Hustlin' (11 page)

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Authors: L. Divine

BOOK: Hustlin'
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The bell rings, ending our conversation for now, but it's far from over. We'll finish it this weekend because come Monday, I want this mess handled so I can concentrate on my part in the play, and not Mickey's madness for a change.
“Jayd, like I said before, you care too much about what these white people up here think about you. And as for my man, I'll talk to him. Okay?” Mickey says, ready to split up with Nigel and go to class.
I bet it's interesting to watch her and Nellie hate on each other in gym, although I'm sure Mickey is excused from regular activities now that she's expecting, and Nellie also seems to be excused from class to help ASB decorate. And they think I've got it easy.
“Problem, ladies?” KJ asks, with Misty hanging on tight right beside him. Del and C Money—or Money, as he's going by these days—are close behind them, as usual.
I guess last Sunday's loss didn't affect KJ's game after all. They haven't missed a beat of our conversation and I'm sure Misty's soaking it all in to report back to Laura. I suspect they are working together and I will prove it one way or another.
“I'll see you this weekend, Jayd. Holla at my boy for me.” Ignoring KJ's last comment completely, Nigel kisses his girl before heading off to football practice. Mickey looks like she has something else to say to me, but holds her tongue for now.
“Mickey, I'll talk to you later,” I say.
Mickey rolls her eyes and turns around to walk toward the east side of the gym where the girls' locker room is located. Misty wisely waits a few moments before following Mickey to change into her gym clothes. Walking toward the south side of the building where the dance studio is housed, Misty can't keep her mouth shut a minute longer.
“Looks like you're losing all of your friends, Jayd. What's going on?” Misty asks, mocking my troubled crew.
She's got nerve talking to me about losing friends. Misty doesn't have any real ones that I know of, her present company included. When Mickey busted her out a couple of weeks ago for having the clap, no one had her back, not even KJ, who we all know gave it to her. Now she wants to talk shit to us?
“I see you've gotten a lot bolder since hanging out with KJ and Esmeralda,” I reply, turning around to face my nemesis. I look her in the eye and notice that she's grown a good two inches since I last saw her. I look Misty up and down, noticing her high heels and short skirt. She's turning into her mother right before my eyes, and KJ seems to like the change.
“I don't need anyone to make me bold. I am what I am, just like you are what you are.” Misty struts away from me as KJ tugs her hand tightly, indicating he's ready to go. I know he doesn't want to be too late for practice. KJ doesn't mind running extra laps, but even he has his limits for pushing the coach. Money and Del are already walking through the open door leading to the boys' locker room.
“Speak for yourself, Misty. I'm a
who
, not a
what
. Haven't you learned anything since you've been at this school, other than how to mess up people's lives with your big-ass mouth? Oh, I'm sorry. I meant with both your big ass and your big mouth.” KJ laughs at my joke, but Misty's stoic look displays her low tolerance level for me.
“Your world is crumbling right before your eyes, isn't it, Jayd? First, you have no man. Then no part in the wack-ass school play. Now your girls are gone, too. What will you lose next, I wonder?” Misty's voice is cool and calm as she follows KJ away from me, which is very unlike her.
Besides KJ's poison, I wonder what else has gotten into her, for real. But even with her apparent case of split-personality syndrome, she doesn't scare me. Unfortunately for Misty, I know exactly who and what she is. And even on a bad day, Misty and her kin are no match for me and mine.
“It ain't over until the fat lady sings, and she hasn't even entered the building yet,” I say, as she leaves. Wait until she sees what I've got in store for her. I bet she won't be talking so confidently after I'm done.
Let me get to class before Mrs. Carter notices I'm not dressing up. I'll leave the rest of the drama for next week. I'm going to sweat out all of this heat if I can and concentrate on enjoying a peaceful weekend. Maybe Netta can cleanse my head tonight, if she has time. I need clarity before I face Mickey again and meet Rah's daughter for the first time.
7
Baby-Mama Drama
“Now, how could you hustle me/
When I'm the one who really loves you?”
—CHANGING FACES
 
 
 
I
had a good workout, but the heat from my confrontations with Mickey and Misty hasn't left my head at all. If anything, after my vigorous West African dance moves imitating a warrior, I really feel like chewing out Mickey, Laura, Misty, and anyone else who gets on my nerves today. By the time Rah gets here, I'm still going to be too pissed to completely chill, no matter how happy I'll be to see him.
The sun has come out in full force this afternoon, making my hike up the steep hill to the front of the main office even more draining after dance class. This is the best place to meet Rah, but it's also the most popular place to wait. I can't wait to start driving lessons next week and be in control of my own transportation. Until then, I am relieved Rah's agreed to be my steady ride to Compton during the week and Inglewood on Fridays. I'm glad our schedules match, since he likes to visit his grandparents on the weekends and he has to go back to LA afterwards, making it convenient to take me to Netta's and to my mom's.
I'm so glad it's the second to last week of school before the winter break. I need some time away from this place in the worst way. Starting my weekend out working with Netta is just what I need both spiritually and financially. I also have to do Shawntrese's hair and touch up Cedric's braids, so I'll have enough work to do to keep me busy until I get back to Mama's on Sunday. Kamal Rah's younger brother is spending the weekend at their grandmother's house, leaving Rah alone to get to know his daughter. I know Rah wants me to chill with him and his baby, so I will have that to keep me occupied, too.
“Waiting for Godot?” Laura asks, stepping out of the main office with Reid behind her, as usual. She thinks she's got it going on, and for a white girl at South Bay High, I guess she does.
“It's none of your damned business who I am waiting for,” I snap, not looking up to meet her dull brown eyes. Unlike mine, her lifeless eyes don't sparkle like 50's bling.
“Poor, hostile Jayd. Always so testy. Nellie did warn me about your temper.”
What the hell did she just say to me? And what the hell has Nellie been saying to her? “What does Nellie have to do with this?”
Reid and Laura walk past me down the steps and toward the curb where her black BMW convertible is parked.
Where the hell is Rah? The last thing I need is another confrontation today. I've had more than my share of heat for one day.
“Nellie's officially in our crew now,” Laura says, like we're two parents fighting over custody of our only child. “So, all of her knowledge becomes ours.” Reid takes the keys from Laura, pushing the alarm to unlock all of the doors and the trunk, where he places their backpacks and coats before letting the hard-top down. I don't blame them for wanting to get some sun because Lord knows they both need it, but it's not that warm.
“Look, one-of-zero, I don't know if you've heard of a little thing we humans like to call free will, but Nellie's good at exercising hers. If you need another member for your Borg crew, I think
Star Trek: The Next Generation
comes on at seven.”
Laura, unmoved by my retort, looks at a laughing Reid, who's obviously amused by my joke. I knew Reid was a trekkie. He's probably a regular at the conventions and all.
“I didn't know you watched
Star Trek
, Jayd. That was a good one.”
One cutting look from Laura silences Reid's momentary entertainment and I feel her. The last thing I need is Reid giving me props.
“Thank you, two-of-zero, but I don't need a cheerleader.”
As if her ears were itching, Nellie steps out of the main hall with Chance by her side. I haven't talked to her since our disagreement about how she's dealing with Mickey and Nigel's growing family. If it weren't for Chance, I wouldn't know how she was doing at all, since she won't return a sistah's messages. What's really going on?
“Hey, Nellie,” I say. Nellie looks at me, slurs a sorry “hello” under her breath and walks past me like she barely knows me. I know my khaki sweater-dress and hip-hugging bluejeans isn't the flashiest outfit, but I know Nellie sees me sitting here. Laura smiles wickedly at me, pleased by her work. People can talk all the shit they want to about me. But from the looks of it, Laura's the real witch around here.
“What's up, Jayd?” Chance says, leaving Nellie behind and walking over to me. As he bends down to give me a tight hug, I can see Nellie roll her eyes at Laura, who gives her a signal like she's ready to go.
“Hey, boo,” I say, returning Chance's hug. I have to admit, I've missed having affection from all of my friends, even Mickey's crass ass. The moment we were all united was a fleeting one. And I'd give almost anything to get my crew back on-point.
“I was worried when you didn't come back to class. Is everything okay?”
I've told Chance about publicly displaying affection for me, especially around Nellie, who's obviously lost her damned mind in more ways than I'd originally thought. But I'm grateful one of my friends has maintained his sanity amid the never-ending games played at this school. No matter what, Chance has always had my back and I love him for it.
“Yeah, I'm good,” I say, looking dead at Laura. I want her to know her dirty tactics don't scare me one bit. All is fair in love and war, as they say, and I'm about to rock her world from both vantage points. I love my friends and my role as Lady Macbeth, and I'm willing and ready to fight for them both. So if it's a war she wants, then it's a war she's going to get. “You know I don't let these crows up here rattle my tail feathers.”
“Well, you might want to adopt another philosophy, Jayd, because we're just beginning to pluck you,” Laura intervenes.
Chance pulls away from our friendly embrace to give Laura a scolding look. Reid, Laura and Nellie slide into the shiny Beemer, ready to take off. Is Nellie leaving her man behind to roll with them?
“Laura, back off,” Chance says to the back of Laura's big head. Nellie turns around to give Chance a look of her own, but its effect is not as powerful as Laura's is on Reid, which pisses Nellie off even more. “You've done enough damage as it is.” Nellie's look gets even harder, signaling to Chance it's time to go.
What damage is Chance talking about? By the tension visible in Nellie's already-tight cheekbones, I have a feeling it's more than just a catchphrase. But before I can grill him, Nellie gets out of Laura's car, walks up to Chance, grabs him by the arm and leads him toward his Chevy Nova parked across the street, ignoring me the entire time. At the beginning of the year, Nellie wouldn't be caught dead in his classic ride. Now it's hers to claim and she's doing just that for all to see.
“I'll holla at y'all later,” I call after them both. Even if Nellie's ready to feed me to the wolves, I know it's just a phase. She's always tripping over one thing or another. Lucky for her, I'm a good enough friend that I'm not going to give in to another one of her temporary insanity tantrums.
“Hey, Jeremy,” Chance says over my head while opening the passenger door for Nellie.
I look behind me to see Jeremy walking out of the main hall. Is everyone on campus late today? Out of all the people walking down the steps this afternoon, I'm happiest to see Jeremy. Our schedules have been off, so he hasn't given me a morning ride to campus all week, and I do miss our stolen moments. Jeremy nods a “what's up” to Chance before directing his attention to me. He looks relaxed, as usual, in his faded navy Abercrombie & Fitch cargo pants, gray hooded Nike sweatshirt, and one of his signature baseball caps over his curly hair. I don't see how he stays warm in his worn Birkenstocks with no socks, but that's just how he rolls and it definitely works for him.
“By the way, Jeremy, Tania says to tell you hi and don't be a stranger,” Laura slyly says, throwing her final verbal dagger at me before closing her door and fastening her seatbelt. I guess Jeremy's baby-mama drama will always haunt him as long as her friends are around to take up the baton in the hating marathon. Ignoring Laura's calculated comment, Jeremy waves bye to Chance and Nellie as they pull off behind Reid and Laura. I guess Nellie has a new hangout routine that doesn't include her old friends.
“Hey, Lady J. Do you need a ride home?” Jeremy asks, walking down the remainder of the steps and sitting down next to me on the last one. His blue eyes shimmer as he looks at me. If he were blonde, he'd look almost exactly like Samantha's last boyfriend on
Sex and the City
. Damn, why does Jeremy have to be so fine?
“Nah, I'm good,” I say. I don't mention how I'm getting home because, by now, I'm sure he knows my Friday routine with Rah, and I don't want to rub salt in his invisible wound. “I didn't see you in third period today. Where were you?” I turn around, adjusting myself on the hard cement steps to face his tall frame. Thank God he decided to sit down. Otherwise, my neck would cramp up and that would be most uncomfortable later while I'm trying to do someone's hair.
“I just didn't feel like going today. That paper's getting on my nerves,” he says, smiling his bright whites at me. “I made it to fourth, though.” He sounds proud of his minor achievement.
Before I get too excited with him, Rah sends me a text with the exact opposite of what I want to hear right now.
Hey baby. Sorry to do this to you, but Sandy's tripping and causing a scene at my grandparent's house. I have to get over there now or my Granny's going to call the police. Can you catch the bus to work and I'll come get you after? I'm sorry baby. You know how it is. Luv u, Rah.
“Damn it,” I say aloud. Ain't this some perfect shit? My first Friday working for Netta and not only am I late, but now I'm going to be hella late. I grab my backpack and take out the bus schedule in the small zip-up side pocket.
“Everything okay?” Jeremy asks, moving my weekend bag from in between us to his lap and scooting in closer to me. He smells fresh, like Irish Spring and expensive cologne. Jeremy's scent and overall presence seem to be calming me down. For the first time today, my head feels a little cooler.
“No, it's not. My ride just fell through and I was supposed to start my new job in five minutes,” I say, looking at the time on my cheap cell, ready to toss it into the street. But, unlike Mickey, I don't have a man or two who will replace my electronic trinkets every time my mood changes. I'd better call Netta and tell her I'll be even more late than I'd originally thought I would.
“Well, I can give you a ride. Where to, Lady J?” Jeremy rises from his seat and places my black New York & Company weekend bag over his shoulder as if he knows he's going to be carrying it for me. He then reaches for my hand with his right palm open.
Why is he so sweet to me? And I still love it when he calls me lady. As I reach up, placing my hand in his much larger one, I fall back from the weight of the overstuffed backpack on my shoulders. All of the books in my bag are a testament to the massive amount of work I have ahead of me this weekend.
“I got you, Jayd.” Jeremy puts his arms around my waist and grips me tightly, catching my fall. He looks down at me, focusing his blue eyes intently on mine. This feels too much like a kiss coming on and I'm not fighting the feeling. Rah's got to deal with his history and me with mine. But before we can get our smooch on, my phone vibrates, interrupting our flow.
Damn, who the hell is it now? I look down to see Netta's name pop up on my caller ID screen.
“Hello, Netta.” I back out of Jeremy's embrace, much to his disappointment and mine. “I was just about to call you.”
“Yeah, and say what? Where are you, girl? If you're not here in fifteen minutes, I won't have time to cleanse and train you before the Friday clients get here.” Netta's regulars take up the entire weekend calendar and they are very particular. Tuesday, she showed me the schedule and everyone's individual hair box inside the cabinet. Netta doesn't believe in mixing up the clients' clips, combs, capes or anything else. And we have to be cleansed before we can touch anyone's head. Just like Mama, Netta's serious about her shit.
“I know, Netta, and I'm sorry. I've been waiting on Rah for the past forty-five minutes and he just sent me a message saying he can't make it to the school, but he'll pick me up after work. Now I have to take the bus to the shop and it won't leave for another ten minutes. But I'll be there as soon as I can.”
Jeremy looks at me, grabs my hand and starts to pull me toward his Mustang parked across the street, near Chance's previous spot. I shake my head for him to stop, but he doesn't listen.
“Jayd, you'll never make it here in time, and my regulars don't like to be kept waiting. Just get here extra early tomorrow morning. You can help me get ready for a busy Saturday. Can you manage that?” Netta says, sounding half-pissed, but understanding, thank God. She knows a sistah has financial and transportation challenges. Even if Saturday's supposed to be my off day until I get a car, I'll make it to the shop tomorrow, come hell or high water. And Rah owes me for today, so I'm sure I'll only get a small protest from him when I ask him to be my ride.

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