Novels by J.C. Martin

Helena wanted Hixon. It was obvious to everyone. She'd been eyeing him since day one. Elton's teasing relationship with Jet was rough to watch.Either fuck or get off the pot!Helena was more Elton's speed anyway in upbringing, family dynamics, and overall attitude. Nothing about either of them was squeaky clean. But were just dirty enough for each other.Helena, Selena, Nadia were going to the Back to Class Jam party together. Where Luna, Jet, and Bea were one the TLC kind of vibe, these three were Salt 'n Pepa. These three bonded over synchronized dances, Shakira

In journalism, Mr. Hendrix laid out the basics of the paper listening to the pitches around the room."I need someone to talk to the teachers' union reps here on campus about the firings of half the teaching staff. Who wants to take this on?"Devon, one of the fraternal twins, was editor for this issue. He looked around the room. "It should be someone that can talk to a teacher." He pointed at me. "Her."

We returned to Enterprise and Humanities as tenth graders! The jitters and awkwardness of freshman year were gone. There was a new crop of ninth graders milling about. They were loud, obnoxious, very annoying. Y2K was lost on them. Thanks to Giuliani's budget cuts and Mr. Esquilin's spineless attitude, several of the best teachers at Humanities walked off the job. We lost Mr. Jackson, the best World History teacher that said on the first day he wasn't going to teach off a Eurocentric textbook and only wanted to teach the revolutions of Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Asia. It was a reprogramming that was both a shock and a turn on. We lost Ms. PierreJean, the intro to occupations teacher who was a total sweetheart and a great resource. Several others wer

JUNE 2000Ms. Schneider offered up some great news last night. Some spots opened up and I could go to Berlin if I wanted. Without hesitation I accepted. Agatha left the choice up to me. She didn't give me Six Flags, she had to give me Berlin. There was no negotiations here. If she and Phillip had said no to this, I'd know once and for all they hated me and all gloves would he off at that point.

As fun as it was to host Aaliyah and Dana, it was also exhausting. During the school day, they got to go sightseeing. Mr. Green ventured them around the Financial District. I sat on theCharging Bull.Mr. Febus took us around along Chelsea at nearly every gallery he had access and connections to. We were enthralled to see a wall of TVs showing a guy having sex with a watermelon. Andy Warhol once said that art is anything you can get away with.I was used to getting out of class but to actually venture into the cit

He opened the door to the last room on the second floor, the master bedroom. A huge mirror ball hung from the ceiling. The bed was on the floor, fully made. The room looked unfinished and finished at the same time. All the other pieces of furniture were covered under tarps."Um," I started.

Bea's going to kill me. Luna's going to kill me. I had no business going to Queens. Helena and I sat on Pamela's brown leather couch as Dana and Aaliyah were upstairs packing her bags. Something happened between last night's phone call, and now. And I don't know what it was."So you're really not going to try," I asked Pamela. She was on the other couch clutching her Lisa Simpson stuffed doll and watching MTV's Spring Break.

It took the usual act of congress and finessing, but Mom caved and let me attend the house party at Devon and Dre's house. Their Victorian mansion on Bedford was only blocks away and I know she'd make Dad do hourly drive-bys to make sure there was an actual party, and everything was on the up and up.Bea, Luna, and Inga arrived at my apartment just as Aaliyah and I finished up. Over the months, I needed Bea less and less for makeup and fashion tips. So long as I added the bronzer to the high points on my face, I duped Ag

Helena roped me to join the reception committee for the Berliners. Luna took the day off to get her house ready for Inga and Cass had swim practice—likely and convenient stories. Bea and the girls had tennis practice and Gwendolyn had to baby-sit. The Three weren't coming no matter what and Hill went to join them. Luckily Rachel and Charlotte were there to serve as buffers.We spent most of the morning setting up the auditorium for the Wilkommen Show we mashed together in their honor. Esquilin gave us an extremely