I snorted. “You’re a democratically elected leader, but since elections are coming up, maybe not for that long. There are a few more people contesting this year, innit? I saw on the blogs. People aren’t happy with your policy of being useless. Speaking of, what the hell are you up to with the Whitewell Knights? How long do you think you can play both sides for?”
Something in his gaze shifted, but he carried on smiling at me. “I’m trying to strengthen our foothold in Whitewell. Form an understanding. Blackwell just needs to see the vision. You can help with that. Together we’re a dream team. You endorse me on your show, maybe I can have you on my platform as VP. I mean you have amazing ideas, and—” He stopped as the cackle burst forth from me.
Why did I ever think Zack wasn’t funny? Zack was fucking hilarious. He didn’t even have what it took to be less transparent, he didn’t have enough personality to couch his shallowness in. Before, he wanted me because I rejected him—it was purely about possession and pride—but now it was because I was a tool for him. My feelings were just a tedious obstacle to maneuver around till he reached his goal.
I stepped closer to him and started speaking extremely slowly. “Zack, let me make this as clear as possible for you. I don’t want you. I won’t ever want you. You are not going to use me to win this election just because I have a few hundred more followers on ProntoPic and Brown Sugar’s numbers are going up. And you need to back the fuck up right now, before I grab the kitchen knife behind me and make this party a murder mystery.”
Zack moved back, but only slightly. “You’re crazy.”
“I am.”
“It’s sexy.”
“Get away from me.”
“Kiki.” He reached out to grab my arm just like he’d done at FreakyFridayz, but his hand dropped away at the sound of the firm male voice behind him.
“You didn’t hear what she just said?”
Despite knowing I could handle Zack, I felt my heart flip at the sight of Malakai. It wasn’t that I thought Zack could hurt me, but it was his imposition on my space, the fact that he saw rejection as a game he could win. Confusingly, Simi followed him in, for no other purpose, it seemed, but to bear witness to drama.
Now, Zack stepped away, back straightened, chin angled up. “Chill, man. We were just catching up. Reminiscing, right?”
The anger roiled in my blood. “You’re fucking sick.”
Malakai had walked further into the room, standing next to me and opposite Zack. His voice was calm and low but there was fire trapped in its cool, an inferno trapped in steel. “Yeah, I think you’re done here.”
Something ugly flickered in Zack’s eye, a glimpse of what was beneath his pretty. His smile was a snarl. “You know, it’s mad you and I aren’t boys. We have a lot in common. We’re handsome, have the same taste in women.”
Malakai stilled. “Walk away, man.”
Zack picked up the beer he had placed on the counter and shrugged. “Relax. I’m going. But come to me for advice whenever you wanna know how to make Kiki feel good.”
“Zack, what the fuck is wrong with you?” He was so predictable in the worst ways but Malakai had pushed himself forward from the counter, angling himself so he was in front of me. His jaw clenched as if he was trying to contain something. “Talk about Kiki one more time.” Voice placid, a cobra quiet in its coil.
Zack laughed.
The fact that four of us were missing from the main party must have rung alarm bells because in that moment, Aminah, Shanti, Chioma, Ty, and Kofi entered the kitchen. I was holding on to Malakai’s wrist and felt his pulse quicken; the air in the room soured and thickened.
“Kai, he isn’t worth the energy.”
Kofi had moved in closer, eyes narrowed, and the girls tried and failed to pull me from Malakai’s side. I’d noticed that Simi had picked up her phone. Did she really hate me enough to live tweet my drama?
“Zack, go home.” Ty’s usually affable demeanor had shifted, as he levelled a glare at Zack that made it clear why his opponents were terrified of him on the field, the full bulk of him seeming magnified. Malakai’s fists were balled tight. It was as if his whole body was vibrating in restraint.
Zack smiled menacingly and gestured to the room. “Shit man, everyone’s so tense. Chill. I’m just being friendly to the new kid. I’m just saying I can be like”—his smile widened—“your tour guide or study buddy for Kiki. I can give you tips. I know all the right spots to make her—”