𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡 | L.B Revamped |

four

MARIAH

I couldn't stop the tears that fell from my eyes when I entered the women's restroom. If anyone else was in here I would've been embarrassed as hell, because I was full on sobbing by the time I reached the sink.

Melo genuinely looked like he wanted to kill me. In all of my time of knowing him, I've only ever seen him that angry with me once. It was way back in the day when I smacked him for goofing off in practice and took his phone. Later that night was the most I've ever been afraid of him.

Lifting up my hoodie, I looked towards where he'd punched me and there was already a bruise forming. It hurt like hell. How could I explain this to Sydney or anyone else?

I know he didn't mean it, he usually never does. He just had moments when he snaps. I just so happened to be there when he did, and I'm also the reason for said snap. I shouldn't have provoked him like that.

NOBODY

Mari was taken out of her thoughts by her phone buzzing. Sydney was calling her. It'd been a while since she came back and the older woman was starting to get worried.

Mariah- Hello?

Sydney- Everyone's starting to head out. Are you ready to go?

Mariah- Y-yeah, I'll be out in a second.

Sydney- Would you be okay if I ride with Terry?

Mariah- Mhm. Of course.

After Sydney hung up, Mariah wiped her tears as quickly as she could and splashed water on her face to eliminate the redness.

Taking a deep breath, Mari left the bathroom went back into civilization where Sydney stood near their table. How long had she been gone, Mariah thought to herself. Barely anyone was still inside.

Sydney- You okay?

She noticed something was off with her friend but just wasn't sure what.

Mariah- Yeah.

Deciding not to push her any further, Sydney nodded her head and lead the way outside. Before they left, Borrego pulled Mariah aside.

James- I need you at the facility Monday morning at eleven for a meeting in Mj's office.

Mariah- Alright.

With that, she made her way outside with Sydney. Just to her luck, all the way on the other side of the parking lot where her car was, stood the large family she'd been avoiding all night. All scattered in different areas.

Sydney- Are you sure you'll be okay if I go with Terry? Cause that's like a two hour drive you have to make alone.

She asked, pulling Mari out of her thoughts.

Mariah- Yeah yeah. It's fine. Just use protection.

Sydney's eyes widened and she blushed, causing her friend to slightly chuckle at her.

Sydney- Stopppp.

Mariah- Whateverrr. I'll see you later.

The two girls pulled each other into a hug and once they pulled apart, Mari did a fake soldier salute towards her which Sydney returned.

With that, Mariah turned around and begun the journey to her car. From a distance, she could hear the jokes and laughter coming from the Ball family and the other people with them, including her uncle Darren. She hadn't spoken to him in months and she felt slightly bad about it even though she'd forgiven him.

The last thing the two of them talked about, or she yelled at him for, was not coming to her high school graduation. He'd been in New Orleans with Lonzo and couldn't find the time to fly out.

As she got closer to her car, Mariah heard it cease and felt every single one of their eyes on her. She could tell some of them wanted to say something.

Getting into her car, Mari had to take a mental break seeing as she was about to start crying again. Calm down, you're fine. Is what she kept telling herself as she put her seatbelt on and shoved her key into the ignition.

Mariah- It'll be okay, everything's okay.

Pulling out her phone she connected her phone to the bluetooth and put on Save Your Tears by The Weeknd, the first song in her playlist.

Sydney- I'm worried about her. Tonight had to have been a lot for her.

She told Terry as the two of them watched Mari's pink jeep leave the parking lot. Not only had her friend interacted with her ex boyfriend, she also had to walk past to get to her car which Sydney definitely knew spiked her anxiety. It'd gotten worse over the years and just as Mariah was dealing with it, the root cause had shown back up into her life.

Terry- Come on, this is Mari. She'll be fine.

Sydney- I hope you're right.