“And that’s not an option for me too?”
“It was, until her,” replies Dee.
“Stop lying to yourself. You’re always watching her, you took up for her in front of the whole senior class, and we come here a lot more than we used to.”
It’s true. I only see her in school, but that’s not enough for me.
“Drop it, okay?”
Anything between Cocoa and I will only end in tragedy.
When Saint parks his motorcycle in front of my house, I race inside to find Lo and Micah. We drove around for about an hour. I feel rejuvenated. They’re not sitting on the sofa, so I proceed to my room. They’re lying on my bed. I jump in the middle of the duo, kissing and hugging them both. I cry like a big baby.
“Stop it, you’re going to make me cry, too, and I don’t like crying,” says Lo.
“Oh, I knew you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off me,” says Micah playfully.
I punch him in the shoulder in mock outrage. Just then, Saint walks into the room.
“How long are you guys staying?”
“Until Sunday,” answers Micah.
“Great, that’ll leave plenty of time to hang out and have fun, starting with the carnival tonight. I’m going to shower and then get dressed.”
I point to Saint and Micah. “You two better make yourselves scarce when you hear the shower cut off.”
“What? I can’t hear you.” Micah cups his right ear.
“I mean it, Micah.” I laugh at his antics.
We arrive at the carnival two hours later in the rented truck. Jamal, Kate, and Lucy are meeting us at the entrance. We don’t wear costumes for the holiday. I decided on black thigh-high fishnet tights, a black mini-skater skirt, a fitted burgundy turtle-neck, paired with black platform ankle boots. I wear my usual makeup and big sterling silver hoop earrings. When I spot them, I walk over and make introductions.
Micah throws his arm around Kate’s shoulders and offers her one of his winning smiles.
Lord, give me a break.
I grab his arm and throw it off, “not today Micah. You better find another girl willing to slide her panties off for you.”
Kate’s face turns beet red.
“Ouch,” says Saint, laughing.
Micah covers his heart with both hands. “Oh honey, to make an assumption like that is breaking my heart. I just wanted to offer my friendship to the friends you’ve made here in good ole West Virginia.”
“Or maybe you just want to get your dick wet,” says Lo.
The group laughs at her comment.
Once we enter the carnival, we have the time of our lives. Even the shy Lucy is opening up. It’s very crowded, but we still manage to get on several rides. Saint is playing a game of ring toss to win the big fluffy bear I’ve been coveting. When he wins, I shout with glee, pointing to the prize I want. Once it’s handed to me, I go to plant a big kiss on Saint’s cheek, but he turns his head at the last second, so I end up kissing his lips instead. I break the kiss.
“Bravo, the award for best slut in Montgomery County goes to Cocoa Matthews,” says Maverick loud enough for anyone in the vicinity to overhear.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I know there’s about to be some shit. Dee and Nix are standing near, along with a few other boys I’ve seen around school. Victoria and her bitches, of course, aren’t far behind. This is about to get bad, real bad. We have an audience now. Saint, Lo, and Micah are instantly on alert.
“You had your tongue down Jake’s mouth not two months ago and my dick down your throat not two weeks ago, and now you’re sucking face with this prick.” Maverick’s only a few inches from my face now.
All of my friends’ faces register shock at the revelation.
