Everything Started Here With You

Never Forget Family

"No human being can feel others' pain like their own. All they can ever do is try to understand. To understand a person's pain is to understand that person."

-- Doctor John

I entered the house and found it unnaturally quiet. I wonder where Hayden took the kids today. Instead of worrying about this, I took a shower and ordered myself some Chinese food. It's been a while since I had some Lo Mein noodles. They had better be good this time. Last time, they had a new chef, and he effed up my noodles. I never forgave the place, but it's worth a shot now.

After receiving my food, I sat in front of the TV and stared at the black screen. I don't know what to watch. Or think about. Without my besties, there's nothing interesting anymore. We used to joke about any and everything. Were they throwing themselves into their work again? Was our fight really the end for me this week?

It suddenly hit me that I was nothing without them. I love my kids and everything, but Tamera and Abby have been there for me since I moved back to Queens as a child. To think that our relationship is suddenly...not? I need time to myself anyway. To think about how I'm wrong and how my friends are wrong. To assure myself that I'm sane and not chasing after a friendship that was never meant to be.

What has my life come to? I thought everything was going perfect for me. Until Jackson...If that bastard hadn't pulled me away from celebrating with Lexi, no one would have gotten hurt. I wouldn't have to deal with disappointing everyone.

I looked down at my food and sighed. I wasn't going to eat this anymore. I closed the container and let out a heavy sigh. No friends. No kids. No husband. I'm not working. My life is so bland, it's pitiful. I wish there was something or someone to occupy my thoughts for a while. Just to help me get my mind off of how lonely I feel.

Ring, ring!

I jumped in surprise and looked around for my phone. It could be Tamera. Or Abby. Maybe they're calling to apologize. It's not entirely my fault about what happened earlier this week. I admit I was being hasty about Sha'Kayla's problem. She was being reasonable. I forgive too easily.

I finally found my phone and stared at the caller ID.

Derek.

Should I pick up? Was answering too quickly a desperate move?

"H-hello?" I stuttered.

"Bella, baby, could you get that for me? Hello again, Sha'Kera," Derek greeted.

Who the hell is Bella? Did he have kids? Was he married? I feel so stupid.

"...Why'd you call?" I asked.

"I wanted to hear your beautiful voice again," he purred.

"Oh. Well, you heard it. I'm eating. Good day."

"Wait! You don't want to talk to me?"

"You want me to talk to you? Not just hear my voice?"

Derek chuckled and I swear I could see the smile on his face. Oh, to see what he actually looks like. Am I that blind when I'm out and about? I'm sure pictures of him were up in the hospital where Hayden works.

"Nicole," Derek said slowly. I cringed at my middle name. "You know...I'll be returning to New York very soon."

"How soon?"

"Just...soon. You won't know until I get there. Thank you, sweetheart."

"Who's that?" I winced. Why did I just ask that? Why am I so nosey! I don't want to know who he's talking to! I really don't.

"Just someone. No one you should worry about," he said casually. "How are the children? I haven't seen them in a while."

"They're doing fine. Better than I expected."

"That's good. Are they with you now?"

"No. Hayden dropped them off at his friend's house. I'll pick them up later. How are your parents? Does your mother still hate me?"

Derek hummed in response. I knew it! I don't know why, but his mom just never liked that we were friends. And to think I wanted to date him! She would have laughed in my face and called me desperate. It wouldn't have happened. Couldn't have happened. Derek's mother was too protective of him and his sister. They never got to do fun things. Though Abigail follows whoever interests her, she is still a good person.

What did I ever do to her? Was it because I wasn't as rich as her family? Did she tag me as a dirty person? Was it my personality? I was rowdy as a kid. But, that couldn't be the reason why we never got along. Parties Derek had, I had to be personally invited by him. Everyone in the school would get invitations, while I got to talk to him and wonder why his mother was playing around. I guess I'll never know why.

"How's Abigail?" I asked. "I heard she's going to school in Texas."

"Mhm. It's the right thing for her to do right now. If she ever visits before she finishes school, mother will probably make her marry." Derek sighed. "I don't like how she's treating us. Father doesn't do anything about it. He's too busy drinking."

"He's different from what I remember."

"When your father leaves you just his money and no company, then it's all downhill from there. My uncle owns more than 50% of the financing company here. Father gets...less than 40%."

"At least you have your real parents. I can't complain about anything. Except mine left me an orphan."

"But, you're my orphan."

What! I'm soft.

💉💦💧

"Only a year!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "A year for destroying your life and making you miserable every chance he got? That's some ghetto crap."

"...Not everyone is as stupid and as clever as he thinks he is," Lexi muttered. "If not for my brother, Asher, Callie and Katherine, I don't think I would have come out the winner this time either."

"Hey!" Brad yelled off camera. "What am I? A rock?"

"Sorry, dad! Anyway, I'm glad you used your career as an excuse and got it out in New York."

"Anything for you, darling. Hayden kind of made me do it. I was hesitant it would make people feel some type of way about both you and me working together."

"Everything running through New York, runs to the entire world. We're made for gossip. Why do you think Nicki Minaj is so famous?" Hayden asked.

"...Lil Wayne?"

"No, dear sister. New York came through for her."

I laughed and punched Hayden in the arm. Of course he was saying stupid crap like this. Lexi's situation had nothing to do with an entire state supporting her. It was the fact that she had solid evidence and a lot of women felt for her. Once feminists get started about something, they don't stop until they win. Lexi has them to thank, not us.

"Never mind him, Lexi. We'll see you in a couple of days then." I waved. "Tell the kids I said hi."

"Mkay. See ya!"

"Don't ever do that again, Hayden," I snapped.

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So...Lexi's coming to New York and Kera's battling with her friends. Is this exactly what needs to happen for everything to go back to normal? I guess you'll find out in the next chapter.

⚜Author-nim⚜