Suds - Season 1, Episode 22

… a mini soap opera that bubbles with Love & Drama

[Last time on Suds... the pretty n prissy girls gathered to determine how to best resolve Shantel’s ‘problem’. Some of the girls, Angel for example, were ready to rumble, while others like Teneille, the chief beauty in their sorority, sought a reasonable solution. A distracted Mira learned that the pesky problem up for vote was actually her best friend, Leilah. But get this, Shantel never said Leilah attacked her with a two by four, but she never refuted the theory either.

Meanwhile, Darien and Leilah left the looming lies behind and drove back to Chicago together. Sweet, ain’t it? Except, Darien is a little too concerned about what might happen to Leilah as a result of Shantel’s neurological imbalance. It just keeps on bubbling…]

“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 halting the dispute and turning her attention to Shantel in the crowded dorm, “Terrance hit you?” she asked.
“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. Shantel closed her eyes to stop them from dancing. She waited for dissention to stir against Leilah, and it did.

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

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 sobbed.

Mira’s mouth dropped open to deny the accusation, but the words jammed in her throat. She wasn’t sure what Leilah did after Darien dropped her off. 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. Mira ran through the possibilities in her mind, and then glanced over at Shantel who was staring up at the ceiling, fanning her tears dry.

Teneille carefully detailed Mira’s uncertain reaction, awaiting an alibi, and when Mira didn’t offer one, she turned to Shantel. “We need you to tell us what happened. We can’t make decisions based on a hunch.”

Shantel pursed her lips together. “Well,” she started, down casting her eyes nervously for show. She fingered her bangs into place over the bump on her forehead. “I was…” Shantel paused, gulping hard before trying again. “I was…” This time her voice cracked, and she broke into a crying fit, shrieking and heaving while trying to explain.

Angel rubbed her back. “This is too much for her. We need to handle this now.”
Sharia closed the gap between her and Teneille, and whispered something into her ear.

Teneille nodded and then addressed the group. “We have to be very careful. It is clear that something dreadful has happened to Shantel, but since we don’t know exactly what that something is, it is in the best interest of all involved to postpone all decision making until Shantel can provide us with more information.”

“What?” Angel snarled. “That is not even right. We all saw what happened at the club last night. That trick almost jumped Shantel.”

“Almost,” Sharia interjected, “Is not enough. And we need to know exactly…”
“This is ridiculous,” Angel yelled, jumping to her feet. “How much more do you need to know?”

Teneille’s lips shaped into a polite smile. “Angel,” she said. “You don’t have to agree with my decision, but you will respect our organization enough not behave in a sloppy manner. We are not a gang, and we will not act like a gang.”

Angel crossed her arms across her chest, pressing her lips together firmly.

Tenielle continued. “Meeting is adjourned until Shantel is better able to share details.” She walked over to Shantel and embraced the trembling body of her sorority sister. “Pack up your things and come stay in the guest room at the house. We’ll talk when you’re ready.”
Shantel nodded.

Hugs and kisses were exchanged as the girls filed out of Shantel’s room in several ringlets of prattle. Mira said quick goodbye’s and retreated to the study room at the end of the hall. She left the lights off in the empty room, and closed the door.
~~

Leilah was glad when her phone rang. Darien was about as much fun as her last dentist appointment. He only broke his worried gaze from the road to smile at her. Well, he can look as worried as he wants, but nobody is making me change rooms, she thought.

“Hi, Mira,” Leilah sang.
Mira was curt. “Hey Lei. What happened last night?”
“Not much. Just hung out, watched movies, fell asleep. Why?”
“And when Shantel came home, what happened?”
“I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t at home.”
“Where were you?”
“At Darien’s. What’s up with the third degree?”
“You were with Darien?” Mira sounded relieved, “All night?”
“Yes,” Leilah said defensively, “Why, what’s up?
Mira mumbled under her breath. “I can’t believe this.”
“You can’t believe what, that I was with Darien?”
“No, no, no.” Mira sighed deeply. “Shantel has everyone in our sorority thinking that you attacked her last night.”
“Attacked her how?” Leilah couldn’t hide the astonishment in her voice.
“With a two by four. She has a huge knot on her head that everyone thinks is your handiwork.”
“You can not be serious,” Leilah mused.

Mira sighed again. “I need you to do me a favor, and don’t go getting all She-woman on me.” She drew in a deep breath and blurted out, “Please call housing and request a change in roommate. I know it’s late in the year. I know that you don’t care about Shantel, but please just do it. I don’t know what she’s up to, but I do know she is putting me in the middle. So please, Lei, please request a roommate change. Tell them it’s an emergency or something. Just…please,” she begged.

Leilah’s stopped laughing long enough to her the string of anxiety in Mira’s voice.
“Fine, I’ll do the roommate change,” Leilah said. Hope flickered in Darien’s eyes, and he squeezed her hand again. Leilah wondered, why is everyone so worked up about this chic?
“Good. One more thing. Find somewhere else to stay over the weekend.”
“I’m heading to Chicago now.”
“Even better. I’ll call you later.”
“Wait, Mira.”
~~

“What?” Mira answered, suddenly feeling exasperated.
“You don’t sound okay. Is everything, I mean everything else, alright?”

Tears rushed into Mira’s eyes before she could fight them away. She sucked in a deep breath, and answered quickly. “Fine, I’m fine,” she rambled with a nervous laugh. “You know, I just don’t like drama,” Mira lied.
“Are you sure, Mir?” Leilah pressed.
“Positive.” The word pierced through Mira’s entire body, condemning her. She clutched her abdomen, biting back squealing tears. Quickly she answered, “I gotta go. Talk to you later.” She hung up before Leilah could dig any deeper into her pain.

True friends hear what you don’t say, she thought.

She forced back her tears, knowing that no matter what Leilah would be at her side. And she was determined be the same type of friend for Leilah.

~~

Good, they’re gone, Shantel thought. Now, I can think this through. Darien lied to me, Leilah stole from me, and Terrance left me. I’m hurt. People should not hurt me. She bit her bottom lip as she stared into the mirror. I’m still pretty though. She smiled as she applied another coat of lip gloss. How can I fix this? She twisted the cap shut and dropped it into her bag.

Shantel traipsed across the room, slid on her trench coat, and opened her door to leave.
She found Mira scowling at her in the open doorway.

[Stay tuned: Friends and Foes clash on the next episode of Suds]