No Mercy by L. Divine Read Free Book Online Page A

between me and the main character. “Count me in, too.” I recall last year’s fiasco when Laura thought she was going to steal my part. I dare her and Mrs. Bennett to try that shit again this year. I’ll have both their heads on platters.
    “W hat’s up with your girl, Nellie? She’s not looking so good,” Matt says, noticing Nellie’s passive demeanor.
    Chase looks worried, much to Alia’s disliking but she can’t really say much the way she was cheesing it up for dude in class this morning.
    “She had a rough weekend,” I say, leaving out the pertinent details of Operation: Rescue Nellie. It’s Nellie’s story to tell, not mine. And she’ll tell whomever she pleases whatever she pleases, whenever she pleases.
                  “I’m going to see what’s up with her,” Chase says, letting go of his current girlfriend to check on his ex.
                  I would walk over there but when Nellie left my mom’s apartment yesterday morning she made it clear that she never wanted to mention Saturday night again. Nigel was still asleep on the living room floor when Nellie and I had a brief but telling conversation about her very emotional relationship with David. I think she’s in over her head with the preacher’s son but she says she can handle it.
                  “Is it just me or is Nellie good at playing the victim?” Alia says, observing the body language between the two former lovers, both of them my friends. Alia’s a cool homegirl but I know where my true loyalties lie.
                  “I don’t think she’s playing,” I say, further pissing Alia off. Normally I’d be right there with her in thinking that Nellie was up to something—I know she senses the change.
                  “She says she’s fine but I don’t know,” Chase says, putting his arm around a resistant Alia. “Something’s not right.”
                  “Well, why don’t you take her home and grill her about whatever’s going on,” Alia says, sarcastically.
    I think this is the first time that I’ve ever heard the girl use anything but a nice tone with her man. It’s funny how jealousy can turn even the sweetest chick into a monster.
    “Babe, you good?” Chase asks, finally noticing Alia’s foul disposition.
    “Yup, just peachy,” Alia says, removing his arm and walking off toward the main hall.
    “What did I miss?” Chase asks, completely oblivious. Most boys are clueless when it comes to the games of love.
    “A lot,” I say, smiling at my best guy friend.
    Chase looks from Nellie to Alia and shakes his head, finally figuring it out for himself.
    I can’t be mad at him, but if he were my man I would probably feel the same way as Alia does right now. Chase has been hung up on Nellie for two years. That shit doesn’t just fade away because he’s got a new girl by his side.
                  “Come on, Chase. We’d better get to Speech and Debate.” I’m looking forward to Mr. Adewale’s daily topic. He always picks some good ones.
                  “But seriously, what did I do wrong? Am I not supposed to check on Nellie because we broke up?” Chase asks as we join the procession to fifth period.
                  “Depends on the chick you’re dating,” I say, eyeing Alia eye us. “And apparently Alia has a well-hidden jealous streak.”
                  “You’re her friend,” Chase says. “Did you know she’d trip on me like this?”
                  “First of all, Alia and I are acquaintances. Don’t go throwing the word friend around so loosely,” I say, taking my seat. “Second of all, I’ve never witnessed her on the dating scene before so no, I didn’t know she’d trip on you like this.”
                  “Damn, and I thought she was cool like that,” Chase says, quoting one of our favorite old school rap