I REFUSE •Stephen Curry•

•19•

A A L I Y A H

I looked into the night sky thoughts clouding my mind. I told him to let me go cause I thought it would set me free. But if anything it's held me captive. I walked to the car to see Marcus and Klay ready to leave.

"Marcie when do you need to be back at the foster care?" I ask kneeling down to his level. His arms was held behind his back his eyes glued to the floor.

"Mr. Franklin is over there." Marcus says still not looking at me.

"How about this you go ask Mr. Franklin if you can come stay with me and we will see what happens from there, ok?" I explain to him. The small boy immediately looks up his eyes growing wide at my words. He shakes his head furiously before running over to Mr. Franklin. The older man leans down as Marcus explains to him what I told him. He swiftly points at me then looks back at the man. He nods his head then gives him a quick hug before Marcus ran back over.

"Let's go!!" He yells jumping in the backseat.

"He will ride with me." I tell Klay before giving him a small peck on his cheek as he just nods. I hop in the car my hands on the staring wheel. Looking in my rearview mirror I glance at the small hyped up boy in the backseat.

"Are you ready?" I ask my hand resting on the gears.

"Of course." He says loudly and with that I change it to reverse and pull out the parking lots. No longer was it filled with cars but back to the lonesome parking lot I was used to seeing. I flip on the radio Closer by the Chainsmokers ft. Hasley.

"Hey I was doing just fine before I met you." The kid sung I tapped my fingertips against the steering wheel my head bobbing back and forth to the melody. I giggle as the boy singing to every song on the way home. My mind always came back to Steph but as soon as I looked at Marcus my thoughts when away too focused on the curly child behind me.

"Ok jump out little one." I tell him when I stop the car in the drive way. I hear the unclicking of the seat belt before following by Marcus running to the front door. His small hands banged on the door before Klay slung the door open.

"Who's knocking on my door?" Klay asks his face in a pretend angry expression. The little boy giggles and pokes Klay cheek.

"I don't know I think he went that way." Marcus says shrugging his shoulders as he begins playing along.

"Well I guess I'll just take you instead." Klay says a devious grin on his face while he snatched Marcus from his spot before carrying him to the sofa slinging him down as he tickles his sides. Marcus throws his head back in happiness. I look at the boys a smile finding its way into my face. No matter the things I was going through at this moment I had beautiful people in my life no matter what.

"Okay boys we are gonna take our showers then will choose what we are gonna do tonight." I say clapping my hands. "Who's first?" I ask looking at the two of them. They look at each other.

"NOT IT!" They say in sync.

"Well Marcus that means you." I say point towards the bathroom. He pouts but stomps off. I laugh at his cute expression. I go after him.

"Oh shoot you don't have clothes to change into." I say realising. "I'll just get one of Klay's shirt and I'll wash your boxers, leave them on the bed and I'll get them." I tell him. He nods opening the bathroom room.

"Wow." He says looking around the large bathroom.

"I know it's big isn't it?" I ask. He just nod astonished with the sight in front of him.

"It's perfect." He mumbles.

"Okay let me turn the shower on for you." I turn the shower on to the temperature he prefers and I leave him in there and go back to Klay.