Back That Thing
Page 6
Sanaa tapped on Pia’s arm and asked, “Is he gon’ be okay?”
Pia nodded as she helped him hobble to the front of the school. “I don’t want you to try to be some hero and keep taking abuse for me. I can take care of them. I didn’t even know the cops were going to ask you anything.”
“Oh, the last week they’ve been asking a lot of the players a lot of stuff, and word is out I’m the only one talking. They didn’t even know I witnessed the rape, but I did, and I didn’t make it right for you then. But I am now, Pia.”
When the principal came out to speak to Stephen, the two men went into his office. Pia had to go on to class. She couldn’t get Stephen out of her mind. He was helping her, maybe because he liked her, but more because he wanted to do the right thing. He was a hero in her eyes. Her heart had been hardened for so long, but now things were looking better.
Later that evening, when they were having their third slumber party and Pia was staring into the bathroom mirror at Willow’s place, she thought back over the darkness she’d experienced the last few months. She suddenly realized that she had made it through that dark period. She was wiser and actually ready for the next phase of life.
“Alright, open up in there!” Willow said, standing on the other side of the bathroom door.
“Yeah, come on out. You don’t want us to have to bust the door in,” Sanaa said. “It’s girl time!”
When Pia opened the door, she asked, “Where’s Octavia?”
“Sittin’ over there all melancholy,” Olive smiled and said. “Something’s wrong with the redhead.”
“No,” Octavia announced, typing on her laptop. “I’m just really enjoying our time, and I’m doing some research, and I found out where that girl, Leah, went to school.”
“Is she dead?” Olive asked, searching through her purse to find the letter.
“Yeah. Her obituary is right here,” Octavia said.
The girls gathered around the computer, and they were shocked to see the beautiful African American girl smiling like she had no care in the world. Silence befell them as they looked on. Pia felt sad that this girl had actually taken her own life.
“Gosh, it says right here she was a dancer,” Willow said.
“And was a star student,” Sanaa pointed out.
“She’s survived only by her mom,” Pia said.
“Looks like she had some involvement with a local gang,” Olive uttered.
“But, in the end she was a loner,” Octavia said.
All of them felt like they had something in common with Leah, and for a moment, things got really quiet again and even more intense. Pia wished she could have known Leah to help save her life. She sighed, realizing that Leah had helped to save her life with the little notes.
Pia said, “How could she be sending us stuff if she’s not alive? I mean, clearly, she’s dead. There’s an obituary.”
“Maybe she’s not,” Willow said.
“Everything she’s told us, we needed to hear—change our lives, get some faith, examine our past—but not all of us are always listening to everything she tell us,” Sanaa said, looking dead at Willow.
“Yeah, I hear you. Took me a while to get there, but making the same mistakes over and over is pointless,” Willow replied.
“How you doin’ with Toni, anyway?” Pia asked Sanaa.
“She’s still mad. But I’m so thankful I got you guys.”
“Ditto that!” Olive said. “You guys gave me the strength to channel all of my passion in the right area.”
“It’s not like we went with you to talk to the judge,” Willow said.
Olive admitted, “You weren’t actually with me, but in a way you’re with me all the time.”
“Yeah, I clearly get that,” Pia agreed. “I was only able to help my mom and at the same time understand all she went through because you guys supported me.”
“So here’s a question I have,” Willow said. “Since we’ve looked back, we all know how bad being on the swoop list has been, but would you trade it? Would you change it? If you could go back, would you make sure that you weren’t on it? Sanaa?”
“No,” Sanaa said, looking at all of them.
“Olive?” Willow asked.
Olive responded, “No. It got me away from Tiger.”
Willow said, “Octavia?”
Octavia hesitated, but then said, “A little yes, but more no. Please don’t ask me to elaborate.”
Willow shrugged at Octavia’s weird response, but said, “Pia?”
Pia said, “Before I answer, you tell us your answer.”
Willow nodded. “Obviously no, because I keep wanting to do the same things that probably got me on the list. I never could’ve imagined that I’d have such friendships. So, no, because of y’all too. Now you, Pia.”
Pia smiled and motioned for them to grab hands. When they were all standing there, facing each other, Pia said, “No, I would not change being a swoop list girl. This list brought me you all. And because of your friendship, I’m better. Actually, I know our tight bond has made us all better.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Back that thing...every one of us can learn from our past. If want to be better in this life...evaluate what you’ve done and do not redo your mistakes! Here’s a look back to thank those who helped me all along the way.
To my parents, Dr. Franklin and Shirley Perry, looking back I’m thankful you gave me a great foundation. That foundation helped me to build greatness. To my editor, Mari Kesselring, looking back I am thankful you pour everything into getting my work to be the best it can be. To my extended family, looking back I know your deep love spills over into my writing. To my assistants Ashely Cheathum, Alyxandra Pinkston, and Candace Johnson, looking back you all are on it. Your diligence makes my work better. To my dear friends too numerous to name, looking back I know your friendship has enabled me to write about the strength real bonds can bring. To my teens, Dustyn, Sydni, and Sheldyn, looking back I am grateful I am your mother. To my husband, Derrick, looking back, I thank you for twenty golden years. Your endearing presence has helped me soar in this career. To my readers, especially the kids in Jackson, GA, looking back I’m so thankful you gave me the idea for the series. Your honesty in our sharing session helped me bless others with this tough subject. And to my Savior, looking back I’m thrilled you ordered my steps to be a novelist. The career you’ve given me has given my life purpose. I aim to make You proud.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE is the author of more than sixty young adult titles, including the Sharp Sisters series, the Grovehill Giants series, the Lockwood Lions series, the Payton Skky series, the Laurel Shadrach series, the Perry Skky Jr. series, the Yasmin Peace series, the Faith Thomas Novelzine series, the Carmen Browne series, the Morgan Love series, the Alec London series, and the Beta Gamma Pi series. Mrs. Moore is a motivational speaker who enjoys encouraging young people to achieve every attainable dream. She lives in the greater Atlanta area with her husband, Derrick, and their three children. Visit her website at www.stephanieperrymoore.com