Real Love (Book I)

Chapter 3

Trouble

"Jalice...what happened?", I asked frantically.

She didn't answer. She just stood there staring down at John's motionless body. She still looked shocked at what had just happened.

I looked over on the ground to see a now shattered lamp near his body. I'm guessing she must've hit him with that.

Finally Jalice spoke up.

"What have I done? I didn't mean to...", she said quietly still staring at the body.

"Calm down. I'm gonna call an ambulance."

I walked over to the phone and dialed 911.

"Hello?....I need an ambulance...9570 Heather Road,

Beverly Hills...thank you."

I sat the phone back down. I looked over at Jalice who was now sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.

"I'm going to jail. I'm going to jail man... what am I gon' do Liyah?", she said.

"I don't really know. You might not go to jail if he's still alive... is he still alive?", I asked.

"I don't even know", she said sounding more sad.

*5 minutes later*

The ambulance and police are here.

"Can you explain what happened, ma'am?", the officer asked me.

"Well, I was being attacked by him so my friend came to help me and...", I let my sentence trail off and looked over at Jalice who was scared out of her mind. "He pushed her on the ground so I grabbed a nearby lamp and hit him over the head with it.", I continued.

"Wait--", she began to talk but I held up my hand to stop her.

The officer who was writing on a little notepad as I talked looked up at me.

"Well, Ms. Haughton, this is counted as domestic violence so if he wakes up you'll receive minor charges. If he's to not wake up, this case will become a lot more serious" , he said as he tucked the notepad into his back pocket.

"I understand sir", I said as I looked down at the ground.

The officer walked away, got into his car, and drove off.

I looked over to see the paramedics putting the stretcher that held John on it into the ambulance. They soon drove off.

I walked back into my house and sat on the couch. I put my face in my hands.

"Liyah...why did you do that?", Jalice asked in what was almost a whisper.

"You're already on probation and I don't want you to get into anymore trouble."

"But you could go to jail. I don't want you goin' to jail for something I did. That ain't right", she said.

I let out a sigh while running my fingers through my hair.

"It's not a big deal. Whatever happens, happens. I'm just hoping that he wakes up because I can't be charged with murder. That right there will mess with my career."

"I'm so sorry I did this. When you left he tried to run behind you so--", she began to talk but I just stopped her.

"Look, it's ok girl", I laughed. "I understand and I'm glad you did it. Now stop stressing! I'll be fine."

I got up and hugged her.

*3 weeks later*

I'm sitting in my house watching tv. Well, actually channel surfing but I stopped on the news as soon as I heard my name.

"Could Pop star, Aaliyah Haughton, be going to jail for domestic violence or possibly murder?", said the reporter. "Details of this story coming up next."

The show went on commercial and immediately my phone started ringing.

I picked it up.

"Hello?", I said.

"Hello hun,"

"Diana...", I said as I rolled my eyes.

Diana is my foster mom. Yes, I'm a foster kid. Long story short: Parents decided they weren't ready for kids, they gave me up when I was 2 and now, I'm here. Diana only went by her first name so calling her 'mom' was pretty much out of the question.

Diana was the showbiz type parent. She's the one who got me to where I am and I'm thankful but now she's just a mess. Don't get me wrong, she's nice but doesn't understand that I'm a grown woman now. She still insists on telling me what to do just so she can say "it was I who got you to where you are". She uses that line whenever she needs money.

"I was watching the news. What happened?", she asked.

"Just had a minor altercation with John and things got outta control."

"John? I told you he was no good. You should've left him ! Now look at you, your reputation and career is about to be ruined on account of him", she said in a serious tone.

I let out a deep sigh trying to stay calm.

"Diana, I'm a grown woman now just as I was when I got with him. I admit you were right but you don't have to throw it in my face and I'm fully aware of the affect this could have on my reputation and career."

"Aaliyah, you need to listen to me more often. That's all I'm trying to tell you. I just hope everything turns out good", she said softly.

"I understand. Now I have to go, somebody on the other line. Bye."

"Bye, darling", she said.

As soon as she hung up I switched lines.

"Hello?", I said in a slightly annoyed tone.

"I saw the news, what's been goin' on?"

I could tell this was Malai by her slight Jamaican accent.

"Had a fight with John. It got physical."

"Are you okay?! Wasn't Jalice there?", she asked.

"I'm fine, and yes she was. We're both okay. I just made a mistake so now I gotta see what's gonna happen."

"Aw man... Well I hope you get off easy. Well, I gotta go. Bye Liyah", she said.

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and just sat there. Then I remembered I needed to check the mail.

I went out to my mailbox , grabbed the mail, and walked back into my house.

I sat on the couch going through the mail and finally found what I was looking for.

I opened the mail.

"Aaliyah Haughton, you are scheduled to be in court in the next month on account of charges filed by John Anderson for assault/battery and domestic violence...", I read to myself.

I threw all the mail on the coffee table and just laid back on the couch with my face in my hands.

I can't believe this is happening... I just hope all goes well.