Black Butterfly Read online

  Black Butterfly

  UnBridled Artistry LLC Digital April 2020

  Copyright © April 2020 for Annetta Hobson

  Published by UnBridled Artistry Publications

  ISBN: 9798640603491

  Library of Congress Cataloging Data:

  G. Hobson April 2020

  Paperback Edition April 2020, Digital April 2020

  All rights reserved, including the rights to produce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  Cover design by UnBridled Artistry Productions

  Email @[email protected]

  This book is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and incidents that are mentioned in this book are the product of imagination. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Author A. G. Hobson Works

  The black butterfly represents change, transition, freedom and rebirth. The associations with death and misfortune can also symbolize the 'death' of something bad or negative, or the end of misfortunes. The Butterfly itself is a symbol of death, rebirth and transformation.

  Introduction

  S ummer vacation was absolutely amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a summer as much as I did this year. I literally went everywhere in the city. And, my entire family traveled. We went to Miami, L.A, and Myrtle Beach. Beautiful sandy beaches, palm trees blowing in the wind swaying like dancing ladies, hypnotized me. I don’t believe I ever appreciated nature so much. Birds floating over us sailing on the wind like boats on water was such a gorgeous sight. Beach bodies, neon swimsuits, muscles flexing, vacationers splashing around in the waters filled my days and nights. Children playing in white shell-filled sand, lying under giant umbrellas, going for a swim in ocean-connected waters soothed my soul. Being in the presence of family made it all even better. Watching my parents frolic in the water and take romantic strolls at night filled me with a happiness I can’t describe. Each new place we visited presented more beauty than the one before. My sisters even forgot about their lustful boyfriends long enough to enjoy the warmth of the salacious cities. With the lure of sexy surroundings their normal horny evenings were occupied with more than an appetite for the physical. When your inner being is satisfied with the arousal of nature who can think of anything else. I can say that I had the most fun in Florida. It was just like being in another world. Their city life made our city life feel like we were from the country. There was nothing really alluring about my city. From the extremely cold days, the indecisive summer weather, living in Michigan kind of sucked. Don’t get me wrong, there was definitely a lot to do. But, winters get bad and sometimes doesn’t want to end. Summer on the other hand, lasts for a very short couple of months. I love my city it’s just really cool to get out and see what the other parts of America look and feel like. I utilized all of our fun spots before we left and when we got back. Like I said before, vacation was absolutely amazing.

  As I get ready for the first day of school, I smile. This is my last freaking year of high school. Breeze, my older, beautiful sister left for college two weeks ago. It’s so unfair. Why did her egg have to hatch before mine? Being the middle child really sucks at times. It’s like I’m the invisible man. She is living the dream of every college freshman. So far, she has gotten all of the classes she wanted. She got the roommate of a lifetime, a cool ass blue-eyed blonde-haired debutant name Jinan Hodges. She says she has money, so they’ve been hanging at all the cool spots and eating very well.

  Breeze is the trendy one of the three Brookes sisters. She has all of the cool friends, and the most gorgeous exes you’ve ever seen. She is a light shade of brown and has long dark curly hair that she inherited from our interracial parents; mom who is a beautiful shade of mocha and our Dad, who is the most tanned Caucasian you’ve ever seen. Her perfectly slim waist accents her curvy hips and toned legs. Me, I’m curvy, no slim waist, thick athletic legs and a lighter shade of brown, more like light skinned. We are exactly one year apart but worlds separate us. That’s probably why mom and dad toted us around the country on a summer fun run trotting off to beach after beach before Breeze left. We have another sister Tinselly. She is the darkest of us all and has shoulder length wavy hair. She is super slim and short like my mom. We all have dad’s brown eyes just different shapes. She is what you would call the total nerdy outcast and she doesn’t mind at all. She is an eleventh, grade math genius that likes big bulky sweaters and tennis shoes. She would wear house slippers to school if mom allowed her. Surprisingly, Tinselly and I are really close. We hang out most weekends when she’s not with the sheekgeeks or her boyfriend. She has a really cute jock beau who adores her. Their cliché love story began when she, yes, tutored him while she was in ninth grade and he was a sophomore.

  I adore my sisters. Doesn’t sound like it, but I do. My dad Jean, whom my middle name is inspired by, is going off to Paris in a few weeks. He wants to take my mom Stella after he goes down and settles in. Mom will come back when I leave and stay with Tinsley until she graduates. Eventually they will pack up the house and sell it. We have the option of leaving with them once we decide what we want to do. My parents have always been semi-successful. Dad is a pilot that is transferring and my mom is a designer. She mostly designs wedding gowns and is very good at it. Summer is her most lucrative time and she kills it.

  Chapter 1

  I have to admit, I’m going to miss my parents when I leave for college next fall. I plan on attending Dartmouth. I have already been accepted. I’m just waiting for my scholarship apps to come flying in. My parents have money but not Dartmouth money. The following year they will be official permanent residents of another country. They deserve it but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to be balling like crazy. My parents aren’t perfect but they are really great parents. They are super supportive of whatever we decide to do. I really didn’t want to attend college but my mom gave me this speech about being the best I can be and at least trying. I promised to try it out if she promised that I could come to Paris with them if I didn’t like it the following year. I know that there is no way in hell I will like college. Breeze is the outgoing, Tinselly is smart. College is a no-brainer for them. I’m just… well… Montana.

  I go into the laundry room and take my clothes out of the dryer as I think about the wonderful summer I had. I can’t believe we turned down so many guys this summer. Cute guy after cute guy chased us around the beaches trying to make a connection. But,

  Tinselly has Herschel Durden and Breeze is currently dating senior cutie Cade Houston. Me, Montana “Ana” Jean Brookes, the devil in Old Navy, is currently single. I haven’t dated almost my entire high school career. And I’m not sad or upset about it. It’s just simply a fact.

  I place my clothes in the basket and tote them up the stairs to my room. I fumble around the rest of the evening cleaning and organizing for the start of what I hope to be the best year of my teenage/beginning adult life. I can’t wait to get to the football games, hom
ecoming dance, basketball games, annoying senior Valentine’s Day grams( which I freaking love), senior trips, senior skip days, parties thrown by Westland High’s finest and the highlight of the senior class’ existence- Prom! Yes, I can’t wait until prom. I will probably go as the old (grandparents old) folks call it, stag, but it will be a blast. I plan to make this year the greatest senior year Westland has ever seen. Because the first task on my agenda is to become a part of the senior planning committee.

  I lie down, prop my hands behind my head and stare at the television. My eyes flap open then shut in a slow motion. I have been burning the candle at both ends all summer. My body has officially called it quits.

  “So… I’ll be riding to school with Hersh in the morning. I don’t want to bail on you because I know you like for all of us to ride together, but now that Breezy is gone to school, I thought that I could spend my last year with him. Riding together every day seems like I great start.” Tinselly peeks in the door.

  “Oh, that’s cool. I can ask Lydia or Iyoki to ride in with me.” I wipe my eyes and sit upright.

  Lydia Moore and Iyoki Karrigan are my really good friends.

  “Cool, I didn’t want you going in alone on the first day. I was going to suggest that you just tag along.”

  “I’ll be fine. I know you and Hersh are going to be even more gaga over one another this year being that he’s leaving. But don’t forget that I’m leaving you too.”

  “How could I forget that? I may just follow you to Dartmouth.”

  “I would love that.” I joke.

  “Good night Ana.”

  “Good night Tins.”

  I lie back down, roll over and close my eyes as Tinselly goes off to bed.

  *****************************************

  I stretch my arms out above me as my alarm clock blares. The buzzing repeats at a staggering rhythm. I sit up and yawn. It feels so good to completely stretch my body out. Bones crack and my legs extend as the feeling of a night long sleep in one position leaves my limbs. I hear Tinselly roaming around running from the bathroom to her room. I smell the aroma of burnt toast and coffee grounds brewing and I know that my mom is up as well. When wedding season dies down, she works at a boutique as a seamstress. My dad is probably still in bed. He sleeps in often when he isn’t flying planes. When he moves to Paris he won’t be flying as much but making a hell of a lot more money.

  I slide to the edge of my bed and allow my feet to dangle off the side. After I ponder on the day ahead, I shower. I don’t know if I am ready for the school gig or not. I guess I’m blasé. I like school at times and I don’t. I’ve kind of breezed through high school, not really making an impression, not really caring. There have been classes that I’ve enjoyed, teachers I adored and boys that I crushed on but nothing life changing. I’m not expecting anything life changing. I just want to have an amazing senior year. Whatever that may be. I stand and stretch for the last time, walk over to my dresser and grab something to wear. It doesn’t take me long to decide that I am going to sport a blue flowered V-neck shirt with a pair of black denim jeans. I opt for a pair of black patent leather baby doll shoes. After I dress, I stuff my backpack with all of the essentials, grab my car keys and head down to get some breakfast. I see my mom sitting at the table with her hands cupped around her coffee mug. She sips slowly as if it’s hot.

  “Good morning, mom” I say as I sit my backpack on the chair beside her.

  “Morning Montana. Ready for your first big day as a senior.” She says raising her eyebrows.

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. “I guess I am. I know it's going to be amazing.”

  “Of course it is. You make the best of everything. That’s why me and your dad don’t worry about you. The fun is wherever you want it to be.”

  “Yea, you’re right. I do want to be on the senior committee. I think I can make things very interesting for the graduates.”

  “Well, if Mrs. Northington is still running the committee, you’re a shoe in. She adores Breezy.”

  “Yea, she does.” I walk over to the fridge, take out the milk and set it on the counter. Mom raves on about senior year.

  I grab my fave cereal from the cupboard and a bowl from the cabinet. I pour the cereal and add the milk. I swipe a spoon from the drawer and sit in the chair across from my mom. I stuff my mouth listening to her go on about how great things are going to be for me. I nod and eat until the bowl is empty. I check my watch and jump up to place my bowl into the sink.

  “Well… thanks for the pep talk mom. I am going to try to make this year a great one.” As I turn to leave, I see Tinselly dashing for the door. When she slings it open, I get a glimpse of Hersh leaning inside to kiss her cheek. He yells out,

  “Morning fam!” She slams the door, then the car doors and I hear them zoom off.

  I wash my hands, grab my backpack and car keys. “See ya later, mom.”

  “Have a great first day sweetie.” I dash out of the door and run to the driveway to get inside of my 2012 Chevy Malibu. As I drive toward the school I think about Breeze and how she felt beginning the 12th grade. Barreling toward 18 feels… I don’t know, weird. I can’t imagine a day where I will have to fend for myself; pay bills, grocery shop and work a job. I spot Westland High and I turn into the parking lot. I didn’t call Lydia or Iyoki to ride in with me. As a matter of fact, I haven’t spoken with them for months. I think I spoke to Lydia right before we came back from Myrtle Beach. And it was brief. I guess we have a ton of catching up to do. I park my car and hurry out. I grab my backpack and sling it across my shoulder. I walk toward the school and through the double glass doors to enter. The halls are filled with hundreds of bright-eyed high schoolers waiting to get started. I pull my schedule from my purse and look for my new locker. I search and find it quickly before my first class begins. I place my new lock on and stuff my backpack inside after taking out a few notebooks and pens. When I close my locker, I spot Lydia and Iyoki walking together. I smile and hurry toward them.

  “Hey guys! What’s up? How was your summer?”

  “Obviously not as exciting as yours.” Iyoki says sarcastically. “I couldn’t even get a freaking postcard.” She adds.

  “I’m sorry. We had so much fun. I was barely even on my phone.”

  “Except to post pictures rubbing your summer fun in our faces.” Lydia spits.

  “Oh God… Are we alright?” I say raising an eyebrow.

  “Of course. But you know we have to give your selfish ass a hard time for always ditching us.” We all hug and smile at one another. “What classes do you guys have?”

  We simultaneously say, “Mr. Vernon- calc!” we chuckle as we head down the hall to our first class of the day.

  I look up and over at Iyoki nervously biting her already stubby nails glaring at the refresher test that Mr. Vernon so graciously offered to us on our first day. He is such an a-hole. We had him for ninth grade Algebra and tenth grade Biology. This man teaches it all. He has a doctorate in education but doesn’t want to be called Dr. He loves to surprise us with tests and we always fail them. But he says he gives them to get our brain juices flowing from the summer rest. Iyoki really gnaws at her nails, while Lydia slides her paper to the end of the desk to let him know that she is done. She isn’t the whiz that Tinselly is but she is good enough to average more than 80% on most tests and homework. I stare at my paper for a moment then began writing. I am not as confident as Lydia when I slide my paper to the end of my desk. After Vernon collects the tests, the bell rings. I grab my notebooks and pen and hurry from the class. The halls fill with students again and we rush into one another making it to our next class. As I push my way through the hall to my next class, I spot Mrs. Northington coming out of the main office. I hurry through the crowd to catch her.

  “Mrs. Northington.” I yell almost out of breath. “Mrs. Northington!” She turns and smiles.

  “Montana Brookes. Welcome back.” She reaches out and grabs my shoulder once I reach her.
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br />   “Thank you. Welcome back yourself. I was hoping to be on the senior committee this year. Do you think that’s possible?”

  “I have to select a senior sponsor out of the few teachers that were interested, but yes. Fill out the form online stating what your ideas are and we can definitely get started.”

  “Thank you so much.” I smile, task completed. She waves.

  “I’m looking forward to reading your ideas.” She says walking down the hall as the students dissipate.

  I take a step toward my next class and the office door opens again. I spot Mrs. German stepping out of them. There is a young man following her. He looks like a student but he is dressed in a dark colored blazer, black turtleneck and a pair a black denim jeans. He has on dark blue shoes and has a black leather backpack hitched over his shoulder. He looks up at me from the floor and his eyes are dark, not like black or anything, just dark. His black furrowed brows are thick, not bushy, but broad. His hair is neatly cut into a silk curly afro cropped at the sides and rounded toward the top. His brown skin is lightly toasted like fresh almonds. He towers over Mrs. German, who is all of 5 ft. 1. When he looks at me, it’s a distant glare. His eyes don’t necessarily land on me but he kind of glowers in my direction. I can’t turn away. I’ve seen boys that have caught my eye but this is something different. He turns away as if he swatted at a fly and continues to walk behind Mrs. German. I can’t look away. I don’t take my eyes off of him until he disappears into a classroom at end of the hall. I blink back from my trance when the bell rings. I shake my head and hurry in their direction toward my next class. As I pass, I glance into the classroom that he entered before I proceed to my college prep class. I watch as he sits down in a chair at the desk. I raise my eyebrows; he looks too young to be a teacher but I guess Westland will hire anyone. Before I turn away, our eyes lock once more and he frowns. I see Mr. Gilders sit beside him. I’m so curious about this guy. The scowl he is wearing is frightening but not enough to deter me from getting to know more about him.