Soldier of Love

The End of a Fairytale & Beginning of a Dream

Junior Year

October 31st

"Yes! Perfect, Naomi! Take Five." my voice instructor, Ms. Wells, told me.

School was over, but I always stayed after at least once a week to get extra help with my singing. Soon I'd be auditioning for colleges and I've got to be perfect.

I nodded my head and jumped down off of the black stool in the middle of the studio. I walked out of the class and down the hall to exit door. As soon as I walked out, the crisp October air slapped me on the face.

The leaves on trees were turning orange, red, and yellow, then following down to be crunched on by pedestrian and children running down the block, playing around.

The sun was only out in the morning and there were no birds in site. For it to only be 5:30, the sky hung low in midnight blue.

I made my way to the trunk of my car, unlocking it, so I could grab some water.

This was a part of my daily routine. I went to school from 8 to 3, music from 3:30 to 5. Then on Wednesday I'd stay after for an extra to get help. I'd always run out to my car for a drink and while I was out, I'd hear the sound of kids playing.

Kids--I love kids. The sound of their laughter and silliness brings joy to me. Too bad I'm the youngest of my parent’s kids; otherwise I'd be at this park every day. When I'm old enough, I'm going to be a mom, a damn good mom at that.

But today, there weren't any children laughing, only the inhale and exhale of a few boys.

This was strange. No boy from Chi Arts ever went to that park and I knew something was up the minute I noticed no child was in site.

Curiosity killed the cat and now I find myself walking across the street. What I'm going to do when I get there, I'm not sure of. Maybe I'll pretend to be occupied on my phone, when really I'm interested in what's going on.

I walked over to a swing and took a seat. I gently swung around while texting Fatou off of my phone. I told her what was going and she told me I'd better go before something happen. But like I said curiosity killed the cat.

There were six boys huddled around one other person, who I assume was also a boy. Faintly, I could see a cigarette being passed around.

"Yeaaaah, Jay! Take that shit." One of the boys said.

"You'll be initiated in no time," another one said. "In all my time being in the game, I ain't ever saw anything like it."

"Perez, you're in."

Jay?

Perez?

As in Jacob Perez?

I gasped loudly and all eyes were on me, including his. I shook my head quickly and ran back to voice. I couldn't believe what I'd just saw.

January 1st

It's New Years and Fatou talked me into going out with her to celebrate. I wanted to be with Jay, but she talked me out of it by saying, "Girl, you've been every New Year with him since sixth grade. You're working on five years now! Spend it with me this year, dang!"

I'd slipped into black strapless, knee high dress and red heels. My high was straight down my back and my makeup consisted of thick, black eye liner & red lip stick.

I grabbed my clutch and walked over to my parents’ room. They told me to be home before 1. It's 7 now. I kissed them goodbye and went to my living room where Fatou was waiting.