Perks of Being Black

"I have a group?"

Ally stares at me and my friends. "You always had, Black. It's us and your sister. So? Are you up for it? The school festival is a month away and you have to decide if we perform there or not. You're our leader after all."

"O-Oh, Mint's a part of it?" This Earth was too good to be true and this parallel universe, I never expected. "Yeah, sure? Do we practice?"

"We go to the studio, Black. Why are you acting like this?" Grei said.

"Did Jacob rape you?" Margoue suddenly asked. "Yummy," I frowned at her sudden change of sensual facial expression. She was playfully licking her lips as she stared away from us. "I wonder who that was though."

"Ew, Margoue. You basically just sleep with any guy you see every time you feel horny." Donna crosses her arms.

She turns to her with a deep frown. "Bitch, you're just jealous because you're not pretty like me!"

"God I would never wish to have that rock beaten egg face of yours. That's like wishing for a horse pig face!"

"Bitch! Slut! Whore! Hoe!" She exclaims again.

"The only person whose pretty here is me so you can all shut your mouths and accept the fact." George butts in and points at himself confidently.

"Let Ezreal be beautiful, guys." Grei chuckles and Ezreal immediately frowns. "Gross, Grei! I'm handsome!"

Ally shakes her head. "Enough everyone. You're getting too noisy and you're all making my head ache." Alas, someone finally had the gut to stop them from talking like that. The way they were talking was so refreshing but annoying – a little. We were so close to each other but their voices were so loud, it could eventually break my ear drums. "Black, you can just chat us the details for the practice online. I have a class to go to."

I nodded. "Okay,"

"Marion's looking for me. So I'm going. Bye. See y'all later!" George blew a kiss before he walked away swinging his body dramatically, flipping his inexistent long hair.

"I'm going to find that guy a while ago, ciao!" Margoue said ramping her way out of the circle but Donna calls her name and runs with her.

"Ezreal, let's go play games in the café. We'll be back before lunch break, Black. Bye!" Grei said pulling Ezreal with him as she whines and yells about not wanting to go with him but she still did.

Now I was alone again. I didn't have any class today except this morning which was Mathematics but during that period, I was only trying to figure out the particles Mrs. Dee needed to make the portal. It was almost impossible but she made it work which was amazing for someone who only did it in her small personal lab space.

I sighed and turned to look around. My eyes landed on the girl with a hooded jacket that was standing from a distance. She looked like she was facing my direction and when I tried to study more of her face, I was surprised when I felt like I was seeing a mirror of myself. "Black?" I took a step closer to where she was because I wanted to make sure but she turns away and walks away. "Wait!" I shouted but she wasn't stopping so I ran and accidentally bumped into someone while trying to catch up with the hooded girl.

I collapsed down the floor from colliding with another person. My back hurt a little from falling so I pushed myself back up from the ground and saw the guy that I bumped into. He was fair and his eyes were piercing. His shoulders were broad like it was a hint of a varsity player's ideal body type and his jaws were strikingly sharp like Mark's. "I'm so sorry," He offers his hand so I took it and pulled myself up so I was standing again.

I just smiled and looked at my clothes if it got dirty and thankfully, a pat would be enough to get rid of the powder dust that was visible on my skirt. "It's okay. Thank you for the help but your things fell," I looked away and scanned for the hooded girl but she was nowhere to be seen now.

"Oh. That's okay." He crouches down to get his black tube so I helped him pick up the parchment papers that fell off of him. "You were going so fast and I was looking for my plate," he said making me examine the paper that he fell. They were floor plans so either he's an architecture or engineering student. "Andy," He brought his hand up.

"Violet," I shook his head but he makes a face in response.

"Are you not Black Allen?"

I blinked and pulled my hand away awkwardly. "Yeah but my other name is—"

"Black Violet?"

"Yeah," I almost forgot that I was in Earth B and I had to use Black's name so people won't make this a confusing issue. I didn't want to cause any harm or problem during my stay here in her Earth and it's still best to act like her as I try to find out how I can get back on my own Earth. "But most people know me as Black,"

He smiles and nods. "So what track are you from?" He asked rolling the parchment paper into the tube he had. "Science and Technology? Humanities? General Academic?"

"Arts and Design." I answered.

"Oh, an artist." He bobs his head. "Well I'm from Science and Technology Department." He blurts out. "Well, not that you were really interested. I just felt like I wanted to tell you mine too since I asked you and you answered,"

"That's okay." I chuckled lightly.

"You must be good with colors," he added. "Since you're an Arts and Design student. I assume you paint and draw a lot and of course you need to use colors to paint so—" It was new that a guy was this talkative but it was cute. I wouldn't know if Mark was the same because we never really talked in my Earth. I couldn't even talk to him in this Earth as Black. "I'm sorry. Am I talking a lot?"

I pressed my lips together unsure if I should answer him honestly. I didn't want him to feel like it's a bad thing because it truly wasn't. "No,"

"You don't talk much do you?"

I shook my head.

"That explains everything. So why were you running a while ago? Your eyes looked like they were fixated at a certain point." He asked again. "I mean, if you don't mind me asking."

I turned to Andy. "I thought I saw someone so I ran after her but I bumped into you."

"That's the longest sentence you've said so far,"

I laughed at his humor.

"I'm actually new here. I just got here yesterday," he continued. Maybe talking to Andy would be better than having to stay here and do nothing while my friends go do their own things. "I just started my classes but we're already loaded with activities due soon."

I nodded unsure of what I'm supposed to reply.

"It's awkward when I'm the only one talking. It makes me feel like I'm psychotic and I'm talking to myself." He laughs. "It's ironic that you're a play girl but don't talk much. How do you do that?"

I turned to him off-guard. He was new but news got to him fast like a lightning. "For a first meeting, that's quite rude."

He looks at me. "So I have to insult you first before you can actually talk to me. Legendary."

I laughed. He was really funny and I found myself enjoying his company. I haven't been laughing ever since the day arrived in this Earth. "And you sir, have a lot to say despite being new here."

His laughter fades and turns into a melting smile.

"What?" I asked and he just kept staring. I ran my fingers over my chin and wondered if I had something on my face. Suddenly I felt so conscious of myself because of the way he was staring at me.

"You look better with a smile on your face." He blurts out.

I froze from my place and awkwardly looked down.

"I'm so sorry. I just had to let that out of my mouth before it haunts me in my sleep." He chuckles again and finally looks away. "Anyway, it was glad meeting you Ms. Allen but I'll be going now for my class. See you around."

I just smiled as a reply and he leaves waving. After he left, I sat on a bench nearby where Andy and I talked. I was just taking the time to breathe in Earth B's air. It's still fascinates me that I'm in another universe – a parallel universe. A very good one at that.

The feeling I got that made me turn to my right was strong. My eyes met the ones I've always longed to be with. My heart raced as we both held our stares at each other. The way he looked at me felt so different. Almost as if he was so angry. "Mark,"

He broke the stare and walked away. It got me more curious of what actually really happened between Black and him. Black left a pretty good mark in this Earth. It's not a pretty good mark to begin with. She left a bad mark that everyone will forever remember about her and I'm not sure if I can live up with that reputation during my stay here on her Earth.

WHEN I got home, I was told by Ally that we had a painting due tomorrow so I had one night to finish that activity so I can pass the subject. It was a good thing that Black had a supply of art materials I could use right now because I had no idea where I can buy these things.

I was in my room trying to sketch out the painting I wanted on my canvas. After figuring out what I wanted, I started brushing through the canvas with a vision in mind. "It's been while since you last painted."

I turned my head and saw Mint standing by my door. "Really?"

"I almost forgot how great you are in painting." She steps inside my room and closer to me. "You stopped painting the day dad slapped you for the first time. I mean—"

I frowned at that. Father slapped Black before? "Dad slapped me?"

"You don't have to remember that Black,"

"No, tell me," I said.

She shakes her head but doesn't say anything.

"Mint, tell me."

She looks at me longer.

I shook my head. "Please. I just want to know."

She sighed and sits over the edge of my bed so I positioned my chair to face her. "You stopped painting, and dancing that day father slapped you because you were disrespecting mom. I think it was about something about you and Blue. I remember you telling her how much she likes her more than you and dad stopped you by slapping because you were starting to yell at mom."

I scratched my head in disbelief. So not only was Black a brat but she was also disrespectful. "I never really realized how bad I am before,"

"EVIL is what I prefer to describe you." Mint smirks.

I looked at her teased.

"Anyway, mom said to call you down for dinner. Mint out." She leaves my room and I was left there shocked by another fact I just learned from Mint. Black and I were really different – so different from each other.

I finished my painting before I proceeded downstairs for dinner. Everyone was almost done but they waited for me in the table like a real family should do. We weren't complete though because Blue wasn't in the table with us. "And Blue?" I asked chewing my pasta.

"She's busy reviewing for an exam, sweetie. I'll just bring her some food in her room later," mom replied.

Dad shakes his head. "Tell that child to not over work herself. It's more important that she's healthier."

Mother caressed father's arms in response. "She doesn't listen, Ron. You know she doesn't. You know she'll always work hard. I'll go check her out."

Mother excuses herself from the table as I finish my meal. The moment I was drinking my water after eating everything, mother came down and held my canvas in the air showcasing everyone how dirty my work was. "How come you never told us you started painting again, sweetie? This is so beautiful! I'm hanging it in the living room so everyone can see how great of an artist my daughter is."

I almost choked. "Mom, that's not finished yet."

"Sweetie, this is so beautiful. I'm so proud of you."

I bowed my head down in embarrassment. "That's not really good at all, mom. I just tried to paint what I had in mind."

"This Aurora Borealis you painted is the most beautiful painting I've ever seen in my entire life! I'm really hanging this by the fire place." Mother jumps from her position making me more flustered because they were acknowledging my ugly work too highly.

Mint snorts out loud. "That's because you never really saw famous paintings mom."

"Try museums." We all turned to Blue who just went down from the floor smirking with a glass in her hand. "What a master piece you got there, Black. Last time you painted it was nothing but a blank canvass."

Everyone fell silent including mom who was so eager a while ago with her squeaky voice.

"I'm just getting another coffee." Blue excused and heads to the kitchen.

Mint cleared her throat and immediately, I can feel the tension that just started building up in our atmosphere. It was probably the incident that happened before with Black that Mint recently told me about. Of course everyone would be uncomfortable after Blue blurted it all out just now but I don't blame them because people should respect their parents and Black deserved that slap from father for raising her voice to her own mom.

"Black," Mint said, "Help me out with my new song?"

I turned to her and bobbed my head once. "Yeah sure."

By the time we got to her room, I was a little shocked when I saw a corner part of her room with a screen mounted on the wall beneath the desk with a digital keyboard and an organized placement of things. Huge speakers were sitting side by side on her desk and her room looked like a pop star owned. "And that is why you never paint again,"

I wasn't able to say anything after she said that. I guess that was a big deal before. Maybe it's the main reason why Black is Black and I'm just not doing it right right now because I never knew what Black was until now.

"Take a listen, Black. It doesn't sound complete but I can't figure out what I'm missing." She then plays something and the bass boosted all over her room. The beat wasn't too fast or too slow, it was just right. In fact, her taste of music was a lot less intense than what Earth A Mint would jam.

The beat continued on and I tried to figure out what more she needed. "I think it's missing some hats. Have you tried adding some hats to it?"

"Not that I remember. Wait," she starts hovering through her mouse and adds a new track in her song. She plays it again but it still felt missing so I looked up trying to think. "Is that right? Did I add the hats right?"

"Yeah, it's just that," I paused and stared at her colourful tracks. "Can you add a normal snare to the beat? And some light hits as well."

She does what I said and when she played it, it sounded so much better. We both bopped our head to the beat and she smiles. "This is it! You're a genius, Black! No wonder boys drool over you. You're too talented for anyone. Jacob dude included. He's a jerk after all. I never liked him for you."

And Mint knows about that Jacob guy that Black recently dated. I guess things were starting to work out except that I still had a lot to know about Black Allen. I couldn't really dig into her profile because I literally am her in this Earth and asking about myself in the perspective of other people will make things so confusing and complicated so I just need to do it without asking anyone.

When I got back to my room, I remembered seeing the boxes from one of Black's closet. I bring her boxes out and I see a lot of things. She had almost a dozen of beautiful paintings on a canvass, she had amazing portraits of people. Black was a great artist.

Then I opened a small box. There were flash drives with different labels and I had to see them. The first drive I opened using her laptop were full of songs that were probably made by her. She made great songs. Black wasn't a terrible singer as well.

The next drive I opened were full of video clips. I play one and I see a video of her dancing to a song. Black was a good dancer.

I sighed and proceeded to the next box. I opened them and there were printed pictures. I take one and I see her with a bright smile. The others were photos of children lining up. Some were children holding up bags in their hands. I frowned wondering what the photo was so when I flipped the picture, I see words written in a graceful hand writing. December 20, 2015 Outreach Program for homeless children at Turwein. Black wasn't as terrible as I thought. I never would have thought that Black would be capable of attending programs like these considering her bad impressions from other people.

Then there was a violet notebook. I picked it up and slowly opened it. The pages were getting old but the words were still visible. I flipped through a page.

Their eyes are closed but are open. They judge what they see. They only see a bad girl with a big horn and a long tail. They're blinded.

Now Black was getting more interesting. She was very secretive and independent on her own. Whatever happened between him and his dad might have affected her like this and I wasn't sure if it was okay for me to meddle with her life like this without her knowledge.

IT was another morning and I was in my last class for the day. Our teacher left early so we were just in the room talking to each other. Some of our classmates already left but we wanted to stay here in case our teacher returns and asks for attendance.

My friends and I were in a circle. Marion and George were, like every single day, cuddling each other side by side. Ally was sitting next to me and Ezreal on my other side was busy with her phone as usual. Grei was looking at everyone just like what I am doing and Donna was just doodling on her notebook.

Suddenly, Margoue enters the room just now and giggles as she approaches us trembling down the floor the moment she reached Donna's chair. Her hair was a mess and she looked like she was tired but she was definitely okay with whatever she did that got her tired. "He's such an amazing kisser." She squeals again.

Everyone throws her a confused but now disgusted stare. "Had fun banging on another man?" Donna asked. "Is it the Engineering student or the Crim one? Which is which?" she added sarcastically. "Or you had both of them for one night?"

Instead of replying, she answers with a squeal and maybe remembered her experience. "Oh my God, he was so yummy!"

I cringed at what she just said but I chuckled at that as Ally and I exchanged glares which we probably both understood. I had no intention of questioning her rights for happiness because that's what she enjoys and I respect it. Humans are entitled to rights whether we like it or not.

"Margoue, is that a hickey?"

We all turned looking at the spot Grei touched and a fading grey spot was visible on the side, center part of her neck. She rubs it and gives us a mischievous smirk. "I might have gotten that from a last night?"

"At least cover that hickey when you enter the school," Donna crosses her arms and rolls her eyes. "You disgusting whore."

After killing time and waiting for our class to finish, my friends go home one by one. When Ally's dad already came to fetch her, I stood and stretched because this time, it's me who's leaving after seeing everyone leave. I exit the room loaded with books and papers from all the classes I've had today.

I was walking back home, passing by stores I was still not familiar with, when I suddenly see someone that caught my attention. I turned my head and waited for a time to come for me to fully see her face rather than her long wavy brown hair with blond highlights scattered all over her face. When her head turns to where I can clearly see her face, I did not hesitate to run over her and approach her. "Mrs. Dee!"