… a mini-soap opera that bubbles with Love & Drama
[Last time on Suds, Leilah was stunned silent when Darien overheard her discussion with Mira about his sexual inactivity. And what’s with her feeling all jittery for the hazel-eyed hottie? Meanwhile, I’m uber curious about what’s happening with Shantel these days. Maybe we’ll have the luxury of dipping into her mischievous mind at the Safe Sex party. Let’s get back to our imaginary cast, wouldn’t want to miss any popping bubbles…]
Mira whirled around to see Darien standing coolly with his hands in his pockets and a book bag slung over one arm.
“When exactly was he tested,” she asked, unaffected while Leilah remained stunned with her back facing him.
“Last month,” he answered.
“Good,” she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some HIV awareness to spread.” She glanced at Leilah’s nerve-wrecked face, and then returned her gaze to Darien, “You should meet up with us at the Safe Sex Party tonight.” Leilah grimaced, barely moving. She focused on breathing. Next, she would try to find her voice.
Mira slinked away. Darien walked around the table and stood next to Leilah.
“What’s up?”
She shook her head, looking down at the ground. A chill trickled up her spine. She prayed he didn’t notice.
Soaking in the awkward silence, neither one was able to break through the tension.
“I have to get to class,” he said.
Leilah nodded, staring intently at her riding boots.
“See you tonight?” he asked.
She nodded, meeting his autumn eyes.
“Good.” He smiled. “Maybe we can get a few words in.”
Leilah laughed. “I’m sorry this is just… weird for me.”
“I know.” His understanding smile sparked a glint in his eye that made her insides melt into pudding.
~~
Shantel’s sophisticated, uninterested sway to the blaring beats awarded her the attention of girls who wished they could be her and guys who wanted to be with her. She twirled into Terrance’s arms, smiling happily when his arms snuggled her closer.
They were one of few people dancing, but Shantel didn’t mind basking in the unspoken praises of her beauty. The DJ switched to an upbeat hip hop track.
“Come on, girl,” Angel yelled over the music, pulling Shantel into their sorority line.
“I’ll be back, Baby,” she called to Terrance as she effortlessly slid into their pristine stroll.
Terrance made his way to the bar, scratching his head. It’s about time, he thought as he took his much needed break from Shantel. He enjoyed being with Shantel, but lately she had been clinging to him like saran wrap. Exhaling again, he looked up, saw her and stopped in his tracks.
Leilah, in her little black dress with golden stilettos and matching accessories, re-ignited the curious connection he felt the night he saw her on the highway. Without thinking, Terrance made large strides toward Leilah, hoping to reach her before anyone else had a chance to step in.
~~
“You’re man’s here,” Mira teased, squeezing Leilah into a hug.
“Would you stop?” Leilah said through clenched teeth, although she scanned the sparsely populated club for Darien.
“He’s at the bar,” Mira sang.
Leilah flashed Mira a guilty smile and searched the bar area. Instead, she found Terrance smiling widely right before he scooped her into an embrace that bordered the line between friendly and a little more than friendly.
Shocked, Leilah barely grazed his shoulders to return the hug and released quickly. Terrance finally un-wrapped her, and both she and Mira fought to restrain their puzzled expressions.
“What’s up girl,” he said, happily placing his hands in his pockets.
~~
Shantel stopped strolling, slid out of the line, and walked briskly until she reached him.
“Hey,” she said.
Although Darien knew she would be at the party, he was surprised to see her standing beside him wearing a mischievous smile.
“Hey Shantel.”
“Ooh, why so formal?” she sang playfully. “I remember when I was just Tel.”
“And, I remember when you said your name was ‘Shan-tel.”
Shantel smiled, leaning closer to him, “That was only because we were having a little fight, but were past that, right?”
“We’re good,” he said, taking a sip of his water.
“Let me buy you a beer.”
“I’m good,” he said.
“Don’t you want to be better,” she teased, stepping closer.
“Naw, I’m cool,” he said, searching his pocket for his phone, and moving away slightly.
Darien sensed the abrupt change in her composure. He knew she noticed he was pulling away from her, and he learned through experience that she didn’t really accept the word ‘no.’ He quickly changed the subject, “Where’s Terrance?”
Shantel smiled, and glanced around the filling club pretending to look for Terrance. But she actually found him… with Leilah. The blood drained from her face as she remembered Leilah’s snide remark about Terrance’s fidelity. Her manicured nails cut into her skin as she balled her fists. And her face became hard and cold like steel.
“Shantel?” Darien called. She didn’t respond, she barely even heard him. “Shantel?” he called again. Then he traced her glare across the crowded room, adjusting his eyes against the flashing lights, and found the source of her rapid fury.
Questions bubbled in his own mind as he saw Leilah’s pleasant smile directed at Terrance.
~~
“What’s up, T,” Sylus said folding Terrance into a manly embrace.
“Not much, Sy. You know Leilah and Mira, right?”
“What up, Lei.”
“Nothing Sy,” Leilah responded with a smile.
“And you,” he continued lifting Mira’s hand to his lips. “Can I get to know you better, girl?”
“Uh, no,” Mira teased, leaping into Sylus’ arms. They disappeared in the crowd.
“I didn’t know dude had it like that,” Terrance chuckled.
“He doesn’t. They’ve been on and off since freshman year.”
“Word? I ain’t never heard about that.”
“Verb. Mira’s secretive.”
Terrance laughed. “You know, every time I say ‘word’ now, I end up thinking about verbs.”
Leilah smiled, remembering their last conversation that was forced by circumstance.
“What about you?” He asked. “Are you secretive?”
“Depends.” Leilah said sarcastically, “Is your girlfriend?”
Instantly, Terrance remembered that Shantel was also in the club. His eyes darted around the room from the dance floor, to the game room and finally to the bar where they met Shantel’s cold glare.
[Stay tuned: If looks could kill… let’s just thank God they can’t… ]
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5 comments:
Oooooohhhh, this is juicy! I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. Keep it comin'!;-)
-Wew:-)
AWWW SNAP!!!
This is getting too juicy!!!
Since ABC's been slipping its the only soap i look forward too now :)
LOL!!! Glad to be of assistance ladies!
Well, this is certainly better than today's episode of the Young and the Restless! LOL! I'm with Lalique...Keda, you've got mad skills! I'm so proud of you. (sniff, sniff) Ok, I'm getting all mushy now. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's episode!;-)
-Wew
Awwww... if you start crying then I'll start (sniff sniff) crying...
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