Behind the Mask

II

I yawned while I was sitting in Study Hall. I almost fell asleep in my books. Then my watch went off. Shit! I was late for my next class I grabbed my books and backpack and ran through the hall. As I turned the corner I hit a tall figure. My books went flying and I fell on the floor.
"Oh Damn! I'm so sorry. You need some help?" I recognized that voice. I opened my eyes and there he was. The guy from the club the other night. His big eyes wide open over looking my body. I stared at him. He looked like he didn't recognize me. "Are you okay?" He said. I snapped out of it and nodded.
"Yea. Yea. It was my fault. I was rushing. " I said. He shook his head.
"No I wasn't looking were I was going. I'm kind of new and I was looking for my class. " he lifted me up and helped me get my books.
"Thanks." I said.
"No problem. Now that I helped you maybe you can help me?" He said. I nodded.
"I'm looking for room 565. Advanced Biology. "
"Oh. That's were I was headed. You were going the wrong way. I'll lead you. " I said. I slipped my books in my backpack.
"Follow me. I have the same class. "
"Thanks." He said.
"Oh by the way in Levi. " he said out stretching his hand.
"Nice to meet you Levi I'm Jaiden. " I said shaking his hand. He smiled and blushed. He had a really nice smile.
We walked to class.
"Your late!" Said the professor as we came in. I ducked my head and sat at a table in the back near the window. Levi came and sat next to me.
"You mind?" He whispered. I shook my head and pulled do it the chair for him. He sat and pulled do it his book. I did the same and looked at the board. I spotted Cherrie looking at me. And the Levi.
She mouthed the words
' Who is that?' I shook my head.
'Ill tell you later' I mouthed back.
She put a smirk on her face and turned back around. I tried to pay attention to the lesson and focus but my attention kept turning Levi. He's a student here now? I just met him a few days ago. I'm surprised he doesn't remember me. He turned to me and smiled and brushed my thigh with his leg. Jitter bugs went off. Finally class was over and it was time for lunch. I packed up my backpack. On my way out the door Levi stopped me.
"Hey."
"Hi." I said.
" I was just wondering if you wanted to get lunch? You know I'll treat. " he said. I put my head down. I thought he had a girlfriend? That girl at the bar. But I pushed that thought out of my head. He didn't recognize me from the bar. Maybe I could make an impression.
"Um sure. Let me just let my friend know..."
Then Cherrie hopped next to me.
"Hey boo ready for lunch?" She said Cherrie. I looked at her.
"Um can we have a rain check?" I said. She looked at Levi.
"Oh. Sure yea. " she said.
"I'll just eat with Chance. "
"Okay. But I'll see you later right?"
"Yea. Totally. " she said. She smirked at men on her way out and I shook my head.
"So where to Levi?"
He took out his hand.
"May I? " I grinned and took his hand.

He led me to this little funky cafe not to far from the school. It had a really nice vibe to it and there was a smooth jazz band playing. We sat a table near a little waterfall. The waitress came over.
"May I start you of with something?" She said. She was checking out Levi.
"Sure. I'll have a Carona. " he said "And I'll have a Coke. " I said. She put her hand on Levi 's shoulder.
"I'll be right back with those. " and the she left. I rolled my eyes at her little act.
"Hey don't pay her no attention. I get that all the time. No biggie. "He said. I shrugged my shoulders. The waitress came back with our drinks.
"I'll be back to take your order. " she said. I took a long sip of my drink and so did Levi.
"So how long have you been at Cavlain University? " he asked.
"I'm in my junior year. " I said.
"Me too. But it's my first time coming to this school. " he said.
He started talking about himself. He's from Atlanta and moved here because he got a scholarship to our school. He has an older brother that lives here in Manhattan and he's bunking with him until he can find his own place. He has a little nephew too. Levi is really funny too. He told me jokes and is really sweet.
"Haha Levi that's funny. So you lost your nephew in Target and he found you. Wow. " I said laughing. He laughed too.
"Now enough about me. Tell me about you. " he said.
I couldn't tell him I worked at the club.
"Well I have a daughter. Her name is Terra and she is my love and joy. " I said.
"Aww." He said.
I smiled.
"Yep. I've lived in Manhattan my entire life. My parents died not to long ago. But it's just been me and my little Terra. And my best friend Cherrie. The one that was in class earlier. Bright red hair real hubby. "
He nodded.
"Yep. I'm trying to become a nurse. To help support my baby better. " I said.
"What do you do now?" He asked
"Um I do some work over on Wall street. " I said. He nodded.
"That's cool. I work over at my dad's studio. He's a producer. I like music but I really want yo be interested he medical field. " he said. He nodded as he seemed lost in thought.
"Well it was really nice that you treated me to lunch. " I said.
"Oh no problem pleasures all mine. "
He paid for our lunch and we walked back to campus. He stopped at the doors.
"So um I was wondering if you were doing anything tonight?" He said rubbing the back of his neck. I smiled like crazy.
"Nope. I'm totally free. "I said. He perked up.
"Okay cool. So um you want to go out tonight? "
"Sure. "
"Alright. Pick you up at 8. " he said. I smiled and walked to class.

"No way! Its the-the-e.." said Cherrie. She was over my house after school. I nodded.
"Yes. That's the dude I was talking about. " I said laughing at her.
"And he doesn't recognize you?"
"Nope." I said shaking my head.
She laid on the floor with her arms spread out. The she snaked her forehead.
"That's crazy. And he's taking you out tonight. " she said. I nodded.
She popped up.
"We need the perfect outfit stat!"she said jumping up off the floor and running to my closet.
"Bitch calm down! It's just a date." I said getting up and following her.
"Don't tell my ass to calm down. Girl have you seen him?! The man if fine as Fuck! You need to look perfect! " she said blowing as kiss. I shook my head.
"Okay miss crazy. Lead the way. "
"Alright baby be good for auntie Cherrie. " I said to Terra. She nodded and gave me a hug. I hugged her back.
"Now give me some sugar Mommie. " she gave me a kiss.
"Bye- bye mommy. " she said waving goodbye. Cherrie gave me a thumbs up and I went out the door.
Levi was standing in front of the door. He looked me up and down.
"Damn." He said. I blushed and tucked my hair behind my ear. I had a on a tight black sleeveless dress that stopped at mid-thigh.
I left my hair curly and down. I put on some Jennifer Lopez ® black strap heels and a touch of makeup. I had a silver clutch in my hand and a white jacket in my hand.
"Shall we?" He said. He pointed to a sleek red Dodge charger.
"That's yours?" I said.
"Yep." He opened the door for me and got in himself. He turned on the engine and we drive off.

We came to a nightclub in downtown Manhattan. There was a long line in the front of the building. The valet took the car and we walked to the door.
The dude with a clipboard stopped us.
"Invite only gets to cut." He said.
Levi pulled out a champagne bottle top that had some kind of writing on it. The guard looked it over and put it in a glass jar on the wall.
"Welcome Mr. Robin. Go right in." Said the guard. Levi nodded and escorted me in. This club was turnt. The bars were all sparkly and the bartenders wore red,silver and black bow ties and top hats. There were girls in short red and black dresses and white go-go boots walking around handing out shots. The dj was playing some awesome rap music. The whole vibe of the room was turnt. There was a giant champagne bottle waterfall wore you get actual champagne from it. And they were serving all types of drinks from the major stars.
Vodka
Tequila
Pins colads
Bloody Mary's
Everything.
"I would have never thought you liked place like this. " I said
"Well you forgot I'm from Atl. Born and raised in the hood. Still got a little of that in me. " said Levi. I laughed. He grabbed my hand and took me too the bar.
"Aye man let me get two tequila shots. " said Levi putting the money on the bar. The dude nodded and gave us two shots. I gulped mine down. The liquid burned my throat as it went down. It was strong. I saw Levi shake his head.
"Whoa. That's some strong tequila." He said. I nodded feeling giddy. We took like two more and went to the dance floor. No I really thought he was a classical dance man. But the boy was grinding hard. He was a good dancer.
The song that was playing was
'Throw some Mo'" with Rae Sreummerd and Nicki Minaj. I love that song. I was dancing with Levi and having a good time. I had decided to get a gin and tonic and That's it. I didn't want to get drunk.
Later into the night I was drinking some champagne. Levi and I were talking and then a guy appeared. He looked like Levi but taller with black hair. He waved over Levi.
"I'll be right back." He let go of my hand and dissapered with the guy.
About 5 minutes later him and the guy appeared on the dj stage.
The dj stopped playing the music and everyone turned there attention to them.
"Thank all of you for coming to my brothers release party. " said Levi. Everyone clapped.
"He is a big success and my role model. I love ya bro. " he gave the dude next to him a hug. I'm guessing that's his brother.
"And to really celebrate me and the crew was thinking about giving you this. "
A girl came and handed Levi 's brother glass award. It was in the shape of a Grammy.
"We know that you will win one one day so this is our Grammy to you. " Eveyone clapped including me. It was rely nice. Hid brother gave a little speech.
"Thank you everyone and enjoy the club!" He gave a peace sign and then left. The music started back up and everyone went back to partying.
Levi came back. I clapped ny hands for him.
"That was really sweet. "I said. He smiled and put his arm around my waist.
"Well I try. " he said. I laughed.

He drove me back home.
"Thank you for tonight Levi. I had a good time. " I said.
"Your welcome. Pleasure was all mine. " He walked me to the door.
"So maybe we could hang this weekand?" He asked.
"Definitely. Terra will be with her cousin this weekend so yes. We can hang this weekend. " he smiled.
"Alright then it's a date." He said
I nodded.
"Yea. Its a date. "
Then he inched closer and leaned down. He kissed me and I kissed back. When we pulled away he bit his lip. I grinned.
"See you later Jaiden. " then he walked to his car and drove off.
I smiled and went inside