– Keisha
***
That night, after the farewells to my parents –Josh didn't come– Keisha and I boarded the plane for New York. A big city. I would experience a lot that I hadn't yet. Plus, with someone like Keisha the party girl, it was inevitable.
"Now you will follow me to parties, hon. There are no more fricken bodyguards. Now you'll live like a free black girl and not like some spoiled brat." she laughed.
Keisha always said that my parents behaved they were supposed to be royalty. I too, hated that life. I would sit back in highschool and watch my friends go for urban dance classes while I was forced to go for classic dance classes, which were an awfully boring experience.
-
"Yeah. I'll try to live the life I've never had."
"The fun life." Keisha smiled and I smiled back. I felt all excited already.
"We'd make good friends and meet cute boys."
"I'm engaged, Keisha." I cut in.
"Not married. You can still find your soulmate, cuz Mr Vodka the grumpy man isn't for you."
I frowned.
"Don't call him that. I love him Kiki, and there's nothing that can change that."
"For the moment."
I rolled my eyes. Keisha didn't appreciate Josh one bit and neither did he appreciate her. He said she would spoil me. I didn't see how.
"Sha, I want your good," she went on, "And Josh Nelson isn't for you. You need a man who'll treat you right."
"Josh treats me right."
she scoffed
"Puhleeze. Spare that shit for me, will ya?"
"Kiki, let's close the topic. We just got into the plane. I don't want an argument."
"Okay girl, but I'm still not changing my mind".
Keisha was one tough cookie. It hurt me to know what people thought of Josh. I'd lost most friends because of Josh in highschool. The only one who stood firm with me was Keisha. The others didn't want to hang out with the girl betrothed to a jealous and violent drunkard. All this because of the way Josh spoke to them when they came visiting. Especially the boys. Even my parents behaved like snobs with my friends. They hated my friendship with Keisha, but they couldn't separate us.
My family wasn't actually the best. That's why I loved Keisha. She didn't let me go, nor did she care about my parents or Josh.
-
As we were in the air, I decided to read a novel. It soon made me sleep.
***
At 9PM, we landed in the lighted city of New York, Manhattan. It wasn't a dream but I felt like it was one. Keisha and I were already very excited.
We grabbed a cab and drove all the way to one of the best hotels. We got there and decided to settle for the night. It was a big, beautiful one with a view on the city and its lights. I was more than excited.
"I'm in New York baby!" Keisha screamed over the balcony of our room. I laughed.
"Come in here Kee. People are sleeping and we too need to sleep."
She came in and jumped happily on the bed by me.
"Shayenne, I'm so happy. When I think of the fact that we'd soon be on that campus. It'll be one great experience."
"Hahaha, I know right." I couldn't help it. I was very happy too.
"Far away from your rules."
"Actually."
"Be ready to meet new people." Keisha said in a serious tone.
I nervously looked at my fingers. Keisha was trying to make me get more friends. She thought I needed to socialize a little more. I had a lot of anxiety attacks when it came to socialising. I'd never been good at talking to and meeting new people.
"I'm ready Kee. Now I don't have Josh or my parents around."
"Good."