In The Mix

Niava Landers

My name Niava Landers but I go by Ava I'm 17 years old. Finally its my senior year at North Atlanta High School home of the warriors class of 1996 baby is all I'm thinking about as I lay in bed finally! I look at my clock and see that it's 7:30 am oh shit I'm going to be late on the first day I turn on my Panasonic radio my song "no diggity" on let me turn this up. " SHORTY GET DOOOWN GOOD LORD BABY GOT EM UP OPEN ALL OVER TOWN STRICTLY BIZ SHE DONT PLAY AROUND GOT GAME BY THE POUND" I scream over the shower water. I hop out and lotion up now I gotta figure out what to wear I grab my oversized blue overalls and a white crop top and my red, white, and blue Reebok. I put my hair in a slick sloppy bun and top my look off with some lip gloss my silver hoops with my nickname on it on my matching bangles. I tip toe down the stairs making sure to step over that dumbass step that creek. "AVA! COME HERE GIRL" "shit" i whisper to myself. "WATCH YOUR MOUTH TOO" How he know I cursed??? I walk into the kitchen to see my dad sitting on the counter drinking a coffee and reading a newspaper where they do that at?

Ok so heres the story about us his name Ivan Landers but nobody calls him that. I never had my mom in my life she died after giving birth to me at 16 she lost so much blood they did everything they could according to my dad. My dad had me when he was 17 and her parents didn't approve of his rough upcomings so once she died he took me into his custody and moved us from New York to Georgia they didnt even bother to keep in touch considering the fact that I'm the first and last decendant of their daughter but whatever. My dad family cool though they just live in New York but i see them often and keep in touch. So we really only have each other here in Georgia. We live in the suburbs in North Atlanta getting him to let me go to a public school took a lot of tears and begging but he let me go sometimes I gotta get driven there by one of his close friends Tommy. Crazy thing is I have no idea why he does have of the things he does but oh well. He wont even tell me where he works he just say he got his own business but I dont question it because whatever my heart desires he makes it happen he doesnt even want me to get a job which is so weird because all of my frien- excuse me associates have jobs. Anyway let me finally pay attention to what hes talking about.

You hear me talking to you A? Yes daddy I hear you. What I say then? You said -. Word is bond its important for you to listen to me when im talking to you because you never know when im going to need you to follow directions. Follow directions for what? Yo you ask a lot of questions for somebody who dont listen. Whats thats supposed to mean? I laugh. He chuckles a little, Nothing baby girl just promise you'll start listening to me when I'm talking to you forreal. Yes daddy I promise I'll start listening. You excited about yo last first day of high school? Yes!!! I cannot wait for prom and graduation I'm so excited. Thats good babygirl I'm proud of you I did a damn good job you beautiful and smart but follow me I bought you something to show how proud of you I am. I smile wide showing my deep dimples and follow him outside my eyes open wide when i see a brand new all white 1996 grand cherokee with my name on the plates parked next to his recently purchased BMW M3 he keeps a different car. I scream and jump into his arms attacking his face with kisses. AWWWWW DADDY I LOVE IT SO MUCH OH MY GAWD YOU FORREAL!? DO NOT PLAY I AM NOT PLAYING THIS IS NOT THE TIME!!!! Its all yours baby girl he says pulling out the keys. I reach for the keys but he put them over his head I jump for them but he keep stretching them higher into the air. DADDYYY STOP PLAYING GIVE ME THE KEYS!! First of all who you talking to shorty? Its shawty daddy. No you short babygirl he chuckles. That's so not even funny why cant i have the keys? He gets this weird smile on his face that makes my smile completely fade away. The keys are your If..... If what daddy say something. He looks down at my saddening face and says. If you take that little ass shirt off. Daddy why? Where's the rest of it? Its a crop top. No its a shirt that I thought I gave away when you was 9. Daddy are you serious right now? dAdDy ArE yOu SeRiOuS rIgHt NoW I'm deadass not playing with you take it off and put on something that fit. Why? I just told you why now you playing its 8:45 and you still not on your way to school you not about to start this late shit this year finish strong don't get lazy you hear me? Yes sir I say pouting; I walk back out the house settling for a tight fitting blue and red shirt with Tommy Hilfiger written in white cursive letters. He looks at my outfit in semi approval and hands me the keys I start to walk away with a attitude that I could barely keep up looking at my new car. So no hug no kiss no I love you daddy? I spin around smiling and jump into his arms attacking his face with kisses I love you daddy I say squeezing his neck extra tight. Alright alright alright he say tapping my back. I jump down and he put his hands on his knees out of breath Ava you too big for that shit I'm getting old. Daddy you 34 that's not old but I love you thank you so much for my new car have a good day at work. I will be careful and I love you to he says waiving as I back out of the driveway.