NO MERCY.

21| NO MERCY

"This is truly beautiful." Nivea, her mother said as her eyes roamed the crowded neighborhood park that they would visit back when Avery was younger. "I haven't witnessed them coming together like this without the drama since before you were born. What makes it better is that they came to celebrate."

The smile that begun to appear on her face caused one of Avery's own to show. It's been a total of five years since her mother's been sober which was a huge accomplishment. Huge enough for Avery and the others to throw her a cookout which was something she knew she would love knowing how much she adored people coming together for a good reason and this was one of them.

"You deserve it mama." Avery stated as she wrapped her arm around her body before brining her into a hug. "I'm proud of you."

"I'm the one that should be proud. You're on the road to becoming a doctor, sweetheart." Nivea pulled away with her smile brighter than before.

Yeah your girl finally graduated from college. That was her main goal but Avery chose the long path of becoming a doctor and was now doing another four years in medical school. She was proud of her damn self because if it wasn't for the love of those around her then she couldn't have made it this far. Avery would've still been bitter about Corhan's death which she now realized could've gotten her killed.

"Thank you mama. That means a lot coming from you." Her eyes found themselves wondering and stopped when seeing Joey standing near the drinks. "Excuse me, i'll be right back."

She started making her way closer to Joey and took notice of Sadria and their five year old daughter Cassie who she'd noticed next to him from afar. As she grew closer to where they were she could hear their conversation.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" Sadria inquired, her head turning as she looked up at Joey utterly confused with what Avery was guessing was his disapproval of what she had on.

"You're showing too much skin. I was close to ending ol' boy's life back there for thinking shit was gonna be sweet coming up to you the way he did." He explained. "Haven't been here for a few months and niggas forget how crazy I am."

"I couldn't just not wear this outfit though." She looked back down and smiled at Cassie who was busy stuffing her face with chicken. "Cassie picked it out for me while I was in the shower."

Joey's face fell and he became distraught. "Baby girl picked that outfit? Oh lord."

"She has great taste." Avery butted in stooping down to Cassie before attacking the clean part of her cheek with kisses.

Sadria was dressed in a mustard yellow romper that had her back exposed with a plunging v-neck and brown gladiator sandals. Joey looked down at Avery with a slight mug on his face. His eyes then averted to her outfit before letting out a loud sigh.

"Where's the rest of your pants?" He shook his head. "This is ridiculous."

"What's ridiculous?" Rio asked as he walked up behind her, his arm around her shoulder with his other hand holding onto their two year old daughter, Raina.

"Your hair." Joey frowned. "Now you knew we were coming out in public so why you got them worms in your hair?"

"The same reason why your old ass dressed like them niggas on Tumblr." Rio snapped back causing all of them to laugh as Joey stared back at him through slanted eyes.

"Don't do my baby like that." Sadria managed to get out through laughter as she hugged him from the side. "And watch your mouth around them. They like repeating words."