His Rose

Chapter 11

"I will be cashing in on my birthday present now." Emily said to me on face time.

I stopped doodling to look at her on my screen. "Girl, the fuck is you talking about? I don't know if amnesia come with age," I used my pen to signal at her wrist. "but I got you that bracelet, remember?"

We were currently on Christmas break and not much had changed. Taliah and I had celebrated Em's birthday with her and Liam. We'd all just been hanging out and doing friend stuff.

Except I saw Taliah and Emily kiss, but they swore on everything that they weren't together.

Whatever that fucking means.

She played with her fingers. "I know, but I was hoping you'd do something for me."

I sighed. "It depends on what it is." She didn't say anything. "Bro, what is it?" I said, laughing.

It couldn't be that bad.

"Can you hang out with my mom on Saturday?" She said nervously.

I laughed and stopped when she remained serious. "No offense, but why would I want to do that?"

She groaned. "I know she can be a lot sometimes," I scoffed. "but she actually really likes you and she wants to get her nails done and shit which I-"

I cut her off. "Wait, so we finna go do our nails?"

"Yeah that's about it. So you in?" She said, smiling and raising her eyebrows

I looked down at my raggedy nails. "Tell her to book that appointment."

The things I do for a manicure.

<*^ ^ ^*>

My mom dropped me off at the nail salon and I walked in to see Mrs. Wells looking at through the nail polish rack.

She put a bottle down. "Oh Ria! So good to see you again." She pulled me into a hug. "How have you been?"

"I've been good, Mrs. Wells. How about you?" I said with a polite smile.

She shook her head. "I keep telling you, you can call me Lauryn." She took a better look at me. "Oh my days, you changed your hair." She said, reaching out to touch it.

I quickly leaned away, fighting the urge to smack her hand. "Yeah, I just took it out of my braids." It was now in a natural 4c puff.

Thankfully her hand dropped. "That's really interesting." Her smile faltered, but it quickly came back. "So tell me. What's good in the hood?"

Ria, is a full set really worth this?

Yes the fuck it is. I thought as I picked out the color I wanted.

<*^      ^      ^*>

Mrs. Wells sighed as she swallowed a bite of her subway sandwich. She didn't look too happy.

"Are you alright, Ms. Lauryn?" I said, hoping to cheer her up.

She smiled, then sighed again. "It's just, I don't know if I'm making you uncomfortable or not."

I nodded. "Go on."

"Well, Emily said sometimes I say things that I shouldn't. Things that may make people feel uncomfortable." You're telling me. "I really hurt her once. She had a whole outburst over something I said. We were in public too."

She let out a sad laugh. "I don't even remember what I said. It just hurt me that I hurt her." She then looked at me. "And you're a very sweet girl, Ria. I would hate to ever say something to hurt you like that."

I smiled at her and held her hand across the table. "That means a lot, Ms. Lauryn. I'm sure Emily and Liam are really happy that you're trying."

She smiled brightly at me, her blue eyes lighting up. "Of course. Please do tell me if I say anything weird. You're the first colored person-"

I let go of her hand. "Ah no. That term won't work, ma'am."

She blushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. You're the first black they've-"

I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. "That doesn't work either."

I let out a little giggle when I could see her racking her brain. "I think what you want to say is I'm the first black person they've...?"

"Ah yes. You're the first black person, actually race doesn't matter in this context so I shouldn't mention it." Look at her learning. She looked at me. "You're the first friend they've brought home. And Liam's eyes, the way they light up when he looks at you," She sighed. "I would really hate for my ignorance to scare you off."

The sincerity and rawness in her eyes made me get up and hug her. "Thanks for trying, Ms. Lauryn." I let go of her. "And I'm not going anywhere." I said, laughing.

We spent the rest of our little 'date' talking about random things like fashion which she had a really high sense of.

"Thanks so much for today, Ms. Lauryn. I had so much fun." I said, opening her car door in front of my house.

She shook her head. "Thank you, Ria. I see why Liam likes you so much. You're truly a light." I felt my cheeks heat up at her words. "Ooh one more thing before you go."

I stopped exiting the car.

"I was wondering if you and your mom would like to spend the New Years with us." She said, smiling brightly. "It would be wonderful to meet the woman who raised a lovely young lady such as yourself."

She stay hyping me up. "I would love to. I'll confirm with her." I got out of the car. "Bye, Ms. Lauryn." I said waving at her.

"Bye, Ria. BLM!" She yelled, honking and driving off.

I just laughed and walked into my house.

I hope my teachers get the mental help they require because there must be sum wrong with them if they think this much work is humane🥴

Am I exaggerating? Yes, but still.

Anyways thank y'all for all the love I'mma try to keep these coming. Don't forget to vote💗