(Shayla POV)

I laid on my twin sized water bed while reading a vanity fair magazine, while Rih sat down on my top my dresser reading a magazine as well.

"what we going to do tonight. I'm ready to get nice for real for real" Rih expressed. I continued flipping through my magazine and looking at the different hair styles and models.

"I don't know Rih... its Friday and I think there might be a party out the city"

When I say the city, I mean in midtown in the heart of New York city. Rih looked up at me with her lips twisted.

"Who the hell taking that bus?" she flipped through the pages of the magazine hard as hell.

I glared at her. "You going to be riding to get me another damn magazine if you don't stop flipping so damn hard"

She sucked her teeth. "Whatever" she said, not once looking up at me. I chuckled to myself and That's when I heard the keys jingle in the front door and I immediately ran to the front of the apartment and swung open the door damn near making my mom fall into the house.

"Damn it LaLa" My mom shrieked while stepping back

I laughed and saw all the balloons in her hand that said "congrats" "my graduate" "C/O 86" and plenty of more. I jumped up and down and she looked at me.

"While you jumping, you could be grabbing some of these damn bags in my hand"

I grabbed some bags and balloons and I see Rih coming to help.

"Hey Ma Vanessa" Rih said to my mom. My mom loved Rih so much, people thought she was my biological sister. Everywhere we went so did and the same was with her mom.

"Hey my Rih Rih" she smiled setting the bags on the kitchen table and finally plopping down on the love seat in the living room. I had to admit it. We lived in the hood but we were considered middle class compared to what most people homes and jobs consisted of. Before we lived in Baisley, my brothers and me, my mom and dad we lived off of St. Albans in a two story home.

I don't remember too much about it off the fact that I was so little. My dad worked as a post master in the post office, while my mom stayed home and watched us. She didn't have to work, only if she wanted too. At the time Arrion was 5, Marlon was 3 and I was about 9 months old.

Things were clutch, from what my brothers told me until my dad developed a bad drinking habit that also included my dad thinking he can put his hands on my mom whenever he felt like it. My bro Marlon told me that in the middle of the night we left and stayed at my auntie Cassie house over in rockaway park queens.

She lives in California now though, with my cousin Kim. My dad searched and looked for my mom begging her to come back home, which she didn't.

although it's been some years since my mom and dad seen differently, he has always remained active in me and my brother's life. Never missed a birthday, Christmas, hell even Labor Day. HE WAS THERE. And despite what my mom and dad went through, I thank my mom for never being a bitter woman and keeping her kids away from their father.

"Marlon stopped by today" I said leaning on the computer desk.

My mom looked up at me. "yeah I called him to tell you bring your butt upstairs because I needed to talk to you. I got some great news" she smiled.

I smiled at her and listened intensively so did A'rihana.

"What is it ma?" I hoped she said look out the window and your car waiting for you..

"I got a promotion at my job today baby" she said with a toothy smile. I jumped up and down excitedly. "Oh my god mommy, I'm so happy for you "I damn near jumped in her lap.

"That's great news ma! what is the position?" Rih asked full of excitement.

"I'm now a traveling nurse" my mom pointed her finger in the air and laughed.

"Oweeeeeeeee" I yelled "Ma we bout to be banked around here" I danced popping my little fatty. We all laughed. "But umm... Marlon also said you had a surprise for me. Not saying this not, a surprise but as if it was something else." I looked at my mom who was now taking off her RN tag off her scrubs.

"Well..." she smiled. "you're going to be spending your summer in California with your auntie Cassie and cousin Kim" She clapped her hands together as my face dropped.

"WHAT? CALIFORINIA? ARE YOU SERIOUS" I FELT MY heart drop literally out my ass. Rih looked at me with her eyes widened. I returned the same look.

My mom paused. "Something told me you weren't going to like this graduation gift" she sighed and started walking into the kitchen with me on her heels.

I shook my head. "This is sum sick ass joke right" I asked with piercing eyes.

My mom slammed the cabinet making jump a little. "watch ya goddamn mouth" she sternly spoke as she poured herself a glass of water out of the Brita filter.

Rih slowly eased herself to the kitchen table and I glared at her and she stood up and walked back in the living room.

"Ma, I haven't seen Aunt Cassie and Kim in like forever. I can't just go to Cali. Me and Rih had the whole summer planned out.... I was going to get a summer job ma NOOO "I cried to her and she stopped and looked at me.

"and you and Rih can still do those things. I've discussed with her mom about her going and it took some convincing but she's okay with it" my mom gulped her water and poured another cup.

"EXCUSEE MEEE? RIH is going to no west coast oh no" Rih placed her hand on her forehead as she felt a little faint. I rolled my eyes and continued to whine.

"Ma... I can't and I REPEAT CANNOT go to calif..."

You're going and that's final. Whether Rih goes or not you're not staying here the whole summer at 18 years old" she screamed and looked at me with squinted eyes. That little vein popped up in her forehead, which I Knew she meant business.

I shook my head. "Ma. California is a totally different time zone, everything I can't and refuse to go!" I started pacing back and forth, while Rih sat there with her face in her palm of her hand.

"Look Shayla Nicole Grant, I'm not going through this with you right now" My mom explained and rubbed her hand down her face. "Your auntie and cousin is expecting your ass in LA Monday morning and that is where you will be. You're not staying here alone" she walked away from me and disappeared into her bedroom.

I looked at Rih who looked at me with sadness in her eyes. "Now what bitch. Our whole summer ruined. I am sorry Shayla" she put her hand up "I'm not going to no body's north coast south coast"

I exhaled and shook my head." It's the west coast heffa". she tilted her head back and stared at me for a moment.

"shit aint gon over there either man. I'm happy for your mom but damn, what type of gift is that? Rih asked looking out the window.

I sighed and sat down against the wall. "I don't know Rih Rih" I said.

I looked at her and she looked at me and we both sighed.

"I rather a card and a plate of soul food right now then to be going to another fucking coast" I sucked my teeth. "I don't blame you for not wanting to go Rih" I stood up and punched the wall.

"Punch something else Shayla and I'll punch you in your ass" I heard my mom yell from her bedroom. Me and Rih chuckled a little bit.

"Ay Shayla, I'm going home to see my mom, I haven't see her all day and I want to know what the fuck made her think I wanted to leave New York this summer". Rih said, standing up. I nodded walking her to the door.

"I'll call you later" I said quietly. She nodded and went down the stairwell.

I closed and locked the door. Some fucking graduation gift, I thought to myself. I sighed and slowly walked back into my bedroom. I didn't even feel like going out tonight. I cleaned up my mess, took a long shower and lotion up really good once I got out. The clock read 8:57pm. I slowly climbed into bed. "Fucking California" I said and turned out my light and faded.

Comment. Vote. Subscribe :)