A Girl Like Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

male voice radiated the arena. “Calling all cars—calling all cars—hip-hop sensation Haneef—is wanted…” The voice repeated itself, Haneef was lowered onto the stage, and the crowd went ballistic!
    Naja and I were screaming at the top of our lungs as Haneef started dancing and singing my favorite song, “All for You.”
    â€œJeeeeee’susssssss!!!!!!” I started to hyperventilate. I looked to see where fresh air could be found, and guess who was staring right in my face? You guessed it: Ciera.
    I rolled my eyes, like chick, please, and commenced to getting my groove on again.
    I couldn’t believe this was happening to me and for the first time in my life, I forgot about all the adult responsibilities I had. And instead of feeling grown, I knew then, like at no other time in my life, that that was what seventeen was supposed to feel like.
    Haneef sang three songs: one remix, one from his new album, and a throwback. Afterwards, he slowed the music down and started talking to the audience, while his band continued to play in the background. “Jersey! How’s everybody tonight?!”
    The crowd shouted, “Alright!” in response.
    â€œY’all look good out there!” He shielded his hands over his eyes like a visor and looked into the audience. “Well, on the radio yesterday I promised I would bring a hottie onstage with me to sing. Y’all ready for that?”
    â€œYeah!” the crowd shouted back.
    I started cheesin’and Najah whispered, “Look at Ciera.”
    Ciera was straightening her clothes and hair as if she were sure her name was going to be called.
    â€œAnd I decided,” Haneef said, “to let my homeboy Chris Brown pull out a name for me.”
    Chris Brown walked onstage and Naja screamed, “I love you, Chris! To hell with Rihanna! It’s all about me and you! I love you!”
    Chris Brown reached into a spinning barrel of names and handed one to Haneef.
    Ciera stood up and mouthed to her friends, “Told you,” then proceeded to wink at me.
    â€œElite Parker!” Haneef said into the microphone, while shielding his eyes again. “Come on and rock this with me!”
    â€œWhat did he say?” Had he just called my name?
    â€œElite,” he repeated.
    I looked around. Had he really just called my name?
    â€œIs Elite here tonight?” he asked again.
    â€œRight here!” Naja pointed, pushing me on the shoulder. “Right here, this is my best friend! She is just like my sister! Here she is, right here!”
    Security came over, placed a microphone headset on me, and that’s when I knew the moment was for real. I screamed in excitement at the top of my lungs.
    Once onstage, Haneef walked over and grabbed my hand, then started slow dancing with me, and the next thing I knew he was singing, “Rather fall in love with a girl that’s made for me…” and on he went.
    I was in such a daze that I forgot about the duet, until he nodded at me. “Oh,” I pointed to myself, “I guess it’s my turn.” My hands were shaking like crazy and usually I was never nervous when it came to singing. Heck, I can’t count the number of drug dealers I sang for to get my mama some free crack.
    I took a deep breath and let my voice flow. “And who knew you would find a girl like me…” I thought my voice had cracked or something because the crowd went silent, and even Haneef looked shocked.
    It was official. I was dead and my dreams of being a star had been buried along with me. But just when I thought all hope was lost, the crowd suddenly lost control and started edging me on. All I could hear was: “Sing! Get it, girl. You workin’ it!”
    I continued to sing and Haneef kept staring at me. It felt sort of strange because something in his eyes said his stare meant more than just tryin’ to please a fan.
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    Haneef had gotten at least