“People will think what they want to think regardless of what you say. Being on a reality show isn’t the answer to you and Jasmine’s problem. Y’all need one-on-one time together. As far as your college fund, I’ve already taken care of that. I’ve made sure to put money aside for you to attend any college your heart desires.”
“What if I told you I’ve secretly wanted to be a star, like the Montanas and the Biebers?” I was sitting up now.
“Then if that’s what you want, I’ll make it happen.”
“You’ve always said I could sing, so yes, I want to do this. I want to use the show to jumpstart me a music career.”
“I need the show’s information, and I will get my lawyer to handle the details. If everything pans out, then yes, I’ll give you my permission to do the show.”
I jumped off the bed and hugged him. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“Calm down. Your mom has to come on board too. That’s the other condition.”
I pouted. “Please make her see my side of it.”
“For you, I’ll do anything.”
Once he left, I retrieved my iPhone and looked up Jasmine’s number. I sent her a text message.
I’m in. Send me the producers contact info.
Seconds later, I had all the information I needed to give my dad. I sighed. This could be the beginning of an exciting new life for me. I daydreamed about superstardom.
37
Leslie and my mom did their best to keep the media at bay, but I ended up staying in the house the entire weekend. I was now having second thoughts about the reality show, but Danielle and Tara were excited about it.
“I know you’re going to allow me to make a few cameos,” Danielle said.
“Of course, she is. We need to be practicing our routines so when they are filming us singing, we will sound all right,” Tara stated.
“It’s not a done deal yet. I won’t know until next week.”
“Your birthday party is next week. I can’t wait,” Danielle said, smacking gum from her end of the phone.
With all of the excitement, I had forgotten about my birthday party. I had nothing to wear. “Did y’all give out all of the invitations?” I asked.
They both assured me that they had. It was good to know that my BFFs were on top of their jobs even when I neglected mine.
Danielle cleared her throat a few times. “I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but I think it needs to be said.”
I was polishing my fingernails as we talked. “Say it.”
“I wouldn’t trust Jasmine if I were you.”
“She’s not going to do anything to bring a negative light to our family. She doesn’t want to upset Dion.”
“She had no problems leaking to them that you were Dion’s child. Just please don’t trust her,” Danielle urged me.
“Danielle, you’re not jealous, are you?” I asked. I polished my pinky nail and then closed the top.
“Of Jasmine? Please. I just don’t want you to get hurt,” she assured me.
“Tara, you’re awfully quiet. What do you have to say about the situation?” I asked her.
“Nothing. That’s your sister, so I’m staying out of it.”
“Coward,” Danielle said.
“Jasmine might change,” Tara said.
“I doubt it,” Danielle responded.
My phone beeped. “Speaking of Jasmine, that’s her now. I’ll talk to y’all later.”
“See? It’s started already. You’re pushing your friends aside for her,” Danielle stated.
“Whatever, Dani. I’ll talk to y’all later.” I clicked over to my other line.
“I begged and cried, and Dad finally agreed to let me do the show,” Jasmine said. “He knows how important this is for me. I want to be an actress, and this could be my golden shot.”
“While you’re going that angle, I’ve decided to use the show as a catalyst for my music career. I’ve had hopes of being a singer one day,” I told her.
“Really? I didn’t know you sing.”
“Girl, me and my BFFs have our own little group called Candy Girlz.”
“That’s what’s up. Then this should work out for both of us. Britney’s dad is the super producer Teddy.”
“For real? Maybe you can get him to hear us sing on the show then.”
Jasmine remained quiet. “I’ll check with Britney and see if we can make that happen.”
Being on a reality show might work out for me after all, I thought. “Are you coming to my party?”
“Of course. In fact, cameras will be there too filming the whole thing,” she said.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I need to wait until my dad gets the legal stuff out of the way.”
“Oh, they are on the up-and-up. It’s the same producers who did the reality show with my family.”
“Maybe so, but my dad insists on getting his lawyers to look at the contracts before signing on.”
“Well, even if that’s in limbo, they’ll be filming me, so it still won’t be a conflict,” Jasmine assured me.
Although I wasn’t too keen on the cameras being there for my party, I agreed to allow them. “But make sure they don’t get in anyone’s way. I want this to be a party nobody forgets.”
“Oh, they won’t. Trust me,” Jasmine said.
Should I trust Jasmine? That was the million-dollar question.
Cole’s phone call interrupted my thoughts.
“You’re a hard girl to catch up with,” he said.
“It’s been crazy around here. Sorry, I couldn’t make your game.”
“No problem. We won. Just wish you could have been there to see me make all those three-pointers.”
“I’m sure you represented our school well.”
“You know I did.” Cole went on and on about the game.
“So what did you do after the game?” I asked.
“Went home to bed, since you weren’t available to hang out.”
“You know I’m dealing with some family issues right now.”
“Everybody’s talking about it too. I’ve been trying to tell them to mind their own business when someone steps to me with it.”
“Thanks for having my back, boo.”
“You know I do.”
“That’s what’s up,” I responded.
“You’re my baby, and I’ll do anything for you.”
“You’re making me blush, Cole.”
“Can I come over tomorrow?” he asked.
“Hmm. I don’t know. I’ll have to ask my parents,” I said.
“Next week is your party. I just wanted to meet your father before then.”
“I’m thinking it might be best to wait until next week.”
I liked Cole. In fact, I thought I even loved Cole, but with all the stuff going on around here, I wasn’t too sure if meeting my parents right now was a good idea.
“I’m sure they’ll like me,” he said. “They just have to get to know me.”
I agreed. Cole was a likeable type of guy. That’s one of the reasons why I was beginning to think I loved him.
38
People who normally didn’t talk to me were all in my face the following week at school. Those who didn’t have an invitation to my party were trying to secure one through me or one of my BFFs. They were disappointed when I told them I couldn’t invite anyone else. Now if they could get someone to give them their invite and show up in their place, they could. But my mom told me that no more than one hundred people could be invited, and she wasn’t budging.
I ran across Brenda, my other sister, one afternoon while waiting for my mom to pick me up. She was running late due to a traffic accident.
“Has Jas been giving you any problems?” Brenda asked.
“We’re cool,” I responded.
“What do you want for your birthday?” she asked.
“I want a car, but I don’t have my license yet, so I don’t know if that’s going to happen.”
“I got
this for my sixteenth birthday, but now it’s time for an upgrade.” Brenda was pointing to her convertible Mustang with caramel leather seats.
“I love it,” I said.
“One day, I’ll come pick you up and take you for a ride.”
Before Brenda and I could continue talking, Jasmine and her friends walked up. “Porsha, you know Britney and Sierra, don’t you?” Jasmine asked.
We exchanged greetings. “Well, there goes my mom. I’ll see y’all later,” I said, as I walked toward where my mom was driving.
“See you’re getting all chummy with your sisters,” my mom said, as I got in the car.
“Just speaking. Nothing more,” I told her.
“If you are, there’s nothing wrong with it. I want you to be close to your sisters.”
“I’m still trying to figure Jasmine out. She’s being cordial when she sees me, but we really haven’t talked much since I agreed to do the reality show.”
“It’s going to take one day at a time. At least you two aren’t going at it anymore.”
Mom had a point. We were now civil with one another. We both had our own personal agendas for doing the reality show, but I had one thing on Jasmine. I knew she leaked the information, and she didn’t want Dion to know about it. I hadn’t shared that tidbit with anyone.
Mom surprised me by stopping by the mall before going home. We spent the afternoon buying several outfits for my party. I got a cute pink cowboy hat with matching pink cowboy boots and shirt to match.
“I have a surprise for you. My personal designer will have your dress designed for your formal wear.”
“Gwen Beloti’s the best,” I said. I couldn’t hold my excitement. I would be the envy of all my friends if I wore one of her creations.
“It should be waiting for us when we get home,” Mom said.
And, sure enough, there was a package with my name on it waiting for me in the foyer. We went to my room, and my mom helped me take it from the box. My mouth hung in awe when I removed the deep purple dress from the garment bag. The fabric felt heavenly.
I stepped out of my clothes and tried the dress on. Perfect. The knee-length dress was classy, yet youthful. The shimmer on top matched my widened smile.
“Magnificent. A dress for a princess,” Mom said.
I twirled around in my dress and didn’t want to take it off. “I can’t wait until Saturday,” I said, when I finally forced myself to carefully get out of the dress.
My mom helped me put it back on its hanger, and she placed it in my closet for me, while I changed into some other clothes.
“My baby’s growing up,” she said, teary-eyed when she exited the closet.
“I’ll always be your baby,” I assured her. “So, is that my birthday present from you?” I asked.
“That’s one of them.”
“What else did you get me?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“Please, just one hint.”
“The party is part of it.”
“Duh. Besides that.”
“Girl, do your homework. Dinner will be ready in about two hours,” she said, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
My folks could afford a cook, but my mom did most of the cooking. She did have a maid come in and clean the house a couple of times a week, but for the most part, the amount of money we had didn’t stop her from doing everyday chores.
I had to go to my parents’ room to use my laptop to work on my school assignments.
My dad entered while I was finishing up my social studies assignment. “Ready for your big day?” he asked.
“I am, now that I got my outfits together.”
“Well, dear, I was going to wait until Saturday to give it to you, but I heard you got this new designer dress, and every designer dress should have this.”
He brought forth a pink floral bag and placed it in front of me. I unwrapped the box inside and, to my amazement, it was a diamond necklace with teardrop earrings to match. I needed sunglasses to shade my eyes from the sparkles. It would be perfect with my new designer dress.
“A girl only turns sixteen once, and I wanted you to have this as something to remember this time by.”
“Dad, you’re the greatest.” I hugged his neck tight. I really meant it too. Trey was the best dad a girl could ever ask for. If I’m getting these early gifts, I wondered what was in store for my actual birthday. I wanted the week to rush on by.
39
Cole had been sticking to me closer than glue the remainder of the week. He walked me to class every chance he got and made sure we sat with each other for lunch. I could tell Danielle and Tara were feeling a little jealous about our closeness, from some of the snide comments they made. Eric would be at the table too, but I couldn’t tell which one of my friends he really liked because he would laugh and joke with both of them.
Friday had come, and Cole had a game. I wouldn’t be attending because I had too much stuff to do before my party the following day. My mom was having Dawn, her personal hairdresser, come out to the house to do my hair, Danielle’s, and Tara’s.
Jasmine ran up to us while we were leaving the building to go meet my mom. “Do you need me to be there early tomorrow?” she asked.
“Just whenever. The invite says four. So four is fine,” I responded.
“Don’t forget the camera crew will be there,” she added.
“I told my mom. She wasn’t too happy about it, but it’s cool.”
“Dad wasn’t too happy about it either. He’ll get over it,” Jasmine said.
I saw my mom waving, trying to get our attention. “We got to go. See you tomorrow,” I said.
“Tell your mom I said hi,” Jasmine said, as we were walking away.
“I still don’t trust her,” Danielle said.
I didn’t respond. Once inside the car, I delivered Jasmine’s message to my mom.
“She’s trying,” my mom commented.
“I guess.” I shrugged.
“So you girls ready to get glam-o-fied?” my mom said.
Danielle pulled out several tubes of lip gloss. “I got my lip gloss, my eye shadow. I’m ready.”
“Tonight, we’re just doing the hair. Tomorrow, I’ll have my makeup artist do all of your makeup. I want it to look natural.”
“Dani’s real good with makeup,” I said.
“Really? Well, that’s good. You girls are growing up, and I know you want to look glam for the boys. Speaking of which, I’ll finally get to spend a little time getting to know Cole better.”
I began to look out the window. I was hoping she didn’t embarrass me by talking about Cole, but no such luck.
“What do you girls think about Cole?” Mom asked.
Tara responded first. “I think he’s cool.”
“He’s nice. He really likes Porsha.”
Mom asked them, “So, would you date him?”
“Mom!”
“Well, would you?”
Danielle said, “If Porsha didn’t like him, yes, I would.”
Tara said, “No, because I don’t date ballers.”
“When you realize how much ballers make, you’ll change your mind,” my mom joked.
We all laughed.
“Ms. Angela, that’s what I keep trying to tell her,” Danielle said.
My phone beeped with a text message. It was Cole telling me he missed me. I sent him a quick text back saying the same.
“Who was that?” Mom asked.
“Probably Cole,” Danielle teased.
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes. “Don’t hate.”
“So, girls, are you bringing a date to the party tomorrow?”
Danielle responded, “In fact, I’ll be bringing Eric.”
Stop the presses. This was the first I’d heard of this. I loosened my seatbelt and turned around so I could face Danielle. “Wow! And you hadn’t told your best friend? I’m hurt.”
“I just asked him today. He said yes. I was going to tell you.”
“So, Tara, who are you bringing?” I asked.
“Eric said he has a friend that’s interested in me, so it’ll be a blind date.”
My mom commented, “I’ve never liked going out on blind dates. They never worked out for me. It was always something funny or unusual about the guy.”
“Mom, that was then.”
“Tara, just don’t get your hopes high on this blind date. If he start tripping, you come get me or Trey, and we’ll put him out of the party.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I rolled my eyes and turned back around in my seat.
Later on that evening we laughed and joked while Dawn did our hair. We felt like celebrities, with her and her assistants working their magic. I was wearing my hair up so that my mom could put my tiara on my head when it was time for me to dress in my new designer gown for the following night.
Danielle’s mom stopped by around nine to pick her and Tara up to take them home.
I was riding on a natural high, so it was hard for me to go to sleep. Although the gossip on the Internet still wasn’t favorable about Mom and Dion, it wasn’t bothering me. In less than two hours, I would be sixteen. I had a boyfriend who adored me, and soon fans that would too, with the onset of the reality show. Life for me was more than good.
I dozed off, but my phone ringing woke me up. “Hello,” I said sluggishly.
“Happy birthday,” Cole’s voice rang from the other end.
I turned over and glanced at the clock, eyes squinted. It was one minute after midnight. “Thank you,” I managed to say.
“I wanted to be the first one to wish you happy birthday. I wanted you to know I care about you a whole lot and thank you for being my girl.”
“Aw, how sweet. I’m glad you’re my man.”
“I hope you like the gift I got you,” he said.
“I know I’ll like anything coming from you.”
“Goodnight, my princess,” were the last words I heard before drifting back to sleep.
40
“Happy birthday, sleepyhead,” my mom said, as she peeked her head inside my bedroom.
Followed behind her were Jay, Jason, and Dad. They were holding a plate of pancakes with a birthday candle on top.
Secrets Untold Page 13
