Caught Up

This is 'See you later.'

Jaylen Soo
POV/OMNISCIENT:

I think it's crazy how time passes so quickly. I mean, in a blink of an eye Christmas break was over.

And then it was February sixteenth.

My birthday.

Of course I still had to go to school , but I wasn't exaclty complaining. Most people had their birthdays on a week day. I remember as a kid my mom would always try to buy me a cupcake or red bean buns. They wouldn't be in the greatest shape since she'd buy them on sale and what not.
I was finally seventeen, more responsibilities and less freedom. Which isn't exactly what I was expecting.

Jaylen was having a pretty good birthday. He got a cake from Coach Clay, some 'happy birthday's' from his teammates, some weed from Gabby, and surprisingly Chris dapped him up.

But what really surprised him, was the smile Kyah gave him during class. She gave him a card stating "Happy Birthday Jay, I'm sorry I couldn't be a better friend :)." He thought it was a little weird but he was grateful. Kyah was his first real friend when he moved, and he was going to remember her that way.

He was a little skeptical on how Senior was being extremely nice to him, but he didn't try to question it too much. It was his birthday and he just wanted to enjoy it well. As he walked inside with Kavari beside him, he was ambushed with a gift and kisses from his mom. He thanked her well, and opened the gift she handed him.

It was a vinyl, a J.Cole one to be exact. Jaylen probably listened to more old fashion music, but who could go wrong with J.Cole?

He headed upstairs to change into his dinner clothes. A simple dress shirt, and black slacks, with his dirty converse. Senior decided to cook him a full course meal that included some of his cultural meals. As he changed, he heard a sudden knock at his door.
"Yes?" He said as Kavari peeked his head into his room. He closed the door quietly behind him, having two gifts in his hands.
"You can't open them right now though okay? Like later or some.." Kavari muttered as he blushed. Jaylen also had a gift to give Kavari. He was never able to give it to him on Christmas, and as time slipped away, he somewhat forgot to.

"Okay." Jaylen smiled. He gently placed the two gifts Kavari handed him onto his bed. Kavari grabbed his face softly, and kissed him with quick, yet lovable pecks.
"You having fun today?" He asked, sitting beside Jaylen. "Yeah it's been nice. Your dad is scaring the shit out of me though." Jaylen chuckled awkwardly. He wasn't used to Senior being.. well, not Senior.

"Maybe the nigga tryna make amends..?" Kavari laughed, but Jaylen didn't seem to be amused. He simply rolled his eyes and shrugged. He didn't exactly hate Senior, just disliked him enough to let him choke for a good thirty seconds.
"Okay, okay, it was just a joke. Just don't worry about it y'know? My dad's a good person, just a pain in the ass." Kavari said in a light hearted voice.
"Yeah, I know."

Jaylen and Kavari hear a knock upon the door.
"The food's ready." Lily smiled brightly. Jaylen could smell the food from all the way upstairs, so of course it was ready.
Jaylen and Kavari headed down stairs, the whole family wore formal attire. Making it look like this was a business dinner rather than a birthday.

As they ate, they sat in a comfortable silence. Jaylen and Kavari cracking jokes here and there. Until Senior decided to speak up.
"Having a good birthday?" He asked genuinely. Jaylen glanced at Kavari before responding.
"Yeah, thank you for uh everything." He stated with a shy smile. He was actually having a good birthday, seeing how all his pasts birthdays weren't exactly enjoyable.

"I have a present for you myself, but I'll give it to you after dinner. Matter of fact I want everyone to see it." Senior smiled. Jaylen simply nodded his head, and Kavari gave him a small smile.
Lily was happy to finally see her husband and son getting along. It made her feel as if they were beginning to become a family.
——-

As dinner finished up, everyone headed into the living room for Senior to present his gift to Jaylen.
Senior turned on the Tv, it showed pictures of Jaylen with Kavari, Lily and past track meets he had as a child.
Happy 17th Birthday is what it read.

Jaylen was slightly embarrassed, but was grateful. As the slideshow seemed to come to an end, Jaylen thanked Senior for the wonderful slide show he had made him.

"Oh we just getting to the climax, it's not over yet." Senior said. Kavari simply shrugged his arms at Jaylen, while he wore a confused expression on his face. Not being completely sure in what was happening.
As Senior played the next 'slideshow' Kavari and Jaylen's hearts dropped.

And Lily's face became pale.

It was their tape, the tape that Jaylen had failed to hide on his phone.

————-

So I know I said this would come out last night but I needed to edit it so that the NEXT chapter is longer than this one (like super long 🧏🏽‍♀️)
Xoxo
Cherry 🍒
(See y'all next time 🩶)