Magic City

Isabel

"Tati ? Tatiana .." , I woke up to the sound of Chanelle's voice . I turned around to see her standing over me with her car keys in her hand . "You still coming with me to pick up Isabel ?" , she asked . "Um , yeah" , I sat up and immediatly felt dizzy . "You good ?" , she asked . "I'm fine" , I said , sitting up . I was in our bed , and Keem wasn't here . I'm guessing he put me in bed after I fell asleep last night . My head was hurting . I got to my feet and looked for my phone . "I'm gonna go downstairs and wait for you . Okay ?" Chanelle told me . "Alright . Ima get dressed and be right down ." Chanelle walked out the room and shut the door . I made my way over to the bathroom and washed my face , and brushed my teeth . I walked back into the room to find something to wear and I noticed some of Keem's stuff was missing . I looked out the window and his car wasn't there . I took a deep breath and got dressed . I pretended not to care , but inside I was hurting . I put on a pair of jeans , a black t shirt , and toms . I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and put on sun glasses . I grabbed my phone , wallet , and keys and walked downstairs .

"Goodmorning" , I heard Abel Jr say to me with a big smile . "Aw , goodmorning" , I said smiling back at him . "I'm helping daddy make breakfast" , he told me . "You're such a good helper" , I said , watching him hand Abel bread to put in the toaster . "What are you making ?" I asked him . "Bacon . Eggs . and toast" Abel answered , turning to me "Chanelle's waiting outside in the car , but I want to talk to you when you come back .." he said . He looked tired and sad . "Um , okay .." I said , walking towards the front door . I walked outside and go into Chanelle's car .

Chanelle pulled off , and I let out a sigh as I looked at the empty drive way . "Do you know where Keem is ?" I asked . "He left early this morning . He didn't say anything to me , he was talking to Abel . He had his stuff though .. All I heard him say was that he'll be back tonight ." , she said , keeping her eyes on the road . "Abel said he wants to talk to me when I get back .." I told her . "Well , I guess now you know why ." , she said , reaching over and patting my arm . "It's gonna be okay Tati . I promise" . She smiled at me . "I guess" . I looked out the window at the palm trees , big houses , and the endless stores as we made our way to Abel's mother's house . It wasn't as big and beautiful as all the other houses we passed , but it was nice . It was a small , brown brick house with a flower garden in the front . We pulled into the drive way and I could see a pool in the back yard . We got out and walked into the house . Chanelle walked right in without knocking . I was always a little scared of Abel's mother , so I stood inside the house , by the front door . I saw Isabel run right towards Chanelle and into her arms . "Mommy !" , she yelled , giggling . "Look , gramma painted my nails" . She was so cute . She had a little afro just like her brother . *picture to right* "I see , they're pretty" Chanelle smiled at her . "You know who this is ?" Chanelle asked her , pointing to me . "Um .." , Isabel took a step towards me then smiled and laughed "mommy , that's your friend" . She went over to me and hugged me . I laughed and picked her up . "You're adorable" , I said to her . "Thank you" , she smiled at me . Abel's mother walked into the room . "Girl , go put on them clothes I layed out for you ! Have me running all around this house after you" , she said to Isabel . I put Isabel down and she ran into her grandmother's bedroom . "I need help !" , I heard her yell . Chanelle laughed , "I'll do it" , she said walking into the room .

"Well looky here" , Abel's mom smiled at me , "Girl , I haven't seen you in years" . "I know , I haven't been around" , I said to her . "Well how's everything ? How's Keem?" she asked , leading me into the kitchen and offering me coffee . "Oh , no thank you .. But um , everything's fine .." I said , looking away from her . "Mhmm .. Fine right ?" , she asked . I didn't answer her . She knew I was lying . "Tell me what's wrong hun ." I felt my eyes watering up as I told her about what happened with Candy , when I went through Keem's phone , and how he wasn't there this morning . "Oh dear .." , she said walking over to me . "It's alright hunny . You don't need him . It'll be okay" . "I hope so .." I said , wiing my tears . Then Isabel came running into the kitchen "I'm ready !" she smiled . "Alright , let's go" , chanelle said . Abel's mom walked us to the front door . "Drive safe" , she said , hugging Isabel , Chanelle and I . "And stay strong" , she said to me . I got into the car while Chanelle put Isabel into the car seat and pulled off .

When we got back to the house , Chanelle took Isabel and Abel Jr. into their room to find their bathing suits . I went into Abel's studio and sat down . "Talk to me" , I said . He took a deep breath and started . "This morning , Keem took a bunch of his stuff and put it into his car . When I asked him what he was doing , he said that he needed space .. But I didn't understand why he was taking hi shit . When I asked him , he said he was gonna take it to a friend's house and that he was gonna stay there until it was time to go back to jersey .." Abel looked at me and let out a sigh , "He left his phone on the table while he was loading up his car . Some girl is here in LA , at a hotel . He's gonna meet her there . He told me he would be back tonight , but I don't know what he's doing .." "That's all I need to hear .. Thanks Abel ." , I walked out of his studio and went upstairs . I don't know what the fuck was going on with Keem . But right now , I don't care . I put on my bathing suit and headed downstairs to the pool . I took out my phone and found Kirk's number . I texted him , asking him if he wanted to come swimming . Keem wants to talk to other girls , right ? 2 can play that game . Keem wants to lie all the time ? Fuck him . Kirk texted back asap , saying he was on his way . I smiled and put my phone down . I dove into the cool , blue water . It felt good . But I kept having this feeling that something really bad was about to happen ..