Its Friday afternoon in professor Weatherbee’s anthropology class . Im staring at every second that goes by patiently waiting for the clock to strike 2 o clock . The spring fling is a week away and I can’t wait for my girls to come down from New York and turn up with me . With exams , projects and papers to do I haven’t even been sleeping at a normal time . My study group stayed up till 4am last week to study for statistics . It all paid off because I got a A- on the midterm, even though I was aiming for an A+. I’m so ready to relieve some stress at this spring fling .
“ Ok class make sure you read chapter 6 for the next class discussion , the grades for your midterm paper will be posted tonight on blackboard see you guys next week ” professor Weatherbee said .
I packed my laptop and notebook inside of my backpack and headed to my dorm room . Sometimes I forget how huge this campus is compared to Borough of Manhattan Community College where I graduated and got my associates degree . I’m from Brooklyn,New York. Brownsville to be exact which is considered the ghetto . If somebody wasnt getting stabbed they were getting jumped and if somebody wasn’t getting jumped then they were getting shot . That’s what me and my momma had to live with since I was born there . My dad I never got to meet him because he left my momma while she was pregnant and told her he didn’t want to have anything to do with me . So it’s just me and momma in our small two bedroom apartment in brownsville til I started going to Rutgers University in New Brunswick , New Jersey. I was lucky enough to receive a full scholarship. I did not want momma to worry about paying for my tuition she works as a full time nurse assistant . While I was going to BMCC there would be times where I wouldn’t see her for two days because of her hectic schedule work . Every minute she worked she put it to pay tutors , my school supplies and utility bills . That’s what you call black women magic .
I finally get to my room and throw myself on the bed and my bag on the floor . I feel my back and shoulders aching from the long nights of studying and sitting so up tight for so long . I close my eyes for a few minutes and am awakened by my cell phone ringing.Its momma .
“ Hey baby what you up to ?” momma said .
“ Hey momma I’m just lying in my room . . . tired “ I said as I yawned .
“ Girl you sound like you haven’t been sleeping again , you should come down here this weekend to relax I would even cook your favorite fried chicken with mac and cheese with a side of collard greens . “ momma said
“ I wish momma that sounds so good , I know if I come I wouldn’t have time to do my paper for health class . but I promise I will come down with the girls after spring fling cause we have that whole week off . I said
“ That sounds good baby I can’t wait to see my girl I’ve been so lonely here without you I miss you so much , well my break is almost up Jasmine I’ll talk to you later “ momma said .
“ I can’t wait to see you too momma I miss you and love you bye “ I said .
As soon as the phone ended I closed my eyes and slept till 7am the next morning . It’s friday and I have no classes I grab my towel and go to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth . I open my drawer and get dressed . I put on a t-shirt and sweaters . As I put my socks on I hear my roommate opening the door with the keys . Emily usually sleeps at her boyfriend’s off campus apartment so I am here most of the time by myself . she has ash blonde hair , brown eyes light olive skin and a tall frame .
“Hey Jasmine “ Emily said
“ Hey Emily , how was your night ?” I said
“ It was good I spent it at Ethan’s ‘ Emily said .
“ That’s good I’m going to head to the cafeteria to get some breakfast i’ll see you later“ I said
I put my sneakers on and head to the cafeteria . I swipe my meal plan card and grab a plate . I get french toast , scrambled eggs , hash browns and a cup of fruit mix with orange juice. My little nap that turned into me sleeping into the next day got me so hungry I haven’t ate since yesterday afternoon . I found an empty table and start with my french toast i poured some syrup on it and started to devour it. Seven minutes later my plate is gone and I am full . I really need to stop forgetting to eat it’s so unhealthy . I sat down and scrolled through my Instagram while listening to Kehlani’s new album “ While we wait “ . A familiar face is walking to my table , Its my ex-boyfriend Richard .
“ What up Jasmine ? I didn’t know you go here . still looking fine as ever how you doing ?” Richard said .
“ I’m good Rich I didn’t know you go here as well “ I said with a fake smile .
“ Yea Jas I transferred here not too long ago from Hostos .” As he slides his hands on top of mine “ It’s so good to see you baby you know I miss us we were unstoppable in Brownville you know them other girls were just jea–” Richard said
I cut him off “ Yeah I gotta go I have a class to run to “ I said
Without letting him respond i get up and quickly walk to the next building on campus and into the bathroom so he won’t know where my room is . I see an empty stall and lock the door . “Fuck “ I yelled as i bang my fist on the bathroom door . How the hell did he just so happen to end up in the same school as me . Richard was my high school sweetheart at Brooklyn Technical High School . We dated up until the ending of 11th grade . We got into one of our regular arguments about girls calling his phone and he sucker punches me so hard I see stars and lights . We will regularly get into fights and arguments but that night i saw a monster. I ended up with a black eye and busted lip . I promised myself that after Richard I would never settle for some shit like this . Momma ain’t raise me to be accepting abuse from a man. I wipe the tears off my face and stood in front of the mirror to look at my reflection . I had an almond skin color with narrow brown eyes and long curly 4a textured hair that goes down to the middle of my back. In high school they use to call me blasian cause of my chinky eyes , I smile at myself in the mirror just thinking about it .
I walk to my room and Emily is asleep . I grab my backpack and my laptop and walk to the library . I walk to the third floor of the library and start brainstorming for my health paper . I’ve decided to write about Alzheimer’s disease . I wrote 5 pages and looked at the time and noticed it was 9:46pm . I started to pack my things inside my bag and hear Richard’s behind me i roll my eyes .
“ Hey sexy you was walking so fast earlier I couldn’t even get a conversation out of you it’s Friday night you wanna come to my party im throwing in my room “ Richard said .
“ Nah Im good “ I said as i quickly tried to pack my belongings
“ Come on sweetheart it will be fun don’t act like that , I know you not still mad at me over that night it was a mistake I didn’t hit you that was a spirit that came over me that day an–“ Richard .
“ Yea Imma go I’ll see you another time “ I said as I quickly walked to the staircase and to the lobby of the library . I look around me to make sure that he’s nowhere in sight .
I finally get to my dorm room and shut the door quickly .I try to calm myself down as i tried to inhale and exhale for the next 5 minutes . I grabbed a bottle of poland spring and gulped it down. I put my bag and laptop down and stare up at the ceiling . My cell phone rings and its Tami . I smile so hard and answer .
“ Ahhhhhhhhh heyyy Jasmine “ Tami said yelling through the phone
“ Hey girl I miss you so much , wheres Leslie and Adriana ? “ I said
“ We right here girl “ Leslie and Adriana said in unison.
“ Hey girls oh my God how I missed you guys so much “ especially with bumping into Rich it felt so good hearing their voices . “ Girls why Richard goes to school here ?” I said with so much distress in my vioce .
“ Are you serious ? you still speak to him after what he did to you Jasmine “ Leslie said
“ Noooooo we havent spoken since high school and I keep bumping into him for some reason , don’t tell my momma I can handle this okay , but are you guys still coming down for the spring fling ? I said .
“ Of course we are girl and with this punk Rich we got your back “ Adriana said .
“ Girl aint nothing happening that punk aint doing nothing okay , I’ll see ya’ll next thursday i”ll pick ya pick from the bus stop too “ I said
“ Alright Jas have a Goodnight we love you “ they said .
“ Love yall too “ I said .
I ended the phone call and laid down looking at the ceiling I really hope they don’t tell momma she hates Richard with all the hate she can . She’ll worry herself so much she’ll try to come down here every week to make sure i’m straight . I don’t need Momma worrying about me all the time when she has responsibilities of her own .
Its wednesday morning I walk into my human biology class which is a huge lecture hall . I go sit in my usual seat which is in the middle . I take out of my laptop and start following the instructor’s powerpoint that she posted on blackboard . I get a tap on my shoulder . I turn around and its Richard . I plaserted a fake smile at him and turned around to look to the front of the classroom . After the class ended i rush to the exit of the class and of course he’s behind me .
“ Jas , Jas , Jas “ Richard called my name out as I tried to ignore him.
“ Yea . “ I responded to nonchalantly .
“ Girl you don’t hear me calling you dont be acting all bougie like we aint from the hood like we ain’t grow up together you not even giving me conversation right now , I need help in this class you wanna be my tutor “ Richard said with a smile and wink .
“ Nah I’m good remember last time we had a conversation you left me with a black eye you must think I’m a fool or something . Leave me the hell alone “ I said as i clenched my jaw .
He grabbed my arm “ You not going to keep walking away from me girl “ Richard said.
“ Get the fuck off my arm” I yelled . People start to stop and stare and he let go .
He let go and I stormed off walking back to my dorm room . The fact that he had the nerve to put his hands on me again and in public boiled my blood. I got to my room and wanted to go study but afraid his stupid ass will pop up again so i stayed in my room . The door opens and its Emily .
“ Hey Jasmine “ Emily said .
“ Hey Emily “ I said .
“ I didnt know you had a boyfriend on campus you never mentioned it to me “ Emily said
I gave her a confused look “ thats cause I don’t I am single girl who told you that “ I said
“ Well there was a guy standing in front of the building with roses and choclates asking about you and said he wanted to surprise you with them and asked for your room number “ Emily said
“ Tell me you did not give it to him “ I said as I gave her a worrisome look .
“ Yeaa why ? whats wrong ” She said
I gave her a look that can kill because if they actually did she would be dead right now and stormed out the room she tried to chase after me I demanded she stay . I went down to the basement and went to the public safety office . I explained to the officer the situation with Richard.
“ Young lady what’s his full name ?” The officer said .
“ Richard Owens “ I said
10 minutes past as the officer is looking through his laptop and its silence , The officer has a confused look on his face .
“ Whats wrong ?” I said
“ Young lady the name you gave me Richard Owens isn’t coming up in our system , You sure this is the right person ?” the officer said .
“ Yesss of course” i said as my voice cracks with stress in my voice .
“ Young lady i can’t do anything about it until we see him for ourselves I am sorry “ The officer said .
I walked out of the public safety building and to my room . How is he not in the system unless he sneaks on campus but how this doesn’t make any sense . I hear steps behind me as I walk faster , then i feel someone grabbing my arms then cover my mouth . I look up and its Richard i tried yelling but his hand is so tight on my mouth and drags me into the old gym building and into the bathroom . He throws me on the floor .
“ Why are you doing this to me , you don’t even go here you piece of crap . “ I said
“ Bitch cause you mine you think you too good for me now because you go to a good school so I did my research and found out where you go to school . “ he said smirking showing his white teeth .
Richard was tall with an ebony complexion and had muscles with a goatee . He was good looking but yet such a sorry of an excuse for a man .
He walked up to me and tried undressing me i tried to push him off but he put all his weight on top of me . he unbuttoned my blouse and unbuckled my belt . I reached for my pepper spray that momma gave me in case i had to defend myself . As he was pulling down his jeans i quickly grabbed my pepper spray and sprayed him in the eyes . I kept spraying him in the eyes til the bottle was half empty and ran out of the building . I can hear him screaming from the front as i open it and see the same officer from public safety running towards me with a group of New Jersey police .
