Telegraph Ave (Author's Edition)

Chapter 17: The Bay Area

Xavier POV...

I slept with the patio doors open last night. The night heat of summer simmered down on its own when my eyes departed early this morning. Wind came in as a brush against the grain of my surface, curtains dancing in front of the windows. Silver clouds overlaid the dawning sky, the sun did not shine on any green plant, nor neighborhood. It looked as if it was going to rain, but I hope otherwise.

Raising myself up in bed, I reached for my phone that rested on the dresser-charging throughout the night. It's 7:00 a.m. on the dot, the time indicates while making my way to the weather app.

That's funny... I think to myself when it shows clear skies throughout the rest of the day. The highest its supposed to get is 88 degrees, not bad of a summer day compared to ones I've experienced while living here. We're supposed to be leaving around 8 a.m., so it's best if I start getting prepared now. Standing to my feet, my body is possessed by the morning stretch. I make my way to the bathroom and begin my morning routine. Starting off with taking another shower, even though I took one last night.
We're going to be staying at the beach all day.

I made sure to ask my mom if it was okay last evening, during dinner. She's allowing me to go because she trust me. A whole day to ourselves sounded like an dope idea. I feel like we're going to vibe out today, it wouldn't be our first though.

10 minutes expired, I hopped out the sauna of a shower. The mirror was foggy from the heat of the bathroom, brushing my teeth breathing in the remaining humidity. I wiped the mirror when the time came to wash my face. Using a drying off towel to wipe the remaining water from my skin, I dab my head until it was essentially dry. Under the counter I grab the Cantu Leave-In conditioner and the coconut oil I solely use for my hair. After applying both to my hair, I rag up to lay it down completely.

Swimming trunks was the first thing I dressed myself in, and packed another pair in case these decide to unfortunately rip. My mom sowed me a button-down shirt months ago. Yes, she sows in her spair time. The material is blue with orange and pink flowers, very tropical. And, since we're going to the beach today I'm not going to wear an undershirt with it. Halfway buttoned-down, I threw on one of my necklaces that I bought from a gift shop not too long ago. It was a BlueRica Puka Chip Shells Necklace, peeking through the opening of my shirt. I like it... it matches the theme of traveling to the beach.

Vrrrp Vrrrp...

My phone rings on the other side of the door. Flicking the bathroom light switch off, I exit out making my way to where it sat. The caller ID read Claudia, I swipe to answer.

"Hello."

"Hey X, you up?" Claudia said

"Yeah, been up for almost an hour. I'm ready to go though."

"Good!" Candace jumps in over the phone. "We rented two jeeps to travel to San Francisco."

"Aight, cool. I just got done packing up everything I needed."

"Well, just come over to my house. Everybody's out here." Claudia respond

"Alright, I'll see ya'll." I hung up the phone and strapped my bag around my shoulders.

The last thing I did was swipe on some deodorant and cologne. Closing the doors to my patio, I turn off the lights-my room is dim once more. Now walking up the hallway, I recognize my mom is already at work. I'll have to give her a call when I get there, if she's on break... I think to myself removing the extra house key from its holder. Finally exiting my home, I'd usually be greeted by the warming sun but this morning was different. The grey clouds were vast and misty, stretching out to the four corners of the city. But, I'm hoping that we won't receive any rain, not that I have a problem with it. I love the rain... I just don't know how the others will feel about it. Gazing down to my left, everyone was huddled around Claudia's yard-two jeeps were in the driveway.