Way Too Much Drama

“No, I didn’t. I fell in love with you. I did everything I could to protect that love and prove it to you,” I explained. Misalo glanced over at me, and for a brief moment, I lost myself in his eyes.

“I developed real feelings for you. You’re the first guy I’ve ever dated who seemed to really care about me. You actually talked to me and not at me. Whenever I would think about you, I would smile. I didn’t anticipate developing true feelings.”

“News flash, Viviana. You played me for a complete idiot. If that’s your idea of affection, you can keep it.” Misalo let me have it.

I placed my hand on his thigh and said, “If you would give me one more chance, I will show you how serious I am about you.” Misalo’s head craned downward and looked at where my hand was positioned on his thigh.

“Yes. That’s what I mean. I am willing to prove how much I care for you. I want to give myself to you,” I said earnestly. I wanted to be intimate with Misalo in every possible way. I didn’t want him to deny my offer of reconciliation.

five

MAYA

“I can’t believe today is my last day of work,” Keysha said. It was Sunday at 10:30 a.m., and we were sitting next to each other on lawn chairs. We both had beach towels wrapped around our legs because the air had turned noticeably cooler.

“Well, I can’t wait until next summer because I’m definitely going to be working here,” I said, recalling how I enjoyed the excitement of being a lifeguard.

“I don’t think anyone will be coming to the pool today,” Keysha said, reaching into her bag for a book.

“Dang, girl! What are you reading now?” I asked sarcastically.

“Well, I have become pretty good friends with one of the librarians named Robbie. She knows how much I enjoy reading and makes some really good recommendations. I’m reading a Kimani TRU book.”

“Is it any good?” I asked.

“I haven’t started yet,” Keysha answered as I fumbled with my cell phone. I opened up my Facebook app and updated my status. I let everyone know that I was chilling at the pool with my girl. I then clicked on to Misalo’s Facebook page to read what his latest status update was.

“Oh, this is interesting,” I said aloud.

“What?” Keysha asked as she shifted on her seat.

“Misalo says that he’s going to an end-of-summer party,” I said.

“Really? Who is throwing a party? I haven’t heard anything about a party,” Keysha said.

“Hang on. I’m still reading the details. It’s an end-of-summer party and OMG.” I stopped reading.

“What?” Keysha asked.

“Jerry is throwing the party,” I said.

“What!” Keysha sat upright and moved closer to me so that she could see what was on my phone.

“See, it says Jerry is throwing the party.” I showed Keysha.

“Well, I’m not going to that,” Keysha said.

“Have you heard from him at all?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“No, and I hope I never do.” Keysha’s attitude was clear. I knew for a fact that she didn’t like Jerry at all.

“So let me get this straight. You were telling me that I should have forgiven Viviana when she called me up and asked for help when she was getting a beat down, but it sounds like you haven’t forgiven Jerry at all.”

“That’s different,” Keysha said.

“How?” I asked, giving her a chance to explain.

“Jerry and I could have had something really special, but he was too much of a jerk to realize it. But that’s water under an old bridge now. Anyway, considering all the drama that took place at his last party, I’m surprised he has the guts to throw another one,” Keysha said.

“Wait, wait, wait. Go back to the part where you said you and Jerry could’ve had something special. Would you date him again?”

“Oh, God, no! Dating him was one of the biggest mistakes of my life,” Keysha said as she repositioned herself and opened her book.

I turned my attention back to my phone and noticed that Viviana had posted a comment on Misalo’s wall.

“What the hell!” I blurted out.

“What?” Keysha looked at me, startled.

“Viviana just posted something stupid on Misalo’s wall,” I said as I read her post again.

“What did she say?” Keysha leaned toward me.

“She said, ‘I’ll be there, too, baby. I can’t wait to see you.’”

“Is Misalo still seeing her after the stunt she pulled on him?” I glanced at Keysha.

“I don’t think so. I hope he’s not that damn dumb,” I said as I began typing with my thumbs.

“What are you posting?” Keysha asked.

“A nasty message to Viviana that says, ‘I know you’re not online flirting with my boyfriend, Viviana!’”

“Ooo! You’re just going to call her out like that?” Keysha asked.

“Yeah, I want the world to know what type of tramp she is,” I said, feeling rather evil. A few seconds later my phone buzzed, indicating that a response had been posted. I checked my phone and read the response from Viviana out loud.

@Maya. Yes I will be there with my man, and if you try to holla at him again, you’re going to have to deal with me.

@Viviana. Find your own boyfriend! Misalo is taken, slut!

@Maya. You’re the slut with the nasty pictures. Obviously he didn’t like what he saw because he has been with me.

“Oh, that was a low blow,” said Keysha, who was looking over my shoulder and reading the messages with me.

@Viviana. After you lied!

@Maya. Get over it!