It Was Hood Until It Wasn't...

Be Alright

"Fuck" I finally get to my shift at shakers literally with moments to spare.

I hunch over in front of the time clock.

After I clocked in. I didn't expect my day to turn out like this.

Almost being late for work because I spilled ice cream on an RnB singer??? What the hell is my life? Well...boring.

"Girl are you good." I stick a thumbs up to Ariana not being able to speak.

"I missed the bus. So I had to run, but, I'm good."

"Girl just sit down, I'll tell Pedro you're getting some more lettuce from the freezer."

Pedro...the tips at this classy ass restaurant were way too good for me to quit. But, I definitely would, because of Pedro. He's literally a creep. He hired me due to "my shapely hips, and strutty walk" what ever the fuck that means.

Ariana has been the only person nice to me. She's a co-worker and I wouldn't consider her a friend, because she's literally only been a co-worker. When I moved to the Bay, it was for grad school. I sold my car packed up from Kansas and haven't looked back.

But nobody told me you literally couldn't do shit with only a Bachlors in Psychology. You need at least a masters to make decent money. So, I'm working in this restaurant to put myself through, and save for a car, which I didn't think I'd need in California, but I defnelty need.

After I catch my breath and down my water bottle I get out onto the floor.

I was honestly on cloud 9. Usually 8 hour shifts feel like a drag from start to finish, especially with these stuck up assholes that come in and out of here, but, not today.

That run-in and invitation from Kehlani was...almost out of a storybook, something you'd make up on the sims. Expect this is real and not a simulation.

"Girl what's got you smilin from ear to ear. Serving these wrinkled old white fingers can not have you this overjoyed."

I guess Ariana had taken notice that my fake smile wasn't so fake today. Her and I have a good relationship. She has a 2 year old son, and lives with her parents. She is very much a mom, but she's such a good person.

"Nothing" I say shaking my head as I fill my tray with my next tables orders.

"Mmhmm I wanna hear what "nothing" is on break."

I playfully role my eyes and head out.

"Here you are sir, another gin?" I flash my smile as I stuff my tray under my armpit.

"Yes, please. And, your number if you don't mind." Him and his rank friends share a laugh. What is it with old white men and their harassing humor? It's weird.

I roll my eyes not even acknowledging his horrific comment.

I head outside to the back for break. I pull the wad of money from my pocket and begin to count.

"733, 737, 837."

"Okay so tell me what's got you smilin so pretty." Ariana comes to interrupt me and my counting.

I think this is the first night I may bring home a grand or a little under. Which was another reason to smile. I don't care serving is a good job, I can buy my books with this.

"Helloooooo??????" Ariana shakes my shoulder and almost makes me fall off the bench.

If you could even call it that. It's two paint buckets, with a wood plank, and two run down pillows to prevent splinters.

"Okay! So..." I stuffed the money back into my apron.

I looked at Ariana. I mean this wasn't some secret...but I'm not one to tell my business, secret or not, I was raised on don't ask don't tell.

"Um. So, you know how I was late to work today right?"

"Yes, I remember..." Ariana twiddled her fingers in a circular motion for me to get on with it.

"Well...the reason of me being late is kinda funny."

"Great because girl I needa laugh."

"Don't light that...I won't tell you if you smoke that cigarette."

I've been trying to get Ariana to stop smoking for awhile. Since I've worked here really. So...2 months. But hey, in my defense she's cut back to once every shift when it would've been a pack. I'd like to give myself credit.

She rolls her eyes and stuffs the cancer stick back into her white button down pocket.

"You betta stop stalling bitch."

"Okay, so I was walking towards the bus stop but I stopped to get ice cream, blue moo. I was eating and listening to music and I ran into someone with it. I didn't know who it was though."

"Why weren't you looking?"

"The thing is I was! They weren't. Anyways, you'll never guess who it was."

"Wait! No! It was Steve Rogers! No Anne Frank, wait...I got it...IT WAS HARRIET TUBMAN."

"Girl calm down maybe you do need that cigarette."

"I know let me get-"

I place my hand on hers right when she was crashing into her pocket. "I was kidding."

She leans forward onto her knees and begins to pout.

"Who was it?"

"Kehlani...Did you hear me? And she invited me to her fundraiser thing or something. She said she's performing."

"Yeah, she's like a local."

I was honestly surprised. "You don't seem shocked."

Ariana laughs. "I mean I'd be more shocked if it were someone dead like Malc X. We see celebrities here all the time. Not that she's not amazing. But, she's just a regular person."

"Yeah I guess that's true. I acted a fool though."

"I'd expect that, you're not used to Cali life yet. Give it a year. Another Kim Kardashin, or Dave Franco is just another local when you see em. But you said something about her concert. It's definitely bigger than a fundraiser, Keyshia Cole, Sza, Lizzo, a whole bunch of people are gonna perform. It's really big for Oakland. It's so much development that needs to be done out there. Everyone put the flyer on Instagram, and Twitter."

I had no idea, she made it seem like something intimate which is why I assumed she told me to bring a friend.

"Oh...well maybe I won't go then."

"Hey Affi I didn't mean to discourage you." She says placing her hand on my shoulder.

"Oh no, you didn't. I was just under the impression it'd be smaller, not a concert. Cramped spaces make me nervous."

"Well I know it's next Friday. If she invited you, she obviously wants you there and you still have time to think on it. What if we went together?"

"You'd go with me for real?"

"Yeah why not? Beats my Friday night. After I put Kyro to bed I don't do anything. I know my mom won't mind keeping an eye out. Plus we've never hung out outside of work. It'll be a nice change of speed don't you think?"

"Yeah...yeah it really will be. Okay, let's do it."

"Great, here give me your phone I'll put my number in, here's mine."

We exchange phones and lock in. This was exciting. I haven't had any girlfriends in awhile. Even back home, I mostly hung out with Marley. I've known him since kindergarten and he wasn't very social like me, so we clicked. Introverted and content.

A/N: y'all I've been inspired lately. I've been pushing these chapters out like a child minus the pussy tearing and pain. 

Muah.