We managed to find a spot together on the crowded bus, holding onto the handrail for support. Nova kept jabbering about this or that and I attunely listened. Hazel opted to plug her ears with the bluetooth headphones. Zen looked out the window, daydreaming. We made it to our destination, hopping off at the stop, and spotted Kenzie and Shauna standing by the vending machines at Pinecrest Prep’s main entrance.
“What’s up, my gorgeous goddesses!” Kenzie bellowed, waving her arms excitedly, almost spilling her opened bag of spicy chips. If not for her, I’d be the most bubbly in our group. She knows the rules are going to be laxed these last couple of hours of school, so she’s already dyed her afro unapologetically bubblegum pink.
“We’re gonna rage tonight at the party, guys. Maybe scam some silver-spoons if lucky?” Shauna devilishly sneered, unscrewing a pop bottle for breakfast, needing the additional caffeine judging by the bags under her eyes. She’s an avid gamer who doesn’t get the proper amounts of sleep.
“Define silver-spoons?” Zen tilted her head in confusion and Hazel testily groaned.
“Shauna’s plotting to Robin Hood the upper echelon.”
“Oh! Logging that into my dictionary memory. Alright, it’s seared in!” Zen smiled and thanked Hazel for the definition.
We casually talked as we entered the school building, already imagining our grand summer adventures that we’d reminisce over once we’re senior citizens. A warm fuzzy feeling coated me from within, like butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I was going to take a big life-altering step and just like that, in a blur, school was finally done.
Now, I needed to convince my parents to let me go partying on such short notice. I had just returned home, ripped off my uniform for comfy lounge-around clothes, and intercepted Mom in the hallway as soon as she came from work.
“I know it’s last minute, but can I go? Pretty please? I been good!” Clasping my hands together, I put on my most pitiful pleading look in hopes of a decent persuasion. Even considered begging on my knees.
In our house, Mom and Daddy have an invisible code that us meager spawn of theirs can only fathom of having in a spouse. Since Daddy was soft around his girls, and Mom was weak to her boys, they traded off if any of my siblings came in with a request about hanging out in unfamiliar territory. I had already asked Daddy via text and he flatout directed me to Mom, no hesitance.
Quickly, I saw her eyes process my words, crossing her arms and silently analyzing. It was for a mere five seconds, but it felt like an eternity to me. I tried not to break my composure, standing my ground under her scrutiny. Finally, she opened her mouth to speak. As usual, she gets straight to the point, no BS. I trained all my life for this rapid interrogation.
“Where’s it at?”
“Oakview Grove.”
“Who’s all going?”
“Nova. Hazel. Shauna. Zen. Kenzie.”
“What’s the vibes?”
“Normal teen function with alcohol probably. I’m not dumb enough to drink in a strange new environment. I’m responsible, see!”
“Damn, right. I raised you to be.” Mom agreed and put a supportive hand on my shoulder. “Thank you for keeping it real with me, hon.”
“Of course! After that, we’re going to Nova’s. Well, actually, we’ll grab food first and then be at Nova’s later.” I further explained.
“Don’t be out past midnight. Run late and it’s your behind, Irene. Me and that girl’s Mama got each other’s numbers and we will check like parole officers, ya hear.” She ordered. I squealed, hugging her tight, much to her dismay as she stiffened up. I’m kind of strong when I’m elated.
“Yes! Thank you! You’re the best! Ahh!”
She gently pushed me away. I must’ve been suffocating her. Oops. My bad.
“Call me or your Daddy for anything cuz you know how low your social meter gets in crowds. Getting drained tryna keep up with Nova and them. Also send a pic every hour so I know someone ain’t got your phone and is pretending to text us that you’re safe and sound, when you’re actually dead in a ditch or something.”
“Yes ma’am.” I saluted, and bolted to my room to scour my closet for a sufficient outfit.
I wasn’t wearing much. Charming earrings, bracelets on both wrists, a nice top and jeans with some gym shoes. Never know when you’d have to start sprinting like it’s track and field, especially at rowdy house parties or maybe I’m the paranoid type. Digging deep in my pile of rags, I found my duffle bag and proceeded to stuff it with all the necessary supplies for Nova’s. With time to spare, taking a nap was the next best option. I’m a sucker when it comes to staying up late, but if I have a wee ole nap I should be fine… uh… probably. Snuggling on to my bed, I closed my eyes and untensed my muscles to relax.
Thoughts were racing wildly, eventually slowing down, and suddenly I’m out cold. When it comes to dreaming, it’s normal to not remember all that dwells in one’s subconscious. Fragments of out-of-pocket scenes never piece together and the transition to another part of my cerebral is sporadic. Well, y’know how blessings come unexpectedly? I was undergoing that with this here nap.
A girl appeared to me. She wasn’t someone I’d ever met in my life. In fact she wasn’t even a person. This girl had obsidian skin, emerald eyes, and silver hair in rope-like twists. Atop her head was a witch hat and she sat upon a floating wooden broom. It occurred to me that I wasn’t dreaming. That this was a vision. Who I was seeing was a character I had yet to name or draw or write about. One thing’s for certain, when my eyes popped open, I sat up from my bed utterly inspired.
Scrambling to my feet, I reached for the nearest available journal and began to sketch up a design before I forgot. This would be my main character for my upcoming webcomic. That’s how I functioned. I would think up a character, then build a story and purpose. Her name would be Marcie. Yeah, that had a nice ring to it. Marcie the witch. Now I needed to figure out what her goals were, who or what would be antagonizing her, and flesh out the kinks. Aw yessiree, my creative juices are most definitely ripened when school is on the backburner and I’m free to commit innovation.
“Irene! Don’t you hear Nova honking her car?! Get out of this house before she wake up the whole neighborhood!” Mom shouted from downstairs.
Blinking, I checked the time on my phone and just noticed the sun set ages ago. Dang, I napped for three hours?! I also missed a bunch of calls and texts from Nova and them. Must have been awfully immersed in my sketching that I heard, smelled, and saw nothing else. It be like that sometimes.
Nova even resorted to blaring her car’s horn like she was sitting in the middle of rush hour traffic, not a picturesque residential. She’s so lazy, her butt could've rung my doorbell, but she refused to leave the vehicle unless we’d be parking on Vance’s block. Ugh, how petty of her.
“Bye-bye!” I haphazardly waved off my family as I stormed out the front door.
Welcoming me at the end of the driveway was an eight seater SUV custom painted teal and purple. Ok, Nova devilishly sweet talked her parents into letting her drive again with those genius debater skills that’d make a crooked politician envious. The universe clearly has favorites.
Rolling down her window, I saw my bestie had thrown on all the works. Her lips were accentuated with mauve lipstick, bamboo earrings were gigantic, hair was freshly braided up Fulani, rings on both fingers, designer shades on deck. I felt underdressed with my casual attire, but I couldn’t care less. Nova was always a hyperfeminine glam chick. She did her and I did me, great minds are individuals, not copycats.
“I told you to come cute.” She grimaced in disappointment, unlocking her doors.
“This cute to me.” I gave my rebuttal, slipping into the shotgun seat.
“We gon see.”
Nova hit the gas and we went to pick up the others at their houses one by one. Each of us had our own fashion sense. Nova’s obsessed with dresses and skirts. Hazel wears tunics and leggings. Zen prefers athletic clothes while Kenzie openly cosplays anyone from her current binge-worthy shows and dramas. Shauna, she’s bummy in a sweater and joggers unfailingly, but only she can pull off the homeless vogue.
Lamenting every time we scooped up a friend, Nova critiqued. “Y’all did not understand the assignment. I’m quite appalled.”
“Whad’ya mean?” Shauna played dumb, but she wore an ear-to-ear grin that matched her anarchic eyes.
“I specifically said to look like runway models tonight. Vance is literally gonna introduce us to his homeboys and my friends are rocking raggedy with pride.”
“If they can’t take us for what we are, I don’t want them.” Kenzie snapped her fingers and cocked her head dramatically.
“Would it kill y’all to make a lil effort? I’ve got a reputation to uphold. A baddie surrounded by charming ladies.” Nova hissed, turning to shoot sharpened daggers at all her passengers.
“Eyes on the road Miss Diva Thang.” Hazel scolded, forcibly pushing Nova’s head forward.
“Chill, Nov or you’ll get wrinkles. Besides, you’re the one who’s supposed to be entertained by Vance. We just spectating.” Zen declared, shrugging her shoulders.
“Yeah, how do you know we even want to be bothered talking to his homeboys?” I questioned, swiveling my gaze from the window to join the convo. “I’m not into dating. You know me. I’ve never ever had a crush on anyone. My mind can only stay faithful to art.”
“I get that, but you can still browse the menu, darling.” Nova countered, sneakily smiling at all of us in the rearview mirror.
When we all shared a perplexed look, Hazel, our dedicated yet reluctant translator, explained. “She means we should engage in harmless flirting. It’s gonna lead to nowhere, but it’s a fun pastime.”
“Ooh! Like a sport!” That’s the only way Zen would comprehend.
“I’m just saying, if we’re going to get hit on, which we are cuz we’re hot, then it might as well be with young heirs with promising futures like Vance.” Icing on the cake, Nova vigilantly stated her cause.
A collective sound of groans resounded in the car. Nova constantly tried to play cupid whenever she was booed up or dating. Shauna’s the only one who didn’t seem put off by Nova’s persistence. No, in fact, Shauna actually encouraged it because that meant she could mess with her mercilessly.
“Let’s make it worth our while and place a bet then.” The sly lilt lacing Shauna’s tone wasn’t unnoticed.
“Hmm, a chill ran up my spine just now.” Hazel glanced around, eyes knowing.
Naively, Zen said, “She must got the A/C on too high, Haze.”
“Uh… no I don’t.” Nova protested, though she did double check to make sure.
“What kind of bet are we doing?” I asked, turning to Shauna.
Kenzie pouted at me. “Don’t get her started, Irene. We always get into trouble.”
“Not true. This is legit.” Shauna snickered like a villainess, opposite of safe. “I was suggesting we see how many guys or girls or whoever looks good - how many admirers we can pull by simply flirting. It can be numbers, social media profiles, hell business cards. It’ll be on an equal playing field.”
“That ain’t equal. Everyone knows I’ll be the champion!” Nova arrogantly scoffed, flipping her hair.
“Night’s still young, princess. Anything’s possible.” Shauna begged to differ.
“What’s the prize?” I asked, curious to see where this went. “Seeing as this is a bet.”
“Supreme control of all the movies we marathon at Nova’s no matter the genre!” Shauna declared, fist pumping up into the air.
“But we all have the right to select a movie of our choice! We’ve been heeding that for years.” I said, holding my heart in agony because I’ve been waiting to share my movie pick for a few weeks now with the squad.
“Hey, it’s not a bet if there aren’t any stakes.” Shauna simply shrugged her shoulders.
“Fine by me. I’m with it. After all, boys do throw hands for me.” Nova had to brag. “All in agreement say ‘aye’.”
“Aye!” Stated Kenzie, Zen, Nova, and Shauna while each rose a hand.
Sticking out my tongue in defiance, I shook my head.“Well, Hazel and I say ‘nay’.”
“I didn’t say anything cuz I didn’t vote.” Like the traitor she was, Hazel corrected me as soon as I finished my sentence.
“And if she did vote you’re outnumbered, anyways.” Kenzie added on.
Nova briefly winked at me. “Don’t fret my pet. You got this. Boys think you’re adorable. It just won’t be enough to surpass moi.”
Frowning, I sighed. “Wow, you are sooo good at comforting my insecurities, Nov.”
“Thanks, I be trying to spread love and light and all that manifestation junk.”
“I thought she was spreading classism and a superiority complex.” Kenzie whispered to Shauna, fully aware Nova could hear every single word.
“That’s it. You two can go ahead and walk. I’m done with you both.”
The motions pushed forward. Nova, Shauna, and Kenzie bickered. Zen and I chose to stay out of it. I looked back to catch Hazel’s eye. She mouthed out a phrase and I had to tune into my lip-reading skills. Once I deciphered it, I couldn’t help, but nervously laugh. Hazel was right. This was going to be a trifling long night.
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