PPP Box Set

by Charmanie Saquea

  “I didn’t see this nigga at school earlier,” I thought.

  I would have noticed him. That was as far as my thoughts went about him. He probably had a girl anyway. I caught him and DJ looking in our direction before we headed for the exit. We both had to use the bathroom and public bathrooms just weren’t our thing. That big ass lemonade had finally caught up with me.

  It was definitely colder outside than before. The chill swished past my ass and made me pep up my step.

  “Excuse me,” I heard a voice say.

  My mom and I both looked back and saw a tall figure walking up behind us. It was dark so I couldn’t make out who it was. Maybe it was DJ. As the figure got closer, I realized who it was. I was confused as to what he wanted. #21 was still cute up close and personal. He walked up to us with confidence and a smile. He introduced himself as Darnell. I instantly had an “ah ha” moment and I’m sure it showed on my face. So the crowd had to be saying, “Nell.” He addressed my mother straight on, shaking her hand and complimenting her. I really wanted to speed up that little meet and greet. It was cold as hell. His focus finally turned on me. My mom walked off and warmed up the car.

  “I know it’s cold so let’s walk and talk,” he said. “Your name is Cherokee huh?” he asked rhetorically. “I like that.”

  “Thanks,” I responded.

  At this point, I was trying not to shake and embarrass myself. “I didn’t see you in school today because I didn’t go, but my guy called me on lunch hour to tell me he saw something I might like and I must say, he was right,” he said with a smile. “When I saw you walk in the gym I knew he was talking about you,” he continued.

  “Awww, that’s sweet,” I said. I was really thinking, “Speed this sweet shit up, it’s cold!”

  He must have gotten the hint because he whipped his phone out and asked for my number. I gave it to him; he opened my door, and told us to be safe. I wanted to smile but I knew my mother was looking at me to see my reaction. We didn’t say much on the ride home but I knew she liked how he approached us. I saw her peeking at me out of the corner of her eye. I just kept a straight face and looked out the window. I must say that my thoughts were on Darnell as well. He had my attention. As we were pulling up in the driveway, she broke the silence.

  “I like him,” she said.

  I laughed and she joined me. I knew that was coming.

  Journal Entry February 2002

  Today was not as bad as I thought. I’m still shitty, don’t get me wrong. There’s no place like home, but the new change could be good. The environment is different. I don’t know if that is good or bad. At least a new friend would help the time pass. I talked to Nell on the phone for two hours before we called it a night. He was cool. We did the basic “get to know you” Q&A. Found out the people in the gym were his mother, grandmother, and brother. He told me his father died when he was 10 and how his brother became his father soon after. I could tell he really loved his brother and looked up to him. I wanted to know all about this city and what there was to get into. He said he could show me better than he could tell me, so he asked me to go with him to the dance tomorrow night. I agreed with no problem.

  Day 2

  So it’s day two. Oddly, I’m excited. No uniform and one day closer to the weekend. Having a date lined up with Nell gave me something to look forward too. What more could I ask for? My social life was already picking up and it was only day 2. I could at least use Nell as a past time if anything. He was a “fly” dude. I know he got a couple babes. He seemed well known and he was a beast on the court. There’s no way he hasn’t dated anybody at the school. Guess I need to prepare for a few haters. I’d rather be cool with a guy over a girl any day anyway. It’s just less complicated dealing with men until feelings start to get involved.

  I decided on a Juicy Couture jogging suit that I had ordered a few weeks ago. It was red, simple, and fitted. I chose red because it is bold like ME and I wanted to be seen since it was the first day I could be myself and not look like the entire school. I had a few things planned for my uniform though, so I could still put my own twist on it. People still expressed themselves through their clothes even with the basic tan and blue uniform. It was still kind of early so I grabbed my waffles and turned the TV on and caught a rerun of “Martin.” The episode was the one when Gina got her head caught in the headboard. Classic! I was so caught up in the episode that I lost track of time. I had to run and get dressed so I took a “ho bath” without a choice.

  School was pretty dead until I got to Ethics class. Mr. Burg looked good in his velvet blazer, jeans, and boots. He looked like he stepped off the pages of GQ. I walked past him as he stood by the door to greet his students. I caught a whiff of his cologne and it smelled like Ralph Lauren.

  “How are you this afternoon? Cherokee right?”

  I smiled from ear to ear. I was flattered. “Not too many teachers know it yet,” I said. “So far I’m sure I’m known as, “the new girl.” We both laughed.

  “I try to get to know all my students,” he said.

  I sat down in the seat directly in front of his desk since we didn’t have assigned seats. He gets to know all his students, huh. I replayed that sentence in my head a few times. If I sensed any sign of flirting then I was definitely interested.

  The bell rang and Mr. Burg actually looked like he was going to teach something. He wrote on the board, three page paper due Wednesday on the movie “Roots.” He popped in the tape. Luckily for me, I had already seen “Roots” so I pulled my phone out and texted my cousin, Tiara. Mr. Burg sat at his computer trying to look busy. He peeked over the screen a few times and looked in my direction. I was starting to think I might have a chance with Mr. Burg.

  “If I was presented the opportunity what would I do,” I thought.

  I balled up my jacket on my desk to create a make shift pillow. I put my head down and thought about Mr. Burg’s smile as I heard him talking to another student. I wondered if it could even go there between us or even if I could get something from him. I would need something more than a wet ass of course. He did have a nice truck. I visualized myself behind the wheel. I remember smiling at my immoral thoughts in a class based on morals. That was the last thing I remember.

  “Cherokee,” I heard somebody say. “Cherokee!”

  +I popped my head up looking disoriented I‘m sure and wiped the slob off the side of my mouth. I had dozed off that quick.

  “I’m checking the attendance,” Mr. Burg explained.

  “Oh,” I said feeling embarrassed. “Here!”

  I didn’t see my new boo Nell all day. I was secretly looking for him. I walked towards my locker and saw a mangy creature leaning up against a nearby locker.

  “Ugh, I hope he ain’t about to do what I think,” I thought.

  I repeated my combination in my head: 21, 6, and 11. “Yo, Red,” I heard a voice say. I didn’t even respond. My lock popped and I swung my door open to block his face. What could he possibly want? His lips were crusty, teeth yellow, and his shoes were dirty. Nothing about him was appealing.

  “Where yo man at,” he asked.

  “I don’t have one,” I responded dryly as I filled my backpack up with the needed books for homework over the weekend. For some reason I guess he thought he had a chance.

  “You should give me your number,” he said.

  I closed my locker after that request. I just stood there looking at him thinking of a way to be clear, but not too mean. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder.

  “Yo, Tony,” a voice interrupted. “She didn’t tell you she had a nigga?” my savior asked.

  I cracked a smile knowing the voice without even looking at Nell. He gave me a hug that was so nice and sweet.

  “You look sexy today, Red,” he said.

  “Why do niggas do that,” I thought. Call you by the color you have on. That shit is rude. I didn’t say anything though because he did just rescue me, right on time too. I forgot all about “Lil Dusty.” I look
ed back and didn’t see him in the crazy after school crowd.

  I checked him out with his fresh cut, wheat Tims, and diamond studs.

  “Why didn’t I see you in school today,” I asked.

  “Well, I’m a senior, youngsta,” he said like I was so far behind him. “I only come for a half day,” he laughed. “I get a haircut every Friday though so I can be fresh for the weekend,” he explained.

  I walked with him towards the gym. Our short walk attracted a little attention. I didn’t know if Nell noticed, but I did. He was so into our conversation. He talked quickly about his whereabouts and how he couldn’t wait to go out later. I was excited to even be going out. I was surprised that I could have that emotion. I felt eyes burning the back of my head. I decided not to look back though. I would only look back to probably see eyes looking away.

  “Ay, what are you wearing tonight,” I asked him.

  “I don’t know yet. I grabbed two outfits today though,” he said.

  We stood outside of the gym to continue our conversation as the players walked in one by one. They all addressed Nell with a nod, handshake, or something. He even had a special handshake with two of the players. He introduced them both as his “bros” so that meant they were his besties in “girl world” anyway. I laughed at the thought of a guy actually calling his friends his besties.

  The coaches walked up looking somewhat pissed. “Get dressed,” he said to no one in particular as he walked in the gym. The assistant coach just so happened to be Mr. Burg.

  “I told y’all to leave these girls alone. They gonna get y’all in trouble,” he said.

  I was offended. Nell obviously had to go so I started making my way to the exit.

  “This school is pretty big,” I thought, as I got familiar with the first floor.

  It was almost empty with only a few people lingering. I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I opened the message and it was Nell. “Sorry about that boo. Coach a dick head. Can’t wait to see you tonight!” Then a second message came. “Wear black!” That put a smile on my face. For that, I would honor his request.

  I stepped out of the shower onto the plush rug with freshly painted toes. I wrapped my body and hair with two oversized towels and made my way to my room. It was already 8:30pm and Nell had said to be ready at nine. Damn, I need to get my shit together. I looked through my wardrobe and debated on what to wear, keeping Nell’s request in mind. I fixed my eyes on a simple black dress with a hood. I loved hoods on everything from dresses to jackets. I snatched the tags off my new bra and panties from Vicky’s. I pulled out all of my accessories and decided on gold bangles with my big “ghetto” hoops. I felt like I was “Jenny from the block.”

  My granny would always say, “The bigger the hoop the bigger the ho.” I laughed at that because it never stopped me. Bigger was better when it came to earrings, especially when it was time to “step out.” I packed on some gold eye shadow and made my lashes long and lush. I wanted to look sexy for Nell, but for my own selfish reasons as well. I might catch the eye of a better guy. Who knows?

  I released my hair from the towel and looked in the mirror. What to do? I glanced at my phone that was lighting up.

  “Hello,” I answered.

  “Wad’ up,” Nell said. “I’m bout to pull up. “ You ready,” he asked.

  I started to lie but he said look sexy and sexy takes time. “You know what Nell,” I was trying to think of something good. “I need about fifteen minutes,” was all I could come up with.

  He laughed, “It’s cool! Bout to pull up and roll a blunt. Ya Momma ain’t gonna come out shooting is she?” he asked.

  “Naw boy,” I said with an attitude. I started to hang up then I heard him continuing the convo.

  “I know you smoke, right?” he asked.

  “And how do you know that,” I said with a little smirk.

  “Cause ya lips turning black,” he said in his best Elroy voice from the movie, “Next Friday.” I licked them like Craig did and then started to laugh.

  “Shut up,” I said laughing. “Give me a second,” I told Nell and I hung up.

  I looked back in the mirror. My hair was wet, but cute and curly so I threw in some setting lotion, pulled the front into a ponytail, and let the back and sides hang freely. My Mom would be mad as hell if she had seen I was going out with wet hair. She liked the look on me but she was so crazy about me getting sick. I ran in my mom’s room and sprayed on her Gucci perfume, grabbed my bag, jacket, and threw on my sexy black Tims’ with the heels. I flew by the full body mirror and gave myself kudos for my fashion sense. I looked good and smelled good. While I walked to the door, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I didn’t even bother to look knowing it was Nell, because fifteen minutes had turned into thirty.

  Nell opened his door and hopped out. He flashed that sexy smile that I had grown to love over the last few days.

  “You look good,” he said as he walked towards me. “You can definitely tell that you are not from out here.” He embraced me and kissed my neck. I took that as a compliment. As soon as I got comfortable in his arms, he squeezed my ass.

  “That ass looking good too,” he said as he released his Kung-Fu grip.

  “Just like a nigga,” I said as I pushed him off. “So much for being a gentleman.” I secretly liked that he was straight ignorant. He opened my door and I climbed in.

  “I’m still a gentleman,” he said.

  As soon as Nell got in his phone rang. “Nigga, I’m coming,” he said on his chirp. He lit the blunt and passed it to me. “Don’t get none of that lip gloss shit on there,” he joked.

  I pulled from the weed like an old pro and passed it back. He had better get used to the lip-gloss. I sat there looking at Nell on the low. I peeped out his iced out watch, his crispy hat, and diamond studs. They looked real too. Either he was super spoiled or he had another hustle. I knew the look. He had some cute Asian like eyes that were even more closed due to the weed. He was definitely eye candy. We just passed the blunt back and forth and pulled up to the school during the last rotation. I felt lovely. I hadn’t smoked since the weekend before. My girls and I had a hell of a session before I left. It was kind of a good-bye session. We laughed all night, shed a few tears, and ate plenty of snacks. I grabbed a little something from my girl’s brother before I left. I have yet to smoke it though. Tonight might be the night.

  We walked in the gym where this “dance” was being held. Dance? Yea, ok! This was what we called a “sock hop” back home, which is basically a house party that’s not at a house. The DJ was playing the latest shit and the crowd was off the chain. It was only ten something, but hair was sweated out and clothes were coming off. These were definitely not the same squares I saw at school earlier. I had to laugh at the whole scene.

  “This shit crazy,” I thought.

  It put me in the mind of “Dirty Dancing” for sure, a more up to date version anyway. I was just as surprised as Baby was. The guys loved all the thighs, titties, and asses that were exposed. Asses were definitely being grabbed and skirts were being pulled up. The little adult supervision wasn’t enough to keep the whole crowd in order. I started bobbing my head to the music. I swear the bass had me moving without even knowing it.

  Nell walked behind me holding my waist. I saw a few haters looking in our direction. I started doing some extra booty shaking on his dick. I didn’t give a fuck. Nell thought he should pull me to the side to warn me about “his bitches.”

  “Look, chick to ya right,” he pointed. “That’s my ex, Essence,” he told me. “She is very ignorant, ghetto, and emotional. We broke up a few months ago. I just want to let you know so you won’t be shocked if she be on some bullshit. You look like you can handle your own. You are always safe with me though. Always,” he reassured me.

  I looked at him thinking, “Boy I will fuck that girl up. She better stay her ass away from me.” Instead, I said, “Thanks for the heads up.”

  I knew he could tell by my facia
l expression that I had said some slick shit in my head. We walked through the crowd some and I started to grind my ass on Nell to the beat again. He immediately got on beat and danced up against me. We were in our own world. I dropped it, bent over, and grinded slow for him. His eyes never left my body. He whispered, letting me know how sexy I was. I could tell he was digging me and by the time the first song ended, he had grown a few inches below the waist.

  After the third song in a row, we decided to chill for a few. Of course, I found the closest place to sit. My feet were hurting. Nell made his rounds talking to a few of the guys. I just sat on the side and observed my surroundings while I took off my shoes and rubbed my feet. I saw a few white people dancing off beat, some X- Rated moves that I wouldn’t even do, and a few people who really had some rhythm. I was impressed. Didn’t think it would be this normal, yet different. It was still funny. I thought that maybe I was being too critical. I was obviously going to be here so I should probably lighten up. It was just a thought.

  Nell snapped me out of my trance by walking up on me.

  “Damn Nell! You tall as hell,” I said looking all the way up at him.

  “You just short,” he said. “I prefer you to be smaller than me though. Then I can throw you around and put you in different positions,” he said sounding so sure of himself.

  “Oh yeah,” I said doubting him. “And how soon do you think you will be doing that,” I asked.

  Hope he didn’t think tonight was that night. I did know off top that I would be doing some sexual acts with him as soon as he sparked my interest. He had sex appeal and a girl just knows who she wants to give her goodies too. I stood up and leaned against the wall. Nell walked up on me and put his hands on the wall. He completely covered my body with his tall frame. His chain hung in my face as I looked up at him. He leaned in close and said, “Whenever you let me.”