Suds – Season 1, Episode 12

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

[Last time on Suds, Shantel had Terrance wrapped around her manipulative little finger. Darien was a no show. And Leilah had to remind Shantel that she was not one to play “trivial” games. Something tells me that this is not the end of their little tiff.

Meanwhile, get excited people because I am pleased to introduce a new addition to our imaginary cast. Drum roll please…let’s all give a few squirts of soap for Meagan Good who will be playing the role of Mira. Check her out!]

“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 the bag from her desk and stormed out of the room.
~~

Textbooks bent open to highlighted pages and scribbled notebooks covered the library table that Leilah was hunched over. Absentmindedly, she punched the retractable pen in and out, creating a steady rhythm that she vaguely heard.

A nearby student cleared his throat, and cast an irritated glance at her.
Leilah mouthed, ‘sorry’ and dropped her pen on the table.
Leaning back into the squeaky chair, she ran her fingers through her hair, lifting clumps of well straightened strands to the sky before letting them fall.

Aside from the pains of studying, Leilah was having a delightful day. The bags under her eyes were gone, compliments of her hours being slashed at the Laundromat. And although her finances were unstable, she was able to experience the luxury of sleep. Each day she awoke with even more energy than the day before. She even freed her hair from the wound ponytail she imagined she would wear to her grave. Leilah studied for the Finance test that she was certain she’d pass, and she even had a chance to catch up on a few sit-coms. Her little spat with Shantel had the girl attached to “her man’s” hip, and Leilah had the room all to herself.

Leilah grinned at the beauty of the past two and a half days. Although, she imagined Terrance was bearing the brunt of the prima donna’s anger.
Sorry Terrance, Leilah thought, but she really wasn’t sorry at all. A smile curved onto Leilah’s lips, she scooped up her pen, and returned to her studies.
~~

He saw her sitting three tables away, and couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She seemed different, happier. He rubbed his eyes, forcing them to look at the small black print before him. Focus, man, Focus. She’s Shantel’s roommate, he reminded himself. It won’t work.

Several minutes passed and he was able to ignore the lure of her smile. Then he stole another glance that lingered longer than a minute. His eyes lingered on the soft curve of her jaw line and her slender fingers as they massaged her temples. He watched as she turned the pages of her text, highlighted, and wrote. His eyes traced her movements as she swept her hair behind her shoulder blade, returned to her notes and smiled again, blissfully.
~~

Leilah happened to look up from her books at the same time her curvy best friend, Mira, stepped into the room. Clad in Baby Phat that fit like a second layer of skin, Mira silently commanded notice from every testosterone-bearer in the room.

Her full lips curved into a bow of excitement when she saw Leilah’s smiling face.
“Mira Mira on the wall…” Leilah sang.
“Who’s the fairest of them all?” Mira teased, stroking her own creamy, tapioca cheek in mock surprise.
“Me!” Leilah laughed greedily, then jumped up embracing Mira.

“Where have you been, girl?” Mira said, still holding Leilah’s hands.
“You already know. Work, kids, school, work. What’s been up with you?” Leilah asked, pushing her books aside and freeing space for them to perch against the table.
“Well, over the past month,” Mira placed extra emphasis on the word month, which Leilah ignored. “I’ve been studying, kicking it, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, you know the usual.” She ended with a shrug and a smile.

Mira stared at Leilah noting her hair was down, her dark jeans fit well, and her long-sleeved maroon tee clung to her flawless figure.

“Girl, you look good!”
“Don’t be so surprised.” Leilah pretended to be offended. “It happens occasionally.”
“Well, I hope it happens again tomorrow because,” she reached into her messenger bag, pulling out a colorful necklace made out of condoms.
“No,” Leilah groaned.
“Yes,” Mira insisted. “I need you to wear this for HIV/AIDS awareness day.
“No, Mira. I’m not wearing that. What would I look like walking around with rubbers hanging from my neck?”
Mira stuffed the unusual necklace into Leilah’s hand with a stash of brochures. “You’ll look smart considering that the highest number of new HIV/AIDS cases are among young black females.”
“No, I’ll look like I’m draped with an invitation for cocky sexual advances.”
“So, ignore them,” Mira shrugged. “Better yet, tell them that an estimated 40,000 people in the U.S. become infected with HIV each year.”

Leilah prepared another rebuttal.
“Please, Lei, please.” Mira begged with wide eyes. “Just wear it.”
A breathy sigh escaped Leilah’s lips. “Fine,” she conceded.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Mira grinned, squeezing Leilah into a snug hug. Then she whispered, “Be cool and glance to your left.”

Leilah did as instructed and witnessed Darien’s eyes, the color of fall, fixated on her. Instantly, he averted his eyes, leaving Leilah speechless.

“He was staring at you when I walked in, and I’m pretty sure he can play back our entire conversation… verbatim.” Mira released Leilah. They both looked over at his table again. Darien met their gaze, gave a slightly embarrassed wave, and returned his attention to the book in front of him.

“Why?” Leilah finally managed.
“I don’t know.” Mira said, “Go ask him. I gotta go. Call me later.”

Leilah watched Mira sashay out of the room, the object of every male’s attention. Slowly, Leilah turned her head in Darien’s direction, convinced that he would also be watching Mira stroll away.

Instead, she found his eyes fixed on hers again, almost like he was awaiting an invitation of some kind.


[Stay tuned: Oh my gosh!! Is this love at almost first sight? Find out tomorrow.]