Boy Trouble by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t a lot he could do about it.
    â€œJust trying to mind my own business, Mr. Carvin,” I said. Shay and Bali coughed loudly. I ignored them and took Mr. Carvin’s interruption as my cue to leave. I was done arguing with that group of losers anyway. I stepped around them and made my way down the hall.
    But I couldn’t help but think about what they’d said. Now, my girls’ reputations were reflecting on me. I didn’t let guys mistreat me, period. I dang sure wasn’t about to let someone lay his hands on me. And I hated being lumped in the same category as anyone who did.
    I had just made it to my seventh-period class when I saw Javier and Sheridan. And no, he wasn’t mistreating her this time, but he dang sure was disrespecting her. Once again, he had his tongue down her throat. Slobbing her down, in the middle of the hallway.
    â€œReally?” I said, approaching them.
    Javier licked his lips as they looked at me while backing up from one another.
    â€œAww, here she come with this again,” Javier said.
    â€œDisgusting,” I said, turning to Sheridan. “Don’t you have more self-respect? You’re really gonna let him do this in public?”
    â€œIt’s called PDA. I know you don’t know anything about it,” Javier said. He put his arm around her. I don’t know why that made me feel like he was trying to stake his claim or something. I just couldn’t believe Sheridan couldn’t see through this mess.
    It’s like Sheridan had suddenly gotten laryngitis or something around this dude. She never got a word in because he was always talking for her.
    â€œMaya,” Sheridan began. “It’s not even like—”
    â€œNah, she ain’t your mama,” Javier interrupted. “You don’t owe her an explanation.”
    â€œUgh. Whatever,” I said. “Sheridan, what’s up? You were supposed to meet with that chemistry worksheet. I’ve been calling and calling.”
    She smiled. “Oh, girl, I am so sorry. I forgot I was supposed to be meeting you.”
    I could only stare at her. I was waiting for her to bust out laughing or something, because this had to be a joke.
    â€œSeriously?”
    She just stood there looking all innocent until I finally said, “So, why didn’t you answer your phone all evening?”
    â€œOh, I had to let Javier borrow my phone yesterday,” she said, like that mess was normal.
    â€œBorrow your phone?” I yelled. “Who does that?”
    â€œPeople in love,” Javier answered, “something you’d know nothing about. I was in a bind and my girl helped me out by letting me use her phone.”
    I gave him the hand and stared at Sheridan. “He’s slipping you drugs, right? I mean, that’s the only explanation for how you’re acting.”
    â€œChill out, Maya. Dang,” she huffed. “I don’t have anything to hide. He can use my phone.”
    I took a deep breath. “So, I guess you didn’t see the many times I called her.”
    Javier grinned, all stupid-looking as he hunched his shoulders. “Sorry. I didn’t.”
    â€œWhatever,” I said, pushing past him and into my classroom. I seriously was about to be done with Sheridan. If she was cool with that jerk, I didn’t even know if I wanted her as my friend anymore!

Chapter 8
    C ould my BFF actually be back? The laughter filled the air in the hallway as Kennedi and I cracked jokes and ragged on our classmates. Kennedi seemed to be back to her normal, bubbly self. She was in a really good mood. Of course, I assumed that meant that her and Kendrick had made up, but honestly, I didn’t even bother to ask because I really didn’t want to know. The ups and downs of their relationship were enough to drive a person crazy. Besides, if we talked about him, I was going to have to tell her about herself again, and I didn’t even want to