Spread Love, It's The Brooklyn Way

4|| Feelings Part One

What to wear, what to wear... Maybe a black tank and Fashion Nova jeans? I think to myself.

I decided to try that on with my black Nike Flyknits 3 and look in the mirror that Bryson set up yesterday. My curves are able to be defined in these skinny jeans. I don't want to show that much though...

"Remember, be back in the house at 8 PM. I don't want you staying out too long. And take those tight ass jeans off."

All my life, Mama had to play both roles of Mom and Dad. Daddy left when I was only 5. Mama told me that he went on vacation for a while, but when I turned 13, she eventually told me that he had a mistress. I went for so long believing that my father was in the Bahamas, or Alaska, or France. All he did was choose some white woman over me, Mama, Bryson, and his baby girl, Audrey. I decide to keep the jeans on. All Mama gon' do is scold me for being curvy. It's not my fault that I inherited big breasts and my smooth curves from her. I finally go downstairs and text Tati.

"i'm coming now ."

"alright , lincoln terrace . i also bought us food ."

"oh cool . see u there ."

I go to the train station and use Google Maps to navigate me in this unknown world.

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"Oh my god, this is so good," I moan.

"I knew you would like it."

"I love it!"

People pass by us and give weird looks. Have they never seen a newcomer eat a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich?

"Where did you get this from?"

"The corner store. My friend Abdul hooked your sandwich up, huh?" She giggles.

"Yes, ma'am! Marry me now if you gonna feed me like this." I laugh.

She goes silent. Oh lord, I already messed something up.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yeah. Um, let's talk about where our parents are from."

"Alright." My southern accent slips out a little.

I've been trying to hide it and adapt to the New York accent. If I'm gonna live here, I should fit in. I was born to fit in, anyway. That's what Mama tells me. And I believe it.

"My dad is from Honduras and my mom is from Virginia," I answer.

"My dad is from Brooklyn and my mom is from Harlem."

"So New York and Maryland your whole life?"

"Pretty much. I don't mind."

"You definitely need to explore the world." I joke.

"I'm planning on going somewhere far for college. Like ATL or Cali."

"Don't go too far. It gets lonely, haha."

"Nini, I really like you. I don't think we can just be friends." Tati says.

Huh? I ask myself. What do I even say?

"Did you hear me? I said 'Nini, I really gotta go. I don't think we can stay too long.'"

"Oh, OH! Yeah, we can leave right now." I blush as she laughs at me.

"What did you think I said?"

My heart speeds up at the question. I can't tell her what I thought, I can't...

"Nothing, I just zoned out." I lie.

She looks at me. Maybe trying to see if I'm lying. She can't be that good at telling, can she?