Unique | DJ Quik.

one.

Lorie twisted the knob on her radio as it statics until she find the right station. 93.5 Kday. There were playing the same songs from yesterday but she didn't mind. She likes starting off her day by listening to music. It always get her in the mood.

She danced to her closet and look inside to find something to wear. It was blazing and alluring outside, even if it just turn ten. The weather in Cali wasn't nothing to play with so she has to find something that would look comfortable.

Usually she would wear her clothes which consisted jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. Her clothes was popular like the ones she see the teens in her neighborhood wear. She wanted to be like them. Last week, she went to the mall and spend her whole allowance. The clothes she bought was worth it, just her mother was disappointed that she has to wear things that isn't her.

But her mother doesn't understand. She wasn't in her shoes to see that.

Laying out a yellow off the shoulder crop top and denim shorts that were too short, you could see her business. She went ahead to get started on her routine which consisted washing up, washing her face, brushing her teeth, and doing her hair. Once she put on her makeup and golden doorknocker earrings, she checked herself out in the mirror.

"I look so cute!"
She said to herself as she squealed.

Lorie Gaines use to be a teenager who some knew her thought was the sweetest and silliest. She also loves cartoons and listening to pop music. That all changed when in school, a person who she thought was her friend bullied her, cause she thought that listening to pop means she is a white girl.

She knew right there she had to change in other to fit in. To be accepted like them. Her mother always told her it was nothing wrong with being herself. Lorie look at that as a lie and continue to do what she had to do. So far, she already feels like one of them.

"Lorie Nicole, turn down tha- chile! What do you have on?!"
Her mother Allison exclaimed as she sized up her daughter.

"Hi mom! Like my look?"
Lorie did a 360 and squealed afterwards.

Allison shook her head as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I understand it's hot but do you have to wear that? You have other cute clothes in the closet."

"Oh mom! Those clothes are not me plus there are not what my friends are wearing! I want to stand out, remember you told me to be myself?"
Lorie frowned as she asked her mother.

"There's a difference between an original and a copy."
Her mother answered.

Lorie rolled her eyes.
She didn't expect that answer. She thought her mother would be comfortable with what's she doing, guess she was wrong.

"Change it."
Her mother said before closing her door.

Lorie stomped as she plopped down on the bed.
"You're so plain!"
She shouted.

She rubbed both side of her temples with her fingers as she calm herself down. It's rare she fights with her mother. She always been a good kid up until now.

•

At David's house, it was chaotic. Loud funk music was playing throughout the house as kids were in and out, ignoring David's mom who kept telling them: "Stay in or stay out! Y'all letting the fucking heat and flies in the house!"