Zebrahead (interracial)

Jibberish.

You see, when people usually told someone not to have a cow, they meant not to get angry or overreact about something.

But could that saying apply to someone who was so nervous every inch of his body was doused in sweat? Or did I need to find another saying to describe how I'm feeling?

Brenda saw the drawing.

As much as I tried to deny it, Brenda was too smart and stubborn to believe anything I said that didn't add or or agree to what she was saying.

And honestly? I don't even know how the drawing got there myself. I mean, I obviously drew it, but I couldn't even explain why.

And her being Brenda, she wasn't accepting that either.

Her face formed into this lovely frown, and she placed her hands on her hips being the strong willed woman- or girl she was.

"So what? You're telling me some demon just possessed your body and made you draw me in that book of yours? Quit Jiving me!"

I looked at her puzzled, scratching my already hot head. "Jiving?" I asked.

She animatedly slapped her hand against her forehead and sighed loud.

"I forgot you're white." She cleared her throat and crossed her arms across her chest.
"What I meant was, stop trying to fool me." She said, trying to help me understand.

Realization hitting me, I sighed at myself "Oh? Oh! Got it."

"So are you gonna quit jiv- I mean fooling me?" She asked finally.

" I'm not jiving you." I said, noticing a small smile that played upon her full lips from my use of the word "jive".

I ran my fingers through my hair, a habit that I'm sure was picked up from being around her so much.

"Look Brenda, I'll be honest with you. Yes, I did draw the picture, and no I was not possessed by some demon when I did it. The truth is, ever since I met you, nothing has been the same. In fact, a lot of things have been strange."

I could tell by the discomfort on her face that I'd had better get to the point. I put my arms out toward her, and she flinched slightly. I pretended my reach for her was a stretch and acted as if I didn't notice her flinch.

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I continued.

"I- I just can't stop thinking about you. You've done something to me that I can't explain. Which is crazy because I thought I hated you. I mean you being a colored person gave me what felt like every reason to.. You know. Am I saying too much?"

Brenda's mouth was opened slightly and she looked at me, dumbstruck and in awe of my words.

" I-I-I don't know what to say." She stuttered.

She glanced nervously at the clock and walked near the table where we were seated, stumbling slightly. "I have to get home." She said.

I reached for her and finally caught her forearm, she looked at me this time unflinchingly.

"I said I have to go." She gently loosened her arm from my grip, grabbing her books and starting for the door.

"Can I walk you?"

****
Before, I considered Daniel a stupid white honkey.

Now, he was a crazy white honkey.

Here we were, Thursday afternoon, and he was walking side by side with me to our bus stop. Talking and laughing as if this day was the most perfect day.

When my eyes met his, I saw the most amazing glint within them.

Could that be because of me? Was everything he said true?

We stood at the sign, waiting for the bus to approach when a girl with basic blonde hair and blue eyes pulled up to the curb where we were standing in a small red convertible.

The look on her face told it all, and the broad smile that was on Daniel's handsome face.

His hand was frozen on the small of my back.

"Daniel?" The blonde haired girl questioned, turning the ignition of her convertible off.

His once frozen hand slipped away from my back and he approached the vehicle.
"Georgia! Hi sweetheart!"

He leaned into her roofless car and kissed her on her gently on her lips.

Something stirred inside of me.

Jealousy maybe?

She smiled up at him, and I was stuck there, left looking stupid.

As hard as I tried to be oblivious to their conversation, I couldn't help but to have caught bits and pieces of it.

"Who's that?"

Daniel rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh I don't know, some coon girl from my school."

"Well you two looked mighty cozy for her to just be that." She said, raising her sunglasses suspiciously.

"She tripped, and I steadied her. That's all."

"Oh Daniel!" The girl said, beginning to throw a fit. She looked around her car, searching for something until she got what she was looking for.

A disinfectant spray bottle.

She sprayed his hands, and the smell of lemon scented the air.

"Thank you Georgia, baby doll." Daniel said.

Suddenly disgusted, I no longer wanted to stand there, waiting for a bus that was already late.

I started the long walk home.

"You want a ride?" I turned around, thinking she was talking to me.

My face got hot when I realized she was still talking to Daniel.

He Georgia girl looked at me and laughed. "You didn't think I was talking to you, did you?" She asked, still laughing with her annoying high pitched voice.

My tongue was stuck on the roof of my mouth, as if I had swallowed a spoonful of peanut butter.

"Oh you did, didn't you? You poor thing." She waved her hand at me.

I rolled my eyes.

" How about I give you a ride? But just this once. Cleaning cars ain't exactly cheap.I know you probably have some babysitting or housecleaning to do. I know you niggers are quite the busy ones."

I couldn't believe my ears.

"Excuse me?" I asked, truly shocked.

"Did I say something wrong?"

In my head I was already strangling her. My hands around her neck. Who did she think she was? If anything, she had the worst case of split ends Id ever seen. And would it hurt her to stay outside for a few hours more? The paleness of her skin was giving me a true headache.

But I wouldn't dare say that to her face.

Wouldn't want another Emmet till around here now would we?

What got to me most was the fact that Daniel hadn't said a word this entire time. That was basically siding with her.

My mama always told me that silence spoke louder than more words anyone could ever say.

"Thanks, but no thanks." I said as politely as I could manage.

I started to leave again, but wouldn't be satisfied until I said one more thing.

"You two are such a beautiful couple. Wish I could see more young lovers like you here in leatherwood." I said as bitterly as I could. Making sure to look Daniel in the eyes.

I guess it's true what they say about most white people.

They aren't meant to be trusted.