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Chapter Six

I'm sick and tired of the loose rap
-- Aaliyah, "Loose Rap"

"So what's up, chickie!" my girl Mamie screeched midbite into her double cheeseburger, during our girlfriend chow-down in the food court at the City Place Mall, in downtown Silver Spring.

"Well, I think I need to get a job," I said, stuffing another french fry into my mouth.

"What! You want to join the land of the working?" Mamie teased. I playfully swatted her.

"I'm desperate for the money." I took a frustrated bite of my burger. "Things are really getting tight around our house. Plus, I have to start thinking about college. Two years isn't that far away. Even with every scholarship known to man, it's gonna take M-O-N-E-Y. Pass the ketchup, please." I reached for my milk shake. Mamie looked at me like I had two heads.

"You really want a job? Humph! Girl, you're Miss Bookworm. How are you gonna maintain that four-point with a job? Plus, you ain't hardly used to hard labor like me!"

"Nothing's going to keep me from being a doctor! I'll dig ditches, whatever! For real, I'm not some scared little girl. My mom is all I have, and I owe it to her. It's time for me to pull my weight at home. Besides, how hard can waiting tables be?"

"Hello! Feisty, aren't we? I wasn't up for all this serious talk. Can we at least just get through the rest of junior year first? I've never heard you sound like this before."

"Whatever, are you going to help me or what?" I asked, looking her squarely in the eyes.

"You're my girl. Of course. I can definitely get my boss to hook you up on a part-time gig. I think we've got an opening for another waitress on my evening shift. Girl, we could kick it! Busboys and Poets is such a chill spot, you could even get some of your studying done between customer flow!" Mamie chomped as she poured a mound of ketchup on a small side plate to dunk her fries.

"Cool. Now all I have to do is convince my mom that I can work and go to school." I let out a sigh.

"Jade, you look so worried. Are you being totally straight with me about what's going on in your life?"

"Look, there's a lot going on, but I don't want to really deal with it today. Just look out for me. Things are complicated, but I can handle it."

"Is it your mom's health again?"

"No, no, she's great, really great. I just need to help out, you know?" I said, uneasily shifting in my seat. Mamie was eyeballing me. "I'm fine, really. I just need a job!" I said.

"Okay. I'll leave it alone," she said, throwing her hands up in a surrendering gesture. "But know I'm here for you," she said, touching my hand. I could feel myself welling up with tears. The last thing I wanted to do was cry. "We're gonna get you that job. In the meantime, here. It ain't much, but I've been saving. This is for you. Put it in the future college fund!" Mamie handed me two twenties and a ten.

"I can't take your money, Mae," I said, fighting back the tears to no avail, as I looked down at the fifty dollars in my hand. I wiped my eyes.

"Aw, damn, you know I'm not into that sensitive stuff. Cut it out!" We both laughed. "I didn't loan you that money. I gave it to you. Considering I'm not shooting for the honor roll or college, it would be a shame for my graduation and college fund to go to waste. And besides, one day, after you finish all that school stuff and become a rich doctor, and I'm the hottest multiplatinum Grammy-winning female music producer in the business, we'll sit around on your yacht wearing fabulous gear, rockin' our ice, laughing about the days when we were broke!"

We both burst into laughter, before gobbling down the rest of our fast-food feast. When we finished, I started clearing the table.

"I'm working from four to eight today at the café, and then I'm going to that club in Adams Morgan. I've been beggin' the promoter to put me on the turntables and give me a night. He at least lets me get five or ten minutes here and there. I gotta keep hustlin'," Mamie said, pulling out her compact and applying fresh lip gloss. Girlfriend's makeup against her flawless cocoa skin always had to be just right. She ran her fingers through her fresh-from-the-salon tresses. "So whassup? You rollin' with me tonight?" she said, carefully brushing mascara onto her eyelashes.

"Mae, c'mon. It's a school night. I love you, but no. I got to stay focused on the books, try to get ahead, especially since I'm going to hopefully get a job. Clubbin' is not one of my subjects," I said.

"I know. I still thought I'd ask. But when I finally book one of those really hot clubs to spin at, or a major gig, I don't care what day of the week it is. You'd betta be there front and center!"

"You know I will." I dumped the trash in a nearby container.

"Damn, you're pretty good at that. I see part-time waitress in your future!" she said, wrapping her colorful scarf around her head like a turban, pretending to be a fortune-teller.

"The only thing is that Busboys and Poets is so far from my house. I live in Pettworth, and Fourteenth and V Streets are in midtown. That's at least twenty minutes away in a car. A car I don't have. Taking the Metro at night -- oh, no. My mom will never go for that."

"Yeah, well, hello. Your girl does have a car, when it works. We'll get on the same shifts, and when you work nights, I'll drive you home or we'll catch the Metro together. C'mon. I've got forty minutes before I have to get ready for work. Let's shop!" Mamie, in true dramatic form, put on her oversize sunglasses and was now wrapping her scarf around her neck like some rich diva.

"Uh, excuse me. With what money? I just had to take a handout from you," I said, with my hands on my hips.

"It's called window-shopping, girlie!" Mamie grabbed my arm and dragged me off to Urban Outfitters.

As soon as we walked into the store, Mamie, aka Miss Fashionista, went straight for the back display. "Oh, my God. I would look crazy in that spinning at the club!" she said, pointing to a micromini jean skirt and cowboy boots. She hurriedly slipped the boots on.

"Girlie, you'd definitely look fabulous deejaying in those!" I said.

"Miss, she'll try a pair on in eight and a half," she called out to the salesperson. There was never a dull moment with Mamie. Before I could say no, I was slipping on a pair of boots. Mamie and I were acting crazy like we had money to spend.

"Jade, those are hot!" Mamie admired.

"You think so, Mae? I think they look better on you," I said, looking in the full-length mirror.

"I think they look great on both of you!" A guy's voice startled us from behind. I turned around quickly to see who it was coming from. The voice belonged to the sweetest pair of brown eyes, sporting a pair of aviators, dressed in preppy-conservative flavor.

"Can we help you?" Mamie said in a flirtatious tone, giving the cute stranger the once-over.

"I'm Collin Andrews," he said, holding out his hand.

"And I'm Mamie." Mamie put one hand on her hip and reciprocated the gesture, extending her other perfectly manicured hand. My girl was such a flirt.

"Errum." I inconspicuously cleared my throat. Mamie was too busy blushing.

"My bad. This is my girl Jade," Mamie said.

"Sorry for the rudeness," Collin said with an embarrassed look. "Here. I wanted to give you ladies some information about a new site introducing you to Silver Spring's finest in nightlife. Coming very soon to a club near you. You all go to school around here?" Collin handed us a colorful postcard with a picture of a cute guy's face on it.

"Yeah, we go to Silver Spring High," Mamie said as I checked out the party postcard.

"Wait, I think I saw you at the homecoming dance. Jade, right?" He eyed me curiously.

"Probably not. I was only there for a bit. Anyway, it's a big school. I'm in honors classes mostly, and I don't socialize much," I said.

"And I don't get to school much," Mamie said, and snickered, eyeing the postcard. "Hey, this is that guy Blue Reynolds, huh? I saw his posters everywhere during homecoming."

"Well, I'm Blue Reynolds's partner in Blue Up."

"Oh, snap. Partner? I heard that. Yeah, yeah, Blue Up Productions, thas whassup! Facebook has been on fire about you guys and how you turned out the blackout party and homecoming." She nodded. "I couldn't make it to either. I was working both nights," Mamie said, looking at the card again.

"You all should join our networking site," Collin encouraged.

"Oh, I don't waste my time with that stuff. Sorry," I added, rolling my eyes.

"It's cool. I do. I'm on Facebook. In fact, if you're looking for the hottest female deejay on the ones and twos in the Silver Spring-DC area, I might be able to hook you up with her," Mamie said, giving two snaps in the air.

"And who would that be?" another curious voice asked from across the room.

"That would be me!" Mamie turned around and said confidently. I followed her lead, and we both looked up and down at the new stranger, who was chomping on a toothpick.

"Sup, C!" He approached coolly, giving Collin a pound. Oh, my God. It was the cute guy on the postcard who was onstage at the dance. "Ladies?"

"Mamie and Jade, this is Blue Reynolds," Collin said. "Coincidentally, they attend SSH. You might remember Jade from the homecoming dance," Collin hinted.

"Front row, right?" He nodded at me. I suddenly felt the weight of this handsome new stranger's eyes all over me like a cheap knockoff outfit.

"He was the obnoxious jerk who shouted me out on the mic," I whispered to Mamie. Honestly, I was both flattered and uncomfortable. I tried to play it off by looking away. This Blue was about five-ten, lean but muscular, and I'm not gonna lie, totally H-O-T. He had almost a boyish charm. And, oh, my God! His big brown eyes and million-dollar Colgate smile almost had a girl hypnotized.

"I hear your game is tight on the mic." Mamie giggled. "Mine is too. Professionally, I'm known as Ill Mama," she said excitedly.

"She's the sickest deejay around," I added, shaking off my obvious instant crush.

"Where do you spin?" Collin asked.

"Um, I do a, um, li'l somethin' somethin' at the Spot in Adams Morgan. I turn it out up in there." I shot Mamie a hard look. She was totally lying.

"That's cool. I'd love to check you out." Collin nodded.

"Yo, Jade, sorry if I embarrassed you at the party. I just thought you were gorgeous and I had to holla at you," Blue butted in. His words dripped with charm.

"Well, some girls might find that appealing, but I don't," I said.

"It doesn't matter now. All that matters is that it's Blue Up's lucky day. Bam!" Mamie passed one of her own promo cards to both Collin and Blue. "You can check me and my beats out on Facebook. By the way, if you have any parties coming up and you want them to really be fly, Mr. Blue Reynolds, you'll hire me to deejay."

"I'll wait for my boy to give me the full report when he checks you out," Blue said cockily, removing the toothpick from his mouth.

"Whatever, dude," Mamie said, giving Blue the hand.

"Mamie, let me get your info," Collin said, pulling her over to the side.

"Can I check you out too, Jade?" Blue eyed me. Okay, he just blew it with that lame line.

"Is that how you meet girls?" I said, rolling my eyes.

"Only the beautiful ones. So can I call you?" he asked.

"No, I don't think so," I said, shaking my head.

"You got a man?"

"What?"

"You married?"

"Of course not!" I smiled, somewhat amused by his crazy line of questioning.

"So, where can I find you at school?" Before I could answer, he did the ultimate jerk move and started texting someone in the middle of our conversation! How disrespectful. No, he was not tryin' to play me out!

"Excuse me? How rude! You want to know where to find me, figure it out!" I said putting my hands on my hips.

"Huh? What did I do?" he asked, as if he had done nothing wrong.

"We were in the middle of talking, and that whole texting move was wack. Whatever! C'mon, Mae," I mumbled, rolling my eyes. Yuck. I was totally turned off by his nonchalant attitude. I couldn't believe the nerve of this guy. On second thought, he wasn't that hot. I grabbed Mamie's arm and pulled her away from her one-on-one with Collin.

"Hey, we gotta bounce, but don't sleep on the Ill Mama, Collin!"

Mamie called out as I dragged her away.

"Let's go before you make up anything else about your so-called set at the Spot!" I said, quickly putting my sneakers back on, and motioning for Mamie to do the same. "Besides, Blue was a total jerk!" I said, pulling Mamie out of the store.

"Ouch! He may be a jerk, but girlie, that was my shot!" Mamie huffed.

"He's arrogant. Forget him. You don't need people like that. You're gonna make it because you've got it! You are much too talented and fly to waste your time. People like that guy make me sick. You don't have to beg anybody for anything!"

"I feel you." I could tell Mamie was a little disappointed.

"I wouldn't be your BFF if I didn't keep it real with you. Just know he's not the only game in town!"

"You're right. It ain't like he's Diddy or somebody!" Mamie was getting amped up again.

"Hello! Plus, those guys are still in high school like us. I would strongly question their credibility. Screw them!" I pumped her up again.

"Screw them!" Mamie checked the clock on her cell phone. "Oh, snap. I gotta jet for work. Oh, and I'm all over that job for you. Keep your head up, mami! Muah!" Mamie gave me an air kiss, grabbed her oversize faux designer tote, and bounced off.

"I'll call you later!" I laughed to myself at how absolutely adorable and funny my girl is. I headed off in the opposite direction. I swear, when it feels like the whole world is sitting on your shoulders, there's nothing like your BFF having your back.