Don't Play

One/Kera

It was Friday, the last period of the day just started, Caribbean History which forever came with tons of debates and opinions. Don't get me wrong, the class was live, partly because of our teacher Mr.Perez who always found ways of making it interesting and challenging us.

Mr.Perez sat on his desk and folded his arms across his chest, looking at all of us "OK so the loss of Africa's main asset -its people- to the Middle Passage and Caribbean slave system, was it the Europeans doing or the kings and leaders of Africa themselves ?"

The class went silent for a while considering the question, like what was there to think about... I raised my hand

"Kera?"

"Europeans, I mean they came and captured the people, raided villages taking thousands, followed the sound of the drums just to get to the people. They tricked them even kidnapped them. The Europeans werent asking any questions, with or without permission, they would have taken the Africans. And even the kings and leaders who did give away their fellow Africans, they had no idea that they would be taken, shipped miles away seriously beaten and forced to work, they were deceived by the Europeans who came." I stated.

"True true" ma girl Layla chimed in. I shot her a smile and she winked back.

"I like that, anybody wanna challenge that?" Mr.Perez asked

"Yh" a voice from my left said. "I think, the leaders are to blame as well, they're the ones who sold out the people, for what, a couple guns and weapons. They were greedy and due to their thirst for power, the people had to pay, Africa had to pay. Its a two way street cuz the kings n whatever could of always refused" he stated leaned back in his seat in a black and white Bob Marley t-shirt, black jeans, gold chain and latest jordans.

"Yes Damarly, nice. Keep going" Mr.Perez yelled

Ughh, Damarly, I rolled my eyes. For a super popular guy that locked it down on the court he definitely managed to stay up there on his school work. I mean I don't know how he, Jason and Xavier did it with their hoe army. There were endless stories of their numours hook ups and the trail of broken hearts left behind. You just couldn't trust boys like them.

"Yh I agree with Damarly, that makes total sense" another girl said as she winked at him and a few more nodded in agreement.

Are u serious? I rolled my eyes wondering how this girl could be that basic, she probably didn't even hear a word he said and just agreed to be seen. Well we see you.

"Refused? They were being friendly, not going around being all high and mighty, like ur type.Giving or trading slaves for gifts was a usual thing in the African culture. How were they supposed to know damage and disaster was ahead" I argued

"Don't play" he laughed "My type? I'm sure they weren't as naïve or ignorant as your being right now" he said with a smirk on his face.

The class let out a chorus of "ohhhs"

Flushed, I was just about to answer his smart ass when the bell rang.

"Great discussion you guys, we'll see if we can pick this up next class" Mr.Perez said as he walked.

Defeated and utterly embarrassed with Damarly's last words I began to pack my bag as everyone filtered out of the class.
About to get up and exit myself, my way was blocked.

"Kera Andrews, right?" Damarly asked with an extended hand and a smirk on his face. " We cool?" He asked with his boys, Jason and Xavier all dressed in Jordans, not too far behind him.

I took one look at his hand, then his face.... And simply brushed past him "I'm not naïve " I said as I stepped through the door and walked of with Layla.

I could hear his friends snickering at the obvious diss
"We'll see" I heard him say from the class, probably with that dumb smirk on his face.

Thank God it was Friday and I wouldn't have to see him for a few days, I think that's long enough to retrieve most of my dignity.