Page 118 of I Can't Even Think Straight
“I’ve been meaning to
apologize to you as well.
I’m sorry Matt and I
were kinda rude to you
when you were trying
to set the record straight.”
“Or not straight.” Jyoti points at me.
I laugh too loudly.
Mrs. James shushes us again.
“I’d like us to be friends,” Jyoti whispers.
“I’d like that, too,” I whisper-giggle back.
I may not trust her completely,
but I’m starting to like Jyoti.
Something Epic
MATT:Where have you been?
KAI:In the library. Do you miss me?
MATT:You wish! But you just missed something epic!
KAI:What happened?
MATT:Nathan kicked off at Kojo in the lunch hall because Kojo said something homophobic.
KAI:Was it about me?
MATT:Not even. Kojo said something really bad about lesbians. Nathan jumped up and started shouting, “You know my sister’s a lesbian! What’s wrong with you? You’re mad if you think you can say shit like that around me!”
KAI:What did Kojo say to that? And what did you say?
MATT:No one said anything for a few seconds. The entirelunch hall was silent and Kojo just sat there looking at his plate. Nathan stood over him shouting at the back of his head: “I dare you to say that again and I’ll box you in your mouth and knock out your teeth!”
KAI:And then what happened?
MATT:Kwesi stood up and I thought he was going to calm Nathan down, but instead, he said, “Kojo, you need to find another table.”
KAI:And what did you say?
MATT:I didn’t know what to say. Kojo stood up slowly and he looked at Kwesi, who was calm, then he looked at Nathan, who was breathing heavily, and I thought to myself, “They can all throw a decent punch, and this will be a madness if it kicks off.”
KAI:So, what happened?
MATT:Kojo looked at the rest of us at the table. Abdi and Sam were either side of me. I folded my arms. They shook their heads. Kojo knew we weren’t gonna back him.
KAI:And then?
