Hustlin'

Read Hustlin' Online

Authors: L. Divine

PRAISE FOR THE
D
RAMA
H
IGH
S
ERIES
“You'll definitely feel for Jayd Jackson, the bold sixteen-year-old Compton, California, junior at the center of keep-it-real Drama High stories.”
—
Essence
magazine on
Drama High: Jayd's Legacy
 
“Compton native and Drama High author L. Divine writes a fascinating story capturing the voice of young black America.”
—
The Cincinnati Herald
on the Drama High series
 
“Filled with all the elements that make for a good book—young love, non-stop drama and a taste of the supernatural, it is sure to please.”
—THE RAWSISTAZ Reviewers on
Drama High: The Fight
 
“If you grew up on a steady diet of saccharine-
Sweet Valley
novels and think there aren't enough books specifically for African American teens, you're in luck.”
—
Prince George's Sentinel
on
Drama High: The Fight
 
“Through a healthy mix of book smarts, life experiences, and down-to-earth flavor, L. Divine has crafted a well-nuanced coming-of-age tale for African-American youth.”
—
The Atlanta Voice
on
Drama High: The Fight
 
“
Drama High
has it all ... fun, fast, addictive.”
—Cara Lockwood, bestselling author of
Moby Clique
Also by L. Divine
THE FIGHT
 
SECOND CHANCE
 
JAYD'S LEGACY
 
FRENEMIES
 
LADY J
 
COURTIN' JAYD
 
 
 
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Drama High, Vol. 7
HUSTLIN'
L. Divine
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
To Assata and Ajani: your very existence makes my hustle tight. To Karen, Lesleigh, Darla, Veleece, Selena, Adeola, and everyone else on the front lines at Dafina/Kensington: thank you all for hustling hard on Drama High's behalf. To Brendan and his team at Objective Entertainment: thank you for hustling hard on my behalf. To my parents and godparents: thank you for your faith, love, and dedication always. To all of the hard working, single parents out there: keep on keeping on, and remember our blessings come from our children. And finally, to everyone who's working consistently to make it to the next level no matter where they're at in life: keep hustling and always have faith in your flow~
T
HE
C
REW
Jayd
A sassy sixteen-year-old from Compton, California, who comes from a long line of Louisiana conjure women. She is the only one in her lineage born with brown eyes and a caul. Her grandmother appropriately named her “Jayd,” which is also the name her grandmother took on in her days as a voodoo queen in New Orleans. She lives with her grandparents, four uncles, and her cousin Jay. Jayd is in all AP classes and visits her mother on the weekend. She has a tense relationship with her father, whom she sees occasionally, and has never-ending drama in her life, whether at school or home.
 
Mama/Lynn Mae
When Jayd gets in over her head, her grandmother, Mama, is always there to help her. A full-time conjure woman with magical green eyes and a long list of both clients and haters, Mama also serves as Jayd's teacher, confidante, and protector.
 
Mom/Lynn Marie
At thirty-something years old, Lynn Marie would never be mistaken for a mother of a teenager. But Jayd's mom is definitely all that and with her green eyes, she keeps the men guessing. Able to talk to Jayd telepathically, Lynn Marie is always there when Jayd needs her.
 
Esmeralda
Mama's nemesis and Jayd's nightmare, this next-door neighbor is anything but friendly. She relocated to Compton from Louisiana around the same time Mama did and has been a thorn in Mama's side ever since. She continuously causes trouble for Mama and Jayd, interfering with Jayd's school life through Misty, Mrs. Bennett, and Jeremy's mom. Esmeralda's cold blue eyes have powers of their own, although not nearly as powerful as Mama's.
 
Rah
Rah is Jayd's first love from junior high school who has come back into her life when a mutual friend, Nigel, transfers from Rah's high school (Westingle) to South Bay. He knows everything about her and is her spiritual confidant. Rah lives in Los Angeles but grew up with his grandparents in Compton like Jayd. He loves Jayd fiercely but has a girlfriend who refuses to go away (Trish) and a baby-mama (Sandy). Rah is a hustler by necessity and a music producer by talent. He takes care of his younger brother Kamal and holds the house down while his dad is locked up and his mother strips at a local club.
 
Misty
The word “frenemies” was coined for this former best friend of Jayd's. Misty has made it her mission to sabotage Jayd any way she can. Living around the corner from Jayd, she has the unique advantage of being an original hater from the neighborhood and at school.
 
KJ
He's the most popular basketball player on campus, Jayd's ex-boyfriend, and Misty's current boyfriend. Ever since he and Jayd broke up, he's made it his personal mission to persecute her.
 
Nellie
One of Jayd's best friends, Nellie is the prissy princess of the crew. She is also dating Chance, even though it's Nigel she's really feeling. Nellie made history at South Bay by becoming the first Black Homecoming princess and has let the crown go to her head.
 
Mickey
The gangster girl of Jayd's small crew. She and Nellie are best friends but often at odds with each other, mostly because Nellie secretly wishes she could be more like Mickey. A true hood girl, she loves being from Compton and her man with no name is a true gangster.
 
Jeremy
A first for Jayd, Jeremy is her white ex-boyfriend who also happens to be the most popular cat at South Bay. Rich, tall and extremely handsome, Jeremy's witty personality and good conversation keep Jayd on her toes and give Rah a run for his money—literally.
 
Mickey's Man
Never using his name, Mickey's original boyfriend is a troublemaker and always hot on Mickey's trail. Always in and out of jail, Mickey's man is notorious in her hood for being a coldhearted gangster, and loves to be in control. He also has a thing for Jayd but Jayd can't stand to be anywhere near him.
 
Nigel
The new quarterback on the block, Nigel is a friend of Jayd's from junior high and also Rah's best friend, making Jayd's world even smaller at South Bay High. Nigel is the star football player and dumped his ex-girlfriend at Westingle (Tasha) to be with his new baby-mama to be, Mickey. Jayd is caught up in the mix as both of their friends, but her loyalty lies with Nigel because she's known him longer and he's always had her back.
 
Chance
The rich white hip-hop kid of the crew, Chance is Jayd's drama homie and Nellie's boyfriend, if you let him tell it. He used to have a crush on Jayd and now has turned his attention to Nellie.
 
Bryan
The youngest of Mama's children and Jayd's favorite uncle, Bryan is a dj by night and works at the local grocery store during the day. He's also an acquaintance of both Rah and KJ from playing ball around the hood. Bryan often gives Jayd helpful advice about her problems with boys and hating girls alike. Out of all of Jayd's uncles, Bryan gives her grandparents the least amount of trouble.
 
Jay
Jay is more like an older brother to Jayd than her cousin. Like Jayd, he lives with Mama but his mother (Mama's youngest daughter) left him when he was a baby and never returned. He doesn't know his father and attends Compton High. He and Jayd often cook together and help Mama around the house.

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