Becoming Us: First Love

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

" Fatima, get up now! You and your sister gonna be late, your first day at your new school." Screamed my mom, Tina.

"Oh my God " I mumbled . Today I start my 11th grade year at a brand new school. My previous school was shut down due to low enrollment and most of the students were split between 2 other schools. I'm not nervous or anything but it's gonna take a min to get use to a new school. Most of my friends are attending Zora Neale Huston High with me, that's the good part.

"Tima, Ma said you got 5 mins to get down stairs and in the car." My big sister, Crystal said.

Crystal is girl 3 as my Mimi and Gigi always say because it's 5 of us (4 girls and 1 boy). She's my diary, I tell her everything. We shared a room for the longest and are year and half apart.

"Ok, Crys, I'm coming down now" I say. I Look myself over in the mirror, and say my affirmation that my mama taught my sisters and I " I'm brave, I'm bold, I'm becoming and I got this". I grab my bags and head down.

"Bout time my pretty girl made it down. Says my daddy, Chris.
"Yes, daddy" I say as I hugged him and he kissed me on the forehead. I'm true daddy's girl.

"Already, my beautiful ladies have a wonderful day at school and work. As my daddy gave hugs and kisses to my mom and Cry.

On the car ride to school, Ma makes her daily morning calls to my twin sisters Kim and Ashanti. The twins are 21 and attend Clark Atlanta.
"Yall ready for your first day at the new school" Shanti says. Crys, yells out "I'm ready it's my senior year."
"I guess I'm ready, it's just gonna be different, "I said.
"Now, Tima you have to have an open mind and don't sweat the little stuff baby sis" Kim says.
"I told her" Ma added.

After fighting through Atlanta morning traffic we finally made it to school. As Crys and I walk through the halls and I made it to my class she looks at me and tells me have a good day and I say the same.

I make it to my 1st period, economics and my bestie Bria was there. "Hey Best, sit next to me and let me see your schedule" Bria said. Me and Bria have been best friends since we were babies. Her parents and mine are super close.

I sat next to her and scan the room to see who else I knew. I saw couple of girls I was on the cheer team with and some boys from my old school.

Girl it's mostly people we don't know in here. Best we got 5 classes together. Bria said excited.

Good, I'm glad we got most of the same classes. I guess we gonna make the best of it Best. I said laughing. Class ended and I contiuned on with the day, it was cool so far. I finally made it to my last period of the day and Bria didn't have that class with me.

"Ok class the person sitting to the right of you will be your partner for this activity. You will get to know each other with questions provided from the hand out and share out the information with the class. Also, your partner will be your person for all group collaborations for the remainder of the year" Ms. King stated as she walked up and down the aisles.

As I look to my right at my partner, Damn he fine, and he definitely not from Atlanta I thought to myself. He was caramel complexion, low fade and he smells hella good too.

I'm Zachary but I prefer to be call Zac.

Hey, I'm Fatima. I got to ask , you not from here are you ?

Naw, I'm from Brooklyn , let me guess your from here, I hear the southern accent he said with smile.

Yep, and I guess I'll go first to answer the questions, I smiled back.

Well everyone calls me Tima or T. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. I'm the baby. I love to cheer, shop and sing. My favorite subject is history. I want to be a lawyer or teacher. One thing about me people should know, I'm the sweetest person, but I have a whole different side if my buttons are pushed. Your turn Zac.

Man she's beautiful, she has the prettiest eyes and smile Zac thought

Oh don't tell me you'll crash out on some one he said with a smirk.

If I have to I will , I try not to take it there. I told him

Well, Tima, I have a sister. Im the oldest. Im in Atlanta living with my auntie . I love to hoop, and draw. I want to be an architect and do some stuff in real estate. My favorite subject is math. One thing about me people should know is that I help others and I'm really caring.

Damn, I think I found my man I thought to myself. "Oh Zac , you gonna have to be my tutor for math. Give me your phone, so I can put my number in " I said.

Yea, I'll tutor you anytime only if you sing to me pretty girl he said as he handed me his phone.

Times up, let's share out class..Ms King said. Everyone shared out and class ended.

Hey Tima, how do you get home? Zac asked as we walked out of class together.

This week my big brother, Skyh is picking me and my sister up until she gets her car next week. And how do you?

I drive ....Well I'm walking you out Zac said as he put his arm around me. Soon as I walked out with Zac, I saw Crys.

"Hey T, I guess you had a good day by the way it looks. Crys said with the biggest smile.

Yep Sis I did, Zac this my sister, Crystal, she's a senior and Crys this is Zac.

Hey Zac , nice to meet you. Crys said

Zac walked me out to my brother's car.
We said good bye and hugged.
"Tima, I'm gonna call you later tonight."

Ok, I look forward to it Zac. With smile on my face.

Little did I know this interaction would be a new beginning and change my life forever.