Behind the Mask

I

° Jaiden in Media°

" Terra! Mommie c'mon! I have to take you to school so I can get to school. " I yelled up stairs. My daughter Terra was taking forever. She finally came downstairs with her big backpack bouncing on her back.
"I'm here mommy. " she said sounding out of breath.
"What took you so long?" I said crossing my arms.
"I couldn't find my shoes. They had walked away!" She said putting her arms in the air. I smiled. She was so over dramatic for a 6 year old.
"Well at least you found them. C'mon it's time to go. " I handed her a juice box and put her lunch box in her other hand. We walked to the door. I locked it and put her in her car seat. Then I got in the car.
"You ready mommie?" I asked.
She nodded her head I drive off. I live in Manhattan and grew up here too. My mom met my dad here and they fell in love. Sadly they both left this Earth when I was 16. But they were the best parents anyone could ask for. After high school I got a scholarship to go college. I almost didn't go because I got pregnant with my Terra. Her father left me when I found out I was pregnant. But my best friend Cherrie helped me out. I got pregnant when I was 17, just getting out of high school. Now I'm 23 and in my 2nd year of college. But the way I make money for tuition and to live is not the best way.
I'm a bartender/ dancer at a famous club in Manhattan. Now don't get me wrong the money is good but the environment isn't. But a girls gotta do what she has to do right?
"Okay mommie have a good day at school. " I said dropping Terra off. She nodded and gave me a hug. I kissed her forehead. She hopped out of the car and ran to the doors. I waited until she was safely inside till I drove to my school. The only thing about New York is the traffic. I parked my car at a lot close to the school and walked the rest of the way. Its in the middle of spring and it's HOT! And walking directly in the sun doesn't help.

I finally got in campus and walked to my class. My best friend Cherrie caught up with me.
" Hey chicka. How's my favorite bitch doin?" She asked. I laughed.
" This badass is doing just fine. " I said. We both laughed.
"How's that little you doin?" She asked.
"Just fine. I was almost late this morning because she claimed her shoes walked off. "
Cherrie shook her head.
"That little mama is a trip."
"Tell me about it!" I said rolling my eyes. We got to class and I sat my book bag over my chair.
"Aye yo badass in the house!"
I turned and my friend Chance was coming in the classroom.
"Hey Chance!" Said me and Cherrie in unison. Chance was my #1 gay friend. He is the best guy- gay friend that you can have.
"Hello you bitches! " He said coming to sit next to us.
"You still act the same way you did in high school. " said Cherrie ruffling her bright hair. Chance nodded his head and I just rolled my eyes at them.
Then our professor came in the room.
"Good morning class. Im happy that the whole class is here this morning. " said Mr. Rob
We all mummerd our good mornings and hellos.
He clapped his hands and went writing something in the board.
"Today we are talking about the works of the reproduction system. Now I understand they taught you about that in grade school but we are going in depth. Take out your notebooks and textbooks and turn to page 189. "
As my professor wrote and wrote on the board and talked and talked I scribbles notes in my notebook and tried to keep my mind off work tonight.

"Aye mama's lunch?" Said Chance while we were walking off campus for lunch.
"Sure. Where too?" Said Cherrie
"Y'all favorite. "
We walked to a Chili's and took a seat. We ordered our drinks. Me and Chance got a rum coke and Cherrie a sprite.
"Okay. So you know that Cherrie's 21st birthday is in 2 days. So we gotta do something big!" Said Chance. Oh yea that's right. Cherrie is only 20. I took a sip of my drink.
"So we can have it at the club where I work at. I can get you guys on the list and we can invite everyone." I said.
Chance clapped his hands and Cherrie did a little happy dance.
"I can't wait. Im going get wasted like for real. " we all laughed.
"Ah just like the rest of us. " Said Chance remembering his 21st birthday. His party was turnt. I was 22 and Cherrie 18. It was fun and we had to drag Chance home. And my birthday was a little more clean. I didn't drink to much but it was still fun. And I was going to make sure Cherrie was going to have fun.
"Oh Cherrie you still up for babysitting Terra tonight? " I asked.
"Yea. No problem chicka. Just don't get home to late. You know how she gets. "
We ate our food and Chance paid. We walked to campus and I went to my next class.

After my last class it was 2:40. I went and got my car to go pick up Terra.
"You had a good day at school mommie?" I asked Terra when we got home. She nodded her head.
"That's good. Now go sit at the table and do your homework