Always and Forever

1 - An Act Of Kindness

• Toni •

There's always that one moment in a girl's life that will always stand out to her. Whether it's...good, bad, happy or sad. It changes the way she thinks, acts, her views. Her whole perception of love and life.

And these things can be so simple, like a little act of kindness...

Started just like any other Friday morning... I was getting ready for school in the bathroom. I had my Walkman sitting on the counter with Anita baker playing in my ears as I did my hair. To drown out my sisters having their usual morning arguments. Either it's Towanda and Trina fussing over hair products , shoes, clothes....or Tamar getting feisty with Traci. Always something. But today, I was tuning them out.

This was my only little place of paradise and I took full advantage
Just brushing my thick, soft hair into a cute ponytail while swaying my hips to the smooth R&B beat. Singing along with Anita.
"From beginning to end, 365 days of the year, I want your same ol' love... mm mmm, " I started to really rock and roll my hips as I continued. " All I want to do... is keep on loving you.. I want your same ol' love baby.." I sang along proudly as I was smoothing down my edges. Grooving my hips and getting deep into it. I loved the moments I had with music because I felt so confident and alive when I sang. Like nothing could touch me, control me and I was invincible. But as usual, my moments never last long.

"Twinnnn... Twwwwinnnn !!"

My twin sister Michele called out while knocking excessively on the bathroom door. Snapping me back to my reality.

Perfect timing...

"Mooncakeeeee...can you hurry up out the bathroom and have your Anita Baker concert laater??" My twin sister and I had the silliest nicknames for each other. And I can't even tell you how we came up with them. Just one of those names you love so much, you don't have to remember where it came from. Michele was dramatically groaning and, I heard her body sliding down the door while giggling. I turn down Anita and start laughing. I was really in my zone but this was the life of having so many siblings and one bathroom...

"Sorry pieface, I'm coming. Let me finish getting ready, just a second." I chuckle as I fix my ponytail, making sure it looked nice and neat, then I fix my glasses on my face with a deep sigh. I turn my walkman off and slide it into my purse. Just so mommy wouldn't make a fuss about it. With my father being a pastor and having such strong religious beliefs, I had to take some of my little guilty pleasures sneakily. After one last look in the mirror, I gave myself a little pep talk to get through the day.

"One day Toni, outside that door will be millions of fans waiting for you..." I whispered to myself as I blow a kiss to the mirror. I grab all my things and open the door, scoffing as the material of the skirt gets caught on the door as I began to open it. I could feel Michele's body still pressed against it. I shook my head. This girl loved to play around

" Chele, get off the door before mommy thinks we're fighting again. I can't be late because of your crazy butt this morning." I said as I was coming out. she was laughing and moved to the bathroom fast.
"Yeeeah Yeeeah, " she laughed as I was smoothing my hair back. " I see you tamed those edges, getting cute." I roll my eyes
" Yeah I did, thanks, coming with me to school early today?"
"Nah, you got that. I'll meet you at your car after 2nd period. "She said while closing the bathroom door her. I head downstairs and smile when I hear mommy humming her favorite gospel song while cooking. I was grabbing my books from the kitchen table when she stopped and spoke to me.