FOUND

Isabella- Atlanta, Georgia "Yo Bella, what's good shawty?"  I glanced over my shoulder at Darien and rolled my eyes. No matter how many times I denied him, he continued to come back. I didn't have the energy to fight with him today, so I let him be.  "Headed home, D. You?" I replied, deciding to make use of the conversation. I had no doubt he would follow me all the way home, and I didn't do awkward silences.  "About to meet up with boys downtown. We got some business to take care of." Darien stated with a shrug.  We grew up in Atlanta, more towards the inner city than the rich neighborhoods like Buckhead. Our area was like a happy medium. Most everyone who went to our school were either middle or lower class, and lived around here. I don't think we have any rich kids, and if we do, I sure as hell don't know them.  "Business, huh?" I repeated, raising my brow. I had no doubt he was headed to do some gang banging s**t, but I chose not to question it. I tried to stay away from that type of stuff, because I knew it wasn't safe. The gangs in ATL don't play, and sixteen is way too young to die. "Yeah, you heard me." Darien nodded. I simply hummed and nodded my head as well. We walked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. "Send me the math homework tonight, ight?" He stated once we were standing in front of my house.  "Okay." I nodded.  Darien grinned and nudged my shoulder. "See ya later, shawty. Stay outta trouble."  "I should be saying the same to you." I smirked. He shrugged before jogging off down the street. I just shook my head. I stood outside for a few more minutes before deciding to head inside. Ma's car wasn't in the driveway, which meant she was probably still at work. She worked down at a hair salon during the day, then at night she did part time stock at Walmart. In between her two jobs, she found time to be a semi alcoholic. I didn't say much about it, because it didn't really affect me and I was just thankful it wasn't anything harder like meth or cocaine.  Just because she drank a lot didn't mean she was a bad mother, though. It was quite the opposite, actually. I had no doubt in my mind that my mom would do anything for me. That's why she works as hard as she does, to keep funding my life along with her own. I don't have a dad, so ma has to take care of everything financially by herself. She's all I got, and I'm all she's got. We're pretty close, despite everything. I tossed my bag on the floor by the door, knowing I'd pick it up before ma got home. She didn't play when it came to "tossing my s**t around her clean house like I pay the bills." Even though I do help with bills sometimes, since I work a part time job at a local music store down the block. We sell records, tapes, CDs, you name it. I love music, so as soon as I saw they were hiring, my ass was down there with an application.  I quickly made myself a turkey sandwich before grabbing my bag and heading to my room to get ready for work. I thought about doing my homework before leaving, but I didn't have the time. I'll just finish when I get off.  I changed into a pair of jean shorts, my favorite Michael Jackson vintage tee and slid into a pair of adidas. Thankfully my job didn't have a strict dress code, so I could pretty much wear whatever.  As I was searching for my mascara I came across the only photo I had of myself when I was younger. I was wearing a bright pink dress and a matching bow, cheesing real hard. I had no idea where the picture was taken, but it looks like there's a pretty big house in the back. Ma said the flood in our apartment building years ago destroyed all my childhood pictures, and this is the only one that survived. It's kinda sad, but it's whatever.  I took a minute to touch up my makeup before grabbing my wallet and keys and heading out.  ****** Beyoncé- Manhattan, New York  "No mama, I haven't checked my email yet. I'll do it as soon as I get home, okay? I'm on my way to my office right now." I sighed into my phone. I forced a smile and waved to the paparazzi as I walked by.  "I'm holding you to that, Beyoncé. You know how important this family reunion is to me, and I need you to make sure your schedule is clear for it. I'm sure everyone would love to see Blue, as well. She deserves to be around her family." Mama scolded me. I made a mental note to check this damn email after my meeting so my mother wouldn't kill me later.  "I know, I know."  "Alright. I'll leave you alone, but don't make me ask you about it again." Mama warned. "I'll talk to you later, baby. Don't work yourself too hard. I love you." I smiled. "I'll try not to. Love you and I'll talk to you later, mama." I replied before hanging up. I carefully placed my phone in my purse before heading towards the elevator in my office building.  "Good afternoon, Mrs. Carter."  "Good afternoon, Marlon." I smiled at the receptionist as I walked by. "How are you today?"  "Ah, can't complain. Things are going well, I found out my girl is pregnant last night." Marlon replied with a bright smile. I couldn't help but grin at his excitement.  "That's wonderful, congratulations. I'll be sure to send you a gift for the baby." I told him.  "Thank you, thank you. Have a great day, Mrs. Carter."  "You too, Marlon."  After the two minute elevator ride and the three minute walk down the hallway, I was happily in the comfort of my own office. I set my purse on my desk and immediately grabbed my phone, calling my husband.  "Hey baby," Jay answered. I leaned against the huge window in my office and looked down at the chaos of the city. My view from the 47th floor was impeccable. "Hey Jay, you picked up Blue from school right?" I asked.  "Well, Ty is." Jay replied and I immediately frowned. "I got caught up with some business at RocNation. I'd rather him get her than me being late."  "Jay..." I breathed out a sigh and rubbed my temples. It wasn't that I didn't trust Tyran, I just hated when plans change regarding my child and not being informed about it. "I wish you would've told me."  "I'm sorry, Bey. I would've, but it completely slipped my mind." Jay apologized sincerely. He knew how I was with Blue, especially after the kidnapping. I failed at protecting our first child, I couldn't fail with the second. "I can run by and get her real quick if you want."  "No, that's not necessary. I'm sorry, I'm just-"  "I know." Jay's voice softened. I closed my eyes and sighed. "I know babe, and it's alright. I'll come by there with Blue after I leave here, okay? In about an hour."  "Okay." I replied softly. "I love you."  "I love you too. See you in a few."  After hanging up with Jay, I returned to my desk and began going through the paperwork my assistant left me. I had a concert coming up soon in collaboration with my organization Chime For Change, and wanted to make sure everything was right.  About halfway through handling business, I briefly got distracted by the photos I had framed on my desk. I smiled, remembering when each one was taken.  There was one, hidden behind the photo of my mother and Blue at my mother's wedding a few years back. I knew which one it was, because I had strategically placed it there for a reason. Occasionally I was strong enough to look at it and remember, other days I wasn't.  I cautiously grabbed the picture frame and slowly brought it into view. I stared at the last photo taken of my baby, smiling big in her bright pink dress with a matching bow, nearly thirteen years ago, and allowed myself to cry. To this day, I didn't understand how I could've been so irresponsible. I knew she was probably dead, but I refused to believe it. There was an ounce of hope that continued to live in my heart. One day I would find her.  I wiped my tears away and returned the picture frame back to it's place. I took a moment to get myself together before logging onto my computer to check the email Mama had called about.