"Push Lay push" I could hear my coach say. I ran to the finish line beating all the other girls I started with. Practice was pretty easy today. I walked back to the locker room got dressed and head to my car. I see Jayce and Montrece along with two girls. The girls were all over Montrece. They were touching him and laughing. I hug Jayce and speak to Montrece. The two girls just stop and stare. I then feel Montrece grab my hand and pull me in for a hug. I was reluctant at first but saw him smile and gave in. I just met this boy and he already has me. After saying bye I got in the car and found Jayce just staring at me. "What"?
"Lemme find out you like my boy?"
"Lol maybe a lil"
"That smile says otherwise"
"Shut up!"
Jayce could read me like a book. We had known each other for years. We weren't always close but after my mom had left we became good friends because he understood my pain. My father was in jail all my life and my mother raised me most of my life until she had gotten pregnant a three years ago and left me and my baby brother Aaden to live with my Aunt Grace. I don't know why she left but it's something I can't change. After driving Jayce home I went home. My aunt usually is home but today she wasn't maybe she's in traffic. Dallas always has bad traffic. I went in my room and turned the tv on to watch martin when I heard my phone ring. I answered it. "Hello"
"Hey is this Alaya?" I recognized that raspy voice on the other line but acted as if I didn't.
"Yes and this is..?"
"Trece"
"Hey wassup?"
We talked for about thirty minutes until I heard my aunt and brother come in. I told Trece I would call him back. I got off the phone and spoke to my aunt telling her about my day. She listened but seemed kinda out of it. The past few weeks she seemed different. I couldn't quite get what was wrong but I knew something was. After talking with her I went to talk to my brother in his room and heard a loud thump coming from the other room. I turned rushed to the living room to find my aunt laying on the floor holding her chest. I went to my room got my phone and called 911. I made sure my brother stayed in his room so hr wouldn't see what was going on. It took the ambulance about ten minutes to arrive. Once they got there they discovered she had passed away. It took everything in me not to break down. I didn't know how to explain to Aden what was going on. I just told him that Aunt Grace was going to live in heaven now. I called Jayce and he came over with his mom. She said we could stay with them until we found a family member to stay with. But the truth was there was no one else. My aunt Grace didn't have a husband and there was no one left on my fathers side. We had no grandparents. I made up my mind to try to find a job and save up some money so by the time graduation comes I can try to find a better job. The next day at school I was so tired and drained. Its crazy how things can change do fast. It was lunch and I had spotted Trece. He walked over to my booth and sat by me. "Are you okay?"
I'm fine I say lying.
"Are you sure?, you're not smiling."
"Yeah" I say giving a fake smile.
He wrapped his arms around me and whispered in my ear telling me everything would be okay. I could feel tears forming so I pulled back and told him thank you but we would talk later. I have no idea how I got through the rest of the day. Back at Jayce's house I sat on the couch and watched my brother play with his toys. He looked so happy. I started smiling. Just seeing him smile made me feel a little better. I heard my phone vibrate breaking my thoughts. I looked and it was Montrece. Montrece: Hey I hope ur doin better wanna meet me at the park so we can talk?
Me: yeah I'll be there in ten.
I told Jayce where I was going and grabbed Aden cause I figured he would want to go. Ten minutes later we arrived at the park. I could see Montrece. He was looked like an angel wearing all white down to his socks and shoes. Once he spotted me he walked over hugging me. God he smelled so good. He looked down and saw Aden. I introduced Trece to him. Aden immediately reached up to Trece which is strange because Aden can't stand any male being around me. Trece picked him up. How old are u lil man?
Tree aden said with a big smile.
Trece talked to him for about five minutes until aden spotted the swings. We walked over I put aden on a swing and began pushing him. Trece began to ask me what was wrong. I told him everything. Something about him made me feel like I could be open and honest with him about anything. We talked and he kept reassuring me that things would get better. "I hungry LayLay" Aden said.
"We better get going" I told Trece before hugging him and heading home. I arrived at Jayce's house and smelled the aroma of spaghetti. His mom could throw down in the kitchen. She greeted me and Aden and told us to wash up for dinner. I washed aden first. After that I went to change clothes. Taking off my sweats I noticed money fall out of my pocket which was strange because I had no money to my name. I thought and the only thing that made since was Montrece had to do it when he hugged me. I picked it up and began counting. He had given me five one hundred dollar bills. My first thought was where and how did he get the money. But then I was just thankful. I grabbed my phone and text him thank you.
