Forever And Always (HCBTO Sequel)

11

It took a few minutes for Lona to arrive to the house and when she did, she didn't look like herself. Her face looked tired, her clothes were worn out and she looked ready to pass out when she saw everyone waiting for her in the living room. Including Jayceone.

"We saw you with Robert at the Burger place" Imani said calmly "You looked like you didn't want to be there and was scare"

"No, i-i'm ok. We were just o-out for lunch" Lona stuttered, looking around the room nervously. Imani walked close to her.

"You sure?" Lona nodded as Imani put her hand on the middle of her back, making her flinch and quickly move away. Everyone in the room gave her a concerned look.

Jayceone stood up and walked close to her. Gently he turned her around and lifted her shirt to find a new bruise. A fresh one.

Xavier's leg shook uncontrollably as Jayceone shook his head and sighed, trying to control his anger.

"Jay, calm down and take Sky upstairs" Sydney said. She stood up "Imani, Xavier. Go with him"

After they were out the room, Sydney had Lona sit on the couch between her and Damian.

"Why you keep lettin this dude beat on you?" Damian asked.

Lona shrugged and wiped her tears "I don't know. I try to leave him and tell him to stay away, but he keeps coming back"

"Why don't you tell your parents?" Sydney asked.

"My mom lives in another state and my dad does the same thing Robert does" again, she shrugged "He wouldn't care"

The room grew quiet for awhile "Sweetie, why didn't you tell us? We could've helped you long before it got to this point" Sydney spoke "You didn't have to go through this for so long"

"I didn't need anyone judging me, or feeling bad for me. I thought I could handle the pain just until I went off to college"

"Now what if either your dad or Robert hit you just to hard, ending your life?" Damian asked "Would you be able to handle that?"

"No" Lona mumbled.

Sydney sighed, standing up "Come on Lona, we're going to get your things"

"No, I don't want to be a-"

"Lona, stand up and let's go" she quickly stood and followed Sydney out towards her car with Damian behind them.

Upstairs, Xavier and Imani were in her room. Imani sat on her bed with Sky asleep in her lap while Xavier stood up against the wall, staring at nothing.

"Can you come sit down?" Imani asked, gently rocking Sky. Xavier looked at her and slowly made his way to sit beside her "Everything will be ok."

"Ion know man, this dude just don't go away" Imani stood and placed Sky on the far side of the bed before sitting again. She put her hand on his back, rubbing small circles.

"What are you thinking ?"

"Honest. I want to fuck him up, but I ain't trying to go to jail again" he mumbled "But I ain't about to let him get away with this shit either"

"Call the police" she said.

"Fuck the police" he said "They won't do shit unless a nigga doing the crime"

"Well whatever you plan to do, I'm here baby" she kissed his cheek, making him smile even though he was pissed a second ago.