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

wasn’t trying to ruin your campaign, Dad, and I hope I didn’t do that, but …”
    â€œBut what?” my mom asked. “You just begged me to spend the night with these girls. You were in a group with them, and now you’re fighting one of them. What in the world happened?”
    â€œJealousy,” Shelby uttered.
    â€œWell listen, that doesn’t surprise me at all,” my dad said, surprising me. “But you’ve got to be bigger than that, Slade Angel Sharp. Somebody steps to you wanting to fight, you’ve got to step back. The stakes are real high.”
    â€œBut it ain’t cool to punk out, Dad,” I voiced.
    â€œIt ain’t cool to get a juvenile record either, Slade. And whether I’m the mayor or not, this family is already on front street. I know that’s a lot of pressure you girls didn’t ask for, but if ever there were five young ladies who could rise to the occasion, it’s my girls. Don’t let anybody change you from who you are. Slade Sharp doesn’t slither on the ground attacking people. That’s somebody else’s M.O., ya feel?” he said.
    He patted my head and took my mom by the arm and walked out. He turned back to me and gave me a wink.

    A week had gone by, and I couldn’t get Avery out of my mind. He was in my dreams and my thoughts, and when I came out of the school building, he was in my reality. Or was my mind just playing tricks on me again? I blinked several times, and there he was actually standing there waving at me.
    The election was getting closer, and my sisters all went with Shelby to go to my dad’s campaign headquarters. I was going home. I had a project coming up, and thanks to Ansli being on punishment because she skipped school, I had been driving her car. My dad understood that I couldn’t help because of my school work. Though I had to get my project done, Avery’s presence put it on the back burner. My sister Sloan would never be diverted from get her work done. My name wasn’t Sloan, though.
    Getting close to him, I put on a poker face. I had to ignore him. He was toxic.
    â€œYou just gon’ ignore me? You see me waving. You not saying anything. You still that mad at me? Come on, I thought you’d be over it by now,” he said.
    He was so fine, I wanted to pass out. I held it together, though. He couldn’t see me sweat.
    â€œAvery, why are you here at Marks High?” I said when I touched his shoulder. I actually felt chills go through my body when I felt a muscle. “Are you getting back with Taylor or something?”
    â€œNo, I’m here because I need you.” Avery was looking deeply into my eyes.
    â€œExcuse me?” I said, moving back from him.
    â€œNo, no, really. I mean don’t get me wrong. I’d love to have the opportunity to win you over, but I really need your help.”
    â€œWith what?” I asked.
    â€œI’ve got to cut this demo for a friend. Your voice … I need you for background. I promise it won’t take too long.”
    My dad had spies everywhere, even in the form of the principal, so if I was going to do something daring, I had to get to it. Not totally thinking through what I was agreeing to, I just said yes.
    â€œGreat! You can ride with me, and just leave your car here.”
    â€œUh, no,” I told him, with a big attitude and a frown. “I’ll follow you.”
    â€œAlright,” Avery said, seeing I was serious. “I appreciate this. Really. You’ll be there an hour tops.”
    â€œThat’s all I have because I got to get home. I’ve got a big project due tomorrow, and my parents are expecting me to be home when they arrive.”
    â€œThank you,” he said, stroking my hand.
    It took us about fifteen minutes to get to a house. I actually thought we were going to a studio, but as we were walking up to the door, Avery told me the studio was in a back room. When