26
DYNASTY
“
R
ufus!” yelled Dynasty. “You're going to make us late.”
Rufus rolled out of the cab, taking his sweet time. He wasn't enthused about going to the party, and had told Dynasty so. He was only going because she needed him to. Because he was her friend.
“I'm coming. My feet hurt, and I don't like wearing these stupid pants.”
Dynasty shot him machetes with her eyes. He'd complained all day and night, but had been super excited when she'd asked him to go and offered to buy him pantsâwhich cost her two thumbs because he could only shop in a big man's storeâand shoesâwhich set her back at least a couple of weeks pay because he wore a size sixteen and a half. “I thought we agreed not to use that word anymore. It's a bad word, Rufus. Bad.” She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the party.
“Only if it can hurt somebody's feelings,” he said. “Stupid can't hurt pants.”
She walked with purpose at top speed, ignoring his statement. After he'd admitted to feeling stupid, they'd chucked the insult to the bad-word list and promised never to use it again. He hated it as much as she despised being called poor and burnt-black. She stopped in front of where the party was being held, and straightened Rufus's navy tie. Then she coached him.
“Be yourself, Rufus. You'reâ
we're
âjust as good as anyone here. Don't fidget or complain, and don't forget to start using your new words. That's the only way to learn them and make them a part of your vocabulary.” She rose on her tiptoes and pulled him down toward her at the same time. That was the only way she could reach his cheek because he was so tall. She kissed him on the cheek.
“Thanks for coming with me, Rufus. Thanks more for being my friend.”
They made their way to the red carpet, posed for their pictures, and soaked in their surroundings. Neither one of them had ever been to a celebrity function or in a place where they had to dress up. Not like this. Dynasty adjusted her white strapless gown, dusted her matching kitten heels, and clutched her purse tight under her arm. In Rufus's words, she was beautiful, and she felt like it. The dress clung to her like second skin, accentuating her almost negative curves, and made her appreciate being so thin. There was no way she could've pulled the outfit off if she were three pounds heavier.
Rufus pointed as soon as they entered the luxurious room where the party was being held. “There's City. You sure you gonna . . . I mean are you sure that you're
going
to be okay? I mean . . . he's with that girl.”
She followed Rufus's index finger, and saw City and Meka circulating. The sight of them together didn't bother her as much as she'd thought. She pasted a faux grin on her face.
“Smile, Rufus. Act like we're having a ball,” she instructed when City looked her way. She waved back and almost bit her lip when she saw that he and Meka were headed to her and Rufus.
“Dynasty!” Meka greeted before they were close. “You look so nice. That dress is hot on you.”
Though she couldn't stand the fact that City was with Meka when she'd thought he was going to be with her, it was hard to dislike Meka. She was nice, genuine.
“Thanks, Meka. You look nice, too. I'm so excited to be here,” she admitted.
Meka paused. “Dynasty? Can I ask you a favor? My friend is here.... You remember Santana? Well, she goes to Winchester Hills Preparatory School now, and she needs some help with Englishâcomprehension, spelling.” She shrugged. “You know, words. You think you can help her?”
Rufus elbowed Dynasty. “Ain't that the school you wanna go to so bad?”
Dynasty gave him a look.
“Sorry. Isn't that the school you've been trying to get into?”
“Oh. That'll be no problem. Craig, her stepdad, has the major hookup and political connections. If you help her, I'm sure he'll work out something. He sprung me from jail, won my case, and never put up a dime or stepped in the courtroom. He's a legal heavyweight with straight stacks of money.”
City butted in. “Dynasty, step over here and let me talk to you about some business.” He excused them, then took her hand, and led her to a dark corridor off the main room. “Listen, about your question . . .”
“I'm listening, City.” She leaned against the wall, preparing to hear the worst, and braced herself for it.
“It's been bothering me for a minute. But I feel that it's only right that I tell you. I kissed you because I liked you.” His admission was sweet, honest, and heartfelt. She could see it in his eyes.
“Liked?”
He nodded, then shook his head no. He was clearly confused, and seemed nervous. Something she'd never seen before. Anxiousness wasn't supposed to look good on guys with status and swagger, but for some reason, it made City more appealing. He hit his fist against the wall in defeat. “No. I like you. A lot. That's why I tried to make and keep you as my fam. I figured if I didn't act on it . . . then . . . you know, there's Meka, and I was with her first, and that wouldn't have been fair to you or her.”
Her confidence rose. “Spit it out, City. Then, what?”
“If I made you my fam I could always keep you aroundâwe could never break up.”
Dynasty took him in with her eyes. He was just as beautiful as when she'd first seen him, and she knew that she had to step up her game.
“Look, City. I was once told there are two types of people in the world. People who make things happen and people who watch things happen.” She stepped up to him. “I stopped being a spectator days after I met you, thanks to you.”
City laughed. “You got me, but what I said was there are two ways to live. You either make it happen, or watch it happen.”
“Well, watch me make it happen then.” She leaned forward, wrapped her arms around City, and kissed him on the cheek. He was right; if they made each other family they would never break up. And for the life they were buildingâthe business, the cash she made while working with him and could save for her futureâshe couldn't afford to lose. Quickly she let him go, then looked back the way they'd come. “We got something good, City. And as you said, you have Meka . . . and I have Rufus. He may not be you, but he's my friend, and I don't want to hurt him. While we both know he doesn't have your swag, he certainly has a heart like yours. Both of you are good for me. Now let's go out here and party, and celebrate our futures.”
She walked away, happy with her decision. She didn't know what she was going to do about Rufus's crush. Hadn't a clue on how to handle knowing that City liked her. All she knew was that life was a game, and education and friends were the jackpots. And she was going to win.
27
PATIENCE
F
ans screamed and cheered when Patience and Zion exited the limousine, and reporters thrust their microphones in their faces. Zion stepped back, allowing Patience the limelight. The paparazzi wanted her. Somehow, her and Trill's song had already leaked completely, and the gossip channels had made her name swim through the hip-hop who's-who channels.
Patience smiled, not sure of what to do. But she did remember Bishop's advice.
Keep your head up. Remember who you are. And always be kind to God and His people. It's because of Him that you are who you are, and it will be up to the people whether you stay or not. Life deals hard blowsâalways soften your fans' and followers' blows with a smile.
She looked to Zion for assistance, but received more than she was hoping for.
“So are you two an item?”
“Zion, aren't you performing at the Stellar Awards? Rumor has it that you're up for a few different awards this year.”
“Patience? How does the daughter of a famous bishop get into hip-hop music?”
“Zion, is it true that you and Trill got into an altercation over Patience?”
They finally escaped to the safety of the building. His hand was on her back, her cheek was resting on his shoulder, and both of their stomachs hurt from laughing so hard. She couldn't believe paparazzi were so nosy, literally making things up as they went along.
“Lil Sis!” T, Trill's brother, greeted her and Zion. “What's this I hear about you replacing our family with this fool?” He mean-faced Zion, looking him up and down as if he were garbage.
“Fool? Who you calling a fool, corner boy?”
Patience's heart fell to her knees. She didn't know how to handle a situation like this, and felt responsible.
“Don't do that, y'all,” Teeny said, appearing from behind T, then giving Patience a hug.
Zion and T laughed, then gave each other a brotherly hug, pounding each other on the back the way that men do.
“Sorry,” T said. “I couldn't help it. You might as well get used to it 'cause people make up stuff all the time. I already heard the rumor about Z and my brother fighting over you.”
Zion nodded. “They even spread rumors in the Christian genre. You ready for this?”
Patience wasn't sure. And if she hadn't questioned herself and preparedness before, she was certainly getting ready to. Trill was strolling their way with Damage by his side. The tension was thick enough to fill the room when the couplesâPatience and Zion, and Trill and Damageâspotted each other, and doubled in depth when they were eye to eye.
“S'up?” asked Trill.
Zion's feet were shoulder width apart, and his stance was strong. Patience couldn't believe how defensive he could be. Or was he just being protective and territorial?
“What's up?” replied Zion.
“Nothing,” Damage had the nerve to say.
Patience touched her short sleeve kimono, then fingered the chopsticks holding her bun in place. Her eyes brightened.
“Everything's up!” She put her arm through Zion's, then veered off, but not before looking over her shoulder at Teeny. “Call me, Sis, when you're ready to write those songs. And my dad says he'll see you guys at church on Sunday.”
T popped Trill upside his head. “You a fool, homeboy. You could've had her. She's a real lady.” He nodded toward Patience. “Sorry, Sis.”
Teeny waved too. “See y'all at the head table!”
Patience looked at Zion. She'd managed to talk him into getting his hair cut. She'd convinced him to wear a pair of funky jeans, a high-end silk couture T-shirt, and a fresh pair of loafers that cost more than he'd ever spent on shoes, but there was one thing she was glad she couldn't change. Who he was inside.
“You know if you keep this up, you may just have a date for the prom after all.”
Zion winked. “And you may just have a real boyfriend that you can take home.”
Discussion Questions
1.
Santana, Dynasty, and Patience all took boys to the party that their friends or family wouldn't have approved of. Do you think their choices were courageous or not?
2.
If someone tried to persuade you to date someone who'd make you look good, but not make you feel better about yourself, what would you do? Would you be brave enough to say no even if it meant losing your friends and popularity?
3.
From outside appearances Santana was the “it” girl; she had looks, clothes, and was very popular. But did she really feel like the “it” girl, or do you think her self-esteem and self-direction were low?
4.
Santana had a bad illegal habit that afforded her the ability to fit in and wear expensive designer clothes. How important do you think it is to fit in? Or is it better to be yourself and let others judge you based on your character not your material possessions.
5.
Dynasty, though very smart, lived in conditions other than ideal. Do you think her studying the dictionary, planning years ahead for college, and making sure she stayed on the right path was a good plan for a girl her age? How much thought have you given to your future?
6.
Dynasty's parents weren't in the picture. Do you think that attributed to her being a little angry, and oftentimes mean toward Rufus?
7.
Sometimes friends have the best intentions, but awful judgment. Do you think Silky had Patience's best interest and family dynamics in mind when she introduced her to Trill? Why?
8.
Patience's dad was very overprotective. Do you think he just wanted the best for his daughter, or did he just want to stomp on her fun and independence?
9.
If a person's friends reflect who a person is deep down, should Patience have judged Trill for the “smoking, drinking, and rowdy” company he kept?
10.
Boyfriend Season
addressed a lot of issues, including popularity, religious beliefs, growing up in households with different family dynamics (single mother, married parents, and no parents), friends who indulge in illegal activities, peer pressure, wrong vs. right, etc. How do you feel about all the issues? If you were Santana, Patience, or Dynasty would you have done anything differently? Did they do the right things?