Lost & Found.

Chapter 1

ONE.....

" Alright see you later Tazeema" one of my classmates said as she gathered her stuff ready to leave the library. I looked around the library and I was the only student there.

"You're leaving already? I have two more pages to go" I said referring to the paper I was writing that was due on Monday.

" Yeah thankfully, I'll see you at the seminar on Monday" She said as she walked out the library.

"Yeah yeah. I need a drink" I mumbled.

After what seemed like an eternity I finished my essay, packed my stuff and headed home. I was not kidding about that drink. I was determined to go out and celebrate finishing my 6 page essay. Once I got home I put on some music to get me in the right mood, just then Barrington Levy's "murderer" came on .

" That's my jam" I screamed as I whined my waist to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.

After I was done I applied minimal makeup then went to my closet and pulled out my clothes for the night. I quickly put on my black high waisted jeans, a nude bodysuit, my Givenchy knee high boots and my leather jacket because it was a bit chilly outside. I grabbed my purse and made my way out.
"Club Risky please" I told the cab driver as I got comfortable in the back seat.

"Yes ma'am" he replied

It was a short drive to the club, I paid the nice cab driver and made my way in. There was a long line outside the door but I walked passed it and straight to the door.

"What's good Jamie" I said  hugging the bouncer.

"Nothing much baby girl, its packed in there today" he said shaking his head as he moved to the side to let me in,  I smiled at him and  walked in.  I went straight upstairs to see one of my best friends China. She owned the club.

China was the first person I had met when I moved back to New York. I was born in the United States to a South African father and an Italian mother. My father worked undocumented as a carpenter and made sure his family never lacked. After my little sister's birth, my father insisted my mom remained home to take care of us while he did all the work. Life was good until I turned four years old. My father was deported after an ICE raid at the warehouse he was employed at; thereby leaving myself and my nine month old sister in New York with my mother. My life changed instantly; my mother tried all she could for the first two years but then along the way, she became addicted to drugs. She would sometimes leave my little sister Guyenne and I home alone for days all in the name of 'searching for work'. At such a young age I had to grow up fast in order to fend for Guyenne and I. When I turned eight, My father sent for us and we all moved home to South Africa. Life became even more interesting when we moved. So much so that at the age of 17, I saved up as much as I could then I bought a one way ticket to New York and left South Africa with only $400 left in my name. 

 I was homeless for months, while I looked for a job. I applied to a whole lot of diners, restaurants, clothing stores, food stores, you name it. One day I was in the restroom at a random diner  trying to clean up. I opened my backpack to get my tooth brush out but my wallet was missing. I emptied the whole backpack on the floor but it was gone. I slid to the restroom floor, burying my  head in my hands and finally letting my emotions overcome me. 

~FLASHBACK~

Bang Bang Bang

"Hey I been waiting out here forever to use this restroom so kindly get the fuck outta there" A raspy deep voice yelled but I could tell it was a female.

"I'm coming" I yelled quickly standing up from the cold floor and wiping my tears away with my shirt. I brushed my teeth quickly, gathered my stuff and walked out the restroom.

" It took you long enough" the woman said as I walked out the restroom. She was way prettier than she sounded.  she had long brunette hair that was parted down the middle. Then long fake lashes that made her eyes appear smaller and red lipstick. Now her outfit on the other hand was what I questioned; she had on a bikini looking black top, a leather mini skirt, a faux fur coat and some snake skin thigh high boots.

"I came out didn't I" I replied to her as I rolled my eyes and walked away. I swear I heard her chuckle. I went to a booth and ordered some pancakes with the only money I had;  five dollars. As I was eating, I noticed someone plop on the seat opposite me in my booth, I slowly looked up and it was the lady from the restroom.

"So where are you from, I heard an accent back at the restroom" she asked annoyingly chewing her gum. I ignored her and continued to eat my pancakes.

"Hello" she said snapping her fingers in my face.

"Clearly I don't want to talk to you. Also you have an accent too but you don't see me bothering to ask  where you're from" I said beyond irritated but then she surprised me by laughing, very loudly might I add.

" I- I like you a lot" she said almost out of breath. "I am China but you can call me Risky and that accent you heard is part of my southern charm doll face" she said as she extended her hand to me. I looked at her hand and then her face and then I looked around the diner. Is this a joke I thought. I thought quickly about my next move, I don't have anywhere to go, I don't know anyone here, I don't have any money and I haven't been able to find a job. If you're reading this what would you have done? lets be real you'd do exactly what I'm about to do.

"I'm Tazeema and you can call me Tazeema" I said bluntly as we shook hands and she laughed.  Her laugh was contagious. We got to talking and I told her of my current predicament. And just like that I met the woman who changed my life forever

~END OF FLASHBACK~