"I tried to change, closed my mouth more. Tried to be soft, prettier."
I was at home by myself, Beyoncé's Homecoming album playing on Bluetooth blasting throughout the house. I was preparing dinner for me and my parents before they came home from work. I try to do small things around the house to relieve some stress off of them. And cooking is one of those things. They never ask me to but I still do it because it's the right thing to do.
We alternate when it comes to cooking. Everyone gets their chance to shine and throw down in the kitchen. And since I was the first one home, I decided to take over the kitchen.
On the menu for tonight is a very simple, easy-to-make meal. Baked ziti made with Italian sausage and a side of cheesy garlic bread. And some iced tea to wash it all down. In this household, we drink ice tea for dinner and water outside of dinner.
While the food was in the oven, I couldn't stop thinking about the new boy from earlier. I needed to talk to someone about it and I knew exactly who. I texted my best friend.
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I love private investigator Jazmine. The best in the business. Always there for me when I need her.
Jaz is the only person I can talk to about things like this. She's the only one that really understands me. Dondre is always going to be one of my closet friends but it's easier for me to talk to Jaz.
*DING*
The timer went off indicating that it was time for me to take the food out of the over. After doing just that, I set the food on the table so it could cool off. While the food was cooling off, I set the table. You know, plates, cups, forks, napkins...the usual.
As I finished getting everything ready, I heard the car lock outside letting me know that my parents were home from work.
"Hey son! What you in here making? Got the house smelling all good?" my dad said entering the house.
"Hey baby boy!" my mother said entering the house not long after my dad. She immediately came into the kitchen, giving me one of those 'I haven't seen you all day' type of hugs.
"Hey guys" I replied after my mother released me from her hug. "Tonight's dinner is a simple baked ziti with garlic bread. So go get changed and I'll make the plates."
After dinner, I cleaned off the table while my parents were in the living room watching a movie. It's what they deserve after working hard all day.
Heading to my room once I was done, I was laying down with some movie playing on Netflix. I was barely paying any attention to it. My eyes were glued to my phone hoping that I would receive a text from Jazmine with some useful information.
An hour goes by...NOTHING.
And since it was Friday, that means that I won't see her until Tuesday. I would say Monday but I had some things to take care of on Monday which means I'll be missing school.
