Moon Shadow

18

To say I was shocked after finding out Baba was a trusted member of The Fellowship would be an understatement. I had never experienced so many emotions in a few seconds before. I went from flabbergasted to angry to sad and back to flabbergasted, sending my body into shock, leaving me standing still with my eyes as wide as soccer balls and my mouth ajar.

Did Mama know?

What about my older brothers?

The next thing I remembered happening was Mr. Simon saying, "I'll tell you more tonight," before he left to go speak with other sorcerers while I teleported back to my house.

Whenever my body went into shock, it either chose flight and took me home, or unfroze a few seconds later, allowing me to fight. It all depended on the situation. Since this was more of a mental battle than a physical one, the better place for me to deal with it was at home, where nobody would see me.

I spent the rest of the day sleeping, not wanting to think of the things Baba might've done as a trusted member of The Fellowship. For an evil organization to trust you, you have to be a piece of shit like them or a bigger one.

Later that night, Preacher Boy and Zainab picked me up from my house in the former's car. Anthony was hosting a dinner party for sorcerers, wanting to pay respect to those we lost in the past year and celebrate the ones alive.

"You look good, Binti," Preacher Boy said after I entered the car, taking the backseat. He wore a purple suit and white tie. His afro looked neat, though I couldn't believe he still had the comb in it—you'd think he was born with it. No matter how many times I told him to leave it at home or I'd throw it away, he refused to listen. Maybe it had sentimental value. I just didn't care enough to ask him.

"Thank you. You don't look bad yourself," I replied.

"Thanks." He smiled.

"You look good too, Zainab," I added, trying to be friendly. She wore a long red dress and a tiara over her white hijab, looking like Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. I understood why Preacher Boy simped for her—she was breathtaking when she shut her mouth.

"Thank you," Zainab replied, taking me by surprise. "You look good too."

"Thank you." It seemed I made the right decision to wear a white tuxedo and a black bow tie.

"I'm so happy to see you two getting along," Preacher Boy said.

"Shut up!" Zainab and I said in unison before glancing at each other and laughing. It felt good not being at odds. If there was a time for us to be on good terms, then it was tonight. I didn't want our rivalry to ruin the party.

Preacher Boy turned on the engine and drove away.

We arrived at Mlimani City Mall—where the party was held—within an hour.

Zainab and I got out of the car while Preacher Boy went to park it. The two of us stood quietly as we waited for him to return. It was odd. I was used to us throwing shots at each other. Silence made me want to cut off my ears and gouge out my eyes.

It wasn't normal.

It wasn't us.

Having gotten used to seeing her as an enemy, my stomach wrenched into knots because I didn't have to tonight.

"This sucks," Zainab said.

"A lot," I replied.

"We're better off hating each other."

"Definitely."

"We should go back to that."

"Agreed."