Chapter 19: Home is where the parents are

Kimora's POV

"We're home!" I heard my parents from  upstairs. "Kimora are you awake?"

"Maybe she's sleeping, tomorrow is Monday." My dad said in a hushed tone.

Oh no, I have been waiting for this moment. There's no way I'm sleeping.

"Hello mother, hello father. How was Asia?" I descend the stairs. They both look up and I swear they almost pass out.

"K-k-Kimora?!" My mom stutters. "What the...what happened to you?"

"Oh you like my new look?" I twirl around for them. "I decided out with the old and in with the new. Shorter hair is so much easier to manage. And I think blonde really suits me don't you think?"

"What is that on your nose?!" My father demands looking ready to blow a gasket.

"Oh it's a nose piercing. I've always wanted one."

"We're gone for five weeks and this is what you turn yourself into? A cheap looking slut!" My mother yells.

"And that's not all. Look!" I pull up my shirt to reveal my tattoo.

"I think I'm going to faint." My mother sways on her feet.

"YOU GOT A TATTOO!?" My father roars.

"Well I mean I had this before you guys went to Asia, but I'm just showing it to you now."

"I KNEW THOSE INSIGNIFICANT, RUFFIAN FRIENDS YOU HAD WERE NO GOOD. YOU ARE BANNED FROM EVER HANGING OUT WITH THEM AGAIN!"

"And who's going to stop me? You?" I laugh. "Please, spare me. I'm finally doing what I want and not what you want."

"What has gotten into you?" My mother questions.

"Nothing I just got sick of you controlling my life. From now on it's Kimora's way or no way. And I'd like to see you try and stop me. Goodnight!" I blow them a kiss and skip upstairs feeling happier than I ever have before.

*****

"My parents totally flipped out!" I recount the tale to Cheyenne and Reese over breakfast at school. Well only Reese since Cheyenne is too busy giggling at her phone screen.

"Wow I think maybe we should stop hanging out. I'm becoming too much of a bad influence." Reese smirks leaning back in his chair. 

"Hello did you hear me?" I wave my hands in Cheyenne's face. She doesn't notice so I snatch her phone.

"What the hell?" She says. "Give that back!"

"You weren't even listening to me. What could be more important?" I glance at her text messages. My eyes widen.

"You and Sebastian are dating!?" I screech.

"You'd know if you bothered to check in these last few days." She glares at me. You totally went MIA on me at the game on Friday. If you hadn't, I would've told you I met Sebastian's family. His mom invited me to dinner at their place. She loves me, I'm now apart of the family, and Sebastian officially asked me to be his girlfriend!" She breaths heavily after finishing.

Wow. I'm a bad friend.

"Well this has officially gotten too girly for me. I'm out." Reese stands up.

"Oh no you don't." I block his path. "You have a lot of explaining to do."

"About what?"

"Two words: Krystal. Parker."

"Yeah you two were totally flirting at the game!" Cheyenne accuses, her anger at me momentarily forgotten. "I hope your not planning to screw her because she's pregnant with Josh's kid!"

"I know that!" He snaps.

"Yeah well you better! How does she know Marcus?" Cheyenne continues her interrogation.

"You better spill." I get all up in his face.

"Now."

"Alright alright!" He sits back down. "We were friends over the summer!"

"What!" My jaw drops. "How could you have been friends with her?"

"She's not so bad." Cheyenne admits. "Once you get past the bitchy exterior that is."

"What? Have you two totally lost it! This is Krystal Parker we're talking about. She isn't nice. I don't even think that word is in her vocabulary!"

"You don't even know her." Reese jumps to her defense.

"Oh yeah? Well if she's such a great friend, then how come you two acted like you hated each other during the beginning of the school year?!"

"Oooo good one." Cheyenne nods at me.

"Well before the school year started we got into....a fight."

"About what?" I question him.

"That doesn't matter. The point is we talked it out and now everything's cool."

"Everything's cool." I mimic him. "No, everything is not cool. Did you consider how Josh feels about you hanging around with his pregnant girlfriend."

"I don't give a fuck what Josh thinks."

"Your unbelievable." I said just as the bell rang. "This conversation isn't over. I want details on how this friendship started."

"We'll see about that. Catch you later." He saunters off.

"Just for the record, I'm still slightly pissed at you." Cheyenne spoke. "Your lucky my desire to find out more about Reese and Krystal slightly overshadows that. For now. But I want deets on where you were this weekend."

"In exchange for the details of your weekend?"

She narrows he eyes at me.

"You drive a hard bargain." We shake hands.

Reese's POV

I slam my locker door shut after grabbing my books for English only to be met face to face with Josh.

"Can I help you?" I raise a brow.

"Yeah you can. Stay away from my girlfriend." He growls.

"Woah." I step back. "Someone's had a little too much testosterone for breakfast."

"Very funny. Just stay away from her." He steps closer. I yawn.

"Are we done here?"

"We're done, when I say we're done." He shoves me causing me to drop my books. Now a crowd is starting to form.

"Look man, I can't help it if your girlfriend wants to hang out with me. Maybe you should speak to her." I'm really trying to keep the lid on my anger here.

Deep breaths.

"Everything's a fucking joke to you Reese isn't it?"

"Well, not everything. Donald Trump running for president is not to be taken lightly."

"You know Reese I know a few things about you that you think you keep hidden well. Let's talk about your family, for instance."

"Yeah we're done here." I pick up my books and move to pass him by. He grabs my shoulders.

"We're not finished here, not until I get my point across. What's wrong pretty boy, too much of a pussy to stand up for yourself?" The crowd laughs.

"Let. Me. Go." I grit out. The lid on my anger is about to pop off.

"You know, they say your great in bed, but how great are you with your fists? Huh?" He shoves me. "Answer me!"

"Touch me again and your about to find out."

"Josh stop it!" Krystal pushes her way to the front of the crowd, her minions in tow.

"We're just talking, aren't we pretty boy?"

I glower at him as a muscle in my jaw ticks.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

Yeah not working.

Without a word I spin around and walk out of school to try and cool down.

I probably won't be returning.

*****

"Hey. We thought we'd find you here." Kimora says sitting next to me. Cheyenne plops down next to her.

"Yep. You've found me." I drawl out grinning lazily.

"Great he fucking baked." Cheyenne smacks her forehead.

"Why aren't you guys at school?" I ask confused.

"Schools out Reese." Kimora says gently. "We heard about your almost fight with Josh. I hate to say it but I told you so."

"Oh that douche. I could've easily taken him."

"We don't doubt it." Cheyenne mutters.

"I'm trying this new thing called being a better person. How am I doing?"

"You'd be doing great if you weren't totally stoned!" She yells.

"Shhhh." Kimora puts a finger to her lips. "Your not helping."

"Alright you two have fun with each other. I'm going to pick up my siblings from school. We'll talk when your not high." She storms off.

"What crawled up her ass and died?" I laughed.

"I know right?" Kimora giggles. "Hey got any more weed on you?"

"Of course. There's plen-tay to go around." I hand her a pre-rolled blunt.

"Life is good when you've got weed." She sighs taking a drag and bloating out smoke.

"Yes it is. Hey watch this." I take my own joint and inhale before blowing out rings of smoke.

"Teach me your ways Yoda." She says in awe. Her eyes are already getting glassy.

"All in good time my friend."

"I just realized we're smoking at a park. With children. Should we be doing this?" Her face is serious.

Then we both burst into hysterical laugher.

"Who fucking cares?" I wheeze out.

Ahhhh good times.

Cheyenne's POV

Un-fucking believable. I'm late to pick up my siblings because Kimora insists we check on Reese. Clearly he's fine.

"Oof." I bump into somebody.

"Sorry." I apologize. It's Krystal.

"It's ok. Have you seen Reese?"

"I'd stay away right now if I were you. He's as high as a kite. There's no reasoning with him right now."

"Oh." She frowns. "I wish he'd stop smoking. It's bad for his health."

"You and me both." I contemplate asking her about their relationship but decide to save it for another time. I'm already late enough as it is.

"Welp gotta run. See ya!" I zoom off.

I stop and pick up Ava first from daycare and then Daniels school. The teacher frowns as I walk in.

"Your late. All the other kids have already left."

"I'm sorry I was...busy."

"If you can't handle the responsibility of kids then maybe you shouldn't have them."

My face goes red. I can't deny these aren't my kids in front of her or she'll start asking questions.

"Sorry." I mumble lamely instead. She turns her nose up at me.

"Let's go Daniel." I grab his hand and push Ava's stroller with the other.

"Sis?" Daniel says while we're walking.

"Yes sweetie?"

"Why are you crying?"

"Oh." I hadn't even realized that there were tears slipping down my face.

"Is it because of my teacher? Don't listen to her, she's a big fat meanie."

"Thanks Danny boy." I sniffle.

"Your welcome sis."

We reach home and I pull out my keys wearily. I just want to curl up in bed with a tub of ice cream. And text Sebastian.

When I open the front door the lights are on. Strange. I know I turned them off before we all left this morning.

"Stay back." I instruct Daniel. "If anything goes down grab Ava and run."

He nods nervously and I cautiously creep inside. When I see who turned on the lights, I almost wish it had been a burglar.

"Mom." I breathe out.

She's sitting at the kitchen table, looking better than she's ever looked before. Her hair is shiny and looks freshly dyed. She has on jeans and a designer blouse with sandals. Her nails have been filed and painted. Her skin is glowing.

Even worse is the man standing next to her.

"Mommy?" Daniel pops up behind me.

"No, stay back." I push him backward.

"Cheyenne." She stands up. "Hi."

"How was your vacation? Did you have a good time? You look like you did, I mean, that tan is blinding me."

"I don't know what to say..." She trails off.

"Really? Because I have a lot to say, and none of it is very nice."

"Cheyenne." Says a deep voice. "Your all grown up now." I turn my gaze to him.

"I know right?! A lot can happen in three years." I give him a fake smile. Then I tap my chin in thought.

"You know, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I think whoever came up with that saying got it wrong, because my heart, has only grown bitter."

"I don't want to do this with you." My mother pleads. "Just hear me out?"

"No, you hear me out." I drop the act. "Did you think you were going to come back after leaving us and we'd all be one big happy family again? That I was going to fall at your feet? BEEP! Wrong answer! You may be able to lie and trick Daniel but you can't fool me."

"I know your angry-" my dad starts but I cut him off.

"Anger doesn't even scratch the surface of what I'm feeling. No therapist or family counseling could ever fix what you both have done. I suffered because of you!"

"So did I!" Mom screams.

"Because of him!" I point at dad. "It's all his fault and you go and bring him back! I would rather be homeless than live with him. Let's all pray he doesn't walk out again!"

"I've changed." He says softly. "I won't abandon you guys again. I love your mom. I love you guys. I know you don't believe me but I do."

"You bet your ass I don't believe you!" I shout. "Cuz' if you loved us you would've never left!" Ava starts crying and Daniel looks on the verge of tears himself. He's probably figured out what's going on by know. Kid has gotten a lot smarter.

"Oh look, now the baby's crying. I'll let you guys handle this one." I grab my keys.

"Where are you going?" Mom demands.

I scoff. "Oh don't even try that parenting bullshit with me. You lost the right!"

I slam the door my eyes watering. Shit shit shit. I speed dial Kimora.

"Pick up, pick up."

"Helloooo you've reached Kimora Hyung. I'm sorry I couldn't pick up the phone. Leave me a message and I'll get right back to ya!"

"Are you kidding me?!" I'm on the verge of a breakdown. With no other choice I sprint to her house. I knock on the door like a mad woman.

"Is Kimora home?" I rush out when her dad opens it.

"No." His lips are pressed in a thin line. "Maybe you know where our daughter is?" He gives me an accusatory glare.

"If I knew, I wouldn't be here asking you!" I snap.

"I always knew you were a bad influence on my daughter. You've turned her into a hooligan. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"What I have to say is, I don't have time for this." I'm on the verge of exploding. I need someone to vent to. Now. I turn on my heel and dash off.

I try her number again but it goes straight to voicemail. As I'm passing the park I spot Krystal sitting on a bench. I rush up to her.

"Have you seen Kimora?"

"Her and Reese have been gone. To where, I have no idea. They were both baked like you said."

My forehead crinkles in confusion.

"No, I only said Reese was high."

"Well I saw them together and she looked pretty stoned."

My heart contracts painfully. She lied to me.  

"I promise to never smoke weed again."

"I'm here for you."

"Whatever you need. I have your back."

"I'm always here for you."

Lies. All lies. Come to think of it she hasn't been much of a friend lately with all her new bad habits. New clothes, new hair, new attitude.

I don't even recognize my own best friend anymore.

Sebastian's POV

"What the hell was that today?" I flop down on Josh's couch. Benjamin, Jacob, Charles, and I are all spread out in his living room.

"I had to let him know his place." Josh responds.

"Man you sound so fucking corny." Charles tosses back a handful of beef jerky.

"Do you want to get kicked off the team?" I shoot Josh a look.

"Relax we weren't gonna fight. He's too much of a chicken to fight me."

Benjamin rolls his eyes. "Dude don't let the pussy control you. Control the pussy."

"What the fuck kind of advice is that?" I ask.

"Josh needs to man up and let Krystal know who's boss. He needs to teach her her place."

"Way to be sexist." I remark dryly.

"It's not sexist." Jacob cuts in. "Krystal is overstepping her boundaries. She's using her pregnancy to get what she wants. Don't let her."

"Yeah, there's no reason for her to be hanging out with Reese." Benjamin agrees.

"How about you just trust her?" I suggest.

"When it comes to Reese, nothing can be left to chance. Do you trust him around your girl?" Josh counters.

"Um yeah, they're just friends."

"Are you sure?" He presses.

"Reese isn't known to hide his conquests. If something was going on between them I would know. Plus Cheyenne complains about what a pig he is all the time. She's definitely not into him."

"You never know."

"Can we please get back to the issue at hand?" I sigh.

"I think," Charles begins, "that you should've just listened to me and stayed far far away from that chick. Now your saddled down with a baby on the way and, no offense, a whorish girlfriend."

Josh glares at him.

"I mean, when was the last time you had any sexual action? I bet your dick is so dry we could rub it against a stick and start a fire."

Soda comes spewing out my mouth as Benjamin, Jacob, and I howl with laughter. I clutch my stomach and tears form in my eyes.

"You guys are just really milking this entire situation aren't you?" Josh glowers at us.

"For every fucking penny it's worth!" Jacob takes another jab at him.

"Well we can't all have perfect relationships like Sebastian here. What if the same thing happened to you and Cheyenne got pregnant?" Josh fires at me.

"Dude that would never happen because I know what a condom is!" We all begin laughing again.

"Don't be silly, wrap your willy!"

"Don't be a fool, cover your tool!"

"Before you engage in the act, makes sure everything's all packed!"

"If you guys make one more condom joke I'm kicking you out." Josh warns.

"Ok ok we'll stop." Benjamin concedes.

"Wait one more." Charles clears his throat.

"Cover your stump before you hump!"

The laughing continues until we're all on the floor trying to catch our breaths.

"We love you man but sometimes I gotta question you." Jacob says.

"Who wants to scrimmage?" I hold up my football.

"Hell yeah!"

"You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up. I gotta call Krystal." Josh stands. Charles makes a whipping sound.

He shoots us the middle finger as we walk out.

Krystal's POV

"You've just got boys wrapped around your finger don't you?" Alexis says in a condescending voice as I try on new lipstick colors.

"I can't help it." I shrug. "You either got it or you don't."

"Whatever. You were supposed to help me get Sebastian. Now he's dating that bitch Cheyenne!"

"Oh. My. GAWD." I slam down a tube of lipstick. "I don't remember agreeing to help you get him. All I know is that you whine about him all the time and I'm tired of hearing it. Get over it. He doesn't like you. Comprende?"

"Just because your pregnant doesn't mean the world revolves around you Krystal. I thought you were my friend but I guess I was wrong."

"Over a guy. Are you serious?" I say appalled.

"Guys stop fighting!" Rosie cries.

"No it's also the fact that your a self centered bitch." Alexis continues.

"That's it." I stand. "Get out now. This self centered bitch doesn't want to see your ugly face ever again. Do me a favor and fall on the way out. Kay thanks bye."

"Come on Rosie let's go." Alexis motions her toward the door. Rosie stays rooted in place glancing back and forth between us. I glare at her.

If she leaves with Alexis I will never forgive her.

"I'm sorry Alexis." She says in a small voice. "But... I really want to be the godmother of the baby."

I shoot Alexis a smug look.

"Fine. Fuck you both." She storms out.

"Why can't we just all be friends?" Rosie questions once she's gone.

"This isn't elementary school Rosie. You can't be friends with everyone. Sometime's you gotta cut people out your life who only bring negativity. Trust me, things will be much better without her."

"That makes sense." She nods thoughtfully. "Alexis was always grumpy."

"Exactly. Do you want to hang out with a grumpy person twenty-four seven?"

"Not really. Thanks Krystal." She hugs me. "Let's go shopping! We can get you cute new maternity clothes!"

I grin. "Sounds like a plan."

Didn't I just publish a chapter a few days ago?

Oh well.

I did say prepare to be hit with the updates once I got back from my fast.

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