Cold As Ice Read Free Page B

there’s never a boring moment in my life. Luckily, I had plenty of school and spirit work to distract me from yesterday’s argument with Rah and impending debate with Mickey. So far it’s been a relatively quiet morning. I made it through Spanish and English class without running into Misty or Mickey. It’s a shame that one of my best homegirls gives me the same feeling of dread as does my worst enemy, but only when Mickey’s in rare form like I’m sure she is today. Mickey’s had all night to think about it, and, hopefully, she came up with the reasonable solution—that I, as her friend, would never do anything to intentionally hurt her. But judging by the way she’s storming down the main hall, I’d say she’s thinking just the opposite.
    â€œSo when were you going to tell me you were trying to get in good with Mrs. Esop for your own benefit?” Mickey says, fronting me at my locker like she’s going to beat my ass. What the hell? Chance and Nellie are right behind her.
    â€œMickey, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, opening the long metal door and almost hitting her in the face. She’d better back up before I lose my patience. Rah’s been working my nerves since last night, and I’m in no mood for any more drama, hormonally driven or otherwise.
    â€œYou know exactly what I’m talking about. You’re using my baby shower to get closer to Nigel’s mama so you can join her little sorority and be all uppity and shit,” she says, rubbing her bulging belly like it’s a golden crown. I’ll be so glad when she finally has that baby, I don’t know what to do.
    â€œThat’s some cold shit right there, Mickey,” I say, looking at my girl in disbelief. How could she think I would do something like that to her? I never wanted to be a debutante, let alone one involved with Nigel’s mom. She has to know I would never betray her trust, and for what, a night as the black Cinderella? Please. I’m not Nellie. This shit is right up her alley. I half wish Nellie had been asked instead of me, but I already know Nellie doesn’t have the grades to participate. Otherwise, I’m sure she would jump at the chance to be in a cotillion.
    â€œOkay, ladies. Let’s take a step back for a min,” Chance says, trying to lighten the mood, but it’s no use. Mickey’s gone off the deep end and is determined to take everyone with her.
    â€œTake a step back for what? So Jayd can twist the knife she planted in my back a little deeper? I don’t think so, white boy,” Mickey says, drawing more attention from the majority of white students walking through the hall on their way to class—which is also what we should be doing. Mickey’s already on academic probation for ditching school on the regular. The last thing she needs is another incident on her record.
    â€œOkay, there’s no need to go off on my man, Mickey,” Nellie says, stepping between us. “He’s just trying to help.”
    Mickey looks from Nellie to me and then back at Nellie. I hope she doesn’t think Nellie’s taking sides, because we’re all in this together whether Mickey likes it or not.
    â€œMickey, let’s take a walk,” Nigel says, taking his girl’s right hand and attempting to lead her away, but she’s not budging, no matter how wrong she is right now.
    â€œNot until Jayd admits she was in the wrong for accepting your mom’s invitation when she knew it belonged to me.” Even Nigel has to smile at his girl’s twisted logic.
    â€œMickey, you can’t be serious,” I say, shaking my head at my girl’s overactive imagination. She can blame it on pregnancy all she wants, but I know better. This girl’s just straight tripping off some jealousy bull, and I’m not hearing it, especially after all I’ve done for her lately.
    â€œI am