Beyond Love

Chapter 2

Years Later

Wonder
A day
Drunk with the nectar of
Current
That connects its way between
The years
To discover upon self in
Darkness.
Will you notice
I'm still breathing
Or will you care
When I'm long gone.
Dear Diary,
I just moved back into the South Side area in Chicago last weekend. We lived in Tinley Park for five years until my mother lost her job. She never wants to talk about it whenever I bring it up to her. She was kinda happy with life when she got promoted back when I was in 7th grade. But since she got fired, things have changed. Things even really changed since I lost my grandmother in my sophomore year of high school. It was hard on me and it took a toll on my mother as well. Seeing her cry as she saw grandma laying in the casket. I didn't cry at the funeral because I was trying to be strong for my mother.
After the funeral, my mom was struggling to find another job. Opportunities became slim for her. For every job she has interviewed for, it seemed like they didn't want to hire her because she was a black woman with skills and a degree, which didn't fit their narrative. I volunteered to work while still in high school, but she refused. She believes in education first before a job. So I just kept going to school while my mom was struggling to pay the bills until she lost the house.

We had to move in with my auntie's house. Just until my mom gets back on her feet. And she did. She became an assistant at a new law firm. She doesn't like it that much, but she has something to keep having a roof over our heads.
We went from Tinley Park to moving to my Auntie's place in Oak Lawn, to now back in the South Shore of the South Side area again. And altogether I had to transfer to high schools. There weren't many benefits for me from my other high school. I didn't make many friends, only acquaintances. I pretty much stayed to myself. As I sat by myself in the background, I couldn't help but notice that most everyone at my old school had clicked. And a lot of them were fake friends towards each other. So being by myself was the best choice for me.

Tomorrow I start my Senior year of high school at Louis College Prep. The school is really strict. They have a lot of demerit rules that I have to follow, but I don't think I need to worry. I don't do much anyway. I'm nervous about being in a new place. I wonder what my reaction will be when I first step on school grounds. Will I cry? Will I smile? Or will I just run from everyone? Since I transferred from the 7th grade, I somewhat developed social anxiety. I was never good with people because I would usually get picked on or bullied, but that was until Michael came around. Kaylaa and Prince, too. I wonder where they are now, and what school they are in. Will I see Michael at my new school or not? Who knows what the future will tell. I also hope that he still remembers me. I never forgot about him. I always kept my locket close to me.

Until tomorrow. I have to get ready for bed.

Goodnight,
Latasha
~*~
Latasha's POV

6 a.m. is the time I wake up and get ready for school. I got out of bed and rushed into the bathroom to take a shower. After I shower, I put on my uniform and did my hair.I decided to wear my hair straight and finish with a black headband. I then put on my leather flats and black pants belt that was part of our everyday uniform. I walk out of my room to go to the kitchen for a quick breakfast.

"Ma!" I screamed her name but no answer. I looked around to see if she was home, but I saw a note before I left the kitchen.

Working late tonight. Leave your breakfast in the microwave.
- Mom

I read the note as I sigh with disappointment. She was supposed to take me to school on the first day as she promised. But it looks like I'm taking the bus to go to school. I then grabbed my food out of the microwave and took a few bites out of scrambled eggs and bacon before throwing the rest away. I have no time to eat. I hope they have breakfast served at school, so I can finish eating there. I grab my notebooks, including my writing journal, and put them in my bag. I put my book bag on and grabbed my cell phone, and then I left the house. I walked my way to the bus stop and waited for the bus. I got on and so far I was the only kid on the bus with a uniform on. Then I looked up at the clock and noticed the time, and I realized I would be attending school early.