"Why do you want? I'd do anything for that bracelet!" Mrs. Stella sighed, her greedy eyes glued to the jewelry like it was made of gold and not just crystals.
I smirked. Hook, line, sinker.
"Okay, I came for Fred's record. I need his contact information… like his home address," I said, my voice all innocent but my foot tapping with impatience.
"Fred McLain?" she asked, adjusting her Gucci sunglasses like she was the CEO of FBI Fashion Division.
"Yes, I think!"
"I'd only give off his contact… okay?" she replied, lips stretching into a sly grin.
"Sure!"
"Lemme check." She clicked her mouse like she was hacking into the Pentagon. "Take it down! 090341…" she called out, her voice echoing like she was reading lottery numbers.
"Noted! Thanks, Mrs. Stella! Enjoy your bracelet!" I said sweetly, sliding the bracelet onto her desk like I was blessing her with holy relics.
Ann yanked me out of the office, her eyes screaming spill it, sis.
"What?" I snapped, rolling my eyes so hard they almost fell out.
"Fred? Who's he? I thought you and Bernard were a thing. Why do you care about his absence? Are you crushing on him? How's he like? Does he like you back? Have you approached him? Does—"
"Shhh! I'm someone's girl, okay? And no! I'm not crushing on him. He's so rude. He's…"
Ann smirked, wiggling her brows in slow motion, giving me the dreaded I-know-your-secret-heart look.
"Stop it! He means nothing to me!"
"You don't have to tell me," she teased, leaning on the wall like some villain in a K-drama.
I sighed dramatically. "Ann, when are we going shopping?"
"Today! Wait—did you hear that? The principal's heading our way! Run!"
We bolted down the hallway, laughter spilling out like broken soda cans, and ducked into the girls' restroom, giggling like chickens. And no, chickens don't giggle, but if they did, we nailed it.
---
School hours ended and I packed my textbooks into my Pooh Bear backpack—don't judge, it's vintage. I dabbed lip balm onto my pout and smoothed my puffy afro with my airbrush.
"Hey, Zikora! I'm sorry! Can we talk?"
Bernard. Standing there. Blocking my vibe.
"No! We can't!"
"I'm really sorry! I feel so guilty. I was so mesmerized by your beauty that I couldn't control myself. Forgive me, please!" he pleaded, voice trembling like an actor in a Nollywood audition.
I wasn't buying it. Rule number one: play hard to get. Besides, I didn't even like him. The plan was simple—make him hate me. I gave him the death stare, then walked off, bumping straight into Ann.
"Ouch, man! What's wrong with your eyes?" Ann snapped.
"Didn't you see I was coming, huh?" I retorted.
"Shh, we're driving to my home today, okay?"
"Why?"
"Senseless idiot! For the shopping! Don't you wanna get dressed at my home?" She flicked my forehead with enough force to register as violence.
"Okay, deal! But that hurts!"
"I forgot to ask about Zim… how's he?" Ann asked casually as we walked.
"He's good. Don't tell me you've got a crush on him."
She blushed. BLUSHED.
I gasped. "You're crushing on him? Zimba? Don't tell me that. He's ugly! Eww!"
She blushed harder.
I shook my head in mock horror, trailing her to the car. She hopped in, gesturing for me to follow. We zoomed off, Bernard shrinking in the rearview mirror like a sad puppy.
"Hey! Put on your seatbelt!" she yelled.
"I know!"
"I can't believe you can't drive," she teased, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"It's a gradual process! And if you're mocking me, I swear I'll slide my fingers right into those ugly eyes of yours and—"
"Enough! I wasn't mocking you!" she screamed, rubbing her eyes while expertly steering.
"Watch out! Let the old man cross!" I screeched.
She swerved hard, tires screeching, missing the man by inches. My soul left my body for three seconds.
"You almost hit him! We'd have been in jail!"
"Like your dad would let you stay a second in jail," she muttered, smirking.
"You chicken! Concentrate on the road—I don't wanna die yet!"
"You still act like a kid," she whispered, shaking her head.
"I love it that way, thanks!"
"Never mind. What was Bernard talking about?"
"Asking for forgiveness."
She sighed, then her eyes lit up. "I really want to party tonight, you coming?"
"Would you please concentrate and drive?" I clutched the seat like it was a lifeboat.
"You're a boring celeb! Yikes!"
She. Did. Not. Just. Say. That.
"What?!"
"You heard me right!"
I pouted, staring out the window like a dramatic K-drama heroine. She pinched my thigh and laughed until tears glossed her eyes.
We finally reached her mansion. Mrs. Catherine—Ann's mom—was with some visitors, estate agents, probably negotiating their next millions. She waved at me warmly, her diamonds catching the sun. We hurried upstairs, showered, wore our matching outfits, beat our faces with makeup, and strutted back down like twin queens.
"Mom! We'll be back!" Ann yelled, planting a kiss on her mother's cheek.
"Be home on time, doll. Musa, Kelly, and Jasper will go with you!" Mrs. Catherine ordered.
"Right!"
She kissed me too, because I was practically her second daughter. Then we zoomed off with three bodyguards in tow.
The mall was chaos. Paparazzi flashes like fireworks, fans screaming our names like we were BTS.
"Can we take a picture, singer Zizi?"
"I love you!"
"A picture, please!"
"My kids love you!"
"Ann and Singer Zizi, notice me! Please! I'm your number one fan!"
Guards pushed, fans grabbed, cameras clicked. My ears buzzed with noise, and for once I couldn't even sneak a selfie with Ann.
"Move! Move!" the guards shouted.
We finally slipped inside, breathing like we'd escaped a war zone. The mall smelled of perfume, new leather, and fried chicken. Bliss.
We posed for endless photos, then flashed our "celeb" smiles at the managers. Of course, they let us shop like royalty.
We bought:
✨ matching outfits
✨ mountains of chocolate
✨ designer shoes (Louboutins for me, Balenciagas for Ann)
✨ bags dripping with logos
✨ and yes, my precious, colorful hair clips
Mom would scream when she saw I wasn't shopping her brand, but honestly? I didn't care. Different brands, different vibes. She'd have to deal.
---
📌 Author's Note
Hey! I really appreciate the reads, guys. I'm so, so happy you're vibing with my silly little book. I'll be even happier if I see more comments—don't be shy! Mwah 💋
Love y'all 😘 Stay tuned for Chapter 13!
Your favorite teen authoress 🔰📑
Oziomajasmine 💝💝