Don't hate the player hate the Game

We Cool?

(Zonnique POV)

UGGHH!! I f-cking HATE Ray! My hate for him is hotter than the burning flames of hell. Pause, Nique. Damn…that was deep. I unlocked the dance studio and flicked on the lights. I plugged my speakers into the wall, then put my iPod on shuffle. After that…? I let myself drift into the music…

“You just LEFT?” Craig asks. The final bell had rang. I had just came back from the studio. We were standing by Ty and my lockers.

 “Yes…” I said, nodding.

 “Niiique…” Craig whined. “You can’t do that.”

 “And why not? There was no way in HELL I was going back into the room.” I said.

 “Nique, what you need to do is stick up for yourself. You’re f-cking 17! And STILL letting people, cough cough, RAY, walk all over you.” Ty says.

 I got quiet. She was right. I sighed. “It’s hard.”

 “We know.” Jake, Craig, and Ty said. Then they group-hug me.

 I smile and hug them back.

 “If I find out that you left school again. I’m beating that a$$, got it?” Craig says.

 “Boy, please. Ain’t nobody scared of you.” I laughed.

 He smiled and nodded. “A’ight, Nique. Just watch.”

 “Aye, Zonnique. Can I talk to you real quick?”

 I turn around, Ray.

“Talk.” I shrug.

 He looked over my shoulder. “Alone.”

 “Whatever yo’ a$$ got to say to Nique, you can say to us as well.” Ty says.

 Ray rolled his eyes. “Zonnique?”

 I sighed. “It’s cool, y’all. I’ll meet y’all by Craig’s car.”

 They eyed Ray, but left.

 “What?” I asked, crossing my arms.

 “I’ll admit, my earlier apology wasn’t sincere. But, this one is. I’m sorry. I was just clownin’.” Ray says.

 I shrug. That’s all he ever does. Clown. “Whatever.”

 “So…?” He says.

 I left an eyebrow.

 “We cool?” Ray asks.

 “Whatever.” I repeat. “Are you switching partners?”

“I couldn’t if I wanted to. Mrs. G wants us to be partners.” Ray says.

 Great. I was really hoping he had switched. “Okay. So…when do you wanna meet up?”

 “Now?” Ray asks.

 “Can’t.” I said. “Tomorrow? Before or after school?”

 “Why not both? We’ll get more work done.” Ray says.

 Good point. “Okay. See ya.” I said, then proceeded to walk past him.

 “And…Zonnique?” He says.

 I turn around, walking backwards. “What?”

 “Where’s your Happy Place?” He asks, looking like he REALLY wanted to know.

 “Well, if I told you…you’d probably find a way to f-ck it up. Like you always do with something nice in my life.” I answered, truthfully.

 He looked down.

 I turned back around and walked out the door.