Cool Like That (7 page)

Rashad laughs. “If she didn’t, you probably wouldn’t be here with him for the summer.”

“True, true, true. You ought to be an FBI agent with that observation thing you got going.”

I take a bite of my lemongrass chicken, and a burst of flavor sensations fills my mouth. I don’t care if I sound like a chewing-gum commercial: this food is yummy to infinity.

“You like?” Rashad asks.

I nod. “How can you tell?”

“You close your eyes with every bite. It’s hilarious.”

“Thank you, Rashad. This is the best meal I’ve had so far in New York City.”

“See! I told you to trust me. Do you trust me yet?”

“No comment.”

“Aw, Princess, you make a brother work hard.”

So this is a guy putting in work? I can’t say that anyone’s ever put in work trying to get with me. Ricky just kinda eased into his slot. He moved from bestie to crush without any work at all. “No pain, no gain.”

Rashad throws his head back and laughs out loud. “You’re right.”

At the end of the meal, the waitress brings our check, and Rashad takes it. “I got it, Princess.”

“I can pay my own way.”

“I invited you. I don’t invite a young lady to a meal without paying. It’s called home training.”

I can get used to the way Rashad treats me. We might not have the history I have with Ricky, but we’ve got something. A connection, a bond…something.

“Can I take you out on a real date on Friday night, Gia?” Rashad asks as we walk back to the subway terminal.

“Was this a practice date?” I ask.

“No. This was a sneak date.”

“You didn’t have to sneak. I would’ve said yes.”

Rashad shakes his head. “I don’t believe that. You still haven’t said yes to Friday.”

“Yes.”

My answer sounds weird coming out of my mouth. Is saying yes to Rashad moving me even further away from Ricky? If Ricky finds out about this date, he’s going to have a coronary.

Well, I hope he’ll be mad about me going out with Rashad, because the spot on my face where he kissed me still tingles. I feel selfish about enjoying time with Rashad and not allowing Ricky to do the same.

“You said yes! Wow, I never thought you would,” Rashad says.

I nod and look at the ground. I should be happy that one of the finest boys in the program is pushing up on me, but all I can think about is what Ricky will do and feel when he finds out.

When I get back to the dorm, I send Ricky a text to reply to his earlier one.

IDK what Hope is talking about. Lata.

Even if I do want to apologize to Ricky at some point, it’s not about to be now. I mean, how foolish is it that he texts me about me giving him an apology?

“How was your date?” Melody asks as she emerges from the bathroom.

“It wasn’t a date. Did you take a nap?”

“Yes. Sienna wants to go to that teen club in Brooklyn. Everyone is going.”

“Maybe I’ll roll too.”

“Please, please, come, Gia. Sienna will probably end up in her boyfriend’s face, and I’ll be left alone.”

“Do you like to dance?” I ask. “Because I can’t hear music and
not
dance.”

“I dance, but I don’t dance hard. Are you one of those girls who sweats her hairstyle out?”

“Umm, no! But I totally could’ve had a starring role in
Save the Last Dance
.”

Melody grins. “Love that movie.”

“I know, right.”

“I’ve got to go to class now, but you’d better have an outfit selected for tonight by the time I’m back.”

“Why do I have to have it selected by then?”

Melody replies, “Duh, I have to approve it first.”

Are you kidding me?

“Ta-ta for now!” Melody says. “Keep it fabulous.”

After Melody leaves, I plop down onto the bed, ready to take a nap myself. I want to be freshalicious (yes, I totally just made that up) for tonight, especially if Ricky plans on walking up in the spot with some other girls. He needs to see what he’s missing out on. Truth.

When I lie down, the butterfly clip that Ricky bought me pokes me in the head. I sigh and snatch it out of my hair. I don’t belong to him, or anyone. I’m just me, and I’m going to be friends with whomever I choose.

“Gia, you look smokin’ hot!” Melody exclaims as I do a little spin.

“I don’t know about my back being out, though. Is that cool?”

I brought this blouse from Hope’s closet. It’s got black sequins all over it, and the back is completely out. It looked acceptable on the hanger, but now, I’m not so sure.

Sienna rolls her eyes. “Yes, it’s cool. It’s not like the top is hoochie or anything. Your whole front is covered.”

I glance in the mirror. “Well, it looks kinda hoochie to me.”

“I disagree,” Melody replies. “Plus, those boots are off the chain.”

“That’s my other issue. Boots are okay in the summertime? With shorts?”

“All the celebrities do it, girl. Rihanna wears boots all year long,” Sienna explains.

“But won’t my ankles get hot?”

“Girl, stop!” Sienna says. “You’ll definitely be making Ricky jealous tonight.”

“I know, right!” Melody chimes in.

“I don’t know if I’m trying to make him jealous. I definitely want him to notice me….”

“And Rashad too?” Sienna asks.

“Yeah, him too.”

“Are you done gazing at yourself in the mirror so we can go?” Melody fusses.

I pull myself away from my own reflection so we can hit the spot. We strut down the hall like we’re walking down Rodeo Drive or something, looking fierce as what!

When the elevator door opens, it’s already half full with some girls from upstairs. We squeeze in, though, because we don’t feel like waiting for the next one.

“Hey, Tracy,” Melody says to one of the girls. “Where are y’all going?”

Tracy? As in Tracy from ESPN Zone? Hmmm…me no likey.

“To the teen club in Brooklyn,” Tracy replies. “Y’all too?”

“Yes, Y’all wanna ride the subway with us?”

Tracy shakes her head. “No, because we’ve got to wait on our guys.”

The other two girls with Tracy giggle like they’ve got an inside joke. So I’ve gotta ask, “What is so funny about waiting for boys?”

“They’re just giggling because I’m going with Ricky Freeman and they think you’ll be angry.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Why would I be angry?”

“You’re not? Aren’t you Gia? You’re the one who called when we were at the ESPN Zone, right?”

“I don’t know what Ricky told you, but he and I are just friends.”

“Oh. Well, he made it seem like you were crushing on him, that’s all.”

Okay, so I’m smart enough to know when a girl is running game. I’ve learned game from the best of the best. But it still annoys me that Ricky would have a conversation about me with anyone else. And are they really going to the club together?

“He’s so silly!” I reply.

Tracy looks confused, so that means I’ve handled my bidness properly. Can’t have these girls thinking they’ve got me stressed.

Even if I’m totally stressed.

When the elevator doors open, Ricky and Xavier are waiting in the lobby. Ricky looks at all of us, with a very uncomfortable look of his own.

“Hey, Ricky,” I say. “I met your new friend on the elevator. Tracy says you two are going to the teen club together.”

“Well, not together together. We’re just riding the subway with them,” Ricky explains.

I turn and cheese at Tracy. “Is that all? Tracy made it sound like a date.”

“No, I didn’t,” Tracy whispers.

I lean toward Tracy and cup my hand to my ear. “What was that you said?”

“I said that I never said it was a date.”

I shrug. “Oh, I must have heard you wrong. Since you’re all just riding the subway together, we’ll go along too.”

Ricky’s face bursts into a smile. “Cool!”

Ha!!! Tracy doesn’t want it with me!

We all ride the subway and walk a few blocks to this hip warehouse-type spot. It’s huge and has three levels all for our partying pleasure.

As we stand in line, Ricky and Xavier hang back like they’re not really with our group. I don’t know what that’s about, but it probably has something to do with the mean side-eye combinations coming from both me and Tracy.

Once we’re on the inside, and there’s tons of people around, Ricky taps me on the shoulder and pulls me to the side. “Where’s your friend?” he asks.

“Rashad? Don’t know. Didn’t invite him.”

“You do know I’m definitely not on a date with Tracy.”

I nod. “I understood it the first time you said it. Anything else?”

“You look good.”

Dang my hide! Why am I smiling? I’m supposed to be punishing him with indifference! “Thanks. You too,” I reply, totally against my will.

“So you want to dance?”

I give Ricky a mischievous grin. “No, but it looks like Tracy does.”

“Wow! Okay, Gia. I’m-a get back at you later.”

“Holla!”

Melody and Sienna run up on me as Ricky walks away.

“Did he ask you to dance with him?” Melody asks.

“Yes.”

“Then why are you still standing here?”

“Because he can’t play me and get away with it. I don’t roll like that.”

Okay, so that’s only partially true. I will not allow Ricky to play me. No how, no way. But the real reason why I didn’t dance with him is because these ankle boots are pinching the hades out of my toes.

It’s not easy being a fashion icon.

I
’m doing a countdown to my date tonight with Rashad. I could barely keep my attention on my classes this week because all I could think about was holding hands with Rashad or kissing Rashad. That’s all bad. What’s worse is that I haven’t been thinking about Ricky. Not as much as I should.

I don’t think I’m a player. I think I’m a one-guy kinda girl. And that one guy I’m digging right now is Rashad.

I’m sitting in the computer lab at our dorm uploading pictures to Facebook. Most of the pictures are of me and Rashad hanging out in New York. A couple are from our first night in Times Square, and some are of Melody and Sienna.

As soon as I post, Hope starts instant messaging me.

Hope: Who is that cutie in the pictures?

Me: Which one?

Hope: The one with the locs.

Me: That’s Rashad.

Hope: The dude you were telling me about?

Me: Yes.

Hope: Ricky is in trouble. That dude is all up on you in half those pictures.

Me: He is, isn’t he?

Hope: Ricky called me.

Me: What? What is he calling you for?

Hope: He didn’t want me to tell you.

Me: So why did you even tell me he called?

Hope: You know I can’t keep a secret, Gia.

Me: That’s what I’m counting on.

Hope: Shut up! I’m really not telling you now.

Me: Well, then, change the subject. What’s up with Kev and Candy?

Hope: The same. I think Kevin has decided to marry Candy. He told her they were courting.

Me: ROFL. You know when Kevin pulls out words like
courting
, it’s all bad.

Hope: That’s what I thought.

Me: Well, I gotta go.

Hope: Why?

Me: I have a date.

Hope: A date? With Rashad?

Me: Yep.

Hope: Gia, I’m praying against that player spirit you’ve got.

Me: N E Way…

Hope: Gia, you need to decide what you really want.

Me: Okay. Holla.

I log off the computer and think for a second about what Hope said. Yes, I would like to decide what I really want. But do I know what I really want? Not when it comes to crushes, I don’t. I knew I really wanted to have fun this summer, and so far I’m doing that—just not with Ricky.

I look at myself in the mirror before I leave for my date. I’m wearing hip-hugger jeans and a baby tee. Kinda casual and glam at the same time. I thought about wearing some cute shoes, but Rashad loves walking, so sneakers it is.

I rush down the hall to the elevator because I’m trying not to run into Melody and Sienna. I think they went to a party, but better safe than sorry. They are all up in my bidness lately, and I can’t be sure they’re not taking stuff back to Ricky.

Speaking of Ricky, guess who’s standing in the elevator as the doors open? Yep. Mr. Ricky Ricardo himself. For a split second, I consider taking the stairs, but that would just be too crazy, especially since Ricky is holding the door-open button.

“Hey, Gia.”

“Hey.”

“How are your classes so far?”

“Fine.” I give him a serious eye roll. Is that all he can think to ask me? Boo!

“Are we not talking?”

I shrug. “You’re the one who wanted to check me, Ricky. You tell me.”

“I didn’t check you.”

“You’re right. You didn’t check me, but you tried.”

“Gia, why are you playing games? You know how I feel about you.”

“No, I don’t, Ricky. One day you’re kissing my cheek and giving me butterfly clips, and the next you’re saying, ‘Let’s put crushes on hold.’ I think I know how you feel, but you change from day to day.”

“And you don’t?”

“Not like you. No.”

“So tell me then, where are you going right now?”

I pause for a second. What point does me going out with Rashad prove? That I like having fun?

It definitely doesn’t prove anything about me being flaky. Because
that
I am not. This is all Ricky’s fault. If he had been true to me from the start, I wouldn’t have thought twice about Rashad.

I decide not to answer Ricky’s question because I can show him better than I can tell him.

Rashad is having a conversation with some other kids when I walk up but immediately stops talking when he sees me. Ricky keeps walking, but I don’t miss the stank look he throws my direction.

“Hey, Princess. You ready?”

I nod because I can’t speak. I have a huge knot in my throat, and I feel like I could burst into tears at any second. I hate that Ricky being mad at me makes me feel like this. Why can’t I be like a regular girl and have a different crush every month without a thought?

This is way too stressful.

It’s like my heart hurts or something. Ricky is my best friend, and we just keep arguing. Does this mean we’re not friends anymore if we can’t get along?

Or maybe he’s changing. Maybe I’m changing. Maybe we’re both changing.

“Are we going on the subway?” I ask.

“No. It’s just a short walk. Is that cool?”

“Yes.”

It feels really strange spending time with Rashad alone at night. Is it my imagination, or is Rashad bumping into me on purpose? He’s walking so close to me his arm keeps brushing my arm. We’re not talking, but I suppose it’s because I haven’t said one word after hello. I’m not in a chatty mood.

“We’re here,” Rashad says.

Here
is a tiny coffeehouse. We go inside, and the first thing I notice is the lack of tables and chairs. There are lots of sofas, love seats, beanbags, and pillows instead. In the front of the coffeehouse, a tiny girl with a head full of wild braids stands with a microphone in her hand.

“Come on.” Rashad pulls me over to a wicker couch covered with pillows. “She’s about to start.”

We sit down, and the lights dim. Rashad politely leaves space between us. Yeah, I appreciate him for that. We’re not up to the snuggling stage yet.

A big voice comes out of the little girl.

The girl smiles and bows like she didn’t just say the angriest poem I’ve ever heard. As a matter of fact, I think that was the angriest poem on the planet.

I don’t know how or when it happened, but somehow I ended up sitting close to Rashad on the little couch. He’s not trying to push up or anything, but I can feel the warmth of his arm as it brushes against me.

Could I be digging Rashad like this and still be crushing on Ricky at the same time? I don’t even know the rules for multiple crushes. Like, if the two guys are friends, does it make it worse?

Not that Ricky and Rashad are anywhere close to being friends, but what if at some point they got to be cool? Then what?

After the poetry set is over, we take our time walking back to the dorm. Rashad slips his arm around my waist, and I don’t object.

“You’re smooth, Rashad. You know that, right?”

He chuckles. “What?”

“Nothing. It’s cool.”

I’m enjoying all this attention I’m getting from Rashad. I really am. So why, why, why did it just cross my mind how nice it would be if it were Ricky’s arm around me?

I untangle myself from Rashad as I walk into the dorm.

“What? You don’t want your boy to see us hugged up?” Rashad asks.

“Wow. You calling me out, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m calling you out.”

“Well, the thing is I don’t want to hurt Ricky’s feelings if I don’t have to, you know. I’m just trying to be a friend.”

Rashad nods slowly. “Would Ricky be mad about this?”

Rashad pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my forehead.

“Maybe.”

“Would he be mad about this?”

I close my eyes as Rashad presses his lips into mine. It’s nice. So nice that I don’t care who sees us right about now. Not even Ricky.

He pulls away first. “Good night, Gia.”

“Night.”

My lips are still tingling when I walk into my room.

The tingling stops when I notice Sienna sprawled across Melody’s bed again.

“Gia, I’m so glad you’re back. Can you help me try to wake her up?”

“Wake her up? Why is she asleep in our room?”

“We went to a hotel party for Dan’s producer, and they had lots of alcohol. I think she had too much to drink.”

“Ya think?”

Melody sighs. “Gia, just help me get her to her own room. It’s almost curfew, and I don’t want her to get in trouble.”

I try to help Melody lift Sienna. The girl is kinda thick, so it’s not an easy task.

I ask, “Are you sure she just had alcohol? I’ve never heard of someone being this gone. She’s completely unconscious. Maybe we should tell somebody. What if she has alcohol poisoning?”

“Gia, she’ll be fine. She just needs to sleep it off. If we tell, she’s gonna get kicked out of the program.”

“I don’t know, Melody. Won’t we get in trouble if we don’t tell?”

“She’s got scholarship money riding on this, Gia.”

“Okay, come on then.”

We finally get her to stand up, but we’re practically dragging her because her legs aren’t moving on their own.

Halfway down the hall, we run into Ricky and Sushil.

“What are y’all doing?” Ricky asks.

“Trying to get Sienna to her room before an RA sees us.”

“Is she drunk?” Sushil asks.

“Shil—come on!”

Between the four of us—mostly the boys—we get Sienna to her room. Finally, as her roommate opens the door, Sienna wakes up and vomits all over the floor.

I close my eyes and gag. “I gotta go, Melody. I don’t do vomit.”

Ricky, Sushil, and I abandon Melody as she cleans up Sienna’s mess. I mean, what is the whole point of getting drunk if throwing up is part of the deal? How is that fun?

“Gia, we’re going to see the Statue of Liberty tomorrow. Wanna come?” Sushil asks.

I look at Ricky. “Do you want me to come?”

He shrugs. “I don’t care if you come.”

“You want her to come, Ricky. Stop trying to be cantankerous,” Sushil fusses.

Cantankerous? Okay, Sushil is officially the summertime version of Kevin.

“We want you to come, Gia,” Sushil continues. “Just you and maybe Melody, but not…”

I narrow my eyes. “Not Rashad?”

“I’m sure he’s seen it already,” Ricky says. “It’ll be okay.”

“Okay, I’ll go. What time?”

Sushil says, “In the morning. We have to get there early, or we’ll be in line forever and not be able to get a ticket to go inside the statue.”

“All right then, see y’all tomorrow.”

So I guess Ricky hasn’t given up on our friendship. So guess what? I’m not giving up on him either.

But Sushil…umm, yeah. He can go on with his oldie talk.