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What gives?
    â€œOkay, what did I miss?” I ask, completely shocked by the mellow mood everyone’s in. The last time I checked, Nigel was still in shock over Mickey finally admitting the baby she’s carrying is Tre’s, and Nellie and Mickey couldn’t stand my ass because their boyfriends’ mamas happen to like me, but I was able to calm them down. I didn’t have anything to do with Nigel’s newfound cool. Maybe because Tre, a gangster from our hood, saved Nigel from getting shot by Mickey’s ex-man, he can live with his girl having Tre’s baby.
    â€œNothing,” Mickey says, kissing her man’s cheek like they’re back in love. Whatever the case, I’m just glad they’re back on point. I know my goddaughter is happy in Mickey’s belly, too. She looks like she’s going to make her appearance sooner than later. Her parents need to get with the program, and it seems like they finally have.
    â€œYeah, it’s all good, Jayd. Chance, you down?” Nigel asks, getting the tally from everyone for the spontaneous after-school session. I wonder if Jeremy’s invited even if Rah shows up, which is quite probable.
    â€œYeah, man. Why not?” Chance says, kissing Nellie before she walks off toward the main hall. I know he’s thinking the same thing most of us are: Where’s the real Nellie, and who is this imposter who took over her head? Nellie had the most beautiful jet-black hair, and now the blonde has completely taken over.
    â€œI can’t. Got surf practice. That reminds me, our competition is next Saturday. Hope you guys can make it,” Jeremy says, smiling down at me. I still can’t believe there’s such a thing as a surf competition, but I’m there to support my man.
    â€œCool, man. I got you,” Chance says with a strange pitch in his voice, like he’s trying to change the way he speaks. Something’s up with my friend and I can feel he wants to talk about it. I’ll have to check on Chance when we get a minute alone, which is rare. But I can still call him and chat if I have to. There goes the bell. Lunch always seems to go by fast, but it’s especially quick this afternoon because of the short Tuesdays for the weekly faculty meetings.
    â€œAll right, y’all. My house after school it is. Jayd, after work, girl. Promise you’ll come kick it with your peeps,” Nigel says, making me feel loved. How can I say no to an invitation like that, even if a sistah’s going to be wiped out after getting off work at Netta’s this evening? But a girl needs to chill, too.
    â€œBet. I’ll see y’all later,” I say, shaking the grass off my jeans before grabbing my backpack and heading down the hill to drama class. I’d much rather eat pizza and watch movies with my friends than sign up for cheer this afternoon. Luckily, it’s Mama’s solo hair day at the shop when Netta does only Mama’s hair, and there won’t be any other clients to take care of, making my job easier this afternoon. A kick-it session with the crew is just what I need to ease up on planning my future and enjoy my present.
    Â 
    I missed talking to Jeremy this afternoon because I was so busy at Netta’s. As soon as I arrived, Mama and Netta had a grip of laundry for me to do, as well as other tedious tasks resulting from the aftermath of their initiations this past weekend. I’ve never seen so many white clothes and other fabrics. I was so glad to get out of there for the night. It’s almost eight and Nigel has assured me there’s still plenty of Domino’s pizza and breadsticks left over. I’m grateful because I’m starving.
    I pull into Nigel’s gated community off Crenshaw Boulevard, instantly aware I’m turning into the money side of South Central, the local hood. It’s funny how just on the other side of this fancy brick and iron gate there are homeless