Camilla's Point of View

Today was the day, graduation baby! Daddy was busy with the twins since I had a bunch of shit to do today like rehearsal and whatnot. It was going on eight a.m. and rehearsal would only run until 9:30, 10 at the latest I hope. And then boom, graduation at 2.

My dress was a cremé color with gold accents. I was curling my own hair instead of spending all day letting somebody else do it.

"You almost ready bae?" Daddy stood in the bathroom doorway. I was still in my panties and bra to be honest. "Yeah, almost. Where my babies?" I could hear them giggling with each other. Early risers, those kids of mine.

"In the pack and play with some toys. Don't worry mama, I got this." He pecked my cheek since my lips were made up. "Mhmm. Make sure you keep an eye on them and don't have nobody around my babies." I kissed him anyway before getting dressed.

"Yeah, yeah. Just go before you're late. I'm proud of you baby."

I kissed all three of my babies before leaving out the door. I knew one thing, I had to eat before I got to school. Five minutes at McDonald's wouldn't kill me.

Where you at hoe?- Yoshi

This nigga, I shook my head.

McDonald's bitch, I'm hungry. I'm comin to that dry ass rehearsal, don't worry.

I text back before pulling my food outta the bag and smashing. God knew what he was doin when he created the sausage and egg McMuffin. Eventually I pulled to the school and joined the rest of my class.

Everything ran smooth, I even got through my speech without messing up. I was proud of myself, not just for that but for even making it to this day. Most girls that get pregnant at sixteen drop out, it's hard. But I wanna go to college and build my career. So far it looks like that's going to happen.

I had three tickets to my graduation soo I wasn't sure what Giselle would be doing, nor did I really care. Giselle was my uncle Ray's daughter on my dad's side, my uncle Ray passed away and my parents took her in for a while. You would think we'd be close considering the circumstances but nah, that's not the case.

She's jealous of me for no damn reason. We grew up living the same life and being treated the same. She was just two years older than me. I guess college wasn't workin out at the moment so she was coming back, good thing she wouldn't be in me and my kids way, being that we live with daddy.

The phone rang with a jersey code.

"Hello?" I answered flatly, I got places to be.

"Cousin! It's me, G, uncle Eddie gave me your number."

So my dad just out here volunteering information, bet.

"Hey Giselle.. yeah they told me you was home." I said with an uninterested tone.

"Yeah I'm back to stay for a little while. I heard you graduating, congrats." She sounded so happy and interested in what I had going on.

"Thanks. I only have enough tickets for ma, dad and my man. But I'll post pics on insta and snap." When I say MY man, I say that shit with my chest. I know she my cousin and all, but you gotta watch that hoe.

"Say what, you got a man?" She scoffed on the other end like she couldn't believe it. Let me get this bitch off my line.

"Yup as a matter of fact, this him calling now. I'm sure we'll talk later." I hung up.

Later on I ran to the grocery store and grabbed some stuff to cook a light lunch for daddy since we'd probably be going out to dinner later on tonight. I really wanted to go to grad bash and turn up but I had a family to think about. I was gon make a chef salad with garlic bread and some buffalo wings.

"Hey stranger." I turned around from trying to reach my favorite juice. It was Gavin.

"Hey Gavin, I been busy with graduation just like you." I said while giving him an elevator glance. The Yeezy's on his feet paired nicely with the black joggers and tee. His low cut was neat and his skin was smooth.

"Yeah this shit wild, we finally made it," he smiled, it was a cute ass smile but I played it off. "You coming to grad bash?" I knew that question was coming. "Nah, you know I gotta be home to see about my babies. Y'all have a good time for me though, I know Snapchat gon be lit." I passed him my phone to put in his snap code.

"I'll see you later at school, maybe I'll hit you up." I said before we parted ways.

•

"And now a few words from this year's valedictorian, Miss Camilla Fraziers." The principal announced and everybody cheered. I could see the surprised looks on my family's faces. I had planned to tell everybody but the Giselle mess threw me off so I dropped it.

I crossed the stage with a smile, shaking hands with our principal as I made it to the podium.

"Good afternoon everyone," I smiled at the sea of loved ones beneath the stage Good afternoon! They greeted back. "Fellow classmates," I turned to face everybody, sticking my tongue out making them laugh.

"In my four years at East Orange High, I've made friends, good grades, and some not so good decisions at times. School is a place of learning, and not always just textbook lessons. School has taught me that you have to work for what you want because life has no cheat sheet, and the most valuable lesson of all, just be your damn self! To the class of '08, go forth and do great work! I finished, letting out a deep breath.

Everybody cheered as the class stood to toss our caps. Daddy was taking hella pictures and so were my parents. Aiden and A'kira clapped their little hands together.

•

Dinner was bomb and full of laughs. Everybody decided on hibachi. Yoshi and Shina came with their moms and their lil boos. Everybody was getting ready to head to grad bash later on.

"I have a surprise for you." Daddy casually leaned over to whisper in my ear. My eyes lit up. It's been a while since I've heard those words..

"Just go upstairs and pack a suitcase baby. Cause I ain't tellin you where we going." Daddy swatted my ass while we entered the living room. He ain't have to tell me twice, but that still wouldn't stop me from asking later on.

I threw some of everything into my suitcase just to be sure, dresses, jeans and whatnot. The clock said 9, I wondered where we were really going. After running around in circles making sure I had everything I could think of, I sat down and called to check on mama's babies.

While I was on the phone I didn't see him packing anything at all, hmm. "Kiss them both for me ma, and don't put them on the long sleeves, sometimes Aiden's lil chubby self sweats in his sleep. If A'Kira cries through the night, give her a bottle and turn on the soothing sounds I bought for them." I coached like she's never done this.

But that was with me. And these are mine.

Daddy stood in the doorway tapping his watch. "You ready my love? Our flight leaves at midnight." His smile crinkled the corner of his mouth. My man so fine and chocolate all over.

The drive to the airport was my excuse to finally close and rest my tired eyes. When I wake up I hope we've arrived.