Her Sweetest Revenge (Delphine Publications Presents) (12 page)

“
Mya, Rochelle is here,” Monica screamed.

One more glance in the mirror and I grabbed my handbag. When I turned around Rochelle was already in my room followed by Monica.

“
Girl, you rockin’ that hairdo,” Rochelle complimented me. “Mya, that looks so good on you. Who did that?”

“
This chick name Pepper over at that new salon called 4EverStylz.”

“
She hooked you up. Girl, you gon’ have niggas droppin’ like flies tonight,” she complimented again.

“
Shit, you don’t look bad yourself,” I complimented her.

“
I know, right?” Rochelle bragged while looking herself over in the mirror. “Let’s ride.”

I felt good walking inside the club. It was jam-packed from wall to wall. Rochelle led me straight to a private reserved VIP room. The room was set up for my party as well as full of people ready to celebrate with me. “Happy Birthday!” they all yelled when I walked in.

Looking around the room I noticed Charlene, Nina, and a few females from the Brewster who had either graduated or dropped out for some reason. There was Mikki, Janice, and Felicia. They were all cool but not who I would invite to my party, but I already knew without a doubt who did invite them. Charlene. Charlene had sort of a reputation for running with gold diggers and hoes. Mikki, Janice, and Felicia happened to be just that. Of course, the members of the Height Squad were present. I’m sure it was Pig’s dollar that paid for all this because they had it set up really nice. There were food trays filled with every type of party food you could think of and a well stocked bar. Charlene and Nina made their way over to give me a hug.

“
Happy Birthday,” they both repeated in a joyful tone.

“
Thank you. This is so nice,” I smiled while looking around the room. “I can’t believe you guys did all this for me.”

“
Girl, you turned eighteen today. Why not?” Charlene responded with a smile. “And the new look looks good on you,” she said looking me up and down. “I mean, a total change.”

“
Yes, I like,” Nina smiled admiring my hair.

With a smile on my face I thanked them as Rochelle grabbed me by the hand and pulled me over to the bar.

“
Now you get to have your first drink of the night. Just tell the bartender what you want. Matter of fact, scratch all that. Bartender, give me one of them bottles of Patrón,” Rochelle told the bartender that was reserved just to serve us in VIP all night.

“
Rochelle, I was thinkin’ a margarita,” I replied with uncertainty.

“
Mya, that’s all you were gon’ have? Girl, we want you to get krunk tonight.” Rochelle was hyped.

“
I know. Trust me, I plan on gettin’ there. Baby steps.” I gave her a cute smile.

“
A’ight. Bartender, pass me some glasses so we can bottoms-up this Patrón,” Rochelle beamed.

One chase of my drink and the DJ started blastin’ Trey Songz, “Bottoms Up.” Without a moment’s thought, I started swaying my hips to the music. Before the song was over, Rochelle poured me another shot. Tonight it was going down. I was going to party until I exited. Feeling even better with my second drink in my hand I watched as Hood stepped in the room. When I first entered the VIP room I noticed he was missing, but I just figured an eighteen-year-old birthday party wasn’t on his list of things to do. Now that he had entered the VIP room I had a totally different feeling. Again, he was dressed in the T.I. clothing line, Akoo, and I immediately got the feeling that was one of his favorites. He had on a pair of dark blue Akoo jeans, a V-necked Akoo sweater with the shirt under it, and a pair of Timberland boots. I must say he was rockin’ that whole outfit. After hittin’ his whole squad with the rock hand shake, he headed straight in my direction. Talk about nervous. I was shakin’, but I didn’t know why. This never happens to me. I never get excited about a dude. I had bigger fish to fry. When he stopped in front of me I was speechless.

“
Happy Birthday, Mya,” he said in the sweetest tone I ever heard from a dude.

“
Thanks,” I replied casually.

“
You look nice. How old are you again?” he asked.

“
Again? I never said,” I responded.

“
Yeah, right. You didn’t.” He grinned. “Would you like to dance?”

“
Umm. No. Maybe later. I think I’ma stand here and talk to my girl for a while,” I said hoping to get rid of him. His straight-forward approach happened to be too much for me.

“
A’ight, maybe later.” He nodded at Rochelle who was standing close by. He then turned and walked away.

Rochelle, who had been listening close the whole time, moved in on me. “Did you just tell him no? Are you crazy or blind?
Look
at him. He fine as hell. Every bitch in this club wants him, and you turn him down for a dance.” Rochelle shook her head back and forth.

“
So?” was my only response to her.

Rochelle stared at me for a bit. “You crazy.” She smiled.

“
I know. My dad’s name is Lester. Let’s grab something to eat ’cause I ain’t ate shit since this morning.” I headed toward the food table.

After Rochelle and I got over to the food table and nibbled for a bit, we headed to the dance floor. An hour and a couple of drinks later we had mellowed out. Rochelle hit the dance floor again with Charlene and her girls. I went to have seat on one of the couches in VIP. It didn’t take long before Hood came over.

“
I see you like to dance.”

“
Not really,” I admitted. “But we are celebrating my birthday, right?” I reminded him. “So how old are you, Hood?” I asked.

He started laughing.

“
Did I say something funny?”

“
Naw. I like your style,” he continued to smile. “I’m twenty-one.”

“
Umm, that old, huh? Well, I guess you are of legal drinking age,” I smiled.

“
Mya, Mya,” Rochelle started yelling my name. “Come on, blow out the candles on your cake.” Rochelle waved me over.

“
Cake?” I sounded shocked. I got off the couch, and Hood followed me. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to me again. I blew out the candles and cut the cake so everyone could eat. After almost puking from watching Charlene feed Pig cake, I turned my attention back to Hood who had already fixed his attention on me.

“
You think I could have that dance now?” he asked again.

I almost turned him down until I heard Trey Songz, “Invented Sex” blast out of the speakers.

“
Yeah, let’s dance. Right here.” I stepped up to him and started doing my shit and leaving him very impressed. After that song I danced with Hood on like three more songs. Then we headed back to our seat on the couch to relax.

“
So are you going to tell me how old you are?” he asked again.

I had just ordered a margarita, and Hood was drinking a Hypnotic. I took a sip of my drink before giving him an answer. “I’m eighteen today,” I said in slow in motion.

“
Wow. Really?” He looked shocked.

“
Why the shocked look?” I asked.

“
My bad. I just thought you were a little older.”

For a moment there was silence.

“
You live in Brewster?” he pried.

“
Yep.”

“
Where do you live?” I asked.

“
Out in the suburbs. Chilling with the white folks and shit.” He paused. “Maybe I could come by and take you out sometime.”

“
Well, I don’t know. I stay pretty busy,” I quickly lied as Rochelle approached us with this guy from the Height Squad nicknamed Li’l Lo.

“
Mya, it’s time go. Charlene is going to drop us off, and she’s about to leave. Li’l Lo is going to walk me out.”

“
OK. I’m right behind you,” I replied. I looked over at Hood. “Well, I gotta go. It was nice dancing with you.” I stood up.

“
Let me take you home,” he offered.

“
Take me home? Hood, I don’t even know you. All I really know about you is your name and your age.”

“
I won’t bite. I promise,” he begged.

“
Maybe some other time.” I didn’t give in.

“
A’ight,” he smiled. “Can I call you?” He tried another approach.

“
How about you give me your number and I will call you?” I suggested.

“
A’ight.” He grabbed a pen from the bartender and handed me his number with a note that said, “Hit me up.”

“
Can I at least walk you out?” he asked, not giving up.

I nodded my head in agreement, and he walked me out to the car. I told him good night and hopped in the backseat. Rochelle and Charlene immediately started badgering me for answers.

“
Did he ask you out? Did you give him your number?” Charlene started in without taking a break.

“
Yes and no,” I casually answered while looking out the window.

“
You see, Charlene, she keeps doing this. I don’t know what’s wrong with the girl. I give up.” Rochelle waved her hand sounding defeated.

“
Mya, girl, Hood is not one of them niggas you play hard to get with. That nigga is the leader of the Height Squad. Do you know how much money he has? Pig just works for him and look what
I’m
driving. If you know like I know you better get on board,” Charlene replied. “Humph, but if you don’t want him, I will take him.”

“
And how are you going to that? You already Pig wifey,” I reminded her.

“
Bitch, and that means what? Where there’s a will there’s a way,” Charlene said with a seriousness that made me wonder if she really meant it. The whole time she was looking at me in the backseat through her review mirror.

“
Well, I don’t need no nigga to get ahead in life. My daddy taught me that,” I retorted.

“
Umm,” Charlene grumbled and sucked her teeth.

The rest of the ride was done in complete silence, but I thought about what Charlene had said. Since she had been fooling with Pig her ego was growing like a mold. Could she really be capable of messing around with Hood or any other nigga while she she’s with Pig? This guy had been nothing but good to her. Had money changed Charlene that much, or was she just running off at the mouth like always?

When we pulled up at Rochelle’s house I got out with her since I would be spending the night at her crib. What a night. I was tipsy, and I had a good time. I would sleep well, I was sure of it.

Chapter 20

Since my birthday party this past weekend things had been pretty busy for me. Prom was coming up for the high school kids, so my clientele had increased. I had been over at Rochelle’s house daily cutting, rinsing, doing some type of style on somebody’s head, but today was the day of the prom and I had decided to relax. No styling today. Maybe now I’d get a chance to sit down and reminisce on what happened at my party. I still can’t believe my girls went all out for me. That shit was really nice. That’s one party I will remember, but not right now though since Monica has decided to interrupt my thoughts. She started mouthing as she pounced down on her unmade bed.

“
Mya, you think you can take me to the mall? I want to pick up these purple and white Forces. I saw them at the mall the other day after school. They were fly.”

“
First off, I had no idea you were at the mall after school the other day. Who did you go with?” I questioned.

“
With Li’l Bo. He was checkin’ for some girl so I tagged along since you be trippin’ about me walking home alone,” she reminded me.

“
Oh,” I replied.

“
Can I get the shoes?”

“
Monica, I just bought you three pairs of sneakers just two weeks ago,” I reminded her.

“
Is that a yes or no?”

Someone knocked on the door so I thought I was saved, but Monica got off the bed and started following me, still expecting an answer. Annoyed, I turned to face her. “Monica, why don’t you go make up your bed and finish making mine while I think about it.”