On the Flip Side by Nikki Carter

smiling from ear to ear. I should’ve known he’d be here if people were flying in from New York.
    He jumps up and hugs me. I give him a playful poke in the stomach (which is rock hard, by the way. He’s been working out).
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me you were coming?” I ask.
    â€œI wanted to surprise you. Are you surprised?”
    I nod. “Congratulations, Songwriter of the Year.”
    He tosses his head back and laughs. “Wouldn’t that be sick if we win?”
    â€œOMG! It would be ridiculous if we win.”
    Mystique comes in the room. She’s wearing a new weave. It’s blonde and pin straight and it comes to her waist in the back, but it’s layered in the front. The whole look is finished off with a feathery bang. She’s wearing a one-piece shorts set that barely covers her entire booty. Her long legs look even longer with her four-inch heels.
    She looks downright intimidating. And I think that was the plan.
    Mystique glides (yes, glides) over to me and air kisses me. She’d have to bend down to actually kiss my face because with the heels she towers over me.
    â€œCongratulations on your nominations,” I say.
    â€œYou too, sweetie. The heads of Epsilon Records are so proud of you.”
    Sam leads me over to the couch as Mystique goes to join Zac at the bar.
    â€œDid you see Drama when you got here?” he asks.
    I roll my eyes. Not in the mood for Dreya today. “No. She’s here? Is Bethany here too?”
    â€œYes, unfortunately for Dilly, she’s here.”
    I chuckle. “He told you about them? Where’s he?”
    â€œProbably somewhere hiding from Bethany. He told me she was basically stalking him.”
    â€œYeah, pretty much. He tried to break up with her, but he doesn’t think it worked.”
    I hope Bethany finds another guy to obsess over soon. That’s all it will take, really, for her to get over Dilly. She’s not really the type to chase down a guy who doesn’t want her. He’s got to be showing some interest.
    Dilly walks into the room wearing his jeans and his signature button-down shirt and sweater. That’s his thing now. He calls it “pretty nerd swag”. I think it’s crazy, but rappers have to have something that sets them apart.
    He’s let his hair grow in thicker, and his sideburns and edges are lined up to perfection. The contrast of his dark hair and sun-kissed light skin are very hot. I see why he’s not checking for Bethany anymore. He could have his choice of girls.
    He leans over to hug me and kiss my cheek. “Hey, Sunday! Congrats!”
    â€œThank you, Dilly! You look hot! If I wasn’t with Sam ...”
    â€œBut she is with me,” Sam interjects, “so don’t even think about it.”
    Dilly laughs out loud. “All right, big dog! I remember what you did to Truth. Trust, I don’t want none of that. But I did ask Sunday to be my prom date if I don’t have anyone else to go with.”
    Sam frowns. “Nah, chief. You gonna have to find yourself a young cutie. You should be able to after your single comes out.”
    My eyes light up! “You’re finally getting a single out there? Get the heck outta here! Why didn’t you tell me?”
    â€œI was going to! I just wanted to do it in person, and you act like you can’t come up for air once you start hitting those books.”
    I shake my head. “I haven’t been hitting them hard enough. I got a B that should’ve been an A. I shouldn’t even be here right now. I need to be back in my room studying. I’ve got some reading to finish for my history class.”
    â€œSee, that’s why I went ahead and dropped my classes for this semester,” Sam says. “There’s too much work to be done, and this is my time to strike. I can go to school when I’m rich.”
    My mouth flies open and my eyes widen to capacity. I can’t