Pushin' Read Online Free Page A

point to have groups perform during class time for grades. That way everyone participates and she has a good pool of understudies if need be.
    â€œChance, it’s complicated,” I say, looking down at my vibrating phone to see a text from Rah. Ever since his little fiasco with Sandy last night, I’ve been giving him the cold shoulder. This fool is tripping if he thinks I’m going out like a sucker. I have a man and he’s a good one. It’s high time I started acting like it, and that includes no more drama with Rah.
    â€œYeah, I see,” Chance says, looking at my phone and then back up at me. “When are you going to get a new phone?”
    â€œWhy would I do that when I just got this one for Christmas?” I ask, silencing my cell.
    â€œBecause you got it from him,” Chance says, pointing at the open door where Rah walks in with Nigel behind him. What the hell is he doing here? Doesn’t he know he’s on the student roster at Westingle High, not South Bay?
    â€œOh shit,” I say under my breath. The last thing I want is an argument. I have too much work to do and I need to keep my head clear for work this afternoon. Mama and Netta have a long list of things for me to do at Netta’s shop because they’re busy with religious duties these days, and I’m grateful for the extra cash. I still haven’t got completely back on point financially because of all the time I took off studying for the Advanced Placement exams, but I’m getting back on my game.
    â€œWhat’s he doing here?” I ask aloud like I don’t already know the answer to the question. As usual, Rah wants to apologize for his rude-ass behavior.
    â€œJayd,” Nigel says, waving for me to come over. And why isn’t he in class, too? It must be nice being an athlete and enjoying all the perks thereof.
    â€œI’m busy, in case you didn’t notice the classroom you just walked into.” I do my best to ignore them both and return my attention to Chance, who is busy texting. Fine. In the meantime I’ll pick out my own scene to perform by myself.
    â€œJayd, it’ll only take a minute,” Rah says, pleading with those brown, puppy dog eyes that always get him his way—but not this time. I’m too pissed at the disrespect he showed me yesterday and at the fact that he didn’t heed my warning. Between Sandy and me, I am obviously the more trustworthy, but Rah still brushed me off because I’m not Rahima’s mom and never will be, no matter how much I care about her.
    â€œYou really to need to handle him, Jayd, before Mrs. Sinclair comes back in here and has a fit,” Chance says, putting his BlackBerry back in its holder on his pants buckle. “Come on, you know I’ve got your back.” Chance rises from his seat and reaches his hand out for me to take. His Rolex watch dangles loosely on his thin wrist, reminding me of his mother’s matching watch. I wonder if she’s told him the truth about his adoption yet? I love my boy and I hope he finds out about his black blood sooner than later. Thanks to my dreams, I know more about my friend than I want to. I don’t know how much longer I can keep a secret this big.
    â€œI guess you’re right,” I say, reluctantly rising from my spot and heading toward the front door. Students are outside, loudly rehearsing their scenes and talking in general. I love drama class. It’s the most expressive elective offered at this school, and I fit right in here, most of the time.
    â€œThank you,” Rah says, hugging me tightly, knowing I’ve already forgiven him when he is so wrong.
    â€œFor what?” I ask, pushing him away. “I came out here to warn you before our teacher comes back in the room. Everyone ain’t as cool as Mr. Adewale,” I say, reminding him and Nigel that the only black male teacher up here, who just happened to referee an off-campus game