After chewing the last of the food in my mouth I chime in, “You are so right. It’s makes no sense, it segregates us still. Why must you be an African-American? You’re parents aren’t African… You weren’t born in Africa and raised here. If we’re all American born and our ancestry should not define and separate us from the rest of the nation.” Bette and Laura just stare in awe. This was the most I talked the whole night. Laura should probably pick her jaw up from the floor. She is just in shock that I had an educated thought on something. So I’m smart. And yes I actually keep up with current events. It’s a hobby. It would be a crime to man to let my brain turn to mush. “I knew I liked you Chelsea. You are smart. Are the rest of King Highs students like you?”

The whole table almost immediately burst into laughter and murmur in unison, “No”

Jenny manages to compose herself first. “You see Spencer, Chelsea hear is not like most kids. Correction most teens aren’t like her. They worry about prom, looking good everyday to impress their peers, and most of all not their grades….”

Shane in her husky tone continues where Jenny left off. “Some get lost in the wrong crowd. They begin to do drugs. Alcohol becomes their best friend. They look for the next high. I should know I’ve been there. I know what all of that feelings are like.”

“She is a great kid because she does not adhere to the teen norm. We are her family and raised her better than that.” Okay now that was a shocker. I’m looking back and forth between Jenny, Shane, Bette and Tina. Raised her she isn’t even half of most of their ages.

“Raised?” I choke out.

“Yea they raised me. Well sort of. My parents were killed in a car accident. I lived on the street for about a year drawing and painting you name it I probably did it. I didn’t do drugs while there. And still have never picked up a cigarette. Being the age I was I should have just been placed in a foster home since I have no immediate relatives I know of. Long story short Bette took me in. She helped me a lot.” Chelsea explains. “Since she was friends with Alice, Shane, and Jenny they helped in the process that was raising a preteen.”

I just nod. In shock, maybe I take what I have for granted. She lost everything and got lucky with Bette.

“So you live with your teacher? Wow. Cool? Yeah, Cool.” I say. “I know this is random but I just have a question for Laura.”

“Okay kid shoot.”

I look around the room to towards the subject of my question. “Who is the woman in all these pictures with you? Why isn’t she here?” I ask. The room was silent. It is as if the subject of this woman is hard for them all. No one is eating. No one is chewing. It’s even hard to tell if any are breathing. All of a sudden everyone looks from me to Laura. What do they know that I don’t?