Chapter 1 - Introduction
Mckayla Bolling-Allen couldn’t believe how quickly her years at the University of North Carolina had flown by. It felt like just yesterday she had arrived on campus as a nervous freshman, grappling with the excitement and trepidation of navigating this new chapter of her life. Since middle school, she knew she was going to attend the University of North Carolina. After all, that’s her mother’s alma mater. It gave her a sense of closeness to her mother, whom she missed very much.
She could see why her mother fell in love with this school. Although it wasn’t an HBCU, there were enough black students to make it feel like a watered-down version of an HBCU. Everything she was looking for she found it here. A great marketing program, check; extensive resource for black students, check; Derrick Chauvigne, check.
Well, the derrick Chauvigne is not yet a check. She’s hoping since this is her final year at UNI, that Derrick will become a check. The man was perfect! Her family loves him! Hell, she loves him!
Derrick was the reason why Mckayla found herself in the student tech center on a Wednesday night, diligently working on her assignment alongside her best friend, Jenelle. The prospect of attending a party the next night had motivated Mckayla to finish her work early, eager to support Derrick’s vision of inclusivity on campus.
Jenelle, ever the pragmatic one, questioned Mckayla’s determination to attend a party on a weekday. Studying and attending class were her top priorities during the week, reserving the weekends for fun and relaxation. She couldn’t help but prod Mckayla for the real reason behind her eagerness.
“McKay let me get this straight, you want me to attend a party with you on a weekday?” while taking her eyes from the laptop to look at Mckayla.
“Yes,” Mckayla said with a shrug.
“You know I’m not about that life. Weekdays are for attending class and studying. Weekends are when I let loose. “Squinting her eyes at her best friend trying to figure it out. “What’s the real reason why you are so pressed to attend this party?”
Feeling a little bit embarrassed, Mckayla blushed “Because Derrick thinks it would be a good idea if some of us show up to support the movement of inclusivity. This is the first diverse party to be hosted on campus. It would be a shame if none of us showed up”
Jenelle rolling her eyes while sucking her lip between her teeth “Derrick!!! Guuuurl please with this inclusivity nonsense. Should have known you are going because of Derrick.” Jenelle rolled her eyes playfully, acknowledging the allure of Derrick’s charm. “Can’t blame you, gurl. Derrick is a fine-looking, educated black man. I’d follow him anywhere too. Did he ask you to attend this party as his date?”
She looked up from the computer and stared at her friend. “yes”
“In what way?”
“‘He said Mckayla are you coming to the party this Thursday? It would be nice if you can come. Matter of fact, I want you there ’ he was holding my hand when he said it too.” Mckayla squealed.
“Let me guess, you sheepishly looked into his dark brown eyes, feeling your stomach flutter, and saying yes I’ll be there without hesitation.” Jenelle shaking her head “McKay that’s not a date!”
“Look Jenelle, I know it’s not technically a date, but there’s potential, you know? Maybe something will happen at the party, and we’ll have a chance to connect on a deeper level. Maybe we’ll make out during the party and he tells me about his desires for me. Worst case scenario, I leave if I’m not having fun”.
“Okay. But I can’t go with you. There’s no way I’ll finish this assignment for Friday’s course by tonight. I need an extra day to work on this” said Janelle.
On second thought, Mckayla wanted to make it clear to her best friend “I’m not only going because of Derrick, but I do also care about the inclusivity stuff. This school is so segregated, it’s about time we all came together in the name of fun”
Jenelle laughed “say the pro-black who sometimes I’m close to labeling a black militant. You are a Bolling, heir to Macon-Bolling law firm, the first African American law firm, serving the black community in North Carolina since 1920. You had no choice but to be pro-black”
“What’s wrong with being pro-black” questioned Mckayla.
“Nothing. The only thing that would compel you to leave your studying behind on a weekday are issues that are affecting the black community which requires immediate action unless of course there’s a boy who happened to be named Derrick”.
“Whatever”
“You know I’m right. Just don’t do anything stupid at the party since I won’t be there to stop you”.
