CHAMPION

Chapter 20 Hit B4 12

Jake was surrounded by his friends and family, sitting in the VIP area finishing dinner, they'd been out partying for hours, dancing, talking and recording, there was still somewhat awkward air around Jake and whoever he tried to speak to besides Erika and Logan, since he was actually enjoying himself for once, and they were still worried about him suddenly causing a scene.

It was almost 12am, time to count down for Jake's birthday, and Erika had asked that everyone tried distracting Jake while she made sure everything was prepared for him.

"Yo, Ohio, come get in this," Jake said beckoning his two friends, brother and Dad over, they reluctantly came closer to where Jake sat, Jake sharply yanking them closer to pose, "Kade!" Jake suddenly screamed, causing his friends to jump as Kade shuffled over from where he was having a drink.

"Whats-?" Kade began speaking before Jake tossed his phone at him , making Kade quickly flail to grab it, his heart beat picking up, trying hard not to let hit the ground. "Take our picture," Jake demanded, before putting his arm around Logan, grinning at the camera, holding up his other hand to show off his new watch, and his rings, while the others grouped nervously around him, "Smile," Jake reminded them through gritted teeth , causing them all to smile along, while Kade took picture after picture till Jake was satisfied.

"Nice," Jake nodded looking down at the picture, before frowning, "What's wrong bro?" Logan questioned, looking over his shoulder, "Where's Erika?" Jake asked starting to look all around the place, "Why did she leave?" Jake asked again his tone getting more aggravated and panicked, the longer he didn't see her.

"She went to take a call," Anthony lied, "Why didn't she tell me where she was going?" Jake asked jamming his phone into his pocket, making the group glance at him, exchanging weary glances, "I'm sure she'll be right back," Logan spoke up trying to keep his voice calm, Jake rolled his eyes, "Pull your panties out of your holes, I didn't hit any of you," Jake spoke with a annoyed tone, looking over at his team noticing their looks, "I'm gonna take a leak," He said before walking away, giving his team a little relief.

Jake mowed down anyone in his way, on his path to the bathroom;

Jake wanted Erika beside him, he had wanted her even after she screwed up, he'd grown attached to her after his dark isolation in prison, he'd grown closer then that after they suffered the most of their baby together. At the beginning Jake was using Erika, he knew that, he wanted a gorgeous woman in his bed to melt the stress and anguish he felt after being cheated on, someone to show off on camera for views- But he'd gotten close, they were intertwined with one another, although as bonded as they were, she also made him crazier when she wasn't there, because when she wasn't talking to him, comforting him with her presence, he could hear himself, loudly, the doubts and anxiety...

Jake stepped into the bathroom, blue and white tile on the floors beneath him, faucets lines up, a stunning silver, lights in square glass lined on the ceiling giving the place a glow, five urinals, and five stalls mirrored from each other, down the small walk from the sinks.

The music was muffled in the bathroom, it seemed so secluded, away from the rest of the party. Jake hated that time, because he couldn't focus on anything really while he emptied his bladder...These drifting thoughts he use to have came creeping up all the time, even when he was having the best time he'd had in a while, it made him love and hate his own brain when it sunk him in like this- nothing was really wrong at the moment, but small issues he didn't properly address mixed into one, and again his mind was on the verge of screaming.

With a small twist Jake turned on the faucet, and began washing his hands, when he suddenly heard talking outside of the bathroom door, he couldn't make out who it was, but they were loud enough, Jake was about to just shout at them to shut up, but he was intrigued...

"I don't know what to do!"

"Just get rid of it- you love me don't you?"

"Why would you question that!? Of course I do...."

"Then just drop it, it was an accident, we're young, come on! It's what we BOTH want"

"How do you know what I want?!"

"Somebody has to, you just said you don't know what to do!"

"Doesn't mean that's the right decision!"

"Who cares what's right or wrong? I brought you hear to party, not hear your pregnant..."

It went silent, muffled talking till they left the hall way.

Jake stood there processing what he heard, he'd never cared about anyone's problems, if they didn't concern him or make him money, why should he bother? But hearing about a baby, knowing how it felt to lose one he thought he didn't even want, it triggered something, images of the child's face, sounds of its cries, the moment he received its ashes....

Jake hated that he was upset, he was annoyed with his emotions, any thing out of his control got him furious, he wasn't going to let this weakness fester in his brain in his birthday night, he was about to be 21, and he was going to enjoy, every, second....

With a small flick, Jake had the room smoking, the mumbled music, and fog of the room, felt like stumbling into a different him- he couldn't fully comprehend anything, but now it wasn't frustrating, now he didn't need to know all the answers, now nothing felt extreme, every emotion, every moment came and went, sliding through his very being.... Jake inhaled and exhaled more smoke, his eyes getting a little red, as his body relaxed more, his back against the wall by the sinks, he chuckled lightly, running his fingers down his face with one hand, clutching his blunt in the other.

Jake thruster himself off the wall, his vision only slightly skewered, he turned around to see himself in the mirror laughing a little, before fixing his hair, and coat, he laughed again before stating at himself the smile slowly going down, to a serious stare. "You aren't a psycho," Jake told himself firmly, "Now let's party," He told himself, leaving his blunt in the sink, walking out.

A/N: This is a little late! Sorry my power was messing up 😪. COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT! Who's excited for Jake's new song!?!