Chapter 11: All in Your Head

Bethonia’s P.O.V.

“Beth! Come eat breakfast with your family for once,” my mother pleaded as I rushed to get my shoes on.

“I don’t have time. Nic is going to be here soon to pick me up for practice,” I said fast as I grabbed a breakfast bar and a jacket.

“Is that another tattoo?” She grew mad.

“Oooh Beth got another tattoo without mom’s permission,” my little brother, Brandon, stuck his tongue out. I slapped the back of his head as my mom went on about how much of a disgrace I am to this family. 

“I will not allow you to ruin your beautiful skin with such god awful drawings,” she shook her head at me.

“My body, my choice,” I rolled my eyes as I walked through the door.

“We’re not done here Bethonia!” She followed me outside.

“I’m done,” I got into the car and we pulled off.

“What was that all about?” Nicki asked as pulled on my seatbelt.

“She found out about another tattoo,” I mumbled.

“Damn Nia, your mom is always on your back about something,” Nae laughed.

“She just won’t accept the fact that I’m not the daughter she wants me to be. She won’t even call me Nia. She always has to call me Beth, claiming that Beth is a white name and Nia is not,” I grumbled as I opened my breakfast bar. We all busted out laughing at my comment and continued our way to the gym.

Nicki’s P.O.V.

I instantly became confused when we walked into the gym. Drake, Shad, nor Coach Chimere were in sight so we just sat down. “Why does she bother to get on your nerves?” Nae asked as Cassie and her little crew looked over at us.

“Because she’s childish,” I shrugged them off but Cassie stood up and walked over to us. I instantly stood up as both of our crews followed. “What?” I snapped as I crossed my arms.

“You really need to work on your anger issues but I’ll let it slide for now. I just thought you might want to know that I know exactly what you don’t want people to know. I suggest you be more careful Nika, or else someone might not be as nice as me and does something much worse,” she smirked and walked back over to her side of the gym. My face instantly went stone as her words sunk in. She knows!? I was so shocked that I even let the fact that she called me Nika slide. Anger shot through my body as I jumped down from the bleachers and walked quickly over to her.

“Nicki, think about what you’re doing!” I heard Blake yell from behind me but I blocked everything out as I gripped her shoulder and turned her around.

“That’s the last straw!” I snapped but as I was about to jump on her, I felt Nae and Carmel holding me back.

“Try me bitch!” Cassie yelled and tried to get me but was held back by CeeJay and Hale. We were shouting at each other as everyone crowed around us.

“YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN JEALOUS OF ME BUT CHECK THIS! NEXT TIME YOU TRY TO PULL SOME SHIT LIKE THIS THEN I WILL PERSONALLY BRING ALL YOUR SHIT UP FROM THE PAST!” I threatened her.

“YOU DON’T HAVE SHIT I WOULD BE JEALOUS OF! I KNOW YOUR SHIT FROM THE PAST TOO! I’M NOT AFRIAD TO BRING THAT SHIT UP AND YOU KNOW I WILL SO CHECK THAT BITCH!” She snapped.

“Hey, break it up you two!” I heard Drake yell as Shad stepped in between us.

“You go and sit your ass in Shad’s office and you go sit your ass in my office!” Drake yelled at us. Everyone else looked around confused. “Everyone else go give me twenty laps around the field. Coach Chimere’s in charge and if any of you try any shit then you’re off the team!” His face was turning red and to say I was scared would be considered as an understatement. I’ve never seen him this mad ever. “Come on!” He snapped at me and literally pulled me to his office.

Shad’s P.O.V.

I slammed the door as Cassie stood in the middle of my office. “Sit your ass down!” I yelled through the office. She quickly sat down as I paced in front of her. “I swear I don’t get you sometimes! Why would you piss her off and finally make her snap at you!? Do you know how fucking dumb that was!? You’re not clueless Casandra!” I stopped pacing and looked at her. She was crying as I stared at her. I’ve known Cassie for years and I’ve only seen her cry once. I let out a breath and mentally cursed at myself. “Cassie,” I sighed.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Please don’t hit me,” she started to cry harder. All the anger I had at her instantly vanished as I let her words sink in.

“Come here,” I called out to her as she got up from her seat with caution. “You know I’m not going to hurt you Cass,” I said softly as she walked over to me. I pulled her to me as she cried. “I’m sorry for yelling. You know I’m not like him Cassie. I would never lay a finger on you. I would kill myself before I let that happen,” I whispered to her as I rubbed her back.

“I know,” she held onto me tighter. I ran my hand down her hair as I looked up at the ceiling. I should have known that yelling at her like this would scare her. I’m not trying to make her live through her past over again.

“I’m sorry,” I pecked her forehead. I cupped her face and made her look at me. “I will never hurt you,” I made sure she understood me. She nodded as I sighed again. “I love you too much to ever do that,” I caressed her cheek. She looked from my eyes to my lips and closed the little gap in between us. She kissed me softly, almost as if she was afraid. I used this moment to show her everything I felt for her. I kissed her passionately as my arms circled her waist. She pulled back slowly and bit her lip. I stared at her as she seemed to have a mental conversation with herself.

“I love you too,” she admitted softly.

Drake’s P.O.V.

I pulled her into my office and slammed the door, making sure I locked it. I backed her into a corner and placed my hands on the wall so she had no place to escape. “What the hell was that?” I asked quietly but my voice full of anger.

“She came at me and I snapped,” she said softly.

“What did she say that made you snap like that?” I looked into her eyes as my anger vanished instantly.

“I think she knows about us,” she looked scared. I sighed and rested my forehead against hers.

“No matter what happens, I’m not going anywhere,” I promised her.

“I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me, Aubrey,” she had tears in her eyes.

“I would go through hell and back for you Onika,” I admitted and my heart started to beat faster.

“Why?” She looked up at me. She knows why but I guess she wants me to say it.

“You know why but I’ll say it if you want me to,” I said.

“Say it,” she tempted me.

“I love you,” I pecked her lips softly. She looked as if she couldn’t believe those words flew out of my mouth.

“You do?” She put her hand over her mouth. I chuckled slightly and pulled her close.

“Of course I do. You don’t have to say it back. I want you to say it when you’re ready,” I removed her hand from her mouth and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back. We both seemed to be caught up in the moment.  I picked her up and pushed her against the wall. She wrapped her legs around me as I kissed at her neck. I slowly slipped my hand under her sweats. I locked eyes with her when I slipped my hand under her thong. “You gonna stay quiet?” I asked as I started to slowly massage her. She nodded as she pulled me back to her and we were caught in another passionate kiss.

Blake’s P.O.V.

“So how many bikinis are you bringing with you on the trip for the competition?” Nae asked me as we waited in the car for Nicki. We knew her and Coach Graham would be a while.

“How about none,” I mumbled. It’s not like I didn’t wear bikinis, I just don’t wear them around her.

“Why not Blakey?” she exaggerated the y.

“You know I don’t wear bikinis,” I huffed because I had a feeling that I wouldn’t win this argument.

“I don’t know why. It’s not like you don’t have the body for one,” she locked eyes with me. I quickly looked away feeling my face heat up.

“I’m just not comfortable in them,” I said and it’s not a total lie. I’m comfortable in bikinis; I’m just not comfortable in them around her. She makes me nervous. She climbed from the back and sat on my lap. “W-What are you doing?” I cursed myself for stuttering.

“Please Blakey? What do I have to do to make you wear a bikini with me?” She asked.

“How about get off of me,” I tried to push her off but she just laughed.

“You know you like it,” she wiggled a bit in my lap.

“How about you come somewhere with me out there,” I suggested.

“Will I know where it is ahead of time?” She questioned.

“Nope,” I smirked.

“Alright and you will wear a bikini right?” She batted her eyes.

“Fine,” I sighed.

“Thank you!” She kissed my cheek and then went back to her seat. I prayed she didn’t see me blush when she kissed me. I need to get over these feelings and fast. I guess wearing a bikini around her wouldn’t be so bad considering I had eighteen of them.

No One’s P.O.V.

Mylan sat on her bed and colored in her coloring book. There was a knock on her door that caused her to look up. She saw Nicki and smiled. “Hi mommy,” she jumped out of her bed and hugged her.

“Hi baby,” Nicki picked her up and went to sit on her bed.

“How was your day?” Nicki asked as she brushed down My’s hair.

“It was fun!” Mylan exclaimed and went off talking about her day.

“Mommy has to go away for a few days,” Nicki tried to explain.

“No! Don’t leave me,” she wrapped her arms around Nicki and begged her to stay. Nicki knew My had abandonment issues considering her past. She knew she had to go to the competition but she also knew she couldn’t leave My.

“Okay, I won’t leave,” she kissed her forehead to calm her down. She knew she had to talk to Drake.