After School

Dahlia: Danielle I'm home.

Danielle: Hey why are you home so early?

Dahlia: Um can I get a how are you? and its 5:00 school is out and cheer practice was over.

Danielle: yea but you didn't stay for your one on one training with you coach and later you have to...............

Dahlia: Wait a minute I don't have to do anything

Danielle: Excuse me!

Dahlia: Danielle I'm tired you got me cheering, running track, wrestling, tennis, and pageants that's all great but I just want to dance.

Danielle: dancing is going to make you turn out to be a video girl like your mother or a nobody like your godmother , so why would I let you do that when I know you are capable of more.

Dahlia: I know what I am capable of

Danielle: Listen we don't have time for this since you came home early you can get in extra time at wrestling practice.(Grabs Dahlia)

Dahlia: (snatches away) Danielle I said I'm tired.

Danielle: and I said you aren't going to be a waste so you have 20 minutes to go upstairs wash up put on your practice clothes on and get in the car.

Dahlia: ugh fine. (she goes upstairs gets ready and goes to wrestling practice )

2 Days Later

Kenisha: Hey why are you still woke?

Dahlia: I just couldn't get any sleep

Kenisha: Well you could've came to work with me

Dahlia: (sarcastically Laughs) ha-ha you are too funny. You know you're job isn't exactly a place for a child and besides I didn't want to see all of that!

Kenisha: Dahlia look all of us can't be Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, or Celebrities and it's not because we didn't want to or we didn't try. It's just life is unfair. It's all about who you know and your family history.

Dahlia: Or it could be you let people talk down upon you and you gave up too easily. You didn't believe in yourself and you let what everyone was saying discourage you.

Kenisha: hmmmm so you think you have a chance in this world

Dahlia: yes matter of fact I know I do.

Kenisha: Dahlia you are smart, I mean very smart you could be anything you want to be you could even make history.

Dahlia: thanks

Kenisha: you didn't let me finish........ yes you could be anything but you aren't you have too many things going against you.

Dahlia: Kenisha I know you think you are helping me but you aren't.

Kenisha: Dahlia you are of age where you should start thinking in a more realistic way.

Dahlia: what do you mean in a more realistic way?

Kenisha: You have dreams but you eventually have to wake up and face reality.

Dahlia: If you try hard enough you can make your dreams your reality

Kenisha: don't worry about it you'll soon find out what i already know!

Dahlia: What do you know? nothing you think just because you gave up easily and things didn't work out for you they shouldn't work out for me but they are going to I know that a have a purpose in this world and regardless of what anyone thinks or says I'm going to work hard every single day to ensure i get what I want in life. I don't want to end up like you.

Kenisha: (slaps Dahlia) stop talking down on me because of my job i am trying to help you. This world is unfair and you are going to end up heartbroken. I know that you are beautiful, smart, and talented. Dahlia I was you I had dreams out of this world and I knew that I desrved to have a job better than the one I got but I was a nobody so how was a supposed to make a name for myself. So i got money the only way i knew possible and i think you should be more grateful and listen to me I'm trying to keep you from being hurt.

Dahlia: it's too late for that

Kenisha: Listen Im tired im going to bed but when i wake up later have breakfast ready.

Dahlia's Voice: Dear Diary,

It's Hard to stay optimistic when everything around me is so negative. I want to prove everybody who put me down wrong but it seems as if I'm only proving them right.God I need you the most right now and it might seem like I've neglected you but it's just that at times life takes me to a point where I shut down and stop caring. Right now I am confused and lost I don't know what to bealieve, who to trust, or where to go. My ultimate goal

In life is to be happy . If I am traveling the wrong path please guide me in the right direction. It's hard to tell the difference between what's right and whats wrong because at times wrong feels so right. Please Help Me

-Dahlia

11:00 a.m The Next Morning

Dahlia: here is your food Kenisha

Kenisha: (starts eating) thanks wow this is great how'd you learn to cook like this?

Dahlia: Well you learn alot when you have to fend for everyone and yourself

Kenisha: (looks up) huh what did you say?

Dahlia: nothing enjoy your breakfast

Kenisha: hey fix you a plate and come talk to me

Dahlia: no I'm good

Kenisha: come on

Dahlia: fine

(Dahlia goes fix a plate and goes sit down on Kenisha's bed)

Kenisha: how is school going?

Dahlia: it's ok the work is easy i have a few friends but you know most people messy and just like to put down on others but i just try to block them out. Then Danielle has me in all these different sports and such but I just want to dance but she won't allow me to...........

Kenisha: Because she thinks you are going to end up like me or your mother

Dahlia: how'd you know?

Kenisha: Because she's been trying to keep you away from both of us since you were born. And we don't really get along

Dahlia: Why not?

Kenisha: She always said that I was too wild and I always said that she was stuck up.

Dahlia: yea you two are very different

Kenisha: and speaking of your mother she told me that you haven't answered her calls.

Dahlia: no I haven't and why should I?

Kenisha: she's your mother

Dahlia: and what is that supposed to mean she doesn't care about me

Kenisha: Yes she does

Dahlia: no she doesn't if she did she would come see me

Kenisha: I'm sure she'd love to but.........

Dahlia: there's always a but....... look can we just change the subject.

Kenisha: you've let that woman brain wash you.

Dahlia: no I have not

Kenisha: and how do you know. She has you acting like her and everything

Dahlia: you know what I see why she is pushing me so hard. Unlike you she actually wants what's best for me.

Kenisha: Listen....

Dahlia: I really don't want to I need to get ready for Danielle to pick me up for a wrestling match.

Later That Day

Danielle: awww I am so proud of you Dahlia

Dahlia: Yeah thanks (she said while taking off her shoes)

Danielle: what's wrong you don't sound happy

Dahlia: I'm fine I'm just going to go take a bath

Danielle: by the time you finish our food should be here I ordered Chinese.

Dahlia: (walks upstairs) ok

Angel, Danielle's daughter and Dahlia's cousin, walks in

Angel: Hey mom, Dahlia I'm home

Danielle: Hey baby

Angel: Hi where's dahlia?

Danielle: She's taking a bath, why don't you go ahead and unpack our dinner will be here in a minute.

Angel: K

Later At The Dinner Table

Angel: Dahlia I was hoping I'd make it back to see you wrestle but how'd it go?

Dahlia: It was ok

Angel: Aw did you lose your title.

Dahlia: No matter of fact I got the elite and superior title.

Angel: well why don't you sound excited

Dahlia: Because I don't want to do something just to win I want to do something because I love it.

Danielle: (rolls her eyes at Dahlia and changes the subject) Angel how was Atlanta

Angel; I had so much fun I was turned up we went to different malls and arcades.

Danielle: Good I hope you learned as much as you had fun. did you?

Angel: Yes ma'am

Danielle: Good because that is the reason I sent you. You have your whole life ahead of you to have fun but that needs to happen after you are successful understood.

Angel: yes mother

Danielle: (looks back at Dahlia) Why aren't you eating?

Dahlia: I'm really not that hungry may I be excused

Danielle: no sit down and eat

Dahlia: I'm not about to force myself to eat when I'm not hungry

Danielle: Dahlia do you know how much money I spent on that you are going to eat it.

Dahlia: yes I am but not now

Danielle: I know you are hungry you haven't eaten all day but you call yourself on this little strike

(Dahlia stands up )

Danielle: Where are you going i didn't dismiss you

(Dahlia sits down and slams her food down)

Angel: mom don't do her like that she just.............

Danielle: Angel shut up this doesn't concern you............. Now Dahlia what's with your attitude

Dahlia: I don't have an attitude

Danielle: Yes you do. And I know exactly what this is about. you are still stuck on this dance stuff.............. Dahlia look at me when I am talking to you.

(There is a long pause and Dahlia never looks at her)

Angel: Well I am just going to go up to my room and study

Danielle: Please so I can finish talking to Dahlia.

(Angel goes to her room. Dahlia the stands up to leave but Danielle pulls her back down into the chair.)

Danielle: I'll wait

Dahlia: For what?

Danielle: For you to calm down

Dahlia: I don't know what you are waiting for because I am calm.

Danielle: Dahlia I'm not going to keep preaching to you. I only want what's best for you.I am hard on you because I wants what is best for you (she grabs Dahlia's face and turns it towards her to make Dahlia look at her.) I really don't like hitting you girls but if I have to I will beat you everyday. You are going to do what I tell you to do. Because everything I am making you do is going to benifit you. It's going to ensure you become a Nurse, Lawyer, or even President one day.

Dahlia: (she looks at Danielle's hand and slowly moves her hand) Are you sure that's what's best for me or is that's what's best for you?

Danielle: What why is that even a question?

Dahlia: See I think that maybe you are just trying to live throw us because your mother wouldn't allow you to do everything you wanted to do. And maybe you are just using this whole"O my sister is a Video Girl and is an adult entertainer so I'm raising her daughter and mines trying to make sure that they go down the right path" to hide something you've done or just to make yourself look good. Regardless I'm not you so stop trying to make me you.(leaves)

THE NEXT MORNING

(Dahlia runs downstairs and Danielle is on the couch looking through a magazine)

Dahlia: Danielle why didn't you wake me now I am going to be late.

Danielle: That's not my problem you aren't me remember?

Dahlia: I thought you were more mature than that. (she runs back upstairs to get dressed)

30 minutes later

Dahlia: Aren't you at least going to drive me there?

Danielle: Why should I?

Dahlia: You can't do that you are the one always forcing me to focus on Academics only I mean I barely have a social life and because of one disagreement you want to be immature.

Danielle: hmmm let me see................ YES

Dahlia:(Looks outside and it's raining ) Fine I'll just have to walk (Leaves out the door and slams it)

Later At School

(Dahlia walks into class wet with 3 rollers still in her hair the class starts laughing and she sits in the back and puts her head down on the desk The Bell the rings)

Mrs. G: You all are dismissed except of you Dahlia

(The class leaves and Dahlia slowly picks her head up)

Mrs.G: What happened?(she said while taking the rollers out of Dahlia's hair)

Dahlia: I had this heated argument with my aunt and she got mad and didn't wake me up this morning and I had to hurry up and get ready and walk to school. I'm so tired of this nothing ever goes right in my life.

Mrs. G: well think about it this way there's someone out there going through soemthing worst than you. Everything happens for a reason you just have to stay strong and have faith. And mainly don't let the circumstances around you affect the person you are. You have amazing written all over you just keep that in mind. Ok

Dahlia: ok thanks

Mrs.G: No problem my love

InTheHallway

3 girls bump into Dahlia

1 Girl: She could've stayed at home

Others: Yea because no one likes her

(They walk away laughing and Dahlia bends down to get her books and Angel walks towards her)

Angel: hey cuz I'm glad you made it.

Dahlia: yeah right if you were even the least bit concerned you would've woke me up.

Angel: Hey that was between you and mom

Dahlia: Don't worry about it just go to class.

Angel: But I just want to help

Dahlia: No!! I got it (she stands up and bump her head into the locker and falls back down.)

Angel: OOPS let me help you now.

Dahlia: No! Just go and let me lay here and maybe I can have a little peace.

(Angel wals away and Dahlia sits up while her hands cover her face)

Dr.H: (walks into the hallway) what's wrong?

Dahlia: Dr. H hey and um nothing it's just a long day these kids and stuff at home but I'm ok I'm going to make it hopefully.

Dr.H: (helps Dahlia up)These kids at this school are immature for one and you are an amazing student so they are jealous of you so don't let them make up upset. 2 Life is short whatever it is that is making you unhappy get rid of it you are old enough to make your own decisions in life whether they are right are wrong you have to learn to live for yourself. Be happy I'm not saying get too wild but have a little fun and stand up for what you believe in your opinions matter.

Dahlia: yea thanks I needed that

Dr.H: you know I got you now give me a hug and get to class.

(THE TWO HUG)

At the end of cheer practice

Ivana: Do you want to hang out.

Dahlia: Yes but I can't I have to go home and do a few chores I'm pretty sure my aunt added more mainly because she's upset with me.

Ivana: aww I'm so sorry it's going to get better

Dahlia: Yup that's what everyone keep saying I'll believe it when I see it.

Ivana huggs Dahlia

Ivana: I'll text you

Dahlia: ok

(Dahlia goes see her track coach)

Dahlia: Hey coach I'm sorry I didn't come for my training Friday I was tired I just needed a break.

Coach Kat: Sit down

Dahlia sits

Coach Kat: Don't you think all the other girls get tired?

Dahlia: Yes but......

Coach Kat: o well you just figured you are special you can take a break but the funny thing is you didn't take a break from your stupid cheer practice.

Dahlia: You wouldn't understand

Coach Kat: No Dahlia I dont I take time out of my day to personally train you because you don't come to me when everyone else does because you are too busy doing other stuff. It's like you dont care

Dahlia: Honestly I don't

Coach Kat: O really why are you wasting my time and a

the team's?

Dahlia: I would be happy to leave this team this wasn't my idea my aunt got me into this.

Coach Kat: (Looks at her watch) I need four laps from you

Dahlia: The basketball is in the gym practicing tho

Coach Kat: Ok you can run outside

Dahlia: It's raining and I'm pretty sure my aunt is waiting on me outside

Coach Kat: I already talked to her I told her you would be finish around 6:30 and it's just a little rain

Dahlia: Ugh fine

(Dahlia runs her four laps with her coach yelling and eating chips on the side. After she finishes she waits for her aunt outside after 10 minutes she calls and gets no answer so she picks up her bags and walk to the Pizza Palace she orders a large cheese pizza and a dr pepper she sits and enjoys her food after a minute she opened her diary and started writing in it while waiting for the rain to slack up)

Dear Diary,

It's been a long day. I'm trying to stay strong ,but it's hard . The people who love the most end up hurting you the most. And it's hard to believe the people who say they actually say that care about me because there is a small voice in my head saying at some point they are going to hurt you or you are going to lose them. And because of this I feel lonely. Time goes by fast and I haven't been happy what's the point of living when you aren't happy. I can't let myself end because I have to many talents and I want to leave my mark and regardless of what life throws at me I am going to hold on. At this moment its time to satisfy myself.

(she looks out the window)

Dahlia: Well this is as light as the rain is going to get. (she walks home)