Time to Shine by Nikki Carter Read Free Book Online Page B

guy.”
    â€œDeShawn as my date to the Grammys?” I hadn’t thought about it before, but not only would that be a great message to the reporters, it would also be a message to Sam. He’ll know I’m serious about moving on if I bring DeShawn to a public red carpet event.
    â€œYes, and as your date to everything. No one has to know that you’re not actually dating. It can be your mystery. Zac and I played games with the media for years before we ever admitted to being in a relationship.”
    â€œSo, if they ask me about us, what should I say?”
    Mystique grins. “Just smile and say, ‘I never talk about my private life.’ ”
    She never talks about her private life. But . . . I think that everyone’s else life is totally fair game for Mystique.

6
    â€œS pelmanites,” Gia barks in her bossy voice. “Let’s get this dance perfected. I will get extra credit in our ADW class if we do this right for the program.”
    ADW is our African Diaspora and the World class. It’s mandatory for every freshman at Spelman. It’s the one class I share with all of my new friends.
    We’ve been practicing Gia’s dance in the common area of our dormitory. Every time I see someone walking by, like they’re going to get some rest, I envy them. Gia is ridiculous with her work ethic! I am tired.
    â€œI’m not doing this dance,” Meagan says. “It requires way too much movement, and I am sweaty and hot by the first half of the song. That isn’t cute at all.”
    â€œThere aren’t going to be any Morehouse men at the program, Meagan,” Piper says. “It’s going to be just us girls.”
    â€œAre we doing this or aren’t we?” I ask. “If not, I need to practice my Grammy performance.”
    â€œWhat are you singing?” Piper asks.
    â€œ ‘The Highlight.’ ”
    Meagan says, “What are you wearing, though? That’s more important than the song. Who knows who might see you on the red carpet? It could be your fairy tale prince.”
    I laugh out loud. Meagan’s priorities are always hilarious. It’s always about how to land the husband with her.
    Gia lets out a low wolflike growl. “Is this going to be a group effort or am I doing this dance solo?”
    We trudge back over to our positions and go through the dance, this time managing to get through Gia’s backbreaking routine without collapsing.
    â€œBetter,” Gia says emotionlessly when the music stops. “Next time, maybe we’ll actually look like we know this routine.”
    â€œMan, whatever!” Piper says. “I’m done rehearsing! I’ve got to study. You act like we’re being paid for this performance.”
    â€œI thought y’all wanted to do everything in excellence!” There’s a pleading tone in Gia’s voice that makes all three of us stop for a moment.
    â€œCome on, Gia. What are you really stressed out about?” I ask. “It can’t be this dance. I mean, it’s really not that serious, you know?”
    Gia sighs and wipes her sweat drenched brow with a towel. “It’s Ricky. I don’t know what he’s tripping on, but ever since that Gamma Phi Gamma party, he’s been acting some kind of way toward me.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Piper asks. “Ricky is the perfect boyfriend.”
    â€œThere’s nothing specific,” Gia says. “It’s just a general feeling that we’re drifting away from each other, and that there’s nothing that I can do about it.”
    â€œDo you think it’s another girl?” I ask. I’m hoping not, because Ricky was giving me hope that there were some good guys still left on the planet. If he’s playing Gia, I won’t know what to believe anymore.
    â€œNo. Ricky wouldn’t do that. He would break up with me before he played me for somebody else. That’s