#3 Turn Up for Real by Stephanie Perry Moore Page A

grunted, almost spitting on me.
    Wiping off the mist from my cheek, I said, “You the one who set this whole thing up! You knew Avery was the guy I was talking about.”
    â€œI didn’t know anything. Don’t try to put words in my mouth,” Dayna lashed back.
    I said, “Oh, so you’re going to deny it. You can’t even woman up and admit that you set this whole thing up, knowing he was the same guy that had just broken up with Taylor!”
    â€œSo you like this guy?” Sloan asked.
    â€œPlease, Sloan. I told you I would explain this later.”
    Dayna laughed. “You need to talk to your sister now because you all up in my face working your neck, you’ll get it broken off.”
    â€œI dare you to touch me. You’re all talk, but you ain’t got no backbone,” I said to Dayna.
    She pushed me, and I pushed her back. She pushed me again, and I pushed her back. The next thing you know, the two of us were on the ground tussling, someone from another group waiting to perform was recording it. It was a mess. Two of my sisters grabbed me.
    I yelled out, “Naw, let me shut her up.”
    Shelby and Ansli pulled me up. Sloan grabbed my bag that had my costume and everything in it. Yuri looked over at me with scratches all on my face, and she shook her head. As we were about to head out, the contestants were being called back on stage. I didn’t turn back, but the crowd erupted when Avery’s name was called.
    â€œKeep it moving, sis.” Shelby pushed me in the back and said.
    In the car, Sloan said, “What in the world, Slade? People got that mess on tape.”
    I uttered, “So what? I was supposed to sit there and let her push me? Let her talk to me any ol’ kind of way?”
    â€œNo, you did what you had to do. I’m just sorry it didn’t work out for you,” Yuri said. “I know you really wanted to be in a group.”
    â€œI did, but girls are a trip. I guess I just wanted what you guys have so bad.”
    â€œWhat do you mean ‘have what we have’?” Ansli asked.
    Tears were starting to well up in my eyes as if someone had turned on a faucet.
    â€œYou guys always pair up. I’m always the odd man out.”
    â€œYou’re always with me and Yuri,” Sloan said, clearly not understanding what I was talking about.
    I said, “I just don’t have a best friend, okay? But I guess I’m learning it ain’t nothing wrong with having my sisters. At least it’s real. I got to settle for the fact that maybe my dream is not gonna ever come true.”
    â€œNow you’re talking silly,” Ansli said. “You’re way more talented than me, and if I could make something of my dream then you could do the same. But you’ve got to be with the right people.”
    Knowing she was right and that I was with the right people I uttered, “I don’t want to go home right now, you guys.”
    â€œWell let’s go get a big, fat burger and some fries,” Yuri said, feeling me.
    I smiled and nodded. I was truly thankful for my sisters. The five of us gulped down big juicy burgers with cheese, and during my time with them, I forgot my woes. Eventually, we had to head to the Sharp estate.
    As soon as we walked into the house, our parents were sitting there waiting on us—and not because they didn’t know where we were. Ansli made sure we checked in. The fight had gone viral. The headline was, “How can Sharp run the city when he can’t even control his daughters?” It was just me fighting, but the video made it seem like all of us were out of control.
    â€œExplain this. Somebody tell me what’s going on here,” my dad said as he held up his iPad.
    â€œSomebody stepped to Slade wrong, Dad,” Yuri said.
    â€œYeah, but sweetheart, you can’t just fight,” my father responded in a sweet tone.
    I stepped up and took responsibility. “I