CHAPTER 6

IRISH’s POV

Okay, this is awkward. What am I supposed to say? I just smiled. Been doing that a lot these days.

“I really like you, Idris, but it’s okay. You should have told me earlier. Finding out at the concert was heartbreaking, knowing that you will never see me the way I see you.”

“I have to go to my bed now and nurse my heartbreak.”

She ran off, sucking real hard. Just when I thought I was the only dramatic one around here, turns out there’s another human. Fine. I might as well freshen up and sleep. That was one hell of a concert.

*****

It was Sunday morning. I woke up earlier than usual, my stomach grumbling all night. Didn’t eat any decent food. After eating and dressing up, I dragged my lazy ass to the sitting room.

I was so engrossed in the movie on the big screen that I didn’t hear Becky come in until she threw her body on mine.

Gosh! For someone who looks this skinny, she sure has some weight. Why was she dragging my neck like that? I needed to call my lawyer and scramble out my final will… yo, just kidding. The only useful things in my name are probably the designer perfumes and shirts Lisa got for me. Yes, my Lisa. We’re personalizing now.

“I’ll miss you so much, bestie! Tell me, are you seeing someone? Is he tall, short, or huge? Spill right now.” She snapped her fingers in the air.

She was tickling me hard, but guess what, I wasn’t laughing. Tickling never worked for me, and that name, bestie? Since when did we reach that stage?

“He is tall, chiseled face, very handsome. I call him my Zeus, muscular… girl… he is cute!”

Wait! Did I just describe Jimmy? Yes, I did. Now I accept it, I am crazy.

“Awwwww! Do you have any pictures of him? And how was it, you know…” Becky was cutting her eyes at me like something was stuck inside them.

“Are you okay? I mean, your eyes.”

“Arghhhh, Idris! Is he good in bed? Did he make you scream out your lungs?”

Holy Moses! How old is this girl again? And describe what?

“I’m sorry, I don’t kiss and tell.” Drumroll, let the lies begin.

She pouted her lips. “That is not fair. Since you don’t want to spill some tea, I just hope he treats you well, like you truly deserve. I’ll miss you so much.”

“You know, I probably wanted to extend my stay just to get your attention, but I lost that already. Jimmy called, he’ll be back tomorrow. He has a business deal to pull off. That guy is always working. I have some modeling shots today. Too bad! I want to have some of those lips.” She smacked her lips.

Arghh. I hope I didn’t roll my eyes. Can she go already?

“I will be gone now. Bye, my love, but I will be back. This time, I want to see the man who is eating all these.”

Finally, she was gone. Serenity at last. This whole house was mine to explore.

***

I don’t know how many hours I sat in the same position watching movies, but boredom struck again.

That’s true, I might as well visit Dave.

I went over to his room, knocked once, but there was no response. I knocked twice; still, there was no response. Then I opened the door and went inside.

Bless my soul! What is it with guys and displaying those?

“Hey, man, you care to join? I can be quite generous and release one for you.”

If Shameless were a person, it would be Dave.

I’ve seen this type of thing in movies. What do they call it again? Threesome. One girl was touching his weapon of mass destruction, the other was working on his nipples, and the idiot was lying down, moaning like a pig.

Then I heard it. Paaaa!

“Your ass is quite soft. You care for a trip?”

Hold on. Did she just spank my ass?

Breathe, Irish. I wanted to drag her hair and dunk her face in water.

“I will be on my way, guy. Have fun.”

“Hold on, Idris. Relax, man. Have some real fun.”

I was already heading out when Dave ran after me. “You’re so uptight. You need to get laid.”

“You know, I thought only Christians bear the name Dave. Color me surprised when I realized you ain’t one.”

“Dude, what are you saying! I’m a Christian nigga. Staunch background, I…”

He stopped mid-sentence when he figured out what I did.

“Yeah, right. On a Sunday morning. Find a way to get a second circumcision. That thing between your legs is way too long.”

With that, I went back to my room. Going to David’s room was a bad idea. This was the second time in days my eyes had beheld that snakey point-and-kill.

Bored again. Then an idea crept in.

I could dress up. But this time, as Irish. Perform for my audience, my imaginary audience.

I dug through my bag, put on shorts, ditched the big hoodie, and showed just the bracelet. Let my hair loose, it fell down my back. Headset on, music blasting.

And then I danced. I didn’t know how long I danced, but I was lost in it, until someone tapped me.

I turned.

OMG! I was doomed.

Jimmy.

But he wasn’t alone. He was in the company of a woman I definitely did not want to see my face.

So I did the only thing on my mind.

I ran.