Hood Lemonade Jamika's Vendetta by T.J. Hope

crowd.
    “Come on up here, Meek. Blow something for us babay.”
    Jamika gave Felise an “I do not believe you” look and headed toward the DJ’s stand. She really did not want to sing at that time, but part of being a performer would be singing when she didn’t feel like it. She decided to look at this as additional practice. As she reached for the microphone, Felise grabbed it back and started to talk again.
    “One more thi-ing god-dammit!” Felise’s language always got foul when she was tipsy. “I know my baby cute and she can sang like a motherfucker. There’s a lot of little niggaz in here, and some of y’all are as fucked up as I am. I’m letting you know right now; don’t try no crazy shit. Believe me, I ain’t too fucked up to put a cap in ya ass!”
    The crowd burst out into laughter again, “Okay, sang babay,” Felise slurred, handing Jamika the microphone and stepping to the side. Jamika took a deep breath and looked over at Mark. She remembered the song she’d sang to his image, behind her closed eyelids the first day of school at Dillard High, over two and a half years earlier.
    Now, he was there in person. She brought the microphone to her lips and the song began to envelop her. She forgot about everyone that was listening, except for Mark. Her voice was well controlled and strong; she sang every word careful and articulate the way she’d been taught in her vocal classes.
    “Before you left me. I had it all
    You were with me, and that was enough
    Then he came along, and I forgot all about you
    I was a fool, but I’m wiser now
    Because you left, my world came to an end
    Then you came back, again, now I know
    There is no way, I can go on without you”
    Jamika continued until she finished with what seemed like all the power in her. When she finished, everyone applauded and screamed.
    Felise returned to the microphone. “That’s my babay, god-dammit! Let’s keep this party goin’. The DJ started the music again and Jamika headed toward the juice bowl. Mark caught her by the arm. “Damn, it seems like you were singing right to me,” he said.
    “You have quite an ego, don’t you think?” Jamika asked jokingly.
    “Well, well, well. What can I say?” he said, mocking J.J. again.
    “And,” started Jamika, “you make a terrible J.J., so stop watching them re-runs.”
    “You’re right. I am too fine to play J.J.”
    “I see you still conceited as all outdoors, too,” Jamika said.
    “Hey, some things never change,” he said, winking his eye.
    Mark made Jamika tingle all over. It wasn’t just his handsomeness; it was a light that shone inside of him like a moon on a starless night. That light still blinded Jamika, as it had in middle school. Jamika had always thought of it as a middle school crush, but that night she knew that it was much more.
    She also knew that she still wasn’t Mark’s type, and that he most likely had a girlfriend. It couldn’t hurt to be his friend. She needed some type of male companionship; Shaquita had definitely been right about that.
    “What are you thinking about, Meek?” Mark said, interrupting her thoughts.
    “Nothing,” replied Jamika.
    “Come on now, girl. This is me. I can look into your eyes, into your soul, and tell when something is heavy on your mind,” Mark said seriously.
    “Yeah, whatever Mark.”
    Mark looked down at his watch. “Damn, I hate to leave, but I gotta get my brother back his ride. Your momma is likely to have this party going all night.”
    “Yeah, that’s my momma.”
    “Do you feel like walking me outside?”
    “Yeah, come on.”
    Jamika and Mark walked outside; Jamika hated to see him go. They had just begun to get reacquainted. She wanted so badly for them to be friends again, but she definitely wasn’t going to be the one to initiate it. Mark was one of those types, wherein if you acted too interested, then he wasn’t. Mark reached into his pocket.
    “Meek…uh…here’s my number. Call me sometimes. We