Pretty Girls in the Vip (9781617730283) (9 page)

H
ow did I go from Jabril surprising me at my school to me being back in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with him? I don't know. I don't know how Jabril swept me off my feet. It happened so fast, and we picked up right from where we left off. We had such a good time in Atlantic City that I agreed to skip my Friday classes. Then I told Lenora not to put me on the schedule over the weekend. But once I started saying yes to Jabril, he kept trying to see how much further he could push me. We went from him popping up at my school and taking me to dinner to asking me to come out to Oklahoma City for a week. I said yes to everything, and then out of nowhere, Jabril asked if I could transfer to a college in Oklahoma City so we could be back together. There is something very strange about loving someone. When you really love a person, months and years can go by without seeing or hearing from them, but you feel like nothing has changed between you when you see them again. Unfortunately, that's how I felt.

The crazy thing is, for about four seconds I thought about it. I actually thought about rearranging my life for him again. Then I came to my senses. Everything felt right, but it was time for me to go back home.

 

I walked into my former gigantic closet and began packing my clothes. All my clothes were still in place just like I had left them. The week was over and I'd really enjoyed myself, but I had to get home. We were still best friends and in sync. It was undeniable that I loved Jabril, I just didn't want to be with him—not right now. I told him to book my flight and I would be back in a few weeks.

I tried to stuff all my new and old things into my suitcase. Even with everything folded neatly, my things wouldn't fit. Claudette peeked in the room as I struggled with closing the suitcase.

“What time does your flight leave?” Claudette asked.

“I don't know exactly. Bril made the reservations.”

“Okay, I'll ask him. We better get going soon. I'm sure it is an afternoon flight.”

“I'm almost done packing. I only want to bring a carry-on on the flight,” I said.

“Also, Zakiya, I just wanted to say it was good having you back. Jabril hasn't been this happy in such a long time.”

“Thanks, Claudette, I'll be back more often.”

“Good, well, I'm going to run out to the store, then by the time I get back we can go.”

I finally closed my suitcase and carried it toward the door. I walked past the pool and found Jabril outside on the court behind the house practicing free throws. I called out his name and he didn't stop playing until I was standing right next to him. I acted like I was going to knock the ball out of his hands. He dodged me, then shot at the hoop again.

“What time is my flight? I need the airline information.”

“I think it's United . . . or it might have been American. I'm not sure. I forgot.” He shot at the hoop again, missing this time. He ran after the ball, grabbed it, and then had me check him and the ball and pass it back to him.

“Why don't you know anything? Did you make my reservation, Jabril?”

“What if I didn't?” he asked, throwing the ball at the hoop again.

“Jabril! Oh my God! I have to be back at work and I have classes. I hope you are joking, because this is not funny at all.”

“Then don't laugh, because I didn't book the flight. We need to talk, Zakiya. You have to make me understand, what's so important back in Philly? There are schools out here, and if you really wanted to work, there are a bunch of grocery stores, too.”

“So, that's what you are trying to do, Jabril, keep me here? You are really unbelievable. We were having a good time, and then you have to do this. I don't need you to make me a reservation. I'll do it on my own. I'll get my own flight home.” I walked back toward the house, and Jabril chased behind me.

“Zakiya, I'm sorry. You are right. I shouldn't have done this to you. It's just like . . .” he stammered. “It's like, spending time with you reminds me of old times. I know I'm being selfish, but I don't want you to go back. I want you here with me.”

“Why are you pushing so hard for everything all at once? Why can't we date? I can come out here a few times a month. Maybe meet you on the road . . . you know . . . we need to start slow.”

“But that's not what I want,” he said with his head down.

“Jabril, everything is not going to be the way you want it. This is hard for me, too. I still think about you every day. I think about the baby, too. I'm not sure if I'm ready for all of this.”

“Zakiya, it hasn't been easy for you, but you left me. You made the decision to pack up and leave when I begged you to stay. You really act like I didn't lose a child, too. I got hit twice as hard . . . I lost you and my son. Kiya, I love you and have never stopped loving you. The only place you should be is here with me. Why do you think I went through all of this, this week? I did it for you and for him. Our son is an angel now. He is watching us, and he wants us to be together.”

“I appreciate everything. Jabril, let me just think and get my thoughts together. I'll go home and think about it. I really think we should just go slower this time. I have to worry about my job and my family, my classes.”

“Don't you get it, Kiya?” He was bouncing the ball between his legs. “You don't need a job or classes. You are my girl; I'm going to support you. I'll make sure you have everything.”

“So, you want me to drop everything for you?”

“No, I want you to drop everything for us. . . .”

“I need my own, Jabril. I don't ever want to have to depend on you. I don't like having to ask you for money.”

“You don't have to ask. I'll put money in your account every week, like I do for my mom.”

“Okay, fine, but money wasn't our only problem. What about all the cheating on me? Let's talk about that. All the parties and girls all over the Internet saying that they've been with you.”

“Zakiya, I wasn't cheating on you before. I only want you. I dated people since we have broken up, but no one compares to you. No one, Kiya. If you come back to me, I promise, I will give you everything and be the man that you want me to be. I will never hurt you again. I just need another chance, please. Please come back to me. I want you to be my wife one day. You are the only girl I ever cared about.” He took his whole six-foot-five body and smothered me with affection.

“I'm not letting you leave me again. You can't leave me,” he said with a sincere look in his eyes. I knew that he loved me and I loved him. I had a decision to make, and I needed time to think it over.

I
managed to get back home even though Jabril tried to hold me hostage. I wanted to stay, but I couldn't. My sister needed me, and so did my nephews. When I finish this semester, maybe we can see what will happen.

 

Being home in Philly made everything normal again. I had my fun, now it was time to get back to my ordinary life.

At least I thought it would be normal, but this girl in my math class, the same girl I asked to look at her test a few weeks ago who gave me an attitude . . . she kept smiling at me and then she passed me a note. The note read:
Hey, I thought that was so cute what your boyfriend did for you for your birthday. I wanted to say happy birthday and maybe we can hang out. I can take you out for drinks. P.S. Does your boyfriend have any friends you can introduce me to?

I didn't know this girl, and I wasn't interested in getting to know her. I sent her the note back saying I didn't drink like that and I didn't know any of Jabril's friends.

Then after math class, this oversized boy walked up to me and asked me if I knew who Jabril's agent was. I didn't, and if I did, I wouldn't have told him.

“No, I'm sorry,” I said, shaking my head.

“Do you think you can give me his telephone number? I want to see if I can get a tryout with his team.”

“Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't know any of that.”

He shook his head and said, “My bad,” and left me alone. I hoped no one else would recognize me as the girl whose boyfriend had come to the school and embarrassed her.

School was weird and I was so unprepared for it. I liked it better when no one said anything to me.

From school I traveled to work. It was funny being back on the bus after hopping out of luxury cars all week.

The aisles of the market were light with traffic, and that let me know it was going to be an easy day. I came in and looked to see what time I was on the schedule for, only to see that I wasn't on there for the entire week. That wasn't fair. I located Lenora in the bakery section to ask why she'd left me off the schedule. She was going over something with the baker's assistant. I stepped to the side and waited for her to finish talking.

“Hey, miss, are you feeling better now?” she said, touching my shoulder.

“Yeah, I am.” I had forgotten about my little lie. “Lenora, I'm not on the schedule.”

“Yeah, I didn't put you on because I wasn't sure what was going on with you.”

“Okay, well, I'm feeling better, so make sure you put me on for next week and if anyone calls out, I'm available.”

“Will do.”

 

I'd needed the break and I had money. Jabril slipped a couple of thousand dollars in my bag before I left, so it was okay. I was able to sit still for the first time in almost a week and take in everything that had happened. I looked at pictures of me and Jabril in my phone. I missed him already. I had been without him for over a year straight, and now a week with him was making me question everything I was doing with my life. I was going to go back out and visit him again in a few weeks.

Once I reached home, Lisa was on the sofa folding clothes when I walked in. It was the first time I had seen her since I had been back.

“Hey, Lisa, where are my boys?”

“They went with Mikey to the library.”

“I missed them, and I didn't have to work so I came home and they are not even here.”

“They will be back soon, but tell me about your fantasy date. Miss I'm-not-doing-anything-for-my-birthday. What did y'all do? Where did he take you?” Lisa asked.

“Lisa, he took me to this restaurant by a pool, and it was so nice. There were only ten tables in the entire place. We had our own chef and waitstaff. And before that, he came to my school and surprised me. He had flowers and these men singing to me. Then, look—I have a new computer.” I opened my new laptop and showed it to her. “If the boys touch this one, I'm going to knock them out. But anyway . . . me and Jabril had such a great time. Oh, look at my bracelet, earrings, and necklace.”

“Are they real? Wow, Zakiya, you can't be walking around Philly in those big diamonds, girl. Everything sounds like it was beautiful. He is such a romantic guy.”

“He is,” I agreed. “I had such a good time, and he wants us to get back together and he wanted me to stay there again. I'm thinking about it.”

“Why wouldn't you? What do you have to lose? He treats you so well.”

“I don't know, I feel like I have school and my own life now. Then I know you need me to help you out.”

“Zakiya, I love you, but I would never want to stop you from living your life. I have the boys enrolled in after-school day care, so don't use us as an excuse.”

“I'm not making any excuses.”

“You two went through a lot last time, but from what I know of him, he seems like a really good guy. All I'm saying is, don't make up excuses not to be happy.”

“I do want to be happy, Lisa. I'm just so confused. I want to be with him, but then I feel like I've come so far. Why would I turn back now?”

“Turn back because you love Jabril and obviously he loves you. That's enough right there. Love can make anything possible. Like me and Mikey . . . we're going to make it work again. We're getting married, and he's moving back in.”

“What! Are you serious, Lisa?” I said angrily. I knew something was up with those two.

“We've been going out on dates and seeing each other for months. He has changed, and he deserves another chance. And the boys need to have him around.”

“Lisa, when were you going to tell me? I can't believe you are taking him back.”

“You were gone last week. So I'm telling you now. Everyone needs their own happiness, including you. Maybe it is time for you to live your life and stop worrying about us so much.”

“So, what are you saying, Lisa?”

“I'm not saying you have to leave, but I don't want to hear any negativity about Mikey.”

I didn't have anything to say. I just didn't think I could watch when the bomb exploded again.

 

I walked out of the house and took a walk. I don't know why I was so angry about the reunion of Mikey and Lisa. It wasn't my relationship. But I know for sure that when Mikey is around, trouble was not far. I already know I'm not staying here with them. When they were together before, I had to referee their fights and arguments, and I wasn't doing it again. Maybe I should just go back to Jabril and worry about myself, like Lisa said, because she doesn't care how I feel. I walked a few blocks and then I called Adrienne. She was like my other big sister. I used to be her nanny and she's the only person who would understand my dilemma with Jabril.

“Hey, Adrienne, I really need to talk to you. I need some advice.”

“Can I call you back? I just came in with Asia and need to give her a bath.”

“Aw, give Asia a big kiss for me. Adrienne, it will be real quick. I have one question I need to ask you.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

“Well, it's about Jabril. He came to Philly and surprised me for my birthday. We spent a week together and had so much fun. It was like old times, and he wants us to get back together. But I feel like I want to go to school and have my own life. You know what happened last time. So I'm scared that I'm going to lose myself again. And I don't want to drop out of college.”

“Um, that's a rough one. You two had something tragic happen, but I know he loves you. You can take the same courses there as you can here.”

“I know I can, and I do see myself with him eventually. I just wanted to make sure I had my own career and money if we ever got back together again. And Jabril kept saying I didn't need school or money because I was with him and I'm going to be his wife.”

“I really have to go, but, Zakiya, I will tell you this, nothing you go to school for is going to ever pay more than being Jabril's wife.”