Percy
Saying I was struggling while trying to stay focused on my purpose was an understatement because a nigga was tired.
If it wasn’t Xavier and me arguing about some bullshit or the big brothers wearing my ass out, it was me trying to find a way to be around Royce.
She hadn’t said much to me since dropping me off on campus a while back.
I tried asking, but she blew me off, so I went back to what I knew, and that was Phoebe.
When I asked her about Xavier, she gave me the same line she always had: I knew the rules.
But tonight it was my rules. I didn’t want to be a hating-ass nigga and ask him, so I said nothing.
I figured if she were fucking with him, it would’ve been obvious because he didn’t seem like the type to hide a shorty, especially one like Phoebe.
Besides, I wasn’t even supposed to be messing with anyone anyway.
I waited in the Mercier building for her to show up.
I was becoming tired of the place because I figured at some point she would invite me into her bed.
When I saw her coming around the corner toward the building, a smile eased on my face.
I watched as she glanced around nervously before coming toward the door.
When she came inside, I went to hug her, and she pushed me off.
“I can’t tonight. I figured I’d tell you in person rather than just not saying anything at all.”
“Fuck you mean? I haven’t had that pretty little pussy for a week now. Are you backing out?”
I could tell something was shifting in her because this had never been a problem. She fumbled with her hands. “Shit, Percy, I—”
I tossed my hand over her mouth as I pulled her to one of the rooms, dragging her in with me. “Shh,” I told her.
When the sound of Dio and the other guys came toward the building, I knew I had to hide her. She swung on me. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Phoebe, please. I’m not even supposed to be fucking with anyone. I’m trying to join Chi Kappa Chi, so please be quiet. When I walk out, give me a few minutes, then come out and leave. I will get up with you.”
“So, you’re trying to be a frat boy. That’s new.”
“Well, so is you standing me up all these times,” I whispered. “Why won’t you let us be a thing? Huh? What’s so bad about me?”
She got quiet then. “I don’t want a boyfriend,” she whispered back.
When the sounds of the guys faded, I slowly opened the door. “I knew you were on some creepy—” Dio’s word trailed off when Phoebe came out of the room behind me.
She looked at all the guys before meeting Dio’s gaze. It was like a switch went off behind his eyes. Phoebe hurried out of the building. I turned to the guys. Joshua waved me off as he walked away.
“Nigga, you’re tired.”
“That first week wasn’t enough for you. Stay on some bullshit,” Quan said as he followed behind Joshua and Brian.
Dio, however, stood there. “What was that?” he asked.
“A girl.”
“Duh, nigga! Y’all fucking or what?”
“Why? You want her or some shit?”
He sucked his teeth. “Hell nah. I got a girl, and if I caught her doing some shit like that, nigga, it would have been off with your fucking head!” he gritted. “I don’t trust you, and I damn sure don’t trust her. It ain’t my business, but you need to find yourself a new girl.”
I shoved his ass. “Nigga, what? You fucking her?” I gritted.
Dio stumbled forward and turned around. He drew his fist back and swung, hitting me right in the mouth. “Fuck nigga, I told you I don’t want her.”
Whap!
“Next time you touch me, frat or no frat, I will blow yo’ shit back!” he barked.
He and I began tussling down the dusty halls until the sound of a whistle stopped us. “The fuck is going on in here?” Big Brother Freaky Zekey shouted.
Big Brother Spitta bellowed a laugh. “Oh, niggas want to fight.”
“Down!” Jesaiah barked as he entered the building.
Dio and I dropped into a push-up position. Dio’s head slowly rolled my way. Fuck you, bitch nigga, he mouthed.
“Down!” Jesaisah shouted again. “It seems like the Slimes forgot what Chi Kappa Chi stands for!”
I blew out a sharp breath. “No, Dean Big Brother God’s Gift, we didn’t!”
The tips of his shoes sat beneath my chin. “Well, tell me what I want to hear.”
Dio and I shouted in unison. “Courage, discipline, community, leadership, brotherhood!”
“Go get those other niggas,” Jesaiah said to the other brothers.
He squatted down between Dio and me. “You slime-ass niggas will pay for this, and your brothers will suffer too. Number Seven, what are the principles, and make sure you add my name to that shit,” he gritted as his eyes became fixed on Dio.
I watched as Dio’s face became angry. “Courage, discipline, community, leadership, brotherhood! Dean Big Brother,” he paused.
“I don’t hear you, Slime! Again!” he barked in his face.
Dio’s arms shook. His eyes became focused ahead, and the veins in his face protruded. I knew he didn’t want to say it, but I also knew that Jesaiah didn’t like him for some reason, so I jumped in. “Dean Big Brother God’s Gift. I will carry my brother!”
Jesaiah turned toward me like I had lost my mind. This was a part of becoming, right? Picking up the slack for your brother. However, my best friend was turning into the enemy as his eyes narrowed in on me while speaking to Dio.
“Number Seven, give me fifty.”
With each push-up Dio completed, I could tell he grew angrier.
His face shook as a deep red color fought its way through his brown skin.
He didn’t look at Jessiah or me, but rather straight ahead as he pumped each push-up until he was done.
Jesaiah turned to me, still speaking to Dio.
“Number Seven, carry your fucking brother.”
“Nigga, what?” I mumbled, confused.
There was no way Dio was going to carry my big ass. Now I knew this nigga Jesaiah was losing his mind. He moved closer to me, damn near sizzling in the mouth. His head turned toward Dio.
“I said Number fucking Seven needs to carry his brother. Do we have a problem, Number Six?” he spat as he cut his eyes at me.
I knew Jesaiah was doing this shit on purpose. I now felt bad that I let my emotions get the best of me because even though we all should have been suffering, it was Dio who was taking the blows.