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A Honest Facade Chapter 1

For my Grandad who died too young.

 Chapter 1

We are the crowd

Lady Gaga- Paparazzi

 Sayo sat up in bed realizing that it was already the afternoon. Twelve thirty-seven. Four hannya masks glowered down at her from their places on the wall. The sheets called for her to go back to sleep, that there would be no harm done. Sayo pushed the taste of sleep out her mouth and ignored the protesting thoughts.

She got out of the bed and walked down the hallway rubbing her eyes awake. She could smell food but wasn’t quite awake to tell what is was. Lyndon, her best friend and roommate was cooking on the stove. He had ear buds and an iPod attached to his swinging hips. Sayo stood there for a few more seconds trying to get fully conscience of the unusual circumstances. As he turned to get into the fridge, he caught her in the corner of his eye.

“Oh you’re up!" He said with a bright smile, "I'm making us breakfast. Omelet or scrambled?” His hips swiveling back towards the stove.

“Omelet, please.”

“Ok!” She watched as the omelet tore apart as he attempted to flip it. Lyndon looked down at his handiwork and sighed. “Scrambled’s ok right.”

 “Yeah. You want coffee?” She glared at him as she picked up the glass pot to put water in it.

“Yes please.” He said as Sayo put the coffee in the filter and switched the machine on. “Why are you grilling me?

“What are you doing?” She asked finally able to get the question off her chest.

“What do you mean. I’m making fucking breakfast or whatever.”

“But like why? What did you do?”

“Oh my god I can’t be nice to you?!” He put a hand to his neck.

Sayo sighed and sat down. “Whatever. I’m just saying.”

“Well stop talking and eat.” Lyndon set two plates of toast and eggs on the table. He pulled then scooted in his chair. “So, how’d you sleep?” He asked pointing his fork at her, mouth full of eggs.

She noticed his eggs had cheese and hers did not. “It’s rude to talk with your mouth full. And I slept excellently.”

Lyndon swallowed and wiped his mouth, “I could tell. Your bed head is horrendous.”

“Thank you, Lyndon.” She grumbled in a sarcastic tone. She sucked her teeth. “Why the fuck you got cheese and I don’t?”

“’Cause you don’t need it.”

“Why do you?”

“Calcium. You know you really woke up with a thousand questions.”

“Facts?”

“Facts. Just eat.”

Sayo rolled her eyes. “So first you go on my hair, now you say I’m fat?”

“No. I’m giving you a complement. You’re not fat yet.”

            Sayo knew he meant well, but Lyndon was never good at making things sound nice. As long as she’d known him, she’d laugh at his snide comments and passive aggressive charm. Yet, she had no idea how nasty he could be until he moved in with her; officially anyway. She acknowledged the differences between them and respected them. Herself was unable to be nice at all if she didn’t feel the need to. Few people appreciated her bluntness. Lyndon did.

Sayo sucked her teeth again. “Oh, shit you gave me butter though!” She exclaimed picking up her toast.

“Anything for my beautiful baby girl.” Lyndon jested pursing his lips.

Sayo loved it when he called her beautiful. She was aware at how beautiful Lyndon was with his slim figure, his lithe legs, and his striking hazel almond-shaped eyes. She found herself sometimes jealous that he was blessed with the gift of unquestioned attractiveness. She liked herself most times but wished she could be just as effortless and naturally good-looking as he was. But a complement from him meant he truly meant it. This helped to improve her mood until the next jibe would come.

The pair finished their food in relative silence. When the coffee was ready, they each had a large mug, black to fully start their day.

“Did you still want to go to that thing Aoko told us about.”

“The party?” Lyndon took a sip.

“It’s not a party.” Sayo squinted.

“It’ll end up being a party.”

“If it does it’ll just be more alcohol for us to bring back to the crib.”

“If it’s a party, then Boyet will show up.”

“It’s not even a party though. It’s a bunch of brains doing trivia and getting drunk.” Sayo set her mug down with a loud clunk.

“What the fuck you want with trivia games anyway?”

“Free expensive liquor.”

~ ~ ~

         Sayo was going through her draws trying to decide between a neon green t-shirt or a basic black camisole. She had every intention of going to the gathering despite Lyndon’s objections. Aoko, her brother had told her about the host’s parent’s alcohol collection and could maybe swipe some.

“You’re still going?!” Lyndon exclaimed from her doorway.

She looked at the outfit she was already putting together. “Yes.”

Lyndon invited himself into the room. “They will show up to anything that happens in the Bronx.”

“They don’t know anyone smart enough.”

“Jesus fucking Christ Sayo it’s a college party.”

“It’s not-”

“You say that!” Lyndon through up his hand, “You keep saying that! But it’s going to end being bigger than it was supposed to be and-”

“Yo! You deadass buggin’, B. Chill and think just for a second. Why are you even worried about them?”

“I’m not worried about myself.” His perfected eyebrows creased. “I’m worried about you. Last time Elias broke your arm because you were defending me!” He slammed dramatically down on the bed.

            Lyndon began to remember all the times Sayo had got in trouble for him. After all it was how they met and the reason the beef with the terrible two was still so heated. Since middle school Sayo would sit in the principal’s office and he would skip class to wait for her. He tried to convince himself constantly that their relationship was mutual. He knew Sayo was content with the arrangement, but he knew she deserved better. She didn’t deserve the suspensions, the black eyes, or the torn-up knuckles. She always went above and beyond for him.

“Lyndon,” She began softly sitting on the bed next to him, “You are being fucking extra.” She dragged out making him giggle, “As long as I’m with you and you got my back, we’ll be fine. We have always been fine.” She said surely disregarding the tiny white lie.

He sat up and looked up to his best friend. She was always kind and caring even when they got into arguments. Always looking out for him, keeping him safe, fed, and sheltered. More importantly she never treated him differently. She was the most amazing person to him and was often put in awe at how well she balanced everything in their lives. Sometimes he wanted to be like her but knew that he’d have to settle for just being graced by her light. She smiled, and it warmed him. Even I anything did happen, she would be there. He opened his arm for a hug. She obliged and squeezed him tight.

“I’m going to text my brother to make sure this lil’ thing’s still on and we’re not worrying about this for no reason. Now you are going to go take a shower. Your skin feels oily.”

Lyndon jumped up and ran out of her room with superhuman speed. She could hear him rummaging through the hall closet probably messing up all the organized shelves she just organized.

“Sayo! Where’s the Neutrogena?!” He screamed from inside the closet.

“I don’t know!” She answered proceeding to get ready. She opted out of the two tops she had already picked up and went for a white t-shirt with a gold foil crown on the front.

“Where is it?!”

Sayo disregarded him and stared at the outfit she had laid out on the bed.

~ ~ ~

            Almost half an hour had passed after Sayo had heard the shower water turn off. She got impatient so, she went to go knock on the bathroom door. To her misfortune Lyndon opened it before her knuckles could make contact. He was coiled in a white towel from his chest to just the top of his knees, his chestnut hair also wrapped. She stared at him blankly.

“You’re wearing my face mask! I told you to stop using it!” She scolded.

“I couldn’t find mine. I’m also naked.” He stated assuredly re-tucking the towel to his chest. “I’m not doing this right now. You can get your revenge by picking out my outfit.

Sayo scoffed, “Like I give a fuck. What took you so long?”

“Well,” Lyndon looked to the side which was just the white bathroom door, “I broke your hair dryer.” Lyndon knew to get passed her before she could process the information. She managed to only grab his towel before he barricaded himself in his bedroom.

~ ~ ~

Sayo was sitting in front of her mirrored-dresser, drying her hair manually. Lyndon slinked into her room. He wore a light blue V-neck and dark blue skinny jeans that made his legs look even longer. She let him borrow her white and black Arafat scarf, albeit two weeks ago, that would go well with his fedora.

“Well don’t you look nice?” She said to Lyndon looking at him through the mirror.

“Thank you. You look cute too. Do you want me to do your hair?”

Sayo dropped her hands. “You broke my shit.”

“I didn’t mean to. It happened all very suddenly.” Lyndon tried to defend himself

“Fuck outta’ here!”

“No! Yo-chan. I’m sorry.”

“You’re going to get me a new one.”

“Yes.” Lyndon ran over to hug and kiss her.

Sayo trying not to laugh, kept her sneer. “Get off!” After a few more apologies, Lyndon continued to style Sayo’s hair. “How did you break it?”

“Well, Thursday I was drying my hair and Henry kinda snuck up behind me. We started to-” Lyndon said casually parting her mane.

“Hey! I don’t care.” She waved her hand at him.

“Girl you will. Let me tell you.” He began a plait at her crown.

“Please don’t.” She made eye contact with him in the reflection. His look told her she didn’t have a choice.

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What is your favorite neighborhood in Manhattan?

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CHRISTY MARTINEZ, HARLEM, JUNE 2nd

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In Transit.

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Early morning commute. Bronx , NY. #southbronx #documentary #35mm #nyc #street #leicacamera #noir

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new york blog

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La Bodega

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night time 

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Good Morning New York.

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Apartment houses in Harlem.

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Waiting to exhale. Photo Raj by @rizzobchillin #everydaybronx #everydayeverywhere #everyday #bronx #thebronx #bx #nyc #bronxlife #dailylife #dailylifebronx #bronxstrong #whyilovethebronx #ilovethebronx #bronxisbeautiful #bronxcommunity #bronxstorytelling #community #storytelling #notobxgentrification #thebronxisnotforsale #elbronxnosevende #whatpianodistrict #pianodistrict

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Sorry Tumblr I forgot about you. Will be posting more soon.

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Parkchester, Bronx, New York. Photo by: Jon Santiago @jonwsantiago #everydaybronx #everydayeverywhere #everyday #bronx #thebronx #bx #nyc #peopleofthebronx #dailylife #dailylifebronx #bronxlife #bronxstrong #bronxpride #bronxstreets #community #whyilovethebronx #ilovethebronx #bronxisbeautiful #bronxcommunity

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170th Photo by: @lord_farqaad #everydaybronx #everydayeverywhere #everyday #bronx #thebronx #bx #nyc #peopleofthebronx #dailylife #dailylifebronx #bronxlife #bronxstrong #bronxpride #bronxstreets #community #whyilovethebronx #ilovethebronx #bronxisbeautiful #bronxcommunity

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