Her Decision

New Beginnings

Amber

My parents allowed me to stay home for the first half of the day since they had kept me up so late. I checked in with the front office and gave them my note. The attendance clerk told me it was 6th period. Great. AP Biology with Mr. Landry. I groaned inwardly. Mr. Landry was a tough teacher and he was known for assigning several partner projects. I preferred working alone. Most people didn’t do their fair share of work, but still wanted the same grade I got. No thanks. I walked into class and grabbed a seat. “Hola amiguita!” Sayed said to me as he smiled and walked over. “Hey! What’s up? Sayed right?” I didn’t have any problems with him. I knew he was Jamar’s best friend, but he stood up for me and that made me respect him.

“Yeah that’s right Lil Bit! How’s your day going?” he asked. “I just got here actually! Long ass night and I needed my beauty sleep.” I joked. “Tell me about it!” Sayed said and we both fell out laughing. That’s when I noticed Jamar and Aliana walking into class. JD seemed to be surprised to see us talking. He can be my friend too. I thought defensively. I noticed Aliana tense up while Jamar gave her his hand. Wow. He’s really trying to piss me off. I don’t like her - Amari spoke from the back of my mind. “What’s up Sayed? I didn’t know you were in AP courses!” Jamar said in an attempt to crack a joke. I barely smiled. “Yeah man. Your mom convinced my mom to make me take harder classes so thanks for that.” Everyone laughed while Sayed pretended to pout.

“Alright everyone, welcome to AP Biology. Find a seat so I can take attendance and then I will pass out the syllabus.” Mr. Landry said. He was in the middle of taking attendance when my man came in. “Terrance? Terrance Smith?” Terrance handed him a tardy note before explaining that he was taking a quiz with Mrs. Henson. The only seat available was super close to JD. He walked past me and I couldn’t help myself. I smiled at him and gave a little wink. Mr. Landry had moved on from attendance and began talking to us about the syllabus. He started assigning partners for our very first project. Surprise, surprise. I rolled my eyes and waited to see who I would be working with. “Ok Henry and DeLeon - y’all will be working together to explain the photosynthesis process.” Wait. Did he say JD and I would be working together? “Did you hear me Amber? JD?”

Before I could reply, Aliana opened her big mouth. “Mr. Landry I know you assigned Amber and JD to work together, but he’s my mate. I think we’d work better together because I know how to encourage him.” I know this b***h did not just do that! Amari was furious and I couldn’t understand why. It’s okay. That b***h knows she ain’t got s**t on me. The whole class was silent. “Well I am usually not a fan of couples working together, but since y’all are mates, I can make an exception this one time. Congratulations!” Mr. Landry stated.“Miss. Henry since Aliana and Jamar will now be working together, I am going to have you take Aliana’s old partner Ariel. Is that okay?” He asked. “Sure! I think it will be better this way too.” I replied. The class was still quiet when Jamar stood up and everyone watched with surprise. “Mr. Landry I have a banging headache. Can I go splash some water on my face and grab a cool drink?” JD asked. “Of course! I’ll have Ali take your notes while you’re gone.”

Mr. Landry let JD leave and I could feel the anger rolling off of him. I got the impression that what Aliana had just said pissed him off. But why would her announcing that they’re mates make him upset. Because it’s not true Amber. They aren’t mates. Remember what the Moon Goddess told you last night? Then I remembered. That b***h! How dare she try and take what’s mine?! How irritating. I heard my phone buzz and I quickly checked it before I got it taken up.

*3175558401*

Hey gorgeous. This is Terrance. Did you save my number yet?

How did he know I hadn’t saved his number yet? I blushed because I knew I was caught red handed.

*me*

You look so good today that I forgot to. (; What should your name be?

*3175558401*

Damn it’s like that? You’re looking extra good today too. Save my name as this: My Man I laughed and quickly jumped as I saw Mr. Landry heading my way. “Miss. Henry does that phone need to be in my possession?” He sternly asked. “No sir. It will not happen again.” I replied. “Make sure it doesn’t. I know who your father is.” Damn. He’s acting like he caught me sucking face or something.

Luckily I was able to stay under the radar for the rest of class. The bell rang and I got ready to go. I was an aide for Mrs. Henson next class. I would use the time to catch up on work and she didn’t care if I was on my phone. I grabbed my backpack and headed out. I sat down at a desk close to Mrs. H so the other kids wouldn’t talk to me. I opened my phone and saw I had a text from Mia.

*Mia*

So did you hear that Jamar and Aliana are mates?

*me*

I was in class when the btch announced it to the whole world.

*Mia*

I knew you liked him!

*Mia*

What happened? Meet me at the snack bar.

“Mrs. H, do you want anything from the snack bar? I was gonna get some hot chips.” I knew she’d let me go if I offered to bring her something back. “Yes please! I need one of those magical Cookie Cones.” I laughed. Mrs. H was 6 months pregnant with a little boy and craved ice cream every day. I hoped her husband never found out that I was her dealer. I grabbed my wallet and went to meet Mia. “So she did all of that just because she didn’t want y’all working together? Wow.” Mia said in disgust. “The thing is, I don’t even think it’s true. Jamar just about walked out of class after she said it.” I grabbed the snacks and smiled at the cashier. “Can you blame him? I’d walk out too if I had Aliana as my mate for the foreseeable future.” We both laughed and I gave her a hug as we went our separate ways. I jogged up the stairs and had just made it when I saw Terrance and Aliana huddled off in a secluded hallway. What were they doing together? This b***h wanted Jamar AND Terrance? Not today.