With Friends Like These

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  Rachel paused. “Wait, that was too easy. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I softly said. “I’ll be there.”

  Rachel was quiet for a minute. “Okay. And Camille—I’m here if you need to talk to me.”

  I nodded like she could actually see me before pressing end on my cell phone. Everything happens for a reason. Something told me this meeting was my last chance to make things right with my friends, and now, more than anything, I wanted to do just that.

  37

  Alexis

  I stared out the window as I watched my parents sitting out by the pool. They were laughing and talking, something I hadn’t seen them do in a very long time.

  As happy as I was that they were working things out, something still felt missing in my life. I looked over at the picture of me, Angel, Camille, and Jasmine that was sitting on my dresser. We took that picture at the last community service project. That’s what was missing—my girls.

  I tried to fill the void I felt when they were gone by hanging out with Mari and Marlee, and look how that almost ended.

  I couldn’t help but think if me, Camille, Angel, and Jasmine were still friends, still part of the Good Girlz, that whole disaster with the twins would’ve never happened. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized we all were wrong. Yes, Camille tripped out by telling all of our business. But I was just as guilty too, for putting Jasmine in the spot I did. When things no longer worked out with me and Jaquan, I put Jasmine in the middle, basically making her choose sides. How was I gon’ get upset because she chose her brother?

  Even though I realized all of that, I didn’t quite know how to pull things back to where they had been.

  I sighed. Just let it go, I told myself as I gathered up my things to go to the Zion Hill youth talent showcase, where the little girls we mentored were supposed to be performing. I really didn’t want to go because I didn’t want to see Camille, Angel, and Jasmine, but Rachel had requested that we all be there—plus, I knew how much it meant to the girls.

  It took me about twenty minutes to get to the church. I was grateful that I was the first one there. I wished that I could go straight to the sanctuary to avoid having to bump into anyone, because I was sure I would break down. But Rachel had asked us to meet in the conference room.

  Within the next five minutes, Angel arrived, followed by Jasmine, then Camille. We all said “Hey,” but that was it.

  When Rachel walked in, she must’ve sensed the tension. She took a deep breath.

  “Hello, everyone.”

  We all muttered halfhearted hellos.

  Rachel set her Bible down on the rectangular table at the front of the room. “Oh, good grief. This is ridiculous. No one is going to say this, but I will,” she said. “We need to figure out the problem and get you girls back together. I don’t know why y’all trying to play hard. You can’t pretend you all don’t care about one another. When you thought Alexis was in the hospital, each and every one of you stopped what you were doing and raced to the hospital.”

  A confused look crossed my face. “What?”

  Rachel crossed her arms and glared at Angel, Camille, and Jasmine. They all looked away. “That’s right. They all hightailed it to the hospital because they thought you were the one that had overdosed.”

  I looked at Camille. “Is that true?”

  Camille shrugged and turned her head.

  “Of course it’s true,” Rachel snapped. “I’m not going to sit up here in church and lie to you. All three of them were a nervous wreck.”

  I stared at all three of the girls; every one looked away.

  “Now, enough is enough,” Rachel continued. “Before we go out in that sanctuary, I want us to talk about this.” Rachel turned to Camille. “We will start with you. You were wrong for betraying your friends by putting all their business out there like that.”

  Camille lowered her head in shame. “I know, and I’m so sorry. I feel so bad. I was just so desperate to get the job. I wasn’t thinking. I know I was wrong.” She started playing with her belt strap. “I had made up my mind that I was going to beg for you all to forgive me today. I miss y’all so much. I know I was out of order with the things I did. I just hope one day you guys can forgive me.” She sighed. “I deserved for them to cancel the show.”

  We all gasped at that. As mad as I may have been at Camille, I still knew how much that show meant to her.

  “Dang, I’m sorry, Camille,” Angel said.

  “Don’t be,” Camille replied. “I was sad at first, but then the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was probably for the best.”

  “I’m glad they canceled that stupid show,” Jasmine snapped.

  Everyone looked at her.

  “I’m sorry, but I am glad. We were fine before that stupid competition for the show. I’m just glad it’s over,” Jasmine admitted.

  “Yeah, me too,” I offered. Since things had turned around for my parents, maybe they could turn around for us as well. I was tired of pretending I didn’t care either. I was going to let them know how I felt. “Thank you all for coming to check on me. You all just don’t know how much I miss you guys. I’m sorry for what I did, Jasmine. I should’ve never put you in the middle of me and Jaquan.”

  “You shouldn’t have,” she said matter-of-factly. “I tried to tell you my brother loses interest in girls faster than he changes his stinky socks. Shoot, him and Tranita broke up again anyway.”

  I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of happiness at that.

  “Guys, I just want us to get back to the way things used to be,” Camille said. “Out of everything, your friendships meant the most. I mean, I lost the show. I lost Walter—”

  “You and Walter broke up?” Angel asked.

  “Yeah, I guess he gave in to pressure from his parents.”

  “Yeah, getting your butt kicked by the ex will do that to you,” Jasmine said with a laugh.

  Rachel smiled at that. I think we all were happy to share a laugh together.

  When the room door creaked open, everyone turned around and looked toward it.

  Tameka stuck her head in the door. She looked around, panting like she was nearly out of breath. “Oh, I didn’t know y’all were in here,” she said before stepping fully into the room. She was clutching a plant wrapped in bright tissue paper with a big paper D hanging at the end of a ribbon.

  At first no one said a word.

  “Um, I was looking for Auntie Rachel,” Tameka said nervously.

  “Tameka, don’t start with that lying,” Rachel said. “I told you to come because I wanted you here, too.”

  I looked at Tameka. She seemed more and more humble each time we saw her.

  “Well, I mean…I just came because I wanted to bring this to you guys…I don’t know, as a way to say I’m sorry, I guess,” Tameka said.

  I almost fell over backward in my chair.

  “Y’all don’t understand. I never really had any friends, and I guess I just didn’t know how to be one either.” Tameka tossed her hair out of her eyes. “I know I was a jerk, but I’m asking for another chance to be a member of the Good Girlz.”

  We all stared at Tameka, I guess wondering what kind of trick she had up her sleeve.

  “You know, Tameka, like we talked about, you have to earn trust, so I think over time you can show the girls that you can be a good friend.” Rachel turned to us. “And after the mistakes everyone here has made, I’m sure they’ll give you another chance.”

  Tameka looked at us. “I hope so.”

  I wanted to still be mad at Tameka, but honestly, I didn’t even have the energy anymore.

  “What’s that?” Rachel asked, pointing to the plant in Tameka’s arms.

  “A peace offering.”

  Tameka walked over and handed the plant to me. “Here, this is for you guys,” she said.

  “Ah, Tameka,” Jasmine said. “Why is there a big D hanging off that plant?” She read the ribbon. “Rest in Peace, Bi
g D?”

  Rachel snapped her head our way. “Is that from Brother Donell’s funeral tomorrow?”

  Tameka plastered on an innocent look.

  “Why y’all always gotta be starting mess?” she said playfully. “I just thought you guys would like a nice little plant. I mean, it was just sitting out there on the table, so I thought…”

  “What?” I said. Everyone started laughing. “Girl, how are you gonna be stealing plants from a dead person, at a church?”

  We all started laughing as Chelsea, one of the little girls we mentor, poked her head in the door. “Can I come to y’alls party?”

  We smiled and motioned for her to come in. She ran over and gave each of us a hug. “You know what?” she said. “When I grow up, I want to have friends just like you guys,” she said.

  We all smiled.

  “We are friends,” I said.

  “To the end,” Camille added.

  “Oh, my God, please don’t start that corny stuff,” Jasmine said, rolling her eyes.

  “Does that include me?” Tameka asked, a serious look across her face.

  I looked at my girls. They nodded. “Why not?” I said, as I reached out for her hand.

  Rachel had tears in her eyes. “You guys make me so happy.”

  “Well, you know what would make me happy?” Chelsea said. “If I can get a dollar to go buy some candy. Some girl is selling it out at choir rehearsal.”

  Rachel smiled as she handed Chelsea a dollar. “Here, then, go get in place for the talent showcase. We’ll be out in a minute.”

  “Thank you, Miss Rachel.” Chelsea grabbed the money, then scurried off.

  Rachel turned back to us. “You girls have come a long way over this past year. And I’m just proud to have been along for the ride.”

  I reached over and took Jasmine’s hand. “The ride isn’t over. It’s just beginning.”

  “And with friends like these,” Camille added, “we can’t help but be friends for life.”

  “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Angel added.

  We all looked at Jasmine. “Excuse me while I go throw up, because you guys have got to be the mushiest, corniest people I’ve ever met.”

  “But you love us.” Camille draped her arm through Jasmine’s.

  Jasmine cut her eyes. “Okay, fine. I’ll give you all that. I love y’all, corny butts and all.”

  “Me too?” Tameka grinned widely.

  Jasmine stared at her. “One step at a time. One step at a time.”

  We all cracked up laughing, happy because the Good Girlz, plus one, were finally back in business.

  Reading Group Guide

  A Conversation with ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  Q: With Friends Like These is the third book in your series of Christian teen novels, each having one of the Ten Commandments as its theme. With honesty being the theme of this book what do you think is the greatest benefit of telling the truth? When, if ever, do you consider it appropriate to lie?

  A: As much as we may try to justify it, I don’t think there’s ever an appropriate time to lie. That’s because one lie leads to another, then another, and so on. Often, people will tell lies to avoid hurting someone’s feelings; eventually, that person ends up hurt anyway, and a lie only compounds that hurt.

  Q: What advice would you give parents about how to have an honest rapport with their children? How can they have a relationship based on truth with their teens while still respecting their privacy?

  A: While I’m not one of those parents who believe you must be your child’s friend, I still do think there is a certain level of respect that should be extended to your child. By showing your child you respect him or her as an individual, you’re teaching him or her to respect you. That, in turn, helps build a desire to be truthful.

  Q: The Good Girlz deal with real teen issues—everything from boyfriend troubles to jealousy and competition. How do you create stories that are so true to life?

  A: By writing reality. I write what I have lived, and what I see teens deal with on an everyday basis.

  Q: Do you have a favorite Good Girl? Which one most reminds you of yourself?

  A: One of the things I loved about the Good Girlz is that I took a little bit of me and infused it into each character. Then, I added some characteristics I wish I had growing up. For that reason, it’s kind of hard to pick a favorite. I love all of them.

  Q: Do you think teenage girls have a harder time than teenage boys? If so, why?

  A: Definitely, because let’s face it, there are different standard levels for the two groups. Certain behavior is accepted and even excused in young men, but young women can really mess up their lives with that same behavior. Then you have the media sending mixed messages about what’s hot, what’s beautiful, and what guys want. It can add a lot of pressure to teenage girls.

  Q: What were your favorite books and authors growing up? What do you think are the essential ingredients of a bestselling teen novel?

  A: I loved Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. And I was a huge Judy Blume and Nancy Drew reader. I think a teen novel needs to be something that keeps teens’ interest; after all, books are competing with so many other forms of entertainment. So a bestselling teen book today has to be a page-turner.

  Q: Do you think celebrities and the media influence how teens view competition and being successful in today’s world?

  A: We live in a competitive society and the catfights we hear about in Hollywood and the beefs we see rappers having with each other only serve to fuel the competitive fire. I think unfair pressure is placed on teens by telling them that they have to be the best. I don’t have a problem with being the best you can, but it’s when we add in that “by any means necessary” part as so many people do. We’re teaching young people that you should succeed no matter what, no matter who you have to step on to do it. And that, most often, is not a good thing.

  Q: What did you learn from your own experience as a television reporter about the balance between work and personal life? Were you ever in a situation where you felt particularly competitive? If so, how did you handle it?

  A: I think oftentimes people can get so caught up in their careers, or following their dreams, that they don’t realize what’s really important—and that’s family and love. The TV news business is extremely competitive. We fought all the time for the big story. I’ll admit, I was one of those “bulldog reporters.” But at the end of the day, none of that mattered. You can be the star one day and fizzle the next. (Just like Camille when they canceled her show.) So it’s important to always realize what’s really important.

  Q: As a parent you are probably concerned about instilling values in your own daughters. How will you accomplish this?

  A: Absolutely. I don’t want to just write about it, I want to be about it. That means, the things I try to teach in my writings, I definitely will teach in my household. I want to raise strong independent daughters, who make sound moral, ethical, personal, and professional decisions in their own lives. Of course, I’ll do that through example, but also by constantly talking to them about staying on the right path.

  Q: What will be the next book in your Christian teen series? How do you choose which of the Commandments to focus on next?

  A: We are currently at work on the next set of books in the Good Girlz series. I want to make sure we choose an area to focus on that will really touch some lives. So, while we haven’t narrowed it down yet, I’m definitely excited about continuing the series.

  Questions for Discussions

  When the original Good Girlz—Camille, Angel, Jasmine, and Alexis—meet their newest member, Tameka Adams, they are turned off by her negative attitude. Camille says, “I’d just stick to the original Good Girlz, the ones I knew were my true friends. I guess we just had no room for outsiders” (page 5). Why do you think the girls don’t like Tameka? Does it have anything to do with the fact that she’s their group leader’s niece? What is the difference between
a close-knit group of friends and a “clique”? What would you consider the Good Girlz?

  Do you think it’s a good decision for Angel not to try out for Teen Talks because she’s now a mom? What does this say about her priorities and life goals? Did she have other options she didn’t explore?

  Competition and lying are two of the major themes in With Friends Like These. What is the difference between competition over boys and competition at the television station? When, if ever, is a lie acceptable?

  Do you think Jasmine has the right to be angry with Alexis for dating Jaquan? Why or why not? Is keeping Jasmine in the dark the same thing as lying to her?

  Camille and Walter lie to their parents in order to date each other. Is this really necessary? What does this say about their relationship? Are they dating each other simply to rebel, or are they rebelling because they truly care about each other?

  Why do you think Tameka uses underhanded tactics, such as giving the girls bad advice and stealing Jasmine’s research paper? If she had enough confidence in herself would she still cheat? How do the other girls react?

  When Alexis and Camille are chosen as the finalists, Camille takes Walter up on his offer to help her get the job. Do you consider this cheating? Do you think she would have been more proud of herself knowing she got the job all on her own? How do the other girls react once they find out?

  At one point in the competition, Rachel says, “God is at the center of everything we do…. We’re losing the glue that holds everything together” (page 85). What is Rachel trying to teach the girls about friendship and competition? What are they losing sight of?

  When the girls believe Alexis had an overdose, they rush to the hospital to be at her side. What does this say about their underlying values and priorities?

  How does the cancellation of the talk show put things in perspective for Camille? What does she learn about herself and the nature of competition?