I buttoned up my pea coat as I walked into the New York winter.
"Hazel." My mom call from her new Lexus Coop.,
I rolled my eyes and got in the front seat.
"Would you like breakfast sweetheart?"
"Sure." I nodded.
Moments later we pulled up to Coney Island.
"So how are you?" She asked once we were seated.
"I'm straight could be better." I shrugged.
"Hey you're Hazel aren't you?" A teenage girl walked up to me.
"Yeah I am.."
"Can I get a picture?"
"Sure." I stood up to take a picture with her.
Afterwards I sat down and got straight to business.
"Mom I have done some outrageous things since I've been in Atlanta things that aren't like me but moving to Atlanta was one of the best things that has ever happen to me, the tour and Roc & having Bahja as my best friend has become part of my world I really don't know what I'd do if all of that was taking away from me. I lost sight of what was important I promise of you let me go back to Atlanta I wont act up again."
My mom drank her coffee and spoke. "Hazel you aren't responsible anymore your grades are dropping, you're having sex with different boys. You go to dance practice late, what is up with you?"
"Mom I've changed. I'm not the same girl I used to be and I'm sorry. Sorry school isn't as important because I'm living my dream and sorry I like to have sex but wether I'm in New York or Atlanta I'm going to do the same thing. I'm a new person mom."
She wiped a tear. "Hazel..I really don't know what to say."
"How about you say "go back to atlanta Hazel, stay following your dreams." Do you want to be the reason my dreams don't come true mom?"
"Honey don't say that, you know I want nothing but the best for you."
"Do you mom? Do you really? Because you aren't acting like it, if you wanted me to live my dream you would've never suggested that I come back to New York."
"I don't know what to do baby. I can't let you get away with this stuff. I'm sorry but we made a deal, keep your grades up."
"WE NEVER MADE A DEAL ABOUT SEX MOM, Are you upset because I'm now sexually active?" I yelled.
"No I'm not mad at all..I'm a little disappointed but its part of growing up honey I just wish you'd come to me about it."
"Mom you can have my car that you bought. I'll just take the one Abdul bought me." I shrugged. "Because if I can't go back to Atlanta I guess I'll just have to get my passport and move to Africa."
"THAT IS IT!" My mom slapped the table. "Get up and go to the car NOW! I will pay for the food and meet you out there."
I got up and stormed to the car. I pulled out my phone and called Bahja.
"Hello." She answered.
"Ugh my mom is being so unfair I swear."
"Bahja hurry." I thought I heard Quan's voice.
"I'll call you back later and you can vent then I have to go. Bye." She hung up before I had a chance to respond.
My mom got in and didnt say anytging the whole ride home. Once we got there I headed straight to my old room and slammed the door.
I looked around my room. Lavender everything. Used to be my favorite color but Bahja got me hooked on pink. I looked at pictures on my wall from when I played soccer as a child, only one other black girl was on the team besides myself. I looked at my 4th grade ballet slippers hanging on the wall and the ones from this year sitting in the corner. I looked at the picture frame by my bed Alyssa, Mya & I at the Freshman Formal. Then I looked at the other one of just Alyssa & I. I picked up the last picture on the night stand. A picture of my mother and I when I was younger. I picked it up and smiled.
What was I doing? I thought to myself. Why was I letting the most important people slip away from me because of fame? I knew I had to make things right. I stood up and walked into my mother's bedroom.
"Knock before you enter." She sat on her large bed with her glasses on reading a book.
I sat on the edge of the bed. "Mom I'm sorry. There is no explanation for the way I've been acting..really. I mean I've changed. I cant go back to being the sweet innocent Hazel again but I don't gave to be a deliquent either, I'm sorry but please do not take away the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'll get my grades up because I made a deal and I need to earn up to it and plus I never know how long I'll be dancing, I need an education to fall back on."
"Hazel honey I'm proud of you." My mom got up to hug me.
"Don't be just yet..NYSA107 should be heading to lunch in a few have you seen the keys to my mercedes?"
"In the kitchen."
"Thanks mom." I started to walk out but I remembered I forgot something, I turned around. "I love you."
She looked up and smiled. "I love you too."
I grabbed my keys, made a pitstop at absolute bagel and pulled up to New York School Of Arts.
I looked at my 7 minutes til the bell rang. I signed in and got a visitor pass.
"Hey I didn't know you were back in town." Mrs. Greeding walked out of her office.
"Just until sunday."
"Oh well I'm proud of you." She smiled
"Thanks." I walked away.
Alyssa always went to her locker before lunch. I hurried andcwent to her locker and on time the lunch bell rang.
I watched kids I used to once associate with dance around the hallway and talk and play around with their friends.
I smiled as I looked around I missed these days.
Just then I saw Tameela, Mya, Janise and Alyssa walking up.
Alyssa spotted me and her face soften.
"Heeyy!!" Tameela & Janise walked up to me.
"Wassup ya'll!!" I hugged them and looked at Mya. "Hey girl."
She smiled & hugged me. "You finally forgive me?"
"I been forgave you I was hurt and I don't know but its all in the past..Thats the thing about friendships one friend messes up and you get mad, ya'll have fights but thats how its suppose to be because friends are suppose to be the sisters you never had..or the sister you want." I looked over at Alyssa. "I'm sorry, do you forgive me?"
"Yes! Yes I definitely do! Hazel that is all I wanted was an apology. I love you, you're my sister." She bumped hips.
"I can't believe I used to act like that." I giggled and hugged her. "You were right. My head was too far up my butt but I need a good friend like you and of course you three to keep me grounded majority of my friends in Atlanta are famous. Here I brought you a cheese bagel." I handed Alyssa the paper bag.
"Thank you." She smiled and we went to sitcat our favorite spot in the cafeteria.
"I really missed you." Mya smiled.
"Well I'm here until saturday or sunday so how about we kick it like old times, hand out at starbucks, rent out a dance room and chill."
"I'd love that." Alyssa smiled.
