Things Only Go Downhill

Chapter 32

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"After love, no one is what they were before"
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"Thank you, Rosa" Cyrus sighed as he moved to the backseat. He undid the buckle on his daughter's car seat and picked her up. His body was exhausted, his mind foggy and disassociated. He was so fucking tired.

He was once a straight-A student. He played basketball after school with his friends when he wasn't working, took AP classes, and tutored students when he had the time and needed the money. He had his shit together.

He had picked up more shifts at the corner store. He got up at five every morning with Aisha like clockwork. He woke up to crying, took care of her until seven before driving her over to Rosa's since Rosa worked from home. He went to school, got out at two, and went straight to work. He worked as many hours as he could and for as long as Rosa would watch Aisha. He then went to the store on Fridays, used what money he had left on his own food for the week - sometimes with only five dollars to spend.

He eventually got to go home and see his beautiful little girl. He went to bed whenever she did whether it be nine (he never got home any earlier) or three in the morning. He couldn't even find the time or energy to pray. He was so fucking tired.

"Of course, baby" the older woman sighed. "Go inside, get some food. You look tired"

"I will" Cyrus lied. He waved goodbye to her after grabbing Aisha's things and heading toward his apartment door. A small smile reached his lips as his eyes rested on his daughter. "Hey beautiful, did you have fun with Grandma today?"

He unlocked the door and headed inside. With Aisha balanced on his hip squeaking and giggling he headed over to his pantry and pulled out a packet of ramen and decided he was too exhausted to cook it on the stove. He instead microwaved it in a bowl of water and pressed start.

"Are you tired yet? Grandma said she fed you before she left" Cyrus hummed despite knowing he wouldn't get an answer.

He sat down on the old couch in the cramped living room, Aisha still in his arms. His head fell back onto the soft cushions and his eyes fell shut. He just wanted some sleep...

Fuck

"Omri, please no..." Cyrus groaned as soon as her cries began to fill the room. "I just sat down... I've been up all day. Please don't cry" he quietly begged. Her cries only got louder. His neighbors were going to be pissed.

He stood up, the room spinning a little as he did so. He swayed side to side, hummed old tunes to lullabies he had heard as a child but were long forgotten to him. The microwave went off in the distance but he mine as well not have heard it. It was out of mind the moment it came into it.

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"Maze" Cyrus called as he watched Maverick move through the crowded halls with ease. He glanced his way before immediately looking away and speeding up. Cyrus rolled his eyes. "Maze" he snapped again, pushing forward.

"Maverick" Cyrus snapped just as he came within arms reach of the tall, pretty boy. His hair was down today and had more waves to it than usual. His dark eyes were focused and bored. His skin was neither bumpy nor smooth, but rather a mixture of textures. He seemed more put together than usual. It was weird.