Ch. 11

Ephesians 5:11 said "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Basically, what's done in the dark will come to the light. Don't participate in evil doings, simply put them to a stop. It's easier said than done. Evil lurks around every corner. You may never be faced with it head on, but it'll still effect you. Not everyone has the courage to be a hero & make the bad stop. Does it make you a sinner if you standby & watch something bad happen to someone & don't help? Are you just as much a sinner as the person committing the act?
-Z.D.

I posted that to my blog then shut my laptop yelling out, "Are you ready?! It's time to go!" I was at Sahara's apartment waiting for her to be ready for this double date. I put my laptop onto her coffee table then stood up from the couch pulling my dress down. I was ready to go, but Sahara was taking her sweet good ol' time. I bet money it's because she's doing her makeup. I slipped my feet into my Nine West sandals that went perfectly with my dress. I looked down at my toes painted with white nail polish that matched my finger nails then made sure my feet weren't ashy. I always chose a color that would stand out against my dark chocolate skin. I was going to take advantage of this warm weather because soon it would be the season of fall.

When I didn't get a response from Sahara I went up to her bathroom door knocking. A few seconds later the door is slowly swinging open, but she's not behind it. I step in to see her inside her closet that's connected kneeled down tying the laces on a pair of Jordan 11's. "As long as you took I thought you were putting your best shit on. You're not gonna dress up?" I ask.

Tying the other shoe she says, "What for? I don't know this nigga. Why waste an outfit on a stranger?"

"You don't want to make a good first impression?" I ask as she stands up straight. I was stretching it with the word first. It for sure wasn't their first time meeting and I'm sure it won't be the last.

She sighs as if annoyed with me saying, "I don't really care. You know I'm only coming because you said you'll make a wig for me. I'm not interested no matter who it is. I kinda like Markel," she says shrugging taking me by surprise.

"Well I'll be damned," I say shocked. "Well, that's fine. Can you just at least have a better attitude, so we can get through this? You could at least pretend to be excited and smile." When she still looks at me with a straight face I take my two index fingers trying to stretch her face into smile. "Why so serious?" I say teasingly like The Joker.

She swats my hands away saying, "Girl, don't touch my face. I just did my makeup. You ready?"

"I've been ready. I was waiting on you. You look cute though," I say as she's fixing her hair.

"Thank you. You look cute too." Right as I'm about to say thank you back my phone starts to ring in my hand.

I hold it up seeing it's D'Anthony. I answer and he says, "Y'all on your way?"

"We're about to leave. We're coming," I say. It was my idea to meet at the place. If D'Anthony picks up as soon as Sahara gets in the car and sees Gideon she'll hop out and there won't be a date.

"Y'all haven't left yet?" He asks as I can feel his attitude on the other end.

"We're girls. You should've known we were gonna be a little late. We're coming. Just hang tight," I say.

"Aiight," is all he says before hanging up. I grab my purse and so does Sahara then we leave her apartment.

"Where are we going anyway?" Sahara asks as I drive.

"To eat then the movies," I say concentrating on the road.

"Typical," she grumbles. I turn the music up not wanting to her complaints anymore. I already knew this wasn't going to go too good from her attitude and she doesn't even know who the guy is yet. When her phone starts to ring she turns the music back down then answers. "Yeah, ya bestie got me going on some double date with a random," she says.

"Who is that?" I ask being nosy.

"Markel. Hold on," she says.

She puts it on speaker so I say, "Hey, Kel!"

"Wassup. Yo, why you draggin' her on a double date with another nigga? You know I'm tryna lock in my spot," he says.

"Oh, no! Don't act brand new. I already told you what was up, rememba?" I say as Sahara holds the phone towards me.

"I know, but still. She better walk out still feeling the kid, nah mean? Don't have her falling in love with another dude cause you wanna be on ya sneak shit." I roll my eyes wondering why he would say that. Out of the corner of my eye I see Sahara looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"What does that mean?" Sahara asks.

"Nothing," I say quickly. "She won't. Trust me. Your spot is solid, whatever it is. You're very protective for someone who just started talking to her, but you know what it is. You know what this is about," I say.

"Mhm, I know it's just you being on ya grimy shit."

Mouth agape I say, "Grimy? Not even close. Bye! Bye!" I push Sahara's hand away as I hear him laugh. Sahara takes it off speaker and goes back to talking to him. When we pull into the parking lot of the restaurant I grab Sahara's phone saying, "She'll talk to you later. She's about to meet the man of her dreams." I was joking just to piss him off since he wants to call me grimy. Gideon was nowhere near the man of her dreams, more like nightmare. He said something back, but I hung up. This is going to help.

"I don't know what you're up to, but I know you're up to something," Sahara says as we both get out of the car. I lock my doors then we head for the building. As we hastened forward I spotted both D'Anthony standing outside waiting on us. "Is that them?" Sahara asks pointing.

"Yup," I respond.

I see Sahara squint trying to figure out who it is. See, Sahara is supposed to wear glasses, but she never does. Only when she's driving. And she doesn't wear contacts either because she doesn't like poking her own eyes. "Who is that? Oh hell no!" She says and that's when I know she realizes it's Gideon. "I know you fucking lying, bitch!" She says looking over at me glaring as I just smile at her.

I grab her hand dragging her forward making sure she can't turn around. "What the fuck?!" I hear Gideon say as soon as we're in earshot. He paces in a circle putting his hand to his face in frustration. I can see him saying something to D'Anthony as they went back and forth.

I stopped in my tracks right in front of them saying, "Hey!" I was cheerful and excited as Gideon looked off to the side pissed as Sahara did the same. I hug D'Anthony saying, "I hope you two weren't waiting too long."

"Naw-" D'Anthony starts until Gideon cuts him off.

"We were. Next time don't be on colored people time. I'm hungry," he complains.

I roll my eyes as D'Anthony nudges him. I smile saying, "Well, nice to meet you. This is my best friend, Sahara. Who's your friend, D'Anthony?" I was being a smart ass at that point and Gideon could sense it because he eyed me angrily.

"Cut the bullshit. You know damn well we know each other and don't like each other. Let's go ahead and save ourselves the stress and all go home," Gideon says.

"Naww, I think not. I thought you said you were hungry. I'm hungry too. Let's go in," I say grabbing Sahara's hand again. I was surprised she was so quiet.

Gideon looks over at D'Anthony then back at me. "Just know the only persons food I'm paying for is the shit I consume. Y'all are on your own," he says turning on his heels walking towards the restaurant entrance.

"I got y'all," D'Anthony says. D walks ahead of us as I follow behind.

"Why would you do that? You know I don't like surprises," Sahara finally says. "Especially, if it's a terrible, ugly surprise like this," she snarls looking at the back of Gideon.

"You two need to talk," I say looking at her.

"You think he's capable of having an intelligent conversation? Ha! I laugh," she says doing a fake laugh. "I'm only coming in because I'm hungry. Other than that I would've walked away. If he says something smart don't be shocked when a beverage ends up in his face." She let's go of my hand and walks in front of me. I sigh to myself. Okay, maybe this wasn't a good idea. I don't know why I thought this would work.

Once we're seated at a table it's painfully quiet as we look over our menus. I'm sitting across from D'Anthony and Sahara is across from Gideon. When the waiter comes back to get our orders and takes the menus it's still quiet. I clear my throat saying, "So I bet you two are wondering why we did this..."

"Don't really give a rats ass," Gideon says drinking from his glass.

I ignore him saying, "I did it because I'm tired of seeing you two arguing. It's been too long. It's time you two talk. I was hoping if me and D'Anthony are here it'll make it run smoother. So, do you two think you can hash things out?"

"Nope," Gideon says with no hesitation.

"Okayy...What about you Sahara?" I ask looking over at her.

"I can't have a conversation by myself," Sahara says crunching on her ice loudly. She always gets a glass of ice on the side of her drink to crunch on. It's actually annoying, I hate hearing people chew whether it's crunchy or smacking.

"Wait, so does that mean you're willing to talk?" I ask with a little hope.

"Whatever," is all she says.

"See, look," D'Anthony says. "She's willing to talk. Why can't you? All you have to do is get off whatever is on your mind. That easy."

"I really don't have nothin' to say," Gideon says. "Y'all three," he says pointing at us in a circular motion,"can talk. I'm here to grub. I don't have shit to say to her, so let's leave it at that. What am I sposed to say to her? I don't gotta a damn thing to say. Aiight?!"

"You could start with an apology," Sahara mutters.

"You want an apology? Fine! I'm sorry you're a bitter ass bitch who's living in the past and won't let shit go! I'm mutha fuckin' sorry! Is that good enough?!" Gideon says loudly causing people to stare.

"And I'm sorry you're a fraudulent ass nigga! Real live, I can't take yo ass. On everything I love you ain't shit. You're a bitch just like ya mean ass muva."

"Don't talk about my Mom," Gideon shoots back pointing at Sahara.

"Your Mom's the devil. She's a bitch, bitch, bitch and she birthed a little..." Sahara paused dramatically then says loudly, "BITCH! You's a bitch." She says it repeatedly beginning to vogue. "Little bitty bitch! Sha-bitch!" She says pointing at him as Gideon clenches his jaw.

"You guys," I say trying to calm them down as they're bickering back and forth.

"I may be a bitch, but you're bitch too. You're the one who let mutha fucka's bully you in high school. I tried to stick up for your ass, but after awhile it gets old. That wasn't my problem. You're mad cause I dropped you and moved on with my life while you're still stuck on me. I know I'm a sexy ass nigga, but damn get over it." I bugged my eyes looking from Gideon to Sahara.

"Chill out with the bitch word," D'Anthony says.

"She called me a bitch first!" Gideon says getting defensive.

I looked over at Sahara and she was quiet. She sucked her teeth then picked her glass up. I was just waiting for it to fly across the table when she put it her glass to her lips instead I was surprised. Too soon...Like a moment straight out of reality tv Sahara was flinging the liquid in her flute at Gideon like Princess did to Ray J.

The wine landed on Gideon's face as he sat there fuming. We were lucky there were no pools around for anyone to get pushed into. That was a bad idea. Gideon has been known to have a temper. In a fit of rage he stood up pushing the table back grabbing his glass of beer. D'Anthony quickly stood up grabbing onto the glass trying to snatch it from him, "What the fuck is you doing, yo." They struggle over the glass spilling it all over their hands and the table.

"I'm throwing my drink too. The fuck you think I'm trying to do?" Gideon says jerking the glass. It was almost empty they kept pulling it back and forth spilling it.

That's when someone who worked at the restaurant approached the table. "Um, I don't know what's going on, but we're gonna have to ask you all to leave. You have been disturbing the other customers since you got here."

"I'm not going no where until I get my food," Gideon says aggressively to the small, Caucasian man.

"Sir, please don't be confrontational. I don't want to have to call the police."

"Call 'em cause I'm not going anywhere 'til I get the mutha fucking food I ordered."

D'Anthony steps up saying, "Can he just get it to go? We'll wait in the front seating area or even outside."

"Fine," the man says sticking his hand out for us to go in front of him. Me and Sahara get up from the table and we walk in front as Gideon and D'Anthony follow. Well, this is embarrassing.

Me and Sahara sit in the waiting area as Gideon and D'Anthony stand leaned against the wall. They were clearly arguing back and forth. "Let's just leave," Sahara says leaning into me.

I sigh saying, "Alright." We both stand up then I walk towards them saying, "We're gonna go."

"What about the movies?" D'Anthony asks.

"I don't think that's a good idea," I say looking at Gideon who cuts his eyes at me.

"Bye," he says crossing his arms over his chest.

I scoff then say, "You really need to grow up. All you had to do was have a grown up conversation and admit to your wrongs. Sahara might not ever admit it, but you hurt her. You hurt me too whether you realize it or night. You had a part in what happened to us whether you think you did or not." I shake my head then step to D'Anthony hugging him, "I'll talk to you later." He says his bye then I walk out with Sahara.

"That was a mess," I mumble.

I don't know why I thought that would work. Sahara and Gideon are both very aggressive people. I don't even know how they dated. I had went to Sudan the summer before junior year with my family and when I came back Sahara had a boyfriend. To my surprise it was the, Gideon D'almeida. It was so random. He was the on the soccer, basketball and football team with a bunch of friends. She was on the debate team and her only friend was me. She seemed to really like him though. They were cute to me even though I became a third wheel. She lost her virginity to him and everything. It seemed to be going good then it was over like that. I always figured it was because Gideon got a lot of shit for dating her. The pretty, popular chicks all wanted him and his friends acted as if Sahara wasn't good enough.

See, both my mother and Sahara's parents didn't want us going to the local public schools in Bmore. Instead they sent us to this private school called New Hope Academy. I started going there in middle school as soon as my Dad moved us from Senegal. He had already been going back and forth to the U.S. for years and finally moved me, my mother and my sisters here. Immediately I was stuck in a classrooms full of perfect English speaking people when I had an accent. My English was broken even though I learned it back home, but it was fourth the other three languages I spoke on the daily.

Of course I got teased and so did Sahara. After awhile they left us alone then came high school. It started all over again, but it became different. Then it became about us being from a lower class, the hood. The thing was my family wasn't really broke. We didn't have as much money as we did before my Dad got locked up, but we weren't poor. My Mom could still pay for me to go there, but the kids didn't see it that way. They began to pick at everything about me and Sahara from our skin tone, culture, religion, clothes, hair, you name it.

We wait on the sidewalk to cross the street to the parking lot when I hear Sahara's name being called. We both turn around to see Gideon coming towards us like a bat out of hell and D'Anthony trying to catch up to him.

"You think I knew, didn't you?" He says making Sahara look at him as if confused.

"What?" She questions.

"You think I knew what they were gonna do to you...To both of you?" He says looking over at me.

"You did. You took us to them. How could you not?" She says looking up at him as he stands over her.

I was confused at what they were talking about at first, but then I remembered. How could I forget that part? Some parts I just blacked out, but it came back to me.

2013

Sahara and I had just finished with French club and were now walking the halls of our school to leave. It's the month of March, so it's now Spring. I was dreading having to walk home simply because I have terrible allergies. I was not looking forward to the sneezing and watering eyes. I laughed at Sahara who was mimicking this girl, Bethany from our French club that we both hate. She's just so damn pretentious and acts like she knows it all. Constantly correcting people, like bitch this is our countries official language. I've been speaking French since I came out of the womb.

When a door flies open and hits Sahara making her fall to the ground I try to hold in a laugh as she's on the floor groaning. "Oh, shit!" A deep, male voice says. Out steps a tall figure wearing a soccer uniform with brown skin and curly hair, Gideon aka Sahara's ex. He bends down saying, "My bad. You good?" but like I expected Sahara pushes him away.

"Don't