double negative (brayden weston)

10

★★★

5 years ago

a thirteen year old remiah was sitting by the christmas tree looking at all the presents her ma and pops got her that year. ramiri was drinking hot cocoa and watching christmas movies. the two had no idea where their parents were at, but it wasn't an uncommon occurrence. soon remiah got up from her spot from the tree, and sat next to ramiri watching, this christmas. it was ramiri's favorite christmas movie.

"miri when are we going over to the tejada's?"

"tomorrow, now shush it's getting good." he said turning to the tv as regina king poured baby oil all over the bathroom floor.

soon ezra and regina smith walked inside the house carrying takeout bags. remiah got up hugging her ma and then pops. ramiri got up helping with the bags of groceries that ezra said was in the car. once ramiri brought them in, him and remiah put them away quickly. the two got back into the living room sitting down on the couch looking at the tv as regina handed them their food. the family was watching the movie while laughing together.

as the movie continued there was a knock on the door. the family looked around confused as they weren't expecting anyone. ezra got up answering the door, there were two detectives at the door.

"ezra smith?" one asked looking him up and down as regina stood up walking towards the door. ramiri told remiah to go to her room, but her ears started ringing as she saw her father get hit to the ground by the detective who was arresting him.

"pops!" she yelled out as tears ran down remiah's face as she tried going to him, but ramiri held her back.

"no angel." he said to her wiping his own tears. the two stood their watching ezra smith be dragged out of the home. "it'll be okay angel, don't worry."

present day

tariq ran across campus in a burgundy suit trying to make it to class. once he got into the building he stopped seeing lauren put up a paper.

"oh. you look sharp." lauren said looking him up and down. "what's the occasion?"

"i'm going to testify for my mom in court today after class."

"oh." she said before clearing her throat pointing to the sign. "you didn't get the email? class is canceled. professor reynolds and milgram are interviewing more students. i guess they got more information about the guy who drowned parents' weekend."

"i thought no one saw anything?" he asked looking behind seeing everett walk pass.

"i don't know. i saw a bunch of basketball players being pulled in too. maybe one of them know something. you used to live with zeke cross, didn't you?"

"yeah, but he didn't hit me, so if class is canceled, imma head downtown now." he said starting to walk away as lauren took a deep breath.

"tariq." she said walking up fixing his tie as he smiled down at her. "do you want me to go with you? i have time to change, and i could..."

"i really wish you could, but it's something i gotta handle by myself." he said and lauren nodded her head. "but thank you."

"so walk us through it again one last time." professor milgram said as her, professor reynolds and everett were in the classroom talking about the night of the basketball game.

"we were pretty drunk, so we left the club to get something to eat." everett said and professor reynolds looked up from writing.

"who's 'we?'"