by L. Divine
PRAISE FOR THE DRAMA HIGH SERIES
“You’ll definitely feel for Jayd Jackson, the bold sixteen-year-old Compton, California, junior at the center of keep-it-real Drama High stories.”
—Essence magazine on Drama High: Jayd’s Legacy
“Edged with comedy and a provoking street-savvy plot line, Compton native and Drama High author L. Divine writes a fascinating story capturing the voice of young black America.”
—The Cincinnati Herald on the Drama High Series
“Filled with all the elements that make for a good book—young love, non-stop drama and a taste of the supernatural, it is sure to please.”
—THE RAWSISTAZ Reviewers on Drama High: The Fight
“... A captivating look at teen life.”
—Harriet Klausner on Drama High: The Fight
“If you grew up on a steady diet of saccharine Sweet Valley novels and think there aren’t enough books specifically for African American teens, you’re in luck.”
—Prince George’s Sentinel on Drama High: The Fight
“Through a healthy mix of book smarts, life experiences, and down-to-earth flavor, L. Divine has crafted a well-nuanced coming-of-age tale for African-American youth.”
—The Atlanta Voice on Drama High: The Fight
“Drama High has it all ... fun, fast, addictive.”
—Cara Lockwood, bestselling author of Moby Clique
Also by L. Divine
THE FIGHT
SECOND CHANCE
JAYD’S LEGACY
FRENEMIES
LADY J
COURTIN’ JAYD
HUSTLIN’
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Drama High, Vol. 8
KEEP IT MOVIN’
L. Divine
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR THE DRAMA HIGH SERIES
Also by L. Divine
Title Page
Epigraph
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THE CREW
Prologue
1 - Keep It Movin’
2 - Merry Xmas
3 - Hair
4 - Holiday Haters
5 - Sweet Tooth
6 - Get Money
7 - My Girls
8 - Money, Power, Respect
9 - The Matrix
10 - I Get Around
11 - Mine to Keep
Epilogue
A Reading Group Guide
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
HOLIDAZE
START YOUR OWN BOOK CLUB
Copyright Page
This volume, Keep It Movin’, is special to me because the term is more than just slang. It reaches back to our collective ancestors who always kept it moving in spite of the insurmountable odds they faced. It is also dedicated to their descendants, those of us who continue their legacy through dreaming, working, and living. If you are taking breath, be thankful and don’t waste any time dwelling on the negative. Our past is more than slavery and our reality bigger and more purposeful than the negativisms all around us.
Rather than focus on nihilistic behavior, those of us who possess the soul of warrior survivors keep it movin’ no matter what. It’s not easy because the world around us—family, friends, enemies, co-workers, etc.—can really work our nerves! But it’s all a part of the challenge, an obstacle on the road to success. But anyone who is self-employed through the blessings of his/her talent will tell you that it’s worth all of the DRAMA.
Our ancestors knew it and strived to always do their own work, and when that wasn’t possible, they still made a way. We have the opportunity through education, self-love and realization—and most of all, through faith—to surpass their contributions and keep our legacy alive and ever-flowing.
So, this volume is dedicated to the FAITHFUL who prevail against the odds, always tred the path less walked upon, and who not only know their flow but live it. As the saying goes, “don’t give up, get up” and keep it movin’ always~
“You can’t hide the truth from the youth/
You can steal the fruit not the root.”
—ETANA
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my babies: Without you two, I wouldn’t have the vision to do half of what I do every day.
To Kenya, Christine, Deanna, Crystal, and the rest of their family for taking such good care of my babies while I’m on my grind. To my godsister Joliba, who is the quintessential essence of change: You are an inspiration.
To Al, Dawn, and the rest of the folks at Perk Coffeehouse in Glenwood Park for helping me keep my mojo flowing so I can keep on writing.
To all of the single parents raising children with love and sacrifice, mothers in particular: I know it’s hard and rough at times, but remember we are raising our future adults. We sacrifice ourselves and yet still find a way to work every day and keep living. You are my she-roes, my role models, my Cinderellas. Thank you, mothers, for your energy.
And to my loyal readers: As long as you keep on reading, I’ll keep on writing. Together we keep the series moving forward.
THE CREW
Jayd
A sassy sixteen-year-old from Compton, California, who comes from a long line of Louisiana conjure women. She is the only one in her lineage born with brown eyes and a caul. Her grandmother appropriately named her “Jayd,” which is also the name her grandmother took on in her days as a voodoo queen in New Orleans. She lives with her grandparents, four uncles, and her cousin Jay. Jayd is in all AP classes and visits her mother on the weekend. She has a tense relationship with her father, whom she sees occasionally, and has never-ending drama in her life, whether at school or home.
Mama/Lynn Mae
When Jayd gets in over her head, her grandmother, Mama, is always there to help her. A full-time conjure woman with magical green eyes and a long list of both clients and haters, Mama also serves as Jayd’s teacher, confidante, and protector.
Mom/Lynn Marie
At thirty-something years old, Lynn Marie would never be mistaken for a mother of a teenager. But Jayd’s mom is definitely all that and with her green eyes, she keeps the men guessing. Able to talk to Jayd telepathically, Lynn Marie is always there when Jayd needs her.
Esmeralda
Mama’s nemesis and Jayd’s nightmare, this next-door neighbor is anything but friendly. She relocated to Compton from Louisiana around the same time Mama did and has been a thorn in Mama’s side ever since. She continuously causes trouble for Mama and Jayd. Esmeralda’s cold blue eyes have powers of their own, although not nearly as powerful as Mama’s.
Rah
Rah is Jayd’s first love from junior high school who has come back into her life when a mutual friend, Nigel, transfers from Rah’s high school (Westingle) to South Bay. He knows everything about her and is her spiritual confidant. Rah lives in Los Angeles but grew up with his grandparents in Compton like Jayd. He loves Jayd fiercely but has a girlfriend who refuses to go away (Trish) and a baby-mama (Sandy). Rah is a hustler by necessity and a music producer by talent. He takes care of his younger brother Kamal and holds the house down while his dad is locked up and his mother strips at a local club.
Misty
The word “frenemies” was coined for this former best friend of Jayd’s. Misty has made it her mission to sabotage Jayd any way she can. Living around the corner from Jayd, she has the unique advantage of being an original hater from the neighborhood and at school.
KJ
He’s the most popular basketball player on campus, Jayd’s ex-boyfriend, and Misty’s current boyfriend. Ever since he and Jayd broke up, he’s made it his personal mission to perse
cute her.
Nellie
One of Jayd’s best friends, Nellie is the prissy princess of the crew. She is also dating Chance, even though it’s Nigel she’s really feeling. Nellie made history at South Bay by becoming the first Black Homecoming princess and has let the crown go to her head.
Mickey
The gangster girl of Jayd’s small crew. She and Nellie are best friends but often at odds with each other, mostly because Nellie secretly wishes she could be more like Mickey. A true hood girl, she loves being from Compton, and her man with no name is a true gangster. Mickey and Nigel have quickly become South Bay High’s newest couple.
Jeremy
A first for Jayd, Jeremy is her white ex-boyfriend who also happens to be the most popular cat at South Bay. Rich, tall and extremely handsome, Jeremy’s witty personality and good conversation keep Jayd on her toes and give Rah a run for his money—literally.
Mickey’s Man
Never using his name, Mickey’s original boyfriend is a troublemaker and always hot on Mickey’s trail. Always in and out of jail, Mickey’s man is notorious in her hood for being a coldhearted gangster, and loves to be in control. He also has a thing for Jayd, but Jayd can’t stand to be anywhere near him.
Nigel
The new quarterback on the block, Nigel is a friend of Jayd’s from junior high and also Rah’s best friend, making Jayd’s world even smaller at South Bay High. Nigel is the star football player and dumped his ex-girlfriend at Westingle (Tasha) to be with his new baby-mama-to-be, Mickey. Jayd is caught up in the mix as a friend to them both, but her loyalty lies with Nigel because she’s known him longer and he’s always had her back.
Chance
The rich, white hip-hop kid of the crew, Chance is Jayd’s drama homie and Nellie’s boyfriend, if you let him tell it. He used to have a crush on Jayd and now has turned his attention to Nellie.
Bryan
The youngest of Mama’s children and Jayd’s favorite uncle, Bryan is a dj by night and works at the local grocery store during the day. He’s also an acquaintance of both Rah and KJ from playing ball around the hood. Bryan often gives Jayd helpful advice about her problems with boys and hating girls alike. Out of all of Jayd’s uncles, Bryan gives her grandparents the least amount of trouble.
Jay
Jay is more like an older brother to Jayd than her cousin. Like Jayd, he lives with Mama but his mother (Mama’s youngest daughter) left him when he was a baby and never returned. He doesn’t know his father and attends Compton High. He and Jayd often cook together and help Mama around the house.
Prologue
As I stand here with my cell phone to my ear, listening to Rah’s rationale about why he has to leave me stranded with no date, to drive all the way out to Pomona to meet Sandy’s crazy ass, I can feel my head getting hot. I now know the heat of a thousand suns. The tears well up behind my tired eyes, but I refuse to let him hear me cry. I haven’t even made it into the bathroom yet and I already want to throw my cell in the toilet and flush the bull Rah’s feeding me.
“Jayd, did you hear what I just said?” Rah asks, responding to my silence. I put the lid down and take a seat on the toilet, slowly removing my beach attire from my afternoon out with Jeremy. I was in a great mood before Rah came by, bursting my bubble. Now, the last thing I feel like doing is going to a party. I’m not in the mood to celebrate a damned thing unless it has something to do with his ex-girlfriends, Sandy and Trish, disappearing from our lives for good. “I’m sorry about this, baby. I’m going to get there and back as fast as I can.”
“It’s all good, Rah. No worries.” My untruthful words are barely audible to me so I know he didn’t hear me. Every time he pulls this shit I tell myself it’ll be the last time, just like the last time. When will too much finally be enough?
“If there was another way, I’d do it in a heartbeat.” Rah sighs deeply through the phone and I can feel his frustration. I wish he were stronger in his stance with both Sandy and Trish. Maybe I should have made the Bitter Bwoy Brew I concocted to repel his broads, to work on myself instead. This boy’s drama is starting to drain me and I’m tired of being his willing victim. “You believe me, don’t you, baby?”
“I believe you think you’re doing the right thing and that’s all that matters.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Rah says while I finish undressing, ready to wash up and get back downstairs. I can feel my mom’s impatience and I know she’s about to give me a psychic earful if I don’t hurry up. She wasn’t planning on being my ride this evening and I know she has other plans with her boyfriend, Karl, which means I’m cramping her style.
“Well, what do you expect? You not only threw off my day, you also threw off my mother and Karl’s plans as well. But like I said, no worries. You’ve got to go handle your business and so do I. I’ll talk to you later,” I say, abruptly ending our phone conversation. I need to get all of my tears out and keep it moving if I’m going to make it through the holidays. Otherwise, I’ll be stuck in this love quicksand indefinitely and I can’t afford to stop for anyone, Rah included.
1
Keep It Movin’
“Keep on moving/
Don’t stop like the hands of time.”
—SOUL II SOUL
“Jayd, hurry up and get down here. We’ve got to get going if Karl and I are going to make it to Mama’s dinner in time enough to leave early. We’re going to a party at his brother’s house afterwards and I don’t want to get there too late.” Leave it to my mom to have an exit plan for a family dinner. “I heard that, young lady. What happened with Rah? We already have to take you home unexpectedly and that’s going to take up even more of our time to be together.” Why does my mom have to sweat my mind with her telepathic conversation while I’m rushing to get dressed? She can wait another ten minutes and I’ll be downstairs with her and Karl where she’ll be able to grill me all the way to Compton.
“He had to go get his little girl,” I mutter, still in shock that Rah has left me stranded for yet another holiday. What is it with him and all the other broads in his life? How come they can snap their fingers and Rah comes running, usually leaving me behind in the dust? I’m the one he supposedly loves, but what I want always comes last. What the hell?
“Well, I don’t understand what that has to do with him not coming to Mama’s, but whatever. Did you tell him he could bring his daughter? I know Mama would love to see the baby.”
“Mom, can this wait until I’m out of the bathroom, please? I’m trying to wash my face and I still have to pick out an outfit to wear.” I didn’t want to cry in front of my mom because she would tease me to no end. She’s always viewed shedding tears as a weakness, especially if they’re falling over a dude. But I can’t hold them in any longer, especially not now that I’m looking in the mirror. I trace the tracks of my tears down my cheeks, washing them away in the gentle lather. I wish I could wash away the pain behind them just as easily.
“I already picked out your attire. You’re wearing the red dress hanging in my bathroom doorway. Merry Christmas. The shoes are already by the front door. Now, hurry up and get down here. We’ve got to keep it moving, Jayd, no matter how tough shit is. Stick it out and come on.”
“Mom, I’m coming,” I say aloud, even if technically I am the only one in the apartment. How am I supposed to concentrate on being jolly with Christmas spirit when the one I want to be with is going to be with someone else—again? Having to give up spending turkey day with Rah to Trish and her brother was one thing. But, Rah passing up my grandmother’s Christmas Eve dinner to meet up with Sandy’s trifling ass is more than I can take.
“Jayd, haven’t you figured out that the moment you stop taking Rah’s mess will be the moment he stops dishing it out? You should know better by now.”
“That’s exactly what I said to Rah about Sandy and her baby-mama games. She’s playing him, and every time Rah participates in her drama, he’s letting her get away with it.” I quickly
rinse the mango-apricot face scrub from my cheeks before filling the sink with warm water to quickly wash up with. I wish I had time to take a shower, but knowing my mom, she’ll leave me if I waste any more of her time.
“Well, it’s time to start following your own advice. And the sooner the better, because at the rate you’re going, Rah’s going to be a distant memory if you don’t step up your game. I remember Sandy being a train wreck and if that’s how she looks in my memory, I can only imagine what she must look like in your rearview.”
“You can only imagine; since when?” I ask, washing the salty ocean residue off my body, ready to slip into my new dress and my mom’s shoes, but not before I butter up with some of Mama’s Egyptian musk body butter. I only wear the good stuff on special occasions and Mama’s creations are the best.
“Jayd, I do allow you some privacy, don’t I? I don’t want to relive your memories, trust me. What I see in your little head is more than enough. Now, get down here. You’ve got five minutes.” I exit the bathroom and eye the full-length fitted dress hanging in my mother’s doorway. Damn, she’s got great taste. The Chinese-inspired design of the dress makes it that much more stunning and gives it a classic appearance. “I thought you’d like it. Don’t forget to wear panty hose or Mama will flip out on both of us. Make it quick, Jayd.”
