Frenemies Read Free Page B

counsel.
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    â€œIf you want to get close to Nellie, I suggest you start hangin’ out with Tania, Reid and them,” I say more than a little salty. After all we’ve been through, how can Nellie give up our friendship for a crown? It ain’t like she’s getting paid for it or getting her own reality show.
    â€œMan, those fools are busters. I went to elementary school with them. We used to whip their asses in kick ball. Remember that shit, Jeremy? They’ve always been little bitches,” Chance says, sounding like I really touched a nerve. Jeremy doesn’t have to voice his obvious repulsion. He and his brothers have had beef with Reid and his brothers since the beginning of time.
    â€œWell, busters or not, they’re Nellie’s new crew. Me and Mickey have no influence over anything she does, including who she dates,” I say, leaning in close to Jeremy. He bends his arms back, leaning against the cement step, making more room for me.
    â€œThat’s some stupid shit right there,” Jeremy says. “I know Tania’s capable of pulling a stunt like that. And Reid’s just the punk to help her carry it out. Nellie’s jaded if she can’t see that—no offense, baby,” he says. Like Mama says, everything positive has a negative, names included.
    â€œYeah, she is acting a bit ignorant these days, and I’m over it. She and Mickey are going at it like two cocks in a fight, and I’m caught in the middle,” I say, gently twisting Jeremy’s wrist to reveal the time. Our chill time is over, and I need to head home.
    â€œTime up?” he says, knowing the drill. If I still had to take the bus, I’d only be halfway to Compton by now. I’m glad Jeremy enjoys kicking it with me, allowing me a steady ride home.
    â€œYeah, it’s getting late,” I say, rising from our cozy spot on the front steps of the office, right across from where the cars are parked. I’ve lost all feeling in my backside from sitting on the cement steps. But that’s all right. At least I got to chill with my baby. I turned my phone off to avoid Rah’s after-school harassment. I’m half expecting him to be at my house when I get home.
    â€œAll right, y’all. Be safe. And, Jayd, Nellie will come around. I know it,” Chance says, with undying faith in her. If I didn’t know better I’d say this cat’s in love with her.
    â€œYou keep on believing that player,” I say, following Jeremy to the car. If I know one thing for sure, it’s that Nellie’s gotten bit by the rich girl’s club and would do anything to stay in that clique, including sacrificing her true friends for fake ones.

2
    Dangerous Liaisons

    â€œYou might trick me once
No, I won’t let you trick me twice.”
    â€”KELIS

    S ince we now have mandatory AP meetings during break and lunch on Wednesdays, I won’t be able to chill at all today. Sometimes this whole AP thing is highly overrated. And when the AP exams come in the spring, I won’t have any time to socialize outside of the informal club at all.
    I hate these meetings. They’re long, boring and led by my least favorite teacher, Mrs. Bennett. After our confrontation about Jeremy, I have no patience for this trick. Her voice and perfume are making me lose my appetite. Usually, I can always eat a Snickers bar—but now it tastes like chocolate-coated perfume. Luckily Mrs. Malone is here to balance the energy.
    â€œJayd,” China says, snapping me out of my little world. I’m glad because I was about to mentally choke Mrs. Bennett in my daydream and get away with it.
    â€œWhat’s up?” I whisper over my shoulder. China’s the coolest white girl I’ve ever known. China’s just down and proud to be a white chick from northern California. She kinda reminds me of Mrs. Malone’s daughters but even more out there. China’s mom committed