Free Diva Rules by Amir Abrams Page A

graduate.”
    Sonji lives in New Haven, Connecticut, with her husband, Rondell. Her ’n’ I aren’t as close as I am with Leona or my sister Kara. I think I’m probably the closest to those two, more so than with Sonji ’n’ Karina, because they were the ones who spent the most time with me. Usually, wherever one of them went, I went with her.
    â€œWell, I can’t wait to graduate. Trust. I’m so over high school.”
    â€œDon’t rush it. Savor it for as long as you can. Trust. It’ll be over before you know it.”
    â€œ Hunni , four months ’n’ counting. I can’t wait.”
    â€œWell, wait until you get out into the real world, sweetie. You’re going to wish you could have stayed in school longer. You’ll be tryna rewind the clock. Don’t rush it.”
    â€œChile, boom ! I can’t wait until I’m eighteen ’n’ grown. I’m outta here.”
    â€œAnd where are you off to? Have you even given any thought to what you want to do once you graduate, since you’re so anxious to be out on your own?”
    I shrug. “I don’t know. I thought maybe I could come stay with you.”
    She peels her eyes from off the road. “Oh, really? And do what?”
    I toss my hair. “Shop ’n’ be fabulous, of course.”
    She shakes her head, laughing. “Girl, get those grandiose delusions out of your head. You have a lot to learn.”
    I turn toward her. Poke my lips out. “So, you’re saying I can’t come stay with you?”
    â€œNo. I’m not saying that. I’m saying it’s time you start giving some thought to your future. And moving in with me can not be your post–high school life plan. Have you even taken the SATs?”
    Ohgod, is she serious? Not this again .
    â€œYesss. I did. I took them a couple of months ago. But I’m going to take them again, just to see if I can improve my score.” Truth is, I’m okay with my SAT scores: 1100. I’ll take it. Now what I’m going to do with them is a whole other story.
    I’m not sure I wanna go to college. I wanna travel to exotic places ’n’ be able to wine ’n’ dine in fancy restaurants. I wanna rock lots of ice ’n’ rock a fly whip, like my sisters. I think I’ma have to snatch me a baller ’n’ marry rich.
    â€œGood. Get your college degree, then land a great job and you can have the kind of life you’ve always dreamed of.”
    Uh, ohhkay. “Girl, hush. I already have a fabulous life, hun . I’m young. Gorgeous. Smart. And I get all of my sisters’ wardrobes. What more could a girl ask for?”
    She chuckles. “And let’s not forget being spoiled rotten. And while we’re at it, let me add conceited to the mix.”
    â€œHahaha. You wish. Never that. Okay, maybe a lil spoiled, though.”
    She shoots me a look. “A little ? Really?”
    I laugh. “Okay, okay. A lot. But it’s mostly your fault.”
    She laughs with me. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m guilty as charged.”
    I look over at my sister ’n’ smile. I love her so, so much. I swear. I don’t know if she realizes how much I look up to her. She’s like everything I want to be. Fly ’n’ paid!
    â€œMom said you and her got into it the other night,” she says, broaching the subject ever so lightly. Ugh. She knows I hate talking about our mother. Well, I don’t mind talking about her; just not talking about something she’s told one of my sisters about me , which is usually some level of exaggerated BS.
    â€œNo,” I say, shifting in my seat. I reach for the controls on the side ’n’ adjust my seat. “We didn’t get into anything. She slick-talked ’n’ I checked. Game over.”
    â€œShe says you told her to kiss the back of your—”
    â€œOmigod! Lies ’n’