Summer Schooled

5: Ayla

Omari rushed into our classroom just before he would've been considered late. Typical. I rolled my eyes while he took his seat. I noticed he had ran his eyes over me when he made his way to his seat, but I didn't let it get to me.

"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Anderson."
our teacher joked.

"Mhmm..." Omari was leaned on his desk with his arm when he gave his response.

"I'm sorry. I was only teasing. Rough night?" The teacher stood at his desk and looked at Omari with concerned eyes.

"Yeah, you could say that." Omari replied.

I had to stop myself from scoffing. Rough night my ass. He probably spent the night smoking or drinking or, better yet, fucking some girl. It was his own fault for being nearly late, and it was probably the same reason he was in summer school in the first place. I rolled my eyes again.

"Well I'm glad you made it. Now for our in class novel. I'm sure you guys have a lot of free time, so I'll be assigning chapters some nights for you to read. There will be a test at the end of the course, so you're only shooting yourself in the foot if you don't read," Our teacher walked through the rows of desks when he spoke, "Tonight is chapter 1. It's not that long so don't complain."

The rest of the class went on and then our break, and before I knew it, class was over. I was on my way to my car when I dropped the crossbody bag I was carrying and its contents spilled all over the ground. I heard a few chuckles from bystanders, but then a large shadow appeared before me and someone bent down to help. It was Omari. He picked up my car keys and a pencil and handed them to me once we both stood up. His hand brushed mine during the handoff and he was surprisingly warm despite the cold vibe he often gave off.

"Thanks." I put my things back into my bag and made sure it was secure on my shoulder.

"No problem." Omari shrugged and looked at me for a second, then out toward the parking lot.

"You don't need a ride, do you?" I don't know why the hell I asked but I was praying he said no.

"Nah, I drove."

Thank God.  "Wait, you have a car?"

"Well, it's not my car," Omari scratched the back of his head nervously, "it's a friend's. But he knows I have it."

His story sounded like a whole lot of bull to me. For all I know, he could've stolen the car. Maybe that was why he was so late. I didn't want him to think I was suspicious, so I just nodded my head and said "Oh ok".

"Well I'll see you tomorrow." Omari said and started toward his "friend's car". I watched him try to put the key in the drivers side door and struggle for a little, then realize he had to flip the key and then it unlocked.

Good lord. 

I got in my car and drove home. There was a car parked on the curb outside my house in the spot I usually took, so I had to park up ahead closer to my neighbor. I didn't recognize the car at first, but once I was walking alongside it and saw the pot leaf car freshener hanging from the rear view mirror, I knew who it was. I went upstairs to my room first and passed my brothers room on the way. Some rap song I couldn't make out was blasting, but there was a towel stuffed underneath the door. I already knew he was in there smoking with his stoner friend, Xavier. Xavier smoked so much weed I'm surprised his brain wasn't fried. He somehow managed to keep a decent GPA and start on our varsity football team. Potheads, I don't know how they do it.

I put my bag on my bed and changed into an old t-shirt and Nike compression shorts, which I always wore around the house. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and went down go the kitchen. While I was digging through the fridge, the doorbell rang. I crossed the house and opened the door to find Iverson on my porch.