Rise and Shine (Gabby)
Hearing yelling in the distance I roll over expecting to snuggle against Daniel when a piece of paper stuck to my face instead. Cracking one eye open I see a single red rose and a note. I took in my surroundings. My leather jacket slung over the arm of the chair brought back memories of last night's events. My skin heated thinking about Daniel and I tried really hard not to swoon because that's some serious fangirl shit. Noise from upstairs makes me roll my eyes. My brothers. Why do they have to be so damn loud this morning! Chiming from my phone drew my attention as I smelled the flower. " Hello", I say groggily. " Gab", Staci says expectantly. Not missing a beat I reply, "Yeah Staci whats up". "Turn on the news. Something happened last night after the party", Staci says as I flip to the local news channel.
"We bring you breaking news this morning after the decapitated body of 16 year old Tiffany Clove was found outside a home at 3am. Ms. Clove was said to have attended a party at the residence on Saturday evening. Police are asking anyone who might have seen anything please don't hesitate to call and report it", says the news anchor. "Staci who is Tiffany Clove", I say completely dumbfounded. "She is new, A sophomore I think. My parents are freaking the fuck out. I have to be in the house by 10pm now.Fucking sucks", she says flustered. "This shit is crazy what kind of a person would decapitate a teenage girl", I say remembering the other girl they found in the park earlier last week. "A fucking psycho thats who", Staci says. "My brothers are chomping at the bit to get out of school on break so that they can help dad", she continues. Staci's dad is a Detective. He has always been really protective of us and has always made sure Staci knew how to defend herself. "All the while I'm on fucking house arrest", Staci says in a huff. Someone knocked on my door, breaking my thoughts. "Staci, let me call you back", I say, throwing shorts on. Staci sighs. "I'll be here chica", she says and hangs up. I open the door and see my dad standing there with his hands covering his eyes with a half smile. "Dad", I said, eyeing him warily. He peeks through his fingers with a bright smile. "Sorry princess, I thought Daniel was here", he says coyly. My cheeks were on fire just thinking about Daniel and last night. "Hey", my dad said. " Don't be embarrassed, he makes you happy , I'm your dad, but I get that. It's the same with your mother", he says, hugging me. '' Plus he is a cool ass dude like Jet Li'', he finishes. "Dad that sounds so racist don't say that when he is here please", I beg him. My dad eyes me with amusement. "That's not what I meant, I mean he is calm and collected, composed.He really reminds me of a trained fighter. He has his head on straight, your mother and I can tell", he says happily. "You really like him don't you?"he asks, making me blush. "O.K. , yes he is wonderful unlike anybody I have met really", I said quietly. Cory hugs his daughter before voicing his findings. "You love him", he says knowingly. I close my eyes while embracing my dad because I was most like him.He could read me like a book. After a beat longer he pulls back. "Your mother decided to skip church this morning and go to the market, do you want to go?", he asks. I thought about last night and agreed that skipping church was best. I was extremely nervous about meeting Daniel's parents though. "Ok let me get dressed dad", I say, slipping back into my room. I shoot Daniel a text letting him know that I would indeed be at the Market too. I was slipping into black leggings when my phone chimed. I pulled a thin, black, v neck, long sleeve shirt over my head. Picking my phone up off the bed I check my messages. "Can't Wait 2 C U :?" the message read. Climbing the stairs I threw my phone in my bag. Walking into the kitchen I see my brothers at the table eating cereal. " Morning buggers", I say, making them both grin at me with Lucky Charms stuck in their teeth. "Are you ready?"My mom walks in and asks. I spin around being a smart ass. "Yes ma", I say, making her smirk and shake her head.
I pulled the seat belt across my chest and clicked it while my mother threw reusable shopping bags on the back seat. "So how was the party last night? '' my she asks while buckling up. "It was fun there were alot of people there", I replied. "That's good boo, did you have a good time with Daniel?", she asked innocently enough. "Yeah ma I did", I say keeping it short, sweet and to the point. My mind drifts for like the 11th time to Daniel and everything that has happened between us. "Gab your dad and I love Daniel. We understand young love and trust your decisions", she continues. "I know mom , Daniel and I are just tight and we enjoy each other", I say not really knowing where this conversation was going. "Daniel being Japanese doesn't bother your father or I at all we just want you to know we love and support you and whomever you want to be with", my mom finishes giving me a clue of what this conversation was really about.
We pulled into the parking space. Stepping out of the car I could smell the different cuisine from the food trucks making my stomach grumble.Evanston Ave was busy today. I scanned the area trying to spot Daniel."Lets hit crafts first", My mother says handing me some shopping bags. Giving up temporarily on finding Daniel I relent. Mom stops and admires the handcrafted antique jewelry while I send Daniel a text letting him know I am here. I followed my mother to the next table of jewels while depositing my phone in my bag. "I really like those earrings ", Someone says from behind us. Mom and I turn to see Daniel grinning from ear to ear. "Hey honey", my mom says smiling. "Hi Mrs.Antoinette", he replies.Daniel then grabs me by the waist and kisses me while I try very hard not to melt into him in front of my mother. "Yo, bijin-san", he says quietly like he only wanted me to hear while tucking hair behind my ear. I could only stare at him before looking at my mother who was wiggling her eyebrows smirking. "Hey babe", I say, clearing my throat. Daniel chuckles at me before holding my hand. " So Daniel, what are you doing here today?'', my mother asks. Daniel glances at me before speaking. " I'm here helping my dad with his fish stand". "Oh, your dad sells seafood here?"she asks Daniel while trying on a ring. "Yes ma'am", Daniel answers. Before she could ask more questions I spoke up. "Mom I think I just saw them bring out some more vintage pieces", I say convincingly. Mom turns to see the sales lady with about 10 new necklaces. "I'll be right back", she said, turning and walking away. I shake my head and look at Daniel.
"How did you sleep?"Daniel asks, slowly invading my space. I analyze that question before speaking. "Naked and delicious", I reply smiling. Daniel brushed my hair behind my shoulder, his fingertips grazing my skin making me shiver slightly. "Yes, you were", he whispered. My cheeks heated before I cleared my throat. "I'm going to hurt you", I say playfully, moving to grab him. Daniel catches my hand mid air and starts walking. "I hope so", he replies walking up to a boy who looks to be about 14. "Sam, where's dad?''Daniel says to the boy. Turning Sam looks me over with a smile. "You must be Gabbriella", he says with unusual green eyes assessing me. "Hello", was all I could formulate he was so cute. "Well I see why you talk about her so much. I mean….Kanojo wa iki o nomu yōdesu", Sam says to Daniel . Daniel chuckles while I blush. "Where is dad?"Daniels asks again. " He is in the back", Sam says, still smiling at me, who is embarrassed by my own damn blushing. "Can you get him, I want to introduce him to Gabby", Daniel says. This got Sam's attention. "Oh….ok", says Sam looking unsure. When Sam is out of earshot Daniel turns and levels me with a smoldering look. "I really didn't want to leave your bed this morning", he whispers, kissing my chin. "There is always an open invitation for you", I replied smiling. Daniel hummed before grabbing me around the waist. Just before he was about to kiss me we heard someone clear their throat. When Daniel looked up he saw his dad with Sam behind him trying to contain his laughter. "Daniel and this is?"Youn says hard. Daniel grabbed my hand determinedly and announced this is Gabbriella. Like literally announcing it like I was a princess and he was announcing my presence at the Ball. " Hello sir", I say, holding my hand out for a handshake. Not bothering to shake my hand he replies, "Hello". Rude ass motherfucker I thought. I took a step back and Daniel grabbed my hand. Youns jaws tick when he notices. "Daniel , can you go to the back and get the ice for the fish", his dad asked him, never taking his eyes from our hands.''Sam help your brother", he continued. Daniel turns to me and excuses himself. "Gabbriella is it?", Youn ask with a disgusted look on his face. "Yes", I replied, feeling the air between us change. "I don't know the nature of your and my son's relationship but, Daniel has responsibilities to his family and he can't afford to be distracted by you", he says as if I were something he stepped in. Taken aback I compose myself. " No harm or disrespect Mr. Oh but , Daniel and I relationship is anything but distracting. I have no intentions of getting in between or in the way for that matter of any responsibilities he might have", I say matter of factly. " My son won't be with somebody like you", Young snaps on a whisper but I heard him loud and clear. Daniel wouldn't be with someone that's black that's what he really wanted to say. Pissed off now I gather myself. "Well , I think that's Daniels decision to make don't you?'', I say smiling sweetly.
I turn and walk away not even giving that piece of shit a chance to reply. Fuck this! Hurt couldn't even explain what I felt towards his words. Daniel had warned me but, That was just all out racism. I spot my mother two vendors down standing in line. "Mom, can we go?"I asked her done with the whole day. I mean I can't do shit about being black it's who I am. My mom looks at me . "What's wrong?", she asked. I definitely didn't want to discuss it. Shaking my head I say, "I just don't feel so hot, can we go", I say fighting back tears. The ride home was a quiet one and while the city flies by I wonder how Daniel's parents would have reacted if I were asian.
Once home I throw spotify on my tv and turn it all the way up while laying in my bed staring at the ceiling. I had changed into yellow softee shorts and a white tank top. Chiming noises came from my phone on the bedside table. "Open the door please" the text read. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed I get up and open the door. Daniel is staring back at me with a pissed expression. "What the fuck did he say to you Gabby?", he says quietly. I roll my eyes before sitting back on the bed. "It's all good", I say looking anywhere but at him. Daniel looks at me like I have lost my mind. "Gabbriella tell me what he said", he says calmly. I'm seriously still pissed from the entire interaction. Daniel is someone who has gradually become important to me and to have his family detest me so doesn't sit right with me. "Apparently I'm a distraction", I say to which he cracked his knuckles. "I'm keeping you from your family responsibilities", I continue remembering the way he said it. When tears prick my eyes I chuckle. "Then he made it perfectly clear you wouldn't be with someone like me… someone black", I say letting the first few tears fall. Daniel's head snapped up. "Wait a fucking minute, did he really say that to you", he ask disgusted. I just nod my head. " I am getting really sick of him fucking with my life" he says pacing the floor. " Gabby, you are one of the best things to happen to me in a long time", he says looking desperate. " My mother and father have this idea that I would be with someone of their choosing but that has never been a plan I agreed to", he says getting on his knees in front of me. "I'm here with you because I want you and I want to be. You are beautiful, talented, intelligent, funny and feisty. Everything I've always wanted", He says cupping my face wiping away tears. Hugging him tight, I released the breath I was holding. "That shit pissed me off I'm not going to sugarcoat it", I say while grappling his shirt. "The look on his face is what I remember the most, the disgust. I don't want to come between you and your family Daniel", I state. I run my hand through his hair under his beanie. When I look into his eyes I see determination and something else I can't put my finger on. A knock on my bedroom door gets our attention. I fling the door open revealing my father. "Hey princess I just wanted to let you know we finally got the car and the engine is dead. I think it's time for a new one", he says grimacing. Blowing out pent up air I reply, "Great". Dad scans the room. "Hey what's up D I didn't know you were here", Dad says candidly. Daniel smirks. "Hey Mr.C , yeah I came by to talk to Gabby", he replies then continues. "Gabby, if you need rides until you get a new car I would be happy to chauffeur'', he says as he kisses the top of my head. My dad beams at him and I shake my head thinking about Youn and his hateful words. "No Daniel I can ride the bus", I say cringing, thinking about riding that metal twinky again. When she looked up at him he was staring at her with determination. "I will pick you up here everyday", Daniel replies leaving no room for argument. My dad looked between the both of us, feeling the tension as he smiled before closing the door. "I'm not going to let my father or anybody for that matter to come in between you and I and what where'er building" he says as he takes my hand. Shaking my head I pull him down on the bed. "I don't give a fuck who has a problem with with our relationship, I just dont want to be the reason you have a problem with your family they are supposed to be your support", I say to him hazel eyes to my bourbon ones.
"Gabby, my family and I have had issues way before you came into my life. My older brothers ran to another state to get away from them, a lot of decisions they have made have been about their happiness not ours", he says clearly living through a painful memory. "Are you sure? I mean, is that what you want?", I asked truthfully. "You , you are what I want" he says confidently. Wanting to put this behind us I kiss him passionately. Before my tongue could get access he pulled away. " Do you mind if I shower I smell like fish?"he chuckles. "Of course", I say watching him. Daniel walks to a duffle bag I hadn't noticed him bring in. "Do you think you parents would mind if I spent the night?I'm not trying to see my father right now", he says looking me in the eye. "I can ask", I say heading towards the stairs. I wink at him when I pass him, making him smile as I ascend the steps to speak with my parents.