ZURI

Walking into Ms. A's class, I notice a few students lingering behind after the bell had already rung. A group of students were having an intense conversation in the back of her classroom. The volume continues to get louder and louder. Soon all you hear is shouting coming from the other side of the room.

"Hey! Hey! Cut out all that noise!" A demanding voice booms over the chaos. Their African accent helps me identify the voice as my AP Lang teacher Ms. A.

Ms. A's off-white jumpsuit complements her mocha complexion, as she rises from her organized desk. Her black heels click against the tiled floor, as she makes her way toward the noisy group. Ms. A's jet black straight hair that stops just above her behind, sways from side to side as she continues to walk.

Many of the lingering guys in the classroom are put in a trance from watching her. Mrs. A is truly beautiful. She's also the only teacher I know that wears heels to school every day. I still don't understand why she has to dress like a runway model every time she steps into this school. She told me once that as a black woman -- image is important. She also told me that you should always present the best version of yourself.

On top of being wise and beautiful, Ms. A also looks very young. I know she has to at least be in her mid-thirties. Although, she could fool you to think she's at least nineteen.

I know! That's how young she looks. She also has these gorgeous grey eyes that makes her look unique. She passed these grey eyes down to her daughter as well; A.K.A, my best friend Ashanti.

When she finally reached the group she shouted, "You're dismissed! The bell has already rung. What are you guys still doing in my classroom? It is not lunch -- bringing all that noise in here! I know your parents or legal guardians raised you better than that! Don't come to my classroom with all that loud noise again! Like this is one of your basketball games! Do I make myself clear?" She rants.

"Yes Ms. A," They all say in unison. All their faces were plastered with fear and their skin turned so pale.

"Now get out of my classroom before I call all of your parents!" The group scurried toward the classroom door in fear.

"Period Ms. A! Let them know!" Another voice jeered from behind me. Ms. A rolls her eyes at the person. She then makes her way to her desk while murmuring something in her African language. She does this a lot when she's irritated...which is every day.

I bet that was Maya who said that.

Tilting my head in the direction of the voice, I notice Maya's crazy butt standing in the doorway. Her bun looks a little disheveled causing me to worry. I really hope Mason got to her in time.

The noisy group walks past Maya, sending her death glares. Maya just snickers and waves goodbye to them. This girl....

Maya finally notices me and speed walks in front of me. "Ok Zuri, what's the tea?" She demands.

"We have to wait for Shanti and for the classroom to clear out." I remind her.

Maya nods in understanding and takes a seat at a nearby desk. She props her feet on the table before Ms. A protests. "Little girl! Were you raised in a barn? I know you are not putting your dirty feet on my clean desk!"

"Sorry Ms. A," Maya grumbles, removing her feet, pulling out her phone, and browsing through her apps.

Suddenly, I'm face to face with someone gripping a camera. "And now, we're face to face with the beautiful, sensational....Zuri Taylor!" Announces a deep voice putting a smile on my face.

This camera in my face, plus that alluring deep voice can only mean one thing. The person standing in front of me is....

Tilting my head up, I notice that the most gorgeous dark-skinned hotty in the school staring at me. His chocolate eyes bare into mine. The gorgeous man's mocha lips stretch into an alluring smile, exposing the slight gap between his pearly white teeth. His incoming beard looks freshly lined up along with his low cut lining. Although I can't see over his head because he's too tall, I bet his waves are swimming too. The diamond stud on his ear twinkled at me. The tall chocolate angel released his grip on his camera and let it dangle from the fabric around his neck.

(Just pretend he has waves....and a slight gap.  LOL)  

"Hi Antonio." I greeted while sending him a smile back.

"Hey Zuri. What you doin' in here?" He questioned. Antonio is one of my theatre friends....well kinda. He records all of our plays and musicals. Over the years, I've learned that he's really passionate about filming.

Shoot...he should be. He makes phenomenal videos and I'm not just saying that because I lik-

Umm....think he's a good person. The demand for his filming is high at this school. He's always recording at social events and makes a lot of profit from what I hear.

"Oh, I'm just here to talk to Ms. A," I half-lie. My fingers unconsciously start twirling the ends of my dyed brown dreads, that cascade down to my waist.

"Oh cool." He states while staring at me. I try to say something to prolong the conversation, but nothing wants to come out of my mouth. My mind is blanking from his beauty.

Idiot! Say something!

An awkward laugh ends up escaping my mouth before I glance at the floor. Why am I so weird?

"So are you goin' to the auditions tonight?" He asks breaking the silence.

Sighing I answer, "Yeah, Mrs. WIlliams made me the choreographer, so I have to go see my potential dancers."

"Oh, that's what's up. I can't wait to see you kickin' those legs up and leapin' across the stage." He jokes. To add effect, he attempts to do a pirouette but almost trips over his feet. A laugh escapes my lips and a deep chuckle is soon heard from Antonio as well.

"Oh shut up," I say and shove Antonio's chest as he continues to laugh. "You have two left feet while you're laughing," I add.

"Well then maybe you can teach me how to dance sometime." He offers while biting his lower lip. Lord Jesus....

"Maybe." I giggle while staring at the ground again.

"I'm just messin' wit' ya Zuri. All jokes aside, I know you gonna kill the choreography." He complements making me smile. Man, why is he so sweet?

"Thank you." I chirp, still avoiding eye contact. Great! Now you sound like an idiot!

Antonio's hand reaches to tuck my loose dreads behind my ear. His thumb accidentally brushes my cheek in the process, causing my heart rate to increase. I hope he doesn't notice how fast it's beating.

"No problem." He murmurs before his eyes focus on my lips. Clearing his throat and dropping his hand he adds, "Plus, I forgot to say that I was gonna be at auditions tonight too."

Yes! My night just got better!

"Oh. What are you doing for black history? A documentary?" I question while praying he can't detect the excitement in my tone.

"Yeah, Mrs. Williams asked me to do that, but she also wanted me to record auditions tonight."

"What? Why?"

"I don't even know. All I know is that as long as I get paid, we all good."

"And that's on period." Maya interrupts. Antonio chuckles at Maya while I send her a glare.

"Maya, what it do?" He nods to Maya, while they do some weird handshake.

"Sup nigga." She nods back, causing my eyes to bulge out of their sockets. Did she just say that to him?

'Maya!' I mouth at her accusingly while Antonio's back is turned to me.

'What' she mouthed back. I was gonna send her an eye-roll when Antonio said, "Hey Ashanti."

Ashanti?

It is then that I noticed Ashani sitting in front of Maya's desk. She waves at me, but her grey eyes are laughing at me as well. She is literally the exact replica of Ms. A. It's quite scary at times.

"When did you get here?" I ask Ashanti.

"A minute ago. You were just a little...'distracted," she paused to glance at Antonio, "To notice." She continued. Both Maya and Ashanti were now smirking at me.

Flicking my hand under my chin, I send them the sign language version of 'F you.' They both snickered while Maya flipped me off. Why are they so embarrassing?

"Well, I should get goin' anyways," Antonio announces. "Ms. Gorgeous over here," He pauses glancing at me, "Is gonna make me late for class." I quickly stare at the floor to hide my excitement. HE JUST CALLED ME GORGEOUS!

"You've got one minute till the bell rings Antonio. I'll just write you a pass." Ms. A announces.

"Thank you ma'am." Antonio professed while walking over to her. Ms. A looks up at me and sends me a smirk before proceeding to sign his pass.

Why is everyone so embarrassing today?

"By ladies," Antonio announces before reaching the door. "Zuri." He nods.

"See ya." I wave and flash a grin. He smiles back at me and exposes is glorious teeth again before exiting into the hall.

"Mmm." I hear Maya playfully gibe. Looking around, I notice everyone still smirking at me.

"That was interesting," Ashanti snickered.

"Very." Her mother adds as well.

"I hate you all." I groan.

"Well go on and get you some of that finnnnnnnne chocolate," Maya whooped.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I lie. Everyone looks at me like I'm stupid.

"Nigga -" Maya starts.

"What did I tell you about saying that word Maya?" Ms. A scowled.

"Sorry Ms. A." Maya mumbled. "What I meant to say was girl -"

"Ok, anyways let's get back on track." I interrupt.

"Yeah, and why are you ladies in my classroom wasting my prep time? This is my break not your social time." Mrs. A accuses by her desk.

"Shanti didn't tell you? I have tea Ms. A." I proclaim.

"Oh then gather around my desk and do tell." She beams while clapping her hands together.