Round Two

Two - Zuri

Zuri

“Eviction notice?!” Damilola yelled. “You don't even have a job, Zee! And your dad…” She paused. “Is definitely a no-go area.”

And just like that, my best friend voiced all my problems aloud.

My eyes wandered to my reflection on her LED rimmed mirror, and I didn't like what I saw. I had messily pulled my coily black hair into a high bun - a hairstyle that made my acne-filled forehead more prominent and highlighted the depth of my eyes and richness of my skin. I knew I was pretty, but somehow Damilola always stood out more beautifully than me.

I pulled my gaze away from the mirror with a sigh and gave Damilola my full attention. “So, what do I do, Dami? I just have two months to raise some cash and find a new home. And…” Like she said my father was no help.

Damilola spread out on her bed, face cradled in her hands and her onyx eyes glassy. “I don't know, Zee. I wish I could help but as you know…”

“Mom and Dad are going through a phase.” We both chorused.

“Yea, I know.” I flashed a small smile.

“I'm sorry.” She really was. And I knew her too well to know she was. We've been best friends since high school… since him.

“It's fine.”

Silence.

My eyes scanned Damilola’s bedroom for the umpteenth time; it was nothing out of the ordinary yet it still fascinated me. Or maybe it was because it was so much better than my room. The Los Angeles sun barely blesses my room with its golden light, the way it blesses hers.

Damilola alarmingly jumped out of the bed, grinning hard. “I know what to do! Or what you should do instead!”

And Damilola's ideas were always crazy. Brilliant but crazy.

“Go on.”

•••

Maybe I was wrong this time.

K.T Tech towered above the busy Los Angeles street like a glass giant, its sleek walls reflecting the soft gold of the morning sun. Everything about the building screamed money — polished marble steps, tinted windows, revolving doors that whispered open and closed with quiet elegance.

I stood at the foot of it, suddenly feeling very small in my cheap heels and borrowed confidence. People in sharp suits walked past me with purpose, their lives seemingly already figured out, while mine felt like it was hanging by a thin, fraying thread.

This place didn’t look like it hired girls like me. It looked like the kind of place that crushed girls like me.

“Get it together, Zuri,” I wiped my sweaty palms against the black porcelain fabric of my skirt. “It's just an interview.”

Yes, an interview I barely had time to prepare for.

I began walking towards the entrance of the building when a loud horn blared, accompanied by a loud screech. My head immediately snapped towards the road, steps slowing - it seemed like a vehicle almost…

“Oof.” I let out as I collided into a body.

“Watch where you're going.” A soft feminine voice followed.

“I'm so sorry.” I instantly bent over to gather up the papers that had fallen to the paved ground. “Really sorry. I didn't see you coming.”

“What if I had spilled a hot drink on us instead?”

With the papers in my hands, I straightened up. Before me stood a pretty Asian brunette who seemed like she was in her teens. A familiar looking brunette.

Then, my heart stopped.

“Zuri.” Her voice quickly hardened.

Of course, she recognizes me.

“Rose.” Her name fell from my lips like a silent dread.

“Of all places…” She scowled, folding her arms across her chest. “What are you doing here, Zuri?”

“I… I…” I didn't know what to say.

It had been five years and half since we had been acquaintances back in high school, and she had been in junior high whereas I was a senior. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would see her again.

“You what, Zuri?!” Her voice rose up a notch. “Go on. Tell me. What do you have to justify your actions? What you did to my brother.”

My eyes scanned the area, and thankfully no one took interest in us. Then, I turned to Rose.

“Look,” The sound of my racing heart filled my ears to the point I could barely hear myself speak. “Rose….

“You have some nerves coming here after everything, Zuri.”

But, I'm sorry, Rose.” I said. “I’m about Kim. And everything that happened. I know…”

She butted in. “You know nothing, Zuri! You don't know how…” She halted. “Kim loved you so much. He.. he..”

“I know.”

“Oh! You don't know.” She abruptly snatched the papers from my hands. “ I will never forgive you for what you did, Zuri.”

“Rose…” My voice broke.

“Stay away from my family. And if you have any decency left, stay away from my brother.”

“Listen…”

“f**k off.” And she dismissively strutted past me.

She hates me.

And it was all my fault.

My eyes caught a glimpse of the company's building, and instead of walking towards the entrance, I took a step back. I don't think I want to anymore. What if she works here already? I turned around and began walking away from the building, emotionally drained.

But, this is your only hope, Zuri. My feet stopped in its tracks. What will happen if you miss this opportunity?

Reluctantly, I looked over my shoulder to stare at the building again. I couldn't afford to mess this up.

I won't.