College Boy : A Novel (9781416586500) by Omar (COR) Tyree Page A

him.
    â€œHer girlfriend gon’ be down here for me, too.”
    â€œCool, Doc. But we gots to separate when they get here, though, ’cause I’m not into that double-date shit.”
    â€œOh, I know, man. Me neither.”
    They separated after shaking hands. Troy was obligated to study with Peter. While riding the elevator back to his room, he thought about hanging out with Doc, a native of Penn City, who knew a lot of pretty girls. The possibilities were endless. Doc wanted to hang out with Troy, too. Nevertheless, it was time to get back to studying.
    Â 
    Troy entered his room and found Simon finally doing some homework. He decided not to say anything. Simon was too easily provoked and was very talkative.
    Troy sat and looked over his chapters. He knew what information was more important and stressed by the instructor. He scanned page after page, reciting the material. He covered every course the same way; outline, read, recite, review, and quiz. Hard work and planning was a virtue. He studied for two long hours before Peter finally decided to call.
    Brrrloop brrrloop.
    â€œAy’, Simon, get the phone. It’s probably Peter.”
    Simon was stretched out on his bed right next to the telephone. He had quit studying an hour and a half earlier to listen to his music. “Well, hell, man, if you know it’s for you, then you get it,” he said.
    â€œAw man, you’re a jerk-off. Do you know that, you geek?” Troy joked. They chuckled as Troy leaped to the telephone from his desk. He snatched it up before it could ring again. “Peter,” he answered, anticipating who it was. “Hello … Hello.”
    Peter laughed. “What are you doin’ answering the phone like that? It could have been one of your lady friends.”
    Troy was in no mood for games. “Aw’ight, let’s cut out the bullshit,” he snapped.
    Simon snickered in the background.
    â€œSo are you ready to be quizzed?” Troy asked Peter.
    â€œYeah, I’m ready.”
    Troy pounced on his bed to begin the quiz. Once again, Peter knew almost nothing. It was eleven o’clock at night and they had the exam at 9 A.M. sharp. The quiz looked more like a private lesson. Troy remained patient, however, determined to help a friend in need.
    â€œDamn it, Pete, you don’t know anything! All I’ve been doing for the first hour is tellin’ you shit that you should know already,” Troy shouted over the phone. He stopped to think for a minute. “What’s your major, anyway?”
    Peter stammered. “Oh, well, umm, I was interested in being a math instructor. Now I’m thinking about majoring in this.”
    Troy frowned, assuming that Peter’s change in majors probably had something to do with the first test in algebra that he had failed. “How you gon’ major in psychology when you don’t even read the damn book? You gotta be good, or at least interested in what you do,” Troy told him. He held the phone away from his face and smiled. I don’t believe this guy, he thought.
    â€œYeah, you’re right,” Peter said. “I’m starting to get the hang of it as you’re telling me.”
    â€œHey, Troy, I’m tired. It’s almost twelve o’clock and I wanna go to sleep. So go in the hallway,” said a droopy-eyed Simon.
    Troy immediately took the phone out into the hallway, where he was approached by two shoeless White girls.
    â€œExcuse me,” one asked while the other giggled, “would you happen to know where John Hughes lives?” John Hughes and his roommate were the two Black football players that lived right next door.
    â€œYeah, they live right here,” Troy said, pointing.
    â€œWho is that, Troy?” Peter asked over the phone.
    Troy could hear the excitement in Peter’s voice.
    â€œAw man, calm down. It’s just two silly White girls,” he said. They returned to