Afraid

Hungover Hearts and Family Drama

Beyoncé Knowles
Queens, NY
9am

"BB, wake up," Nic's voice cut through my haze, soft but insistent. I groaned, rolling over, my head pounding like a drumline. God, what did I do last night?

Flashes of my birthday party flickered—dancing, drinking, Nic's laugh lighting up the room. I had too much fun. My body felt like it'd been through a war, but my heart was warm. Nic made it special.

"Bey, come on, your mom's here," she said, brushing her hair in my peripheral. How's she so put-together?

I sighed, sitting up, stretching. "Well, damn, you're up and ready early." Meanwhile, I'm a mess.

"I gotta meet my older brother and Jayda for breakfast, but I'd bet you're hungover. You drank a lot," she said, laughing lightly. She's not wrong.

"Man, I was lit! Thank you, Nic. I had an amazing birthday," I said, walking over, kissing her cheek. Had to. Her smile made my chest flutter, those dimples popping. Why's she gotta be so cute?

"BEYONCÉ KNOWLES, LET'S GO NOW!" Mama's voice boomed, making us both laugh. Oh, she's mad mad.

I threw on a sweater and Ugg slippers, my head still throbbing. Just gotta survive this. Downstairs, Mama sat with Solo, who looked pissed. What now?

"Hey, Mama," I said, trying to keep it light.

"Don't 'hey Mama' me! You are not grown, Giselle. I don't care how old you think you are. Bring your fast tail on before I show you how grown you ain't," she scolded, her eyes sharp. Giselle. She's pulling out the government name.

"Yes, ma'am," I mumbled, looking down, shame creeping in. I just wanted to have fun.

"And you both will apologize to Miss Carol, understand me?!"

We muttered, "Yes," following her next door. Miss Carol's gonna be dramatic, I know it. Inside, Mama launched into a lecture—wrong crowds, bad influences, the usual. My head's killing me. I just need a shower and my bed. I tuned her out, wishing I was still curled up at Nic's. Her house feels like home lately.

Onika Maraj
Queens, NY
10am

I sat at the restaurant, tapping my foot, growing impatient. Izzy's 30 minutes late. If he's not here in 10, I'm out. My older brother, Isaac—Izzy—marches to his own damn drum. Always has. He's wild, reckless, doing any and everything, which scares the hell out of us. I love him, but he stresses me out.

The door opened, and Izzy strolled in with some girl. Here we go. Another toy he thinks he's in love with. I can't keep up.

"Wassup, lil bit," he said, pulling me into a hug, making me laugh despite myself. He's annoying, but he's my brother.

"Hey, Isabel," I teased, knowing he hates it.

"You know I hate that shit. Speaking of, I wanna introduce you to my baby mama, Isis," he said, grinning.

Baby mama? My jaw tightened. "Woah, baby mama?" Another kid in this family?

"Yeah, my shorty's five months. We gone have a lil girl," he said, pulling Isis close, all proud.

A baby? Loyal's enough chaos, and now this? Thank God I'm gay. Kids ain't for me. I forced a smile. To each their own, I guess. Inside, I was cackling, knowing Jayda was about to lose it. She's Izzy's baby, and this news is gonna send her. When she found out Mama was pregnant with Omari, she flipped. This'll be worse.

We sat, making small talk. Isis seemed... off. Something's weird about her. I prayed the Maraj genes pulled through for that baby. No shade, just facts.