The black mercedes pulls up right in front of my house in Brownsville. I was so happy to be home, everything looked the same. I know I've only been gone for a few months but it felt like so much longer.

Many familiar eyes were pinned to the sleek black car.

Mama ran out of the house screaming.

"My baby! Oh ma God, I missed you so much!" She pulls me into a tight hug, my head squished on her chest. I hug back tightly, taking in her familiar scent and softness. I hug so hard, I don't think I will ever let go.

Big sets down my suitcase and I introduce him to Mom. He politely greets her then says his goodbyes to me. I go in for a hug and he hugs me briefly.

"Have a great break, kid. You deserve it." He says smiling.

"You too, Big. Don't miss me too much." I say rolling my suitcase into my yeard and through my gates.

"I can only try." He laughs as he climbs into the car and drives off. He beeps twice and I wave goodbye.

"Let me help you with that." Mom says taking my suitcase. She kisses me on the cheek and I sigh, happy. I go up the stairs to the front door and turn the knob to open it for her. The house is completely dark.

When I open it fully, the lights flash on and confetti shoots out from somewhere and I jump at the loud.

"SURPRISE!"

Trisha runs up to me and grabs me into a hug. I hug back laughing as she spins me around.

She puts me down and I can see all the familiar faces I haven't seen since I left.

I run to Flex and throw myself into his arms. He lifts me up too then sets me back down but I don't let go of him. I hold him tightly and I am unable to move as the emotions completely take me by surprise.

I sob into Flex's shirt and the room goes quiet before erupting in 'Awws'.

"She's crying?" My mom questions. I hear her set my suitcase aside.

She laughs nervously and pulls me to her. I hug her and hide my face into her neck.

"Aww baby. You gon make me cry." She says already close to tearing up.

I sniffle and try to pull away so I can talk.

I wipe my eyes.

"I missed you guys so mu-" I begin but Trisha's face is in my view. I hug her again and start crying harder.

She laughs but I can hear her sniffling too.

"You really know how to kill a surprise party." She says after a few moments of sniffling. Everyone laughs, including me.

I pull away and wipe my eyes again.

"It's good to have you back, Empress!" Pookie yells.

The room erupts into applause.

"Welcome back." He whispers into my ear and kisses my cheek softly. I hug him tight and finally gather myself. I fan my eyes, drying my face.

The living room is decorated in the 'Welcome Home'banner, there are presents to the side and cake and food on the table.

"You hungry?" Mama questions, the big spoon already in her hand.

I laugh and nod eagerly.

"That's my girl." She says.

I feel a push to the side as Trisha walks pass me and to my Mother.

"I wasn't talking to you Trisha!" Mama protests.

I laugh and jump on Trisha's back.

She holds my legs up and spins me.

"I missed ya dumbass!" She exclaims. She throws me down on the couch.

We spend the night eating and playing games, talking about being signed to a major label. When the food is gone and I am too full to move, Pookie comes and sits right beside me. He pulls my head on to his lap and pokes my nose.

I smile but the smile doesn't last long.

The room is busy with noise coming from different conversations but in the couch, it's just Pookie and I.

I take his hand and use it to caress my face.

"Do you hate me?" I ask concerned.

"You think ima hate you and have you all cuddled up to me like this. You trippin." He answers as he shakes his head.

"Nah, you know I don't hate you. I don't agree with everything you do, but I'll always love the Empress."

I sigh and look up at him, right into his eyes.

"I want to see him, Pookie. I want to visit." I say sure of myself.

He looks at me for a while, attempting to read my face.

"Iight, I'll take you tomorrow." He nods.

I freeze and I cannot tell if it is happiness or nervousness or fear. I don't let him see.

I don't allow myself to process what I've just asked. I was going to see him tomorrow and that was it.

Flex was speaking to my Mom with a chicken leg poking out of his mouth. His dreads seemed to have gotten longer and his smile a little bigger and brighter or maybe I just missed him.

I stand in front of him and he smiles.

"Ms. Atlantic Records. You gon tell me all about it?" He questions.

I shrug. "It doesn't feel real but I've been enjoying every minute of it." I smile bright, happy to be in Flex' presence.

"When is your show?" He asks interested.

"Saturday night at S.O.Bs, I got y'all tickets." I say loud enough for Trisha, Pookie and Mom to hear.

"It's all sold out so y'all can't invite nobody else but they backstage passes, y'all might want to meet the other performers." I say.

"Who else performin?" Pookie asks curious.

"Smooth Ricky and Bizzy." I respond. Pookie makes a shrieking noise. I was performing with two of his favorite upcoming rappers.

Trisha laughs watching his expression but looks a little disappointed.

"D'tello is dressing me for it, I have to meet with him Thursday morning." I say casually. Trisha screams immediately after I finish my sentence.

"Please, please, please take me with you!" She says grabbing my hand. Her love for this designer was nowhere near healthy.

"Of course ima take you but you can't be actin like how you actin now!" I warn.

"Nahhhh!" She lets go of my hand and brushes off her clothes then straightens her blouse. "I'ma be cool. You know Trisha ain't bout that fan girl life."

Pookie laughs and she shoots him a darting look.

"You got somethin to say? Cause you was just shrieking like a cheerleader."

I pull them both into a tight hug as they argue.

"I missed y'all so much." I mumble. They fight to get out of my tight hug causing Flex and Mom to laugh and begin ignoring us. After everyone else heads home, I ask Trisha to sleepover and we talk all about her for a change.

She tells me about her fashion school and all the pieces she designed. She shows me pictures on her phone then pulls a baby blue jacket out of one of the gift bags on the table.

"I've been working on it since you left for school." She says, helping me put it on.

"You lost some weight but it should still fit you like a glove."

She is right, it does fit perfectly.

"Thank you. This is fly forreal." I comment looking at myself in the mirror.

"No thank you for making me go after what I really wanted. I'm doing so good in school, i'm styling people for the fashion show, i'm exceeding expectations..."

I look at her face now that held the most gratitude.

"I'm proud of you baby girl." I say with a light smile.

"Already knew you could do it."

I turn out the lights and we get in bed. Trisha falls asleep immediately and all that is on my mind is tomorrow.

What am I going to say?

How is he going to look?

Will he hate me? Cause I hate me a little for what I did.

I pull the covers over my head and wait anxiously for sleep to come.

It never does.