Clemency. ✓

2

Beyoncé Knowles,

68975, I typed in the code to automatically open the front door of my parent's home. "Hey Mama." I spoke.

"Hey Mama Knowles." Lauren, Nicki and Kelly said.

"Hey girls." She smiled. "How was your day at school?"

"Good." We replied, taking a seat at the island.

We each placed our bags of food from some Mexican restaurant Nicki introduced us to, taking no time to dig in. By the looks of our faces, we were all enjoying the food.

Lauren, Nicki, Kelly and I met in each of our hometowns. I grew up with Kelly in Houston. Then we moved to LA and I met Lauren. Then Lauren moved here to New York and I followed right behind to meet Nicki. I've been here before. That's how I've known Nicki for a longer amount of time. It's been great to have met them cause they are the most real human beings I've ever been able to befriend.

"How did your first couple weeks of school go for you both, Beyoncé and Kelly?"

"Good." We replied.

"I'm enjoying it so far." I said.

"Me too." She said squeezing ketchup onto her fries.

"Anything great happen?"

"Beside being hit on or stared down by every boy that walked by? I don't think so." I admitted.

They laughed, "That seems pretty normal for you." She smiled.

"Yeah, I think it's because of Dad though. The money and fame."

"Well, it's very different. You went from one coast to the other, meaning the people are a hundred times different. Also, you have to remember that your father is wealthier than most and people are gonna put you on a pedestal. Just be you, get your education and enjoy life."

I nodded, taking a bite of my nachos and cheese.

"This is good, Nick."

"I told you." She said. "They be sticking they foot in the food up here. I got more places in mind for you."

"I look forward to it."

"So what do you girls have planned for the evening?" Mama asked.

"A party."

"A party? Oh wow. Sounds like fun." She said.

"Mhmm." Lauren said. "Most parties thrown by the people here in Manhattan are nice."

We finished our food before going upstairs to my bedroom to plan for tonight. The time was going by fast and I still hadn't figured out what I was gonna wear.

"Is this casual party attire or more dressy?"

"Dressy." Nicki said. "We're wearing dresses and skirts. This is the rich part where the people with money pop out."

"Okay, cool." I glanced at the clock. "Not a problem."

It was going on 5 o'clock and the party was in two hours. That definitely meant I better start getting ready so I wouldn't be rushed.

"So Hussle picking you up?" Nicki asked Lauren.

"Yeah," She smiled.

"You always grin when someone says his name. He must be hitting it right." She joked around.

We laughed.

"He hasn't been hitting anything. We're just talking." She replied. "He doesn't go here so we don't get to see each other too often."