Heaven.

THIRTY-FOUR

Quincy pulled up outside my house and I hopped into the passenger seat. I already expressed to my mom that Lia was going through some stuff so I was going to be there for her. She just told me as long as I'm able to get up for school then she's fine with it.

The vibe was chill, the radio playing softly in the background, but my mind was racing. Lia might think she's good at hiding it, but I know my girl too well. Even though I haven't known her long, you can just pick up on how people act by being/talking to them all the time.

"You think she's really okay?" I asked as Quincy was driving. "She's holding up," he said, eyes focused on the road. "But I'm not gon lie, Saint is testing her patience." He finished shaking his head. "Why come around just to start something? Like if you're not stepping up for Elias, what's the point?" Nigga not even a saint, waste of a name.

"That's exactly what she told him. He's mad because she won't let him see the kid without proving he's serious this time." Period queen. "And I bet he's acting like the victim right?" I rolled my eyes already knowing the answer. "Of course, trying to bring up moving to Canada was wrong of her. Constantly trying to manipulate her about it saying "now how am I gonna see him? you moved far away" and shit." Huh?

"He literally lived mad close and didn't make effort to see him...?" Now he wanna make excuses. "That part" He pulls into the driveway parking the car.

Quincy and I stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapping around us. The porch light was on, and I could see Lia through the window, sitting on the couch with her knees tucked to her chest. She looked small like the weight of everything was starting to crush her.

"Saint really has the audacity to flip it on her," I muttered shaking my head as we approached the door. "Bro been out here playing ghost for how long and now Canada's the problem? Be so for real." Excuses excuses. 

"Exactly. He wants her to feel bad but Li's not stupid. She sees through him. She just doesn't want the drama." Quincy states unlocking the door. "Too late for that," I said as we walked inside. Lia glanced up looking a little confused but excited to see me. 

"Heaven?" she says while I take off my shoes. "Hey boo, I came to hang out with Q. Are you good?" Trying to get her to spill. "I'm alright. Hanging with your man huh?" She cracks the joke as he walked into the kitchen. "Girl please go ahead. We're just friends!" I say and she rolls her eyes. 

"Ready?" Q says to me noticing Lia keeps trying to take the spotlight off of her. "Yeah, let's go." Lia come on girly. "Have fun, don't make no babies like me" She says as we walk away flipping her off. Babies??? 

We start heading upstairs to his room, it's actually really nice and vibey. "Bro why won't she talk?" I say taking a seat in his beanbag. I don't know if he has an outside clothes rule like me or not so I won't take any chances. "I told you she'll come around. Just give her some time because ole boy been stressing her for a minute and it's just now affecting her. I even tried to talk but she shuts it down." Damn. I really wish I would've known. 

"You know how Lia is. She doesn't wanna feel like she's burdening anybody. And now that Saint's stirring up drama, she's probably trying to deal with it all on her own." Quincy sighs. Even when two weeks ago she got sad about something with school she didn't want to talk. She truly stays to herself which I can't blame because I do the same.

I slouched further into the beanbag, staring at the glowing LEDs lining his room. "But she doesn't have to. That's what we're here for. She's always the one holding us down. Why can't she let us return the favor?" Ever since I met Aurelia she's been the nicest person and has been there for us so I just want to be there for her in return.

Quincy grabbed his basketball and started spinning it absentmindedly on his finger. "That's just her. She'll talk when she's ready. In the meantime, you just being here probably means more than you realize." I nodded but the frustration lingered. I couldn't shake the image of her curled up on that couch looking so unlike herself.

After a while of silence, Quincy put the ball down and grabbed his controller. "You staying here overthinking won't fix anything. Wanna run a few games?" I guess when she's ready then she's ready. I know that I eventually go to O3 when I am ready to talk so it might just be the same.

"You just want an excuse to lose." I slightly laughed. "Talkin all that trash. Let's see if you can back it up." Quincy grinned.

As we played, my mind kept wandering back to Lia. Quincy was probably right, pushing her wouldn't help. But I still needed to find a way to remind her that she didn't have to face this alone.

Quincy and I were in the middle of our third game when there was a soft knock at the door. I looked up confused, as it creaked open. Lia stood there with her arms crossed and face guarded but softer than before.

"Hey," she said quietly. Quincy immediately paused the game tossing the controller aside. "You good?" he asked with a careful tone. Lia sighed stepping into the room and sitting on the edge of the bed, grabbing a throw pillow. "I just... I didn't wanna talk about it earlier because I didn't want to ruin the vibe. But it's been eating at me."

I sat up in the beanbag to give my full attention. "Lia, you know you don't have to hold it in. We're here for you." I expressed, I truly care about this girl. It's Saint. He's been on my ass all week." I moved from the beanbag to sit closer to her. "What's he on about now?" I rather let her tell it.

"Same old. He's mad that I won't let him see Elias until he proves he's serious. And now he's saying moving here with Quincy's family ruined his chance to be a dad. Like what was I supposed to do? Stay back while everyone moved? I would've literally had nowhere to go because they're my only family." She said tearing up.

"You didn't have a choice," Quincy said firmly. "You did what you had to Lia. He's just looking for someone to blame." I put into perspective. She sniffled shaking her head. "I hate how he makes me feel guilty, like I'm the bad guy. I'm trying so hard to keep it together for Eli but sometimes it's too much." Burying her face into the pillow slowly. I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "You're not the bad guy Lia. You're a great mom, and you're doing everything you can. Don't let him make you think otherwise. You literally are in high school raising this boy who is such a sweetheart with the kindest soul." I expressed.

"Exactly little cousin, you might be one of the most annoying people I know but when it comes down to my man E you don't play," She looks up fake mugging him while chuckling. "And if he keeps trying it, you know I've got your back. Always." Quincy finishes wrapping his arm around her other shoulder.

"Thanks you guys, I just needed to let it out." The tension in her shoulders eased as we sat together, reminding her she didn't have to carry it all alone. Once again we ride at dawn for Lia.