Page 43 of Grown

“No!”

“Chant... this is so wrong. He’s a grown-ass man. He got no business popping up at a girl’s school like this.”

“Hey! I’m not a little kid. I’ll be eighteen in six months.”

“Yeah, but clearly he can’t seem to wait that long! Which is disgusting.”

“Back off, Gab. I know what I’m doing!”

She folds her arms. “Doesn’t look like it.”

“What? Are you jealous?”

“Of you and Korey? Girl, please. I got a man!”

“A broke college student. He’s older than you, too. Hypocrite!”

Gab blinks. “You know damn well that’s different.”

“Well, whatever. We’re not dating. He just... gets me. He thinks I’m talented. Unlike some people.”

“What? I’m always hyping you up. I’m the reason you even met that asshole since I was the one who pushed you to do that audition.”

“Well, he really believes I’ll make it. That I have range like Beyoncé.”

Gab scoffs. “Beyoncé? That woman is a damn unicorn! You can never be her!”

I pull the knife out of my back and take a deep breath. “Ouch, Gab.”

She winces. “I don’t mean it like that. It’s just... boys will say anything to get some ass.”

“He’s not a boy!”

“You right about that!”

We’ve never fought like this. The unbalanced anger makes me nauseous. My phone buzzes. A text from Korey.

Come outside.

“Tell him you’re not coming! I know that’s what he’s asking.”

I stare at her, then glance at the stall door.

“Bitch, if you walk out of here, I’m calling the police! Or worse, I’m calling your mother. Don’t make me tell her everything else I know.”

I swallow, texting him quick, shoving my phone back in my purse.

“There! Happy now?”

“Look, don’t use me for one of your lies again.”

“I won’t need to. Korey is taking me on tour with him!”

“What?”

“We’re gonna sing duets onstage! We’re gonna work on my album.”

Gab chuckles. “Girl, you really are crazy if you think your mom is ever gonna let that happen.”