The Colours Between Us; g.d

Trouble in the Restrooms

"Here's your drink, Mrs.Ryer." I said, handing my old tutor her coffee to go. 

She gave me a nod with a smile as she gave me the money and walked out of the restaurant.

I turn to pick up my backpack from the counter next to my mama,  who was counting the money from yesterday.

"Don't forget your lunch, dear." She said, putting bills into an envelop. "I made you my famous turkey sandwich." 

I rolled my eyes as I gave out a chuckle. "So famous, it's the number one sandwich in all of America!" I exaggerated, my hands flying next to me while my backpack was on my right shoulder.

She too rolled her eyes and laughed. "You are one of a kind, baby." She mumbled to herself. "Now get, you'll be late." She said, putting my lunch in my backpack.

I turned around and gave her a kiss on the cheek as I walked out of the diner to see children getting picked up by the bus. I smiled at the innocence.

I walked to my mom's car and placed my backpack in the passengers seat as I sat on the driver's seat. It's not likely for a woman to drive but my dad insisted that I learn so that I wouldn't bug them for a ride whenever it got busy in the restaurant. 

I rolled down the windows and turned on the radio to hear Ella Fitzgerald's song "Imagination".

Perfect song for a peaceful morning. I raised the volume as I quietly sang the lyrics. 

Once I pull up to the school, I park at the back of the parking lot. I normally park in the back, the colored zone. I find it so ridiculous that colored and white have to be split, we all bleed red blood.

I make sure no one is around to see me get out of my car. I grab my things and fast walk away from my mom's car. 

I can't let people see me driving, no telling what they might do to it if they found out.

I walk into my school and fix my skirt so that it reached my ankles. I cannot get another detention for my skirt being too short.

"Kat!" I hear my best friend, Lorraine call me from behind.

I turn around to see her jogging towards me, her hair in tight braids while a few were out.

"Lorraine, what on earth is going on with your hair?" I asked her.

She too was mixed, like me, except her papa was white and her mama was black. We instantly became friends due to our unique families back in the sixth grade.

She's been by my side ever since.

"My mama wanted my hair to look nice for the football game tonight but clearly," She paused, pointing at her head. "I didn't have time this morning to take them out, please help me."

I grab her arm and drag her to the nearest bathroom. Once inside, I put my backpack and books down and began to unravel her braids. 

After 3 minutes, we've gotten the majority out but we heard voices come inside, before I could focus on the last braid, I heard a familiar voice.

I heard a gasp and saw the familiar blonde locks and blue eyes. 

Laurie.

I saw her group behind her, all wearing the redest lipsticks at the store.

"What are these half negros doing in MY bathroom." She spat at us, fixing her pink blouse. "Didn't you read the sign? Oh wait! Of course you can't! Because you are just disgusting little n-" 

"Oh would you cut the grass, Laurie." I cut her off. "We had a hair emergency, we'll be out of your little precious bathroom." I mocked, grabbing my stuff and looping my arm with my best friend, walking out the door.