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  Cooley just grinned.

  Cynthia, not knowing if Carmen was competition, started to size her up immediately. “Um, hello, I am Cynthia.”

  “Oh, hi. I’m Carmen, Cooley’s sister. How are you?” Carmen said trying not to laugh.

  “I’m good. Well, anyway, I’m going to take a shower, and I’ll see you tonight at the party, baby.” She walked past Cooley and kissed her on her jaw.

  As soon as the door closed Carmen slapped Cooley on the back of her head.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you? Damn, Carla, you haven’t known her twenty-four hours yet!”

  Cooley pulled out the outfit she was going to wear. “Look, man, I tried, okay. I walked in the room and she was naked.”

  “What?” Carmen never could understand why women did the things they did for Cooley. “Did she even know who you were?”

  “Oh, yeah, she knew,” she said, checking her shirt for wrinkles before putting it on. “She got a job in the housing department so she could be my roommate. Said she was admiring me from my shows and shit at the club.”

  “Cooley, did it ever occur to you that the bitch might be crazy. I mean, she got a job in housing just to sneak her way into being your roommate. That’s off the wall. It’s not like she’s ugly. Why wouldn’t she just hit you up at the club? And, damn, to throw her pussy at you like that . . . you need to start thinking with your head and not your strap.”

  Cooley had never thought about that. The girl could be crazy and she just gave her some of her prized cap. She became worried. “Um, so, um, what’s your roommate like?”

  Carmen sat in the chair. “What roommate? She moved out when she found out I was gay. The bitch almost made me get ghetto with her, and she was ugly as sin, thinking I was gonna try to get her.”

  “Damn! For real? Well, how about I move in with you so you don’t have that problem again?”

  “Hell no, Cooley. So you can have some bitch trying to cut my shit up, thinking we fucking!”

  “No, it’s not like that. Plus, you can keep me out of trouble. I won’t even bring girls to the room, I promise. Come on, Carmen, it would be good for both of us. Help me grab my things so I can get upstairs and take a shower.”

  Carmen thought about it. At least she knew she could trust Cooley. She agreed and helped her move her bags upstairs to her room.

  “Damn, I bet Sara is gonna be mad that I moved out, huh?”

  Cooley laughed at the thought of her roommate coming back from her shower and finding all her things gone. “Yeah, get ready for the first dose of drama tonight at the party, and for the record her name is Cynthia, not Sara.”

  Chapter 3

  Lena was very impressed with her roommate. They got off to a great start. Lena had never met another black girl who had so much in common with music and movies.

  “So, tell me about your family?” Lena asked.

  “Well, there isn’t much to tell. My grandmother, Mema, raised me,” Denise said.

  “Really? Where are your mom and dad?”

  “My mom’s on drugs, and the rest of my family is screwed up. We don’t get along too well.”

  “Oh, I am sorry to hear that.” Lena—quickly wished she had never asked.

  “It’s no problem. My grandmother is my heart. I go see her as much as I can. I know it’s gonna get hard, with the season starting and all, but nothing comes before her.”

  “That is so sweet, Denise. So, do you live and breathe basketball like Brandon?”

  “I don’t think so. I mean, I love it, but I am mainly using it to advance in school. There is talk of me going pro, but if it doesn’t happen, I won’t be too messed up about it. I’m just glad to have a talent that helped to get me in school. I’m the first to go to college in my family, and I just want to make my Grandma proud,” Denise said. “So what about your family?”

  “Um, well, my mom and dad graduated from here; they’re pretty well known. They donated a lot of money to the school.”

  “Wait, your last name is Jamerson, as in Karen Jamerson and Jamerson Hall?”

  “Guilty, the dorm is—”

  “You got a damn dorm named after you! That’s pimpin. You live in your own dorm.” Denise laughed. “I’m tripping right now. You’re a regular Whitley Gilbert.”

  “Well, I guess. I don’t really want too many people to know, if possible. I want people to like me for me.”

  “Yeah, I feel you on that, but it must be nice, coming from a good family,” Denise said. “So, did you come here because of Brandon or ’cause your folks are from here?”

  “Well, I guess it’s a little bit of both. I wanted to be close to Brandon, but at the same time I really wanted to go somewhere with regular black people. I am so tired of being around stuck-up rich people who think they are better than everyone else. I wanted to see what it was like in the real world.”

  “The real world, huh?” Denise laughed. “Girl, by the end of this semester you gonna be beggin’ for the better life again.”

  They both laughed.

  “I feel you, but it just gets hard, you know. I don’t know who my real friends are from the ones who are only friends with me because of my money. Then most black girls treat me like shit because they think that I think I’m all that, which I don’t. I hate when people judge me without getting to know me, ya know?”

  “Oh, yeah. I know. It happens to me and my crew all the time.”

  “Really?” Lena questioned. “For what?”

  “Well, for one they think that because I am a basketball player, I am dumb as hell and that I can only play ball. Then, because of where I am from, people think I’m some kind of hood. And . . . well, that’s about it.”

  “Well, I don’t think that about you.” Lena smiled. She knew deep down she would have thought she was a hood rat, too. “But you’re hiding something. What else were you going to say?”

  Denise looked up at Lena “Well, when I said people judge my crew, they do it ’cause we’re gay.”

  All of a sudden everything came into light. Denise was not a tomboy; she was a stud. Lena was actually living with a lesbian. She didn’t even think of the chance that she would end up with a lesbian. She really didn’t know what to say.

  “Lena, I would love to be your roommate, but if you are not cool with it, you can tell me. I’ll move . . .”

  Lena realized that she had zoned out. “Oh, I’m sorry. Everything is cool. I was just a little shocked, that’s all, but no, I’m fine with you being my roommate. I don’t have a problem. Hey, it looks like we have more in common than we thought, I mean, since people pre-judge us both.”

  Denise smiled. “Oh, okay, cool. You don’t have to worry about anything like me trying to get with you, that’s not my style. I respect you and your relationship, and I don’t date my roommates or straight girls.”

  Lena smiled. “Great. Then I don’t see a problem. If you’re going to have company, just leave a scarf on the door, and I’ll go somewhere else.” Lena was okay with the idea of Denise being gay, but she didn’t know how seeing it in the act would affect her.

  “Naw, you ain’t got to worry about that. I don’t get down like that.”

  “So, you haven’t had a relationship since you’ve been in school?”

  “Well, I was in one, freshman year, but it didn’t work out.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Brandon’s my first . . . everything.” She blushed.

  “Word? Lucky guy.”

  “Huh?” Lena didn’t know if Denise had just flirted with her.

  “I mean, he’s a lucky guy. All men dream of marrying women who only they have touched.”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess so. Maybe that’s why he’s kept me around. He wants to marry someone only he has had,” Lena responded.

  “I sure as hell would love to be with a woman that I know hasn’t messed with anyone else.” Denise looked over at the clock and grabbed her towel. “Damn, my crew is going to be here soon; I didn’t realize it was so late. Are
you going to go to the party tonight?”

  “Damn, I forgot all about it. I’ve got to find the perfect outfit.” The party had completely left Lena’s mind. She wanted to look fly because she knew there were going to be a lot of women trying to get with her man. She had to make sure the whole university knew that she was there and that Brandon was hers.

  Lena was still choosing an outfit when she glanced over at Denise, who had just come out of the shower. She had on some jeans and a wife-beater, and Lena could see her sports bra. She didn’t realize until then just how athletic Denise was; her arms were cut, her upper arms were covered with tattoos. When she lifted her wife-beater to spray on a little cologne on her stomach, Lena could see her washboard stomach and got a funny feeling in her gut.

  “Lena, are you all right?” Denise asked when she noticed Lena staring into space.

  “Uh. Yeah,” she hoped that Denise didn’t realize she was staring at her. “I was just thinking about tonight and the women I’m going to have to beat off of Brandon.”

  She smiled, but it was a worry of hers. She hated how women always tried to test her, and for the last two years Brandon had been at school alone without her. Who knows who he may or may not have messed with. She always thought in the back of her mind that Brandon probably cheated a few times, but she really couldn’t prove it, so she put it out of her mind. She wondered how many skeletons Brandon had in his closet. “Um, Denise, have you ever seen Brandon with another girl here?”

  “Lena, girl, don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answer to. Keep in mind, he’s a basketball player, and women are going to try him and try you. You gonna have to be strong dealing with him and these skeezers out here.”

  She knew Denise was right. She always said that she would stick to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. After all, she also knew she was going to be his wife.

  “Well, let me go into this shower so I can get to this party.” Lena smiled and headed into their shower.

  Denise tried to contain herself as she watched Lena’s booty switch into the bathroom. She felt her stomach knot up while thinking about Lena naked in the shower. “Damn, Dee, stop it,” she said to herself.

  “I totally forgot my shoes,” Lena said, walking back in the room with a small white robe on.

  Denise couldn’t help but look at Lena’s legs. She quickly turned toward her bed when she felt herself getting heated.

  Lena walked back into the bathroom, leaving behind the clothes she had just taken off.

  Denise shook her head. “Man, it’s gon’ be a long-ass year,” she said to herself just as someone knocked at her door.

  “Yo’, dude!” Cooley yelled.

  “Shhh. Come in.” Denise opened the door, letting in Cooley and Carmen.

  Carmen’s and Cooley’s mouths dropped at the sight of the decked-out room. Cooley headed straight to the flat-screen, while Carmen made herself comfortable on the bed.

  “Man, I am so mad about this!” Cooley said, admiring the living quarters.

  “Dee, you hit the damn jackpot. What’s the girl like?” Carmen asked.

  “Who gives a fuck! Look at this room.” Cooley started browsing through the DVD collection.

  “Bruh, you just don’t know,” Denise said as she held up the Juicy Couture pants Lena had on earlier.

  “Juicy Booty? You’re living with Juicy Booty!”

  “Damn, dude, shut up. She’s just in the bathroom. She is also very straight.”

  “For now.”

  “No, Cool. She dates Brandon Redding,” Denise said.

  Cooley looked over at Lena’s desk noticing the various pictures with her and Brandon. “Well, that is just a momentary setback . . .” Cooley paused as the bathroom door opened.

  Lena walked in wearing an indigo dress that fit all the right places.

  Denise felt herself starting to sweat as Cooley shook her head.

  “Hello, I’m Lena,” she said as she put on her shoes and looked herself over in the mirror. The dress was hanging just right, showing her thick thighs and how stout Lena really was.

  Denise noticed how the halter part of the dress made her breasts look ripe, and she wanted to devour her right there.

  “Lena, these are my best friends, Carla and Carmen,” Denise said, knowing Cooley was pissed that she called her by her real name.

  Cooley snapped her head around at Denise.

  “Ignore Denise’s ignorance,” Cooley said after throwing her middle finger toward her. “How you doing, Miss Lena? I am Cooley, but you can call me Cool if you want.” Cooley shook Lena’s hand, looking her up and down.

  Lena was in shock. She thought Cooley was a boy.

  “Hello, Lena, excuse my friend. I am Carmen, and you have a great roommate, and your boyfriend is a great basketball player.” Carmen pulled Cooley back over by Denise’s bed.

  “Thank you.” She grabbed her purse, ready to walk out the door. “Hey, do y’all want to ride with me to the party?”

  “Hell yeah,” Cooley said, remembering Lena’s ride. “That’s nice of you, boo.” Cooley got close, trying to make sure she didn’t get any curious vibes from Lena.

  “Get your friend,” Denise whispered to Carmen, who could only shake her head.

  “Damn, this is your ride?” Cooley said finally admiring the sleek black Mercedes SLK up close.

  “Thank you. It’s my baby.” Lena unlocked the doors and they all hopped in.

  “Aww, see, I thought that Brandon was your baby,” Cooley joked.

  “Brandon is my boo, but this is my baby.”

  They all laughed and headed to the party.

  “So, Lena, are you all right with living with a lesbian?” Cooley asked.

  “You’re a lesbian?” she said, giving a shocked face.

  Everyone sat in silence.

  Lena started to laugh.

  “I’m just playing. She is very nice.”

  “Oh okay. Damn, girl, don’t fuck with me like that. I thought you were about to put us out this car,” Cooley added.

  “That’s what you get for being so nosy. So, do you know anyone else on campus?” Carmen asked Lena.

  “Actually, no. I met some of the other basketball players’ girlfriends, but they don’t really seem like the type of people I would hang with.”

  “I feel you, and the funny thing is, I have fucked half those bitches!” Cooley exclaimed.

  “Cooley!” Carmen yelled. “She don’t want to know about who you’ve been involved with.”

  “Girl, please. Carmen, this is how I am, if you don’t like it that’s cool, but I just keep it real,” Cooley exclaimed.

  “I am glad you keep it real, and I’m not surprised by what you said. Some of those girls look too scandalous.” Lena turned her head and looked at Cooley as she responded to her last statement.

  “That’s why I’m single. Girls are not right,” Denise added.

  “Whatever. You just ended up with a sike-a-dyke-ass girl,” Carmen added.

  “Sike a what?” Lena was totally confused.

  “Sike-a-dyke. That’s a girl who says that she is gay, but is really bisexual,” Carmen explained.

  “Or just freaks,” Cooley added.

  “Oh okay. Wow! I am learning a lot on this ride,” Lena added as they pulled up in front of the party.

  “Girl, stick wit’ us and you gon’ learn a hell of a lot.” Cooley smiled.

  They all got out of the car and headed into the party.

  Chapter 4

  The party was packed. Everyone was there, and the first people Carmen noticed were the women wearing the lavender and white, the Chi Thetas.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about. I am so ready to pledge,” she said to Lena.

  “My mother is a member of Chi Theta. I’m supposed to pledge second semester. Legacy,” Lena added.

  Carmen smiled. “Really? I’m pledging then, too. Maybe we will be sisters.”

  “Maybe. Oh, there is Brandon. Come on, let me intr
oduce you all.”

  “Naw, shawty,” Cooley said. “I got some business over here, but take Carmen.”

  Denise and Cooley headed their own separate way, leaving Lena and Carmen together.

  It was the first time that Carmen had ever gotten such a positive response while being at school; the men were all trying to get at her and Lena. She was flattered, but she didn’t want the men. She was looking for the studs.

  They walked over to the ballers and fought their way through all the women trying to be picked as the woman of the night for each player. Brandon was standing there in deep conversation with a big-chested woman who was wearing a tube top two sizes too small. The girl raised her top up, took Brandon’s hand and let him feel on her nipple. Brandon didn’t realize Lena was there.

  Carmen grabbed Lena’s hand before she ran over. She knew how she felt after making a spectacle of herself in public last year. “Girl, don’t trip on him here. It’s a party, and that’s a ho. Just go up and make your presence known.”

  They walked over to Brandon and the bare-breasted girl.

  “Hey, baby.” Lena bumped the girl out of the way, put her hands around Brandon and kissed his lips.

  The girl huffed. “Um, excuse me,” the girl yelled. “I think I was here first!”

  “No, bitch. I’ve been here for four fucking years, and if you put your stank-ass tits by my man again, I am going to personally cut them off!”

  The girl put her breasts back in her shirt and stomped off.

  Lena looked up at Brandon.

  He knew she was pissed. “Baby, that’s not my fault. She just took my hand. I’m sorry, for real!” He grabbed her and hugged her; his fellow teammates chuckled.

  “Don’t worry about it this time, but you better remember next time.” She kissed him again. She got wrapped up in his lips, until she felt a poke. “Oh, baby, this is Carmen. She’s a friend of my roommate.”

  They said hello to each other. Carmen realized that Lena was going to be tied up for the rest of the night, so she told her she would see her later and headed to the bar.

  She spoke to the group of gay girls in the party. The majority of the gay people knew each other on campus. They all commented on how good she looked. She even got a few phone numbers from girls who would never have given her the time of day before, when she was fat. She quickly confirmed that the weight coming off was a good thing, but no matter what people said, they all hadn’t dated her because she was fat. She was sitting at the bar when some guy sporting a Gamma shirt walked up to her.