A Red Apple Read online




  A Red Apple

  By Sol

  I would like to take the time out to thank you for purchasing A Red Apple. I know you had every choice in the matter but you took a chance with my first novel and for that, I am sincerely grateful. It is my hope that you will enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your feedback is encouraged and I can be reached at [email protected]

  Chapter 1 Piper: Welcome to Texas State University

  Chapter 2 B: College Life

  Chapter 3 Zeke: Slipping

  Chapter 4 Piper: We like to Party

  Chapter 5 Zeke: Business as Usual

  Chapter 6 B: Mind Playing Tricks on Me

  Chapter 7 Zeke: A Booty Call

  Chapter 8 Piper: Boys Boys Boys

  Chapter 9 B: Date Night

  Chapter 10 Piper: All Good Things…

  Chapter 11 Piper: Stuck on Stupid

  Chapter 12 Piper: Home Sweet Home

  Chapter 13 Piper: Back to Reality

  Chapter 14 Zeke: Unlikely Visitor

  Chapter 15 Brianna: Envy

  Chapter 16 Piper: All Play and No work

  Chapter 17 B: Best Friends For Life

  Chapter 18 Zeke: A New Deal

  Chapter 19 Piper: Delta Pi Sigma

  Chapter 20 B: My side of the story

  Chapter 21 Piper: Greek Life

  Chapter 22 B: Bringing the Heat to South Beach

  Chapter 23 Piper: Summer time

  Chapter 24 B: Expecting

  Chapter 25 Zeke: Born Day

  FIRST SEMESTER

  Chapter 1 Piper: Welcome to Texas State University

  I can’t believe my first day as a college student is finally here. I have spent so much of my time dreaming of this very moment. What I would wear? How I would carry myself? What organizations I would join? But then again, I’m sure every other girl here has done the same thing or at least I hope anyway. The last thing I need is to be a social outcast. As I look around my classroom, there is one thing that is clear. I am only one of many young ladies here. And when I say many, I mean many. So how will I ever stand out?

  It is nothing like high school where there was that one beautiful girl that every guy fell for. Not that I was ever that girl anyway but I always wanted to be. A girl could dream right? I am very attractive to many guys or at least they say so. I’m about 135 pounds at 5’5 with a radiant caramel complexion. My hair is just past my shoulders and I typically wear it bone straight. On many occasions, I have been told I resemble Lauren London and on some days I can actually see it myself. I’m a coke bottle shaped girl and I have always hated that. I was always told I was too curvy to be a dancer and not stiff enough to be a cheerleader in high school. Yes, I went to a predominantly Caucasian school and as such I grew up in a very white neighborhood. My mother would always say, “Honey they are envious. These white women are having surgery to look just like us.”

  Well, that is how I ended up here at Texas State University, a historically black college in Houston, Texas. I wanted to be around young men and women just like myself and boy did I get what I asked for. I have yet to see any race besides African Americans and Hispanics. Don’t get me wrong, I’m rejoicing in the fact but it’s almost a culture shock. The language, the music, the clothing, the hairstyles all have so much flavor. Nothing is simple here, except for maybe the white Michael Kors sundress I decided to wear for my first day. The medium tan Manolo Blahnik high-heeled sandals on my feet are also runner up for bland. Although the brand names are affluent, my entire get up is modest. That’s putting it lightly… Uninteresting, dull, lackluster is more truthful. However, I am dressed like the true southern bell I am and my mother would be proud. I can hear her now, “Real Texas women dress and act like ladies dear.” But it isn’t my mother’s voice I am hearing at all; it’s someone else, a man. Oh no! My professor.

  “Do you care to join us?” He asks standing right in front of me.

  Oh my, he’s so gorgeous. He’s a tall, light skinned, medium built brother and has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. His dreadlocks are just one example of some of the flavorful hairstyles I’ve seen out here and they compliment his handsome face. He reminds me of Jason Momoa.

  “Hello, anyone there?” He presses. I think a cat has caught my tongue.

  “Yes… umm, sir. I’m sorry.” I’m sure my face is beet red because I’m blushing so hard my cheeks are burning.

  “Its Dr. Zeke James,” he grins. His teeth are so white and make for a beautiful bright smile.

  “Ok hi Dr. James. How can I help you?” I want to take it back but I can’t and the entire class has broken out into laughter. That greeting has become a habit of mine since volunteering for the American Heart Foundation over the summer.

  “You can help yourself by joining the class in giving your name, major and something interesting about yourself.” Dr. James blue eyes are capturing me in the moment and neither of us is letting go. “Sometime today!”

  I clear my throat and stand up hesitantly because everyone is either snickering or looking like they are on the edge of their seats with hilarity. “Hi my name is Piper Smith, I am a sociology major and umm…” I am trying to think of something interesting about myself but nothing comes to mind. “There is nothing really interesting about me.”

  “I’m sure you can think of one thing interesting about yourself Piper,” Dr. James has found his way back to the front of the class and he is gazing at me as if he can see right through me.

  “No really I can’t.” My shoulders are hunched and I tend to do this when I am nervous.

  “I wonder why that doesn’t surprise me?” Dr. James frowns and his New York accent is thick with sarcasm. Or at least I think it sounds New York-ish. “You can sit back down now.”

  I know that is an insult and part of me wants to confront him right here in front of the classroom. I know better than that though. I will check him for that in the meantime and I make a mental note of it. I may be a southern bell, even coy and possibly too quiet at times but I am no pushover. How can he be so obnoxious? I haven’t done anything to him, yeah maybe I am lost in space during class but that isn’t the worst thing. Even if it is, it does not give him the right to be condescending.

  Once class is over, I am relieved. I want nothing more than to give Dr. James a piece of my mind but it would appear as though every other girl in the class is waiting in a line to talk to him about something. They are all smiles and some are even flirting. They are all so desperate. He is sexy and all but I will never wait in a line to talk to anyone. My time is far too precious and my patience is way too thin. I decide not to waste my time and head to my Range Rover to go have lunch before my 2:30 class begins.

  I opt out of meeting my girl Brianna for lunch because I want to be alone. Besides, college is not off to a good start for me and I don’t want to rain on her parade. She has already texted me about some cute boy in her art class she has met. Brianna is different from me, though we both come from money. She is outgoing and the life of the party whereas I haven’t been out since I made it to our dorm 2 weeks ago. I have however managed to daydream about how cool my life could be and Skype my big brother Thomas every day. Thomas is in his last year at Michigan University and hoping to be drafted into the NFL soon. He is such a cool cat and always has been. He is a great brother too because although he is busy with his own going ons, he always makes time to listen to me rant and give me good advice. This time I won’t call him though because I am starting to feel more like a burden to him these days. He never says it but I can read between the lines. How many times can your big brother ask you, “Have you met any new friends?” or, “I love you baby sis but you need to get a life,” before you actually take a hint?

  I am just about to ta
ke a bite out of my chicken sandwich when I see him, Dr. James. I lose my appetite for my food instantly but I am still hungry. The hunger I have now is different, throbbing and carnal. This deep longing is further south and it aches. I have never felt this way before and I want it to go away. Well, not exactly go away but I know I can’t go down this route. What route? What am I saying? I am a virgin, he is much older than me and as he said I am mind numbing. At least he implied it during his lecture. He is walking towards me and the sensation between my legs is growing more powerful with every step he takes. He looks so professional and hot in his black slacks, green button up Polo shirt and black, Gucci pointed toe shoes. His dread locks fall on his shoulders and he uses one of his hands to tuck a stray behind his ear. I see all of these movements but my eyes are glued to his groin area like a lioness stalking her prey.

  “So,” he sits his tray down at my table. “Is this seat taken?”

  “No, but there are other tables around,” I look at the many free tables to exaggerate the fact. But then my eyes divert back to the dick imprint in his slacks.

  “Would you like me to take a picture and send it to you?” He laughs.

  “Huh? Oh… no I was just umm…you know enjoying the scenery?” I shake my head and try to be as casual as possible.

  “Right,” He nods. “What scenery would that be?”

  He is staring me down like a hawk and what can I say. I am caught red-handed staring at his you know what. I can’t be honest because how inappropriate would that be? I look up at him and his eyebrows are raised and his mouth is slightly ajar. If I didn’t know any better, I would assume he is giving me the look but I do. I know better, this asshole is waiting for an answer and I’m not very good at lying.

  “You really want me to answer that Dr. James?” I’m almost certain he doesn’t want to hear the truth.

  “I don’t ask questions that I don’t want an answer to. I also hate to hear ignorant remarks such as I don’t know or there isn’t really anything interesting about me so please don’t bother to say anything if that is all you have to say.” He states.

  The nerve of this damn man is outrageous. If he wants answers, I will give them to him and I’m feeling brave all of a sudden. “I think we both know what I was looking at Dr. James. Oh yeah, and before I forget, don’t ever blast me in front of the classroom like that.”

  “Excuse me?” He laughs at me as if I am a joke. “I try not to make assumptions because although I am a man of many talents and I do mean many...” He says allowing his eyes to drop down to my breast and then back up to my face. “I’m not a mind reader. My classroom is just that, mine and if you don’t like it you can drop the course.”

  “What is your problem? I haven’t done anything to you. So what, I was daydreaming, is that a crime?”

  “I just appreciate a woman, excuse me, a student, more when I have their full attention.” Ok he is definitely flirting with me.

  “You have my full attention now, what are you going to do with it?” I lick my lips and that longing comes creeping between my legs again. I don’t know what has come over me.

  “Listen,” He shakes his head and grabs his tray. “Don’t throw yourself at a man, it’s unbecoming. And for the record I rarely, if ever, go for the bone.”

  I watch him walk away and I can literally feel the humiliation spreading across my face. I hadn’t meant throw myself at Dr. James but something came over me. Something about his presence made me feel sexually powerful yet weak all at once. Sure, he looks young and approachable but it’s more than that. Something encouraging I think. Or maybe I am changing but I don’t know how or why. If so that is a bridge I will have to cross when I make it there. I just hope I make it there soon because my morals and values feel like they are being tested in the worst way.

  The rest of my day goes by smoothly. My other instructors are kind enough and I make a few acquaintances. After plucking out a few guys who have shown more than a friendly interest in me, I end up with two female kindred spirits whom I clicked with immediately. I can’t wait to get back to my dorm room to tell my best friend Brianna about my eventful day.

  “Hey B.” I sit down on my bed to take off my shoes. “How was your first day?”

  “Giiirrrlll it was the bomb dot com,” Brianna starts. “So I met the finest guy ever, the one I was texting you about earlier in my art class. Remember?”

  “Duh how could I forget crazy girl?”

  “Whatever,” she uses her two thumbs and index fingers to make a W sign. “Anyway, as I was saying. His name is DJ and he is a junior so he is way more mature than some of these little boys up here. He is a tall, dark skinned brother with a charming smile. Oh and girl his eyes kind of look Chinese…”

  Most of what she is saying goes through one ear and out of the other because I am too busy thinking about Dr. James. I want to drop his class but I need the course so I decide against it. I will just have to suck it up and keep a low profile or something. Maybe if I sit in the back and never participate he will forget about our improper run in earlier. Yeah I’m going to try that in his class on Wednesday.

  “He is an Alpha Theta and his fraternity is having a meet the greeks party at their frat house tonight and we’re invited.” B is so happy I can’t say no.

  “Party time,” I throw my hands up in the air to show my excitement. It is bogus but false motivation is always better than no motivation.

  Chapter 2 B: College Life

  “Welcome to Biology 101. I’m Dr. Berhane and if you haven’t heard about me by now you will probably be asking about me soon. Don’t bother because I will let you know now. I don’t accept late work, I am not friendly with students and coming to me with tears at the end of the semester asking for mercy will not manipulate me into boosting your final grade. In a minute, I would like for you all to get to know the people sitting next to you because that is whom you will need to call if you miss class for any reason. Do not call me and I will say it again, DO NOT CALL ME. You all are probably thinking I am being over the top. However, trust me, someone in this class is going to call me although I have said not to twice and it is on the syllabi. Now get acquainted because I happen to move at a fast pace because there is a lot to learn in a short period of time. Welcome to college ladies and gentleman.” My professor has an arrogant smirk on her face that tells me she is a bitch.

  “I’m Brianna and everyone calls me B,” I say to a Hispanic girl sitting next to me.

  “I’m Liz. It’s nice to meet you,” She extends her hand for me to shake it. “Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Joy Bryant?”

  “Yes all the time,” I cackle. People have been telling me that for as long as I can remember. “So have you ever taken Dr. Berhane before?”

  “This is my second time taking her and she’s a real bitch. The whole class is four exams. Doesn’t seem like a lot but those tests are hard and the study guides she gives you are like fifty pages long so you might as well memorize the whole textbook by heart,” She jokes.

  “Are you serious? Thanks for the 411.” I respond.

  Liz and I exchange cell phone numbers and await the lecture. In the short time we converse I find out a lot about her. Liz is a lesbian fish and by fish she means the feminine partner. I am learning something new everyday. She is also a sophomore and has a hookup on fake ID’s. She tells me to hit her up if I need a fake and I fully intend to do so. All in all, she is a cool girl and I am happy to meet someone new.

  ‘What’s up B you talking about partying tonight?’ It is a text from DJ.

  ‘I don’t know y’all be doing too much at them parties’ I respond because the last party Piper and I went to that they threw, we had to leave like two minutes after we made it there because a fight broke out. I never even had the chance to introduce them before the police hauled us out.

  ‘That was a one time thing. I really want to chill with you so just come and I will make it worth while=)’

  ‘Okay what time?’ I giv
e in.

  ‘Same place starts at 8:30.’

  My girl Piper and I are checking ourselves out in my car mirror for last minute touch ups before we get out to go into the frat house party. My makeup is the shit, a smoky brown eye shadow and true purple lipstick. I am sporting a tan romper and brown strappy Valentino heels. My girl Piper has on an orange Alexander McQueen, crochet knit mini dress. I hope they are ready for us in there.

  The party is hype as hell. The greeks are parading around in their lines representing. The latest music has everybody getting down. They have a mini bar set up along the back wall, keggers throughout the house and beer pong games. People are getting wasted and my girl and I are about to join in on the action.

  “Ayyyyyeeeee get it B,” my girl Piper is egging me on while I dance. She is doing her thing right along with me. We always hype each other up when it is time to shake our romps. It is like a tradition of ours. My girl Piper is a goody two shoe but there are two things she can do well; party hard when she wants to and whoop a bitch ass if she has to.

  “What’s up sexy?” It is DJ standing in front of me with low set, smoldering eyes.

  “Nothing much. What’s up with you?” I shrug my shoulders and lean into him.

  “Just out chea ya know. I’m glad you could make it to my party. You look good,” he lightly brushes his hand up against my hips. “Whose this?”

  “Ohhhh my bad. DJ this is Piper and Piper this is DJ.” I was proud to show DJ off to my best bitch.

  “Its nice to meet you DJ. You are all I hear about these days.” Piper smiles at DJ and shakes his hand. I feel like they hold hands a little too long but I am probably being dramatic. Piper is a very beautiful girl so how could I not be.

  “No bullshit?” DJ flashes me a smile and grabs a hold of my hand. “That’s good to know. Can I steal your girl a way for a few minutes Piper?”

  “Of course you can if she wants to go,” Piper looks at me.