Truth or Dare

Rumor Central

 

You Don't Know Me Like That

 

Real As It Gets

 

 

 

Published by Kensington Publishing Corp.

Dafina KTeen Books KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
www.kensingtonbooks.com

All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

W
ell, here I am again, wrapping up Book 4 in the
Rumor Central
series. I can't begin to thank you guys for showing me (and Maya Morgan) so much love. I love creating the good, the bad, and the downright scandalous drama that Maya seems to keep getting herself caught up in.

It's such a blessing to be able to do what you love. And I've been a lover of the written word since I was a little girl. So to be able to do this on a daily basis is a dream come true.

Some people don't know this about me, but I wrote my very first story two weeks after my fifteenth birthday. There was this magazine called
True Confessions
. It was actually an adult magazine (don't tell my mom), with all these scandalous stories that women found themselves caught up in. They had a call for stories, so I submitted a story about how I stole my sister's husband (the stories were supposed to be true, but of course, since my sister was only twelve, I'd made mine up). I never expected to see that story published. I just wanted to make up something. So, imagine my surprise when I got a letter from the magazine saying that they loved my story and wanted to publish it! They sent me a check for a hundred and fifty dollars. (I never cashed that check because I didn't have a bank account and I was too scared of my mama.)

Unfortunately, I set my dream of writing on the shelf, and tried to pursue something “a little safer.” If I have any regrets in my life, that would be it—to have a love like I did for writing, but not explore it because I wanted to “be safe.” Oh, I could've been safe, and still pursued my passion on the side, and not hung it up altogether. So, for all you aspiring young writers, keep writing, keep believing, and keep putting pen to paper.

As usual, I can't wrap up without a heartfelt thanks to some very special people in my life. To my children, Mya, Morgan, and Myles (notice how I use their names in the books
). Thanks to the rest of my family; my friends; my agent, Sara Camilli; my phenomenal editor, Selena James; my bomb publicist, Adeola Saul; and all the fab folks at Kensington.

Much love to my friends and sisters of the teen pen who also craft wonderful reads for young people, Stephanie Perry Moore, Ni-Ni Simone, Nikki Carter, Shelia Goss, and Victoria Christopher Murray. Make sure you check out their teen books as well!

Thanks to the terrific readers who pick up my books, tell others, and show me so much love. Big shout-out to parents and grandparents like Bettie Beard, Marsha Cecil, Jetola Anderson Blair, Joan Estinval, Danyelle Brown-Schulze, La Tonya Mavins, Beverly Harper, Sharla Lewis, and all the adults who always make sure they are putting my books in their children's and grandchildren's hands. Major love to all the other parents, teachers, librarians, reading and literacy specialists, and concerned adults who turn teens on to my books. Keep spreading the word and I'll keep writing!

I can't wrap without sending a huge shout-out to my social media followers. You guys keep me motivated, inspired, and encouraged! I wish I could name each of you personally, but how about you just insert your name here: _________. A thousand thanks to you!

Make sure you shoot me an email at [email protected] or follow me on Instagram at ReShonda Tate Billingsley and let me know what you think about
Rumor Central
. Can't wait to hear from you. Now, get to reading. The next book in the
Rumor Central
series is coming soon!

 

Much Love,

ReShonda

I
couldn't stop smiling as I watched the commercial with white sandy beaches, crisp blue water, and hot-bodied people walking up and down the beach. In just a few days, that would be me (of course I would be a lot cuter than that busted-looking chick in this commercial). But I couldn't wait.
It was about to be on!

“Stand by,” my director, Manny, said, snapping me out of my daze.

I turned back to the camera to get my shine on (not that it ever left), but I got into serious focus mode when the camera turned on. As the popular host of the hottest celebrity gossip show—not just in Miami, but in the country—I always had to bring my A game.

“And we're back in five, four, three, two . . .” Manny pointed to me as the
Rumor Central
theme music came up.

“What's up, everybody?” I began. “It's your girl, Maya Morgan, and we hope you've enjoyed today's edition of
Rumor Central.
You'd better believe that we're all over this latest story about Usher, and you'll want to make sure you keep it locked here to get the latest scoop. But you'll have to tune in in two weeks because your girl is out! That's right, I'm heading to Cancun, Mexico, for a little fun in the sun, rest and relaxation, and an all-around great time at the world-famous Spring Break Fling! Check out this short video from the Fling last year, shot by none other than one of the members of the boy band Four Dudes.”

On the video, stars were partying with regular people in what looked like the best party ever.

The weeklong Spring Break Fling had been going on for a few years, but in the past couple of years, young celebs started going and that took things to a whole other level. Granted, I was going with my senior class, but I wasn't about to tell my viewers that. I didn't need the world to see I was getting excited about a high school thing. But make no mistake, I was pumped. The only thing that could've made this better was if my cousin, Travis, were going. Despite some drama with his drug-dealing friend last month (long story), I loved kicking it with my cousin, who had come to live with us earlier this year. Travis was fun with a capital F, but he was going back home to Brooklyn, New York, for spring break to spend time with his sick mother.

No worries, though, because the party must go on!

Manny gave me the cue to wrap, so I said, “Yours truly will be all up in the mix this year, so you know it's gonna be fiyah! Enjoy the break. I know I will. Until next time, holla at your girl.”

The theme music came up again as the credits started rolling. I couldn't get my earpiece out of my ear fast enough.

“Bye, Manny,” I called out, not bothering to wait for a reply. I was so ready for a vacation. Since I'd started as host of
Rumor Central,
I had become a workaholic, which wouldn't be so bad if I weren't seventeen and in the prime of my teen years. But hey, you couldn't be on top—and stay on top—like me by being a slacker. As Diddy said, “I'll sleep when I die.” So, I wasn't making plans to sleep in Cancun, but I
was
going to kick it. Even though my girl Kennedi didn't go to school with us in Miami (she lived in Orlando), I'd managed to finagle her on to this trip. (Hey, when you were a rich chick like me, you made your own rules.)

Anyway, between Kennedi and my other BFF, Sheridan—and of course the fact that I
was
the life of the party, any party—we were about to have a blast.

“Looks like somebody is ready to go,” my executive producer, Tamara, said, approaching me as I speed-walked down the hall back to my office. As usual, she was fly in a burgundy custom-tailored Vera Wang pantsuit. Her jet-black bob had her looking ready to kick butt and take names. I guess that's why she was the top dog at
Rumor Central
—next to me, that is.

“Well, that's the understatement of the year. I am so ready to get out of here,” I replied, stopping to face her.

Dexter, the show producer, stood next to her smiling mischievously. Dexter was Tamara's partner in crime and ever since they'd canceled
Miami Divas
, a reality show that I had starred in with four other people, and given me my own show, they were always conspiring with one another.

“Uh-oh,” I said, my gaze darting back and forth between the two of them. Whenever Dexter got that look in his eyes, something was up. It meant his mind was churning.

I glanced at my watch. I had fifteen minutes before I was off. So I didn't need his mind to be churning with anything concerning me.

I decided I wasn't even going to ask questions. “Umm, okay then, I'll see you guys in two weeks,” I said, trying to step around them.

“Hold on,” Tamara said, following me. “We're going to walk with you to your office.”

I looked back and forth between the two of them. “I'm off in fifteen minutes.” They gave me a lot of respect, and sometimes, I could tell the older people at the station had a problem with me being only seventeen years old, but I'd more than proven my worth. In the beginning, people used to doubt if the gossip I delivered was legit, but they had quickly learned that I was right on the money with most of the stuff I brought to the table. Being in Miami's “It Clique” had allowed me that luxury.

“This will only take ten minutes,” Dexter said, giddily, like he was hiding some big secret.

“Okay, what's up?” I said. I walked in my office and started gathering my things. I would listen, but I didn't want to stop and make them think I was giving them too much of my time.

“Well,” Tamara said as she exchanged glances with Dexter. “We know you're about to head to Cancun with your friends and so Dexter and I were talking . . .”

Dexter was so excited that he couldn't even let her finish. “And we think now would be the perfect time to take the show on the road.”

“Excuse me?” I said, finally stopping and giving them my undivided attention.

“Think about it,” he said. “Maya Morgan in Cancun at the Spring Break Fling with young celebrities from all over the country? Oh, that's some good juicy material waiting to happen,” Dexter said.

I couldn't believe they were going there—again. When I'd first started the show it was bad enough that I'd had to turn my back on my
Miami Divas
costars. Since she was my best friend, Sheridan had since gotten over it. But the others—Shay Turner, Bali Fernandez, and Evian Javid—were still salty about it. So, I'd felt bad about that (for a brief minute anyway), but then I'd had to sell out my friends for ratings and that had created major drama. Now, here they were asking me to do it again.

Dexter must've been able to tell my mind was churning because he said, “You talked about wanting to go international. This is the perfect opportunity.”

Tamara continued. “I was talking to someone and they told me a whole lot of young celebs go to the Spring Break Fling. It's become a hot spot for them to let their hair down. That sounds like some good stories waiting to happen.”

“This is supposed to be my vacation!” I protested.

“Sweetie, do you think Beyoncé takes a vacation?” Dexter said.

“Ummm, as a matter of fact she does,” I replied.

“No, trust and believe, I assure you, she's still working even while she's on vacation,” Dexter said.

“We're not trying to take away from your fun. We're just saying now would be a perfect time to have a camera crew go on the road,” Tamara interjected.

I shook my head. I was so not feeling this idea. “I just want to relax and have a good time.”

“And you can,” Tamara said. “If we send a camera crew, we're footing the bill.”

I looked at them sarcastically like
that
was supposed to be enticing to me. I could foot my own bill. As a matter of fact, this trip had already been paid for.

“Everything's already taken care of,” I said.

“So, you have the penthouse suite of the InterContinental Presidente?” Tamara asked matter-of-factly.

“How do you know where we're staying?”

“Honey, we know everything,” Dexter said, folding his arms and flashing a sly smile.

“Well, no, I don't have the penthouse suite. We tried to get it, but they told us it was unavailable.”

Both Tamara and Dexter smiled. “It's unavailable for normal people. Not for a network like WSVV,” Tamara said.

“So picture yourself in the penthouse,” Dexter added. “I mean you're already the ‘it' chick and I'm sure you have a very nice room, but we've booked the whole top floor of the InterContinental Presidente. The penthouse suite just for Maya Morgan.”

That made me raise an eyebrow.

“We'll make sure you have a driver, unlimited food and drink—non-alcoholic of course—everything at your disposal. We know you can do all of this yourself, but why bother? Let us do it for you,” Tamara said.

I narrowed my eyes. “And all I have to do is agree to let you film the trip?”

“That's it,” Dexter said with a smile. “Let us film it and
Rumor Central
gets the scoop.”

“And we'll even give you your free time,” Tamara added. “Just get us enough for a few stories and the rest of the time is yours.”

I wasn't feeling this idea because I really had been looking forward to just relaxing, but images of the penthouse suite, a driver at my disposal, and an all-around good time on someone else's dime made me say, “Fine I'm in.”

I hoped it wasn't a decision that I would end up regretting.