Expect The Unexpected (H-Town)

Deal For Deal?

Kaedi

Stacey and Leah had just finished telling me all about these two dudes—Kadeem and Leonce. Naturally, I wanted to meet them.

"And why can't I meet them?" I asked, instantly defensive.

"Because you go into mama mode," Leah said, popping her gum. "And it's too early for that."

I fake-gasped and clutched my chest. "I do not! The lies you tell!"

We all laughed.

That's when the guys walked over, and the laughter died down.

"Wassup," Dino said, pulling me into a hug.

I barely hugged him back. I was still mad about the party.

He greeted the other girls, then Shazam and G.I. followed suit.

"So how y'all day been?" Shazam asked.

We answered, and just then three unfamiliar guys approached.

"Hi, Leonce!" Leah said brightly.

"Wassup. You ready to roll?" he asked.

"Yeah—but let me introduce you to my crew," she said.

We shook hands, then Leah and Leonce walked off together, leaving the other two.

"This is Kadeem, everyone," Stacey said. "Everyone—Kadeem."

"Nice to meet all y'all," he said, his accent smooth.

I clocked the other guy immediately.

Tall. Amber eyes. Quiet confidence.

"This my homeboy—Hakeem Duncan," Kadeem added.

I smiled. He smiled back.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Hakeem asked.

I pointed at myself, then looked around before meeting his eyes again. He laughed and nodded.

"I'll see y'all later," Stacey said, walking off with Kadeem.

I excused myself from the guys, and Hakeem led me toward a tree where it was quieter.

"So what can I help you with?" I asked. "Anything but math though—I hate math with a passion."

He laughed. "Nah, I'm good at math. I actually need help with my English research paper."

"Why me?" I asked. "We don't know each other like that."

"I asked around," he said. "They said you—and another girl—are nice with that English stuff. Plus... I wanted your number."

Those amber eyes and that smile almost distracted me.

"Are you related to Kadeem?" I asked. "And yeah, I'll help—but under one condition."

"Nah, we just grew up together. What's the condition?" he asked, folding his arms.

"There's this guy I like," I admitted. "We grew up together. I told him how I felt... and I kinda wanna make him jealous."

Hakeem studied me. "You sure about that? I actually wanna get to know you. Not be used."

That stung.

"Forget I said anything" I said quickly.

I pulled out paper and pen, scribbled my address and number, and handed it to him. "Call me whenever you're ready to work on the paper."

I turned to walk away, but he gently grabbed my arm.

"I'll help you," he said. "But only until my paper gets graded. After that—if you still wanna get to know me for real—you know where to find me."