Changez

•4•

"Take you out?! Monika, no.. I can't. That's the closest school to our home and you can't be traveling too far, alone! I can talk to the authorities about those kids but you getting a transfer is out of the question!" Mama spoke, irritating me with every word.

"What am I supposed to do? I walk from here to school every day!" I spat.

"Daniel has a car.. And since he's moving in he could drive-"

"Wait a minute, What?!? Who's moving in?!? Mama how long have you known this cat?" I was pissed.

"A while.. I was just waiting for the right time to tell you- I.."

"You didn't tell me jack!! He came out ya room and you was forced to tell me who he was. That dude is a creep... It's all in his face ! You probably don't even know him that well! You craving attention that bad, ma?" I let her have it.

"Watch ya damn tone, Monika. Now, what I do is my business. I'm grown and I'm your mother. I'm sorry you got shot at, but we live in the ghetto! It was bound to happen sooner or later. This just makes you stronger. I've been shot at before, but I thank God I'm still alive. Toughen up and stop tryna run from the inevitable. Oh, and learn to have some respect for Daniel... He's gonna be around until I get tired of him." She said before she left my room.

"Over my dead body." I said under my breath.

"It will be if you don't stop all that damn mumbling!"

***

"Don't hate me, Mo! I'm sorry, girl! Rodney surprised me and took me out to eat! I couldn't say no!" Kadijah pleaded with me on the other end of the phone.

"Kick rocks with a hole in ya sock, Kadijah! You triflin ." I spat.

"C'mon, that's how it is when you're in love ... My bad, homegirl. You know I love you." She sounded apologetic.

"If being in love means you're gonna neglect the people closest to you, then that's a damn shame. I was here before Rodney's funky ass, and you forgot that so fast. You put me in danger twice too many times, Dijah, and its all because you sprung ? Bitch, please. I could get more support from a lady bug. Get gone." I hung up the phone.

I was mad as hell.

The phone rang again and I unplugged the cord.

***

As I showered, I looked out the window and watched all the different faces walk by.

I admired the attractive guys and envied the slender women they gawked at .

I heard the bathroom door open, but I paid no mind to it.

I assumed it was mama and I ain't been feelin her since our last chat.

I felt like she was being desperate and putting me on hold. Daddy would've never let me go back to that school!

I waited for her to get out, and once I heard the door close I opened the shower curtains, revealing my bare body.

I was horrified when I saw Daniel standing there with shaving cream on his face.

I quickly snatched the shower curtains to cover myself.

"What the fu- What're you doing in here?!" I spat.

"I needed the bathroom, this is a bathroom, isn't it?" He smirked.

"Get out! I have to get dressed!"

"I don't think so. You can get dressed. Ain't nobody stoppin you." He brought the razor blade down the side of his face.