Not noticing my headache from getting my hair done yesterday Vicki gives me a full synopsis of homecoming including who made out with who, and who thought her and Vince were the cutest couple. She pointed out how good my hair looked not asking about my weekend probably knowing that's what it revolves around.
Today has been a pretty chill day, my first 4 periods went by pretty fast and everyone seemed to be in a post homecoming funk.
The one person I can think of that had a good time at homecoming and isn't recovering is Stella from my first period. Everyday she walks into geometry late flipping her blonde hair while holding a starbucks green drink, or a robeks smoothie depending on the day. She doesn't even rush to get to class late she just does her model strut, while I do my sad little hunchback run to the door.
Even at lunch I could actually sit in the patio because there wasn't any chaos or yelling on behalf of Vince's group. In fact there was so much silence I couldn't even stare at Chase due to the fact that there wasn't any large noise to distract him from feeling my stare.
Now the halls are overly crowded as I enter my French class where only Harper sits doing the warm up.
"So you got your phone back?" The voice I've been waiting for shocks me as I walk to my seat with my phone now turned off.
Ziyah stands behind me looking the same as always with his sort of messy dreads that fall on his Nike jacket. As usual his white sneakers are spotless and his jeans are sort of sagging off of him.
"Yea my parents need to know when to pick me up."
I desperately want to ask about the text, but his chill careless hazel eyes force me to just sit in my seat which awkwardly is still next to his.
"Ooh someone got their hair done," Unna mocks as she nudges past me in her black denim shorts that attract Ziyah's daze.
"Thanks," is all I say.
Unna sits down and the sight of her lower ass disappears making Ziyah's eyes come back to me. Really my butt is bigger it's just my figure is fuller while Unna is slimmer making her butt appear to have more junk.
"Janet Jackson and Tupac?" He raises his eyebrows at the two of them on my chest.
" Yes but no Justice and Lucky have you watched poetic Justice?"
"Nah." The bell rings and more students file in including Lindsey who's wearing the same size shorts as Unna. Hers are symmetrical with her white tube top that is being covered by her gradient brown hair. Ziyah doesn't give one look at Lindsey's backside which isn't as plump as Unna's and continues to look at me.
"It's a classic and John Singleton may he Rest In Peace was a true genius. It's on STARZ you should see it as soon as possible."
"May he Rest In Peace, but I'm not paying for a starz subscription." He takes out a mechanical pencil and his notebook, which makes me feel bad for writing in my binder.
I try to continue doing the warm up that's a summary of yesterday's notes, but I can still feel Ziyah's gaze. Maybe he does actually have some interest in me.
"You're missing out it's a really good movie," I whisper.
"What is?" Lindsey chimes in before Ziyah can.
"Poetic Justice."
Lindsey nods her head then says, "I've never heard of that movie," which I sure expected her to say.
After a regular class of Ziyah doing his usual amount of talking with me, and not exhibiting any symptoms that would make me think he adores me, I head to the tennis courts where Sienna, Daisy, and Hailey are surprisingly there before me.
Just like Unna and Lindsey they're in denim shorts as they lean against the fence separating them from the empty tennis court that means the girls had an away game today. It also means Hailey and Sienna are going to sneak up the street to Chipotle while Daisy obeys her mom's orders and stays at school.
It's approaching the middle of November meaning their season is almost over because they're not that good so next week all four of us will be on the courts missing balls and embarrassing ourselves in front of the snotty girls on the team.
Sienna starts going on about the lack of good looking guys in our grade leading her to the conclusion that she needs a man.
Her definition of a man being a black man whose at least 6 ft, uses proper English, will always be loyal to her, and has a personality so great her very traditional Japanese grandmother will approve. The closest thing she has found is a senior at Hamilton who in her own words has the,"sexiest smile." "I'm going to a party with him on Saturday," Sienna brags as she shows Daisy and Hailey a picture of what I hope is his face on her phone.
While Daisy tells her sobb story about how she's not able to go to parties I find myself staring at my messages with Ziyah. The last one is still me lying about my phone, which would mean Ziyah should be the one to text next.
With just 5 more minutes of waiting for the head of athletics to take roll of us tennis development girls I turn to the girls who've been with plenty of guys at the school to give me some advice that probably won't apply to my situation.
"It's like my mom just doesn't want me to be a teenager," Daisy sighs as I walk over to them.
"Daya can you say we're here when we walk to Chipotle?" Sienna immediately asks when I come close enough to see her bra strap under her super tiny lavender top.
"Sure can you guys give me some advice."
"Sure. Oh my god is Vince cheating on Vicki you should tell her she's too beautiful."
Not giving me a chance to tell Sienna Vicki would be the one who cheats in their relationship Hailey buds in. "That's not her advice dumbass she wants us to go shopping for some sluttier clothes." Hailey gestures to my oversized shirt and frayed wide leg jeans.
If I wanted to buy some slutty clothes I would go with Vicki and Jada who know how to dress skimpy in style, not Sienna who's definition of slutty clothes is buying clothes that are made 2 sizes smaller than her.
"Umm no and no I was wondering if one were going to ask someone of the opposite sex who told her-"
Hailey cuts me off, "Cut the shit who's the boy."
"He's a junior and that's besides the point I want to ask him if he wants to go to a movie night in the park."
The girls exchange glances then each turn to me with the same not so subtle look.
"So you want to watch a movie in the park with him?" Sienna narrows her eyes on me.
"Yes, what should I do?"
"Just talk to him, just the right amount."
"Ok goldy locks." The girls look at eachother then back at me with confusion as the airplane goes right over their heads.
"Do you like this junior?" Daisy jumps in.
"Ehh, but he said he really likes me." Siena's mouth goes agape and now it seems that they're actually paying attention.
"He said he really likes you? Did he say this while you were unbuttoning his pants?"
"Or while he was unbuttoning yours, because he didn't mean it sweetie, even if he says it after you guys hook up on your roof." Sienna's face is now a faint red. On a roof? Oh God Sienna
"We didn't hook up and he texted it," I clarify.
"Well just talk to him, but try to get him to ask you out."
"Thanks."
"No problem and remember to shave." With that Sienna and Hailey make their way to the student parking lot while Daisy and I awkwardly walk to the library with a good amount of space between us.
When 6th period ends I exit the library and avoid looking at Sienna and Hailey who are grabbing the track team's attention with their chip bags.
I start to turn on my music, but the familiar sight of frizzy dreads and sagging jeans makes me stop. Ziyah walks slowly in front of me, so slow I caught up to him in 5 steps.
"Hey you walk slow," I announce my presence when we're both side by side. Ziyah pulls out his earbuds that were hidden under his dreads, and looks at me like he usually does, with a tinch of amusement.
"Or you're just walking too fast."
"Well I have a job to get to."
"Right watching those snotty kids," he shakes his head and makes his dreads move out of his face.
"So you haven't watched Poetic Justice. What movies have you watched?" I ask this with a bit of sarcasm.
"Friday, white chicks, I watch tv more. Since I was late that day and will be until Sofia turns 18 I wouldn't mind watching Poetic freedom or Justice with you." Well that was almost too easy. Honestly it's like the stars have aligned since Poetic Justice is playing in the park near my house on Friday.
We start approaching the back of the school where I guess we're both heading, and Vince making out with vicki in his practice uniform stops me from thinking about what Ziyah just said.
"Are you doing anything Friday after school?" Wow I didn't expect to say that.
"Nope."
"Well it's playing at a park on friday maybe you can pay me back then."
"Don't get your phone taken away and text me, then maybe I will." Ziyah flashes me a smirk then exits out the back gate which I'm supposed to be going through as well, but Vince and I make eye contact as he pulls away from Vicki.
My phone immediately buzzes as Vince looks past me and shakes his head. Vince: He's not good enough. Looking right at him I viciously type, all the ones that are are taken.