Against All Odds

2.

Jacob in the mm 😍

Don't you guys just love him and his music?

Anyways, on to the story. Enjoy!

-Niyahwashere

***

Jacob Payne

"How was class?"

I had just picked up Bri and we were on our way to the mall for our weekly best friend shopping trip.

"It was okay. I have a 15 page paper due next week."

"On what? Nothing can be interesting enough to write 15 pages about."

"It's on the solar system. I have to compare and contrast Mars and Venus. I don't understand how this is going to help me in life but whatever."

See how she's complaining now? She's the laziest,smartest person I know if that makes sense. She always complains about the work and how hard it is but ends up finishing it early and makes all A's. She my little braniac.

As we pull up to the mall and get out, I ask her, "where do you wanna go first?"

"Umm, how about Footlocker?"

"Aight."

We go in Footlocker and look at shoes. After she picks out the shoes she wants we go to the register.

"That'll be $123.88",the guy at the register tells us.

She looks in her wallet and sees she only has $75.

"Best frienddd, you know I love you right?"

"C'mon Bri, why do you always get shoes you don't have enough money for?"

"Because I have a best friend that'll buy them for me. Right?"

I sigh and roll my eyes. "You owe me bruh"

"I gotchu Jake".

After I pay for the shoes we leave out of the store. As we're walking to another store she kisses me on the cheek.

"What was that for?"

"For being such a good best friend", she smiles at me.

"Oh. Well don't do it again. Probably got Zika virus growing on my cheek"

She gasps and hits my arm and I laugh.

***
1 hour later....

"Jake, can I drive home?"

I look at her with the have you lost your mind? face. "First you made me buy you shoes, gave me Zika virus, now you wanna drive my car?"

"Pleaseee, I just got my license and I need the practice."

"Fine."

She smiles and does a little dance.

"BUT-"

She rolls her eyes and sighs.

"But you have to let me set you up on a date."

Briana isn't a social person at all. She's always encouraging me to get out there and party and meet people but she won't do the same.

"Okay whatever. Now gimmie the keys."

I throw her the keys.

She starts singing, "I got the keys,keys,keys."

"Please stop singing", I say while getting in the car.

She starts up the car and pulls out of the parking lot onto the highway going home. "They don't want me to sing, so I make sure to sing."

I laugh at her antics and lean into the seat listening to the radio.

***

After Bri got home, I decided to go to my mom's house. I hadn't seen her in a couple of weeks due to me being busy and looking for a job. I dropped out of college second semester of freshman year. College wasn't for me. Although my mom wasn't too proud of my decision to drop out, she's glad I at least attempted to go.

"Ma, where you at?"

"In the kitchen"

I walk into the kitchen and see her cooking.

"Oh shoot, mama got it smelling good in here. Whatchu cooking?" I go to open the pot and she smacks my hand making me drop it.

"Where have you been?", she asks stirring some greens.

"I've been busy looking for a job and a house."

I moved out on my own when I started college. I was originally staying in the dorms on campus but since I dropped out, that obviously wasn't going to work. Therefore, I've been living with my homie Rashon.

My mom doesn't like him because she claims he's a "bad influence" but as long I'm not living on the streets and selling drugs then I don't think she should be worried.

"Hmm, okay. You're cousin Jayceon is going to be moving here. His mom died and his father is an unfit parent."

"When did aunt Janice die?"

Don't come around for a few weeks and you miss everything.

"She died almost a month ago, boy. But I need you to make him feel welcomed so come pick him up tomorrow and do whatever it is y'all young boys do."

"Okay, I'll come pick him up tomorrow after 3."

After talking and eating with my mom, I decide to head home before it gets too late. Once I walk in, I notice that Rashon isn't home.

I go to my room and grab some night clothes to put on after my shower. I shower for about 15 minutes and then get out. As I'm about to lay down and go to sleep, the doorbell rings. I look over at the clock.

12:37 a.m.

Who could that be? I go to open the door and see nothing. As I'm about to close the door, I hear something like a baby cooing.

I look down and sure enough, it's a baby wrapped up in a blanket. I quickly grab the car seat it's in, looking around to see who could have left a baby on a doorstep. I see nobody so I close the door and sit down on the couch.

I notice something yellow sticking out of the baby bag and it's a note.

Dear Jacob,

This is your daughter. Her name is Chaylin Marie Payne. She's 6 months old. I hate that you had to meet her under these circumstances, but I've taken care of her for as long as I could. I've ran out of money and I'm tired of moving from shelter to shelter to get a meal and a place to lay our heads.

Please take good care of her and let her know her mom loves her very much. I will be back for her when I get myself together, I promise.

Love,
Your baby's mother, Alexia.

After I read the note, I look down at the baby and she's looking at me and smiling a toothless grin.

Nobody is going to believe this...

***
This is just a glimpse into Jacob's world.

Yes, the baby is Harley I just changed her name.

Jacob's cousin Jayceon will be introduced in the next chapter and he will play an important role in the story.

How y'all liking the story so far?

-Niyah