LOVE CAUSES PAIN.

one.

Humming softly to "Body" by Summer Walker, Jaleah were super nervous about her new journey entering college. She pretty much grew up never really having much friends. It was always just her and her parents, until the divorce. Her mother took the divorce very hard, blaming Jaleah for the cause of it. For a while Jaleah actually believed she may have caused her parents divorced. Long story short, her mother became physically and emotionally abusive. She would take all of her anger out on Jaleah, hitting her any chance she could get. 

Jaleah was glad to say she were happy she was leaving her mother's home. She was super anxious wondering how college life would be due to her social skills. Jaleah's majoring in Journalism to become a Journalist. It was always a dream come true to publish her lifestyle on a newspaper, magazines, and even television.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Mandy, Jaleah's mother, burst through her room door feeling spiteful towards her daughter. "How could she even afford to get in college?" All Mandy could do was look at her daughter with hate. 

Jaleah was too busy caught up in her thoughts, not even realizing her mother entered her room. "Leah, did you even think to ask me how I'm able to afford your college tuition? I mean, your father isn't around to contribute to any of your expenses, leaving you to use up all my damn money."

Jaleah jumped at the voice of her mother, turning around to look at her. "Mom, come on now. Could you knock before entering my room?" Jaleah stood up continuing to pack the rest of her clothes from her closet. "I could of been getting dressed" She mumbled. At times Jaleah feared her mother. The lady was evil.

"Girl I could give a damn what you were doing, this is my damn house! I pay the motherfucking bills, while you just living here rent free! And answer my damn question!" Mandy didn't give a care in the world how she spoke to her child. All she wanted to know was how Jaleah gonna pay her college tuition.

Tears forming in Jaleah's eyes, she hated the way her mother could get so aggressive with her. She was super sensitive, so it didn't take much for Jaleah to burst into tears.

"I applied to financial aid plus I have a few scholarships and grants to pay off my tuition." Jaleah wiped the tears in her eyes before she dared looked at her mother. She stood up facing her mother. "I also have a job as well, so I should be straight." She whispered. Jaleah is a Licensed Esthetician. She most did waxing and skin facials. She started off 16 due to her school offering a program for cosmetology and esthetician. 

She knew she could make a few dollars with her job. She knew a lot of females loved to get a good wax and facial. 

Mandy staring at her daughter with jealousy looks, she never knew her daughter even had a job due to Jaleah never sharing anything with her. 

"Well, so you got so much money I don't want you ever asking me for shit. Please hurry up and finish getting your stuff together so you can leave my house. My man should be here anytime." Mandy lit up her cigarette, inhaling the smoke then blowing it out of her mouth. "Also, you look pathetic in that outfit. I hope you don't think any nigga would want your ugly ass." Mandy laughed, and walked away to finish her cigarette.

Jaleah looked down at her outfit. She would always wearing baggy clothes to cover up her scars and bruises her mother left on her body. Today, she stepped out of her comfort zone due to her being excited about her first day of college this week but her mother always found a way to bring her confidence. Tears forming her eyes, once again, Jaleah hurried and finish packing her clothes. 

A hour go by, Jaleah looks at the time. 6:53pm. "Whew, so glad I'm done". She placed all her bags by the door because she planned on leaving early in the morning. She was pretty sad she couldn't bring her car on campus, so she had no choice but to keep her car home with her mother. God knows what her mother would do knowing that Jaleah couldn't bring her car to campus. Knowing Mandy she would try to get rid of the car.

Shaking her head in her thoughts of her mother. She smiled thinking about her grandmother leaving behind her 2018 Lexus rx 350. Her grandmother sadly passed away the day before Jaleah's high school graduation. Her grandma was nothing like Mandy. She was a pure sweet heart and always made sure Jaleah had everything she needed. Of course, her grandma left Jaleah some money behind, leaving Mandy to be even more envy that her own mother didn't leave her a dime. 

Snapping out of her thoughts, Jaleah couldn't wait to start her new journey. She tend to worry If she would make new friends or get into her first relationship. I mean, with her mother always leaving rude comments towards her. She couldn't help to feel insecure about herself. 

She stood up walking towards her long wall mirror, staring at her reflection, she smiled. "You got this Leah Beah. Stay strong." She remembered the cute nickname her father gave her since she was a little girl. She often wondered where her father disappeared too. Mandy would always tell Jaleah after the divorce, that he left and got a new family and even had another little girl after Jaleah.

Jaleah could remember  getting super emotional after hearing the news that her father started a new family. Mandy knew that would get under Jaleah skin. She knew that would make Jaleah unlove her father. She couldn't stand the relationship the father and daughter shared with each other.

Flashback to 11 year old Jaleah

"Mommy? How come daddy has another child but left me behind? I miss him. " Jaleah was so hurt after her mother telling her about her father "new family". 

Mandy looked down at her daughter, drinking the remaining beer she was drinking on. "You know Leah, Your father is a bitch for that. He divorced me and moved on to a new women and child. I don't see how you loved him so much just for him to get another women pregnant and now they have a daughter." Mandy smirked at her 11 year old daughter before rolling up a blunt in front of her daughter. 

Jaleah watched as her mother would lit the blunt and take a puff. "I know he loves that baby so much that he's forgotten all about you Leah. So If I were you, I wouldn't stress worrying about him baby. He doesn't care about you anymore. 

Jaleah looked up at her mother. "But, Why?" Her voice trembled as she felt tears forming her eyes. "Why doesn't he love me anymore?"

Mandy looks at her daughter and says "Love causes pain."