The air inside the tent was humid, and smelled like rich soil, headily scented flowers, and leaves. Vines with tiny purple glowing round flowers hung from the ceiling. There were small bushes and trees lining the walls, and a large one in the middle.
Sunny watched, openmouthed, as the central tree lifted up on its roots and slowly rotated to the loud music. Beneath the tree, students danced. On the far side of the tent was a buffet. It started raining and thundering, and all the people on the dance floor raised their hands and shouted, “Heeeeey!”
“Oh, this is wild,” Sasha said, wiping his face.
“Let’s get some food,” Orlu said, making for the buffet. “I’m starving.”
The rain soon stopped, but the air was so humid that their clothes were soaked.
Several people recognized Sasha and Sunny and told them that they’d played a great game. Godwin, who was surrounded by girls, waved hello as they passed. Sasha slapped and grasped his hand. He greeted the girls and they all twittered and grinned. Ugh, sometimes I’m embarrassed to be a female, Sunny thought.
“Girls always glom on to the athletes,” Chichi said as Sasha blabbed with Godwin. Sunny only gave Godwin a brief smile on their way to the buffet.
There was egusi soup and garri, fried plantain, pepper soup, red stew and rice, roasted goat meat, and a bunch of dishes Sunny didn’t recognize. Not a bad selection at all. Sasha rejoined them as they were sitting down. “If they really want to represent, they should add some cornbread, fried chicken, and collard greens,” Sasha said. “But, oh, I forgot, this is the West African festival, as if African Americans ain’t West African.”
“Maybe some KFC?” Sunny suggested, laughing.
“Better yet-Popeye’s,” Sasha said. “Or Harold’s.”
“What’s this yellow rice thing?” Orlu asked. “Isn’t it Ethiopian or something? It’s delicious!”
“Nice game.” They all looked up. The boy who’d spoken was carrying a plate heavy with fufu and a large bowl of soup. Three of his friends stood behind him.
“Uh, thanks,” Sunny said. It was Yao, the one who’d mocked Sasha’s name. Sasha sucked his teeth and looked away.
“Chichi,” Yao said, “you look nice tonight. Too bad it won’t help.”
“You never know when to hide,” Chichi said.
“You think I’d hide from you?” Yao said, trying to sound condescending. He only succeeded in looking stupid. It was painfully obvious that he liked Chichi.
“You want me to embarrass you again? You must be one of those guys who enjoy humiliation.”
“Whenever you’re ready,” Yao said, gritting his teeth.
“Why don’t you sit down and fill your stomach first,” Chichi said loftily. “Maybe have a dance or two. Enjoy it while it lasts. Then we’ll see.”
Yao narrowed his eyes. “Come on, you guys.” They walked away.
“What’s the deal with you two?” Sunny asked Chichi.
“Wahala,” Orlu said. “Trouble. Childish trouble.”
“Yao and I hate each other,” Chichi declared. Sunny scoffed. How stupid did Chichi think she was? “But I’m smarter,” Chichi continued. “I showed him last year, but he won’t listen, so I have to show him again.”
What is it with Leopard People and competition? But Sunny wasn’t one to talk. Only two hours ago, she’d been high on adrenaline herself.
“I see that look in your eye, Chichi,” Orlu said. “I hope you’re not planning anything dangerous.”
“I wish I was back at the hotel sleeping,” Sunny said. She shoveled jallof rice into her mouth.
After they finished, they sat back sipping milky tea and patting their full stomachs. The music was louder and more people were dancing.
“Oh, come on,” Orlu grumbled as Yao approached again.
“Didn’t I tell you-” Chichi started to say.
“Want to dance?” Yao asked, holding out a hand.
“No,” Sasha said, looking very annoyed. “She doesn’t.”
Yao glared at him. “Did I ask you?” He looked at Chichi, waiting for an answer.
“All right,” Chichi said, getting up. “Let’s go.”
Sasha scowled as Chichi walked hand and hand with Yao to the rotating tree. Then he turned and waved at Agaja and Ousman, who were standing with a group of older boys and girls. They waved back, motioning him to come over.
“I’ll see you guys later,” Sasha said, getting up.
Sunny took a gulp of her tea and looked at Orlu. “Wanna dance?” The words were out before she’d really thought about them. She felt her face grow hot.
Orlu half-smiled and looked at the dance floor. “That tree looks dangerous.”
“I know,” she said, laughing louder than she meant to.
There was a long pause. “All right,” he finally said, putting down his cup. “Come on.”
As they walked toward the dancing, jumping, laughing, wiggling students, Sunny remembered how tired she was. She’d always liked dancing, making it a point to hit the floor at all the parties her parents took her to, but right now her legs were sore. She was worn out. And it was so hot and humid.
The moment they got near the tree, the music grew louder and she jumped. Then she smiled. She could feel her spirit face just behind her face rejoicing. After that, she was in the zone, shaking her hips, throwing her arms in the air, shuffling her feet, and sweating like everyone else. Orlu wasn’t bad, either. Chichi saw them and dragged Yao over. For that hour and a half, they were all joyous.
As it grew late, the tree switched to slower music; not couples music, but cooldown music. The social was almost over. People started leaving. There was a notebook at the entrance for people to write their contact information so everyone could keep in touch. Chichi had scoffed and said this was a useless practice. In most African countries, it was hard to keep in touch with people from far away, even with e-mail. In the Leopard community, it apparently wasn’t much different. “Only the scholars know how to communicate easily across large expanses of space,” Orlu said as they returned to their cold cups of tea.
“Them, and people born with the ability,” Chichi added.
“You’re done with Yao, right?” Orlu quickly asked.
“Where’s Sasha?” Sunny asked.
They looked around.
“There he is,” Chichi said, narrowing her eyes. He was surrounded by at least five girls.
“I thought you said he was hanging with your teammates,” Chichi said.
“He was,” Sunny said.
Chichi stormed over to him. Orlu and Sunny laughed. Sasha and Chichi were always so dramatic.
As Chichi was going toward Sasha, Yao met up with Ibou the soccer player. They spoke for a moment. Then they started toward Chichi. Orlu’s smile dropped away. “Oh, no. Trouble. Come on,” Orlu said, taking Sunny’s hand.
Chichi called Sasha’s name. The girls stepped aside as she approached. Yao called Chichi. She turned around. Sasha pushed past a particularly eager girl trying to press herself against him.
“So, what do you have?” Yao was saying to Chichi by the time Sunny and Orlu got to them all. Ibou stood quietly beside Yao.
“What do you have?” Chichi asked.
Yao took out his juju knife. It looked like it was made of pure, smooth gold. The tip was curved. He cut the air in a complex series of motions and caught something. He blew it at Chichi. A heavy wind pushed her back several steps. When it stopped, everyone gasped. Chichi’s bright green rapa and top were now metallic gold. Then the dress started growing much tighter around the chest, pushing up her bosom.
Ibou’s eyebrows rose and then he laughed loudly. “Ah-ah! That was a good one,” he said, slapping Yao’s hand. “Should have made it even tighter in the backside, too.” Yao and Ibou laughed even harder.