Too Young

EIGHT

I cooked and cleaned all day at the restaurant and avoided Thomas all day. During my lunch break, I stayed in the bathroom. I quietly did my work and when it was time to clock out, I cleaned up my station.

Eileen came over to me when I was getting ready to leave. She wore a smirk with her sleeves rolled up and her hair pulled back into a ponytail.

   "What do you want?"

   "So, did Thomas finally tell you that he didn't want you? Is that why you ran out like a little bitch?"

   "Get away from me." I pushed past her.

   "What's wrong? You can't stand the truth?"

   "Eileen leave me alone because you don't know what you're talking about."

   "Oh really? Or is it that you don't know how to take rejection? He doesn't like you, he doesn't like ugly negro bitches."

I raised my arm to hit her right across the face. "Go ahead. Show everyone how naturally aggressive you are."

I balled my my fist and placed it back down my side.

   "I will not stoop to your level." I turned my back to her and bumped into Thomas.

   "Judith, why have you been avoiding me all day?"

   "I-- I--"

   "I need to talk to you outside." He grabbed me by the hand and we left Eileen standing there in the kitchen by herself. "Why do you hate me?" He asked once we were outside.

   "I don't hate you at all."

   "Then why do you act the way you do towards me?"

   "Because... I don't know. I just can't tell you."

   "Why not?"

   "It's personal."

   "So are you telling me that you didn't like the kiss at all?"

   "I did and that's the problem." I shook my head then pulled off my hair net. My hair poofed back out into it's afro.

   "What do you mean?"

I started to walk away and he followed.

   "Please just leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you anymore."

   "Judith, why are you pushing me away? What did I do wrong?"

   "Leave me alone, Thomas!" I stormed off.

I met up with Pat at our hangout spot. She looked annoyed and she rolled her eyes as she saw me walk in.

I hadn't bothered to go home after work so I was still in my dingy work clothes. I sat down across from her at the table we usually sat at.

   "You'd better have a good explanation for why you left me hanging yesterday."

   "I'm so sorry. I went with Thomas to his parents house party."

   "Wow... you left me hanging for a guy." She rolled her eyes. "I thought you were more loyal than that, Judith."

   "I am... it's just I meant to call you and I forgot. I'm so sorry. I'll call you if anything like that happens again."

   "Alright," she said still sounding a bit skeptical. "So what happened?"

   "What do you mean what happened?"

   "Something had to happen there. What did his parents think of you? Does he have any siblings? Did he try to kiss you?"

   "You're always jumping to conclusions, Pat!" I said defensively.