𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘'𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 | 𝐍.𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐗𝐓𝐎𝐍 |

chapter nine | welcome to d.c part three

Wynslow Jones

"Wyn, why didn't you tell us?" Penelope asks, shaking her head in disbelief. "I mean, you mean to tell us that the last time we're gonna see you is this week? You're not coming back home after this book signing?"

"I'll come back after my grandmother is okay..." I mumbled, feeling like a little kid getting scolded. "And I didn't wanna tell you guys because saying it out loud would only make it feel real."

Mikal scoffed. "Man, y'all tripping," he says. "I'm glad she's leaving for a while. Maybe then we'll stop having Donte so stressed out all the time so we can actually have a good time for once."

"Mikal, shut the hell up," Donte snapped. "You need to be the one to leave. You're always starting some bullshit!"

Mikal jerked his head back in surprise. "You're goin off on me, and she just was hugged up under this nigga in front of your face! If I were you, I'd go fuck Morgan and make her wa—."

Before Donte could even open his mouth to scold Mikal further, Josiah punched Mikal dead in his mouth, taking us all by surprise. The force behind Josiah's punch sent Mikal right onto the floor, holding his cheek in pain.

"What you need to do, is shut the hell up if you know what's good for you." Josiah warns, standing over Mikal.

Ivy pushed Josiah to the side and yanked Mikal up by his collar, glaring at him. "If I were you, I'd be careful with what you say next."

"Y'all stop!" Paisley shouts. "Wynslow, can you just think about this for a moment? I mean, leaving New York? Really? You can just take the train every now and then when something comes up."

Kyle scrunched up his nose. "I don't think you heard the part that our grandmother is sick. This could be life or death."

"Then you stay with her." Cameron suggests.

"Stop," Josh says. "Kuz is right. If it were anyone in our family we'd be hopping on the next flight, and staying as long as we have to just to make sure that everything is alright."

"Is that why you wanted us to come with you?" Stefon asks.

I nodded my head slowly. "Yeah," I replied. "I was hoping that...that I could you know, make some happy memories, but that's out the window.."

"Is that why you really left me?" Donte asks. "Because you were coming back here? And you didn't trust me enough to stay loyal while you were away? So you settled for him?"

Corey jerked his head back. "Settled?"

"You heard me." Donte snapped.

I shook my head. For some reason, I felt a wave of anger every time Donte addressed me now. It was as if he was trying to make this entire conversation and situation about him. It was selfish, and it was making me sick.

"No," I said. "I left you for multiple reasons, Donte."

"Name three.." Donte argues. "Three reasons that were valid for you to leave me at the drop of a hat!"

"I didn't leave you at the drop of a hat, DONTE," I shouted. My entire body was shaking at this point. "Fun fucking fact, I was gonna stay! But your girlfriend..."