by Desiree Day
“Of course,” he grinned.
“Yeah right. I bet your mom did it for you.”
“Go ahead and open it.”
Jessica excitedly tore off the bright red paper then lifted the top off the box. She peeked inside. Sitting on top of white tissue paper was a dainty charm bracelet. “Oh,” Jessica breathed. “It’s so beautiful.” She had never seen anything so beautiful in her life and she told him so.
“I know that it isn’t expensive and it didn’t cost that much. And I know that you’re used to nicer things but when I saw it, I thought of you. It’s so dainty and feminine. And you can add your charm to it.”
“You think I’m dainty? I’m as big as an elephant.”
Matt rolled his eyes. “Would you stop saying stuff like that about yourself. You’re beautiful and I love you.”
Jessica shyly met his gaze and gave him a timid smile. “Thank you. I love it.”
“Let me put it on.”
She held out her wrist while he fumbled with the small clasp. “Talk about feeling like an elephant,” he joked. After a few minutes of fumbling and struggling he finally got it on.
“Okay. My turn. Here.” She reached beside her and handed him her gift. She had taken Samantha’s advice and decided on one gift and put all the rest of them away. Matt suspiciously eyed the box. “This isn’t a repeat of Christmas. There aren’t any Tims in there.” She was glad that he had agreed to wear the ones she had gotten him for Christmas.
Matt repeated her steps of removing the paper then opened the box. He pulled out the Gucci scarf. “This is nice. Thanks babe,” Matt said as he wrapped the soft material around his neck.
“This is the best Valentine’s Day ever,” Jessica said while smiling at Matt and he bit back a smile. “What?”
Matt chuckled. “Sometimes you remind me of a White chick.”
“Why? Because of the way I talk? Just because I don’t talk slang and I properly enunciate my words, you shouldn’t automatically label me as such,” Jessica asked angrily.
“Hey chill, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” Matt said, soothingly.
“Well, you did. People have told me that all throughout school. I speak the way I speak. I don’t look at it as talking Black or talking White. Just because you speak like somebody who just stepped off a street corner doesn’t –”
“Word? What does that mean?” He asked as he narrowed his eyes at her.
“It means you speak like you’re from the ghetto.”
“I’m not from the ghetto,” he spat, “But Matt Rice keeps it real.”
“Oh so you can dish it out but not take it, huh?”
Matt laughed nervously. “That’s not it.”
“So you can label me as a talking Oreo but I can’t call you a 50 Cent wanna be. Is that correct?”
“No, it’s not like that,” Matt said flustered. “All I was doing was making an observation. You’re getting upset all over nothing.”
“You insulted me!” Jessica exclaimed. “That’s something to get upset about.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what? For saying that I speak White or sorry because you told me how you really felt?”
Suddenly Matt looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “I’m sorry for what I said,” he stuttered.
Jessica crossed her arms over her chest. “Whatever.”
“Come on Jessica, just relax and let’s go skating,” Matt said as he leaned in for a kiss.
Jessica pushed his face away. “Go skating by your own damn self because I don’t want to go! Is that Black enough for you?”
Chapter 23
“What else did the message say?” Samantha asked.
“Just ‘I need u, Marco’,” Jessica repeated the message for the thousandth time to her friend.
“I wonder what he meant by that?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll find out soon, he wants me to meet him in the library after school,” Jessica said. Ever since she had gotten his text message a million scenarios had gone through her head.
“Matt’s gonna be pissed. You do know that don’t you?”
Jessica thought back to their fight in Hawaii. “I know, but I haven’t had a chance to tell him. I don’t know why he thinks I like Marco.”
“Because you do!”
“I don’t!” Jessica protested and Samantha rolled her eyes. “Just a little, but not like I want to break up with Matt kind of like, but more like a I wouldn’t mind if we got locked in the janitor’s closet for an hour.” Jessica giggled.
“You’re bad girl. Just bad. And you really should be good especially after you showed out on Valentine’s Day. Taking his gift and not going skating with him.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “He apologized, he knew he was wrong for what he said about me and we’ll go skating another time. And Matt has nothing to worry about. Marco and I are meeting in the library. Nothing is going to happen.”
“And you’re going to tell him right?”
“Yes, I’m going to tell him. Thank you very much.”
“Hey, how are you going to get home? You’re going to miss your bus if you meet Marco after school.”
“That’s okay. My driver will pick me up.”
“Are you still doing the two block thing?” Jessica nodded. “Girl, your secret is up, thanks to Chloe everybody and their grandmother knows that you’re swimming in money.”
“I know, but I don’t want to seem like I’m flaunting it.”
“I don’t think anybody will think that, and if they do, screw ‘em. If I had a driver, I’d have him pick me up and drop me off everyday, right in front of the school, that way everybody can see me.”
“Just like at the shopping mall?” Jessica asked with a grin.
“Oh hell yeah, exactly like the shopping mall. Ain’t no shame in my game. My motto is: If you got it, flaunt it, flaunt it big.”
“It’s a good thing you aren’t me. My parents will go broke while trying to keep up with your expensive tastes.”
“Remember chubby chicks rule. And don’t forget about modeling practice tomorrow. I’ve already texted, Leslie, Vivian and Kathy and they’re going to be there.”
“Well, duh. I will too. You guys are meeting at my house.”
Samantha grinned. “I know,” she quipped. “Sean asked me last night,” Samantha suddenly blurted out.
“Asked you what?”
“You know…”
“Oh my God! What did you say?”
“I told him I’d think about it.”
“But what about your cousin.”
“We’ll use protection.”
“Condoms can break.” Apprehension crossed Samantha’s face. “You don’t have to do anything.”
“I know I don’t,” Samantha huffed.
“Hey don’t take it out on me. I’m not the one trying to get into your panties.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I think that I want to,” Samantha sheepishly admitted.
“What made you change your mind?”
“I’m really feeling him. Our vibe is so strong. It’s like he knows every piece of me.”
“Apparently not every piece.”
Samantha’s mouth dropped with surprise. “Girl, I can’t believe you said that. That was mean.”
“Only telling you the truth. I just want you to be careful. He might leave as soon as he gets what he wants.”
Samantha vigorously shook her head. “Sean isn’t like that. He knows my heart and he won’t do anything to hurt me.”
“Just be careful. Promise me that.”
The bell rang signaling the end of the school day and Jessica rushed to the bathroom. I need to get ready for my meeting with Marco.
She dipped her finger in her gloss and slicked it over her lips.
“Who you getting ready for?”
Jessica whirled around to find Tamia standing at the door. She had walked in without being heard.
Jessica turned back to the mirror
. “My lips were dry,” she answered.
“I saw you and Matt at the movies. Is that your boyfriend?” Tamia sneered.
“Why didn’t you say hi?” Jessica asked ignoring the hate in her friend’s voice.
“It looked like you two were into each other. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You would not have been.”
“So is that fat girl your new BFF?”
“Would you stop talking like that? But yes Samantha is my new best friend forever.”
“You’ve gotten so mean,” Tamia said.
“What? I’ve gotten mean? First you ignore me. Then you ditch me for a bunch of Zeros just so you can be popular. You crash my party and then you chase after a boy that I liked. But I’m the one who’s gotten mean?” Jessica snorted. “You’re a crazy beeatch.”
“What did you call me?”
Jessica’s heart beat fast. “Nothing Tamia, I didn’t say anything.”
“Yeah you did, you called me a bitch!”
Jessica backed up against the sink and held her hands up. “I was only joking. Besides I heard Chloe call you that.”
“Well, you’re not Chloe.”
Jessica shifted to the right, Tamia stepped with her. She shifted to the left, Tamia mirrored her movements. “What’s wrong with you? Let me go. I have to meet Marco.”
The blood drained from Jessica’s face as she watched Tamia’s eyes widened then narrowed. Aw no! “What did you say?”
“Nothing. I didn’t say anything.” This time Jessica pushed Tamia and sidestepped her. As soon as she got a taste of freedom, she felt Tamia’s hand in her hair. Suddenly her head was jerked back so far that they could look each other in the eyes.
“You said you were meeting Marco. What for?”
“I don’t know,” Jessica stuttered, her eyes watering. “He texted me a message telling me to meet him.”
“Yeah right! Ever since he kissed you, you’ve been on his ass. It was just a kiss Jessica. It’s not like he likes you or anything. And you were supposed to break him and Chloe up and that didn’t happen.”
“I couldn’t,” Jessica answered as she tried to wiggle away from Tamia, but her grip was tighter than a pair of Juicy Couture jeans. “It wasn’t any of my business,” Jessica whined and prayed that someone had to use the bathroom.
“I asked you to make it your business,” Tamia said as she tugged sharply on the handful of Jessica’s hair. Jessica yelped in pain. “And I don’t know why you’re going to do the fashion show. All you’re going to do is look stupid and everybody’s gonna laugh at you and your fat friends.”
“Why are you doing this to me? I thought we were friends.”
“Because you’re trying to take what’s mine.”
“Marco?”
“That’s right.”
But he’s dating Chloe Jessica wanted to say, but she didn’t.
“Leave him alone.”
“I thought we said we’d never fight over a boy.”
Tamia snorted. “When was that, like two years ago? We were kids then. Just leave him alone,” she hissed before snatching Jessica’s head back and pushing her away.
Jessica stumbled then fell to the floor. “Why Tamia?” Jessica asked. Tamia looked down at her with hate filled eyes and turned on her heels and stomped out the bathroom.
Jessica skulked into the library with Tamia’s warning echoing in her head. After she texted Marco letting him know she was in the library, she slouched into a chair. I hope no one sees me. Fortunately, the library was as empty as Wal-Mart’s parking lot on Christmas day. A few minutes later there was a tap on her shoulder and she jumped as though someone had put a gun to her head.
“Whoa, calm down, it’s just me.”
Jessica’s heart rate returned to normal when she saw it was Marco. “I’m sorry. I was daydreaming.”
“About me?” Marco asked before flashing her a Crest smile.
Damn he’s gorgeous! “No,” she stuttered.
“Oh you’re doing it again. You’re breaking my heart.” Marco dropped into a chair feigning hurt. “What do I have to do to get you to like me?”
Jessica giggled nervously. “I like you.”
“Do you?” he asked then leaned in so close that she could smell peppermint on his breath.
“I do,” she breathed as she moved in. Marco slowly parted his lips and brushed them across Jessica’s cheek. “I don’t think you should be doing that to me,” she murmured but she didn’t move away.
“It’s fine…as long as we don’t get caught,” he whispered as he cupped her chin and turned her mouth toward his. Jessica shivered with anticipation of again feeling his lips on hers. She sighed softly then closed her eyes and puckered her lips. Her cell phone rang and they sprang apart.
“I’m sorry,” she stuttered while blinking her way out of a daze. “I’d better get that.” A quick glance at the caller i.d. showed that it was Matt, a wave a guilt washed over her, what he was afraid would happen almost did. “I’ll get it later.” While the call when to voicemail, Jessica took a deep calming breath and looked Marco squarely in the eyes. “Why did you want to meet?”
Marco took a deep breath and said, “I want you.”
Chapter 24
“Do you think I should tutor Marco?” Jessica asked Samantha. Once she picked her mouth off the floor and listened to him she found out that he wanted her to tutor him.
“Sure why not. Just make sure you keep your hands off him. Leslie pull those shoulders back.” Samantha had Leslie, Kathy and Valerie walking across the room with books on their heads.
The group was at Jessica’s house practicing for the fashion show.
“If I pull them back any further, I’m going to topple over,” Leslie complained.
“Pull ‘em back!” Samantha ordered, then turned her attention back to Jessica.
“Why? Because Tamia would be pissed?”
“That little beeatch will get mad if someone force fed her a donut, but I was thinking about Matt. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
“How do I look?” Valerie called.
“Fabulous girl, just fabu. You all watch Valerie, she’s working it.”
“I’m not going to hurt him. All I’m going to do is tutor him in math.”
“Just remember that two plus two equals three.”
“I think you’d better remember that new math. The way you and Sean are always tonguing each other down I wouldn’t be surprised to find out you guys are testing mattresses.”
“Okay, I want you all to put on your heels.” The girls stopped walking and went over to their backpacks and pulled out their shoes. “We’re getting closer to that point,” Samantha confessed while watching her friends switch from sneakers to pumps.
“Don’t you think I should be joining them?” Jessica asked.
“I’ll give you private lessons, our conversation is too good to stop.”
“You’re gonna see the underwear?” Samantha nodded. “Where would you do it?”
“Hold on,” she said to Jessica then turned to her models. “Okay put the books back on your head and get to stepping. She watched them for a minute, gave them the thumbs up sign, and turned back to Jessica. “My house. You know my mother works late, sometimes until eight o’clock at night. That’ll give us plenty of time to do the deed.”
“Have fun,” Jessica said quietly.
“Are you thinking about you and Matt?” A couples minutes later the sound of books hitting the carpet filled the room. “I think you guys are tired, let’s take a break.” A collective sigh went up and they kicked off their heels and stretched out on the floor.
“Yeah, but I can’t imagine us doing that. I can’t imagine doing that with anybody.”
“Maybe you don’t have to imagine,” Samantha said slyly.
“What do you mean?”
“You should do it. You should sex him.”
“Sam! I’m not ready for that. And besides, I don’t want to chase him I want him to
chase me.”
“That’s the old fashion way. But he’s been chasing you. That boy is crazy about you.”
“I know. But I won’t ask him for sex.”
“You don’t have to ask him. You can seduce him.”
“I’m not going to seduce him. I’m not ready for sex yet. No matter how much he likes me. I’m just not ready.”
“I don’t want you to do it!” Matt said.
“The only thing I’m going to do is tutor him. That’s it.” Jessica had finally told Matt about Marco asking her to tutor him. They were standing in the basement outside the janitor’s closet.
Matt had been holding her hand but she snatched it away.
“I don’t want you hanging around him,” Matt said quietly as he reached out for Jessica’s hand but she jerked it away every time he got too close.
“I’m not hanging around him. I’m tutoring him!” Jessica repeated for the millionth time. “I’m beginning to sound like a broken record.”
“Stop yelling girl! I can hear you. A brother ain’t deaf.”
“I’m not yelling! It just seems like I’m yelling since my voice is echoing. You know it’s like a freakin’ cave down here.”
“Cool, just don’t talk so loud.”
“Fine. I’m still going to tutor him,” Jessica hissed.
“Dude’s only doing this to piss me off.”
“He’s achieving his goal,” Jessica answered as she absentmindedly ran a hand over the rough brick wall.
“Come here,” Matt said.
“Why?” Jessica eyed him.
“Just come here.”
“Why don’t you come to me?”
“Because I asked you to come to me,” Matt answered.
“We could be here all day.”
“No we won’t not the way you like school. I’ve never met a sista who liked school as much as you do. So I know you’re not going to spend all day with me down here playing this game. Come here girl.”
Jessica rolled her eyes then took the three steps into Matt’s arms. He stuck his hand in her thick curly hair. “I love your hair babe,” he murmured as he gently ran his fingers through it. Her hair reminded him of cotton candy. Jessica sighed, his mini massage felt so good. He grabbed a handful of her hair and gently pulled her head back so that he could look her in the eyes. He softly kissed her on the nose. “I just don’t trust him.”
