Making Mistakes

Ch. 1

It's 3:00 a.m., and he's still not home. The kids are put to bed and the house is all clean and in all that time he is still not home. This is the fourth time this month, and every time I confront him about it, he tells me not to worry and that it's his job. I don't see it that way but due to the copious arguments that we have, I pick and choose my battle. But now I'm fed up; how did we get here? We use to love each other deeply and openly but ever since his song blew up 2 years ago, he's been acting like somebody I don't even know. First, it was staying out at the studio late, then it was late club appearances, and then it was a private  "business phone." As a recording artist myself, I understand that all this is going into creating hit records and creating a fan base, but when you start taking private manager calls at 3:00 in the morning giggling and coming in from "business trips" with lips stick stains on your shirt then that where the line is crossed. That ain't a business; it's cheating. Part of me is saying, why don't I leave his ass and divorce him, but another part of me feels like, what if he really is working and shit just gets out of hand. Remember, I'm a recording artist too, I did the club appearances, late-night studio time, and those crazy "business trips," and believe me, a lot of things go "off schedule," if you know what I'm saying. There was a lot that came along with the business and situations I was put in that I didn't prepare for. So I get it, but also I understand boundaries and for August, he's still learning his. I gotta take into account that the August I know would never cheat or do anything to hurt a woman.  You see we weren't always this way. August wasn't always this way. You see, the man everyone knows now as August Alsina was just little Auggie from down the street. Me and August grew up together and I always knew him as the little quiet kid in the corner. We had been in the same class since kindergarten and I never heard this man speak until our sophomore year in high school. He always had a notebook and backpack and was bright but never really spoke up. I guess you could say Aug was an outcast; he was always getting picked or clowned on by the school bully. The only time he wasn't getting picked on or beat up was when his brother Mel was around, he always looked out for Aug.  Mel put fear in everyone when he was around, but that didn't stop people from messing with Aug when Mel wasn't looking. For Aug, growing up was tough and it seemed like he never caught a break.  

For me, I was popular and was known in the school for my voice.  Also, my big sister left some big shoes to fill as everyone knew her because of the parties she used to throw. So everyone knew me, and I was cool with everyone. So when I would see Aug get bullied I would step in and defend him. I guess you can say that was the start of me and Aug. I remember I saved him one night from getting his tail kicked. A football player, who just so happened to be my dumb-ass cousin Eric, was trying to force him to give an answer to a science final. Eric was benched from the games until he could get his grades up. Being that it was almost the end of the football season. Eric was desperate and wanted his starting spot back on time. Apparently, he felt cheating was the only way to reach the goal. Not surprised, honestly Eric cheats at everything. 
Flash Back:
I use my sister's old skipping school key to get into the school. I had to pee so badly and hated using the stadium bathroom. They smell and look like they hadn't been cleaned in centuries. I finally find the bathroom and hurry to pee. I know it's almost time for the second half of the game. Daquan will lose his shit if he sees I'm not up there in those bleachers cheering him on. I pee and wipe myself and then come out of the stall to wash my hands. As I'm washing my hands, I hear yelling and screaming. " Nobody is supposed to be in the school," I say to myself.  I dry my hands and then I grab my shirt and open the door slightly so I don't make my presence obvious. As I open the door I see my cousin Eric screaming and yelling and his arm pinning someone up on a wall.
"You think I was gonna let you get away with what you did"
"Man, I told your ass I wasn't gonna cheat for you; that's not who I am."
"So you can run the streets and steal for your older brother but you can't get fucking test answer!" "Nigga, Please"
"Look man if you want your money back you can have it !! See, I got it right here !!"
" I don't want the money back! I WANT TO BE OUT ON THAT FIELD! Do you know how many college scouts are out there tonight?! They should be seeing me out there scoring touchdowns and not Daquan!
August was silent.