The Influence | Dearra Taylor

Chapter 13

Thinkin Bout You - Frank Ocean

Klay's life was back to the normal after two months of no contact, and basketball was the only thing keeping him going. When he wasn't dribbling a ball, or shooting another point, he was locked away in his home.

The place that once leaked joviality and enjoyment was now dark and monotone. Klay didn't open the curtains anymore, so the house remained dark during the sunny May days.

He wasn't depressed, he just was readjusting to a life without Dearra, and that was hard to say the least.

Klay still had a routine, he made his usual breakfast of eggs and protein pancakes. He took Rocco on his daily walks. Klay hadn't realized how much of his day was dedicated and spent with Dearra until she was gone. He had no one to lay with, joke around with, or even be an open ear the way she was. Every once in a while, Klay had the urge to see how she was doing. He would log into his profile, and type in her name.

From what he saw, she was doing much, much better than him. She smiled in every picture and was out appearing to enjoy life. Klay didn't envy this, he wasn't a person filled with hatred and jealousy. He was actually happy she was okay and wasn't caught up on him. Despite beliefs, Klay didn't hate her. He still had a soft spot for her, and although she didn't know it, he still wished for only the absolute best for her.

What Klay didn't know was social media and the way she portrayed herself was an act. Her job was to put on a show for others to tune into and engage with. While she was smiling and cheerful on camera, when it wasn't aimed perfectly in her face, she was a wreck as much as him. This is proof you can't believe every single thing that is posted on social media, because it's all just a fairytale and hoax of life.

"Yeah ma, I'm training every day..." Klay was currently on the phone with his parents. During the season, his parents called more to ensure their child was doing okay since they couldn't be with him in person.

"Alexander, please keep up with your body, I don't want you to get injured." His mother pleaded, but she only meant well.

"I won't ma, I'll be fine." He told her.

Just then his father entered the frame, "Hey Klay." he said with a deep voice.

"Wassup, Pops." Klay spoke back, and began to spark a conversation with him. They played catch up for the moment, they were just eager to have a second to speak and tell each other about life.

Klay's dad had a look of surprise, "...And this is the girl you told me about a few months ago?" his dad asked.

Klay nodded his head, "Yeah."

"You'll be okay, you barely knew her anyways..." Klay's dad rambled on in a failed attempt to comfort his son.

Klay didn't like when people tried to offer comfort, but was insensitive to the complexities of the relationship with Dearra. Klay knew nearly everything about Dearra, as she did him. He knew six months wasn't enough time to completely know someone, but he felt like he knew her. She knew him too. People failed to realize the two lives revolved around each other for months.

"No, but I did know her, or thought I did. I knew a lot about her, and that's why it hurts so much." Klay confessed, as he pulled the blanket closer to his body.

"Women come and go, you'll find another one and forget this one, Klay." His dad said, then gave the phone back to his mother.

"Alright ma, I gotta go. I love you." Klay said to her.

Her face softened and she spoke, "I love you more." The mother wanted nothing more than to hug her first born, but he was an adult and needed to learn to cope with his feelings without her.

Klay eventually got out of bed, and opened the patio door for the pup to get some fresh air. Klay walked outside with his feet bare in the grass. He needed the fresh scenery and air to clear his mind.

He listened to the music that shuffled through his airpods. Music was almost like a medical healing agent for him. When he was sad, happy, anxious, or just content he played music. The science behind how music helped individuals cope needed to be studied.

When he and Rocco got tired of the backyard, they made their way back inside. Klay gave Rocco a quick wipe down then poured his dinner into the custom engraved food bowl.

Klay decided he was going to shower and prepare for bed, even though it was only seven o'clock. He needed to take a hot shower to help his muscles heal from the intensive, hard practices and games he participated in. His team was currently 5-0, and they planned to remain undefeated for as long as possible.

As Klay retrieved everything for his shower, his mind trailed to the morning he and Dearra spent together. That was the day he learned all there was to know about the mysterious, but outgoing girl he'd liked so much.

Over the past two months, Klay spent all his time regretting taking the next step with her. If he didn't sleep with her, and gave her time to open up more they would probably still be together. The main thing that stuck with him from the fight was that Dearra unapologetically said she regretted having sex with him. When he heard that, his world came crumbling down, because then he didn't regret it.

Klay carefully stripped from his attire, and rested in the high temperature water. His body felt grateful for the comfort and aid in repair. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the shower wall.

The water shot against his body because of the high pressure setting. The glass doors were now foggy and the bathroom filled with steam.

Klay just took the moment to reboot and reset. It was all he needed at a time as such. Once his reset was complete, he cracked the bedroom window, letting the cool breeze flow in from outside.

With the lights off, he laid on his back looking at the ceiling. Thirty minutes later, the boy was sound asleep. Rocco had come and snuggled under him. It was the best sleep Klay had gotten in a while. It wasn't long before his seven am alarm began to sound, waking him from his slumber.

Per usual, he checked his notifications for anything important that he might've missed yesterday. His emails and call thread were the same, but there were two notifications that stood out.

dearramtaylor liked your post!

Klay clicked the notification not believing what his morning eyesight was showing. There in his likes were the typical people and supporters, but she had actually liked his post. However, he didn't let himself get caught up in this and he closed the app. The other alert was a message.

Lani
Good morning ☀️

He simply replied and got ready for the day and the tasks ahead.

short but necessary chapter..