Hustlin' Read Online Free PDF Page B

China a look that sets the tone for the rest of the morning, I’m sure. As if she said nothing, Mr. Adewale continues with his announcement while unknowingly making my week.
    â€œHe’s left me a lesson plan for the week and I made copies for each of you to take home. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but if you have any questions just let me know.” Mr. Adewale takes a stack of papers out of the back of his worn bag and passes me a few to hand out before I take my seat. I’m glad the new girl, Shawn, who now sits in the back of the room, got the message real quick that this was my seat without me having to say a word. I would like to know her story, but it’ll have to wait for another day. Right now, I only have eyes for Mr. Adewale.
    â€œExcuse me,” China says from the back of the room. “I need to go see the nurse. I think I’m coming down with something.” She feigns a cough as the rest of the class giggles. China’s a trip and then some. Before Mr. Adewale can answer her request, another student interrupts, causing a slight commotion in the already animated room.
    â€œYeah, the munchies,” her homeboy Doug says from his desk across the room.
    Mr. Adewale’s strong jawbone tightens, giving his chiseled face an even more attractive profile. Where is this man from?
    â€œShut up, Doug,” China says, tossing a paper ball his way. They used to date last year but broke up over some stupid shit, like every other couple I know. Now they are the best of friends and, for the most part, inseparable.
    â€œOkay, that’s enough you two. Please start quietly on your assignments before I decide to add to your work,” Mr. Adewale orders, silencing the dueling duo for now, and any other attempts to ditch class. The class settles down and we get to work.
    â€œI didn’t know you were a referee,” I say, quietly striking up conversation with our sub. Luckily, my desk is close enough to his that he can hear me whisper. It’s not coffee, but close enough to my dreams to make me smile. I plan on taking advantage of the remaining forty-eight minutes to get to know him a little better.
    â€œAnd I didn’t know you were dating Jeremy,” he says, throwing me a curve ball way out of left field.
    I wanted to give him the impression that my life was an open book, not a dartboard. What the hell?
    â€œI’m not anymore. We’re just friends now,” I say, redirecting my attention away from his glistening hazel eyes and toward the board.
    Where the hell did that come from? And why do I feel the need to justify myself to this brotha? I know he’s all “Mr. Black Panther” or whoever, but damn, does he have to come at a little sistah so cold like that?
    â€œI just took you for the type of young lady who wouldn’t entertain the thought of dating a white boy, but I see I was wrong.” Mr. Adewale smiles to let me know he’s only teasing, but the depth of his voice tells me he’s also slightly disappointed. I recognize the tone from Rah’s response when he first found out I was dating South Bay’s most popular bachelor. He didn’t get it then anymore than Mr. Adewale does now.
    â€œWell, my girl Nellie’s dating Chance,” I say, taking my notebook and pen out of my bag to jot down the assignments listed on the board.
    Mr. Adewale isn’t going to make me feel guilty about my shit. I don’t have to explain my movements to him or anyone else. Well, other than Mama and my mom, but never to a dude—I don’t care who he thinks he is.
    â€œBirds of a feather flock together, right?”
    He chuckles while looking through his looming stack of work, only slightly amused by my humor before getting serious with me. Why is he acting like he knows me? “You are a different kind of bird and we both know that.”
    Mr. Adewale knows something more that he’s not letting slip. I’ve always