On the Flip Side (7 page)

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Authors: Nikki Carter

BOOK: On the Flip Side
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10
T
he football game was all that! Georgia State crushed Jacksonville State 28-0, and everyone is celebrating back at the Residence Inn. I know it's not really a four-star, banging hotel for a celebrity type and all that, but I just wanna hang with everybody else.
We got a two-bedroom suite, and we're rolling seven deep in our room. Me, Gia, Hope, and Piper in one bedroom, and Ricky, Kevin, and DeShawn in the other.
We're all chilling in the common area with the television on. My stomach is on growl mode, so I hope we're about to cop some grub. That little bag of popcorn I smashed during the game is not cutting it!
Gia asks, “Ricky, are you and DeShawn sure y'all don't want to be with the team? I would understand if y'all wanted to go with them to that Applebee's. They're just too noisy for me.”
“You know I want to be with my girl,” Ricky says and kisses Gia's hand sweetly. Awww ... that's so cute.
Hope giggles from her cross-legged position on the floor. “And you know she wasn't really seriously asking you that question.”
“Since I'm trying to get with Sunday, I wouldn't be anywhere else either,” DeShawn says. The gleam in his eye is bright and he's smiling hard. I don't smile back, but I feel like I'm blushing something awful.
“I have a boyfriend,” I say.
“You keep telling me that, and every time you say it, you sound less and less confident. Sounds like dude needs to get down here and remind you that he exists.”
I get ready to respond with a quip of my own, until Kevin makes a noise that sounds like a groan.
“Why does this TV only have like eight channels?” Kevin asks as he squats in front of the TV with the remote clicking frantically. “They don't even have AMC.”
“Are you serious?” Hope asks. “Do they have Lifetime?”
“Dude, ain't nobody trying to watch no AMC or Lifetime,” DeShawn says with a chuckle.
“Um,
Mad Men
rocks,” Kevin replies.
Ricky laughs out loud and asks, “What's on HBO?”
“
No bueno
to HBO. I saw a naked breast when I passed through the first time,” Kevin says. “I'm not watching that.”
DeShawn smirks, but when no one jumps in to rag on Kevin, he doesn't say anything. I think everyone respects that Kevin is going to go to seminary at Morehouse in addition to his pre-med.
Piper jumps up from the couch and swipes the remote from Kevin. “Does it have BET? Sunday's show is on.”
I scrunch my nose. I do not want to watch the show—not with my friends. It's so phony with the little confessionals and all that. Plus we were doing a video shoot in Barbados, so there's quite a bit of footage with me in skimpy swimwear. For some reason I don't want DeShawn to see that.
DeShawn sits on the floor at my feet and gives me a light punch on the leg. “Yeah, let's watch Sunday's show! I didn't watch the other one.”
“My vote is no,” I say as I slump back on the couch.
Gia says, “I've already seen this episode. It's a repeat, but it was good! Sunday and Sam help save a girl's life... .”
“Well, maybe we want to watch, Gia! Dang!” Ricky says.
Gia's face goes dark and she stares at Ricky. I'm guessing she wasn't digging his tone, because she sure doesn't look happy.
“I mean, babe ... um ... can we enjoy the show too?” Ricky asks. Boy, he sure did clean that up quickly.
Gia politely moves from the table where she was sitting next to Ricky and crowds me on the couch.
“You gonna be like that, Gi-Gi?” Ricky asks.
Gia looks at me and grimaces. “I think somebody's head is extra large just because they scored a touchdown tonight. But I think somebody should tell somebody that they can't talk to me any kind of way and think I'm gonna be nice.”
“Apologize, Ricky!” Kevin says. “You were kind of harsh.”
“Man, she was telling the whole ...”
Everyone stops and stares at Ricky.
“Never mind,” Ricky says. “I'm sorry, Gi-Gi.”
“I forgive you.” Even though she's extended forgiveness, Gia stays next to me on the couch.
“Are we getting something to eat?” Piper asks. “Who wants pizza and wings?”
“Sounds good,” DeShawn says. “What you want, Sunday?”
“I really should have a salad, but I'm feeling like pizza sounds really good right now.”
“The show is on!” Piper says as she turns up the volume.
Kevin looks back at me and says, “Sunday, you look really pretty on TV. It doesn't add ten pounds to you at all.”
“Maybe five,” DeShawn says.
“What?” I say, this time giving him the fake punch. “I beg your pardon!”
“It's okay though. You just look thick. I like my chicks thick.”
Gia looks at me and raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. Looks like DeShawn is going to be in flirt mode tonight.
There's a scene with Sam and I playing in the sand and then running to splash in the water. The first time I saw this footage, I thought it was cute. But now, I'm feeling self-conscious about it with DeShawn watching. I wish I had on more of a swimsuit, because he's looking mesmerized.
“That's your dude?” DeShawn asks.
“Yep. That's Sam.”
“He doesn't look like your type.”
Gia makes a snorting sound. I scowl at her and she straightens up quickly, but Piper is struggling to contain her laughter.
“Oh really? What do you think is my type?” I ask, almost afraid to hear his answer.
“Me. I'm your type.”
“I used to date jocks in high school. Didn't really have a good track record with them. Most of them were players.”
Piper high-fives in the air from across the room. “Yep, you got that right. I had the same experience with ballers.”
Ricky scowls, walks over to the couch, plops down, and puts his arm around Gia. “I disagree with that stereotype. I'm not a player.”
“You were in high school,” Kevin says. “Remember Valerie?”
“Kevin! Man, whose side are you on?” DeShawn says.
“I remember Valerie,” Gia says. “Old juicy booty Hi-Stepper that had your nose open. But that was before us, so that didn't make him a player, Kevy-Kev.”
Hope gets up and walks over to the phone. “Ugh. Can we change the subject? I'm gonna order the food.”
“I'm trying to watch the show!” Piper fusses.
There's a knock on our hotel room door, and Kevin jumps up to answer it. “The pizza can't be here this fast.”
It's Meagan, and she's looking a little bit twisted. “Hey, y'all,” she says.
“Hey! What's up, Gamma Junior!” I say. “Where's your girls?”
“They're in the room. Sunday, can I talk to you for just a moment?”
I'm happy to oblige, even though Meagan is irritating, because DeShawn has started rubbing my feet, and somehow I'm thinking that's not going to end well.
“Can we go in the bedroom? I want to ask you something,” Meagan says.
“Okay.”
I jump up from the couch and out of DeShawn's reach. Meagan follows me into our bedroom and I close the door.
“What's up, girl?” I ask.
“Do you think I can stay in here with y'all?” Meagan asks. “Some of the sorors are tripping a little bit.”
“Of course you can stay with us, but what do you mean tripping?”
“They had some marijuana, and I don't use drugs at all. They started smoking and then making fun of me because I didn't want to join in.”
“Ugh. Peer pressure is so high school.”
“Tell me about it. I'm just tripping about them being Gamma Phi Gammas. I mean, it's just a few of them, but they are definitely not acting in the tradition of this sorority.”
“So what are you going to do? Are you still going to hang with them?”
Meagan shrugs. “They're in the sorority, so I don't know how I can really
not
hang with them.”
“I don't think you have to. You get in whether they like you or not. Isn't that the most important part? The getting in, I mean.”
“No!” Meagan says while shaking her head furiously. “That is not the most important part of being in a sorority. The most important part is the sisterhood. I want them to be my sisters.”
“Well, since you're not in Gamma Phi Gamma yet and you can't even join until next year, why don't you just kick it with us? I think we'll make pretty good in-the-meantime sisters.”
“I don't mean to diss you guys by being with the Gamma sisters. I hope you don't take it that way.”
“Nah, not me. But maybe Piper does.”
Meagan rolls her eyes. “Well, Piper gets on my nerves anyway. I don't care what she thinks.”
I don't respond to this. If Meagan doesn't like Piper, then they don't have to be friends, but I will not be a part of the drama. Not I, said the fly.
“Well, just come on out and watch TV with us. I won't say anything about Gamma Phi Gamma if you don't,” I say.
“Okay.”
When Meagan and I emerge from the bedroom, Piper and Gia both stare at us like they want the scoop. I don't sit in my previous seat, because DeShawn is getting out of control. Meagan and I both sit at the kitchen table.
“So, Sunday,” Kevin says, “is going to Spelman part of your marketing plan? If so, it's a really good idea. I've never seen a musician use this angle before.”
Okay, this dude is about to really get on my nerves. “Ummm, no! Why would I enroll in college to market a record? I've wanted to be an entertainment lawyer for years.”
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought it was a good idea.”
DeShawn jumps in. “Real talk, though. You're not gonna be able to do this once you really blow up. You're still new, but your record hit number one. It's only a matter of time until you can't go out in public without a bodyguard.”
“Keisha Knight Pulliam went to Spelman, and she's just fine,” Hope says. “I think Sunday can do it too, if she's really dedicated to it.”
Ricky says, “Keisha wasn't at the height of her career.
The Cosby Show
was over. So it's not really the same thing.”
“Word! Sunday is just about to become a superstar,” Kevin says. Why does slang sound so odd coming from him? It feels like he's trying too hard.
“Listen, y'all,” I say, “I do not like discussing my life like I'm some type of social experiment. Right now, I'm a freshman at Spelman with a record deal. That's pretty much it. I don't even have a career yet. I could be a one-hit wonder. So, it is what it is. I'm here, I'm staying, and if you want to be in my circle, get used to it.”
Gia chuckles. “
Your
circle? Whatever. This is
our
circle. And if you want to stay in it, you better get used to our opinions. 'Cause I think we're pretty opinionated.”
I look at Gia and my jaw drops. Did she just seriously check me? I think she did! Wow ... I don't know if I should check her back or hug her!
“Are we gonna keep putting Sunday on blast or are we watching TV?” Piper asks.
Gia pats the seat on the couch next to her. “Come on, sister. We're not done discussing your swim attire.”
I abandon Meagan at the table and plop down next to Gia, feeling incredibly normal. It's a feeling that I like, and one that I'm going to cherish. Just in case things get crazy ... I plan to remember this moment.
My phone buzzes and I look down to see a message from Mystique. Just got top-secret AMA nomination list. Get ready to shine, baby girl.
I know this should make me happy! I should get up and do some kind of happy dance. But after the conversation we just had, getting this text makes me feel like my normal days are numbered, and Sunday Tolliver, college freshman, is about to be eclipsed by Sunday Tolliver, pop star.
I think one day I'll have to choose. I'm glad it's not today.
11
“H
ow do you feel, baby?” My mom called me as soon as the American Music Awards nominations were announced.
“Um ... excited, I guess. It feels weird though. I remember getting up early to hear the nominees announced. So it's kind of crazy being on the list.”
“Just try to breathe and take it easy. Have you talked to Sam?”
“Not yet. I'm sure he'll be calling me in a minute. I'm going to hide out over at Zac's house for lunch with Mystique, and I'll probably spend the night.”
“That doesn't sound like much of a hideout. Why don't you come home and spend the night?”
I think about this for a second, and I almost say yes, but I'm not trying to kick it with Aunt Charlie and Manny. Aunt Charlie has this new thing where she hits me up for money every time we're in the same room. That ain't cool at all.
“I'll come home soon, but I think Mystique also wants to talk about some business stuff too.”
“Okay, honey. Call me later, so we can go out and celebrate your nomination.”
“Okay, Mom.”
I press end on the phone and look up at Gia. She does a little fashion-model spin, so I guess she wants me to say something about her outfit. She's wearing a knee-length jean skirt, gladiator sandals, and an orange sweater vest with a baby tee underneath. It's still hot outside, but technically it's fall. She's got a summer-meets-fall vibe going on.
“You look cute.”
“Thanks. It's an experiment.”
“An experiment in what?”
“Girly-girl clothes. Skirts are not really my apparel item of choice, but I want to try and give them a chance.”
I chuckle. Gia takes everything so seriously. I mean, for real, it's just an outfit.
“Where are you and your experiment going today?”
“Went to class already, and now I'm about to go job hunting. I did the whole online application thing, but I think some of these places need to see me in my fabulous glory. Then they'll hire me on the spot.”
“I've got a job for you, if you'll take it.”
“What does it pay?”
“Four hundred dollars, plus fifty bucks for every rehearsal.”
Gia scrunches her eyebrows together. “Tell me more ...”
“Mystique told me that I've been invited to perform at the American Music Awards, and I want you and Ricky to lead the backup dancers. What do you think?”
Gia comes running toward me like a freight train with her arms outstretched. Hugging time. I guess that's a yes, then.
“This is going to be so incredible,” Gia gushes. “I need the music, like immediately.”
“Yes, I'll have it for you this week. How long do you think it will take you to choreograph something?”
“Is it fast or slow?”
“Does that make a difference?”
“Yeah. I'm better at fast songs, but I can do both.”
“More than likely it'll be fast, but I meet with Mystique today. I'll know for sure tomorrow.”
“Cool. So your cousin got nominated too?”
“Yeah, it's tripped out. Dreya, Truth, and I are all nominated for the T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist. Sam and I are also nominated for Song of the Year, because we wrote Mystique's hit record.”
“Y'all wrote that?”
“Yep. That's what got Mystique interested in me. It's the reason she gave me a record deal.”
“Ricky and I are definitely up for the choreography job. Is it okay that I don't have any formal dance training?”
“Nobody trained me to be a singer or a songwriter. Some things you're born with, I guess.”
Gia gathers a stack of papers from her desk. “After I get done with the job search, I'm going to study with Piper. We've got a science test on Friday. How'd you do on your essay for Composition?”
“I did okay, got a B, but if I'd had more time, I know I could've gotten an A.”
“Hmmm ... well, let me know when you get back from Zac's house, so I can know what I'm working with.”
“Okay.”
Gia hugs me again (enough with the hugs!) and walks out of our room with those gladiator sandals clicking the tiled floor. I didn't miss her pause when I told her my grade. I know she got an A on her paper. I should've too. Would've, had it not been for a late-night session with Bethany. She couldn't get the bridge right on one of her songs, and Big D called me for an emergency session. I ended up turning in the first draft of my paper. It had typos and everything. The only thing that saved me was that it was well thought out, and I'd done my research.
But I was not satisfied with the B. I won't get into a good law school with B's. I need to pull all A's in my courses. Have to.
I don't want to end up one of these artists who have a few hits and make a few dollars, and then you hear about them five years later, losing their houses and cars, and starring on jacked-up reality shows. That's not going to be me or Sam.
I drive to Zac's house with all of this on my mind, and the stuff that Regina told me about Mystique. It had a ring of truth to it, especially the part about Mystique not being ready to give up her throne. But with her eight American Music Award nominations, she's clearly still the queen and all the other people in the music industry are her subjects.
There are lots of cars in Zac's driveway as I pull in. I thought this was a meeting, but it looks more like a party. It sounds like a party too. I can hear the music from the street. I wish I'd just stayed at the dorm and studied if we're not having a conference.
Mystique's bodyguard, Benji, meets me at my car and opens the door. His long wavy hair is hanging loose, but his tailored suit lets me know that he's all business.
“Sunday! It took you long enough, princess. The party is under way.”
“I thought this was a meeting.”
“Yeah, y'all are meeting in Zac's boardroom in about an hour. Some of the Epsilon executives are here from New York.”
They flew in from New York City? This must be an important meeting then. What could this be about? Not to mention that I'm totally underdressed in my jeans, baby tee, and flip-flops—my campus uniform.
I follow Benji into the house and he walks me to Zac's VIP lounge. It's tripped-out when you have so many guests that you have to have a VIP section in your house.
A big grin spreads across my face when I see Sam leaned back on the couch smiling from ear to ear. I should've known he'd be here if people were flying in from New York.
He jumps up and hugs me. I give him a playful poke in the stomach (which is rock hard, by the way. He's been working out).
“Why didn't you tell me you were coming?” I ask.
“I wanted to surprise you. Are you surprised?”
I nod. “Congratulations, Songwriter of the Year.”
He tosses his head back and laughs. “Wouldn't that be sick if we win?”
“OMG! It would be ridiculous if we win.”
Mystique comes in the room. She's wearing a new weave. It's blonde and pin straight and it comes to her waist in the back, but it's layered in the front. The whole look is finished off with a feathery bang. She's wearing a one-piece shorts set that barely covers her entire booty. Her long legs look even longer with her four-inch heels.
She looks downright intimidating. And I think that was the plan.
Mystique glides (yes, glides) over to me and air kisses me. She'd have to bend down to actually kiss my face because with the heels she towers over me.
“Congratulations on your nominations,” I say.
“You too, sweetie. The heads of Epsilon Records are so proud of you.”
Sam leads me over to the couch as Mystique goes to join Zac at the bar.
“Did you see Drama when you got here?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. Not in the mood for Dreya today. “No. She's here? Is Bethany here too?”
“Yes, unfortunately for Dilly, she's here.”
I chuckle. “He told you about them? Where's he?”
“Probably somewhere hiding from Bethany. He told me she was basically stalking him.”
“Yeah, pretty much. He tried to break up with her, but he doesn't think it worked.”
I hope Bethany finds another guy to obsess over soon. That's all it will take, really, for her to get over Dilly. She's not really the type to chase down a guy who doesn't want her. He's got to be showing some interest.
Dilly walks into the room wearing his jeans and his signature button-down shirt and sweater. That's his thing now. He calls it “pretty nerd swag”. I think it's crazy, but rappers have to have something that sets them apart.
He's let his hair grow in thicker, and his sideburns and edges are lined up to perfection. The contrast of his dark hair and sun-kissed light skin are very hot. I see why he's not checking for Bethany anymore. He could have his choice of girls.
He leans over to hug me and kiss my cheek. “Hey, Sunday! Congrats!”
“Thank you, Dilly! You look hot! If I wasn't with Sam ...”
“But she
is
with me,” Sam interjects, “so don't even think about it.”
Dilly laughs out loud. “All right, big dog! I remember what you did to Truth. Trust, I don't want none of that. But I did ask Sunday to be my prom date if I don't have anyone else to go with.”
Sam frowns. “Nah, chief. You gonna have to find yourself a young cutie. You should be able to after your single comes out.”
My eyes light up! “You're finally getting a single out there? Get the heck outta here! Why didn't you tell me?”
“I was going to! I just wanted to do it in person, and you act like you can't come up for air once you start hitting those books.”
I shake my head. “I haven't been hitting them hard enough. I got a B that should've been an A. I shouldn't even be here right now. I need to be back in my room studying. I've got some reading to finish for my history class.”
“See, that's why I went ahead and dropped my classes for this semester,” Sam says. “There's too much work to be done, and this is my time to strike. I can go to school when I'm rich.”
My mouth flies open and my eyes widen to capacity. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Sam dropped out of school? Why didn't he tell me this before now?
“Are you back in Atlanta then?” Dilly asks.
“Nah, I'm still in New York. Zac wants me there more than here, so I'm keeping my apartment there. Zac says I can just crash here when I'm in Atlanta.”
Big D walks into the VIP area with Dreya on his arm. Somebody told
them
there was going to be a party. Dreya has on a black shorts jumpsuit that's sheer at the top, and she's wearing a red lace bra underneath. Her red heels look like they hurt, but they are no doubt the business. She's got in a new weave too, but hers is a gigantic, red curly afro that's pinned up on the sides. Her fire-engine-red lipstick is exactly the same shade as the hair.
She is dressed to impress. I feel like I need to go and change.
“Hey, Sunday. I would congratulate you on your nomination, but since we're competing for the same award, I'm just gonna say good luck.”
I smile. “Well, I'm gonna be gracious and congratulate you, cousin. May the best chick win.”
Dreya laughs out loud. “All right, Sunday. I see you.”
Big D gives Sam a fist bump that turns into a hug and he kisses me on the cheek. “Y'all both are a sight for sore eyes. Sunday, you been ghost for a few days. We been missing you down at the studio.”
I scrunch my eyebrows together. “I was just there a couple of nights ago.”
“It's getting to be that we could use you there every day. Your touch is on just about everyone's album coming out of this camp.”
“It is, but I've got school, so I can't be there every day. You know that, D!”
Big D gives me a look that I can't decipher. It's a mixture of puzzlement and irritation.
“You are still cool with me being in college, right? Seems like everybody is tripping on me being at Spelman all of a sudden.”
“Nah, I ain't tripping,” Big D says. “But everybody's money is riding on you.”
Mystique interjects, as she air kisses Big D. “Everyone's money is not riding on Sunday, Darius. We talked about this. Epsilon likes the fact that she's in school. It's positive publicity for the label.”
Bethany comes into the VIP suite, and she looks totally different from the last time I saw her. She looks like she's aged five years. Her long hair is flat-ironed pin straight, and she's got a tattoo of some pattern going all the way down her arm to her hand. She's also lost weight—at least twenty pounds. That badonkadonk she used to have has totally disappeared.

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