Chapter 56: Love Will Remember

Mylan

“So when are y’all leaving?” Dad asked me as we ate lunch. He always takes me out to eat because he never has time to cook. I didn’t mind because I loved eating out, it’s relaxing to me and nice to get out of the house.

“Mom wants to stay here for two more weeks to catch up. Her and Auntie Cassie are staying with Auntie Nae,” I spoke once I swallowed my food. I was happy that we were staying longer because I’ve missed New York a lot.

“What would you think if I told you that I wanted your Mom back?” He rubbed his chin while eyeing me. I was waiting for that question. It’s about time that he started thinking of ways to win Mom back.

“I would say do it before she gets married. I would love to have you two back together then I wouldn’t have to keep flying back and forth. Plus I don't like Channing anyway,” I shrugged.

 “How are Robert and your brother?” He grabbed his drink and took a long sip.

“They’re fine; they relocated to Virginia and they come to visit us twice a month,” I answered.

“That’s good,” he nodded before asking me about school.

Nicki

Blake, Cassie, Nae, and I were spread out across the floor. Blake agreed to sleepover at Nae’s house for the night so we could all officially catch up. “Alright, I’m gone,” Derrick walked over to Nae and pecked her lips. I noticed Blake shift uncomfortably but she tried not to show it. I gave her a knowing look and she flipped me off. Nae turned back to us to see Blake flipping me off and she shot me a confused look but I just shook my head.

“We could play never have I ever to catch up but here’s the twist, the person who did the most stuff has to do anything the person who did the less stuff wants,” I suggested.

“Nicki,” Blake warned me but I waved her off.

“Oh don’t be a baby Blakelynn,” she rolled her eyes before agreeing. We all got the shots ready and sat in a circle.

“Never have I ever had sex with a guy,” Blake smirked at all of us. That was a low blow because we all have except for her virgin ass.

“That was a cheap shot,” Cassie muttered as she threw one back.

“Never have I ever had sex with a girl,” I grinned when she threw one back. I was shocked when Nae threw one back and she just shrugged before saying, “There’s some weird shit that goes on in Cali.”

“Never have I ever skinny dipped,” I didn’t think anyone would take a shot but Blake and Nae both did. I looked at them weirdly and raised an eyebrow.

“When did y’all skinny dip?” Cassie looked in between them.

“Back in Cali because of a dare,” Blake shrugged it off.

“Never have I ever thought about someone else while having any kind sexual intercourse,” Blake smiled at me. I glared at her before reaching for a shot. Cassie bit her lip before grabbing one. Nae grabbed one and I eyed her.

“You thought about someone else?” Cassie looked at me confused. I only told Blake because she happened to be visiting me the next day.

“Channing gave me head and I almost called out Aubrey’s name,” I sighed. I was very ashamed of that but I thank God that I didn’t. Channing would’ve been pissed if he heard me.

“What about you?” Blake asked Cassie.

“It was back when I was trying to get over Shad. I had sex with Kyle and called out Shad’s name. He was mad but he also understood that I was still vulnerable,” she shrugged.

“And you?” I turned to Nae.

“I’ll pass,” she said simply and I decided to leave it at that. I scrunched my face up trying to think of something but I came up blank.

“Never have I ever watched or made a sex tape,” I shot an innocent look at Blake. I was just getting started with her tonight. She’ll end up wanting to kill me if I win and she loses. Blake grabbed one and threw it back. Cassie and Nae grabbed one and I sat there in shock. “Okay so y’all are some nasty ass people,” I shook my head.

“Shut up! Shad showed me one so we could try a different position,” Cassie spoke. Try a different position? I don’t even wanna know what position it was.

“Oh Blakelynn,” I smiled at her.

“You already know the answer. It was with Mere when I wanted to know how to have sex with a girl,” she blushed at the memory. I was worried that Nae would get uncomfortable but she was looking over at her phone for something.

“Nae?” I questioned and she looked over at me.

“I told you that some weird shit goes on in Cali. I was dating this guy and we tried everything from threesomes to sex tapes,” she acted like she was saying one plus one equals two.

“You made a sex tape!?” I bucked my eyes out.

“He deleted it!” She raised her hands up in defense. I just shook my head at my best friend. She surely is something else. “Never have I ever had a wet dream about someone in the last twenty four hours,” Nae grinned at me and I wanted to strangle her right about now. I took a shot and everyone looked at me.

“Don’t even ask when you all know the answer,” I cringed. I couldn’t believe the thoughts that were going through my mind since being back here.

“Fantasying about your ex boo? That sounds scandalous,” Cassie joked.

“And you sound like an idiot. It’s not like I can control my dreams and sometimes I don’t want to. I mean what’s so wrong about fantasying about something that will never happen?” I didn’t see the big deal.

“There’s nothing wrong about that but what you dreamt of happening has a possibility of happening,” Blake pointed out. I was not about to hook up with Aubrey and I am sure about that.

“Never gonna happen,” I cut my eyes at her before we continued. I was very surprised at what they’ve done and they are absolutely disgusting.

“Looks like I’ve done the least,” I smirked at Blake and she narrowed her eyes at me. She already knew that this was heading nowhere good. I’m glad that my cousin knows me so well to know that this won’t be easy.

“What do you want?” She asked cautiously because she knew I would make this horrible for her. I thought about it for a second and smirked. I knew she would never do this but I wanted to see her reaction.

“Well I feel like pissing you off even more so I have a timer that I’ll set for twenty seconds. There are two girls here who aren’t related to you so take your pick,” I leaned on my elbows and saw her glaring at me. I motioned to Cassie and Nae.

“Take my pick and do what exactly?”

“Kiss of course,” I smiled innocently.

“Blake, I look at you as a sister and in my head, that’s incest,” Cassie quickly blurted out. She smirked at me and I smirked back, we knew what we were doing.

“No,” she told me.                      

“It’s okay, I never expected you to do it. You’ve always been afraid to do things like this; same old Blakelynn,” I knew that would hit a nerve and I was right. She wants to prove that she changed so much, well here’s her opportunity.

Blake

 

“Lay back,” I demanded Nae. She looked at me confused but laid back on the carpet. God, I’m gonna kill Nicki for this but I have to prove a point. I’m not the same Blake that I was when I was younger. She knew that was pushing a button that pissed me all the way off. It doesn’t matter anyway because Mere and I have an understanding. I moved and straddled her while Cassie and Nicki went over to look at me. I looked down at her and she just stayed quiet. I guess she wasn’t expecting me to do it either and that just pissed me off more.

“She’s not gonna do it,” Cassie whispered. Any doubts I had went away when I heard them saying that. I need to prove them wrong and it’s because of my stupid pride.

“Start the time,” I told Nicki. She shook her head and pointed to Nae.

“I’ll start it when you start kissing,” she grinned at me. Like I said before, I was gonna kill her ass. I leaned down and we were about an inch apart.

“You don’t have to do this,” she whispered. Here goes the whole Blakelynn isn’t gonna do this, well fuck what everyone thinks. I’m a different person and I’ll be damned if anyone told me otherwise.

“Shut up,” I hissed before I pinned her hands to the carpet and placed my lips on hers. I heard the others gasped as I kissed her. I won’t lie and say it didn’t feel nice to kiss her again because it did. I bit her bottom lip and deepened the kiss as we battle for dominance with our tongues. We continued until I heard the timer and then I hopped off of her.

“Wow,” was all Nicki said as Nae still laid on the carpet trying to catch her breath.

“Still the same old Blakelynn?” I raised an eyebrow at Nicki and she quickly shook her head. “Perfect, what do you wanna do now?” I looked around but I guess they were all still in shock.

 

Nicki

I quickly snapped out of my shock and nudge Cassie and Nae to snap them out too. None of us thought Blake would actually do it but I guess she really wanted to prove us wrong. “Let’s just talk,” I offered and everyone quickly agreed; I needed to ease the tension somehow.

“How does Channing feel about you being around Drake?” Cassie looked at me curiously. I bit my lip and thought for a second before choosing my words wisely.

“He doesn’t like it that much but he knows me well enough to know that nothing is gonna happen between us,” I spoke and Nae shot me a look. I shot her one back to shut her up before she even starts.

“Jessi should meet Channing,” Blake joked and they all laughed while I sat there. I would not want her meeting him because shit would go down.

“Channing is a good guy, he just has a jealously issue with Aubrey and that’s understandable. He met me when I was still stuck on Aubrey and he helped me get over him. He doesn’t want Aubrey breaking me back down,” I stood by my point. Channing is really a good guy.

“I think you’ve gone delusional,” Nae mumbled but I heard her. She knew more than the others but I knew that she wouldn’t say anything.

“Alright who was everyone’s first crush?” I was desperate to change the topic so I picked something simple.

“Who was yours?” Cassie looked at me. My crush was embarrassing but I was a kid and I didn’t know any better so they can’t blame me.

“Jordon Taylor,” I shook my head when Cassie and Nae started laughing. It was extremely embarrassing and they’re just making it worse.

“Nic, he was ugly as shit with the acne, braces, glasses, and not to mention that he had a rude attitude,” Cassie pointed out.

“Stop judging me! Who was your first crush Cass, you know since you wanna pick apart mine,” I crossed my arms and looked at her.

“You already know who but I’ll say it. It was Shad when he moved next door to me when I was around twelve. I was that annoying neighbor that just stared at him. It took Nicki for me to actually talk to him,” she shook her head.

“You’ve had a crush on my brother for that long?” Blake’s eyebrows shot up in shock as Cassie nodded. I’m surprised it took her as long as it did to get with him.

“What about you Blake?” I smirked. She gave me a death glare and I giggled. I’m pretty sure we all know the answer but I love annoying her ass.

“You all know damn well that it was Nae,” she rolled her eyes. Nae chuckled as Cassie and I laughed. She was so annoyed with me by this point and it’s hilarious.

“Well I’m flattered,” Nae joked and that just made us crack up even more. Blake grabbed a pillow and threw it at her before cracking a smile.

“You’re the last one,” Cassie looked over at Nae. We all looked at her because I didn’t even know who she was gonna say. I don’t think Aaron was her first crush but I could be wrong. She let out another chuckle as she leaned back on her elbows.

“I know you’re probably thinking it was Aaron but it wasn’t. Aaron wasn’t even cute until I was like sixteen,” she scrunched her face up at the memory of how he looked.

“Wait, it’s not Aaron!? Well damn, who is it? Wait if it’s someone from Cali then it doesn’t count because we don’t know him,” Cassie shook her head.

“Oh you know her, she’s sitting right next to you,” she smirked when she saw Blake’s face. Blake looked at her in disbelief while Cassie and I were completely shocked by her words.

“That can’t be true,” Blake shook her head. Honestly we all were thinking that wasn’t true because she wasn’t even into girls back then right?

“You don’t believe me?” Nae tilted her head with a small smile.

“No I don’t,” she argued.

“That day at the mall when those two old guys were staring at you; you told me that it made you uncomfortable so I told you to kiss me and you did. They stopped staring but then when I looked back into your eyes I knew that right then and there that you had feelings for me. Blake, I didn’t just kiss you for the hell of it back then; I did it because I wanted to,” Nae confessed. I think by now we all were speechless from all of that.

“So you’ve known that long and you didn’t say anything?” Blake crossed her arms and I guess she was growing mad.

“I didn’t know what there was to say. I mean you never said anything so would I?” She raised an eyebrow and Blake immediately went quiet.

“Okay let’s change the subject,” I cut in because this was going down a road I knew would end nowhere but trouble.

“So how are you dealing with the injury?” Cassie asked me as we all went to spread out across the floor again.

“The same as always, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to dance the same again and honestly; I give up,” it was painful to admit that but it was true.

“You can’t just give up Nic, you were amazing. Can’t you see another doctor or something?” I heard Blake ask from beside me.

“I’m sick of disappointment and false hope; I’m done,” I dismissed the idea.

“Can you tell us why you’re celibate?” Cassie looked over at me.

“Wait you’re celibate!?” Blake snapped her head over.

“Yeah and it’s so that I won’t get screwed over again,” I mumbled.

“And also because you can’t have sex with anyone but Aubrey,” Nae butted in.

“Yeah that,” I rolled my eyes but it was true.

“If you can’t have sex with anyone but him, why are you with Channing?” Blake scrunched up her eyebrows obviously confused. I don’t blame her because I’m just as confused.

“He was my first time so I’ll forever remember him sex wise. I didn’t want to have sex take over my relationship with Channing so I told him that I had a strong belief on no sex before marriage,” I shrugged. I thought of it off the top of my head when we first started dating.

“You make no sense, it’s like you’re just stringing Channing along,” Nae shook her head at me. I sighed before giving her a pleading look. She knew exactly what to say to make me feel worse about my relationship and I wasn’t in the mood. “Fine, I’ll drop it,” she surrendered.

“Thank you,” I smiled small before returning my attention on everyone else.

“Can I ask you something that’s kind of personal?” Nae turned to look at Cassie. She nodded while wondering what Nae could possibly ask. “Is Alexis Shad’s kid?” I closed my eyes because I already knew the answer but beside Kyle and I; no one knew.

“Yeah, I was gonna tell him back then but I was hurt. Kyle was there for me and then he married me. Shad was too young and irresponsible back then even though I know that’s not a right to hold his kid from him,” she sighed.

“Wait, so Alexis is my real niece?” Blake perked up. I almost forgot that she was related to Shad so I guess she’s right. Cassie nodded while a smile appeared on Blake’s face.

“Do you ever miss him Shad?”

“Sometimes, you know how it is with your first love; it’s hard to let go,” just when the tension went away; it came back.

“I know what you mean, I miss Aubrey sometimes. I actually really miss him but I’ve moved on with my life; I’m engaged. Aubrey isn’t the type to settle down and Channing is,” I shrugged.

“How do you know that?” Nae questioned.

“It’s just something that I know about him. He gives off the vibe and I’ve heard him talk about marriage before. He can lie all he wants but I know the truth,” I sighed.

“I can’t stand Channing,” Cassie mumbled while everyone agreed.

“Can I address the elephant in the room?” I looked between Nae and Blake.

“Can you not?” Blake groaned.

“I mean no one expected you to actually kiss her Blake,” I looked at her but she rolled her eyes again.

“I did it to prove a point; I’m not the same person that y’all remember. I’m grown and can do whatever the fuck I want; I’m not scared anymore,” she looked very determined to make us believe her.

“Are you sure that’s why you did it?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes Nicki. I’m going to the bathroom,” she hopped up and walked away quickly. Nae has been quiet through this which makes me wonder what she’s thinking about.

“How are you feeling?” I looked at her a little worried.

“I feel fine honestly. Just like you guys; I never expected her to do it,” she sat up to look at us.

“So since Blake is being stubborn, do you ever miss her?” Cassie was curious.

“Of course I do,” and we left it there.

 ~

 “Hello?” I was trying to wake up because it was 4 a.m. Why would someone be calling me at four fucking a.m.?

“Nic, she had another one,” Aubrey sounded worried. I opened my eyes and was instantly awake.

“What!?” I hopped out of my bed and grabbed Nae’s keys.

“I don’t know why she keeps having these but her fever is spiking again and she keeps complaining that the side of her stomach hurts,” he explained.

“I’ll be there in five minutes,” I hung up and started the car. God please let my daughter be alright. When I got there, he immediately opened the door. I rushed to the living room and saw Mylan curled up on the couch. “Come here baby,” I pulled her into my arms and she cried.

“I feel horrible,” she choked out.

“Check her temperature again,” I told Aubrey. He did and it showed 105.3. “Pick her up; we’re taking her to the hospital,” Aubrey picked her up and rushed out of the house. He put her in the backseat and quickly started the car. We arrived at the hospital in ten minutes and we rushed her out.

“What’s wrong with her?” A nurse asked us.

“She just had an asthma attack, her fever is 105.3, and the side of her stomach hurts,” I explained. She called some doctors and they put her on a stretcher.

“Mommy,” she called out to me. I held her hand and went as far as I could with her until they said I couldn’t.

“I’ll be right here baby,” I promised her before going back into the waiting room with Aubrey. I couldn’t help the tears that were flowing out of my eyes because this has been happening more and more. Aubrey pulled me into his arms and let me just cry.

          “It’s gonna be alright,” I heard his voice crack as I wrapped my arms around him.