Miracles

Chapter 44

~Amari's View~

We, three kings of Orient, are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

"Was that okay?" I ask Jaina as I stop singing. "That was beautiful." She responds.
"Good, I don't want Miss Stevens bashing me during rehearsal tomorrow. She wasn't pleased with my acting last time." I say, laying out my stuff for tomorrow's rehearsal.
"I'm sure you'll do fine. Don't stress yourself." She says still staring at her phone screen and smiling.
"Okay, what's up with you? Who's making you smile like that?" I inquire, getting off the bed and joining her on the floor.
"No one is making me smile. I just feel like smiling." She says, not convincing me one bit.
"Yeah, right." I roll my eyes at her. "Girl code."
"Seriously, Amari. Girl code?" She groans. "Yes. Now, spill." I demand.

"I made a new friend." She beams. "Oooh! New friend. Boy or girl?" I ask getting excited. "Girl, she's so cool." She replies, a slight blush forming on her cheeks. 
"Mmm, is she here in New York?" Jaina nods her head in response. "She just moved here."
"Can I see her picture?"
"I don't have a picture of her. She hasn't posted anything too. Lemme ask her for one." She says, typing away on her phone.
"Is it weird that she doesn't have any pictures of herself?" Jaina asks. To me, it's weird but Jaina seems happy talking to this girl so-
"Be sincere," Jaina says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"I think it's weird but what if she lost her phone and she's using a new one now?" I shrug. "Yeah, good point." She smiles.
"Well, be careful. There are a lot of freaks on social media. You never know." I warn her. "Good night."
"Night." She responds as I get comfy in bed.

...

"When do you close today?" Mom asks as I spread avocado on my toast.
"Noon," I reply taking a bite of my toast. "Okay, Kimberly and Eloise will be going grocery shopping at that time so they'll pick you up." She says. I give her a thumbs up in reply.
"Good morning everyone." Jaina greets, entering the kitchen. "Good morning." Mom and I respond.
"How are you doing dear?" Mom asks Jaina, to which I respond.
"She's doing great, mom. She made a new friend yesterday. She talked to her all night long. I could hear Jaina giggling in my sleep."
Jaina rolls her eyes at my response while mom chuckles.
"She's not my friend anymore. Turns out she's a YouTube fan. She kept on asking questions about you." Jaina says, playing with her hair. "Oh." That's all I utter.
"I'm lying." Jaina laughs. "She's still my friend and she agreed to post a picture of herself today. I can't wait to see what she looks like." She beams excitedly.
"Good to know that some random girl is stealing my best friend," I murmur.
"Quit whining. You're always going to be my best friend." Jaina assures me. I smile. "Good."

"So what are your pla-" I almost choke on my food when Wyatt walks into the kitchen, barechested.
Is he trying to kill me now? That's great!
"Amari, are you okay?" Mom asks with concern. "Yeah, are you okay? Should I get you some water?" Jaina asks with a knowing smile. "Yes, water will do." I cough out. I maintain eye contact with Wyatt until Jaina thrusts my water bottle into my lap with zero care. I glare at her before taking a sip of water.
"Young man." Mom draws Wyatt's attention. "Why aren't you wearing a shirt? It's cold, you could catch a cold. I don't want Anita complaining about her son being sick on Christmas."
Ask again, mom. Ask again. He almost killed me with his char- Argh! Amari! Shut up!

Wyatt just grins. "Don't tell me Aster is also walking around barechested." Mom groans.
"He is, and so are Elliot and Eli and all the little boys," Wyatt informs mom. 
"Aster!" Mom storms out of the kitchen in search of dad. Dad is gonna get it from mom this morning.
Sensing that Jaina is about to leave me alone with Wyatt, I spring to my feet and place my plate in the sink. Quickly washing it, I pick up my bag and get ready to leave but it seems my best friend isn't letting me get out of this easily. She mouths a sorry to me and before I know it, she's spilled coffee on me. I gasp, "Jaina!"
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to." She fakes concern as she dabs the coffee stain in my white shirt with paper towels that have chocolate spread in them.
"Stop, you're making it worse," I try to pull my top out of her grasp. She ignores me and continues spreading chocolate on my top. "No, I have to get the coffee stain out." She says with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Wyatt chuckles making me glare at him. He clears his throat and demands for his sister to stop. "Jaina, stop you're making it worse. I'll get the stain out." He says coming closer. Jaina stops and winks at me before saying a quick sorry to me and a thank you to Wyatt and runs out of the kitchen.

Wyatt and I quietly walk to the laundry room.
"Take off your top," He says in a more commanding tone. Oh my gosh! It just got hot in here.
"Amari?" He walks towards me snapping his fingers. "Do you mind giving me some privacy?" I voice out. He looks down at me with a smirk. "Aren't you wearing a bra?" He asks making my cheeks heat up. Of course, I'm wearing a bra.
"Wyatt, I-" He shuts me up by placing his right index finger on my lips. "I love the way you say my name." He says barely above a whisper as the pad of his thumb grazes over my bottom lip. His left fingers find their way to the hem of my top and he slowly slides it over my head and onto the washing machine.

He stares at me longingly. "Fuck!" He breathes, carrying me off the floor in one swift motion and wrapping my legs around his waist. I hold on tight as he gets to work on the sensitive spot of my neck, claiming me. I moan in ecstasy.
"Gosh, I've missed you." Wyatt pecks my lips and rests his forehead on mine. "I'm sorry, love."
I just nod since he's left me flustered. I run my hands over his bare chest, loving every touch. "I missed you too." I smile and kiss him.

"Honey, you've- shit! What the heck is going on here!?" My dad yells from the doorway. I quickly pull away from Wyatt and try to cover my half nakedness as my mom walks in. "Uhh- what's going on?" She asks. "Um- Wyatt was just helping me out, right Wyatt?"
"Really? He was helping you out by kissing and and-" Dad stops talking when Wyatt holds my hands and pecks them.
"Wyatt, what are you doing?" I ask through gritted teeth. He just smiles and winks at me. "I've got you, babe." He gives my waist a firm squeeze making me lighten up a bit.
"Amari, I'm gonna say this once," Dad speaks angrily. I look at my mom for help but she's also wearing a look of disappointment. God save me.

I think it's ironic how I'm supposed to be at church right now instead of here, and now I'm praying to God for help. Haha, way to go Amari.

"Get to your room right now." Dad tries to speak calmly. "Dad please let me explain." I plead with him. "Amari, I said get to your f**cking room right now!" He yells causing me to jump in fear, a tear slipping down my cheek.
Wyatt is quick to wipe the tear away. He looks at my dad dead in the eye. "I dare you to shout at my Amari again." Wyatt threatens dad. Oh, Wyatt, you're gonna get us killed.
Dad's jaw ticks, "You have the guts to threaten me in my own house? F*ck my daughter-" My mouth falls open at that.
"Oh my God, dad! We've never had sex. He's never even seen me naked." I defend Wyatt and me.

"Amari." Mom walks towards me. "Oh, so you can talk now? Keep whatever you wanna say to yourself mom. I'm always gonna be second best right? It will always be Avisha first. Well, lemme tell you something. She died. Avisha is gone, okay? She's dead." I yell. Mom gives me an icy glare and slaps me right across the face.
"Get out!" She pulls me by my hair. "Let me go." I cry out. Wyatt pulls me away from my mom. "Don't touch her!" He shouts.
"You too, Wyatt," Mom says his name with malice. "Get out of my house!"
With one last look at my parents, I quickly drag Wyatt upstairs to my room.

"Are you okay?" Wyatt checks to see if I have any bruises. I kiss his cheek, "I've never felt better."
"I'm sorry. None of this would have happened if you had gone for your rehearsals and if I had left you alone." He apologizes. I ignore him and start throwing clothes into my bag.
"Amari, babe." My ears perk at the sound of the word, babe. "Yes?" I respond with a goofy smile. He smiles back.
"You have to stay. They're your parents and it's Christmas. You can't have a grudge with them because of me." He says, making my smile falter.
"No, I'm not staying. Did you see what my mom just did to me? She slapped me and God knows what my dad would have done. I'm going with you, now go pack, and let's leave." I say, leaving no room for an argument. He agrees reluctantly, leaving my room to pack his stuff. 

"Amari?" Eloise and Jaina enter my room. "Hey." I simply say while putting on a shirt.
"Please don't leave." Jaina voices out. "I'm sorry, this is all my fault."
"It's not your fault," I assure her.
"Amari, please don't go. Mom is gonna lose her mind if one of her children leaves again." Eloise adds. My eyes burn with unshed tears at the thought of my mom going crazy because of me. "I won't be gone for long." I pick up my bag and walk out of my room. Meeting Wyatt outside by his car, "Are you ready?" He asks. "Yes." I nod, and with that, he drives away from my home.