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suspended!”
    I groaned. Of course the school would send an email letting my mother know about my suspension.
    â€œYou got suspended, Maya?” My mother waved the letter like she simply couldn’t believe it. “For fighting? Like some common thug?”
    â€œI was defending myself after I was attacked,” I said.“Shay Turner jumped me.”
    She tossed the paper on my dresser and darted toward me.
    â€œOh my God, you were jumped? Why in the world do I have you in that expensive private school if you have to worry about getting attacked?” She studied my face like she was checking for bruises. “I just can’t believe this. Why didn’t you tell me?”
    â€œI didn’t want to worry you or dad.” I took a deep breath and acted like I was fighting back tears. “It was just so horrible.”
    Dang, I was good. I don’t know why Hollywood was sleeping on me.
    My mother stroked my hair. “My poor baby. Are you okay?” She pulled back and started examining my face some more.
    â€œI’m fine. Just a little bruised up.”
    â€œDo we need to call the doctor?” She turned my cheek, studying me closer.
    â€œI . . . I just couldn’t believe that happened and I didn’t want to tell you and get you upset.”
    â€œThis is just ridiculous.” She paused like she was thinking. “I knew this would happen when they decided to let those people go to that school.”
    I hated to bust her bubble, but I said, “It wasn’t one of the scholarship kids. It was Shay Turner.”
    â€œWait a minute. Shay Turner. Is that the girl from the show with you?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, the one from Miami Divas . She was mad because she got fired and they kept me.” My parents had been completely behind by new job. My dad’s attorney was the one who had worked out all the details in my contract. But none of them knew how upset my former crew was about being fired.
    â€œJalen Turner’s daughter?” my mom asked.
    â€œYes.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “Oh, I don’t think so,” she exclaimed. “I never did like that ol’ tattooed-up gangsta. That’s what happens when common folks come into money, they don’t know how to act. That thug and his ghetto daughter have messed with the wrong woman’s child!” she continued.
    My mother had made no secret that while she had no problem with the other members of the whole Miami Divas crew, she had never been feeling Shay. Even though Mr. Turner was one of the most talented players in the NBA, he was always getting in some kind of trouble.
    â€œThat’s what I told them, Mom,” I said, egging her on. If she was mad at them, she wouldn’t be trippin’ with me. “I told them I don’t fight, I sue.”
    My mother patted my cheek. “I taught you well, sweetheart.” She stood up tall and brushed down her skimpy tennis skirt. “I’m going to talk to your father. We’re going to have Daniel get right on this,” she said, referring to our family attorney.
    I smiled appreciatively. “Thanks, Mom. And don’t worry, Tamara is supposed to be looking at getting me a bodyguard.” I made a mental note to call her tomorrow to ask her the status on that. I knew the bodyguard wouldn’t be allowed at school (Bali’s dad had tried to get him a bodyguard once and the school nixed it), but I still wanted one for when I wasn’t at school.
    I knew my dad would take it over from here, but at least I’d gotten my mom off my back for a while. “Well, I’m just sitting here trying to study so I don’t fall behind on any of my work,” I said, motioning toward my laptop.
    My mother stood and smiled. “That’s my baby. Let me let you get back to work. I’ll go tell Sui to fix you your favorite food for dinner to make you feel better.”
    â€œAll right,