go gina !

new do

*Rewind to Freshman Year*

"Tv, check. Remote, check. Microwave, plates, cups, forks, fridge, check check check" I said out loud while making sure I had everything. Today was move in day, where I would leave my country home in Tennessee to travel to Louisiana to study at Southern University. Scared shitless was an understatement, especially since i've never spent 2 weeks away from home. So imagine 4 months. I wasn't sheltered growing up, but I also wasn't buck wild. My father didn't allow me to go certain places, wear certain things, or stay out after a certain time. This strictness made me hungry for freedom. I could not wait to get to college and just let loose. Not too loose, like passing out at parties and doing coke. But just staying out til 3 am every weekend. I was excited about the people and parties since Southern is an HBCU. I would stalk youtube vlogs all day. Not to mention the band and the Dancing Dolls were immaculate.

"We gonna follow you to the gas station for a fill up, then we'll all hit the road" my mom said cheerfully. She was so excited for me, her first born child who was attending college. I was also a first generation college student. My parents didn't have the opportunity to attend college since they had me at 17. I appreciate the fact that my parents kept and raised me despite their circumstances. They could've easily aborted me, but instead they owned up to their responsibilities and raised me. I am constantly putting myself under pressure to not fail. I love my parents, but I want to be better than them. I don't want to work dead end jobs while living pay check to pay check. I want to be able to travel the world without any set backs or burdens. Anyways I am the oldest of 4. It's me, then my younger sister Jasmine who's 2 years younger than me. After her, my brother Amari who is 3 years younger than me, and finally my baby sister Dani who is 5 years younger than me. We all look like quadruplets honestly. Same skin tone, same eyes, smile, facial expression. It's insane, but I love my siblings to death.

We finally made it to the school after 9 hours of driving. Exhausted wasn't the word. It was around 6pm when we arrived, luckily the housing department allowed late arrival times. Since I was a freshman, I would be staying in a double room, meaning that I would have a roommate. We haven't met in person, but we have been texting through Groupme. Her name is Alexis, she's 18 and from California. She's a beautiful dark skin girl who is tall like me. That makes me excited because it is so hard to come across tall women like me. When we finally made it to the room, Alexis was there listening to music. "Heyyy girly, I finally get to meet you! I'm Alexis of course, how was the trip?" She asked while standing to hug me. I hugged her back and told her it was a long drive. I introduced my family, and we began unpacking. The room wasn't tiny but it also wasn't a big space. Alexis stepped out to give us some privacy while we unpacked. After 2 hours of unpacking, setting things up, and kissing my family goodbye, I felt alone in the empty room. My family booked a hotel for the night, they would be leaving in the morning. They told me to just stay on campus so that I could meet people and get a feel of the place. Makes sense but I still missed them.

Alexis came back around 10pm with a friend. "Solana this is Jabari, Jabari this is Solana" she introduced us. Jabari was about 6'2 with waves and a light skin complexion. He had a gold nose ring like mine, but I had two because i'm extra. "Wassup shawty" he said while looking down at me. I smiled softly and spoke back. "Well Solana, go get dressed because..... we're going to this kickback. In 30 minutes. So get ready" Alexis said while cheesing mad hard. "Kickbackkk??? Dang on the first night. I've barely got a nap in" I said while scratching my head. I was beyond exhausted, I just wanted to shower and lay in the bed. "Yes girl this is how you meet people and make friends. Meet some niggas too" she said while nudging me. Jabari was texting on his phone, so I couldn't read his reaction to the kickback plan. "Ok fine, give me 30 minutes to get ready" I said, giving in after she gave me the puppy dog eyes. " YAYYYY. Be back in 10 bitch" She yelled while yanking Jalen out the room. "Fuck" I said as I looked at my closet. I had kickback clothes but I just didn't know which one would be perfect. This was my first night out. I didn't wanna do too much but I also didn't want to look thrown away.

After piling clothes all over my bed, I finally decided on a white cropped tank top with a slit in the middle, paired with camo cargo pants, and my all white Jordan 4s. I accessorized with some small, thick gold hoops and gold bangles. I wore my "Solana" and "Sza" gold necklaces with a gold cross. I decided to wear my hair down in a side part today. While fixing up my baby hairs, I heard a knock at the door. "Hey shawty, we're leaving in 5" Jabari said while sticking his head in. His eyes looked over my body quickly before closing the door. For some reason, I felt butterflies. Jabari was fine as fuck, I can't take that away from him. But I've just met him, and I don't even know if he and Alexis have something going on so let me just keep it cute. I grabbed my khaki tote bag and filled it with all of my necessities, including my taser cause ya never know. I sprayed my Versace Eros Parfum then met Alexis and Jabari in the common area. "Let's go bitchhhh" Alexis said while dangling her keys.