Free Crazy Love by Amir Abrams Page A

you’re a senior, it’ll look great on your application to Juilliard.”
    I smile knowingly. Every year the French club sponsors an all-expense-paid trip to France for ten days in April. Although it’s mostly for members of the French club, they also have slots for seniors with the highest GPAs. She’d given me the application the first week of school, but the truth is, I misplaced it and honestly forgot about the trip. Another truth is that I haven’t even started the essay part of my application to Juilliard for next fall. And I really, really, really wanna get in. But it’s so dang competitive. Juilliard only accepts twenty-four applicants a year: twelve males and twelve females. And the competition is fierce . The possibility of not getting in is too much to think about. I blink the thought from my head.
    â€œWhen’s the deadline?” I ask.
    â€œIn three weeks,” she says as she writes me a pass. “We really need to have all the applications in before we go on Thanksgiving recess.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll discuss it with my . . . dad and get him to sign the papers.” She smiles, handing me my pass. I turn to leave, but quickly turn back.
    â€œMissus White, I’ve been meaning to ask you. About Juilliard . . .”
    She looks at me, wide-eyed. “Yes, what about Juilliard?”
    â€œWould you be willing to write a letter of recommendation?”
    She smiles. “I’d be honored. And I would have been very disappointed if you hadn’t asked me. When’s it needed by?”
    â€œI have to have everything submitted by December first.”
    â€œConsider it done.” I smile back, thanking her. Whew . . . one down, one more to go , I think, walking out of the classroom.
    â€œHeeeeey, boo-thang,” I hear in back of me as I make my way down the hall. It’s Zahara. I stop and wait for her to catch up with me.
    â€œHey, Miss Thang-a-lang.”
    â€œGirl, where you been? We waited for you this morning.”
    â€œI was with Sincere,” I tell her as we walk down to the first floor.
    â€œMmmhmm . . . so how is Mister Sexy Chocolate?”
    I smile. “Good. No, actually . . . great. Girl, I can’t get enough of him.”
    She throws her hand up over her mouth as if she’s shocked. “ Nooooo, not you. Since when?”
    I suck my teeth. “Whatever, heifer.”
    â€œListen, Miyah . . . about the other night at your house. I hope you know I was only playing when I said that stuff about Sincere. I would never disrespect you or our friendship like that.”
    â€œWhat stuff?” I ask, playing dumb. But, trust. I know exactly what Miss Messy is talking about. But I wanna hear her say it.
    â€œYou know that stuff I said about you passing Sincere over to me if you didn’t want him.”
    â€œOh, that? Boo, please. I forgot all about that.” Lies!
    Erika and her girls used to always say, If one of your girls says or does something suspect, keep your eyes on her. But never, ever let her know you’re watching her. You want her to think all is forgotten, so when she slips. . . you’re right there to stomp her lights out . Well, umm, they didn’t say that last part. That’s my stuff.
    She loops her arm through mine. “Good. Do you have dance practice today?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou wanna go to the mall after school?”
    I sigh. “I can’t. I’m on lockdown.”
    She shakes her head. “Oh, gaaawd. Drama with ya mama, again? The school year just started and you already in trouble. A mess.”
    â€œYeah, a real hot one at that,” I state, rolling my eyes.
    â€œYou two stay beefing.”
    â€œWhat else is new? It’s her. She’s a nut.”
    She laughs. “Uh-huh. So what’d you do or say this time ?”
    I stop in my tracks, putting my hand up on my hip. “Excuse you. I didn’t do or say anything. I just checked her