Woke

2.)

The next morning, I woke up early to see my mom off. She had to go with her boss to some conference and wouldn't be back until Saturday evening.

"Have a good trip." I said, hugging her.

She hugged me back. "Thank you, sweetie. Please don't stay out too late tonight; you can have Tiana and Monica stay over if you'd like, and... what else? Oh yeah, no more getting smart with your teachers."

"Momma, I'm sorry." I groaned. Of course that snitching principal wasn't bluffing. "I just can't deal with those fools. I hate them; I wish we never came here."

"Kiara Taraji, you better stop." She warned. "You may not like or agree with everything said and done, but you've still gotta show them respect. You know your father and I taught you better than this. If I hear one more thing from your school about you acting up, I promise I won't hesitate to whoop your ass. You not grown yet."

I knew she meant every word, and I flinched slightly at her bringing up my dad. I nodded. "Yes ma'am; I'm sorry."

She smiled. "It's all good, baby. You wanna go shopping in Southside, Richmond Sunday afternoon? I heard there's a sale at Citi Trends."

I nodded excitedly. I rarely got to spend time with my mom anymore, so I took what I could get. After my dad passed, she became a workaholic to put food on the table and make sure we stayed together. I loved her for that, but I couldn't help missing her whenever she was away.

Once my mom was gone, I went upstairs to get ready. After a quick shower, I put on fitted high waisted jeans over a wine colored, long sleeved bodysuit with black booties. Pulling the satin bonnet off my head, I worked to style my hair. I put it up in a large puffball and gelled my edges. After finishing my makeup I examined myself in the mirror, feeling satisfied with my work.

I fixed myself a quick bowl of cereal. After I finished eating, I grabbed my school bag as well as my personal bag. Making sure I had my phone and charger, I went out to my black Mustang v6. I'll admit, my mom spoiled me when it came to materialistic things. I think it was because she felt bad about rarely being home. She also never really pried and let me do/go almost wherever I wanted. I knew where the line was.

Despite the weather, I dropped the top on my convertible. Ludacris was bumping in my car, as I pulled into my assigned parking space at the school.

"You ready for tonight?" Monica asked me, she and Tiana appearing out of nowhere.

I nodded with a grin. "Hell yeah, but who's turn is it to be the designated driver?"

"Yours." They said at the same time.

I nodded, not caring. "OK if that's the case, my mom said y'all can spend the night at my place tonight if y'all want."

"I'll have to ask, but I'm sure my parents won't care." Tiana said. Monica nodded in agreement, before checking the time on her phone.

"Oh man, we're gonna be late. Let's go."

***************

School went by quickly, and I managed to make it through the entire day without getting irritated at somebody. The football game was uneventful, but we did win. Spirits were high, as Tiana, Monica, and I made our way to Devon's House.

The windows were vibrating with bass, and people were running all over the yard.

We went inside, only to be greeted with heat, loud music, and a mixture of smells. I scrunched my nose up.

"Ladies, glad you could make it." Devon said, smiling down at us.

"Hey, D." I gave him a hug, as did Tiana and Monica. I caught a small smile on Tiana's face, when D squeezed her tightly.