Page 19 of Steps

“Aside from that, how is at his house? Daniel isn’ta creep, is he?”

“No.” I sigh. “Actually, he’s not so bad. But thecraziest thing happened this morning.” We stop at my locker first.

“What?” she asks, eager to know.

A giggle gusts from my lips as I tell her, “My mommade breakfast.”

Kenya breaks out into a laughing fit. “No way.”

“I swear. She made them pancakes and eggs. In myseventeen years on this planet, she’s probably made me breakfast five times.”

“Lies. Come on, she’s done it more than that.”

I giggle while turning my head slowly. “Okay, maybemore than five times but not that much.”

Still chuckling, she plays with her braids.“That’s crazy. She’s really pulling out all the cards to keep this guy, huh?”

“Seems like it. She even stopped working.” I splaymy hand. “Honestly, I hope it works out. At least she’ll finally be happy.”

Sympathy morphs her features. “And you’ll have aDad?”

“It’s too late for that.” I close my locker, andwe walk to hers. “Besides, I’m not sticking around Baltimore. There’s anapartment in California with my name on it.”

She half-smiles. “California’s still your numberone choice, huh?”

“Yep. The further away, the better. It was Gran’sdying wish, too.” A sad feeling blossoms in me as I remember my sweetgrandmother. “She wanted me to get away from my mom. Said it was the only wayI’d ever be happy.”

Kenya shuts her locker and drapes her arm aroundmy shoulder. “And your happiness is long overdue.”

I squint at her. “You know, you could come withme.”

She draws air through her teeth. “Girl, I don’thave your brain and I sure as hell can’t afford UCLA, much less any college.With my mom’s health, I have to stay close to home.”

“Hmm.” I place my arm around her waist, giving hera bit of comfort. “I understand.”

Her smile returns. “Anyway, does your stepbrotherhave a girlfriend?”

I roll my eyes. “Let’s get to class.”

Varen’s easing into the parking lot as I stepoutside that afternoon. This time, he remains in the driver’s seat and waits.

“Hey,” I say, getting in and buckling my seatbelt.I decide to take Kenya’s advice, telling him nicely, “Thank you for driving meto school and for picking me up.”

He doesn’t respond, only speed off school grounds.

I notice we aren’t heading in the direction of hishouse again. “Um, I don’t want to go back to that funhouse.”

Varen sighs. “Relax. We’re going to the river.”

“Please don’t purchase any more drugs.”

He glances at me briefly then set his eyes back onthe road in time to take the exit. “I’m not, Toya,” he says at last. “Justgoing for a swim.” I like how he says my name. It sounds smooth and sweet.

Blinking that away, I remind him, “You have a poolat your house.”

He presses his head against the seat and breathesdeeply. “Don’t like my house, actually. Do you?”

“Yeah, I love it. There are tons of books. It’slarge and spacious. I have my own shower, a pool, and my mom is actually amom.” I don’t mean to let the last part slip.

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