Can't Stop the Shine Read Online Free

standing ovation, applause and cheers for her performance. Half-heartedly clapping, Mari walked over toward where Shauntae and Colby were standing.
    â€œI guess y’all are all caught up in my Alicia Keys wannabe sister, too?”
    â€œDon’t hate on your sister, girl,” said Colby. “She sure can blow—and play, too.”
    â€œBut she need to let them lime-green pedal pushers go. She looks like she’s been fishing in those high-water pants,” Shauntae snickered.
    â€œI know you are not talking about my sister,” warned Mari.
    â€œYou were,” said Shauntae, the penciled-in eyebrows on her smooth fair skin arching in attitude.
    â€œShe’s my sister, so I can.”
    â€œStop being so protective about your prissy-ass sister,” said Shauntae. “She ain’t all that now. So what, she can sing and play the piano? A lot of people can do that.”
    â€œWell, I think she’s tight,” said Colby. “She’s got skills.”
    â€œWho asked you for your opinion? You always got something to say,” said Shauntae to Colby, who looked away to hide her hurt feelings.
    â€œWhy don’t you leave her alone?” Mari said to Shauntae.
    â€œFor what? I can say what I want,” said Shauntae, adjusting her ample chest in the too-tight blue halter she was stuffed into. She smiled at a couple of guys who were staring at her thick hourglass frame and shoulder-length sandy-brown naturally curly hair that kept her the center of male attention wherever she went.
    â€œNot at my party you can’t,” said Mari, moving closer to Shauntae.
    â€œYou just think you all that because your sister can sing. She can sing. You can’t.”
    Mari heard a bunch of “oohs” from around the room and realized that all eyes were on her and Shauntae.
    â€œWhat is your problem? Why are you always roastin’ on people? That is so childish,” said Mari.
    â€œNo, what’s childish is you trying to front on me because Qwon is all up on me and not paying you any attention—at all.”
    More “oohs.” Louder this time.
    â€œNow what are you gonna say?” challenged Shauntae.
    Mari was on fire. She could feel the heat rising up the back of her neck. She wanted to knock Shauntae down, but she settled for something just as satisfying.
    â€œThe only reason Qwon is on you is because he knows you’re the biggest freak at Crunk High.”
    Hoops, hollers and laughter erupted. People slapped palms and gave one another dap. Embarrassed, Shauntae tried to play it off with a “Whatever,” and a flip of her hand. She ended up rolling her eyes and walking out of the room.
    Mari was satisfied. She hated the way that Shauntae treated Colby, but she also felt that Colby needed to stand up for herself. She’d been letting Shauntae run all over her since Mari met them both five years ago at a YWCA sleepaway camp. When they got back from their two-week stay, they found that they lived right across town from one another. Shauntae lived in a mixed-income apartment complex, Colby stayed with her grandparents in a shabby house not too far from Shauntae, and they both were juniors at Samuel Odette Williams “Crunk” High, where Kalia was a part of the magnet performing arts program.
    â€œLet’s take a group picture,” said Kalia, walking up. “This may be the last time we have a joint birthday blowout ’cause who knows where I’m going to be next year.”
    â€œMom and Daddy are outside,” said Mari, reflecting on Kalia’s words. Kalia was right. This was probably their last birthday party together. Mari hadn’t even started her sophomore year yet, and she was already wondering what her junior and senior years were going to be like without Kalia around. True, her sister annoyed her, but it was an annoyance that she’d gotten used to having around.
    The four of them—Mari,