Suds - Season 1, Episode 11

… a mini-soap opera that bubbles with Love & Drama

[Last time on Suds, um, can anybody tell me exactly what happened to Darien? My guess is that he was strongly advised by the big guy upstairs to let Shantel figure out her consolation issues alone. Meanwhile, Terrance and Darien used to be roommates? And Darien slept with Terrance’s ex girlfriend? Well that’s interesting, although perhaps not as interesting as Shantel’s response to seeing “her man” with Leilah.]

The cat inside Shantel clawed when Terrance turned to Leilah and said, “No problem. Next time you’re heading out to the city, you can catch a ride with us. That way you won’t have to worry about your car making it.”

How long were they together? Shantel wondered. Is that why he didn't answer my calls? Baffled, Shantel caught a glimpse of her roommate’s coy smile before she quickly shifted her gaze from Terrance’s face to the floor. That downtrodden trick is trying to steal my man, she fumed.

“Yeah, well, thanks again,” Leilah said, sliding her bag near her closet, and retreated to the bathroom they shared with the neighboring room.

Shantel held a phony smile in place across her lips in an effort to prevent spewing accusations at Terrance. He glanced at the bathroom door, then walked over to Shantel, kissed her on the cheek and sat next to her on the bed.

“When did we go back to first grade,” she smiled half-heartedly. “Only my Nana kisses me on the cheek.”
“Oh yeah,” he asked leaning forward to avoid eye contact. “Where does Darien kiss you?”
~~

Leilah washed her face wishing she had grabbed her toiletries so she could at least have taken a shower while she waited for Terrance to leave. Looking into the mirror, she tugged at the brown puffs under her eyes with hopes that a good night’s sleep would make them less noticeable.

Leilah sat on the toilet and called her little sister, Lalique.
“What up, Chic,” the almost seventeen year old squealed. “You coming home this weekend?”
Leilah rolled her eyes unable to decline, “Yeah, I’ll be there.” She prayed her car was up to the task. “Do you know what you want for your birthday?”
“Not quite yet, but I’ll let you know.”
“How’s my Tu Tu?”
“Girl, she threw a fit when you left. I started to lock her behind in the bathroom for interrupting my show.” Lalique’s unique laugh cackled through the phone.
“You better leave my baby alone.”
“Whatever, that lil chic is spoiled… rotten. You all need to stop babying her.”
“Tell her I’ll be back this weekend.”

Leilah hung up the phone, accepted her lot for the millionth time, and prayed for strength to continue.
~~

“What are you talking about?” An outraged Shantel almost screamed at Terrance while masking her internal panic.
“You tell me.” Terrance said in a dry tone. “I just saw him drive off. What other reason would he have for being here?”
“Are you accusing me of cheating on you? This is a seventeen story building…” Her eyes bulged, and then narrowed in disgust. “Get out.” Shantel leapt off her bed, stormed to the door, and opened it. “Out, now!”

Standing firm with her arms crossed, she watched him rise sluggishly from her bed and dawdle towards the door. But, he didn’t leave. Instead, he rested his forehead on hers and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” she pouted.
“Baby, I’m sorry. It’s just these flashbacks. I didn’t mean to compare you to her. I’m sorry.”

Filled with remorse, he wrapped her arms around her, pleading.
Shantel hugged him back, giggling as he lifted her into the air.
“Are you still kicking me out?” He asked with raised brows over puppy dog eyes.
“Yes,” she grinned, “but I’ll meet you downstairs. I just want to pack a few things.”
Relieved, he kissed her and left, forgetting the curious connection he felt with Leilah.
~~

Leilah waited a few minutes after she heard the door close then returned to the room.
“Hi Leilah,” Shantel said, a smile plastered on her face as she leaned against the door.
“Oh, hey” Leilah answered, slightly irritated that Shantel felt a need to speak to her. She hoped Shantel would have left with Terrance. Opening her drawer and pulling out her toiletries, she realized Shantel was glaring at her. You have got to be kidding, Leilah thought.

She turned to face Shantel, items in hand. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Yes,” Shantel answered, matching Leilah’s aggravated stance. “Stay – away – from my – man.”

Leilah dumped her items into her shower caddy and took a deep, calming breath. “I don’t have time for this,” she said wearily, walking back to the restroom.
Shantel continued glaring.
Leilah stopped with her hand on the doorknob, laughing at the absurdity of the situation. “Lil girl, I do not want your man,” she said.
“I saw the way you looked at him.”
Slightly embarrassed, Leilah continued, “I have more respect for myself than to dabble with guys that already have girlfriends.”
“I should hope so,” Shantel said curtly, looking Leilah up and down.

Stun tightened Leilah’s face before quickly shaping into polite rage. “Maybe you should be less concerned about me and redirect your attention to ‘your man.” She emphasized the last part of her statement, sprinkling doubt as to whether Terrance was really as faithful as Shantel imagined he was.

“Just what is that supposed to mean?” Shantel snapped, taken aback by the comment. She didn’t know exactly what happened between Leilah and Terrance and neither of them had mentioned the degree of innocence involved.

“Why don’t you ask him?” Leilah said widening her eyes condescendingly.
Seething in anger, Shantel yanked her jeans on and fastened them.

“Oh, and Shantel,” Leilah continued in a courteous tone. “In the future, I would greatly appreciate if you would keep your relationship drama to yourself. I try not to stay abreast of trivial nonsense.” Then she smiled like a flight attendant further infuriating her roommate.

Shantel snatched her bag from her desk and stormed out of the room.

[Stay tuned: Soak up all the Love & Drama tomorrow on Suds]