LDN

Worse than death

Nawal's point of view

I stepped down onto the pavement, waddling slightly due to my tireless nerves, and having not yet mastered the art of walking seamlessly in the strappy Perspex heels I borrowed from Chinasa. I would've been content with a more casual look but she was having none of it.

I need a gangsta, to love me better,

Than all the others do, to always forgive me

Ride or die with me, That's just what gangsta's do

Jade quietly sang along with the slow and sensual voice that flowed out of Chinasa's MacBook as she scrolled through instagram. She was sat on my wrinkled grey bedsheets in a fitted puma tracksuit, with half of her curly weave slicked up into a high pony tail and the other half cascading down her back. Chinasa was stood at my new desk covering it with the makeup that the girls had brought with them. I admired the array of liquid lipsticks and glosses, colourful eye shadows and iridescent highlighters which added a new kind of vibrancy to my bedroom.The girls had really gone all out and had even bought foundation in my shade.

"Hmm I like this one, but it may be a bit much. Did shaq say where he was taking you?" Jade asked, frowning at her phone.

"Uh yeah some place called Gauchos, in London Bridge I think"

"My nigga Shaq, he's really doing a lot for the first date and you want to wear that?" Chinasa exclaimed, horrified by the jeans and top I wanted to wear.

"Nah Jade get your girl, you can't be going Gauchos looking basic. You better ride up to that restaurant looking like the bad and boujie bitch I know you really are."

I laughed amused by the fact that Chinasa seemed to be more bothered about my outfit than I was. I of course wanted to look nice and I wanted Shaq to think I looked nice. But my clothing options were limited and my hair and make up skills were on a beginner level. Chinasa on the other hand clearly put a lot of effort into her eclectic style and always looked like she was on her way to Afro punk fest. Today her hair was styled in cute Bantu knots and she wore an Ankara bralet paired with khaki harem pants.

"What about this?" Jade asked holding her phone out to me.

I looked at the screen and saw a gorgeous girl staring back at me. She had glowing unblemished brown skin and high chiselled cheekbones that sparkled. Her eyelids were covered in a rusty brown colour that transitioned into a shimmery gold eyeshadow, accompanied by her long fluttery lashes and precise sleek eyeliner. Her plump lips coated in a peach coloured gloss.

" Woah she looks great, can you really make me look like that?"

"Yeah Jade's so good at doing makeup and stuff, but you wouldn't know cause she wants to look like mandem all the time," Chinasa commented rolling her eyes.

Jade walked over to my desk to pick out what she needed without responding to her friend. She was such a laid back person but was being incredibly quiet, even for her. Something was clearly on her mind, probably to do with everything that had gone on with her brother. I debated telling her about the other night when he came to mine but decided against it, he was only looking for Angel anyway. And I wanted to take her mind off of that horrible night not remind her of it.

Chinasa left my flat to fetch a pink leather jacket which she assured me would look great with the white puppy love dress I had ordered online, but was unsure about wearing. While she was gone I sat quietly as Jade worked on my face and hummed along to the r and b playlist we were listening to. About half an hour had gone by when Chinasa had returned, Jade was now gluing a pair of wispy lashes onto my lash line and I decided to share something with the girls that had been playing on my mind.