Will it be ok?

~Penelope I~

April 13

Smoothly, I swung my arm to make a rolling motion as I jumped and twisted my body to the music. My group was particularly full of different skins of all types; from birch to obsidian.
Olive to deep brown. Our teacher, Ava, had a tanned brown skin tone. Of course, I didn't exactly feel like the odd one out here, but I was still coming to terms with myself and my skin. Some kids my age already headed out to their parents. After class, she stopped me before I could head out with my friends, "Hey Pen, I just want to make sure you're eating right, your energy doesn't always seem on point, are you tired? Hungry? Thirsty?"

"Yeah, I'm eating right. Sorry if I made you worry. I didn't sleep well today." Her blue braids fell over her face as she touched my arm.

"Please take care of yourself, I want that energy, ok?"

"I will. Don't worry."

My group walked through the streets with ice lollies and mango in our hands. Aaliyah put her arm around my shoulder, her sticky hands sticking to my shirt. "Training was good today, hey?"

"Yes, very much."

"Oh Oh oh. Are you posh now, Park?"

"At least I pay attention in school."

"Your mean." Briar, who had been quiet the whole time, walked with us. Why are they here? They are not in our dancing group.

"Come on, baby girl! lighten up a bit." I cringed as Aaliyah called me 'babygirl'.

"Stop pestering her, Aaliyah." Elijah grabbed her girlfriend's hand. Obviously, she was irritated with her.

"You're just jealous!" Elijah laughed at her statement.

"Yeah, no. Never happening."

Elijah had russet brown-ish skin with black dreadlocks on her head. Blue kerchief that protects her forehead. Golden eyes, her skin was usually very soft. Her body was more on the chubby side. Button nose. She was intelligent in a way that contrasted with Aaliyah's more spontaneous personality. 

Aaliyah Skin was more of a golden brown with twirly curls. She was thinner, had Snubby nose, had rougher skin and she had a way of ruffle anyone's feathers

Briar had a rich dark brown skin, they had braids in their hair. I didn't know a lot about them but I've heard alot about them.

Moyo had his heart on his sleeves when it came to people. His skin was a lighter rich brown. His face flushed with his locks and some stuck to his face with sweat. His nose was hooked, his body was more muscular, and his skin was usually dry. His hands were freckled with sunspots.

They all walked me home.

"Bye-bye, sweetpea." Aaliyah waved goodbye.

"Seriously, Aaliyah? Can't greet someone normally?" Elijah sighed as she also said goodbye. Moyo gave me a hug, saying something in a language I didn't know. Briar just left with the rest.

Inside, I texted Hazel goodnight. The phone glowed in my face.

Mom was making chicken with rice as my dad made a salad with mangos on the side.

Mom was on the call with her friend from Namibia. I lean on the counter, scrolling through the net.my whole feed was just people debating other peoples lives, which was really pointless, so I shut my phone.

I saw my birth certificate and passport on the counter. 'Animata Penelope Keter Park'.

Animata? Keter?

Did I miss something?

Who am I?

I remember when I was a kid and they asked me to make a pie chart with my heritage, The other kids were proud and divided it into neat slices but I would give something vague with embarrassment.

"Time for dinner!" Mom told me while handing me a plate.

《Food》