How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen Read Free Book Online Page A

minutes later, I yank the door to Striker’s and the cool breeze greets me. I’m sweaty and hope my shirt doesn’t stain in the armpits. I get my rental shoes, and while I search for a ball, someone taps my shoulder. It’s Billy.
    â€œYou’re right on time, Washington.”
    He’s standing next to two dudes who look familiar. Both guys have my skin color and Sergio’s dark shiny hair.
    Billy introduces us. “Lamar, this is Sandeep and Omar.”
    I nod. “Yeah, I know. You guys started school way late, didn’t you?”
    Both stare as Sandeep answers. “Bowling.”
    Billy nudges me and chuckles. “You ready?”
    â€œI guess.”
    Sandeep and Omar aren’t bad. I watch them practice while I prepare the way Bubba’s book tells me. Billy puts our names in the computerizedscorekeeper and the game begins. They both spare their first frame by knocking down a few on the first try and getting the rest on their second. When it’s Billy’s turn, he gets up, grabs his Pro Thunder, strolls to the lane, and throws a gutter ball. He shakes his hand as if something hurt.
    â€œBall slipped,” he says.
    I keep my eye on him. He turns my way and winks.
    â€œOkay, hold us up, Lamar.”
    I turn to answer and notice Sergio and Tasha seated at a table behind lane ten, not far from Makeda.
    Makeda! When did she get here? Oh, no.
    I look past the bowlers’ area. Sergio glances at the lane, then back at me. He says something to Tasha, and they move to a snack bar table. I know Billy’s sandbagging again. Maybe Sergio knows he is, too. But that’s not my fault. I never fake the funk when I bowl, and Sergio shouldn’t blame me for what Billy does.
    BLAM!
    We spank Omar and Sandeep, but they take it like good sports. After we shake hands, Billy heads toward the exit with them. He turns back to me.
    â€œStick around and I’ll have something for you in a minute.”
    â€œOkay.”
    I wait by the exit door for Billy but keep my eyes on Makeda. Sergio’s staring a hole in my face, but I won’t look his way. I feel bad enough about Billy’s gutter balls.
    Moments later, Billy steps inside and signals me to follow him. He pushes the door to the men’s room and stops in the middle of the floor. He scans the place before taking a roll of dough from his pocket.
    â€œAwesome again! Here’s your cut: fifty bucks. You’ve made ninety bucks in two days for two hours of work. Now where are you going to find a job that pays that kind of money? Still want to write that essay?”
    He stands there, holding the door and nodding. “I know you weren’t down with my bowling today. But I knew you could carry us. Keep doing what I tell you and you won’t regret it. That’s a for-sure bet, Washington. Oh, I’ve got something for you.”
    He reaches in his pocket and tosses a cell phone to me.
    â€œThere’s limited minutes on that phone. It’s for us to communicate and that’s it, okay? It’s set on vibrate, so it won’t ring and you won’t have to explain the new phone. Partners need to stay in touch, right? You’re a good partner, Washington.”
    I’ve never had a cell phone. It’s silver and fits inmy palm. “Thanks.”
    I follow him out of the rest room and stuff the phone into my pocket. He turns left and I turn right toward Makeda’s table. She’s decked out in pink shorts with a pink-and-white blouse and a pink headband. I stop and smile at her.
    â€œHi.”
    She grins back. I lean against the table and get my mac on.
    â€œGirl, you look like a big piece of Bubblicious.”
    Her grin fades, and so does mine when I realize she didn’t take that as a compliment.
    â€œI love gum. It’s just you’re all pink and…my bad, Makeda.”
    I take a seat and avoid direct eye contact with her, but she busts me anyway.
    â€œWhat’s