Don't Play With My Soul

Zenia's

POV

"I hate that bitch! She's like a blood sucking tick draining the life from my relationship with EJ. Why can't she just leave us in peace?"

I was in a fit of rage and Ashley was finding amusement from it. She laughed lightly as she cut the pattern to her newly designed dress.

"You're crazy. If Madison was going to come between you and EJ then it would've happened, but he has to allow her to let that shit happen. EJ loves you. I don't know why you're over there acting up like a hormonal baboon." "Ashley! I really don't want any insults. You're not helping."

"Zenia, I'm tired of giving you advice and, yet, you do the opposite of what I say. You have to figure out what you want and how much effort you're willing to put in for it."

I slid down onto the floor, lowering my head to my knees, calming myself.

"Stop being a drama queen. You're all mad for absolutely nothing."

The door bell chimed. I held my head up and saw a smiling Alex. He looked freshly groomed and in the best of moods.

"Hey, baby. What are you doing here?" Ashley asked as she ran into his arms and jumped onto his chest.

Kids.

"I can't come and see my baby?" he replied.

"Of course you can," she answered before kissing him passionately.

I scoffed loudly, putting an end to their moment.

"Hey Zen!" Alex shouted as if I wasn't in the same room with him.

"Hey 'lex," I coldly responded.

"What crawled up your butt and died?" he joked.

Ashley whispered something to him and his happy expression turned down a notch.

"Okay ladies, I wanted to personally come over and invite you to my summer pool party on Saturday at my house."

"We'll be there," Ashley quickly answered and kissed him again.

I rolled my eyes at them.

The door bell chimed again and, this time, I quickly got myself off the floor.

"Hey Zenia," Anton greeted.

I walked slowly over to him, fidgeting with the ends of my hair. "Hey Anton. What are you doing here?"

"I've missed you." He pulled me into a big bear hug-- feet off the floor.

"How are you?" I asked, trying to slide out from his arms.

I quickly looked back at Ashley and Alex, and they were staring right back at me and Anton. Alex looked angry.

"I'm doing great. I've been calling but I'll get your voicemail every time. Are you avoiding me or something?"

"Me? What? Of course not!"

Of course I had been avoiding him. I was more focused on EJ and I, mending things that seemed to have been broken between us.

"Oh great, because I have plans for us on Friday," Anton continued.

"Actually, she already has plans for Friday. I've just invited her to my pool party," Alex interrupted.

"Oh," Anton said with a disappointed look on his face.

"You could come to the pool party with us. It would be fun." I was feeling guilty for ignoring him but, at the same time, I wanted him to say 'no'.

Alex shook his head, kissed Ashley, said his farewell and greeted Anton on his way out.

"I'll go to the pool party with you."

"Great, I'll see you on Saturday." I faked a smile as he kissed me lightly on my lips. I watched him walked out the door.

"What the hell chick! Did you just invited Anton to the pool party? The pool party that my boyfriend will be hosting, and who also happens to be best of friends with EJ?"

"Ashley, chill. I got this."

"Zen, this isn't some kind of online dating game you're playing. We're talking about a temperamental EJ Hollen who's head over heels for you. How will you show up at a party with another guy when he'll be there?!" "Anton and I are friends just like EJ and Madison are friends. Oh, so you're basically telling me that I can't be friends with Anton because I'm with EJ? Don't even try to change my mind because it's not going to work." "Zenia, you're not seeing this from my point of view."

"Look! I've had enough of everyone talking to me and talking about me! I'm talked out! Anton is a nice guy, and no one is going to stop me from being friends with him."

"Zen, sometimes I really wonder if you're actually Zenia or just an alien from outer space who happens to look exactly like you."

I chuckled lightly.

"I just hope this doesn't blow up in your face."

"I'm only friends with Anton!"

"Well, he doesn't seem to have gotten that memo, Zenia. You're all lovey-dovey with him in front of us! You're going to create a shit storm that will require a lot of toilet paper, and I'm not going to be the mop this time!" She stomped passed me and slammed the door on her way out.

I couldn't understand what the hell her problem was.

On Saturday morning, I tried calling Ashley for the thousandth time. She was ignoring me and giving me the cold shoulder.

Great! Now I know how Anton must have felt.

Eventually, giving up, I got into the shower. Afterwards, I slipped into my underwear, baby blue cotton shorts and a white crop top. I stepped into my pair of black converse and stuffed my bikini into my backpack.

I combed my hair down my back and applied lip gloss only for makeup. I threw on my sunglasses and a black hat then headed to my boutique to wait for Anton.

I threw on my sunglasses and a black hat then headed to my boutique to wait for Anton

When we got to Alex's house, the pool party was already in full swing. Every female was spotted in a bikini or very skimpy clothing.

"Miami Vice" by Vybz Kartel, blasted out from the huge speakers across the lawn.

Everyone began dancing with someone, but my eyes scanned the thick crowd for Ashley.

"Do you see your friends anywhere?" Anton leaned in and asked.

"No!" I yelled as I shook my head.

If I knew Alex, he would definitely be hosting his party from somewhere over by the music system and the stage. He loved attention.

My eyes traveled to the stage where the music was hooked up. I spotted him, Ashley, Jack and several others. And, of course, Madison just had to be among them.

My pace quickened towards them, pushing and shoving the hormonal people out of my path. Anton followed right behind.

As I got closer, my blood came to a boil as I saw Ashley and Madison chatting in a very friendly manner.

"Ohhh... It's Zenia! We thought you wouldn't show up. And, oh, she brought company. Well, this is very interesting," Madison spilled out as her eyes landed on me.

"Save it, Madison!" I knew how sarcastic that bitch could be.

"Zen, why are you always so angry? You're always covered with such hate and anger. I know black girls are said to be angry and ratchet, with reason, of course, but what's your reason Zenia? My name is Madison, but I'm never mad." Everyone around her laughed. Ashley laughed too, but my face remained serious. I saw absolutely no humor in what she said.

Ignoring everyone, I turned around and disappeared back into the crowd. I wanted to beat Madison's ass. I wanted to drive my fist into her face and just pound her like a drum.

"We could leave if you wanna. Your friends are acting like total idiots." Anton rubbed the small of my back.

"Yeah, let's just go. I'm not in the mood for this party anymore."

We held hands as we made our way out the yard.

"And where do you think you're going?" EJ appeared right in front of us.

"Oh God," I mouthed.

His eyes traveled down to our joined hands. I let go immediately.

"We're leaving," Anton answered.

"Dude, I wasn't speaking to you, and if you say another word to me, I'll knock your fucking teeth down your throat."

"EJ!" I scolded while Anton scoffed and attempted to hold my hand again.

"There's nothing you can do about it, bro. Zenia is coming with me, and that's the end of it."

EJ walked closer to Anton, their noses were only a few inches apart.

"Zenia, why is it that you're always with this guy?" EJ asked, eyes still locked on Anton.

"He's my friend. I only brought him here so he could have a good time!" I protested, trying to put an end to the confrontation between them.

"Was it a good time when you shoved your tongue down his throat?" His eyes moved over to me. Dark and murderous.

I swallowed hard. How the hell did he find out about the kiss?

"Come on, Zenia." Anton ushered me in front of him, but EJ pulled me aside and landed a punch directly at Anton's face. Anton stumbled backwards but quickly regained his balance and punched EJ back.

EJ hands went all over Anton, pounding him and throwing him off his feet. When Anton fell, EJ began kicking him. "STOP IT!" I yelled.

"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" the crowd chanted like high school children as they circled around.

It took five guys to peel EJ off of Anton.

"This is all your fault! All you do is cause trouble for EJ!" Madison shouted loudly in my face before following up with a slap.

It took a few seconds for me to process what she had done, but when I tasted the small trace of blood in my mouth, I was all over her ass, punching her in the face before slamming her to the ground. I got on top of her and slapped her repeatedly like a frenzied person.

"Get this crazy bitch off me! EJ, help me! Somebody help!" she cried between blows to her face.

"Get off her, Zenia!" Ashley shouted and pushed me off her. I fell back on my butt and watched with painful, teary eyes as she help Madison up to her feet instead of me.

Hurt, deceit and betrayal flooded my heart when it dawned on me that the only person who could have told EJ about the kiss was her.

Why Ashley, Why?