One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite

Author:Maika Moulite
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Published: 2020-10-19T18:41:29+00:00

21

SHAQUERIA

TUESDAY, APRIL 17—

THE DAY OF THE ARREST

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Darius’s long arms wrapped around me tightly, pulling me into a big hug. A spiderweb. His embrace was meant to comfort, but I wasn’t foolish enough to allow myself the false sense of security even for a second. I looked over his shoulder as I stiffly returned the unannounced display of affection, sure the busy people walking by and half paying attention thought he was my older brother or something. I tried not to flinch when he cupped my cheek and patted it. A reminder. A warning.

“I just wanted to wish you luck as you wait to hear back about that role you were trying out for. And give you a little something for you to grab a bite to eat,” Darius said gently as he slipped me a crisp twenty-dollar bill. “You should try In-N-Out. It’ll be the best thing your country self has ever tasted. And there’s just enough time to get it before you head over to where you’re supposed to be.”

I nodded rigidly at his unexpected “generosity” and thanked him. Darius didn’t say another word as he walked away. He stepped up to a black SUV I hadn’t noticed was idling a few feet from where we stood. I watched as he swung open the door on the passenger side and hopped in. Darius rolled down the window and waved his hand at me, a terse goodbye, and drove off.

I rattled out a shudder. I knew the game he was playing then; I’d had a foster mom play it too. Mess with your prey’s head by being cruel and kind. They’d never know what to expect from you and stay in check. I tried not to think about the moment when the nice act inevitably fell away and revealed the gleaming teeth of a wolf swaddled in sheep’s clothing, finally unleashed and ready to rip me to shreds.

Another Thatcher Academy hopeful exited the building, the expression on her face clear that her audition hadn’t gone well. But mine had, if the casting directors’ reactions were any indication. I had turned it around. And I wouldn’t let Darius take that euphoria away from me. I glanced down at the twenty in my hand, and my stomach growled as if on cue. There was a lot about LA that was blown up to unimaginable proportions, but everyone was right about In-N-Out. And it was the perfect way to celebrate this win.

The restaurant wasn’t too far, so I walked, no, floated down the sidewalk to my destination. The air seemed clearer. The sky bluer. This was where I was meant to be. There was a freedom to success, to knowing that I was damn good. My life was going to be bigger than what any one of those people I left behind in Mississippi expected from a girl like me. They would never forget my name. And countless more would soon learn it. Shaqueria.

I just knew it.

It wasn’t long before I was seated with my order, a #1 combo with a chocolate milkshake.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.