Edward found himself hoping to see Kamaria yet again walking home from school after today of trying to avoid Bella all day. He was saddened when he didn't see her. Walking in from school his mother greeted him with a warm smile.
"How was school Edward?" She asked, just finishing plating his food.
"It was okay, is father not going to be here again?" He asked her, trying not to sound as disappointed as he felt. She nodded sadly. With that he took his plate up to his room and shut the door. Angry that his father was once again, leaving his mother alone for the night. He ate his dinner in silence while reading a book before falling asleep against the corner of his bed with the book in his hand. His mother came in and gently laid him down, covered him up and took his plate and silverware from him.
The next morning came and Edward went off to school after his mother fixed him breakfast and kisses him goodbye.
He felt his stomach turn in happiness when he saw Kamaria walking, but upon closer inspection his smile faded. She seemed drawn into herself, shaking softly while gripping her books towards her chest. Her hair covering her face.
"Are you alright?" He spoke in a concerned voice. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He felt anger rise inside him, seeing that she had a swollen cheek and black eye. But he didn't let it show. "What..happened?" His green eyes flickered with care.
"I...I.." she stuttered, trying to catch her breath. Even though Edward was trying to be caring, he seemed very intimating because of the event that happened last night. "I..was r-raped..!" She started to sob. His eyes widened and he very gently but warily put his arms around her to comfort her.
"What did he look like?" He softly rubbed her back, trying to calm her.
"W-white..he had black hair and a mustache with blue eyes." She told him, trying to stop her trembling, accepting his hug. He nodded, knowing exactly who she was talking about. He looked down at her, feeling the urge to protect her.
"Let me walk you to school and back.." He spoke in a firm but friendly tone. She now looked shocked. "Let me protect you." He gritted his teeth together some.
"We should not even be talking..." she looked down. "You are a white man and I am a negro woman...thank you for wanting to walk with me but I do not want to burden you." She took a step back.
"Please, just this once, if you hate it. I won't bother you again." Edward pleaded to her.
"Okay." She finally agreed, causing him to smile.
They started their walk to Kamaria's school.
"My name is Kamaria Evans.." she glanced up him.
"My name is Edward Masen." He glanced down at her.
"It's nice to meet you Edward!" She giggled cutely.
"It's nice to meet you too, Kamaria." Edward blushes softly at her laugh.
"You don't mind that I'm a negro girl?" She gripped her books tight.
"I care that you are vulnerable young girl and it is a man's duty to protect." He reassured her. "The color of your skin does not change that."
He stepped a little closer so he was now just one step away from walking side by side.
"Okay," She seemed to understand. "My papa says the same thing!" She smiles proudly, thinking of her father.
"Your father seems like a good man.." Edward glanced around, making sure no one was around to see them together.
"Yes, he is! I always take this road to and from school because no one really comes this way! Or...so I thought." Kamaria's voice cracked some, her eyes welled with tears remembering her attack from last night. Taking a deep and shaky breath she spoke again. "Why do you take this path?" She wiped her eyes.
"I just started taking this way recently. It's peaceful and I can read while I walk to school without being bothered by people. However, I still feel at peace around you so it's nice to have your company." He stated with a warm smile. She looked back at him as he talked, his smile melted away the anxiety and fear that was trying to drown her. She felt safe around him.
They stopped at a new street, the street that led up to her school from this back road.
"I will be waiting for your return at this spot once school lets out Kamaria." He spoke with a promise.
"I look forward to your arrival Edward!" She grinned. "I hope we can find more things in common!"
"More?" He raised his eyebrow.
"Yep! I also love to read too! Is that shocking..coming from a negro girl?"
He smiled wide and shook his head, chuckling.
"Not at all."
And with that, he watched her as far as he could to make sure she got to school safely before heading to his own school. Once he got inside his, Bella was there, waiting for him. His smile disappeared as he noticed they were once again, alone in the halls.
"Isabella—"
This time, he was the one who was interrupted!
"I saw you with that nigger girl! What the fuck are you doing?!" Her voice was laced with jealously and hate.
"I should ask you the same thing Isabella, what were you doing? How did you know I was taking that road? Are you following me? I am not really jazzed* about that thought.." He narrowed his eyes. "You are frankly, getting on my nerves."
"I just...happen to see you in passing one day and thought to know what you are up to." She was trying to justify her stalking. "Now answer my question."
"She got attacked by a man so I am protecting her." He answered, thumbing at his pocket, getting even more annoyed with Bella.
"Why do you care if a nigger gets hurt?!" Her voice rose.
"Because the color of her skin does not determine if she is a good person. You are a horrible person, but you are white." His words hit her like a truck.
"Don't a goof. That is bull! I'll tell the principal that you are hanging out with a nigger girl...then you definitely will not get into that medical school...if you want to keep her safe..you shouldn't be seeing her anymore. My dad is a cop so...he could take care of her if he wanted and no one will care or know...so if you don't want her to get hurt..stay away from her and take me to the dance." She glared at him but stepped back fast when he stepped forward.
She was now pressed against the wall. Edward's hand was above her head, balled in fist.
"If you so much as lay a hand on her... or order someone to lay a hand on her, I will end you myself Isabelle." His eyes looked like they would kill her with just a blink. "I will take you to the dance. No more, no less. And you will leave me alone henceforth." He growled. She nodded slowly and ran out from under him. He glared at her as she ran to class then went to class himself.
The day wasn't going so well for Kamaria. Helen wouldn't talk with her. She had forgotten her lunch. And no one had asked her to the dance that was next week. Now she was just counting down the minutes until she could see Edward again.
She walked out of her last class and out the back way to go to the road Edward said he would be waiting at. Kamaria's eyes lit up in relief when she saw him waiting at the end of the street. Before she realized, she was running to him teary eyed. He shook his head with a smile on his face, jogging over to her as she tripped over herself from running.
"Be careful Kamaria!" He helped her up. She blushed softly as he wiped the tears from her cheek. "How was your day?"
"It was not so good..Helen won't talk to me anymore because she saw me with you..I forgot my lunch and no one...no one wanted to take me to the dance that is next week." She vigorously wiped her eyes to keep her tears from falling as they walked.
"You're hungry? I know a place where they have good quick meals on the way to your house." He smiled at her. "Just wait in the bush on the corner when I say "purple""
She laughed. "Purple?"
"It was the only thing I could think of okay?" He laughed. "It's my favorite color.." he looked at her. "We are also having a dance sadly..if I could I would ask you to it. Unfortunately this girl who is obsessed with me is making me go with her." His smile was now upside down.
"I...I wish I was white." Kamaria's heart felt like it was sinking.
He looked shocked and upset by her words. "I think you are prefect just the way God made you." He smiled sadly at her. "Do not ever think that I would want you to change a thing about you! Your skin is beautiful. I hope that does not offend you."
She shook her head with a smile. "Not at all..how old are you by the way? I'm 16! My birthday is next week, the day after the dance actually."
"I'm 17," he grinned at her while they turned down a new part of the road. "Happy early birthday!"
She smiled and thanked him before he told her to wait in the bush with the word "purple". Edward walked a few ways before heading inside a small restaurant.
"Edward my boy!" A older white woman called to him with a smile in her voice.
"Good evening Mrs. Patt. I was wondering if I could buy one of your specials today?" Edward greeted her with a slight bow and a grin. She looked at him from over the counter and nodded before going to cook.
"It has been awhile since you ordered that! Is your father back home? This seems like a special occasion." She asked while cooking.
"No ma'am, not yet..I just thought I would give your special a try. I also have a friend who's birthday is next week. Can I come by to pick up another special?" He asked, sitting on the chair as he waited for her to finish.
"Of course you can pick up another one! And tell your friend happy birthday for me! Would they like to come by?"
"No ma'am, they are pretty shy, but thank you for the offer."
They chatted as she cooked and she handed him a plate of Oysters Rockefeller, roasted potatoes and green beans. Edward thanked her politely then left in a hurry. He went to Kamaria who was hiding. He chuckled softly, seeing the top of her Afro sticking out of the bush.
"We have got to find a better hiding spot for you next time.." Edward helped her out of the bush, handed her the plate and kept walking with her by his side.
"Oh! This is pretty good Ed!" She exclaimed as she ate her meal. "But not better than what a negro can cook!" She giggled as he grinned.
"I believe that." He scanned the area as they made their way to where she lived, making sure no one was around.
As they walked and she ate, they learned they had many things in common! Reading books, playing music, board games and dancing.
"I wish I could visit the music hall.." Kamaria said with sad longing in her eyes.
"One day, we will visit together." Edward gently put his arm around her. She looked up at the man before her with a smile. Gently taking the empty plate from her, he stopped at the street that led to her house. "I will be waiting for you her tomorrow, Kamaria. Please get a good night's rest."
She hugged him and went up the street, stopping once to think about her growing feelings for him before going inside.
"Kamaria! You are late!" Her mother narrowed her eyes. The look of worry was painted on her face always, like a tattoo. She embraced her daughter. "I thought something wrong must have happened! You know you are not suppose to be out this late!" Tears formed in her mother's eyes.
"I know, I apologize mama..Helen and I just got to talking and time went by." Kamaria looked down in shame from the lie she just told yet again. Kamaria wished she could tell her parents the truth but that could get Edward and her in trouble! "I'll be off to get ready for bed now! I'm not hungry tonight." She rushed into her room and shut the door. Her mom and dad looked at each other with concern.
"I don't think it is a good idea for her to be around Helen anymore." Her mother sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, sinking down onto the red couch next to her husband.
Kamaria listened too her parents talk about how much of a bad influence Helen was. Tears streamed down her face as she remembered how Helen doesn't even want to be her friend anymore because of Edward but then she started to think about all the times Helen would ditch her to go hang out with boys or magically crush on the same boy! Maybe...Helen wasn't just a good friend after all...
