Not So Pure and Simple

Content Warning: This chapter includes references to suicidal ideation. Resources are available for readers needing support.

Leading up to their hour-long road trip to the university for Jaylan’s talk, Jameer explains that word spread, and the other Purity Pledgers want to come too. Jameer works on getting them all to the event; Del doesn’t care, as long as Kiera is in his passenger seat.

Over the next few days, Del, obsessed with prepping for the road trip, doesn’t take extra shifts when his manager, Tyrell, offers them. During his last shift, Del got sent home with a warning for not wearing a belt (he had to hold his pants up with one hand while he worked).

When the group gathers for the trip to the university, Angie and Qwan pull up in her van. Jameer arranged for Angie to provide transportation so the entire group could attend the talk. Kiera, not happy to see Angie, rides in the van to be with the younger girls. Del takes the Burton twins in his car, and they share their homemade rap album on the ride. Del asks why they’re making songs with risqué topics, and they say they’re imitating other songs.