I’m not exactly sure how I feel about my promise to Byron. Nothing is bright and clear right now. My feelings about it all have meshed together into a cloud of confusion. I can’t make out the greens from the oranges or the oranges from the yellows. So I decide to go ahead and apply to college, just in case it does become clear. It’s better to prepare than to not have anything in place at all.
I meet up with Byron, Rocio, and Miracle at the Orchid A-Go-Go Lounge in Del Sol Valley.
Rocio and Miracle: Happy Birthday, Peri!
Prosperity: Thanks, ladies.
Rocio: It’s your night. What should we do first?
Prosperity: Get drinks, of course!
Miracle: I won’t argue with that.
I step to the bar and order a round of drinks for us all. Since it’s my first time drinking, I’m not sure what to even get…so I go for what sounds cool while trying not to come off as inexperienced as I actually am. We grab our drinks and sit down at a nearby table. The whole hanging out at a lounge thing is starting to feel a bit overrated. All my friends are looking at me to tell them what we should do next and I have no idea. I’m beginning to wonder why I used to feel so rushed to grow up.
Prosperity: I’m beginning to think that going to an arcade would have been better than this.
Miracle: You haven’t fully embraced your new-found freedom yet. We’re adults now…we can do what the hell we want to do!
Prosperity: Okay…and what’s that?
Miracle: You have a fine ass boyfriend sitting there next to you, and you’re asking me what you should be doing?
She has a point, so I decide to drag my fine ass boyfriend to the dance floor for a slow dance. Being there in his arms immediately gives me other ideas, but I’m not quite ready to ditch my friends.
The music speeds up, and so do we. I take a few steps back, and Byron and I dance to the beat. I glance over at Miracle and see her playing with a big ball of clay.
Prosperity: What’s up with the clay?
Miracle: It’s the in thing now. It’s supposed to be a great destresser. My therapist recommended it to me.
Prosperity: Does it work?
Miracle: I’m a bit obsessed with it, so I guess so. This one was supposed to be your birthday gift, but I think I’ll keep it and get you something else.
I shake my head, knowing that I can always rely on Miracle to be the slightly selfish person she’s been forever. I’m sure she doesn’t even see anything wrong with what she just said. I chuckle to myself and focus on dancing with Byron.
I work up a bit of an appetite on the dance floor and decide to grab a little something to eat. Byron joins me at a slightly secluded table. We’re glad to have a moment alone.
Byron: Have you decided when you’ll be leaving for Sulani?
Prosperity: If I don’t leave soon…most of the summer will be over. My grandparents are returning tomorrow morning, and I’m thinking about just going with them.
Byron: *bothered* That doesn’t give us much time to spend together.
Prosperity: We just have to make sure to make the time we do have worthwhile.
Byron: How do we do that?
Prosperity: *nods towards a nearby closet* I have a few ideas…
I stand up and walk over to it. Byron follows.
Byron: What’s up with your obsession with closets?
Prosperity: It’s a convenient place to go when seeking some privacy. Am I wrong?
Byron: You’re not wrong, but –
While Byron is talking, I open up the closet and steps inside.
Prosperity: Are you coming…or are you going to stand out here and finish whatever comes after that “but”?
Byron: I was going to say—
Prosperity: Oh…just come on!
I take Byron by the arm and pull him into the closet with me. He shuts the door and begins to use his mouth for something other than talking.
Things get hot and heavy, and Byron begins trying to remove clothes.
Prosperity: Byron, wait. I don’t want my first time to be in some sweaty closet.
Byron: *deep sigh* Then you should have let me finish what I was about to say.
Byron opens the closet…
Prosperity: Wait…make sure no one is looking. The last thing I need is for someone to see me stepping out of a closet in public.
Byron opens the door wide enough to peek his head out.
Byron: No one’s looking this way.
Prosperity: Okay, hurry up, and get out.
After we’ve exited the closet…
Prosperity: Now, what were you about to say?
Byron: Don’t you think we’re a bit too old to be still making out in closets?
Prosperity: You have something else in mind?
Byron: Yeah, I do. There’s a motel not too far from here. We can go there.
A motel? He’s right…I’m grown now. And like Miracle said…we could do what the hell we want to do. We could go there.
I walk over to let Miracle and Rocio know that Byron and I are thinking about leaving. Before I get a chance to, Ro says something that throws me off a bit…
Rocio: You two actually are cute together.
Prosperity: Actually?
Something in her tone isn’t right. I see a flash of orange, but I ignore it until I can get the whole story.
Prosperity: What the hell does that mean, Ro? Is someone saying something different?
Rocio: Well…I uh, I have a confession to make. But you have to promise not to get mad.
Another flash of orange…only brighter this time. It mixes with the red lighting of the lounge…making it seem even more intense and increases my sense of uneasiness.
Prosperity: What is it, Ro?
Rocio: *almost inaudible* I sent that DM to you that one time.
Something in me knows exactly what DM she’s talking about, but I play dumb.
Prosperity: I’m not following you.
Rocio looks pained as she continues…
Rocio: You know…the one that said, “Stay away from –“
I finish for her…
Prosperity: – ” my man, b*tch.”
Rocio: *ashamed* Yeah…that one.
I almost can’t believe it. I thought that Byron was two-timing me. I even asked him about it, but it was one of my best friends trying to keep us apart.
Prosperity: What the hell, Ro? Why would you do that?
Byron walks over to check on me.
Byron: You ready to go?
Prosperity: In a minute…
I watch Rocio as she looks over at him. I don’t want to believe the desire I see in her eyes. Byron steps away, and Ro turns back to me and hangs her head in shame.
Rocio: I was jealous because I know he’d never want someone like me.
Prosperity: You like him? Why didn’t you tell me?
Rocio: I’ve had a crush on him for a long time, but he’s never looked at me the way he looks at you. I…I just hope that you and I can see past this and still be friends.
Prosperity: I can’t be your friend, Ro, if you’re secretly pining for my man.
Rocio: I’m not. I swear…it’s over. Please forgive me…
Prosperity: I’m going to need some time.
Rocio: Okay…I understand.
Rocio walks away. I turn my attention to her sister Miracle…
Prosperity: Did you know?
Miracle: *feigned innocence* Know what?
Prosperity: That Rocio wanted to take Byron from me?
Miracle: Maybe…*turns to eat her chips*
Prosperity: B*tch, did you know or not?
Miracle: Yeah…I was the one that told her to send you the message.
The reds and oranges slap me in the face as hard as the betrayal from my two best friends. I reach for a seat and sit down…
Prosperity: I’m glad I’m leaving for Sulani tomorrow if it means I never have to see you and your sister’s faces again.
Miracle shrugs her shoulders like it’s nothing and walks away with her stupid ass bowl of chips. I’m tempted to get up and slap them out of her hand, but Byron intercepts me without even knowing it.
Byron: You okay?
Prosperity: Let’s get out of here.
Byron: To the motel?
Prosperity: Anywhere but here or home.
Byron: Yeah, okay.
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
