“Goodnight, Mom.”
I lie awake for hours after my mom leaves. I’ll have to call Lo, Saint, and Micah in the morning to tell them the news. We’ve all been friends since elementary school, so they were there during those dark years after my father died. This move will affect them just as much as me. We’ve been thick as thieves forever. They’ll hate that I’m moving and won’t be around for senior year. This was supposed to be an epic year for us.
I’ll come back to visit them every chance I get, and I know they’ll do the same. I shouldn’t be so upset. It’s easy for me to make friends. It’s not hard for me to fit in wherever I go. I’m not stuck on myself, but I know I turn a lot of heads. I’m definitely not as tall as my mother at 5’4, but I’m just as beautiful. I have a caramel complexion from top to bottom; my skin, hair, and eyes. My curly hair stops at mid-back. I have pouty lips, a small waist, big breasts, a round ass, and thick thighs, courtesy of my dad’s mom. The plus side of moving to Montgomery, West Virginia is that I’ll be closer to my dad’s side of the family, so that’s something to look forward to. Things are looking up already.
The next morning, my mom and Michael are practically gushing over each other. While I’m happy for them, it’s enough to make me sick. We’re eating breakfast at a café to discuss wedding plans and the pending move. I’m eating a French breakfast of Quiche Florentine and tea. I did a web search on my future residence and discovered that Montgomery, West Virginia is a small town with a population of about four thousand people. I’ll have to travel a bit further to get to the places I like to visit, such as the movie theater, nail salon, and mall. I’ll have to put in my two weeks’ notice at the coffee house where I work part-time after school. Cindy will be so upset. I’m her best-seasoned employee. I’ll try to prepare and train the other employees as best as I can. If I really wanted to stay in Los Angeles, my mom would let me, even though it would break her heart.
I’ve been working at the coffee house since I was fifteen. I searched and applied for jobs on my own to the dismay of my mother. She just wanted me to focus on school, but I promised her that I could do both. My GPA is 4.0, I’m no Einstein but I can get by in the classroom. I consider myself very independent, mature, and responsible for my age. I saved money to purchase my own car, a Ford Focus. It’s not the most glamorous car, but it’s mine. My mom one-hundred percent supports me financially, but the little extra things I want, such as my bi-weekly trips to the nail salon, I finance myself.
I’m a girly girl, so I love my mall, hair, and nail salon visits. That reminds me; I need to make an appointment with my braider. I want box braids before the move.
Michael is the complete opposite of my dad. I was a little shocked when I first met him. Where my dad was an alpha male type, Michael is more the timid geek with his black-rimmed glasses. He’s still a handsome man though. I can see why my mom fell head over heels in love with him. He’s five years older than her.
Like my mom, Michael was also previously married, andjust like my mom, Michael tragically lost his spouse, but she died from cancer. I’m sure my grandparents would be pleased that their daughter is finally marrying a white man. They would gladly bring her back into the fold, but my mom doesn’t want anything to do with them, because they would never accept me as their granddaughter.
“Cocoa, are you listening, honey?”
My mom must’ve been speaking to me.
“I’m sorry, I missed what you said,” I reply.
“Michael will be able to enroll you in Montgomery Academy.”
“Isn’t the tuition expensive there?”
“Not really, $15,000 a year,” says Michael in his country accent.
“Mom, I don’t want you or Michael to be financially burdened by sending me to an expensive private school.”
“It won’t be a financial burden. As a tenured employee and considering the fact that you’ll be my stepdaughter soon, I’m able to receive a forty percent discount on tuition for you. All you have to do is maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher, which I’m sure is no problem for you. Your mother told me you’re as smart as a whip.”
I hope my mom hasn’t oversold my academic abilities to Michael.
“Isn’t this exciting, baby?” Mom asks.
I don’t know if going to school with a bunch of snobby kids is my idea of exciting.
“Montgomery Academy is an elite private school. They have excellent extracurricular activities. I know you like cheerleading and have an interest in journalism. You’ll have the pick of top colleges and scholarship opportunities,” says Michael.
Now, this gets my attention. “Really?”
“Absolutely. Montgomery Academy is one of the most prestigious private schools in West Virginia.”
I can put up with a few snobby kids for this opportunity.
“Later today, I’ll order you a few uniforms on the Montgomery Academy website. Michael will receive a discount for that as well.”
“Uniform?”
“Yes honey, Montgomery Academy is a private school, so uniforms are required. It’s not like your current high school.”
Well, that sucks—I won’t be able to bring my fabulous sense of style to my new school.
“So, let’s finish talking about the wedding, shall we?” says Michael.
“Let’s,” replies my mom.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask.
