The Scammer(6)

Kammy finishes pin curling her wig and hugs her knees. “Guys . . . tomorrow’s it. First day of classes!”

“Anything I should know?” I ask. “I haven’t even taken a tour around campus yet.”

Between the last-minute decision to attend and battling my parents, I missed most of freshman orientation. Our RA gave me a crash course of the map in her room but wasn’t much help past that.

Vanessa stuffs her pizza crust in her mouth. “Alright, here are the main things I’ve picked up: First, the cafeteria food is garbage. Absolute trash!”

“I heard the best time to go is dinner,” Loren adds. “That’s when the athletes meet up. But if the café is crazy bad, then we’re better off just snacking here.”

“Number two,” Vanessa continues. “Everybody chills in the Rec, that’s in the basement of the Malcolm Center. They serve mostly burgers, fries—”

“Mozzarella sticks,” Kammy adds. “YUM!”

“But! They don’t take dining dollars. Only cash.”

I deflate a bit. Don’t have much cash to burn on burgers. I already blew through about half of the graduation money my grandparents gifted, so I need to be smart about the rest. I’ll have to skip the Rec as much as possible.

“The Malcolm Center is where all the clubs and stuff meet too. Three, which you kinda found out last night, the Kappas run this school so try not to piss them off. They throw the best parties.”

“Got it,” I mumble, still reeling over my exchange with the lone white boy on campus. So much for not attracting attention.

As if reading my mind, Loren pats my shoulder. “Girl, you straight. By next week, no one’s gonna remember you. You ate him up though!”

The girls giggle and I bury my head into my hands.

Loren slaps my arm. “I’m messing with you! Anyways, we got classes in the same building so you can just follow me tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” I say. Loren has a way of putting people at ease quick. She must have so much practice with all her brothers and sisters.

Vanessa sits up on her knees. “Yo, do you realize that when we graduate from here, we’re gonna be Frazier alums? That carries some serious weight.”

Loren stretches out. “Right! I’ve always wanted to come to Frazier U. I have an auntie who went here who told me all about homecoming. They’re legendary. This was my first choice and I got in, early decision!”

“Girl, I couldn’t believe I got in. My grades are . . . special,” Vanessa says, wide-eyed, and we giggle. “But my brother says it’s straight up THE best HBCU to go to. When he was touring with Hit Makers, they said our campus had some of the best parties and finest women. This place is full of Black excellence!”

Kammy squishes a cheek to her knee, gushing. “My parents came and fell in love here. I’m a legacy baby.”

“Aww that’s so cute,” Loren says. “Maybe I’ll meet my hus-bae here. What about you, Jordyn?”

I shrug. “I always wanted to come here. Plus, I went to private school with nothing but white people so I was definitely looking for a change. And who knows, maybe I’ll meet my husband here too.” Two truths and a believable lie. Not the worst.

The girls nod in agreement.

“My aunt is still best friends with her college roommates. They go on all kinds of girls’ trips together.”

“Hey! That’s gonna be us,” Kammy says, hugging up Loren. “We’re gonna be sisters for life now!”

“Facts,” Loren agrees.

I take in their glowing faces one at a time, full of hope and love.

Yes, sisters. What I always wanted.

I stand up, heading for the kitchen. “Anyone want any tea?”

“Tea? Girl, what?” Loren laughs.

“Yeah,” I laugh, giving a sheepish shrug. “I can’t go to bed without having some tea.”

“Sounds like my brother.” Vanessa laughs. “He loves his tea too.”





Three




With one last look, I close the photo album on my computer and slip it into my bag. So many memories, so much history, so much a part of me hidden and tucked away. At least for now.

Packed and ready, I check the time. One hour before my first day as a college student. Feels like I’ve been preparing for this since middle school. All my parents ever talked about was how every decision that I made, from how I wore my hair to my GPA, was going to lead to college. This is the first day of the life they’ve been warning me about.

While Vanessa and Kammy went for high-fashion looks for their first-day ’fits, I settled on my typical uniform—a black tee, straight dark denim jeans, and flats. I comb my hair perfectly in place, listening to the girls giggling in the kitchen over bowls of cereal. I’m too nervous to eat.

I’m really doing this, Kev . . .

Just the thought of him makes me slump on my bed. I check the time again and dare myself to dial the number.

“Yes.”

The moment I hear her voice, my heart leans toward it.

“Hi Mom,” I say, my tone desperate.

There’s a brief pause on the line before she sighs. “Hello Jordyn.”

Her voice is icy. Not the usual Jordy or JoJo. She is using my full name.