Free On the Flip Side by Nikki Carter

set?”
    â€œI don’t know. Fifteen bucks?”
    â€œIf you could do ten people a week that would be a hundred fifty dollars. That’s more than you’d make at a fast-food restaurant.”
    â€œProbably. That’s a good idea. I’m going to get some flyers made. But wait. I don’t even have cash to get any equipment. I’ve barely got enough money to eat off campus.”
    â€œI’ll buy you the supplies. You can pay me back next year, when you get that first financial aid refund check.”
    Piper’s eyes light up, but then she looks suspicious. “Why would you do that for me?”
    â€œI guess because your situation really sucks and I’m feeling grateful for my mom and my blessings right now. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, heffa.”
    Piper laughs out loud. “Okay, I’m just going to say thank you.”
    â€œAnd I’m just going to say you’re welcome.”
    â€œGuess who I saw at Busy Bee’s last night?”
    I already know who she saw, because Gia filled me in late last night after they got in. Gia and Ricky were on a “double date” with Kevin and Piper. Well ... sort of. Kevin didn’t realize he was going on a date until he got there, and apparently he wasn’t happy. But they saw DeShawn from my video shoot.
    â€œWho did you see, Piper?”
    â€œGia must’ve already told you, but we saw DeShawn and he asked about you. He wanted to know if you’d broken up with your boyfriend yet.”
    To be honest, DeShawn hadn’t even come to mind since we shot my video. I was pleased that he asked about me, though. I mean, I am a girl, and he is ridiculously gorgeous.
    â€œWhat did you tell him?” I ask.
    â€œNothing. I didn’t tell him anything. Not even when he gave us tickets to their game in Jacksonville, Alabama.”
    â€œHe gave us tickets? Are y’all going? When is the game?”
    â€œIt’s this coming Saturday, and Gia is definitely going. You know she gotta see her little boo play ball and everything.”
    â€œHow are y’all getting there?” I ask.
    Piper grins which lets me know her answer before she speaks a word. “We were hoping you would drive.”
    I let out a big sigh. “Well, I’ve got a show on Friday night at The House of Blues. I probably won’t feel like driving. Who else has a license?”
    â€œI bet Gia’s friend Kevin would drive. He seems really responsible.”
    â€œYou like him.”
    â€œI do, but I’m not sure if I’m his type.”
    I think back on what Gia said about Kevin and wonder if Piper’s crush is a lost cause.
    â€œYou think Meagan will want to come too?” I ask changing the subject from Kevin.
    Piper scrunches up her nose. “I need a break from her. Plus, I think she likes Kevin too.”
    I shake my head. “Nope. She’s talking to another guy at Morehouse, I think. She hasn’t said anything else about Kevin.”
    â€œThen, I guess it’s okay. I just ... well ... she’s always reminding me of how privileged she is and how underprivileged I am.”
    â€œShe does that to all of us, Piper, not just you.”
    â€œBut the difference between y’all and me, is that y’all really do have something. You’re a freaking celebrity. Gia doesn’t care about what anyone thinks on anything. I was really hoping that my first roommate would be like a sister to me, but Meagan and I aren’t bonding at all.”
    â€œLook at it this way. It’s only a year, right? Next year, you’ll get a new roomie. Maybe we’ll all move off campus together.”
    Why did I let those words fly out of my mouth? That was definitely a thought that should’ve stayed internal. I don’t think I know Piper well enough to live with her. Gia is a no-brainer. She’s absolutely gonna be my off-campus roomie, if I can convince her that living