Expect The Unexpected (H-Town)

Why Bother?

Leah

I had my headphones on, CD player in hand, walking down the hall toward my psychology class. Forever My Lady by Jodeci was blasting, and I was singing along under my breath.

I turned the corner—and finally looked up.

There he was.

Tall, light-skinned, great smile, hood but clearly smart.

The same boy I'd been hearing about from all the bird girls in the cafeteria all week.

"Leonce," he said, extending his hand.

I paused the music and shook it. "Sorry—I didn't catch your name."

"Leonce Smith," he replied. "I just switched into your psychology class."

I slid my headphones down around my neck. "Nice to finally meet you. I'm Leah Hubbert. What made you switch to psychology?"

He smirked. "Finally meet me? So people been talking."

I laughed softly. "Something like that."

"I switched because I saw something interesting I wanted to learn about."

I raised an eyebrow. "You sure that's the only thing you picked up on?"

"Nah," he said, leaning against the wall. "That's pretty much it."

Before I could respond, Darryl came around the corner and accidentally bumped into me.

Leonce instantly pushed off the wall.
"Watch where you going, homie!" he snapped.

I jumped a little at his reaction.

"Relax, Leonce," I said quickly. "I know him. Really well actually. He didn't do it on purpose."

"Yeah, I didn't," Darryl said, annoyed. "And come correct when you talking to me. We don't know each other like that."

I sighed, looking between them. "Well, that's the bell. We should go."

Normally Darryl sat next to me in Psych 101—but today, he slid into a seat next to Shantè.

Noted.

Leonce sat down beside me instead. I didn't mind that at all. What I did mind was hearing the girls around us whispering and throwing shade.

This is gonna be a long day, I thought, sinking into my chair.

I glanced over at Darryl, who was deep into a flirt session with Shantè. My jaw tightened.

"I was thinking," Leonce said quietly, "maybe we could grab lunch after class—if you're cool with that."

I looked back at Darryl, who was purposely avoiding my eyes.

Why keep chasing someone who won't meet me halfway?

"That sounds good," I said, smiling. "We can go to IHOP. I love their pancakes."

"IHOP it is," Leonce replied.

Just then, Professor Cummings walked in—and right behind him were Stacey and a fine-looking dude I'd never seen before.

The guy dapped up Leonce and took a seat behind him. Stacey slid into the chair next to me, smiling from ear to ear.

"Who that fine brother you just walked in with?" I whispered.

"That's Kadeem Hosford," she said, still grinning.

She leaned toward me. "And who that fine brother sitting next to you? They look like they know each other."