That Saturday at Sugar Pine was a turning point in both my relationship with Drew and my relationship with Quincy. I stopped everything with Drew (not like he noticed) and started to hang out with Quincy more. We were just friends at first and I was up front about the feelings I still carried for Drew, but Quincy didn’t seem to care. He was confident in his ability to overcome that obstacle and the next thing I knew I had a new boyfriend.
“Has hell frozen over or are you and Quincy actually together?” Nicole teased.
“We’re together.”
“Does Drew know that? And I thought you didn’t even like him.”
“I didn’t, but I was also mad at him, and now we’ve worked things out.”
“You and Q are becoming very popular,” Said Em, “I bet you guys will become the new it couple.”
“If she ever officially breaks up with Drew maybe.”
“I am not trying to become anyone’s new anything. I don’t even know what I’m doing right now. I was barely somewhat single for five minutes before I ended up in a relationship with Quincy.”
“At least you snagged a hot white boy,” Nicole and Patrice high-fived each other.
“You have to let me know what it’s like. My cousin dated a white guy and she told me it’s a completely different world. They’re not afraid to be sensitive or romantic,” Patrice swooned.
“Or corny,” I added, “Quincy is very corny. I think it’s adorable though.”
The five of us exchanged looks and burst into laughter. “That’s only because you’re used to guys like Drew,” Em chimed in.
“Well your cousin is right about one thing…dating Quincy is definitely different from dating Drew. Drew’s all about being a player right now, but Quincy…he wants to be exclusive.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Nicole.
“Yeah, you and Drew have some pretty strong chemistry. I mean how long have you guys been dating?” She moved from one thought to the next. “He IS a major player though. If he develops some sense then I’d say try and work things out, but right now I think dropping him like a bad habit is what’s best for you. I’m so glad you didn’t give it up to him.”
“It wasn’t for lack of trying.” I groaned. “There have been several times where we could have done it, but he wouldn’t.”
“This is Drew we’re talking about, right?” Nicole reared back in shock.
“Yes,” I nodded emphatically.
“Drew had no problem sleeping with both me AND my cousin. I find it interesting that he would turn you down.”
“She’s got a point,” Patrice shrugged, “Did he say why?”
“Kind of...he said I was different and that he cared about me so he didn’t want to. Yeah right. He also said he didn’t think I could handle him, which for Drew is just him being cocky.”
“As someone who’s actually slept with him, I believe him. All he did was pressure me to sleep with him. When I did, everything stopped. He didn’t call, he barely said hi to me at school and then he was on to the next girl.”
“Wow. I didn’t realize that’s what he was doing,” I felt bad for her.
“Which is my point. You didn’t know because he didn’t do any of that to you and I think he genuinely loves you, he just doesn’t know how.”
“Or he’s just a horny teenager,” Trisha chimed in.
“All I’m saying is be glad. Your man is packing and he knows how to use it. If you’d slept with Drew you’d be looking like poor Kim over there. The girl can’t even see straight.”
We all looked over at Kim at the same time and started laughing. She was clueless to just how sad she actually looked. Still, I wanted to be her. As dumb as she looked to everyone else, she had her hooks in Drew.
“You ready for the game tonight?” Quincy sat down next to me.
“I am,” I smiled.
“I love your smile, it’s infectious.”
“There you go with the corniness.”
“What? Oh come on Sid, it’s a compliment.”
“Yeah, and all of your compliments come with more than enough helpings of corn,” I teased.
Dating Quincy wasn’t all that bad. He made me laugh and we were on the same level as far as our relationship was concerned. It was nice being with a guy who didn’t talk to other girls and whose phone didn’t go off every five seconds whenever we were together.
Quincy took me out of my element sometimes but it’s a good thing. Dating him was completely different than dating Drew. It’s not a bad different, it’s just different. And it’s gonna take some getting used to.
At my request we didn’t hold hands, we didn’t hug and we didn’t kiss. I’m not ashamed of my relationship with Quincy. I’m just self-conscious about it. The first day we held hands people said mean things like, ‘aren’t there enough black guys for me to date’ or ‘what does Quincy see in her’ when they thought I wasn’t listening. It’s crazy, but all of the negative attention I got from dating Quincy made me feel like I was a traitor or I was doing something wrong by dating him.
As I walked through the hall one day, one of the black guys standing next to my locker started laughing with his friends. They pretended to be parrots and cawed, “Polly want a cracker?” It wasn’t that I didn’t like black guys. I’m in love with one. But Quincy is the one who pursued me back. He’s the one who wants the same thing I do. Rolling my eyes at those losers, I put my books in my locker and headed to class.
By the time practice came around I’d heard enough from both white and black students alike, that I was ready to lash out at the next person who came at me sideways about my relationship with Q. I was quiet during practice and Mrs. Penman took notice. She pulled me to the side.
“You seem preoccupied today Sidney, is everything okay?”
I wanted to tell her what was wrong, but I didn’t want to get anyone in trouble or start something at school.
“What’s wrong sweetie?”
“Nothing I can’t handle. People are just so mean.”
“Who’s been mean to you?”
“Everyone.”
“Well what are they doing?”
I was suddenly aware that Mrs. Penman was white and I was black. What would she know about how I felt? She didn’t know what it was like to be someone like me.
“Can I please go home?” I asked.
“There’s a game tonight Sidney.” Crap! I forgot about the game.
“Well can I at least call my dad?”
“Sure,” she nodded.
I headed into the locker room to get my phone out of my locker and called dads cell. I was relieved when he picked up.
“Dad,”
“Sidney?” He sounded alarmed, “Sidney what’s wrong?”
“Can you please come to school dad?”
“Is something wrong? Are you hurt?” He asked me.
“No, I just really want you to be here.”
“What happened? Is it Drew? I swear that kid is….”
“No, it’s not Drew. We barely even talk to each other now.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“Please just come to school. I’d feel better if you were here.” I told him.
“This is cutting into my work schedule, but I’ll be right there.”
I hung up the phone and headed back to practice. I glanced around the room and Drew was watching me from the other side of the basketball court. He looked worried.
Coach Penman had me sit in the bleachers and when dad got here he tried to find out from her what was wrong. After a brief conversation he came and sat down next to me in the bleachers.
“What wrong Sid?”
“What was it like when you were growing up in school?” I asked.
“Is this conversation going somewhere?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Well, back in my day a man’s word was bond. People could leave their doors unlocked and not be afraid of anyone harming them.”
“What about racism?”
“What about it?” He asked, “Did someone say something to you?”
“Dad, I started dating Quincy again.”
“Quincy Hardigan? The Governor’s son? The kid I asked you to stay away from?”
Wait…whoa…Quincy is the Governor’s son…? Remind me to choke Quincy for not mentioning that later...
“It’s a long story, but yes, that Quincy.”
“So you started dating Quincy again and now you’re running into people who don’t approve of the relationship because he’s white?” Dad surmised.
“Yes. I was at my locker today and this group of black guys kept saying ‘Polly want a cracker’,” I sulked, “It’s a free country. I should be able to date who I want.”
“Not everyone is going to understand what you and Quincy see in each other. Look, kids can be cruel but you can’t let them steal your joy Sidney. If you’re happy then be happy…screw them.”
“I know, but the things they say are so rude and mean.”
“If you let them get to you, they’ll never stop. Don’t just take it either, stand up for yourself. Use that mouth of yours to do something other than talk back to me,” he teased, “I need to officially meet this Quincy by the way. Last time I checked you were still dating Drew.”
“I am…its complicated.”
“But you’re still a virgin, right?”
“Yes dad,” I chuckled, “and EW.”
We both laughed. “You should practice for your game tonight. Go ahead and practice, I’ll be right here.”
I hugged him and went to join the rest of my teammates for practice. I felt better having him here. He actually seemed interested this time. I’m so used to having to work hard for my father’s attention that I practically gravitated to Drew. They’re so much alike.
After practice dad hung around the gym until mom and Josh showed up. Moments later Trisha waddled in like a penguin. She shifted from side to side to support the baby. It was pretty cute. Not too far behind them was Quincy. I brought him over and properly introduced him to my dad.
“Wow, I get to meet the parentals,” he smirked that stupid grin of his, “I think I’m wearing you down.”
I reached out to hold Quincy’s hand not giving one single care to anyone who might object. Quincy has been patient with me, allowing me time to work through my issues, unlike Drew. The whole humping incident seemed to be behind us and Quincy and my father hit it off better than I expected. He’s scoring major brownie points in the parental department.
They got into politics, which is usually my cue to leave. I found politics boring. I started talking to Trisha and rubbed her belly. It was huge. She looked so miserable that I felt bad for her. Josh’s big head baby was kicking her butt.
“I can’t wait to pop this baby out,” Trisha complains, “I can’t fit into any of my clothes. Don’t ever get pregnant Sid.”
“I don’t plan on it. I think you’re pregnant enough for the both of us.”
Trisha smacks me on the arm, “Neither did I and now look at me.”
“That’s what you get for letting my brother talk you out of your clothes.” I laughed.
“It was those dimples,” she blushed.
“Sucker.”
“Whoa, Quincy is talking to your dad,” Nicole noticed.
“It’s cool, they’re…bonding.”
The boys were out on the court practicing and I joined them. Ever so often I would glance over at my dad and Quincy who still seemed to be getting along. Dad was probably being nice because his father was the governor.
“Why is your dad talking to Q?” Drew asked.
He tossed his ball up towards the basket and his ball hit the rim. It bounced towards me so I picked it up and threw it back to him.
“Quincy and I are dating.”
Drew stopped dribbling the ball and stared at me like I was crazy, “Since when?”
“Since Sugar Pine.”
“I never agreed to you seeing other people.”
“I don’t care.” I looked him dead in the eyes. I’m not playing with him, “If you can see other people so can I. It’s not like you’re around anyway.”
“So that’s what this is? You getting back at me for spending time with Kim?”
“No, this is me deciding not to wait for you to notice I’m even there.”
Drew tossed the ball back to me and I took my position at the top of the key. Basketball with Drew was sort of like therapy for us, and it didn’t matter where we were or who was watching.
“The clock is ticking,” said Drew.
I took a deep breath, faked to the right, went left and did a layup. Drew laughed. I always got him with that same move.
“Do you know what makes you an amazing ball player?”
“What’s that?”
“You’re good with either hand, that takes skill.”
I could dribble circles around him and he knew it. I glanced over at dad and Quincy. They were both watching me like a hawk.
“Come on, dribble the ball,” Drew taunted me.
I did the same move only I actually went right this time because I knew he would be anticipating it and I shook him again.
“Some great hoop star you are,” I teased, “You’re getting your butt kicked by a girl.”
“Okay Sid, let’s see what you got,” He took off his Jersey. I couldn’t concentrate after that.
He stole the ball from me and shot a three pointer in my face. I retrieved the ball and passed it back to him. It was on like Donkey Kong, as Em would say. I picked him easily when he tried to pass me and shot a three pointer in his face to get back at him.
“I’m taking you down,” Drew grinned.
“Bring it.”
I faked left and right but he was still on my tail. I went up for a shot and missed. He caught the rebound and slapped the backboard to put it in.
“Show off,” I laughed.
“I had to do something,” he chuckled, “you were embarrassing me out here.”
“I didn’t have to try very hard.”
“Ah, I see…you got jokes,” Drew laughed.
He did a crossover and when that didn’t work he spun around me and dunked the ball in the hoop. I’d never seen him do that before, not even during a game. Drew let go of the rim and landed on his feet. He went to retrieve the ball and brought it back to me with this hungry look in his eyes.
“So…you and Quincy huh?”
“Yep. Me and Quincy.”
“I’m sure your dad is just eating that up. His daughter dating the governor’s son has its benefits for business.”
“My dad had nothing to do with Quincy and I getting together. You can thank yourself for that.”
“Why, because I didn’t pay enough attention to spoiled little Sidney.”
“No, because you forgot to be there Drew.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve always been here for you.”
“You used to be before you started seeing Kim. And don’t try to tell me it’s all in my head, because its not. You’re into her. Admit it.”
“Fine. I’m into her.”
When he finally admitted to his feelings for Kim, I expected them to be freeing. What I didn’t expect was to feel like he’d punctured my heart. For a long moment we just stood there staring at each other.
“I have to go get ready for practice, I’ll catch you later,” I forced a smile to my face.
“Good luck with your game,” he drawled.
“You too.”
I turned and ran right into Quincy. He saw the look on my face and came over to check on me. “What was that about?”
“He asked about us and I told him we were going out.”
“It looked like you guys were having a pretty intense moment.”
“We were.”
“So did you break things off with him?”
“Do you really think right before a game is the best time to tell him something like that?” I countered, “Drew needs to stay focused.”
The gym doors opened and the opposing team came walking in. Quincy gave me a big bear hug and leaned in to kiss me on the lips.
“Ms. Stansfield can you please ask your boyfriend to pry his hands off of you so you can join us here for warm ups?” Asked Coach Penman.
“You better go before you get benched.” Quincy pulled away. Saved by Coach Penman.
I joined my teammates who were doing laps and did ten laps around the basketball court while my family watched from the bleachers. After our laps we went through a couple of plays then had to stretch and put on our uniforms.
The gym filled up pretty quickly and the visiting team began to practice at the other end of the court. The girls on the opposing team were all very tall. We only had a few tall girls on our team and they were about as tall as the opposing teams’ shortest girl.
The first half of the game we were down by six with two turnovers. I had one foul against me and didn’t want to foul out so I backed off a little but kept my opponents movement to a minimum on the court.
Her teammate threw the ball to her and she threw it to the point guard then ran me into a screen. I saw the screen out of the corner of my eye and went around it just as the ball was being thrown to her. I intercepted the ball and ran down the court to our basket where I completed a layup giving us two points. The crowd went wild with applause. I looked over at Quincy as I headed back down the court and he winked at me.
The scouts from Stanford came back and I noticed them checking me out. Dad looked surprisingly entertained and mom who hated sports looked confused. The clock sounded to signify half time so I headed to the sideline with my team and coach gave us a few plays to run to get ahead in the game.
For the most part we were neck and neck with Sheldon High and it all came down to one play with the ball in our possession. Knowing that I was the star shooter on the team, they had two people covering me trying to make sure I couldn’t get to the ball. If I did, they wanted to make sure I couldn’t do anything with it.
My teammate Michelle was amazing with her defense but she could barely put up a basket consistently. I faked left and I faked right but I couldn’t get anywhere near the basket. I saw Michelle crossing underneath the basket and into the key out of the corner of my eye so with no other choice I faked to the right taking the two opposing team members with me.
I passed the ball with my left hand behind my back to Michelle who looked surprised. She went up for a layup as I held my breath and made the game-winning basket. The crowd erupted into a loud roar of shouting. People were jumping up out of their seats as the buzzer sounded to signify the end of the game.
I lined up to give the opposing team a high five. Afterwards I headed over to my family and dad looked proud for a change.
“You’re really good,” Dad smiled.
“Is it alright if I take Sid out to celebrate?” Quincy asked.
“Sure, but remember, her curfew is ten.”
I expected dad to at least think about it before saying yes. He and mom went home and I handed my car keys to Em. She agreed to wait with me while I cheered Drew and Quincy on during their game. He went to the lockers to change into his uniform and I went to get out of mine.
When I came out, the same group of guys who were harassing me in the hallway by my locker had surrounded Quincy, who’d been waiting for me.
“There are plenty of white girls at this school,” Said one of the guys, getting in Quincy’s face. These guys were tall and lean. At least one of them towered over Quincy who looked more bored than scared. This was going to end badly. Quincy had a smart mouth too.
We’re perfect for each other…
“Yeah, why don’t you find yourself a nice blonde-haired, blue eyed white girl to spend time with?” Another one of the guys chimed in.
“I see where you’re coming from,” Quincy nodded, “I only have one problem with that.”
“What’s that?” The first guy asked.
Dear God, don’t let him say anything stupid…
“I like dark meat,” Quincy laughed.
Nail meet coffin…
My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach and I think I audibly gasped as one of the guys grabbed Quincy’s by the scruff of his shirt. My feet took off before my mind could process what I was doing. And then I came skidding to a screeching halt. Quincy reacted by doing some of the best martial arts I’ve ever seen in person. Within a few minutes they were all laid out on the ground, gasping for air. O.M.G!
He just wiped the floor with all of them and two of them had more muscles than every guy on the basketball team combined. Quincy yelled at me to follow him and we both took off running back into the gym. “What the hell was that back there?”
“You thought I was going to get my butt handed to me, didn’t you?”
“I really did.”
“I’ve been doing martial arts since I could walk,” he explained.
“Well look at you,” I smiled, “Mister I like dark meat.”
Spoken like the true smart mouth he is…
“They were planning on beating me up whether I provoked them or not. I may as well go out with a bang.”
We both started laughing. I sat with Em, Patrice and Nicole to watch the boys’ game. They faced some obstacles during their game too. Xerxes let his hothead lead him to four fouls before the second half of the game and he had to sit out. They struggled to get ahead and then even more to maintain their lead when they got one. They barely won by a basket.
ns 15.158.61.12da2
