THE AMERICAN DREAM 3

Chapter 5

M A L I Y A H

I laid in bed when my dad knocked on the door. 

"What's going on?" He smiled as he entered.

"Hi daddy." I said softly.

"What's wrong princess?" He asked as he sat on the edge of my bed. 

"I'm not a princess, dad. I'm just boring old Maliyah." I rolled my eyes. 

The more I thought about Trystan not talking to me, the sadder I got. I didn't want him to think I wasn't down for him, when I was. I just felt uncomfortable and really wanted to be home. 

"You're not boring, Maliyah. You're smart, and beautiful. You're talented, and funny. But, lately you haven't been yourself. Being yourself is the.."

"Coolest thing you can be." I completed his sentence, remembering when Gabriel had said something similar. 

"Exactly. I know, you're worried about boys, and friends, but in the long run some great people will come into your life and all these people you know now will be distant memories." He said. 

I nodded, "But, all the friends you have now, you knew since high school. I just know Farrah and she's not cool. Daddy, Mackenzie gets everything, she's pretty, she gets good grades, maybe not as good as mine, but good enough. She has so many friends and everyone loves her. I want to be like Mackenzie, but better." I told him. 

"You shouldn't be competing with your sister, Maliyah. You work with her, she's on your side, no matter what and you know that. She always protected you as a kid, and she'll protect you now and forever. If no one has your back, she does, as well as me and your mom." He said. 

"I know daddy." I sighed. 

"I love you." He told me. 

"I love you more, daddy." I said before he kissed me on my forehead and left. 

                                                **

"You look so beautiful." Mackenzie said to me the next morning.

She curled my hair for me, did my makeup and even allowed me to dip into her closet to find the perfect outfit. 

"Really?" I smiled at her, as I looked in her full length mirror. 

"Yes really," She laughed, "You don't need heels or even a ton of make-up to look cute. Casual can be cute too. But, we have to get going before we're late." She said. 

I nodded and followed her out. She was just wearing black jogging pants and a tank top today, she wasn't dressed up by any means. But, I wore her high-waisted distressed jeans with one of her crop crew neck sweaters. 

"Stop right here." I told her as we got close to the school. 

I noticed she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. 

"I just don't want anyone to know that we hang out or you know-" 

"I get it." She shrugged and smiled a bit, "Have a nice day at school, be good and I'll see you at home." 

"You too." I got out of her car and shut the door. 

She drove off and I walked the rest of the way. As soon as I got to school, I looked for Trystan. Not only did I want him to see my outfit, I also wanted to assure that he wasn't still mad at me. The bell rang so I had to go to my morning classes and had no time to see him in the hallways. But, as soon as the lunch bell rang, I ran out to the parking lot; There he was about to get into his car.