Certain Signals

By Elizabeth Karre

Rashawn is smart, owns his own car, and has some cred with the "it" crowd. But when it comes to girls, his moves and his pickup lines are a disaster. If only he knew how to read girls. When a man shows up in a dream and offers Rashawn a gift, Rashawn knows exactly what he wants: attraction detection. But is it possible to know too much?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781467774086

Book preview

through.

chapter one

It’s my turn, so listen up, kiddies. And if we let Rashawn tell this whole story, we’ll be here forever. How he do go ON sometimes!

They call me lots of things: the guy, the dude—this one girl asked me if I was her guardian angel. More like a demon, I think. Maybe demon isn’t the right word. But definitely not an angel. Anyway, I’m tired of those titles, so you can call me Grift. For now.

It started the way it always does, in a dream. Usually it’s pretty easy to get someone paying attention and believing, but not my man Rashawn. Now, lots of people dream they’re in an action film, driving crazy and shooting people up. But Rashawn, he was dreaming about stuff he’s read. About Malcolm X.

He was in a bookstore, listening to Malcolm speak. And man, I was looking like that guy who owned the bookstore. He was pretty old. Not my favorite manifestation.

Anyway, no dis to Malcolm, but after a while I thought Rashawn might be ready for a little distraction. But I had to drag the kid into a corner just to talk to him. He was trying to shove me off him the whole time.

I was out of breath, but I managed to get the spiel started.

I’ve got a gift for you, I said.

What? Rashawn said, still trying to hear Malcolm.

I hate to do it even when it’s just a dream. But I had to. I punched him in the gut. That got his attention.

Hey! he said, putting his hands up, but with his hands open. Rashawn’s not much of a fighter.

A gift for you, I said, grabbing a book off the shelf. My book’s always there when I need it. Take a look—one of these powers could be yours.

Rashawn started going through it like he knew what he was looking for. I hoped it wasn’t flying. I don’t do flying—it’s just pointless and won’t be as cool as you think. Trust me.

There, he said, pointing at the page.

I looked. Attraction detection? I said. I was surprised. Not just because I hadn’t had a guy pick that one before. I had assumed Rashawn would want to do something to try to change himself from being such a skinny little nerd.

He seemed nervous but sure. Yeah—isn’t that like knowing if someone likes you? Like-likes you?

I couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Like-likes?’ You crazy kids. I’d say attraction is closer to lust than romantic love. And it’s not always so clear where it’s coming from and where it’s going to, if you know what I’m saying. Why you want that?

Rashawn ran his finger along the spines of the books next to us. If you’re talking about a magic power, I want to be able to know when someone actually likes me or wants to be with me and isn’t just … He stopped, blushing so hard.

Messing with you? I asked. What happened?

I thought, I mean, she said I was cute and she liked me helping her with math, but …

I could see where this was going. Were other people around when she set you straight?

He shook his head. No, but she told people afterward that I, I …

I held up my hand. Spare me the details. Who was it, man?

Iesha, he whispered, covering his face.

Now I shook my head. Wow. You were aiming for the top. Maybe you just need to adjust your expectations, stay in your league, boy.

It’s not about that, Rashawn said, all serious. I just don’t get how you know when a girl’s really into you or just using you or maybe just too shy to show anything. I just want to know. Can you do that or not?

I hoped I could help him out. But somehow I doubted it.

chapter two

When I woke up, I remembered the dream perfectly. I have a really good memory.

In the dream, Lewis Michaux told me he could give me the power to know when someone was into someone else. That was weird because back in the day he had owned an important bookstore in Harlem, but I never read that he knew magic. Whatever, it was just a dream. He had me pick a body part where I would feel the knowledge. I just wanted to know in my mind, but he said that wasn’t how it worked. So I picked my left ear. He wanted to know if I wanted it