BEST FRIEND'S BOYFRIEND → DAVE EAST

|TWENTY|

*DAVE'S POV*
It's been ten months.

Ten fucking months of being absolutely miserable. Today makes the ten month mark since I got shot. I'm really here, rolling around Harlem like I'm fucking Jimmy Brooks from Degrassi.

It's been a rough ass ten months for a nigga, for real. All of my hopes of actually learning how to walk again are out the window, there's no more hope that I'm holding onto. We even tried physical therapy, and nothing.

The only good thing to come out of these last ten months is my one month old daughter; Kairi. She is the most precious little human being in the world.

As for Lauryn and I? We've been going strong, but I feel like she's somewhat drifting away from me. I feel like me being physically disabled turns her... off, in a way. You know?

We haven't been able to have sex, which I know is driving her crazy. Every time we go out on a date, Lauryn's stuck wheeling me around like I'm a baby.

I just feel like this shit is no fair to her.

Ten months and they're still trying to tell me that my best friend was the one that shot me in both legs. I'm not sure what to believe at this point, I haven't even been able to call him in jail because I just don't know the truth.

Another thing that makes me feel like shit; I'm not able to work anymore like I used to. Once my job found out that I got shot and couldn't walk no more, they let me go. So now I'm stuck collecting money off the state.

So fucking embarrassing.

So now Lauryn is stuck working like crazy, which means she doesn't get to spend as much time with me as we need.

"Baby, I gotta get going. My salon has to go through inspections today. I have to be the first one there. I'll let you know what time I'll be home."

"Oh, okay.. have a good day, baby girl."

I looked up at Lauryn. Lauryn smiled at me, bending down to gently give me a kiss.

"I love you. Make sure you keep track of the time. Millie is gonna be coming by with Kairi today."

"I know. I remember. I have three more hours until she comes."

"Good. I'll see you later, baby."
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*LAURYN'S POV*
The last ten months have been very... rough.

Don't get me wrong, I've grown to love Dave so much. But this is not how I exactly pictured our relationship to be. I know it's far from his fault that he got shot, but I just wish it didn't happen.

It hurts my heart to see him like this, wheelchair bound for the rest of his life. There's times where Dave just randomly cries because there's not much he can do for himself anymore. It crushes me.

My salon has been doing very successful, though. Over the past few months, it's been getting so much more business. We're booked and busy like every single day.

"You've past the inspection, Miss Goodwin. Congratulations. I hope you continue to be successful at keeping your salon up and running."

The inspector shook my hand and gave me a smile before walking out of the door. Suddenly, Mariah came walking in, looking nervous.

"Laur, you're gonna hate me."

"Why, what did you do? What's wrong?"

"I'm gonna need a few months off. It turns out I'm two months pregnant with Bashar's baby."

Oh, wow.

I'm extremely happy for Mariah. I know that's all she wants to do is be a mom. I'll be more than happy to give her a few months off.

On the inside, I just wish that could be me and Dave... I just don't know if it'll ever be now.

"You're more than welcomed to have a few months off, Riah! I'm so happy for you and Bashar, congratulations to you both! I'll be sure to find someone who can temporarily cover you while you're out."

"Why don't you let Symphony take my spot while I'm gone? I heard she's actually trying to look for a real job for once."

"Her spoiled and rich ass? Actually looking for a real JOB?"

"Yeah, that's what I said! You should think about it. I'll see you later, though. Thanks again, Laur! I'll hit you up for the baby shower date."

Mariah hugged me tightly before walking out of the salon.

I am definitely NOT hiring Symphony. There's way too much tension between us. There's no way in hell we could work together. We haven't even spoken in months.

"Good morning, lovely. What's wrong with you, you aight?"

August questioned me with his New Orleans accent. I turned around to face him.

"Nothing much, I'm fine. I just have to look for coverage for Mariah for a few months. She's pregnant with her boyfriend's baby, so that's my new task. You wanna help me out, Mr. Assistant?"

"That's my job, ain't it?"

August chuckled, sitting down at his desk. I sighed.

"Yeah, that's your job title. Hey, what are you doing later after work?"

"Nothing much. I plan on just chilling. Why?"

"Do you think I can come over? I just don't feel like going home right away. It's been so depressing there, lately. I just wanna have a friend's company."

"That's okay with me. I'll cook a little something for us to eat."

"Please be careful this time! Remember that one time you burnt your entire pan of spaghetti when you tried to cook it?"

"You know what? You're right, maybe we'll just do takeout tonight."