I peeked over my shoulder to see if anyone was close. “Yes, but I didn’t find out until a few weeks ago when I was in the hospital. I got tested. I’m negative.”
Tears began to pour out of her. She looked at me again, and that’s when I knew she, too, had slept with Jesaiah. Now, I was curious how much the shit had traveled through TSU. Jesaiah had been a serpent on campus during the spring semester, and now I wondered what the aftermath of it all would look like in the fall.
Here I was, the only one who seemed to have a voice. Could I be the advocate for the girls on campus? I started to question whether leaving with Harlem was truly a good idea. I felt like this was a sign that I should stay.
Moments later, Harlem cameover, wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, and kissed me. I smiled while Reagan’s curious eyes held so many questions. The old me would have tried to explain, but the new Apple didn’t give a shit. Harlem made me feel comfortable, and I refused to let anyone destroy it. However, I needed to decide whether to choose him or return in the fall.
PHOEBE
I strolled through the busy yard as I admired all the work that had been put into Black Excellence Day. The band had the campus rocking while the vendors and students displayed their talents. This was different than all the other times this event was held. TSU exuded so much magic beyond all the layers we peeled off on campus.
I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist, making my smile wide. “Little Einstein, you were supposed to hit me up,” Xavier said in my ear.
He and I were supposed to experience this together, but I was so eager that I couldn’t wait. He kissed the side of my face before he slid his hand between mine as we walked to each booth.
I was excited to learn more about what the students on the campus had to offer. Like the girl who seemed like she was straight from the projects, standing here with information about a nonprofit she started to help low-income communities. She explained how she was an advocate for the people. Then we approached your typical nerd, who you might think knows it all, but he was showing off his new clothing line, which he felt was affordable for those who want high-quality clothing at lower prices than designer brands. Then wehad the hood nigga. He stood there teaching other students about equity, financial freedom, and ways to shape themselves in corporate America. Draped in his Chi Kappa Chi attire, he smiled brightly, and although finances weren’t his major, you couldn’t tell. Xavier leaned in and dapped him up. “I see you, gang,” he said to Dio.
Dio ran his hand over his waves. “I figured, why not. Spring semester owes a nigga nothing, but I owe it everything. Just because our lives are filled with trouble, it doesn’t mean we forget why we are all here. The trials are what make us excellent, right?”
My attention was pulled away when the band started playing something that told me Blue Reign was about to show their ass. I turned to see the crowd starting to surround them. They walked in place, smiling at everyone. Alyse stood in the front, owning her place on the team. Suddenly, the beat dropped, and Blue Reign went crazy.
I smiled as Paige came over toward me, then Samara. We hyped Alyse up because that is what friends do. Summer was near, and I knew we were all going to go our separate ways, especially with Samara traveling abroad and Paige graduating in a few days. I just hoped that we could all remain friends not only beyond the Zoo but also on campus.
Black women who found solace in each other were a bond I didn’t want to be broken.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Congratulations, Mr. Jackson. I’m sure memories will be made.”
“Yes.” I nodded.
I stood around smiling because a nigga was proud. This had been a long time coming, and with me approaching another birthday, this was one of the best gifts. Zeus and the Zoo knew how to come through. While I embraced the moment, taking it all in, my phone vibrated in my pocket, so I pulled it out to answer.
“Yerp!” I called out.
“Little nigga, where you at? You got us waiting,” Foe said on the phone.
“I’m on my way,” I replied as I hurried outside and hit the alarm on my ride.
I hopped in and took off. During my drive, everything that happened to me from the day my daddy was buried to the first race I watched with my own eyes ran through my mind. From the day I pulled the trigger on Asia, to Ace, to seeing my mother after years sitting in a mental health facility, to being sent to New York. From stumbling upon the love of my life, to lying in a hospital bed with abullet in my head, to living between life and death for months. From hearing my brother’s sobs to waking up and being given a second chance. Coming to Toussaint, getting my girl, being accepted into college, and joining a fraternity. A nigga had been through hell and back, and it was all leading up to today.
I’d made some fucked-up choices, did shit I couldn’t take back, fought through battles alone, but never made excuses, and today didn’t change a thing. The girls loved me while the niggas hated me, but the one thing neither could say was that Dionysus didn’t stand ten toes down. I was a realistic blueprint for young niggas like me. I wasn’t a façade or fictional character. I was somebody’s son, nephew, cousin, brother, or husband. I was an average nigga with trauma living through the cycle. Success was at my fingertips, and it was up to me to get there. My family was supportive, and friends were a vibe. The only thing I was missing was my girl. I was an excellent-ass nigga with the Black for spice. A demon, a prince, a menace, a god, I was the HBCU, the Historical Black Cultured Underdog.
When I arrived at my destination, I hurried to where everyone was. The entire gang and their women, the kids, and my brother. He gave me a slight nod before I walked over toward Chevy, who stood on the opposite side. He eyed me and nodded.
“Thanks, Chev.”
Chevy, the GOAT. The greatest of all time. The man who was giving me his blessing. Every single talk we had led up to this moment, and I was thankful.
“You’re the prince for a reason.” He winked.
I smiled as I ran my hand over my waves. My nerves were getting the better of me, but shit, I sucked it up because shit could have been worse. It was my time, and I was on real nigga business.
“Let’s go,” I said before blowing out a sharp breath.
SAMARA
PRESS PLAY
