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I laid on my bed, phone face down on my chest, letting whatever playlist was on just keep playing. The ceiling above me didn't have any answers, but I kept staring at it anyway, like maybe if I blinked enough times, I'd suddenly get my life figured out.
Lately, I'd been thinking about money not in a desperate way, more like in a dang, I should probably start making my own kind of way. Every time I wanted something, even little stuff like a new pair of Vans or more LED lights for my room, I'd end up hesitating. Not cause my parents would say no, but because I hated the feeling of asking. I was getting older. It was time I started doing more for myself.
I pulled my phone off my chest and unlocked it, opening the notes app. At the top of the screen were things like
"Jobs I wouldn't hate doing" "Do I have enough personality for retail??" "Maybe I could design things??"
I sighed. I wasn't trying to be dramatic just realistic. I wanted my own money. Freedom money. The kind you don't gotta explain.
There was a knock at my door, then it opened before I could say anything.
"Hey," Genesis said, poking her head in. "You busy?"
"Nah, come in."
She stepped in, holding a cup of tea like she was visiting someone else's house. She always had that chill vibe, like nothing was ever really urgent.
"I haven't really seen you much this week," she said, sitting at the edge of my bed. "Thought I'd do a little mental health check."
I smirked. "Wow. You think I'm breaking down or something?"
"Not yet. But it's school season. Give it time."
We both laughed, and for a second it was just quiet between us, the music low and distant in the background.
"How you doing in your classes?" she asked, glancing at me.
I shrugged. "They're alright. I've been kinda zoning out a lot though. Stuff feels repetitive."
She nodded. "I feel that. My biology teacher acts like we're all med students. I started taking nature walks again after school just to remind myself I still like learning about the world, you know?"
I tilted my head, watching her. "You still doing the poetry thing?"
"Not really. Thinking about switching it up. Maybe photography. I like how you can capture a whole moment without having to explain it."
"That's dope. I feel like you'd be good at that."
She smiled, then looked at me a little more closely. "You sure you're good though? You've been quiet lately. Unless you're talking about Trayvon."
I laughed, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just thinking about getting a job or something. I don't want to keep asking Mom and Dad for every little thing. I want my own stuff, you know?"
