Losing Romeo by A.J. Byrd Page B

that they can run a shame campaign on me. I don’t play that crap.
    Sure, when I slam my locker shut and make my way toward my homeroom I can feel just about every eye swivel toward me. But I keep my chin up and a smile on my face. Haters. Each and every one of them.
    I reach my homeroom a couple of minutes before the bell and apparently catch my homeroom teacher, Ms. Hopkins, by surprise because she looks up from her desk with an overly sunny greeting. “Ooooh, Phoenix. I’m so happy to see that you’re back today. How are you feeling?”
    All the kids in the classroom stop what they’re doing and turn to see how I’ll answer. Clearly the gossip has finally worked itself up to the teaching staff.
    â€œI’m doing great. Thanks for asking.” I give her a plastic smile and then make my way over to my desk at the back of the room while everyone starts whispering again. A few seconds later, Bianca and Raven giggle their way into the classroom and then stop cold when they spot me in the back.
    â€œClose your mouths. You’re letting flies in,” I tell them.
    â€œPhoenix, you’re back,” Bianca squeaks and then runs her gaze over me as if trying to see whether I’m showing yet.
    Raven’s smile turns into a slow smirk as she makes her way over to my desk. “Well, I’m glad to see that you’re back. This place is never the same when you’re gone.”
    I roll my eyes at my little Puerto Rican ass kisser.
    â€œHad we known that you were coming to school today we would’ve met you at your locker.”
    â€œCheck your text messages,” I tell them.
    â€œOh.” Bianca whips her phone out, reads and then gives me an apologetic smile. “Our bad. Forgive us?”
    â€œYeah. Whatever.” I grab my purse and pull out my compact and lip gloss. Romeo should be here any minute now. “So what have you two bitches been up to?”
    â€œGiiirrl,” Bianca says, dropping into the desk in front of me. “There’s this new guy here at the school who is fiiiine.”
    â€œCapital F-I-N-E,” Raven co-signs.
    â€œOh, really?” I ask, puckering my lips at my mirror.
    Bianca pushes my mirror down. “No. You don’t understand. I’m talking Romeo finally has some competition as being the finest brother in this school.”
    â€œI know I wouldn’t mind him being my baby daddy,” Raven says, chuckling.
    Both Bianca and I cut her with a look.
    â€œWhat? Oh.” At least she has the common decency to look embarrassed. “Sorry.”
    I roll my eyes again.
    â€œAnyway,” Bianca continues, “I got my eye on Kwan. That’s his name, by the way. Give me one week and I’ll be wearing his class ring.”
    â€œOh, I like your nerve.”
    â€œGirl, chill out. You still have Chris sniffing behind you.”
    â€œPlease. Chris ain’t nothing but a baby player trying to rub up on anyone that’ll have him. I’m not stuttin’ him, and that weak-ass game he spits all the time.”
    â€œToo bad, Kwan’s mine. You can have Shadiq.”
    â€œWhat? This boy has been in this school for one day and you two are already fighting over him?”
    â€œWait until you see him,” they chime together.
    Now I’m a little curious.
    â€œI can’t wait to show up at homecoming with him on my arm,” Bianca sighs like a Disney princess. “I’m sure that we’ll be a shoo-in for homecoming king and queen.”
    I clear my throat. “I think that’ll be me and Romeo.”
    â€œYeah. I’m sure that maternity dresses will be all the rage,” she jabs.
    â€œPlease.” I fold my arms. “I can roll through there nine months pregnant with elephant feet and still outshine you two bitches, so stay in your lane.” I check Bianca’s fast mouth with a hard stare and dare her ass to say something else smart back to me.
    Romeo