Chapter 16: Easily Seen

Nicki’s P.O.V.

“Give me five more laps!” Coach Chimere yelled at us. I looked at Nae briefly as we shared a look. Ever since we refused to perform at the competition, Coach Chimere has been extremely hard on us. Finally Aubrey blew the whistle which signaled the end of practice.

“Alright girls so we have to learn a new dance tomorrow and we will be having cuts on Friday,” he explained.

“This time we will be judging you as a person and not just based on your dancing ability. We don’t wanna have another conflict right?” Coach Chimere smirked at me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as we went into the locker rooms.

“So Nic, you ready for school to start?” Yana asked me as I switched my shirt.

“Am I ever? I hate school and I feel like this year is gonna be ten times worse than usual,” I huffed. I use to love school but now it just became a bother. Nae and I left the locker room and waited by my car. I raised an eyebrow when I saw Blake talking to Coach Chimere. Nae glanced at me and rolled her eyes. “Don’t be like that,” I warned as Blake walked over to us.

“Hey guys, you can leave without me. Chimere’s offering me a ride to the gym,” she smiled.

“We just got done with practice. Aren’t you tired?” I scrunched up my eyebrows.

“I could go another hour or two,” she shrugged and walked away. The rest of the girls loaded the car and we left.

Cassie’s P.O.V.

I was just about to walk out the door until I felt a tug at my elbow. “Lemme holla at you for a second,” Shad said in my ear. I gave CeeJay a look and passed her my car keys.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I told her as I followed Shad to his office. He closed the door and turned to me.

“You wanna break up?” He asked me. I was caught off guard by the question.

“I wasn’t aware that we were actually together in the first place,” I crossed my arms.

“Don’t do this Cassie, why won’t you just tell me why you wouldn’t perform?” He tried to pull me to him but I pushed him away.

“I can’t do that Shad! I just can’t,” I tried to walk away from him but he grabbed me again.

“I’m not letting you walk away from me again,” he spun me around and made me lock eyes with him. “I love you Cassie and you know I would never judge you. You can tell me anything,” he assured me.

“You won’t look at me the same,” I contained my tears.

“Don’t you ever think that. No matter how bad it is, I’ll never look at you differently,” he pecked my lips.

“I’ll tell you but I can’t do it here. Can we go to our secret place?” I played with his fingers. He nodded as we headed to his car. I texted CeeJay that I was going with Shad.

Drake’s P.O.V.

“Aubrey I can’t find the,” Nicki stopped in the middle of her sentence when she reached my bedroom. I smirked as she eyed my body. I just got out of the shower and didn’t have on a shirt.

“See something you like?” I wiggled my eyebrows as she laughed.

“Nope, I’d like to find the popcorn though,” she smiled.

“Top right cabinet,” I explained as I pulled on my shirt. We went to the living room and sat on the couch. “So do you know what you’re doing for your birthday?” I was excited that she was finally turning eighteen in a few months.

“No, I think I’ll just stay home,” she shrugged.

“What? It’s your eighteenth birthday!” I was shocked that she didn’t wanna do anything.

“I know but I would rather just spend time with you and My,” she pecked my lips. I kissed her back and then pulled her close.

“You know I’m still gonna plan something right?” I looked at her.

“I know but your birthday is coming up first,” she looked at me.

“Yep, I’m turning twenty two,” I couldn’t believe I was turning twenty two.

“At least you’re still sexy,” she licked her lips.

“So you did see something you liked?” I smirked at her as she giggled. We watched the movie on the screen but about an hour into the movie Nicki received a call. She jumped up nervously as she spoke on the phone.

“Oh my god! I’ll be there as soon as possible!” She ended the call and started pulling on her shoes.

“What’s wrong?” I jumped up worried.

“Mylan had an asthma attack,” she had tears in her eyes as I pulled on my shoes.

“Which hospital?” I already had my keys in my hand and was halfway out the door.

Chimere’s P.O.V.

“So what do you wanna do after high school?” I asked Blake as we took a break. We were running for about an hour until we took a break.

“I don’t really know. I might do something dealing with art or music,” she shrugged.

“You can sing?” I was shocked to say the least.

“Everyone says I can sing but I think there’s still so much room for improvement,” she was so hard on herself.

“You’re tough on yourself,” I commented.

“If I’m not then who will be?” She let out a bitter laugh. I could tell she was feeling a bit down so I decided to change the subject.

“Come on, I know somewhere that you’ll love,” I jumped to my feet and dragged her with me.

“Okay,” she smiled as we went walking down a path.

~

“Here we are,” I said as we finally climbed up a hill.

“Whoa,” she looked at the view. It was a cliff with a beautiful view of the city. “How did you find this place?” She turned to me.

“I went for a long run and I ended up here,” I shrugged as we sat down. A comfortable silence took over as we took in the view.

“Thank you,” she told me.

“Don’t worry about it,” I shrugged it off. I like seeing her happy. She reminds me so much of myself when I was a kid so anything I can do to help is worth it.

Cassie’s P.O.V.

Shad grabbed my hand as we sat down. We went to my favorite beach. It was beautiful and not crowded so I instantly fell in love with it as a kid. “That guy that was at the competition was my ex,” I said quietly.

“I thought that was Nicki’s ex?” He scrunched up his eyebrows.

“Shhh, let me explain. He dated Nicki and I at the same time. I was trying to get over you so I thought getting a boyfriend was a perfect distraction. I was so wrong. He treated me like a queen and I fell for him. When I found out that he was dating Nicki, I was hurt. I wasn’t in my right mind so I went to a party I knew they both would be at. I wanted to confront Nicki for being a backstabber but when I went to find them, I only found him. I yelled at him and I kept pushing him off of me. I hit him really hard and it was like it triggered something in him. His eyes darkened and I couldn’t even tell who he was. He went haywire on me after that. He almost killed me,” I couldn’t even finish the story. Shad pulled me to him.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he kissed my hair as I cried into his chest. He knew I was in an abusive relationship but he didn’t know the full story. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to finish that story.

Nicki’s P.O.V.

I rushed into the hospital and went up to the desk. “I’m here for Mylan Maraj,” I quickly said. The lady looked at me and nodded.

“She’s in surgery right now but Doctor Quinn can tell you what happened,” she directed me to the doctor.

“Hi are you Onika Maraj?” He asked as Drake and I walked over to him.

“Yes,” I looked at him as he flipped through some papers.

“It says here that her mom died but her father is alive. Where is her father?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

“Can’t you just release the information to me?” I didn’t want them calling him.

“It says here we have to have the father’s consent,” he explained.

“I’m her father,” I turned around shocked.

“You’re Robert Maraj?” He questioned him. I shot Drake a look but he stepped up to the doctor.

“Yes sir, is that a problem?” He looked at the doctor as he shook his head. It seemed like he was intimidated.

“No problem at all. Mylan was playing on the playground at school when she tripped. She landed on some dirt that triggered her asthma. No one could find her inhaler and she started to freak out. From her medical history it shows that she has panic attacks frequently. She was screaming out for her mom and she couldn’t breathe. She became unconscious and now we’re trying to stabilize her,” he told us. My eyes watered as I became nervous.

“But she’s okay right?” I asked him.

“She’s fine and should be stabilized by now. You guys can go into her room,” he moved out the way as we made our way to her room. As soon as I got in there, I started crying harder. She had an oxygen mask over her and she was asleep. She looked peaceful but I knew when she awoke she would be in pain. I sat by her side and rubbed her hair.

“Thank you for what you did out there,” I glanced at Drake.

“I’d do anything for her,” he shot me a smile and walked over to her. My stirred and opened her eyes.

“Mommy,” she mumbled.

“I’m right here baby,” I pulled her close and kissed her hair. “I’m right here.”

Chapter 15: The Show Must Go On

Nicki’s P.O.V.

“Hurry up!” Nae told me as I started typing.

“I am!” I snapped as I pulled up a video. It started playing and we saw Drake on the screen. This was the World Championships that he won. I was amazed at how great of a dancer he was. I can’t believe he thought I was better than him because this clearly shows I’m not.

“Wow,” Blake said exactly what we were all thinking.

“Look it’s Brey!” My smiled and pointed to the screen. I think I was in shock because I didn’t move.

“Nic,” Nae elbowed me. I snapped my eyes over to her. “You good?” She questioned and I nodded. I can’t believe he was this good and he just gave this all up.

“Come on we have to get ready,” Blake reminded us that today was our first competition. I closed my laptop and got ready. When we were ready we left so we could load the busses. I saw Drake and he nodded his head over to a hallway. I handed My over to Nae as I walked over to the hallway. Drake appeared a few seconds later and smiled at me.

“You ready for today?” He asked me. I nodded but he could tell I was nervous. He grabbed my hips and pulled me to him. “What’s wrong?” He looked me in my eyes.

“I’m nervous, what if we mess up?” I was terrified at the thought. He pressed his lips to mine and it immediately calmed me down. He pulled away and chuckled slightly.

“Don’t be nervous. You’re gonna be perfect,” he pecked my lips once more before I headed to the busses. We got to the competition way too soon. I felt like I was about to throw up.

“What’s wrong mommy?” Mylan asked me as they parked the bus.

“I just have a bit of butterflies,” I said to her.

“You told me butterflies were good. If you don’t have butterflies then you aren’t having fun,” she reminded me.

“You’re right,” I kissed her forehead as we got off the bus.

Cassie’s P.O.V.

“Oh god,” I kept repeating over and over as I paced around backstage. No one was around me so I started to procrastinate.

“Cassie,” I heard someone call my name but it didn’t snap me out of my pacing. “Cassie,” Shad called again and grabbed me. I looked at him as he scrunched up his face.

“What’s up with you? You’re never nervous,” he looked at me confused.

“I’m not nervous. Where’s Nicki?” I questioned as I tried to get around him.

“Why are you looking for Nicki?” He was really confused by this point but I just shrugged him off and went to find her. She was standing with Coach Graham and her crew. I guess he was giving them last minute advice.

“Nicki,” I called out to her and she looked at me confused. I knew she didn’t understand why I was calling out for her but with one look at my face she would understand.

“One second,” she told them and walked over to me. “What’s up?” She scrunched her eyebrows together.

“Look,” I pointed out into the crowded from backstage. It seemed like all the breath was knocked out of her.

“Oh god!” She looked horrified.

“What’s going on?” Coach Graham looked at us confused.

“We can’t go out there,” Nicki shook her head.

“Why not?” Shad came up to us.

“We just can’t,” I snapped as I begun to pace again. Nicki started pacing also while the team gathered around.

“Cass what the hell?” CeeJay looked at me but I ignored her.

“It’s him isn’t it,” Nae looked between us and shook her head. “I’m not performing,” Nae looked towards Coach Graham.

“He’s here!? I’m not going out there,” CeeJay joined us.

“Who the hell is out there!?” Coach Graham snapped at us. Nicki and I shared and look and shook our heads.

“We’re just not performing,” Nicki crossed her arms.

“I swear I’m gonna slap all of y’all right now!” Coach Chimere snapped. Nicki cut her eyes at her and smacked her lips. “We got a problem?” Coach Chimere walked over to her.

“Mere,” Coach Graham said sternly.

“Naw Drake. I told you to handle her or I will so I guess I have to. Follow me,” she told Nicki.

“No,” Nicki stood her ground.

“Nicki just do it,” Coach Graham told her. I think that was the first time he called one of us by our nicknames. He and Nicki shared a look before she followed Coach Chimere.

Chimere’s P.O.V.

I walked until we were in an empty hallway. “I’ll let the rude attitude and slick comments slide but when it comes down to this team I will not let you bring us down,” I looked her over. She looked like she was not even listening to me. “Are you even listening to me!?” I was done by this point.

“No,” she said as she looked off to the side.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on now but you will perform or you’re off the team,” I threatened her.

“Aubrey would never let you do that,” she smirked. This girl is so stupid. She knows she just admitted to me that something is going on between her and Drake.

“I don’t give a fuck if ‘Aubrey’ let’s me do it or not. It’s gonna be done if you don’t perform. This is why I never liked you. You seemed messy and you are. I don’t care who is out there, this performance is gonna happen,” I told her before walking past her. “Oh and if I were you, I would watch my back,” I said over my shoulder before leaving.

Nae’s P.O.V.

“Someone is gonna go out there and perform,” Coach Graham was ready to rip all of our heads off.

“Well that won’t be me,” Cassie crossed her arms.

“Or me,” CeeJay stood by her.

“Or me,” I looked over them as the past came back at me.

~

“No for real what are we gonna do?” Nicki asked us as we calmed down from laughing.

“We could just quit,” Cassie suggested.

“We can’t quit,” I looked over at Cassie.

“Not really quit, I mean take a stand,” she explained.

“You mean that we all won’t perform unless they make the change?” CeeJay questioned her plan.

“Exactly,” she smirked at us.

“See this is why I like you. You’re an evil genius,” Nicki hugged Cassie as we started to discuss our plan.

~

“They can’t do this can they?” Coach Graham asked Shad.

“They can but they won’t,” he snapped his eyes over at us. Nicki finally walked back with Coach Chimere.

“I’m still not performing,” she stood her ground.

“You four will not do this again,” Shad had a glare in his eyes.

“We can and we will,” Cassie dared him and it seemed like he calmed down slightly from taking one look at her. If anyone took a look at us then they could tell that we were terrified.  

“Nicki, a word please,” Coach Graham looked over at her and walked down the hallway. Nicki followed with a sigh.

“Cassie, follow me,” Shad said to her and walked down a different hallway.

“CeeJay and Jaznae, follow me,” Coach Chimere told us and walked down another hallway.

Shad’s P.O.V.

“You’re not about to do this again,” I snapped at her.

“I’m not going out there Shad,” she looked like she was about to break down.

“Can’t you just tell me why? Who’s out there? Why is the fact that he is out there making you four not perform?” I questioned her.

“I can’t tell you Shad,” she bowed her head trying to keep her tears in.

“Don’t do this again Cassie,” I begged her. I don’t wanna have to go through what we went through before.

~

“What did you say?” I wanted to make sure I heard her right.

“I said we’re not performing unless he’s gone,” she threatened.

“You can’t just demand someone to be gone and not tell me why,” I snapped at her.

“Well then I guess we’re not performing,” she had that little smirk on her face and walked away.

~

She was twelve back then and the four of them were suppose to perform for the talent show but someone who worked backstage did something and they wanted him gone. I was in charge of the talent show so I took all the blame. “You’re gonna perform,” I told her.

“No I will not. Do whatever you want Shad but I will not perform,” she finally let her tears fall.

“Baby just tell me who’s out there and I’ll make them go away,” I promised her.

“You can’t help me this time Shad. I just can’t go out there,” she walked away from me and out of the hallway.

 

 

CeeJay’s P.OV.

“Someone is gonna tell me why you guys don’t want to perform,” Coach Chimere demanded. I looked at Nae and we both crossed our arms.

“No,” we said in sync.

“Why the hell not?” She looked like she was about to lose her mind.

“It’s not our place to tell,” I told her.

“What is that suppose to mean? You guys don’t wanna go out and perform because someone is out there. Who is he and why does he have a connection with all four of y’all?” She calmed down slightly but she was mad as hell.

“Look we can’t tell you that. Not like it’s any of your business anyway,” Nae snapped at her.

“Try me one more time little girl,” Coach Chimere step closer to Nae and dared her.

“What are you gonna do? Spank me?” She smirked as she got the Coach more fired up.

“I know what your problem is and I’m not gonna even bother to handle your childish ways. Grow up and get over it cause I’m not going anywhere,” now it was time for Coach Chimere to smirk.

“Look if you want to know what happened then Nicki or Cassie will have to tell you. We can’t and that is that,” I said and she just sighed.

 

Drake’s P.O.V.

“What’s wrong now?” I looked over at her as she tried to contain her tears.

“It’s nothing Aubrey,” she said softly.

“It’s obviously something if you and Cassie actually had a conversation where y’all didn’t want to rip each other’s hair out,” I tried to make eye contact but she wouldn’t. Her tears finally fell at the thought of going out there. I walked towards her and pulled her to me. “Please just tell me what’s wrong. Baby I hate seeing you like this. I promise you I can make the problem disappear,” I assured her. She sniffled a few times before wrapping her arms around me.

“He’s out there,” she mumbled.

“Who is he?” I rubbed her back and tried to not pressure her to tell me.

“My ex,” she said simply. I immediately tensed up and she noticed. “Aubrey no,” she told me but I unwrapped my arms from around her.

“I’m gonna kill him,” I was about to black out and beat the shit out of him but I felt Nicki wrap her hands around mine.

“Aubrey look at me,” she pleaded. I finally compelled and looked at her. She pulled me to her and kissed me. I automatically kissed her back. She pulled back slightly and looked at me. “Please don’t do anything. Can we just leave? I’m sorry but I can’t perform with him here,” she cried.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I pulled her to me and kissed her forehead.

“I’m costing us the competition,” she tried to pull herself together.

“Baby, I’m not letting you go out there with him here. I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you,” I pulled her chin up and kissed her. I would never let anyone hurt her.

~

“We ain’t performing,” I told the coaches when I left the hallway.

“What!?” Mere and Shad said in unison. Nicki and Cassie glanced in the direction of the guy. I don’t know how Cassie, Jaznae, or CeeJay are tied to this guy but I’ll find out eventually. I’m not gonna pressure Nicki into telling me about him. I know she doesn’t wanna remember anything about him.

“Drake can we have a word with you now,” Mere snapped as we went into an empty room. “What do you think you’re doing?” She hissed at me.

“Look I can’t explain it but I promise you those four will not perform nor will I let them,” I tried to tell them.

“I don’t get it. Did Nicki tell you something?” Shad asked me. I couldn’t even respond before I felt someone hit me upside my head.

“Ow! What the hell Chimere!?” I looked at her as she rolled her eyes.

“You’re fucking the girl aren’t you?” She questioned and that got Shad’s attention.

“Whoa, you and Nicki?” He asked shocked.

“No I’m not!” I snapped at her.

“Why else would she call you Aubrey?” Chimere put her hands on her hips.

“Look she was going through some stuff so I listen when she needed me to. I’m her friend, nothing more,” I assured them.

“I swear Drake if you’re lying to me right now,” Mere closed her eyes and rubbed her templates.

“I’m not lying to you. Why would I risk my career over one girl?” I asked her dumbly. They didn’t know I would risk a lot more than just my career for Nicki.

“I swear if you give me one more time to believe that there’s something going on between you two then she’s gone,” she threatened before walking out the door. “Pack your things, we ain’t performing!” Mere yelled to the girls. They all kind of figured so they didn’t object.

Chimere’s P.O.V.

“Thanks,” I mumbled as Blake handed me a drink. We sat at the roof top of the hotel just overlooking the city. “I don’t get it. We could have won but they wouldn’t perform,” I sighed at the thought.

“I know Nic and Nae wouldn’t refuse to perform unless it was serious. I don’t know who that guy was but I hear them talk about him sometimes. I don’t think he’s good news,” she shook her head. I looked over at her as she stared at the sky.

“I don’t get it,” I told her.

“Don’t get what?” She looked over at me.

“Why were you bullied?” I questioned her and she immediately tensed up.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I told her as she relaxed.

“The people at my old school knew things about me that I didn’t want anyone to know. They manipulated and tormented me. I did everything to make sure they didn’t tell my secrets but they ended up telling them anyway. I thought it couldn’t get worse until I started receiving death threats and one day I opened my locker and found a knife. I got suspended because no one believed me. Then I got shipped off here,” she shrugged.

“What about your mom?” I locked eyes with her. She shifted her eyes and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

“She was already over her taking care of Nicki and Mylan,” she explained.

“Where’s your dad?” I didn’t want to push the topic but I was concerned.

“Your guess is about as good as mine. He was around when I was smaller and we were really close until one day he just left and never looked back,” she didn’t even realize she had tears rolling down her eyes until I wiped them.

“It’s gonna be okay,” I reassured her and she nodded.

Nicki’s P.O.V.

Mylan and I were at Drake’s suite just hanging out. “Thank you for supporting me,” I told him as Mylan watched some movie on TV.

“Don’t thank me. I will always support you when you tell me what the problem is,” he informed me.

“Can I spend the night? I really don’t feel like sleeping alone,” I looked at him.

“You know you don’t even have to ask,” he kissed me and then picked up Mylan. She was drifting asleep so he put her in the bed. He got in and so did I. He wrapped his arms around me and My. I felt safe in his arms. Seeing my ex just brought back so many unwanted memories but when I’m with Aubrey he makes it go away.