Free Crazy Love by Amir Abrams

her,” I hear Daddy saying. “Kamiyah,” he calls out again. I ignore him. “Let me go up and have a talk with her.”
    â€œErik, forget it. Leave her be. But I tell you what. She can go ahead and get her license, but she’s not driving that car anywhere. I don’t care if I have to block it in with mine. She can catch the bus or walk to school for the rest of the month. I’m done with her nasty attitude. And she’s not going to be on that computer, either. And I’m suspending her phone service.”
    Say what ? No car, no phone and no computer! For a whole month? She can’t be serious. I am going to die! I storm back into the kitchen. “You’re taking my phone and my car? Why?”
    â€œI’ve had enough of your piss-poor attitude,” the Witch states, gloating. She’s clearly happy that she’s finally getting what she wants. To keep me miserable like her!
    â€œDaaaaaddy,” I whine. “Will you please talk to her? She’s being ridiculous.”
    He shakes his head. It’s clear to me he will not go against her. He shifts his eyes from me. “You heard what your mother said. No car and no Internet. But you can keep your computer and your phone.”
    What the hell good is my computer without the Internet! I scream in my head .
    â€œErik. . .”
    â€œYou can’t take everything away from her all at once, Kayla. She keeps the phone.”
    The Witch’s jaw gets real tight. “Fine,” she says, glaring at him. She’s really pissed now. “I won’t shut it off, this time. But the next time she sneaks up out of this house, it will be. And I don’t care what you say.”
    â€œThere won’t be a next time,” Daddy says, shooting a look at me. “Will there?”
    â€œBut I didn’t sneak out of the house,” I whine. “She”—I point at her—“never said I couldn’t go outside.”
    â€œOh, Kamiyah, please,” she grunts. “But since I didn’t make myself clear the first time, let me do so now. You are to be in this house. You are not allowed any company. And you are to come straight home from school.” She’s smirking. “No exceptions.”
    â€œWhat about dance?”
    â€œYou can still go to practice. Either your mother or I will take you and pick you up,” Daddy tells me. He gets up from his seat, clearing his dishes from the table and setting them in the sink. “Now I’m going to leave the two of you to finish fighting this out. I’ve got to get to work. Hopefully, the two of you won’t kill each other in the process.” He walks over and kisses her on the lips, then walks over to me. I feel like I’m gonna vomit! He gives me a hug, whispering in my ear, “Please, stop giving your mother such a hard time. Do what she says and I’ll buy you something nice.” He kisses me on the forehead.
    As soon as the door closes behind him, I go back up to my bedroom and grab my phone off of my dresser to call Sincere to wish him good luck on his test this morning. He doesn’t answer, so I leave a message.
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    â€œOh, Kamiyah,” Ms. White says, stopping me before I can walk out of her class. Ms. White teaches French and has been my teacher for the last three years. I turn to face her. “I don’t want to keep you from your next class, but . . .”
    â€œIt’s okay,” I say, swinging my bag up over my shoulder. “It’s only gym. And you know how much I looove gym.” I roll my eyes up in my head, all dramatic and whatnot.
    â€œWell, good,” she says with a chuckle. “I’m wondering why I haven’t gotten your application and permission slip back yet for the trip to France this spring. I think it’ll be a wonderful experience for you; especially since we both know how badly you want to tour one day with a European dance troupe. And being that