On the Flip Side by Nikki Carter

Author:Nikki Carter [Carter, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780758277756
Google: MLE2gj-Cz3kC
Amazon: 0758272693
Publisher: K-Teen/Dafina
Published: 2012-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

14

Ms. Layla, Mystique’s mother and fashion designer, has brought an entire collection of dresses to Zac’s house for Mystique, Dreya, and I to try on for our red-carpet gowns. Evan says that we have to use Ms. Layla whether we want to or not, because Epsilon is picking up the tab for this. He’s a serious penny pincher, which I don’t mind, if the money is passed on to us. If he’s just cutting corners to line his own pockets then I have a serious issue with his thriftiness.

“Drama and Sunday, I think you each need at least three looks,” Ms. Layla says. “Of course your red-carpet look, your award-acceptance look, and your performance look. Each of these three will have different hair and makeup to accompany them.”

“Mom, did you interview the makeup artists?”

“Yes, we found a perfect one. She did Toni Braxton’s last tour. She’s incredible.”

“What about Regina?” I ask. “She’s the only one who’s ever done my makeup.”

Ms. Layla and Mystique look at one another, but Mystique answers. “We had to fire Regina.”

“What?” I ask. “Why?”

Mystique clears her throat and strides across the room to look at some of the dresses. “Some things came to my attention about Regina. She was spreading some untruths about me and Zac. I can’t have someone like that in my circle. She had to go.”

Dreya laughs out loud. “Dang, Mystique be putting chicks out! Fired her? What did she say about you that was that bad? I mean, y’all corny as what anyway.”

“That’s not important,” Mystique says. “What’s important is that she betrayed my trust. I let her into my inner circle and she abused that right.”

“What is this? The mob?” Dreya asks. “You gangsta like a big dawg!”

“I protect mine, and I handle business when necessary,” Mystique says. “Nothing gangsta about that.”

I don’t say anything about the firing. I’m wondering if anyone told Mystique about what Regina said to me. There was no one there but us, and I know that I didn’t say anything. Maybe it wasn’t the only thing Regina was talking greasy about.

“Well, can someone communicate to the new makeup artist that I do not and will not do fake eyelashes?” I say.

“You ain’t gonna take up for your girl, Regina?” Dreya asks. “That’s your homegirl, right?”

I shrug. “I’m sure that Mystique had a good reason to fire her. I’m not going to question that right now.”

“So, Sunday,” Ms. Layla says. “I love your skin tone in warm colors. Fall is your season. How about this copper tube dress for the red carpet?”

I look at the tiny piece of material that Ms. Layla holds up. “That’s a dress? Where is the rest of it?” I ask.

“It stretches, honey. Try it on.”

I snatch off my jeans and T-shirt and pull the little sliver of material over my underwear. It’s a good thing that I’m naturally thin, because this dress doesn’t hide a dang thing. It clings to my stomach like a piece of Saran wrap on a hunk of meat.

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