Say Goodbye (A Chris Brown Love Story)

Chapter Three

I was the first one to wake up in the morning and as soon as I did, I went downstairs to the laundry room to get Mariah's clothes out so she could put them back on. It was so odd, Dani had said she heard some thumping and when she ran to the window, I didn't want to believe her when she said there was a girl on our doorstep. But when I opened the door, there she was! I was a little shocked but when that passed, I brought her in out of the rain cause I knew she was probably freezing.

She was stirring a little on the couch when I walked in and I gently shook her to wake her up. She just groaned and pulled the blankets over her head.

"Mom, go finish being a whore." She mumbled.

"Mariah." I said loudly, probably scaring her because she yanked the blankets down and stared at me.

"Oh, sorry. I-I'm just really tired." She even looked tired.

"When was the last time you had a good nights sleep?" I asked her.

"I can't remember, it's been so long. I usually only get like 4 or 5 hours of sleep at the most."

"Maybe you should sleep in today. I see you sleeping in class a lot."

"You do? Wait, you're in my classes?"

"Yep, all of them. I noticed you because I see your friend hitting you to make you stay awake."

"Oh, yeah. She does that a lot." She started to doze off again just like that. I pulled the blanket up on her and she went back to sleep. Missing one day of school wouldn't hurt for her. I wonder what she meant earlier when she was telling her "mom" to go finish being a whore. Did she have parents like mine?

I went upstairs and woke up Daniella who didn't want to get up but then shot up when she looked like she remembered something. I caught her with my arm as she tried to run out the room.

"Dani, where are you going?" I asked.

"Mariah didn't leave already did she? Without a goodbye?" Her eyes began to water.

"No, she's still asleep. Let her sleep, she's really tired."

"Oh okay." She stopped struggling to get out of my arms. I began to dress Dani in her daycare clothes and after I finished with her, I left to go take my shower and get dressed. I told Dani to not and try to wake up Mariah but she probably was going to anyway.

I was glad that I didn't have to work today. Rodrick said I have earned a few days off so I'm free for now. I could just come home after school and relax cause I really needed it. I went downstairs to find Dani criss crossed in front of a sleeping Mariah. It's like she was watching her. Dani didn't ever cling to people like that and I was shocked that she was so eager to see Mariah again. She had only clung herself to me. And Rodrick. He came over one time and she liked him too but not like she likes Mariah. She never even looked at Brandy either. I could see why she clings to me, I'm her brother for Pete's sake but still.

"Dani, it's time to go." I whispered as I came off the steps. "You'll see her again after I pick you up from daycare, okay?"

"Okay." She hopped up and picked up her little bag before heading out the door into the garage.

"Chris." I stopped when I heard Mariah's voice. "I need a favor." She whispered. "My keys to my car are in my jeans pocket. My friend you talked about, Hayden, I have her notebook with her English notes, it's red and it's in my bag in my car. She needs that." I just nodded and took the keys out of her folded up jeans. I was just guessing that her car was in the direction towards the school so I was gonna stop if I saw it. I don't even know what kind of car it was but oh well. When I looked at the keys, I still couldn't tell.