Crossroads

Ch. 13: Mr. Moving On

Daniel

It had been two weeks since I'd last spoken to India. Ever since that day we went to the mall, I wanted to give her the space she seemed she needed. I was not gonna talk to someone who did not want to be bothered by me and I refused to continue putting so much effort when it wasn't getting me anywhere. She even saw her "boyfriend" hugged up with Star and still felt like she owed him loyalty and that she still loved him. That's what drew the line for me. Although, I noticed she had been staying away from him, she still spoke about him to her mom. Maybe she just didn't want them in her business but it made it very clear to me that still, she cared.

My first day attending my old school was great. It was weird transferring back with only about three months left of school but it wasn't something I could have changed. The principal made an exception for me because she remembered I was a good student and considering what I'd been going through, she welcomed me.

I got a lot of attention from the girls. Some of which I already knew from my previous years but most of them were freshmen and sophomores that I never met who were followers on social media. In general, it was a tough experience because everyone had been giving me their condolences after hearing the reason why I'd returned. It only made me dwell on the fact that my parents were really gone but instead of accepting it I tried to push it further and further to the back of my mind.

Fortunately, I did not have to ride with India to school because John bought me an olive green Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. He wanted to put me in a Chevrolet Corvette but I told him absolutely not. He practically dragged me to the dealership after I refused for days. I didn't like handouts. I felt like he was just trying to shower me with gifts to get me to forget that I was orphaned when it actually forced me to remember more. I agreed upon the condition that I could at least pay monthly what it would cost him to add the vehicle to his auto insurance policy. I wanted him to know that I wasn't going to milk off of him. However, I did share with him that I was tremendously grateful for his efforts to uplift me.

I pulled on my all white Air Force 1s to go with my blue jeans and graphic white T-shirt. I dug in my jewelry box and pulled out my dad's gold watch that he wore the night he died, and a gold locket my mom gave me with a picture of the three of us inside. I put them on and held the locket against my chest remembering the day we took that picture.

{Flashback}

We were at a family picnic. I was about 10, I believe. My parents and I were getting food.

"I didn't get a picture today, let's take one guys." My mom said to my dad and I.

I groaned. "You always want a picture Mom."

"Hey one day you're gonna be glad I take so many pictures." She argued.

"I guess."

"Aye Johnny!" My dad yelled to John. This was before he met India's mom.

John stumbled over to us. He was drunk. "Hi, I'm Paul!" He slurred imitating the gorilla in the beginning of Jimmy Nutron. He ruffled my hair, teasing me since that was my favorite cartoon at the time.

"Shut your ass up and take this picture for us." My mom laughed handing him the camera.

He took it letting slip from his hand but caught it before it could hit the ground.

"Say uh...Ch-chinese!" He said and my dad put me in a playful choke hold while my mom kissed his cheek.

"Chinese!" My parents yelled and I bit into a piece of chicken on my plate as John took the picture.

{End of Flashback}

I loved the good memories.

I grabbed my phone and walked downstairs to see India sitting at the island and Maria was serving the food on plates.