It's Nala's senior year at Cherry Creek High School. She's been running track since Freshman year and this is her final year to get scouted by LSU. She wasn't going to let anything distract her from getting into her dream school. What will she do wh...
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Nala smiled down at her adorable baby brother in her arms. He was slowly falling asleep against her chest with his thumb in his mouth. Her dad was doing well for himself. He actually lived a couple blocks away from where Skai stays. Nala looked up at the gold accented chandelier that hung from the ceiling. She couldn't help but wonder if this would be her home if her mom and dad didn't part? How much different would her life be?
"Is he sleeping?" Lanaa said coming in to the living room
"Yeah he just fell asleep, I can put him down for you in a little."
"Well thank you, I swear since he's been born I haven't had a break." She said laying back on the couch
Lanaa seemed nice. When her dad first introduced them, she seemed almost overjoyed. She wasted no time hugging Nala and showering her with motherly kisses which made Nala feel awkward. She just met her after all. Lanaa then gave her the grand tour being sure to show Nala all the cut-outs her dad framed from when Nala was in the newspaper. Seeing this made Nala emotional and caused her dad to apologize to her once more for being absent.
From that day on Nala started to spend weekends over her dad's house. Bonding with her little brother and getting to know her father more. Lanaa lingered in the background of their bonding sessions not wanting to overstep, yet still felt left out.
She despised Nala's mother. How could a woman keep their daughter from such a great man? She met Darryl four years ago. She went to a new gym and she saw him there training another guy on speed drills. He caught her eye for sure but he seemed older so she didn't bother trying to make a move. Little did she know she caught his eye from the moment she walked in. Darryl didn't have a thing for young women but god was she breathtaking.
They learned their age difference on the first date. Darryl was 34 at the time and Lanaa was 24. That didn't stop them from falling in love. 3 years later Darryl proposed. They had a destination wedding in Greece. She wished Nala could've been apart of all that.
"Would you consider living here with us?" Lanaa asked
She knew she was being forward, but she wanted Nala away from that toxic woman known as her mom.
"Um I don't know." Nala answered nervously " I wouldn't want to leave my mom alone, plus I'll be going to Louisiana in the fall so."
"Well I think your mom would be fine alone. She's had you for 18 years, 18 years your father can't get back."
"Lan-..."
"Your mother is selfish Nala can't you see that!"
Lanaa's sudden outburst shocked Nala. Lanaa's true feelings were showing.
"My mother keeping me from my father was wrong, but in her way she thought she was doing right by me. Of course I'm upset with her but at the end of the day she's still my mother and I won't let you disrespect her especially since she isn't here to defend herself."
Nala got up before Lanaa could say anything to put her baby brother down in his crib. She didn't think Lanaa was the type of stepmom to beef with your real mom yet here we are. She didn't understand why she felt so strongly about the situation when she in fact had nothing to do with it.
"I've always wanted a daughter." Lanaa said interrupting Nala's thoughts as she leaned against the doorway
Nala smiled sheepishly at her remark. Lanaa could tell she was uncomfortable , she didn't mean to make her feel that way.
"I think I'm gonna head home." Nala said hurrying past Lanaa
"Can't wait till you come back!" Lanaa smiled behind her
Nala simply nodded before leaving out the front door. She was definitely going to tell her dad about this.
Chris
"Am I selfish?" Chris thought to himself
Since Nala reconnected with her father he's seen less and less of her. He understood that they were making up for lost time and that family was her priority right now. He hasn't actually seen her in person for almost a month now. They still talk and facetime everyday but he thought she would've at least made an effort to come see him.
Terry's words played over and over in his head. What if Nala really was only with him because of the absence of her father? Age was never a factor for them so he couldn't convince himself to believe that.
Incoming call Wifey
"Hello." Chris said answering
"Hey baby, are you home? Nala asked
"Yeah."
"Okay well I'm gonna come over."
"Cool."
"Why you being so dry?" Nala asked
"No reason."
"Mhm. We'll talk when I get there."
With that Nala hung up. Chris didn't mean to come off so cold towards her but he couldn't hide how he was feeling. Why did she all of a sudden want to spend time with him now? He hopped in the shower in hopes that it would put him in a better mood. By the time he was out and dressed in some sweats and a t-shirt, Nala walked through his front door. She had a key to his place now after all. Which he now found pointless because she barely even uses it.
"So what's your problem?" She asked arms folded in front of her chest
Chris couldn't help but drink Nala in as she stood before him. She had on a gray SKIMS set that was showcasing every curve Nala was blessed with. Her hair was down and curly and her face held a glow.
"What you got on?" Chris spoke taking one of Nala's arms and pulling her in between his legs
"Clothes." Nala smirked
"Don't play with me." Chris said into her ear
He pulled her closer kissing her a few times before hugging her tightly against him. She had on a fruity scent, yet at the same time smelled like baby lotion.
"You gonna tell me what was up with you?"
"I just missed you is all." Chris answered "Thought you forgot about a nigga."
"I missed you too baby." She said grabbing his face "I've been so caught up with spending time with my dad and my baby brother, I promise I'll make more time for us moving forward."
"So that's why you smell like baby lotion." Chris chuckled
Nala's apology was all that Chris needed to hear to make him feel better. He knew Nala wasn't trying to do wrong by him intentionally.
"I've been thinking about your offer." Chris said " To be your trainer."
"And?" Nala beamed excitedly
She was hoping that he say yes and come to Louisiana with her. She wouldn't know anyone out there after all. Kalani was going to Clark in Atlanta and the other girls on the track team were attending colleges here in LA.
"I decided I'm gonna stay here." Chris answered "I love coaching for this team this past season, and I'd like to continue that. I know you wanted me to come with you babe but I feel like this is where I should be."
Chris grabbed Nala's hands searching her face for answers. Nala simply nodded forcing a smile onto her face to give him reassurance. This wasn't what she wanted to hear at all.
