Black-owned business of the day:
Blkoncepts Clothing

Black-owned and operated business dedicated to providing quality thought-provoking custom prints. Celebrate the skin you're in and the history that comes with it.

Website: www.blkoncepts.com

—————————————-

Everyone sat awkwardly at the table. We were having our pre-Thanksgiving brunch right now. It's safe to say that everyone can feel the tension.

My mom kicked Micheal out earlier by throwing a knife next to his head. Unfortunately, it only took off a patch of his high top fade. His hair looks like a church staircase now.

"Who the hell you think you are bringing him into my house? After what you guys did your sister you feel comfortable bringing him in here let alone be all over him"

I sat on the couch with my head down. If I look up she'll see that I'm hurt. I'm the biggest crybaby, gangster, sensitive, but toughest person you'll meet.

My problem isn't the fact that she's with him. It's the fact that she has the nerve to bring him over to our family dinner, as if she forgot what they did to me. She doesn't feel an ounce of guilt.

"Why can't I invite the father of my child to our family dinner?"

My world completely stopped. After all those months of saying she doesn't know who the father is, she revealed it's Micheal. I got out of the living room as fast as I can.

You never know pain until your sister and your first love have a child.

I ran to my room and locked the door. I instantly broke down on the ground. Tears ran down my face like a waterfall. I could feel my eyes becoming puffy and red.

I picked up my phone and scrolled through my contacts. I don't want to ruin anyone's break by calling them with my drama. I just walked to my bed and buried myself under the blanket. I was going to fall asleep when my phone dinged.

I didn't have the courage to FaceTime him. When he saw I wasn't going to take the first step, he called me.

I picked up the phone with a grunt. As I looked at myself in the camera I saw mascara running down my face. My eyes looked red as if I was high. My lips were dry and cracked like the back of Iyanna's feet.

"Hey"

I whispered. My breath slapped my face with full force. What the hell did I eat? My breath smells like outside and the sun.

"Baby, are you ok? Why are you crying? Do I have to bring out my glizzy?

Dominic sat up and turned on his lights. This boy finally got his gun permit and he doesn't know how to act. Now that he can legally have it, he has been taking it everywhere.

"No Dom, I'm good"

"Is it your sister? I remember you telling me she's the only downside of going back home"

I told him that almost a month ago. I'm amazed he still remembers. He usually forgets the information I tell him within second of me telling him. That's why I confide in him with some of my secrets.

I don't have to worry about the whole campus knowing my business if Dominic doesn't remember it.

"Yeah, it's her. I just found out that my first love is her baby's father"

"Damn, do you want me to kidnap him and throw him off a bridge?"

I let out a soft laugh. If that wasn't illegal I would've said yes. And also, that wouldn't be fair to my niece. It doesn't matter what relationship Cassidy and I have, I love my niece as if she was my own.

"I have something that will cheer you up"

I looked at him in fear. Every time he says something like that he scares me. Last time he said that I was hanging off the side of his car. He saw me doing my makeup in his car and decided to swerve. That was supposed to cheer me up.

As I waited for him to speak I received a notification. I hopped off my head and started running around the room.

He added me to the boys group chat.

You don't know how much of an honor it is to be added to the group chat. This is where all the tea gets spilled. Y'all think girls talk, boys, talk more.

I hung up on Dominic and started a Group FaceTime call. Within seconds all the boys were on my screen. Most of them were exercising while some were under their covers like me.

"It's Serenity!" Eric screamed once he saw me. I saw Dominic roll his eyes out of jealousy.

"Hey boys"

"Hey boo"

That's what they call me. I don't know why but, they claim that's what they call all their close girl friends. I've never heard them call any girl that except for me.

My male friends treat me like the baddest female breathing with a sprinkle of baby sister.

As time went on the conversation naturally flowed. I ended up telling them what happened with Cassidy and Micheal. The look of anger on their face was very soothing.

"Someone wise once said "Don't let nobody treat you like the celery on a hot wing platter"' Eric said.

That made me laugh until I got a headache. My mom had to come check up on me to make sure I was doing fine. She was confused by the tears in my eyes since I was laughing so she just slowly backed out of my room.

"You should wear something that screams 'Instagram baddie' to the thanksgiving dinner so she knows who she's dealing with. And please stay away from the all-black outfits."

I can't help it. I try going shopping for colored clothes but, I end up with different shades of black.

I got out of bed and placed my phone on the tripod. I made sure my full room came into view so they can see my clothes options.

"Girl what the hell! Your room looks like a castle!"

I forgot my room looked nothing compared to what I told them it was like. I just told them my house back home was just a normal house. I never went into details about my life here.

I quickly switched the subject by pulling out a random shirt. That's seemed to work since everyone started putting their two cents in.

"It's giving me very much old lady vibes. My mom got that same shirt but in white."

I immediately threw that shirt in the donation bin in my room. I knew that shirt wasn't a junior's shirt. It had those lady people stitching of flowers on it.

Thanksgiving dinner is at my grandma's house this year which means I'm also going to see my needy extended family. I have to also show them that it was a mistake to treat us like trash.

After hours of getting judged by all the guys, we finally agreed on an outfit. I was going to wear my beige skirt two-piece with my bamboo heels, brown sunglasses, woven purse.

"And do that dewy look I like with the Fenty highlighter"

Dominic screamed out of nowhere. The room was quiet until we all busted out laughing together. What does he know about a dewy look? Someone has been teaching him some things.

I was filled with so much excitement that I left the call and get ready for bed. Having a good ass outfit for an event will send you to sleep comfortably. Nothing says 'prepared for life' like a fresh fit.

I tried to fall asleep but, I couldn't. Something was bothering me to the point where I couldn't close my eyes. I can't shake off the feeling of something bad happening tomorrow.