Under

2.

Logan.

"Put that on some. A dub that if I ask Alicia right now, she'd let me hit." My boy Shad said.

This was everyday cafeteria conversation. Every day it was a new bet on new booty. I always sat back and observed on what not to do.

"A dub nigga." Kevin agreed, shaking hands with Shad.

I laughed, shaking my head. "If you win, that's saying a lot, Shad."

"A whole lot." Adrian chimed in. "If she agree to let you hit, you better run."

"How come?" Shad said, brushing his hair.

"For one, you ugly as hell. That means her standards are low." Kevin said.

"And if she let you beat, just imagine the loads of other niggas that's been in that." Adrian added.

"So that means that twat hot." The three of us said in unison, dapping each other.

Shad, Kevin, Adrian, and I were four among the many football players in the school. The difference between us and other guys was that us four had been joined at the hip since third grade. Of course, over time we all grew into our looks which caused female attention to be thrown at us all the time. Unlike the other guys, I never let it get to my head. Looks come and go.

Shad stood from his chair as we all smacked our lips. We knew he was in for failure only because he was the cockiest of us four which was his weakness at getting girls.

"Watch and learn virgins. This live tutorial might get you some coochie one day." He brushed his hair before scrunching up his face at us. "A big might."

"Yeah, kids. Don't try this dumb shit at home." Adrian chuckled.

"This shit like a moth to a flame for me." Shad shrugged, "Can't help it."

I shook my head. "Yeah nigga, that's why yo' dick burning now."

"Nigga dick gone be a flaming hot cheeto he keep playin'." Kevin joked.

Shad flipped us all off as we engaged in laughter. Despite our jokes, he walked away in Alicia's direction to talk to her. One thing I could give him credit on was his persistence. Not only did he have it with the females, but on the field as well.

Just as Shad left, Adrian's girlfriend Erica approached the table. Every school had a power couple, Erica and Adrian were ours. They'd been together on and off since our freshman year and were inseparable.

"Sup, shorty?" Adrian pulled her into his lap, kissing on her.

"Hey." She giggled before giving us her attention. "Hey y'all."

Kevin and I gave a respectful nod before indulging in our own conversation. We took a liking to Erica over the years, but whenever she came around we'd pretend to be civilized. Unlike many girls at the school, Erica came from money and showed it every chance she got. She was boujee but it didn't take away from the fact she was street just like us.

In the midst of Kevin and I's conversation, a familiar face outside of the cafeteria caught my attention. I told Kevin I'd be back and made my way into the hallway.

"Hey, hey, where you going?" I said, catching her attention. She turned around to face me with her books clutched to her chest. Looking at me and then around her, she made sure I was talking to her. "Yes you, Keisha."

She said nothing, just a slight shrug.

"You um," I stuttered. "You not going to the cafeteria?"

Looking around me into the cafeteria, she looked back at me and shook her head no.

"You can sit with me and the guys." I persuaded. She looked unfazed, a bit more tense. "C'mon. We don't bite."

"Uh.." She started before I grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward the cafeteria.

She resisted a little before finally calming down. I didn't understand why she barely talked, but I assumed it was because she had no one to talk to. I was more than willing to make her feel comfortable in a new environment.

Just as we neared the table, I saw Shad was back and they were all engaged in conversation.

"Aye y'all, this Keisha. She sitting with us today." I spoke.

They all looked over before finally speaking. She sent a nod and took a seat between Kevin and I.

"You the new girl from Mississippi, right?" Erica asked, making Keisha nod.

"Country girl, huh? You like to ride?" Adrian asked, gaining a look from everybody and slap upside the head from Erica. "Horses man damn. Horny asses."

Shad put his brush down, giving Keisha his attention. "You don't talk or some?"

Keisha looked back and forth between us as if she wanted me to answer for her.

"I got a mouth don't I?" She said, barely above a whisper.

"True, but do you have a comb? Wassup with that shit on ya head, shorty?" Shad joked, making the everybody at the table backlash. "I'm just sayin'. Here ma, take my brush."

"You a bitch ass nigga." Keisha mumbled, but audible for us to hear her.

"Excuse me, ma?" Shad leaned forward. "I don't have my glasses on, can't quite hear you. Repeat that?"

"You heard me. Can't get one, so you gotta act like one." Keisha retorted. "Thanks Logan, but I gotta get to the library."

Before I could respond, she was gone. I looked at Shad with my veins nearly popping out my head.

"Bruh, what the fuck was that?" I huffed.

"Shit, shorty can't take a joke?" He chuckled. "You tryna hit that, Lo?"

I looked at him with a scowl before grabbing my things.

"You out her league bro!" He called behind me as I walked out of the cafeteria.

My boys were definitely like my brothers. I loved them, but some times I definitely didn't like they asses.

I felt like I was running through a maze trying to find Keisha. She had only left the cafeteria a minute before I did, but I couldn't find her anywhere. I checked the library, office, and classrooms to find her nowhere in sight. Just as I turned around to make my way back to the cafeteria, a familiar voice in the girls' washroom got my attention.

"His beard don't even connect so you know he not gettin' no coochie, sis. Don't cry." The voice said, which I made out to be Erica. Making my way to the door, I opened it to reveal and Keisha with a tear-stained face. Before I could open my mouth, Erica stopped me. "Get out."

I ignored her and pulled Keisha into a hug. "You okay? Look, he's just an asshole don't take what he says to heart."

"Yeah, girl." Erica butted in. "I like your hair. All you need is some help with it. I got you."

Keisha looked between the both of us. I couldn't help but see how hopeless this girl really was. This situation was beyond hair, but I didn't know her to question her about it. Instead, I went with Erica's plan.

"Oh yeah, E can hook you up."

She wiped her nose, "For real?"

Erica practically jumped out her skin before explaining everything she could do to spice up Keisha's hair and appearance. It didn't dawn on me until then that she did dress.. different. It wasn't bad at all, but she was dressed like she played sports. Her body was athletically built and her ass complimented her tiny frame.

"I got it from here, Logan." Erica said.

"Bet." I stuck my hands in my pocket. "See you around, Keisha?"

A small smile formed at her lips before she looked down. "Yeah. See you."

I sent them both a nod and left the washroom. I definitely knew I wanted to see her again.
________

I've changed the character of Keisha guys.
-Diamond