Alliyah

“Wake up! Alliyah!”

“What? What?” She opened her eyes, wincing at the light in her eyes.

“I’m hungry.”

“Seriously, Little? Have some cookies or cereal.”

“Miss Heather said cookies and cereal aren’t breakfast food.”

“Then go wake her up for breakfast.” She pulled the covers over her head. Their American Pit-bull Terrier joined her in bed, so she put her hand over the dog who scooted even closer - some might claim too close. But Alliyah liked it.

“Girl, either teach me how to cook or get up.” Lamar was rather bossy for a 9-year-old.

She sighed, patting the dog:

“I guess we’ll have to cuddle later, Arrow”

Later, on the same day, she and her friend, Z were sitting down on the skate-park talking. The sky was somewhat cloudy yet the few sun rays that shun through warmed their rich brown skin just right.

“No way!” Z’s voice was quiet but her eyes, protected by thin-framed brown glasses, were wide open.

“Yes, way.”

“You convinced the guys to put on face masks?”

“Hell, yeah!”

“Malcolm and Blue, I can imagine. But even Ocean? I’m surprised. Glad, but surprised.”

After a few minutes of more conversation, Z got up from the pavement and decided to execute a few tricks and laps around the nearly empty skate-park, while Alliyah stayed put.

A song blasted from someone’s distant speaker.

She enjoyed the music and the sun with her eyes closed until she heard a commotion and opened her eyes.

Two individuals showed up, racing each other on BMXs: Ocean and Colson. Ocean came to an unexpected halt when a shirtless little boy on a scooter crossed him, and he fell so hard on the ground that his black thick-framed glasses fell off his face.

“That’s what you get for being late on me!” Alliyah shouted and laughed after he picked up his glasses and grumpily got back on his way to the group.

“I won, so pizza is on Ocean.” Colson smirked, nibbling on his lip ring. His steely blue eyes glimmering mischievously.

“I heard of free pie? I’m in!” Malcolm rolled in on his skateboard from behind Alliyah.

“I was going to win if it weren’t for that scooter kid.” Ocean grumbled, narrowing his black eyes. “By the way, if you’re going to wear skirts, at least shave, son.”

“Nah, that’s girly.” Malcolm winked, before throwing down his skateboard and jumping on it.

They all looked as he executed some tricks, not caring about who got to see his exposed hairy legs, dark like umber. Then the group joined him, in friendly competition.