Street Soldiers
Other Titles in the Drama High Series
CHAPTER FIVE: THE WALKING DEAD
CHAPTER SEVEN: DESPERATE MEASURES
Drama High, volume 15, Street Soldiers
By L. Divine
Copyright 2012 by L. Divine
Cover Copyright 2012 by Ginny Glass and Untreed Reads Publishing
Cover Design by HotBookCovers.com
The author is hereby established as the sole holder of the copyright. Either the publisher (Untreed Reads) or author may enforce copyrights to the fullest extent.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold, reproduced or transmitted by any means in any form or given away to other people without specific permission from the author and/or publisher. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to the living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Drama High, volume 15
Street Soldiers
By L. Divine
Praise for
Drama High
“…Attributes the success of Drama High to its fast pace and to the commercial appeal of the
series’ strong-willed heroine, Jayd Jackson.”
—
Publisher’s Weekly
on the DRAMA HIGH
series
“Abundant, Juicy drama.”
—
Kirkus Reviews
on DRAMA HIGH: HOLIDAZE
“The teen drama is center-court Compton, with enough plots and sub-plots to fill a few episodes of any reality show.”
—
Ebony
magazine on DRAMA HIGH: COURTIN’ JAYD
“You’ll definitely feel for Jayd Jackson, the bold sixteen-year-old Compton, California, junior at the center of keep-it-real Drama High stories.”
—
Essence
Magazine on DRAMA HIGH: JAYD’S LEGACY
“Our teens love urban fiction, including L. Divine’s Drama High series.”
—
School Library Journal
on the DRAMA HIGH
series
“This book will have you intrigued, and will keep you turning the pages. L. Divine does it again and keeps you wanting to read more and more.”
—
Written
Magazine on DRAMA HIGH: COURTIN’ JAYD
“Edged with comedy…a provoking street-savvy plot line, Compton native and Drama High author L. Divine writes a fascinating story capturing the voice of young black America.”
—
The Cincinnati Herald
on the DRAMA HIGH
series
“Young love, non-stop drama and a taste of the supernatural, it is sure to please.”
—THE RAWSISTAZ REVIEWERS
on
DRAMA HIGH: THE FIGHT
“Through a healthy mix of book smarts, life experiences, and down-to-earth flavor, L. Divine has crafted a well-nuanced coming of age tale for African-American youth.”
—
The
Atlanta Voice
on DRAMA HIGH: THE FIGHT
“If you grew up on a steady diet of saccharine-
Sweet Valley
novels and think there aren’t enough books specifically for African American teens, you’re in luck.”
—
Prince George’s Sentinel
on DRAMA HIGH: THE FIGHT
Other Titles in the
Drama High
Series
The Fight
Second Chance
Jayd’s Legacy
Frenemies
Lady J
Courtin’ Jayd
Hustlin’
Keep It Movin’
Holidaze
Culture Clash
Cold As Ice
Pushin’
The Meltdown
So, So Hood
DEDICATION
To Trayvon Martin. May your soul rest in power.
* * *
When I first started writing Drama High it was all about Jayd, her crew, and how I could get their stories out to you. It was also about me, my students, and the drama that seems to carry over from one generation to the next. I love
Drama High
, probably more than I love any of my other projects (yes, I do write other stuff). And because of my affinity for Jayd’s drama, I will always be emotionally attached to this series.
When life goes awry I want to curl up in my bed, pull the covers over my head and drown out the rest of the world. But I can’t—at least not for too long. Not only because my children need to eat, but also because my readers get hungry, too. Borrowing from the wise words of the late Steve Jobs, I stay hungry and just foolish enough to keep on writing. I do it because of the sheer joy it brings me to know that my readers are feeling my words. I do it because as I’ve said many times before, as long as you keep reading I will keep writing. I won’t stop until the forty-fourth volume of
Drama High
is published.
In order to keep the series moving, you—the readers—must continue to voice your desires and support Jayd’s drama. This is the
Harry Potter
of the streets. This is the
Gossip Girls
of the hood. This is your
Drama High
.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to my parents, Dorothy Haskin and Claiborne Logan, who have supported me and my children through this year-plus of not publishing. It’s been rough, but my mama and daddy have seen us through with their undying emotional, spiritual and financial support. I know it’s sometimes exhausting having an artist as a daughter, but you both keep the prayers coming and I am so grateful that God listens to your words.
A very special thank you to Mama Ingrid and Mrs. Fatimah for being a part of our village. And to my colleague, R. M. Johnson for giving me the push I needed to continue doing what I love. Thank you for your wise and timely inspiration.
THE CREW
Jayd
The voice of the series, Jayd Jackson is a sassy seventeen year old high school senior from Compton, California who comes from a long line of Louisiana conjure women. The only girl in her lineage born with brown eyes and a caul, her grandmother appropriately named her “Jayd”, which is also the name her grandmother took on in her days as a Voodoo queen in New Orleans. She lived with her grandparents, four uncles and her cousin, Jay and visited her mother on the weekends until her junior year, when she moved in with her mother permanently. Jayd’s in all AP classes at South Bay High—a.k.a. Drama High—as well as the president and founder of the African Student Union, an active member of the Drama Club, and she’s also on the Speech and Debate team. Jayd has a tense relationship with her father, who she sees occasionally, and has never-ending drama in her life whether at school or at home.
When Jayd gets in over her head, her grandmother, Mama, is always there to help. A full-time conjure woman with a long list of both clients and haters, Mama also serves as Jayd’s teacher, confidante and protector. With magical green eyes as well as many other tricks up her sleeve, Mama helps Jayd through the seemingly never-ending drama of teenage life.
Mom/Lynn Marie Williams
This sassy thirty-something year old would never be mistaken for a mother of a teenager. But Jayd’s mom is definitely all that. And with her fierce green eyes, she keeps the men guessing. Able to talk to Jayd telepathically, Lynn Marie is always there when Jayd needs her, even when they’re miles apart.
Esmeralda
Mama’s nemesis and Jayd’s nightmare, this next-door neighbor is anything but friendly. Esmeralda relocated to Compton from Louisiana around the same time Mama did and has been a thorn in Mama’s side ever since. She continuously causes trouble for Mama and Jayd, interfering with Jayd’s school life through Misty, Mrs. Bennett and Jeremy’s mom. Esmeralda has cold blue eyes with powers of their own, although not nearly as powerful as Mama’s.
Misty
The original phrase “frenemies” was coined for this former best friend of Jayd’s. Misty has made it her mission to sabotage Jayd any way she can. Now living with Esmeralda, she has the unique advantage of being an original hater from the neighborhood and at school. As a godchild of Mama’s nemesis, Misty’s own mystical powers have been growing stronger, causing more problems for Jayd.
Emilio
Since transferring from Venezuela, Emilio’s been on Jayd’s last nerve. Now a chosen godson of Esmeralda’s and her new spiritual partner, Hector, Emilio has teamed up with Misty and aims to make life very difficult for Jayd.
Rah
Rah is Jayd’s first love from junior high school who has come back into her life when a mutual friend, Nigel, transfers from Rah’s high school (Westingle) to South Bay High. He knows everything about Jayd and has always been her spiritual confidante. Rah lives in Los Angeles but grew up with his grandparents in Compton like Jayd. He loves Jayd fiercely but has a girlfriend who refuses to go away (Trish) and a baby-mama (Sandy) that has it out for Jayd. Rah’s a hustler by necessity and a music producer by talent. He takes care of his younger brother, Kamal and holds the house down while his dad is locked-up in Atlanta and his mother strips at a local club.
KJ
KJ’s the most popular basketball player on campus and also Jayd’s ex-boyfriend and Misty’s current boyfriend. Ever since he and Jayd broke up because Jayd refused to have sex with him, he’s made it his personal mission to annoy her anyway he can.
Nellie
One of Jayd’s best friends, Nellie is the prissy-princess of the crew. She used to date Chance, even if it’s Nigel she’s really feeling. Nellie made history at South Bay High by becoming the first Black Homecoming princess ever and has let the crown literally go to her head. Always one foot in and one foot out of Jayd’s crew, Nellie’s obsession with being part of the mean girl’s crew may end her true friendships for good if she’s not careful.
Mickey
Mickey’s the gangster girl of Jayd’s small crew. She and Nellie are best friends but often at odds with one another, mostly because Nellie secretly wishes she could be more like Mickey. A true hood girl, Mickey loves being from Compton and her on again/off again man, G, is a true gangster, solidifying her love for her hood. She has a daughter, Nickey Shantae, and Jayd’s the godmother of this spiritual baby. Mickey’s current boyfriend, Nigel, has taken on the responsibility of being the baby’s father even though Mickey was pregnant with Nickey before they hooked up.
Jeremy
A first for Jayd, Jeremy is her white, half-Jewish on again/off again boyfriend who also happens to be the most popular cat at South Bay High. Rich, tall and extremely handsome, Jeremy’s witty personality and good conversation keeps Jayd on her toes and gives Rah a run for his money—literally.
G/Mickey’s Man
Rarely using his birth name, Mickey’s original boyfriend is a troublemaker and hot on Mickey’s trail. Always in and out of jail, Mickey’s man is notorious in their hood for being a cold-hearted gangster and loves to be in control. He also has a thing for Jayd who can’t stand to be anywhere near him.