Quiet One

Quiet One #3

"Yes I know babygirl. What's his name? Michael? Yeah Michael. He's actually in one of your TA classes."

I stopped walking and turned around. "He's what!? Mama I-I  can't come in today!"

She walked up to me and put her hands on my shoulders.
"Babygirl, you can and you will. Ain't nothing to worry about, you'll only need to talk to him if he needs your help. And plus I wouldn't put you in this position if you couldn't handle it"

I took a deep breath and nodded.
"Your right mama. I can handle  this"
She smiled "Good now let's go"

She held her arm out, I looped mine through and we walked through the big black double doors.

All eyes were on us.

Every student had a smile on their face when they saw mama.

After all, she is one of the most beloved teachers in this school.

"Hi Miss Caracciolo!"

"Hello Neina"

"Heyyy Miss Cara"

"Heyyy Todric, heyyy Winnie"

See she's loved and adored by everyone.

But me.

I'm invisible, unknown to the public eye. No body will give me attention unless mama says so. But mama knows I hate attention so she doesn't draw it towards me. So.....we're all good.

We walked all the way down the hall to her class room. She opened the door to see three students and one of the other teachers.

Mr. Vandross, the Black America History teacher.

Now your probably thinking 'Is he related to Luther Vandross?'

Well the answer is no, that's a hard no.

Mr. Vandross is a tall mixed man with long dark brown dreads and piercing hazel eyes.

He's creepy as hell!

Always flirting with mama and sometimes even with me.

Ewww. Just thinking about it makes me wanna cringe. Yuck!

He's been try to get with mama every since her first day working here. That was 8 years ago and he's still going for it!

But he fails....Every Time.

It's real sad when think about it.

"Morning Enza, your lookin mighty fine today" He said with a flirtatious smirk.

Mama sighed. "Hello Mr. Vandross, your lookin.....okay today. Alessia go take the easels out the closet and set them up please"

I nodded "Yes mama"

I walked away from the awkward scene and went to the closet to grab the easels.

As I was struggling to carry them to the front of the room, I dropped three of them.

I kneeled down to pick them up when I saw a pair of small hands grabbed one. I looked up and saw a little brown skin girl. She was about my height, maybe shorter.

She looked familiar....

"You need any help?"

Her voice was soft, it reminded me of someone.

"Uhh yeah, yeah. Thank you"

She smiled again. "No problem"

We both got up and walked to the front of the room. She helped me set the easels up.

She stopped and looked at me.

"You look familiar, do I know you?"

I tilted my head to the side and looked at her. "I look familiar? You look familiar, what's your name?"

She giggled "Janet, Janet Jackson"

My heart stopped.

I knew exactly who she was...

Michael Jackson's baby sister.

Now I see it. The eyes, the nose, the cute little giggle and soft voice.

Yep it's her.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

My body shivered a little when she spoke.

"Uh yeah, yeah I'm fine. I'm guessing this is your class?"

She nodded "yeah, all my siblings have some type of Fine Arts class. Majority of them are in choir though"

I knew that because two years ago one of them was in my choir class. Their name started with a J. I think it was Jackie, I remember cause he was the tallest and stood in front.

"Yeah I think I had choir with one of them last year....Jackie? That's his name right?"

She giggled "yeah that's him, the bean pole"

I giggled. That was funny.

"You have a really pretty smile....umm"

"Alessia. That's my name and thank you, but yours is way more prettier"

She smiled "Aw thank you. I love your name, it's beautiful"

I heard the bell ring and the seats were filled up with eager students.

"I guess I should go. Talk to you after?" Janet asked with a smile.

It was hesitant but I nodded. "Yeah"

I watched as she went back to her seat. I went to mine next to mama's desk.

"I see you made a  friend"

"Don't start mama"

She snickered.

Because she knew she was right.

I did make a friend that day, which led me to meet the next Jackson....

Jermaine..