Chapter 24: White Flags

Nicki’s P.O.V.

“Aubrey,” I nudge him while I tried to wake up.

“Hmm?” He groaned.

“Someone’s at the door,” I mumbled. He nodded and finally got up. I heard him open the door and then tried to shut it. I was nosey so I went to the stairs and listened.

“I need to talk to you,” I heard a guy voice.

“You need to leave right now dad,” Aubrey said sternly.

“I just need some then I’ll leave you alone,” he pleaded.

“Jhene took it for a reason,” Drake snapped.

“But she gave it to you. I know why you’re using it,” he accused.

“Go before you wake my daughter up,” Drake dismissed him.

“This ain’t over boy,” he said before he left.

“Give you what?” I asked as I walked down the stairs.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” he sighed.

“What do you have that he wants?” I questioned him.

“Look Nic, it’s complicated,” he tried but I glared at him.

“What. Do. You. Have?” I cut my eyes at him.

“I got some pain medication,” he admitted.

            “Why?” I scrunched my face up.

“I can’t coach dance if I can barely move my knee. I need it so Jhene gives me some each month. She only does it because I buy her anything she wants,” he explained. He seemed as if was lying but I’m trying to trust him. If he says it’s just pain pills then I believe him.

 “You shouldn’t use pills. You need to go to physical therapy,” I grabbed his hand.

“I promise you I’ll do that after this season. Please Nic,” he begged me.

“After this season, you’re done. I mean it Aubrey,” I said sternly. He nodded before pulling me into him.

Blake’s P.O.V.

“Hey,” I said to Nae as I picked her up. Ever since Nicki moved in with Coach Graham, I’ve been picking her up.

“Hi,” she smiled before leaning over and pecking my lips. I returned the smile before driving off. We got to the gym and got out. She grabbed my hand and laced her fingers through mine. When we walked in, all eyes were on us. I locked eyes with Mere and she shot me a small smile. She knew where my heart lied and understood. Nicki saw us and smiled.

“About damn time,” she said loudly as everyone agreed with her.

Cassie’s P.O.V.

“Nic,” I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

“Yeah?” She shot me a worried look.

“Look, I need to tell you something. I’m not sure how to tell you but-,” I tried to tell her but Coach Graham blew the whistle.

“We’ll talk later,” she smiled small before walking off.

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” I mumbled as I joined the girls.

“Why do you seem so stressed?” CeeJay asked me as we waited.

“Some shit is about to pop off,” I confessed.

“What did you do?” She scrunched up her face.

“It wasn’t-,” I groaned because I was once again cut off.

“Who’s he?” She pointed to a guy who walked in.

“Shit,” I said under my breath.

 “Let’s go into the gym,” Coach Graham directed him towards the gym. I quickly stepped in front of the door.

“You really don’t wanna go in there,” I gave him a look.

“Move aside Cassie,” he said as he shot me a confused look.

“I can’t Coach Graham,” I shook my head.

“She probably hiding shit in there,” Nae mumbled. I shot her a look before turning back to Coach Graham.

“Move Casandra,” he snapped. I moved aside with my head down as he walked in with the team. Everyone gasped as Coach Graham stood silent. Great.

Drake’s P.O.V.

I looked at Nicki before looking back at the gym. “What the hell is this?” I yelled towards the girls. The gym was covered with picture of Nicki and I. She sat on the floor and put her face in her hands.

“How the hell?” Nae looked around in shock.

“This is exactly why I’m here,” the principal of the school said.

“I can explain,” I started but he cut me off.

“No explanation is due. You might not be a teacher but you violated your contract. A coach cannot have a relationship with a member of a team or club. I’m sorry but you are fired Coach Graham,” he said before walked away. The gym grew silent.

“Who did this?” Nicki shot to her feet and shot every girl a look. There was more silence. “Now no one wants to speak up. Which bitch did this!?” She demanded.

“I bet it was that bitch,” Nae looked towards Cassie. Everyone turned to stare at Cassie.

“It wasn’t me,” she looked toward Nicki with a pleading look.

“That’s why you want to talk to me? To tell me that you did this shit? I knew something was off but I didn’t think you would do this shit to me! Why would you do this!?” Nicki yelled towards Cassie.

“I didn’t,” she started to get emotional.

“Then why does the video tape show that you were here last night,” Mere said as she walked towards her.

“That’s why I wanted to talk to you,” she walked closer to Nicki but she backed up.

“Why would you do this to her? She could’ve just told everyone that you were fucking Shad!” Nae walked towards her. Shad sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“You bitch-,” Cassie started to shout towards Nae but Nicki cut her off.

“I don’t ever want to talk to you again,” she looked at Cassie with complete hatred. “And if Coach Graham is fired, then I quit,” she said before walking out the gym with me following her. We got to my car and before she could open the door, I pulled her into a hug.

“I’m so sorry this happened,” I kissed the top of her head as she cried.

“Let’s just go home,” she mumbled as we got into the car.

Blake’s P.O.V.

I walked up to Cassie and got mad. “Why would you do that to my cousin!?” I snapped at her.

“Blake, I didn’t,” she said softly but I was done with this. I pushed her hard and she fell on the floor. As soon as I was about whoop her ass, I felt a pair of arms holding me back.

“Calm down,” I heard Mere tell me. She pulled me away as CeeJay held Cassie back from trying to hurt me. Mere brought me out into the hallway to calm down. “Are you okay?” She raised an eyebrow. I nodded as I wiped some tears.

“I can’t be on this team if my cousin isn’t on it,” I told her.

“I know,” she admitted. She pulled me into a hug before telling me that everything was going to be okay.

“Thank you,” I smiled at her before I saw Nae standing by the door with a disapproving look.

“I’ll see you later Blake,” Mere said when she noticed Nae. I nodded before walking over to Nae.

“It wasn’t what it looked like,” I tried to reason with her.

“I know you two are friends and I’ll have to get use to that,” she acknowledged. I smiled before pulling her into me. “I quit,” she mumbled.

“So do I,” I grabbed her hand before walking out of the gym. Fuck this place.

Cassie’s P.O.V.

“Cass, you gotta eat something baby,” Shad said as he sat on the bed.

“I just wanna die in a hole,” I mumbled.

“Don’t say that,” he stated.

“Everyone hates me. I quit the fucking team,” I snapped.

“There is no team. Everyone left,” he confessed.

“You believe me right?” I looked into his eyes.

“I know you wouldn’t do something like that. Do you know who did it?” He asked me. I stayed quiet as I contemplated on telling him.

“I did it,” I said softly.

“You what?” He snapped his neck towards me.

“I did it,” I repeated.

“Don’t lie to me Casandra,” he demanded. I got up and grabbed my stuff.

“I did it,” I said one last time before leaving. I drove to my house and walked in. I went to my mom’s study and knocked on the door.

“Yes Casandra?” She said not taking her eyes off the computer in front of her.

“I’ll take you up on the offer,” I announced.

“You mean that you’ll leave that ghetto school Lenore and go to Jefferson?” She flicked her eyes towards me. I nodded as she squealed excitedly. Goodbye Lenore High.

Drake’s P.O.V.

I was walking back to my car after going get My some more juice. She said she would practically die if she didn’t get more. I could never say no to her. I spotted Nebby walking in my direction but she wasn’t looking at me. I grabbed her elbow and pulled her to the side.

“God Aubrey! I almost slapped the shit out of you,” she glared at me.

“Why are you still in town?” I asked her. She laughed and shook her head.

“My boyfriend and I were helping my friend get settled into her house,” she smirked at me.

“Why are you smirking?” I scrunched my face up.

 

“You’ll see,” she said before walking away.

~

I got out of bed with Nicki and My to answer my phone. I went into the other room and answered. “Yeah?” I yawned.

“She did it,” Shad said.

“She really did that to Nicki?” I asked shocked. I didn’t really think Cassie could pull something like this off. She has a good heart, or at least had.

“Yeah, she told me three times. I don’t know what to do man. I love that girl but I don’t know if I could be with her after this,” he sighed.

“Sleep on it and we’ll talk about this tomorrow,” I told him before saying bye. I got back in bed and was almost asleep.

“Daddy?” My called out.

“Yeah?” I opened my eyes.

“Why is mommy sad?” She asked curiously.

“There are some mean people in this world,” I mumbled. She shrugged and went back to sleep. I don’t know if Cassie did this for sure but I am gonna get to the bottom of this.