"Demario, this sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen," was the first thing that left Dr. Nguyen's mouth after recapping him (alongside Gianna, Jose, and Judge McGillivray and her clan) with what happened after classes were over regarding my assignment with Ryan, Theo's threat, and the luncheon with the Kendricks' clan. And needless to say, no one was very happy with the paired arrangement for my project alongside with what Theo did. "I can't even begin to wonder how you're staying strong for the moment."

I took a deep breath. "In a way, I'm flipping out myself," I replied honestly, sitting back into the mahogany leather chair. "I mean, I told myself to keep away from the developing Peavey/Kendricks debacle for as long as I can while focusing on my grades. And now, this officially derails my plans."

The female judge gave me a sympathetic glance. "I know that this is a bit much for you, Demario, but you know that you have to do this assignment for your grades," she commented. "And it's due in two weeks, right?"

I nodded. "I got a chance to look at the outlines for the project assigned for me and Ryan," I replied as I pulled out the papers that detailed the matter in question. "According to this, the project has to involve some form of self-descriptive narrative about our partners alongside any gathering that will require some form of notary in regards of the parties. That's code for 'I'll need witnesses in order to get the seal of approval to show that Ryan and I did spend time together.' Not only that, this also states that the teachers could assign us to do something out of spontaniety to boost morale. And that won't require witnesses other than the teacher's."

"That's just wrong," Noreen spat lowly, shaking her head in dismay. "ANd you said that it was McNeese that made the pairings?"

"Yep. And it's because that McNeese herself believes that Ryan could be the best thing for me and that I owed myself to let him into my life. Her words, not mine. So I won't know what to expect other than come crazy scandals that can reach Jillian's ears and have Theo and his goons sic me."

"Ah, yes. Theo Blake, the godbrother of Miss Kendricks," Dr. Nguyen said. "Thomas told me that he caused quite a stir at your inaugural appearance at group therapy and said a lot of nasty things about your situation."

I shrugged. "It's basically the same thing that my late mother would like to say," I replied. "'You'd be better off if you ended your life.' 'Save face and kill yourself.' 'You're a pathetic waste of space.' You get the gist."

"Is that woman's voice still haunting you?" Gianna asked me.

Hell yeah, I am, Mom's voice rang venomously in my head. And that Blake boy has the right idea to make sure that you get the message. Stop trying to play yourself and end it all for the good of my surviving family and for my last wish. I will never let up until you do what I say.

"Demario?"

I snapped out of my reverie. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" Dr. Nguyen asked me gently.

"Why?"

"You're crying," replied Jose, a tissue in hand. "And I take it that-"

I accepted the tissue, wiping my eyes. "Mom's still not letting up until I either finish what I started or I somehow get to old age," I cut him off, my voice hoarse with emotion. "Sorry for all of this, but-"

"No need to be sorry, Demario," Judge Halliday interrupted, she coming to me. "It's your mother and her brood- both dead and living- that left you feeling like this. And as I said in that courtroom when I first met you, I'll say it again: there's a special place in hell for people who mistreat the gifted and use them like toys. You were meant to live a great life and yet your mother wanted you to settle for less or was waiting for the moment when she decided that you're an expendable liability that needed to be got rid of."

And I don't regret it one bit, Mom's voice drawled delightfully. Just kill yourself when you get home and I'll leave you be even though we'll both be in hell. If I gotta suffer, then so do you.

"Don't let her win, Demario," Dr. Nguyen told me. "You're not alone. We're here for you and we'll stand by your side. Just remember to help yourself and never forget that you have something worth fighting for."

They're right, Demario, the same sweet voice from before commented. They see you as a warrior who rose from the ashes. Don't let your momma take away your joy even as she's dead.

"You'll come out as a stronger person," Jose commented. "It will get better."

I just let the love from the people in the therapist's office flow around me as I felt strong arms surround me in a warm cocoon.

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

Later that afternoon, I was working on some AP Econ homework when I got a phone call. "Yeah?" I said without looking at the number.

"Hello, Bader. It's Ryan Peavey, your all-American athlete and boy-next-door," came the smooth voice of the football captain. "And before you ask, I just got your number from Ma, though she and Pa aren't too thrilled about me calling you."

I sighed, saying a silent prayer for the jock's parents. "What do you want?"

"Ah, no need to be testy, Bader. I just called to formally invite you to the next home football game," he said jovially. "Coach said that he knows about us being paired for the assignment by McNeese and offered to give you a VIP pass to the football game against the Lincoln Central Pirates. You'll be with other VIP members with a spacious seating arrangement and gourmet snacks catered by the FCCLA club members. Plus, one of the cheerleaders is throwing an after-game party and I would like it if you come along."

A football game with HIM, followed by an unsupervised party? That's a recipe for total disaster, to say the least. "I'm flattered by the offer," I began, "but I-"

"Let me rephrase it for you, Demario," Ryan cut me off sweetly, though his voice had a maniacal edge to it. "You WILL be at the game this Friday with VIP access as my special guest and you WILL be at the party with a smile on your face. And besides, I promise you that nothing nasty will happen under my watch. I give you my word."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, so tired of this frackle-spackle drama. "Goodbye, Ryan," I said abruptly before hanging up on him and dialing another number. "Epiphany? This is Demario. Look, it's about Ryan."

"Oh, God," I heard the brunette moan from the other end of her phone. "I heard about what happened and Serenity's already on it."

"Well, things are starting to get TOO chaotic for my blood since Ryan's invited me for the next football game as a VIP guest alongside the after-game party at some cheerleader's house."

"What?!" Epiphany exclaimed loudly, making me wince. "Is he out of his goddamned mind?!"

"Clearly. Look, you and Serenity get the gang together after school tomorrow. If I know better, things are starting to get too damn serious! First, Kendricks is on my jock and so is her godbrother Theo Blake. And now, Ryan Peavey is not so much of a Golden Boy. What's next?!"

"Demario, we'll get together tomorrow for sure, but I can only tell you this right now: do NOT go to that football game."

"Right," I replied. "See you tomorrow. Spread the word."

"Done."

We disconnected.

I dunno why you shouldn't go to that party as a last hurrah, Mom's voice protested in my head as I slumped my head onto the desk. Maybe you'll finally bite the dust so you can put an end to being such a poser. Then again, you can end it right now and just kill yourself.

"No," I barked out loud. "I'm not going to do it, Mom. You're not going to ruin me that easily."

Then you left me no choice, she intoned ominously. You're going to wish you haven't defied me. Mark my words, boy.

And she spoke no more. Little did I know, this was the quiet before the raging storm. And it would come with a  raging vengeance.

Oh, wow!

Will Demario be brave enough and not go to the game and party to show Ryan that he's not going to cave into his wiles? Or will he risk Jillian and Theo's wraths and be in the fated den of iniquity? Well, the next two to three chapters will lead to what's next for Demario Bader...and it's not going to be pretty for the most part. And with the hard-hitting cliffhanger part for act two of this story? It all ties to what's been said so far and what's ahead for act three! And bitch, you ain't seen nothing yet!

Song: "Toxic (Epic Cover)" by J2 ft. Wulf.

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