With Friends Like These

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  “Please, please, somebody, please call the police!” I screamed.

  An elderly couple walking by finally tried to intervene, but by then it was too late. Keith and Peanut took off, and Walter lay on the ground, covered in blood. He was moaning. I took his head into my lap and held him until the police and an ambulance arrived.

  26

  Camille

  I had been waiting in the emergency waiting room for over four hours now. Angel, Alexis, and Jasmine were there with me. I was a nervous wreck because I’d overheard the doctor telling Mrs. and Mr. Lewis that Walter had suffered a concussion, and things weren’t looking good right now. If something happened to him, especially because of me, I would just die.

  “Camille, c’mon. Please have a seat. Walter is going to be fine,” Alexis said. I know she was just trying to help me stay calm, but she was getting on my nerves with that positive attitude. She didn’t know if he was going to be all right or not.

  I was about to tell her that when Walter’s teary-eyed mother walked into the waiting room. Her husband was holding her up on one side, because she was walking like her body was limp. Walter’s sister was holding her up on the other side. Mrs. Lewis looked over and saw me and must’ve found the energy to stand up, because she pulled herself away from her family and walked over to where I was standing.

  “This is all your fault! My son is in there fighting for his life because of you!” she screamed at me. I could only stand there in shock as Alexis scooted up next to me and took my hand.

  “Darling, please calm down,” Mr. Lewis said, trying to ease his wife into a chair. She plopped down, buried her head in her hands, and began sobbing.

  Mr. Lewis turned back to me. “Camille, as you can imagine, my wife is very upset.”

  “Is Walter going to be all right?” I could barely get the words out.

  “We don’t know,” Mr. Lewis responded. “He was beaten pretty badly.” He took a deep breath. “We need you to tell us what happened. The police would only say you two were leaving dinner when two men attacked him. Apparently these were the same two men you exchanged words with at the restaurant?”

  I lowered my head. “It was my ex-boyfriend and his cousin.”

  Mrs. Lewis looked up and glared at me, her chest heaving up and down. “I told him! I told him you were nothing but trouble.” She began crying again as Walter’s sister took her mother in her arms and tried to calm her down.

  “How, I mean, what happened?” Mr. Lewis said. He, too, looked worn out; his eyes were beet red.

  “I don’t know. Keith just showed up at the restaurant, and him and Walter got into it, and security put Keith and his cousin out. We thought everything was fine until we were leaving,” I cried.

  Mrs. Lewis pulled herself away from her daughter, stood, and walked over to me. “I hope you’re happy. First, you have my son lying to me—something he has never done until he met you. Then you use him to get you that job with the TV station, having my husband calling in favors to pull strings and get you the job. Now this!”

  I stood there speechless, and when I felt Alexis release my hand, I knew my day had gone from bad to worse.

  “What is she talking about?” Alexis whispered.

  It was my turn to bury my face. “Not now, Alexis, please.”

  His mother must’ve realized what she’d done, because she formed a small smile. “Oh, she didn’t tell you? She had my husband use his influence to get her the Teen Talks job. She wanted it so bad, she had my son beg his father to do something as unethical as that.”

  Alexis, Jasmine, and Angel stared at me with their mouths open.

  Luckily, we were interrupted by the nurse, who stuck her head in the waiting room. “Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, your son is awake. Please come with me.”

  They both turned and took off out of the waiting room without another word to me. Walter’s sister quickly followed behind them.

  As soon as they left, Alexis, Angel, and Jasmine surrounded me.

  “You had his father get you the job?” Alexis said, a look of disbelief across her face.

  “That’s messed up,” Jasmine said before I could respond.

  “Please tell us it’s not true,” Angel added.

  I contemplated lying to them, but I was just too worn out to think up a lie. “It’s not like that at all. I just, I mean, when Walter asked if I wanted his help, I said okay. It’s not like I set him up to do it.”

  Alexis looked really hurt. “You know, I could’ve easily had my father make a donation or something, but I wanted this to be fair and square. And when you won, I was really happy for you.”

  “And to think, we thought Tameka would go to any lengths to get the job. You are foul, Camille,” Jasmine added.

  “Y’all it’s not like that,” I tried to plead.

  “Whatever,” Jasmine said, turning to Alexis and Angel. “Y’all ready to go?”

  I didn’t want them to leave because I didn’t want to be at the hospital alone. But judging from the looks on their faces, there was nothing I could say right now to convince them to stay. That’s why I didn’t say a word as they shot me evil looks on their way out the door.

  27

  Alexis

  So lemme get this straight, Jaquan. You’re trying to tell me that you and your ex got back together, just like that?” I couldn’t believe my ears. He was trying to dump me like I’m some little chicken head.

  “Um, look, you’re real cool, Alexis. But me and Tranita, we go way back. We went together in the eighth grade. I mean, we got history,” he said.

  I moved the phone from my ear and looked at it. He had to be kidding me. There are so many guys who’d love to be with me, and here he was telling me about history he and his ex-girlfriend had? I couldn’t believe it. What I couldn’t believe most, though, was how I had allowed myself to fall for him. And now he was sitting up here trying to weasel his way out of our relationship. I had called him to vent about Camille. I never expected to get this.

  “Look, Alexis, I ain’t got all night to be trying to explain this to you. Tranita is ready to go, I’ll see you around,” he said.

  Imagine being dumped over the phone while your boyfriend’s ex is standing by waiting on him to do it. Boy, was I mad. But I was more mad at myself. The truth was, I had really started feeling Jaquan. Not just because he was so cute, but because I really liked him. I knew Jasmine hadn’t wanted us together in the first place, but things were finally working out. I thought she was getting used to the idea, and everything seemed like it was on the right track.

  I sat around, trying to figure out what I was going to do. I didn’t know if I should try to get him back or just move on. I knew Jaquan cared about me just as much as I cared about him. Tranita must’ve said something to worm her way back in. No, I decided. I wasn’t letting go of Jaquan without a fight. I turned my ringer off, put on the CD with love songs he had made for me, and cried myself to sleep.

  First thing the next morning, I rushed over to Jasmine’s apartment. I already had it planned out. I was going to tell Jasmine I had stopped by so we could talk about what we were gonna do about Tameka and Camille. At first I wasn’t too keen on payback, but now, working with Jasmine would give me a chance to find out what her brother was up to and implement my plan to get him back.

  When I knocked on the door, Jasmine answered. But instead of inviting me in, she stepped out in the hall and pulled the door shut behind her. I found that strange, but I didn’t say anything right off.

  “Hey, what’s up?” she asked.

  “I was in the area and thought I’d stop by so we could talk about Tameka and Camille. You decided what to do to get her back yet?”

  Jasmine shook her head. “Nah, I’m thinking of just letting that drop. Shoot, Tameka not getting the job is payback enough. And I don’t even feel like dealing with Camille.”

  We stood there in the hall staring at each other. So much for my plan.

  “What’s wrong?” she finally asked. />
  “You just gon’ let them off like that? Especially Tameka?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just not really trippin’ off Tameka right now.”

  “Oh. Well, what’s going on with you?” I wondered if she knew me and Jaquan had broken up.

  “Jaquan told me, Alexis,” Jasmine blurted out, answering my question.

  I swallowed hard, then looked at her.

  “What did he tell you?” I asked, still trying to figure out why we were standing out in the hallway. I can’t remember a time when Jasmine wouldn’t let me into their apartment. Even if it wasn’t clean, she’d be like, “Oh, excuse the mess.”

  Jasmine sighed. “He told me y’all broke up. And well, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come in. Tranita is here, and I really don’t want any mess,” she said.

  My heart sank. “Why is she here this early?” It was only ten o’clock.

  Jasmine cocked her head. “Why are you here this early?”

  “Did she spend the night?” I couldn’t believe how worked up I was getting.

  “Now you know my granny ain’t even having that.”

  “Let me ask you a question. When did they get back together?”

  Jasmine lowered her head and didn’t say anything.

  “Was he messing with her while we were together?” I cried.

  Jasmine wouldn’t answer, but the look on her face said it all.

  “He was cheating on me, and you knew it! Why didn’t you say anything to me?”

  Jasmine threw her hands up. “This is why I didn’t want y’all messing around in the first place, because I didn’t want to get caught up in any of this drama.”

  “You still should have told me. You are supposed to be my friend.”

  “Look, Alexis. Even though I can’t stand my brother, I still can’t sell him out by telling all his business.”

  I knew Jasmine could see the water pooling in my eyes. Not only did her words hurt, it also hurt that she didn’t want to let me in. I wanted to see Jaquan’s girlfriend. I wanted to know if she looked better than me. I wanted to know what it was about her that made him go back to her without even giving us a good chance.

  “I’m sorry, Alexis,” Jasmine said as she walked back to her door and opened it. Just before she stepped in, she turned to me and said, “I’ll talk to you later.” With that, she went inside and slammed the door.

  I stood in the hallway, dumbfounded. Jasmine had showed me her true colors. I guess it is true that blood is thicker than water. And this betrayal was one I’d never forget.

  28

  Camille

  We had just wrapped up taping on the fourth episode of the show. Talk about excited. We had a Good Girlz meeting yesterday, and Rachel made us talk through the issue of how I got the job. I apologized over and over. I know everybody was salty, especially Alexis. But by the end of the meeting, at least they were talking to me.

  Once I got things back right with them and got Walter’s parents to stop trippin’, everything would be perfect in my life. I was loving my job, and can’t even begin to describe the rush I felt when the lights went on and I heard the opening music for the show.

  A few times I had even gone to the mall, and people actually recognized me. I was in Baker’s shopping for shoes, and I heard these two girls over in the corner.

  One said, “Hey, isn’t that the host of Teen Talks?”

  The other girl looked at me. I smiled, and she tried to whisper to her friend, “I think that’s her. Oh, my God. Maybe we should get her autograph.”

  I guess they decided not to after all, because they never approached me for my autograph. But I was still thrilled to death that, one, they recognized me, and two, they wanted to get my autograph. That’s when I realized I needed to start practicing my autograph. I didn’t want to be like some celebrities who signed their name and you had no clue what it said.

  I made my way back to my dressing room at the studio. I passed the newsroom and watched for a few minutes all the people running around like crazy. I heard them saying something about breaking news. I was glad I didn’t work in the news department—they always seemed so stressed out. I no longer wanted to be a news reporter. Now I knew I was destined to be the next Oprah.

  My smile faded as I looked at the Get Well card lying on my vanity. I wanted to drop it off to Walter, who was still in the hospital, but his parents had arranged it so that I couldn’t visit or call to see how he was doing. They were furious with me, and his mom had all but cursed me out when I called. I knew they were upset, which is why I was trying my best to stay away. I was trying to bury myself in my work and school, and so far, it was working. But the minute I stopped, my thoughts went back to Walter.

  Shereen stuck her head into my door, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Great show today. You got a minute?” she asked.

  “Of course,” I said. “I was just about to wipe off some of this makeup before I head out. What’s up? Come in.”

  When she opened the door completely, it was her and two of the show’s other producers. My heart started beating kind of fast. I was hoping they weren’t there to deliver bad news. But the more I thought about it, nothing good could come from a meeting with all of the producers and me. I just hoped they weren’t coming to pull the plug on the show or anything like that.

  I looked from Shereen to the others, hoping someone would tell me what this was about. I didn’t want to lose my job, especially since it was just getting off the ground.

  Shereen started talking first. “Camille, we think you’re doing a fantastic job,” she started.

  Then why are you guys ganging up on me in my dressing room? I wanted to shout. But I kept my mouth closed and waited patiently.

  “But we were talking to Ray Williams, the station’s general manager, and he, well, we all decided we need more hard-hitting topics. The hottest hairstyles were funny and cute—” Shereen said.

  “So was the topic on things to do for summer vacation—” another producer added.

  Shereen looked at me. “But we were thinking you could tackle issues that are real and current for teens today. I mean, the purpose of this show is to talk about what you all are going through on a daily basis. Things that bother you, obstacles you’ve had to overcome, hot topics.”

  “I have an idea I was thinking about, but I didn’t know if it would be too risky for the show,” I offered. Honestly, I thought the topics were just fine. I had fun with the hairstyles and the summer break guests. But I didn’t want them to take my show away from me, so I was grasping at straws.

  “Oh?” Shereen’s eyebrows shot up.

  “It’s a story about a group of girls who steal clothes and stuff from the mall, then resell them to their friends.”

  Shereen looked at her coworkers. Their eyes lit up right away.

  “Teenage boosters, huh?” one producer said.

  I shrugged. “It was just an idea I had. I know some girls who used to do it.”

  “Yeah?” the other producer said, sitting on the edge of her seat.

  “It was my friends who were running the business, so I mean I know what it was like, firsthand.”

  “What?” Shereen cried. “You’re kidding me? You’ve been sitting on this idea all this time?” She broke into a huge smile.

  “Well, I didn’t know if it was something you guys would let me do,” I said, shocked at how excited they were.

  “Camille, that’s the kind of stuff we want. Stories like that—real issues, stuff that happens with you and your friends. Stories people will be talking about the next day. We want this show to be a true reflection of what teens face today, the temptations, the struggles between doing what’s good and bad.” Shereen eased back onto the chair. “What else you got?” she asked.

  “Well, let me think. Oh, a friend of mine started going out with another friend’s brother, and that caused all kinds of issues with their friendship, especially when the brother dumped her.”


  One of the producers clapped. “See, that’s the kind of stuff we’re looking for.”

  “Then another friend stole a research paper, and—”

  “Oh, my God! Stolen papers, back-stabbers. That’s what I’m talking about,” the other producer said. “You think you can get them to come on the show?”

  I nodded. I knew I’d have to lie to get them here, but I didn’t have a choice.

  Shereen looked at me. “I’m glad we chose you, I knew you had it in you. That’s the stuff we’re looking for, things that you discuss with your friends, situations you find yourselves in and how you get out of them.”

  They stood. “I’m glad we’ve had this chance to talk,” Shereen said.

  “Me too,” I offered weakly. I had just thrown out ideas, not really expecting them to use them. I knew none of my girls would be down for going on TV and telling all their business. My gut told me they weren’t going to be happy about me using this stuff. I just prayed that as my friends, they’d at least give me a chance. But seeing as how they’d barely forgiven me for how I’d gotten the job in the first place, I just didn’t know if this was something they’d ever understand.

  29

  Alexis

  I was so excited about watching Camille do her live taping of Teen Talks today.

  She’d sat us all down and apologized about how she got the job. She begged us to forgive her and asked us all to come as her special guests to today’s show. I was still a little peeved about what she did, but I decided to just let bygones be bygones. I was just really glad that Camille was working to keep our friendship going strong. With all the press coverage and popularity she was getting, I have to admit, in the back of my mind, I wondered if it would go to her head. I was happy to see it hadn’t.

  “Is this where we’re supposed to sit?” I pointed to the first row.

  “Yeah, that producer said since we’re her friends, we get front-row seats,” Angel responded.