That Girl Is Poison by Tia Hines Page A

“Don’t play stupid with me. Are you having sex?”
    He stood so close to me, yelling in my face, that I could smell the green apple Now and Later he was eating on the walk to my house.
    â€œNo.”
    I was getting scared then. It was the look. He had the same look Jen’s brother had when he’d forced himself on me. I started crying because it was like, here we go again. Auntie was right.
    â€œMy fault, I’m sorry. I’m overreacting,” he softly spoke as he wiped my tears. “You know I love you like a sister, right?”
    â€œY-yes,” I stuttered, not knowing what to expect next. I was hoping he was not about to come on to me, ’cause we were close enough to kiss.
    â€œAnd you know I care about you?”
    â€œMmm-hmm.”
    â€œOkay, now, don’t take this the wrong way when I tell you this.”
    My heart was racing. I felt like I was about to be violated. I took a tiny step back and started to quiver.
    â€œDee, don’t be scared. I know I was trippin’ out a minute ago, but I’m cool now. I just want to have a heart-to-heart with you. Let’s sit down over there.”
    We made our way over to sit on my bed.
    â€œYou are in eighth grade, and I’m graduating this year. You are maturing and physically developing faster than most females your age. Boys are going to be at you harder than they are now.”
    â€œI know.” I sighed, indicating I didn’t have time for a speech.
    â€œJust listen. I have told you before that your body is your temple. You make the choice of whether you are ready to be intimate or not. A guy will pressure you into trying to do things. Don’t do anything you don’t want to. The tight clothing and stuff you wear needs to be at a minimum. These guys in school are flying out of their jeans to get you in the bed. Don’t fall for it. And, last but not least, stay away from Malik. You will be in high school next year. Stay away from these nasty little boys. Keep your head in your books. And now, with that said, explain to me why you had an open condom on your nightstand.”
    â€œI wanted to see what it looked like.”
    â€œDesire, don’t play me.”
    â€œI’m serious. I was curious, so I opened it.”
    â€œWhere you get it from?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œDesire, this is me you’re talking to.”
    â€œAll right. I got it from Malik.”
    â€œFrom who? What? What the hell for?”
    He got up as if he was about to hit me, and I flinched, but he punched double jabs in the air. “Desire, I mean what I say. He may be my best friend, but he’s bad news. Stay the hell away from him.”
    â€œOokayyy, Greg,” I pleaded.
    â€œI gotta go.”
    Just as he started to walk down the stairs, I heard keys rattling in the door. I pulled him back upstairs.
    â€œOh shit!” I whispered. “They’re back.”
    â€œI knew I shouldn’t have come in. Damn!”
    â€œQuick, hide in my closet.” I shoved him in my closet as I heard my aunt heading toward my room. I squeezed the closet door shut and then realized I still had the open condom balled up in my hand.
    I quickly opened the closet door and threw the condom in with Greg. I hated that he had to be jammed up in my pint-sized closet, but there was nowhere else for him to hide.
    â€œWhat you doing in my house this early?”
    â€œI had a half a day.”
    â€œAnd what you looking for in that closet?”
    â€œUhh, I was looking for . . . my, my cleats,” I stuttered.
    â€œYour cleats, huh. Let me see what your lying ass is talking about.”
    â€œWhy do you always think I’m lying? I’m sick of this! You never believe me, and you are always accusing me of something. I’m tired of this shit!”
    I got bold. It was the only way to stir her attention away from the closet.
    â€œHave you lost your mind? No, I know you lost your