Chapter Thirteen
Cry, cry, cry
Lauren
I woke up with an empty space next to me. I hated when Quin just left without telling me. I dragged myself out of bed and into my bathroom. I stared at myself through the mirror. I looked terrible. My eyes were puffy and red from all the crying, and my hair was all over my head. I brushed my teeth and went into the kitchen.
Rashad was cooking. I sat down at the island. He looked back at me. "You don't look too well. Why have you been crying?" Damn, is it that obvious? I shook my head. "No reason." Rashad turned back towards the stove. "Fine. I'll ask you again when I think you're ready to talk." He sat a plate down in front of me.
There was pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausages."This looks good." I looked at the food. Rashad handed me a fork and a bottle of syrup. "It is good." I poured syrup on everything and started to dig in. Rashad sat down beside me. "Where's your food?" I asked him. "I ate already."
Quin and Anthony walked into the kitchen. "Wassup my G." Anthony clapped Rashad up. "Rashad this is my boyfriend, Quin. Quin, this is Anthony's friend. He'll be staying here a while." I introduced them. Rashad didn't even bother to shake Quin's hand. He just looked at him.
"Lauren, let me see you in the other room." Quin and I walked into the den. "What's the problem?" I sat down on the couch. Quin looked at me with an angry face. "Why the fuck is this big ass dude here?" He half yelled. "Lower your tone. Last time I checked, I pay the bills here. I'm just trying to help him get back up on his feet. He's a friend of Anthony's. I will not put him out, because he has no where to go. He will stay here until he gets himself together."
Quin rubbed his head. "Aight, cool. Just give me a few kisses." I got up from the couch. He grabbed me by the waist and kissed me multiple times. "I love you." I smiled at him. "I love you too." Quin kissed me again before leaving.
I walked back into the kitchen. "So, what do you have planned for today Ant?" I asked him. "I'm bout to head to work. I just stopped by to see were you good." Anthony hugged me and kissed my cheek. He clapped Rashad up. "Aight my boy. We going bowling tonight, do you wanna go Lauren?" I shook my head yes. "I would love to."
After Anthony left, I cleaned around the house a little. "Is there anything I can do?" Rashad asked as I wiped down the coffee table. " No, I got it. Thanks." He grabbed my arm. "There isn't even any dust on the table. Sit down and rest." I put the rag down and sat down on the couch.
"How long has it been since your knee injury?" I asked him, putting my legs on the couch. "Only a month. I was supposed to go to work yesterday." Rashad shook his head. "Only a month?! You should go back to school! It's not too late." He shook his head no. "I don't think so." I sighed. I just wanted Rashad to get back on track. "Pleaseeee. You can drive my car to do what you gotta do tomorrow. Just have faith in yourself."
Rashad smiled at me. "Okay, I will." I clapped my hands excitedly. Step one, complete. "So, since I'm doing something for you, tell me why you've been crying?" My whole mood changed. But I needed someone to talk to, I needed to let it all out.
"Well, back when I was eight, my mom got married. He was nice at first. Until he started to touch on me in inappropiate places. He'd beat me with a belt across my back every time I ran. Since my mom worked at night, he had to watch me. I was too scared to tell her because he threatened to kill her if I did. One night she caught him, shot and killed him. Been in jail since. I just need her to-" My voice started to shake as tears rolled down my face.
I had no idea why I shared that with a stranger, but I needed to get it off my chest. Anthony and gran were the only people who knew. Rashad took me into his embrace and hugged me tightly. I cried loudly into his chest. "Ssshhh, it's okay." He rubbed my back. We sat there for a few while I cried.
I pulled away from him and wiped my tears. "I'm sorry, I just really needed to let that out." Rashad rubbed my arm gently. "I know. I'm sure your mom is thinking of you too. I know she'll be home soon."
I got up from the couch. "Wanna bake some cookies?" I changed the subject. Rashad followed me into the kitchen. I got the ingredients from the cabinet. "You got me in here baking cookies like I'm a female." Rashad scoffed. I laughed at him. "It'll be fun."
We baked sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter cookies. "You look good in your apron." I joked. Rashad mugged me. He had on a white apron with flowers all over it. He looked so silly. "Maybe now we can bake a cake." I grabbed the chocolate cake mix. I poured everything in a bowl and made Rashad stir it with the mixer.
Anthony walked through the door. "What happened to you going to work?" I asked him. "I forgot I was off. I stopped by Sarah's crib and came on back. He told me. "Rashad, you a house wife now?" I laughed. Rashad looked up as he was pouring the mix in a cake pan. "Lauren got me doing this shit." He frowned at me.
"Whippin' a brick." Anthony started to move his hand in a circular motion. "I'm bout to whip yo ass." Rashad laughed. He put the cake pan in the oven. My flash went off as I snapped a picture of him. "Really Lauren?" He took the apron off. Anthony and I laughed at him.
When the cake was finished, Anthony took it out and spreaded the chocolate icing on it. We sat at the table and ate a few pieces of cake and cookies. "Okay, we can start gettin' dressed now." Anthony said. We got up from the table.
I went into my bedroom and slipped out of my pajamas. I took a quick shower. I slipped on my bra and panties. I put on ripped jeans and a fitted white Nike hoodie. I let my hair hang. I grabbed my black Ugg boots from the closet and slipped them on.
I went into the living room. Anthony and Rashad was sitting on the couch waiting for me. "I guess it's a jeans and hoodie type of night." I looked at them. They both had on a hoodie and jeans. "It's a lil' cool outside." Anthony said. "But let's get it." They got up from the couch.
Anthony put me in the backseat. "Call your friend and see if she's ready." he told me. I texted her and she said that she was. We made it to her house in a half hour. She came running outside after she heard the horn. "Do you guys know it's freezing outside!" Sarah said as she got in. "It's not that cold." Anthony said as he looked st her through the rearview mirror. She just blushed. Wow!
Anthony paid for everyone once we made it to the arcade. I just sat and watched them play, because I had no idea how to. I texted Quin and asked what was he doing. In the studio, thinkn bout ya. He texted back at an instant. I miss you. I texted back.
"You not gon' play?' Rashad asked me. "I don't know how." I told him truthfully. "Have you ever tried?" I shook my head no. He grabbed my hand. "I'll teach you." Rashad showed me how to hold the ball and how to aim. My first try was a strike! I was proud of myself.
After bowling, we laser tagged. Sarah and I were on a team. Of course, the guy defeated us. But it was so much fun! We had a blast. Before going home, we stopped by Arby's and had a nice meal. I was disappointed when I saw that Quin wasn't home. It didn't change my mood though. "Thank you so much Ant." I told him as we were walking in the house. "It ain't no problem sis. I can tell when you're in a bad mood." Him and Sarah went to the back.
I laid down on the couch and Rashad sat in the love seat. "I'm glad you had fun tonight." He said as he slid off his shoes. "Me too." I yawned. I tried keeping my eyes open but I couldn't. At least I went to sleep in a good mood.
Next few chapters will be sweet. But starting chapter seventeen, there will be a lot of action, drama, and sadness. Stay tuned.
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