Ashanti laughed, remembering that conversation. It seemed like ages ago.
“Kendra, on the other hand, is quiet and reserved, even though she’s the cheerleader.” She shook her head. “Their personalities don’t fit their personas at all. I think they do it purposely.”
“Do you think they’ll like me?” Thad asked. It was the most unsure Ashanti had ever seen him, and she could not deny how adorable it looked on him.
“Only one way to find out,” Ashanti said.
Thad followed in his truck. Based on the smell of charcoal and the dozen extra cars parked along the street, someone in the neighborhood was having a cookout. She had to park five houses down from hers, with Thad having to park even farther.
She had yet to run into Bernard Willis. The little creep had been avoiding her, but Ashanti hadn’t forgotten about the verbal beatdown she owed him.
Duchess went into a frenzy at the realization that Puddin’ was joining her at her home.
“Look at those two,” Ashanti said. “They look like two friends getting ready to have a sleepover.” She held a hand up to Thad. “I’m not ready for that yet. And it’s not because of Anita and her threats.”
“You’re raising impressionable teenagers. I get it, Ashanti. We’re still moving slow and I am fine with that,” Thad said. “But being introduced to your sisters as your boyfriend is a giant step forward. And it is fucking crazy how ready I am to take that step.”
She smiled. “I’m ready for it too.”
Her phone rang as they started walking toward her house. It was Kara.
“Hey, Kara, I’m outside. I’ll be there in a—”
“Get in here now,” Kara said. “Kendra is so upset that even I’m scared.”
Ashanti’s heart dropped to her stomach. “I’m on my way,” she said, already starting to run.
“What’s wrong?” Thad asked.
“It’s Kendra,” she called. She stopped and handed him Duchess’s leash. “Can you take her for me?”
At the base of the steps, Ashanti turned to him and said, “Don’t leave. I just need to—”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Thad interrupted. He hitched his chin toward the door. “Go.”
Kara opened the front door. “She’s in her room.”
Ashanti ran past her and up the stairs. She could hear Kendra’s crying from the other side of the door. She turned the knob and was surprised to find it unlocked.
Her heart broke the moment she walked into the room. Kendra was draped across the bed, her body shaking with sobs. Ashanti took a chance and sat on the edge of the mattress.
“Ken.” She ran her hand along her arm. “Ken, what’s wrong? Please, talk to me.”
Her sister turned and looked up at her. Her face was swollen from crying, the tears still streaming from her red eyes down her cheeks. Ashanti’s throat ached with her own tears. There was nothing she hated more than to see her sisters in pain.
“Kendra?” Ashanti prompted. “Did something happen at school?”
She nodded and sat up in the bed.
“What’s this about, Ken? And don’t tell me it’s because you didn’t make managing editor of the magazine, because I won’t believe you. I don’t care how badly you wanted thatposition; you wouldn’t be crying like this just because it went to someone else. Now tell me, what is going on?”
“It’s…” She hiccupped. “It’s Mr. Williamson.”
Ashanti’s back went ramrod straight. Mr. Williamson was the literary magazine’s faculty sponsor, and without a doubt, Kendra’s favorite teacher.
“What about him?” she asked. “Did he kick you off the magazine? Is that why you’ve been so upset?”
She prayed Kendra would say yes. When her sister shook her head, Ashanti’s stomach dropped, along with her voice. “What did he do?” she gritted between clenched teeth.
