Rumor Central (10 page)

I
had a headache and was dead tired, but I sucked it up and did my diva strut across the parking lot. I tried to do a cute yawn as I made my way down the hall to my third period (yeah, I knew I was super late, but I simply couldn't make it to school for first and second periods).

This juggling work and school was taking its toll, especially when you throw in all that it took for me to stay this fab—French manicures, keratin treatments, skin exfoliating, facials—all of that was time consuming. I made a mental note to see if I could “test out” of the rest of the semester. Yeah, I know no one had ever done that before, but I'd seen something about that on TV and if you asked me, I thought it was past time my school implemented something like that.

I had just turned the corner when I heard Valerie call my name.

“Maya!” she said, running toward me. “Where have you been? I've been trying to get in touch with you. Why aren't you answering your phone?”

I glanced at my phone, which was vibrating in my purse. I stopped and pulled out my iPhone. I grimaced when I saw the text from Tamara.

Where are u? Been waiting 20 minutes!!

Dangit! I'd forgotten all about our meeting this morning. I knew Tamara was going to be mad at me. She was actually meeting me at school this morning to do the presentation to the principal for us to host the Drake concert at Miami High.

“I gotta go,” I said, making an immediate U-turn to head to the main building, where I was supposed to meet Tamara.

“Wait,” she called out. The tone of her voice made me stop in my tracks.

“What's up, Valerie? I'm late. I was supposed to meet Tamara twenty minutes ago.”

She looked at me strangely. “So, you're okay?”

“Yeah, why wouldn't I be?” I massaged my temple. Dang, I had a serious headache. I'd gone to a party last night for the premiere of this new reality show. I wish Kennedi or even Lauren had been able to roll with me, but both of them had something to do. So, I just told myself I was there to network and meet people and once Tamara showed up and started introducing me to everyone, I was cool.

“Wow. You don't seem fazed,” Valerie continued. “I just thought . . .” She let her sentence trail off.

“If you're talking about Bali being upset about my story, I knew that was coming and don't care.” Bali's maniac behind had texted me all day yesterday after he'd seen the Bling Ring story. He'd threatened me in all kinds of ways. I'd deleted the first two, but then saved the others so I would have them if I needed them. “I told you. I'm not trippin' off them.”

“No, that's not what I'm talking about.” I finally noticed that she looked all frazzled.

“Valerie, what is wrong with you?” I asked. “I need to go. Tamara is going to go nuts about me making her wait.”

“Obviously, you haven't seen this,” Valerie said, handing me her phone.

“Seen what?” I asked, taking the phone. I was about to tell her how all this shock-and-secrecy crap was working my nerves when I looked at her screen. My mouth fell open. There on her phone was a picture of me with my goodies all out for the world to see. I almost dropped the phone in horror. I was wearing a hot pink lace pair of panties and nothing more. At least my hands were covering my breasts, but I was leaned into the camera, my lips puckered up. That picture had been sent to Bryce and had been for Bryce's eyes only.

“How did you get this?” I exclaimed.

“Everybody got them.”

I looked up at her like she was speaking a foreign language. “What do you mean,
everybody
got them?”

“Someone texted them.”

“What does that mean? Who?” She might as well have been speaking Swahili because I had no clue what she was talking about.

“Just what I said,” Valerie replied. “I was with my friend, Jennifer and we got it at the same time. I saw you come on campus and left my class to come show you.”

I glanced back down at the picture like it was going to disappear or something. “Who did the text come from?”

“I don't know. It came from an anonymous number. I tried to call it back, but the number was blocked. Everybody got it at the same time.”

“Who is
everybody
?” I shouted.

“Everybody, everybody. The whole school, it seems.”

I had to take slow breaths to keep from passing out.

“I only sent this to Bryce,” I found myself muttering.

“Do you think Bryce did this?” she asked. “I know the two of you were dating and I saw him out by the gym on my way here. He was standing around laughing it up with his friends, so maybe . . .”

I didn't give her time to finish as I took off. I didn't need to think about who'd done this. Bryce's dog-behind. I knew we'd broken up, but I couldn't believe he was going to go out like that.

I spun around and headed toward the gym. Tamara would just have to wait a little while longer.

“Hey, wait up, Maya. Where are you going?” Valerie called out behind me.

I had never walked so fast in my stilettos, but I didn't plan on stopping until my four-inch heel was planted squarely in Bryce's neck. I spotted him immediately standing by the track, his friends gathered around him. There was no doubt what they were talking about the way they were all giggling and then backed up when they saw me approaching.

“Maya!” Bryce said, shocked as I barreled toward him.

“You low-down, dirty dog.” Before I knew it, I had my shoe off and I was hitting him all upside the head. His boys were laughing like crazy. “I can't believe you did that!” I screamed.

“Stop it!” he said, trying to duck my blows. “I didn't do anything.”

I kept hitting his lying behind.

“Maya!”

This time my name was being yelled from some other place.

“Maya!”

I stopped long enough to look up to see Tamara standing over me. The assistant principal, Mrs. Young, came rushing up right behind her.

I was so angry, I was on the verge of tears, but I refused to let Bryce see me cry. He was definitely going to see my anger though.

“I didn't do it,” he said, all out of breath. He used the reprieve to jump out of my way. That didn't stop me. I lunged at him.

Mrs. Young jumped in the middle of us, stopping me from connecting my shoe with his head again.

“Have you two lost your minds?” Mrs. Young screamed.

“Oh, he's about to lose something, all right,” I said, swinging at him. “His left eye.”

This time it was Tamara who pulled me away. “Maya what in the world is going on?”

I didn't reply. I didn't know how she was going to take the photos. Besides, I was too upset to talk anyway.

“Seriously, Maya,” Bryce pleaded. “I don't know how—”

“Shut up, you liar!” I screamed before Tamara grabbed me to keep me from going at him again.

Mrs. Young was on her walkie-talkie radioing for help. I guess she didn't want to get in the middle of a fight because she didn't jump back in the middle of us.

“Maya, you are on the verge of superstardom,” Tamara whispered in my ear. “What in the world are you doing? Have you lost your mind? What about the Maya brand we're building? Are you trying to throw that away?”

Those words stopped me in my tracks. I looked at the crowd that was gathered around, laughing hysterically—of course a few of them were recording the whole thing on their camera phones. I'd probably be on YouTube before I got off campus.

Valerie eased up beside Tamara. “This is what has her so upset,” she said, sticking out the phone to show her the photo.
Who asked Valerie to get involved?

Tamara glanced down, but then looked back up at me. “Okay, and?”

I was a little stunned by her reaction. I'd expected her to light into me.

“They're naked photos of me,” I cried. “They're probably all over Twitter and Instagram now. He sent them out to everyone.” I jabbed my finger in Bryce's direction.

“I didn't do it,” Bryce protested. “I swear. And I never showed them to anyone.”

“Whatever, Bryce,” I shouted. “You were the only person I sent those to.”

By this point, two gym teachers came racing over. They immediately went to Bryce, who started trying to explain what was going on.

Mrs. Young walked over to me, anger all over her face.

“Young lady, you have caused so much trouble on this campus recently. I don't understand what—”

“Please,” Tamara said, stopping her. “Just let me talk to her a moment.”

Mrs. Young hesitated, but then must've decided she'd much rather Tamara deal with me, because she said, “Fine,” before stepping aside.

Tamara grabbed my arm and pulled me off to the side. She lowered her voice and whispered, “Maya, do not do this. You are too fab to be acting like some kind of hood rat.”

I raised my eyebrows. Maya Morgan and hood rat didn't even belong in the same sentence. But then, I looked down at my shoe in my hand and thought she had a point. I quickly eased my stiletto back on my foot. I tossed my hair over my shoulders and inhaled deeply to calm myself down.

“Let me tell you something,” Tamara said. “First of all, they're not naked pictures. You have your panties on.”

I narrowed my eyes at her.
Really?
Was that supposed to make me feel better? She ignored me and kept talking. “Have you ever heard the phrase ‘no publicity is bad publicity'? So what, he sent the picture out. The bottom line, think Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton. What are they all famous for? How bad did some video and pictures hurt them?” She didn't give me time to answer. “It didn't hurt them. If anything, it's the reason that you know their names.”

“So, I'm supposed to be okay with this?”

“Of course, if we had our way we wouldn't put this out there, but it's out there now. Don't ever do this again. But when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. I'll have our PR team all over this. We can even spin this and have you become a spokesperson for the dangers of social media.” She seemed to get excited. “This isn't bad at all!” She held up Valerie's phone, which was still clutched in her hand and pointed it at me. “Look at that body. How many of these busted-looking chicks around your high school would kill for a body like that?”

I looked at the picture and I couldn't help but smile. I did look good. The Pilates had really paid off.

“This could be an album cover,” Tamara continued. “You don't sing, but you're still a star. And this kind of stuff doesn't hurt stars. Shake that mess off. We're here to handle business. Don't let these peons at this school get to you.”

I wanted to throw my arms around her neck. She was so right.

“Maya,” Bryce said, approaching me. “I didn't—”

I held my hand up to stop him, but this time, I didn't yell. “Don't,” I said. “Save it.” I straightened my shirt and composed myself. “I should be used to people trying to ride my coattails to get a little fame,” I snapped.

“I know you don't believe me, but I didn't send this out,” he said.

“You're right, I don't believe you.” I took a step closer. He flinched, like he was preparing for me to hit him again, but my hands went to my hips as I poked my chest out. “Take a good look, because this is the closest you will ever get to me again. Honestly, I understand. If Sheridan and her itty-bitty committee is all you have to work with, I'd be pulling up old pictures and salivating over them, too.”

I glanced over at Tamara, who smiled her approval.

I knew Sheridan would hear about that flat-chested comment, but I didn't care.

“Now, if you'll excuse me,” I said. “I have real business to go handle.”

“You dropped something,” I heard Valerie say to Bryce as she passed him.

“What, nerd?” he snapped. He was obviously upset about the whole scenario.

“Your face. It's on the floor.” Valerie giggled as she followed me and Tamara into the building.

I
'd finally pulled myself together and was now back to my fabulous self as we stood in front of the principal's office. I still didn't know how Tamara planned on working her magic and convincing Mr. Carvin to let us do anything. He'd made it clear that he despised
Rumor Central
.

“Keep the faith, honey,” Tamara said confidently as Mr. Carvin's secretary gave us the go-ahead to go on back to his office. “This is what I do.”

The minute we set foot in his spacious office, Tamara immediately turned on the charm. “Good afternoon, Mr. Carvin,” she said, extending her hand. “Tamara Collins, WSVV-TV.”

Mr. Carvin stood and shook her hand. He was wearing his usual bowtie and khaki slacks. “Ms. Collins, my pleasure.” He eyeballed me. “Miss Morgan, were you just involved in some altercation?”

I looked at him innocently, but Tamara interjected. “It was all a big misunderstanding. Everything's fine.”

“Yep, everything's fine,” I replied with a fake smile. I'm sure he'd get all the details later, and he definitely wouldn't be happy. That's why Tamara needed to make her spiel, then we needed to keep it moving. Honestly, I didn't see why we were wasting our time. Mr. Carvin belonged to the Maya Morgan Hater Club.

Tamara took a seat in front of his desk and I sat next to her. “Mr. Carvin, I am here on behalf of the station. As you know, Maya is representing you well as host of our highly popular show,
Rumor Central
.”

He squeezed his lips together, not bothering to look my way as he said, “I would've preferred that you found another capacity that Maya could represent us in.”

Tamara didn't break her smile. “Understood, but know that Maya is doing an awesome job”

He lost his smile, like he was tired of playing nice. “Ms. Collins, what is it I can do for you? You said you only needed about ten minutes.” He looked at his watch. “And that's about all the time that I have.”

She crossed her long, curvy legs. I was surprised that Mr. Carvin didn't seem to notice.

“Well, let me get straight to business. Since Maya is an integral part of our show, we'd like to include Miami High in some of our promotional activities.”

Mr. Carvin laughed, almost like he was insulted. “With all due respect, Ms. Collins, Miami High is a prestigious school. And neither our parents, nor our staff would take kindly to being associated with a show such as
Rumor Central
.”

“Have you seen the show?” Tamara asked.

“I can't say that I have, but believe me, I've heard a lot about it. And I've done my homework.”

“Well, if you did your homework, you'd see
Rumor Central
has the highest ratings of any debut TV show in Miami. That means that people are watching. And what better way to garner publicity for your school than partnering with us?”

This woman was my she-ro. She wasn't about to be intimidated.

Mr. Carvin laughed again as he leaned forward onto his desk. “I guess you're not hearing me, Ms. Collins, so let me repeat myself. Miami High speaks for itself. We don't need the publicity.”

“Miami High might not. But Mr. Russell Carvin could.” She stood up and walked slowly around his desk, running her finger slowly over the desk, then walking over to his large bay window. “I understand you're nearing retirement,” she said with her back to him.

The smile immediately disappeared from his face.

Tamara turned around, leaned against the window, and smiled. “I do my homework, too. And all I'm saying is what better way to go out than with a media blitz.” It was obvious Tamara was getting through to Mr. Carvin because his face had turned red as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“By allowing our partnership you can boost your enrollment,” Tamara continued, walking back to the front of the desk, “bring attention to your school, raise money, and get round-the-clock media coverage.”

Mr. Carvin was quiet for a minute, then finally said, “And just how would you do all that?”

Dang, Tamara was good. And she must've known it, too because she wasted no time, jumping right into her presentation. “We'd like to bring in a popular artist for a concert and list the school as a sponsor.”

“Who are you trying to bring?” Mr. Carvin asked.

“Drake,” Tamara replied.

Mr. Carvin looked horrified. “Isn't that a gangsta rapper?”

“He is a platinum-selling rapper,” Tamara said. “But I assure you, he doesn't do gangsta rap.”

I felt the need to add my two cents. “Mr. Carvin, Drake is one of the hottest rappers in the country right now.”

“And anything he does here would be clean,” Tamara added.

Mr. Carvin shook his head. “I'm not sure about this.” “Trust me,” she said confidently. “Tell you what. I'll send over a package that gives you some info about the artist, as well as a detailed strategic plan on how this will benefit you. After you see that, you can make a final decision.”

That seemed to alleviate some pressure, because his shoulders relaxed.

“Okay, I can do that,” he said.

Tamara picked up her purse, which she'd set on the floor near her seat. “I'll have those sent over first thing in the morning. And I'm sure you'll be satisfied.”

He finally smiled at her. “You sure are the confident one.”

Tamara returned his smile. “What other way is there to be?”

They shook hands and I stood awkwardly to see if Mr. Carvin was going to say anything to me. Of course, he frowned when he looked my way. “Miss Morgan, have a good day. And please, try to stay out of trouble.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled as I followed Tamara out of the office.

“Dang, you handled him,” I told her once we were heading out to the parking lot.

She shrugged like it was nothing. “Oh, he's small potatoes.”

“Well, you served him up, fried and smothered in cheese,” I laughed. I stopped suddenly when I saw Bryce heading toward me. The look on my face must've made him think twice because he paused, then turned around and walked in the other direction.

“Are you sure you're going to be okay?” she asked as she watched me watch him walk away.

I nodded, exhausted from all that had jumped off. The look on my face must've concerned her because she said, “I told you, don't sweat those pictures. They really aren't that bad.”

I felt myself getting angry again, but quickly pushed it aside. “It's cool.”

“Unh-unh,” Tamara said. “That sounds like an ‘it's cool, I'm gonna get him back.' ” She squeezed my arm. “Remember something my mom used to always tell me: ‘Don't worry about getting back at those who wronged you. Success is the sweetest revenge.' ”

I heard what she was saying, and I definitely planned to succeed, but I also planned to exact a little revenge of my own. I just didn't know how right now, but it was only a matter of time before Bryce learned the hard way what happened when people messed with me.