| Friday, October 28, 2005 |
| CHAPTER 8
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The students of Caffco University went about their lives, as they should. They went to classes. They ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They talked to their friends, called their parents, and made new friends. Life went on. Paula and Rick were getting along well. Rick continued to minister to the students whenever he got a chance. Paula continued to wonder why he kept witnessing to people and people kept rejecting him. Colt was a bit sad because Kourtnee had not called him again. He had started to go by her Chemistry Lab on several occasions, but he never did. Kourtnee had wanted to call Colt, but she was so busy with her classes, especially Chemistry, she didn't get the chance. Life on the college campus went on.
One of Paula's friend's sorority was hosting a dance at the Student Center. She was planning on going to the dance. Paula decided to invite Kourtnee. After Business Statistics class, Paula said, "Hey Kourtnee, what are you doing Friday night?" Kourtnee answered, "Nothing, Why?" Paula reached into her bag and grabbed a flyer and gave it to Kourtnee. Paula said, "There is a dance at the Student Center. You can stop by if you want to." Kourtnee looked at the flyer. She said, "I'll think about it." Paula laughed at her and said, "Come on now. I am sure that you could use a little fun. You need to come over to the Student Center." Kourtnee smiled at her. She didn't know if she was going to the dance or not.
It was Friday night. Kourtnee had changed clothes 4 times trying to find the right outfit. She wasn't sure what to wear. She had a pile of clothing lying on her bed. She looked at all the clothes and then began to hang them up. She picked out a pair of black pants and a black shirt. She decided to wear that to the dance. She cleaned up and then got dressed. She put on her black heels and some silver jewelry. When she looked in the mirror, she looked fabulous. She grabbed her stuff and headed for the dance. Kourtnee walked over to the Student Center. There were a lot of students walking around the campus, so she felt safe walking to the Student Center.
Kourtnee found the place where the dance was being held. She heard someone call her name. She looked around and it was Paula. Paula walked over to her and said, "Hey, girl. I'm glad you came. Are you ready to go in?" Kourtnee said, "Yea, I suppose." Paula escorted Kourtnee to the door. The guy at the door said, "$10.00 each." Paula looked at Kourtnee and asked, "Can you cover me?" Kourtnee looked at this girl that she did not know. Kourtnee wasn't about to pay her way into the dance. Kourtnee said, "What?" The guy at the door said, "When ya'll get that together, come back. Watch out so I can let other folk in." Kourtnee and Paula moved out of the way. Paula said, "I need you to cover me, right now." Kourtnee frowned and said, "Why should I? We are not friends." Paula worked her neck and said, "I'll give it back to you, girl." Kourtnee was half tempted to go home, but she had gotten all dressed up, so she didn't leave. She looked at Paula, made a face, and then grunted, "Whatever, come on." Kourtnee got to the door, gave the guy $20 and went into the dance.
When she walked into the dance, the music was loud and thumping. People were out in the middle of the floor dancing and having fun. Kourtnee looked around for Paula, but Paula wasn't anywhere to be found. Kourtnee got upset and figured that she would have to wait until Monday to say something to Paula about the $10. Kourtnee walked around the room for a few minutes. It was dark in the room and the little light that was provided was just good enough for you to tell if the person you were talking to was male or female. Kourtnee looked around the room to see if she could recognize anyone. But, she didn't see anyone she knew. She stopped and stood up against the wall. She decided to stay for 30 minutes or so and then go home.
A tall skinny guy walked up to Kourtnee. He leaned and whispered in her ear, "Do you wanna dance?" She looked at him and then said, "Ok." They danced together for three songs. He was a good dancer. He stared at Kourtnee the whole time he danced with her. It did feel good to be having fun. Kourtnee was enjoying herself. After the third song, he walked her back over to the wall and then walked away.
Before Kourtnee could lean back on the wall, a tall stocky guy walked over to her and asked her to dance. She agreed and went and danced with him. The second song the DJ played was a slow song. The guy put his arms around Kourtnee’s waist and pulled her close to him. He had pulled her in too closely. She backed up from him a little bit. He looked at her and kept on dancing. The DJ played another slow song. Kourtnee didn't want to dance with the guy again. She said, "I am going to sit this on out." He frowned at her and said, "Whatever." She was half way across the room when someone grabbed her arm from behind and spun her around. When her eyes met the person who had spun her around, it was Martin. He put his arms around her and tried to pull her close. She stiffened her body and looked at him. He leaned in and said, "I suppose you are still mad at me." She twisted her lip and crinkled her nose. He whispered, "I'm sorry I was late." He flashed her a smile. She rolled her eyes at him. He tried to pull her close again. This time she let him. They danced on the slow song and two songs after that. While they were dancing, Martin whispered in her ear, "I like your outfit. That black is working for you. You look great." Kourtnee blushed as Martin's warm breath breezed into her ears.
Martin walked Kourtnee to the outside of the dance floor. He was trying to talk to her when I guy walked up and asked her to dance. Martin took offense and said, "Don't you see us talking, fool." The guy ignored Martin and asked Kourtnee to dance. Martin moved like he was going to grab the guy. Kourtnee stepped in Martin's path. She told the guy, "Not right now." The guy walked off in a huff.
Martin and Kourtnee talked for a while longer. Martin walked off to go talk to someone else. When he left, the guy that had asked Kourtnee to dance earlier came back over and asked her again. She said okay.
Kourtnee ended up dancing most of the night. Instead of staying 30 minutes, she ended up staying for the whole dance. She hadn't realized how late it was. She looked around for Paula, but couldn’t find her. Kourtnee went outside to see if she could see her outside. Finally, Kourtnee heard someone call her name. It was Paula. Paula asked, "How did you get here?" Kourtnee responded, "I walked.” Paula asked, "Where do you stay?" Kourtnee answered, "In Caffco Court Apartments." Paula said, "I'll give you a ride home." Kourtnee said, "Ok. I hope you don't think that makes up for the ten dollars." Paula laughed loudly.
Paula walked around for a few more minutes speaking to people. She would introduce Kourtnee to the people as she talked to them. Most of them overlooked Kourtnee and kept on going. Finally, Paula said, "Come on. Let’s get up outta here.” They walked to the parking lot. People were speaking to Paula left and right. Kourtnee asked, "Do you know all those people?" Paula shook her head and said, "Girl, please. Naw I don't know all those people. People just never seem to forget me." She laughed hard at what she had said. Kourtnee kind of giggled.
They had finally reached Paula's car. It was a white Pontiac Grandville. It had a couple of dents in it, but it appeared to be in good shape. Kourtnee got in the car after Paula unlocked the door. The door creaked as she opened it. Paula laughed and said, "Girl, I gotta get some oil on that door one of these days." Kourtnee smiled. They started out of the parking lot. Paula asked, "You wanna go get something to eat?" Kourtnee grimaced and said, "I suppose I gotta cover that, too." Paula laughed as if Kourtnee had told the funniest joke ever before she said, "Girl, yea. I'll get you back." Kourtnee shook her head.
The two young ladies went to Franklin's Eatery. It stayed open late on Fridays and Saturdays. It wasn't unusual to see students at the restaurant this late. Kourtnee and Paula finally were seated. The waitress was slow getting to the table. The place was jam-packed. The waitresses were running around frazzled and almost panicked.
Kourtnee tried to talk to Paula to pass the time. "Where are you from?" Paula scrunched her eyebrows. "Huh?" Kourtnee shook her head, "Never mind." Paula laughed. It wasn't any use trying to talk in the crowded noisy restaurant. They tried two more attempts to talk, but it was of no use.
They waitress finally brought their food to them. They ate in relative silence. Kourtnee paid for the food. Kourtnee and Paula left the restaurant and headed for Kourtnee’s apartment after they got into the car.
They arrived at Kourtnee’s apartment. Just as Kourtnee was about to get out of the car she said, "I suppose I owe you gas money, too." Paula laughed loudly, "Girl, please. You ain’t even funny. Naw, you don't owe me any gas money." Kourtnee looked at Paula, "Don't forget my money." Kourtnee smiled. Kourtnee got out of the car before Paula could respond and walked up to her apartment. Paula drove off on her way.
Kourtnee walked into her apartment. She was tired. She had never stayed out that late before. She wanted to just get in the bed, but she made herself take a shower and change into her bed clothing. She finished preparing for bed. She laid down in her bed. She went to sleep shortly after her head hit the pillow.
Paula reached her room. She knew that Rick had probably called her 20 times. He was going to have a fit if he found out that she had gone to the dance. That’s why she didn't tell him in the first place. She looked at the cheap answering machine she owned. The light was blinking. She knew that most of the messages were from Rick, so she didn't even check the machine. She took a long hot bath. She dozed off once while she was in the tub. The ringing of the phone woke her up. She didn't move from her comfortable spot.
Finally, Paula got out of the shower. She put on her pajamas and laid down in her bed. She should have called Rick, but it could wait until later on. She was tired. She didn't tell Rick that she was going to the dance. She had told him that she was hanging out with a friend. It wasn't a total lie. She did hang out with Kourtnee. Anyway, she knew that he was going to call her a heathen because Treshon was preaching somewhere and Rick had wanted her to go with them. She just didn't want to go to church. Treshon would have called her a rebellious viper. He had done it before. Paula had almost hit him. If Rick hadn't stepped in between the two of them, Evg. Brandon Treshon would have been getting up off of the ground. Paula was glad that Rick wasn't as crazy as Treshon. She knew that she was going to hear a sermon or two. She didn't want to go to bed after being fussed at. She went to sleep after she prayed. |
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