Something Different

Prologue

Braelin

Police sirens roared from behind me as I sharply cut the corner on Fox Street and continued running down the road. My heart was beating rapidly as I continued to run, clutching the package to my chest tighter with every step my legs gave. Almost. There. The sun's heat rays beat down on my aching body like hits with a leather whip. Rapidly and painfully. Breathing heavily, I made another turn into an alleyway and cursed when I noticed an iron fence blocking my way to freedom. The thought of turning back and finding another way crossed my mind but it was gone as quick as it came when the police sirens seemed to get louder and closer. Scrambling over the fence I earned myself a slight graze right across my forearm but paid it no mind as I continued running until I knew I was far enough. I slowed down my pace right near a creek and took a couple deep breaths to calm down my racing heartbeat but froze when I heard the sound of someone or something getting closer.

"Give me the package Braelin," I spun on my heels and came face to face with him. I slowly handed it over with a sigh before he ripped the envelope open and began reading the contents.

"You know dad, most parents just ask for the report card but nope, you chase me home from school in your police car," I grumbled taking a seat on one of the bigger rocks that surrounded the creek and instead of responding, he just grinned and I shook my head.

"Nice report card kid, all 90's except one class where you got an 85%"

"That teacher hates me," I mumbled and he chuckled before handing me back the envelope.

"So how did you learn to jump a fence like that?"

"Grand theft auto," I replied and he rolled his eyes.

"Of course, video games."

"Don't be mad because I beat you in a car race," I teased and he raised an eyebrow in my direction in amusement.

"You didn't beat me."

"Mhm, if you say so" I mumbled giggling before he pulled me into a hug. He held on a little longer than normal as if he could freeze this moment in time and keep me from leaving but the decision had been made. Of course, it wasn't my decision.

"Dad, why do I have to move to West Virginia with mom?"

"Babygirl we talked about this. Your school guidance counselor said the work isn't difficult enough so you need to go to a school with an Advanced Placement class and Storybrook high has it."

"But all my friends are here and that school lacks...How do I put this nicely... " I thought about it for a second "Diversity"

"What do you mean? There are plenty different programs"

"Dad there are no black people! None! At all!" I stressed and he chuckled at my pain

"I'm sure you'll make friends, your a natural social butterfly"

"Yeah, I'm sure I'll totally make like tons of friends" I mocked in a valley girl accent and my dad busted into laughter and I couldn't help but laugh with him. I was gonna miss times like these.

"Come on we have to get back before your brother thinks you've left and gone without him"

"Fine" he helped me off the rock I was sitting on and lead me to his police car. I climbed into the back and relaxed against the comfortable seats before glancing at myself in the two-way mirror and sighing. My long dark brown hair was all over the place and my brown skin dripped with sweat. I scrunched my nose up at the scent I produced and thanked god that we had arrived home. I quickly escaped the car and sped up to my room to go take a shower and get the smell of sweat off my body and the scent of dove onto it.

***

The airport was packed with people of all different sizes, colors and races unlike the school I was going to attend. I gripped my luggage tighter in my hands as I tried to think of the positive. What was that again?

"Braelin make sure you call everyday and you eat lots of food, alright?" The housekeeper whom I thought more as a grandmother reminded me and I slightly laughed. "Oh you think I'm playin', come back here skinnier than you already are and I promise you-you gon leave fifty pounds heavier"

"I love you too Miss. Myra" she pulled me into her embrace before kissing my forehead.

"Now you be safe, ya heard me"

"Yes ma'am" I turned to face my dad and I noticed his dabbing his eyes with a tissue.

"Awe daddy don't cry"

"I ain't crying, I got something in my eye"

"Mhm" I pulled him in for a hug and he crushed his body against mine gripping me tighter and tighter causing the air supply to get very limited.

"Dad.... You're killing me" he pulled away apologizing before pulling out his wallet and handing me two hundred-dollar bills and my brother a fifty.

"A fifty! Come on pops you know I'm good for it!" Sam whined and I could've sworn I saw my dad laughing before he handed him another fifty.

"Y'all be good for your mother now, don't make me have to come down there"

"Yes sir" we mumbled simultaneously and he nodded before giving us one final hug and sending us on our way. We headed towards our gate before someone yelled 'Wait!' I spun on my heel just in time to be picked up by two muscular arms and spun around before Darnell, my boyfriend, placed a kiss on my cheek.

"So what you were gonna leave without saying anything?" He asked and I rolled my eyes

"I told you goodbye this morning at school, at lunch and again when you laughed at me when my dad showed up the school in a police uniform," he didn't get the chance to respond before my best friend Layla pulled me into a hug.

"Bestie don't leave me!" She yelled dramatically and I rolled my eyes.

"Girl if you don't stop. We'll talk every day like usual and I'll visit. I'm not dying or anything"

"Your right, but I'm still going to miss you."

"Same here girl," I pulled her into my embrace before the attendant called my flight to board. I waved goodbye to my family and friends before my brother and I boarded the plane. Thanks to my mom we were seated in first class. I took the seat at the window and watched as we took off from the runway and into the sky. Tears stained my face as I remembered the memories I had with the amazing people I called my family.

"What's wrong Bree?"

"Nothing squirt"

"Are you sad about moving? Think about it this way, imagine how many of the girlies are gonna want a piece of this dark chocolate," he said and I couldn't help but laugh. Maybe this wouldn't be all that bad after all.