BETTER
By Bethel-Gold
Date: March 28, 2023
Ch. 1PROLOGUE


Copyright © 2021 Bethel-Gold.

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Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author's imagination.

***

Everybody wants to be someone, something, or whatever... Everyone wants to be something or be known for something. Well me I want to be a lot of things. A doctor... No scratch that I hate blood I want to be a model, a singer, an actress a blah blah blah..... I want to be something, known for something most especially I want to be famous. But wait a bit, how do I go about it? Can't just jump into stuff eh?

So now I want to be a make----

"Andrea?"

Oh no! the witch just called me. What was she saying? what was she saying? I stood up as I answered her.

"yes ma'am"

"What did I say last?"

"What did I say last?" I answered with a shrug, making everyone laugh. 'like isn't that what she said.'

One look from her everyone kept quiet. Told you she's a witch.

She sighed then rolled her eyes and continued teaching.

Okay, pardon my manners my name is Andrea Monalisa Alfredo. yup 'Alfredo' I get that funny look from people when they hear my surname is 'Alfredo'.

I am an African American...er..let's say am a Latino African American.

Sighs

Okay...Let me explain.

My Dad is a Latino American and my mum is an African American, her parents grew up here, hence my slightly dark skin and curly hair.

I attend Believe High School, and I should tell you most of our teacher makes it a priority to make us not believe; in other words, I don't like most of them.

The girl in purple and ... let's just say multiple color braid is my bestie Bamrik Estella Roger weird name weird girl weird friend but I love her.

We weird together.

She is a half-Columbian half Latino. My bestie forever, and mind you Bam could eat up your entire house 'just exaggerating' but you're getting the gist right?.

We've been friends since grade school. Her parents aren't always around and sometimes her nanny babysits her or her mom drops her at our place when they leave for work... we are neighbors though in case you're wondering.

The guy in a black and brown t-shirt and black jeans is Generous, 'his name is Generous, think am kidding eh?' Let's say most people in my school have weird names of the sort... 'What the hell am I saying?' rolling my eyes I looked everywhere 'what was I thinking of before I was summoned by the witch?' Apple? ... No. Food? ... No ... Ambit—yes that's it 'Ambition'.

I want to be a make-up artist, I love beauty duh! That's my reason or excuse? ... I don't know but I love it, it's like face painting but more professional.

When I was growing up I wanted to be a doctor every child's dream right? But as I grew I became scared at the sight of blood.

I can remember using my aunt's make-up and hiding it so she or my mum doesn't know I do use it, my Dad doesn't have any issues with what I choose to do. 'Just don't do stupid stuff and I'm cool' he says.

So now I am 15 and I have been watching a few make-up tutorials and I got some materials for it, through the help of my Dad. I have been practicing for a while and I got a wedding job. I'm the make-up artist for the bride and her bridesmaid. I'm excited!

"So your mum let you take the job?" Bam asked me.

I looked up from arranging the duffle bag our clothes will be in, I checked for everything I needed to take with me

"Yes she did," I said and continued what I was doing "I'm shocked though, can't believe she let me get the job when I know so well she dislike make-up"

"That's great, at least your Dad is in full support of what you want to do," said Bam.

"Erase that, any legal thing I want to do" I corrected her earning a laugh from her.

We packed up all things we need and went down the stairs and met my mum in the kitchen.

"Mum we are leaving now"

"Wait honey, at least have some....." she was saying but stopped when she turned around and saw my mini makeup box and duffel bag. "What's that?" she points at the duffel bag.

"My makeup box and mine and Bam's sleep-over bag" I replied to her and saw her face changed and waited for it "here we go" I muttered.

"You're staying over?" she asked looking from me to Bamrik "You didn't tell me you were staying over, you're not staying over," she said giving me her stern look.

"I'll be outside" Bamrik whispered to me and turned to leave when my mum's voice stopped her.

"Stop right there Bamrik, you're in this as Monalisa," my mum said to Bam and she turned to face my mum.

"Oh come on Mum Andrea, Andrea!"

"Your name is Monalisa, named after your great-grandmother's sister," Mum said "so respect that name" I rolled my eyes "I hope you found a good reason you rolled your eyes at me?"

I bow my head and raised it back when I heard my Dad's voice 'thank GOD for a miracle' I thanked GOD.

"Good morning Love," My dad said to me and kissed me on my head.

"Help" I whispered to him.

"Bam Bam" he hugged her and she hugged him back. Bam Bam is the Nickname my Dad and sometimes my Mum is allowed to call Bamrik.

She nearly broke my arm when I jokingly called her 'Hey Bam Bam'. She warned me it's for Dad to call her not me.

She has taken a liking to my Dad since she started hanging out here and sees herself as my Dad's second daughter.

"Babe" he went to my mum and kissed her on the lips and hugged her from behind. "So what's going on here? And don't you have a job to get to?" Dad asked me.

"Honey, Mona didn't tell me she was staying over"

"She told me"

"And she'll burst" I muttered.

"And she didn't tell me?" Mum yelled a little.

"Babe look, take it easy" Dad tried calming mum.

Then he whispered something to her and she calmed her. 'How does he do that' I wondered but shrugged it.

"Girls you may go, have fun but not too much fun," he said to us and we immediately left saying our goodbye.

"How does your Dad manage to do that? Says somethings to your mum and she lets us be" Bam asked.

"None of my business they're a couple," I replied as we made our way to the door then outside. "And, that was close," I say as we got down the stairs and saw a taxi already waiting for us "I love my Dad," I said to Bamrik as the taxi driver got down to put our bag in the trunk.

"Me too," Bamrik said and we got in the taxi and the driver drove off.



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