Complicated

38. Moment of Truth.

Chres stopped by the house and packed up some extra clothes and necessities as fast as he could. Michelle was asleep in her bed; Chresanto wasn't too sure if she knew about Tiffany or not but he left her a note: "I'm going on a trip with the football for playoffs, so I'm sleeping at Roshon's house. I'll be gone for a couple days. Don't worry. - Chres" It wasn't the most legit note to leave her but at least he let her know. However, something like this will raise suspicion, mainly because he's under 18 without some type of parental consent form. Michelle was surely figure out where he is, one way or another.

Meanwhile, Kiloni and Jake were on the couch as usual. Loni sat away Jake because her fear for him grew every time they were together. In some way, shape or form, Jake abused her constantly; Physically, verbally, mentally. Most bruises weren't visible unless you looked under her clothes. Kiloni started wearing more sweaters so others couldn't see the marks of where Jake punched her. Besides that, the same marks would be on her stomach or her chest. Occasionally, he would give her hickies but no one saw that as a big deal since they were dating and she would cover them up anyways. Other times, Jake made her feel like he was all she had. He made her think that no one else would take her since her bruises and sad faces made her ugly. Jake had gained power of her, inside and out. At this point, she was too scared to take action; Kiloni was stuck in a relationship that she desperately wanted to get out of.

As they sat on the couch, Chresanto paid them no real mind. Before he left, he stopped to tell Kiloni what's going on. "Yo Loni."

"Hm?" she raised her eyebrows but kept the rest of her body still. "I'm leaving for a couple days with Bahja but make sure you tell your mom I'm with the football team for playoffs." Kiloni and Jake looked at Chres with scrunched faces. "Where you really going?" Kiloni asked.

"Nevada."

"What's in Nevada?"

"Her mom and sister. Her real fam."

"Then why are you going?"

"I'll call you later and explain everything, don't worry. Just tell her what I told you: football for playoffs."

"Um okay.."

"Aight, thanks. I'll see y'all later. Jake, take care of Loni for me," Chres joked, leaving the house. Jake faked a smile but when Chres closed the door behind him, the smile vanished. Jake turned his head to Kiloni and clenched his face and fists. "'Take care of Loni for me'? And he finna call you? You think I'm stupid but I know damn well you're fucking him."

"But I told you I'm--" she was cut off by a mightiful slap to the face, knocking her off the couch. "Who the fuck are you yelling at? Get off the damn floor, you're a mess." Kiloni struggled herself back onto the couch, rubbing her sore face. Jake grabbed her neck as Loni hissed in pain. "You listen here. If I find out you're fucking him, you might as well consider yourself dead." Tears started streaming from Kiloni's eyes, striking a nerve in Jake. "Baby please, don't cry.. I'm sorry. I just really care about you and I don't want to lose you to some kid who just walked into your life. I love you too much to let him do me like that." Kiloni wiped her tears, "I know but.. you hurt me. You need to stop. Please. You might not see it but you're becoming a monster and I say this because I love you too and I'm worried for the both of us. You could kill me! Honestly, if you keep this up.. I'm leaving you." Jake found that last part as a threat, causing his soft side to go back to him being angry. He stood up and balled his fists on his sides. "You can't leave me! Bitch, without me, you ain't shit. I'm the one niggas know. I'm the one who has niggas eating out my damn palms. I'm the one who runs these streets. At this point, you're the girl who got a fucked up brother who lives to kiss my ass so I can pay for his baby mama. You're nothing without me. Without me, you're better off dead because ain't no one care about you but me. People know you because of me. The girl I'm with. Jake's girlfriend. Dassit. You ain't shit so don't think you can leave me with a name for yourself because Kiloni ain't anybody these niggas care about."