Kirkland Academy- Interracial Fiction

Kirkland Academy- Chapter 4

For weeks, Tia and Brittany spent lunch together and were quickly becoming an inseparable pairing. They bonded over their mutual interest in Science Fiction and love of music that most of their classmates had never heard of.

"Would you like to come over after school? My mom wants to meet the famous Tia and she wanted me to invite you over for dinner," Brittany said, as she and Tia finished their lunches out in the courtyard.

Tia felt apprehensive since she failed to tell Brittany the truth about her own strange home life. Janet had made the arrangements for Tia’s enrollment at Kirkland Academy and her last name was not the same as Derrick’s, so she hadn’t bothered to mention him to her friend.

Tia longed to be accepted by her peers without having to use her father’s name to boost her social status, and she felt she could trust Brittany, but Erica had made an off handed remark about her being a “scholarship nobody” and she hadn’t bothered with correcting Erica’s assumption. Brittany had sympathized with being a scholarship student, since her mother had worked as a school nurse for her own admission into Kirkland Academy, until she married another parent at the school.

Guilt turned Tia’s stomach at the idea that she still hadn’t told her friend the truth. 

"Tonight?" Tia searched her mind for any prior obligations but came up blank. 

"I can have my step brother take you home, it’ll be fun!" Brittany urged on Tia who had only nodded her head in acceptance before Brittany let out a giddy squeal of excitement at the idea of Tia coming over.

"There’s something I have to tell you," Tia began, as she and Brittany exited the lunchroom.

"What is it?" Brittany asked, her face turning concerned at Tia’s whispered tone.

The remains of Tia’s lunch were soon airborne as pieces of salad and her remaining hummus and pita chips went flying from her tray as she hit the ground with a thud. The lunch room fell silent for only a moment before Tia heard the evil cackle of Erica. She snaked out one of her platform clad feet in order to Trip Tia as she passed her.

"I know you did that on purpose you evil wench!" Brittany said as she turned to Erica, her face screwed up into a snarl that, coming from the easy going Brittany, was enough to make Erica stop her laughing.

"Forget about it, Brittany, she isn’t worth it," Tia said, gathering up her spilled food. 

"Mind your business. Just because your mother married up doesn’t mean you aren’t still trash, Brittany,” Erica’s words were enough to send Brittany over the edge. 

Before Brittany could react, Jack had appeared from nowhere taking Erica by the arm and leading her out of the cafeteria for another one of their epic blow ups. 

"What did you want to tell me?" Brittany asked once things settled down again.

"Nothing. I’ll tell you later," Tia said, heading to class.

Her mind was still distracted, through her entire Art History course, She was still tense from her showdown with Erica. When she saw Jack waiting for her outside of the classroom she did her best to walk as quickly as she could away from him. Tia’s forward progress was halted when Jack pulled her into a quiet corner, hidden from the flow of traffic down the hallways.

"I’m going to be late," Tia said, not bothering to look him in the eyes.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked, forcing Tia to look into his eyes, as he lifted her chin.

"I’m fine," Tia said. The guard around her heart was up and on full alert as she took in the pain on Jack’s crestfallen face.

"I’m sorry about Erica, she’s going through some stuff at home," Jack began but Tia put up a hand to stop him.

"We all are going through things, it’s not an excuse for her to behave like an animal," Tia said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You’re right. I’m sorry," Jack said, his embarrassment was clearly painted on his face. Tia garnered no joy in watching him fumble through his apologies.

"I’m not upset with you Jack. Her behavior is not your fault," Tia began, "but it’s probably not a good idea for us to be seen whispering in secluded corners."

Jack laughed before he and Tia reentered the flow of bodies making their way to their next class.

Tia and Jack both loved Professor Stanley and the entire class eagerly accepted each writing challenge they were presented. His class was a safe haven for creativity.

Tia called Janet after school, and was given permission to go to Brittany’s home for dinner. The two girls walked to Brittany’s house, enjoying the cooler temperature that the fall brought on.

Brittany lived in a beautiful home not far from the school. While her father’s place was modern and sleek, Brittany’s home had all the Old World charm of an English Manor.

"You want a snack?" asked Brittany as the two of them entered her Kitchen, depositing their bags at the front door.

Brittany searched the cabinets for chips and drinks for Tia before heading up the stairs to search for her mother.

"Jack! What are you doing here?" Tia asked, her expression shocked as Jack entered the kitchen and took to the fridge not noticing her seated in the breakfast nook.

"I um, this is my house," Jack answered stammering as he tried to grasp the situation.

"But this is Brittany’s house," Tia argued, not knowing what to make of Jack’s sudden appearance.

"I know. She’s my step sister," Jack answered, just in time for Brittany to hear the exchange.

"We don’t really go around broadcasting it, but Jack’s my step brother," Brittany confessed.

"Oh," was all that Tia could manage to say, her mind was racing with the new information.

"Mom will be down in a few to start dinner," Brittany said, changing the subject, "Would you like to go watch something in my room?"

"Sure," Tia said, needing to get away from the situation to gather her thoughts.

"My dad is kind of famous," Tia blurted out the words the second that Brittany closed the door behind them.

"What do you mean?" Brittany asked. 

"I’m not on scholarship, and I meant to tell you, but I didn’t want to say anything in front of Erica, and I definitely don’t want to tell Jack and have Erica torturing me even more," Tia’s rambling trailed of when Brittany interjected.

"Who is your dad? Why the mystery?" Brittany asked her tone hushed as she questioned Tia.

"Derrick Fisher. He owns the LA Warriors," Tia confessed bracing for her friend’s reaction.

"I don’t know what that means. I don’t follow football," Brittany said nonchalantly.

"Basketball. He’s a famous basketball player," Tia said laughing at her friend’s ignorance. 

"Oh. Whatever. I don’t know anything about sports. But I kind of figured you weren’t a charity case when I saw that town car drop you off around the corner from school," Brittany confessed.

"Why didn’t you say anything?" asked Tia.

"I figured you’d tell me in your own time," Brittany said with a shrug, "Any other confessions before we go eat?" 

Tia considered telling Brittany about her interactions with Jack, then thought better of it. There was nothing to tell, after all. 

"Nope." Tia said as they headed down to the dinner table.