I stepped into the gym, ready to sweat off the lingering frustration from yesterday's scrimmage. The cool breeze from the fans inside offered little relief, and the gym was alive with sounds of iron clanging and reggae tunes thumping from overhead speakers.

I shift the gym bag on my shoulder, flinching as the sharp pain from my side hit. The bruises on my ribs had deepened overnight, turning a deep, angry purple, but I wasn't about to let it hold me back.

"Yuh sure yuh alright, dawg?" Cardo asked, his voice carrying concern as we approached the weights section.

"Yeah, man. Mi good," I replied with a quick grin, though I could feel every step in my ribs.

We got to work, Cardo and choppa throwing around banter as they reach into the same head space. Dwight locked in, serious as usual, lifting with quiet focus. But me? My focus was split.

Every now and then, my eyes darted over to the treadmill section, where kaylani is. Her AirPods were in, and she was locked into her run, her pace steady and confident. Her ponytail bounced slightly with each stride, her skin glistening under the gym lights.

I tried to keep my attention on the weights in my hands, but it was a losing battle.

"Yow, Amir, stop pree di gyul and lift di weights," choppa teased, catching me mid-stare.

The group burst out laughing, and I rolled my eyes, trying to play it off.

"Mi nuh look pon nobody," I said, adjusting my grip on the dumbbells.

"Yeah, right" Cardo chuckled. "Wi see yuh."

I shook my head, focusing back on my set, but even as I pushed through the reps, the dull ache in my side reminded me of the incident from yesterday.

My mother is a strong believer of Christ, being the first child I had to endure being brought up inside of a church. I have the same faith when it comes to the word of God which is why I honor both my parents.

• • • • • • • •

The lingering scent of sweat mixed with a hint of various colognes wafted through the parking lot. Everyone gathered outside, cooling down from our intense session.

Laughter echoed as the group traded jokes, teasing each other about who had slacked off the most during workouts. Choppa, always the loudest, throwing playful jabs about Dwight's pushups form, and mara clapped back with a sly remark about Cardo skipping leg day.

Soon, one by one, they began to disperse, hopping into their vehicles and promising to link up later. Only Kay lingered behind, fiddling with her water bottle, her eyes darting to me.

"You need a ride?" I asked, tossing my gym bag into the backseat.

Kay hesitated for a second before nodding. "Yeah, thanks."

I have been offering her rides and small gestures like this for weeks now, each time hoping it would chip away at the wall she seems to have around her. She wasn't cold—just cautious, careful in a way that made me more curious than frustrated.

The drive started quietly, the rhythmic hum of the engine filling the space between us. I glanced over at Kay, noticing how she leaned against the window, her ponytail catching the sunlight.

"You hungry?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Kay glanced at me from the corner of her eye and blushed. "Always."

With that, I turned the car toward a nearby spot known for its juicy patties and sweet festival bread. The small roadside eatery was buzzing, with music blaring and the tantalizing aroma of fried food wafting through the air.

We got our food sat in the car for a few minutes sharing jokes and stories while we eat. Apart from me throwing senseless jokes around, Kay seems to be very happy today, it's probably why she stayed behind which is something she never does. Ever.

"Man, you're too much," Kay said, shaking her head with a grin after nearly choking on her drink.

"Gotta keep you laughing. I figure the more you laugh, the more you might actually start liking me," I said with a playful grin but sincerity in my voice.

Kay raised an eyebrow. "Who said I don't like you?"

I leaned back, holding her gaze. "Maybe not in the way I want you to."

The words hung between us, and for the first time, Kay didn't deflect. Instead she looked at me, really looked at me.

"You're persistent, you know that?" She finally said, shaking her head with a small smile.

"Life's too short to give up on something—or someone—you want." I smiled, my tone softer now.

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, I dropped Kay off at her gate.

"Thanks for the ride... and the food," Kay said, stepping out of the car.

"No problem. Next time, it's your treat," I teased.

Kay rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. "We'll see about that."

I unlocked the gate and slipped through, my backpack slung over one shoulder and the faint scent of gym sweat clinging to my skin. The headlights from Amir's car faded down the street, but as I turned to close the gate, a figure leaned against the veranda railing, arms crossed.

"Late again, huh?" Val's voice was laced with suspicion. "And Amir dropping you home? Really, Kay?"

I sighed, already feeling the headache creeping in. "Can we not do this tonight? I told you and mom— I had gym workouts."

Val raised an eyebrow, her stance shifting as if she was ready to pounce. "Yeah, gym. And then what? A little late-night training with Amir? Don't act I don't see the way he looks at you."

I groaned, heading past my sister towards the door. "Seriously? Amir's just my ride, nothing else. You're blowing this out of proportion, as usual."

"Am I?" Val pressed, following close behind. "So he's just being nice, driving all the way out here when town's not even in his route? Kay, don't play me for a fool. I know boys like him."

Easy so last night comeback to bite me in the ass.

The earth really spin in circles.

I spun around, my patience wearing thin. "Boys like him?" You don't even know him, Val! Amir's just my friend. Not every guy I talk to has some hidden agenda."

Val scoffed. "Maybe you're too naïve to see it, but I'm not. Once wrong move, and he's gonna take advantage of that 'friendship' of yours."

"You're being paranoid!" I shot back. "Why can't you just chill for once? Not everyone out there is trying to pull a fast one."

"Chill?" Val crossed her arms tighter, her tone sharp. "You want me to chill? Then stop sneaking around, coming home late, and acting like you're all innocent."

I clenched my fists, but before I could respond, mom's voice cut through the argument from the kitchen.

"Unuh two gwaan quiet out deh! Mi tired a hear di bickering every night."

The tension lingered in the air as Val threw me one last glare before retreating to her room. I stood in the dim hallway, fuming. Why is it that no matter what I did, Val always had something to say?

Shaking my head, I slipped into my room and collapsed onto the bed. As my phone buzzed with a message from Amir— "Got inside safely?"

I typed a quick reply to Amir— "Yeah, thanks again for the ride. Appreciate it." I tossed the phone onto my pillow, staring at the ceiling.

I sat out on the verandah, my arms resting on the rail as I stared out into the quiet street. The dim glow of a streetlamp illuminated my face, and though night was peaceful, my thoughts were far from it.

I take a deep breath, the humid air clinging to my skin. Memories I've worked so hard to bury began creeping back, uninvited.

Trip down memory lane...

I'd been Kay's age once—eager, carefree and trusting. Too trusting. Back then, there'd been a boy, Andre. He was older, charming in a way that made my heart race and my head spin. He had this knack for saying all the right things, making me feel like I was center of his world.

I let out a bitter laugh at the thought. How naïve I had been.

Andre had started small—compliments, gifts, late-night calls that made her feel special. But then the manipulation began. He'd convinced me to skip school to spend time with him, then guilt-trip me if I didn't. He'd show up uninvited, claiming he was just looking out for me, but slowly isolating me from my friends.

The worst of it was when he started asking for "favors," things I hadn't been ready for. When I hesitated, he'd remind me of everything he'd done for me, how much he'd sacrificed to be with me. I'd given in more than once, hoping to keep the peace, but every time, a piece of myself crumbled away.

It wasn't until the day he showed up at my school, demanding to know where I was and why I didn't answered his calls, that I realized just how far I'd leg things go. The humiliation of having my classmates whispering, the panic in my chest as he cornered me near the gates—it was a wake-up call I couldn't ignore.

I'd managed to get away from him but not without scars. The emotional weight of those months lingered, shaping how I saw relationships, trust, and myself.

I clenched my fists against the verandah rail, the memories still raw despite the years that had passed. I hadn't shared this with anyone—not my friends, not my mother, and certainly not Kay or her mother.

But as I thought about my little sister and the way Amir looked at her, a knot tightened in my stomach. I don't hate Amir. I just don't want Kay to walk the same path I did, to lose pieces of herself to someone who might not deserve her trust.

I was not always like this. After I found out there was another child I developed jealousy, envy even. My father was giving that child and her pretty young mother all the attention he should have given to me and his fiancée.

"Val?"

The voice startled me. I turned to see Kay standing in the doorway, her face hesitant.

"What are you doing out here?" Kay asked softly, stepping onto the verandah.

I looked back at the street, my expression guarded. "Just thinking. What are you doing up this late?"

Kay leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "I went to get a glass of water and realized the door open. Is it about earlier?"

I didn't answer right away. I'm debating whether I should brush her off, but something tells me Kay deserves more than that.

"Yeah," I admitted. "And about.... Stuff from before."

Kay frowned. "What kind of stuff?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "The kind of stuff that made me the way I am now. Overprotective. Annoying. Take your pick."

Kay tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You mean.... With a guy?"

I froze, surprised by how quickly Kay had pieced it together. I glanced at my sister, wondering how much to say.

"Something like that," I finally said. "Just.... Someone I trusted who didn't deserved it. And I don't want you to go through that."

Kay's expression softened, and for once, she didn't pushed back. "Val, I get it. You're trying to look out for me. But you can't assume Amir's like... whoever hurt you."

I gave a small, bitter smile. "Maybe not. But I'd rather be wrong and annoy you than stay quiet and watch you get hurt."

For a moment, we sat in silence, the weight of my words hanging in the air.

Kay thinks I don't like her. I got over my jealousy and hatred a longtime ago when I realized her mother was just a victim like mine.

I love my little sister but sometimes she can be a pain in the ass.

"I'll be careful," Kay finally said, her voice steady. "I promise."

I glanced at her, searching her face for sincerity. "Good. That's all I need to hear."

As Kay moved to head back inside, my voice stopped her.

"Wait."

I turned around, surprised by the sudden vulnerability in my sister's tone. Val was leaning on the verandah rail, but her head bowed slightly, her fingers nervously tapping against the metal.

"There's... something else," Val began, her voice low. "Something I don't really talk about. Not with anyone."

I hesitated for a bit, then walked back to sit on the verandah steps, sensing that this wasn't the time to rush. "I'm listening."

Val stared out at the empty street, her eyes distant, like she was seeing another time, another place. "You know how your Mom never talks about Dad?"

I nodded slowly. I'd always wondered why our father's name was a ghost in our house, a subject everyone sidestepped without explanation.

"I remember him," Val said softly. "Not just what he looked like, but... how he was. How things were when he and my mom were still together."

I leaned forward slightly, my heart already sinking.

"Back then, my mom was... different," Val continued, a bitter edge creeping into her voice. "She was happier, I guess. At least when things were good. But when they weren't..." she paused, her hands gripping the rail tightly. "Dad wasn't a good man, Kay. Not at all."

My breath hitched. "What do you mean?"

Until this day my mom failed to explain why we had to run.

Val turned to me, her expression filled with a mixture of anger and sadness. "He used to hit her. Sometimes when he was drunk, sometimes when he wasn't. It didn't take much—an argument, something she said that he didn't like. I was little, but I remember the yelling, the crashes... and the bruises she'd try to hide the next day."

My eyes widened. "My mom never told me why she ran."

"She wouldn't," Val said bitterly. "Because as bad as it got, my mom loved him. Or thought she did. She always made excuses for him. Said he was stressed, that he didn't mean it. I even remember her telling me once that if we tried harder to keep him happy, he wouldn't get so angry. When I stayed with my dad for a year after he got your mom pregnant she endured the same fate too."

My stomach twisted. "That's awful."

"It was," she agreed. "But the thing that really messed me up was how long she stayed. Even after everything he did, even after she had every reason to leave, she stayed because she believed he'd change. She thought love was enough."

Val exhaled shakily, her voice thick with emotion now. "I guess that's part of why I am the way I am. I grew up watching her ignore the red flags, convincing herself that things would get better. And I promised myself I'd never be like that. That I'd never let anyone treat me—or anyone I care about—that way."

All this time I thought Val hated me. She was just sad and broken on the inside.

I sat silently, processing my sister's words. It was a lot to take in, and it painted a picture of my mother I've never seen before.

"I'm sorry you went through that,"I said softly. "You, your mom and my mom."

Val shrugged, though the pain was still clear in her eyes. "It is what it is. We got out eventually after he met your mother, and she made sure we had a better life. But sometimes... I wonder if she ever really healed. If I ever did."

Probably not since her mom is an alcoholic now.

I stood and stepped closer to my sister, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're stronger than you think. And I get it now. Why you're so defensive and protective. But you don't have to carry this by yourself, you know?"

She looked at me, the corners of her mouth tugged into a faint smile. "Thanks, Kay."

For the first time tonight, I felt like I truly understood my sister—not just the mean and protective streak, but the weight she'd been carrying for years.

As we both sat quietly on the verandah, the bond between us felt a little stronger, a little deeper.

___________

Hey guys so the cat is out of the bag on why Valencia had hatred towards her sister, Kaylani.