My Own Worst Frenemy (23 page)
Read My Own Worst Frenemy Online
Authors: Kimberly Reid
Chapter 36
W
hen we get home, MJ is waiting on the porch again. By now the sun has gone down. Apparently having Lana draw her gun on her didn't scare her off this habit, which makes me think I was right about MJ being the bravest person I know, or that Lana was right and maybe she's not a Mensa society candidate. But Lana was definitely right about the other thingâI could do worse when it came to finding a friend.
hen we get home, MJ is waiting on the porch again. By now the sun has gone down. Apparently having Lana draw her gun on her didn't scare her off this habit, which makes me think I was right about MJ being the bravest person I know, or that Lana was right and maybe she's not a Mensa society candidate. But Lana was definitely right about the other thingâI could do worse when it came to finding a friend.
Beyond a greeting, MJ doesn't speak until Lana goes inside.
“So you didn't get killed today?”
“Apparently not.”
“I told you not to mess with him. People don't ever want to listen to MJ.”
“I didn't mess with him. He found me. I had no idea he was coming to that house. Which makes me wonder how you did.”
“This is what I wanted to tell you all along, but . . .”
“MJ ain't no snitchâI know, I know.”
“Yeah, well, that's not the case after last night.”
It's true. MJ must have been really worried about me to come to Lana. This porch must have been like holy water to a vampire for MJ.
“It isn't snitching when it means saving a friend's life, you know.”
“Not when you're a gangster.”
“But you aren't in a gang anymore.”
MJ is silent, which makes my brain start clicking.
“Wait a minute. Did you start running with Donnell? Is he in some kind of gang?”
“Something like that. He was trying to start the Denver operation of the Down Homes. This whole thing was like his initiation. If he pulled it off, then he'd be the head of a new organization here in town.”
“How did he even know about the Down Homes? I thought you were leaving all that behind, starting fresh, getting your GED so you could go to college. Or were you just talking?”
“That was the plan until I thought you set my cousin up. You were my only friend out here, and then I wind up in jail. I figured it was true what my old boyfriend said when I was back home. Can't trust nobody but your Homies. That's what we call ourselves in the Down Homes, not just the generic homies.”
“Yeah, I get it,” I tell her before she gets sidetracked.
“So Donnell comes around and starts asking me to hook him up with some people back home. Everyone around here knows about me. Wasn't like no big secret.”
“MJ, do you really think I set your cousin up?”
“I did then. But I got to thinking about it and realized if I didn't know my cousin was dealing out of that motel room, how you gonna know? So I gave Donnell the hookup and told him I was out after that. But some of the Homies called and asked me to help him out, you know, like be a mentor.”
I have to work hard not to laugh at this scenarioâa Big Brother program to help juvenile delinquents get
into
a life of crime.
into
a life of crime.
“And you said yes? He was setting me up for a murder charge.”
“I didn't know anything about a murder or making you take the fall. I thought he was just going to rob your boss.”
“Next time, you might want to get all the facts before you help known felons.”
“I didn't have any friends out here. One thing I know is you always gotta have someone who has your back. So I told Donnell I'd help him out, and he told me his plan about taking down your boss. Then you come by here asking about him, and even after I told you to stay out of it, I knew you wouldn't.”
“It must have been hard to come talk to my mother.”
“Yeah, 'cause I still hate the cops. Even now I'm taking a risk sitting here with you.”
“Why? No one knows she's a cop.”
“You never know where the Down Homes are. They don't know about her, but they know about you. They know you were the one Donnell was setting up. How does it look me being friends with you?”
“That means we're friends again?”
“I don't know about all that. But if you got my back, I got yours.”
“Best homies forever,” I say, thinking I'm pretty clever.
“That ain't funny, Chanti. Later,” MJ says and like that, she's gone, heading home. But it's all good because I know it's true.
Later
.
Later
.
Chapter 37
T
he first day back at Langdon is not my idea of a good time. After all I'd been through, Lana said it was okay if I wanted to transfer to North. I told her I'd stay and give it until the end of fall semester. Yes, leaving Langdon is all I've wanted since the beginning. No, I have not completely lost it. But it's only been three weeks, a crazy three weeks that could never possibly happen again. I have to believe Langdon is not such a bad place if I don't have a stoner quarterback setting me up for a felony because he has issues with his father, or his evil twin helping him ruin my life, or a crazy bio teacher running a one-woman theft ring with my name all over it. Yeah, I still have the Headmistress from Hell to deal with, but as soon as I get the dirt on whatever she did to owe Lana a favor, I'm sure I'll find a way to use that information to keep her off my back.
he first day back at Langdon is not my idea of a good time. After all I'd been through, Lana said it was okay if I wanted to transfer to North. I told her I'd stay and give it until the end of fall semester. Yes, leaving Langdon is all I've wanted since the beginning. No, I have not completely lost it. But it's only been three weeks, a crazy three weeks that could never possibly happen again. I have to believe Langdon is not such a bad place if I don't have a stoner quarterback setting me up for a felony because he has issues with his father, or his evil twin helping him ruin my life, or a crazy bio teacher running a one-woman theft ring with my name all over it. Yeah, I still have the Headmistress from Hell to deal with, but as soon as I get the dirt on whatever she did to owe Lana a favor, I'm sure I'll find a way to use that information to keep her off my back.
Mildred is my ally for life. When her lawyer got the surveillance tape from Smythe and had it enhanced, the school board easily recognized the boy on the tapeâJustin Mitchell, who apparently was wreaking havoc long before I showed up at Langdon. Turns out he looks a lot like Mildred's son Reginald, especially when it's kind of dark out and you really
want
it to be Reginald like Smythe did. That's why he looked familiar when Mildred showed me his photo. When he returns to Langdon next week, I'll find out how much alike they really look.
want
it to be Reginald like Smythe did. That's why he looked familiar when Mildred showed me his photo. When he returns to Langdon next week, I'll find out how much alike they really look.
Bethanie and I danced around each other all day, both of us trying to figure out what to say. It's true she gave me information about the night of the party that helped me solve the crime. She didn't have to do that. On the other hand, I don't even know what her real name is, or the secret she's hiding. There's more to her story than lottery money. People tend to be way more loyal to their secrets than to their friends, and I don't need any friends I can't trust. With the queen of the clones now the one on suspension and awaiting her court date, and Annette lying low in embarrassment (it turns out she has a shoplifting habit, but was otherwise an innocent pawn in Lissa's game), Bethanie is on her own at Langdon.
We may work it out, but not today, and not until I discover why Bethanie and her family are on the run. I have plenty of theoriesâthey stole that winning lottery ticket and now a really pissed-off someone wants their money. Or maybe they created a counterfeit lottery ticket and got away with it until now, and the feds are tracking them down. It could be the life that Bethanie said she was never going back to, no matter what, is trying to reclaim her. Whatever it is, I'm making it my mission to figure it out ASAP and I can't do that if I leave Langdon.
There is one other reason I decided to give Langdon a try. The one who's starting the home opener this weekend against North High and can fake the sexiest French accent outside of France. I get through the day knowing we'll meet after school to rehearse our skit. Since we go onstage tomorrow, it's the last chance we have to get it right. He has his lines down perfectly. It's me who might cost us some points.
After the last bell, I try not to look too eager on my walk over to the library, but it's all I can do not to run. I'm full-on crazy for him, and I promise myself this is the day I'll let him know. You'd think sharing a near-death experience would have brought us close enough for one of us to make a real move, for me to make him the boyfriend the rest of the world thinks he is to me. So this is it. But as soon as I see him sitting on the library steps waiting for me, I turn to lava, hot for him but without form. I have no resolve; everything in me turns soft.
“What's up?” Marco gives me a nod, the way guys greet each other, not the way a guy greets a girl he can turn to lava just by looking at her. What's worse, I give the guy-nod back.
“Ready to rehearse?”
“As I'll ever be.”
We go inside and find our usual table in the humanities section, which is thankfully quiet and empty.
“Look, I brought props,” Marco says holding up a slice of bread. “We'll pretend it's a
baguette
.”
baguette
.”
“I think I'll take over responsibility for the props. There's a bakery near my house. I'll pick up a real baguette before school tomorrow.”
“You have to use your imagination.”
“That's what I'll tell Madame Renault when I mess up my lines. She can imagine I got them right.”
Our skit is supposed to be a couple enjoying lunch in a café on a Parisian boulevard. Since we get to make it all up, our story has us sipping Cristal champagne and driving a Bentley to the café. Marco and I figured if we're going to do it, we ought to live large. It's our homage to the Langdon lifestyle. But for some reason, I still can't focus on my lines. All I can think about is how his leg keeps
accidentally
brushing against mine as we sit side by side. I wonder if he's noticed that I've opened an extra button on my shirt, one more than the Langdon dress code allows. Can he smell the perfume I dabbed on my neck this morning while thinking of him?
accidentally
brushing against mine as we sit side by side. I wonder if he's noticed that I've opened an extra button on my shirt, one more than the Langdon dress code allows. Can he smell the perfume I dabbed on my neck this morning while thinking of him?
“Marco, aimes tu mes jambes?”
I say in what I hope is a very sexy accent.
I say in what I hope is a very sexy accent.
So when he breaks out laughing, I'm a little disappointed.
“You're supposed to ask me if I like the ham.
Le jambon.
” He can barely get it out between the laughing.
Le jambon.
” He can barely get it out between the laughing.
“That's what I said.”
“No, you said âDo you like my legs?'” More laughing.
I meant to be bold today, but not that bold. A minute ago, everything seemed perfect, and now I want to slide under the table, run out of the library. I try to think of something to say, a witty comeback that won't sound stupid, but Marco saves me from myself.
“Yeah, I do,” he says, no longer laughing.
And that's when it happens. He leans toward me and I can feel warmth coming off him in waves and he smells so good and I feel like there is no one else in the world but us and
oh, it's finally happening
! and his lips touch mine and so soft, but not too soft, and yes, it is perfect.
oh, it's finally happening
! and his lips touch mine and so soft, but not too soft, and yes, it is perfect.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
MY OWN WORST FRENEMY
Â
Kimberly Reid
Â
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ABOUT THIS GUIDE
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The following questions are intended to
enhance your group's reading of
MY OWN WORST FRENEMY
.
enhance your group's reading of
MY OWN WORST FRENEMY
.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.
Stereotyping got MJ ostracized on the Ave and Chanti suspended from Langdon by Headmistress Smythe. Have you ever had to deal with being stereotyped or profiled ? Have you caught yourself doing it to others?
Stereotyping got MJ ostracized on the Ave and Chanti suspended from Langdon by Headmistress Smythe. Have you ever had to deal with being stereotyped or profiled ? Have you caught yourself doing it to others?
2.
Being a snitch is seen as the lowest of the low. It's one thing to be in people's business and spreading information maliciously; it's another to share information about a person who hurts others or themselves with someone who can help. Have you ever been in a position to help or protect someone by divulging information, but feared being labeled a snitch?
Being a snitch is seen as the lowest of the low. It's one thing to be in people's business and spreading information maliciously; it's another to share information about a person who hurts others or themselves with someone who can help. Have you ever been in a position to help or protect someone by divulging information, but feared being labeled a snitch?
3.
Have you ever tried “trading up” friends the way Chanti did when she befriended MJ and neglected Tasha? How did it work out?
Have you ever tried “trading up” friends the way Chanti did when she befriended MJ and neglected Tasha? How did it work out?
4.
Even without being arrested like Chanti, being falsely accused is a frustrating experience. It can hurt to be accused of taking your sister's favorite earrings or starting a rumor about someone when you know they're innocent. Has this happened to you, and were you able to clear your name?
Even without being arrested like Chanti, being falsely accused is a frustrating experience. It can hurt to be accused of taking your sister's favorite earrings or starting a rumor about someone when you know they're innocent. Has this happened to you, and were you able to clear your name?
5.
At first Chanti is worried Marco sees her only as a friend, which kills her because she's so into him. Have you ever liked someone as more than just friends, or been surprised by sudden romantic feelings for a person you always considered just a friend? Were you ever able to tell the person how you really felt? How did it affect your friendship?
At first Chanti is worried Marco sees her only as a friend, which kills her because she's so into him. Have you ever liked someone as more than just friends, or been surprised by sudden romantic feelings for a person you always considered just a friend? Were you ever able to tell the person how you really felt? How did it affect your friendship?
6.
It's tough being judged simply for being who you are, whether it's for being a book-geek like Chanti, or for the way you dress as Chanti did to Tasha and Michelle, or being the outsider like all the scholarship kids at Langdon. How do you deal with the haters?
It's tough being judged simply for being who you are, whether it's for being a book-geek like Chanti, or for the way you dress as Chanti did to Tasha and Michelle, or being the outsider like all the scholarship kids at Langdon. How do you deal with the haters?
7.
Do you have friends like Michelle who just can't say no to the “bad boy” type? Or maybe you're like Michelle. The “bad” boys or girls are often just so irresistibleâwhy is that?
Do you have friends like Michelle who just can't say no to the “bad boy” type? Or maybe you're like Michelle. The “bad” boys or girls are often just so irresistibleâwhy is that?
8.
Childhood friends sometimes grow up to be bad news, like Donnell DTS. We hear about celebrities who make it big but “keep it real” by hanging out with old friends and end up getting into serious trouble. Have you ever remained friends with someone out of loyalty even though you know they're bad for you?
Childhood friends sometimes grow up to be bad news, like Donnell DTS. We hear about celebrities who make it big but “keep it real” by hanging out with old friends and end up getting into serious trouble. Have you ever remained friends with someone out of loyalty even though you know they're bad for you?
9.
We've all had a frenemy at some pointâa girl who sabotages your plans to eat healthily by offering you your favorite junk food, or a boy who creeps on the girl he knows is your crush. Why do you think so-called friends do things like that? Have you found a good way to deal with frenemies?
We've all had a frenemy at some pointâa girl who sabotages your plans to eat healthily by offering you your favorite junk food, or a boy who creeps on the girl he knows is your crush. Why do you think so-called friends do things like that? Have you found a good way to deal with frenemies?
10.
Sometimes we can be our own worst frenemy. We love ourselves but still do all kinds of self-destructive things. Chanti always seems to land in the middle of trouble. Maybe you want to get into a good college, but do more partying than studying. How can we stop sabotaging ourselves and become our own best friends?
Sometimes we can be our own worst frenemy. We love ourselves but still do all kinds of self-destructive things. Chanti always seems to land in the middle of trouble. Maybe you want to get into a good college, but do more partying than studying. How can we stop sabotaging ourselves and become our own best friends?
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