Jayd's Legacy (15 page)

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Authors: L. Divine

BOOK: Jayd's Legacy
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“Nellie is a bit special and don't act like you don't know,” I say, reminding her that Nellie's her friend too. And, friends don't turn on each other, no matter how ugly they can get. “Remember, she has some good qualities too. Although, humility ain't nowhere on the list,” I say, getting a smile out of Mickey. “If you see her, please tell her to meet us in the drama room for rehearsal at break. It's important. And here, have one,” I say, sharing my treats with her. I open the bag, revealing the freshly baked cakes. She grabs one and takes a big bite.
“Damn, Jayd. These are slamming. Did you make these?” she asks, digging into my bag and stealing two more before I can close it.
“No, Mama did. And, no more. They're for Chance and Seth too. I'll see you later,” I say, heading toward my locker.
“Alright. And, good luck if I don't see you before lunch,” she says, devouring another tea cake. I've got to get word to Nellie to be at rehearsal. Maybe Chance can get to her. As I scroll down my phone book to text Chance, Reid walks right into me, almost knocking me down.
“What the hell was that?” I yell at him, causing the few people in the hall to stop and stare.
“Oh, I'm sorry, Jayd. I didn't see you,” he says with a straight face. I think this fool did it on purpose. I know he's not trying to physically intimidate me. I'll sick Jeremy's ass on him so fast he won't know what hit him.
“You need to watch yourself, punk,” I say, rolling my neck and walking back up toward the hall.
“I'd save the little warning for your friend,” Reid says, meaning Nellie, I assume. I turn around, walking back toward Reid, with everyone's eyes on me. I know some of these people up here must think I'm a loose cannon. But, somebody has to check these White folks and if it's got to be me, then so be it.
“I know Laura's not really all that good-looking and she wouldn't have any friends if it weren't for her money,” I say, getting up in Reid's face. “But, to pull a stunt like e-mailing naked pictures of an innocent girl, she must be really desperate. And, so must you.” Every blue and purple vein in Reid's forehead looks like it's about to burst all over his tanned flesh. If I didn't already know he must be involved in sabotaging our campaign somehow, his reaction would scream his guilt.
“You don't know what you're getting yourself into, Jayd,” he says, looking like he wants to punch me. “Watch who you make accusations against,” he says, boldly threatening me in front of anyone within earshot.
“Careful there, Mr. ASB president. Some would say taking pictures like that, as well as sending them, could be considered a felony. And, you threatening me isn't going to help your case,” I say, really pulling his chain. Just as I'm on a roll, the first bell rings and the Main Hall's suddenly inundated with students and teachers rushing about. I still have to get to my locker before class and Reid hasn't moved a muscle, waiting on my next move. Remembering one of the lessons from both Maman and Califia, I decide it best not to reveal all of my intentions, leaving room for surprise.
“Whatever you're thinking about doing Jayd, think real hard. Ask your boyfriend what happens when you mess with the Connelly brothers and their girls,” he says, thinking he's telling me something I don't already know.
“Everyone has their secrets, Reid. And, yours don't scare me.” What he doesn't know is my legacy is stronger than Jeremy's or his, and I know that. Now, it's time to show them who the reigning queen is up in this place is, with or without a crown.
15
Coming Home
“Relying on talent, Not marketing and promotion.”
—KRS-ONE
 
 
T
hursday is finally here and for the first time in days I feel absolutely confident in what I'm doing. We are going to win best performance and check Reid's ego. It's a shoe-in for Nellie's crown. Besides, anytime I'm with Chance is like going home, whether we're on or off stage. Matt was right about us having a spark when we perform together, even if Jeremy doesn't like it.
With each rehearsal me and Chance's performance gets tighter. Our skit is sassy and quick, just enough to serve as the perfect intro into our rap. I think Matt told Leslie our conversation about cookies and cheddar verbatim, because our lines sound as if they came from Chance and me directly. All we had to get down was our timing in the rhyme: Jay-Z's flow is tight and not easy to emulate, but Chance is up for the task. And, after today's rehearsal, I know we're going to turn this school out.
 
“There's my Beyonce,” Chance says, looking like he just stepped out of a Jay-Z video. He really gets into whatever part he plays, which in this case is a baller/pimp. I love it.
“Have you been wearing that all morning?” I ask, flicking his heavy platinum chain, Rocawear sweats, and shirt. He usually doesn't wear his chain to school. But, I guess he wanted to be as accurate as possible.
“Careful with the bling, baby. Daddy will get you one if you're good today,” he says, hitting me on the behind, taking his role a bit too far.
“Chance, you better watch it,” I say smacking his hand hard. “I know Matt suggested
Can I Get A ...
because of our little conversation at his party a few weeks ago, but you ain't really a pimp.”
“Oh, isn't this cute?” Nellie says, startling us both. I see she got my message. Mickey's not with her. She, I'm sure, didn't want to accompany Nellie down here. She has no interest in seeing the Drama area, and neither did Nellie until now.
“Hey, Nellie. We were just starting to rehearse,” I say, hoping she doesn't think it's more than it is. “I'm glad you're here.” Matt and Seth enter the room behind Nellie, ready to cue the music and get us started. We have enough time for at least three full run-throughs. And, because we're a club performing, we get a pass from fourth period to rehearse before the show.
“What's this about me being in the show?” she says, walking in as if she has some authority over our space. Matt and Seth look at each other, amused by the diva in the room.
“We want you to be in the last part with Seth as his girl. You just need to dance along while he rhymes. It'll be good to show that you're unscathed by the picture going around.” As if she's hearing the bad news for the first time, Nellie breaks down in tears.
“Why would someone do this to me?” Nellie says, breaking the record for a delayed reaction. Quick to lend a shoulder and whatever else he can offer, Chance rushes over to hug Nellie.
“Don't worry, Nellie. We're going to win and find out who did this to you,” Chance says, reassuring a fractured Nellie. I'm glad it's finally setting in.
“I still don't believe it was Tania,” Nellie says.
“Unbelievable,” I say, throwing my hands up in disbelief. “What will it take for you to get it? Them shooting you with paintballs?” I say, letting one of my dreams slip.
“What are you talking about?” Nellie asks.
“Nellie, trust me. Tania and her crew don't care about you at all. Reid basically admitted to having something to do with this and Laura and Tania are girls,” I say.
“That skanky ass bitch,” Chance says, feeling his character a little too much.
“Careful there, White boy,” I say walking over to where he and Nellie are standing and offering them both a tea cake from the bag in my backpack. “I'm sorry this is happening to you. Really, I am,” I say, not wanting to be unsympathetic to my friend, but I'm more than tired of her princess act. “But, we need to win,” I say, pulling Chance to the center of the room. I hand the cookies to Matt while he and Seth set up the sound-system and Chance and I practice our brief intro. Jay Z's hard beat blares through the surround sound speakers in the ceiling. We all immediately begin to bounce just because it sounds so good. Chance and I grab the hand held microphones from their stands and begin our duet.
Nellie, a Jay-Z fan on the low, starts to bounce, feeling our routine. Other drama heads start to float in to watch us perform. Chance and I, who are now feeling our own vibe, start to lead the small crowd in the hook, bouncing our shoulders up and down and I start my part.
“You ain't gotta be rich, but bump that,” I say, dancing along to the bass line. I love this shit. When it's time for Seth's turn to rap Jah Rule's hook, I pull Nellie onto the stage, which she initially resists, but is encouraged by the other students to join in. Like a natural video vixen, Nellie dances with Seth's flow, making a perfect end to our routine. By the time it's over, everyone in the room is bouncing and grooving. We've turned it into a party in here. Now, if we could just do the same at lunch we'll have a good shot at winning best-in-show and Nellie's crown.
“I thought this was a rehearsal, not a club,” Jeremy says into my ear, catching me off guard.
“What's up, man?” Chance says, leaving me to go dance with Nellie. Everyone's having a good time.
“When did you get here?” I say, leading him outside the animated room. I'm fanning myself like a church lady and could use some fresh air. We stop outside the door and lean up against the wall, cooling in the shade. It's another hot October day. I'll be so glad when this month is over in a couple of days. Maybe the weather and the drama will chill out.
“Damn, girl, you look like you just ran a mile,” he says, wiping a few beads of sweat from my forehead. Looking down at me with a smile, Jeremy pulls me in close to him and kisses me. “Even JLo doesn't rehearse this hard.”
“Oh, yes she does if she wants to be the best, which is exactly what Chance and I are.” As soon as I let the words out of my mouth, I regret it. Jeremy looks at me hard, like he wants to say something smart, but doesn't. How does he control his actions like that? Man, I wish I had some of his power.
“Yeah, well I'm going to take off. I've had enough of the homecoming hype,” he says, pulling away from me.
“What?” I exclaim. If the music wasn't so loud, I'm sure everyone in the drama room would have heard me. “You're not going to stay and watch us perform?”
“I just did,” he says. “Besides, I know you two will win, hands down,” he says, forcing a slight smile. “I have complete faith in you.” Ah, damn, as if I didn't feel bad enough about the whole Nigel and Raheem situation, now he lays more guilt on me.
“It would be nice to see your face in the crowd for support while I'm on stage,” I say, reclaiming my spot in his arms. He bends down, kissing my forehead and hugging me tight. God he smells fresh, like Irish Spring and Downy.
“You'll have to settle for seeing my face after school, because I'm out, baby. The beach calls,” he says, giving me another kiss on the lips before leaving. “I'll meet you after school,” Jeremy says as he walks toward the back parking lot. I'm very disappointed in Jeremy's aloof attitude. It's not as sexy as I thought it was a couple of weeks ago. Now it's just getting on my nerves. Well, the show must go on, with or without my man.
 
“Are y'all ready to go on?” Reid asks as Chance and I approach the stage. Seth and Matt have been here since third period setting up. We rehearsed all of fourth period, so we're more than ready. Reid's acting like nothing happened. But, after this is all over, I've got something for his ass.
“Yeah,” Chance says, looking like he wants to beat the hell out of Reid. I hold his hand, letting him know there will be plenty of time for that later. Right now, we need to win the crowd.
“Let's do this,” I say. I look up at Chance as Reid announces our club and nominees, Tania included. I have a quick hot flash and get a snapshot of my dream about Nellie and Chance getting blasted at homecoming. What the hell?
“Jayd, let's go,” Chance says, pulling me back into reality. We're ready to do our thing. Leading me on stage, Chance begins our skit.
“So, what you're saying is, if I don't buy you nice gear, get your hair and nails done and pay your cell bill, you ain't giving up the cookies,” he says, eliciting laughter and
hell yeahs
from the ladies in the large crowd. Damn near the whole school is present and we've just caught everyone's attention.
“Hell no you can't get at this. I treat myself like a queen,” I say, gesturing toward our nominees on stage. “And, I expect to be treated like one by any dude who wants to step to me,” I say, switching across stage and playing the roll of a girl with hella attitude, just like in our song. “And, for the record, my cookies ain't for sale.” With my last line, Matt starts the music and the crowd erupts.
“Can I get a ...” Chance starts the song off, but we can barely hear ourselves over the crowd's cheers. Everyone's rapping along to the beat, validating our choice in music. Chance and I keep performing, thriving off the crowd's energy. I still wish Jeremy's face was in the crowd. But, I see Mickey and Nigel vibing in the front row and that's all the support I need.
Seth and Nellie join us at the end, and the crowd by now is hollering back at an electric pace. Our five-minute routine turns into a twenty minute party. After our performance, the crowd takes over the field, hyped to the fullest extent of a pep rally ever. Reid and Tania even get into the groove.
 
“That was the best performance yet,” Seth says as we walk off the stage and toward the locker room to cool off.
“We won. I know it,” Matt says, following Seth.
“Did you see the crowd? They're way too excited. You'd think it was a real concert by the way they responded,” Chance says, still hyped and in full character. He gets a rush from performing, and so do I. I'm just being more low key about it than he is, and I'm tired. I can't wait to get home and get in my bed. I have a long day tomorrow and an even longer night. I'm excited about us winning the award tomorrow too. But, with my girl's naked picture going around school threatening her crown and Jeremy tripping, I can't get too hyped. There's still a lot of work to be done.
 
 
HOMECOMING
 
Wearing my perfect red dress and gold heels, I'm standing up against the gym wall, alone and watching all the other couples enjoy the dance. Just as I'm ready to call it a night, a man's hand grabs mine, leading me onto the dance floor. His touch is familiar and I welcome his embrace.
As we glide across the dance floor, the lights dim and it's only us dancing to the slow music playing in the background. My partner, pulling me up slowly into a breathtaking, deep kiss, hungrily obliges my curious lips. After kissing for what feels like hours, I pull away and smile at my partner: It's Raheem.
Oh, hell no, not another dream of me and Rah kissing. What the hell?
 
After our performance yesterday, the Drama Club and all of our nominees are confident we'll win the award. But, one can never be too sure at this school. After voting for the finalist for homecoming princesses and the queen at break, all I could do was think about seeing Jeremy. He didn't answer his phone last night and he wasn't at the bus stop waiting for me this morning. Then, he sent me a text saying he was running late, but I think it's more than that. He wasn't in third period today and now I'm worried. I've been waiting all day for lunch to come and now that it's here, I can only think about one thing: Jeremy. He also said he was going off campus for lunch and would see me after school. But, I want to see him now, just to make sure we're OK.

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