Forbidden Territory?

Tristan

With a towel around my perfectly toned body, I enter the bathroom to take a quick shower. Ten minutes later, I wipe the condensation off of the glass mirror and whisk back my wet, jet black hair to my desired style. My name is Tristan Pettigrew. I am twenty-eight and a graduate at Columbia University. I majored in World Literature. I teach at a middle school on the opposite side of town. I really enjoy teaching our youth about the studies of literature. I know what you're thinking. What man goes to an university and doesn't major in sports, medicine, or even science for that matter? Well, it all started when I got an acceptance letter in the mail at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

*Tristan's flashback*

I entered my bedroom and went to my bookshelf to finally open a letter from the university I applied to. I opened the letter and read,

Congratulations, Tristan J. Pettigrew as you have been hand selected among many other applicants to attend Columbia University. I have enclosed information explaining details regarding admission and enrollment. On behalf of the student body, I extend a warm welcome and best wishes on your success.

After reading my acceptance letter, I was interrupted by my phone ringing.

"This is Tristan." I answered.

"Where are you bro? You're missing the student activities fair. All the sororities and fraternities are here. Not to mention, all the hot sorority sisters." A voice responded.

I was so in shock from reading my acceptance letter that I didn't even look to see who was calling. When he started speaking, I knew who it was. It was my friend, Donovan.

"I've already been accepted. I just opened my acceptance letter." I replied.

"That's good news! Congrats, man! What are you majoring in?" He asked.

"World Literature." I replied.

A boisterous laugh exceeded from his mouth.

"You can't be serious! What the fuck is a man going to teach World Lit for? There has to be a mistake in your application. Tell me, for real, what are you majoring in?"

I stood there angrily clutching my fist.

"I don't see what's so funny about me majoring in World Lit! It was my favorite class in high school while all the other guys wanted to major in sports! That is what I chose as a major and damnit, I'm going to succeed in it! I want to be a teacher and teach these kids about the history of literature."

"Okay, okay. Don't get your panties in a bunch. Listen, if you want to come, me and the guys will be here. Don't worry, I won't tell them about the gay class that you're majoring in. You're going to tell them."

Another boisterous laugh escaped his lips. I stood there as redness flushed my caramelized skin as my dark brows furrowed and my dark blue eyes squint. I don't see what the big deal is. There are a few men out there that love English instead of math or sports. I guess I'm just the rare one of my group of friends. All my friends want to do is go out, hit on all the pretty girls, and take them home. I'm not like that. Sure, they are my friends and we've known each other for years but there are some things that we're polar opposites.

"You need to grow up, dude. I'm not meeting you there. I actually have to get things done in order to attend my first day of class. You guys have fun and you can tell them if you want! I don't give a fuck how you feel!"

I hung up the phone in a rage and threw it against the wall.

*End of Tristan's flashback*

I got dressed in a white oxford button down, black sweater vest, black slacks, and black penny loafers. I slicked my jet, black hair back in the mirror and it was time to go to work and teach these kids.

When I entered my classroom, I stood at the podium.

"Good morning, class." I greeted.

"Good morning, Mr. Pettigrew." Cassie flirted as she batted her eyelashes.

Max rolled his eyes in disgust.

"Good morning, Mr. Pettigrew." Kimberly replied.

"Good morning." Drew replied.

"I hope everyone had a great weekend. My consisted of grading papers and not much else. You guys have done really well on your first exam. Today, we will be reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and have a discussion for six weeks. There will be a quiz on the first four chapters in the second week. Let's get to it!" I explained.

While I was lecturing in my class, I could hear my phone vibrating in my briefcase. I tried to play it off and tried to silence it. Who could be texting me at this hour? I'm busy teaching right now. There wasn't any point of even looking at the text. I'm pretty sure it was just one of the guys wanting me to hang out. I didn't have to read the text message to know their agenda so I continued to lecture.

Later that night, I was in my apartment minding my own business when the doorbell rang. I walked to the front door and hesitated.

"Damnit! Just when I thought that I would be alone in my own thoughts." I said to myself.

I sighed in disappointment. I opened the door and was bumrushed by my friends, Donovan, Parker, and Carson.

"So I take it that you didn't get my text?" Donovan asked angrily.

"Look, Don, I'm not going to argue with you." I replied, exhaustedly.

"Save it, alright? You never want to hang anymore but tonight you will! And what the fuck are you wearing?"

"Yeah, you look like a range picker at a golf course." Parker said, repulsed.

They laughed in unison. I glared at them.

"You guys are so damn immature. You're ones to talk. You guys are dressed like some freshmen in high school but want to talk down on me for dressing professionally. I went to work today and this is what I wore!"

"Oh yeah, his 'job'. What was it that you did again? One more time? What was it?" Donovan antagonized.

"Don't patronize me!"

"Relax, don't get your panties in a bunch, Princess."

Rage filled my dark blue eyes as my dark brows narrowed. Why do I even bother hanging out with these fucktards?

"We're dressed like this to pick up bitches at the nightclub across town." Carson said.

"And you're going with us. We're not taking 'No' for an answer." Donovan said.

Damn, this can't be my breakaway?

"We have to be seen with him looking like-- that?" Parker asked, repulsed.

"We don't have time for that. Fellas, we're heading out... NOW!" Donovan said as he pointed up pretentiously.

Harley

Across town at a dance studio, high heels are clicking towards the door. I enter the middle of the dance studio.

"Come on out, you lazy bitches!" I yelled. "Come show me this shitty dance performance you came up with."

Approaching my direction, three out of the four dancers walk sadly towards me and I am livid.

"Where the fuck is Mercedes, Kira?" I yelled.

Kira rubbed her right arm and responded, "Um, she's... um."

"I'm so sick of you always covering for her, Kira!" I shouted.

"But Harley, she's my sis--," Kira started to explain.

"I don't want to hear your sob story! She better fucking be here for the performance or she's FIRED! Now show me this pathetic dance."

Kira, Roxy, and Eve began swirl their hips, flip their hair back, and dip it low and pick it back up as I watched. All I could say to myself was, "What the fuck was that? They look like fucking amateurs! There is no way that they are going to perform that shit at my nightclub."

"So what do you think, Harley?" Kira asked, nervously.

"It was awful! Fucking dreadful to watch! We don't have time to change it so don't fuck this up for me."

Kira, Roxy, and Eve stare down at the ground.

"Now I know why Mercedes is quitting. Harley doesn't know how to talk to people and she treats her staff like shit. I really try my hardest to impress her but nothing I do or any of us is good enough for her." Kira says to herself.

Tristan

Donovan, Parker, Carson, and I arrive at the nightclub that is packed with people and the music is boisterously loud. I begin to yawn. Parker and Carson are repulsed.

"I know your punk ass ain't tired! We just got here!" Donovan retorted.

"Yeah, Tris, don't ruin this for us." Parker replied.

These guys are never going to change. I'm getting too damn old to behave like a frat boy. Back when I was younger, I will admit that I had their same spirit. I count all my blessings and I'm glad that I'm no longer that way. I'm going with them so I can get them off my fucking back. I'd much rather be doing lesson plans than hang out like a frat boy.

"You just need a nice night out with your boys. Who knows when's the last time you had a stiff drink." Donovan interrupted.

I sarcastically rolled my eyes. Great! Now they're going to give me a hangover. There's no way I'll get to teach my students after tonight.

"Damnit, can you guys ever take a fucking hint?" I snarled.

The clubgoers all gasped as they heard me over all of the loud music as Parker and Carson's jaws dropped.

"I mean, seriously! I never asked to hang out with you guys tonight. I was fucking forced! I have students to teach in the morning. I'm out of here!" I shouted.

I turned my back to face the door and heard the metal door closing.

"Good luck with that. The bouncer just shut the door." Donovan said as he crossed his arms.

I sighed in disappointment. Fuck! Now I'm stuck with them. Just fucking great!