Read Online Hotlanta by Mitzi Miller - Free Book Online

time she counted to twenty-one, Lauren was standing in her doorway. “Okay, what do you need me to do?”
    â€œCan you please take me over to Marcus’s house?”
    â€œAre you serious? Why can’t you drive or have him scoop you up? I don’t need the car.”
    â€œBecause I want to surprise him when he gets home fromvolunteering at the Boys Club, and that won’t happen if he sees my car in his driveway.”
    â€œFine, whatever.” Lauren answered matter-of-factly. “I guess I could use a Ben & Jerry’s sundae to relieve the tension in my temples anyhow.”
    â€œFrom all the stress of Altimus up in your face, I’m sure,” Syd mumbled.
    â€œWhat’d you just say?”
    â€œNothing. Just hurry up and get ready.”
    â€œYeah, that’s what I thought,” Lauren said with a roll of her eyes as she turned to head back into her room. “I’ll be ready in thirty minutes or so.”
    Almost an hour later, Lauren emerged from her room dressed in a skintight Pucci minidress, purple Prada slingback pumps, and a huge pair of Nicole Richie-esque Christian Dior sunglasses propped on her head, looking like she was headed to Club 112 instead of on a quick sundae run. With only a curt head-nod, Lauren indicated to Sydney that she was ready. It took all of Sydney’s strength not to gag.
    â€œBy the time we get there, he’ll already be home,” Sydney seethed through clenched teeth as she buckled up the seat belt on the passenger side of her car.
    â€œWhatever, I don’t even understand why you’re going out of your way for Marcus anyway,” Lauren replied as she pulled out of the driveway. “Ain’t he already your man?”
    â€œOf course you wouldn’t understand, Lauren. The only other person you know how to be nice to besides yourself is your sidekick, Dara.”
    â€œHumph, at least I know I can depend on Dara to be faithful!” Lauren fired back.
    â€œExcuse you? What’s that supposed to mean?”
    For a fleeting second, Lauren contemplated ‘fessing up to the scene she had witnessed at the High. But one glance at the indignant look in Sydney’s eyes at the mere mention of Marcus’s potential shortcomings and she quickly changed her mind. “Nothing. Nothing. If you want to waste a perfectly good Saturday night waiting around for your way jabber-jaw, power-to-the-people, fake Rasta, wannabe politician boyfriend, have fun. I could care less,” Lauren stated as she turned up the radio and simultaneously drowned out the remainder of the conversation.
    By the time they pulled up to Marcus’s lavish colonial-style home, Lauren was talking a mile a minute on her cell phone about some stripe on the new cheerleading uniforms and Sydney’s head was killing her. Thanking God for small favors, Sydney jumped out of the car. “Thanks,” she offered lamely as she straightened the green-and-white-striped Ella Moss top that Marcus loved so much.
    Without a word, Lauren reversed out of the driveway at top speed. Sydney inhaled deeply and walked toward the front door.
    The sound of the doorbell was drowned out by the incessant barking of Ms. Green’s two toy Yorkshires, Pork and Chop. “Who is it?”
    â€œIt’s Sydney, Ms. Green.”
    The heavy oak door swung open. There was Marcus’s statuesque mom, bent over and scooping up the frantic Chop. Althena Green looked exactly like an older Omarosa, except with a pair of small reading glasses. “Shh, be quiet, you!” she admonished the little noisemaker as she turned her thousand-watt smile in Sydney’s direction. “Hey, honey! What a pleasant surprise! Please come inside.” She gracefully stepped aside to allow Sydney to enter the bright foyer. “Do you hear these little monsters?” she asked with a laugh. “I swear I’m putting them up for sale on eBay!”
    â€œOh, you know you