Office Hours (Curriculum Vitae, #1)

by Katrina Jackson

“So, what do you need help with this time?” Toni said. Deja rolled her eyes. “Shut up.” “Oh, it’s about Alejandro,” Marie said. “Oh my god, shut up.” “Girl, just tell us what cute shit he did so we can get to this terrible meeting.” “Hey, I’m running the meeting.” “Okay,” Toni said. “Do you not know this meeting is about to be terrible?” Deja rolled her eyes but didn’t refute her. “I almost told Alejandro I loved him.” “Y’all ain’t did that yet?” Toni shrieked, shaking her head. “Pathetic.” “We’ve only been dating for a few months.” “Girl, so what? That man is fine, and none of us is getting younger.” “Very, and I don’t even like dudes like that,” Marie said. “And he doesn’t talk all the damn time,” Toni said, grabbing her laptop from her desk. “Mike doesn’t talk that much,” Marie countered. “You only think that because you tune him out. When I tell you that man has never met a thought he didn’t want to share…” Toni shooed them out of her office. Deja squinted at the back of her head while she locked her door. “So y’all aren’t going to help me?” she asked. Toni turned around with a frown on her face. “With what? You got a fine boyfriend, all those cliquey white women in the English Department are jealous as hell, and your hair looks great today. Some of us have real problems, Deja Evans.” “Yeah,” Marie said with a smile on her face as they walked away. “I truly hate both of you so much,” Deja frowned at their retreating backs. “You can practice saying you love us if that’l...