Their Journey.

F O U R.

                                                                                     Khyra

The next morning I woke up ready for the day. Me and Khya was turning 17 next week and our senior year was starting the week after. I was ready to get the year over so I could go away to college. As much as I didn't want to leave my mom and siblings I had to go away because I was trying to make a better life for them. I was going to find a job so I could save enough money up for mom and surprise her with a apartment near my school. I know it wasn't much but I wanted her to get away from Mickey especially with the dream Marcia had. For some reason it seems like most the dreams Marcia had become reality with a twist. I wanted mom to leave before that dream could actually come true. 

I had a interview at noon so I got up and did my daily routine and went to my side of the closet to find something to wear. Since everybody say I don't dress girly enough I decided on a pair of burgundy bell bottoms, a white long sleeve ruffle shirt, and my nude moccasins that I paired with one of Khya's nude cross body purses. Since my hair was coming down tomorrow I just decided to put it in a neat low ponytail with my silver hoops, silver name necklace, and my favorite watch my mom got me for my birthday last year. Once I was done getting ready I went in the kitchen to make me a small but quick breakfast. Since Khya had her license before me I decided to wake her up to take me instead of knocking on mom's door and waking the Devil up. We made the short drive to the strip mall, holding small conversation on the way. When we pulled up I had the sudden case of butterflies. I was honestly nervous because I never had a job or interview in my life. I drunk the remaining water I had in my bottle and got out hearing Khya wish my luck. I dusted off my pants and walked into the Kids Footlocker. I walked to the register and asked for the manager, shortly after a tall dark skinned guy comes from the back. I followed him back to the back and we got started. After what felt like 10 minutes he let me know that I got the job and I could start the upcoming weekend. I walked out excited because I was one step closer to my plan falling into place. 

When me and Khya returned home we seen Mickey and Kyndall sitting on the couch playing cards. I spoke softly before going back to my room to change my clothes. Kameron said he was coming over to take me out to celebrate getting a new job. Me, him, and Khya were going to the mall to find us a birthday outfit and then to get food. Once I changed my clothes I went into the kitchen to see mom cooking something. I walked up to hug her and seen she was wearing a fresh face which was very rare. She usually had to wear make up to cover her eye or scratches. "Hey mom. I got the job! I start this weekend." She stopped what she was doing and came and hugged me. "I'm so happy for you love. I  told you you didn't need to work but I'm glad you are trying to be independent." I knew she didn't want me working because she made good money as a event coordinator and she also was vice president for a company in dowtown Detroit but in order for my plan to work I knew I had to. She didn't mind us using her car since she was off for the day and Mickey was leaving soon so she could spend time with the younger kids until we came back. I found Khya waiting by the door so when I walked up she opened it and we stepped out. I tried to hurry to the car before JaMar seen me. It's like he had a tracker on me because every time I stepped outside he wasn't far. I can't lie JaMar was nice looking. Standing 6'5, dark skinned, he had a little meat on him but it wasn't bad, he wore his hair in dreads that was always braided back or in a bun, and he had the best smile. But I could never put anything past a man because I seen how they can be. I'd rather be single all my life. Mom always told me not to let her situation change my decision because when daddy was alive she was in love but I wasn't going for it. 

Just like I said JaMar was walking out the house when we were pulling up with a big smile on his face. Khya started laughing like a giddy kid. "How about he messaged me on insta asking me to hook him up. He want you twin. I think you should give him a chance. He's a good guy." She would know. She's hung out with his cousins a few times meaning she's been around him. I just shook my head and turned on City Girls. I was in a good mood and I wasn't going to allow her to bring me down by trying to tell me something. After 15 minutes of driving we were pulling up to our grandparents house. We both got out so we could go spoke. We knocked on the door and waited until our grandfather opened the door. He stood identical to our father but older. He had a bald head that he usually cleaned up every week or so. He had a full salt and pepper beard that our GG begged him to cut. He stood at 6 foot even and weighed 230 pounds that was majority all muscle. "Hey poppa, we  missed you." We both went to hug him and he opened the door wider so we could could come in. "Kam should be down in a minute, go speak to Tonya before she cuss y'all out." We went to our GG's home office where we knew she would be because she was a workaholic. Although she retired the year our father died she started a non-profit organization for parents who lost their children to gun violence. She helped them cope with the death, she helped them financially with their mortages, food, clothing, funeral expenses, you name it she did it. I was happy that instead of being depressed she decided to help other families. We knocked before we entered when we seen her talking to the mother, girlfriend, and sister of a boy who death went viral. We was about to walk out until she stopped us and stood to come hug us. "Hi my lovely grandbabies. Y'all are going to have to come spend the weekend with me soon. Alll of y'all. Hell even Charise." We nodded and let her get to what she was doing and walked back to the front to see Kameron coming down the stairs. "What's up bald heads? Y'all ready?" Since we could remember Kameron always called us bald headed because we preferred weave instead of natural. It wasn't because we were bald headed but because our grade 4a hair never wanted to cooperate with us so we usually kept it done in sew ins. Last our stylist checked our real hair was at least 17 inches long. We all said our goodbyes to our grandfather and went to the car with Kameron beating me to the front seat.