Who Hurt You? (Normila)

Take Me Back to Georgia, Back to Atlanta

"You need to stop all this sulking when we get to the new house. Don't need the neighbors being nosey about my child lookin' like I ran over her dog or something. Trying to play Dr. Phil or some shit."

Normani ignored her mom's playful attempt to get some words out of her daughter's mouth. She was not happy at all and definitely wasn't in the mood to joke around, peering out the window and staring down the neighborhood that she would unwillingly have to call hers from here on out.

The 14 year old wasn't exactly excited to start a new life in Texas and there was multiple reasons for that.

For one, it was the middle of the school year, Normani's last year of middle school to be specific. Being that the kids that she was supposed to go in to high school with were the kids that she grew up with, the 8th grader wasn't very pleased to move to Texas and start all over again.

Another reason was that it was Texas. What the hell is in Texas? Was the teen's initial thought when she first heard of the news. Racists and guns maybe...Needless to say, she wasn't exactly star struck over the large state.

And finally, what especially sent the girl into a sulking spiral, was what caused the family to haul ass from soulful Atlanta to Houston, Texas in the first place.

Her father.

Normani's relationship with her father has never been strong in tandem. And it certainly won't help their bond with him being the reason that she has to abandon everything she's ever known. Normani wasn't like her father. She would never choose opportunity over sentiment like he does every. single. time.

Perhaps the cheerleader in training was being a tad dramatic but she didn't care much at all. She didn't know exactly why or how her father persuaded her mom into packing up everything and moving to the dry heap that she now has to call home but she just knows it has to do with money. Well at least that's what she suspects, because every time she would ask why she got waved off and dismissed.

"I think I see the neighbors, I'm gonna put my purse inside and go introduce myself!...And stop all that mopin' and start unpacking the car. Your dad should be here in a few minutes with the uhaul." Andrea faced her child, a pitiful grin gracing her features. "And at least try to stay positive about this. If not for me then for you. Please Normani." She left her child to collect the small amount of things in the backseat while she disappeared into their new, large home.

Though 'large' was a bit of an understatement to the child. She couldn't help the throaty scoff she let out at the grandeur of it all. And just for a family of 3. I bet this grand ol Texan house was cheap because nobody wants to fucking live here. Myself included.

Her hand grumpily flung the backdoor open, quickly yanking her bookbag off of the seat and over her shoulder. She huffed whilst putting the upper half of her body into the backseat to shimmy a heavy box towards herself. The box lay partially hoisted on top of her thighs while her head poked out, letting out an irritated breath.

She swiftly turned around and was met with a bright eyed and bushy tailed brunette. Normani briefly examined the girl in black jeans and a lazy zip up jacket before hesitantly speaking. "Uh. Hey." She smiled awkwardly.

"Hi!" The tanned girl seemed to sense her discomfort, her jaw slightly opening in realization. "Shit right. Kinda need to give a reason why I'm standing here. I'm Camila, I'm the neighbor's kid. So that makes me the neighbor too, I guess..."

Normani grinned to herself and nodded. "I'm Normani. I'm your neighbor's kid too."

Camila smiled lopsidedly at her humorously mocking reply. "I know. Your mom is talking to my parents and they were talking about you so I figured why not try to make friends with the new kid on the block."