Pernicious

|Chapter 2|

January 7, 1988
Los Angeles, California

7:00 AM
Naya's Perspective

Ring!!!

"Ugh, is it seven already?" I yawned and started stretching out my legs and arms. The only thing that got me to get out of bed was knowing that I am going to see my children today.

It took all my strength to get out of bed and start getting ready. To wake me up, I decided to turn on my radio on my end table.

"And now coming at you with some Michael Jackson and his song "The Way You Make Me Feel!" Jackson will be starting the American part of his..."

Are you serious?

He's the last person I want to listen to right now.

After rolling my eyes, I turn off the radio before I had to hear his song or the announcer talk about Michael more.

Does he always have to be on the radio?

I spend the next hour making myself look presentable. For my outfit, I decided to go with a white sweater with overalls as pants. I took one last glance in the mirror and I went downstairs.

After speeding down to my kitchen, I opened my pantry. To check the time, I peered over at my clock.

It's 7:55

Shit, I don't have time to make breakfast.

I guess a granola bar will have to do.

After snatching the snack sized bar in my hand, I rushed out to my car. With all of the early morning Los Angeles traffic, I didn't want to be late.

8:20 AM
Oceanview Private Elementary

I pulled into the parking lot of Malik and Nadia's school. I've got to say, I'm very impressed. They clearly have put some money into this place. The prestigious school building sported multiple colored banners. Other school children were arriving in expensive cars. I could never afford to send the kids here on my own. These people knew how to live.

I slip out of my car and see Nadia at the entrance with a bodyguard. Her outfit was a little gold and blue skirted uniform. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and she had in a little gold scrunchie. She's clearly looking around for me. Once she spots me, she starts flailing her arms at me.

"Mommy, Mommy! Over here!" She yells at me.

I couldn't help myself but run to her. When I got to her, I picked her up and held her in my arms.

This catches the attention of the bodyguard, but luckily he knows that I'm Nadia's mother, so he doesn't move that much.

Something tells me that this isn't the only bodyguard here...

"Oh baby girl, I've missed you so much." I said to her as I held on as tight as I could.

"I've missed you too, Mommy, so much." She whispers as she lays her head on my shoulder. After holding her a few more moments, I gently put her down on the ground.