Azuri's Way

Chapter One

           " How many times do I have to tell you ? Y'ain't worth nothin', ain't ever gon' be nothin' and nobody'll ever love you, " my foster mother Mama Junie said. All I did was wrap my arms around my knees and cry. I shouldn't have though, this has been a regular thing from the time I started puberty. Maybe Ms. Loretta was right. Maybe she was just saying all the things she said because she's jealous.

   Ms. Loretta is my school's social worker and as much as I don't trust confiding in people, something about her just makes me want to tell her everything. I've known her since my freshman year and she's helped me through everything. She's even helping me get into a college, far away from Junie and my sisters, that's if I can make it to graduation. That part of her lecture was always a routine for Mama Junie no matter what her problem was. If I did something she didn't like, I wasn't good enough to do anything. Whether it was good or bad, she would put me down.

     I lifted my head as I heard her exiting the room. I wiped my tears away, each hand wiping that side of my face. Taking a deep breath, I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and examined myself. For a decent looking girl, today was definitely my off day. My eyes, from crying and lack of sleep, were puffy and red, and my hair, the new weave I spent over $200 on, was mangled and snipped in several places. I glanced out the corner of my left eye to see Sierra and Sequoia standing in the doorway, smirking. I felt my tear ducts starting to fill.

       " Nice hair bitch, " Sierra snarled. I know she cut it, with her sidekick Sequoia but I wouldn't let them get to me today.

    " It'll be nice when you see me later though. Thanks for the haircut. " I smiled politely and pushed past them to go back to my room. I went to my dresser and kneeled in front of the picture of my grandmother. I said a soft little prayer, then got up and called my best friend, Miani. I sat on the corner of my bed and waited for her to pick up. When she answered, my lips turned up into a smile.

             " Hey Zuri. What's up? " she said. I knew Miani since I was five. Regardless of where I moved, since it was never out of the Southside, we've always been close. She knows everything about me down to a tee. I loved everything about her, in a friendly sisterly manner. Miani is about 5'7 , with a rich brown complexion , big hazel eyes and hair that reaches right to the top of her shoulders. She has a better personality than anyone I know.

     " Not shit, girl. What you doing? I wanna go get my hair done and I need a ride. " I replied.

     " Girl, you're right on time. I was just telling Justin earlier that I need a wash and set. I asked him for some money but he tried to play me. " Justin is her ex drug dealer ass boyfriend . They've been together for 3 years & Miani loves him with all her heart but he takes advantage of that. He got shot around the same time when they made 18 months and she stayed in that hospital day and night until he got better.

At first, I respected him being with her because of course, he seemed like a great guy. He had money, was taking care of her and spoiling her when she deserved it but after he got shot, he had her waiting on him hand and foot, even when he got better. A sad case. Then he decided that he no longer needed to get a job so he was always laying around her crib. He didn't do anything but break every drug dealer's number one rule :  "Don't get high on your own supply." Yep, he became an addict and she was still by his side. Even with the trap connections he still had, he didn't make taking care of Miani one of his priorities and that's when she should've left. I personally don't like drug dealers but he has money coming in so why not put it to good use.

   " Justin? You need to get rid of that clown. He's nothing you need. Anyway, I got the gas money covered and your hair so how fast can you be here ? " She laughed lightly, sounding a little affected.

    " Girl, that job must be blessing you. Give me 30. " I guess the job was blessing me. I would've rather been a stripper but I'm too young. I work at a restaurant, a proper one but everybody who works or has worked at one knows, tips are essential. I can't complain cause I'm getting paid. It's a fairly easy job if you think about the paycheck you're gonna get. You have to please and impress the customer just to get a decent tip and Azuri Briane Watkins has been Employee of the Month for 7 months STRAIGHT! Talk about fan favorite and great costumer service ; I got it. The people who usually eat there are big ballers and I'm not talking about drug dealers and scammers. I'm talking about politicians, doctors, lawyers and businessmen ( and women! ). The people that make their own rules, make their own vacations and own like four houses. They're paid!

" Okay. That gives me enough time to shower & get dressed. I'll see you in a bit. " I hung up and gathered my clothes and towel but before I went to the bathroom, I checked for my stash. I looked for my duffle bag in its usual place, the bottom of my closet, but it wasn't there. I frantically started throwing all my things around. I checked in all my drawers and I couldn't find it. There was only one place I hadn't looked, under my bed. I checked all my shoeboxes and found it in my Vans shoebox. 25 Gs, part of my life savings, was too close for comfort. I needed to put it somewhere safe. I took out three bands & put the rest where I thought it was originally, in the duffle bag. I took my combination lock and latched it onto the zipper. That's the best I could do right now.

           I ran into the bathroom and hopped in the shower before Miani came complaining. About 45 minutes later, I heard a loud horn honking outside the bathroom window. I was still in the shower when Miani pulled up. She was late so now I was gonna take my time. I turned off the water, and dried off. I went into my room and put on my usual lotion & body spray. I put on a nice matching underwear set and threw on my clothes after it. I put on a full face and decided I had kept her waiting long enough. I picked up my purse, keys and phone and headed for the door. I didn't even bother telling Junie I was leaving, I just left. She wouldn't notice anyway.