𝟗-𝟓
"..𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧' 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞
𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮..."
𝐈𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡..
Imani Lewis is forced back into a messy relationship when she gets paired...
As Imani sat in her first block with headphones covering her ears, she couldn't help but be excited. In the next hour, someone was going to come on the speakers and announce that all students participating in the baby project are to report down to the busses. The bus would then take everyone to a local elementary school, to spend some time with the kindergartners.
Something about those tiny kids, with those big eyes, and cute, chubby cheeks made Imani smile. Ugh I do not need baby fever right now. She shook her head, snapping out of those thoughts and continued scrolling on her phone.
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Standing in the entrance to the elementary school, Mr. Mariano began projecting his voice so everyone could hear. "Alright everyone get with your partners, and make sure you have your books." Just before everyone dispersed into their pairs, he continued. "And you better behave or else you'll be writing an essay when we get back."
Imani scanned her gaze throughout the small crowd before finding the tanned boy. As the crowd slowly spread, Imani made her way over to Samaj.
"Wassup you ready?" A small smile crept onto the brown skinned girls face as she hummed a response. Walking together in a comfortable silence, Imani noticed the small subtle glances coming from the much taller boy next to her.
There it was again, that unsettling feeling in her stomach, that same feeling that got her involved with Samaj in the first place. He broke her trust that night, two years ago, left her heart broken. There's no way in hell, that Imani was going to put herself through that again. So she fought off the butterflies, put on a mean mug expression, and continued to walk with Maj behind their peers into the elementary school.
Upon reaching the destined classroom, the group of students crowded themselves in the front, near the whiteboard. "Welcome Highschool students!" The peppy kindergarten teacher stated with a smile. "Kids what do we say?" The teacher went on. The class of at least 30 kids, synchronously greeted them. The two teachers began to assign each group a kid they would be spending the next two hours with.
"Samaj Ortiz and Imani Lewis, you are assigned to Jayelle" Mr. Mariano stated which prompted the younger teacher to call out, "Jayelle honey, can you raise your hand so they can find you."
Imani's attention fell upon a small brown skin girl sitting in the back of the room, who had her little hand raised in the air. Mani nudged the tanned boy next to her since it had seemed like he had zoned out. The two teens made their through the maze of mini desks before finally reaching Jayelle.
It was obvious that the kindergartener was shy. She kept her vision on her coloring page, when she did look up she saw Samaj crouched to her level. Surprised by his position, she flinched back before giggling watching as the tanned boy made the most ridiculous faces at her. In awe from Samaj's actions, Imani kneeled on the ground next to him, so she could introduce the two of them.
"Your coloring is so pretty" Imani said in a soft tone. The little girl took her eyes off Maj and gave Imani the cutest shy smile as she said "My mommy told me I'm the best at coloring" The curly haired girl heard Samaj lightly chuckle next to her, "I think your moms is right, this fye" He stated with a goofy grin, after he picked up the page to examine it clearly.
"My name's Jayelle J-a-y-e-l-l-e" she said in a proud tone, spelling her name out for the two teens. Imani quietly adjusted her spot on the floor so she could focus on the little girl, "My name is Imani and this is Samaj."
Through her peripheral the brown skin saw Maj wave at Jayelle as he spelled out both of their names for her.
"So Jayelle do you want to keep coloring or do you want us to read you a book?" Imani asked. Putting down her crayons, Jayelle paused to think over her two choices. She had one of those expressions that little kids do when they're deep in thought, "can we read a princess book" she said with her squeaky voice and a gleam in her eyes.
Imani looked over at Samaj, who looked like he would rather die than read a princess book. After seeing how uninterested he was in the idea, a devious smile etched itself onto her face. "Of course we can!" Jayelle did a small cheer to herself, and Imani continued "to make it even more fun me and Samaj will act out the characters as we read."
Maj audibly groaned which caused Imani to slap him on his thigh, a signal to be quiet. Thankfully the younger brown skin girl had skipped over to a bookshelf and didn't hear him complaining. "Mani, why you had to say that shit." Imani kissed her teeth at his foolishness. "Stop bitching. You can do this one thing for her." She said whilst cutting her eyes at him and glancing at the small pout he had on.
The boy shook his head and sighed before reluctantly agreeing.
They ended up reading The Sleeping Beauty, and much to his dismay, Jayelle made Samaj wear a princess crown she had found in a nearby toy box throughout the story. Imani couldn't keep her composure which caused Jayelle to laugh too, causing Maj to side eye them both.
Now the three of them were all working on a coloring page from Jayelle's coloring book. She gave Samaj a butterfly page and Mani got Princess Tiana. "Samaj if you don't stop tryna mess up my coloring ima slap you." the little girl giggled as she watched Maj draw smiley faces all over the drawing. Imani smiled at the child's laughter, happy that their bickering seemed to be entertaining for her.
Just as Imani was about to slap the fluffy haired boy for ruining her coloring page, Mr. Mariano called for the classes attention. "Alright guys say your goodbyes we gotta head back to our school now." Turning back to face Jayelle she heard a small sniffle. The little girl's eyes were getting watery and her nose was starting to run.
"Aww Jayelle don't cry it's okay" Imani cooed as she pulled out a tissue and helped the little girl with her nose. Samaj rubbed a comforting hand on the young girls shoulder. "We can come visit you for lunch one day and we can color some more." He said with a smile, Jayelle nodded her head and wiped her eyes as the two teens each gave her a hug.
Samaj made one last funny face at her before giving Imani a hand so she could stand up. As the Highschool students filtered out the classroom Imani and Maj turned back around to wave at Jayelle "Bye bye guys!!" The kindergartener yelled as the door to the classroom began to close.
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- OMG it's been so long since I've been able to write the author's note! These past authors notes were by the editor. Ironic right.
This chapter was honestly pretty special to us, we actually spent a lot of time with a kindergartener named Jayelle so it made perfect sense to base the character off her.
ANYWAYS I love to read your comments too so keep commenting and voting!
Laterrrrr
AND THANKS FOR ALL THE VIEWS AND SAVES AND ALL THAT <333 -editor
