Decision Time (14 page)

WESLEY

“Ouch!”
Lori cried out when the flowers Keysha had tossed at me hit her as well. “Who tossed these?” Lori asked, playing dumb, as if she didn't see me talking to Keysha before she walked up to me.

“Didn't you see me talking to Keysha when you walked up?” I growled at Lori.

“No! The only person I saw was you.” Lori tried to convince me that she was totally focused on me. “I thought you'd be happy to see me,” Lori said, pouting because she wasn't getting the reaction she'd hoped for.

“Oh, why is my life so damn complicated?” I uttered and then repositioned my body to rest my back against the lockers. Lori looked down the crowded hallway for Keysha, but she was long gone.

“So, were you trying to make up with her?” Lori asked, but seeing the flowers should've given her the answer to that question.

“What do you think?” I snarled, displeased with the fact she'd interrupted what was supposed to be the perfect reunion of two lovers.

“The next time she throws something at me she'd better be prepared for a fight. In fact, when I see her again I'm just going to walk up to her and knock her out.” Lori's eyes were ablaze with anger and revenge.

“Damn!” I barked as I began to think about how I was going to make this up to Keysha.

“Well, Wesley?” Lori was still waiting for me to acknowledge her presence in a more satisfactory way. I glared at her for a moment, utterly puzzled.

“I'm doing just fine. Thanks for asking,” Lori said, putting words in my mouth. I suppose she wanted me to ask how she was doing.

“What are you doing here, Lori?” I finally snapped out of my daze and accepted the fact that she hadn't disappeared off the face of the earth as her grandmother, Miss Winston, had led my dad and I to believe.

“Yes, Wesley, I'm happy to see you as well. In fact I've been thinking about you constantly,” Lori answered, still asserting the notion that I was missing the romantic importance of our seeing each other again.

“You know what? You're too much for me. I'll catch you later.” I'd finally had enough of her and walked away. Lori wasn't about to let me turn my back on her so she followed me.

“Where are you going?” she asked as she moved quicker to keep pace with my stride.

“To the registration office. Today is my first day back and I need to get registered.”

“Is your house all fixed now?” Lori continued to ask questions. She was like a fly at a picnic who didn't realize she'd worn out her welcome.

I stopped walking. “Why do you even care, Lori? You and your family ran out! Percy isn't going to jail for shooting me because you, my star witness, skipped town. As far as I'm concerned, you and I don't have a damn thing to discuss, so why don't you just get lost?”

She pointed her index finger at me and poked me on the chest. “You listen here, jerk-off! They shot up my grandmother's house. My mother, grandmother and I were in the house watching television when all of a sudden glass began shattering. Neither my mother or grandmother knew what was happening and they were about to pull back the curtain to see who'd thrown an object at our window. I shouted at them to get on the floor before they got shot! My grandmother didn't believe someone was shooting and thought it was just boys playing with fireworks. I had to rush over and push her to the floor before a bullet nailed her between the eyes. So spare me all of your self-righteous bull because you're not the only victim here!”

“Lori, you're a tragedy and the more I hang around with you the more my life continues to spiral out of control. You're like some bad rash or virus that keeps spreading.”

“Screw you, Wesley!” she yelled out. Other students who were passing by stopped to watch the drama unfold.

“Whatever! Just leave me alone,” I shouted and tried to put some more distance between us.

 

Once I got registered, my counselor, Mr. Saunders, assigned me a locker and wrote down my classes for me. He used a special intercom system and called directly into my first period biology class to inform the teacher that I'd been assigned to her class. Mr. Saunders then gave me a hallway pass before sending me on my way. I picked up my backpack and tossed it over my good shoulder.

“Do you need any help getting to class?” asked Mr. Saunders, clearly sympathetic to my injured shoulder.

“No. I've got it,” I assured him before continuing on.

As I walked through the hallway I noticed security guards patrolling the halls in greater numbers. I had to show each of them my pass as I traveled from one hallway to the next. When I entered biology class the teacher greeted me and told me to take a seat in the back row. As I walked toward my seat, I noticed that I'd been assigned to a seat next to Lori.

“Oh, you've got to be kidding me,” I muttered. Lori glanced at me. Her eyes were red and swollen and it was unmistakably clear she'd been crying. I quickly looked around to see if there was another seat, but there wasn't. The classroom was full. I exhaled, took my seat and tried not to say a word.

“Lori, until I'm able to get a book for Wesley would you mind sharing with him?” asked the biology teacher, Ms. Vogt. I thought for sure Lori was going to protest, but she didn't. As quietly as she could, she scooted her chair next to mine, and pointed to the section we were reading.

I didn't say anything to Lori during the entire class.
When the dismissal bell rang I gathered up my belongings and headed to my next class. I felt as if I was being punished for something I didn't know about; I'd also been assigned a seat directly in front of Lori for English class. I tried to ignore her, but it was impossible. She kept sniffling, wiping her nose and drying her eyes.

The English teacher, Mr. Abraham, asked everyone to pull out their journals and write what was written on the blackboard. I pulled out a spiral notebook from my backpack along with a pen, and as carefully as I could began the process of trying to write with my left hand. It was a frustrating struggle to say the least. By the time the dismissal bell rang, I hadn't been able to copy down much. While everyone began to leave, I tried to memorize what was written on the blackboard.

“Here. I'm not the evil bitch you think I am. I copied it all for you,” Lori said as she handed me two sheets of paper containing the information I needed. At that particular moment, my feelings went from somewhere between vexed and hateful to grateful and sympathetic.

“What's your next class?” Lori asked. I removed a crumpled piece of paper from my pocket and took a look. I hesitated before giving her an answer.

“World history with Mr. Thomas.” I waggled in my stance as I jerked my duffel bag onto my shoulder.

“It's just like I said before—fate is bringing us together.”

“Excuse me?” I couldn't hear what she was mumbling about because I wasn't paying close attention.

“Magnets, Wesley. We are like magnets,” Lori concluded with confidence.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to make sense of her babbling.

“I have world history with Mr. Thomas as well.”

“You're kidding me, right?” I hoped she was lying.

“No, I'm not,” Lori stammered before sharing how she believed destiny was uniting us. “All magnets have north-seeking and south-seeking poles. When magnets are placed near each other, opposite poles attract and like poles repel each other. When the north polarities of magnets are facing each other they repel away. But when a north and south polarity meet there is an instant attraction and a strong bond.”

“So, what are you saying? We're really attached to each other, but we've just gotten on each other's bad side?” I tried to bring meaning and understanding to her scientific assessment of our complicated relationship.

“Yes. I'm trying to say that is what I believe,” Lori humbly answered. I searched her eyes and knew she was being as truthful as she knew how.

“So what now?” I wanted to be brazen and disrespectful toward her. After all she'd put me through she certainly had it coming. Yet, I felt compelled to at least hear her out and get her side of the story.

“If you'd just give me fifteen minutes of your time to explain myself it would mean the world to me,” she said.

“I can do that.”

“Meet me after school at Mr. Submarine. We can talk there,” she suggested. I accepted her invitation.

 

When school let out, I gathered up my belongings and headed across the campus toward Mr. Submarine. Just as
she'd promised, Lori was already there and had taken the liberty of ordering us some food.

“I saw you walking over here through the window so I ordered you something to eat. I figured that you might be hungry,” Lori said as I sat down and joined her. “I hope you like turkey.”

“Yeah, I like it,” I admitted as I uncovered the sandwich before me. Needless to say I felt as if I was starving. My dad and grandmother hadn't gotten a chance to stock up on groceries.

“So, after the police did their investigation and everything, my mother flipped totally out. She didn't want to have anything to do with you or the court case. She became paranoid and thought for sure the gangbangers would come back and break in to the house during the middle of the night and do all kinds of god-awful things. Her panicky attitude drove me crazy.”

“I can understand how that could make her feel rather paranoid,” I said, biting into my sandwich.

“You don't understand. My mother can be a real basket case. She called up my father and pleaded with him to let us come stay with him. My father didn't want to deal with my mom and her drama, but she wore him down. He finally consented to my mother, grandmother and me staying with him for a while. My mother is using it as an opportunity to get back into my father's good graces, but…” Lori lowered her head, shut her eyes and remained silent. I could tell she was struggling with more than she was willing to share with me. “Anyway, I'm here now. I'm away from Percy and all of the drama I'd gotten tangled
up in with him. No one really knows me here and I guess in some ways that's a good thing, right?” Lori glanced at me for confirmation.

“I don't know. I guess so,” I replied, unaware of the answer she was seeking.

“How is that shoulder of yours doing?” Lori asked, changing the subject.

“I can't wait to get out of this damn sling. My shoulder is really stiff and I find myself constantly rubbing it.”

“Really? You should let me rub it for you. I give good massages.” Lori rose to her feet and positioned herself behind me. She placed her hands on my shoulders and began rubbing them. I'd be lying if I said her touch didn't feel good. She coaxed away a lot of the embedded tension deep within my muscles. It didn't take long for my mind to slip into a mildly euphoric state. With my eyes closed and my chin craned toward my chest, I enjoyed the moment of tenderness.

“Can you forgive me, Wesley?” Lori leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Please.”

“I'm trying to,” I said.

“I want you to know that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make all of this up to you. And Wesley…I do mean
whatever it takes
.” Lori nibbled on my earlobe and placed sweet kisses on my neck, which sent goose bumps of pleasure racing all over my body.

KEYSHA

When
the dismissal bell rang, I was relieved. I exited my classroom and merged into the flow of hallway traffic and listened to multiple conversations about hanging out at Mr. Submarine, the nearby pizza parlor and the highway oasis perched high above Interstate 80. While everyone was planning an afternoon of freedom from the oppression of teachers and administrators I had to hustle down to the auditorium for rehearsals. I'd been sending text messages to Maya throughout the day, giving her the blow-by-blow of what transpired between Wesley and me. Like me, she couldn't believe Lori was a student here at Thornwood. When I entered the auditorium, Maya was sitting in one of the house seats, far away from the stage. When I spotted her, she waved me over.

“When I got your text message I was like, ‘
No freaking way!
'” Maya couldn't wait to gossip about my strained relationship with Wesley.

“I'm telling you, Maya, I was too damn outdone when that slut showed up and wrapped her arms around him like he was her boo.” I unzipped my backpack and removed my copy of the script. I needed to review my lines before taking the stage.

“And Lori just started groping on him as if you weren't standing there talking to him?” Maya asked.

“Yup. She was very disrespectful and almost got her butt kicked.”

“We should find her and beat her down,” Maya suggested, fully willing to issue a well-deserved punishment.

“I'm not even going to trip about Wesley and his little tramp. If that's what he wants then he can have her.”

“Has he tried to contact you?” Maya asked.

“I don't know and don't care,” I said without any type of sorrow or sentiment toward him.

“I don't understand why one minute Wesley is stalking you, begging you to call him, and now he's acting like player of the year.”

“Do you want to know the theory I've come up with?” I asked.

“Yeah, what?” Maya was eager to hear my thoughts.

“I think Lori is doing Wesley. Giving him every exclusive, if you know what I mean.”

“You think she's been giving him the punany?”

“Yes. Why else would she be acting so boldly?” I asked, arguing my point.

“That's messed up. I hate girls like that. Girls who know that a guy has a girlfriend and yet they still try to steal him away.”

“You know the thing that hurts the most about all of this?”

“No, what?”

“He led me to believe that he wasn't like other guys. He made me feel as if I was so special and we were perfect for each other. All the risks I took just to be with him because I didn't want him to feel as if I'd ever abandon him.”

“You did the right thing, Keysha. He's the one who messed up and when he realizes it, he'll come to you with a major sob story about his mistake.”

“Yeah, whatever,” I replied, cringing at the thought of Wesley coming around me.

“Hey, you two. Why are you sitting all the way back here?” Antonio asked as he walked up the aisle toward us. I smiled at him because he was looking as handsome as ever.

“Girl talk,” I answered him with a smile.

“Are you talking about me?” Antonio asked coyly.

“Maybe and maybe not.” I purposely flirted with him.

“You know there is an old saying, Keysha,” Maya whispered to me. “The best way to get over one guy is to get under another one.” I turned my attention back to Maya, who had a naughty grin on her face.

“You are so bad,” I said, laughing at the sexual undertone of what she'd just said.

“Mind if I sit over here with you guys?” Antonio sat down before we invited him to do so. However, I didn't mind one bit.

“So why haven't you called or sent me a text today?” Antonio asked me.

“I don't know. I didn't think about it.” I really didn't
send it because I didn't want to seem like some desperate girl looking to sink her teeth into him at the first sign of hope. I wanted him to chase me a little and then see what happened from there.

“Oh, it's like that. You didn't think about me at all. Not one time today?” Antonio's ego was bruised.

“Hmm, this sounds like it's turning into a private conversation.” Maya rose to her feet and gathered her belongings. Before stepping away she turned and met my gaze. “Okay, Keysha girl. Don't forget to go over your lines before you get up on the stage.”

“I know my lines by heart,” I answered, putting her questions to rest.

“So what did you think about that kiss?” Antonio asked, staring directly into my eyes. He smiled and then swept his tongue across his lips. I crossed my legs and folded my arms across my breasts.

“It was okay,” I answered, not wanting to overinflate his ego.

“Just okay?” he asked.

“Mmm-hmm,” I answered back.

“Keysha, you are lying. You know you felt something more.”

“Oh, really? So you know all about girls and what they think and feel, right?”

“I'm not going to say all of that, but I do know that kiss was more than just a kiss. It was like eating a chocolate ice cream cone on a hot summer afternoon. Every lick was…well, you know what I'm trying to say.”

I was speechless. I wanted him to continue expressing
himself, but I was still trying to get past the image of his tongue licking circles around a chocolate ice cream cone. It was difficult for me to not want to be his chocolate delight melting all over his fingers.

“So are we still going to say our lines and kiss like that again tonight?” Antonio asked. I found my tongue parting my sweet lips to moisten them.

“Yes.” I laughed nervously.

“Good.” He placed his hand on my knee and I swear I could feel the heat of his hand through the fabric of my jeans. I suddenly felt like a lioness, craving for her king to continue his mating session.

 

Antonio and I performed our scenes with very little direction. It seemed as if the love affair that was written down on the page had somehow manifested inside of Antonio and me. We were inextricably drawn to each other. An undeniable chemistry flowed between us. When it came time for us to kiss each other, we did, and it felt as if all of the breath in my body left me the moment our lips met.

The director of the play loved the chemistry Antonio and I had and encouraged us to bring even more passion to the characters we were portraying. Afterward, Antonio and I walked backstage so that Priscilla, Maya and a few others could perform their parts. As Priscilla moved past me she whispered, “You kiss like a slut.”

I couldn't let that comment go. I'd grown weary of her snide remarks and I fully intended to nip the beef between us in the bud. I reached out for some of Priscilla's hair, but I wasn't close enough. Antonio held me back just in time.
Priscilla met my gaze and I could see the flames of defiance in her eyes.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Antonio asked.

“Did you hear what she said to me when she walked past?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“No.”

“She basically called me a whore and I'm going to straighten her ass out,” I said, eager to walk onto the stage for a good old-fashioned catfight.

“Don't pay any attention to Priscilla. You know she's just jealous of you. Besides, I don't like girls who fight. Especially not a girl who I want to be my woman.” Antonio placed my chin on the rim of his forefinger and gently tilted my face upward so that I could gaze at him. The passion in his eyes was unmistakable. In fact it was overpowering, and I found myself completely surrendering to his will.

“Focus on me and not Priscilla,” he whispered as he lightly stroked my cheeks. I wanted to snatch off every stitch of clothing he had on and kiss him everywhere. My lust for him was stronger than it had ever been for any boy and I wondered if my yearning for him could turn into love.