I was moving to Columbus, Ohio with my father. Me and my mom decided it was best for us. The constant fighting between us was driving me crazy. We both had enough, so we both agreed that I’d move in with my dad for my last year of high school. I was happy to be moving though. I mean New York was my everything but I needed something different. Maybe Ohio was the right move and I was excited. I missed my dad though. My parents divorced about three years ago, they said “It just wasn’t working for them.” They were more of friends to be honest, when we all lived under one roof, we were more like a group of friends that were roommates. That’s what I missed.
"Jay? we were supposed to be one the road at one! come on! Janelle is here already." My cousin was coming with me too. She was my dad’s niece. My uncle Rob and my dad lived together, so it was no problem for Janelle to move down to Ohio with me. I slipped on my long peach maxi dress and I strapped on my gold sandals. I had on a light cotton tank top with a few accessories. I rolled my black suit suitcase to the edge of the stairs and kicked it down. I grabbed my handbag out of my room and closed my door. I was going to miss my comfortable ass bed yo. But I know my Dad and Uncle hooked me and Janelle’s room up.
Heading outside, all of the bags were packed into the car already, thanks to Janelle and my mom. “Get your prissy ass in the car please. We’re an hour late cause of your ass. Lets go!” My mom hated being late anywhere. She was go accurate with her time. I hopped into my moms black truck after hugging Janelle. I missed my cousin, and now that we’d be spending senior year together was even better. My mom wanted to stay with us until we started school. She said she wanted to make sure we were all set. I knew my mom was gonna miss me, I was her only daughter.
No matter how much we argue, that was my everything. I was going to miss this lady when she leaves me. I didn’t even want to think about it. We were on the I-95 headed towards Columbus. I already had said my goodbye’s to family and friends. My friends threw a party for me on Saturday, It was so fun It made me have second thoughts about moving. We got fucked up that night. I had a little boo thing I was gonna be leaving behind. He was a hood nigga, honestly they were my weakness.
We made a stop on the highway hours into the drive. We stopped for bathroom breaks and food. I stretched before getting back into the car, my limbs were sore. I placed my custom beats over my head as my mom started the car back up. I had a few beats on my phone that I needed to write to. Nothing was coming to me, I had no inspiration.. At all. I laid my head against the head rest and dozed off.
My beats were snatched off my head with the quickness. The look on my face was probably ugly, but what the fuck. I looked over to see who the rude bastard was.. I instantly bit my tongue and took back my words. “Dad!” I hopped out the car and into his arms. Yup, daddies girl forreal. “Honeybun I’ve missed you.” “I missed you too dad!” “Wassup slime!” My uncle Rob came up to me. “Wasssssup Robert.” He stopped walking and looked at me with that, ‘nigga is you serious’ face. I missed my uncle too, he was younger than my dad and had Janelle young too. But him and my dad were like partners in crime. “You girls go in the house while we get these bags. Then we can show you your new room.” I smiled and ran up to the house. I’ve never been here before, I’ve seen pictures and It looked beautiful in person. It was a little quiet neighborhood in Columbus. From what I’ve heard, Ohio wasn’t a great state. There was a lot of deaths and stuff, but I mean it happens everywhere.
"Ready? Don’t peak either Jhene.." "Dad I’m not." I was growing impatient waiting for this last surprise. "Open.." My eyes were uncovered and I was standing in front of a glass door with my name written in the center. I jumped up and down before hugging my dad tightly. This is what I’ve worked so hard for. This studio was a privilege, I worked my ass off since freshman year for this. I was a honor role student and my dad made a bet with me. The bet was, If I had straight A’s, I’d get my own private studio. Here it was. He handed me a gold key, I’m guessing that opened the door. It was in a little private part of the basement. The basement looked like a house though. But my Uncle Rob and Dad called it the man cave. So basic.
We all sat at the dinner table, my mom had made homemade pizza for everyone and we were grubbin’. “School starts in three days so we have to go to Northland High to enroll you guys tomorrow morning. Be ready at 8 am.” My dad announced. I couldn’t wait for school. I loved school, I couldn’t wait to meet new people too. “Dad, I have to do some last minute school shopping tomorrow too.” “Okay babygirl. You and Janelle can go to the mall tomorrow.” “We gotta go with y’all though.” “Dad.. Why?” Janelle asked in a funky attitude. “Cause, these stank ass Columbus boys are gonna be all over y'all. Hell nah” My uncle Rob knew too, he was younger so he knew the games these boys played. Me and Janelle were dying at the table. My Uncle Rob kept cracking jokes, I caught my mom and dad winking and sending looks at each other from the other side of the table.
That’s that shit I missed. My parents being together.
Me and my boys were on our way to the party. Our boy Trevor was having an end of the summer party, like every other year. But I’m not gonna lie, he threw the best parties. We had less than a week until school started and I was ready. I was more eager for the basketball season though, It was my last year and the scouts were going to be out there. I was happy. This is what I’ve wanted. After high school I wanted to go to College for a year or two then possibly get drafted. I had big dreams and I was going to make them come true.
We walked in the party and as usual a lot of girls flocked to us. I really wasn’t feeling it this year, I just wanted to settle down already. It sounds crazy coming from a high school student but its true. I was tired of this party scene, after a while it becomes draining and I was burnt out. “Bruh, you betta bag some of these girls.” My bro Marcus shouted over the music. “Nah, I’m chiilin tonight.” We dapped and went our separate ways. I walked through the crowd of people and walked towards the kitchen. I grabbed a coke and walked towards the back. I was standing on the deck observing the area. I spotted my boy Miguel around a group of girls. I walked up to him giving him dap. “Wassup Trey?” “Nothing man, how you livin’?” This nigga was a ladies man, so I know he was good. Before he answered, he had this big grin on his face. “I’m living good man.” He said looking at all the girls that were around him.
Nigga was a player, but he was mad cool. He was a singer, we both had big dreams. But I was usually friends with people who had dreams and were determined to reach them. Like myself.
"Aight, Ima holla at you later kid." I chucked up my peace sign and headed back into the house. I didn’t want to be here, I was bored and aggravated with all the hoes tryna get with me. I would but, It wasn’t that kinda night for me. I was tired, I’ve been working out all summer. The practice drills and the traveling was taking a toll on me and I needed rest. I wanted a girl though, you know? To rub my back and shit, to take out and Romance. That’s what I wanted, I wasn’t in a rush. I wanted to be sure I found the right girl before I went investing my time into.
I was settling down into bed, it was late. One in the morning, this always happened when school was nearing. I was excited to be finishing. It was a benchmark that I’d reach in less than 9 months. I was proud of myself. I feel like the reason I’ve gotten good grades was because I didn’t get involved with boys too heavy. I only ‘talked’ to one guy, Trevor, my little boo thing back home. That was over with, there was no way I wanted to continue talking to him. I just felt like it was a waste of my time. I did want something serious though, someone with goals. I still had a weakness for hood niggas, but a hood nigga with goals? Now that’s what I need.
Man, I sound foolish. But it is what it is. I laughed silently to myself before reaching over to my lamp. I looked to the other side of the room to see Janelle sleeping in her bed. I clicked the light off and snuggled under the covers.
I hope Ohio was the right choice for me in the long run.