Fair-Weather Friends by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Page A

turned around and took off running. I looked at my feet and asked quietly, “Umm, do you wear boxers or briefs?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDo you wear boxers or briefs?” I repeated, this time with more force. I looked at the guys behind him. All of them were cracking up laughing.
    One of them said, “Yeah, dog, which one is it—boxers or briefs?”
    Kalvin smiled like he finally understood. “Boxers, why?”
    â€œCan a sista borrow a pair?”
    â€œSure, you want the ones I got on now?” he joked.
    I shook my head no. “Maybe you can just bring me a pair tomorrow.” I didn’t know if I was supposed to get a fresh pair or what, but at that point, it didn’t matter. I was so embarrassed, I just wanted to get away.
    â€œI guess I can do that for you. Whatchu gon’ do for me?” He licked his lips. Any other time I would have found that to be sexy and I would’ve flirted back. But considering how I was looking, I was so not in a flirtatious mood.
    â€œHow ’bout I just do your Spanish homework?”
    â€œThat’s really not what I had in mind.” He stepped closer to me.
    I put up a hand to stop him. “I can do the homework.That’s it.” As bad as I wanted to get with him, I definitely didn’t want him thinking I was easy.
    He moved back and laughed. “I guess that’ll have to do. For now.”
    â€œThank you.” I glanced over at Tori, who was no longer smiling. It was obvious she hadn’t intended on Kalvin trying to flirt with me. “Well, I better get going.”
    Before I could say anything, he leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “Keep your head up. Don’t let them get to you,” he whispered. “And maybe after this is all over, we can hook up.”
    He actually seemed genuine, and Lord knows I’d love to hook up with his fine behind.
    â€œThat sounds good to me.”
    Kalvin had never paid me much attention, probably because some girl was always up in his face. So I was happily surprised about him trying to talk to me.
    â€œI gotta go,” I hurriedly said. “Thanks for the boxers. I’ll get them from you tomorrow.” I paused. “And I’ll give you my number in sixth period.” I flashed a big smile before I took off.
    I never would’ve had the courage to approach Kalvin on my own, so if we did hook up, maybe one good thing would come out of the pledge mess after all.

11

Jasmine
    â€œS o you gave up on the Thetas?”
    I turned to see C. J. standing against my locker, his signature smile making my heart flutter against my will. I totally did not understand why I was feeling the way I was now. I didn’t like C. J. At least not in that way, I tried to tell myself. But it’s like my heart was taking over or something because I found myself smiling back.
    â€œNaw. That’s not for me,” I said, trying to maintain my hard composure.
    â€œI didn’t think it was.”
    â€œBut I thought you said I’d make a good Theta.”
    â€œI did say that. And I still think you would, but I just didn’t see you going through with it, you know, taking all that stuff they dish out.”
    â€œI guess you knew me better than I knew myself.” I laughed as I closed my locker door.
    He flashed that sexy grin at me.
    â€œWhat?” I asked, clutching my history book closer. I didn’t like him staring at me like that. Camille is the boy-crazy one in our group. Yeah, I fell head over heels for Donovan, but for the most part, I wasn’t trying to get wrapped up in no dude. Shoot, I’d done that with Donovan and look what happened. He dumped me as soon as he got to college.
    â€œWhat?” I repeated. “Why are you standing there grinning at me, looking all stupid?”
    â€œBecause you have a gorgeous smile. And you never let me see you smile. You’re always frowned up, like you’re ready to jump