Black & Ugly by T. Styles

for keeps.
    I am so glad that he doesn't know anybody around the way that I don't know what to do. There is finally a possibility that somebody is feelin' me, and I don't want to mess it up. I'm being given a chance, a clean slate. I'm already forming in my mind that if God lets me keep him, I'll work for six more months to save up enough money and get a real job.
    "I got good feelings 'bout you, shawty," he says as he smiles with all his teeth in place. "So who you stay with?"
    "By myself."
    "Word? That's what's up. Look, write your numba down so I can get up wit' you lada." See, he's fine, so he's gettin' the home and cell number. And, I don't give nobody my home number but my friends. Just as I hand him my numbers, Parade comes runnin' up to me holding Sky by the arm.
    "We gotta get out of here! Where's Miss Wayne?" Parade asks.
    She's nervous and jittery, and Sky looks out of it, too. I glance down at Sky's white pants and see blood all over them.
    "You alright, yo?" he asks Sky.
    Sky nods up and down. Right then, I realize I don't know his name. I'm worried about my friends, but not that much 'cause Sky gets into shit all the time. I fig-T. Styles
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    ure she got into a fight and, once again, Parade bailed her out.
    "I'ma walk her to the car," Parade continues. "Find Miss Wayne and let's get out of here! Hurry up, Daffany," Parade says as she runs behind Sky.
    "Look, I have to go. What's your name?"
    "Ed. Go see about your girl," he says in a concerned tone. "I'll get at you lada. Do what you gotta do."
    "Okay." I smile as I give him a hug and inhale his leather jacket.
    I leave him and see a blueberry top approaching me. Appearing extra dramatic, Miss Wayne's handbag is clutched real close. I look around and notice people seem to be huddled in groups, and then I realize something definitely went down. Once again, Silver's boys ruined a party. I think.
    "Gurl, where Miss Parade and Miss Sky?" Miss Wayne yells.
    "They went to the car. What the fuck is goin' on?
    Why is everybody gathered in groups?" I ask, realizing he knows more than I do.
    "Somebody got stabbed. Let's get out of here. I'm not sure if I got a warrant out on me for those traffic tickets I ain't pay when I had Miss Rick's car, chile." The music stops and niggas are runnin' out the front door. We make a beeline for the exit, too, and almost get out with no problem until Miss Wayne yells,
    "Aaaaggghhh!"
    "What? What?"
    "Bitch, I broke my new heel!" 52
    T. Styles

    Black and Ugly
    "You what?" I ask. "Boy, come on. Let's get the fuck outta here."
    "Shit," he continues, picking up his size thirteen and hobbling out the door.
    ~~~~
    The ride home is quiet. I'm scared to think that either Parade or Sky had something to do with what happened. After all, why does Sky have blood all over her pants? Before that shit happened, my night was turning out nice for a change. I met a guy who didn't treat me like a whore and who seemed to be really interested in me. And Sky, with her bullshit, ruined it again.
    ~~~~
    I walk through my apartment door to the kitchen then reach in my purse for an E-pill and down it with water. I feel rattled with all the different emotions I have goin' on inside me. I plan to call Parade to get all the details first thing in the morning. My phone rings.
    Can it be him callin' me already? I throw my drink down and run toward my junky bedroom to find the cordless phone. I don't see it. I hear the third ring but still can't locate the phone. Shit. I look under my bed and lift my pajamas off the floor then pick it up. I really do need to clean this room. I press the button before whoever it is hangs up.
    "Hello," I say, out of breath.
    "Is Daf in? It's Ed."
    You know I'm psyched, right? I just met him and already he's hittin' me up. He doesn't want Sky or anyT. Styles
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    Triple Crown Publications presents . . .
    body else, he wants me. He's probably calling to make sure I'm okay. After all, the way I