Time Can Only Tell

Chapter 4

Monica

“Get the f**k up” I snatch the cover off of Arianna's head. She's been balled up crying for 4 hours and won't tell me what happened. So, nice me is gone.

“Leave me the f**k alone” she pulls the cover back over her head.

I yank the covers completely off of her and throw them on the floor. “You got two choices here. You tell me what's wrong and we sit here tonight talking about it or I'm dragging your ass to that party. And you don’t have no more choices it’s one or the other ain’t no between.”

“I don’t wanna talk about what happened I just get pissed thinking about it.”

“Fine, then we have going to the party and we are going to find you a nigga to take you out of the funk and get you some drinks.”

“I don’t wanna go to a party full of people I don't know.”

“How are you going to get to know new people if won't give them a chance.”

“No Ne”

“Shut up NO NEW FRIENDS is not a healthy way of living. Drake musta been on drugs when he came up with that. So, Get dressed.”

Arianna

“I can't believe you dragged me here.” I over look my outfit. I was dressed up a black over-sized graphic sweater , distressed denim shorts with the pockets hanging out, some grey ankle socks and some black and white Adidas.

“I can't believe you walked out of our room like that, like pleaseee tuck your socks in or something.”

“You made me come and I told you I wasn't changing. So here I am, baby”

“Uhhh, whatever I need a drink. Come on.” She grabs my wrist and guides us over to the table set up with the drinks.

“Yessss, they balling over here. They got ciroc all lined up like they some #CirocBoys or something. Ayyyee I told you this was the place to be. Here taste this.”

I take a sip without thinking about and then I feel something burning my throat. “Are you trying to kill me or what? You know I don't drink.”

“Well, you do now. Just relax and sip on that drink you will be fine. Chill, I got you.

The next thing I know one drink turns into another one and another one. And on top of all of that I lost Monica. GREAT! Now I'm sitting out here in a lounge chair by the pool plus I have no idea how I got from in the house to the back yard. Jesus be with me.

“Look what we have here? “ A guy in a black and orange tee says.

“Fresh meat? Ayyee she looks like she would love to take a dip in the pool.” The guy with him says with a smirk on his face.

“STOPPPP, Stop IT, Stop” They grab me off of the chair and despite my struggle and have me midair and are ready to throw in but two other dudes stop them. One of the voices of the guys sounds familiar but I can't figure it out nor can I see their faces because I'm upside down.

Tristan

My day couldn't get any worse, first a nigga late to all his classes and gets basically cursed out by his freshman tutor and now Zaire and the rest of the team basically drug my ass here to this party. Knowing that our asses shouldn't be here. To say that the Theta Nu's and the football guys don't get along very well is an understatement. We hate each other. These niggas dirty and grimy. Don't get me wrong I ain't scared to be here but my momma always tells me not to go looking for trouble. At least it's some cute ass girls in here though.

I was just about to step to one of them when I heard and a chick yell stop frantically. I stopped in my tracks and head towards the screaming. You never know what these niggas could be doing to these chicks. Once I reach the pool I see that it's Arianna that the theta nu’s Gavin and Dee have. She was a little b***h to me today, but I ain't let her get hurt.

“Put her down.”

“Or what? What you gone do? s**t like always” Gavin stampers back

“Put her the f**k down now. Or I'll beat the living s**t out of you. I already owe you, so don't give me a reason to f**k you up”

“Is this…” Gavin was about to say something but got off by the leader of the Theta NU's.

“ENOUGH! PUT HER DOWN NOW!” Chase Harper yells from the balcony of the house.

“Keep your animals in the barn before I take care of them for you” I yell at Chase. I hate him with a passion. Every time I see him I want to bash his face in. That's another story for another day. Just know that grimy bastard deserves to put under a damn jail.

I noticed that Arianna was lying on the ground next to some chick. I went over to check on her.

“Is she okay?” I asked the girl.

“If you call drunk fine then yes she's perfectly fine. Thank you for that”

“No problem, you got her?”

“Yeah, I'm just going to call a cab.” Just as she finishes her sentence Zaire comes over.

“A cab? In this neighborhood at 3 in the morning? Sorry to break it to you honey but that's not gonna happen.” Zaire interjects.

“I guess I'll have to walk her back to our dorm.”

“Just call campus police to pick up you and your drunk friend up. “Zaire says

“They can't do that. Underage drinking can get you locked up and walking isn't an option either these streets aren't safe for two intoxicated chicks to be walking” I say

“Oh my gosh what am I going to do? “ The chick says and grabs face looking like she's about to cry.

“Look we'll take you home”

“Look I know you're both Mr. Football Star . But, I don't get in cars of people I don't know.”

“ The way I see it you have two options walking which would be tough considering your Arianna is laid out cold or accepting a ride from two good brothers who are just trying to be nice your choice?” Zaire says.

“Fine, but neither of you better have not been drinking. Now, help me get her up”

“I got her.” I scoop Arianna up. She's gorgeous even when she's drunk. She's a little fireball though. That was until she started throwing up chunks. She must have been mixing her liquor. That was definitely not cute this was probably her first time drinking.

---

Zaire

“So, where we heading too, Miss?” I say to the sober chick as I hop in my truck. Tristan already had the drunk one in the back with him. I can’t believe I’m giving a ride to some chicks I don’t even know. Tristan seems to know the girl who almost got tossed in that pool. I don’t how or why because she seems like a good girl and all the girls Tristan f**k with are hoes point blank period. I gotta make sure that I ask how he knows her. But, I’m not complaining these girls are just plain bad. Shawty sitting in the passenger seat is about 5’7. Dark skinned rich complexion, some cute ass dimples to go along with that beautiful smile and not to mention her ass is COLOSSAL. I wouldn’t mind getting to know her at all.

“Summer Hills Dormitory and my name is Monica, Mr. Anthony” she said with a cute ass smile on her face.

“So, you know who I am? “ I said licking my lips as I started the engine of the car.

“You can say that. I seen you play a couple times. I remember this game where you threw like eight perfect touchdown passes. It was a couple years ago.”

“Really? I wouldn’t had guessed you were a sports fan. But, how you know about that game any way it wasn’t even televised, ma.”

“I’m really not a sports fan and I know about that game because I was there. I used to go to Jefferson High.” She confessed.

“Word? You from Atlanta? That’s crazy. I never seen you before. How you feel though?”

“Born and raised in the ATL shawty” she said in this ghetto ass accent. She sounded like just hopped off a bus coming from the food stamp office. It was cute though. “And what you mean how I feel?”” She asked with this puzzling look on her face.

“I mean how feel sitting here with the man with cooked your school’s squad for years.”

“Hey don’t do that to my school, now. Here I was trying to give you some props and you tryna diss me and my school. You wrong on so many levels.”

I burst out laughing; she really looked hurt by what I said.

“Your right, I was wrong. I’m sorry” I looked over at her and gave her the sincerest look I could come up with and placed my left hand on my heart. And just when she looked like she was about to give in... I said “I’m really sorry that your schools team sucked so bad”

“You really playing dirty now and we wouldn’t have sucked if ya’ll Coach didn’t start recruiting kids as soon as they as they come out the womb.” She rolled her eyes.

“Alright now, Coach Perry cool. He just wants to have the best program that he can get. He’s a winner. Always has been always will be.” I couldn’t say much about what she said cause it was kind of true. Coach Perry does tend to start recruiting kids to come to Washington High while they’re in like 6 or 7th grade. But, that’s how he got me and Tristan. But, he’s good at what he does. You can’t be named the All-state High School Coach of the year five times; win 6 state titles and make at least the semi-finals every year since he became head coach all in the span of 10 years without recruiting the best players.

“If you say so. It’s cool though cause every year in basketball ya’ll get that ass spanked” she tried doing spanking movements in the air.

“That’s Georgia. It’s a Football state no one really cares about basketball that much. Ask the Hawks (the Atlanta Hawks)?” I chuckled as we pull into the parking lot of her dormitory.

“I’m sorry to break up this lil ass love fest but Imma need some help getting Arianna out of here” Tristan interjects.

We all hop out of the car. Tristan is carrying as we walk towards the housing building and Arianna is still passed out. Poor girl is gone feel all that alcohol tomorrow morning.

Once we reach their room, Monica opens the door and Tristan drops Arianna off on a bed.

“Thanks for all help” Monica says to both of us

“It’s nothing. Aight, let’s go.” He says.

“Coming in a bit.” I say looking directly at Monica.

“Cool” he walks out knowing wassup.

“Look Monica I know we just met and everything, but I was wondering if I could get your number?”

“How about No.”

Wait, did this girl just say no. That’s not what I expected. I expected her to be happy AF, but she just rejected me. My face must have told exactly what I was thinking because she responded with “No, you can’t have my number. But, you can take me on a date tomorrow?” she said sweetly.

“Oh, I see what you doing here. So, fine. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow around about 8 pm.”

“That’s cool and don’t be late because I just might change my mind about going if your late.” She winked.

This girl has some balls on her. No girl has ever come at me with something like this.

“Okay, Goodnight Monica” I say pulling her in for a hug.

“Goodnight Mr. Anthony “she said releasing me as I walked out the door.

Hmm, this girl is going to be interesting.

Arianna

I'm not a teacher, babe

But I can teach you something

Not a preacher

But we can pray if you wanna

Ain't a doctor

But I can make you feel better

But I'm great at writing physical love letters

I'm a freak, all day, all night

Hot, top, flight

Boy out of sight

And I'm crazy, all day, all night

Who needs a degree when you're schoolin' life?

Oh oh oh

Schoolin' life...

Oh oh oh...

Schoolin' life...

Uhh, I roll over to turn off my damn alarm. It sounds like that music is coming from some bass filled speakers instead of from my phone. I sit up and realize I have the worst throbbing headache ever and I feel like the rest of my body has been ran over by a damn car and they backed back over me just to make sure I was dead. What happened to me last night? All I remember was going to that fraternity party and everything after that was a blur.

“Look, who has risen up from the ashes of the drunken paradise, how was your trip?” Monica laughs.

“What happened to me last night?” I questioned her. I need some information

“You want the long or the short version?” she raising her one of her eyebrows

“I just want the truth.”

“Well, then you want the long version. So, I suggest you get up and dressed. I’ll tell you on the way to class cause we are going to have to leave early to be on time. You definitely will need some coffee to start off your day full of hangover aches and pains.” She says as she slips on some golden gladiator sandals and flops down on her bed.

“So, I got drunk last night?”

“You got wasted. But gone head and get your ass up and get ready I will tell you the story later.”

“Fine” I say trying to hop up out of the bed but I ended up stumbling. I can tell this is going to be one long ass day.

After I got dressed Monica and I headed towards the nearest coffee shop and as promised she started telling me all about last night.

“That party was popping like everyone who is anyone was there. It was so many fine brothers there. But as always I scored the finest nigga in that party, Mr. Zaire Anthony. AYEEE!” she started twerking right in the middle of the court yard leading to our class.

“Okay, it’s not that I don’t care about your love life, but what exactly happened to me last night?”

“If I wasn’t rudely interrupted, you would know. Anyway though, when we got there everything was cool. You was having fun, dancing and turning up with the help of a little ciroc in ya cup. Then I turned my head away from you for one second cause this lil cutie grabbed me by the waist and we were grinding and wining our waists together and it was getting hot in there. Girl, you don’t even know” she starting fanning her face

“Monica back to me”

“Oh, yeah. That’s when you disappeared, I looked everywhere for you and couldn’t find you anywhere. Then everyone started gathering around the pool and you know me I had to know what was going on. That’s when I saw you about to get dumped in the pool by some Theta Nu’s. I tried to get to you by some big bearly Rick Ross wanna be nigga grabbed me to stop me. His ugly ass.”

“Okay, so what happened cause I didn’t wake up in wet clothes?”

“Tristan Hill stopped them from dumping in that pool. Him and Zaire dropped us off and made sure we got home safe. Kind of like our own personal superman’s. All big strong and sexy. ”

“Bring it back, Monica. You said Tristan Hill?”

“Yeah, Tristan Hill. You know his picture is like spawned all around campus, the superstar wide receiver on the football team?”

“I know who he is. I’m just wondering why he helped me. We aren’t exactly friends or even cool. Every time I run into him we end up arguing.”

“Hold up, was he the dude that spilled the coffee on you your first day here in the market?”

“Yup, that was him. And he also is my tutoring student that walked out on me.”

“Dang, well you made him sound like he was the evil spawn or something. All I seen him be is a gentleman. He carried yo little drunken ass around and not once did he complain.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Yes, honey. Seems like someone should definitely be thanking him and not yelling at him the next time you see him?”

“I guess your right” I say as we enter our class doors.

I can’t believe Tristan did that for me. All we ever did we argue. I would have guessed he was the one trying to drown my ass not saving me. I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover. Maybe I was wrong about Tristan. I’ll be sure to treat him different at our session next week.

---

I'm on way to my session with Tristan and I'm so nervous. I can feel butterflies in the pit of stomach and I'm sweating bullets. And I have no idea why? I can yell at him with ease, but I can't treat him normally without being nervous. I'm so stupid. I have never been good with apologies and now I have to apologize to someone who's all cute and sexy. I hope I don't make a fool of myself.

“Okay, Tae when he gets here just apologize. Don't ramble on. Just look him in the eyes and say sorry and thank you. Be as pleasant as possible but don't flirt. “I say to myself as I'm about to enter the library.

“Heavenly father please don't let me to embarrass myself today, in Jesus name. AMEN” You know I had to pray because I can’t leave these kind of things in my hands anymore I've been at this school for a week and I've already been embarrassed enough for a lifetime.

I just as I began to turn the corner to get to our scheduled table, I see that he’s already here and looking directly at me. Lord Jesus it's a FIRE! Normally I would run away from this situation, but I can't. He already saw me. Arianna Taylor just calm yo ass down and follow your rules and you’ll be good.

“Hey, Arianna” he says as I approach the table.

“You’re early, I’m surprised”

“Yeah, I’m kind of surprised at myself and before you start tripping I got my books and my schedule right here. So, let’s get started.” I said pulling his books out of the chair to his right.

“Actually, before we start I wanna talk about how I been treating you”

“We cool, ma. Everything is just water under the bridge.” He says with this sexy ass southern drawl. Has he sounded like this the whole time or did I just drown it out before?

“No, the way I treated you was wrong. I judged you before you could even make an impression on me and for that I’m sorry. I also want to say thank you for what you did for me and my girl Monica you didn’t have to do that.”

“I know I didn’t have to do it but I wanted too. I couldn’t have my little fireball walking home soaked in water or should I say stumbling home” he winked. Did he just call me his little fireball? He has a nickname for me!!!! And why is he always winking at me? Doesn’t he know that wink is dangerous? A girl could have a heart attack from the excitement it brings.

“Umm, yeah. I was pretty gone that night. , I couldn’t even remember what happened the next morning. Monica had to tell me. “ I say trying to calm my butterflies in my stomach.

“That was your first time drinking wasn’t it?”

“yeah, how did you know?” I answered slyly

“Only mixing dark and white liquor would knock you out like that. Any experienced drinker would know not to mix the two.”

“Oh, so that’s why I felt like so horrible the day after?”

“Hangover would do that to you every time, baby”

“So, where you wanna start?” I say grabbing his schedule off his stack of books, trying to change the subject. I know he doesn’t mean anything by these terms of affection but I can’t get my heart or my body to believe that.

“I have this short story due for my creative writing class. I was thinking we could start there.”

“Okay, how long does it have to be exactly?”

“Two pages front and back. Doubled spaced and typed. You can choose any topic”

“any idea on what you would like to write about?”

“Nope, not any. I wouldn’t say that writing is a strong subject of mine.”

“So, why did you take a creative writing class?”

“I needed an elective and no other class we’re open” he shrugged

“Okay, so what’s something you enjoy and don’t say football”

“You really wanna know?” he says grinning like a five old kid as he leans close to me

“yeah, I really want to know”

“Come closer then.” He says kind of seductively but not dirty .I lean closer towards him.

Why am I even playing his little game?

“Closer.” I lean so more

“Closer” I lean closer and now we’re face to face. I’m looking directly into his dark brown eyes and they’re beautiful just like the rest of him.

He leans into my ear and says “ I really really really would enjoy” He paused a little and I heard him lick his lips “making you scream my name all night long” he burst out laughing

I playfully hit him in the chest and jump back into my seat. I crossed my arms across my chest and pout my lips.

“Oh, you so mad now?” he says in-between his laughs.

“Yup” I wasn’t really mad but he didn’t need to know that.

After a while he stopped laughing and looked across the table at me. I still had my “you really hurt my feelings” look on my face. I was going to make him pay for that joke. His ass wasn’t funny and I wasn’t gone let him slide.

I got up and started grabbing my things like I was about leave.

“Where you going we still haven’t started yet?”

I hit him with a IDGAF look “Home” I started walking towards the door.

You would have thought that I was his baby mama trying to run away with his baby by the way this nigga was on my tails. Once he caught up with me he grabbed me by my waist and turned me around.

“I’m sorry. It was just a joke I didn’t mean to upset you. I really need your help for this paper, please don’t leave.” I could tell by the look in his eyes he was being sincere. His ass really fell for this.

I immediately start laughing. “Oh My Gosh You should have seen your face” I say holding my stomach.

At first he looked kind of pissed off at me then he eventually started laughing along with me. We both were rolling until the librarian interrupted us.

“Sshhh, This is the library. If you two can’t keep it down I will have to throw you out.” This lady had to be about 65. She had tape holding together her glasses, white nurses shoes and this ugly green and brown dress that looked like they should be someone’s table cloth or drapes. She was a hot mess. As soon as she walked away, we were at it again. If looks could kill we would be past dead by the look she shot us.

I stopped my laughter “Maybe we should get work before she kills us.”

Once he picked a topic, together we knocked the story out effortlessly and with time to stare.

“So you heading home?” he says as we were heading towards the doors.

“Umm, yeah. Now I have to study for my own classes.” I say pulling the straps of my backpack.

“Come on, I can drop you off.”

“No, its okay I’ll be fine”

“You’ll rather wait for that slow ass bus shuttle than to ride with me ? I’m a little hurt.”

I give him a kanye shrug. “I don’t wanna make your girlfriend mad or nothing. So go ahead”

“Girl, you better get your little short behind in this car and you don’t have to worry about someone who doesn’t exist.”

Him saying that kind of made my heart flutter. I don’t know why because whether or not he has a girlfriend doesn’t change the fact that wouldn’t want me anyway. He’s way out of my league. I bet all the girls he dates are super model pretty and then there’s me. Plain Ole Arianna Taylor.