It Is What It Is by Nikki Carter

Author:Nikki Carter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2012-01-24T05:00:00+00:00

17

“Come on, Gia. Move your butt!” Mrs. Vaughn yells across the gymnasium.

I am late for Hi-Steppers practice today because Kevin wanted to get some work in on our short story. We have a difference of opinion on the ending. I think that our lead female, Helena, should find out Steve can read minds, be freaked out, and run off screaming. Kevin says that’s not romantic—as if he would know. But anyway, he wants Helena and Steve to get beyond their differences and attend the senior prom together. I vote no. Kevin can go ahead with all those rainbows, unicorns, and happy endings.

But anyway, our argument has me totally late for practice. Valerie and I have choreographed a sweet step to Kanye West’s song “Touch the Sky” and she’s already standing in front of the Hi-Steppers teaching it. There is this crossover move that we do right before we throw our hands up in the sky that is bananas! I can’t wait to do it at the game on Friday.

The rest of the step is pretty simple stuff, and the Hi-Steppers catch on quickly. Throughout the entire practice, Candy keeps giving me the I-know-you-snitched side eye. Whatever!

At the end of practice, Valerie stands in front of us all. She announces, “I am running for Homecoming queen. All Hi-Steppers are expected to help me be crowned by wearing buttons and passing out flyers.”

I cover my mouth and pretend to cough, but I’m really laughing. She’s got me messed up if she thinks I’m going to be handing out buttons that say Be a pal, Vote for Val. No, ma’am. Absolutely not.

Valerie continues, “Susan Chiang, one of the rally girls, is running against me as queen. As a show of solidarity, we will not be attending any rally girl–sponsored events until after Homecoming, which is three weeks away.”

“When you say we, who exactly do you mean?” I ask.

The rally girls’ bowling party was the hotness! This week they’re doing the party at FunNStuff, an arcade and laser-tag spot where everybody hangs. I fully intend to be there, so I don’t know what kind of punishment Valerie is gonna have for me.

“I mean all of us, Gia. Hi-Steppers stick together.”

I hate being torn like this. Trust and believe, I’m down for the Hi-Steppers. I love being a Hi-Stepper! But Hope is my cousin and one of my best friends. It doesn’t matter to me if she’s a rally girl.

“Listen, Valerie, I’ll help you become the Homecoming queen, but it won’t be by hating on the rally girls.”

Mrs. Vaughn dismisses our practice and we all rush to the locker room. I would like to avoid Valerie because I do not want to continue that Hi-Steppers united foolishness. But I brace myself for drama because Kelani, Jewel, Candy, and Valerie are all giving me dirty looks.

I quickly shower and get dressed, not just because I want to get away from this negative air, but because I have to go do a few things for Mother Cranford. I have been seriously neglecting my only source of income.

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