Never Predictablez: Knife Between My Eyes That Muted My Cheer

By Tiffany L Gray

What happens when the "angel" of the pack goes bad? Will her fall cause the others to lose self-control and give in to the lusts, anger, and deception that is trying to reel them in?

Nikki was once your typical teenage girl full of class, sass, and laughter, but lately she's dressing dark, snapping on everyone, and watching her b

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Jan 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781647733759

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Trilogy Christian Publishers

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Copyright © 2020 by Tiffany L. Gray

All scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

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Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 978-1-64773-374-2 (Print Book)

ISBN 978-1-64773-375-9 (ebook)

Laila’s House: Band Practice

"ONE…TWO…ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR," Jon yells while clicking his wooden drumsticks together in the air. We all join his vibe by playing our instruments and hyping the beat. Since school has been out and Jon’s family finally changed its mind about moving, we decided to restart the band. It’s been really weird, though. We all had to vote Jasmine in. Our group held out as long as we could, hoping that Rita would come back, but she never did. So, Jasmine took her place as the guitar player. Although I’d hoped our time apart during the school year would bring Rita and me closer together, it seems the opposite happened.

Earth to Laila! Gia whisper-yells to me. I look up from my daydream, shocked.

Oh, hey. I laugh. I was just thinking about Rita’s old dance moves.

Gia giggles. Yeah, that girl is crazy! She made up some wild dances. Gia looks over at me while placing her hand over the microphone. You haven’t talked to her at all yet, huh?

I shake my head. Nope.

Gia lifts her arm upward as if receiving something in her palm. Well, you never know what can happen. The summer has just started. It’s only been three weeks.

Jon walks over to our side of the room. Um, ladies, we’re trying to practice here. Do you mind? he asks sarcastically.

"Yes, sir, drill sergeant." I laugh.

Gia nudges me. He’s really changed ever since he won the top spot for his YouTube video. Someone needs to drop him down a few notches.

I shrug. I guess we’ll have to see how long this lasts. Maybe he’ll get better in a few days after the attention dies down.

Gia scrunches her face. I hope so, because his cockiness is starting to get on my nerves.

I heard that, Gia, Jon yells. Maybe you should do less talking and more singing.

Gia whips her head in his direction and starts telling him the business with her index finger. "Maybe you should stop talking to people like you’re crazy."

I stand up, because I can see where this is going. Swinging my arms frantically in the air from a Y to an X, I yell, Whoa, calm down! It’s all cool. Let’s call it a night. We’ve been practicing for hours now, and we’re all grouchy. So, let’s not get into it with each other because we’re exhausted.

Kyle jumps in. Yeah, that’s a good idea. The heat is kicking my butt anyway.

Nikki sets down her dance stick. I agree. It’s as hot as crap in this basement.

I walk over to check the thermostat. The A/C is on, but the sun is blasting. If you want, I can make some Kool-Aid, or we have bottled water. Skipping up the stairs, I motion for the others to follow me.

Ahhh! Jon nods his head while setting down his glass. That cherry Kool-Aid hits the spot.

Gia and Nikki are sitting at the table giggling and pointing to the goodies on the shelf across from the table. "Are those for us?" they both question in unison with desire in their eyes.

You silly, you’re like kids at a candy store, but yes! Gia jumps so quickly off the stool to get them a snack that her long, flowing black hair slaps Kyle in the mouth.

Gia, get me one! Nikki requests anxiously.

While flapping Gia’s hair out of his face, Kyle waves at her. Me too!

That’s what you get for having a momma who can burn! Jon laughs while walking over to lift the cream-colored lid off the plate.

Yeah, I love that she bakes. I guess that’s how I got my sweet tooth. I grin and grab a chocolate-chip brownie for myself before they eat them all. Then I pour myself some milk from the fridge. As I finish up my treats, the others wave and say good-bye.

Bye, Laila! The group waves as they close the screen door. Jasmine, on the other hand, continues to sit with me. Man, she must be trying to bond or some mess like that, I think to myself while looking away from her to freely breathe a sigh. I hold my hand over my mouth with a wide-eyed, annoyed look. Reluctantly, I decide to give in to her bait.

Sooo, what did you think of the first few practices? I ask.

They were okaaaay, I guess. Jasmine shrugs.

Really?! That’s all ya got? I look at her doubtfully. Now, you know that Jon is acting big-headed, Gia is really sassy, Kyle is preachy, Nikki can be too chipper, and the whole group fusses a lot!

Jasmine sucks in her cheeks to cover the deep-dimpled, caramel-colored smile that is forming. I guess some of that is true.

Girl, if you’re gonna hang with us, you gotta speak up. Also, if you want a brownie…go get one. I’ve seen you eyeing them for about ten minutes now!

Jasmine busts out laughing. Alright, I wasn’t sure if I could. She extends her arm over to the crystal plate while swinging her neck-length brown ponytail from side to side.

You’re a band member now. So, join in, have some fun, and relax. We don’t bite. Well…Jon might, but that’s another story.

I got it, Laila, thanks. Jasmine laughs as she waves good-bye and closes the white screen door on her way out.

Gia’s House, 9:30 p.m.

I decide to call Gia and see why she and Jon have been at each other so hard.

So, what was going on with you and Jon?

He’s been bossing everyone around. For weeks, it’s just been irritating me.

Yeah, he has been overboard. Maybe we can talk to him tomorrow.

Gia turns up her nose. "Naw, you can talk to him. I’m not trying to deal with his funky attitude."

"Girl, come on, now! At least try not to start with him at the next practice."

"Well, you betta hope he don’t start nothin’. If he don’t start, neither will I."’ She half-grins and frowns all at once.

Okay, girl, I gotta go help my dad clean up the attic, so I’ll talk to you later. I hang up, frustrated.

It’s been tough enough for our band this summer without them fighting all