Left In The Dark

Chapter 4

New York City*~

"HERE we are. The Big Apple!" Kelly squealed jumping up and down in excitement.

I shook my head and laughed. We were on our way to the registration building of Fordham when another girl who looked about our age approached us.

"Umm excuse me; do ya'll know where the registration building is?" She asked trying to balance all the stuff in her hand. It looks like she already hit the college book store.

"Yeah, we on our way over dere right now." I answered politely.

"Cool. Mind if I walk with you guys there? This campus is ridiculous. They need a map in this bitch." She replied shaking her head.

Kelly and I both laughed in agreement. She wasn't lying. Hell the only reason we know where the building was, was because we had asked around previously ourselves.

"Sure." I replied as she turned around and followed us in the other direction.

"So I'm Beyoncé." I said introducing myself.

"And I'm Kelly." She also pitched in.

The girl smiled and nodded.

"I'm Michelle." She replied.

It became quiet for a second being that were we unfamiliar to each other, but Michelle soon broke the silence.

"So you guys aren’t from HERE are you?" She asked

Kelly and I shook our heads.

"Nope." We both replied.

"I could tell." She added

"Really? How?" I asked with raised brows.

She shook her head and laughed.

"Well first off I never heard a New Yorker tawlk like dis." She replied trying to put on her best southern drawl.

Kelly and I laughed noticing that our accent did stick out like a sore thumb. She chuckled as well.

"So where you guys from?" She asked when the laughter died down.

"Houston, Texas baby. Yeeeeehaaaaw." Kelly answered.

I palmed my face. Michelle and I laughed as Kelly pretended to square dance. I inched away from her so people wouldn’t think we were together. Kelly noticed and hooked my arm pulling me back.

“Oh don’t pretend like you don’t know me now Bey.”

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Michelle. I heard a mumbled “heffa” but I dismissed her with a light jab in the side.

“Yeah, we from Houston.” I replied.

"Cool." Michelle said.

It was weird because just like that we all CLICKED. It was comfortable, like Kelly and I knew Michelle for a long time. We all continued to talk and get to know each other as we searched for that damn registration building. In the meantime, we learned that Michelle was from Chicago herself and was attending Fordham to be a Business major, just like Kelly. I on the other hand intended to major in Studio Art. We finally found the building and headed inside to settle the dorm living situation and to get our class schedules. Fortunately for us Kelly and I were rooming together and Michelle was the next room down. Guess it was destiny for us all to hook up.
~~~~~~~

It took Kelly, Michelle, and I the whole weekend to get our rooms together. Our room: Kelly and I, was split right down the middle in two separate sections. Our theme was Silver and Gold and yes we took the time out to plan it all. If I was going to be living HERE for the next two semesters, I had to have a pimped out space. On my side of the room was the gold side of course. It contained a twin sized bed which I laid a white linen bed spread and a nice gold satin comforter with matching gold pillow cases. Next to my bed was a beige wooden mini dresser that came with the room. I arranged it with lots of pictures in golden frames. Since I couldn't paint the walls like I wanted to, I being my creative self used gold wall paper which I drew a vine like pattern with leaves, taking my time to make it look as realistic as possible and cut out as a stencil. I then placed the cut out design on the entire wall using a wet rag to make it stick like the box it came in said to do. It came out really beautiful if I could say so myself. It looked like some of the buildings I saw on campus that were draped in ivy leaves— it was where I got the inspiration. By my side of the window I hung a gold and white curtain and finally the floor had a simple, small, shaggy cream rug. Kelly's side was the mirror image of my side just like we designed except for the fact that her side was all silver. It felt like a glamorous version of the Chinese Ying and Yang. In the front area we set up a mini living room with the couch and 27' inch TV, courtesy of my father. After it was all done, our room was banging. I was exhausted. Kelly on the other hand was just a big ol' ball of energy. Most likely because her ass ain’t help to do a damn thing. I plopped on my bed with my face buried in my pillow as I listened to Kelly move around the room pulling things apart. I know this chick ain't tearing down the place after we I just got through organizing it was what was running through my mind.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a muffled voice through the pillow.

"I'm looking for something to wear." She replied sounding preoccupied.

"Wear for what?" I asked.

She didn't respond immediately and I just sighed annoyed by the fact that she was too busy to answer.

SLAP!

I shot up and rubbed my left butt cheek. "Owww Kelly!!"

"Gurl ya better pick ya head up before ya suffocate ya self." She replied holding a white halter top in her hand.

I rolled my eyes and sat up on my bed and rested my back against the wall. I continued to watch her as she grabbed a jean mini skirt from the closet. My eyebrows rose and a smirk appeared on my face.

"Who are you looking sexy for Ms. Kelly? Don't tell me you already got a date hoochie." I asked with a chuckle.

Knowing Kelly as well as I did, this girl doesn't hesitant to find her a hot guy to play with. She flipped me the bird before responding."Naw...well not yet." A smirk of her own appeared on her lips.

"Well where are you going then?" I asked again.

Just then Kelly pulled off the purple wife beater and shorts that she was wearing and I covered my eyes and screamed. She was standing in the middle of the room with just her thong on.

"Kelly if you don't cover up ya nasty itty bitty titties." I yelled peeking through my fingers.

She rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth.

"You act like ya ain’t neva seen breasts befo’."

"Ion care, hurry up and put ya clothes on." I commanded still hiding behind my fingers.

"What if I don't?" She asked walking closer to me.

"Kelly stop!" I yelled stifling a laugh.

She ran and jumped on top of me, pinning me down on the bed. She began to jiggle and gyrate and I busted out laughing.

"Ya know ya like it." She replied still shaking her 'barely-there's.

"Ok I don't even wanna know." I heard a voice say.

We both looked up to see Michelle standing in the door frame with her arms crossed, shaking her head and laughing. I managed to push Kelly off of me and kick her off my bed and onto the floor.

"You guys are crazy." She concluded taking a seat next to me on the bed.

"It ain't me; it's that chick ova dere." I replied pointing over to Kelly's direction.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed the halter top and put it on.

"Whateva." She simply replied.

"Anyway why aren't you dressed?" Michelle asked looking at my pajamas.

"Wait. Am I missin’ somethin’ or what?" I asked after noticing that she was dressed too.

She was wearing a long orange tank top that came down to her upper thighs with a pair of dark denim jeans, gold flats, a woven gold belt that draped loosely around her hips, a long, thin gold necklace and some bangles to match. Her hair was freshly flat ironed and rested below her shoulders. Her makeup was minimal; I would say a touch of lip gloss and some eyeliner.

"Didn't you see the fliers all ova the walls ‘bout the welcomin’ party dat's goin’ down in study hall tonight?" Kelly asked.

I shook my head oblivious to what they were talking. They both shook their heads simultaneously like I was a hopeless case.

"Wateva!” I spat at them. “we ain't even start school yet and ya'll already tryna party?" I was astonished and my expression reflected that.

They both looked at each other and shrugged.

"Yeah." They both looked at me like I was the crazy one.

Ain’t that some shit?

"So you coming or what?" Michelle asked.

I smiled and hopped off my bed, grabbing my towel I had hung on the door of my closet.

"You know this maaaaan!"

I slipped on some flip flops as they laughed and was out the door heading for the bathroom. Conveniently enough for us it was across from our room. I took a quick 10 minute shower and wrapped myself up in my towel and jetted back into the room before anyone could see me. I walked inside to find my outfit was already laid out on the bed for me. Kelly and Michelle were innocently whistling.

"Damn! Ya'll waste no time huh?" I asked looking at the yellow bandeau top, and dark blue skinny jeans with yellow stitching in them.

"Nope!" They both replied, giggling.

I simply rolled my eyes. "Ya'll lucky it's cute."

"Yeah yeah now hurry ya ass up!" Kelly yelled throwing her pillow at me.

With that said I was deodorized, dressed and out the door with my 2 girls.
~~~~~~~~

There was a huge mob at the entrance of the study hall building. People were all lined up and pushing to get inside. I didn't know it was going to be this serious. All 3 of us looked at each other shocked at the scene before while we joined the ridiculously long line. You could hear the music blasting from outside and people turned the waiting line into a party of its own. I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head at the foolery.

"This is crazy." Kelly pointed out.

"I know right! People ain't even payin’ attention to the line anymore. It's startin’ to move." I replied.

I looked over to Michelle who had a smirk on her face and a sparkle in her eye. I cocked my eyebrow and rested my hand on my hip.

"Whatchu up to Michelle?" I asked with my head tilted up. Like how a mother would to her up-to-no-good child.

"Come on." She grabbed Kelly's hand who in turn grabbed me.

Before my mind even had a chance to register anything we were snaking our way through the crowd and towards the front of the line.

"Guys, Ion think we shoul-"

I tugged out of Kelly's grasps and crashed into the back of a person who was directly in front of me. We all stopped dead in our tracks when he turned around. My breath got caught in my throat. He looked about 6’ 4, had dark eyes, smooth honey complexion, and nice full lips. I smiled shyly and looked back at Kelly and Michelle who were both grinning. I turned my attention back to him and smiled again.

"I'm...I'm sorry." I apologized for all 3 of us.

He folded his arms wearing a "shame on you" expression on his face.

"Trying to skip the line I see" He playful scolded.

I followed up with an innocent shrug of the shoulders. He pursed his lips. I bit mine.

"I'll let it slide this time but only cuz you’re cute.” He moistened his lips and jutted his chin ahead of him. “Go 'head and skip me."
I couldn’t stop staring at his lips. And he knew this because he would do subtle provocative things with them as he spoke. I was spellbound. He tilted his head to the side and smirked at me. He had a certain aura about him. It straddled between confidence and arrogance on a very thin line. But he pulled it off to where it was appealing. I was too consumed with my naughty thoughts that I didn’t notice Kelly trying to get my attention until a felt a stingy pain in my arm.

“Oww!” I grabbed my arm and looked at her. 

She looked at the boy and offered up a ‘thanks’ as she pulled me and Michelle ahead. He chuckled and motioned ahead of him. Pure amusement can be seen on his face and I knew it was because of my ‘deer-in-headlights’ moment.

Embarrassing.

We now stood in our new positions and we were now only a couple bodies away from the entrance. I flicked Kelly back and hit Michelle in her arm.

"Owww." She whispered rubbing her arm.

"I told ya'll that was a bad idea." I whispered back.

She grabbed hold of my face and turned my attention back to the guy we skipped and then back to her.

"Still think it was a bad idea?" She asked with a grin.

I quickly glanced back over my shoulder and my eyes connected with his this time. He smiled and winked and I faced forward, leaning into Michelle's ear.

"Nope!"

We all laughed as we finally entered the building. Before we knew it we were inside the building and the music was bumping even louder than it sounded outside which I thought was impossible, but I stood corrected. The room was jam packed with people. The DJ booth was directly in the front of the room. Against the walls were stacked tables and chairs that were there to clear the area and make room to dance. Different color balloons and streamers hung in the air and behind the DJ was a large banner saying "Welcome Back Students." Kelly, Michelle and I linked arms so we wouldn't get separated and headed towards the middle of the room where everyone else was already dancing. The DJ was cutting up the records and each new song only increased the hype— elevating the energy in the room to unspoken heights. That's my joint and Awwwwww shit could be heard simultaneously as each new and hotter song replaced its predecessor. I could feel the bass booming through me as we ventured deeper into the cesspool of grinding bodies. Eventually we settled into the crowd and joined in festivities. The three of us danced in own little group, creating our own safe zone. That was until a guy pulled Kelly away to dance with him. They dissolved into the crowd, disappearing from sight. I turned about to make a comment to Michelle about Kelly when I was met with no one to receive it.

“Dang! She got snatched up too!” I laughed saying that aloud to no particular person. They for damn sure don't waste any time. I shook my head and swayed my hips to the beat of Ciara’s ‘goodies’. I didn't mind dancing alone. Me, Myself, and I.

"Ayo! Ya'll havin’ a good muthafuckin’ time?!" The DJ yelled into the mic after cutting the music.

"Yeah!!!!" The crowd responded with loud roars. Some were banging on the DJ stand in approval and some clapped and whistled. Satisfied and with a cocky head nod the DJ came from behind his station and stood in front of it. The mic held high in his hand where he had to sort of lean back, he proceeded to toast the crowd.

"DO MY SENIORS RUN THIS MOTHAFUCKA?!!!!" He yelled.

"HELL YEAH!!" The presumed seniors shouted.

"Oh aight.” He replied back nodding and moving to stage left. ”DO MY JUNIORS RUN THIS MOTHAFUCKA?!!!"

"HELL YEAH!!!" They screamed though it was a little scanty. He took notice and flagged them off. “Fuck outta here!” He exclaimed while the majority of the crowd laughed and others boo-ed: the juniors. He continued on.

"DO THE SOPHMORES RUN THIS MOTHAFUCKA?!!!"

"HELL YEAH!!!!!!" People cheered. One girl was going especially bizerk drawing much attention to her.

“Yo somebody shut that bitch up, she gettin’ crazy out here son” The DJ laughed pointing her out. A bunch of ‘womp womps’ was screamed in her direction. I even had to chuckle at that happy that I wasn’t that chick. 

"Aight moving on…” He said now walking stage right, he pressed the mic to his mouth. “OR DO MY FRESHMAN RUN THIS MOTHAFUCKA?!!!"

"HELL YEAH!!!!!!" We all screamed.

“DO MY FRESHMAN RUN THIS MUTHAFUCKA?!!!!” He repeated indicating who won that competition.

Again we cheered, wooped, and hollered. “FUCK YEA!!!” I laughed as I distinctly heard Kelly's loud ass above all of us. The DJ nodded his head with satisfaction, walked back to his booth and threw on another record which happened to be one of my favorite songs. I threw my hands up in the air, going crazy until I felt someone take my hands into theirs and spin me around. I smiled when I recognized it was the guy we had tried to skip earlier in the line and he returned the gesture. No words were spoken between us and I simply turned my back to him began to dance. It just felt natural to dance with him. He held my body close to his and we moved together. His hands were firmly placed around my waist. I enjoyed the weight of his grip and pressed my ass harder against his crotch as I swirled, popped, and whined. “Oh shit ma, I see you” He said gruffly in my ear before he turned me around to face him. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. I couldn’t help but think about how high school already didn’t have anything on this. The parties were definitely way better. The boys…way finer.

There was a mini dance contest that the DJ initiated for a $20 prize. He joked about using it to buy school books knowing damn well it wouldn’t be spent in the damn college store. I laughed hysterically during the contest when some poor girl got boo-ed for her terrible attempt at booty popping. Almost right after the winner was announced and given the money a petty fight erupted when some guy stepped on another dude's sneakers while doing the A-town stomp. Of course we all ran over and crowded around to catch the altercation, but it didn't last too long. Just leave it up to black people to fight over the dumbest shit. When things cooled down the party went back on track and people got back to dancing. The guy from the line was with me the entire time, laughing, boo-ing, and dancing right becoming my unofficial designated dance partner. About a half hour had passed when two school safety cops were spotted making their way through the mosh pit of sweaty students. They walked up towards the DJ booth and whispered something in his ear. Suddenly the music came to a screeching halt and the whole crowd sighed and started boo-ing again. The cop took hold of the mic and a loud screeching noise from the feedback pierced through the crowd’s boos. I winced from the harsh sound and covered my ears.

"Sorry for busting you guys' party, I can see your having a good time but classes do start tomorrow morning for most people and it's getting late." One of the cops said.

I looked at my watch and checked the time. I was surprised to see it was already close to 3AM.

"So if you all would please exit the building and head for your dorms in an orderly fashion." The other cop added.

I loosened myself from the guy I was dancing with's hold and flashed him a quick smile before politely excusing myself from him in search of my wild friends. I haven’t seen them since we walked in. So much for sticking together. I looked around for Kelly and Michelle and spotted them chilling by the DJ booth.

"Damn rent-a-cops had to bust the party while it was gettin’ good." Kelly complained.

I giggled and grabbed her by the arm.

"Gurl get over it there will be more parties trust. Besides, ya one of the people who do have class in the mornin’." I reminded her.

"Whateva."

We followed the crowd out of the building and were on our way walking back to our dorms like everyone else...well almost everyone. Soon music could be heard playing again in the background and we all turned around to see where it was coming from. I busted out laughing when I realized someone started another party in the school parking lot blasting their car stereo.

"It's a damn shame." I replied shaking my head.

"Some people just don't know how to quit." Michelle shook her head, laughing herself.

After the laughter died, excluding the music in the background, silence fell between the three of us. I exhaled into the air and smiled.

"So Ms. Beyoncé I saw you getting down with that dude from the line." Michelle commented breaking the calming quiet.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Sooooooo." I teased sticking my tongue at her.

"Mmmhmmm I peeped dat too." Kelly added on.

"What's his name?" They both asked in unison then laughing afterwards at their shared nosiness.

I stopped walking and lightly chuckled to myself.

"What's so funny?" Kelly asked.

I shook my head before continuing. "Ya know what? Iono." I answered.

They both shook their heads in disbelief.

"You mean you danced with the guy all night and ain't even ask?" Kelly questioned trying to make sense out of what I had just confessed.

"Pretty much." I plainly put as we entered the building to our dorms.

We hopped into the elevator which took us to our floor and walked down the long hallway towards our rooms.

"Well I'm outta here like I'm bald headed." Michelle said before entering her room, leaving Kelly and I laughing hysterically.

"Where did we find that chick?" Kelly asked, opening our door.

"Ion even know." I answered as we entered our room.

Without hesitation I kicked off my shoes and crashed onto my bed. I was too tired and lazy to even take my clothes off. I was ready to fall asleep just like that. I turned off my light and crawled under my sheets.

"You gonna sleep in ya clothes?" She gasped disgusted.

I closed my eyes and smiled.

"Yep!" I answered.

"Lazy ass." She teased.

"Good luck with class tomorrow...MORNING!" I teased back.

I laughed when I heard her suck her teeth, but wasn't expecting a thrown pillow to my head.

"Well ouch." I replied throwing back the pillow.

"I’m 'bout to move in with Michelle cuz I can't keep takin’ this abuse." I joked.

"Shut up."

I giggled before finding a comfortable position under the sheets.

"Night Kells." I concluded with a yawn.

"Night my Bey."

I closed my eyes and sighed. "What was that guy’s name?" I thought to myself as I drifted off to sleep.