Spaces Between Us

Chapter Two: That one summer evening

"Zayelle! Who's gonna clean the mess you made in the bathroom?"

I freeze, hunched over my dressing table with my hair ties, bobby pins and lip liner strewn carelessly over it. "Give me a sec!"

I straighten out then stare at myself in my 6 foot tall mirror. Somehow I managed to finish dressing up at 4:20pm. Yes, I know Brady Sutton's invite is for 4pm but when you're a girl with 4C hair as long as mine, and near-perfectionism traits, you tend to take more time than necessary getting ready.

My hair is in space buns. From the front, two twists fall over my forehead down to my chin. I'm wearing a dull yellow summer dress I borrowed from Diane two months ago that I still haven't returned and my brown sandals. I nearly entered the mirror while I swooped my baby hairs into place, my tongue poking out the corner of my mouth in heightened concentration.

I dash out of my room and into the bathroom just across. I walk in on Aunty Mae already wiping the counters down. Working extra hard to get the flax seed gel and leave-in-conditioner stains out. She's already swept away the broken pieces of hair that fell to the floor.

"I promise I was just about to clean that up."
I say feeling really bad.

She eyes me up and down but her face breaks into a smile. "Never mind that. Where are you going anyway? It's a Sunday evening and you're dressed all pretty."

"Waldo's is having an end of summer carnival thing." I try to sound as disinterested as possible because my aunt has the ability to sniff out both BS and over excitement from miles away. "I guess it might be fun."

She narrows her eyes and I can tell her senses are already at work. "When will Diane and Laine be here to pick you up?"

My heart rate spikes at the mere mention of their names. "Uh, I'm actually... meeting them there!"

"Is there a boy involved in this by any chance?"
I stall, searching for a response by coughing.
"Need some water, honey?"

I shake my head then say, "Even if there is a boy, I'm not going because of him."

This is what I try to convince myself is the truth. I repeat over and over in my head that I'm going to the carnival to make up for all the fun I couldn't have during summer.

I spent the better part of my vacation writing my college essays and working on building my extra curriculars. I volunteered at public libraries and summer camps as a junior counselor.

I spent weekends helping out at food banks and cleaning public spaces with environmental groups.

My going to Waldo's has nothing to do with my curiosity about Brady Sutton...

"Mmh hmmmmm." Aunty Mae makes a disbelieving sound.

"Aunty Mae..." I whine.

She laughs. "I'm glad you're finally doing something non-school related."

"I went to a party last night." I defend.

"And I'm sure you locked yourself up in the bathroom. Probably going over your college essays."

"Wrong!" I say feeling victorious. "I was actually in the backyard."

She bursts out laughing.
"Girl, do you think that makes the situation better?"

I almost add that I was talking to a boy but the last thing I need is for her to be in my business digging around for clues as to who it was.
After today I won't talk to Brady again.
So there's no point in getting her hopes up.

She releases an exaggerated sigh. "So, how are you getting to Waldo's?"

"The bus."

"Carnivals require money."
She side eyes me.