The Stranger

Chapter 14.

Darker than the ocean, deeper than the sea. You got everything, you got what I need. Touch me.. You're electric babe. Move me, take me from this place. I was singing along to the lyrics of Electric by Alina Baraz. Remember how I said I finally understood the lyrics of Weak by SWV? Well, it doesn't even compare to what I feel for Tray.

"Don't forget your books babe." He said. I had Tray on speaker, while I was rushing out of my bedroom door. I was late for school; and he was the reason why. Knowing that he was the reason, made my life that much more exciting. We stayed on the phone until 4 am. 2 hours before my alarm clock is scheduled to go off. "I haven't!" I said. In reality I did. I snuck back into my bedroom, grabbing my Trigonometry book that was hidden underneath a pile of clothes. "You sho' you don't need a ride?" He asked, sighing loud enough for me to hear. "Yes, I'm sure. I'll just take the bus." "I don't think you should." "Why not?" I asked, speed walking into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

"Because, I don't want no nigga starin' at you." I scoffed. "No one is going to stare at me, Tray." "Aight, if you say so." He said. I jogged out of my house, not paying attention to my surroundings. I jiggled my keys, trying to find the house key to lock the door. "Sound like you strugglin' ma." "Ugh, hush! I'm trying to focus." I said, lightly laughing. "Got it!" I said cheering myself on. I finally locked the door; as I turned around, I saw Tray's car parked in my driveway.

As a grin formed across my lips, I couldn't help but wonder if Tray was too good to be true. I entered the passenger seat, still beaming a cheeseball smile. "Damn, ma. Who got you cheesin'?" He asked chuckling. I punched his bicep playfully. "Stooooop!" I said dragging out my words with a giggle. "Aight, aight. Let's not make you anymore late." He said, driving out of the driveway and towards the school.

"So, what are your plans?" I asked while admiring his face structure. "What chu mean?" He asked, gripping the steering wheel. "Well.. you know.. are you going to college? Or finding a job?" I didn't want to come off too offensive, so I quickly added in "I'm only curious because we haven't talked about those things yet." He scoffed. "You tryna marry a nigga or sum?" He asked. Was he being sarcastic? "Well right now, I'm doin' what I gotta do." He finally said. "What does that mean?" I asked. "Somethin' you don't understand yet." He said smirking. "I'm not too sure what that means." I said whispering lowly.

It would be crazy of me to think about marriage with Tray, considering the fact that we've only been dating for a short period of time. But, would it be crazy of me not to think of these things? I pondered at thoughts. Maybe, I was thinking too hard. "We here." He said parking the car in the front of the school gate. "Thank you for the ride." I said. I reached into his backseat, grabbing my bookbag and Trigonometry book. "What time you get out?" "2:20 pm." I replied. "Aight, I'll be here." I felt my cheeks flush a bright red; and he only made it worse, by leaning in and kissing me on the cheek. "Okay, I'll be here too." I felt like an idiot for saying this. "Duh, of course." He said laughing. "Ugh, let me go before I make a fool of myself." I said chiming in with his laughter. I closed the door behind me and walked into the school gate.

Hearing his car roar in the distance made me feel beyond confident; until I heard giggles and whispers coming from the P.E. field. I squeezed onto my Trigonometry book and tried to keep a positive mindset. Maybe, they weren't talking about me. Not everything is about you Dazie! I gazed down at the concrete floor staring at my dirty white vans. I need to clean these when I get home today. When I looked up three girls surrounded me. I gasped at the sight of them. "Oh my gosh," I said dropping my book. When I met the gazes of each girl, I realized I never saw them around the school.

"You datin' Tray?" One of them asked, popping her gum. She was dark skinned, brown almond shaped eyes, with long black box braids that passed her waist. "Uh.." Was all I could reply. "Don't act like you not." Her friend joined in. "Yeah, we saw you gettin' out of his car." The other chimed in. "I mean.. I guess." I said. I felt my heart beating faster, but I tried to play it as cool as possible. I didn't want them to see me sweat. "Well, Imma need you stay away from my man." The first girl said. "Your man?" I asked frowning. "Yeah, you can't hea?" She asked sizing me up. "I-I can hear, but he never mentioned you." I replied. "Oh baby, he don't gotta mention who he fuckin'." She said giggling. She turned around to meet the gazes of her friends; as they joined in with her laughter. Seems like they're just followers of her.