Unbelievable

15

Antonio invited me out again for this weekend. My dad wasn't as mad about the fight anymore, so I was able to go. I was grateful for it, so for now, I dodged anything or anyone that could get me back in trouble. Ranea and I bypassed each other. She didn't see me cause she was too busy looking down. But I didn't care just like she didn't care that Chelsea and I fought. She laughed at the harsh words Chelsea said before we fought instead of defending me. In a way, Ranea sent her out to do her dirty work. Her and Chelsea wanted to teach me a lesson, and they succeeded. The lesson to stay out of Ranea's life. However, Ranea needed to learn a lesson for herself, and if she genuinely came to me for help, then I would know she has learned from her mistakes and proceed to help her. But she didn't want it. So there was nothing left for me to do.

Chelsea and her sidekick, Xavier, was with her. She put her fist up to her eye and pointed to me. I acted like I didn't see it.

Other than that, the buzz from the fight calmed down. There were a few people who approached me in the hall. They thought that it was a great fight, and I kept up with Chelsea. It wasn't anything to brag about. My scalp had been sore from that grip she had on my hair. I had to check for a bald spot. Luckily, I didn't have one. However, I did have a headache.

"Are you alright?" Antonio asked me in class.

"Yeah I'm okay."

"Damn Miesha. You a little fighter. Heard you gave her a right hook in the jaw."

"Malesha, don't hype this up."

Antonio was right. That fight humiliated me.

"Yeah. I'm with Antonio on this."

"I know I just want you to feel better."

"How can I? Ranea and I are not talking again. My dad was furious with me. You know I hate disappointing him. And on top of that, Devin is still winning."

"You listen. That fool ain't winning anything. Just stay away from him. Matter fact, when his punk ass come back to school, I'll handle his ass like I should have. I promise you that."

"Okay."

I hated how Devin's actions had negatively affected the people around me. Someway, I was responsible for all of this. Ranea fell for Devin on her own, but I shouldn't have given him that time with me. If I had seen through him in the beginning, Ranea wouldn't be in this situation. I had no luck with guys. Never had. Thinking Devin was different proved to be the worst decision ever.

"Keep your head up. Stay away from him and your trifling ass friend. That bitch needs a reality check."

"Malesha." Antonio frowned at her.

"What? She does."

It didn't matter that she called Ranea out of her name. I was on the verge of being completely done with her.  She tested my patience constantly. I was running out for real. She didn't check on me. That meant she only cared for the people who rooted for her relationship. Maybe I couldn't be that friend anymore. If she thought that love was what Devin gave to her, it was time to leave it alone and let her find out on her own.

"It's cool. I decided that it's her life. She can be with and around who she pleases. I guess I'm not one of those people."

"At least your Dad is letting you go out."

"I do want to get out," I admitted.

"Keith, Jarquavius, and Gerald will be there too," Antonio said.

"Melina too?" I asked.

"Girl, she said she might go. But most likely she'll be there even if I have to drag her."

I hoped that she wouldn't show up like when we went out that to the movies. But she wouldn't miss a chance to be all over Antonio out in public, but that's their business. I was going to mind my own and hang out with Gerald and Keith if she tried to taunt me.

"I can pick you up."

"Yeah I have to ride with Antonio too. My parents are still pissed off about losing my keys and leaving the car in the ghetto, so no driving for me."

"It's not your fault," I said.

"They don't know that. I made up some bizarre story about how I lost my keys. I couldn't outright tell them that a boy throw them."

"That would have made it worse."

"It was already bad.They changed the locks to our home, got my car, bought some new keys, and locked them in their room."

I shook my head. That was worse than my punishment. Malesha lost the keys to her freedom.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I still have Antonio. He would drive us anyway." She bumped him playfully.

"But my dad isn't going to like me in the car with a boy."

"Melina and I are going to be in the car too. You won't be alone with him. Melina is most likely sitting in the front."

"Okay. That might ease his worry."

We talked throughout the rest of the class. I finished my day smoothly and wanted to just hurry home after school, but Tony showed up at my locker.

I hadn't seen or talked to Tony. He didn't check on me either. I was sure he knew what happened.

"Miesha West. You are a very bad girl."

"Wow Tony. With everything that happened,  that's all you have to say," I said.

He held his hands, backed up, and looked me in the eyes. "What did I do?"

"Nothing. Just get out of my way."

"Talk to me Miesha," he insisted.

"Is Devin hitting on Ranea?" I asked.

"I don't know. I stay out of their relationship."

"You're friends with him. You should know what kind of person he is."

"Devin has a little anger problem, but I don't know if he would take it out on a woman."

I pointed to my eye that was still covered by makeup. "He did it to me. I have a bruise under this makeup."

"Did what? Hit you?"

I nodded at him.

" What? When did this happen? Where were you? How?" The string of questions came out of his mouth.

I directed his attention to my eye again. "Yes, he slapped me. I saw him while I was out. Things got out of hand."

He touched where the bruise was, and I winced. He scanned the rest of me. "You have been in a serious battle."

I poked into his chest. "You think this is funny. I get slapped by Devin and attacked by Chelsea and her boyfriend that led up to a fight, and you find this hilarious."

"No, of course not. None of this is cool at all. I don't want to see you hurt."

I composed myself. I wasn't going to let him see me breakdown. If he supported Devin out of loyalty, then it made no sense to be around someone like him. They could both be abusers. He probably knew all along about what Devin did to Ranea and they were somewhere laughing about it. I found no amusement in this. Ranea could be in serious trouble. I hoped she could get out of it when she was ready.

"I understand that's your friend, and you want to cover up for him."

"No Miesha. I really don't know what he's doing to Ranea, but she chooses to stay around him. That's her. That's them. I care about you. I'm interested in you. What about us?"

"Really? I tell you your friend hit me in the face and you're concerned about us?"

"Okay then. Tell me what exactly went down."

If I told him all the details, he would blame it all on me. This thought disturbed me.

"No, forget it," I yelled. "I will tell you about us. There is no us. We went out one time, which means nothing if you don't care about how I'm feeling and what happens to me just because you're friend is involved. It doesn't work like that. Goodbye Tony."

I left him standing there calling after me.