Destined by Fate

Chapter 2

8:40 pm

It was time to get ready. I was fresh out of the shower with my cotton robe on. After drying off I put shea butter on my body. Next I motioned to put my underwear on. It felt good out so I went with a white bodysuit Levi denim jeans and my low top bred Jordan 11s. Jason bought these. My natural hair was half up half down. While I waited for Embry I applied lipgloss on and took a selfie.

Brielle ⬇️

Embry was outside. I grabbed my Juicy Couture clutch and locked the house door. We enjoyed the car ride to music. Embry bobbed her head while White Iverson by Post Malone blasted through her speakers. Her windows were down as she cruised. It was definitely a vibe. When we arrived the kickback was crowded. Leah is a popular girl and she's cool with everyone in the hood. She always spoke to me and Bri around the way.

9:30 pm 🕤

By this time Embry was drunk. She threw back shots of clear and brown liquor all night. She leaned on the counter with a cup of clear liquor in her hand. I had two shots of crown peach with her and Leah so I'm warmed up but not drunk. Somebody had to be sober so I protected Embry tonight. "Girl come on I have to work in the morning." I told Embry in her ear over the loud music. "Okay best friend." She slurred. "Let me tell Justin I'm leaving." She said. I laughed. I knew Justin was going to follow her out of here like a little school boy.

Embry and Justin dealt with each other for a few years. It's an on and off thing. Justin pops up with a new girlfriend and Embry ignores him for a while. Then they're back together. Toxic I know. Just as I assumed he came running behind Embry. "Bri you know you're coming with me. You can't drive like this." Jason said stopping her. "But this is my car" Embry said under the influence. He held her by her waist. "Come on Bri" Justin said putting her in the Jeep truck. He was fussing at her for being so drunk. Embry's a free girl so I let her have fun because I had her safety. I'm glad Justin was here which I knew he'd be. I knew Embry couldn't drive us home like this and I'm inexperienced to driving. While Justin got Embry together I used this moment to call Jason. "Your call cannot be forwarded beep." The dial tone greeted me. "Humph" I huffed. I called again and got the same response. I let it go. He was probably handling business. Justin dropped me off home.

8:00 am

It was Saturday morning. I woke up and stretched examining my room. My bedroom is plain with little space but it works for me. A twin bed. TV dresser and nightstand. Gold wiring decorated the white walls. It was like this since I've been a little girl. Simple and lightly decorated.

Forty five minutes passed when I exited the shower. I started to get prepared for work. I work at a local restaurant. Its a bakery stop in the morning and lunch spot in the afternoon. It's about fifteen minutes away from home. I quickly slipped my PINK boy shorts on and sports bra to match. Next my black skinny jeans collard shirt and work apron. I slipped my tiny feet into my work clogs. I eco styled my natural hair in a low ponytail part in  the middle. I'm not a makeup girl. I do know how to fill my eyebrows but I don't feel like that today. Instead I grabbed a cotton pad with which hazel cleaned my face and brushed my teeth. I smiled at my pearly whites in the mirror. It was hereditary. My mom had pretty white teeth before she stopped taking care of herself. Aunt Gabriella did as well.

Fully ready I stepped into the living room of the two bedroom two bath home. Gabrielle sat there smoking a cigarette. She looked stressed. "Hey mom I'm ready for work" my soft voice spoke. "Stop depending on me for your grown ass needs. Find a fucking ride I can't take you" Gabrielle snapped. "Where's your car?" Was all I asked. "Bitch do you see it outside. Darnell took it now get out of my face." she yelled. She bumped into me and stormed to her room. Out of all the random faces of men she brings home Darnell is one I consistently see. I know hate is a strong word but I hate him. He throws passes at me like the other guys even in front of my mom. She acted scared of Darnell for some reason. I held a disappointed face. I sighed and called Jason. It went straight to voicemail this time. "Still no answer." I said to myself. I didn't want to bother Embry. She knew my situation at home I just don't feel like talking about it because it makes her so upset.

I decided to walk to my neighbor's house. Abigail. She's white but not seen for her skin color in the hood.  She's a product of our environment. She lives with her mom and step dad who are both meth heads. Her boyfriend is a black guy from around the way. He lives in their home with their three year old daughter. She has her own car so I ask her for a ride sometimes. Abigail is older than me but we grew up on the same block so we always speak to each other. She was known for braiding hair in the hood. She'd always come tell me how pretty I am. When my mom heard Abigail or others give me complaints she would suck her teeth and say "She's not all that" or "Whatever she doesn't know what to do with herself." I found that weird because I'm a splitting image of my mom. I exhaled and pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. I looked out the window as I arrived on time. "Thanks Abby." I said appreciative of the favor. I offered her gas money knowing she would decline how she always did. I still offer that's just me.

Abigail ⬇️

My work shift was going by swiftly. It was break time now. I ordered chicken tenders and grabbed my phone heading towards the break area. Embry called and told me she was still with Justin. She rambled about how her and Justin had a good night. Five minutes was left of break and Jason calls. I wanted to let it ring but I wanted to hear what he had to say. I try not to act like the crazy type. I barely give Jason a hard time. I know the lifestyle he lives so I never annoy him. It gets frustrating sometimes because I get scared for his safety but he assures me he's good and aware of his surroundings.

"What's up sweetheart. It took a couple of rings." Jason's deep voice said. I smiled. "Hey how's your day going?" I asked. "Decent I know you're at work did your mom take you?" Jason asked. I told him no something came up. He already knows that means something typical. Jason was in the middle of plays and used that extra time to call me. He told me he's going to pick me up from work. We talked some more and ended the call.

I looked at the clock and had two more minutes remaining for break. I didn't even bother eating my food so I trashed it and went to the restroom. I sat in the stall and took a breath. All of a sudden my sadness overwhelmed me. I burst into quiet sobs. Normally I fought my emotions but my life undeniably takes a toll on me. After getting myself together I washed my hands and wiped my face. I walked out of the restroom just on time to clock back in. I tried my best to look like nothing happened. "Wow hey gorgeous." A guy around my age said. I shyly waved and continued to work. "I sure don't feel it but thanks." I said to myself.