Not A Good Look Read Free Page A

jewelry I own that doesn’t come from Claire’s.”
    Bethany grins at me like she knows something that I don’t. “Whatever, Sunday. You still dig Romell.”
    I shake my head and click on my iPod. I let the smooth vocals of Chrisette Michele drown out the noise. This girl can blow, for real. Not like these pop princess divas who need Auto-Tune to make a record. My eyes close and my head bobs as I let the music take me to another place where cheating ex-boyfriends don’t reside.
    Bethany taps me on my shoulder, snapping me out of my trance. “The bus is here.”
    I nod and follow the rest of the group to the bus. I just listened to a sad song, and it’s sticking with me right now. Music does that to me. I can listen to a Jay-Z track and get pumped about my career, or listen to a Biggie track and have to dance no matter what. Seriously, can you hear “Hypnotize” in the club and not get up and dance? That’s for real.
    Bethany usually sits with me on the bus, but today it’s packed and we have to split up. I end up sitting in front of Romell, and next to someone who’s on their way to work. It would be nice if our school had actual school buses. They just give us bus tickets and expect us to share the public transportation with all the grown people who don’t have cars.
    I get ready to flick my iPod back on, when Romell leans forward and whispers, “You looking real nice today, Sunday. When’re we getting back together?”
    Part of me wants to smile because he appreciates my look, but the other part wants to dead that noise because he played me.
    â€œRomell, I’m not getting back with you. You know what it is.”
    He chuckles, “‘You da you da best / you da you da best.’”
    â€œYou can sing all the Drake songs you want, Romell. It’s not gonna work. I’m never getting back with you.”
    â€œNever?” Romell replies with a laugh. “How you gon’ challenge me like that and think I’m not gonna accept?”
    A challenge? Wow, I don’t even know how he got a challenge out of I’m never getting back with you. That’s crazy.
    â€œRomell, ain’t nobody trying to challenge you. Go holla at Chantelle. She’s the one you with now, right? She braid your hair?”
    â€œYou like my hair, baby? Thank you, but Chantelle is just for playing—you know that. You’re the one I wanna be with.”
    â€œYeah, well, won’t Chantelle do whatever you want?”
    â€œShe’s too easy and I’m a man, baby. I like to hunt for my food.”
    I roll my eyes, flick on my iPod, and hope that Romell can’t see the tiny smile on my lips. Yeah, he’s a cheater and all, but dang, he’s wearing that swagger like Roca-wear cologne.
    Wait, did I say I was over him? Well, I am, but a girl can still appreciate fineness. I’m just sayin’.

3
    B ethany squeezes my arm as we get out of Truth’s car in front of the studio. She had begged and pleaded with Dreya for us to be able to come, and Truth had picked us all up from school. Dreya promised us that it was the first and last time that we’d ever be in her man’s ride and she threatened Bethany with a slow and painful beat down if she tried to push up on Truth.
    â€œY’all can sit down over there,” Truth directs us as we walk through the studio doors.
    Dreya looks hesitant to let her man’s hand go when we see three chicks walk by us wearing bathing suits.
    â€œWho are they?” Dreya asks.
    Truth grins and his mid-back-length locs move, emphasizing his amusement. He walks up really close to Dreya and kisses her on the neck. While he’s doing this, I notice he has a new tattoo on his arm—a microphone. In a minute he’s not gonna have anywhere else to add any tattoos; his chocolate brown skin is covered in ink.
    â€œYou jealous, ma?” Truth asks.
    Dreya sticks her chin out