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  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

  “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

  “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

  Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

  Drama High, Vol. 7

  HUSTLIN’

  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

  Dedication

  THE CREW

  Prologue

  1 - Misgiving

  2 - The Art of Husting

  3 - Netta’s Mojo

  4 - Straight Outa Compton

  5 - It’s On

  6 - End Scene

  7 - Baby-Mama Drama

  8 - Gold Digger

  9 - A Hustlin’ Hussie

  10 - Sleepwalking

  11 - Hustler’s Luck

  12 - The Showstopper

  Epilogue

  Drama High, Volume 7: HUSTLIN’

  Teaser chapter

  START YOUR OWN BOOK CLUB

  Copyright Page

  To Assata and Ajani: your very existence makes my hustle tight. To Karen, Lesleigh, Darla, Veleece, Selena, Adeola, and everyone else on the front lines at Dafina/Kensington: thank you all for hustling hard on Drama High’s behalf. To Brendan and his team at Objective Entertainment: thank you for hustling hard on my behalf. To my parents and godparents: thank you for your faith, love, and dedication always. To all of the hard working, single parents out there: keep on keeping on, and remember our blessings come from our children. And finally, to everyone who’s working consistently to make it to the next level no matter where they’re at in life: keep hustling and always have faith in your flow~

  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, interfering with Jayd’s school life through Misty, Mrs. Bennett, and Jeremy’s mom. 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 persecute 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.

  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 both of their friends, 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

  After playing ball all day I’d think Rah would be exhausted, but he’s actually hyped from beating KJ and his boys in overtime. I enjoyed watching my boys stomp KJ’s ego. If I’m not mistaken, I think I saw KJ shed a tear he was so pissed. I can’t wait to see the look on his face at school tomorrow because me and my girls are letting everyone know KJ got his assed whipped, even if it was off campus. I know KJ thinks I had something to do with him losing and for once, he’s right. But if Misty still thinks it’s my fault she and KJ have the clap she’s crazier than I ever gave her credit for.

  I’m exhausted if for no other reason than because I had to deal with two crazy broads who are after Rah and Misty’s hating ass all weekend long. Even if Rah’s not my man anymore, I still have to fight with two of his ex-girlfriends over him. And thanks to Misty being my former best friend, everyone knows more about my business than they should. It’s one thing to have my school enemies at school and my home enemies at home, but when they come together the outcome can only be negative for me. I’m going to need to give myself a cleansing after the long weekend we just had. My drama repellant also needs some tinkering and I hope my grandmother’s up for the task. I can handle Rah’s current leach, Trish
—his latest ex who just won’t go away—and Misty always. But his baby-mama, Sandy, being up in the picture is more than I can bear alone.

  Sandy remembers a little about how my grandmother and I get down, but she and I weren’t friends long enough to get too close, unlike Misty and I. I befriended Sandy on her first day at my old school, Family Christian. Even though she’s a year ahead of Rah and me in school, and two years ahead of us in age, she jumped Rah the first chance she got and made me her enemy soon after. I didn’t know as much about my gifts then as I do now, and I’ll be damned if Sandy’s going to wreak havoc in my life again like she did two years ago.

  This has been the longest ten minutes of my life and there’s so much traffic on Crenshaw from the Sunday night cruising that we’re stuck with each other for longer than usual. Rah and I haven’t spoken a word since he told me about his plan to sue Sandy for sole custody of their little girl because I don’t know what else to say. What he doesn’t know is that I had a dream about Sandy leaving two years ago, but I never told him or Mama about it because, honestly, I didn’t want her to stay.

  On one hand, I’m glad Rah’s ready to take full responsibility for his daughter. Sandy did keep her away from him for almost two years without so much as a phone call and she’s not the most stable person in the world. But Rah has enough on his plate as it is. He’s only a junior and he already takes care of his little brother and holds down the household while his mom strips all day and night. Raising a toddler will be more than he can handle and I’m afraid of him doing whatever he deems necessary to hold it down, including more shit that could land his ass in lockdown with his father.

  “What are you over there thinking about?” Rah asks, turning down the smooth oldies he’s playing on his car stereo. Before I can answer him, Rah’s phone vibrates again and this time he answers. He better not be talking to either one of his broads in front of me right now because I’m not in a very friendly mood. Rah’s really got me worried about his next move and he seems too in control of everything, especially when it comes to Sandy and his baby girl.

  “Who’s that?” I ask softly, not wanting to be too rude but letting him know I won’t be ignored. Rah looks at me out of the corner of his eye and then back at the bumper-to-bumper traffic facing us. We haven’t moved more than three feet in the last five minutes and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better anytime soon. Whoever’s on the phone is making him smile, so I know it can’t be one of his other girls.

  “Yeah, Nigel, we’re right around the corner from your spot, man. We’ll be there in five minutes.” Rah hangs up his cell and throws it on my lap before giving me a sarcastic grin. “Here. Now you can monitor all of my calls.” He smiles at me and puts his blinker on, ready to cross traffic. But because he’s not in a classic pimped-out ride, no one takes him seriously.

  “Very funny,” I say, tossing the phone into his lap. I’m glad he’s got jokes because I need a good laugh right about now. Rah and I have been way too serious lately. I’m glad I have him to talk to about both the good and bad in our lives, but what happened to my cool kicking-it companion? Good kissing messes everything up. I should have learned that lesson by now.

  “Is it cool if we roll by Nigel’s spot? They’re having a little session to continue the celebration.” After we left Pann’s stuffed like a holiday turkey, we went back to my mom’s and grabbed my stuff so I could get back to Compton earlier than usual. My mom hasn’t made it back from Lake Tahoe yet and I still have much work to do. But kicking it with my friends is always a priority, even if my girls still aren’t currently speaking to each other. Maybe a session is just what we need to chill us all out.

  “You know I’ve got to get back to Mama’s soon,” I say, looking at the clock on the dashboard. It’s always nice spending the weekends with my mom, but it’s back to reality during the week. Maybe one day my mom will be able to handle having me full-time, but I’ve already asked her several times and the answer’s always no. “It’s already after five.” I usually get home around seven on Sundays and I don’t want to give Mama any reason to be irritated with me. If I come home smelling like weed she’ll grill me like I was the one smoking, even though she knows me better than that.

  “Yeah, I know, girl. And I still have to pick up Kamal from my grandmother’s house, so we’ll just kick it for a minute, cool?”

  I nod my head in agreement as he turns down Slauson Avenue heading toward Nigel’s pad. I can’t help but wonder how my girls are getting along and whether or not Nellie’s in a forgiving mood. She and Mickey ignored each other during the game and at lunch, but at least Nellie kept her mouth shut about Mickey’s baby-daddy decision. I hope it stays that way until things cool down a bit because I’d hate to see what would happen if Nellie wanted to give Mickey a taste of her own bitchy medicine. That’s a gift no one should have to accept.

  1

  Misgiving

  “Can’t you tell the way they have to mention/

  How they helped you out, you’re such a hopeless victim.”

  —LAURYN HILL

  When we get to Nigel’s house I can see Chance’s Nova and Nigel’s Impala in the driveway. As nice as their classic cars are they should’ve been the ones cruising down Crenshaw this evening. I guess Nigel’s parents are out for the night, leaving us to chill alone in his beautiful home. Nigel lives in a huge old house in Lafayette Square that his parents recently had renovated when they relocated from Compton two years ago. His older sister is away at Spelman, so it’s just him and his parents and they give Nigel all of the freedom he could ever ask for.

  When we walk into the foyer the bright chandelier hanging from the ceiling sparkles, sending rainbow rays from the setting sun across the white walls. We step down the few steps and into the main room, which serves as both a living room and entertainment area with a minibar in the back corner.

  “Come on in and make yourselves at home. We’re up in my room,” Nigel says, closing the door behind us as I follow Rah up the stairs. The houses on this side of Los Angeles have been here forever, and the white folks are moving back in and attempting to buy them up, even if they are only a stone’s throw away from the hood. Daddy calls it gentrification. I call it hood jacking. They’re moving back to Compton, too. But it’s going to take a lot longer for them to take our streets back over, unlike here in the big city.

  “Where are the folks?” Rah asks as Nigel swoops past us to open his bedroom door, letting us into his private fortress away from the rest of the house. From the looks of it, the other three rooms on this floor are still in the process of being remodeled. When we walk into his room the pungent aroma of incense mixed with tobacco and other smoke hits me. Damn, now the shit’s going to be all in my hair. I may have to sport it wet all week if the smell’s too much for me.

  “Oh, they had some sort of fundraiser at the community center off Vernon and Manchester. You know my dad can’t resist getting a pat on the back for writing a check even if he wouldn’t normally be caught dead on that side of the hood.” Nigel’s dad used to play professional basketball, but retired early after a knee injury. Now his dad is a top executive at a sports gear company and his mom’s a not-so-happy housewife.

  “What’s up, y’all,” I say through the cloud of smoke in the large room.

  Nigel’s room is off the chain. Even Jeremy would be envious of his sports-themed room that is at least the size of the living room downstairs. There is an aquarium like the one at Rah’s house, a king-sized bed in the center of the room, and two futons on opposite walls, which are now occupied by Nellie and Chance on one and Nigel and Mickey spread out across the other. Rah and I take a seat at the card table opposite the entertainment center, ready for a quick chill.