Pretty Girls in the Vip (9781617730283) by Daaimah S. Poole

with a sincere look in his eyes. I knew that he loved me and I loved him. I had a decision to make, and I needed time to think it over.

C HAPTER 10
    Zakiya
    I managed to get back home even though Jabril tried to hold me hostage. I wanted to stay, but I couldn’t. My sister needed me, and so did my nephews. When I finish this semester, maybe we can see what will happen.
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    Being home in Philly made everything normal again. I had my fun, now it was time to get back to my ordinary life.
    At least I thought it would be normal, but this girl in my math class, the same girl I asked to look at her test a few weeks ago who gave me an attitude . . . she kept smiling at me and then she passed me a note. The note read: Hey, I thought that was so cute what your boyfriend did for you for your birthday. I wanted to say happy birthday and maybe we can hang out. I can take you out for drinks. P.S. Does your boyfriend have any friends you can introduce me to?
    I didn’t know this girl, and I wasn’t interested in getting to know her. I sent her the note back saying I didn’t drink like that and I didn’t know any of Jabril’s friends.
    Then after math class, this oversized boy walked up to me and asked me if I knew who Jabril’s agent was. I didn’t, and if I did, I wouldn’t have told him.
    â€œNo, I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head.
    â€œDo you think you can give me his telephone number? I want to see if I can get a tryout with his team.”
    â€œYeah, I’m sorry, I don’t know any of that.”
    He shook his head and said, “My bad,” and left me alone. I hoped no one else would recognize me as the girl whose boyfriend had come to the school and embarrassed her.
    School was weird and I was so unprepared for it. I liked it better when no one said anything to me.
    From school I traveled to work. It was funny being back on the bus after hopping out of luxury cars all week.
    The aisles of the market were light with traffic, and that let me know it was going to be an easy day. I came in and looked to see what time I was on the schedule for, only to see that I wasn’t on there for the entire week. That wasn’t fair. I located Lenora in the bakery section to ask why she’d left me off the schedule. She was going over something with the baker’s assistant. I stepped to the side and waited for her to finish talking.
    â€œHey, miss, are you feeling better now?” she said, touching my shoulder.
    â€œYeah, I am.” I had forgotten about my little lie. “Lenora, I’m not on the schedule.”
    â€œYeah, I didn’t put you on because I wasn’t sure what was going on with you.”
    â€œOkay, well, I’m feeling better, so make sure you put me on for next week and if anyone calls out, I’m available.”
    â€œWill do.”
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    I’d needed the break and I had money. Jabril slipped a couple of thousand dollars in my bag before I left, so it was okay. I was able to sit still for the first time in almost a week and take in everything that had happened. I looked at pictures of me and Jabril in my phone. I missed him already. I had been without him for over a year straight, and now a week with him was making me question everything I was doing with my life. I was going to go back out and visit him again in a few weeks.
    Once I reached home, Lisa was on the sofa folding clothes when I walked in. It was the first time I had seen her since I had been back.
    â€œHey, Lisa, where are my boys?”
    â€œThey went with Mikey to the library.”
    â€œI missed them, and I didn’t have to work so I came home and they are not even here.”
    â€œThey will be back soon, but tell me about your fantasy date. Miss I’m-not-doing-anything-for-my-birthday. What did y’all do? Where did he take you?” Lisa asked.
    â€œLisa, he took me to this restaurant by a pool, and it was so nice. There were only ten