Crazy Love Read Free

senior in high school?”
    â€œYup.”
    â€œDamn. That’s a good school. You gotta be on top of ya game to get up in there.”
    I shrugged. “Something like that.” But he was right. South Orange Performing Arts Academy is one of the hottest schools in Jersey. Shoot. . .in the country! And it’s one of the hardest to get into. The only way you getting in is through an examination and application process. And then you better be bringing it in the classroom, or you’ll end up on probation, then tossed out if you don’t step it up.
    He smiled. “I’m impressed.”
    I smiled back. “Thanks.”
    â€œSo, how old are you?”
    â€œSeventeen. . .well, I will be in two months. What about you?”
    â€œI just turned eighteen.”
    I smiled. “So, I guess you’re too old for someone like me.”
    He laughed. “Nah, you good. You seem chill.”
    Briana pulled up, blowing the horn as if I couldn’t see her. I shook my head. “Well, I gotta bounce. Nice talking to you.”
    â€œYeah, you too. But I didn’t get your name.”
    â€œThat’s because I didn’t give it. It’s Kamiyah. And yours?”
    â€œSincere.”
    I smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
    Briana blew her horn again. “Girl, will you hurry up already,” Brittani yelled out of the passenger-side window. “We’re starving.”
    â€œYo, I’ma let you go. Can I get your number?”
    I smiled, eyeing him real sexy-like. “Are you going to use it?”
    He eyed me back. “No doubt. I wouldn’t ask for it if I wasn’t.”
    I motioned him with my finger to come in closer, and when he leaned his head in toward me, I whispered it, grazing my lips against his ear. He grinned.
    â€œYo, I’ma hit you up tomorrow, a’ight?”
    â€œIf you do, cool. If you don’t, oh well. It’s your loss.”
    He laughed, walking backward toward the house. “A’ight, hold that thought. Make sure you pick up.”
    I opened the car door. “You just make sure you call.”
    â€œI got you.”
    I slid into the backseat, then rolled the window down as Briana pulled off, and yelled out, “If you don’t call me by eight o’clock tomorrow night, lose my number.”

1
    â€œH aaaaappy birthdaaaaaaay, baby!” Sincere sings into the phone the minute he finally picks up. He sounds like he’s all hyped to hear from me, but he could be fronting, too. ’Cause I know how boys do. They stay tryna gas a chick’s head. So I already know what it is. I turn my lips up. “I was just getting ready to hit you up.”
    Yeah, right! For some reason I roll my eyes up in my head. Mmmph . “For real? I was wondering why you didn’t call me by now. I thought you mighta misplaced my number or forgot what day it was.”
    He laughs. “Never that. You know you’re my baby.”
    I frown. No explanation. No reason as to why in the heck he didn’t call me first thing this morning to wish me a happy birthday. Nothing! I mean, really. I take a deep breath. Try to keep my ’tude in check ’cause your girl can light it up if need be. My mom’ll tell you I have a nasty attitude. I’m telling you, my attitude is fine unless you wanna crank it up; then it’s a problem.
    â€œHmm, if you say so,” I say, looking over my freshly painted fingernails. Girlfriend down at the shop really did me right.
    â€œWhatchu mean by that?”
    â€œWell, you say I’m your baby ’n’ all, but you didn’t even text or call to wish me a happy birthday. What’s up with that? I shoulda woke up to a text or voice message from you if it was really all like that.”
    â€œYo, c’mon, Miyah. You already know what it is with me and you. Don’t do that.”
    â€œThen why didn’t you call me?” I ask, whining. I know I’m bratty, but