Interracial Love

*Jasmine's P. O.V*

Living in poverty was bad enough, until my mom decided she wanted to finally do something with her life after my dad left her 2 years ago. Without dad, my mom was nothing but broke and desperate. To get more cash on the side my mom went to a couple of clubs here and there to support the family. And it wasn't enough money to move out of this hell hole until now.

"Jasmine! Justin!" , mom yelled from the bottom of the staircase. Her eyes were big and filled with joy and her dark chocolate complexion looked clearer then ever.

"Mama just bought you guys a new houseeeeee!", she sings while she jumps up and down.

"Great." , says Justin in the most obvious sarcastic tone ever.

"Where are we moving to?" I say faking interest .

"Some place in Paris Hills" , she says still enthusiastic.

"Oh. Well I'll be upstairs" , I say sarcastically, feeling just as enthusiastic as Justin all of a sudden.

I run up the stairs nearly tripping over the last step and jump face down on my mattress in my room. My mom couldn't afford a bed so this is the best we could get. "Ahhhhhhhh!!" I yell quiet enough that my mom couldn't hear. Paris Hills?! Where tf is Paris Hills? Is it a white neighborhood? What school am I gonna go to? What about my friends? All these questions jumbled in my mind But the only thing I could really think about is that I'll be miles and miles away from Tyler. A big smile of relief washes over my face and I suddenly wasn't dreading this moving idea even if I'd have to be surrounded by a bunch of white folks for the rest of my high school years.

*The Next Day*

"JASMINE", someone yells while yanking the covers off my exposed body. "Hurry up and get dressed. Today's moving day." , my mom says as she leaves out and closes the door behind her. Just kidding . In my house there was no doors to close which left me with no privacy whatsoever. I slowly get out of bed and walk towards the confined area which we call a "bathroom". Looking in the mirror I notice my hair is in a frizzy , disheveled mess unlike my usual curly fro. Since my mom already packed up my toothbrush and hairbrush, I just threw my hair up in a bun and put on a tee with black sweatpants. Grabbing my brown box full of my stuff, I walk out the door ,not looking behind, leaving all the shit that has happened in the house behind.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

The drive to the new house took over an hour and as we got farther and farther from the city, we saw more white people and less black people. I was already feeling out of place and missing home. The car suddenly came to an abrupt stop in front of a two story house with lots of windows and a two car garage. This house was the smallest house in this neighborhood but compared to my old house , this was luxury. With awe and excitement I grabbed my small box and stuff and ran towards the house when suddenly I ran into something....or someone. Lying on the floor with my stuff scattered everywhere I close my eyes afraid of who or what stands above me. As I open my eyes a pale hand is outstretched before me offering me help.

"Sorry" , I say embarrassed of my little accident. I grab his hand and he pulls me up in one swift movement.

"It's cool" , he laughs slightly amused. His smile turns into a smirk as he studies me silently. He has big grey eyes and dark brown disheveled hair. He was about 6 feet tall and he had a muscular yet slim figure. He nods his head and walks off with his hands stuffed in his pockets. I smile to my self and replay the incident over and over again. I walk into the new house and claim my bedroom with my very own bathroom. Hmm. Mom's side stripping job actually did pay off, I think to myself. A walk into the bathroom and smile at my reflection still thinking of the mystery guy. As I continue to look in the mirror I notice how crappy I look. My smile turns into embarrassment and I try to forget how stupid I looked in front of the mystery guy. No wonder he was smirking and laughing at me ! Ughhhhh . I lay on my new room floor which felt like hours and hours until I finally drift off to sleep.

The next day I woke up feeling surprisingly better than usual. I lay in bed for a couple more minutes until my mom walks in my room. "Wake up! You have school today. Don't wanna be late on your first day." she says while walking out the door to wake up my brother. I slowly get out of bed dreading the thought of actually having to go to a new school. It'll just be like being a freshmen again, but instead I'm a sophomore. I throw on the cutest outfit I could find in my closet and hurry out of my room. The school is a couple of blocks from our new house so I wait for Justin before we start walking off to school. Our walk to school was short and brief and as I got to see more and more of the neighborhood I realized my family was the only family of African American heritage. Well that I know of.

The name of our new school was named Bridge Field High school. It was huge. I wonder if mystery guy goes here. I think as I just stare at the school. I erase the thought out of my mind and keep walking up the stairs after my brother Justin.

"Hi, you must be Justin and Jasmine!" a woman in a professional suit with short blonde hair greets us, hand extended expectantly. We both see past her fake smile but shake her hand anyways. I catch her disgustingly wipe her hand on her suit skirt but ignore the rude gesture. " I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your high school experience at Bride Field High school. We have variety of clubs and sports which will help with scholarship opportunities. We also have a guidance counselor that'll help if you have any problems with your personal life or class schedule. Any questions?" we both shake our heads simultaneously. " Well here is both of your class schedules, locker numbers, and combinations. Class starts in 15 minutes. Have a good day." We walk out her office with out any goodbyes. Justin and I eventually split up towards our lockers since they''re on different floors. On my way to my locker I catch people staring at me so I just duck my head in safety and I quicken my steps to my locker. "Finally." I say to myself as I open the lock of my locker. "Finally what?" I turn my head and see the same smirk on mystery boy's face. HIs big gray eyes looking at me. "Umm I-" I stutter. Why am i stuttering? I always been known for having a big mouth my whole life and never get caught up with what to say. "Its ok, you don't have to answer that", he says laughing. " My name is Kyle by the way, yours?" "Jasmine" I say. I was blushing but with my dark complexion nobody could tell. "What class do you have first period?" He asks. " Umm World history. " " Me too, I'll walk you there then."

World History class was just like any other history class. Boring. As I scanned the room I noticed my teacher and I were the only one of African American heritage. I don't know why race has become a huge problem to me ever since we moved but being the minority race in this neighborhood makes me feel like a character off of Everybody Hates Chris. Interrupting my thoughts, a balled up paper ball lands directly on my desk. Unfolding the paper ball I hear snickers coming from the back of the classroom. It reads "Leave Bridge Field, nobody likes a cotton picking nigger" Anger boils in me and without a second thought I get out of my seat and storm out the door.

I angrily pace up and down the hallways silently counting down from a hundred. When I finally calm down i find an area to sit and wait till the bell rings. Why am I letting these white folks get the best of me? Usually I handle this type of behavior by beating someone's ass, but that's another reason why my mom moved. I used to get kicked out of every school I went to for violent behavior so I guess she decided that if i was put into a white neighborhood I would change my ways.

Still waiting for the bell to ring, I notice a black girl walking towards me. She has really long hair, probably weave, and a lightskin complexion."Wassup? My name is Deja. Finally there's another black girl in this school. I swear these white folks act like they neva seen a black person before. I've been living in this neighborhood for almost all my life and shit neva changes. But anyways what's your name?" "My names Jasmine. People call me Jas."

"Cool. You wanna hang with me and my squad at lunch?" , she asks.

"Ight", I say as I grab my stuff and head to the lunchroom. The lunchroom is bigger than any lunch room I ever eaten in. There's rows and rows of tables and I immediately spot Deja's group of friends.

"Ayeeee what's up shorty, witcho fine ass." says one of Deja's friend.

"Shut up ugly. But anyways Jas, this is Daniel. Stay away from him. " she says jokingly.

"That's Jordon, Erika, Tyree, and Jessica." She says and she points to everyone at the table. They all seem friendly and I wave to them as they give me slight smiles. Accept for Daniel. There's something off about him that makes me feel uncomfortable. He reminds me of my past. Something I like to keep under lock and key.