Chapter 53: Where Does Time Go?

Nae

 

“Get off of me, they’re gonna be here any minute,” I tried to push Derrick off of me but he kept kissing on my neck. I was about to let him have his way but then the doorbell rung. I pushed him off and rushed to open it. “Nicki!” I pulled her into a hug. I haven’t seen her for about a year due to our crazy schedules. I let everyone in and hugged them all.

“My’s still by Aubrey’s but she’ll be at the reunion,” Nicki said and I nodded. I was wondering where she was because Alexis looked a little lonely.

“Oh everyone this is my boyfriend Derrick,” I introduced him. We’ve been dating for a year and that’s the longest I’ve ever dated someone. Aaron was on and off so I don’t really count him. Nicki shook his hand before turning to me and mouthing, “Nice.” I shook my head with a laugh before showing them where they would be staying.

“Auntie Nae, can you give me a cookie?” I heard Alexis ask. Every time I see her, she always asks me that. I don’t what it is with her and cookies.

“Don’t listen to her Nae,” Cassie shook her head.

“Fine,” Alexis sat on the bed and pouted. She was adorable but also hard to watch over because she’s always doing something. Nicki, Cassie, and I all sat on the bed and started talking; I guess the guys were downstairs doing the same thing.

“You know we’re all gonna see our exes at the reunion,” Nicki said slowly. I raised an eyebrow at her completely confused. What in the world is she talking about?

“Blake,” Cassie reminded me. Then it was like a light bulb went off in my head and I remembered what they meant.

“Oh,” I nodded while they looked at me strangely. “Sorry, I forgot; I haven’t talked to her since high school and it’s been six years. Excuse me if I don’t remember every single ex I’ve had because I’ve had a lot,” I smiled. I’ve had my share of relationships since high school but none of them really lasted like the one I have now.

“You haven’t talked to Blake?” Cassie looked at me in shock. What’s so shocking about not talking? I haven’t talked to a lot of people since high school.

“Naw I never saw the point,” I shrugged. I truly never saw the point in talking. What’s there left to really say?

“I guess but you’ll see her at the reunion,” she pointed out. I’ll see everyone at the reunion and I was contemplating whether I would go or not but Nicki quickly threatened me so I’m going.

“I already ran into Chimere last week,” I cringed.

“Was it awkward?” I nodded before we talked about other stuff. I never really thought about seeing Blake at the reunion; I don’t know in my head I felt like she died or something.

 

Blake

My dad was having a party for the triplets so all of my family was here; it was their eighteenth birthday. Mere and I were just enjoying the view.

            “Oh I forgot to tell you, I ran into your little friend the other day,” Mere said out of nowhere. What is she talking about? Could she use names or something because I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“Friend?” I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Jaznae,” I looked at her weirdly. She ran into Nae?

“You saw her?” I didn’t even know that she still lived here. It didn’t matter because I thought she fell off the face of the earth. I know that’s a little extreme that’s how it felt.

“Yeah it was really awkward,” she laughed and I joined in.

“I can imagine,” that must have been extremely awkward for the two of them. I guess I’ll see her at the reunion, I mean it’s been six years; a lot changes in six years. I do know one thing; her ass better be completely off drugs because I spent too much time finding her mom and convincing her father.

 

 

Nicki

            “You don’t think that backstabbing bitch would show her face would she?” Cassie asked out of nowhere. Here she goes with the whole CeeJay thing. She’ll never forgive her for what she did and I don’t necessarily blame her. It was fucked up and crushed her.

“CeeJay moved to Hawaii to be closer to her family; she got clean and off of drugs,” Nae explained. It feels like everyone moved and no one stayed in New York after high school.

“I don’t care how clean she is,” Cassie mumbled.

“Moved on from the past my ass,” I shook my head with a slight smile. She’ll never fully move on no matter what she says or thinks.

“I have but I mean she was one of my best friends and she did shit like that?” I could sense that she was getting herself worked up.

“It doesn’t even matter because you have Kyle and Alexis,” I rubbed her back. She shouldn’t worry about her past when she has a family now.

“You’re right and speaking of Alexis; where is she?” We all got up and went into the kitchen and saw her on the counter trying to get to the top shelf. “Alexis,” she turned to see Cassie with her hands on her hips. She put on an innocent face but we could all see through it.

“Man,” she sighed while Cassie got her down. That child is so bad but really smart when she wants something. I got a call and saw Aubrey on the screen.

              I walked away and answered, “Yes Aubrey?” I noticed Channing walking towards me interested in the conversation. Here he goes with this jealousy shit. I had enough of that with Aubrey, I don’t need it with Channing too.

“My just had an asthma attack and used the last of her inhaler,” he explained. My heart instantly sped up at that sentence. She already had one last week so this is making me more nervous. They never happened this frequently before so something might be wrong.

“She had another one!? I have an extra one, I’ll be there in a few minutes,” I hung up and grabbed the inhaler and my stuff. I rushed to put on my shoes and grab my jacket.

“Where are you going?” Channing asked me. I explained and he insisted that he would come with me. I honestly don’t care; I just need to get to My. Nae let us use her car and in a few minutes, we pulled up to his house. My nerves for seeing Aubrey again weren’t there because I was too focused on My. I knocked and he came to answer after a few seconds.

“Where is she?” He let me in and pointed to the living room. I rushed over to her and she looked horrible. “Are you okay baby?” I rubbed her back as she snuggled into me. I gave her the inhaler and she used a little more before handing it back. I noticed Aubrey and Channing awkwardly standing there.

“Mommy,” she mumbled as I rocked her back and forth. I wiped her tears as I told her to breathe in and out. Aubrey came to sit on the other side of My and rubbed her back. It was weird with all of us being together but also kind of nice.

“You need anything baby girl?” Aubrey asked her. It was nice that he was always right by her side whenever she needed something no matter what the occasion was.

“Water,” she choked out. He jumped to his feet and went to get her some.

“Are we bringing her back with us?” Channing finally spoke. My daughter is over here sick and that’s the first thing he asks me? How fucked up is that?

“I don’t wanna cut her visit with her Dad short,” I sighed. Mylan really missed Aubrey and it made me feel bad for living all the way in Paris. I wanted her to spend as much time with him as she could.

“Don’t leave me,” My said lowly but I heard her. I’m not gonna leave her like this so whatever Channing is thinking is an automatic no.                                                              

“Obviously we’re gonna have to take her back if she doesn’t want you to leave her,” he is getting on my nerves right now. Can his ass shut up for five seconds?

“I didn’t ask you to come; I don’t know how long I might be here,” I turned and focused my attention on My. I felt her forehead and scrunched up my face. “You’re burning up; Aubrey!” I called out to him. He came back with her water and she chugged it down. “She’s burning up,” I told him and he felt her forehead. He went to get a thermometer and placed it in her mouth.

“102.8,” he read.

“If it gets higher than 103 then we’re taking her to the hospital,” I pulled her closer as he agreed. She has a fever and had been having these asthma attacks. She needs to get checked out but I know she would rather just lay here tonight.

“So are we taking her?” Channing just had to say once again. I looked at him and shot him a look. Why would your ass ask something like that?

“She’s in no condition to get into a car; you know how she gets carsick. Do you really wanna add that onto her right now?” I raised a brow and he backed down. “How about you go and I’ll call you when she feels better,” I offered.

“Can we talk?” It wasn’t really a question so Aubrey grabbed My as I got up. Once we were out of sight, he grabbed my arm and pulled me further away. “I don’t want you alone with him Onika,” he was jealous but I never got why.

“You honestly think something is gonna happen while my daughter is burning up with a fever?” I crossed my arms. What does he think will happen? Does he think I’m just gonna jump into Aubrey’s bed the second he leaves?

“I don’t see why she has to stay; it’s not like that’s her real Dad anyway,” he said quietly but I heard him. I backed up from him and looked at him like he was crazy.

“Oh so I’m not her real Mom either right?” I rolled my eyes and walked away. He pulled me back to him and apologized. Little shit like that pisses me off but he always apologizes. Sometimes apologies aren’t enough; you need to learn when to keep your mouth shut.

“I didn’t mean it like that; I’ll trust you but call me when you’re done,” I nodded and pecked his lips before returning back to the living room. As soon as I returned to the couch, My went back into my arms. We gave her some medicine and thirty minutes later, she was out. Drake put her in her bed before coming back downstairs.

“I still don’t feel comfortable leaving her like this,” I groaned. I didn’t wanna leave in case something else happened. Mylan can be very unpredictable sometimes when it comes to her asthma attacks.

“Look, stay for an hour or two and we’ll check her temperature again and then you can see if you feel comfortable leaving. If you don’t, I have two guestrooms,” he said. I nodded and agreed to it. I guess I’ll feel safer doing that than leaving right away.

“So how have you been?” I rested my head against the couch. I always wondered what he was up to after all of these years. I just wasn’t curious enough to just ask him but now I’m here so why not?

“I’ve been alright, lot of stuff going on with my dance company but it’s getting there,” he shrugged. He works so hard for that company and he just loves to help kids who love dance.

“Yeah I heard about the expansion of it, I’m proud of you. You just keep building layers on your dreams,” I smiled. It just keeps getting bigger and I don’t know why he needs to because he already has a lot of money.

“Thanks Nic, what about you? You graduated from the school in Paris about two years ago,” he looked interested and that made me frown. “What happened?” He sounded concerned but I really didn’t want to answer. That question always made me frown. I didn’t wanna get in my emotions but he asked so I guess I’ll answer.

“I tore my ACL just like you and no matter how many surgeries I get, I can’t dance the same. I just gave up dance all together after that,” I sighed. It sucks that I can’t do what I love anymore. I just didn’t live up to the standards I had for myself so I quit.

“I’m sorry Nic,” he locked eyes with me. I hate that word; sorry. Sorry just makes me feel like there’s nothing left to help. I always have a little hope but I don’t see why; it’s not like it’ll actually get better any time soon.

“It’s fine, I’ve accepted it by now,” we started talking about other stuff before checking on My. Her temperature went down so I called Channing and he was on his way. He seemed eager to get here so I knew he would hurry.

“You really into that guy?” I could see his slight smug look. I turned to him crossing my arms and raised a brow.

“What’s wrong with him?” I was curious to know what he really thought of Channing. People’s opinions on him actually mean something to me. Except Blake, Nae, and Cassie; they were biased.

“He just doesn’t seem like your type,” he shrugged. My type; I wasn’t aware that I even had a type. I had a type for age but nothing else.

“And what is exactly my type?” I titled my head and he laughed. He wiggled his eyebrows and I finally cracked and broke into laughter. “A person is not a type,” I rolled my eyes playfully.

“I’m just saying,” he held his hands up. I heard a horn and knew that he was outside. I’m surprised he didn’t come knocking trying to get me to leave sooner.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you at the reunion,” I said and walked up to him. I pulled him into a hug and he wrapped his arms around me to bring me closer. He still wears the cologne I used to love and I still love the smell because it reminds me of him. I finally pulled back and shot him a small smile before leaving.

“What took you so long coming out?” Channing immediately asked me.

“I was saying goodbye to My,” I lied but I didn’t need to hear his mouth tonight.