Chapter 8: Take Care of You

Drake

I walked into the gym and went by Shad and Mere. I looked around and saw the girls sitting by the bleachers. “Tasmine, Christina, Shreya, and Brooklyn can you please leave the gym. I’m sorry but we have to cut you,” I told them as they left. We have twenty girls left and only twelve spots. I saw that Casandra showed up so I guess Shad talked to her.

“Today I have a couple of friends here to judge your dancing. They’ll tell me who they like and one of you guys are leaving by the end of this week,” I explained to them. I looked at Nicki but she refused to look up from her nails as if they were the most important thing in the world. I sighed as my friends arrived. I asked a couple of old high school friends to help them. They sat back as the girls dance in sync. My eyes were trained on Nicki as she danced. I could tell she added more pain to her dance but that’s what made her better than everyone else.

“Who’s the girl in the pink shirt?” Curtis asked me.

“That’s Onika,” I smiled slightly as I watched her.

“She’s good,” Noah nodded his head.

“So who are your top dancers?” I looked at them.

“Nicki, Cassie, Blake, Jaznae, CeeJay, and Carrington,” Jay spoke on behalf of all of them. I nodded in agreement. Glad to know they had similar opinions to mine.

Shad

I sighed as practice was finally over. I walked over to Blake since she was by herself. “So I’ll see you tonight?” I asked hopefully.

“Yeah,” she nodded with a smile. I was on my way to my office when I past Cassie.

“A word please,” I said to her as I continued my walk. She came in a few moments later.

“What do you want Shad?” She had her hair in a high bun and it looked as if she’s been crying.

“Are you okay?” I stood in front of her.

“If that’s why you called me in here then I can leave,” she snapped.

“Look I’m sorry for what I said and how I handled that situation,” I apologized. She just nodded her head while looking off at a distance. “Come on Cass, you know you wanna forgive me,” I smirked at her. Before I found out Cassie had a crush on me, we were really close friends. I pushed her away because I didn’t feel the same way. I regret that now because I lost a great friend in the process. She locked eyes with me and her face remained straight. She looked as if she’s lost all emotion in her.

“Goodbye Shad,” she said just above a whisper and walked out of my office. I can’t believe I managed to hurt her. She was an important factor in my life and I also pushed her away because I didn’t want to hurt her.

“Cassie wait!” I rushed to catch her arm and spun her around. “Tell me what I have to do to fix this,” I pleaded. I needed my best friend back and I was willing to do anything at this point.

“You know exactly what you have to do,” she mumbled and pulled away from me. She walked out of my office and left the gym. I know exactly what I have to do?

Nicki

“Ow! Nicki stop!” Blake whined as I plucked her eyebrows.

“Suck it up you big baby. It’s not every day you go out on a date,” I smirked as I filled in her eyebrows.

“It is so not a date,” she mumbled.

“It is so a date!” Nae yelled from the bed.

“Nae! Get up and help me do her hair,” I told her. She put her magazine down and walked over to us.

“So does Cassie know that you’re going on a date with Shad?” Nae asked.

“I’m doing this for her. If anything, she should be thanking me,” she crossed her arms.

“Hold up, you what!? You helped her come back onto the team!?” I was beyond pissed.

“Nicki, I have a heart and I couldn’t live with myself for not helping someone when I knew that I could,” she explained.

“I still don’t see why you helped her. She’s nothing but a bitch,” I mumbled.

“A bitch that used to be your friend,” Nae mumbled back.

“Shut up,” I shot her a look and continued doing Blake’s hair.

“Wait! You guys used to be friends!? Oww!” She groaned.

“See that’s what you get for moving. Now stay put,” I said to her.

“When did you guys used to be friends?” She asked.

“I’ll tell you another time,” I promised in hopes to change the topic.

“So how awkward was practice today? Coach Graham stared at you the entire time,” Nae smirked at me.

“He can stare wherever he wants to stare. I hope you noticed that I didn’t return the stare.” I made my point clear.

“You know you like him. Why don’t you just give him another chance?” Blake looked at me through the mirror.

“I don’t like seeing two sides of him. I only liked one side. He doesn’t know what he wants and until he does, I won’t be around,” I shrugged. Just as I put the last curl in her hair, the doorbell rung. “Nae can you get that?” I asked her. She nodded and went downstairs. “Nervous?” I looked at Blake.

“Extremely.” She smiled lightly.

“Don’t be.” I put a little bit of hairspray on her hair and then I was done. “You look gorgeous Blake.” I smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror.

“Wow.” She stared at herself in shock. I made her hair look like loose curls and we dressed down the outfit a bit with the jacket and boots.

Blake

I passed Nae in the hallway and smiled. “You look absolutely stunning.” She smiled as she took in my appearance.

“Thank you.” I hugged her before going downstairs and to meet Shad.

“After you.” He opened the door and we left.

~~~

“You know Cassie likes you right?” I asked him.

“Nah she don’t.” He shrugged it off.

“You know she does but I guess you’re scared to admit it,” I smirked at him.

“Even if she does, nothing’s gonna happen.” He shook his head.

“Why? You guys would be cute together,” I questioned him.

“Aren’t I on a date with you?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

“We both know this isn’t a date. I heard you talking to him so what do you want?” I sat back and crossed my arms. I was waiting for him to bring this up all night.

“You heard that? How did you even know that was him?” He looked at me a little shocked. I guess he didn’t think that I would figure it out.

“I know his voice. Well if you talk to him again, tell him that I said ‘fuck you’.” I stood up and left. I went home after a very unpleasant evening. I sighed as I opened the door and went to my room.

“How’d it go?” Nae asked as sat on my bed.

“It went okay,” I lied. I plopped down on the bed as Nae scooted closer to me.

“Sit up,” she commanded and I did as I was told. She took out some of the hidden bobby pins that were in my hair. “I hope that he knows if he ever hurts you then I’m coming for his balls,” she threatened. We laughed at the thought.

“Won’t be necessary,” I mumbled as she pulled my hair into a ponytail.

“Come on, Nicki went out so let’s stay up and watch movies just like old times,” she suggested. I nodded as we went to pick the movies out.

Nicki

I stuck my hands in my jacket after knocking on his door. He opened it and smiled. “I’m glad you came,” he said as he let me in.

“Mhmm,” I mumbled as I looked around his house. It seemed really nice.

“Can we talk?” He looked at me as I avoided his gaze. If I look into his eyes then I would be falling for him again and be sucked right back in.

“Isn’t that why I’m here?” I snapped my eyes towards him briefly.

“Nic come on. Stop giving me the cold shoulder,” he pleaded and walked over to me. He toward my figure and looked down at me.

“You know I’ve been screwed over, lied to, and cheated on but never have I had a guy treat me like shit and a queen at the same time,” I shook my head.

“Stop comparing me to your ex. I’m not like him. I don’t want to hurt you and I want to try to be nicer when were in the gym. I want to learn how to love and I want to explore these feelings with you.” He lifted my chin.

“How do I know that you won’t hurt me like those in my past have?” I was slowly giving in.

“Easy, those people were too dumb to see your potential.” He wiped my tears.

“Do you?” I asked.

“Do I what?” He scrunched up his eyebrows.

“Do you see potential in me?” I searched his eyes.

“Onika I see more than just potential.” He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

Drake

I moved closer to her wanting to close the gap in between us. My lips brushed hers softly as I kissed her. She gasps when my lips touched hers but kissed me back. I held her gently as I tried to take away all the pain she ever felt. She’s one of the strongest women I ever met. She’s been so strong trying to save everyone else when she truly needs someone to save her. She brought her hand to my chest and pushed me away. “I need to go.” She jumped up and headed to the door.

“Nicki can we talk about this?” I grabbed her arm.

“Drake this is your career on the line. You could go to jail. Do what’s best for you and let me go.” She meant it in more ways than one.

“What about what’s best for you?” I pulled her towards me.

“Aubrey stop.” She tried to pull away but I wouldn’t let her.

“Stop pushing me away.” I pulled her closer.

“This is wrong!” She snapped.

“Then why does this feel so right? Let me take away your pain. Fall for me and I promise I’ll always be here for you. Let me take care of you,” I whispered against her lips. She took in a deep breath before I connected our lips. I wrapped my arms around her waist as she locked her arms around my neck. I pulled away and rested my forehead onto hers. “I got you okay?” I looked into her eyes.

“Okay,” she sighed. I kissed her again and for the first time, I deepened the kiss. I wanted her to know how serious I was. She kissed me back as my arms traveled down to her ass. I gripped it hard and she moaned into my mouth. I’ve been wanting to do that again for a while. I slowly pulled back and stared at her. “I trust you Aubrey,” she whispered to me. A smile worked its way onto my lips as I pulled her towards me.

“Come on let’s get you home.” I pulled her close and I drove her to her house.

“Call me when you get home.” She told me.

“Of course.” I promised and kissed her softly.

“Goodnight Aubrey.” She blushed as I pulled away from her.

 

            “Goodnight Onika.” I smiled at her one last time and made my way home.

Chapter 7: More Than A Crush

Nicki

I walked into practice for the first time in two weeks and I sat with my crew. It felt good to have time off. Even thought I haven’t seen Aubrey since that night, we’ve been texting nonstop. I’m really falling for him. “I wonder what we’re doing today,” Blake mumbled.

“Probably run,” Nae rolled her eyes at the thought. Cassie walked in with her crew a few minutes later and she didn’t say a word to me. She didn’t even give me an eye roll.

“What’s up with her?” Carmel asked as we looked over at her. I shrugged it off because if her being hurt means I can have one less problem in my life then so be it. Shad walked in with Coach Chimere and looked at Cassie. He looked as if he had something to say but he kept his mouth close. Aubrey walked in as he glanced at all of us. His eyes locked with mine for a second before he spoke up.

“Today we’ll be doing more conditioning and we’re also going to be cutting two girls today. You guys can stretch and then go to the track.” He blew his whistle and walked away. His behavior seemed kinda off to me but I just thought nothing of it. After we ran for a while, we went back inside to learn a new dance move. Of course I nailed it while other people struggled.

“Cassie! Keep up!” Shad yelled at her. She stopped trying all together and flicked him off.

“My office now!” He stated and walked away pissed. She slowly followed behind him with a sigh.

“Good job Blakelynn and Jaznae. Nice Da-Xia,” Aubrey went on with compliments but he straight up ignored me once again. I was getting so sick of him and his bipolar ways. “Onika, you’re getting sloppy on the pop motion,” he told me in a monotone voice. I rolled my eyes and sat on the floor.

“Nic what are you doing?” Blake asked me while dancing.

“I’m sick of this. If he wants to treat me like shit then I won’t do shit,” I huffed as he walked back over to me.

“Did I just hear you say shit twice? Two-hundred pushups ladies.” He blew his whistle. I was beyond my breaking point right about now.

Cassie

I walked in and sat down in front of his desk. “What the hell was that out there!?” He yelled at me. If there’s one thing I hate the most is when people yell at me and Shad knows that.

“I couldn’t do the dance so I stopped,” I shrugged.

“That’s bullshit and you know it. I’ve seen you dance better than that every day since I’ve met you. That’s why I made you captain last year. I saw in your heart that you love dance more than anything in this world. Now I just don’t know if you have that same passion to be captain.” He calmed down a bit but looked at me as if he was disappointed.

“Then give it to Onika. You’re probably fucking her too,” I snapped.

“So that’s what this is about? Cause I fucked Meyshia?” He got up and stood in front of my seat.

“You didn’t even have the courtesy to stop when I walked in. You fucking came with me standing right there!” I yelled at him.

“I tried to pull her off of me but-,” he started to say but I stopped him.

“No I don’t wanna hear shit you have to say!” I got up.

“Are you mad because I fucked Meyshia or are you mad because I won’t fuck you?” He got closer to me. I pushed him as hard as I could and he stumbled back a bit.

“Go to hell!” I flicked him off and stormed out of his office. I grabbed my bag and was about to leave.

“If you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back,” I heard Shad say from behind me. I sucked up the tears that wanted to fall and walked out of the door, never looking back.

Drake

Everyone stood in shock as Cassie walked out without a second thought. I looked at Shad and Mere who looked just as shocked. Sure he said don’t come back but he was bluffing, no one thought she would actually leave. “Everyone get back in positions!” I yelled and blew my whistle. After practice, there was a light knock on my door. “Come in,” I said while looking through some of the girl’s background information.

“Can I talk to you for a minute Coach Graham?” Her soft voice filled the room. I looked up and nodded. She walked in and placed her dance bag on the ground. She sat down and stared at me.

“Why are you staring at me?” I asked her.

“I’m trying to figure you out. It’s almost as if you’re two different people and I’m not sure which one is the real you. It’s like I don’t know anything about you,” she stated in a monotone voice, similar to the one I gave her during practice.

“You know me Nic. I’m just different during practice,” I told her but she shook her head.

“No Coach I don’t know you.” She grabbed her bag and got up.

“I told you to call me Aubrey.” I moved closer to her and grabbed her hand.

“That’s just it. You treat me like shit during practice but like I’m a queen outside of practice.” She tried to pull her hand away from me but I tightened my grip.

“You mean something to me and I have feelings for you. I want to see where this takes us.” I pulled her closer to me by her waist. She just stared at me while I slowly moved in to kiss her but she placed her hands at my chest and pushed me away.

“No Aubrey! We are not doing this. I’ve had a crush on you since I saw you. You carried yourself in a confident way that was sexy. My crush has only grown since then. It’s grown to the point where it’s not even a crush, it’s more than that. I really like you so it’s going to kill me to say this. This, us, whatever you want to call it, has to stop. We can’t keep doing this. You have your career you need to think about and I have mine. I’m only seventeen and if anything happened between us, you could go to jail. Does that not bother you!? We need to forget anything ever happened between us.” She had tears in her eyes.

“You don’t mean that. Nicki you know we can’t just throw what we’re trying to build.” I shook my head at the thought.

“We have to Aubrey! We had great moments but that’s all they are. Memories that will be replaced by new ones. Let me move on and be happy.” She cried as I pulled her into a hug.

“Onika please just think about this.” I had tears in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. Even though we haven’t known each other that long, she’s been on my mind daily. I fell for her and I wanted to make her mine but now she doesn’t even want to be with me.

“I’m sorry Aubrey.” She stood on her tiptoes and held my face in her hands. She connected our lips and kissed me. I stood there trying to savor the kiss but she pulled away. Even though it was just a peck, it held so much passion in it. She grabbed her bag and quickly left out of the room. I balled up my fist mad at myself for letting a good girl go. She made me feel something I haven’t felt since my mom died.

“DAMN!” I yelled and punched the wall. I left a hole and my fist was bleeding but it didn’t amount to the pain I felt when she walked out that door.

Blake

I stayed after to wait for Nicki but I needed to talk to Shad first. I walked to his office and knocked. “Yeah?” I heard him say so I opened the door. He looked up at me and smiled slightly.

“Hi.” I smiled as he stood up and walked over to me.

“Hey Blake. What brings you by?” He asked as he stopped a few step in front of me.

“Um I actually came to talk about Cassie,” I sighed.

“Oh what about her?” His whole demeanor changed.

“I think you should let her back on the team.” I looked at him.

“And why would I do that?” He glanced over at me.

“You should do that because everyone deserves a second chance. She’s an amazing dancer and she’s a leader. Let’s face it, Cassie and Nicki are the dance team,” I explained.

“Why do you care so much? She’s never said a word to you in your life.” He looked at me strangely.

“I care because I know talent when I see it and you can’t just let someone like her walk out.” I tried to get him to see where I was coming from. He stepped closer to me and smirked a little.

 “I’ll let her back on the team if you do me a favor,” he said.

“Done, what’s the favor?” I asked. If he wants me to stay late to clean the gym then I will never try to help others again.

“I want you to go on a date with me.” He stared at me as my mouth literally dropped. He wants me to what?

“Wait what?” I scrunched up my eyebrows as he chuckled slightly.

“I want to get to know you better and I want you to get to know me better.” He took my hands in his. I weighed out my options. I wasn’t attracted to him on any level but I really wanted Cassie to come back so we could have a strong dance team and I guess a date with him wouldn’t be so bad. It’s just one date right? I moved my fingers and laced them through his.

“I would love to.” I smiled at him.

Chapter 6: You Are All That I See

 

Shad

I hate the fact that Drake made me do this. I looked over at Meyshia as she sat in front of me. “Why did you call me in here Shad?” She smirked at me.

“Look Meyshia, I’m sorry I have to say this but we have to let you go.” I couldn’t keep eye contact with her.

“Why?” She pouted.

“We have to cut one more girl and what you and Coach Graham have been getting into, it just isn’t right,” I told her.

“So that’s it,” she stated.

“That’s what?” I asked. I glanced over at her attire. She had on a tight shirt and some tight shorts to match. Now that I’m looking at her, I don’t think she’s wearing a bra.

“You’re jealous,” she giggled. How in the world did she get any sign that I was jealous? Why would I be? She’s a hoe and I already had my eyes set on someone.

“I’m not jealous,” I said but she just got up and went to sit on my lap.

“It’s okay to be jealous. I bet you have a bigger dick than Coach Graham anyway.” She smirked slightly as she straddled me. I knew I was in some trouble now. She started to grind on me which made me get hard. I mean I’m a guy and just because Meyshia is a hoe, don’t mean she’s not sexy as hell. “You want me?” She whispered into my ear. I nodded as she unbuckled my belt

~~~

“Uh Shad,” Meyshia moaned lowly as I slammed her down on me. I told her to keep quiet so we don’t get caught. “You’re so big,” she mumbled before locking lips with me.

“Shad we have, OH MY GOD!” I heard Cassie scream. I quickly pulled my mouth away from Meyshia to look at Cassie. I was about to get up but Meyshia just kept slamming herself down on me and I was approaching my orgasm.

“Shit,” I groaned as I started to cum. I stared at Cassie as she stared at me as Meyshia continued to fuck me. Cassie turned and ran out of my office and I could swear that I saw tears in her eyes. Damn.

 

 

Nicki

I sighed as I walked into the doctor’s office with Mylan. She’s still sick but not as bad. Aunt Naira couldn’t make it today but they looked past some of the rules and let me bring her in myself. “How are you feeling baby?” I asked her as I sat her on the bed in the room.

“My head hurts,” she pouted. I rubbed her head until the doctor came in. He gave her some medication and we walked out of the doctors.

“How about we get some ice cream?” I looked at her as I held her in my arms.

“Yes!” She clapped her hands. I swear sometimes I feel like Mylan is like my own daughter. I walked down the street from the doctor’s office and got ice cream.

“What do you want My?” I asked her. She put her hand to her chin and thought about it for a while.

“Cookie dough!” She smiled.

“One small cookie dough ice cream and one small vanilla ice cream,” I ordered. We got our ice cream and sat down. “How does your head feel?” I asked her while wiping the ice cream off of her mouth.

“It still hurts,” she pouted. I pulled her onto my lap and we went back to eating our ice cream.

“Onika?” I heard my name so I turned around and saw Coach Graham walk over to us.

“Hi Coach Graham.” I smiled and blushed slightly, remembering the last time I was around him. He’s given us a week off so we could enjoy our summer a little. It shocked all of us that he was being that nice but we weren’t complaining.

“What are you doing here?” He asked while looking at My.

“I’m just eating ice cream with my sister,” I told him.

“Hi beautiful what’s your name?” He bent down towards her.

“My name’s Mylan.” She smiled at him.

“I’m Aubrey.” He shook her hand. She giggled and looked down at her lap.

“Aubrey?” I was confused.

“That’s my first name. I usually just go by my middle name, Drake,” he flashed me a smile.

“I like it, it suits you,” I looked at him.

“What are you doing for the rest of the day?” He sat down next to me. I stared at him for a second, just taking in his features.

“I don’t know. Her head hurts,” I said while rubbing her head.

“I want to hang out with Brey!” She pouted. Oh no, she’s already given him a nickname.

“We could go to the carnival that’s around the block,” he suggested.

“Are you sure you feel okay?” I checked her head again to make sure she didn’t feel warm.

“I feel better.” She smiled showing her little teeth. I sighed and looked at Coach Graham.

“I guess.” I rolled my eyes playfully as we got up and headed to the carnival.

Drake

I sat next to Nicki as Mylan got on a ride with a one of her friends that she ran into. We sat close enough to keep an eye on her. “You know you’re a great sister,” I told her.

“Thanks. She’s all I really have besides my aunt and Blake. I wouldn’t know what I would do without her,” she sighed.

“You will make a great mom someday. You already treat Mylan as if she was your own.” I smiled at her as she blushed.

“Thanks Coach Graham.” She smiled slightly.

“You know you can call me Aubrey or Drake if you want.” There’s a small list of people I actually let call me that. Mere is one of them.

“Okay Aubrey, so why don’t you tell me why you’re spending one of your days off with one of your dancers and her sister.” She looked at me.

“You tell me Onika.” I scooted closer to her. She bit her lip and looked down a bit.

“You can call me Nicki.”

“Nicki the girls want to eat so I can just take them to one of the food places in here.” A woman whom I’m assuming is Mylan’s friend’s mom.

“Okay. You be good My.” She pecked My’s cheek and they walked away.

“Come on.” I stood up and held out my hand. She looked at it and then at me. She finally placed her hand in my own and we started walking. I slowly let my fingers fall into the gaps of her own. She looked down at our connected hands and blushed slightly.

“Where are we going?” Her soft voice asked.

“In here.” I smiled and pulled her into the photo booth. I placed in a dollar and we started taking the pictures. The first one we smiled, the second one we made a silly face, the third one we were staring into each other’s eyes, and for the final picture, I slowly leaned in and placed my lips on top of hers. We heard a flash but paid it no mind. I pulled back and observed her. She tried to fight the smile that wanted to escape onto her face. We got out and grabbed the pictures. I grabbed her hand as we walked around the carnival for a little longer.

Blake

I groaned as I heard a knock on the door. No one was home so that means I have to answer it. I knew my hair was all over the place but I didn’t care. I sighed as I got up and opened the door. “Oh do you know where Nicki is?” Nae asked me.

“She took Mylan to the doctor earlier.” I yawned as I started to wake up more.

“Do you know when she’ll be back?” She looked like she had to talk to her about something important.

“No but you can wait for her if you want,” I offered.

“Thank you,” she said as I opened the door wider to let her in. I closed the door and went back to the living room. The TV was on music videos, I had a bag of skittles, and I had mountain dew. My typical lazy day routine. Nae walked into the living room and sat on the other end of the couch.

“You still eat those?” She laughed lightly as she looked at my skittles.

“Yeah such a horrible craving but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” I smiled a little at the fact that she remembered that skittles were my favorite candy.

“Blake,” she sighed. I did not like the way she said my name. I know she’s gonna be getting into her emotions in a bit.

“Yes?” I asked while not looking at her.

“Blake, look at me,” she stated. I slowly moved my head and made eye contact with her. I’ve always had trouble making eye contact with people and she knew that.

“I’m sick of this. Why can’t we just be friends again? We can forget the past and just move on. No questions asked,” she pleaded.

“No questions asked?” I wanted to make sure I heard her right. If I didn’t have to tell her why I stopped talking to her then this could be a good thing.

“No questions asked,” she repeated.

“Okay,” I smiled lightly. She smiled back and pulled me into a long overdue hug. It felt good to have my best friend back.

Nicki

“Thank you,” I said to Aubrey as he placed Mylan in her bed. We silently walked out of her room and back downstairs. It was silent so I guess no one was home. “I had fun.” I smiled at him.

“Me too.” He had a certain look in his eyes.

“So I’ll see you at practice?” I asked.

“Yeah most defiantly.” He hugged me and then left out of the house. I blushed to myself at how perfect today went. It was good to forget about all the issues that come with liking him for one day. I walked into the living room and was shocked to see Blake and Nae passed out on the couch. I shook them both softly. Nae begun to stir as Blake sat up.

“Oh hey Nicki.” She yawned as Nae started to sit up also.

“You’re finally back?” She asked.

“Yeah, when did you two become all buddy buddy?” I looked between them.

“We’re friends again,” Blake said as Nae smiled.

“Yay! My best friend and my cousin are besties again so we can all hang out without it being so damn awkward,” I laughed.

“Where were you all this time?” Blake asked me. I was debating if I should tell them about Aubrey or not. They are my best friend and cousin so I knew I could trust them. I told the entire story to them and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“YOU GUYS KISSED!?” Nae jumped up.

“Shut up before you wake up My. It was just a peck,” I shrugged.

“That still counts Nic,” Blake smirked at me.

“I just can’t believe this happened. I mean he’s my coach guys,” I sighed as I finally stopped smiling. What will I do?