Page 17 of Full Court Press

It was only my third day on campus, and already, I had homework and assignments that I’d missed since I returned late.

True State University was an HBCU founded by the late Edward True in the early 1900s. From what I read, he was once a slave who had to sneak into schools that only taught white people and gathered information to bring back to his family. He later became a free man and built this school when it was just a small building. Once the segregation ended in 1964, people from different states began to migrate to the South and attend TSU, which prompted him to have to expand it. It was now one of the largest schools in Texas and where most of the smart kids attended.

“I feel you.”

“Yeah, . . . I saw your face the other day when you had to be grouped with your enemies. I didn’t get a chance to ask, but why’d you walk out of class? Did them hoes say something to you?”

I smirked. “I thought you were trying to limit your curse words?”

“That was my first one for the day.”

“You said damn.”

She giggled. “Damn is not a curse word. That’s in the Bible.”

“So is ass and whore.”

“Well, did those whores say something to you?”

I smirked and shook my head before my smile faltered. “Of course, Sabrina had something to say out of her mouth. I honestly don’t want to deal with any of them. They think that just because they have money, that they don’t have secrets and problems like the rest of us.”

“Oooh, tell me the tea! I know you know something.”

A sly smile crossed my face. “What makes you think that?”

“Oh, please. This is your fourth year at this school and only my first. I know you know something.”

I shook my head and sighed. “Sabrina and I go way back. She’s from Detroit like me, and while we were never friends, I would see her around from time to time, and we’d hang out with the same people. She never acted like she does now. It wasn’t until her dad passed away, and her mom got his insurance money, did she inherit this bougie, ugly attitude. I guess she feels as if I’ll expose how her mom used to be a bottom bitch and how she came from humble beginnings.”

Braelyn gasped lightly as her eyes blew up in surprise. “Really?” I nodded. “I would have never been able to tell. She’s a walking Barbie.”

“Yeah . . . A blow-up Barbie.” Braelyn almost choked on her milkshake, and I tapped her back to help her out.

She laughed and waved me off. “Oh my goodness, Piper. You darn near killed me.”

“I’m just saying.” I shrugged. “I’m not one to judge people for what they do, but when you come for me, just be prepared to get the same energy you give me.”

Braelyn nodded. “I feel you.”

“Hey, Brae!” We looked up to see one of our classmates, Gennel and two other girls walking up.

“Hey, girl! This is my roommate, Piper. Piper, you know Gennel, and these two are Robyn and Jessica. They’re in my psych class.”

“Heyyy,” they all chimed in as I waved. I didn’t want to be too friendly with these chicks, because again, I had trust issues with meeting new people. But I would try to be nice unless they showed me different.

“You mind if we sit with y’all cool girls?” Robyn asked.

“I don’t. You mind, Piper?” Braelyn asked.

I shook my head. “Be our guests.”

They all took a seat.

“So where are you from?” Jessica asked me.

“Michigan.”

“Really? I have family that lives there. Which part?”