Two months later...

It's amazing how summer can fly by without warning, especially for a foster kid who was on the edge of ending it all and is now kept busy and watched like a hawk from all around.

And it's no different for me since the Lomax clan, Jose, Gianna, Noreen and her family, and even Dr. Nguyen himself made sure that my days of being left to fend for myself were virtually obsolete.

Almost all mornings in the Lomax household were spent with everyone eating breakfast together as a family as well as dinners in the evening hours. In between that, the boys (Antonio, Evan, and Javi) were spending their days working at the local community center and juice bar while I was mainly playing go-fer for Joel and Taylor at their law firm as I met with their co-workers and clientele. I also found myself spending time with Holly and her circle of rock-bandmates alongside her boyfriend Derrick Lycroft (the captain of PGHS's basketball team) when I wasn't running errands with Noreen and her husband (a paramedic). Of course, there were brief respites for me to catch my breath and try to find some solitude, but it never lasted long since the boys mainly made sure that I joined them and their friends for movie nights or just a drive through the neighborhood.

"It's all to get you out of the house more often," Joel had explained after two weeks of nonstop busyness. "You need to get the stink of being a homebody off of you."

"You need to make more new friends and try new challenges," Taylor added. "Your late family and their relatives never allowed you to do much of anything with them but accused you of being antisocial."

And I couldn't fault them for that, folks, but can't a brother have a full day of being alone?

Anyway, I was back at Dr. Nguyen's office (guest starring Judge McGillivray as "I just had to come by and see how things were holding up for you" alongside Joel and Taylor as "We need to figure out a gameplan for what's ahead for your school life.") as it was the last week before I was to make my grand debut at Pacifica Glades High School of the Arts. "So, Demario," began the good therapist after we all said our hellos and took our seats. "Your summer vacation has been full of outings and all things to keep you on your feet."

"I'll bet it was," I replied, sitting back in the leather chair and taking a moment to inhale deeply. "It's because of you guys that I have been on my feet for quite some time."

"All to keep you from feeling sorry for yourself and distracted from your negative mindset," commented the judge as she nodded her head. "Are you excited for your debut at your new school?"

I thought for a moment. "Not really, per se," I admitted. "I can only imagine how things might pan out for me since all the teachers and staff members know my life story by now as will most of the students there. For all I know, they might either leave me to my own devices as did everyone at my old school, consider me a flaw in their 'perfect world' and use me as a whipping boy and punching bag, or see me as someone to pity or use as as someone to remake into their image. If anything, I prefer to be left to myself and just focus on my schoolwork. That way, there'd be no surprises."

"That won't happen," Joel said tersely. "The principal and vice-principal there both have been informed of your toxic upbringing and have promised me and Taylor as well as the others that you'll have a junior and senior year that's full of educational and moral fiber which will take you to new heights. And they were very impressed with your transcripts- not a single failing grade."

I snorted, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. "A lot of good did that do for me since Mom thought that I was too much of a know-it-all," I couldn't help but remark.

"Hey, don't let her words bother you," Taylor scolded me.

"Demario, did you ever wonder what it would be like if you were thrust in the social spotlight in school?" Dr Nguyen wanted to know.

"Not really," I replied. "If anything, I wanted no part of the social status-climbing at school since I knew that Demarcus and DeSean would do anything to make my life hell if I tried to outshine them in anyway. So I just kept my head down and learned to hide."

"That'll change, young man," Judge McGillivray vowed. "I want you to take on these three challenges for your junior year at Pacifica Glades of the Arts. One, you're to make new friends outside of the ones from Holly and the boys' social circles. Find a few friends who can really bring out the best in you. Two, try signing up for  few clubs that might catch your interest. That way you can make connections with the students and even create a social resume for when you make plans for college. And finally, learn to be more present and be more involved in your classes. Answer some questions and participate in discussions. Be mor assertive and let the teachers see you be more active in your studies."

I nodded. "I think I can do that," I commented. "I just don't want everyone to see me as-"

"They won't have the same mindset like your late mother did," Dr. Nguyen. "We all see greatness in you, Demario. Why can't you see it in yourself?"

Because that'll mean letting myself be caught up in something that might destroy me, I thought to myself. And as much as I want to, I can't fully open up to the world unless they want to know my deepest and darkest secrets.

************

"Demario?"

I looked up from the  book that I was reading and saw Holly and the boys come into my room. "What's up?" I asked tiredly.

Antonio made a beeline for my closet. "What do you think about barbeques?" he asked as he and his twin brother began to pick out some outfits. "Ryan and his family are throwing one to celebrate the last weekend of summer vacation and they have personally extended one to you since you're still new in town."

"I dunno," I replied uneasily. "I mean, my summer has been active enough as it is already. I rather stay in and let myself be mentally ready for school next week."

"You'll have tomorrow and Sunday for that," Javi replied as he came to my bed. "And besides, Dad and Pops would want you to go out and make new friends outside from our social groups."

"But I'm not big on large parties," I rebutted.

"No thanks to your late parents and siblings, I bet," Holly snorted just as Joel and Taylor joined the fray. "Look, Demario, you're only young once and everyone will make sure that you get a full welcome. And Mom told me to make sure that nothing bad will happen. I promise that no one will try anything as long as I'm around."

Well, it was only a barbeque, readers. If I said no, they won't give me any peace. "I'll go," I replied.

The boys cheered as their fathers grinned. "You won't regret it, Demario," Taylor said, giving me a nod. "And the boys will make sure that you'll be home before midnight."

I nodded back, but my mind was flashing warning signs since I had a feeling that Ryan Peavey and his family were the party hosts. And something told me that there was drama in the air and I needed to be careful.

Let the good times roll!

And there will be some drama in the air in the form of one beautiful yet devious diva named Jillian, whom you'll meet in the next chapter as Ryan's end-of-summer-vacation barbeque is underway! And the next chapter will set up the stage for what's ahead!

Dedication: luisstorytellerEN (check out the stories that this writer is sharing, folks, because they are divine)! Media: "Cheap Thrills" by Sia ft. Sean Paul.

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