Suds – Season 1, Episode 21

… a mini soap opera that bubbles with Love & Drama

[Last time on Suds... Mira got a call from her sorority sister mandating she attend the meeting in Shantel’s room, but Mira had much more serious things on her mind than Shantel’s latest freak fest. Speaking of Shantel, I wonder what’s going on in that pretty bruised up little head of hers. She hasn’t said much since Terrance dumped her. And when she saw Darien kissing Santa Claus… I mean, Leilah, it was a like adding a heap of salt to her open wound. Meanwhile, Darien is extra concerned about Leilah’s well being with respect to Shantel’s psychotic moments. I wonder why. So, without any further a due, let’s mix up soap and water and make it Sudsy…]

Darien pursed his lips together, choosing his words carefully, “I know her well, and I don’t doubt you, but she’s a little… off.”
“I don’t care if she’s on, off, in, or out.” Leilah snapped, “You better put your money on me cause I am not one to be played with.”

Leilah attempted to snatch her hand away, and again Darien gripped it in place. Then he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her softly. “Just think about it,” he said.
She nodded, knowing she would do no such thing.
~~

Teneille flat-ironed Shantel’s newly cut bangs, feathering them gently over the evident bruise on her forehead. She placed the flat iron on the bathroom counter.
“So, are you going to tell me what this is all about,” Teneille asked.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Shantel mumbled.
“Fine, but you’re only going to be able to use that excuse up until everyone gets here.”

Shantel’s room was already humming with the chatter of fifteen of her sorority sisters.
“You guys are just making a big deal out of nothing,” Shantel calmly stated as she appraised her new hairstyle. “Bangs work for me.” She wisped them in place, and then turned to face Teneille. “See, I’m fine,” she flashed an unabashed smile at the chief beauty of their chapter. “Can’t you just make this go away?”

“Not really,” Teneille smiled back. “Angel made a real big deal out of how banged up you were, and come to find out she was actually right. Now, inquiring minds want to know.”

Shantel sighed as Sharia appeared in the doorway of the bathroom, “Mira’s the only one missing. Should we proceed?”
“Uh-uh, she has to be here,” Teneille stated matter-of-factly. “Get her on the phone.”

Less than a second later, Sharia was on the phone with Mira.
~~

Mira stood outside the clinic, knowing there was nothing they could tell her for at least three months, but still she had to hear them say nothing could be done.
Her cell phone rang. She didn’t answer.
It rang again. She ignored it.
Still it rang again.
“What,” Mira barked.
“Man-da-tory,” Sharia said.
“Shar, this is not a good time.”
“Really, tell me why, and then I’ll let you get back to whatever is so much more important than a sister in need.”

Mira rubbed her head. What would she tell them, that she feared she was infected with HIV? Never.

Mira slammed her eyes shut, forcing air from her lungs. “Fine.” She slapped her phone shut and walked toward the dorms.
~~

Shantel sat on her bed with her legs crossed, lips glossed, and a princess-worthy poise when Mira walking into the room. Fifteen pairs of eyes met her at the door. Mira firmly planted her feet to avoid storming away from the stew of pettiness where she was being forced to simmer for the sake of solidarity.

Mira looked at the faces, some neutral, others spewing with contempt, and still other that were just happy to see her. The girls sat on Shantel’s bed, leaned against the wall, or stood. Leilah’s bed remained empty.

“Nice of you to join us.” Teneille smiled pleasantly from Shantel’s computer desk.

Mira fashioned an artificial smile, and sat on Leilah’s bed. Several eyes bulged at Mira’s audacity to sit on the enemy’s bed, but Teneille proceeded without missing a beat.

“Thank you ladies for taking time out of your schedules on such short notice to remedy this situation…”

As Teneille’s voice droned on, Mira wondered how people would treat her if she tested positive for HIV. Would people stop breathing when I walk by? Would my sorors still see me as one of them? She blinked back tears. I would never be able to have a family. Never be able to name my little girl Miranda. She closed her eyes, rubbing her head. Not now, she thought. Get this over with and get out. She tuned back into the discussion.

“I’m fine,” Shantel said with a smile.
“Girl, you did not look fine less than an hour ago,” Angel said in a riot worthy tone.
“It’s nothing really,” Shantel insisted.

“W-what’s nothing,” Mira asked wearily.
“That lump on her forehead,” Angel growled.
Mira stared at Shantel. She looked beautiful as always.

“This ain’t cool,” Angel said, standing. “It’s not right. People should not be able to step to any of us and get away with it.”

Mira’s eyes bounced around the room as she followed the conversation.

“We don’t get involved in each other’s private affairs,” Sharia stated. “And I don’t think we should start now.”
“Thank you Shar,” Shantel said. “I can handle this on my own.”

“Private affairs are spats with boyfriends,” Angel countered. “When one of us is physically attacked, we have to make it clear that we don’t roll like that.”

“Wait a minute,” Mira said, “Terrance hit you?”
“No,” Shantel screamed pacing across the floor guiltily, “Can we please not do this?”

“You ain’t got to be scared of her,” Angel said.
“Scared of who,” Mira asked in an annoyed tone, and every pair of eyes in the room with the exception of Shantel’s stared at Mira like she had been living under a rock.

“Your girl attacked Shantel last night,” Angel said.

Shantel covered her face dramatically and plopped down on her bed. She was instantly sandwiched into a compassionate hug. “It’s fine,” she whimpered. “Please, don’t try to get involved,” she cried.

Mira’s mouth dropped open to deny the accusation, but she didn’t know what happened after she said goodbye to Leilah. She was angry enough, Mira thought, but Leilah didn’t want to fight. She would have if Shantel pushed her. And Shantel is known to push.

[Stay tuned: Lies about Leilah, full steam ahead…]