A Four Letter Word // Laurmani

I (1)

I don't believe in love at first sight. It's not real to me. I do, however, believe in seeing someone for the first time and knowing right away that they are going to mean something special to you and that's exactly how I felt when I first saw her.

Her skin was the perfect shade of brown, as if it was perfected to the certain color. Her eyes were almost hazel like, a hypnotizing brown. Her smile, well her smile could stop everything in its tracks. Her teeth were perfect, with no flaw to be seen in them. She was perfect with no flaw to be seen on her. She was a creation of God himself. You would think she wasn't real.

Her name was Normani Kordei Hamilton. A Texas born. Raised in the city of Houston. She didn't have much of an accent. No accent at all really. She was originally born in New Orleans and you could tell. Her body gave off that certain Louisiana vibe.

I remember when I first saw her. I was sitting on my porch bench cross-legged in front of my house reading To Kill A Mockingbird. It wasn't my favorite book, but it definitely passed the time. A huge movers truck slowly backed up into the house next door, trailing behind was a white BMW. Two movers jumped out of the truck, while a family of 3 exited the BMW. A woman, a man, and a girl - all with dark skin. The young girl looked my age, but nowadays you can't base people's age off of their looks, plus I was looking at her from a decent distance. The family of 3 entered the house while the movers started to unload the truck. I closed my book, uncrossed my legs, and walked into the house.

I notice my mother, Clara, in the kitchen making lunch. I take a seat at our dining room table and place my book down. I look up at my mom to see her smile at me, but turn her attention back to lunch.

"Someone is moving in next door" I turn in my chair to face my mom properly.

"Into the Cabello's house?" My mother asks facing me. I nod my head and stand up. I push in my chair and walk over to mother. I lean against the counter and face her.

"Family of 3, I think. There was a girl who looked my age, can't be sure though" I grab an apple from our kitchen island and take a bite out of it.

"Do you think we should invite them over for dinner? Get to know them maybe?" My mother asks. I take another bite from my apple. I shrug my shoulders.

"Doesn't seem like a bad idea" I point out. I finish my apple and throw it away.

"Well then, why don't you go on over to our new neighbors then and invite them over for a lovely dinner tonight?" Clara asks sweetly. I smile and nod. I head upstairs to my room and find my black pair of converse. I quickly lace them up and head downstairs so I can walk to the neighbors house. I step outside my house and close my front door. I quickly go down the steps and start to walk on the sidewalk heading to the house on our left.

The Cabello's had a nice house. A tan house with a few bricks for design. The inside was very modern though, with certain glass fixtures. My family and I have been in the house many times due to the Cabello's being family friends. They recently had to move back to Cuba due to some family emergencies.

I walk up the stairs to the house and knock on the door 3 times. After maybe a minute, the door opens up by a woman. Her skin is a nice brown, and her features compliment her well. She smiles at me nicely.

"How may I help you?" She asks kindly. I let out a shy smile.

"Um, my name is Lauren Jauregui. I live in the house next door" I gesture to my house. "I happened to see the moving trucks and my family and I were wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner?" I ask kindly.

"That sounds wonderful" The woman sticks her hand out and I gladly take it. "My name is Andrea Hamilton, it's very nice to meet you Lauren" I smile at her as I shake her hand.

"Its very nice to meet you also" I let go of her hand.

"What time should we come over?" Mrs. Andrea asks. I think about what a decent time would be.

"7 o' clock seems okay. Does that work for you?" I ask. Mrs. Andrea nods.

"Sounds perfect considering we have no other plans" I let out a small laugh. I hear movement behind Mrs. Andrea.

"Mom, who is at the door?" An unknown voice says. Mrs. Andrea turns around to talk to the unknown person.

"It's our neighbor Normani, come here" Ms. Andrea opens the door wide. "Lauren, I would like you to meet my daughter Normani"

It was in that moment I knew Normani Kordei Hamilton, would mean something special to me.