Chapter 23: Chapter 23

***

After Brianna and I were forced to apologize to each other, I returned to my room and freshened up.

Once I was done, I sat in front of my mirror. I picked my hair brush and brushed my hair. Brushing my curls made them fluffy and slightly scattered. I didn't care. I wanted to look like I didn't give a damn that day. I wanted to show in some sort of way that I was having a bad day.

My phone rang and I picked it.

"Helloooo, baby gurl!"

"Hey, Yazz. Wattup?"

"I'm fine. And you? You don't sound right. What's wrong?"

I sighed and rubbed my temple.

"I got into a fight this morning."

"Whuuut? Why?!"

"Someone stepped on ma toe."

"Excuse me?? It's that Bella bitch you told me bout?"

"Close. It's her fake ass twin. The other bish. Brianna."

"You serious?? What happened??"

I told her everything.

"Harlem?"

"Yes?"

"Girl, I am so proud of you. HA! You did good to teach her a lesson. If I was there with you, it would be fire for them!"

I laughed. Yasmin always got me in a good mood. I missed her so much. And then it hit me.

"Yasmin??"

"Yeah, what?"

"You can be here! You don't go to school and so you can come visit me! You can come stay at least a week or two!"

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah! Yes, you can! People always have their sisters or friends visit. Cmon!"

"Oh, I gotta ask ma momma first."

"She'll agree!"

"I don't know. Who'll find money to give her when I ain't there?"

"You can find a mini job within those two weeks. I'll help. Your momma won't lack a thing."

"Okay!" she said, suddenly excited. "You've convinced me. I'll talk to momma and let you know."

"Aight. Bye bye."

"Bye, Harl!"

We both hung up. It was gonna be great if Yazz could be with me.

At that moment, Megan walked into my room.

"Hello, Harl."

"Hi."

"Why did you brush away your curls?? Your hair looks messy."

"Was trying something new. I don't care but this is what I'm gonna look like today. Anything wrong?"

"No. I'm just happy you kicked Bree's butt!" she giggled. I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"Let's forget that. I'm bored. What could one do on a Sunday at eleven?"

"Uh, I don't know but I'm going to work out at the school's gym. Wanna come with me? Please?"

"Alright. But I'm just coming to watch."

"Alright."

"Let's have breakfast first. I'm starving."

**

Megan and I were about to leave the house when I received a text. I stopped to read it. It was from Lucas.

-Hey Harl. I'm stuck here n de seniors kip askx me embarassx questions. Cme save me pls. Dey're bored n r usx me 4 some sort of entertainmnt. Hurry.-

I turned to Megan.

"Megan, we gotta pass by the sigma house."

"Why?"

"Apparently I need to save a rich kid." I mused.

"What??"

*

"Who are you looking for chocolate flake?" one of the seniors asked me. I stood in front of the sigma chi house.

"Lucas Drew."

"Alright, sweetheart. Come in and wait while I call him."

I nodded and followed him into the house while Megan waited outside.

"I'll wait here." I told the senior.

"Alright."

I stood waiting in their dark corridor. A minute later, that senior returned.

"Come in, dear. If you want to see Lucas, you come in or nothing. Because we're all a little busy. So you coming?" he asked and went in again. I stood there staring.



I was hesitating. But then, I got a grip of myself and walked up to the other door that led to the living room.

I got in. There were about eight seniors sitting in the living room when I walked in. Three were year twos.

"Well honey, aren't you gonna greet? Be polite." one teased, eying me. I cleared my throat to speak.

"Since you insist. Hello."

My reply surprised them a little and they smiled at each other.

"Who are you looking for, tough princess?" another asked.

"Lucas otherwise known as Lulu."

The boys chuckled. A sigma freshman entered the room with two bottles of beer and handed them over to two seniors.

"Dude, are you lost or what?? I said I didn't want a cold one. Like the fuck??" one of them said, annoyed at the freshman.

"Sorry. Mistake. Lemme go get another."

As he went away, Lucas walked into the living room. When he saw me, he smiled a little but discretely.

"Oh, here's Lulu. But we need him here. This little guy is very funny and he entertains us. You'll have to come some other time."

Lucas gave me that look that said,

'Do something.'

"I'm sorry but there won't be another time. Lucas and I have an assignment to finish together."

"He can do that himself, right?"

"No. It's a group thing." I replied dryly. They stared at me, all with smirks on their lips. They were trying to intimidate me. No way. I remained impassive.

"If it's a group thing, then do the assignment by yourself or with others and then add Lucas's name to it."

"Are you kidding me? I'm sorry dear senior?" I waited for him to give me a name.

"Dan."

"Senior Dan but I can't do that. Y'all wouldn't want your Lulu to be failing his assignments and exams right? Then please let him go. And not to be rude, I'm in a hurry."

The guys chuckled in surprise and fidgeted amongst themselves.

"What's your name, baby?" a second year asked.

"Harlem."

They stared at each other.

"Where are you from?"

"Brownsville."

"Woah."

Lucas discreetly walked up to me.

"Uh, We'd like to go now." he told them.

"Sure. This interesting friend of yours convinced us enough."

"I'm glad she did." he turned to me and whispered, "Let's get outta here." He grabbed my hand and began leading me towards the corridor.

"Bye, Harlem! And fixing your hair next time!" a senior said.

"Why should I?" I replied as we walked out. I heard them fidget and chuckle amongst themselves.