Читать книгу Way Too Much Drama - Earl Sewell - Страница 13

seven

MAYA

“You will not believe what Misalo has done,” I complained to Keysha as we entered the beauty salon. We had both made appointments. Keysha was getting her hair braided again, and I was getting a manicure and pedicure. We sat in the waiting area because the salon was packed and filled with the sounds of multiple conversations taking place all at once. I recognized a few girls from school and waved to them. I assumed they were there for the same reasons Keysha and I were. School. Classes would be starting soon, and any girl who had any kind of sense knew that she had better come to school on the first day looking like a magazine cover model.

“Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Misalo,” Keysha admitted as she searched the table in front of us for a magazine.

“He slept with Viviana.” I leaned toward Keysha and whispered so no one else could hear what I had to say. The words left a bitter taste on my tongue.

“What!” Keysha blurted out as if some teacher had just handed her a test paper with a fat red F on it. Several people looked in our direction to see what the commotion was about. Some of them had a look in their eyes that suggested they were anticipating a cat fight between me and Keysha. Keysha realized that she had spoken louder than she intended so she leaned in closer and whispered.

“They went all the way?” she asked for clarification.

“Yes,” I answered with certainty.

“How do you know?” Keysha glanced at me suspiciously, wondering how I would find out such a thing.

“Viviana admitted it,” I answered with a disgusted sigh.

“Maya, you and I both know you can’t believe a thing Viviana says. She’s a liar,” Keysha reminded me.

“I know, but for some reason I believe she told the truth. When she came in the house yesterday, she had this strange look on her face. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but decided not to. I was too busy trying to figure out why Misalo wasn’t at the big party. I had searched all over Jerry’s house looking for Misalo, but did not find him. And his so-called friends were of no help. They claimed they had not seen him, but I knew they were lying. Anyway, the last thing I wanted her to think was that I cared. Then Viviana went downstairs to talk to Anna. I don’t know why, but something made me walk halfway down the steps and stand out of their eyesight to eavesdrop on their conversation. I clearly heard Viviana say that she and Misalo decided to go all the way.”

“Wow,” Keysha said as she came to realize how serious I was.

“What did you do then?” she asked.

“Nothing. I walked back up the stairs, disgusted and ticked off with Misalo and Viviana.”

“So what does that mean? Are you finally done with him?” Keysha asked.

“That’s like me asking you if you’re finally done with Wesley,” I said condescendingly.

Keysha raised her eyebrow at me.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I have no idea what my next move will be.”

“Perhaps it’s time to let it go,” Keysha suggested.

“That’s not the advice I want to hear,” I unashamedly admitted.

“You can’t make Misalo want you, Maya. If he is not making an effort to patch things up, then there is really nothing more you can do,” Keysha said.

“Yeah. I know,” I said, feeling rather depressed about it. Never in a million years would I have ever thought that Misalo would give himself so freely to another girl. What’s even more insulting and disrespectful is that he had sex with my cousin. Although I was very disappointed with Misalo, I still cared about him. I couldn’t turn my feelings for him off like a light switch on a wall.

* * *

I’d just taken a seat at the pedicure station which was situated near the front window. I briefly glanced at the black letters which spelled out the name of the salon. Just as I’d submerged my feet into a footbath filled with warm water, someone knocked hard on the glass. I turned in the direction of the sound and saw Carlo waving at me.

“Oh, great,” I mumbled. “He’s the last person I want to see.” I smiled at him out of politeness and hoped he would move on. Unfortunately, I wasn’t that lucky.

Carlo opened the door to the salon and a bell chimed.

“What’s up, girl?” He smiled at me. He had on a blue-and-white-striped polo shirt, blue jeans and a pair of black Air Force 1 gym shoes. He also had sunglasses resting on top of his head.

“Same old stuff,” I answered as I looked down at my feet and wiggled my toes. I had not seen Carlo since he had the fight with Misalo.

“Where have you been?” Carlo asked.

“Around.” I gave him a vague answer.

“Around where?” Carlo wanted me to share more than I was willing to offer.

“Why do you even care?” I said with an irritated tone that I had hoped would force him to turn around and leave. As far as I was concerned, I never wanted to see him again. It was over between us, and I didn’t want to go our separate ways on friendly terms.

“That’s a good question. I don’t know why I care about you, especially since you have a nasty attitude.”

“You helped to create my attitude toward you.” I hoped my words felt like a red-hot knife piercing his skin.

“You know, Maya, you’re a real...”

“Hey, don’t you dare say what I think you’re about to say,” said Kim, the shop owner, who was nearby.

“You’re a real pain, Maya,” Carlo said.

I ignored him. I couldn’t believe he had come into the salon just to insult me.

“I’m so glad it’s over between us, Carlo,” I said, waving for him to go away and bother someone else.

“One of these days, Maya, someone is going to put your prissy attitude in check. I tried to be a good guy for you. A guy who didn’t play games, a guy who tried to be real with you. Instead, you put me down for some jerk who cheated on you. You talk about how you’re glad it’s over. Hell, I’m the one who is glad it’s over.” Carlo gave me a nasty look before turning to walk out.