Game On (16 page)

23

SAMANTHA

 

S
amantha's bedroom was bright and festive, warm and boasting a brilliant scheme of beautiful colors. Contemporary furnishings sat on top of light-colored hardwood floors. She was sitting in the middle of a queen-size bed with her favorite white fuzzy teddy bear named Mr. Fluffy nearby. Samantha's knees were pulled into her body, chin resting on top and arms wrapped around her legs, rocking back and forth. Her dance solo was a little over a month away, and here she was so worried about other things that it was hard to focus. Too much nervous energy had caused her eating habits to become irregular. It was true. She'd grown up with Sean, and yesterday's version was nowhere close to the monster that was now turning her senior year into some cheaply made horror flick.

Sleep had become a total stranger. Sometimes Samantha would wake up in cold sweats, arms flailing and feet kicking, fighting off an aggressive Sean in her nightmares. Her mother was aware of something going on with her daughter but couldn't figure it out. And Samantha was trying hard to stay one step ahead, even though the physical exertion was trying to give away her secret. She blamed the bags underneath her eyes on the demands placed on her by an overachieving instructor to perform a near-perfect dance solo in the upcoming Christmas Eve program.

Samantha rocked backward and forward until tears formed. She wiped them away, knowing that if Ozzie and Xavier would've tangled outside of school, somebody could've gotten hurt, or worse, killed. Her urge to talk to Xavier that day had put his life in jeopardy. This was something that she had to figure out on her own. Samantha sometimes felt like she was trapped inside a dark box with no way to escape and the walls were starting to close in around her. The sadness of being all alone was too much to bear. But she'd rather keep quiet than run the risk of that lunatic hurting one of her parents.

There were heavy footsteps approaching her door. She quickly dried her eyes, grabbed Mr. Fluffy, and fixed herself in the bed like she was sleeping.

Mr. Fox knocked on the door. “Is my little princess decent?”

Samantha lightly cleared her throat to chase away any signs of anxiety. “Yes, Daddy. You can come in.”

Her father stepped in, casually dressed in dark slacks and a cardigan sweater. “Pumpkin, how's my little girl doing?”

She didn't lift her head because her red eyes would give her away. “I'm all right. Just a little tired. We've been rehearsing pretty hard. Every day after school, you know.”

“Sweetheart, I want to tell you that I'm supremely proud of you. You've grown up into a beautiful young lady right before our eyes. I still remember when you took your first steps. How you fell down and skinned your knee. I felt so bad that I picked you up and at that point I swore to protect you from anything.”

Tears welled in her eyes. All she wanted was to come clean about Sean. Tell her father about everything. Let him be the one to chase away the bogeyman. But the thought of Ozzie and Cash creeping through the darkness of her home and snuffing out her parents stalled her efforts at rescue.

Her father continued on. “You may get mad at me meddling in your business, but your dad has your best interest at heart, sweetie. I want you to have a man somewhat like me. That's why I'm happy that you and Sean are spending time together. He's a good guy—protective, provider, an all-around inspiration to a lot of people. Besides, he's become my new buddy. I can never say no to him spending his money on treating me to watch NBA and NFL games from luxury suites.”

If only you knew what your good buddy has planned for you if I reveal how the psycho is really treating me,
Samantha thought as she clutched Mr. Fluffy closer to her chest.

Mr. Fox walked over and kissed his baby girl on the jaw. “Dad's going to the Detroit Pistons game tonight. If you need me, just call my cell phone. I love you.”

Samantha told him, “I love you too, Daddy.”

 

Samantha was awakened from a much-needed sleep by her ringing cell phone. She'd been so tired that it felt like she had been asleep for hours. But it was only eight o'clock. Samantha was surprised to see that it had only been an hour since her father had left to go to the game.

“Hello,” she groggily answered.

It was Jennifer. “Girl, get your lazy bones up.”

“Girl, I need this sleep.”

“I know, right, since our dance teacher enjoys whipping us like government mules.”

Samantha laughed.

Jennifer said, “You made me forget what I called you for—oh yeah, I just saw your dad sitting courtside at the game with your boo on TV.”

“Girl, please. He left with Sean about an hour ago.”

“Well, I bet you that there's something you didn't know.” Over the next five minutes Jennifer put her girl up on game.

All Samantha could manage to say afterward was, “Tracy's a garden tool.”

Jennifer wanted to know, “You mean you're not even mad?”

Samantha let out a frustrated sigh. “Girl, no.”

“Why not? If my best friend had slept with my man I'd be pissed.”

“Jen, first off: Sean Desmond is not my man. I'm not giving him none so he went to the girl whose legs wouldn't say no. I have so much on my mind that Tracy's issues don't even matter.”

“So I tell you that Cash called me trying to get into my pants and offered up information that he thought would get him in and you just act like you don't care. He told me that Sean went over to Tracy's house and picked her up and they went back to Sean's. Cash told me that the both of them were holed up in the bedroom all night eating lobster and getting busy.”

Samantha let out another frustrated sigh.

“I wouldn't stop until I had two handfuls of that heffa's bad weave in my fist, is all I'm saying,” said Jennifer.

“It's not that serious, Jen.”

“Sam, are you all right? You've been acting different for a while. What's going on with you?”

Samantha gave her girl the same spiel she'd given everybody else. “Nervous energy about my dance solo. It has to be clean and flawless.” She couldn't tell Jennifer the truth. It would put her in jeopardy.

“Aww, girl, you got this. It pains me to say it, but your butt is the best dancer in our troupe. And trust me, the teacher wouldn't have handed the most important solo routine to two left feet. With the exception of a few haters in our class, all the rest of us have faith in you. Now cut it out.”

Samantha had been informed that a representative from Juilliard would be at the Christmas Eve program. She had no idea why they wanted to come down since she had already auditioned. It was November and the board hadn't made a decision on accepting her yet. Doubt had been eating away at her lately, but Samantha took the rep's visit as a good omen. And she wasn't about to trouble herself with Tracy. A lot was at stake. She wouldn't allow herself to be bothered with the fact that Tracy, one of her best friends, would go behind her back. Not that she cared one way or another about Tracy and Sean rolling around in the sack behind closed doors. That wasn't the point. But the fact that she ignored the “girlfriend” code and got her betrayal on was a punishable offense. She believed Jennifer. The girl had no reason to lie. But for right now, she had to put it out of her mind. Samantha could only deal with one problem at a time—Sean's psychotic butt was at the top of her list.

Samantha said to Jen, “Thank you for being such a good friend and a wonderful sister. I love you.”

“Aw, girl, you're gonna make me cry—stop it. I love you too.”

Samantha talked to Jennifer until the wee hours of the morning. She hung up when she heard her father's deep voice. Sounded like he was talking to somebody on his cell phone when he ascended the stairs. Probably Sean. But all she knew was that he was home safe . . . at least for tonight.

24

DAKOTA

 

T
he feeling that Dakota was experiencing couldn't compare to anything in the world. The boulder was lifted and her burden felt as light as air. Whoever said that a kid getting suspended from school wouldn't bring about a positive change in attitude was high off dollar-store wine. After her suspension, the SNLG head honcho Bangs had returned to school with a new outlook on life. After Principal Skinner had gone all fire and brimstone and tossed the little gangbangin' heffa and a few of her partners out on their cookies, Bangs had come back like she had some sense. Word around campus was that she had severed ties with the gang, devoted herself to her studies, and even started to attend every last class. Now, Mouse was different. The little chick had dropped out, replaced Bangs, and started running the gang from the outside. It didn't matter, though. Those gang members who were still in school knew the drill. Xavier was back and Dakota was off-limits.

Dakota had been given special permission from Principal Skinner to walk around the school and pass out literature to students. The girl had stayed up half the night grabbing alarming stats and other information off the Internet about bullying and putting together her first flyer to promote awareness. A date had been agreed upon by the principal, Doug, and the majority of the teaching staff. March eighteenth was the date, a Friday. The campaign would kick off after the first bell and last until the last class. There would be lectures about bullying taking place in the small cafeteria and auditorium. Tables would be stationed throughout the school with free T-shirts, balloons, coffee mugs, and key chains in promotion of stopping bullying and raising awareness.

It filled her with absolute joy to walk around and pass out flyers for the event. Made her feel like she was making a difference. She wore a necklace with an odd-looking eagle charm, which in her Native American culture embodied courage, honor, and strength.

Dakota walked into the cafeteria, where Xavier and his crew were posted up at their usual table. She passed out a few flyers as she moved in his direction. Dakota walked up on the guys having a conversation.

“Ay, Xavier,” Bigstick said. “Baby girl is gonna be doing her thing in that Christmas Eve dance program, huh?”

Dexter said, “I'll be there to show my support. Man, they got poster boards up all over the place about it. ‘Snowflakes in Wonderland' is going to be off the chain.”

Xavier said, “That's wassup. We gonna be up in that piece deep to show Sam the support, you feel me?”

Dex was the first one to clown when he saw Dakota standing over Xavier. “If it ain't Harriet Tubman, the little woman who is trying to stop geek and nerd oppression,” he said.

Bigstick was chilling. “Is there nobody off-limits to you, moron?” he asked Dexter. “She is standing up for what she believes in.”

Xavier just smiled. He knew what was coming.

“Thank you, Bigstick.” Dakota set her sights on Dexter. “I know you're trying to be funny, and Dexter, when I say ‘trying to be,' that's a stretch.” She stopped and looked at everybody sitting around the table. “You all know the story about Harriet Tubman leading slaves to their freedom by using the Underground Railroad, but did you know that she was famous for assisting in other worthy causes? One of which happens to deal with equality for women. Yup. She worked on the side of other female activists like Susan B. Anthony and Emily Howland to aid in the struggle for a woman to have the right to vote. So, Dexter, when you bring up our black heroes, or sheros, make sure you do so without being so disrespectful.”

Dexter had this dumb look on his face, like he'd been walking outside in a horse corral and stepped in it.

All Bigstick could say to Dexter was, “I bet you feel silly.”

Xavier's head was on a swivel, surveying the lunchroom crowd. Dakota hated to see him so uncomfortable. It was almost to a point of Xavier showing vulnerability. She wasn't used to it. To her Xavier was a warrior, a lion that growled and roared to alert all that he was indeed king of this Coleman High jungle. He'd taught her a lot, like how not to be scared and to never let anybody punk her.

She said to Xavier, “Thank you, big brother, for helping me”—she brought the stack of flyers into view—“get started.”

“You don't have to thank me, munchkin,” said Xavier. “It's my pleasure. Besides, the one thing I hate and despise more than anything is a bully, you feel me?”

“Word 'em up,” Bigstick said, dapping out Xavier.

Dexter was so embarrassed all he could do was nod in agreement.

Xavier asked Dakota, “Do you need anything?”

Bigstick looked over at Dexter and smiled. “Damn, Dexter D, this is the first time I ever saw you this quiet.”

“Whatever,” was Dexter's only reply.

“Well, people aren't exactly being helpful,” Dakota said. “Some take the flyers and they end up on the floor. Others think that this serious issue is just a joke.”

Xavier stood up from his seat and yelled, “Listen up!” He waited until the noise slowly tuned down and he had everybody's attention. “The students at Coleman High have an opportunity to do some good in this raggedy building. This girl right here”—he put an arm around Dakota—“is passing out flyers to bring awareness about bullying. Most of you know her. Her face was painted blue some time ago. Nothing like that will ever happen under this roof again, you feel me? March eighteenth will be the day we finally put an end to bullying. Let's all stand up to these weak punks.”

Xavier nodded at Dakota. She went around the entire lunchroom and handed out leaflets to students.

Some cat wearing glasses with lenses so thick that his eyes looked like two raisins stood up and screamed, “I'm with you, Xavier! I'm tired of giving up my lunch money. 'Bout time somebody stood up to these bastards!”

Some short girl with a jacked-up weave said, “All of our faces might be painted blue one day if we don't all stand together to defeat these bullies.”

The girl united the lunchroom as people cheered and whistled.

“Thank you,” Xavier said to the crowd. “We appreciate your time and patience.”

Dakota found that these students were a lot more receptive than the ones she'd encountered earlier. But Xavier had a powerful presence about him, one that she loved. Things were finally looking up for her, and she had him to thank for it.