Marissa, it’s just a casual dinner.” I stepped forwar
d, sensing Monique’s disappointment.
“Don’t.” She shook her head slowly. “How could you betray me like this? We didn’t agree to tell anyone else about the baby.”
“Monique isn’t just someone else.” I paused. “She’s my girlfriend.”
A hurt look crossed her face and I sensed that I’d completely crushed her. Regret washed over me. For the hundredth time, I wished I hadn’t gotten involved with Marissa.
“Fine,” she snapped. “Then I’ll tell the school everything. Everywhere you two go, gossip and rumors will follow.”
Monique gritted her teeth. I could tell she was losing her patience, but her voice was calm when she said, “Marissa, I don’t want to fight.”
“Screw you!” Marissa shot back.
Monique covered her forehead with a hand. She was breathing hard. I turned to comfort her when I heard a scream. We both spun and found Marissa on the ground. Her leg was twisted beneath her.
I rushed forward. “Marissa, are you alright?”
She groaned and didn’t respond to me.
“James!” Monique yelled.
I glanced over and found her pointing at Marissa’s rear. My eyes froze on the stain spreading on the back of her pants.
Blood.
I moved quickly and scooped Marissa up. My mind churned. Something might have happened to the baby.
My pulse sped up and my throat tightened. I didn’t know I would feel this level of panic for a child I wasn’t even sure I could take care of.
“Put me down!” Marissa screamed.
I shoved her into the backseat and gave her a stern look when she tried to climb out. “The baby might be hurt. We have to take you to the hospital.”
Her face went pale.
She stopped fighting.
Monique jumped into the car and I drove to the nearest hospital. Since Monique called ahead, nurses and a doctor were waiting for us. They swept Marissa to the emergency room with us right on their heels.
Monique held my hand as we waited.
There was a persistent, steady pain in my heart.
If Marissa lost the baby…
I couldn’t believe I was this attached to someone I hadn’t even seen yet, but I was. No matter what, I needed the baby to be okay.
Ten minutes later, the door flew open.
The doctor strode out.
Monique and I shot to our feet. My breath turned heavy. I leaned forward, urging the doctor to tell me that they were both fine.