Free The Hustler's Daughter {DC Bookdiva Publications} by Pinky Dior Page B

cream, then headed
home with all of their shopping bags. They were truly enjoying themselves and
Mercedes could tell by all the laughter.
    For
the entire weekend, Mercedes, Candy, Hazel, Chamari and Shateeya had loads of
fun. They went out to the mall, movies, and the arcade. They did everything
they could during the weekend and it brought them much closer. They all got
along really well. They even told each other secrets that they would never tell
anyone.
    Late
Sunday evening, as they sat in Mercedes’ room, they began to share deeper
secrets about each other.
    “You
still a virgin Mercedes?” Shateeya quizzed her. “Yeah,” Mercedes shook her
head, “Why you not?”
    “Hell
no girl, I lost my shit when I was thirteen.” Shateeya proudly said.
    “She's
going to lose hers to Chino.” Candy cooed as she playfully nudged Mercedes in
the arm with her elbow. The girls burst into laughter. Mercedes blushed because
she secretly wanted that to be true. She was excited about the chance to see
Chino the next day when she would be handing out invitations. The fun would
really begin and everyone would remember who she was, if they didn’t already
know. The haters were sure to come out in full force now.

 
     
     
     
    You’re Invited
     
     
     
    Mercedes
was excited. Today she would be officially passing out her invitations. People
crowded the cafeteria because Candy made an earlier announcement about
Mercedes’ Quincenera. Everyone anxiously anticipated their invitation to her
birthday party. Mercedes stood on top of a chair, with her girls standing next
to her, as they called out people’s names and handed them their invitations.
The ones who didn’t get invitations would be highly upset.
     
    They
were all aware that this was going to be the biggest party of the year,
especially since it was Mercedes’. She called Chino’s name out first, but he
wasn’t in the cafeteria at the time. She was a little sad at first, but she
knew that he would get his invitation. His presence was vital.
       After
they were done passing out invitations, everyone who received one was excited.
They were dancing around and chatting about what to wear. It seemed like
everyone except for the Queen Bee’s was invited.
    They
were livid.  They sat at the table mean mugging the other happy students. India
looked as if she wanted to kill Mercedes. She had her arms folded across her
breasts and watched Mercedes laugh with her girls. Mercedes saw Chino walk in
the cafeteria. He was looking better than she remembered. His hair was
straightened and had it pulled back into a sleek ponytail. She immediately
grabbed her pink Louis Vuitton bag and made her way over to him.
       “Hey
Chino,” Mercedes smiled. She made sure she sprayed on some of her Ralph Lauren
perfume before she made it over to him. She wanted him to smell her when she
wasn’t around.
       “Hey
Ma,” Chino kissed her on the cheek. Mercedes pulled out an invitation from her
purse and handed it to him.
     “What’s
this?” he asked, shaking the invitation.
       “Open
it,” Mercedes urged.
    “What
a beautiful picture.” Chino complimented. Mercedes blushed and watched him open
the invitation. He read it aloud, “You are invited to Mercedes Carter’s Sweet
16, a Pink and white affair- Leave the drama at home.” Chino laughed as he
rubbed his chin.

    “So
are you coming or what?” Mercedes wasn’t amused, but she hid her annoyance.
    “Of
course I’ll be there, why wouldn’t I?” Chino asked.
    “Maybe
your little girlfriend won’t let you come.” Mercedes joked, but noticed he had
a serious look on his face.
    “Nah
Ma it ain’t even like that, that’s my ex and she be tripping.” He assured her,
as he shook his head and chuckled at India’s crazy ass.
    “Alright
that’s cool.” Mercedes nodded and turned to leave, but he stopped her with a
question she never thought she would hear.
    “So
when are you gonna let me take you out and get to know