Page 24 of I Love to Hate You
“Simon,” Mom grumbles. “I was thinking more along the lines of a girlfriend.”
“Of course you were, Ma. Like I’ve always said, I’ve been focused on taking care of business. The girls I’ve been hanging out with haven't meant anything to me up to this point, but … I don't know.”
“Yes, you do, boy. You didn't add thatbutin there for nothing. Who is she?”
“What are you talking about?” I blare with a smile that gives everything away. I try to reel it in, but it's too late.
“Look at that smile on your face,” she snaps, pointing right at me. “Come on, tell me who it is, Kendrick.”
I let out a long sigh as I lean against the counter, trying to deny it in my mind. But how do I do that when a picture of Maya’s face is the first thing that popped into my head when Mom asked, “who is she?”
“I don't know who she is,” I say. “We don't really know anything about each other, and sort of don't get along.”
“Why’s that?”
“I don't know. She’s a bit closed off, and always seems to have an attitude. She’s headstrong and very outspoken.”
“Oh, I see. She’s too much like you.”
My eyes widen. “Wow.”
“What? You may claim to not get along with this girl, but it sounded like you were describing yourself.”
I roll my eyes again, and this time Mom pounces.
“Stop rolling your eyes before they get stuck in the back of your head,” she says jokingly. “Listen, Kendrick, I don't want to be all up in your business, but sometimes opposites attract, and sometimes they don't. Now that school is almost over, it’s okay to relax a little. You’ve earned the right to slow down and focus on your happiness. I don't know anything about this girl, but maybe you should get to know her better. Maybe, just maybe, you should go for what you want.”
Mom shrugs with a devilish smile before taking her attention back to the mugs of tea. She bounces the tea bags in the liquid while I let her words soak in.
“Okay, Ma,” I say, nodding to myself. “Maybe you're right.”
Mom grins. “I know. Now come over here and get your tea.”
My smile reaches my eyes as I step forward and grab the mug, and the two of us sip together like the good old days.
Maya
Chapter Eighteen
~ MAYA~
“I have, like, thirty minutes before my first class, so we can just chill here for a while,” Eddie says as he pulls into the Diamond Street lot, a secluded corner of the parking section of the university, and shuts off the car. Almost no one ever parks over here, so as soon as the rumble of the engine stops, I already know why he chose this area.
From my point of view in the passenger seat, I look out the windshield and watch as students pull up for what will be their final week of class. For some of us, it’s our final week ever, and it's amazing to know we’ve reached the end of such a long journey. My grades were never in jeopardy, but knowing I passed every class and will walk across the stage to my degree with my head held high is a fantastic feeling.
“Can you believe we did it?” Eddie asks as he rolls up the windows and turns the key enough to be able to play the radio and run the AC.
“It almost doesn't feel real,” I admit with a proud smile. “Four long years, lost friendships, in and out of relationships, struggling through classes, dealing with some annoying ass professors while feeling privileged to engage with the good ones—it’s been a helluva ride, but I’m glad it’s ending. I’m ready to move on.”
Eddie nods as he turns on some slow music. “Yeah, I feel that. Have you looked into where you might try to intern?”
“Nah, not yet. I hadn't even really given it much thought. I just want to finish school completely before I start to stress about adulting.”
“Well, you know you could always come work for my dad at Sandcastle. South Philly is nice. You won’t have to worry about being robbed like you do in your neighborhood.”
I cut my eyes over to Eddie but bite my tongue. What is it about people like him? People who grew up in wealth and have no idea what it’s like to be born and raised in a rough neighborhood that has been deprived of all help and resources. He doesn't know what it’s like growing up in a place like Kensington, yet he’s ready to speak on it as if he knows there is danger lurking around every corner, and only a job from him can save me. Every time he mentions where I’m from, I want to lose my shit, but that would only prove that the stereotype he so clearly believes is right. It’s an everyday struggle to not forget who I am and where I came from, while also fitting in here, where I’ll be judged for showing any emotion whatsoever. One argument with Amy proved that point a hundred times over.
I look at Eddie and try to smile politely. “As much as I would love a job in South Philly, I really don't think your dad would go for hiring your girlfriend for a full-time job.”
