Live Your Life

38

Darien POV

I just got off the phone with Jerome and he was telling me about happened with Jaleny last night and I'm honestly shocked. I don't understand her logic behind doing all these things, knowing what everyone is going through, just adding more stress. I get that she's been going through it for a while, but I don't know what other attention she's seeking that's she's not already receiving. I don't know what I can do on my part, and she's not telling me anything.

I quickly called Jaleny as I packed my gym bag, getting ready to go to the gym and let off some steam. On the last ring, she finally picked up.

"Darien if you're going to yell at me, please save your breath. I've gotten enough already." She said.

"I'm not gonna yell at you. How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Like shit...physically and emotionally." She said, sounding sad as hell. I shook my head and swung my bag onto my shoulder. I grabbed my keys before leaving my room and heading downstairs.

"We gotta talk so get dressed to workout, I'm about to pick you up." I said as I stepped out my house and locked the door.

"I'm not leaving this house Darien. You know I can't too." She said, just trying to avoid it at this point.

"Ion care, I'm sliding through and you better be ready to go. I'm not giving you an option." I said then hung up. She knows I'm not about to play with her stubborn ass.

...............

I pulled up to her house and honked my horn. The door opened and Marcus stepped out, probably tryna figure out who's honking in front of his crib. I got out the car so that he could see it's just me.

"How you doing son. How's the new school going? He asked walking up to my car. We shook hands before I leaned against my car.

"I'm doing good, other than stressing bout your daughter. The schools aight, the basketball program is way better and I'm already getting college offers." I told him. Switching schools was the best thing that I did for me and my future.

"That's good, I'm proud of you. You here for Jaleny?" He asked.

"Yeah, I hope it's ok I'm stealing her away for a bit. We're just going to the gym and I gotta speak to her." I said. He nodded and looked towards the house.

"Yeah man, try and talk some sense into her please. Ion know what's going on and I feel like I can't talk to her because I get so angry every time knowing that my baby girl isn't my sane baby girl anymore. Just have her back by a reasonable time. She's still in trouble." He said. I nodded, hearing everything he said.

Almost immediately, Jaleny walked out of the house in a sports bra and workout leggings with her curly hair up into a messy ponytail. She had a frown on her face as she approached my car. She said no words to me or her father and she entered the car. I looked at Marcus and he just shook his head. We said our good byes and I got into the car.

"Put your seatbelt on. You know I'm not gonna drive off if you don't." I said. She rolled her eyes and put it on with attitude. I only chuckled and pulled off the lot.

The drive was silent till we got to the gym. I parked the car but we both just sat there for a moment. I know what happened but I wanna hear it from her. I wanna know why, with who, and exactly what she did.

"You really know how to scare someone Jaleny. I don't know you want everyone to do. I don't know what you want me to do." I said. I looked at her. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I don't want anything from y'all. All I want is to be left the fuck alone by everyone. I don't care anymore." She snapped. She pulled out her phone and I quickly snatched it out her hand. "Give me my phone Darien." She said, holding her hand out.