“Dunce yuh dunce, gyal,” Jordane says, laughing, and his friends burst out.
“Murda!” One of them gasps through the laughter.
Alright now. I get to my feet. “Guys. Enough of this.” My tone silences the back row noise. Then I focus on her. “And Sabrina, it’s up to you if you want to do your work. I’m not forcing anybody. And if you don’t want to work with a young teacher, feel free to go. Just check in with your grade supervisor and let her know.”
Mi tired a the brite behavior. I glance at my watch. “You guys have ten minutes left. Let me see what you have so far.”
I sit again, and just as I’m about to open a folder, my phone buzzes. My smile grows when I see who it’s from. Nickoi. I swipe into WhatsApp like muscle memory.‘The results ready enuh, Mami… you ready?’
I exhale sharply and type fast.‘Yes… so we doing it today? Mi nervous.’
He reads it right away, of course. Then replies just as fast. ‘Yes and mi a go pick yuh up and get it over with.’
I send a quick okay, lock my phone, and turn my focus back to the class. I check a few more SBA reflections and give feedback until the session ends. The bell rings. Students start packing up, and a few give me quick goodbyes on the way out. I nod with a soft smile, watching them file out one by one. My bag is already packed, I’m just waiting on Nickoi to tell me he’s outside. I’m not about to stand up at no gate with swollen feet.
“You a wait pan Nick?” Jordane asks while dusting off his desert Clarks.
I nod. He gets up from his seat and that’s when I notice her, the same girl who defended him earlier, standing at the door like she’s waiting on him. Den, a wah happen wid him banker girlfriend? I wonder if they broke up.
“I didn’t see Janel,” I say casually.
My phone buzzes. Nickoi texts me:‘I’m at the gate.’
I reply quickly and look back at Jordane. “Janel come, but she inna the library with Mrs. Adams,” he says.
I nod again and stand, struggling, of course. He notices right away. “Miss, mek mi carry your bag,” he offers.
I smile at him, appreciative and hand it over. He throws his schoolbag over one shoulder and lifts mine without hesitation. He heads out with the girl trailing behind him. She’s light-skinned, tall, and got that sleek, high ponytail. Pretty face too.
Jordane pauses at the door, waiting for me, and I slowly follow.
Come thru baby mother!
“Miss, yuh pretty enuh and young,” the girl beams, flashing a wide smile.
I return it. “Thanks. You’re pretty too,” I reply, carefully watching the steps.
Mi nuh wah go drop, so mi affi focus on my steps.
Yuh better watch every step!
A male teacher jogs up the stairs, glancing at me with a quick smile. I’ve seen him around campus before, but we’ve never spoken. Now, he slows his pace to match mine.
“Be careful enuh, Miss,” he says kindly.
I chuckle, one hand gripping the railing, Jordane beside me like my personal security. “I am… thanks,” I say with a smile, continuing my descent.
Then I see her, Ms. Cynthia from admin stepping out of her office with a big grin on her face. Her eyes immediately drop tomy belly, and the way she stares makes my skin itch. Jesus. Mi hate this part.
“How far along are you?” she asks, still smiling.
I knew it! I knew she would ask something ‘bout my belly. Them too fass, man.
“I’m five months,” I answer, a soft smile intact.
Her face lights up even more. “Eeeh! The bump big, man,” she says, reaching out to rub my stomach without warning.
I fake another smile, even though I feel like backing away. My whole body stiffens, and I catch Jordane’s impatient expression beside me. Mi feel him pain. Mi ready fi move too!
