What The Heart Wants (ON HOLD)

Chapter 2

(L-R: Top- Lisa, Anthony, and Tia; Bottom- Justin and Dominic)

Leila

I listen intently as Tiavonne rants about life in the car. We've been best friends since we were twelve. She was my rock while I was pregnant with the twins; going to every doctor's appointment, yoga class, and store run I needed.

"Girl, and then he had the AUDACITY to tell me I was cute, for a big girl. I almost smacked his lips off his face. Bitch, cute is for kids. I'm bad to the muthafucking skeleton, do you hear me?

The disrespect..."

I sit back in the passenger seat and shake my head. I usually put my two cents in all of our conversations, but I kept thinking about the boys and my relationship with Cedric. Should I just stick to co parenting with him, or give us another shot?

When we pull up to the studio, I see most of my students are waiting outside for me. When I bought this place three years back, Tia and I taught about ten students. Since then we've gained two more instructors and one-hundred and fifty students, so we've come a long way.

I get out of the car and open up the studio. This is the first time I've been this early in a while. Dominic always opens up the building before I get here since he has the first class of the day.

I walk through the brightly colored halls and enter my office. The electric blue walls are adorned with kid's drawings, artwork, posters, and pictures from my younger years. Every parent that's been inside of my office comments on the wonderful decorum.

My secretary Lisa taps on my door, showing off her pearly whites. Hiring her was one of the best decisions I've ever made. She keeps her stuff organized, is about her business, plus her enthusiasm is constantly on full blast and everybody knows it.

"Morning Lei, you're here early. What's the occasion ?"

"Your favorite boy made me get up earlier than scheduled. He and Nas are at Ced's this morning."

Malachi is always talking to Lisa before, during, and after her classes. When he's here after school, she keeps him from asking me a million questions while I'm working.

"My boyfriend is spending the day with Pa ? Boo..."

"I can't with you, but what's up ?"

"Well, you have two classes and Tia said she'll take over for you after you leave. Dominic doesn't teach until 2 today and I'm holding down the front desk. By the way, your brother is in the lobby. Do you want him to come back ?"

"Yeah, send him back. Thanks girl !"

I start on some of the student applications on my desk when I hear a knock and see Justin leaning in the doorway. Out of all of my siblings, he's the baby and the most relevant.

"Aren't you going to welcome your favorite sibling inside ?"

"Who said you were my favorite ?"

"Me, don't be rude."

Sitting in the adjacent chair, he starts fiddling around with the pictures on my desk.

"Brother dear, why have you decided to grace me with your presence?

"I came to get your opinion on the freestyle I'm writing for this year's show. You know, since we're the only two who aren't beefing with each other over dumb shit."

"Please don't get started on the bullshit today. I've got way too much on my mind."

"Aw, tell little brother what's wrong ? Work, home, baby zaddy drama ?"