Frenemies Read Free

also good company. I can help you sort the herbs and shit,” Rah says, bringing back memories of summer afternoons cleaning Mama’s herbs. Rah would help me hang them from the ceiling to dry. He’s always been much taller than me. I enjoyed watching his body stretch up toward the ceiling. Yes, he’s a huge distraction.
    â€œI’m doing a little more than sorting herbs and shit these days, Rah,” I say, sarcastically mimicking him. “I have studying to do, bags to make. It’s more complicated than before.” When I get to my locker, Nellie and Mickey are there waiting for me. By the looks on both their faces, it’s not about to be a drama-free morning.
    â€œWell, holla at your boy when you get a free moment, Miss Jackson,” Rah says, momentarily giving up the battle. But I’m sure he’s not retreating from the war.
    â€œFo shizzle,” I say, again giving Rah a good laugh before hanging up. Before I can flip my phone, Mickey starts going off about Nellie and her crown.
    â€œYou need to check your friend, Jayd,” Mickey says, rolling her neck and making her three pairs of descending bamboo earrings jingle. Mickey’s quite a sight when she gets pissed. But Nellie’s presence has made her look more like a force of nature.
    â€œWhat the hell happened?” I say, gently pushing Mickey and Nellie to their opposite sides before opening my locker. The warning bell for first period just rang, and the hall is crawling with students. I need to get all my Spanish books and get to class on time. This mess between the two of them will have to wait until later.
    â€œI’ll tell you what happened,” Nellie says, straightening her perfectly centered crown on top of her head, making Mickey suck her teeth in disgust. “Your girl here is jealous because everybody’s looking at me now and not her ghetto-fabulous ass,” Nellie says, putting her hands on her hips and rolling her neck. Although not quite as sassy as Mickey, her chill is still felt, and Mickey’s up for the fight.
    â€œYou see what I’m talking about, Jayd? This trick is trippin’,” Mickey says, looking Nellie straight in the eye. Mickey takes a step toward her, looking like she’s about to slap her clear across the face.
    â€œWho you calling a trick?” Nellie says, stepping back from Mickey’s approach. Nellie’s not a fighter, but she’ll be damned if anyone calls her out her name. “You’re just a hater, Mickey. You can’t stand it when someone else is in the spotlight.”
    â€œOkay, you two, calm down. You’re causing a scene,” I say, placing my books in my backpack before slamming my locker door shut. “Can we discuss this at break? We’re all going to be late for class.” I lead the way through the busy crowd. It’s so loud in here we have to practically shout to hear each other.
    â€œThere’s nothing to discuss, as far as I’m concerned,” Mickey says, sounding like she’s done with the chatting.
    â€œI don’t have time anyway. I have to prep for my entrance. The Homecoming court is being presented in the Main Quad at lunch, and then we’re all going out,” Nellie says, flipping her hair over her right shoulder as we exit the hall through the front door into an even busier outside. This girl is getting on my nerves, too.
    â€œOkay, then, we’ll talk about it after school,” I offer, trying to appease our princess. I hope this phase wears off soon. I’m afraid Mickey’s going to whip her ass before it’s all said and done.
    â€œI have plans after school,” Mickey says. I know she means she’s meeting Nigel at football practice. If Nellie found out the two of them were dating, she would flip.
    â€œYou know what?” I say, stopping in the middle of the walkway. “You two were friends before I came along. So, y’all work it out. I