Luciano

Just a crush

Maybelle groaned as the light came in from her balcony doors. Her head was pounding slightly from the bit of whiskey she had last night. Her eyes fluttered and she squinted them looking at the clock on her nightstand she groaned and rolled her eyes when she realized it was to time to get for school. She kicked off her blankets and moved to her bathroom to shower.

About thirty minutes later she came out of her walk-in closet dressed in her school uniform, which consisted of a knee-length plaid blue skirt, a white shirt, a blue ribbon tie and a blue cardigan which had the school's emblem on the left side.

She groaned and stood in front of her mirror. It was a school day which meant her hair had to be in a neat bun per school protocol, having thick coarse hair made that simple task a struggle for her. She grabbed her comb and got to work before she heard a light knock on the door.

"Come in". She replied combing her thick roughly. She saw her mother come in her mirror reflection.

"Maybelle sweetie breakfast is ready". Her mother spoke in a soft tone. In all her life Maybelle has never recalled her mother raising her voice. She was brought up to be a proper lady that came from a wealthy Creole family.

"I will be there as soon as I am finished with my hair". She replied looking at her mother through the mirror. Her mother came closer behind her.

"Oh honey how many times must I tell you to use relaxes for your hair, you know you have stubborn hair. Now your bun will look untidy, come let me do it for you". Lenore spoke grabbing the brush from her daughter and began roughly combing her hair. Maybelle glared at her mother through the mirror, this was one of the issues she had with her mother she just didn't understand her. Her mom was a high yellow Creole woman with soft silky curls whilst Maybelle inherited her father's dark skin and coarse hair. Her mother did not know how to tend to her hair and instead just chose to put relaxers and hot combs which Maybelle hated. It would burn her scalp and damaged her hair. Her daddy told her she had beautiful hair so couldn't her mother see it. Her mother finally finished and patted down the bun.

"There". She exclaimed and Maybelle resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Now come to for breakfast or else you will be late for school". Her mother told and she nodded watching her mother leave.

After breakfast, Maybelle went into the car which took her to school her driver a dark-skinned middle-aged man sat in the driver's seat.

"Good morning Mr Townsend". She greeted sweetly with a smile on her face.

"Good morning young miss. How goes this morning". The man beamed back.

"It goes good". She spoke while her driver started the car pulling out of the driveway. She looked out the window watching the plush trees and white mansion disappear from her view.

"You know a strange occurrence happened early this morning". Her driver spoke breaking her out of her trance.

"A strange occurrence, what would that be". She spoke furrowing her brows in confusion.

"Well, David swears on his mother's grave that he locked the main gate at 12:30 am this morning but when we opened it about 6 am the lock was picked as if someone was trying to break in". He spoke looking at her through the rearview mirror whilst driving. Maybelle tensed up a bit recalling the events of the morning.

After she and Charles returned they discovered that the main gate was locked. Charles being the gentleman that he is refused to let her jump over as she suggested and instead insisted on picking the lock which he did successfully. She was quite surprised and impressed by his skill, he did it so well that one might think he was used to it almost as if he was a criminal. Fortunately for her, he wasn't, he was an honest businessman. She would question him on his lock picking skills the next time they met.

"Miss are you okay". Townsend asked looking at the young woman who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Uhm I am quite fine, thank you". Maybelle replied breaking her thoughts.

"I was just wondering who would do such a heinous thing, is David sure that he locked the gate perhaps he was mistaken. You know these things happen". She said with a small smile hoping to divert the attention.

"No miss he is positive. He checked on it twice, so someone definitely tried to break in. I shouldn't be telling you this but your father is planning to investigate the situation". Maybelle's breath halted if her father found out the real reason why the lock was picked her life would be over.

"Daddy is investigating this?. Is that really necessary? I just don't believe it is a big deal. It probably some bum who thought they could get lucky or a kid being naughty we live in a safe neighborhood. Daddy should not worry himself over this". She rushed out her words hoping he wouldn't notice how nervous she was. Townsend shrugged.

"I don't know young miss your father seems worried about this. He suspects the Klan..".

"The Ku Klux Klan?". Maybelle interrupted and the driver nodded.

"Yes, the Ku Klux Klan. You know those honkies hate seeing a successful n***o. Those damn crackers attacked Dr. King when he tried going to the South. Can you believe it they attacked a peaceful man like Dr. King savages I tell you, all them. Your father is planning to up his security around the house. He's not taking any chances, you just have to be extra careful you hear?. He said looking towards her and she nodded biting her lip.

She felt bad about the entire situation, her father was probably worrying himself do death over nothing. She was also worried about the extra security that would be around, her father was already overprotective as is now with this he surely would not allow her to leave the house unattended and this meant she could not sneak around to see Charles. She frowned at the thought, she would need to call him later and tell perhaps he could come up with a plan. He seemed to be an expert in sneaking around. Her frown turned into a smile as she remembered how Charles snuck her out and the romantic kiss they shared on the boat. She felt like Juliet and Charles was her Romeo, forbidden love was the best kind she thought as she drove off to school.