It's All Good by Nikki Carter Page B

“Whatever.”
    Candy sashays down the hallway, so I guess she’s off to the audition. I’m about to continue my semi-rant to Hope, but she’s clicking away on her new Sidekick. Can Gia get any technology? Yes, I did refer to myself in the third person right then, but I was having an out-of-body experience.
    â€œWho are you texting?” I ask. “James?”
    Hope and Longfellow Spartan, James, hit it off while we were in Columbus for the championship. They’ve been texting each other back and forth ever since. James is a cool dude. He’s always full of jokes, and has a big linebacker cute kinda thing going on. He wouldn’t be my first selection, but we are not talking about me. We’re talking about Hope.
    Hope’s mouth hangs open, and her eyes widen as she looks at her screen. “Oh, my goodness! I do not believe this!”
    â€œWhat is it?” I ask, not appreciating the suspense one bit.
    â€œI can’t believe Valerie would be this mean!”
    â€œWhat!” I demand.
    â€œValerie posted some pictures of Susan Chiang on Facebook, and they are foul!”
    I snatch Hope’s phone. “What kind of pictures?”
    Now my mouth is hanging open, too. The pictures look like they were taken in the shower. Most of Susan’s goodies are covered, but her face looks crazy seductive, ’cause she’s got her lips all pouted. When did Susan get to be one of those girls? She’s smart, nice, and everybody likes her.
    Hope says, “Valerie is pure evil. All this because she didn’t get to be the Homecoming Queen?”
    I rack my brain, trying to think of another reason why Valerie might hate Susan. I’m coming up with nothing but blanks. Outside of her little shower-scene photo shoot, Susan is one of the nicest people I know.
    â€œBut how do you think she got the pictures?” I ask. “Do you think she took them? She and Susan are nowhere near cool enough for that.”
    Hope frowns. “That’s a good point. Maybe she stole them.”
    â€œCome on, Hope, Valerie is not a thief. It’s not her style.”
    Jewel and Kelani come running down the hall. “Have y’all seen?” Jewel asks.
    â€œSusan’s pictures?” I ask.
    â€œYes! I hear they’re talking about taking her Homecoming queen crown away,” Kelani says.
    Hope gasps. “No way!”
    â€œI totally heard Ms. Vaughn talking about it in the teachers’ lounge,” Kelani replies.
    I’m gonna need someone to explain to me how our teachers know what’s posted on Facebook.
    â€œMs. Vaughn’s got a Facebook profile?” I ask.
    Kelani shrugs. “I don’t know. But there are teachers on there perping as students. They are usually trying to get the scoop on cheaters and stuff.”
    Hmmm ... This sounds suspicious to me, and no matter what anyone says, it doesn’t sound like Valerie. Valerie is mean, but she would never do something that could be traced so easily back to herself. She’s all about making people miserable without getting in trouble.
    â€œHas anyone seen or talked to Valerie?” I ask. “Because it seems like everyone is just jumping to the conclusion that she did this.”
    Kelani’s thick eyebrows crumple into a frown. “I didn’t know you and Valerie were tight like that, Gia. You’re defending her?”
    I shake my head. “No. Not defending her, but I don’t think we should accuse her without proof.”
    Jewel snatches Hope’s phone and shoves it beneath my nose. “The proof’s right here! It’s on her Facebook profile and it says she posted it. Case closed!”
    Hope takes her phone back, shuts it off and puts it in her purse. “As much as Valerie and I are mortal foes, I kind of agree with Gia. The last thing Valerie is trying to do is get in trouble and miss out on being prom queen. It’s her last shot at a high school