Caught Up in the Drama (12 page)

“And you'll get yours yanked right back,” the girl said.

Jasmine swung her ponytail, which had grown tremendously over the last year and now hung down her back. “It's real, which is more than I can say about anything on you.”

“Oh, you ain't the only one from the hood,” Maya said. “The difference is, we know how to turn it on and off. But it ain't nothing but a thang for us to turn it on.” She started removing her earrings.

“Camille, what's going on?” I said, outraged that she would let this happen.

“Guys, please,” Camille finally said. “Let me handle this.”

“Yeah, handle it, Camille,” Maya said. “Because this is exactly what I'm talking about. This is the kind of stuff you don't need. I told you, you really need to leave these busters alone.”

“I got your busters,” Jasmine said, taking another step forward.

“Camille?” Angel pleaded. By now people were starting to stare. I even caught a few people pointing their camera phones at us like they were waiting for a fight to jump off.

“Guys, I'm sorry I told you I was babysitting. It's just . . . ,” Camille began.

“It's just she didn't want to be bothered,” one of the girls chimed in.

“Shandy, please!” Camille said. “Can you guys go on? I'll catch up with you in a minute.”

Shandy rolled her eyes. “Come on, Maya. Let's go before these girls make me act straight ig'nant up in this mall. I'm already mad about them picking all these ugly girls over me.” They walked off, Shandy still griping.

We all stood staring at Camille.

“So, it's like that now, huh?” Jasmine said.

“Camille, why'd you lie?” Angel asked.

“Guys, I'm so sorry,” Camille said, ashamed. “It's just that I knew I was coming here with them, and I didn't know what to tell you.”

“How 'bout the truth?” Jasmine snapped. “It's not like we would've been surprised, because you don't have time for us anyway.”

“See, this is exactly what I'm talking about,” Camille huffed. “I knew it would be drama.”

“You know what, Camille?” I said, speaking up. “Don't even worry about it. You don't want the drama. Our drama. So you go on and enjoy your life as Sisco's sidekick or whatever it is you have going on. You kick it with your new friends, and you don't have to worry about us anymore.”

Camille's face hardened. “Why you gotta be all dramatic?”

“It is what it is,” I said, feeling teary-eyed all over again.

“You know,” Jasmine said, gritting her teeth, “the fact that you got Alexis upset ought to tell you how jacked up this is.”

Jasmine was right. It took a whole lot to push my buttons, and Camille had pushed me right over the edge. I was too through.

Camille's eyes started watering up as well. “I just wish you'd understand.”

“Oh, we understand loud and clear,” Jasmine said. “Alexis
is going through it. All she wanted was to talk to you. But you gotta try and play her.”

“I'm sorry. Alexis, what's wrong?” Camille asked, looking concerned.

Before I could answer, Maya yelled, “Camille, let's go.”

“I'm coming!” Camille yelled back. She turned back to me. “Seriously, what's going on? Why are you upset?”

I let out a pained laugh. That new girl's timing couldn't have been more perfect. “You know what, Camille? Don't even worry about it. Your friends are waiting.”

Jasmine looked Camille up and down in disgust, turned around and walked off. Even Angel said, “Wow, Camille, that's really messed up.”

Me, I had no words left. I just looked her dead in the eye, trying to see who this person was standing before me. I used to think that I wanted to be famous, but if this is what it turned you into, forget it. I couldn't say anything else as I turned to go catch up with my friends—my real friends.

Camille

I was getting to the point where I hated coming to school. Sure, people were still jocking me and giving me props about the video, which had begun playing regularly on BET and MTV. But a few others had started calling me derogatory names, thinking it was funny. For the most part, I tried to ignore their heckling.

I'd missed the last two Good Girlz meetings, since that blowup with Jasmine last week. I'd pretty much kept to myself, going to school, then practice with Sisco, because we were supposed to be performing at this hip-hop honors show being filmed in Houston at the end of next month.

“Hi, Camille, you going to the play?” this girl named Veronica
said, snapping me out of my thoughts. Before I could answer, the bell rang to dismiss class.

I nodded. “Yeah, I'm headed there now.”

I had almost bailed out of attending because Xavier was in the play, but I'd get extra credit for my creative English class. Since I'd gotten an F for not turning in my last assignment, I made my way to the auditorium.

I felt strange, because I usually sat with Jasmine, Alexis and Angel at school events. But now I was all by myself. After our argument, I'd told them all where they could go, and I'd stormed out. Now I wished I had waited around to find out what was up with Alexis, but I'd been so mad at Jasmine that I had just had to get out of there.

I immediately noticed Jasmine, Alexis, Angel and Tyeesha on the left side of the auditorium, laughing and giggling. The fact that they hadn't bothered to save a seat for me told me I wasn't welcome, so I sat next to Veronica.

Luckily, the play started pretty quickly. It was actually pretty good. It was called
On a Wing and Prayer
. The only downside was the fact that Dee was in it, too. But still, I found myself getting caught up in the drama.

That is, until the final scene. That's when Xavier reached over and kissed Dee. I felt my heart drop into the pit of my stomach.

On the side of the stage, the drama teacher loudly cleared her throat. Xavier laughed and pulled away from Dee. “Sorry, I got carried away.” Dee giggled but continued her scene.

I don't know how the play ended—everything from the kiss on was a blur. All I could think of was getting up and running out, but I didn't want anyone to see me.

As soon as the play ended, I made a beeline to the door.
I raced to the parking lot, hoping my mom was waiting outside. This was definitely one of those times I wanted my car, as raggedy as it was. If I'd had it, I would've been long gone.

I couldn't believe how long my mom was taking. I was about to call her when I heard Dee's voice. “Hey, Camille, how'd you like the play?”

I closed my eyes, willing her to go away. I turned around and there she was, standing with her arm around Xavier's waist.

I took a deep breath. I was determined not to let them know they'd gotten to me.

“It was no Tyler Perry production, but it was all right,” I said, shrugging halfheartedly.

“What?” she asked. “You mean you didn't like Xavier's spontaneous kiss?”

I cut my eyes at him. I knew he was mad at me, but how could he be that cruel?

“Whatever, Dee,” I said, turning back around. I so wished my mom would hurry up.

I noticed Jasmine, Alexis, Angel and Tyeesha heading my way. I knew things were bad, but I was thankful to see them. Anything to get away from Dee and Xavier. I smiled at them and was getting ready to say something when they flashed hateful expressions. Even Angel was looking at me all funky. Then they walked right past me without saying a word.

I heard Dee snickering. “Looks like no one wants you anymore.”

“Shut up, Dee,” I hissed.

“Or what?” she said, dropping her arm from around
Xavier's waist. Her girls were right behind her. Angel looked back and noticed me and Dee about to get into it. She even hesitated like she wanted to come say something, but in the end, she just kept walking toward Alexis's car.

“Just leave me alone,” I finally said. I retreated farther down the sidewalk. I wasn't a fighter, but if she followed me down the sidewalk, it was on.

She wasn't the one, though, who ended up following me.

“Yo, Camille, wait up.”

I looked back to see Xavier heading my way. Dee was standing there, mad, her arms folded across her chest.

“What, Xavier?” I said. “I'm sure your new girlfriend doesn't appreciate you leaving her to come talk to me.”

“Look,” he said, “I know me kissing Dee was messed up. But I just wanted you to see how it felt.”

It hurt. Like crazy. But I wasn't about to tell him that.

“I mean, did it make it all right because I was acting?” he continued.

It didn't. But I didn't say a word.

“Well, that's how I felt when you did the video.”

“So, this was payback?” I shook my head, not giving in. “You do what you want. You made it clear we were through.”

“We are,” he said matter-of-factly, “but I don't want you to think I'm some kind of dog. You played me.”

“I didn't play you, Xavier,” I said, softening.

“Whatever you want to call it. The bottom line is, you chose this new world over me. And from what I hear, you chose it over your friends as well.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”

He gave me a disbelieving look. He knew me too well. “Camille, you had some good people in your life. You need
to think about that and ask yourself if fame is worth the price you're paying.”

He shook his head, pitying me, before making his way back over to Dee. I fought back tears as Angel, Alexis, Jasmine and Tyeesha passed by in Alexis's car. They were laughing about something. I glanced back at Dee, who had lost her attitude and now had her arm back around Xavier. I'm sure it was all for my sake, but she was still hanging tight.

Nope, when I looked at all that I'd lost, I knew the answer to Xavier's question. This definitely wasn't worth the price.

Alexis

A week had passed since the last big blowup at my house. For once I was glad my dad was out of town. A couple of hours after my parents' last argument, I had seen him packing a bag. When I'd asked him where he was going, he'd told me he had a big meeting out of town for a few days. Peace and quiet had ruled our home for a week, and as much as I wanted my dad back, I didn't know if I was ready for the peace to come to an end. My mom had called earlier in the day to tell me to come straight home from school because my dad would be there.

As I pulled up in the driveway, I saw both my mom's and dad's cars and thought about the good times we used to have. I remembered all the times my dad would hide behind the
kitchen door in the mornings, and when I would come in, he would jump from behind the door and scare me. I always knew he was there, but I pretended to be scared anyway. That was our little game that I used to look forward to every morning before he left for work. I would give anything for that kind of greeting this time, right about now.

“I'm home,” I announced as I walked through our foyer.

“Up here,” my dad replied through the intercom. “We're in our room. Can you come up for a second?”

I slowly began walking up the stairs. I could hear my heart pounding, and I felt sick to my stomach. So many thoughts were racing through my head. Would this be “the talk” I had been dreading? I put a brave smile on my face as I reached the door.

“Hey, Daddy. I missed you,” I said as I kissed him on the cheek. “Mom, how was your day?” I asked as I sat on the chaise longue.

My mom came over, sat down next to me, and took my hand. At least she looked better than she had the last time we'd talked.

“Honey, your dad and I need to talk to you—”

I interrupted her, hoping I could prolong the conversation by telling them about my day. “I know. But first I need to tell you about my day.” I didn't even have anything to tell, but suddenly I felt like I could no longer take their news.

When my dad sat down on the other side of me, I knew this was serious. “Baby girl, this is important,” he said softly. “You know we love you, right?”

I nodded as my eyes began to fill up with tears.

“I'm sure you've noticed how strained things have been
between your mother and me,” he continued. “We've given this a lot of thought, and we need to tell you something.”

I immediately started to cry because I knew what was coming next. I could feel my breathing getting heavier. My mom had tears in her eyes as well.

Even my dad choked up, but he kept talking. “You are old enough to understand certain things now. We've tried to make this marriage work, but neither of us has been happy for a long time. We both think it is best for the entire family if we get a divorce.”

“What? Best for the entire family?” I screamed. Although I'd expected the news, hearing them actually say the words was like a knife in my stomach. “How could your getting a divorce be best for the family? This isn't what's best for the family. It's what's best for you two!” I knew I was crossing the line by yelling at my parents, but I couldn't help it. I was just so upset. I swear, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.

“Baby, I know this is hard for you,” my mom said, “but splitting up really is for the best. Your dad and I see how our fighting is affecting you. I hate what it is doing to you. We wanted to wait until you graduated, but then all of us would be miserable, and that's just not healthy.”

I was in full crying mode now. As my mom tried to console me, I shrugged her hand off my shoulders. This could not be happening to me. My life had never been perfect, but this would change everything. I had so many thoughts going through my head. Had anyone told my sister yet? How was she going to take it? Who would I have to live with? Would I have to change schools? I was finding it hard to breathe at this point. All I could think about was running out the door.

“I just can't deal with this right now,” I whispered. “Can I go now?” I asked with tears streaming down my face.