His Mistress, Her Nightmare (COMPLETED)

The Next Step

I've been in and out of the police station, for the past month and a half. I've never been so stressed, in my life. Today is the day our final grades are posted and I'm not sure I've kept my honors status. "Aht, stop worrying." Jaydah knocks me out of my thoughts. We all gathered at her and Lilah's place, to either celebrate or cry, together. "I can't help it." I whine. "You passed your exit presentation, so you should pass that class. Everything may not be A's but you'll pass, love." Lilah says. I just watch the clock desperately, because all grades will be posted by 12 today and none of mine has. Everyone else has at least gotten two. "I passed!" I yell, as I see my grade for Mr. Anderson's class. Zora had already gotten her A. "I got a B but considering that bullshit I pulled during midterms, I'm okay with it." I could literally cry. I only had three other classes, including yoga 2 and I'm sure I did okay.

By 11:37AM, I had all my grades. "I don't know how you did it." Zora says, peering over my grades. I got a 3.75 for this semester. I got my overall grade up to a 3.7. I am 100% okay with that, considering everything that has happened. I'm still an honor student. Devin walks over and kisses my forehead. We're still not together but we've been the best of friends. "Now we can all walk across that stage Saturday!" Jaydah shouts. It's crazy to think Lilah's graduating with us. She's a year younger than us but started college early. We're all smart and fine. Can't find too many crews like that. Warren and Jeremy are graduating with honors too and Devin and Dayquan aren't that far behind. They'll be graduating in the fall. Now, I finally have something to be truly happy about.

Two weeks go by and it's finally time. All of my family gathered, in a section nearby my seat. I got my makeup, hair and nails professionally done, for this day. We're all pretty much separated, because at college graduations, we're separated by schools/majors. I don't even know how to feel. My family is more happy than I am, because they don't even know the half of what I went through, this year. My parents think I missed a class and that's why I stayed an extra semester, when in actuality, I couldn't get my shit together and had to retake a class and stuff this semester, with filler classes. Thank God it's offered every semester. I roll my eyes at the thought of failing a class. Only my crew knows because they completely understand.

As the ceremony goes on, I get more and more emotional. So much shit has happened. It's unbelievable I still made it through. My thoughts take over my mind, as I line up near the stage. They're really going to call my name. I hear "Charity Lorraine West, Cum Laude" and my heart races. It'd be just my luck if I trip and/or fall across the stage. I've seen it happen. I smile all and shake the hands of the staff, along the way, to get the little piece of paper they give instead of a real diploma. I'm done. I'm really done. But now what? I've been so caught up, I haven't thought about where I'm actually going to work and live. Ugh.

***

I didn't celebrate too much, because I had packing to do. My parents made sure I had enough boxes and what not, to make it easier. They even took some of my things home, in my dad's truck.  "How did you accumulate so much stuff?" Devin asks. He's so sweet, for helping me pack. "I honestly don't know." I laugh. We've been stuffing boxes, for about two hours and I'm over it. I lay back, on my bed, hoping everything else packs itself. "You move tomorrow, Charity." Devin reminds me. "I knowwww." I whine. He shakes his head and kisses my forehead. "We can take a break. I'll come back later. We're finishing tonight, so we can just pack your car, tomorrow." "Yes, Sir." I laugh. I listen for the door, to close. I just want to breathe. 

I lay there, for about 30 minutes, until feeling the need, for a snack. "We have nothing." I whine. "I took all of my stuff out too." Amara says. She's actually leaving in a few hours. "I knew I'd want a snack but I got rid of everything." I annoy myself sometimes. I roll my eyes and head for my keys. "You want anything, from Walmart?" I ask. "Ehh, no thanks. I don't want to get sleepy, before this long drive." Makes sense. She has a four hour drive, home. "Yikes." I reluctantly head to my car. I'm literally dragging my feet. I see others packing and getting ready to leave. It's wild that I'm not going to be here, anymore. I thought I'd be happier but I'm just not. 

I take the small drive, to Walmart, in silence. I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. Do I want candy, chocolate or chips? I drown myself in thoughts, on the way to the candy aisle. I even think about the last time I saw Jasmine, here. We actually been checking in on each other, lately. It's crazy. She's just happy to be alive and Marcus is locked up. He's even tried calling me, from jail. I never answer. I can't look at him the same. He really hurt her. "Not sure what you want?" Some guy interrupts my thoughts. He's so beautiful, I'm stunned. "Uh...yea no. I have no idea." I finally say. Charity, relax. You've had enough boy problems, for one year. "Me either. I just know I want something." The guy laughs. And he has perfect teeth?? Who is this man? "I'm Kai, by the way." Kai reaches out his hand, to shake mine. "Charity." I shake his hand. "You from around here?" Kai asks. "Not really. I'm not too far out, from here but I just graduated a few days ago. Leaving tomorrow." "Oh wow. Congratulations! I just graduated yesterday." "Oh really? Congratulations." "Thanks!"

"So what's next, for you?" He asks a question I've been asking myself. I pause. "Not sure, yet?" He asks. "Not at all." I laugh sadly. "That's normal. If my uncle didn't have his own business, I'd be shit out of luck." Kai laughs. "What kind of business?" I ask. "Marketing. He has a team of people offering all kinds of services, like videos, photos, cards, you name it." That actually sparks my interest a lot. I'm pretty good with taking and editing pictures.: "That's really nice! I wish my dad's business was more along those lines." I roll my eyes. "What does he do?" "He's into property management." "Ahh, that's a good market, though." "Yea it is but I'm more interested in either fashion or production." "Oh word? Well, my uncle's looking for another photographer. You think you'd be interested in that?" My heart skips a beat. "Of course. I mean I'll be honest and say that I haven't been focused on it, this semester but..." "Don't even sweat it. He has trainers." Kai says, while pulling out his card. "Kai Lewis. Photographer at Lewis Masterworks. Jamie Lewis is your uncle?!" I yell. I've always seen his work, on Instagram. He's the best of the best. "The one and only." Kai smiles. "Email me some of your work and your resume. I'll put in a good word for you." "Oh my God, thank you! I'll email you ASAP." "I look forward to it." Kai says, as he finally settles for some Twizzlers. I actually think I'm going to follow suit and grab some Twizzlers, too. I'm feeling lucky.