Who We Are.

My Bike

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of GMA playing on the TV. I liked Good Morning America so I swung my legs over the side of my bed and stare out the window for a few seconds before opening my creaky door and blinking my eyes before I was staring directly at the screen. The room smelled like alcohol and I see some crates that I could swear were full of beer yesterday. Now the crates are stacked on top of each, the beers clanking against each other. I wave to my mom and see my dad in my parents' room with the door wide open. If he is still sleeping at this time, that must mean he is definitely wasted. I grab my long gray towel and got to the small bathroom in the corner of our cozy and humble home to take the quickest shower of my life. Seven A.M is late for me to get ready to go to school. I close the bathroom mirror to see my barely open eyes and messed up curly hair. It is sticky straight up and I smile because that is just how it is. I manage to pull it into a cornrow crown and slick it back with some gel. I wash my face and pull myself into some clothes. I head over to the door and pick up my bag and get on my shoes. Miracle doesn't start school until thirty minutes after mine so my mom usually takes her while I bike. I see my mom just getting up with an envelope in her hand - probably a bill. "I'm gonna pick up some groceries on my way home." I search my bag to find two twenties that I had gotten from Kai, a guy at my school, and some loose change that had probably found on the street. I hear a shock of thunder and I yelp, then I decide to get to school right away before the rain starts. Is it rain? It doesn't rain in Redwood - it either hails or melts. Either way, I pick up the backpack and sling it over my shoulder.

"Bye, mom!" I say, waving as I pick up the key to my lock and close the door. She shoos me away and I close the door behind me and walk towards the elevators. When I get downstairs to the lobby of my apartment complex, I can feel the energy and business that is going around. I pick up a free donut that they serve at the door every morning and take a bite.  I wanted to use the money for groceries on one, but immediately decided against it. It is dry, just like always but the good donuts are the ones in the store and you go to pay for them. After I finish it, I head outside to unlock my bike and pick it out. I use my hands to shield my fresh hair from the rain. Then, I head to school. The ride was humid and very uncomfortable. I wasn't held up in the morning traffic because I bike on the sidewalk, but I still can feel a lump of concern about school. Coronavirus is going around and if I get there and die today, I'm gonna be angry. I felt the clouds start to rise from above my head and the sky darkens suddely. A breeze rushes through my body and I can feel it powering me, making me go faster. I arrive at school and endure the day. I waved at Oniye as she arrived at school by car and she waved back at me. I smiled, this Monday will be better than the rest. Maybe the best of this year.

It was drizzling and it kind of felt nice by the time I had gotten out of school. I was stuck in that hot school for the past few hours and I wanted out. Our air conditioning exploded about a week ago and we don't have the money to fix it. It was February and it felt like mid-June in there. I see Oniye and Hope follow behind me and start to gossip. I picked up a rock from the ground and threw it into the woods that stayed behind the our school. I can see the line of parent coming to pick up there children as I try and tune them out. Hope and Oniye were like the typical girls - the ones who talked about someone's hair or how some boy looked so hot today. I swung my leg over the seat of the bike and started to pedal. Oniye's mouth drops open as she talks to me.

"Girl, are you coming with us or not?" I stop the bike with my feet and turn around, still sitting on the chair of the bike. "Huh? I'm sorry, I wasn't listening to a thing you were saying." Hope puts her hand of her hip and starts, "I said, Joelina's having a party tonight and I have to one-up her. So, my mom was going to take us all to the mall to find something to buy. I told you not to bring your bike today, but I guess it can still fit in the trunk." She looks at her phone and growls, "Come on, my mom is here already. Get your bike." Oniye points to the bike and I sigh. "Sorry, but I can't tonight. My mom has work and my dad has... a thing. So I have to watch Miracle." Oniye laughs and starts, "You're funny. Miracle like 12, right?" I start to shake my head no but she ignores it and continues. "She can take care of herself. If you don't go to this party tonight, we may never forgive you." Hope nods and stays with her hand on her hip. "Whatever, I'll see you guys tomorrow." I place my feet on the pedals again and keep going. I can hear them screaming behind me but at this point, I don't care. Joelina never liked me anyways. I turned onto the road and started on the sidewalk.