Mahalia's POV
"Hey..." was all Atlas' response. Eliza waved shyly. "Do you two know each other?" mama asked waiting for an answer. Silence. That's all it was for a second. It was like you could slice it in half with the sharpest knife. Eliza looked uneasy, like she'd seen a ghost. Her cheeks were red, eyes looking to the floor avoiding contact with everyone but mainly Atlas. However, Atlas was the opposite. Sure, she looked shocked; but she was staring right at Liz. Waiting for someone to say something or even do something at best. "I'm going to go grab something from my car I will be right back." Atlas stated and practically ran to her car. Yet, this time she did not come back into the house. Infact, I looked outside the window and her car was gone. "She left."
"Oh okay.." Eliza mumbled
It was an awkward silence for a minute or two until mama spoke up. "Dinner is ready, help me bring the food to the table and we will discuss this over food, or we will move on. 24 hour rule." that's what mama said before shoving a hot pot into my hands. The 24 hour rule was simple. If a situation wee to happen and we felt a certain way there were two options. You could A) Move on from it in the next 24 hours or B) Talk about it in the next 24 hours. Very simple...not; but it saves the fights.
We all sat along the dining room table. At the head was mama and at the other end was Tyler. I sat in between Eliza and Bella. Out of nowhere was Tyler's stupid voice "Honestly, I just think that between me and Mahalia I would win in a fight". I started cackling, Bella punched my arm and mama tried to reach across the table to slap Tyler. In my view, I saw Eliza smiling. I threw a roll at Tylers face and said, " Boy the only advantage you got is that you're a tall black man other than that I'd still beat yo ass, even Obama would agree." Bella started cackling. "Man ya fucking mama" was his only response. "Nigga we have the SAME mother and she is RIGHT ACROSS FROM YOU." mama threw her sandal at him after I said that too. Then threw her second one at me and sternly stated "no cursing in my motha fucking house bitch.". "BUT YOU JUST CURS-" I didn't even want to finish that sentence my ass was bound get beat. After that chaos we continued to eat in silence with a little laughter here and there. Liz decided to avoid what happened before dinner. Did not talk as much at dinner but still laughed along. Maybe I should talk to her later. That's if I have the guts to. Anyway, I loved it when mama cooked, especially when she made soul food. Call me black or whatever but a bitch loved fried chicken.
Eliza's POV
You know, when Mahalia came to pick up Bella and I...I was very excited. When I saw her in person; this cute, tall, nerdy, girl automatically stole my heart for some odd reason. Her smile was very contagious it felt as if I couldn't look away. How she looked and treated Bella made me smile because you could tell they were close and loved each other. Sometimes I wish I had the same. Then there was Leon; he was...charming and very bold. That is what I liked about him though, he wasn't afraid to say what he was thinking in that moment. I guess I can say, they really do fit each other as best friends.
Bella and I met over instagram. Her post was recommended to my explore page and I commented that she was so pretty and that I was jealous; joking of course. Then eventually that lead to us following each other, to texting, to meeting each other in person. The California trip was very fun, we explored so much and somehow managed to almost crash into a poll. All in all, that trip taught me two things, 1) that I have a new best friend and 2) Don't scream in a car you are not driving.
Meeting Bella's mom was so much fun. she hugged her mom like she had been gone for years. It was a very loving sight to see. "And Ms.Eliza I've heard so much about you! Welcome home." Mrs.Johnson said as she pulled me into a hug; it felt nice and so warm. Not to sound weird but Mrs.Johnson smelled like cookies. As Bella and I sat on the kitchen stools, we more like Bella told the story of us almost crashing because of me. I playfully pouted as I tried to stand my ground. Mahalia then defended me and pulled me into a hug; arms around the upper part of me since I was sitting and she was not. That was when Mrs.Johnson sent Mahalia away to go set the table which kind of made me sad. Although, I laughed when Mahalia got scared of her mom threatening her. I was about to offer to help but Mrs.Johnson gave me a look. A look of 'no you're not lifting one finger'.
"So, Eliza where do you go to school?" Mrs.Johnson asked. "I attend Princeton University Mrs.Johnson, I study psychology and education. Double Majoring". Mrs.Johnson looked stunned. "wow, your mama must be proud because I know I am. Also, call me Mom or mama you do not have to call me Mrs.Johnson. So do you want to become a teacher or psychiatrist?" The thought of my mom made m e somewhat upset but I shook it off. "Yes Mrs- I mean Mama Johnson. I don't know but I am leaning more towards education because really do love kids! I even love tutoring which I do on my own time." "Fuck them kids." Bella yelled and we all started laughing really hard. "Bella your mom said-"
"Eliza." I was cut off by a very familiar voice that I had not heard in a long time. As I turned my head, I dreaded knowing the answer to the question in my head: Is it her?
"Atlas?!" I stared at the girl. The girl who once saved me yet broke me. How was she here? Why was she here? Why am I seeing her again?! I panicked but before I could say anything...she was gone. There was nothing else I could think about, it was just Atlas—our past and now our present. Eventually, we sat in the dining room to eat dinner. There were jokes and conversations but my body would not let me talk for some reason. I felt this weight on me; a tightness in my throat. I just sat there eating and thinking. Thinking and Panicking! Help. Anyone? Eliza What's Happening?!
