Rumor Central

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  “Not today. I just need a quick shower. Where’s Mom and Dad?”

  “Your father has already gone in for an early meeting. Your mother is sleeping and asked not to be disturbed.”

  “Of course she did,” I muttered. I made my way back to my room, where I showered and changed as quickly as possible, which was an hour and a half, which made me late for school—again.

  I made it to school right before second period. I felt the strange vibe the instant I stepped on campus. I passed huddles of people who stood in the halls and talked about something. I didn’t pay much attention to what was going on, until I arrived at my homeroom and realized class hadn’t started yet.

  “Did you hear what happened yesterday?” one of my classmates asked.

  I whipped around because I hadn’t realized someone else was in the room.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Four cheerleaders were arrested! Last night at a cheer competition. Everyone is talking about it,” she said.

  I couldn’t remember her name, and the way she looked told me we didn’t run in the same circles. She had that gothic thing going, black hair, thick black eyeliner, black lipstick, and black fingernails.

  “That piece you did on the cheerleaders was off the chain, but between that, the Bling Ring, and that blockbuster story on your BFF, you causing some major drama, girl,” she said.

  I didn’t even respond. I turned around and tried to focus on nothing in particular in my notebook.

  “So that’s what everyone was talking about,” I muttered to myself.

  When the teacher walked in and barely spoke to me, I frowned. I looked around the room. I felt like everyone was looking at me crazy.

  What if I was being paranoid?

  So what if no one said hi to me as I walked the halls? I’d come out of the womb being fabulous, so I was used to the hate.

  I had no idea what the teacher was talking about in class. I just watched the clock, waiting for the bell to ring.

  It was the same thing pretty much the rest of the day—everyone acting like I was the one hooking up with men for money and making the school look bad. I don’t think I’d ever been so happy to see the end of a school day.

  The final bell had barely rung when I darted out to the parking lot where my car was parked.

  I stopped when I saw Bali leaning against my car. I thought about taking off and running in the opposite direction because Bali put the cr in crazy. It was only because he seemed somewhat calm, standing there by my car, his hands tucked in his pockets, that I kept walking over to him.

  “What’s up, Bali?” I said, staying several feet away from him just in case he let loose.

  “I guess your ratings are up, huh, Maya? That’s what’s most important, right? That you show the world how fabulous you are.”

  The way he was talking actually scared me. He was so calm and even-toned.

  “Yeah, well, it is what it is,” I replied.

  He let out a small laugh. “It is what it is, huh? Who cares who is hurt in the process.”

  “Look, Bali,” I finally said. “I hate that it had to come down to all of this. I mean, you and I were really cool.”

  “Yeah, until you decided to stab me in the back,” he said, nonchalantly.

  I tried not to roll my eyes. We’d never see eye to eye on this so there was no use trying to talk about it.

  “You know when you do people dirty, it’s just a matter of time before you get a taste of your own medicine,” he said.

  I was so sick of people threatening me. “Look, if you think you can scare me—”

  Bali closed his fingers in a “shut your mouth” gesture. “Girl, slow your roll,” he snapped. “Ain’t nobody trying to scare you. I’m just telling you the truth.”

  “Well, thank you for your version of the truth. But you can keep your predictions to yourself. If that’s what you’re out here getting butt prints on my car for, you’re wasting your time.”

  He shook his head pitifully. “Nah, I was just coming to tell you I hope you’re happy. Your little story, whether you did it for ratings or revenge, has ruined my life. It was the last straw for my dad and he’s sending me back to Cuba.”

  That made my mouth drop open. Bali was always talking about how bad things were in Cuba and how he’d rather die than return there.

  “What? Why?”

  “Why? Your stupid story, Maya. Why do you think?”

  I was stunned. Never in a million years would I have imagined that. “B-But you weren’t, I mean, I didn’t say anything about you in my story.”

  “You didn’t have to,” he replied. “We both know I was the one filming, so I was there. And when everybody is facing major trouble, they get to singing. So, yeah, you didn’t mention me, but I don’t know why you didn’t think police would find out I was involved. So, of course, they questioned me and my dad. And of course, I denied it to the end so the cops really couldn’t do anything. But guess what, my dad could. So, he’s sending me back to Cuba because I have become so ‘corrupted in America,’ as he said.”

  I felt awful. Just the way he was talking, I felt so sorry for Bali. He’d told me time and time again how hard it was to be the gay son of a diplomat in Cuba. He hated even going back to visit. I couldn’t imagine him living there permanently.

  “Bali, I’m really sorry,” I said. “I never meant—”

  “Whatever, Maya,” he said, cutting me off. “Just wanted to give you a heads-up. You win. This round.” He stood up and started walking off. “But like I said, payback ain’t pretty. And it always appears when you least expect it. Just something to think about.”

  He gave me the most hateful glare, before he turned and walked away.

  Chapter 32

  I was running late for work because Mrs. Watson and her stupid make-up class had kept me longer than normal. I had just parked my car and was making my way around the sidewalk of the building when I heard what sounded like crying and loud angry voices.

  I couldn’t make out what was being said or who was mad, but I knew for sure it was an argument and it was going down. I eased a little closer, making sure I was out of sight. It wasn’t that I was being nosey—oh, who was I kidding? Yes, I was. That was my job.

  I leaned in so I could hear better. I couldn’t believe it. Was that Valerie yelling through her tears? Who in the world would be going off on Valerie of all people? She was meek and on the quiet side. I couldn’t even imagine what she’d done to make anyone so mad. The way this person was yelling, I had no idea why Valerie would subject herself to being screamed at either.

  “All I know is you better handle it!” a woman said.

  I peeked around the corner so I could get a good look. The woman, whose back was facing me, spoke in a threatening voice. Valerie’s eyes shifted to me and that’s when the woman spun around. She was still very angry. Her eyes were fired up and her chest was heaving up and down. Her nostrils were also still flaring. I recognized her immediately as the woman from the picture on Valerie’s key ring. It was her mother.

  “Uh, hi,” I said, walking slowly

  I walked slowly toward them. I didn’t miss how Valerie lowered her head and tried to dry her eyes. That was so lame for her mom to be putting her on blast like that all out in public.

  “Hi, I’m Maya Morgan.” I stretched out my hand for her mom to shake it, but she looked down at my hand then back up at me. She didn’t smile and didn’t bother to touch me.

  Well, okay, then.

  “I looked at that video you needed. It’s on your desk if you need to see it for yourself,” Valerie finally said to me. She spoke to me, but her voice was shaky and I felt like she was trying to get rid of me. Suddenly, a car door opened and an older man stepped out. I immediately recognized the gray hair from Valerie’s photo as her father. The man didn’t speak as he walked toward us. He leaned in and whispered something in Valerie’s mother’s ear and her entire body began to shake. She closed her eyes and took a
deep breath.

  The man pulled her into his arms and held her for what felt like forever. Valerie stood there looking down at the ground.

  I knew it would be wrong of me to start asking questions about the stories and interviews Valerie was supposed to set up, but I was trying to figure out what was going on.

  Valerie finally glanced up and I saw the confused look on her face. I didn’t know if that was a plea for help or if she was simply embarrassed. I had never met her parents before and I was certain that she didn’t like the way her mom had just left me hanging like that.

  I tried to communicate with her using only my eyes, but realized that she and I weren’t close enough to be able to swap vibes like that.

  “So we can move forward with that story then?” I asked.

  “I’ll be inside in a minute,” Valerie said, like she was dismissing me.

  “Oh, okay,” I said. The look on her face—like she was terrified or something—had me a little concerned. What if her parents were abusive? What if they were threatening her?

  “Oh, well,” I said, heading to the door. I wasn’t about to take a lick for her, but I could call the cops if something went down.

  I eased inside the door and made tapping noises like I was walking off, but I tiptoed back so that I could spy on them through the vent.

  “What do you want me to do?” Valerie whined.

  “You need to handle this, and I mean it,” her mother said, waving a finger in her direction.

  Okay, that was my second time hearing her say that. Handle what? I wondered whether I should ask Valerie what was going on or wait to see if she’d say anything when she came back inside.

  After about ten minutes, Valerie finally walked into the office and I jumped right in.

  “Okay, what was that about?” I asked.

  Valerie blew a frustrated breath, but tried to act casual about it. “My parents are trippin’.”

  “No kidding. But about what?”

  “Look, I don’t want to talk about it.” She started going through some papers on the desk, trying to look busy.

  “Well, if they’re coming all up on the job trippin’ on you, it’s obviously something major. I think I deserve to know what’s going on because, remember, I’m the reason you’re working here. The last thing I need is for word about that little disturbance getting back to Tamara and I can’t take up for you.” I folded my arms to let her know I wasn’t moving until she came clean.

  Valerie sighed, then seemed like she was thinking. I guess she was trying to decide whether she should tell me anything. “My mom is just trippin’ because—” She paused. “Because Jenn’s mom is all mad at me for telling you about Sheridan’s mom.” She sounded like she was rushing her words out. “Jenn’s mom and my mom are friends so everybody is upset with me because I told you and you did that stupid story and now the whole world is digging into it. Jenn’s mom is scared she’s going to lose her job. It’s just a total nightmare.”

  “Dang.” I truly didn’t want all that drama popping off. I mean, I wanted the story, but I didn’t want her catching any kind of grief behind it. I was about to tell Valerie that when Tamara’s assistant poked her head in my dressing room.

  “Hey, Maya, they’re waiting on you in the studio,” she said hurriedly.

  “I’m coming.” I looked back at Valerie. I was going to have to wait on playing Dr. Phil. “Well, I gotta go. You gon’ be all right?” I asked her as I headed toward the door.

  She released a pained laugh. “Yeah, you go do you.”

  I didn’t know what that was supposed to mean and honestly, I wasn’t about to figure it out. I’d wasted enough of my energy on Valerie and her family. If that’s all it was, her mom was mad about my story, then she needed to get in line. Everybody was mad. But oh well, I wasn’t about to sweat it. I planned to take Valerie’s advice and keep doing me.

  Chapter 33

  I inhaled deeply, then opened the classroom door. The last few days had been nothing but stress and I needed a day at home to decompress. That had given me a reprieve from facing Sheridan, but I knew I couldn’t keep hiding. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to avoid Sheridan any longer. Rumor had it that she’d been looking for me for the past two days. She’d called my phone several times and left all kinds of crazy, threatening messages. She called so much that I had to block her number. Even then, she started using other people’s phones. I needed to change my number, but I was too important to be starting from scratch with a new cell phone number. Besides, it wasn’t like not being able to reach me by phone had kept her away. She’d even come by the house and screamed outside like some kind of crazy person. I had to send security to get rid of her.

  But I knew I couldn’t keep hiding out, so I entered the room with my head held high, ignoring the people cutting their eyes at me and looking at me with disgust. They could hate all day. I didn’t care. I was back on top and these trolls couldn’t take it.

  I felt like I was safe because our teacher, Mrs. Eugene, was at the front, writing on the chalkboard. But no sooner had I sat down than Mrs. Eugene stepped outside to stop a passing teacher.

  The door had barely closed before Sheridan made her way over to my desk.

  “I should beat you down right now,” she said, glaring at me.

  I ignored her and opened my history book.

  “Do you hear me?”

  “Yeah, I hear you. But we both know you’re all talk,” I said, not looking up.

  She took a step toward me, but Chenoa jumped up, grabbed her arm, and pulled her back. “Sheridan, chill. You don’t need to be getting in trouble for beating down this skank.”

  “Yeah, Sheridan, chill. Your flunky has a point. I’d hate for you to miss the homecoming dance because you’ve been expelled.”

  Her hands went to her hips. “Is that what this is about? You want to get revenge and make up lies about my mom because you’re mad because I took your man?” she said.

  “Please,” I laughed. “If you’re into sloppy seconds, more power to you.”

  She took a deep breath, like she was going to try a different approach.

  “I can’t believe you would do something like that.” She sounded really hurt. “I mean, I know we were fighting, but you took it there.”

  So now she really wanted to play the I’m-so-betrayed card? Give me a freakin’ break. “I took it there?” I said, looking at her like she’d lost her last working brain cell. “You’re the one that stole Bryce’s phone and sent out that picture!”

  “So that gives you reason to just make up lies?”

  I definitely took note of how she didn’t deny it this time.

  “Look, don’t be mad at me. I just report the news.”

  “That’s not news,” Sheridan snapped. “That stupid show you do is nothing but gossip and rumors.”

  I shrugged. “Then, just like I told your friends, if it’s not true, why are you getting all worked up?”

  She leaned over my desk, trying to look all tough. I didn’t flinch. Unlike Shay, Sheridan didn’t scare me. “Oh, you best believe my mom is livid. She’s talking with her attorney right now.”

  Was that supposed to scare me? “And? The station has attorneys, too.”

  “She’s just mad because you dropped her as your BFF,” Chenoa said, pulling her arm again.

  “Please,” I replied. “Sheridan did me a favor. And you know what I think your problem is?” I said, looking Sheridan dead in the eyes. “You wish you could be me.”

  Sheridan glared at me like she wanted to kill me with her bare hands. She had moved closer to my desk just as Mrs. Eugene walked back into the room. “Ladies, I need you to have a seat.”

  Sheridan leaned in and whispered. “You messed with the wrong one. Believe that,” she said. “You know firsthand what I’m capable of. I promise you will regret the day you ever uttered my name.”

  “Whatever, Sheridan,” I said, as she rolled her eyes and went back to her seat. If I had a dime for every
one who had threatened me lately, I’d be even richer than I was.

  Valerie came in, muttered an apology for being late, and slid into a desk in the back. I expected her to take a seat next to me, but she sat at the back of the class without even looking my way.

  What’s up with that? I knew she wasn’t still mad about me telling her secret. I’d apologized so she needed to get over it. I glanced back at her and she also just glared before lowering her head.

  Man, screw her, too. If Valerie wanted to be mad, then so be it. I was sick of everyone at this stupid school. I had a new life and I was counting down the days until I could put this old one behind me.

  Chapter 34

  I was surprised to look up in the mirror and see Valerie standing in the doorway to my dressing room. Her eyes were puffy like she’d spent days crying. I hadn’t expected her to come to work today since she’d been acting funny about me spilling her secret and then her parents had been trippin’ with her so much.

  “Do you need my help today?” she said. The way she was talking, I could definitely tell she was still a little salty. I just wasn’t getting why she was still so freakin’ upset.

  “Look, I’m sorry,” I said, swiveling around in my chair. We needed to end this pity party right here, right now. “I wasn’t trying to violate your trust. I thought you disliked Sheridan as much as me so I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

  “I do dislike her.” Valerie blew out a frustrated breath. “It’s just . . . never mind.”

  I wasn’t going to baby her, so I took that to be an apology and moved on. “I’m glad we cleared that up,” I said, turning back around to the mirror to finish checking out my makeup. “If only you knew what I’ve been through the past few days. Some stalker is hanging out at my house.”

  Valerie didn’t look as concerned as I would’ve liked, but she did say, “Really?”

  “Yeah. Then I’m getting crazy texts. They keep saying that I need to stop airing this story. Only I don’t know what story they’re talking about.” I ran my hands through my hair to fluff out my curls. “It could be anybody. Chenoa and her friends threatened me. Sheridan threatened me. So did Evian and Bali, so I have no clue.”