decided to try and deal with it yourself. Way to go, Jayd.”
Damn, my mom can be mean. I’m already having a bad day. I don’t need her to make it any worse.
“If I told her, she would’ve chosen to stay behind instead of taking the vacation she needs and deserves,”
I say. Everyone has to make sacrifices sometimes. Regardless of my personal issues, I know I did the right thing.
“I can figure this out on my own.”
“If that’s the case, then you need to get your big-girl panties on and get it done. Later, baby.”
My mom’s right. I can’t afford any more mishaps, and they seem to be plentiful nowadays.
“Seems like you’re in a world all of your own,” Nigel says, now aware of my strange expression. The rest of the students walking during the passing period seem pretty laid-back at the end of the day while my day has been anything but easy.
“You were the one preoccupied,” I say, glancing at his cell. It’s too hot of a day for the long hike uphill, but neither of us slows down in spite of the sweat forming above our brows. If a cheerleader or an athlete is late to practice, that’s more work and sweat.
“We’re having a little dinner at Rah’s house tonight for his birthday,” Nigel says, but I’m not falling for it this time.
“Uh-uh,” I say, shaking my head. “I am not giving him any more of my time, Nigel.” We approach the boys’ gym. “Especially not this week. I’m swamped.”
“Come on, Jayd. You know he doesn’t want to celebrate, but we can’t have that, now, can we?” Nigel says, convincingme once and for all to make an appearance. With Rah’s mom forever missing in action and his dad doing time in Georgia, his birthday’s always bittersweet. His grandparents usually have a cake for him and cook something, but that’s about the extent of it. I wasn’t around the last two years to help him celebrate, and he is a good friend.
“Fine, I’ll be there,” I say, hugging Nigel.
“I’ll let him know. And all he wants from you is a free braid,” Nigel says.
“I think I can handle that.”
“Bet, Jayd. See you then.” Nigel disappears into the boys’ locker room leaving me to head toward the main parking lot. After the two days I’ve had, all I really want to do is get some uninterrupted sleep. It’ll have to wait until after the party. We all deserve a happy birthday, including Rah.
After a grueling two-hour drive from Long Beach to Ingle-wood down the 405 freeway, I manage to stop by Mom’s apartment, shower, and grab my hair bag, ready to grant Rah’s sole birthday wish from me. I spoke to Jeremy briefly, and he teased me about needing glasses, or so the good doctor said during my short visit. But I’m not taking his word for it. Other than my insane episodes every now and then, my vision is just fine; I don’t care how many degrees he has.
It’s already six-thirty, and I’m apparently the first one of our friends here. Nigel’s probably getting home from practice, and who knows where the rest of the crew is, not that Chance and Nellie are necessarily expected to come with all of the drama they’ve got going on. As long as Nigel and Mickey make it, we should be able to have a good time.
I walk up the driveway and ring the doorbell, half-expecting Sandy to answer. Even after I mentally convinced her it was time to move on, there’s no telling how long the peace will last. Sandy’s about as unstable as they come.
“What up, girl?” Rah says, letting me in through the front door.
I step into the small foyer and notice the house is immaculate. Nope, Sandy’s definitely not here.
“Happy birthday,” I say, handing him the heavy hair bag with all of my tools inside before giving him a hug.
“Thank you,” he says, returning the affection and closing the door. “You want to hook a brotha up now? I’m in desperate need of a touch-up,” he says, taking off his cap and revealing the mess on top of his head. How did he mess it up so
Damn, my mom can be mean. I’m already having a bad day. I don’t need her to make it any worse.
“If I told her, she would’ve chosen to stay behind instead of taking the vacation she needs and deserves,”
I say. Everyone has to make sacrifices sometimes. Regardless of my personal issues, I know I did the right thing.
“I can figure this out on my own.”
“If that’s the case, then you need to get your big-girl panties on and get it done. Later, baby.”
My mom’s right. I can’t afford any more mishaps, and they seem to be plentiful nowadays.
“Seems like you’re in a world all of your own,” Nigel says, now aware of my strange expression. The rest of the students walking during the passing period seem pretty laid-back at the end of the day while my day has been anything but easy.
“You were the one preoccupied,” I say, glancing at his cell. It’s too hot of a day for the long hike uphill, but neither of us slows down in spite of the sweat forming above our brows. If a cheerleader or an athlete is late to practice, that’s more work and sweat.
“We’re having a little dinner at Rah’s house tonight for his birthday,” Nigel says, but I’m not falling for it this time.
“Uh-uh,” I say, shaking my head. “I am not giving him any more of my time, Nigel.” We approach the boys’ gym. “Especially not this week. I’m swamped.”
“Come on, Jayd. You know he doesn’t want to celebrate, but we can’t have that, now, can we?” Nigel says, convincingme once and for all to make an appearance. With Rah’s mom forever missing in action and his dad doing time in Georgia, his birthday’s always bittersweet. His grandparents usually have a cake for him and cook something, but that’s about the extent of it. I wasn’t around the last two years to help him celebrate, and he is a good friend.
“Fine, I’ll be there,” I say, hugging Nigel.
“I’ll let him know. And all he wants from you is a free braid,” Nigel says.
“I think I can handle that.”
“Bet, Jayd. See you then.” Nigel disappears into the boys’ locker room leaving me to head toward the main parking lot. After the two days I’ve had, all I really want to do is get some uninterrupted sleep. It’ll have to wait until after the party. We all deserve a happy birthday, including Rah.
After a grueling two-hour drive from Long Beach to Ingle-wood down the 405 freeway, I manage to stop by Mom’s apartment, shower, and grab my hair bag, ready to grant Rah’s sole birthday wish from me. I spoke to Jeremy briefly, and he teased me about needing glasses, or so the good doctor said during my short visit. But I’m not taking his word for it. Other than my insane episodes every now and then, my vision is just fine; I don’t care how many degrees he has.
It’s already six-thirty, and I’m apparently the first one of our friends here. Nigel’s probably getting home from practice, and who knows where the rest of the crew is, not that Chance and Nellie are necessarily expected to come with all of the drama they’ve got going on. As long as Nigel and Mickey make it, we should be able to have a good time.
I walk up the driveway and ring the doorbell, half-expecting Sandy to answer. Even after I mentally convinced her it was time to move on, there’s no telling how long the peace will last. Sandy’s about as unstable as they come.
“What up, girl?” Rah says, letting me in through the front door.
I step into the small foyer and notice the house is immaculate. Nope, Sandy’s definitely not here.
“Happy birthday,” I say, handing him the heavy hair bag with all of my tools inside before giving him a hug.
“Thank you,” he says, returning the affection and closing the door. “You want to hook a brotha up now? I’m in desperate need of a touch-up,” he says, taking off his cap and revealing the mess on top of his head. How did he mess it up so
Similar Books
