Rumor Central by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Read Free Book Online Page A

car?”
    I’d told her that I thought one of my Miami Divas co-stars had something to do with putting my tires on flat, but I couldn’t prove it.
    â€œMy dad will take care of it,” I replied. I just wanted to get away. If we didn’t have this meeting at the station, I would’ve had Tamara take me straight home. I’d never admit it out loud, but I was actually pretty sad about Bryce.
    â€œLook, I know you’re bummed—”
    â€œI’m not bummed,” I said, cutting her off, it’s just a stupid car. I didn’t want Tamara thinking I was giving my ex-friends the satisfaction of upsetting me.
    â€œWell, I’m just telling you to keep your eye on the big picture,” she said with a huge smile.
    â€œAnd what would that be?” I said. I turned and stared out of the window. I didn’t know what I was feeling more—mad at my former crew, or hurt over Bryce. Either way, none of them would ever know. I was planning on keeping it diva style. I’d never be reduced to fighting again. That reminded me, I hadn’t told Tamara about the fight. But the way she was rambling, I just decided not to say anything, period. It was over and done with anyway.
    â€œI mean, just imagine the looks on all of their faces when they see your new show. Everyone is going to be sick to see how much you’ve blown up.”
    Tamara knew just what to say to me. I was feeling better already. I finally smiled and she patted my hand.
    â€œMaya, you were meant for this,” Tamara continued. “Don’t let any of this petty high school drama get you down. You’re about to be on a whole other level.” She paused as she pulled into the parking lot at the television station, swiped her key card, and went through the gate. “We are about to make this show one of the hottest, freshest young shows that America has ever seen. And when you blow up as the host, all your so-called friends will be green with envy.”
    â€œThe source of their envy is plain to see, they’ll be hating because they can’t be me,” I softly mumbled.
    â€œWhat?” Tamara looked at me strangely.
    I shook my head. “Oh, nothing. That’s just something me and Sheridan used to say.”
    Tamara parked in her reserved spot, then turned off the car. “Well, you won’t just be saying it. You’re now about to be living it.”
    I liked the way she talked.
    â€œSo, you got some show ideas?” she asked as we made our way into the building.
    â€œI do,” I replied. “I didn’t get as much research done as I wanted because I have this stupid calculus class that is kicking my butt, and I missed a test that I know my teacher is going to be trippin’ about.” I sighed heavily. I couldn’t wait for graduation.
    â€œWhy don’t you get a tutor? The station will pay for it.” Tamara’s eyes lit up like an idea had just come to her. “It would be great if you could get someone from your school to tutor you and assist you when necessary. You don’t have any geeks at your school looking for a part-time job?”
    Part-time? I needed help full-time if they wanted me to maintain my fabulosity, but I didn’t push it—yet.
    â€œI did have this girl from my school help me get ready for this test.”
    Of course, Valerie had quickly responded to my Twitter message. She’d come by the next day and done a crash course on the calculus test, which she’d already taken. It was grueling, but I took the makeup exam this morning and I felt like I’d done all right.
    â€œWell, that’s good,” Tamara said. “Hire her to help you with all your schoolwork, then when she’s not helping you with schoolwork, she can do little things you need done around the station.”
    I shook off that thought. Did I really want to hang around a scrub like Valerie, even if she was working for me? I know some