LITMIR.BIZ

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Now you have to try out. Let’s get to work picking a scene.”

      “I appreciate the faith, Chance, but you know I’m not going to get it anyway,” I say, reaching for my script. “And I actually like the little girl. Gloria’s got balls.” Both women in the play have gumption, and I like the plot. “As long as I can be in the last production of the year, I’m good.” Chance’s blue eyes look like they’re trying to probe my mind, but he doesn’t have it like the women in my family do.

      “Jayd, I don’t get you. One minute you’re up in arms about there not being any parts for you and how unfair the school is. The next you’re turning down the perfect part for you. What the hell?” Alia, Cameron, Matt, and Seth busy themselves with discussing the set designs and other behind-the-scenes details for the production. We have six weeks left in school and the final performance is usually the week before the last, which means our rehearsal schedule will be tight for the next four weeks. The remainder of the class files outside and into the dressing rooms to begin rehearsals. Everyone has to try out: no exceptions. And even if there aren’t enough parts, Mrs. Sinclair makes it a point to have groups perform during class time for grades. That way everyone participates and she has a good pool of understudies if need be.

      “Chance, it’s complicated,” I say, looking down at my vibrating phone to see a text from Rah. Ever since his little fiasco with Sandy last night, I’ve been giving him the cold shoulder. This fool is tripping if he thinks I’m going out like a sucker. I have a man and he’s a good one. It’s high time I started acting like it, and that includes no more drama with Rah.

      “Yeah, I see,” Chance says, looking at my phone and then back up at me. “When are you going to get a new phone?”

      “Why would I do that when I just got this one for Christmas?” I ask, silencing my cell.

      “Because you got it from him,” Chance says, pointing at the open door where Rah walks in with Nigel behind him. What the hell is he doing here? Doesn’t he know he’s on the student roster at Westingle High, not South Bay?

      “Oh shit,” I say under my breath. The last thing I want is an argument. I have too much work to do and I need to keep my head clear for work this afternoon. Mama and Netta have a long list of things for me to do at Netta’s shop because they’re busy with religious duties these days, and I’m grateful for the extra cash. I still haven’t got completely back on point financially because of all the time I took off studying for the Advanced Placement exams, but I’m getting back on my game.

      “What’s he doing here?” I ask aloud like I don’t already know the answer to the question. As usual, Rah wants to apologize for his rude-ass behavior.

      “Jayd,” Nigel says, waving for me to come over. And why isn’t he in class, too? It must be nice being an athlete and enjoying all the perks thereof.

      “I’m busy, in case you didn’t notice the classroom you just walked into.” I do my best to ignore them both and return my attention to Chance, who is busy texting. Fine. In the meantime I’ll pick out my own scene to perform by myself.

      “Jayd, it’ll only take a minute,” Rah says, pleading with those brown, puppy dog eyes that always get him his way—but not this time. I’m too pissed at the disrespect he showed me yesterday and at the fact that he didn’t heed my warning. Between Sandy and me, I am obviously the more trustworthy, but Rah still brushed me off because I’m not Rahima’s mom and never will be, no matter how much I care about her.

      “You really to need to handle him, Jayd, before Mrs. Sinclair comes back in here and has a fit,” Chance says, putting his BlackBerry back in its holder on his pants buckle. “Come on, you know I’ve got your back.” Chance rises from his seat and reaches his hand out for me to take. His Rolex watch dangles loosely on his thin wrist, reminding me of his mother’s matching watch. I wonder if she’s told him the truth about his adoption yet? I love my boy and I hope he finds out about his black blood sooner than later. Thanks to my dreams, I know more about my friend than I want to. I don’t know how much longer I can keep a secret this big.

      “I guess you’re right,” I say, reluctantly rising from my spot and heading toward the front door. Students are outside, loudly rehearsing their scenes and talking in general. I love drama class. It’s the most expressive elective offered at this school, and I fit right in here, most of the time.

      “Thank you,” Rah says, hugging me tightly, knowing I’ve already forgiven him when he is so wrong.

      “For what?” I ask, pushing him away. “I came out here to warn you before our teacher comes back in the room. Everyone ain’t as cool as Mr. Adewale,” I say, reminding him and Nigel that the only black male teacher up here, who just happened to referee an off-campus game for them months ago, is about as good as it gets. All the other teachers couldn’t give a shit about a hall pass when it comes to black male students roaming around campus.

      “I know you’re pissed about what happened last night and I’m sorry. What do you want me to do?” Rah asks, throwing his hands in the air like this bull isn’t his own making. “Sandy should’ve never seen us kissing, Jayd. I knew that would set her off, but she wasn’t supposed to be there, I promise.” I look from Rah to Chance, who looks shocked by Rah’s confession. Jeremy is Chance’s best friend, and I know he’s wondering if Jeremy knows about Rah kissing me—which he doesn’t, and I need to keep it that way.

      “First of all, you snuck in a kiss on the neck; I did not kiss you back,” I say, vindicating myself from his implication of joint responsibility. I want to make it very clear I had nothing to do with his affection. “And second of all, I’m more pissed at the fact you didn’t listen to me when I gave you a warning about your crazy-ass baby-mama.” I look around, noticing we’re causing a scene of our own.

      “Okay, I know you were worried about Rahima and I respect that, Jayd, really I do. But I have to be able to trust her own mother with her well-being—otherwise I’d go crazy worrying about baby girl all the time.” Rah looks around like he’s expecting the school security to come and grab him at any moment, as well he should. Hall pass or not, if we get too loud they’ll gladly snatch us all up.

      “And that’s fine with me because I couldn’t care less. I’m out of it,” I say, turning around to head back inside. We have a good twenty minutes left in fifth period and I want to use it productively, not out here arguing with Rah.

      “Jayd, you don’t mean that. You know you’re Rahima’s godmother as far as I’m concerned, and she loves you, too.”

      “Good try, but I’m not falling for your bull anymore, Rah. I’m out.” Before I can get away, Rah takes my hand, forcing me to turn around. Chance looks up and sees what I see: Jeremy turning red at the sight of Rah and me holding hands. Oh shit.

      “What’s up, man?” Jeremy asks, stepping up to Rah and claiming my hand in his own. I’ve never seen Jeremy look so pissed before. How did he know what was going on all the way down here? Jeremy’s chemistry class is on the other side of campus in the science hall. Because the theater department is at the bottom of the massive campus, no one ever comes down here without intending to. Maybe that’s who Chance was texting a moment ago.

      “We were just talking,” Rah says, reluctantly letting me go. He knows he has no right to claim me, especially not with my new man standing eye to eye with him, obviously ready to do whatever’s necessary to make his point clear.

      “Please don’t let me stop you. What are we talking about?” Jeremy asks, holding my right hand in his while he wraps his left arm around my shoulder, completely engulfing me in his protective embrace. Nigel looks at us in disbelief. I bet he never thought he’d see the day Rah had to let me go to a white boy. Oh well. I’ve got ninety-nine problems and a fool ain’t one—anymore.

      “Never mind,” Rah says, backing down for the moment. He looks at the gold necklace and charm he planted on me last night and I instinctively begin to play with the heavy ankh. “I just wanted to reiterate how sorry I was that I missed your birthday and I hope you like your gift. Peace.”

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