Chapter 100 {Part 2/4}: Footprints in the Sand

Drake

I woke up and found Jaymie sleeping on my chest. I just laid there as the memories from last night hit me. “Jayms.” I shook her slightly. She whimpered and turned over.

“Don’t wake me Aubrey,” she mumbled.

“I gotta head home,” I told her.

“That doesn’t mean that you need to wake me,” she huffed before sitting up. “Can you pass me my jersey?” She pointed to behind me. I reached on the ground and handed it to her. She slid on the jersey and stood up.

“Really? You have a Giants jersey? Jaymie you’re Canadian,” I chuckled.

“That doesn’t mean that I can’t like football. It’s not even mine. My dad had an old one and I took it,” she shrugged while throwing me my shirt and pants.

“So are we gonna talk about this?” I motioned between us.

“You wanted to take your mind off of everything and so did I. What’s there to talk about?” She raised a brow.

“I guess you’re right. I’ll call you later,” I said as I pulled on my clothes.

“Alright,” she yawned and walked into the bathroom. I got myself together and walked out of the house and over to mine. It was dead silent and I was confused. I walked upstairs and went to my room but didn’t see Nicki. I checked Mylan’s room but she wasn’t there. I went to Levi’s room and saw him sleeping in Mylan’s arms. I don’t know how he talked her into sleeping in his little bed but it was cute. I went to my room and sat down. Too much shit happened but Mere was still heavily on my mind.

“Damn,” I mumbled. I know she would be yelling at me for sleeping with Jaymie. I wasn’t even thinking but now I knew what kind of shit I got myself into.

Blake

“I know you’ll never call me back but I just can’t stop leaving you voicemails. You meant the world to me and I can’t believe you’re gone. You can’t be gone. This has to be some kind of sick joke. Mere I love you too much for you to be dead. I just need you to hold me. I need you to run your fingers through my hair. I need you to pull my lip from in between my teeth. I just need you,” I cried.

“Mailbox Full,” I heard and broke down. Paris rushed in and pulled me to her.

“Blake you’re gonna make yourself sick,” she told me but I kept crying. “Blakelynn,” she tried again but I just clung onto her and continued to cry. She ran her fingers through my hair and I automatically tensed up. Memories of when Mere and I got back together when I was on the dance team in high school hit me.

~~~

“Come here.” She stood and opened her arms. I got up and hugged her. It felt nice to be in her arms again. “I love you too,” she whispered before kissing me. I kissed her back as she pulled me closer. We pulled apart and just stared at each other. “Are you sure about this cause once you're mine, I'm not gonna wanna let go,” she raised a brow.

“Good then that makes two of us,” I smiled and she returned it.

“Come here.” She took my hand and led me over to the couch.  She sat down and I stood not really knowing what to do. She chuckled before reaching for my hand and pulling me down in her lap. “You're too innocent for your own good,” she smiled as I laid my head on her shoulder. “When did you realize that you were in love with me?” She asked me.

“I knew that I had strong feelings for you after that kiss. I realized that it was love when you quit the team. I didn't look forward to practices and when something happened, I would grab my phone to call you but remembered that I couldn't. When you came to tell me that Paris was my twin, it helped that you were there. You came after me to make sure that I was alright and I missed you,” I told her.

“No matter what, I'm gonna always be there for you Blakelynn.” She rubbed my cheek.

“When did you realize that you were in love with me?” I questioned.

“Well my feelings grew when you came to live with me. It was that night that we kissed. I was trying to drink away my feelings,” she sighed.

“Don't do that it's dangerous.” I didn't want her doing that again.

“I know but it took the pain away until you came into my room. You were just asking for me to kiss you. I told you to leave but you have a hard time listening to me,” she chuckled.

“In the back of my mind I wanted you to kiss me. I wanted to see if my feelings for you were more than what I made it seem,” I shrugged.

“I know, I could tell that you wanted me to kiss you. You kept saying no but I could see it in your eyes and body language. You couldn't push me away and I knew that.” She ran her fingers through my hair.

“I'm glad that happened. I'm glad that you called. I didn't think you would talk to me ever again after last night.” I thought I lost all of my chances with her.

“It's a lot harder than it seems not talking to you. It literally takes everything in me and then some. When you called me in tears, I automatically pushed whatever we were going through to the back of my mind. I didn't want you to get hurt or do something stupid,” she admitted.

“Well thank you for picking me up that night. I had no one to call besides you.” I turned my head towards her.

“You'll always have me.” She moved and kissed me again.

~~~

“Don’t do that.” I sat up quickly.

“Why?” She scrunched up her eyebrows.

“Mere does that,” I cried again.

“Blake,” she sighed as she pulled me back into her embrace. “It’s gonna be okay,” she whispered as she rubbed my back.

“She meant the world to me and I’ll never see her again! She’s gone and there’s nothing that I can do about it! She’s gone Paris, she’s gone!” I broke down completely. She’s gone and she’s never coming back. “She can’t be gone! She can’t just leave me like this!” I was beyond hurt by this and I knew that it would leave a huge scar on my heart. “I’m not gonna be okay,” I mumbled as Paris tried to calm me down. “I’m never gonna be okay with this,” I cried.

Vanessa

I sat in the bath and just let my thoughts take over. I couldn’t believe that my sister was gone. I haven’t talked to my mother either. I didn’t know if she heard or not but I couldn’t take being around her right now. There’s a huge possibility that she’ll die and then I really won’t have any of my family left. She probably won’t even show up to the funeral. Her head is so far stuck up her ass. She’s beyond petty even at a time like this. Thoughts of when I found out I was pregnant ran through my mind.

            ~~~

“What’s wrong?” Mere asked me as I tried to stop crying. She came into my room and wrapped me in her arms.

“Mom’s gonna kill me,” I cried.

“What did you do?”

“I’m pregnant Mere,” I mumbled. I heard her sigh and I cried even more.

“Stop crying Nessa.” She moved and wiped my tears.

“Mom’s gonna hate me. I’m eighteen and I’m pregnant. She’s gonna be so pissed.” Mere rolled her eyes at the mention of our mother.

“Ness, when’s the last time you’ve seen Mom? Look, let me figure out some things. Stop crying and I promise that no matter what happens, I’m not leaving you. You’re my baby sis and I don’t care what anyone thinks. You’re keeping this baby and you’re gonna have a future too,” she promised.

“I love you,” I hugged her.

“I love you more.”

~~~

“Get out,” I heard Nae tell me.

“Why?” I asked dryly. I couldn’t see her through the shower curtain but I knew that she must have rolled her eyes.

“You’ve been in this bath for two hours Nessa. I’m not having you trapped in your thoughts. I know this is bothering you and I know about your mom. You need someone and I’m gonna be there for you. I owe that to Mere. You’re practically family to me now and I’m not gonna sit here and watch you be like this.” She moved the curtain slightly and I saw her hand. She had a towel and I grabbed it. I stood and wrapped myself in it before stepping out.

“Nadia is worried,” she sighed.

“I’ll talk to her later.” She nodded slowly while observing me.

“Let me get dressed and then we can talk. You’re right.” I needed to talk to someone and Nae was the second best person to go to after Mere.

“I’m here for you Ness,” she promised.

“Thank you.”

Jaymie

I sighed and put Carson down for his nap. I kept the baby monitor with me as I walked into the kitchen. “Hey.” Kolbie shot me a sad smile.

“Hey,” I sighed. Last night happened so fast. So much shit went on and then here I am waking up in Aubrey’s arms.

“What’s wrong? I saw someone leaving earlier. Was that Daven?” She questioned as she passed me a cup of coffee.

“No.” I shook my head before taking a sip.

“Who was it?”

“Aubrey.” I didn’t look at her because I knew she was judging me.

“And what exactly was Aubrey doing here until this morning?” She raised a brow.

“He was hurt and so was I. We just wanted to take our minds off of it like we did when we were teens,” I shrugged.

“You slept with him?” I looked down before nodding. “He’s married Jaymie!”

“And she cheated on him with Daven! So what? He didn’t even forgive her so I doubt he feels bad about it.” I didn’t see the big deal.

“So is that what it’s about? Did y’all sleep together just so you guys could get back at them?” She went assuming shit.

“I’m not that childish and petty. They had no impact on us sleeping with each other. He was my first Kolbie and I was his. We got caught up in a moment but that’s how we always were,” I said.

“And you don’t think that this will blow up in your face?”

“Why would it? I am single. Daven has no claim over me and Nicki can’t be mad at me. That’s her husband and I just want to be left out of that shit.”

“You should have thought about that before you slept with him,” she mumbled. The doorbell rung and I turned. “That’s Daven with Carson. He said he’d keep him so I could get myself together,” I told her as I walked to the door.

“Sounds like such a great guy,” Kolbie called out sarcastically.

“Shut up!” I opened the door and let out a small smile at a sleeping Carson. “He’s knocked out,” I chuckled as I let Daven in.

“Yeah I took him to my family’s house. The whole family was over so you know how chaotic that was.” He gave me a knowing look.

“How is your mother?” I questioned.

“She’s doing alright. She’s been asking about you,” he shrugged.

“Asking about me? Doesn’t your mother hate me by now?” His mother used to love me but I figured that she hated me after all of these years.

“She never hated you Jayms. Yeah she was mad at you hurting me but she still sees you as family. Especially since you gave birth to her second grandchild,” he grinned. I felt sick to my stomach by just looking at him. I just fucked Aubrey and now I’m staring at Daven. A blind man could see how much he loved me and that made me feel worse. It’s not even like we’re together. “Are you okay? How are you dealing with everything?” He looked concerned. I didn’t even deserve for him to look concerned.

“I’ll be fine.”

                                                                                

Nicki

“I can’t believe all of this happened,” Cassie sighed as we sat on the couch of Shad’s house. He was somewhere getting his mind off of things.

“Aubrey’s been snapping at me. I don’t even know why we got back together knowing that he didn’t forgive me,” I shook my head. What’s the point anymore?

“Do you know what you’re gonna do?”

“Nah but there’s more shit going on with me. I have to fix something,” I mumbled. I needed to do what I had to do.

“What are,” she got cut off by Shad walking into the room.

“Tell ya man to not call me,” he told me.

“What do you mean?” I scrunched up my brows.

“He killed my sister. I’on wanna be anywhere near that nigga. He just gonna keep killing people till he’s alone.” He shook his head in anger.

“A drunk driver killed her Shad,” Cassie huffed.

“He could’ve done something. Anything! He should have never been driving. I don’t want him anywhere near my kids or me. Just keep that nigga far away,” he demanded before going to his room.

“He’s just going through things,” Cassie said for him.

“He blames Aubrey. I can understand why he would even though it wasn’t Aubrey’s fault. Maybe this will blow off after a while. I feel like everyone needs a break,” I looked down. I knew I needed to talk to Aubrey but I wanted to talk when he wasn’t in one of his snapping moods.

“I gotta head home but I’ll text you later.” We said bye and I headed home. I got home and walked in.

“We need to talk,” I heard from the living room. I turned and saw Aubrey sitting there.

“Yeah we do,” I nodded. I sat across from him and it was silent for a minute.

“I need to tell you,” we both said and stopped.

“You can go first,” he shrugged.

“No you can,” I shook my head.

“I know we both know this ain’t heading anywhere good. I should’ve told you how I felt instead of lying about it. I love you Onika but I can’t do this. I can’t forgive you for this,” he admitted. I’m not gonna lie and say my heart didn’t break.

“Aubrey,” I tried to tell him something but he stopped me.

“That’s not it. Look my mind was fucked up last night. With everything that happened with Mere, I just wanted to take my mind off her,” he started.

“What did you do?” I questioned cautiously.

“I slept with Jaymie,” he sighed. I sat frozen by his words. “Look I’m sorry,” he apologized. I got up and walked upstairs without a word. “Onika!” He called out but I just went to the bathroom and locked the door. I eyed the trash and saw my positive pregnancy test.

Mylan

“I slept with Jaymie,” he sighed. I shook my head in anger and grabbed my keys.

“Can I come?” I heard a soft voice. I looked down at Levi and nodded. We walked out and I helped him get into my car. He’s been quiet lately but I know a lot must be going through his mind. I was heading over to see Auntie Nae anyway. It’s weird going to Auntie Mere’s house but I needed to talk to her. I got Levi out once I got there and held him in my arms. I knocked on the door and Nadia let me in.

“Hey Mylan and Levi,” she smiled small.

“Hey.” I walked into the living room and saw Auntie Nae, Auntie Nessa, and Ryan sitting down.

“Come here.” Auntie Nae patted the seat next to her. I sat down and held Levi in my lap. “Can y’all give us a minute?” She asked Auntie Nessa and Ryan.

“Yeah,” Auntie Nessa nodded and walked out. Ryan walked over by me and kissed my forehead before leaving. I smiled slightly but I still had too many thoughts running through my mind.

“What’s wrong?” She questioned.

“Dad,” I sighed.

“I heard,” she nodded.

“I’m so sick of him and Mom going back and forth. I think it’s better if they just stop and break up. They need to stop playing with each other’s emotions. It’s childish and annoying. I get that Dad’s hurt but that’s no way to handle this,” I rolled my eyes.

“We all handle things a different way. Your dad just happened to handle it a stupid way.”

“Mommy’s pregnant,” Levi mumbled.

“What?” I snapped my head down at him as he played with something around his neck.

“Mommy is pregnant,” he shrugged.

“How do you know that?” Auntie Nae asked him. He looked up at us and let out a small smile.

“Auntie Mere told me.” I wanted to groan when I heard him say that. He’s been talking like this since she’s died.

“Huh?” Auntie Nae looked at him and then me.

“He’s been saying that he’s been seeing her ever since she died. I think he’s going a bit crazy or something. Maybe he’ll stop as the days go by,” I told her.

“I’m not crazy,” Levi snapped. Auntie Nae looked at him and then eyed his neck.

“What’s around your neck?” She motioned to it.

“It’s called a locket. Auntie Mere gave it to me,” he smiled.

“Nessa!” She called out. Auntie Nessa came in and walked over to us. “Doesn’t that look just like Mere’s necklace?” Auntie Nessa eyed his neck and her eyes went wide.

“Mere gave that to him?”

“Yeah.” I looked at it and it had his name engraved into it.

“What’s the big deal about it?” I looked at them.

“Mere had a necklace just like that. Her dad gave it to her and she adored that thing. I guess she gave Levi one,” Auntie Nae explained.

“Yeah,” Auntie Nessa said slowly as she stared at him. Auntie Nae was staring at him also. Maybe they’re all losing it. “What’s on the inside?” Auntie Nessa asked Levi but he shook his head.

“It’s a secret.”

“Same thing Mere said.” She looked at him almost in disbelief. Yeah, they’re all losing it.

Antonio

“Are you okay?” I asked Mrs. Arias as I helped her get settled into her bed.

“Yes thank you. I don’t know why my daughter ever left you,” she frowned slightly. I chuckled and shook my head.

“She loved Blake. I knew that and I had a feeling they would get back together. I loved your daughter and I was gonna support her with whatever she wanted.” Mere was the love of my life and it’s hard to believe that she’s gone.

“I don’t know why she loved that girl.”

“We both know Mere wouldn’t want you talking about her like that. I know you didn’t like most of the choices Mere made, but she made them. It was her life and there’s no reason to be mad over something like that. Blake’s a good person,” I shrugged. She just stared at the wall. “You’re coming to the funeral right?”

“I don’t think that’s the best idea,” she shook her head.

“But she was your daughter.” I couldn’t believe her right now.

“She was my daughter who disappointed me. She wouldn’t want me there and I don’t want to be anywhere I’m not wanted.”

“With all due respect Mrs. Arias but that’s pure bullshit. You might have gotten on her nerves but she loved you. You have cancer and there’s a big chance that you’re gonna die. You’ve accepted that yet you’re not gonna attend your daughter’s funeral? We both know that Nessa needs you there. She lost everyone except for you. Do everything that you never did for Mere, do it for Nessa. She deserves to have her mom around for the short time being. You barely know your granddaughter yet you kept pressing Mere to have kids. Don’t die like this. You need to fix your mistakes and it starts by going to your daughter’s damn funeral.” I finally let out my frustration. She looked at me and stared for a minute.

“You’re right,” she nodded. I let out a sigh and understood why Mere gave up a long time ago. This is the least I can do for her.

Nicki

I sat on my bed staring off into space. “Knock knock,” I heard Nae say. I kept my eyes trained on the wall. “I know what happened.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said in a strained voice.

“Nic,” she sighed and walked over. She sat next to me and huffed. “I haven’t been here for you this past year. I need to start making it up so why not start now? Are you okay?”

“No.” Tears flew down my cheeks as she pulled me into her arms. “I knew he wasn’t over it but for him to go out and sleep with her.” I couldn’t believe Aubrey but maybe I deserved it.

“Look everyone is acting off because of what happened and emotions are all over the place. No I’m not saying that he had any right to do that but I don’t know what was going through his mind,” she told me.

“Everything is just fucked up.”

“Nic, are you pregnant?” She questioned. I pulled away and looked at her in shock.

“How do you know that?” As far as I know, no one knew.

“That doesn’t matter right now. What are you gonna do? I know you’re not considering abortion,” she eyed me.

“No I’m not gonna do that again. I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I was trying to tell Aubrey but then he said that he slept with her. What if she ends up pregnant?” I cried.

“I don’t think she will. She’s not an idiot. I doubt she had sex with him without using any protection,” she shook her head.

“Glad she could think of that,” I said sarcastically. 

“What happened is fucked up but you have a baby to worry about. Shit this is harder than I thought. I don’t know how Mere helped people the way she did,” she sighed.

“How are you handling this?”

“I can’t sleep, barely can eat, and I can’t even think straight. I never had a friend like her. You were always like a sister to me but she was different. She was one of the best friends I ever had. It sucks that things ended up like this,” she admitted.

“Do you know how Blake’s doing?” I asked just for the hell of it.

“I really don’t care. I only tolerated her for Mere. Now that she’s gone, Blake is just a lost cause,” she shrugged.

“Would Mere want you acting this way?” I raised a brow.

“She’s fucked up Nic. Blake’s always been fucked up but this is different. I can’t help her.”

“I know you have a lot of anger still left for her but just think about Mere. You don’t have to help her because she needs help, help her for Mere,” I tried to reason with her.

“I’ll think about it. Think about what you’re gonna do about my little niece or nephew.” She rubbed my belly.

“I need to tell him but I’ll wait until things cool down. Maybe co-parenting can work for us or something. I actually need to talk to someone.” I knew she was questioning me but she let it go.

~~~

I knocked on the door and waited for a minute. He opened it and eyed me. “Can we talk?” He opened the door wider and let me in.

“I know a lot of shit happened and I’ll help you any way you need,” he offered. I turned and shot him a small smile.

“Thanks Channing.”