The car ride just felt..awkward. They greeted me when I got in but after that it was silence. The tension in the air was thick.

Classical music played lowly in the speakers driving me crazy. I don't have a problem with classical music, it's just not my cup of tea. So I really didn't appreciate listening to it for 35 minutes. Really wish I had some headphones.

The steak place was pretty far from my house which added to my uneasiness. I text my Nana the whole way there and it really sunk how much I kind of don't want to know these people. My nana was nothing but encouraging but it felt like...betrayal. I have everything I need and my nana went out of her way to show me love over the years, so why would I go against that?

Approaching the building I felt extremely out of place. I was used to my colored hair standing out in certain places but never somewhere so...fancy.

Everything about the atmosphere seemed boujee. From the valet parking, to the business attire. It was in this moment I realized how underdressed I am. I still have on my school clothes, which was a all black tracksuit. It's cute but this definitely isn't the place for it.

It was silent while we waited to get seated. I think Christina and Dan were nervous deep down but who knows. It didn't take long for us to be seated, however I didn't miss the judgmental looks that flew our... well more like my way but I just ignored it. Whatever, I'll never see these people again.

"Can i interest you all in anything to drink?" The server asked.

"Can I get a lemon water, she'll have the same." Dan spoke for him and Christina.

"And for the girl?" He asked not facing me. I wanted to roll my eyes but I resisted the urge.

"Can I have a sprite?"

"Sure, I'll be right back with your drinks."

"So Mariah, how's school?"

"It's good."

"Do you know what college your going to?"

"Actually, im going to cosmetology school. I want to be a hairstylist."

He came back with our drinks and I quickly scanned the menu. My eyes damn near fell out the sockets. The cheapest thing was $97. I hope they paying for this. It's not that ion have enough money, it's just like dang this food is seriously overpriced.

Ain't no way these people paying over $200 for a steak. Ain't enough money in the world to make me spend $200 onnat.

I realized they were looking at me to order. "I'll just take whatever they got."

I didn't even understand some of the shit on that menu.

He took our menus and their focus went back to me. "So a hairstylist? You have backup plan?"

"Having a backup plan implies you believe you'll fail. I know I won't, so I don't need one."

"That's...ambitious." He said taking a sip of his drink. They strike me as judgmental.

"Did you do your own hair?" Christina asked breaking the slight silence.

"Yeah, I like coloring wigs the most. But I know how to braid, do installs, quick weaves, and a couple other things."

"That's impressive. Maybe you can do my hair one day...something less bold though."

"Have you started working towards it yet?" Dan asked and I nodded.

"Mhm, I already have a solid clientele actually. Mainly coloring but I do install a lot of the wigs I color."

"I just want to say I'm sorry for how I treated you the other day. I kind of just thought I could waltz in and you'd want to come with us. Looking back I jumped the gun and I shouldn't have threatened court. It was wrong of me." Christina spoke.

"It's whatever." At first I was about to say it's fine but it wasn't fine. I didn't appreciate her attitude that day and in all honesty it wasn't a good first impression.

The food came out cutting her reply off, once we got everything and the server left she continued.

"I still would like you to consider moving in with us. You have a brother and a sister, I think it'd be great if guys could get to know eachother in the same household."

"No thank you." I quickly denied. She was silent seemingly waiting for an explanation so I continued speaking. "I'm just not comfortable moving in with you guys. No offense but I barley know you. Plus, I love where I live. It's where my nana is, my friends, my sister, and the rest of my life. I even like my school, I do extracurricular activities after school, i've got good teachers, and classmates who i've been around for years. I've got a lot that I don't want to leave behind."

"Do you think you'll ever be comfortable with it?" Dan asked.

"In all honesty, it's too late. In a few months I'll have graduated and I'll be getting ready to live on my own."

"You have a sister? Do you guys live together?"

"No, it's just me and Nana in the house. Adonna's my bestfriend slash self proclaimed sister." I smiled slightly thinking about middle school.

"Your nana...is she good to you?" Christina asked. It don't seem malicious at all , so I answered.

"Yeah. She's the best thing that ever happened to me."

She looked hurt but im not about to sit here and lie, nor will I downplay my relationship with my nana.

"The guy from today is he your boyfriend?"

"No indeed." I said quickly forgetting to use my business voice. "He's my partner for a project, I'm stuck with him all school year."

"Oh."

"Why'd you come back now?"

It was becoming more and more evident they had both the means and opportunity to come back way sooner. Not saying I wanted them to because as stated I love my life, it's just something I'd like to note about them before I continue building a relationship.

"A lot of reasons. We were finally able to find you, curiosity, guilt, wanting to know you."

"Do you mind coming meet your brother and sister? We told them about you, their excited to meet you someday."

"Umm...can we do it next time? That's a lot for one day."

"Yeah."

"So you said your involved in extracurricular activities, which ones?"

"Cheer."

I made small talk with them for about 15 more minutes before we decided to leave out.

"We're sorry for giving you up." Dan said as we pulled into my drive way.

"I'm not." I shrugged.

They looked taken aback so I clarified. "Look my life wasn't the easiest at first but I've moved on from that. I'm not upset that you gave me up. I'm not going to lie and say I was never resentful but I just don't have those same feelings about the situation anymore. I've got everything I need and I love my family. If you hadn't given me up I'd never have known them. I like to think everything happens for a reason. I'm open to getting to know you guys and meeting your kids but I don't want to dwell on the past. It was nice meeting you, have a good night."

"Have a good night." They responded and I gave a tight lipped smile before walking into the house.

"NANNAAA?" I yelled walking in.

"Stop yelling child, I'm right here." She complained waving me off.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there." I smirked using a creepy voice like they be doing on tv.

She just looked at me blankly and I sucked my teeth.

"How we're they?"

"I mean...they ight." I shrugged.

"Did you meet their kid?"

"Kids plural, apparently theirs a boy and a girl. I haven't met them yet though. That was too much for one day in my opinion."

"You set a date to meet em? How'd the dinner go?"

"Nope. First off it was wayyyy to fancy for my outfit, like she coulda really told me we was going round allem boujee white folks. Then she came early and ended up getting Chris a Uber home. Had me ride with them and allat, which caught me all kinds of off guard. Anyways, I got over that pretty quickly so it's whatever. Once we got there it was kinda awkward, they asked me the basic questions about my life and stuff. I denied their offer to move in again, which by the way they're not threatening to take us to court no more. They tried to apologize for giving me up but I just brushed it off."

"Why'd you brush it off?"

"Because if they'd hadn't I wouldn't know you or Adonna. I think that's reason enough to not accept an apology."

"Aww come here."

I gave her a hug and we talked about it for a while.

"I don't know if I see myself getting along with their kids?"

"Why not?"

"We're from different backgrounds. I've seen and experienced a lot of things they'll most likely never relate to. I just feel like we'll likely have different interests or personality traits."

"You never know, sometimes people surprise you. Being from different backgrounds isn't necessarily a bad thing. In life you'll come across a bunch of different people you can't relate to, that doesn't mean you can't get along. Who knows maybe they'll be interested in things like cheer and hair. Maybe they'll be interested in hearing what you have to say, your very opinionated and-"

"Wait holdup, was that shade?"

"Nope, it was honesty."

"Mhm, carry on."

"Just give them a chance. They may be nervous to meet you too."

"Who said I was nervous?"

"You don't have to say it. I see right through you."

"I'm not even nervous."

"Whatever you wanna tell yourself. Now go your behind upstairs and take a shower, it's a school night."

I followed instructions and took my shower once I finished up my last bit of homework. It was still only like 10 o'clock and I couldn't sleep so I decided to color one of my clients wigs. I had until the end of the week to finish it, might as well get it over with.