Freshmen Fifteen

by Sheffield, Jasmine

  Freshmen Fifteen

  JASMINE N.H. SHEFFIELD

  Our Journey Publishing

  www.ourjourneypublishing.com

  Dedication

  For those who will actually stop and read this page, you are much appreciated. Your support has not gone unrecognized. Without it, this story may have still been an undeveloped thought.

  To my husband, daughter, father, brother...and Freshmen Fifteen’s biggest fan, my mother! I love each of you.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Fort Walton Beach, Florida

  Pomp and Circumstance blares from the speakers in the stadium. As I listen to the music, I remember my outfit from the first day of school all too well. A coral maxi dress... Damn, time flies.

  “Laila, can you believe we are finished? I thought this day would never come.” Tanya raises her voice to catch my attention. Tanya has been rambling since we sat down. She will probably continue through the entire ceremony.

  “You have no idea. I was just reminiscing about the first day of school.” I turn and smile at Tanya. “Remember when we met in homeroom?”

  “If we’d had different last names, we might have never met,” she says with a wide grin as she inches near me to put her arm around my shoulders.

  Breaking the embrace, I tell her, “Okay! Your weave is all up in my mouth.”

  “Please,” she says as she pulls her hair over her shoulder. “You know I’m all natural.”

  Tanya and I always joke about our hair. Most of the kids in our high school don’t believe we have naturally long hair. Tanya’s is a bit longer, falling just below her shoulders, mine is flowing down my back.

  As Tanya continues talking, I slowly look at the people surrounding me. Although we have a large graduating class, it would have been larger. Remembering why, I sigh. Most of the females dropped out after getting pregnant. Some of the guys didn’t pass because they spent more time in the gym than in the classroom.

  “Dang heffa. You must have a lot on your mind. Are you listening to me? I’m trying to get our plans straight for tonight.”

  Tanya has been discussing tonight’s plans for the past few weeks. I haven’t put as much thought into it. Now that the ceremony is almost over, I can start thinking about the rest of the night.

  “I guess this night is just bringing up too many memories. It’s hard to focus on the here and now. Besides that, this speaker is killing me. They couldn’t have gotten someone more exciting than the mayor of Fort Walton Beach?” Giving her my full attention, I stare into her hazel eyes and act as if I’m taking notes.

  Not noticing my sarcasm, she continues talking.

  “Well, first we have our family dinners. After that, the senior class has the beach party. Then of course, we’ll meet up with the guys. You told your parents you were staying with me, right? My parents think we’re staying at my cousin’s house.”

  Just as we agree on our plans, our row is called to line up to accept our diplomas. Before I cross the stage, I turn and wink at Tanya. After I shake the principal’s hand, I wave to my family in the stands.

  Once the 611th student is called across the stage, we all leap out of our seats. After we are announced as graduates, I throw my hat into the air without a care. Tanya slightly lifts hers into the air, then places it neatly back on her head.

  Our families rush up to greet us. Before I’m overwhelmed, I hug Tanya. “I’ll meet you at your house around ten.”

  Leaving the stadium, we head to the island to have dinner at the Thai Kitchen. Walking into the restaurant, I inhale the scent of Thai basil and Jasmine rice, and my mouth suddenly begins to salivate. My family almost takes up the entire restaurant. While we wait on the appetizers, I walk around and speak to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins ... who all came into town from Louisiana.

  My mother is running around talking to the waiters about the meal. I smile to myself. She’s been planning this dinner for a few months but still has to make sure everything is in order.

  The food finally arrives, and the Thai Basil Chicken is almost enough to take my mind off the last event of the night: meeting up with the guys.

  As I take another bite, I realize my grandmother and aunt are discussing my future.

  “Yes, she decided on Lee, an historically black university in Tallahassee. I don’t know why these kids feel like they need to continue to be segregated. As hard as we fought to end segregation. I’ll never understand. She wants to be a journalist. I’m sure she’ll do great. I just wish she had picked a different school.”

  Not too many people in my family are excited about my decision to go to an HBCU, but I am ready. After visiting the school last year, I am in love with it.

  I straighten my shoulders and look my grandmother in the eyes. “Nana, Lee University is a great school. It’s world-renowned for many of their programs. The faculty and staff are caring, and some exceptional people have graduated from there. My education will be just as good as anyone else’s.”

  I wish she would just approve of my decision and get over it already. I catch myself about to roll my eyes. I’d never want to disrespect my grandmother, so instead I turn my head away as she dismisses my statement.

  My dad stands and begins his speech. “We are very proud of Laila. She’s always done exceptionally well in school, made good decisions, and she’s proven to be a very hard worker. She’s been working since she was sixteen.”

  I smirk at my dad’s comment. As if his lesson of ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’ wasn’t the reason I needed to get a job. I appreciate the lesson, but damn.

  “Laila, we want you to put in your two-week notice and take the rest of the summer off.”

  I throw my hands in the air, “Hallelujah!” Everyone in the room starts laughing.

  Now I can really enjoy myself before heading to college in the fall. Catch up on my shows, spend some time with Travis, and just relax.

  “That’s not all Laila. We also want to give you a parting gift. A Mac laptop to complete all the great articles you’ll write for your journalism courses.”

  I hop up and hug both my mom and dad.

  “Thank you both. You’ve been great parents and you’ve raised two outstanding kids. Words can never express how thankful I am to have you as my parents.” I pause as a tear trickles down my cheek. Clearing my throat I continue, “You guys know I love you.”

  I quickly hug everyone and make promises to meet them in the morning for brunch before they leave town.

  On my way to Tanya’s house, I roll my window down to catch the breeze from the Gulf. I’ll surely miss these beautiful beaches.

  When I pull up, I see a few people standing outside, talking. I suddenly focus on Josh, Tanya’s older brother. As he leans back on a car, he st
ill towers over most of the men beside him. Even through the darkness of the night, his bright hazel eyes are inviting.

  Walking up to the house, suddenly Josh is the only person I see. His looks are captivating, but after knowing him for a while now, I know that his personality is even better. Unfortunately, for me, he sees me as a little sister.

  “Congrats, Laila! I’m proud of you and Tanya. I’m sure y’all will be unstoppable at L.U. Make sure you two look out for each other and don’t let any of those older guys get into your head.”

  “Thanks, Josh. You know how we do. We will always have each other’s backs. Where is your sister anyway?”

  He points towards the house. I go in to hurry her up. I find her in her room packing a bag. “Tanya, you mean to tell me Ms. Plan-it-all didn’t already have a bag packed?”

  She gives me a side-eye and pouts her lips. “You know tonight is going to be special. I can’t decide what I want to wear.”

  “What did you pack?” She looks up from her bag. “I hope something sexy.”

  “I packed this sexy, black, lace bra with these cute thongs to match.” I laugh. “Not like Travis will care much, he’ll just be ready to see me naked.”

  She finally throws a few more things into the bag and we head out. As we walk out of the house, Josh is standing in our path. He leans in towards me and gives me a hug. I almost melt in his strong arms. My petite, five foot two inches are lost in his embrace; all six-foot-three, two-hundred pounds of him.

  “Laila, I wanted to give you a hug earlier but you ran off. I appreciate you looking after my sister.” I smile and keep walking towards the car.

  “I see my brother made sure he gave you a hug. What’s that all about?” Tanya is ignorant of the fact that her brother is the best thing coming out of Fort Walton Beach.

  “You know your brother can get it, right? I would leave Travis today if your brother said the word. I love Travis, but your brother definitely has a lot to offer.”

  She interrupts me before I can tell her any more. “Laila, you know you wouldn’t leave Travis. Hush. Besides, if you left Travis, we all wouldn’t be able to hang out anymore. It would be awkward.”

  Since Tanya and I started dating best friends, it has been like a four-some. We are always double dating, and I know all of Tanya and Devon’s business, as I’m sure they know all of ours.

  “You’re right. It would be awkward. I should get my mind off your brother. Especially if I plan on giving my cookies to Travis tonight.” I nervously cross my legs at the thought of losing my virginity.

  As we pull up to the beach, I ask Tanya about her family dinner and tell her about my newfound freedom for the summer.

  Tanya shrugs, because she can’t really relate. She hasn’t had to work. Her parents have spoiled her rotten. Although our backgrounds are similar ― our parents are very successful in their careers—my parents don’t believe in spoiling their kids.

  As we step out of the car, we see Carla. She has on a bright red, form-fitting, halter-top dress that stops well above her knees. Tanya and I exchange a glance. Neither one of us likes Carla, but we are both cordial with her.

  Carla notices us. “Hey ladies! Nice to see you all out here. I’m ready to have some fun!”

  We both wave at Carla and laugh. “I bet you are,” I say under my breath.

  We continue walking towards the pavilion where most of the people are gathered.

  “Are you drinking tonight? I think you could use something to loosen you up a bit,” Tanya says in a low voice.

  I don’t really indulge. I don’t like the taste of alcohol. But Tanya is right— I need to loosen up. The more I think about Travis, my heart begins to race and beads of sweat roll down my chest.

  “Yes, I’ll have a drink. I’ll take whatever you’re having.”

  We stop briefly to speak to the girls. Most of my friends are lushes. Their weekends typically include drinking on Friday and Saturday nights. They already have their red cups in hand, hiding what they shouldn’t be drinking out in public. Tanya walks away to grab the drinks.

  “Laila, are you ready for tonight?” Jessica asks as she taps me on my arm.

  Most of our friends know what’s about to go down. Out of all of our friends, Tanya and I are the only remaining virgins. If it weren’t for all of the girls who got pregnant and dropped out of school, I might have lost it a while ago. I’ve definitely been scared to lose it, but now my horny ass wants to get it on. I give Jessica a shy smile, and turn to Tanya, who is handing me a cup.

  “Bottoms up, ladies. To our last summer before college!”

  We laugh, dance, and talk with all of our classmates. My heart is still racing, but I feel more at ease about our next event of the night.

  Tanya is dancing with Randy, although we should be leaving to head over to the hotel. I walk over to her and nudge her elbow. Randy gives me a crazy look. He has always had his eyes on Tanya, as it is with most of the guys in our class.

  Tanya glances at me, and before I can open my mouth she says, “Okay, I’m ready to roll.” She gives Randy a quick hug and we start walking towards the car.

  “You know he has always had a thing for you. Why do you tease him like that?”

  With a crooked smile, Tanya says, “I don’t tease him. I’m just having fun. Randy knows where my heart is.”

  If Devon wasn’t around, I think Randy and Tanya would be together. Randy is going to L.U., too, so maybe that will happen... one day.

  Chapter 2

  When we get in the car, I check my text messages, a text from Travis.

  I am getting everything ready for tonight. I can’t wait to see you. I love you girl.

  I laugh to myself and turn to Tanya. She looks at me and shakes her head. “Must be a message from Travis.”

  Tanya has the music blaring and the windows rolled down. I should have offered to drive. Thankfully, we aren’t too far from the hotel, and the traffic near the beach is light.

  My legs begin to shake again. I should have had another drink. I try to calm my nerves. Tonight is going to be everything I have ever dreamed.

  With Tanya singing Kendrick Lamar’s Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe at the top of her lungs, I’m surprised I hear my phone ring. It’s Devon. On my phone? Why would he be calling me? I look over at Tanya as I answer the phone.

  “Hey Devon, what’s up?” The background is really noisy, which is not what I expect if they are preparing the rooms for tonight.

  Between Tanya singing and the background noise, I have to strain to hear him.

  “Laila, it’s about Travis. He got picked up tonight...” I couldn’t have heard him say Travis got picked up. That can’t possibly be what I just heard.

  “Say that again.” As he repeats himself, I drop the phone. I shake my head to fight back the tears that are forming at the sides of my eyes. Throwing my hands in the air, “Not tonight.”

  Tanya picks up the phone from the seat. “Devon, what the hell happened? Where are you?”

  Travis and Devon aren’t the boyfriends our parents would choose for us. They both dropped out of high school. Devon at least finished the GED program. I’ve tried to convince Travis to finish, but he just isn’t motivated. They are both small-time street pharmacists. Neither of them has been picked up on any serious charges...yet.

  Tanya turns the car around and heads in the direction of Travis’ house. Looking out the window, the tears begin to flow. The breeze isn’t keeping me cool anymore, my temperature is rising. Of all the nights to get in trouble, why tonight?

  Tanya reaches over and rubs my hand. Unlike the tears flowing from my eyes, the words I want to speak are stuck in my throat like a lump of food.

  Tanya breaks the silence. “Laila, I’m sorry, girl. Devon said it’s serious. He thinks Travis had enough on him for the police to keep him for a while.”

  My mouth finally moves, but the only thing that escapes is a loud scream, startling Tanya. Travis has taken me through ups and downs. I stayed with h
im after my parents forbade me to see him, after he cheated, after all the lies. I just wanted tonight to be special. He couldn’t even do that.

  As we turn onto Travis’ street we roll up the windows and make sure the doors are locked. Our usual routine. At this time of night the street is packed. Guys on the corner and women strolling. Both waiting for their regular customers.

  Finally, Tanya pulls up to Travis’ house. I look down to avoid making eye contact with the guys waiting in front of his house. Devon jogs over to the car. As Tanya gets out, I glance at the guys. I do a double-take then shake my head when I realize it’s James I see and not Travis.

  James and Travis could pass as twins. Tonight, the resemblance is painful. I close my eyes tightly, hoping I can wake up from this nightmare.

  I jump when I hear a tap on the window. James is standing there, looking at me with sympathetic eyes. My legs are too weak to hold my body. Instead of getting out of the car, I roll down the window.

  “Laila, I’m sorry. I hate Travis had to get picked up on your graduation night. You should be celebrating, not crying.”

  Looks are the only thing James and Travis have in common. James is in the military, a straight and narrow dude. If only he could have convinced Travis to leave the streets.

  Oddly, I manage to give James a slight smile and shrug my shoulders. I’m sure James doesn’t realize just how special this night would have been.

  Devon hugs Tanya and she gets back in the car. She turns to me and says, “Laila, what do you want to do? Where do you want to go?”

  I shrug and put my hands over my face. I really hope Travis is going to be all right. The thought of him being locked up makes me shudder.

  Tanya rolls down the window to tell Devon and James we’ll see them later. Once we clear Travis’ neighborhood, we roll the windows back down. The breeze has stopped and the air feels stiff.

  A few minutes later, we are in front of Tanya’s house. I really don’t want to be here, but going home is not an option. I have too many family members around.

  The lights are off. Hopefully, everyone is already asleep. We walk in, and thankfully, make it to her room without seeing anyone.