FOUND

II

Isabella

I laid flat on my back on the cold gym floor, sweating and breathing heavily. I had just endured the most brutal two hour practice of my life; coach was definitely pissed off about something today. I wouldn't dare question her about it though, I'm not trying to run laps. 

As if basketball wasn't enough, I have cheer practice in an hour as well. My body was so sore I could barely move, and I didn't even want to think about what it would be like tomorrow morning. Especially since I have to work tonight. I really just want to sleep. 

"Ladies, hit the showers. You stink!" Coach yelled, blowing her whistle to get our attention. 

I rolled my eyes and struggled to pull myself off the floor, grateful when one of my friends stopped to help me. "Thanks Moe." I smiled, dusting off my shorts. 

"No problem, B." Moe returned my smile before jogging off. I rolled my neck a few times as I walked back to the locker room, not bothering to rush. There was really no point, since I would be sweaty and tired all over again in about an hour. 

"Yo Bella, did you hear?" Jordan called out as soon as I walked in. I noticed the other girls' eyes on me and frowned. 

"Hear about what?" I asked while changing out of my jersey. I grabbed my gym bag and searched for a tank top and Nike Pros for cheer. 

"Rumor has it, Beyoncé's in town." Taylor chimed in. I could see the excitement in her eyes and laughed a little. The girl worshiped Beyoncé. "She's supposed to be headed to some club tonight with Jay Z. At least that's what I heard." 

"My man!" Moe grinned, licking her lips and high fiving Sese. 

I laughed and shook my head. "Okay.... But what does that have to do with me?" I asked. Sure, I liked Beyoncé and her music, I've just never taken a huge interest in her. I faintly remember my mama playing Destiny's Child and Dangerously in Love when I was younger, so I stray more towards R&B Beyoncé. I haven't heard much of her new stuff. 

"It's Beyoncé." Taylor stated in a 'duh' tone. "The legend, the queen. This is like, a once in a lifetime thing. We have to go meet her!" 

"I highly doubt that will happen." I replied, bursting her bubble with reality. "Imagine how high security will be, not to mention we're underaged. We're not getting into any clubs." 

"You still have your fake, right?" Moe asked me. I side eyed her before nodding slowly. "So why can't we get into the club?" 

I sighed. "Does anyone actually know what club it is?" 

"40/40." Brianna replied. "The one where the celebrities typically go when they're in town." 

"Jay Z owns it, so makes sense." Moe nodded. I looked between the girls and shook my head. There was no way in hell they were getting into the 40/40 club. 

"Well my uncle works there, I bet he could get us in." Malia spoke up. We all looked at her for a minute, forgetting she was on the team. It happens more often than it should. 

"Could he really?" Jordan asked excitedly. "We could pay him." 

"Well duh," Malia scoffed. "He ain't doing it for free. He could get fired." My teammates began discussing their outfits for tonight while I shook my head. 

"You guys have fun." I grabbed my s**t and headed for the door. I didn't want to participate in this at all. "Let me know how it goes, if you don't get arrested for harassing Beyoncé." I smirked.

"Bella." Moe whined, grabbing my arm so I couldn't leave. I rolled my eyes. "You have to come. It'll be so much fun! We can get rich guys to buy us expensive drinks." She mused, raising her brows up and down. 

I shook my head and laughed. "No thanks. I work tonight anyway, it's too late to call in." This was true, but I honestly wouldn't have gone even if it wasn't. Sneaking into clubs wasn't really my thing. I wasn't as much of a badass as everyone thought. 

"Fine, but you're missing out." Sese told me. "Call us if you change your mind, girl." 

"Yeah, yeah." 

*****

"Mama!" I yelled, walking into the house and closing the door behind me. I was finally home from both practices and all I wanted to do was eat and take a nap. When I realized I got no response from my ma, I yelled louder. "MAMA!" 

"Dammit child, what is it?" Ma asked as she walked out the kitchen. She had her hands on her hips and glared at me, waiting for a response. I smiled innocently. 

"Did you cook?" I was staring at the wooden spoon in her hand. Whenever she had that, it usually meant she was throwing down. 

"Yes, fatty." Ma teased. I poked my tongue out at her and followed her back to the kitchen. "Make yourself a plate before you head off to that music store. I don't like you working those late hours, Isabella." 

My face twisted at the use of my full name. She's the only person that calls me by it. "My hours aren't even that late. I'm off by midnight." I reasoned. The smell of country fried steak hit me full force as soon as I stepped foot in the kitchen. Oh hell yeah. 

"Mashed potatoes too?" I exclaimed. I'm thankful for basketball and cheer cause if I didn't have to be active everyday I would be huge. Literally, all my fat ass does is eat. I love food, especially my mama's southern cooking. 

"Yes, mashed potatoes too." Mama chuckled. I smiled and grabbed myself a plate. 

"Oh, guess what I heard?" I looked at ma after swallowing a spoonful of mashed potatoes. 

"What?" Mama asked. 

"Apparently Beyoncé's close by." I stated before going in for another bite. I noticed the way Ma's demeanor changed and raised a brow. She quickly stood from the table and walked over to the stove, messing with the food. 

"Where'd you hear that from?" She asked lowly. I frowned at her tone and c****d my head to the side. 

"Taylor." 

"So it's probably not true." She seemed to relax. Interesting. 

"Or it might be." I replied, watching her carefully. "Why do you care, anyway?" Ma whipped her head around to look at me and I quickly backtracked. "I mean, uh, why are you acting weird about it? I thought you liked Beyoncé." 

Ma waved it off. "She's ok." 

"Hmm," I sat for a moment in thought. "Taylor and the girls are trying to find her tonight. She's determined to meet her." 

Once again, ma looked at me carefully. I stared back, waiting for her to say something. "Don't go with them." She stated. 

"Why?" I hadn't planned on going anyway, but I wanted to know why mama doesn't want me to. It's unlike her to keep me from doing something fun. 

"Because I said so, Isabella." She snapped. I was a little shocked at her response and scoffed quietly. 

"Maybe I wanted to go." I mumbled. 

"Well too bad, you're not." Ma shrugged. "You're not going out tonight. At all. I want you home." 

I quickly sat up, remembering I have a job. "Ma, I can't. I have to be at work in an hour." I reasoned. There was no way she was making me skip work. That's money I'm missing out on, money that could go in the college fund I've been saving since freshman year. 

"Call in." Ma said simply as she began to clean up. I stared at her blankly. Call in? It was too late to call in. How was someone gonna cover my shift in an hour? 

"I can't." 

"Yes you can. Do I need to call down there for you? You know I will." Ma asked while reaching for her phone. I quickly shook my head. 

"No, no, no. Fine." It took all of my willpower to refrain from rolling my eyes. While I was pissed, I'm not trying to get slapped. She's never acted like this before. I don't know what the hell is going on; but it must be her time of month. 

"Good." Ma placed the food containers in the fridge before looking back at me. "And if you think I'm playing, let me find out you leave this house tonight." 

Well, I knew what that meant. 

"I understand." I replied shortly. I was frustrated yet intrigued by this whole thing. Why did ma want me home so bad? More importantly, what was her issue with celeb hunting with my teammates? 

I guess I'd have to find out. 

I waited for ma to leave the kitchen before sending Taylor a quick text. 

I'm coming.