Read Next Semester for Free Online Page B

a blank stare.
    “Come on D.J.,” he said. “We don’t have all night. We’re not on West Coast time. Give us that Marshall Hall motto.”
    “Well, if you are talking to me, my name is J.D.,” I said.
    “And the motto?”
    “Distinguished men of Marshall give respect to get respect,” I said.
    “That’s right. And when it comes to respect, the rules are simple. Visitation is over at eleven o’clock p.m. Not eleven-oh-one.”
    “Not eleven-oh-two,” everyone said in unison, sounding like a choir.
    Varnelius chuckled. I think it was the first time I’d ever seen him crack a smile.
    “Well, I’m glad y’all know it,” he said. “Eleven o’clock sharp! No loud music after ten. It’s the winter. It’s cold outside. And the roaches need somewhere warm and cozy to call home. If you don’t clean up after yourself, they will be roasting marshmallows right here in Marshall Hall. And I’m sure none of us want that. So do us all a favor, and keep the place clean. And for God sakes, stop pulling the daggone fire alarm! In a month or so it’s gonna be too cold out to be standing outside waiting on the firemen to come for a false alarm. So this semester, easy on the practical jokes.”
    “This fool got more commandments than Moses,” Fresh said.
    Everybody within earshot busted out laughing.
    “Word,” someone behind me said. “Son is buggin’ right now, B.”
    I knew that accent all too well. When I turned to see who was in agreement, I wasn’t surprised. It was Dub-B, in a Mets fitted, white T-shirt and sweatpants. He stoodsix-four, and was the only white guy I’d ever met who rocked his hair braided in cornrolls and stayed with a fresh goatee. All things considered, he was the blackest white guy I’d ever encountered. Since Dub-B lived on the same floor as me, we grew close last semester. But since he played on the basketball team, he practiced so often I hadn’t even seen him since I’d been back on the yard.
    “My guy,” I said, dapping him up. “What’s up with you, fam?”
    “Tired,” he said. “This new coach got us doing two-a-days. Killing me, son!”
    “And last but not least!” Varnelius said with an attitude, raising his voice to let us know he was annoyed by our side conversation. “One last warning. We all saw what happened to Downtown D last semester.”
    The mention of Downtown D’s name sent a chill down my spine. The thought of how close I came to being a victim of his love triangle was unsettling, to say the least. I discreetly looked around to see if anyone looked in my direction to see how I’d respond, but didn’t notice any unordinary attention. Thank God, I thought. Maybe people really have forgotten about me being in the middle of that whole saga.
    “This HIV thing is real,” Varnelius continued. “So if you’re gonna go deep-sea diving, please, for your own safety, wear a life jacket. If you know what I mean.”
    “What does he mean?” Timothy whispered.
    “Downtown D scored one too many times without his helmet,” Fresh said with a laugh.
    “What does that mean?” Timothy asked, sounding even more confused.
    “Wear a condom,” I said.
    “Oh,” Timothy said. “Well, what the heck does that have to do with deep-sea diving and a helmet?”
    “Don’t even worry about it, homie,” I said, with a laugh. “I swear, you’re ’bout as square as my back pocket. You crack me up sometimes.”
    “Unless any of you have questions, this meeting is officially adjourned,” Varnelius said.
    “Good,” I mumbled, turning to walk away before he even got the last word of his sentence out.
    “Except for those of you on academic probation,” Varnelius said. “I’m not going to call out any names. You know who you are. If I am talking to you, each of you will be meeting with your individual floor RAs on your respective floors, near the washroom. If you are on the first floor, stay put. You all will meet right here. Thanks everybody for coming on time, and I