Chapter 82

A/N: Y'all gon' stop coming for Erica in these comments. Put some respek on ha name. All y'all. I ain't gon' say it no mo! 😂-Shia

2 weeks later, Esined

I sat at in the doctors office with Erica. When her name was called, I went to the back with her. I watched the whole procedure of her ultrasound and I had to say, it was very intriguing.

Erica was further along than I thought . She was near eighteen weeks.

I stared at the screen while Erica didn't bother to even glance at the screen. She was avoiding it.

"Would you like to know the gender?"

"No," Erica mumbled.

"Can I know?" I asked Erica.

She shrugged.

I looked up at the screen again and the woman came over to me. She whispered the gender and I smiled softly.

The baby was a girl.

Once the ultrasound was over, Erica pulled her shirt down.

I could see the shame and disgust in her eyes.

After we left, we were in my car, and I was driving us to a restaurant.

"Erica," I said softly.

"Yeah?"

I had this thought, but I didn't know if I should suggest it to her.

I wanted her to talk to August about what happened to her. I figured he could relate and give her a few steps on coping, and loving herself again. Right now, she was still in the blaming stage. She blamed it on herself and it was hard to convince her that it wasn't her fault.

"I know someone you could talk to about this. That's if you're comfortable with it,"

"Who?"

"August. I know-"

"No," she said.

"Why not, Erica? You didn't even let me finish talking,"

"I don't want to talk to a boy about it. He wouldn't understand,"

"Well, you wouldn't know if he'd understand unless you try talking to him,"

She stayed quiet. "He's gonna judge me,"

"If I thought that he would judge you, I wouldn't suggest for you to talk to him,"

"Did you tell him? Esined, you promised not to tell anyone,"

"I didn't tell anyone,"

She sighed. "Fine. I'll think about it,"

"Thank you," I smiled. "Trust me, August is a good guy. He won't judge you,"

"How do you trust him so much? How do you trust men at all?"

"Well, for starters I don't generalize the whole population of men for the actions of one..."

"But how do you not generalize them? With so many bad men that I've met, I don't want to ever be around another one. Brandon is the only man that hasn't switched up and hurt me yet,"

"Don't say yet because Brandon would never hurt you. He'd never hurt us or Mama. Brandon loves us,"

"I know, but I can't fully trust a man. They're evil," she mumbled. "Especially men like Eric and Don,"

"I know there's a lot of shitty guys out there, but believe it or not, they're not all the same,"

"How can you tell who's genuine or not?"

"Actions and the way they speak to you. The way they carry themselves and treat other women. Especially women in their families,"

"How does August treat you?"

"He respects and loves me. I think he treats me good,"

"Are you in love with him?"

I started smiling to myself and nodded. "Yeah, I am,"

"How?"

"Well, I accept him for him. I know he has problems, we all do. I see his flaws and I love him regardless. I can see his growth. He's trying to be better,"

"That's so sweet," she said.

"You can't ask me about my feelings for him. I get really corny and say weird stuff," I laughed a little.

"I see. It's not that corny. You're just in love,"

"Sooo, when do you wanna talk to August?" I asked.

"You're not slick. I said I'll think about it,"

"It was worth a try,"

It was quiet for a moment before she spoke again.

"Sunday. After church," Erica made up her mind.

"I'll see if he's busy,"

"Will you stay in the room when we talk?"

"If you want me to,"

"Yeah,"

"Okay, I will," I said.

I pulled up to Olive Garden and we got out.

Erica and I approached the doors.

I opened it and waited for her to walk in.

"Table for two," I smiled.

"Esined, you so fancy now," Erica teased as we were seated.

We laughed.

"I'm not fancy. If you wanna see fancy, you should see the places that August takes me. I can barely pronounce things on the menu,"

She laughed. "I can just imagine him trying to pronounce things. You know he has that strong accent,"

"Yeah. It's cute when he tries to pronounce the words. Then the waiter tries to help him and he's just like I got dis," I giggled.

Erica smiled and looked over her menu. "So, he's not as mean as Travis said he is?"

"What did Travis say about August?"

"Never mind. What do you usually get here?"

"Erica," I said. "What did he say?"

"He just said August was mean. He said August isn't all that everyone thinks he is,"

"When did you two even talk about August and why?"

"Well, remember when you took me over August's house with you?"

"I took you over there a few times,"

"We were there for hours. You and August were under each other and I felt like a third wheel, so I left. You two were cuddling, so y'all didn't notice. I went to their den and Travis was in there. He was smoking, but he put it out and opened the window. He asked me why I was down there and I told him that I wanted to give y'all space," she explained.

"He laughed or whatever and said Yeah, those two are inseparable. I agreed and he said I don't why she brought you over here. She's just gonna ignore you. Like she does to everybody who ain't August. I asked him what did he mean by that. He said that you used to live with them and you were cool with everyone in the house, but now when you go over there, you only talk to August,"

I shook my head. "I talk to everyone. Including him. Well, I used to. I'm not talking to him anymore,"

"I feel bad for him," Erica said. "He seems so lonely,"

"I said the same thing. He must be lonely enough to try to tap into the mind of a thirteen year old and try to make it seem like I ignored you on purpose," I looked at her. "I wouldn't ignore you, Erica,"

"I know," she said quietly. "You think Travis needs a friend?"

"He does, but not us. Especially not you,"

"Is he a man that I should stay away from?"

"Yeah. I doubt that he's like that, but he's sneaky,"

"How is he sneaky?"

"I can't spill too much,"

"Awe. Come on, Es. I won't spill it to anyone else,"

"Nope. It's over and done with now, so there's no use of bringing it back up,"

Erica scoffed. "What a loser,"

"This loser is paying for your lunch,"

"What a great loser. I love losers," she covered, causing us to laugh.

"Mhm,"

"Thanks for taking me out, Es. I really appreciate it,"

"You're welcome," I smiled and pulled my phone from my pocket.

I unlocked it and saw two texts and two missed calls from August.

SnuggaPoo: Hey. I got news 1:34 pmSnuggaPoo: Answer yo phone ugly 1:37 pm

I'm not ugly. 1:39 pm

SnuggaPoo: I knew that'd catch your attention lol. But you remember when I told you I had an interview? 1:40 pm

You got the job? Congrats Snugga! I'm so proud of you 1:41 pm

SnuggaPoo: Thank you, but why I gotta work wit my mama 😒 1:42 pm

💀 Well, is it not her company? 1:43 pm

SnuggaPoo: I feel like she the only reason I got this job 1:44 pm

I think they liked you. You know how to talk and get your way with people. What are you going to be doing? 1:46 pm

SnuggaPoo: They put me as a receptionist 😂 How tf people gon understand me? People already think I speak anotha language 1:48 pm

Just speak slowly to them 1:49 pm

SnuggaPoo: I will. Wyd today? 1:50 pm

I'm chilling with Erica. She wants to see you Sunday 1:51 pm

SnuggaPoo: Okay. Why? Lol 1:52 pm

Idk. She wants to talk 1:53 pm

SnuggaPoo: Okay. I'll see you Sunday 1:54 pm

I looked up and Erica was looking around.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yes," she looked at me. "I wanna move away,"

"From what?"

"Mama," she laughed lightly.

"Same," I sighed. "I'm thinking about getting an apartment until I go to college,"

She frowned. "I don't want us to be separated again. You can't leave me,"

"You can visit me whenever you want to. I'll come pick you up anytime you want me to,"

"It won't feel the same. I can't just get up and go to your room. I won't see you when I wake up. I'll have to deal with mama on my own. She doesn't love me like she loves you. You and Brandon are the only people who care about me. She doesn't care. You can't leave me, Esined,"

"Erica," I mumbled. "Mama does care about you. She loves you,"

"No she doesn't," she shook her head. "Don't tell me that,"

"Why do you think she doesn't love you?"

"She ain't never loved me,"

Just when I was about to speak, the waiter came over us and introduced himself. He took our orders and then our menus.

"Why don't you think mama loves you?" I asked.

"She hates Don and I'm Don's child. All she does is remind me that I look or talk like him. Why would she compare me to someone that she hates?"

I didn't have a response, so I stayed quiet.

Erica sighed and tapped her fingers on the table.

My phone began to vibrate and I looked at it. Surprised at the name, I pushed my eyebrows together.

Keenon: Hey, it's been a while. I dropped new merch and I need some models. You down for a shoot? 2:17 pm

When? 2:19 pm

Keenon: Friday. 7pm. 2:20 pm

Okay. I'll be there. Send me the address 2:23 pm

Keenon sent me the address and I set an event reminder for it.

I looked up and Erica was staring at me, but then she looked away. I was becoming used to her staring at me so often. I didn't mind, but her stare could become intense.

I caught her staring at me again, so I spoke. "Why do you look at me like that?"

"Sorry," she said quietly.

"No, don't feel bad. I'm curious,"

"I have a staring problem. It's not just at you. I'm always focused on something or others around me... This is why I like to be alone. My staring makes people nervous or uncomfortable,"

"Is it something that can be treated? It's not fair that you have to separate yourself from others because of it,"

"I don't mind being separated from others,"

"You'll get depressed,"

"I don't have to be around others to be happy,"

"After all of the years of isolation, I would think that you'd want to be around others,"

"Nope. I'd rather be alone,"

"Why?"

"I got use to being alone and I liked it," she shrugged. "I don't feel the need to become an extrovert again,"

"That's understandable. I just don't want you to feel alone. You know I'm gonna be here for you as much as I can, right?"

She started laughing. "No you won't,"

"Erica, I will. I promise,"

"No you won't, Esined. As soon as you step foot outside of Atlanta, that's it. You'll be doing your college thing and I'll be here. You'll be busy with college and doing your modeling thing. I'll be stuck under mama's suffocating wing. I'll be too scared to call and you'll be too busy to pick up," she sighed as I frowned. "I'm not saying this to seem mean or anything, but that's just how it will be,"

"It won't be like that because I won't let it be that way," I said. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I'm gonna live off campus. That way if you come to visit, you won't have to be around my roommates. I'll get an apartment out there with enough room. For me, you, and the baby," I smiled.

"I'm not keeping it," she said as if she had given the baby the name It.

"What?"

"Adoption,"

"But why? I thought Mama was gonna take care of the baby,"

"I don't want to see it,"

"Stop calling the baby an it," I said.

She folded her arms. "What else am I supposed to call it? A tragedy?"

"Erica," I said sternly. "This baby did not ask to be here. Don't take your anger and hate out on the baby,"

Erica looked off to the side and stayed quiet.

Our waiter slowly came up after and set our food on the table along with our drinks.

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome. Enjoy your meal, ladies," he smiled and walked off.

Erica and I held hands across the table. I said a prayer and we began to eat.

"Thank you," she said.

"No problem," I gave her a smile.

Friday, Esined

I stood in front of the camera, posing.

Keenon stood on the side, watching me model his clothing. "You gotta look more tough with it on, you know what I mean?"

"I don't know how to look tough," I laughed a little.

"Well, stop smiling in every photo for one. Mean mug a lil," he chuckled.

"I'm not upset, so I can't,"

"Aiight, hol' up," he said to the photographer.

The photographer let out an annoyed sigh and stopped snapping photos.

Keenon approached me. "Aiight, look. Drop the hand on the hip,"

I dropped my hand and stood up straight.

"No no, slouch a lil bit. Let ya self relax. You look too plastic,"

"Plastic?" I frowned.

"Well, too commercial. I ain't mean no harm,"

"Oh, I know what you mean,"

"Yeah. Do something to be more relaxed. Dance, rap, or something,"

"Can you turn on some music?"

"Whatchu listen to? Country music?" he teased.

"Aha. Aha, really funny," I gave him a dry laugh. "Can I get the aux cord?"

"Can I trust you with it?"

"Yes,"

We laughed and he led me to the speakers. I put the cord in my phone and went to my trap playlist.

The best dropped and he instantly began to nod his head.

"Lil country girl listening to the trap shit," he chuckled. "Aiight. Show me whatchu can do,"

I stepped back in front of the camera.

Computers by Rowdy Rebel played, but I didn't rap until my favorite part of Bobby Shmurda's verse came on.

I'm sliding over cars while I shootI think that I'm Tom CruiseBut, bitch I'm Bobby with that toolI got that "bow", run up on him, act a fool

Keenan started laughing and nodding his head in approval. "You doing good, ma,"

I stuck up my middle fingers at the camera and the photographer took my last photo.

At the end, we took photos in pairs. I took photos with some girls and some with Keenon. We were all happy once the shoot ended and we were paid.

I went to the bathroom to change into my regular clothes and I left out.

"Aye," he said.

I walked over to him.

"Thank you for doing the shoot. I appreciate it. You did yo thing out there," he smiled.

"No problem. Thank you for the opportunity," I smiled.

"It's getting dark out, you want me to walk you out?"

"Sure," I shrugged. I made sure I had everything I needed and we left the building.

Keenon walked me to my car and we were finishing up a conversation that we had started.

I heard a car door slam and I looked up. To my surprise, August began to storm over to us.

I had no clue of how he knew where I was. It confused me.

August didn't look like himself. His eyes were red and he looked pissed. "What are you doing?" he asked me.

Taken back by his anger, I looked at Keenon, hoping he'd say something.

"It's nothing, bro. We just had a-"

"I'm not talkin' ta you. As far as I'm concerned, you can take yo happy ass and walk away," August spat.

"August," I said. "What is wrong with you?" I touched his hand and he pulled away from me.

"Why are you still standin' hea?" he ignored me and solely focused on Keenon. "Walk away,"

Keenon shook his head. "You ain't even worth it," he looked down at me. "You good?"

"I'm fine,"

"You sure?"

"She good," August answered for me. "Now take yo ass on somewhere,"

Keenon stepped up to August. "You got one more time,"

"Fa what?" August challenged.

I stepped in between them and placed my hands over August's. "Keenon, I'm fine,"

He gave me a look.

"I'm okay," I assured him.

"Aiight. I'll see you around,"

"No you won't," August replied smartly.

"Please," I said to Keenon and he walked off. I turned back to August and he grabbed me by my arm. "A-"

"Shut up," he said. "I better not catch you around him again. I swear, Esined. We'll have some fuckin' problems," he tightened his grip.

I was pressed against my car and he held me tightly by my arm. "Why are you doing this?" I pulled at his hands. "What is your problem?" I pushed him away from me.

"What's your fuckin' problem? You done lost yo mind!" he pulled me back to him and yelled in my face.

"You don't have to put your hands on me though!" I yelled back as tears were forming in my eyes. I stared into his eyes and they were red.

What I saw didn't look like my boyfriend. It wasn't August.

"Esined, I'm not playin' wit you," he said sternly.

I struggle to get out of his grip. "Let me go,"

"Do you hea' me?" he demanded an answer as he shook me.

I tried to remain strong, but I broke down. I started crying and he let me go. I rubbed my arms, where his hands were just a moment before.

"Esined," he said softly.

It was like a switch flicked and he calmed down.

"No," I said.

"Let me-"

"Leave me alone, August,"

He stepped back and I unlocked my car doors.

I got in and closed the door. I started my car and drove off.

I couldn't believe what August had done. Not only did he embarrass me, he became physical with me. He stalked me and found where I was because of his own insecurities.

Something told me things had to be deeper than what just happened, but I pushed those thoughts away. What happened brought back horrible memories. With the way he grabbed me and the look in his eyes, all I could see was his anger.

I didn't like the sight of that.

I didn't know how to react. I was shocked and terrified. I had never seen August like that, unless it was towards other people.

Pulling up to a red light, I glanced at my arms. They were already bruised.

I decided to stay out of his way. I didn't know what to say and I didn't want to say anything to him.

-Hi.

Y'all probably like "wtf Shia. wyd" lmfaoo. I'm chillin'. What y'all doin'?

I have this under control. Y'all gon' see why this happened.

When I have writers block, I start drama. Yes, I have hella writers block.

I'm a messy bitch who lives for drama. I can't help it.

Here's a pic of me:

Y'all probably thought the book was gonna end all cute and soft. Nope.

Y'all gon' hate me soon, but hold onto y'all love for me. 🙂

I can't wait for the sequel to this book lmao.

Also, like I said before. AFTER the sequel to Pieces, I will no longer be writing on wattpad.

Tbh, next person who asks if there will be a sequel is gonna catch this mute. I said it like 50 times. 😂💀

Excuse typos please.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo