Beliefs (Interracial Teen Story)

Azalea

   One Week Later

"Why you always workin'?" Ama-Rye asked Azalea on her day off, Sunday, as she was braiding her hair.

"Yeah, you never get to play wit us!" Willie added with attitude. "I gotta make money so I can take care of myself," Azalea said.

"But still, you work a lot more than you used to," Ama-Rye huffed

finishing off the long braid.

Actually, Azalea was spending a lot more time with Johnny, but she'd never tell anyone that. Johnny told her that when he graduated, him and Azalea would go back to Chicago and get married. They talked about it every day, because it was only one year away.

"What you daydreamin' bout?" Willie snapped, snatching her out of her trance.

"It's a boy. I just knows it!" Ama-Rye teased. Azalea couldn't believe a 9 year old had figured her out.

"You daydreamin' bout me?" Willie said putting his little fists under his chin and giving his cutest little face.

Azalea laughed and pinched his nose. "Sure crazy boy," She said. He giggled.

"Who is it really?" Ama-Rye asked a hand on her hip. That's for me to know, and you to wonder about," Azalea replied adding the same amount of attitude.

"Oh I'll find out," Ama-Rye concluded with a roll of the neck.

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Azalea was on her way to the store for ice cream after  leaving Ama-Rye and Willie's, she had promised to get them a popsicle or something.

Azalea had her hair up in a bun now, courtesy of Ama-Rye. She swore that little girl could do better hair than she could. Today, Azalea had on a short floral dress with a pair of white flats she'd 'borrowed' from her aunt.

As she approached John & Harvey's colored grocery store, all of a sudden a tall figured stepped in front of her and opened the door.

It was a boy her same skin color, probably mulatto, and he had the whitest teeth and biggest brown eyes. He was gorgeous.

"You first beautiful," he smiled with those perfect teeth. Azalea smiled back, then stepped into the store, hoping the boy would go away. She had no such luck.

"I'm David. I've been living here all my life and never seen a girl as flawless as you before. Are from here?"

"No, Chicago," Azalea replied continuing on into the store.

"Chi-Town! Okay, okay. Can I get your name miss big city?"

Azalea loved the attention, but she was wondering if it would be good to end this now. She and Johnny were already together.

"Azalea," she responded, keeping it short and sweet. She didn't want to lead him on.

"Beautiful," he said smiling. By then, Azalea had all her things and was going to pay for them.

"I got this," David assured the cashier as he quickly paid for the ice cream and grabbed the bag.

"That was really nice, but I hope you don't expect anything from it," Azalea said as they exited the store.

"Oh no. Just a friendship with the most gorgeous girl I've ever met would be enough for me," He said handing her the bag.

Azalea smiled. "Well thank you David," she said. "I'll see you around hopefully," he winked then bounded confidently off.