Teacher's Pet

XXI

"So what's this I hear about you dating someone old enough to be your mother?"

Normani's mouth opened then closed, she looked at Bey who was staring back at her in confusion. How did her mother know? Who could've-

Zendaya.

"Huh?"

"Anyone who says huh can hear." Her mother replied, Normani could just imagine the look on her face. That typical black mama stare that lets you know that you fucked up. "You heard me, Normani."

Normani licked her lips out of nervousness. She couldn't believe Zendaya would go this far, it was incredibly childish of her.

"I did." She mumbled, assuring her mother that she was indeed correct. She sighed softly as she looked down. "But, with all due respect I'm an adult."

"You're twenty, Normani. What do you need with a-"

"I'm still an adult and my feelings are valid. A few years older never hurt."

Andrea laughed humorlessly as she listened to her child's point of view. "You think the age difference is a few years? 4 years are a few, the age gap is more than 10 years."

"Mom, I really lo-" Normani took a brief pause, she looked at Beyoncé who was looking back at her. Surprisingly, Beyoncé sent her a soft smile.

Bey had come to the conclusion of what the conversation was about due to the one side she was witnessing. Her smile was to comfort the younger woman, she felt as if she needed it.

"You what?" She could hear her mother ask, she looked away from her lover and down at the floor.

"Mom." Normani tried, closing her eyes in frustration as she used her right hand to rub her temple. "We can talk later, yeah? I'm very tired."

"There's nothing else to talk about, Normani." Andrea responded causing her daughter to roll her eyes dramatically. " I wanna meet her."

"What?"

"Bring her when you come home for Christmas."

Normani groaned audibly, making Beyoncé snort at the way she sounded. Like a damn dog.

"Mom, I don't know."

"What I know is, I better see her or it'll be a problem." Andrea warned, Normani rolled her eyes for what had to the millionth time since she's been on the phone with her mother. She was more than thankful this conversation took place over the phone because she wouldn't have been able to hide her facial expressions. "I love you."

"I love you too mom." Normani mumbled before ending the call, she let out a sigh of relief as she did so before looking up at Bey.

"Soooo," Normani started, looking at Beyoncé with a hopeful smile. "How do you feel about Houston for Christmas?"

"I always go to Houston for Christmas." Beyoncé responded in a duh tone, Normani must've forgot that all of her family resided there besides Solange.

"Oh yeah." Normani said in realization, Beyoncé was from Houston after all so that only made sense. "My parents, well mom, she wants to meet you."