Chapter 78: All Time Low

Nicki

“Bright and early,” I heard Ciara say as soon as I walked through the door.

“This one decided to actually get up on time,” I pointed to Levi.

“Where’s Auntie Mere?” He looked around the studio.

“Oh just forget about me huh?” Ciara dramatically threw her hands in the air. He giggled and went to hug her.

“Where is Mere?” Paris questioned.

“Sorry I’m late.” We turned and saw Mere walking in.

“Auntie Mere!” Levi completely jumped out of Paris’ arms and into hers.

“Hey Levi,” she hugged him. I looked at her and noticed that her hair was way lighter than before.

“Nice hair,” Paris commented.

“It’s pretty,” Levi played with it.

“Thank you,” she chuckled at Levi.

“Did you go to a professional? I know how you are with your hair,” I questioned as we started setting up.

“No um a friend did it,” she shrugged. I glanced over at Paris and she had the same look on her face.

“Where does Nessa live again?” Ciara finished setting up the sound system.

“She lives in Texas. She’s thinking about moving back but she’s still contemplating it.”

“I’m sure My would love to see Ryan,” Ciara teased. Everyone always noticed how they acted around each other. I thought it was cute while Aubrey on the other hand hated it. Ryan moved to Texas with Nessa and Aubrey has been busy for the last year.

“They still talk practically every day. Ryan never puts down that phone,” she let out a slight smile. My phone rung and I scrunched up my eyebrows.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Is this Mrs. Maraj-Graham?” I heard and I quickly started listening closely.

“Yes.” Who would be calling me and asking by my last name?

“Hello, this is Mylan Maraj-Graham’s teacher for Creative Writing,” she introduced herself. When she said My’s name I closed my eyes and let out a sigh.

“What did she do?” I thought she would stay out of trouble but of course she had to do something.

“She wrote an essay and I think we should discuss that in person with Mylan in the room. Can you come to the school by 12?” She offered.

“I’ll definitely be there,” I hung up and grabbed my stuff. I’m gonna kill her.

Mylan

“Why did you have to call her?” I groaned as we waited in the office for Mom to come. I don’t get why she had to call her because it’s not like I did anything wrong.

“Mylan that essay makes me feel very concerned for you and your mother should know,” she looked at me. This is creative writing for a reason. Can’t I express myself without this biting me in the ass?

“Hello,” I heard Mom’s voice from behind me and already knew that I was in trouble.

“Hello Mrs. Maraj-Graham, we were just discussing this essay. I think you should take a look at it. Feel free to read it out loud for Mylan’s benefit,” she handed her the essay. I put my head in my hands as Mom started to read it.

“My father isn't really my father. I asked him to be my father when I was seven, big mistake at the time. In actuality my biological father is Robert Maraj but Drake Graham is the father figure in my life, or at least he was. He has turned into a disconnected asshole this past year,” Mom stopped reading and eyed me.

“Oh please keep going. You haven’t even gotten to the best part.” My teacher needs to shut up right about now. It only gets worse from there.

“He stopped giving a fuck about his family when he got that stupid expansion deal. I could die tomorrow and he wouldn’t notice. Death is such an extreme word but in this case it’s acceptable. It would take something that extreme for him to open his eyes and see something right in front of him. Death opens everyone’s eyes, especially suicide. No one really notices until you’re dead.

              That’s my question. Would he care if I died? Would anyone? He’s an ass and I’m done with him. My mom should dump him and find someone way better. I got a few candidates if she’s serious about it. There is no point in finishing this essay so take it or leave it.” Mom bent the essay and put it in her purse. I kept my eyes trained on the ground knowing better than to look at her.

“I’m sorry but I need to take Mylan home early. Mylan get your ass up and let’s go,” she said before walking out. I sighed before following her out. She stopped before I could get in the car. “What’s going on with you My? You never act out like this.” I stared at her and contemplated if I should tell her or not.

“I’m fine,” were the only words I said. She eyed me for a moment before unlocking the car doors and hopping in.

“I hope you know your father will be reading that letter.” Now my life just got worse. The last thing I needed was for him to turn everything back on me like he’s some perfect angel.

 

Blake

I was just wondering around the gym when I heard Don't Tell Em by Jeremiah. I walked in the room and was shocked to see Mere dancing. I leaned against the wall and observed her. It's been a while since I've seen her dance. She looked so carefree and happy. She finally stopped dancing when the song cut off.

"Tighten up on some moves and you could be perfect," I joked reminding her of the time she watched me dance. She turned around shocked before laughing.

"Very funny," she playfully rolled her eyes. I pushed off the wall and walked towards her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm working on choreography for this client. What about you?" She looked at me.

"Ciara got college cheer practice here and she didn’t have a ride. I was a little early so I wondered around," I shrugged. She eyed me for a second before a smirk appeared on her face.

"Dance with me," she finally spoke.

"Oh no I don't dance. I haven't danced since high school," I shook my head.

"And?" She said as if it was nothing.

"I don't even know the choreography," I tried to use as an excuse.

"I'll teach you the one I'm doing. Come on Blake it's not that hard," she promised.

"Fine," I gave in as she put the music back on.

"Alright so you move to the right and pop on count three and on four you rotate," she showed me. She ended up teaching me the whole dance and I'll admit that I had fun. "That wasn't so bad right?" She teased.

"I guess not," I smiled small. “Did you dye your hair?” I eyed a much lighter version of her hair. She usually didn't dye her hair but when she did she went to a professional.

“Um yeah a friend did it,” she nodded. Since when did she let a friend dye her hair? I was about to ask another question but I guess she noticed because she switched the topic. "So where's it?" She questioned.

“You can’t even say her name? It’s Sage,” I told her and she gave me a warning look. "She has a photo shoot in Miami," I shrugged.

"Miami is such a beautiful place. I remember back when we were in Miami," she chuckled.

"We sure made some memories there," I pointed out. We spent six long years in Miami together and it was very peaceful back then.

“Yeah," she made a weird face. She’s been making that face for a while now and I have yet to figure out why she does. Her phone rung and she eyed the name before quickly grabbing it. “I gotta go but I'll see you later," she smiled and it seemed like she rushed out of here to answer it. What's wrong with her?

Drake

I got home early again because I finished up early. I’m trying to make an effort here but I can’t make any promises and they have to understand that. I walked in and saw Mylan on the couch with Nicki sitting in front of her. They both looked at me when I walked in. “You should come here,” Nicki said softly while patting the seat next to her. I sat down as Mylan avoided all eye contact.

“What’s going on?” I scrunched my face up. Nicki handed me a piece of paper and I read it. I tried to control my anger but it was hard. “In what way did you think it was right to disrespect me like that?” I glared at her.

“Of course you would turn this on you,” she shook her head. She tried to turn this around and act like I’m the bad guy.

“You crossed a line and you know what you did was wrong. There will be consequences,” I spoke sternly.

“You don’t get it and you never will,” she jumped up and ran to her room. She really needs to grow out of these teenage tantrums. She’s way to old to be pulling shit like this.

“This is why you should be home more often,” Nicki sighed. I had no idea what was going on with Mylan but she needed to get her act together. She had no right to disrespect me like that. “I’m worried about her,” she said.

“I think you’re just over exaggerating. She’s just going through the teenager phase,” I brushed it off.

“I hope you’re right,” she looked at me.

“So are we back on good terms?” I asked Nicki.

“That depends on if you can keep this coming home thing up,” she eyed me.

“I’ll try but you know how big this project is. I promised that as soon as this is over I’ll stop working on big projects,” I promised her.

“You better,” she smiled small before I kissed her. I felt a vibration in my pocket and pulled out my phone quickly.

“Hello?” I answered when I saw that it was one of my employees.

“Boss someone screwed up and we’re behind a week thanks to Johnson,” I heard.

“I told you guys not to put the new guy in charge. He was just supposed to be doing the easy things. Now I have to go all the way back out to work just to fix shit y’all fucked up. Make sure no one leaves. We’re pulling an all-nighter,” I hung up and went to put on my shoes. “I gotta go,” I told Nicki.

“I get it,” she rolled her eyes and I did not have time to put up with her attitude.

“I’m trying Nic but I can’t let everything I worked for go down the drain,” I shook my head.

“You just might have something else go down the drain instead,” she mumbled.

“I’ll see you later,” I rushed downstairs.

“Daddy can we play ball? You promise to teach me,” Levi smiled widely.

“I can’t buddy. I gotta go to work.” I saw his smile drop.

“Okay,” he had a pout on his face as he walked away. Now everyone is in a bad mood. I ignored everything and went into my car to go back to work. Someone is getting fired tonight.

 



Shad

“Where’s your mom?” I asked Alexis and Brayden as we waited for Cassie. Drake just called an all-nighter but I can’t leave until Cassie gets here.

“She had a meeting,” Alexis shrugged.

“She was mad,” Brayden spoke up.

“Mad about what?” I looked at them weird.

“Because of,” Alexis got cut off by the sound of the doorbell. I rushed to it and opened the door.

“I know I’m late and I’m sorry,” she quickly apologized. I paused for a second and observed her. She looked completely exhausted.

“Are you alright Cass?” I eyed her.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She ran her fingers through her hair.

“Because you’ve been looking more exhausted each day,” I pointed out.

“I’m just dealing with a lot Shad,” she sighed.

“If you want then I can keep the kids for the next two days so you can get a break,” I offered. She looked at me a little shocked.

“That would be amazing,” she let out a slight smile.

“Alright,” I returned the smile.                                       

“Come on kids,” she called out.

“Hold on!” I heard Alexis say. Brayden ran into Cassie’s arms but of course Alexis was taking her sweet time. She finally came out and they headed to the car. I helped with their bags and got the kids in the car. I stopped Cassie from going in the car.

“Don’t over work yourself Cass,” I gave her a concerned look.

“I’ll be fine Shad but thanks for your concern,” she shot me a small smile before getting in the car. I looked down at my phone on my way inside and saw the time. Now I gotta hear Drake’s mouth all night long.

Mylan

“My can we play?” Levi looked up at me with tears in his eyes.

“I thought you were supposed to be playing with Dad?” I cringed as I called him that word. It was a word that was earned. He’s my father at this moment and I might just downgrade that.

“He left,” he pouted.

“Just give me a few minutes and we can do whatever you want,” I promised him.

“Thank you!” He smiled widely and ran into his room.

I stepped into my bathroom and locked the door. After a few minutes blood rushed down on my bathroom floor and I sat in the middle of it feeling numb. I couldn’t feel anything as I stared at the mirror. I hated who I saw staring back at me. I looked down at the pills and wondered how many I took. It was a random number and maybe I should take more. This will take the pain away. I cleaned up and made sure my scars were covered up. I went over to Levi’s room and he popped up and hugged me. “What’s wrong?” I questioned when he didn’t let go for a minute.

“You have boo-boo again,” he mumbled and pointed to the inside of my thigh. I covered it pretty well so I don’t know how he knew that but he was a very observant person.

“I’m fine Levi,” I assured him. He looked up at me with a disapproving look on his face.

“No lying to Levi,” he crossed his little arms. I moved and sat on his bed. He hopped up and sat next to me. “It’s okay My,” he wrapped his arms around me.

“Thank you Levi. At least you can still see me,” I sighed.

“I love you.”                                                                                          

“I love you too,” I pulled him close thankful to have him in my life.