𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧 ━━━━━ 𝗲𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗲. (DISCONTINUED)

002.

𝕴 WAKE UP FROM MY SLEEP my eyes squinting as I adjust to the brightness of the day, the light seeping from the blinds into my room.

Suddenly all the sounds around me become more clear as if the world around me comes to life, I can hear my neighbours playing basketball outside, shouting and yelling at one another.

But the annoying sound of Ma playing her usual gospel songs and singing loudly as she cleans the house with a vacuum becomes louder.

I rub my eyes and yawn before forcing myself to sit up slowly and glancing outside towards the window next to me, seeing my neighbourhood's kids running up an down the road.

It's a Saturday morning somehow Ma decided to clean the house a day earlier than her usual Sunday cleaning, meaning I'll have to help out with tiring boring cleaning.

I groan out of annoyance and throw my pillow across the room wanting to continue sleeping but tiredly get up to help clean, but then my memory fades back to the vivid events of last night.

From seeing and hearing Ma and my brother arguing, to letting curiosity get the most of me, taking the risk to follow my brother late at night even after he told me his career is somewhat "dangerous."

A lot happened that day.

Watching my brother on stage with other rappers putting on a great firey performance was an experience I'll never forget yet alone fathom; There's no way I'm not dreaming, I feel like I've gone through some sort of portal there's no way this is reality.

Now that I've discovered his job, if I continue to follow him to the clubs he goes to without getting caught or questioned, I can watch my favourite rap artists perform for free as long as I don't get caught.

This is probably the most stupid thing I've ever done in my existence, but who wouldn't want to watch them for free?

"Imani, get up and help your mother clean the Goddamn house!" Ma shouts from what I assume is the kitchen.

I sit up from my bed getting caught out of my hot minute of thoughts that fade a way like clouds before I yawn once more, rubbing my eyes and getting myself out of bed after my mother's remark.

Today's gonna be a long day, I'm hoping I have enough energy to make through it.

I stand up and walk into the living room, noticing Ma cleaning the room with a broom still wearing her usual purple bonnet and her floral nightgown, she notices my presence and sighs, resting herself slightly onto her broom.

I glance at her and pull a smile as she eyes me through her old glasses that she's been wearing for years, the same pair I swear I've seen her wear since I was 9.

"Now, it you don't get yo cranky ass cleaned up." Ma scolds me noticing my tired state and my hair that went nappy over my sleep.

I glare at her and frown at her remark through puffy eyes to tired to be bothered, yawn for the nth time but covering my mouth with my hand "Okay... Okay Ma." I reply.

"Hurry up Imani Wilson, I ain't got all day." She points the broom at me in a joking manner before pointing it towards the bathroom gazing at me through pricing eyes.

I giggle at her before nodding and jokingly saluting her walking over to the bathroom to get myself sorted, she lets out an obviously forced laugh at my antics.