Loyalty Lies (Volume One)

Chapter 2

Come on y'all let's take a ride/Don't you say shit just get inside/It's time to take yo' ass on another kind of trip..."

Fantastic Voyage, Coolio

"Man, I swear, this girl is so slow!" Deja exclaimed to no one in particular. She sucked her teeth, impatiently bouncing in the driver seat of her four-year-old Nissan Maxima, handed down from her mother. Always ready to be out and on the move, Deja lacked the very important virtue of patience. With Deja it was never just now, but right now.

More out of habit than necessity, Deja checked herself in the mirror as she continued, "This her hook up, and she ain't even ready."

"And you're surprised, why?" Karma asked sarcastically from her spot in the back.

Deja didn't respond as her mind went back to the night before. Thru Cherise, she was introduced to Desmond's friend Kevin, and from the sound of his voice, he was fine.

So, Miss Deja, what's good with it? You soundin' kinda tight. For real."

"That's cuz I am tight. Fuck the kinda." She said arrogantly as she slid deeper into the chair, cradling the phone, she was enjoying the exchange.

"Right, like I ain't never heard that before." Kevin chuckled, "females hypin' a nigga up, then come thru lookin' like a mud duck. That shit ain't even cool."

"Mud duck!" She exclaimed, feigning shock, "I wish I would. Why don't you just make sure you on point, okay? And not no dusty, bum ass, and it'll be all gravy."

Deja was confident, border-line conceited, when it came to how she viewed herself. She hovered around 5 foot 10 with a track star frame, toned and kept fit from consistently winning 100 and 200 meter dashes, a grip of crunches, and the gift of youth. Her complexion looked as if it had been dipped in the richest chocolate, then double dipped to make her extra smooth and creamy. With high cheek bones passed down from generations of blacks mixing with Native Americans, and beautiful pearly whites, she had an enchanting look. When she smiled, it connected with her eyes, causing them to sparkle even more. Deja received attention on the daily, so there was never a chance for her to doubt her looks. She was all that and a bag of chips. Even if she was in sneaks and sweats, with her hat pulled low, her body and looks, were two things she just couldn't hide. For convenience and style, Deja kept her hair braided in micros, with honey blonde highlights.

"And then what? You actin' like you ready to get wit' a nigga, like ya' lil' young ass with the get down."

As Deja was about to respond, Kevin fell into a coughing fit.

"Are you sick or something?"

"Nah, nah...I was smokin'"

"Must be some bomb."

"And you know this. Round here we keep the good, good."

"Aright, that's what it is then."

"Aye, check it out though, I'm bout to dip. I hope you ready for a nigga tomorrow."

"Likewise."

And this is why Deja was hyped, ready to get in motion. But if Deja was keyed up, Cherise was ecstatic. This was going to be the first time she saw Desmond since meeting him on Crenshaw two weeks ago. And to add to it, he had called her first, two days after they met, since then they had conversed on an almost nightly basis.