The alarm clock went off signaling that it was time for school, I groaned and turned to my side to press the snooze button on my clock. Feeling my bed for my phone, I grabbed it, speed dialed Shayla, and put the phone up to my ear. “I’m up” she answered in a whining tone. “Ok” I replied slowly drifting off into sleep again until my alarm clock sounded. If I didn’t get up from this bed at this moment, Shawn would beat me to the bathroom and I’d be late for the school bus. “Danni turn it off!” Shayla yelled. “Sorry” I said as I pressed the button. I got up from my bed and looked at the calendar on my wall, I smiled. Today was class trip day and our junior class would be going to the new art exhibit that opened up at Courtland Bay. I was as excited as can be for this trip. It wasn’t just portraits and paintings at this exhibit. There was going to be music, dance, poetry, and acting everything I loved. I made my way over to the bathroom and took the greatest warm shower ever.
As soon as I was done showering, I went over to my closet and picked out my outfit for today. I decided on wearing my black sweatpants with my grey sweatshirt, my black sneakers, and a white infinity scarf making sure I was as comfortable as can be. I heard Shayla yelling curse words through the phone, forgetting she was still on the line, I ran toward my phone and put it up to my ear. “Hey Shay I’m sorry, what were you saying?” “I asked about what to wear. Deron said he hated the blue shirt I bought yesterday and told me to return it. So that’s out of the question” she said. “The blue shirt with the white stripes on the sleeves? Shay I liked that shirt! I think it suited you and you should wear it. Who cares what he thinks?” I asked really not needing an answer. I put the phone on speaker, set it down on the dresser, and began putting my box braids into a ponytail. “I do Danielle! I need to look good for my man, I can’t have him looking and falling for other girls” I rolled my eyes at Shayla’s comment. “If he knew what good things he had he wouldn’t have to look or fall for other girls” I smiled, these were words from the wise, my late sister Christina. Christina was my oldest sister by nine years, she served in the military, and passed away two years ago. I missed her so much, she was so smart, always knew the right things to say, but she left me when I began needing her the most. “Yeah you’re right” I heard Shayla sigh and I smiled. Christina was always right whenever I needed motivation, I thought of her and I was as confident as can be. I heard a knock at the door and saw my mom peak her head inside. “Hey sweetheart I’m off work today, so I’m going to the diner to get some breakfast with Shawn before dropping him off at school want to come with?” she asks and I smile. “Sure can Shayla tag along too” I said knowing how happy Shay would be if she didn’t have to take the school bus this morning. “Sure thing be downstairs in five minutes” she says and she closes the door. I admired my mom, she was such a strong woman, and she worked two jobs, cooked, and cleaned. To me, my mom was superwoman she was both my mother, my father, and my best friend. After our father left us when I was ten and Shawn was eleven I started to grow so much hate for him. My father left my mother loveless, my brother without manhood in his life, and me just without a father. Christina was never affected because she was away from us in Afghanistan. I always wondered how my mom was able to stand up after all that’s happened with Christy’s passing and my father’s leaving but she always kept her head up for Shawn and me. I looked in the mirror and was satisfied with how I looked, I grabbed my bag, my phone and walked out. “Shay come outside now, my mom’s taking us out for breakfast before school” I say and end the phone call after she responds. Shayla has been my best friend since seventh grade she was hilarious and around the time when I needed laughter in my life she was always there. Shayla also lived next door so we saw each other every day. I felt someone tug my braids, I turned around to see Shawn, and he laughed. “That’s not funny ugly head” I say attempting to push Shawn but he moves away. “It’s way too early for your games” I say. Shawn is one year older than I am and was graduating from high school this year. Shawn always had my back and I loved him so much even though we hardly had anything in common and bumped heads about certain topics.
We were sitting in the diner eating breakfast. “Mom today’s my trip to the art exhibit” I say wiggling in my seat excitedly. “Finally I’ve been hearing you talk about that for days” she laughs. “Lucky you I gotta stay in school the whole day” Shawn says and I stick out my tongue at him. “I’m not even that excited art isn’t really my thing but Deron’s gonna be there” Shayla says and I roll my eyes. “Hey Shay? School first alright?” my mother says and laughed. “Yeah Ms. Wright, School first” Shayla laughs. We finished eating out breakfast and was on our way to school.
When we pull up to the school Shawn kisses mom goodbye and gets out the car. “Thank you so much Ms. Wright I don’t know what I would’ve done if I would’ve had to take that smelly school bus” Shayla says and gets out the car. “What are you gonna do today?” I ask turning to my mother. “Get my hair done, get my nails done, cause momma’s got a date tonight” she flipping her hair and dancing in her seat. “Mom really? With who?” I ask excitedly. “Daniel Bradford, the guy that works at the law firm aside me” and I immediately smile. “Oh mom he’s a fine man” I said and she laughed. “I know girl he asked me to go out to dinner today and I gladly said yes” she said. “Ah! Yes mom that’s exactly what you need! I’m happy for you.” “Thank you, now hurry your butt up to school so you don’t miss the bus ride for your trip” she says and I kiss her cheek. “Love you mom.” “Love you way more” she says. I get out the car and she drives off. I search for Shayla and notice her entering the school with Deron behind her. I shake my head and walk toward the school.
When I entered the school, the secretary told us to make our way into the auditorium. I looked for Shayla and notice her sitting at the last row beside Deron. As I made my way there I bumped into someone and before I could tell them to watch where they are going I get lost in their eyes. He smiled at me and I was at a loss of words. “I-I’m sorry” I said. “No I’m sorry I bumped into you it’s my fault” he said and smiled nervously. “Ok” I say and make my way past him afraid I’d humiliate myself even more. “Danielle over here!” Shayla yells and I walk toward him. I was so lost in my thoughts thinking about his eyes how blue they were and how they even looked a little grey, it was beautiful. I sat beside Shayla and Deron nodded his head at me. “Dani who was that?” Shayla asked nudging my arm. “Oh he bumped into me so I gave him a few words” I said smiling weakly hoping she’d buy it and she did. “Oh well he was super cute from what I could see” she said winking at me. Deron cleared his throat and Shayla smiled at him kissing his cheek. I watched as Ms. Grubert, the art teacher and trip chaperone for today, walked toward the podium. “Good morning juniors! I hope everyone is excited for our trip to the art exhibit!” the students murmured and groaned but I smiled excitedly.
