Choices Read Online Free PDF Page A

that, which I don’t. I hate when people judge me without getting to know me, ya know?”
    â€œOh, yeah. I know. It happens to me and my crew all the time.”
    â€œReally?” Lena questioned. “For what?”
    â€œWell, for one they think that because I am a basketball player, I am dumb as hell and that I can only play ball. Then, because of where I am from, people think I’m some kind of hood. And . . . well, that’s about it.”
    â€œWell, I don’t think that about you.” Lena smiled. She knew deep down she would have thought she was a hood rat, too. “But you’re hiding something. What else were you going to say?”
    Denise looked up at Lena “Well, when I said people judge my crew, they do it ’cause we’re gay.”
    All of a sudden everything came into light. Denise was not a tomboy; she was a stud. Lena was actually living with a lesbian. She didn’t even think of the chance that she would end up with a lesbian. She really didn’t know what to say.
    â€œLena, I would love to be your roommate, but if you are not cool with it, you can tell me. I’ll move . . .”
    Lena realized that she had zoned out. “Oh, I’m sorry. Everything is cool. I was just a little shocked, that’s all, but no, I’m fine with you being my roommate. I don’t have a problem. Hey, it looks like we have more in common than we thought, I mean, since people pre-judge us both.”
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    Denise smiled. “Oh, okay, cool. You don’t have to worry about anything like me trying to get with you, that’s not my style. I respect you and your relationship, and I don’t date my roommates or straight girls.”
    Lena smiled. “Great. Then I don’t see a problem. If you’re going to have company, just leave a scarf on the door, and I’ll go somewhere else.” Lena was okay with the idea of Denise being gay, but she didn’t know how seeing it in the act would affect her.
    â€œNaw, you ain’t got to worry about that. I don’t get down like that.”
    â€œSo, you haven’t had a relationship since you’ve been in school?”
    â€œWell, I was in one, freshman year, but it didn’t work out.”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry to hear that. Brandon’s my first . . . everything.” She blushed.
    â€œWord? Lucky guy.”
    â€œHuh?” Lena didn’t know if Denise had just flirted with her.
    â€œI mean, he’s a lucky guy. All men dream of marrying women who only they have touched.”
    â€œOh, yeah, I guess so. Maybe that’s why he’s kept me around. He wants to marry someone only he has had,” Lena responded.
    â€œI sure as hell would love to be with a woman that I know hasn’t messed with anyone else.” Denise looked over at the clock and grabbed her towel. “Damn, my crew is going to be here soon; I didn’t realize it was so late. Are you going to go to the party tonight?”
    â€œDamn, I forgot all about it. I’ve got to find the perfect outfit.” The party had completely left Lena’s mind. She wanted to look fly because she knew there were going to be a lot of women trying to get with her man. She had to make sure the whole university knew that she was there and that Brandon was hers.
    Lena was still choosing an outfit when she glanced over at Denise, who had just come out of the shower. She had on some jeans and a wife-beater, and Lena could see her sports bra. She didn’t realize until then just how athletic Denise was; her arms were cut, her upper arms were covered with tattoos. When she lifted her wife-beater to spray on a little cologne on her stomach, Lena could see her washboard stomach and got a funny feeling in her gut.
    â€œLena, are you all right?” Denise asked when she noticed Lena staring into space.
    â€œUh. Yeah,” she hoped that Denise didn’t realize she was staring at her.