Color Me Bad

By: Wynta Tyme

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

“So this really is goodbye, bad girl?” I asked once I was able to speak around the lump in my throat. Using the pad of my thumb, I wiped away Em’s fallen tears. “This isn’t goodbye, my Lijah. I’ll be at a different school, but we will always talk, and I’ll be home most holidays. Just promise me you won’t make any new girl best friends. My heart can’t take that.” She gave a nervous chuckle then a small smile. I pulled her in for a tight hug. “No other girl can come close to you, and the same applies to you. You got my number so don’t be a stranger. Use my number, Em.” We separated and gazed into each other’s eyes. “No one is like you, Alijah Reece Taylor. Take care of yourself and don’t forget about me. Remember, art is love—” “And love is art.” I finished her phrase and we smiled at each other. She planted a quick kiss on my cheek, and I returned the gesture by kissing the side of her neck like I always did. I walked her over to her dad’s sedan then opened the door for her. She climbed in then I closed the door behind her. Mr. Badd started his car then pulled away from the curb. Em lowered her window and waved goodbye to me and I followed suit. The further away they drove the more tears slipped down my face. My best friend was gone. If that fire hadn’t started, she wouldn’t have had to leave, and she would still be here with me. Now what was I going to do, color or be bad?