Her Decision

You Know What’s Up

Amber

It was 7:30 in the evening and I was laying in bed. It had been an eventful day and I just wanted to relax. Donell Jones U Know What’s Up was playing from my speaker. I heard my phone buzzing and fished it out from under my pillow.

*Mia*

Are you coming out tonight? Deshay, Laila, and I are all getting ready at my house. Come with?

I sat up and smiled. I was happy to be invited over. I met Mia, Deshay, and Laila today during our lunch period. I was heading out to eat lunch off campus and they called me over. They told me nobody has ever been brave enough to stand up to Aliana like I did. I got up and showered quickly! As I showered, I undid my bun from the school day and let my curls come alive with the steaming water. Once I got out I began working some product into my hair and blowing it out once I liked the bounce of the curl. Satisfied I began to do my makeup again. I watched a walk through video on YouTube as I tried to apply falsies.

My mom probably was gonna freak out, but I thought I could make it if I was sweet enough. I walked downstairs to find my parents in a heated discussion. “Azerin we need to tell her about her heritage! It’s a part of her. A part of you. A part of us. How can we keep hiding this from her?” My mom whisper shouted to my dad. I’m guessing this was an attempt to keep me from hearing. “Jelena, I know that you feel strongly about this, but as the Alpha I will not let my daughter become a part of this pack before she’s ready. She’s still very much a child. I want her to graduate high school first.” My dad replied to my mom with a voice full of emotion. “She is not a child anymore Azerin! Amari will awaken soon if she hasn’t already. You know the prophecy just like I do!” My mom shouted.

“Enough Jelena.” I had never heard my dad speak in that way to my mom. I knew they had disagreements, but this one had a finality to it. My mom just hung her head as my dad drew her into his arms. “Why stop now? I think I have heard enough to get the full story now right?” My parents pulled apart as they watched me walk into the room. “Amber, there is so much we need to talk about.” My mom rushed to me, but I stepped back. My father did not take that lightly. “If you’re planning on going anywhere and I assume you are based on the stuff you piled onto your beautiful face, I suggest you immediately apologize to your mother and I for that disrespect and eavesdropping on a conversation you weren’t entitled to.”

I looked down as my eyes began to fill with tears. “Mom and Dad I apologize. Can I be excused to go to the diner with my friends?” I said quietly. “Your curfew is midnight and you better not be late. Do you understand me?” My dad was still very upset. “Yes daddy, I understand.” I looked up at him and saw fear for the first time in my life. “Come here baby” he said to me. “Your mom and I love you so much. I’d give my dying breath to tell you and your mom that y’all are my world. I love you two girls so much.” He wrapped his arms around my mom and I as we just stood there. I knew my life would change, but not in this way. I hoped that we could revisit this conversation and soon. For now I was going to have fun with my friends and be a teenager.

Rafa dropped me off at Mia’s around 8:45. I still felt shaken by what I had overheard, but I tried to shake it off. I was wearing a denim mini skirt with a bandana crop top and blue, white, and red high top Ones. “Damn girl you look good! We might have to change haha.” Mia smiled brightly at me as she gave me a hug and I felt my mood instantly lifting. I got upstairs and the girls gave me the same excitement Mia did! I ended up swapping my skirt with Laila because her ripped jeans went better with my top and shoes! We got to the diner around 9:30 and it was packed. Since it was a small town, our parents didn’t mind so much about us being out late. Everyone knew everyone and we were safe. As soon as we walked in, everyone was eyeing us. Mia and Deshay giggled while Laila and I played it cool. I wasn’t really one for the attention since I had been bullied so much, but this felt good.

Suddenly I felt someone scowling at me: Aliana. Seated next to her was Jamar and Sayed with another girl I didn’t know. I rolled my eyes, but then I caught Jamar’s gaze. He looked at me longingly, silently begging to talk to me. “Hey ladies, your table is right this way.” I broke our stare to follow the waiter to our booth. We were 4 tables up from Jamar and his table. I started to ooze with jealousy because Aliana had moved into Jamar’s lap and was whispering in his ear while her hands were under the table. I couldn’t take it anymore. “Can we go? Aliana keeps mugging me and I don’t want to beat anyone up tonight.” We all laughed at my jealousy and my girls told me to blow her off. She couldn’t get to me if I didn’t let her. We got our fried pickles and began to have our girl time when the lights flickered.

“DAAAAAANCE PARTYYYYY” someone yelled over a mic! Loud beats began to fill the room as a dance floor emerged. I was totally pumped because I love dancing. My friends and I were having a good time and lots of guys approached us trying to get numbers. Nobody had talked to me yet so I was taking a quick dance break and got something cool to drink. As I was finishing the last of my Sprite, a guy walked up to me. “So what’s up? I’ve been trying to get at you all night. My name is Terrance. Can I get the pleasure of knowing yours?” He smiled. Wow. A guy that was semi respectful in his game to me. I liked it. “Amber. If you’ve been trying to get at me, what took you so long?” I’d play along for now so I could forget about Jamar. At least for now.