Fair-Weather Friends (17 page)

Again, we all looked at her.

“You have got to be the corniest person I've ever met,” I said.

“But you love me anyway.” Alexis grinned.

I returned her grin. That I did. I loved them all and I was so grateful that the Good Girlz were friends again. And this time I was determined that nothing would come between us ever again.

The Good Girlz of Zion Hill are back for new adventures and, of course, plenty of drama. When Camille sees her high school's Theta sorority performing a spectacular step show, she decides that she and her friends must become Thetas at any cost. Camille talks Angel, Alexis, and Jasmine into joining with her, but problems arise when Jasmine won't take part in the grueling hazing rituals led by Tori, Theta president and Jasmine's longtime enemy. When Jasmine learns a nasty secret about Tori, she knows that she has to step in before her friends make a terrible mistake. With the help of First Lady Rachel Jackson Adams, Jasmine fights to keep her friends together, as the Thetas and racial problems at school threaten to tear the Good Girlz apart.

1.
Fair-Weather Friends
is the fifth book in Billingsley's Good Girlz series. How have the Good Girlz changed from earlier books? Who has matured the most? Who seems to have changed least?

2. Who is your favorite member of the Good Girlz? Have your opinions of any of the characters changed from book to book?

3. From the moment Camille sees the Thetas performing, she wants to be a part of their world. “I couldn't stop talking about the Theta Ladies. As a matter of fact, the whole school was talking about them.” Why is Camille so drawn to the Thetas? Why does it take her so long to see the downside of the Thetas, even after the issues that come up with Angel?

4. How does each character's past shape the decisions she makes? How do they all learn from the mistakes of others?

5. Why does Jasmine see through the Thetas much earlier than her friends do? How is she different from the rest of the Good Girlz?

6. What does this book tell us about race relations? Have you or people you know experienced racism or other prejudices? How do you react to people who are outwardly prejudiced?

7. Rachel tells Jasmine, “I want you to understand that friends go through their ups and downs all the time … Keep trying to get through to them. Come up with a plan. Anything. Just don't give up on your friendship.” Have any of your friendships been tested? How did you handle it? How do you work to maintain your friendships?

8. Do you think Tori's racial views reflect those of many people? Why do you think people like Tori act the way they do?

9. What does the book tell us about the nature of groups and exclusivity? Discuss the ways in which organized groups can positively and negatively impact society.

10. What were some of the funniest parts of the book? The most shocking? What were some other lines and scenes that stood out?

11. Who are some of your other favorite motivational fiction writers?

1. This novel talks about the importance of community service. Get your group together for a volunteer outing. Take a look at
http://www.networkforgood.org/volunteer/
or
http://www.redcross.org/donate/volunteer/
for ideas. Or, brainstorm ideas for activities that support your favorite causes.

2. Have a dinner party where everyone prepares a favorite fun and easy dish. Bring music to play while you cook so you can share both songs and recipes. Try
http://www.foodnetwork.com
if you need ideas.

3. Get to know one another better. Write questions such as “What is your favorite book of all time?” and “Which fictional character do you most identify with?” on slips of paper. Drop them in a hat and pass them around.

4. Learn more about ReShonda Tate Billingsley and her upcoming books at
http://www.myspace.com/goodgirlz1
and
http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com.

“Y
ou so stupid you have to put lipstick on your head just to make up your mind.”

I looked over at my brother and laughed. “You so stupid you tried to put M&Ms in alphabetical order.”

“You so fat, I tried to drive around you and ran out of gas,” he said.

“You so corny, you should be in a field.”

He looked at me, paused, then busted out laughing. “Okay, now
that
was corny.”

“It was, wasn't it?” I admitted. I guess I'd been hanging around Alexis too long, because she was known for her corny comments.

I actually couldn't believe how much fun Jaquan and I were having just walking and talking. My grandmother had sent me to the corner store to get some cooking oil so she could finish frying chicken for dinner. Out of the blue, Jaquan had offered to walk with me, which definitely
caught me off guard because my brother didn't
offer
to do anything. When I tried to ask him what was up, he made like he wanted to buy himself some candy from the store. But I had seen two bags of Skittles in his backpack earlier. Even so, I let it slide. I just figured we were finally getting to the point where we enjoyed each other's company.

“So, what did the coach say about you being a McDonald's All American?” I asked. I was so proud of Jaquan. Only three boys in the whole city of Houston had made it on the national McDonald's All American basketball team and my brother was one of them. He was blowing people away with his skills on the basketball court. He knew he was good, but that didn't stop him from getting out there and practicing every single day, and I think it was definitely only making him better.

“Coach said I'm gonna have Division One colleges beating down my door.”

My eyes widened. This was the first time my brother had ever mentioned college, at least with so much enthusiasm.

“I know I have two more years but I'm tellin' you, if I have a shot at getting out of this dump”—he motioned around the neighborhood—“then I'm takin' it. Plus, get this, Coach even said I shouldn't be surprised if the pro scouts start looking at me.”

I stopped and turned to him. “What?”

“I know, I know. Everybody in the neighborhood thinks they can go pro but I'm not bankin' on that. Yeah, I'd love
to and yeah, I think I'm good enough to make it, but honestly, I'm just trying to get a college degree so I can get a good job, then get us all out of this neighborhood. It's gettin' rougher by the day. By the time Jaheim and Jalen get to high school, it's gon' be nothin' but trouble on every corner. The streets are rough.”

His suddenly serious tone was catching me off guard. Now that I thought about it, lately he'd been having more and more moments like this, when he would all of a sudden turn serious. Maybe it was just all part of him growing up.

We made our way inside the store and I picked up the cooking grease and a loaf of bread. I smiled inside as I noted the fact that Jaquan didn't buy any candy. He just stood around as I paid for my stuff. We exited the store, and I was just about to call him on it when four boys in baggy pants passed by us. They were cursing, laughing, and talking loud.

The expression on Jaquan's face changed when he spotted them.

“Well, if it isn't Jaquan Jones,” the short, stocky one in the front said. All four of the boys stopped in front of us on the sidewalk.

“What's up?” Jaquan said unenthusiastically.

“Same ol', same ol'.” The guy stroked his chin. “I thought I told you to get wit' me.”

“I've been a little busy,” Jaquan replied. His whole body looked tense. “I'm just tryin' to stay focused on playing ball.”

The guy threw up his hands. “Hey, I'm not a difficult brotha. I can respect that. But I also think you can show us a little love, too.”

“You don't need my love, Tonio. Looks like you got plenty of it,” Jaquan said, motioning to the boys behind him.

These guys were freaking me out. All of them looked shady. Two of them wore hoodies and they all looked like they'd just been dropped off by the prison truck. When I looked at the two teardrops on Tonio's face, I knew that wasn't a good sign.

“Yo, man. I'm gonna be looking to hear from you,” Tonio said.

“Yeah, whatever,” Jaquan replied.

“Hey, foxy mama,” Tonio said, turning his attention to me. He licked his lips as he looked me up and down like I was a pork chop sandwich.

“Umm, is this 1975?
Foxy mama
? Are you for real?” I asked.

He stepped in my face. He barely came to my chin. “Get with me and I'll show you how real I am.”

I took two steps backward. “Get out of my face before I show you how real
I
am.”

Jaquan rested his hand on my lower arm. “Jasmine, chill.”

Tonio broke out in a huge grin. “See, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. A tough girl. You don't seem like you're scurred of nothin'.”

“Am I supposed to be
scurred
of you?”

Tonio laughed. “Shoot, while I'm talking to Jaquan, I might need to be hollerin' at you. Why don't
you
come see me? The Blood Brothers can always use a good sister.”

Jaquan pulled my arm. “Jasmine, let's go,” he demanded.

Tonio laughed again. “I'll see you around, pretty lady. Let's roll,” he told his boys.

“A
gang
? You fooling around with a gang?” I asked as we started heading back home.

“Ugggh!” Jaquan groaned, smashing his fist into the palm of his other hand. “Man, I can't believe those dudes.”

I shook my head, not believing my brother was messing with a gang. “You don't need to be getting caught up with them, Jaquan.”

“I'm not trying to get caught up with them,” he said, little lines forming in his forehead, which meant he was getting really mad. “That's the problem.”

“So they want you to join their gang?”

He waved me off like he was disgusted, but didn't answer.

“Jaquan,” I said, pulling his arm back to get him to stop walking. “I know you're not even thinking about getting
involved with a gang? 'Cuz if they don't kill you, Mama will.”

“Man, I ain't with no gang,” he said, obviously frustrated. “Didn't you just hear me say I'm tryin' to go to college? I'm tryin' to get out of this neighborhood.”

“Okay, I was just checkin'.”

“Just drop it.” We started back to walking.

“Uh-uh,” I said. “I'm gonna tell Mama.”

“You gonna tell her what? Just keep your big fat mouth shut.” He poked his lips out and stomped down the sidewalk. “You make me sick.”

I turned up my nose. There was the Jaquan I knew and couldn't stand. But the more I studied him as he walked, the more something didn't seem right. Something in his eyes was different. There was a scared look behind his anger. And that scared me.

I stepped in front of him on the sidewalk, forcing him to stop.

“What are you doing? Move,” he said, pushing me aside. Over the past year, my brother had gotten bigger than me, but I was still able to hold my ground against him.

“No. Not until you tell me what's goin' on.” I placed my hands on my hips to let him know I was serious.

He sighed heavily before saying, “Look, I just got beef with them, that's all. And I don't want any beef. I just want to handle my business and get out of here. And they're makin' it harder and harder to do that. But I need you to just let me handle this, a'ight? Tonio is a lot of talk, that's all. But stay out of it and please don't bring Mama into it.”

I didn't know what to say at first, but finally I nodded before stepping aside. We continued walking home in silence, the fear I felt inside getting worse.

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