Read #5 Icing on the Cake for Free Online Page A

want it to end, but 3:05 p.m. was upon me. Stepping out of my last class, I smiled seeing all four of my sisters standing outside my classroom door.
    Sloan came to me and touched my cheek. “Word’s out you’re in trouble after school.”
    â€œBut we got you,” Slade said.
    â€œYeah, they’d have to take on all of us,” Shelby replied.
    â€œHopefully there won’t be any trouble, so our help won’t be needed,” Ansli said, thinking what I was feeling.
    I knew our parents didn’t like it when Slade got to fighting with some random girls thatwere jealous of her back in October. If all four of them fought for me, this would be bigger than that. Also, my dad was just a candidate for mayor then. Now, if a gang was going to jump the mayor-elect’s daughters, it would be big time news. I couldn’t let them risk that much for me. Besides, I didn’t want to fight anyone either. As we walked out of the school, two of them were on one side of me, and the other two were on the other side. So many people were giving me looks like I was a pariah. Sloan was on my left.
    I leaned to her and said, “Now I know how you felt.”
    â€œWhat, with all the stares?”
    â€œYes,” I explained nervous as all get out.
    Sensing I was having a hard time, Sloan encouraged me. “Do like I did, just hold your head up and keep it moving.”
    â€œJust need to call Dad,” I said, wanting his help. This was blowing up way bigger than it needed to.
    Shelby was on my right and said, “Now, what’s that going to do? He can’t come every day. We’ve got to face this. Deal with thesepunks. We need to show them we’re not going to be intimidated.”
    When we walked out into the parking lot, we were overwhelmed, spotting twenty kids with black bandanas around some part of their body. The five of us didn’t stand a chance. My teeth started gritting on their own because I was so tense.
    Along beside us was a whole bunch of white kids I didn’t even know. I looked up and was so surprised to see Paris, Charlotte, and a bunch of their friends. Dr. Garner and other administrators were also nearby.
    As the Onyx crew walked away, Lady G yelled out, “This ain’t over, Urinade.”
    It was clear who she was talking to. All I could do was hurry up and get in the car and be relieved because, for the moment, it was over.

    I couldn’t believe I had to go to Ms. Pinky’s shop. My dad was serious about this whole internship thing. She was rather smart-mouthed when I met the first time, and I knew she was still brash.
    â€œIf you want to learn from the best,” Dad said. “You’ve got to spend time with the best. So get in there, smile, and take in everything she has to say. Learn from Ms. Pinky, and be grateful for the opportunity. Do not go in there thinking you know it all.”
    â€œYes sir, Dad,” I said as he dropped me off in front of her place. As soon as I wanted to turn and say, “Aren’t you coming in to break the ice?” he pulled off.
    â€œWell, here you are! And there goes your dad,” Ms. Pinky said in an unhappy tone as she met me at the doorway.
    Ms. Pinky, who was dressed in a business suit, looking more ready to go to a corporate job than head to the kitchen to bake, walked outside. She was talking to the air, fussing to the wind, and complaining aloud about how dare my father not come in and speak to her. Yes, she wanted to get cozy with the mayor-elect. I knew it. My dad probably knew it, which is probably why he didn’t stay, but she didn’t like it. When she came back inside, she had no problem voicing it.
    I wasn’t concentrating on what she was saying, not because I didn’t care what she had to say, but because I was in awe of the lovely sight in front of me. Seeing her beautiful shop, I just couldn’t believe it. Not only did it smell fresher than ice cream, but the