H E R...

Chapter 2: 𝒢𝓇𝒶𝒹𝓊𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒟𝒶𝓎

     I've been waiting on this day for the last four years. Looking in the mirror I've seen a girl I haven't seen in a long time.

"Look at you Paisley girl. Look how beautiful you are. Look at you, valedictorian of your class. About to head to Harvard and live your dreams." I thought to myself as I admired my cap and gown with my honors cords.

"You look beautiful Paisley" my mom said admiring me from my door.

Me and my mom were all we had really. I never had any siblings and the only sibling my mom had was my uncle Dorian. He died when I was six. He was shot standing in front of his favorite store just hanging around and all of a sudden shots rang out killing him and two of his friends. We later found out the hit wasn't even for my uncle. It was for his friend Black who was very big in the drug game. My mom took my uncles death better than expected but I can tell it hurt her to know she was now alone in this world. Other than that, I have no known cousins and my grandparents died before I was born. I never met my dad. He left once my mom had me. Go figures right. It was such a typical thing in Atlanta in our community.

I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. We moved out here to Duluth three years ago. Enough trauma could cause you to move away. Me of all people know a good deal about trauma. You know... demons.

"Thank you ma." I said genuinely smiling back at her through the mirror.

"How about I do your makeup for you. You know beat your face. Isn't that what the kids are saying now in days".

"Yes momma, that's what they're calling it. You and this keeping up with urban lingo." I couldn't help but to laugh.

"Well hey I have to stay young somehow because it's damn sure not in age or health." She replied.

I instantly started to laugh. But deep down, the health comment left me a little unsettled. What did she mean by that?

"Oh momma you know you're still a MILF"

"What the hell is a MILF." She asked with one brow raised

"A mother I'd love to f—" I explained making sure I didn't say the actually word.

"Paisley!"

"What.... you are." I said barely getting my words out through my laugh.

"Sit down girl let me do your face before we're late. Talking about some MILF."

About half an hour later my face was done. I got up to see the mess my mom had left on my face and caught by my surprise, my face was BEAT! I'm not meaning a little mascara and a lip. I'm talking eye shadow, eyebrows sharp and neatly done, foundation laid and the highlights glowing!

"OMG! Momma where did you learn to do makeup like this?!" Understand this, I was shocked ok. I've never been a makeup wearer and I honestly only agreed just to get it out of her system. I planned on washing my face. But it turned out really great and I was gorgeous!

"I told you girl, I keep up with a few trends." She said winking at me.

Moments like this, I love with my mom. We may not always be on the same page, but there's real love there. I wish there were more moments like this. But hey some relationships are just what they are.

Looking in the mirror one last time, I was in awe of myself. I wore a black silk one piece suit with pink and yellow flowers. I did my hair with light curls parted to one side. I looked very beautiful I could honestly say. We finally left and started to head back up to the school.

Walking up to the field I couldn't help but to have flutters in my stomach and tears creasing the corners of my eyes.

"I did it." I said to myself.