“God’s Eye is always watching.”
“Are you almost done?” I ask, touching the top of my head.
“Stop asking me that.” Meela pops my hand with her rattail comb. “I don’t rush my work.”
“Ouch!” I whine dramatically, snatching my hand away. “That hurt.”
So do my ass and back. Meela started on my hair about five hours ago. I’m so ready for her to be done. When she offered to do my hair, I assumed she meant something simple, like a silk press and curl. I’ve never gotten…What did she call these?Oh yeah, passion twists. I’ve never gotten passion twists before—braids or cornrows either.
She insisted on knee-length, saying it’s the rage right now, which is why it’s taking so freaking long. I say it’s unnecessary torture.
“Are you dying?” Meela retorts, her hazel-green eyes shooting daggers at me.
This is the first time I’ve seen her without contacts or a wig. Her real hair is a gorgeous deep red. She once mentioned thatboth her parents are Black, so I’m guessing these features came from a distant ancestor.
“It feels like it.” I shift in the chair, trying to alleviate the ache in my ass.
“Girl, you working my last nerve,” she gripes, sucking her teeth. “You are the most tender-headed person I’ve ever met in my entire life. I’m not even doing your hair that tight.”
I wonder how many last nerves she has because she’s made that claim at least fifteen times already.
“It’s not my fault,” I snap at her. “I was born this way.”
I’m irritable and tired. Between the gentleman’s club and Sandman keeping me up most nights, I haven’t gotten much sleep. A lot has happened in the last week. I gave up my role in the school musical. Mr. Rousseau did not take my retraction lightly and delegated me to stage crew duties. I used work and helping with my grandmother as an excuse, which softened him a bit. It’s not a complete lie. In the end, Deja got the role and couldn’t wait to rub it in my face.
Mr. Rousseau may need to find another male lead too. Jace hasn’t been in school all week. I haven’t called him because I’m terrified of Sandman finding out. Besides, Jace probably doesn’t want to hear from me. I just hope he’s okay.
“It’s not my fault.” Meela mimics me in an unflattering tone. “Relax, crybaby. I’m almost done. Twenty minutes.”
“Good,” I deadpan. “I need to get home and soak my head in some ice water.”
“That’ll have to wait,” she states matter-of-factly. “We’re going to a bar tonight.”
“I hate to burst your bubble, but we’re not old enough to get into a bar.”
“Trust me, I’ll get us in,” she replies smugly.
“Well, I can’t wear this.” I look down at my T-shirt and sweatpants. “And I sure as heck can’t fit any of your clothes.”
“Just shower here, then we’ll swing past your house so you can change.”
“Okay, I’m down with a little teenage delinquency.” I coulduse a little fun and laughter in my life. “Should I call Leah and see if she wants to come?”
I saw her this morning when I went to the hospital for my interview. With her putting in a good word for me, I’m 99.9 percent certain I’ve got this in the bag. I have a copy of my immunization record on hand, but I would still need to get a TB test done. And that costs sixty bucks. Luckily, Leah said she’d front me the cash.
“Honey, don’t waste your time,” Meela scoffs, making another part in my hair. “She’s not going to come.”
“Why not?”
“For one, she was born a grandma. And two, Snake might be there.”
“Wait, what?” My entire body tenses. “Will Sandman be there?”
I haven’t told anyone about my visit to God’s Glory. It’s easier to pretend it never happened. My virginity is still intact, but I don’t know for how long. Every time Sandman puts thetipin, which has been a lot lately, there’s always a chance he’ll take my virginity. I can’t have a baby right now, especially with him.
Thankfully, I was able to get a prescription for birth control pills online for only fifteen bucks a month. I borrowed the money from my grandmother. I hated asking her, but she gave it to me—no questions asked. My first three-month supply should arrive next week.
“Maybe,” she answers. “The bar is inside the clubhouse, aka The Sanctuary.”
