"Sam wake up. You're gonna be late for class and you know Dr. Rowan don't play. Getcho ass up," Samara's suitemate, Natalie, urged. Samara threw a pillow at her.
"Natalie go without me. I'm tired."
"Ok. Fine, but I'm not signing you in this time. I'm gone."
Samara mumbled something incoherent under her breath and turned over. She heard the door shut and gave herself five more minutes to lay still. When her third alarm went off she reluctantly got up and dragged herself to the bathroom to get ready.
..
At 10:45 Samara strolled into Dr. Rowan's English class. She was fifteen minutes late. Hoping to go undetected, she slid in the back of the class and grabbed the first available seat.
"Look who finally showed up," a voice said from close by.
Samara rolled her eyes at the guy behind her. "Mind your business Zay. Pay attention," she said before leaning over the side of her seat to retrieve her notebook and pen from her bag. When she was finally settled Zay tapped the back of her shoulder. She sucked her teeth and turned only her head to acknowledge him.
"What?" she whispered.
"Can I borrow a pen?" he smiled at her playfully.
"Are you serious? What were you doing before I got here?"
"Waiting on you," he winked.
Samara reached in her purse and grabbed a pen. "Here. And I better get it back."
Zay took the pen from her hand and smiled. He chuckled inwardly at how easy it was to get under her skin.
"Thanks Mar."
"Mmhm," she said through pursed lips. She turned back around to began her note taking. As she listened intently to Dr. Rowan's lecture Zay, looking to elicit another reaction out of her, tapped her one final time.
Samara slowly turned around and considered cussing him out. The guy beside Zay laughed quietly to himself.
"What now?"
"You look nice today," he grinned.
"I can't stand you," she said as she unsuccessfully fought back a smile. Zay, feeling pleased with himself, winked and refocused his attention back to the white board.
..
In the cafe later that afternoon, Samara slid into the booth next to Natalie. Their other friend, Mena, sat across from them.
"So what's up? We still going out tonight or what," Samara asked munching on a fry.
"Yeah," responded Natalie. "Who's party is it again?"
"Some dude named Jason. I heard it's gon' be lit. S'posed to be mad people there," Samara replied.
"Girl you know I'm down for whatever," Mena grinned.
"Yes boo," Samara stated, "So please be ready by 9:30 y'all. I'm trynna be outta here by ten. You know we got that hour drive."
"Hey ladies," said Zay interrupting their conversation. He squeezed into the booth beside Samara.
"Damn Zay. Move. It's no space for you and you're annoying ass," Samara groaned.
"Samara don't act like that. You know you love when I'm around," he teased.
"Yeah, well my boyfriend doesn't, now move," she taunted back.
"Ain't nobody worried about him," Zay said standing up. He leaned in close to her ear so that no one around them could hear what he was about to say next. "I 'ont even know why you still parade around here with his ass. That nigga suck." He backed away.
Samara sucked her teeth and leaned back to look up at him. "Zay, why would you say that?"
"Because it's true," he said quickly. "Anyway, I got class in ten. I'll holla at y'all when Samara's in a better mood," he said to the girls.
Samara flicked him off as he walked away. In response, Zay smiled and blew her a kiss. They gave each other one last taunting look as he disappeared into the lunch crowd.
Shortly after Zay left, Rico, Samara's boyfriend, walked over to their table.
"What's up y'all," he said addressing the small group. He gave his attention to Samara. "Yo, Mara. Can I holla at you for a second?"
"Yeah. I was just about to head out," she lied, as she began gathering up her things. "I'll see y'all later. Don't forget 9:30," she reminded them as she stood from the table. The girls promised to be ready as Rico gently grabbed Samara's hand and guided her away. As Samara walked out of the building with Rico she wondered what he could've possibly wanted. Their relationship wasn't the best these days, but they were fine when she last talked to him this morning. Rico led her to his truck and motioned for her to get in. She did as instructed and waited for him to get in on the other side. What is going on? she wondered. The slam of the car door interrupted her thoughts. She looked over at Rico before turning her body to face his.
"Baby, what's going on?" she asked searching his face for answers. Rico cleared his throat.
"A'ight. So look. Imma just get right to it. We ain't really been us in a while and I don't see us gettin' any better, so I think we should break up." Samara was almost rendered speechless. "Don't tell me you're really surprised?" Rico huffed. "You had to have seen this coming."
Samara spoke up. "I know our relationship isn't what it used to be, but honestly, yes, this is a surprise Rico. You didn't even try talking to me first before making this decision. I don't even know where your head was at prior to this. I mean, I'm sorta in the dark here. Can you at least explain—" Rico cut her off.
"Mara, let's not do this a'ight. I ain't trynna make this into a whole thing. I just wanna get this over with. Just accept the fact that this isn't what I want anymore."
Samara nodded her head slowly as she tried to process the reality of this moment. "Okay. If this is what you want. Fine."
"Thank you," he said leaning in to kiss her cheek, but Samara leaned back to dodge his lips.
Rico sucked his teeth. "Come on Mara. Don't be like that. I'm just trynna give you a proper goodbye without the theatrics and alladat."
Ignoring his statement, Samara rolled her eyes and asked, "Who is she?"
"Who is who?"
"Who is who?" Samara mimicked, then she sucked her teeth. "You really gon' ask me that asinine question? Don't belittle me Rico. It's insulting. Who is the girl you've been cheating on me with?"
"It's no one. Do'neven trip."
"Okay. Right," Samara scoffed. "We aren't together anymore right or am I missing something? I would think that at least now you'd be honest with me and stop frontin'." There were tears standing in Samara's eyes, but she held them back. She continued, her voice still strong. "After nearly three years of being with you this is how it ends?" Samara huffed incredulously. "Wow. I really expected more."
Rico looked like he wanted to say more, but hesitated at the last minute. Internally, Samara quickly tried to make peace with the fact that she might never get the truth from him. She placed her bag on her shoulder and pushed open the car door.
"That's ar'ight. Doe'neven worry 'bout it."
"Mara," he called out behind her. Without another word, she slammed the door shut. There was nothing else to say. Rico was very clear about where he stood and she would no longer stand in the way of what he wanted.
...
