The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson Read online

  “Hey, I go hard on defense too. Blaze may not even score if I get put on him!” Polo added.

  D laughed. “Oh yeah, let’s not forget about my man Polo. He was number three in the region in interceptions, the only player from Georgia on that list. And let me remind you that all that this was back in middle school! Imagine what we can do now! For Blaze to do anything on the field, he’d have to get past our tough defensive line, Polo and Mario.”

  “See, man, you keep talking about statistics. All of that’s just math to me. You know that the only numbers that matter at the end of the day are on the scoreboard. Who has the most points at the end of the day is the only stat that matters to me, and it’s gonna be Jefferson that does that. We’ll be in the championship picture, just like last year.”

  “Well, I guess we’ll see in October,” D said.

  “I know we will. Jefferson’s gonna be undefeated when it’s all said and done. Bet on it.”

  It was really entertaining hearing them going back and forth and it really made you more eager to finally see them face off! The people that called in thought so too, as this was the segment with the highest amount of calls in Carswell history. The funny thing is that I am not even that big of a football fan. Wyatt talks a lot of trash and, even though I like him and everything, it’ll make me happy to see him get what he deserves.

  Bottom line is this: D proved that he actually does have what it takes to host his own show. Now, it was up to the heads of Carswell Media and Roxanne to make it happen. Obviously, having a huge local celebrity like D on your station will really boost your ratings. Roxanne just told me about making decisions. She really needs to go on make the right choice and sign D on. Real talk!

  ♠♠♠♠

  Allison’s Breakdown

  After the visit to the radio station, I had Polo’s sister drop me off in Brentwood by Allison’s house. I thought about just calling her when we got home but I decided it’ll be better if we talk face to face. I have to let her know that I’m here for her and that she can’t let people like Mariah get her down!

  Allison’s house is huge! It’s almost like one of those houses you used to see on MTV Cribs. Even though I’d been to her house hundreds of times, it still amazes me. Momma’s house is probably big too. The last time I saw her, she was living in a condo that’s far north towards the outskirts of Atlanta. She had her house built and designed from the ground up and they just finished a few months ago.

  I would’ve gone to try and find it but I didn’t because it was real dark outside and I didn’t know my way around Brentwood. As I said, crazy things happen in Willowsfield at night (especially on weekends) and I definitely don’t need to get lost in a neighborhood I don’t know well.

  Anyways, I walked up to their porch and rang the doorbell. To my surprise, Wyatt answered the door.

  “Aye, ‘Liyah, what’s up with Allison? She came in heated after choir practice today,” he immediately said as he opened the door and saw that it was me.

  I sighed. “One of the girls down there was hating on her because she sang a song better. It’s straight though. I’ll go talk to her.”

  He nodded. “Alright, cool. Last time I checked, she was upstairs in her room.”

  I jogged up the stairs to Allison’s room on the second floor of the house. She had her door closed and locked and I heard her crying.

  “Allison, open up! It’s Aaliyah, open up!” I said, knocking on the door.

  “Go away,” she weakly shouted in between breaths. “I told you I wasn’t singing tomorrow. I just wanna be left alone!”

  “Come on, Allison, let me in. This has to be more than just what happened at choir practice. You’re worrying me with how you’re acting. What’s wrong?”

  “You really don’t understand all that I’ve been going through and I really don’t wanna explain. Go home!”

  “Now Allison, you know that’s not an option. I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s happening with you. You’re my best friend and I can’t stand to see you like this. Let me help you.”

  Allison finally opened the door. Her face was soaking wet and her eyes were extremely red. I almost started crying too. I’ve never seen Allison like this. She’s always so energetic and positive! I couldn’t cry though. What would that solve? I had to be strong and help Allison with whatever she was going through.

  I led her to her bed. Tears were still streaming down her face.

  “Now, tell me what’s wrong. I know this isn’t about the church thing. You already know that Mariah’s isn’t even worth the tears.”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s not about that. It feels like I’m just an emotional wreck. Nothing goes right for me now days. Recently, I’ve been feeling the pain of the passing of my grandmother. You know she died of cancer a few months back. It’s just hard coming to terms with the fact that my Nana is gone.

  “At first, I thought I’d be able to move on, but now I realize I can’t. I’m just not that strong. Even though I have the love of my immediate family, I still feel alone. I just feel like something’s missing. I miss her so much and it’s really starting to hit that I’ll never see again.” Tears were starting to stream down her eyes again.

  “Allison, don’t think like that! You’ll see her again. Your grandmother’s is in a better place in heaven.”

  Allison sighed. “I don’t even know about all this Christianity stuff. I mean, why would God take my Nana away from me?”

  “Listen, Allison, I know you miss your grandmother and your heart is grieving, but we’ll get through this together. Don’t fall back on your faith; it’s the only thing that you have to drive you forward.”

  Allison wiped the flowing tears from her face. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Now, what else is going on?”

  Allison took a deep sigh. “You promise not to say anything to anybody?”

  “Honestly, I’ll try, but it really depends. You can’t keep all of these problems to yourself. You’re gonna drive yourself crazy.”

  All Allison did was take out her iPhone, navigate to her text messages, and gave it to me. She was having a text conversation with a guy named Gabriel. I was sort of confused at first, but then I read through and started to understand.

  The message that really just popped out at me read:

  “I’m gonna take your virginity whether you like it or not.”

  “Allison, who is this? What’s going on? Why is this guy texting you saying he’s gonna take you’re virginity?”

  “Let me explain. Gabriel is a guy that I met during the summer. He’s eighteen and had just graduated from Booker T. When I first started talking to him, he was really cool. Then, I saw him for who he really was. The boy is wild! One night, while he was under the influence of something, he came down here and tried to get me to have sex with him. I was the only one home and he knew that. I kept telling him no over and over. He was just so aggressive.”

  “So did he…”

  “Fortunately, he didn’t. I finally got him off me. Before he left, though, he said that I’d eventually give him what I wanted, whether I liked it or not.”

  “Allison, are you serious? Why haven’t you told anybody?”

  “I didn’t wanna get anybody else involved. Gabriel is insane! That boy has been basically stalking me since that night. He was parked at your house in that gray pick-up truck when Hailey and I came to pick you up for the scrimmage. I don’t know how he knew where we were, but I’m really scared. I don’t know. I may just give him what he wants. Maybe he’ll stop harassing me. If he hurts you or anybody else in any way, I don’t know what I’d do.”

  “Come on, Allison! You can’t talk negative like that. You’re in control of your body. Nobody can force or scare you into giving up you’re virginity. And don’t worry about me. I’m gonna be alright. Come here.”

  I hugged Allison and prayed. I prayed that all of her problems would fade away and that she would go back to her normal self. After I got through
, Allison’s stopped crying and smiled at me.

  “Thanks for being here for me, Aaliyah. I love you so much. I swear, you’re my best friend. Nobody else would’ve been here this late at night trying to help me.”

  I smiled at her. “I love you too, Allie. You know something though?”

  “Yeah?”

  “After all this you told me, you have to come to church tomorrow. Don’t worry about Mariah or any of those other fake, hating church folks. If you don’t wanna sing, you don’t have to, just come to get a good word and some spiritual satisfaction. Will you do that for me?”

  “Yeah, Aaliyah. I got you. Again, thank you for being here for me.”

  “Don’t mention it, girl! Isn’t that what sisters are for?

  Before I went to bed, I said another prayer for Allison. I’m really worried about her. That whole outburst at her house was so surprising. It always seems like she has the perfect life from where all of us that see her are standing. But, I guess that saying is true: “Don’t judge anybody until you walk a mile in their shoes”. I wish somebody would tell that to Mariah and the rest of those hating people at Mt. Zion that have such a problem with Allison and her family.

  Sincerely,

  Aaliyah Anderson

  ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  A Black Woman’s True Value

  August 18, 2012, 8:22 a.m.

  Good morning, good morning, good morning! I woke up at about 7:39 and immediately started my morning routine. In about twenty minutes, I was finished. I decided to go for a laid back look for choir practice with a pink Adidas track suit hookup. It’s not anything too flashy, but it’s cute and definitely comfortable, as it’s been real chilly in Willowsfield over the past few weeks. The craziest thing about it is that it’s the middle of August! I wonder how the temperature’s gonna be during the fall?

  As I tried to put together some breakfast, I turned the TV to VH1. In the morning they show reruns of season one of my favorite reality TV shows, T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle. The new season starts next month! Over the past few Saturdays, I’ve been trying to catch up on what I missed. If I get lucky, I’m up to watch it. Usually on Mondays, I’m doing something that makes me forget that the show is even on. I always miss it!

  I don’t care what anybody says, T.I. and Tiny are a cute couple! These hateful people go around acting like she’s the ugliest thing on the earth. That’s totally untrue. To me, she’s a beautiful person. One thing that Momma taught me when I was little is that outer beauty is important but it isn’t everything.

  “A woman should have more to offer than how good she looks,” she’d always tell me. “The true value of a young black woman is her mind.”

  With that said, Tiny seems cool. She has a fly personality, a great business mind, and a hustler’s attitude. She’s a great mother and she seems to really love T.I. Isn’t that supposed to be all that matters? People are way too judgmental nowadays.

  In the episode I was watching, T.I was trying to teach his kids how to be independent. He said that his kids can’t live off him their whole lives and that they needed to get their own little hustle going. All his children have their own unique talents and seem to have a lot of ambition - well, except for his eleven-year-old son Doomani, who is so cute and funny! He doesn’t exactly know what he wants to do yet.

  I could see myself being the proud big sister of a younger sibling like him. I would take him under my wing, protect him, and give him sisterly advice, something similar to what D does for me. I wish Elijah was more like Doomani. Ever since he started hanging around Jeff and the Rydahz 24/7, he hasn’t been the same.

  Anyways, T.I suggests that he tries rapping. Doomani accepts and T.I works it to where he opens up for the OMG Girlz during one of their stops on the Scream Tour. He has about a day or two to record a song and practice performing before the concert. Watching him nervously prepare for his performance made me wish I had a true younger sister or brother. As I said, Jeff and the Rydahz have already corrupted Elijah.

  I want somebody to be known as “Liyah’s younger brother” or “Liyah’s younger sister”. I’m known around Willowsfield as D’s younger sister, which isn’t bad in any way, but I just wish I could share that experience. For some reason, it seems so special.

  Thinking of having another younger sibling made me think of how much of a punk my “father” is for aborting his child he had with his former mistress. Yeah, he was dead wrong for cheating on Momma like that, but at least be a man and take care of your own child. He was the one that decided it was a good idea to run up in that broad without protection. He didn’t have to kill it! What a pathetic excuse for a man! Why can’t all guys be like D and T.I?

  Yeah, T.I’s been to jail a few times, but he’s successfully changed his life and attitude. D always told me about upgrading and re-inventing yourself. T.I has re-invented himself perfectly, and he’s done it to better the lives of his family and the people he loves. What a man!

  Also in the episode, Tiny was looking to expand her nail bar with her longtime friend Shekinah. Tiny’s Nail Bar is already a huge hit in the ATL/Stockbridge, GA area. Now, she’s looking to add more to services to it, asking for Shekinah’s help because of her great hairstyling skills.

  Even though I love the show, my only problem actually comes from Shekinah. That woman is so annoying! Every reality show nowadays always has to have a ratchet, ghetto female to get attention, even the good ones. Shekinah needs to sit down and get away from the camera! Isn’t this T.I and Tiny’s show? Why is half of the show centered on her? We can barely understand what she’s saying most the time! When she comes on the screen, I press my remote to try and turn on the subtitles. The TV doesn’t even know what she’s talking about!

  With that said, it seems as if she really does have a talent for hair. She owns a shop down in the ATL too. Her website said that she does Future’s dreads. She’s also is the one that did the colors for the OMG Girlz’s hair, which actually looks good, considering. Trust me, I’ve seen worse around here in Willowsfield with that crazy Kool Aid thing. Really, who’d wanna walk around with dried Kool Aid in their hair?

  D came down at nine o’clock on the dot. The Family Hustle marathon had just gone off and I’d just finished my bowl of cereal, turkey bacon, and yogurt. D was wearing black Urban Outfitters fake but realistic-looking glasses, his diamond earrings, a black and red Hollister long sleeve button down shirt, tan cargo pants, a red Chicago Bulls snapback hanging from his Gucci belt, and tan Sperrys. My big brother stays clean! He said that I get all my swag from him. D’s such a fool!

  “What’s good, ‘Liyah?”

  “What’s up, superstar? I’m surprised you’re even up after the game you had last night. You gotta be tired!”

  “I am a little bit, but I can’t just stay locked up in the house! You already know I gotta get some fresh air. Plus, I gotta go down to the radio station. Even though I’m not getting paid, this internship really is a miracle.”

  D is an intern at Carswell Media Inc., one of the largest media companies in the United States. It’s also the only major media company in America that is owned by African Americans. They’re really giving BET and TVOne/RadioOne a run for their money! Momma’s show, The Natasha Anderson Morning Show, is syndicated by Carswell in ninety-eight radio markets around the country. D wants to be a broadcast journalist just like Momma. He definitely has talent too. When D talks, people listen.

  Come to think about it, he actually talked his way into this internship. At the time, they didn’t know that our mom was Natasha Anderson. They did, however, hear his name circulating around Willowsfield because of his athletic abilities. Carswell Media immediately brought D on, citing his ambitious attitude, great personality, and huge local following as reasons why they made that decision.

  Every Saturday and Sunday, he goes to the radio station and learns the journalism game from some of the best in the business. The knowledge that they pass down to
him really helps with him being a part of the Journalism class at Howard Jones. He even hosts his own radio show down there. Ironically, it’s called The Damon Anderson Morning Show. Go figure!

  “D, do you think I could go with you to the station this week? I’m not trying to get you in trouble. Plus, you already know I’ll stay out your way if you want me to. I just wanna see what goes on behind the scenes. You already know I wanna be the head of a company like Carswell one day!”

  D smiled as he pulled out a bottle of green Gatorade. “Yeah, sure. That’s cool with me. It’ll be nice to have my little sister around for a change. Things can get really slow, especially on weekends.”

  I smiled back at him. “Don’t worry; we’ll get through all that.”

  So my Saturday is pretty much planned out. After choir practice, I’m gonna go with D to the radio station. I swear, I love D so much! I really don’t know what I’d do without him. Like I said, he’s the only one that understands me and I really value that.

  Well, it’s choir time and I’m really wondering what’s gonna go down today. We have a lot of characters in the teenage choir and things can really get ungodly. Lord, I pray today goes smooth and nothing pops off. Amen!

  Sincerely,

  Aaliyah Anderson

  ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  Polo & Jay

  8:32 p.m.

  Man, choir practice was just like I expected it to be, crazy and drama-filled! It’s one thing to bring drama to school, but to church? As I said, the Lord’s house isn’t the place for all that. I swear, people have no respect!

  For example, a westside boy came in the practice with his pants saggin’ super low. I hate when boys sag! It’s not cute! That racist joke about spelling saggin’ backwards makes me angry too.

  These boys need to pull up their pants and act like they have some sense. Yeah, adults say it all the time, but now I’m saying it too. The boys that sag can barely walk without holding their pants up, which looks so stupid! Then they have their dirty basketball shorts showing for the whole world to see! I see guys at Clarkson with black shorts that are supposed to be white. That isn’t “swag”! If you’re gonna sag, at least have the mind enough to wash your undershorts. As I said, that’s not cute!