White In A Black World

CHAPTER 2

I wear my favourite red dress, and black ankle boots. I apply red lipstick and I fix my hair into a bun. After that, I’m good for the day. I go downstairs and I find everyone there. 

“Hey Mom, dad.” I hug both of them and settle in my stool at the table. The same old happens. Dan takes Sussan’s plate, and Sussan slaps him then they fight. It’s our daily bread.

“Mom?” she looks up with stress lines on her forehead.

“What is it, baby?” I smile as I think of what I’m about to say 

“There will be a fashion pageant at school, and I want to enter it. Anyone who won will be Ms Beauty of the school, and will represent the school in each school event.”

“And, not forgetting the £2000 I’ll get in each school event I’ll go to, and I’ll win £3000 cash prize if I become Ms Beauty.” I see mom’s eyes looking at me in delight. 

“That’s good baby, super good. If you want to enter, you can! I’m sure your dad can borrow you some dresses on his store.” I turn to look at dad and he shakes his head.

“No.” he stands up and goes to the sink. 

“What?! Why?” I stand up too, and follow him around the room.

“I think you should be investing your time in school work, studying for future tests. What will you gain going to a beauty pageant? They discriminate there. They compare you to other girls and say you don’t have enough charm for the pageant.” I felt tears threatening to come out. 

“But dad...”

“No, Audrey! I don’t want you to be exposed to these kind of things. Good bye.” he attempts to give me a kiss on my forehead but I back away. He sighs and leaves. How dare he! 

“So, he didn't agree? I’m sorry, friend.” Diana consoles me.

“Yes, we are sorry, but I guess his intentions are pure.” Liv adds. Yeah, I guess so.

“Any who, when are we going to the city?” I ask them, already fed up by this topic. They understand as they just drop it.

“Let’s go now!” we run to the train stations and hop on the next train to town. We are dancing and laughing on the train, with no care in the world. We’ll just windowshop, as we have no money on us.

The train come to halt and we hop off. We run to the first shop, and it’s my Aunty's shop. 

“Hello, Audrey! What are you doing here?” I smile as she engulfs me in a warm hug.

“We are just here to window shop. So, where can we find vintage?” I say with a little elegance in my voice.

“On your right, madame.” she slightly bows and we laugh at the gesture. So many dresses, so many jeans. I gasp at the sight of vintage scarfs and headwraps. I love those the most. 

I take one headwrap and put it in my head in a very elegant way. 

“Wow! One could swear that you are one of the princesses of the royal house.” Liv laughs, giving me a pat. She's right. The way I made this headwrap, you’d swear I’m royalty. Too bad I am not. 

“Where were you, dear?” 

“In town.”

“What! You can’t go without me knowing!” Mom scolds and I hang down my head. 

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“Just because your father was rude to you, doesn't mean you must become a rebel. I won’t tolerate this kind of nonsense.” I sigh. Maybe I was wrong. 

“I’m sorry.” she nods and continues eating. I think I'm full. 

I hear a knock on my door and I let that person in. I turn and see it's dad. I put the book aside and sit straight.

“Audrey.”

“Father.” I see him flinch and he looks at me with sorry eyes. 

“Come here.” he pats on the space next to him and I opt for his lap. He smiles. 

“I’m sorry for what I said. I shouldn’t have. I really don't like pageants, but if you love it and want to do it, you have my blessings.” I smile and give him a kiss on the cheek. Thanks dad.