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Authors: L. Divine

Holidaze

BOOK: Holidaze
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P
RAISE FOR THE
D
RAMA
H
IGH
S
ERIES

“The teen drama is center-court Compton, with enough plots and sub-plots to fill a few episodes of any reality show.”


Ebony
magazine on
Drama High: Courtin’ Jayd

“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

“Edged with comedy and a provoking street-savvy plot line, 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

“…A captivating look at teen life.”

—Harriet Klausner 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

HUSTLIN’

KEEP IT MOVIN’

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Drama High, Vol. 9
 Super Edition
HOLIDAZE
L. Divine

KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

www.kensingtonbooks.com

 

One of my aunties said to me over the holidays that she doesn’t get the lingo of
Drama High
and she couldn’t stand the language. I wasn’t hurt by her truthful words because I honestly didn’t write them for her generation. I am well aware that there are people out there who don’t get my flow and never will. That’s the beauty of having multiple writers for multiple audiences. And that’s why I write this series: for the readers who get how we live, write, and speak. Our culture is real and prevalent. What can I say? Fiction mimics reality and vice versa. I’m tired of writing about drive-bys, car jackings, and other violent crimes. But they are the reality of daily life for many of us. And hopefully the day will soon come when I can write about these and other negative deeds in the past tense only.

When I heard that another family member was a victim of violence, I was in an immediate daze. This volume is dedicated to my cousin on both sides of my lineage, Khary Kidd, who was murdered during this novel’s creation. I will miss you always and treasure your bright smile and deep voice eternally. I love you and will keep a candle lit for you on my shrine.

i live in fiction

it’s all in my head.

i live in a world

between here and there,

every and nowhere.

i live in a place where I have the same face

i had as a child.

where ancestors come back in their prime

and spend time refining our

perfection.

i exist in a place where

word count is my sun

and page count my moon.

i come to and wash dishes, do laundry, cook dinner, and supervise the

real lives of two other real

people.

and then, back to my

characters.

back to the weaving of this reality I crave to

be in.

i live for this fictitious place.

i breathe in this make-believe space.

my body is a vessel for its stories.

and I live to tell them.

l. divine
2009

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’d like to go back and say thank you to the many educators who have influenced my life’s work. This list is in no way complete, but it’s a great start.

Dr. Walter Allen, Dr. Valerie Smith, Dr. Richard Yarborough, Dr. Maureen Silos, Dr. Jenny Sharpe, Dr. Sid Lemelle, Dr. Robert Hill, Dr. T.J. Desch-Obi, Thomas Ennison, Nathan McCall, Baba Medahochi Kofi Zannu, Dr. Kwame Kalimara, SongoEniola Oladeji Kalimara, Elbert Shitamoto. And a special thank you to Khisna Griffin for being the best college counselor ever and to my first West African dance teacher, Nzingha Camara, whose course changed my life.

And a very special thank you to my agent, Brendan Deneen, and my publisher, Dafina/Kensington, for keeping the series going. Thank you for your faith in
Drama High
. Our novels nourish my children, my audience, and myself. For that I am forever grateful. I feel like I’m living in a dream sometimes because life as a working writer is a divine blessing. Thank you for the sweet reality.

T
HE
C
REW

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. 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. 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. Mickey and Nigel have quickly become South Bay High’s newest couple, even if Mickey’s not sure who’s the father of her unborn child.

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 cold-hearted 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 a friend to them both, 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.

BOOK: Holidaze
3.54Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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