* 4 Months earlier*
Sanjaya's POV
"Surprise!!!!!!" The gleeful voices greeted me as soon as my brother unlocked the door.
I, as in Sanjaya Lee Hughes, or "Jaya" as I like to be called, clutched my chest as I entered the two-bedroom apartment I shared with my brother.
I had just graduated from Evander Childs High School here in the Bronx. As exciting as that was, I definitely wasn't expecting a surprise party.
"I had to do something special. And I had to make sure your smart ass wouldn't figure it out." My brother Justin, picked me up and spun me around. "Did it work?", Justin asked while placing me carefully back on the ground. His handsome face brightened with a rare smile.
Justin had taken after our father in the height and looks department. He towered over my petite frame by almost a foot, even though he's only 5'9. His caramel complexion and short curly hair matched his usual look, which was a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt, True Religion jeans, and Jordans. My brother definitely had swag.
"Yes! Oh, my god, Justin. You didn't have to do this. I thought we were going to do our usual." My eyes teared up as I looked at the streamers and balloons that decorated our apartment.
"Oh, we're still going to have our usual celebration. You know we have to keep up tradition. But this is special, baby girl. It's not every day that my baby sister graduates from High School and gets accepted to college. I am so proud of you, girl." Justin hugged me again.
In two months, I will be starting my freshmen year at Columbia University on a full scholarship. I never thought I would be accepted, let alone, afford to go to college. My family didn't have much money to send me off to college, so I had to work extra hard just so I can make it to college. And I did it.
I hope one day to get my master's of social work degree so I can help kids just like me, kids who grew up in the projects around nothing but drugs, gangs and violence. Hey, a girl can dream.
My voice caught as I greeted everyone. There weren't that many people there, only a few. But everyone there meant something special to us. We lost our parents when we were really young and even before that, my brother was the one who really raised me.
Susan James, the social worker who worked with us just so I can stay with my brother after our mom died, was there along with my two best friends since childhood, Taj and Renee. There was also some other people there from our building.
Normally, me and Justin would celebrate all big moments with a night out for dinner. He would let me pick the restaurant and tell me to pick the most expensive restaurant in the city. I would always pick Red Lobster, my favorite restaurant ever. We ate there when I graduated from elementary school, middle school, and when I got my first job at Foot Locker two years ago, in which, I still work at.
The banner on the wall read CONGRATULATIONS JAYA!! This was big for my brother. He was definitely the only person to call me Sanjaya. I hated that. I don't know where the hell my mother got the name Sanjaya from. I just pretty much decided to go by Jaya or Lee.
While I was talking to Taj and Renee, someone knocked on the door. Before I could answer the door, Justin beat me to it.
"Yeah, sorry man. I thought I told you about the party. Probably forget." Justin walked in the living room with his best friend, Daniel Sims following him. I was wondering where he was and just assumed he was out handling business. He owned his own chain of sneaker stores all over the city of New York called Sneakerz R Us. I know, lame right. But, at least I get the new Jordans for free. He was doing big things, the legal way.
Daniel was Justin's only non-gang-banging and drug dealing friend. Justin and Daniel grew up together, running the streets of the Bronx. But, he actually went to college and got his degree in business. I actually look up to him almost as much as I look up to Justin.
I ran over and gave him a hug as soon as he came in the door. Did I ever tell you guys that I had the hugest crush on Daniel. I always have since I was 8 years old. He's just so cute, smart, funny and actually a gentlemen, unlike guys my age. I kinda think he knows about it. I just hope Justin doesn't find out. He would kill me.
"Hey, baby girl. Sorry I almost missed your party. Justin forgot to tell me about it. Good thing I was just chilling on the block and decided to come through."
"It's okay. I'm just glad you made it. I hope you can stay because I know you stay busy."
"Never to busy for you---"
"Hey, Jaya, get over here and blow out these candles on this cake. I got your favorite, with custard and strawberry filling." Justin said as he interrupted Daniel by pulling me away to the cake.
I frowned and shook my head. Justin can be so controlling and such a cockblocker. I'm starting to think Justin knows about my crush on Daniel. I sent a apologetic glance towards Daniel and he just shrugged it off and winked at me. I eventually shrugged it off also because that cake was calling my name.