Suds – Season 1, Episode 13

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

[Last time on Suds, things got even more complicated. We didn’t see Shantel because she was hemmed up with her man, Terrance. And while she was out of the picture, Darien had an unobstructed view of her roommate, Leilah. The view was so beautiful that he just sat there staring at her until he was busted. Meanwhile, Mira roped Leilah into a promise to wear a chain of rubbers for the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. So without any further a due, let’s pick up where we left off...]

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 waiting for an invitation.

Yeah right, Leilah thought as she sat down at the library table. The last thing I need is for that neurotic roommate of mine to think I’m into her scraps. She picked up her pen and became engrossed in her studies.

~~

“Hey sorer!” Shantel sang, releasing Terrance’s hand to slightly embrace Mira. Then she pulled away quickly with her phony smile still in tact. “So, what’s going on? It’s like we never see each other outside of meetings and community service.”

Mira pressed her lips together and nodded. “You know how it gets, crazy schedules and all. What’s up, Terrance? Are you all coming out to the Safe Sex Party tomorrow night?’

“Tomorrow, I thought it was on Friday,” Terrance said rubbing his jaw.
“Nope, you know we can only book Carboz on Thursday nights. You guys should come through.” Shantel looped her arm around Terrance’s, and leaned into him.

He is your man, I get it, Mira thought as she glanced away to avoid rolling her eyes at her sorority sister. “So, then I’ll see you all tomorrow night.” Mira started to walk away. “Oh,” she said digging in her bag as she turned back. “Let me give you some condom bracelets to wear for awareness day.”

Terrance reached out to grab one, but Shantel pulled his hand away. “Thanks,” she said, squinting her eyes, “but we prefer to keep private matters private. Good luck with your… um… thing,” she said looking at the condom bracelets in Mira’s hands. Then she walked away with Terrance in tow.
“Thanks, Mira. We’ll come out and support tomorrow night,” Terrance said trying to smooth over Shantel’s snuff.

“Thanks, Terrance,” Mira called over her shoulder while she handed the bracelets to a couple students walking by.

~~

Darien tried to focus on the words that jumbled together on the page before him. They made sense, but what didn’t make was the stirring desire to be close to Leilah. He barely noticed the girl before, she rarely socialized, and from what he could see, she only had one friend, Mira. What was he so into her all of a sudden?

After much internal deliberation, he lifted his eyes from the black letters to the table where she sat. She was gone. Her books, her bag, everything was gone. His eyes darted around the busy first floor of the library from the computer tables, to the stacked books, and back to her table in disbelief.

He sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his eyes. What is wrong with me? I’m supposed to be taking some time off from girls. Something brushed against his arm.

Alarmed, he lifted his hands from his eyes. Then he blinked to make sure the girl leaning against his table was Leilah.
“Do you want to tell me why you’re hawking me?” she asked.
“Hawking you?”
“Yes, as in staring continuously. Or would you prefer to frolic in denial?”
“Frolic in denial,” he chuckled.
“Yeah, I was studying Shakespeare, but of course you probably already know that,” she teased.

His golden brown eyes were amused as he admired the front seat view of her carefree smile. “You chain of rubbers would bring out the maroon in your shirt,” he grinned, admitting to his eavesdropping.
“Ha ha,” Leilah laughed sarcastically as she reached into her bag, pulled out her necklace, and roped it around his neck. “Mira will be pleased to have such an outgoing student as you advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness.” She folded her arms around her chest, nodding, “And just think of all the benefits you’ll reap with such an inviting rope chain thingy.” Leilah laughed, pleased with her ingenious plan to avoid being clad in latex.

“I’m all for HIV awareness, but,” he pulled off the chain, and placed in on his book. “I’m not accepting benefits these days.”

Leilah’s brows dipped in surprise as the many rumors of Darien and his infidelities came to mind. “What exactly does that mean?”

He swirled the condom chain around the page he had been reading while Leilah waited for him to formulate his answer. Then he pushed the chain aside and tapped the book in front of him twice.
Leilah looked down at where he was pointing. The only highlighted passage on the page caught her attention and she read.

“Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.” Hebrews 13:4 MSG

“Wow,” Leilah said smoothing her hairline. She turned her attention to Darien who did not return her gaze. He rolled his lips between his clenched teeth, waiting for her reaction.
“How long?” she asked.
“A couple months.”
“Oh,” was all she said in response.

[Stay tuned: Oh… what else is there to say? Find out tomorrow…]