Calypso

Part 8

Kaiji

Taking a deep breath, I lift my hand to the slightly faded, yellow wooden door that held my best friend on the other side. However, when the door opened an older, almost carbon copy version of her appeared.

"Kaija!"

Upon seeing me her smile brightened and she pulled me in for a tight squeeze. What can I say? She loves me as if I were her own. What with being my mother's best friend and all she practically raised me.

"Long time nuh see Mumma Clarke."

Returning her embrace, she then steps back and examines me. Her dazzling blue eyes trailed me from head to toe.

"How yuh doing? Oh Mi miss seeing yuh, how yuh broda?"

I tense up for a second, momentarily forgetting my situation. Of course she doesn't know. She doesn't know that Rashaun is still gone.  That I haven't spoken two him in almost 2 years.That he disappeared just like daddy. She doesn't know that ever since my momma died I've been traveling from home to shelter just to find someplace to lay my head. Mumma Clarke doesn't know anything. All she knows is that my mother, her best friend, died the day after my 16th birthday.

 And it was all my fault.

 Shrugging I reply,

"We're doing good, yuh kno."

"Well yuh look suh much like yuh moda. Beautiful. Strong."

We both laugh nostalgically trying to recall the jewel that was my mother. Reina, my momma, just had this way with people. She could turn your whole mood around with a simple smile and inspired people with the way she dances.

"Mi miss her."

"Mi too."

We take moment to reminisce as she smiles a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes before quickly shuffling me inside.

"Come child, yuh need food."

Just as I step through the threshold I'm bum-rushed by a large mass of wild curly ash blonde hair. Pulling back my startled grey eyes meet angry and worried blue ones.

"Weh have yuh been!?"

"Uhh...," I trail off looking to the door at Mamma Clarke.

"Mumma, weh gwaan upstairs. We'll eat later."

Dragging me up the stairs and into her room, she throws me inside then shuts the door. I sigh,

Why is my best friend always so violent?

"Corey-" 

Once again I am tackled from the side, this time by a curtain of silky straight dark brown hair.

"Arinah!"

"Kaija Renae Jones, you didn't contact us last night!"

Corey proclaims using my full name. She loomed over me with her 4 extra inches, hands on her hips and tapping her foot. Her huge mass of curly hair made her look like a lioness ready to pounce. Arinah finally let go of me and her big brown eyes were accusing.

"We had an agreement that we wouldn't tell anyone of your current "living situation", no matter how much we oppose, as long as you let us know you're your safe every night."

Now they both stood in front of me with hands on their hips.

"And you didn't contact us."

Looking back and forth between the two I start to smile on the inside.

I have such great friends.

"I'm sorry, both of you. I really didn't mean to worry you I just had a little... incident last night."

Turning to each other they both shared a concerned glance.

"But I'm fine I promise!" I state tossing my hands in the air as a sign of surrender.

"Tell us what happened." Arinah demands.

And so I did.

As I told my story Corey started to check over my hair. She insist that I "keep up appearances", whatever that means. It's a lot of work dealing with my natural hair so she keeps it in twist for me. I love them both but I hate having to depend on them so much. Another reason why I live on my own: I'm not their responsibility.

"Oh my gosh," Arinah exclaimed. Her beautiful egyptian features turned into a frown. "Good thing your top of your class in Self-defense."

"She's right yuh know. Yuh need to pick your battles more carefully, Kai. Yuh can't save everyone."

Arinah's hands had been shaking slightly for some time now. I took her hands and held them in my own for reassurance. She looks into my eyes and I can read her like an open book.

Your thinking "What if's" again aren't you? It'll be okay. I'll be okay.

As if reading my mind she gives me a small smile and nods. Never one for long silences, Corey attempts to break the ice.

"So tell us more about Mr. Tall, Dark & Mysterious."

Raising an eyebrow I remind her, "I said it was dark not that he was dark."

"Blasé, Blasé." She states waving her hand back and forth as she finished with my hair and started to put the supplies away.

"Anyway, proceed."

Staring up at the ceiling I try to recall specifics about the boy.

"I really don't remember that much about him."

But that wasn't true. I don't know why but his image has been etched into my mind since last night. I remember the sureness of his voice and how he wouldn't let go of my hand until we were safe. He wasn't hulking big but he was surly bigger than me. I probably only came up to about his chin at my 5'3. He defiantly had an athletic build though. His deep brown eyes and black hair clashed nicely with his coffee like complexion. 

"Uh, hello...Earth to Kaija?"

I blinked suddenly seeing Arinah waving a hand in front of my face with a sly smile.

"Mmmm Hmm..."

Corey mused behind me.

"Well either way I vote that we go out tonight, primarily to this new club that just opened up downtown."

Arinah frowned,

"Are you serious? Tonight?"

"Yas gyal, wi need to bruk out!" Throwing her hands in the air, Corey starts dancing around then pulls me up with her.

"But only if you're up to it Kai. I know you had a weird night last night."

Corey looks at with wide eyes.

My friends do so much for me. I want them to be happy, so why not? It wouldn't hurt to go out  dancing and besides we need some fun. We're young.

As if already knowing my answer Corey breaks out into a huge smile.

"Sure I'll go, as long as Arinah agrees."

We both look at her expectantly. Arinah, however, is a little relucent. She doesn't particularly like crowded places filled with sweaty teens and college students. But with a little persuasion...

"Alright, fine. Since you both seem to want to go so badly, I'm in." 

"Yes!" Corey exclaims while flopping on the bed to grab her phone. 

"I'll call the guys."