Читать книгу Way Too Much Drama - Earl Sewell - Страница 12

five

MAYA

“I can’t believe today is my last day of work,” Keysha said. It was Sunday at 10:30 a.m., and we were sitting next to each other on lawn chairs. We both had beach towels wrapped around our legs because the air had turned noticeably cooler.

“Well, I can’t wait until next summer because I’m definitely going to be working here,” I said, recalling how I enjoyed the excitement of being a lifeguard.

“I don’t think anyone will be coming to the pool today,” Keysha said, reaching into her bag for a book.

“Dang, girl! What are you reading now?” I asked sarcastically.

“Well, I have become pretty good friends with one of the librarians named Robbie. She knows how much I enjoy reading and makes some really good recommendations. I’m reading a Kimani TRU book.”

“Is it any good?” I asked.

“I haven’t started yet,” Keysha answered as I fumbled with my cell phone. I opened up my Facebook app and updated my status. I let everyone know that I was chilling at the pool with my girl. I then clicked on to Misalo’s Facebook page to read what his latest status update was.

“Oh, this is interesting,” I said aloud.

“What?” Keysha asked as she shifted on her seat.

“Misalo says that he’s going to an end-of-summer party,” I said.

“Really? Who is throwing a party? I haven’t heard anything about a party,” Keysha said.

“Hang on. I’m still reading the details. It’s an end-of-summer party and OMG.” I stopped reading.

“What?” Keysha asked.

“Jerry is throwing the party,” I said.

“What!” Keysha sat upright and moved closer to me so that she could see what was on my phone.

“See, it says Jerry is throwing the party.” I showed Keysha.

“Well, I’m not going to that,” Keysha said.

“Have you heard from him at all?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“No, and I hope I never do.” Keysha’s attitude was clear. I knew for a fact that she didn’t like Jerry at all.

“So let me get this straight. You were telling me that I should have forgiven Viviana when she called me up and asked for help when she was getting a beat down, but it sounds like you haven’t forgiven Jerry at all.”

“That’s different,” Keysha said.

“How?” I asked, giving her a chance to explain.

“Jerry and I could have had something really special, but he was too much of a jerk to realize it. But that’s water under an old bridge now. Anyway, considering all the drama that took place at his last party, I’m surprised he has the guts to throw another one,” Keysha said.

“Wait, wait, wait. Go back to the part where you said you and Jerry could’ve had something special. Would you date him again?”

“Oh, God, no! Dating him was one of the biggest mistakes of my life,” Keysha said as she repositioned herself and opened her book.

I turned my attention back to my phone and noticed that Viviana had posted a comment on Misalo’s wall.

“What the hell!” I blurted out.

“What?” Keysha looked at me, startled.

“Viviana just posted something stupid on Misalo’s wall,” I said as I read her post again.

“What did she say?” Keysha leaned toward me.

“She said, ‘I’ll be there, too, baby. I can’t wait to see you.’”

“Is Misalo still seeing her after the stunt she pulled on him?” I glanced at Keysha.

“I don’t think so. I hope he’s not that damn dumb,” I said as I began typing with my thumbs.

“What are you posting?” Keysha asked.

“A nasty message to Viviana that says, ‘I know you’re not online flirting with my boyfriend, Viviana!’”

“Ooo! You’re just going to call her out like that?” Keysha asked.

“Yeah, I want the world to know what type of tramp she is,” I said, feeling rather evil. A few seconds later my phone buzzed, indicating that a response had been posted. I checked my phone and read the response from Viviana out loud.

@Maya. Yes I will be there with my man, and if you try to holla at him again, you’re going to have to deal with me.

@Viviana. Find your own boyfriend! Misalo is taken, slut!

@Maya. You’re the slut with the nasty pictures. Obviously he didn’t like what he saw because he has been with me.

“Oh, that was a low blow,” said Keysha, who was looking over my shoulder and reading the messages with me.

@Viviana. After you lied!

@Maya. Get over it!

@Viviana. I don’t think so! You need to watch your back!

I posted and then shut off my phone.

“Dang, I am starting to think that Viviana might have some serious mental issues,” said Keysha as she rubbed the tension from my shoulders.

“She’s crazy, Keysha. That’s what I’ve been trying to explain to you,” I said as I combed my fingers through my hair.

“I see what you’re saying,” Keysha said.

“Keysha, I’m going to that party, and I want you to come with me,” I said.

“Oh, no. I don’t want to run into Jerry,” Keysha said.

“You probably won’t even see him. There should be tons of people there anyway,” I said.

“Why do you want to go?” Keysha asked.

“Because I want to confront Misalo,” I said.

“You’ve already done that.”

“I’m not done with him yet,” I said.

“Then call him and meet him somewhere,” Keysha suggested.

“No. I want to surprise him. I want to catch him completely off guard and force him to give me real answers.” Keysha and I looked at each other for a long moment without saying a word. She finally broke the silence.

“How long do you think it will take?” she asked.

“I don’t know. It shouldn’t take too long. Come on, Keysha, I really need your support,” I begged.

“Fine! I’ll go,” Keysha reluctantly agreed.

* * *

The party at Jerry’s house was massive. Kids parked their cars in the middle of the street because there were no more parking spaces. Since the party was in the middle of a weekday and had begun at 1:00 p.m., none of Jerry’s neighbors were home to complain. Keysha and I followed the throngs of kids racing down the sidewalk toward the sound of loud music and squealing voices. Once we were inside, unfortunately the first person we ran into was Jerry, Keysha’s old boyfriend. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue shorts. His eyes were bloodshot, and I was sure it was from drinking, smoking or something else.

“Keysha.” He smiled and stepped toward her for a hug. Keysha moved out of his way.

“Oh, it’s like that?” Jerry asked disappointed.

“Yeah, it’s like that,” Keysha said.

“Come on. Don’t tell me you’re still mad at me?” Jerry whined.

“Jerry, what you did to me was awful.” Keysha raised her voice.

“Give me a break. You’re overreacting, Keysha. Besides, that happened so long ago. You shouldn’t hold grudges. I haven’t held any against you.” Jerry smiled again.

“I don’t have time for this. Maya, let’s find Misalo and then get out of here,” Keysha said, moving away from Jerry.

“Hey, Keysha,” he called out to her as we continued on. Keysha and I turned back to look at him.

“What?” Keysha asked, annoyed.

“Get out of my house!” Jerry said.

“What?” Keysha repeated, insulted.

“You heard me. Get the hell out of my house. Remember, this is my party. Not yours. Now get out,” Jerry said more forcefully.

“Jerry, give me a break, okay,” I said, stepping toward him. “Keysha didn’t want to come. I begged her to walk over with me. We’re just here to find Misalo, and then we’ll leave.”

“You can stay, Maya. But Keysha. No way. She has to go.” Jerry stood his ground.

“Jerry, you’re such an ass. I don’t know what I ever saw in you,” Keysha said as she walked back past Jerry. I followed her out onto the sidewalk.

“Keysha, slow down,” I said.

“Ooh! I’m so ticked off with him! Maya, I told you that I didn’t want to come to this stupid party,” Keysha griped as she marched down the street.

“I know and I’m sorry. I had no idea Jerry would react like that,” I apologized.

“I’m not going back in there,” she said.

“You don’t have to. I’ll go and find Misalo myself.”

“Fine,” Keysha said. She gave me a brief hug and then continued on. I turned around and headed back, determined to find Misalo.