Free Time to Shine by Nikki Carter Page B

one,” Piper says. “You just have to know that.”
    I rub Gia’s back as a few tears drop from her eyes. She doesn’t go into a full-fledged cry. I don’t think that’s Gia’s style.
    â€œAt least you have your cousin Hope on campus with him to give us the scoop,” Piper says.
    This makes us all burst into laughter and dries Gia’s tears right up. I wish I could trust Dreya to give me the scoop on what Sam is doing in NYC. It would help me get over him if I knew Sam had moved on.
    â€œY’all want to help me pick out my Grammy outfit?” I ask. “It might be fun.”
    â€œNegative,” Gia says. “I’ve got a research paper to do.”
    â€œMe either. I’m going to kick it with a guy I met when I went to sign up for a class at Morehouse.”
    â€œIs he cute?” Gia asks.
    â€œNo, girl. He’s hot. He looks like a nineteen-year-old Idris Elba! He’s tall, and dark, and has an incredible body.”
    â€œI’ma need you to not sound that excited!” I say. “You sound like you’re about to melt into a little puddle on the floor. What’s his name?”
    â€œJames, but everyone calls him L.J. He is so perfectly perfect. I’m so glad I met him. I thought I was going to stay boyfriendless.”
    â€œMaybe I need to get out more,” I say, “because there seem to be hotties everywhere, and I’m totally boyfriend free.”
    Gia and Piper both laugh. “DeShawn would so be pouting right now if he heard you say that,” Gia says.
    â€œHe’s not my boyfriend, but he’s definitely a hottie.”
    Piper says, “I heard him talking about going to the Grammys with you. He’s so pumped.”
    â€œHe is, isn’t he? That’s the effect I have on the poor boy. I hope he’s able to contain his excitement.”
    Gia says, “Are y’all ready for our Black History Month performance? We’ve only got two more rehearsals. How are y’all feeling about it?”
    Piper and I look at each other and then back at Gia. “You want to go first?” I ask.
    â€œNo, you,” Piper says.
    I clear my throat. “Gia, honey . . . I don’t think I want to do this dance anymore. You told us that a lot of people would join us, but it’s just the four of us. I’m not much of a dancer. I was gonna hide in the back of everybody else.”
    â€œI want to do it,” Piper says, “but I think people will look at me strange, because I’m white.”
    â€œI cannot believe y’all,” Gia says. “But I should’ve known that y’all would flake out on me.”
    â€œWhat about Meagan?” I ask. “Isn’t she still doing it?”
    â€œShe quit after the last practice. Sent me a text message,” Gia says.
    I put my arm around Gia’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Gia.”
    She shrugs me off. “I just wish y’all had told me before. Now, I’ve got to look all crazy in front of our professor, because I promised this dance, and now it’s not gonna happen. What happened to sisterhood, huh?”
    I let out a huge sigh. “Okay, dang. I’ll do it.”
    â€œWell, I’ll have to change a few things if it’s just going to be the two of us.” Gia hugs me around my neck.
    Piper groans. “Why’d you have to go there about sisterhood? I’ll do it too.”
    Gia takes one of her arms and wraps it around Piper’s neck and pulls us into a three person hug. “Yay. I knew y’all wouldn’t let me down. I’m going to make us some beautiful skirts. All you need to get is a black leotard and tights.”
    I shake my head. How in the world did this happen? I was supposed to be getting out of this African dance thing. I just know it’s going to be on YouTube, and I’m gonna be looking a straight-up mess.
    â€œOkay then, sisters . I have to go and look at