Read Online Lady J by L. Divine - Free Book Online Page B

approach the door to Government, Jeremy walks up to me and Mickey, who sucks her teeth in disgust.
    â€œWell, good morning to you too,” he says to Mickey, brushing up against me as he passes me to enter the room. Damn, he smells so fresh and clean.
    â€œYou need to stay away from white boys, Jayd. They ain’t no good.”
    â€œNow ain’t that some shit coming from you, with your man’s superhero being Ike Turner,” I say, before entering the noisy space myself as Mrs. Peterson glares at me from her desk. “Go to class,” I say, lightly pushing my girl as she nods good-bye. I can’t wait to see Rah when this day’s over. He’ll make me forget all about school, at least for the weekend.
    Â 
    Instead of eating lunch, Chance and I met in the drama room to practice our audition scene straight through until the end of drama class—no audience allowed. That pissed Nellie off, but she played it cool by hanging with a still-steaming Mickey and going off campus to eat. One thing she’s going to have to understand is that when it comes to this audition, Chance and I are serious about our work and we both want to win. I hope she learns to trust us a little more.
    â€œWaiting for someone?” Rah says, sneaking up behind me as I switch my books out of my locker for the last time. I didn’t bother stopping after math class because I knew I wouldn’t have to rush to catch the bus after school. And unfortunately, I do have homework this weekend.
    â€œYeah, this fine brotha who’s going to take me to Fatburger for an early dinner. Have you seen him?” I say, allowing him to hug me tight from behind. We could get in a lot of trouble if we weren’t more disciplined and if I didn’t know better.
    â€œFatburger? You better be happy with the dollar menu at Wendy’s,” he says, dodging my fist as I go to punch him in the arm. After a few playful hits, he concedes and gives me my way, at least for the time being. “Fine, fine. Fatburger it is.”
    â€œThank you for being so agreeable,” I say, slamming my locker shut and leading the way out of the near-empty hall. There’s nothing like Fridays, especially after the long week I’ve had. My headache from this morning is still lingering, but thankfully not full force. I’ll take something for it when I get to my mom’s house. As I rub my temples, ready to release the stress of this place, I notice KJ and Misty talking at the opposite end of the hall. Whatever they’re talking about looks pretty intense and Misty’s near tears. Why do we give up our power so easily to trifling dudes?
    â€œJayd, are you feeling okay?” Rah says, following my gaze. He massages my neck while we head out of the front door. The bright sunshine hits my eyes, causing me momentary blindness and my headache to worsen.
    â€œI had a run-in with Esmeralda this morning and my head’s been pounding ever since,” I say, still curious about Misty and KJ, but more concerned about Esmeralda’s crazy ass. Rah’s the only person I can tell about my home life and I love that I don’t have to explain myself to him.
    â€œEsmeralda your neighbor? I thought she died or something,” he says, making me giggle as he opens the door to his Acura parked in front of the school.
    â€œNo, she’s alive and unwell. She’s probably got nine lives like her damned cats,” I say, jokingly. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it was somewhat true.
    â€œWell, I thought Mama said you aren’t supposed to talk to her,” he says. Was he listening to Mama grill me earlier?
    â€œI know that, and it wasn’t intentional,” I say as he starts the car with the speakers loudly bumping OutKast. Why am I defending myself against Rah? “And, you ain’t my daddy last time I checked.”
    â€œYeah, but you know your grandmother’s serious when it comes to that