Azalea

© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.

I heard a door slam startling me awake. Sitting up I hissed rubbing at my aching shoulder. I made a mental note to buy more pillows to prevent the twisted position I always tend to end up in. Once my mind became less fuzzy a deep irritation settled in I don't know about anyone else, but I'm tired of waking up to loud noises.

Does anyone have respect for people's sleep anymore?

Walking to the bathroom I could hear shuffling upfront then another door slam. I rolled my eyes slamming my bathroom door closed. Sense we slamming things now. Call me immature, but that's who I am this early. Immature Adanni sue me. After doing my business and brushing my teeth, I tugged my scarf down from it sliding up my head in my sleep and continued to wash my face.

Rubbing my moisturizer on I headed out of my room towards the kitchen. Walking by Maliq's room I could see it was already empty. Seeing my mom's door slightly ajar, but no noise coming out of it, indicated she had already left as well, so I didn't bother to be extra quiet as I made myself some breakfast. Pouring a bowl of cereal I grabbed a pair and rinsed it off heading back towards my room.

At my art desk moving my sketchbook to a crate that had all my canvases and notebooks in it. Sticking a spoonful of cereal in my mouth I shot a text to Saniyah telling her to call me when she gets a second. After finishing my bowl I sat back now focused on my pear and looked around my room.

I glanced at the many canvases spread across the walls from portraits and landscapes to abstract arts every wall was almost filled. My bed sat in the corner covered in the Bratz comforter I've had since I was fifteen.

Thinking of how much packing I had to do made me start to get pissed off all over again. What kind of mother kicks out their daughter? Especially if the only reason being that she doesn't want to go into the line of work you want her to. What the hell is that?

I stood by her side my whole life, who do you think babysat her son while she had to work. Staying up till eleven sometimes midnight. At twelve years old while she worked a late shift, and never complained! I did everything she wanted me to when she wanted.

Chomping angrily on my pear I spun slowly in my chair. I knew what this was. It was a test. To see if I would give up and give in. She never thought I could be independent not really. Every argument we had when it came to where I was going to college to what I picked in my 11th-grade project on what I wanted to be when I grew up. You've never felt shame until you watched your mother shun your hard-earned "A".

Of course, my project was based on me being an artist I made multiple small canvases and put them on a tall poster board, even made a sculpture mimicking Queen Nefertiti it was all based on what would be in my first art gallery. My thesis was immaculate if I said so myself. My business teacher had no choice but to be impressed.

Sighing my thoughts we're Interrupted by my phone vibrate. Sanaya's name flashing on the screen.

"Hey."

"Sup girl, wassup what you need to talk about?"

I continue to tell her the story about everything. Slipping in a few curses here and there.

"Are you freakin serious she seriously kicked you out over some bullshit like that? Well you know you can come to stay with me right?"

"Really? It would only be for a little while. Would Terrence mind?"

I heard her scoff in the background as she shuffled with something.

"Girl, I ain't even sure about that man anymore. One day he feels this way another he feels that. At this point, I'm not even sure if this whole living together thing is going to last."

"Besides, this apartment is in my name he has no say so. Besides that fact, he barely is here anyway. From football practice to his job, now I only really see him until later in the day."

I could hear by the sound of her voice there was more she wanted to say, but I refrained from asking until I saw her.

"Alright well thank you. I'm packing my things now, could pick me up?"

"For sure I'll stop by around 5 after my shift ends."

After saying our goodbyes I hung up. Jumping up I hopped into the shower washing my face and putting on a face mask. Walking out wrapping my towel around me I picked out my outfit for the day pulling out the stack of clothes in each drawer while I was at it knowing I was already going to have to pack them in a suitcase. I threw on white Adidas sweats and an Adidas red sports bra. Grabbing a white loose t-shirt to go on top.

I went and rinsed my face off, snatching off my bonnet. I sighed as I looked at my hair which was now greatly tangled and molded to my head. Why I decided to sleep without platting it I don't know I was tempted to pick it out into another puff but refrained knowing I'd regret it later. I decided to grab my gel and edge control and did two low buns.

Thirty minutes later I finally finished tying a scarf on my head so tight it made me have a slight headache which I chose to ignore. I wanted my edges to be laid okay. Don't judge me. You'd do the same. The next hour I got busy pulling out suitcases I never had a use for until now. Packing my drawers and pulling my clothes out of the closet avoiding taking them off of the hangers cause who has the time?

An hour and a half went by when I heard my phone notification go off indicating I had a new text. I looked around the room to see all of my progress, drawers now cleared out. Every lotion spray or jewelry I usually set atop is now packed away. My closet now was mostly bare beside the few shoe boxes on the top shelf.

Ignoring the sad feeling starting to creep up in my chest, I check my phone to see a new message from Ms. Irene asking me if I can stop by. I debated on doing a rain check, honestly not feeling like talking to anyone in person at the moment. I sighed ignoring the thought knowing that I would feel guilty if I did a rain check yet again. Quickly shooting her a text saying I'd be there soon. I zipped up the suitcases that I finished packing dragging them towards the door.

I have packed more than half of my room, anything else I knew I could keep here until I could come back for it. My mom would just have to deal with it. She wanted me out so soon, this is how it's going to go. Sliding on my red and white Nike high tops I slid out the front door locking it behind me.