My mother always told me, “Tina, never get too close to someone because they will betray you. You don‘t need friends, family is enough.”

That was my motto growing up. Even though my mother was a deadbeat and I was practically raised by my grandmother, I always longed to gain her love and respect, but all I got was negligence.

I never allowed myself to ever get any friends. I just had acquaintances and some boyfriends.

Well, guess what?

My mother fell in love with this druggie, hippie rocker guy named Ice when I was fifteen years old, and she abandoned me.

So much for family as the solidarity.

I was devastated but my grandma took care of me.

My poor grammy, she sacrificed everything for me, and the last thing she needed was a depressed 15 year old girl, so she enlisted me in classes at the YMCA.

There was so many activities to choose from and it was really hard to make a choice. There were so many sports each of which I’m horrible at, there was writing, art, music, and even self defense.

At the end I chose tennis, creative writing, and art. I considered music, but then I remembered how horrible I sound when I sing. No one needs to hear that!

The moment I walked into the art class, my life changed forever.

The first thing I did when I walked in the classroom was duck my head down because a paper airplane was flying right at me.

Then I heard her loud laughter, “oh shit I’m sorry!”

I laughed and looked back at the plane. It was a work of art in itself. The wings imitated those of an eagle and it actually had some sort of propeller in the front.

“It’s alright,” I said picking up the plane, “did you make this?”

I turned to look at my accidental attacker, seeing her for the very first time. She was so beautiful. She skin was such a beautiful shade of mocha I would think she would taste like a frappucino. Her dark brown thick hair, extended just past her shoulders, it was straightened, but I could tell her natural was probably curly. Her deep brown eyes were so expressive they told a story all on their own. Her juicy-looking lips were curved into a beautiful joyful smile. I’ve never seen anyone look so happy and carefree.