LIGROTHISM

Two

"Girl I am going to be so late." Raylen looked up from the tv running her hands through her freshly braided cornrows. Her mom, Rhea, scattering around the living room.

Raylen shook her head already knowing what her mom was looking for. "You lost your keys again huh?" She said, you could hear the smile in her tone.

"Oh girl please, you don't know me." Her mom waved her off playfully. Raylen laughed, but picked up her mom's purse pulling out her keys. "Gir- how you know they was in there? I already looked."

"Mm mm mm, shaking my head." She joked handing her mom the keys.

"Girl hush," she chuckled lightly putting her jacket over her scrubs. "Is Nadia still coming over?"

It's been a month since Raylen met Nadia and so far so good. Raylen had never really had friends so this was something new for her, but she was really enjoying the time she'd spent with her new friend.

They had so much it common it was almost weird to Raylen. She had always spent time with her mom so she didn't know what relating to someone her own age felt like. Until now of course.

"Yeah," Raylen answered stretching. "And she's bringing her cousin. I think her name is Aleia?"

Rhea nodded picking up her purse, slinging it around her shoulder. "Okay baby, have fun. I'll be back around 8 am. I love you." She walked over and kissed her daughter's forehead.

"I love you more momma."

Raylen straightened up the house a bit and decided to take a nap until her friend got there.

—

Nadia's fist pounded against the black steel door. He cousin Aleia on her side.

It was going on 2 pm, the time the girls planned to meet up. Raylen and Nadia were both homebodies, so they both agreed to having a movie night.

And since Nadia wanted Raylen to meet her cousin, they'd decided to invite her too.

When Raylen opened the door Nadia immediately laughed. She looked a mess. "Shut up bro, I just woke up." Raylen mugged playful averting her eyes to Aleia. Squinting her eyes slightly. She looked familiar.

Then it registered. "Hey, you're in Mr. Allen's first period right? You sit in the back by the window?"

"Oh yeahhh," she smiled. "I knew I recognized you." Nadia looked between them, happy the introduction went smooth. Her cousin usually didn't like people and it would show.

After exchanging names, the 3 girls made their way into the house. "Hurry up, y'all letting the air out." Raylen muttered sounding like somebody's momma.

-

As Rhea stepped into the living room, just coming home from work, the soft symphony of light snores greeted her. Three figures sprawled across the couches, their forms illuminated by the morning light filtering through the curtains.

The remnants of the night before all over the floor – plastic cups, paper plates, and scattered snacks.

With a gentle laugh, Rhea approached her daughter. She reached out, shaking her roughly to wake up her from her deep sleep. Raylen stirred, rubbing her eyes as she glanced around the room, taking in the aftermath of their previous night.

"Good morning, Ray," Rhea greeted, as she headed to the kitchen to get herself a bottle of water. Unscrewing the cap, she took a sip.

Raylen, now fully awake, sat up, her expression brightening as she met her mother's gaze. "Hey, Mommy," she responded, her voice still laced with traces of sleep.

Rhea's heart swelled with affection at the sight of her daughter's contented smile. "Y'all had fun last night huh?"

"Girl yess, let me tell you..." Rhea listened attentively as Raylen recounted the highlights of her night, her excitement visible as she spoke.

"I'm so happy you're making friends Ray," Rhea noted, her voice overflowed with comfort and fulfillment. She watched as Raylen joined her in cleaning up the remnants of the girls' night.

-

Excuse any mistakes.