Angel In The Club

CHAPTER 2

Britney turns to face her mother. She has both hands on the steering wheel and she is humming a Christian tune that's playing over the radio, under her breath.

"You contact the woman from the agency already to make sure she's coming to meet you at the airport when you reach America yet?". Elaine asked stealing a glance in her direction.

"Yes, I called her yesterday and finalized the time of my flight so she knows when to accept me". Britney said looking out the window as the breeze hits her face. She tried to take a visual image of the beautiful gardens and trees in people's yards and also the luscious farms and vegetation that lined the sides of the roads.

Jamaica is different from what Britney perceives of New York City in movies. Where there are just miles and miles of high-rise buildings and people bustling around like ants; disturbed by a misplaced human boot, in their hill. She wonders what it will be like in real life to live in the Big Apple. A quiver shakes the bottom of her stomach, caused by being excited and nervous, and unsure at the same time. We pass Miss May's jerk pan, the scent of the chicken, syncing perfectly with the smoke floating throughout the chimney at the top. There is also a man standing beside a large pit. He ladles the rich, orange substance in a Styrofoam cup, handing it to a pregnant woman.

It's a Saturday morning and the streets are buzzing with people. Music can be heard in the distance, pumping from a sound system.

"Are you excited, Britney?". Her mom says in the concerned tone she uses ever so often.

"I am and I'm also a bit anxious and on edge. Suppose I did not pick a good agency to work with or something goes wrong?" Britney says knowing exactly what she was getting into.

"Nothing will go wrong, Jesus is with you and won't let anything happen to you. He loves you and he brought you this far." She said squeezing her hand.

"I know I'll try to stop worrying so much mom." She said trying to convince herself more than anything else. She kept chanting a mantra in her head to the airport. I am strong, I am confident, I can try new things. I am strong, I am confident, I can try new things.

Her mother pulls into the parking lot way too early. Britney glides out of the front seat and hauls her bag from the trunk. They then head into the lobby area, where she would have checked in. Kevin said he would be here to bid me goodbye. She looks desperately in the lobby for his thick, black, head of hair he cut into a Mohawk.

Britney met him when the chancellor of her university organized a poetry competition on campus last year. It was where students could perform their original works, in the end, Kevin came first and she came second and from that day we became friends. They just connected ever since and we were inseparable on and off-campus.

Britney stands in the line to get checked in with her mom by her side when she heard them laughing and knew exactly who that voice belonged to. She turned around with a smile on her face she couldn't help it.
He walked up beside her and wrapped his strong arms around her body easing her racing heart as she inhaled his addictive perfume.

"What's up Brit you thought you could go to Uncle Sam without her seeing before you left?" Kevin said with his signature smirk on his handsome face.

He then turned his attention to her mom and hugged her as well her mom beaming. Kevin seemed to have that effect on people. She was more the sullen and cranky one while he was the funny and spicy personality that always kept me smiling.

"How are you doing Brit?"

"I'm okay, it's just for four months it's not like I'm going over there to live or anything". She said pushing away her doubts and trying to embrace the adventure. No one likes the cry baby or the overbearing, anxious old lady act.

"You know it's okay to feel a little nervous or overwhelmed it's the first time you'll be taking a plane or going to a new country".Kevin said looking at her, more like peering into the intricacies of my soul really; he could read her like a book.

"I'm okay, I'll be okay". She said
She was the next one up in the line
. Her mother stood beside her at the check-in desk while the airport employee checked her passport and visa and provided me with my flight information. When they were finished Kevin and Britney took a seat in the waiting area until they announced her flight number over the intercom while her mother went to buy snacks.

"The year I went on the program I saved up a lot and was able to use some of the money to pay for my tuition".Kevin said

" I know you told me before that's the most important reason I'm going."

"Yeah and don't forget to keep in touch with me every day and keep me posted about everything that's going on."

"Sure you know I will do that". Britney said turning around to completely face him while squeezing his hand.

Her mother came back with the chips in her hands.

"What were you young ones talking about while I was gone?"

"Just threatening this one to keep in touch". Kevin said.

"Yes, she better call me while she up there because she doesn't like talking on the phone for some reason," Elaine commented while sitting on the chair beside her.

"Don't worry guys I will be calling everyone, okay?". She said looking at both of them.

For the rest of the time they waited, Kevin talked about his girlfriend Tiffany and how she was going to nursing school and how they would be moving in together soon. She thinks we both Kevin and. Britney came to a silent agreement that the only reason they weren't in a romantic relationship is that he already has someone he loves so we decided to be friends and don't complicate things. She still finds it insufferably hard to feel happy for them or keep a smile on my face as he talks about her. She is towards the brink of tearing out my hair or crying out in agony when the voice comes over the intercom. The woman announces my flight number and calls for all passengers to make their way to board the flight. Kevin and my mom walk with me to the closest point that they are allowed to go.

"I'm going to miss you, baby". Her mother says while hugging me.
It's Kevin's time to say goodbye. He hugs me and his comforting arms engulf me and for a moment she was lost in his intoxicating smell.

"Stay safe". He whispers in my ear sending a slight shock through her spine.

"Goodbye I'll call you guys as soon as I land." Britney says while waving and walking towards the general boarding area. If only she knew what she face leaving.

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