Ace of Spades Sneak Peek(34)

I go to school, I put on the costume the rich kids wear, and I pretend for a few hours. I could act all high and mighty. I could think I’m the shit, lie to myself, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is my reality.

Ma works three jobs for us. She does everything for us. And I do everything for her.

“Thank you, Vonnie,” she says. “I love you more than words can tell you, you know that?”

I nod.

I know that.





14


CHIAMAKA

Monday


I wake up late.

Dad kept me up all night with stories from his trip to Italy to see Grandma. Not that I minded much. I couldn’t sleep anyway, with the guilt and worry weighing on me. I think it was three in the morning by the time I’d finally made it into bed.

When my brain registers the time, I’m already late, having to rush my morning routine as a result.

I pick up my straightener and hold it up to my curls, anxiously watching the time pass. The lights suddenly switch off, and my straightener beeps, indicating it’s not heating up anymore.

“Mom!” I shout.

She rushes into my room.

“What is it?”

“The electricity!”

“The builders have started the work downstairs. It’ll come back on later.”

“But I can’t go to school like this.”

“Why not?”

“My hair.”

Mom gives me a confused look. “Your hair is fine.”

I shake my head. “I can’t go in like this.”

There’s a pause.

“You should love your hair, Chi,” Mom says with a small frown.

“I know, I know, and I do, I just…”

I don’t want a repeat of elementary school. I don’t want them to stare. Mom’s eyes bore into me, like she’s trying to work out what I’m thinking—something she’s never really been good at. I don’t want her thinking I dislike my hair or anything else that resembles her, because I don’t.

I don’t.

I look away from her, my curls brushing against my face, reminding me that they are there—forever and always, whether I like it or not. Which I do. I do like it.

I force a smile.

“It’s okay. I guess I’ll go to school like this.”

Mom nods. “And hurry, you’re late.”

I obviously know that.

It’s only Monday and yet another week is starting to suck.

I comb my hair as much as I can and put coconut oil in it, before rushing out of the house.



* * *



I get to school, wishing I hadn’t rushed so much this morning. Being here today is so different from last Monday. Last week I felt in control, like this year was going to be everything I’ve wished for. And now everything feels uncertain, like there is something dangerous lurking in the corner, ready to attack at any moment. My stomach squeezes into a ball as I walk. I keep my head up, making sure my body does not give off fear.

Bitches can smell fear.

I can’t help but feel itchy as their stares dig into my skin. Is it another Aces blast or is it my hair?

I walk up to Jamie, by his locker. The sound of everyone’s voices, deep in conversation, rises to an unbearable level. He looks down at me briefly, flashing a smile as he searches through his locker, then his head whips back again and his eyes drift up to my hair, then down to my face. I can tell he wants to stare at it some more.

“Did you just get here? You missed registration,” he says, shutting his locker. I nod.

“I know, I woke up late.”

He looks surprised and I don’t blame him. I’ve never once missed registration or woken up late for school before.

“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” He grins as we start walking toward our chemistry class. I scan the hallway for signs of Ruby or Ava, but they aren’t by my locker.

People move out the way as we walk through, their gazes fixed on my face, my clothes, and my hair. I feel uncomfortable, but I am not going to let it show.

“Have there been any developments in the let’s ruin Chiamaka’s life show over the weekend?” I ask. “I didn’t get any anonymous texts so … wasn’t sure.”

I didn’t get any texts from anyone this weekend, for that matter. My phone might as well have been on silent.

“No … not since last week. I think Master Aces is done with you,” he says with a wink.

Somehow, I know for certain that is not true. Why would they put out that stuff about Jamie, and the candy shop? It was like they were teasing. Letting me know there’s more in store for me. There’s someone behind this who has an agenda against me, and I have a body in my closet and a position at school that is always under attack. This feels like it’s only the beginning.

“I doubt that,” I mumble as we take our seats.

To prove my point, a swarm of buzzes fills the room. I don’t feel one in my pocket. I want to cry. First the hair thing and now this. Aces is coming for me again, like I knew they would.

Someone says, “Jesus Christ,” and my insides feel shaky as I look up.

No one is staring at me.

Weird.

“See,” Jamie says, sliding his phone over.