Chapter 100 {Part 1/4}: Footprints in the Sand

Drake

“Can you hear me?” I heard someone ask me. The voice felt ten times louder in my head. I groaned and opened my eyes. A light was flashed on me and I held my hand up.

“Turn that shit off,” I groaned again. It hurts to completely open my eyes right now.

“He’s responding,” the woman called out. I was in the ambulance car but they never drove off so we were still at the street.

“Man is that my car?” I cringed at the sight of it. I could only see part of it but it looked horrible. That’s gonna take a while to fix. Another car looked totaled so I guess that’s the car that hit me.

“Aubrey!” I heard someone say. A figure rushed to me and wrapped me in a hug. “I thought you were gone,” I heard Nicki cry.

“Why would I be dead?” I pulled back and looked at her.

“You don’t know.” She looked at me a little shocked.

“How many are dead?” I heard someone ask.

“Two,” the officer responded.

“Who’s dead?” I looked around but no one was answering. “Are the kids okay?” I panicked and looked around.

“Mylan is fine. She just has a couple of scratches. Levi got trapped in his car seat,” she tried to pull herself together.

“What happened to Levi?” I felt my heartbeat racing.

“He got stuck but Mere helped get him out.”

“Thank God.” I was relieved that everyone was okay. I couldn’t imagine losing the three of them.

“I wasn’t done.” She bit her lip slightly.

“What else happened?”

“The other driver died immediately on impact. Then someone else died,” she sighed.

“Who?”

“It was either her or Levi. She helped him get out knowing that she was gonna die. They tried to save her but it was too late,” she cried and I felt frozen.

“Who are you talking about?” I asked slowly.

“Mere died.”

“You need to stop lying to me Onika. Why the fuck would you be playing at a time like this!?” I snapped.

“Aubrey,” she said softly.

“Where is she?” Nicki stayed quiet and that made my anger grow. “Where the fuck is she!?” I glared at her. She pointed to my car and she was laying on the ground with a couple of towels underneath her head. Blood was all over her. She didn’t even look the same. I walked over and stared at her for a minute. I bent down to her level and looked a little harder. “Man quit playing and wake up.” I nudge Mere.

“Aubrey,” I heard Nicki but I ignored her.

“She’s just fooling everyone like she used to do when she was a kid,” I laughed and nudged her again. Nicki stood crying as she watched me. “Wake up Mere,” I shook her. “Wake up Chimere,” I shook her harder. “Don’t do this, it ain’t funny.” I kept shaking her she wouldn’t move. “WAKE UP CHIMERE! WAKE THE FUCK UP! YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” I shouted. “YOU CAN’T LEAVE ME! WAKE UP! WAKE UP MERE!” I kept shaking her until I finally broke down and I felt Nicki wrap her arms around me. “She can’t be dead. She can’t leave me like this,” I shook my head.

“I’m sorry Aubrey.” This just triggered memories from when my mom died and Mere was the one comforting me.

My head started spinning and I stood in the same spot but I saw a younger version of me bending over a body.


            “Wake up Mom! Wake up!” I cried and shook her. “You can’t leave me! You can’t leave me all alone! Mom wake up! You can’t do this!” I screamed.

“It’s gonna be okay Aubrey.” Mere pulled me into her arms.

“She can’t leave me,” I cried.

“Shh, she’ll always be in our hearts. She’s always gonna watch over us and we’ll make her proud. Everything is gonna be fine Aubrey, I promise you.”

“I shouldn’t have gotten in the car. Maybe if she would’ve stayed home then she would be alive. I basically killed my own mother.” I was angry at myself.

“This isn’t your fault so don’t you dare blame yourself!” She told me as she rubbed my back.

“Don’t leave me,” was all I choked out.

“I’m never gonna leave you Aubrey. I’ll always be with you,” she promised me.

 



Mylan

I sat in the chair next to Levi’s hospital bed as he finally woke up from his sleep. He’s been sleeping for a while but I’m so thankful that he’s alive. Hearing that Auntie Mere died broke my heart and I didn’t even want to imagine how Levi is gonna feel. “My?” He turned and looked at me.

“Hey Levi,” I smiled slightly.

“Where are we?” He looked around the room curiously.

“We’re at the hospital.”

“Where are Daddy and Auntie Mere?” He questioned.

“Dad is still with the ambulance,” I started off.

“With Auntie Mere?”                   

“No Auntie Mere isn’t with him.” I tried to contain my tears for his sake.

“Where is she then?” He scrunched up his eyebrows.

“You remember how we talked about Heaven?” He nodded and I continued. “Auntie Mere went up to Heaven.” He scrunched up his face and shook his head.

“She’s right there.” He pointed towards the door.

“Levi no one is at the door,” I told him.

“Auntie Mere is. She’s right there.” He looked at me like I was crazy.

“Levi.” I started getting concerned for him.

“You can’t see her,” he mumbled.

“No I can’t.”

“She’s with her daddy. She’s happy,” he smiled small.

“Her dad?” I was getting confused.

“He has my name; Jaden. He’s her hero like she’s mine. She up there with Grandma too and your first mommy,” he nodded.

“My first mom?” I blinked a couple of times to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. How in the world would he know that?

“She’s proud of you and she loves you. Grandma Sandi and Grandma Carol are best friends,” he smiled wide. Part of me believed him and part of me thought he was going crazy.

“Let me get a doctor in here,” I said.

 

Blake

I finally decided to get up. I can’t believe Mere and I got back together. I’m not gonna screw up this time. She doesn’t deserve that so I’m giving this my all. I got up and went to the bathroom. When I walked downstairs, I heard someone crying. I went to the living room and saw Nae, Nessa, Nadia, Ryan, and Paris all in tears. “What’s wrong?” I looked at them.

“Excuse me.” Nae moved past me and rushed upstairs with tears falling down her face.

“What’s up with her? Why are all of you crying?” I was confused but no one was saying anything. They all looked towards Paris and she sighed.

“Come here.” She grabbed my hand and led me to the kitchen. I turned and looked at her as she tried to contain her tears. “I’m sorry,” she cried.

“Sorry for what? What happened?” I was getting worried.

“There was a car crash,” she said slowly.

“Is everyone okay? Who was in the car?”

“Drake was driving and a drunk driver crashed into them. Levi, Mylan, and Mere were in the car,” she looked down. I felt my heart beat faster at the thoughts that were running through my head.

“Please don’t say it,” I whispered as I felt tears fly down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry Blakelynn but Mere died.” Paris moved and wrapped her arms around me as I broke down. Memories of us just flashed through my head. I remembered when we started dating the second time and it was hard to focus on anything but her.

~~~~

“Watch me and then repeat,” Mere told us. We watched her do the dance but I was a little distracted for obvious reasons. I can’t really turn my attraction for her off during practice. “Alright your turn.” She turned and watched as we did the dance. She eyed me and I saw her roll her eyes. She knew exactly what I was doing.

“Practice on your own,” she called out. “And if you need help then raise your hand.” She walked over and helped some of the girls. She got to me and my hand was raised. “Do you really need help?” She raised a brow.

“Yes I do. I can’t do the hip movements.” She stared at me for a moment before nodding.

“Alright show me.” I did it and her eyes were trained on my hips. She looked up at me when I was done and nodded again. She walked behind me and slowly let her hands grip my hips. This brought back so many memories.

“I love the feeling of your hands on me,” I mumbled.

“You are so distracting during practice,” she said lowly.

“And you think you aren’t? Why do you think I can’t do the hip movements? I was too focused on your ass,” I admitted.

“Focus Blakelynn. You need to finish the circle out.” She moved my hips in the directions that they were supposed to go. “And then you pop,” she whispered as she backed away. She made her way in front of me again and told me to show her. I did it and she smiled. “You got it.” It felt like practice went on way too long but it finally ended. Mere eyed me before walking into her office. I waited for a minute and then I followed her. I locked the door and tossed my gym bag to the floor.

“What am I gonna do with you?” She chuckled as I walked over and plopped down in her lap.

“You’re gonna love me,” I smirked.

“For an eternity,” she finished for me. I smiled and laid my head against her.

“I love you.”                                                                              

“I love you too baby.”

Shad

“Shad,” Cassie looked over at me in tears. I stared at the TV in shock. This can’t be true. They just reported a car crash and they said that Mere died.

“This ain’t happening right now,” I shook my head in anger. She moved and sat next to me. “She was just on the phone with me yesterday,” I felt numb. Mere was family to me and now she’s gone.

“It’s okay to cry Shad,” Cassie rubbed my arm. I ain’t even realize I was crying until I felt Cassie pull me to her. I remember back when I first met Mere. Drake told me about her.

~~~

“You coming to the court today?” I looked at Drake as we stood outside of his house. He was a year older than I was but we were best friends.

“Nah I can’t today. I have two girls living with me now. I have to help them get settled in,” he shrugged.

“How old?”

“Nessa is seven and Mere is eight,” he answered.

“Are they interested in a nine year old?” I smirked.

“Nah back off them. They’re like sisters to me. They just moved in with me cause their dad died and their mom went off to Paris,” he quickly got defensive.

“I was just joking. Where are they?” I looked around.

“Come on.” He led me into his house and we went into the living room. “Nessa,” he called out to the girl in front of the TV. She hopped up and smiled at him.

“Yes Aubrey?”

“This is my best friend Shad. Shad this is practically my little sister Vanessa,” he introduced us.

“Hi I’m Nessa! How old are you? You look old,” she squinted her eyes.

“I’m nine,” I chuckled.

“You are old.” Her eyes went wide before she broke out into another smile. “We’re gonna be best friends!” I heard the bathroom door open and a girl walked out. She was looking down until Drake walked up to her.

“You okay?” I heard him whispered.

“Yeah,” she nodded while sniffling. She looked at me and her eyes were red. She was probably crying about her dad. “Who’s he?” She asked lowly.

“Mere this is my best friend Shad. Shad this is my other sister Chimere,” he introduced us.

“Hey,” I nodded at her.

“Hi.” She had such a soft voice.

“She’s a little shy but she’ll warm up to you,” Drake promised.

“Alright,” I nodded slowly and eyed her. I had a feeling that I would be seeing a lot more of her.

Nae

I went out to the balcony and remembered how many times I found Mere here. It’s hard to believe that she’s really gone. “She loved this balcony.” I turned and saw Nessa standing there.

“She did,” I nodded.

“I remember when she told me that you were coming to live with me. I laughed because I thought it was a joke. She couldn’t stand you and you couldn’t stand her. It’s funny how things worked out. Y’all went from hating each other to being inseparable,” she chuckled.

“We just connected and it’s impossible to explain. I didn’t ever think that we would be as close as we were. Now I wish we would’ve put the bullshit aside years ago,” I sighed. I remembered when she came to Texas crying over how Blake used her. That was when I knew that we were gonna be close.

~~~

I walked down the hall and heard crying. I scrunched up my face but heard Vanessa talking. “It was a mistake,” she tried to convince her.

“I’m so stupid,” I heard Mere cry. 

“Stop drinking. I’ve never seen you drink this much. You’re scaring me Mere,” Vanessa pleaded.

“It doesn’t matter,” she muttered.

“Okay so you slept with Blake. She was being manipulative,” she spoke. I felt my blood boil when I heard that sentence. So she thinks just because I live here now she can go back to New York and fuck my girl? I walked in the room and Nessa looked at me in shock. Mere was too focused on her bottle.

“Get out,” I looked at Nessa.

“Don’t go too hard on her,” she tried to plead but I just pointed to the door. She left and I closed the door.

“You slept with my girlfriend?” I crossed my arms as I stared at her. She took another sip out of her bottle before answering.

“I get it if you hate me now because I hate myself,” she mumbled.

“Why would you do that!? Is that why you wanted me all the way in Texas!? Just so you could get back with her?” I snapped.

“I can’t tell her no. I’ve never been able to and I’ll never be able to. She used me and I fell for it. She used me.” She started to cry and I stood in shock. Seeing her cry was definitely a first.

“She used you?” I scrunched up my brows. That didn’t sound like Blake at all.

“She couldn’t have you so she went with the backup plan. She used me and I hate it. I hate that she makes me feel like this. Why couldn’t I be fucking stronger!?” She blamed herself. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Blake manipulated Mere and used her just because she couldn’t have me? Why in the world would she do that? “I’m sorry,” she said to me.

“I’m not even blaming you at this point. She manipulated and used you. That’s cruel on all kinds of levels,” I shook my head.

“I’m so fucking stupid,” she cried. I felt extremely awkward but I didn’t want her feeling like this.

“You’re not stupid Mere. You’re just in love with her. It’s hard to deny someone you still love,” I sighed.

“That’s no fucking excuse. I’m just so disgusted with myself. I shouldn’t have slept with her. I shouldn’t have been drunk that night. I shouldn’t have even been around her. I should’ve ended our friendship a long time ago. I should’ve moved to Spain when I had the chance.” She was sobbing by this point. I sucked up any kind of awkwardness and climbed on her bed.

“Stop blaming yourself.” I moved towards her.

“It’s my fault.”

“No it’s not. It’s Blake’s fault for being so cruel. She had absolutely no right to do that to you and I can’t believe that she would do that,” I tried to convince her.

“Why aren’t you blaming me!? I’m in the wrong here not her,” she denied.

“I’m not blaming you because it’s not your fault. Stop drinking so much and stop crying. This is not your fault Chimere and I’m not letting you sit here thinking that it is.” I grabbed the drink out of her hand and placed it on the floor.

“Why do you even care?” She looked at me a little shocked.

“I care because I’m trying this whole starting over thing. I don’t want Blake ruining that. Don’t blame yourself.” I locked my eyes with her.

“It’s hard.” She tried to stop crying.

“I know,” I nodded. It took a while to convince myself but I finally moved forward and wrapped my arms around her. “It’s gonna be okay,” I assured her. A few seconds later she wrapped her arms around me and I knew that this was the beginning of a new friendship.

~~~

I snapped out of the memory when Nessa started talking. “She would always tell me to prove my mom wrong. Don’t take this the wrong way because we love our mom but she saw disappointment in us all the time. She thought if we didn’t do it her way then we would fail. When I got pregnant, my mom flipped out. I was young but I wouldn’t take Nadia back for the world. Mere was there for me through it all. She has always been there for everyone,” she let out a sad smile.

“Yeah and then she realized that people are willing to be there for her too. Maybe I should visit my dad tomorrow. I know he probably heard the news by now.” I looked down a bit.

“I can go with you if you want. I’d love to see Mr. Bonilla.” She grabbed my hand. It just made me think of Mere. I see so much of Mere in Nessa.

“Thanks,” I smiled.

Nicki

I looked at Aubrey as he stood staring at the wall. I knew that he needed time alone but he worried me. Levi hasn’t said a word since we’ve picked him up but he kept staring into the distance. Mylan told us that he said some crazy things in the hospital and I could only imagine what was running through his head. I was devastated so I can only imagine how they felt. “You shouldn’t keep this in,” I told Aubrey.

“I don’t want to fucking talk about it,” he snapped. I sighed and sat down on the bed. He’s been snapping at me since we got home.

“I know how it feels to lose someone close to you. I know how much it hurts Aubrey. You shouldn’t keep that in,” I tried once again.

“You don’t understand shit Onika! You don’t know how much she meant to me! She was the only female who’s always been there for me! She was the one fucking female I could completely trust! She ain’t ever fucked me over! You don’t understand anything I’m going through!” He yelled.

“Aubrey.” I looked at him and tried to fight my tears. “I was just trying to help,” I said softly.

“Well don’t.” He moved and walked out the room. I heard the front door slam and tried to control my emotions.

“Mom?” I looked up and saw Mylan standing in front of me.  She moved and sat next to me. I pulled her into my arms and held her close. Things were quickly falling apart.

Drake

“She keeps asking me if I’m alright and shit. How the fuck am I supposed to be?” I huffed and sat down on the bed.

 

“I don’t know. I’m still in shock of it all. I cried a bit and then I remembrance moments with her. She was an amazing person,” Jaymie sighed.

 

“She was. I don’t know what I’m gonna do without her,” I shook my head.

 

“It’s okay to cry Aubrey.” She looked at me.

 

“I ain’t trying to cry right now. I just wanna take my mind off this,” I stood.

 

“Aubrey,” she warned me.

 

“Nah maybe I should just,” I started but she cut me off.

 

“You do not need to be behind the wheel right now. Stop trying to distract yourself from this. I know it hurts and you need to let it out.” She stood and I saw tears fly down her face. “It sucks,” she cried softly.

 

“It feels like a bullet shot through me. I wish it would’ve been me.” I slowly felt my tears fall.

 

“Don’t say that.”

 

“No I wish I could’ve died for her. I should’ve been paying more attention. This shit is all my fault. This is just like when my mom died. I just kill off everyone close to me.” I could feel my tears pour.

 

“Shut up Aubrey. This shit isn’t your fault. It was her time to go. That damn drunk driver killed her, not you. She saved your son and that should mean something to you. Mere wouldn’t let you sit here and blame yourself so I’m not going to either. It’s not your fault,” she cut her eyes at me. I just stood there and she moved and hugged me.

 

“It’s gonna be alright,” she whispered. I wrapped my arms around her and thought about what she said. I looked down at her and she scrunched up her brows. “What?” I just had so many thoughts running through my mind. She moved her hands and wiped my tears. “Stop over thinking things and just voice what’s going on.” I moved in and kissed her. She pulled back and looked at me in shock. “Okay maybe you should stick with over thinking things. What are you doing?” She questioned as I pulled her closer.

 

“Not thinking,” I said before kissing her again. She tried to fight me but she fell into the kiss. I walked her backwards and laid her on the bed before climbing on top of her.

 

“Aubrey this isn’t,” she started but I cut her off with my lips.

 

“I’on care what’s right and what’s wrong. I just want this,” I mumbled. She looked at me and I could tell she was having a mental conversation with herself. I moved my hands and slowly slid her shirt up, giving her plenty of time to stop me. She let me peel it off her body. We stared at each other and I waited to see if she was gonna stop me.

 

“Kiss me again.” I did as told and attached my lips to hers. I needed a distraction and she was a perfect one.

 

Okay so Chapter 100 {Part 2/4} is tomorrow. Part 3 is Thursday. The final chapter is Friday and the epilogue is Saturday.