Chapter Twenty-One
As I walk down the stairs, my hand shakesagainst the railing. Below, Davi watches me. When our eyes connect, my heart thumps hard.
In the movie She’s All That, Laney Boggs, the awkward and unpopular art nerd, receives a makeover for her date with the school’s hotshot, Zach Siler. Her reveal as she comes down a flight of stairs is gradual. First, her shoes appear—red, chunky-heeled peep toes—and then her bare legs that move in a slow stride. “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer, one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, plays in the background; it complements the sweet moment perfectly. When Zach, eagerly waiting at the base of the stairs, finally sees the full reveal—Laney in a little red dress—he inhales deeply, and his mouth falls open just a little.
This moment, the one I am somehow experiencing, feels strangely similar to that scene. In my head, the perfect soundtrack, “Somebody’s Son” by Tiwa Savage and Brandy, plays. The chorus is on repeat as I come down the stairs. Everything is cinematic; it’s a movie-perfect moment where I—a dark-skinned girl with box braids and a non-American accent—am the star, alongside a boy with hazel-green eyes and a golden-brown complexion.
Air gathers in my chest when I come face-to-face with Davi.
“Enore, you look…” He sucks in a deep breath. “Incredible.”
I beam as heat sneaks up my cheeks. “Thank you. So do you.”
After glancing at his outfit—dark blue jeans and a white T-shirt—he shrugs. “Nothing compared to you.”
“I’d say,” Bethany adds, glaring at Davi’s casual yet well-coordinated outfit.
“You guys should probably head out,” Sybil says as she opens the front door.
“Are you ready?” Davi asks.
I nod but hesitate before walking through the door with him. “Esosa, what are you going to do while I’m gone?”
“I think I’ll chill here with Sybil and Bethany. Play around with some makeup.” She glances at the two girls. “That’s if they don’t mind.”
“Hell no we don’t,” Bethany shouts. “Like, your makeup skills are next level. Please let my face be your canvas. I’m going live on TikTok in a bit. I’ll totally give you a shout-out.”
There you have it. Esosa’s unintrusive advertising, paying off.
She smiles sweetly at Bethany, then turns to me with a smirk. “Have fun. And you…” She scowls at Davi. “Remember what I said.” Her tone is serious, threatening even. “Remember every word.”
“Trust me,” Davi says, chuckling nervously. “I’ll never forget.”
As we walk through the door, I turn around to look at Sybil, Bethany, and my sister. They’re smiling like proud parents sending their child off to college. Thank you, I mouth to them. Because they all played a part in making tonight happen.
At the curb, Davi opens the passenger door for me. Inside the car, I glance at him.
“What did my sister say to you?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just know she loves you very much.”
I nod, satisfied with that answer.
“By the way, I was surprised when you texted me to pick you up at Sybil’s. Why not your place?”
“Oh.” I clear my throat. “That.” Telling the boy I like I’m not allowed to date is a little embarrassing, especially when said boy has a car and far more freedom than me. Regardless, I muster the nerve. “My mom. She’s sort of against me dating while in high school. Basically, I’m not allowed to.” I chuckle awkwardly. “But I really didn’t want to miss our date, so I had to be a little creative.”
He nods thoughtfully, then watches me with a playful glint in his eyes. “And exactly how creative were you?”
Davi starts the car, and as he speeds up the road, I tell him all about Esosa’s brilliant plan.