True Story Read Online Free Page B

around—I dare any one of ’em to buck. Straight up. Where I come from, ballin’ lil suckers like you get put to sleep permanently. So let me warn you, unless yo mama got a pretty little black dress you wanna help her get into, you’ll stop comin’ for me so I don’t have to finish you.”
    â€œZaire, baby—”
    â€œBruh.” Josiah sneered. “The only thing between us is air and opportunity.” Josiah placed his hands on my waist, picked me up, and placed me to the side.
    I quickly wedged myself back between them and spun around toward Josiah. “Would you shut up? What is wrong with you?” I turned back toward Zaire and he wasn’t there. All I could see and hear was the growing crowd staring me down, hissing and snickering.
    â€œWhat the heck are y’all looking at?” I spat, aggravated. I couldn’t believe that Zaire had walked away and left me standing here with the enemy.
    Please let this be a bad dream...
    I quickly turned back toward Josiah and it took everything in me not to haul off and slap the spit out of his mouth! Instead, I swiftly walked away and did my best to find my baby.
    â€œGirl.” Khya grinned in disbelief, catching up to me.
    â€œWhatchu workin’—voodoo? You got these two fools trippin. ’ ” She put her hand up for a high five and I left her hanging. “Gurl, you got that bomb!”
    As we neared the door, we heard, “Ah, ’scuse me,” as someone cut straight across our path, and we practically tripped and fell over one another.
    â€œAh, ’scuse me.” Courtney stood before us with his suitcases in tow and his greasy lips poppin’.
    â€œNot now, Courtney!” I attempted to go around him.
    He ignored me and blocked my path. Moved his shoulders and feet to the beat, did a Michael Jackson kick and spin, and snapped his fingers. “Ah, ’scuse me. But I’ma need you two to do me two favors. One: I’ma need you to drop those stank attitudes. And two: I’ma need you to watch my suitcases for me, so I can get my dance on!”
    And just as I went to tell him No, and get out of my face! all that was left of Courtney were his suitcases and an echo of him screaming, “Party ova here!”

3
    A tornado flew around . . .
    I bolted out of the Dip-Threw’s door and did my best to catch up with Zaire.
    This whole scene was crazy and was so anti-me. I was not the type to run after anybody and especially through a party. At most, I’d take a second glance. I might even wish they’d come back.
    But that was it.
    Not yell their name.
    Plead with them to slow down and turn around.
    Or chase after them in five-inch pencil heels.
    So why I chose this night to go against my grain . . . I don’t know . . . I just knew that this was a nightmare and I needed it to end.
    â€œWould you hold up for a minute?”
    Nothing. He didn’t even look my way.
    I don’t believe this!
    â€œZaire!” I yelled, causing a few people standing on the sidewalk and sitting on the galleries to gape at me like I was crazy.
    I hurried up the street.
    Zaire had reached his black F-150.
    God, please don’t let him leave...
    He started the engine.
    I made it to the passenger side.
    He put the gear in drive.
    I snatched the door open.
    Hopped in.
    And in between me huffin’ and puffin’ and wondering if I would ever catch my breath again, I pointed at Zaire and said to him, “You trippin’.”
    I let out a hard sigh. “Whew. Lawd.” I fanned my face and looked down at my feet. “Do you know that these are five-inch pencil heels?” I held a spiked heel up. “These shoes are not made to beat the concrete. They are made for one spot. The stand-still-and-be-cute spot. And here you had me racing up half a block after you? Mmph, my feet hurt so bad I feel like an old ho on a Sunday morning. Tired. Stroll. Shut. Down.”
    Zaire