Fair-Weather Friends Read Online Free PDF Page A

saved Tori from getting a beat-down.
    It was this guy named Vincent, the president of the fraternity at my school, Gamma Men. They were the big brothers to the Thetas. He was surrounded by a group of boys, who were all dressed in white T-shirts and black jeans. I’d heard they were having a line and judging from the scared-looking boys standing behind Vincent, the rumors were true.
    â€œMy boys here are on a scavenger hunt,” Vincent said, pointing to the eight dudes behind him. “And they need some Theta help.”
    Tori grinned flirtatiously as she strutted over to Vincent. “And just how can my girls be of service?”
    Vincent licked his lips and grinned back. “My boys here have been ordered to get a pair of Theta—or wannabe Theta—panties.”
    Tori busted out laughing. “Boy, you are so stupid.” She looked over at the other Theta members. They were laughing, too.
    â€œI say do it,” Claudia offered.
    â€œMe, too,” Constance added. “As long as it’s some wannabe panties.”
    Tori turned back to Vincent and slowly nodded. “Cool. We can do that.” She turned back to us. “Jasmine, go in the bathroom and take off your drawers so you can give them to the Gammas,” she said, fighting back laughter.
    Jasmine looked at Tori like she’d lost her mind.
    â€œAre you crazy?” Jasmine replied. “That’s nasty.”
    The smile left Tori’s face. She rolled her eyes then pointed a finger in Jasmine’s face. “Look, I’m about sick and tired of you always having something to say. Give him your funky panties. Now!”
    Jasmine put her finger right back in Tori’s face. “I ain’t giving him nothing, especially not my panties! Give him yours. Shoot, everybody else done had ’em.”
    Several people’s eyes grew wide, including mine, at Jasmine’s dig at Tori’s reputation for being loose.
    â€œJasmine, it’s no big deal,” Tameka interrupted. I knew she was trying to keep this from blowing out of control.
    Jasmine spun around. “No! This is stupid. Explain to me how giving somebody my underwear builds sisterhood. How does that make us better? Is that what the Thetas are about? Huh?”
    Everyone got silent as Jasmine went off on her tirade.
    â€œThe running, the push-ups. None of it makes sense!”
    â€œYou know what?” Tori finally said as she glared at Jasmine. “You are really getting on my nerves.”
    â€œYou know what?” Jasmine coldly replied. “The feeling’s mutual.”
    â€œHey.” Lynn anxiously tugged at Tori’s arm. “Isn’t that Mr. Washington, the chemistry teacher?” She was pointing at a man jogging toward us on the track.
    Tori studied him for a minute, then quickly turned to us and said, “Y’all, act natural.”
    We tried to stand around casually.
    â€œJust act like we’re talking,” Tori whispered as Mr. Washington slowed his jog.
    â€œHello, ladies.” He looked at Vincent and the other guys. “And gentlemen. What are you doing out at the park so late?”
    â€œJust hanging out,” Tori quickly said.
    I know we all looked suspicious. I was nervously digging my foot in the gravel. Angel and Alexis were playing with their fingernails and the other nine girls wore guilty expressions. Tameka was the only one of us who didn’t look like she was trying to hide something.
    Mr. Washington eyed us skeptically. “And you’re hanging out in all black? As hot as it is?” he asked.
    â€œNo, we were practicing for a step show. And we have the black on because we were just trying to see how the outfits would look,” Tori said.
    â€œOh, okay. Well, you all be careful out here. And stayout of trouble.” He nodded knowingly before jogging away.
    As soon as he took off, we all breathed a sigh of relief.
    â€œOkay, that was close,” Lynn said