Chapter 9

Sasha threw her book bag over her shoulder as she headed downstairs to the kitchen to grab a quick granola bar before heading out for school, an option she went to on a daily during her first three weeks. It was the beginning of the fourth week of school at Fel’s High, and Sasha was so far loving her new school.

While she still hadn’t conquered her weird feelings about Lux, the two hung out on a daily and it was clear that if anything the pair were stuck at the hip. And after finally getting used to the annoying quad of Zay and the guys, the girls even began to hang with them after school whenever Sasha could use the excuse of practice when really it was canceled or just wasn’t scheduled for the day.

So far her parents hadn’t found out anything, and that was a first. Sasha had to give that credit to Lux however, who could lie in her sleep and was a constant help with getting Sasha’s parents off of her back.

“So, Sasha have you gotten your uniform for the cheer squad yet?” Myda asked once Sasha was fully into the kitchen. She stood over the stove as she cooked breakfast, and as always Sasha would rather starve than to have to sit at the dinner table twice in one day.

“Not yet” Sasha told her, making sure to not say too much.

“Really? Because Geraldine’s granddaughter goes to your school and is on the squad and supposedly she has her uniform already” Myda raised her brow at her daughter and Sasha resisted from rolling her eyes.

Once her mother joined a church of her liking, she never wasted time finding older women like her that liked to do nothing more than gossip or brag about their kids or grandkids; So she wasn’t surprised that her mother had done just that in Philly in only a month and a half that they had been there.

“Oh…well that’s because Coach ran out of smalls. She had to order more” Sasha said hurrying out of the kitchen.

She wiped the sweat off her forehead once she closed the front door, and was relieved her mother didn’t ask anymore questions, or better yet she didn’t give her the time to. She began to walk her regular route to school, and as expected Lux was calling her right on time.

“Did you get out safe?” Lux joked, referring to Sasha’s house that she often compared to a prison.

“Yup” Sasha chuckled, “Where are you?”

“At the papi store by the school, we’re getting breakfast sandwiches, do you want one?”

Sasha could feel her stomach growling, and she knew that the small bar wouldn’t do anything for her.

“Sure, whatever you get. Be there in five”

“Alright”

After hanging up, Sasha made her way up the hill and towards the deli that all the school kids frequented. She dribbled an imaginary ball as she walked, her headphones in her ear as she listened to music on her short walk; As always she passed by the playground, the rural park covered in nothing but cigarette butts and graffiti and she made a note to never take her little brother there.
Next came the project houses, and she couldn’t help but to spot Quan as he stood on one of the porches inside of the small community, talking to a man that wasn’t familiar. She scrunched her brows as the man handed him a bookbag and he threw it onto his back and the first thing Sasha noticed was that it wasn’t Quan’s school bag.

At first she went to call after him, but she quickly shut her mouth when she thought about all the blackmailing he had done over the years. Instead she smirked to herself deviously, and then proceeded to her route of the deli.

She approached it minutes later, and spotted Lux and the others spilling out of the store, all of them with plastic black bags full of snacks.

“Ay, what up Sash?” Zay spoke first as he opened his bag of chips and immediately began to pour them into his mouth.

“Damn nigga, how you swallow?” B questioned watching his friend devour the chips.

“Pause” Josh bursted out.

“Major pause, what’s up ya’ll” Sasha laughed, giving them all a quick handshake.

Lux smiled as always, and no one failed to notice how she lit up whenever Sasha came around.

“Here, I got you turkey bacon anddd a peach Arizona” Lux said as the two began to walk in sync, “Because for some reason you have a weird obsession with peaches”

“Thanks, and you can’t lie it’s a good fruit” Sasha shrugged.

“More like an ashy fruit, but it’s your world”

Sasha laughed, next biting into the cheesy goodness that was wrapped in the aluminum foil. Lux did the same, while the boys in the back continued to go on about basketball.

“Man, this year coach know not to put me on the bench. All those scouts coming to see ya boy, so I can’t lose any time on the court” Zay talked amongst his friends.

“I feel you bro, I’m definitely tryna get a scholarship this year” Josh agreed, and then turned his head to Sasha, “Sash, you tryna play college ball? Or you stopping once school over?”

Sasha glanced back, “uhh, probably stop once school is over”

“What?!” Sharif exclaimed, “You’re better than most of the niggas on the boys team, you definitely should play”

Sasha smirked to herself, but she knew that her parents would never have it that way.

“Maybe” She told Sharif.

He took that as his answer, only for the boys to began to dive back into their conversation. Sasha on the other hand suddenly remembered to ask Lux a proposition that popped into her head as they were getting closer to school.

“So, Lux…we’re cool right?” She said, raising her brow.

Lux gave her a knowing look, and playfully rolled her eyes.

“Girl…” she started, “Don’t play. What do you want?”

“Why do I have to want something?” Sasha smirked flirtatiously and Lux returned it.

“Because I know you do…so what is it?”

Sasha took a deep breath, and then blurted it out.
“I need you to try out for the cheerleading team”

“What?” She said taken back, and Sasha knew that she would react that way, “Why?”

“Because my mom is bugging me about this damn uniform, she asked twice last week and this morning. I don’t think your lie worked” Sasha said twisting her mouth, “Plus, some lady named Geraldine at her church says that her grand daughter has hers already, so you’re catching my drift”

“So, what? I’m supposed to try out, hopefully get picked, and then what?” Lux said a little flustered.

As much as she wanted to help out Sasha, she didn’t want to surround herself with the catty girls.

“Just give me your uniform so I can show her, and then you can quit if you want” Sasha shrugged, “I don’t know. But if she finds out I’ve been lying….”

“Wait, whats this I hear about Lux joining the cheerleading squad?” Zay asked, now walking side by side with them.

The group were now making their way up the walk way, and began to find themselves in a crowd with other students walking into the building to sign in and head to class.

“You’re hearing nothing about me joining the cheerleading squad” Lux scolded him.

“Well if you want my advice….” he started.

“We don’t” Lux and Sasha responded simultaneously and he furrowed his brows.

“Fine, fuck ya’ll. And don’t ask for a ride after school midget one and two”

Lux flipped him off as the two groups went their separate ways, leaving her and Sasha to go to class right away while Zay and Josh lingered in the hallways a little longer.

“So are you going to at least think about it?” Sasha asked as the two were finally taking their seats in the back of class.

“Fine” Lux gave in, “But….”

“But…” Sasha led her to finished her sentence.

“You have to have a sleepover with me”

Sasha scoffed, “You could’ve just said no instead of giving me an impossible task”

“I’ll do all the talking, trust me. So, you in or no?”

Sasha was desperate, and knew that the only way she would get her mom off of her back was if she showed up with the cheer uniform, and some time soon. She nodded, and Lux smiled satisfied.

“Then it’s done”

The two were equally happy with their sides of the deal, and while Lux certainly didn’t want to join the cheer squad, for Sasha she would. As Mr. Reyes walked into class, the two pulled out their notes and prepared to listen. Lux made a note in her head to stop by the gym before her next class, and figured she’d get herself in acting mode since she would literally have to act like she wanted to be on the team. Just one day she told herself, and then she could just give the uniform back and quit.

“Good morning class” Mr. Reyes greeted everyone after sitting his briefcase down.

“Good morning” they all sang back.

“So, I hope you all have been reading your chapters. Today, we’re focusing on the chapter ‘The wife of his Youth, Sasha start the class off please”

As usual Mr. Reyes went straight to Sasha due to the fact that she was one of the only ones who was actually keeping up with the book, or wanted to talk about it.

“Ummm” Sasha started as she flipped to the chapter and then finding it, “Aiight, so boom”

Lux laughed under breath at the insider, and Sasha gave her a knowing look before beginning to summarize the chapter.

“Basically, there was a guy name Charles Chestnutt. During the time of about…”

“1869” Lux jumped in, and Sasha nodded.

“Yeah, 1869, him and his family created this society called the blue veins society and basically it was for African Americans that were light enough in which you could see their veins, so those who could pass as White”

“I personally think that’s internalized racism, however Sasha argues that he was just trying to make a way in a society that wouldn’t otherwise work with a Black man” Lux shrugged, and Mr. Reyes was both surprised but intrigued by her participation.

“Very good argument, you actually beat me to it” Mr. Reyes smirked as he turned and began to write on the board.

“What is internalized racism, anyone know?”

Just as Mr. Reyes finished his question, Zay came barging into the room ten minutes late.

“When this yellow nigga think he can pull more girls than me cause he light skin, when in reality dark skins are in season” Josh answered as Zay took a seat behind him.

The class shared a laugh, and Zay kissed his teeth at his friend, “Because it’s true. Lux, who would you date outta me or Josh?”

“Neither, continue Mr. Reyes” Lux rolled her eyes, next turning towards the teacher.

“Well let’s have a discussion – do you think it was wrong for Charles to create a society in which Blacks who passed the color line could join and succeed in White America, as White people. Or do you think he was going against his race, and himself”

The class stayed silent, all pondering their answers and surprising Zay raised his hand up instead of yelling out the answer.

“I think…dude was a sell out. He took the easy route, and as a Black man, whether I look blue or green or whatever else, I’ma still be Black. So I think it’s only right to own up to who you are” Zay shrugged and sat back into his seat.

Mr. Reyes nodded, and then called onto the next student.

“Well I think, it was smart. He had to survive, we have no idea what its like to be Black in those times. It’s not like he would get an award if he told them he wasn’t really White” the girl debated.

“Yeah but the guy made a whole society, called the Blue vein society at that. It doesn’t get any more internally racist than that” Lux jumped in.

Sasha smirked, and could admit that she was enjoying Lux’s participation in class. Usually she just copied Sasha’s notes and took a nap, but it seemed as though their project meetings were causing her to become more interested in the class. Mr. Reyes on the other hand was just excited to finally get some lively participation, as he jotted down student’s perspectives onto the board and continued to pose more questions to his students. The period flew past it, and before anyone knew it the bell rung.

“Alright, that was great. You guys did so well, I won’t give out the homework sheet” Mr. Reyes chuckled, deciding to give his students a break.

“Ayyy, that’s why I mess with you Mr. Rey” Zay smiled as him and the girls headed out of class.

“Have ya’ll even started the project yet?” Lux asked turning to Zay and Josh.

“Yeah we did, why you gotta say it like that?” Zay asked, “We all know Sasha is doing all the work between you two”

“And we know that Josh is the only brain between you too” Lux smirked.

“You two argue like a married couple” Josh rolled his eyes as the group walked down the hallway.

While Sasha was into her phone, she definitely heard Josh’s comment and felt the same way. And as much as Lux said she didn’t like Zay, the two spent a lot of time doing back and forth like two people who had a crush on each other.

“Eww” Lux grimaced.

“Now just eww” Zay snickered, “You wasn’t saying that when ~”

“Come on Sasha” Lux said pulling Sasha the opposite way before Zay could finish his sentence.

Sasha scrunched her brows, and couldn’t help but want to know the rest of what he was going to say.

“When what?” Sasha asked as her and Lux walked towards the gym.

“Nothing, girl don’t pay him any mind. I’m going to head and talk to Coach before I go to class, I’ll let you know the results” Lux gestured towards the gym.

Sasha nodded, and was glad that Lux was falling through with the deal. However her mind still drifted to Zay’s words as the two separated. She still hadn’t shifted through her feelings, however she knew what jealousy felt like and that was a spell that casted over her.

Still, she told herself she couldn’t be upset because her and Lux were only friends, and she also remained unsure of if she even liked girls, or what she liked. Either way, she just had to know what Zay was going to say.

    “Hey, have you guys seen the cheer coach?” Lux asked strolling into the gym, her pink book bag hanging off of her right shoulder as she approached the small group of girls.

“She’s not here yet, do you need something?”

Lux looked over the girl that stood at about her height, and noted how pretty she was. However  not in a flirtatious way, more of an analytic way as she read the eager girl with her subtle eyes.

“Umm yeah” Lux said uneasily, “I wanted to try out for the cheerleading team”

The girl snickered and shook her head, “Tryouts were last week. Sorry sis, you missed them”

“Thanks” Lux smirked sarcastically, next beginning to turn her back. She tried her best, and that was what she would tell Sasha.

“Wait, but we do need another flyer this year. Samantha had to sit out” another girl shouted out.

Lux kissed her teeth under her breath and slowly turned back around. She recognized the girl from the party as the one who suggested she join the squad, and even at that moment did she look excited to see Lux there.

“Amber right?” She chuckled, and the ginger headed teen nodded, “I appreciate it, but I ain’t a flyer. I was looking for more of a ground spot”

Amber giggled, “Girl, you are small it would be so easy. Piece of cake. So what do you say? I’ll talk to coach personally”

“Okay joey jihad” the first girl stopped her, “You are not the captain or the coach, so it’s really not your decision”

Amber rolled her eyes, but didn’t respond as she just folded her arms over her chest. Lux was over it already, but knew she made Sasha a promise. Besides, if she did get on the team it would only be for a day anyway.

“Shamira, stop it. You know damn well we need a flyer and Lux is the smallest girl to try out. I ain’t tryna hold up any of these big bitches” the third girl protested, “Hi, I’m Dearra. The co captain, and you’re on the team. Come with me, I’ll get you a uniform”

Dearra ushered her to the office, and Lux could tell that Shamira was heated and more so embarrassed for being ran over like that. Lux resisted the urge to smirk, deciding to just quickly follow behind Dearra so she could get the uniform.

“Coach Melly won’t care also, she pretty much lets us choose the team. I’ve been on the team every year since I was a freshman” Dearra shared as she searched through the box of black and white uniforms, “And don’t mind Shamira, she’s just jealous”

“Of me?” Lux asked, pointing to herself.

“Yeah. You talk to Zay right?” The girl asked bouncing her brows, “They used to talk”

Lux squinted her eyes and began to think this was the exact reason why she didn’t want to join the team in the first place. It had only been five minutes and she was already being put into drama.

“Nah, he’s my friend” Lux shook her head, “And a xtra small or small will work” she said trying to hurry the girl up.

Getting the hint, Dearra dug further into the box and came up with a skirt and top set. Next she moved around the desk and found a physical sheet and parental slip.

“Oh I’m eighteen, I don’t need the parent slip” Lux said as she took the other two items.

Again she went to leave, however Dearra stopped her.

“Don’t you want to know when practice is?” She asked with her brow raised.

“Oh…right” Lux laughed uneasily, “….when is it?”

At this point she was screaming in her head, and wanted to get the whole thing over with.

“Tuesday, Wedneadays, and Fridays at 3:30. Be there, tomorrow”

Lux nodded, “Cool..anything else?”

“Nope, oh well bring a change of clothes and sneakers. We’ll go over everything else tomorrow”

“Alright, will do”

Finally getting out of the gym, Lux felt free to do the biggest eye roll that she had been holding in the entire time. Sasha definitely owed her big time. After stuffing everything into her back pack, she pulled out her phone to text Sasha that her side of the deal was done. She then hurried off to class, knowing that she was already late and for once she actually wanted to there.