Free Uptown Dreams by Kelli London Page B

She was going to get her a job even if she had to get on bended knee and beg. Acting like a beggar would be easy.
    Jamaica wrapped her arms around Mateo, then got on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks. I owe you big time.”
    â€œAnd you’ll pay ... big time,” he said, laughing.

9
    LA-LA
    L a-La hoisted her book bag over her shoulder as she crossed the street as quickly and safely as she could. She was running behind. She looked at her watch. Remi’s chemo treatment was almost over, and she’d promised her that morning she’d make it in time to keep her company while she was connected to the infuser. Zigzagging through the pedestrians, she exhaled the breath she’d been holding. She was only two buildings away from the hospital. “Better late than never,” she said to make herself feel better about her tardiness, but it didn’t work. She should’ve been there, she chastised, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t cut class, especially not Mrs. Allen’s. Mrs. Allen didn’t play—ever—and La-La’d bet the grouchy lady hadn’t even done so as a child. In fact, she couldn’t imagine her ever being young. “A dollar to a dime, she was born old and grumpy,” La-La began, but was cut off by something heavy whizzing over her shoulder that made her stop dead in her tracks. “What the—?” Something else whooshed by her, harder this time. A rock?
    â€œSo you think you can sang , hunh?” Nakeeda’s voice came from behind, joined by giggles.
    La-La cringed. Today was not the day and now was not the time. She turned and her eyes widened. Nakeeda stood less than a half block away with at least six other girls flanking her sides, and Hammerhead-Helen, with her huge forehead and nappy edges, stood out from the rest. Even from where La-La stood, she could feel the weight of Hammerhead’s dome. All the girls were holding what appeared to be rocks and bricks. Her heart moved into her throat and beat until she could feel it in her temples. Then it raced, making her blood pulse. Her hands sweated as she gripped the strap of the book bag. She shook her head. She hated being scared, and wished she could find the courage—the strength—to knock some sense into Nakeeda and Hammerhead-Helen. But even if she could, she wouldn’t. She was no fool, and knew she couldn’t handle seven girls.
    â€œOh, I don’t see you talking junk now! No Cyd to back you up this time.” Nakeeda aimed another rock, then threw it like a missile.
    La-La jumped to the side, dodging it. “Stop, Nakeeda! I gotta go pick up my sister.”
    The girls fell out in laughter, Nakeeda the lead and the loudest. “Oh, your poor little sister. What’s wrong with baldilocks now? I heard your momma over-processed her hair trying to make her look like your step-daddy’s child!”
    The gang of girls roared in laughter now.
    La-La roared too, but it wasn’t laughter coursing through her. It was anger. Nobody bothered Remi. Nobody . They’d somehow managed to keep Remi’s illness a secret or, at least, she thought they did. La-La took Nakeeda’s tease to heart.
    â€œShut up, Nakeeda!” she spewed her anger for the first time, then caught herself. She didn’t have time to play into Nakeeda’s stupidity; she had to get to Remi. Hoisting her bag over her shoulder again, she turned her back to Nakeeda and her crew, and walked toward the hospital. A couple more large rocks flew past her, but she kept going. She had to. Remi’s problem was bigger than Nakeeda.
    Â 
    The cab pulled up to their project building, and Remi sprung from it as if she hadn’t just had one poison funneled into her veins to kill another. La-La watched her in awe, and was mad at their mother for not making the appointment. Again. But, as usual, Boom-Kesha was pregnant, and now couldn’t be around