Beginning of the End

XXXII

I walked around the Community. It felt weird with Alek and Lamar being gone. Both of my best men were gone, along with the others. I sighed and walked over to Audrey's, knocking on the door. Audrey answered and smiled.

    "I was about to come look for you soon," She held open the door and allowed me to enter, "How are you? You need anything?" I walked over and sat on her couch.

    "Some tea is you have any," I smile, looking around, "It just feels weird having Lamar AND Alek out together." I giggled.

    "I bet that is a little weird for you," She walked over to the kitchen, opening her cabinets, "I don't have any tea, sorry." She closed the cabinet and walked over to me, sitting beside me.

    "It's all good, I'll have some when I get home." I leaned back and sighed.

    "Hey, uh," She cleared her throat, causing me to look at her, "Are you alright?" I leaned up, looking into her eyes.

    "Yeah.Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, confused.

    "Well, Alek was very worried about you." She gave me a weak smile.

    "Meaning?" She shifted in her seat.

    "Well, he told me about how you talked to your brother last night... Who wasn't there." She sighed. I inhaled.

    "Well, I'm just... Trying to like, I don't know, find some solace for what I've done, I guess? My brother was always there. I have no idea where he is. If he's okay, or anything. And I just guess I know he'd be worried, so my mind twisted it." I sighed.

    "Well, I'm here if you ever need to talk." She smiled. I nodded, then stood up.

    "I'm gonna go see if dad needs any help." I smiled and walked out, towards the cafeteria. I walk in, seeing my dad sitting at a table, writing. He looks up at the sound of my footsteps.

    "Hey Jade," He set his pencil down, "What's up?" I walk over and sit across from him.

    "Whatcha doing?" I smile.

    "Writing meal plans," He looks down, "Marcus helped make a ghetto ass oven, so tonight..." He looked up at me with a smile, "We're having lasagna." I laughed at his goofy smile.

    "Sounds great, I can't wait." I smiled back.

    "Yeah, so Marcus and I are gonna get started." He grabbed his paper and walked off towards the kitchen, waving his goodbye to me. I sighed, standing up. I made my way out of the cafeteria and walked to my house. I walked in and over to the bookshelf. I scanned it, then turned around. I grabbed American Psycho off the coffee table, curled up on my couch and began to read.

I got lost in the book when I heard my door open. I turned around and saw Aysa standing in the hall, closing the door behind him.

    "Hi." He muttered.

    "Hey." I said back, slightly confused. I tabbed the page and closed my book.

    "I wanted to apologize about the other day," He walked closer to me, "It was uncalled for." I slowly stood up, facing him.

    "It's okay. I just don't understand why." I stated.

    "Jealousy, I guess." He shrugged, stepping around the couch. I stood my ground, waiting for him to make a dumb move. He looked up at me.

    "Why? It's not like you love me." I chuckled. He shrugged.

    "Doesn't mean I don't care." He opened his arms, as if asking for a hug. I stepped forward, accepting it. He hugged me and sighed. He pulled away, smiling at me.

    "I suppose so. But you and Alek need to cut the pissing contest."

    "Of course." He turned then walked out. I shook my head, then sat back down, opening my book.