Caught Up in the Drama by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

excited. It seemed like the whole school was here. We were at Dave & Buster’s restaurant for the video-viewing party. Sisco hadn’t come because he’d had to fly out for an event in Baltimore tomorrow, but almost everyone else from the set and cast was here. Best of all, they’d pumped it up so that I was actually the star.
    Taraji was onstage, singing my praises like she was my best friend. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she really liked me, the way she was up there all grinning and stuff.
    â€œSo, ladies and gents, I hope you enjoy ‘Just One More Chance’ and the star in the making, your very own Camille Simone,” Taraji announced. The crowd clapped and I smiled,wondering when she’d changed my name to only my first and middle. But truth be told, I kinda liked it.
    I was glad my mom had broken down and let me splurge for the Rocawear outfit I was rocking. I looked too cute in the Karma Camelion off-the-shoulder top and matching In Living Color pants.
    I wished Xavier had been here. Even though we hadn’t gotten back together, he had spoken to me the other day. Tonight was special and it would have been nice if he’d been here. I totally understood about him not wanting to see me kissing on another boy, even if it had been just an act. But my girls were here, so it was all good. My mom was at work, so she couldn’t come, but that probably was for the best as well.
    The lights dimmed and the video started playing. There was a lot of oohing and ahhing and clapping. I got a little nervous as the video neared the end. Yeah, Xavier wasn’t here, but his boys were, and I had no doubt they’d be giving him a play-by-play account of what happened. And I’m sure they’d give him a hard time about the kiss as well.
    I tensed up when it got to the part where Sisco leaned in to kiss me. The girls in the room went wild. I could see Dee and her crew looking at me with pure jealousy. They weren’t hating too much, seeing as how they were here. I knew Dee was hoping I sucked, so it would give her something to talk about. I heard she’d been talking about how she should’ve been the one in the video with Sisco.
    Alexis, Jasmine, Angel and even Tyeesha giggled excitedly. I couldn’t help but smile—until I looked at the screen and saw Sisco lifting my leg and feeling on my behind. The part that he’d told me would be cut out hadn’t been cut at all!
    Both the director and Taraji were beaming because the crowd was going crazy. Although Alexis, Jasmine, Tyeesha and Angel were still excited, they were looking at me in shock.
    â€œDang, you a video vixen for real,” Jasmine leaned over and whispered.
    I wanted to say something, but I heard a voice behind me hiss, “Camille Simone Harris, have you lost your mind?”
    I looked up to see my mom with her eyes wide in horror, her hand clutched to her chest.
    â€œMama! What are you doing here?” I asked.
    She looked around nervously like she was ashamed to be seen with me. “I came to surprise you and share in your special moment.” She looked up at the screen as the credits rolled across. “I had no idea I’d be the one surprised.”
    I was so hoping my mom didn’t make a scene. People had already started gathering around me. Even though she was all religious, she kept a level head—most of the time, anyway. Something like this, though, would definitely push her over the edge.
    I lowered my voice. “Mom, that was supposed to be cut out.”
    She glared at me, and I could see the anger and disappointment in her eyes. “If I had known they were going to turn you into some little hoochie, I would’ve never agreed to this.” She eyed the people excitedly waiting to talk to me. “But we’ll talk about it when you get home.”
    She spun around and walked off.
    I didn’t even have time to be relieved before I heard a loud