Rani Patel In Full Effect by Sonia Patel

Author:Sonia Patel
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781941026519
Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press
Published: 2016-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

HOLD UP, LEMME TAKE MY HOOPS OFF

The reverberating ring of the vintage silver-finish, wall-mounted school bell demands a vote in my mind—yes or no: power through and finish the yearbook senior class layout or chill near the banyan. Banyan chill time wins by a majority. In a hurry, I file away the photos and grab my books. I stroll down the open hallway dreaming up a sunny, expansive field. I’m lying in the tall grass holding a perfect white and yellow plumeria. Picking off one petal at a time.

He loves me, he loves me not.

With it’s five soft petals, Mark’s always going to love me. That’s when my beloved rides up shirtless on a white stallion…

By chance, I catch my reflection in the large window near the gym. My goofy face makes me look like Dopey. Lovesick Dopey. Who turns into Clumsy Dopey and runs into Emily Angara. Literally.

“Watch it!”

Our books fall into a mixed-up, jumbled heap. I kneel down real quick, separating the books, stacking Emily’s in a neat pile. I look up and notice we’re both wearing big gold hoop earrings. She looks pissed.

She smacks her gum. “Watch it, you butch slut.”

Butch. Ok. Whatever. But, slut?

I look up. “What’re you talking about?”

“No make like you don’t know.”

“No. Really. I don’t.” That seems to infuriate her more.

“Pono broke up with me because of you!”

He broke up with her? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m amazed.

She looks like a raging bull ready to charge. “No ack! I see you flirting with him.”

“Emily,” I appeal, “I’m not. We’re just friends.” I hold out her books hoping she’ll take them and hele aku.

“Shut up, you two-faced skank.” She knocks her own books out of my hands.

I can’t think of any good comebacks. And I can’t stop my eyes from filling with tears. I pick up my books ready to walk away in shame. I keep my head down hoping she won’t notice the watery evidence of hurt and embarrassment in my eyes.

But of course, she notices.

“Yeah, go on and cry. You think you so innocent, but you really jus’ one slut.”

I wipe my eyes under my glasses with my free hand. Her anger flares up again. She pushes me. My books drop, scattering. I’m stunned. She pushes me again. She takes off her hoops and crams them in the pocket of her tight jeans. By now I realize she’s ready to scrap.

I’ve never been in a fight before. I beg. “Come on, Emily. I’m sorry Pono broke up with you. But I didn’t do anything.” I back away from her. “Let’s not…”

Charging forward she shoves me hard. I stumble back. My back slams into the concrete wall. She rushes forward and rips my glasses off my face and flings them to the ground. I shield my face. She slaps and scratches at my chest and arms. I slide down the wall, trying to protect my face. Next thing I know I’m on the ground. And she’s on top of me, choking me with her small hands.

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