Black & Ugly by T. Styles Read Free Book Online Page A

tone. "And that don't make no damn sense."
    "Whatever. Just because I don't look a certain way don't mean I'm jealous of you. And there are plenty of dudes who still want me, no matter how you think I look. Trust me," Parade says. "You don't even know the half."
    "And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
    "It's supposed to mean exactly what I said!" Parade yells.
    Aw shit. Parade is finally getting buck with Sky. She never, ever talked back to her that way. For one, Sky would threaten not to do stuff for her anymore and two, Sky is the flyest friend Parade has.
    I'm ordinary and I'm cool with it. I know about the labels, but I prefer to wear Express and spend more money on my shoes and purses than anything else. I'm brown-skinned and I wear my hair in ponytails most of the time. I got really big breasts and a flat ass. I think there's Chinese somewhere in my family 'cuz I have T. Styles
    45

    Triple Crown Publications presents . . .
    chinky eyes, although my moms keep sayin' it ain't true. She's slept with too many men to count and probably don't know who my father is anyway.
    "You know what, you little bitch, see the next time I do anything for you," Sky yells to Parade over the music.
    To say Parade looks up to Sky is an understatement, but eventually everybody gets tired of being shit-ted on. All she's gonna do now is carry Parade and not answer the phone when she calls. Parade can't handle the heat from Sky when she throws her shade. She'll call me or Miss Wayne and beg us to talk to Sky for her.
    But Sky won't come around until she gets ready.
    "Look, it's not that serious," I say as I grab Sky's hand. "She was takin' up for me, that's all. I'll talk to him real quick, Sky. It's not a problem."
    "First off, you don't need nobody takin' up for you.
    We ain't kids. We grown-ass women," Sky says as she looks at Parade.
    "Well, maybe you should act like it," Parade responds with most of her mouth in her drink.
    "I'm coming, Sky, dang. Just leave it alone."
    "Okay," she says with an attitude. " Anyway, he's been asking about you all night, and I think you'll like him," she adds as she play hits me on my arm. "I'm trynna find you a man so you don't have to trick no more."
    "Why you gotta say dumb shit, Sky? I don't need no man, and I'm not gonna stop trickin' till the fuck I get ready to."
    46
    T. Styles

    Black and Ugly
    "Unless you a dyke, we all need a man." Sky laughs. "Well, he's feeling you. He's asked me about you all night," she resumes as we approach him while he's kickin' it with one of his boys.
    "Excuse me," Sky interrupts his conversation.
    "Here she is."
    "A'ight, yo. I'll get up wit' you lada, man," he says to his friend. "Good lookin' out, shawty," he continues as he turns to Sky. "And don't worry, she gonna be a'ight wit' me."
    "No problem, boy. Just do my friend right," Sky replies as she switches away.
    I'm alone with him and nervous. I ain't the go-hard bitch I used to be and tonight I don't feel like no shit.
    All I want to do is have a nice time and pretend that all the stuff going on in my life doesn't exist. I don't want him calling me a whore or asking me how much I charge, like they usually do when they learn I trick.
    Men love breaking me down in public. They love reminding me of my position. But to prevent spoiled-ass Sky from being upset, I decide to meet him anyway.
    He's tall, attractive and dressed real fly. His mocha-colored skin doesn't have a mark on it, and the five o'clock shadow does him right. He's killing the leather blazer with the cap and Timbs. He has that Usher style goin' on real tough, so before he say a word, I know he's my kinda nigga.
    "Damn, I was wonderin' when you was comin' over here, yo. I asked your friend about you a long time ago."
    T. Styles
    47

    Triple Crown Publications presents . . .
    "Well, why you ain't come over to meet me yourself?" I question, wonderin' if he's playin' games.
    "'Cuz I ain't know if your dude was here, yo. I got beef with niggas already 'cuz