“I suppose I can walk with you to your room.”
“You say it as if you had a choice.” Nova rolled her eyes.
Bakari and Nova left the Center, walking out into the eerily silent foggy Belleville weather. The silence was deafening. No wind was blowing, just the ghost-grey misty fog enwrapping the campus.
“The fog has gotten a lot thicker than when I first came.” Nova startled herself when she spoke.
“Yeah, the weather’s been weird this year.” Bakari replied.
They walked idly, conversing amongst each other. The foggy campus made it difficult to make out any of the buildings unless you were close enough to see the names on them.
Finally getting to the dorm area, Nova and Bakari walked up to the dormitory and Nova swiped her ID card to get into the building. Walking through the doors gave way to a large, brightly lit rectangular open room with two narrow hallways on each side along with a reception desk in the middle.
Shara Santos, the receptionist, was a dark-haired, short, Filipino woman with an innocent but sometimes goofy personality. Her slim figure adorned a dark blue scarf and a black pea coat over blue jeans. Bakari would always called her ‘Secret Santos’ because whenever he saw Shara, her eyes were always red as if she never slept. He always assumed that she had a secret life no one knew about that wouldn’t allow her to sleep much. Shara was also one of the students graduating with Nova and Bakari.
“Hey Shara!” Nova waved.
“Hey Secret.” Bakari also greeted Shara
Shara looked up with bright red eyes as if she hadn’t slept for days “Oh, hey Nova, and Bakari. You guys getting ready for graduation tomorrow huh?”
“Yeah, I’m going to help Bakari get his speech together for the graduation.”
Bakari glanced over at Nova, giving her a confused look. When did we decide on that? He thought to himself.
“Well you guys have fun. I have about three more hours before I’m free. Oh and do well on your speech, Bakari. I voted for you.”
“How did you vote for—“ Bakari was cut off before he could ask his question.
“Well have a good one! We’ll let you get back to work.” Nova smiled at Shara
“You too, guys.” Shara waved as Nova and Bakari walked away.
Nova, and Bakari proceeded to walk down one of the red carpeted hallways, observing the Belleville University logos on the walls throughout the dormitory. The Belleville Panthers was the basketball team which Nova was a part of. Their logo was a panther jumping towards a basketball.
“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow for the big day.” Bakari said, arriving at Nova’s door.
“I’m helping you write your speech, so come on in.” Nova looked back at Bakari as she held the door open for him.
Bakari thought about saying no and just walking back to his room but, knowing Nova, she would call to talk about his speech the moment he left.
“Fine, but I’m not staying long.” Bakari sighed and walked into Nova’s standard Belleville dorm room which was a basic square room, white walls, blue carpet, one bathroom, a bed, dresser, and tv on the wall.
“Don’t mind my room. I couldn’t find anything to put on earlier.” Nova gave a random look to Bakari when she noticed him looking around.
“This is what happens when you can’t find something to wear?” Bakari snickered as he looked around the room, noticing clothes thrown on the bed, the floor of the closet, and in the bathroom under the mirror.
Nova rolled her eyes. “I’m going to throw on some pajamas.”
Wonder if she will find her pajamas. Bakari thought to himself as he just smiled at Nova walking into the bathroom to change.
He sat on the bed, then lay back, spreading his hands out across the soft comforter until they were placed behind his head. This speech, not really looking forward to it. Why did I have to be the one to give the class speech? I guess there's no sense in dwelling on it now. It happened and I'm sure Mom’s will love that I'm giving the speech—
“You ready to go over what you have so far?” Nova cut him from his thoughts.
Bakari looked up. Nova now wore a big tan sweater that had cats playing with yarn on it. It hung off her shoulder, revealing her black bra strap and just draping right above her knees.
“Uh, I don’t really have anything planned honestly. I was going to wing most of it.” He finally answered.
“Well you still have to make it sound good.” Nova sat on the bed next to Bakari. “What do you think you want to talk about when you wing it? Memories of the time we were here and how we have grown together would be good.” Nova answered her own question.
“That's actually not a bad idea! I knew I kept you as my friend for a reason.” Bakari joked.
Nova punched his arm. “Whatever, you would miss me so much if I wasn’t here to bug you all the time.”
“I won’t argue the fact that you’re a pain if that’s what you want.” Bakari laughed.
Nova smacked him with the nearby pillow on the bed. “Anyways, I said I would help so stand up and let’s hear something. I know that you try to appear all calm in front of everyone, but if you get nervous just look at me and I’ll be cheering you on.”
“Thanks Nova.” Bakari said getting off of the bed, “I’ll start by saying how amazing our class was, and how I would of never thought I’d meet some of the great people that I did. Also, how everyone was so quiet their freshmen year and no one really knew each other, but then as the days went on people started opening up and changing for the better.”
“And the crowd goes wild! Bakari! Bakari! Bakari!” Nova started shouting goofily, trying to encourage Bakari.
Bakari began smiling. “I’m not expecting that kind of response.” He laughed, staring in her eyes.
They both laughed playfully until a silence took the room. They stopped as they stared and smiled at each other.
“You’re always there when I need you the most, Nova. Thanks for that.”
“Don’t be all weird.” She looked away from Bakari.
“Ahh, you’re the weird one.” Bakari hit Nova with the pillow which in turn started a pillow fight between the two.
Time seemed to disappear with each swing of the pillow. Each swing drawing them closer and closer to each other until a weird stillness took the room as Bakari and Nova stared at each other. Bakari moved closer, inch by inch. Why shouldn’t I kiss her? She’s been there through it all. Bakari thought to himself has he inched closer and Nova sat there, frozen from both fear and excitement. Their foreheads were now touching, breath shaking.
“Thank you, Nova.” Bakari voice was low.
She stared at him breathing unevenly “For what?”
“Being you.” Bakari let himself have a moment of weakness as he leaned in and softly caressed her warm lips.
They pulled apart, panting, unable to hold themselves back anymore. Bakari cradled Novas head in his hands, kissing her passionately. Her hands found their way around his body, digging her nails into his back. His hands made their way under Nova’s sweater, touching her warm body as she curved to give way to his every touch.
Thump. The knock came loudly. “Nova, you up?” The loud voice asked from behind the door.
They pulled away from each other, smiling in silence. Nova tapped Bakari on the forehead, still smiling.
“Yeah, I’m coming.” Nova answered.
Bakari began easing off of Nova to let her answer the door “I should be heading back to my room. Thanks for helping me think of things to say at the graduation.”
Nova opened the door, smiling. “Hey Luciana, I forgot you were stopping by.”
Luciana was a short Hispanic girl who had a toned figure like Nova, her beige skin gleaming with the light from the hallways through her shoulder-length dark hair. She was one of Nova’s closest friends at Belleville University, and also the shooting guard on the Belleville Panthers.
Luciana tilted her body to the side, noticing Bakari. “Um, hey Bakari.”
“I just bet you were. What did I interrupt? I can come back.” Luciana laughed as Bakari was walking out of the room.
“No that’s fine. Have a good night. See you both at graduation tomorrow.” Bakari began walking down the hallway.
“Yeah you too.” Nova’s smile never left her face.
As Bakari got down the hallway, he heard Luciana ask Nova to tell her all the details, and he just sighed to himself. Guess she got out of here early. She needs the sleep. Bakari thought to himself as he walked past the reception desk, noticing that Shara was gone. Back outside, the fog began clearing up. He could make out the buildings easier the longer he walked. His mind wandered back to what had just happened with him and Nova. He wanted to clear his mind of it otherwise he would dwell on it all night. Despite that, he kept thinking of old memories each time he walked past one of the education buildings. Nova was a part of a lot of those old memories, so it wasn’t helping him get her off his mind. When he got closer to his dormitory, it sounded as if someone was arguing, but he couldn’t make out who. Right in front of his dormitory by the dragon mascot statue was Shara, and a tall, older, dark-skinned muscular man with dreads hanging loosely down to his shoulders. He was wearing a sleeveless dark shirt, giving way to his toned tattooed biceps.
“Everything okay, Shara?” asked Bakari as the man just stared at him.
“Yeah, I was just helping this gentleman with directions. He should be good to go.” Shara shot him a look as he started walking away, still staring at Bakari. “Well, see ya, Bakari I have to head back to work.” She quickly walked away.
Uh, what just happened? He thought to himself after Shara walked away.
Walking into his dormitory which had the same design as Nova’s, Bakari finally arrived to his room and he sat on his bed exhausted. What a day… he thought as he laid back. His eyes closed under the darkness and silence.
2
Bakari laid in bed after waking up early for graduation. He lay there thinking about the graduation, and even though he didn’t want to, he was thinking about Nova as well. The loud beeping from his alarm threw him from his thoughts as he reached his hand across the bed to hit the snooze button. Just five more minutes he thought to himself. I’m not ready to get up. He rolled on his side, pulling his blanket over his shoulder to get comfortable, and closed his eyes for what seemed like seconds as the alarm suddenly started beeping again. This time he pressed the dismiss button and finally threw his legs off the end of the bed. He leaned with his hands on his head, pausing before he got up to grab his royal blue cap and gown from the closet, along with a white button up dress shirt and some black slacks. Brushing his teeth, he stared in the mirror anxiously in anticipation of the ceremony. Time seemed to be moving at the speed of light as Bakari began getting dressed after his shower. Rushing, he gathered his things and headed for the university’s main auditorium.
When he got outside, the sky was clear with only faint a sign of clouds. The grass and trees looked a beautiful healthy green in the sun’s light. Bakari took a deep breath as a slight breeze of wind brushed across his face. Looking around, he could see all the students in their cap and gowns walking towards the auditorium. They were laughing, chatting, smiling, high-fiving, happy, and ready to graduate.
“Bakari, what are you standing there for? Lets go graduate!” Nova came yelling with her hands out, embracing Bakari.
“I’m going. Why aren’t you there yet?” He asked after her embrace.
“I called you like ten times and you didn’t answer so I thought you overslept.”
“I haven’t heard my phone ring all day today actually.”
Bakari slid his hand in his pocket to check his phone. He forgot he put his phone on silent last night after Nova called him to come to the Center. Looking through his notifications, he realized he missed calls from Nova, his mother, and several other numbers he didn’t recognize. Must be people trying to congratulate me for graduating, he thought.
“Well let's get going. We have about thirty minutes to get in place.” Nova started speed-walking with the crowd and Bakari followed.
They walked, giving high fives to some of the other students until they came up to the main auditorium building. It was a large grey octagon building with floor to ceiling windows all around the front end of the building. Bakari and Nova could see all the friends and family of the students through the windows as they made their way around to the back doors where the faculty would be. The walls were painted a crescent blue with white trim over the hazel wood flooring. Bakari walked forward to the curtains to glance at all the friends and family of everyone.
“Bakari, do you have your speech ready? You will be the last one out after everyone’s name is called. You will receive your diploma then deliver your speech to the audience and your class.” A curvy, pale, red-haired lady wearing a black dress holding papers in her hand told him.
“Yes, it’s ready, Ms. Morgan.” Bakari said, pointing at his head. “It’s all in here.”
She smiled. “You guys grew up so fast.” She closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears from rolling down her face. “Well it’s almost time, so lets start lining up and getting into place so I can hand you guys your diplomas!” She addressed the whole class.
Bakari walked back to the doors he initially entered into to make way for everyone getting in position. He watched them still joking and laughing amongst each other. It still hadn’t all quite hit him just yet. He was done with college once he walked on that stage and grabbed his diploma. His four years were done. Why hasn't it hit him as much as it did everyone else? Bakari kept pondering, but seeing all his classmates happy and getting through it made him happy. That was enough for him.
Ms. Morgan had finally put all of the students in alphabetical order so they could take the stage. Bakari noticed Ms. Morgan giving him a look and pointing at the back of the line. Guess that's my queue to get in line. He laughed to himself while getting in line behind Gary Wilson. Gary was a thin, freckled ginger who mainly got through school by being a class clown. Bakari couldn’t tell if he was having a hard time hiding his excitement or having a nervous breakdown. He just kept tapping his foot and breathing heavily.
Finally, Ms. Morgan had walked out onto the stage to addressed the family and friends of the students who were anxiously waiting. Then, she called the first name. Laura Anderson, a slim, blond who mostly kept to herself. When she walked out onto the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers. The crowd continued to erupt into cheers every time a student’s name was called. Then there was Nova, who was rocking side to side doing a dance about to get called onto the stage. Right before she got called, she looked at the back to Bakari and gave him a wink before she walked out on stage. Name by name, Bakari started to get anxious as the line started to shrink and get closer to him.
“Lastly, we have Bakari Kalu!” Ms. Morgan shouted.
Well here goes nothing, He walked onto the stage and the crowd erupted in celebration. Bakari took in the positive atmosphere, looking at the bright yellow stars painted on the midnight blue walls. At that moment all eyes were on him. He was in the spotlight and, for once, he didn’t mind it. He embraced it as he started delivering his speech. Some smiled, some laughed, some were astonished at his delivery and how charismatic he was, while others got emotional as he brought up old memories of when they first started Belleville University.
“In the end, we made lifelong connections, friends, and some of us even lovers. I have personally met great people here. Some that I hope to never lose contact with, and never forget. I won’t name drop them and put them on the spot, but they know who they are. I’ve also gotten closer to a friend that I’ve know majority of my life, Nova. Sorry, your name gets dropped.” Bakari paused his speech to give everyone time to laugh.
“In conclusion, even if you take all the bad and compare it against the good, the good will outweigh the bad. I ca
n guarantee it. You being here confirms that, and I wouldn’t have wanted to graduate with any other college class! Congratulations Class Of 2012!” Bakari threw his cap in the air and walked off stage to stand with the other students, and everyone erupted in celebration. The family and friends of the students began to embrace all of them with hugs, and kisses, as old shredded class work began falling from the ceiling.
“Is that the man himself? Congrats!” Someone with a tremulous voice came up behind Bakari.
Bakari couldn’t stop the smile that was creeping up on his face when he heard the familiar voice. He turned around to his surprise and noticed Kas wearing a black cardigan, along with blue jeans and a black and blue scarf. Kas had been his friend since he was seven years old, and next to Nova, Kas was the oldest friend he had.
“Kas! I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you were on deployment and couldn’t make it!” Bakari said, joyfully embracing Kas.
“Oh, come on, man! This counts as a family emergency. I had to pull some strings and I owe a lot of people, but I had to make this happen. I mean look at you all grown up, looking all handsome and strong like me.” Kas looked over Bakari.
“You don’t look so bad yourself bro. I see they made you shave all the facial hair. You’re all baby-faced now.” Bakari said, looking at Kas’s clean-shaven, buttery brown face.
They continued to converse, sharing memories and laughs until Nova walked up and joined in on the reunion.
“Well if it isn’t Malakeem Kasper Shamali!” Nova was poking at Kas.
“Well if it isn’t Nova ‘no middle name’ Madaki.” Kas replied sarcastically. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“Not yet, but speaking of being somewhere, we do have the costume party later on tonight as our last event, Bakari” Nova answered
“I forgot but I’m going, and Kas is going too.” Bakari smiled, looking at Kas. Nova rolled her eyes.
“I’m sure he can go as himself and, everyone would be interested in what he was.” Nova laughed. “All jokes aside, I missed you.” She hugged Kas. “Have to go, Mom is taking me out for food. See you guys at the party.”
Zera_Dawn Of The Redborn Page 2
