𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍 || 𝑻𝑹𝑬𝑬𝑪𝑯 𝑿 𝑶𝑪

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑: 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐊𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐎 𝐏𝐓.𝐈

Flashback, circa 3429

First day of Eighth Grade. Cassia, Lamina and Treech were ecstatic, and nostalgic that it was their last year in middle school. The TLC trio had been going strong since Pre-K and did not plan on severing any time soon. Cassia heard a deal about friendships falling apart around this stage of life. Though, with the bond between her and her best friends, she could not even dream it possible.

Getting ready, Cassia wore a dark green plaid skirt, a white dress shirt with a dark green woollen vest over it. She put on white socks, that she paired with shiny black loafers. To do her hair, Cassia gently moisturised a homemade mix of palm oil and aloe vera into her hair. She took her wide tooth oak comb and detangled her afro. 

She picked four emerald-green ribbons from her vanity drawer and braided them into her hair in four sections, two braids above, two braids below. The braids gently flowed off her shoulders. She tied the remaining ribbon into tiny bows to finish off the hairstyle.  Cassia picked out two strands to fall from the front of her face, which was practically her signature at that point. She wrapped up her look with a spritz of her favourite hazel and cinnamon perfume.

Cassia took a breath as she examined herself in the mirror. A perfect senior debut, she thought. It excited her to finally be a senior. She had always looked up to the Eighth graders when she was in Sixth grade. She saw them as awe-inspiring and cool. It was practically culture for the seniors of each schooling phase to be regarded as superstars.

It was as if just yesterday, she was singing to her mother that she was finally a Fifth grader and a 'big girl'. Too bad it only lasted a year before she would be mining for respect and validation in high school. High school. The thought of it sent shivers down Cassia's spine. She had heard all sorts of horror stories about it, especially Perry's compendium of dramatic renditions. 

"Oh well, let August be August, and September be September," she thought to herself.  

Cassia descended the stairs and found momma cleaning up breakfast. Peregrine's, Cassia's and Luan's lunch bags were all neatly aligned on the edge of the mahogany dining table. Cassia took her mother by surprise with a hug from behind. Keziah slightly jumped, before laughing and embracing her daughter.

"Thank you for breakfast and lunch momma," Cassia expressed gratefully. 

"You're welcome my little sapling," Keziah responded. She kissed her daughter on the cheek and then her lips. 

"Have a great first day my sweet, sweet Cinnamon. You better tell me all about it when you get back. N' greet my babies Treechy and Mina for me, will ya?" 

"Of course, momma," Cassia sung.

Cassia took her lunch bag off the table and strode to the base of the first staircase. 

"Peregrine, Luan, get down here jackasses!" she yelled. 

"Mommy! Cinny called me a jackass!" Luan cried from above.

"Sorry my Lulu! It's mostly Perry I'm talking to!" she apologised.

"Don't rush us cirrhosis!" Peregrine yelled back.

"Momma, Perry called me a disease!" 

"Calm down the lot of you!" Keziah finalised.

Peregrine and Luan finally came downstairs and went to greet their mother with hugs and kisses. Keziah sweetly returned them. Roscoe followed shortly, briefcase in hand. 

"I love you, my goddess. I'll see you later," He laid a gentle kiss on her hand, before their lips met passionately. Keziah's arms wrapped around his neck, and they pulled away before gazing at each other lovingly.