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Damilola Aaliyah Danesi: 17 Baltimore, Maryland
As I walked into the kitchen, my mom stood at the stove, frying up some Puff Puff. While she was on a group call with my family members, "Abeg jare!! the girl no fine like that—her mama cause am" she kissed her teeth and rolled her eyes. I swear African parents be talking so loud on the phone.
"Good morning, mommy" I said, stretching out my arms.
"Ehn! you're awake, cut the pepper and onion that i placed there" her eyes focused on flipping the Puff Puff.
"OHHH!! Mommy I have work to do na" i dragged my feet and to join her at the counter.
"If I slap you eh? Rubbish" she raised her hand to warn me. "I am making some dishes, so I can pack some and drop it off for your brother at school on my way to work tonight" she continued.
I nodded, grabbing a cutting board and knife to help with the vegetables. "where should I put it when I'm done?" I asked.
"On my head!! Come and put it on my head—be asking stupid question" she replied. I smiled, nodding my head at her remark.
Reaching for the stack of plastic containers, I filled them with the Red stew, Jollof rice, Puff Puff... and carefully sealed each one shut.
Once everything was packed and ready to go, "Finally! chai my leg is killing me" I groaned as I swiped down the counter top.
"I'm going upstairs now!" I quickly headed back to my room, plopped onto my bed and scrolled through tiktok for a while.
My phone dings; "10+ New Message from Legwork Warriors" ... Temi: Waka!! Thunder fire you.
Ayo: you!! Always insulting everyone. if I catch you eh, you will shock.
Temi: Abeg, i don't wan shock o.
Imani: 😭😭
Malik: y'all be typing nonsense, let's talk about the real issue.
Malik: like how u people should contribute and send me money😌
You: ole!! money snatcher, women grabber, don't go and sit down one place.
Ayo: walai, we—all of us gonna use you as sacrifice, we'll give your name to babalawo.
Terry: Who is 'we'? See eh, my brotha you will come teach me your way o, cause girls no dey gre for me.
Temi: Chaii!! could never, EVER! be me.
Imani: We know ma...we're not on your level yet.
๑๑๑๑๑๑
I chuckled, scrolling through the messages. I stood up from my bed and placed my phone on my nightstand, then made my way to the bathroom.
I played "Lonely At The Top by Asake" in the background, as I reached for my toothbrush.
The lyrics echoed through my bathroom, "No dey find anybody, na money i want o..." I hummed, as I turned off the faucet. I wrapped the towel around my body, and walked back to my bedroom.
I decide to go for red graphic hoodie, and pair that with a black flare pants. With a final glance in the mirror, I gathered my belongings and headed out the door.
At School As I hurried through the hallway, thinking about the bio test scores that just came out. I reached into my school bag to grab my phone to log into the school page.
Without looking up, I suddenly bumped head-on with someone, coming from the opposite direction. As I heard her sharp intake of breath, I quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there."
The girl narrowed her eyes. "Yo? watch where you going" she snapped, clearly irritated at me.
She didn't even spare me a second glance as she adjusted her hoodie and walked away, leaving me feeling both embarrassed and taken back by her hostility.
I stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into my bio class. Why does that bitch gotta be in the same class as me? I rolled my eyes, mummer to myself.
Like how could someone be so mean over a simple accident? Like damn—why she's so mad for?
As I entered, I found an empty seat, then settled in quietly and pulled open my computer before opening the Google Docs, where I take my daily notes in. Things are much better written down online, they stuck with me while typing.
I zoned into my teacher's lecture, as I try not to think about that dumb ass bitch...
I couldn't help but steal glances at her from afar, her side profile was so symmetrical with her chiseled jawline....She furrowed her brows hinting at the lingering tension between us,
I quickly face forward as my heart fluttered. I swear, this isn't me y'all—i'm not even about to lie, but damn! she's fine as fuck.
When the bell rang, I quickly gathered my thing and headed out the door.
"Omo, i embarrassed myself today —ah! e pain me o" i shut my eyes, while shaking my head.
"What happened?" Temi asked, putting her arm around my neck.
I gave her the full details of every thing that went down. "And I was just standing there like an idiot."
"Doesn't she have thick, long locs?" her eyes lightened up, as I nodded.
"Ohh, she's the captain of the girls basketball" Temi added. "Tbh, she's pretty chill" she shrugged.
"you like her or what?" she had a questioning look plastered on her face.
