Chapter 18

         Sasha stirred in her sleep, and feeling the emptiness next to her she scrunched her brows as she was sure Lux was next to her the night before.
She slit her eyes, and with the sun creeping through her blinds she put her hand up to block the sun.

Finally adjusting her vision, she witnessed as Lux quietly entered her room, already fully dress to leave for the day.

“You leaving already?” She asked with a stretch.

“Yup” Lux nodded, putting her hair into her signature style bun.

“Why now, you usually stay at least until breakfast”

“Lucious called, he wants me to see our new apartment” she smirked.

“Wow, so he got it?” Sasha smiled.

“Apparently” Lux shrugged.

Sasha nodded as she stood up from the bed, “That’s good”

Lux continued to get ready, and Sasha began to grab her things for a shower.

“So, about last night” Sasha started.

Lux raised her brow, but didn’t say anything. She was curious as to what Sasha had to say, and figured she was due for an apology before she left.

“I really think you over reacted and I really don’t like the fact that you don’t trust me”

The small smile that was on Lux’s face dropped, and she followed up by a hard roll of her eyes.

“Seriously?” She retorted.

“Yes, seriously” Sasha scoffed, “Don’t act like you weren’t legit mad”

“You were legit making me mad, the fuck?” Lux squinted her eyes, “I don’t hide my messages from you, here look”

Lux grabbed her phone and aggressively shoved it into Sasha’s hands.

“I didn’t hide them, I said I wasn’t showing em to you cause you wanted me to prove something I don’t have to”

“You don’t have to be with me either, especially if you feel you don’t have to prove to me you’re not doing anything. What the fuck is the big deal, if theres nothing there?”

Sasha shook her head frustrated, and while she was serious about the trust thing the other reason she didn’t want to give Lux her phone was because some of the messages were suggestive between her and Jaz and she didn’t want Lux to get the wrong idea. Not on her end, because she always kept it friendly while Jaz sometimes was a little too friendly.

The two battled looks, and although Lux was adamant so was Sasha. A sudden ding went off, and Lux was happy to see that her brother was outside. She grabbed her bag, and without any words she went to leave out of the room.

“No kiss, no bye, nothing huh?” Sasha asked grabbing her arm.

Lux, who at first let the whole situation go was now irritated all over again since Sasha decided to ‘speak her mind’. She was seriously over her girlfriend at the moment, and definitely didn’t think she was overreacting.

“Go ask Jaz” Lux smiled pettily, firmly shutting the bedroom door behind her.

Sasha rolled her eyes into her head, and she fell back onto her bed defeated. At the exact moment her phone went off with the sound of a text message notification, and she scrunched her face to see the very person who was putting a wrench in her relationship.

She chose not to respond, and instead clicked Zay’s message instead. Seeing that he wanted to start tutoring right away she responded sure, since it looked as though she wouldn’t be with Lux who was most likely going to ignore her the entire day.

While the two had bickered before it seemed as though this was their first real argument, and Sasha was seriously confused on what to do.

She decided to just take a shower and go back to sleep until it was time to go to Zay’s. Hopefully he could give her insight, as he way more experience with relationships than she was.

“Quan wake up” Shamira whispered, shaking him as he was in a deep sleep.

At first she didn’t care to wake him up due to the fact she was enjoying being able to watch her favorite shows before she had to go home with no cable, however once she heard the new voice in the house she knew it was time to go.

“Mhhh what?” Quan stirred.

“I think your dad is here”

With the sound of that Quan’s eyes widened, and he immediately jumped up.

“Shit, I overslept. I was going to call you a lyft before he got here” he said frustrated.

“Well what do you want me to do? Because I’m not climbing out no windows or dumb shit like that”

“My mom knows you’re here so it’s cool, we just gotta get you out of my room without anyone noticing”

Shamira rolled her eyes, but began to get dressed so she could sneak out of the back room. Quan decided to see if the coast was clear so he stepped out of his room, only to see Joseph already heading his way.

“What’s been going on around here, the place looks like a fucking pigsty” he spat, gesturing to the laundry in the hallway and overflowing trash.

“My fault pops” Quan said making sure to close his door behind him, “It’ll get to it right now. How was your trip, I thought you were coming back Sunday”

“I’m home early” Joseph responded not exactly saying why, “Wheres your sister?”

“Sleeping I guess, but…she has company so I wouldn’t go in just incase she’s not dressed” Quan advised, knowing his dad had a habit of walking into unlocked doors.

“Company? When the hell did I say she could have company one, and two, while the house is a mess?” He asked pinching the bridge of his nose, “Myda!”

He headed into little Joe’s room where Myda was helping him get undressed for his bath. Quan followed behind, trying to keep a close eye on his father so he could declare a coast is clear for Shamira.

“Myda, since when do we let the kids have company over night? Especially while the house is a mess” Joseph asked strolling into the sesame st themed room.

Myda looked up from little Joe, and tiredly moved her hair out of her face, “It’s Sasha’s cheer friends, so yes I let them stay. And the house isn’t that bad, it’s just hard to run behind five kids alone”

“That’s why the oldest three have chores, so they can contribute to this household. Why haven’t you followed up with them whenever they don’t do what we say?”

“Because it’s not what we say, it’s what you say and since you’re not here to say it they won’t do it. Plus, they’re kids. Maybe you should be home to help, ever think about that?” Myda snarled with a slight snicker.

Hearing his mother’s sassy tone, Quan knew his father was seconds away from blowing up. This couldn’t be a worst time, as he didn’t want his girlfriend’s first impression of his family to be that. And sure, while Shamira’s family probably wasn’t all that either it was still embarrassing.

“And why the hell do I need to do that? Only a crazy person would take care of everyone in a house and have to be the one to cook and clean too” Joseph chuckled dismissively, “I’m gone all day because I’m working, and the one job you do have, you can’t get right”

“Joseph~”

“No!” He barked, scaring all three of them in the room, “I am…tired of you challenging me. I don’t know what’s gotten into you ~”

“What’s gotten into me? Really? I’m not the one that’s never here, and I know it’s not just work. Me and my kids deserve better!” Myda shouted with tears at the brink of her eyes.

“You and your kids deserve better? Than what, me?” He laughed coldly, “Don’t be fucking stupid”

“We do deserve better than you” Quan spoke up.

He straightened out his posture as his father slowly turned to him in disbelief, and his mother’s eyes widened. She didn’t expect her oldest son to speak up to Joesph, especially at the defense of her however just looking at the anger on his face she knew he too was fed up with the way things had gotten.

“What did you ~”

“I said we do deserve better than you” Quan repeated, stepping to the man he was glad to be meeting eye to eye, “You think we need you to survive? We don’t. That’s all you know how to do, is brag about the fact that you take care of us – what do you want a prize for being the worst fucking father?”

Joseph clinched his jaw, and as always he laughed to try and ease his anger.

“I see you done grew some balls, but let me remind you, I’m the man of this ~”

“I’m the man of this house” Quan cut him off confidently.

“Oh yeah?” Joseph scoffed.

“Yeah” Quan nodded confidently.

“You hear this Myda? Ya son here thinks he caan run the house better than I can, so I guess ya’ll don’t need me here”

Joseph began to walk out of the room as if to say he was leaving, and Myda quickly raised from the bed.

“Joseph, no” she panicked, “You know he’s just testing you ~”

“Mom, don’t beg him to stay. We don’t need him”

Quan said grabbing her hand however his mother snatched it hand away.

“Quan, stop it. Just stop. You know we can’t make it without him”

“Yes we can, ma. I got us, I have ~”

Before Quan could continue Myda rushed off into the bedroom where she tried her best to get Joseph to stay, however Quan refused to beg him for anything. He made sure his brother was occupied with his toys before closing the bedroom door behind him, and then rushing to his room and into his closet.

“What’s going on?” Shamira asked as he stormed in.

“Nothing, just come on. I’ll call your lyft when you get outside”

He gestured her to follow him after grabbing his wad of money, and she grabbed her bag off of the bed. He led her out of the room expecting the hallway to be clear, however the two of them ran straight into Joseph and Myda as the couple continued to go back and forth.

“Shit” Shamira said underneath her breath, already knowing he was about to be in deep shit. This wasn’t the first time she had gotten caught sneaking out of a house, so she was sure of what to expect.

Joseph’s eyes dived in the middle of his forehead at the sight of the girl leaving Quan’s room, and he knew his son was trying him then.

“You lied to me Quan” Myda said disappointingly, “You ~”

“I’ll handle this Myda” Joseph said, stopping his wife, “His ass thinks he’s a man today, so I’m going to show him a fuckin man”

“I am a man, and I ain’t gotta listen to shit you say. Come on Mira”

Quan grabbed her hand in attempt to walk down the steps however Joseph stopped them. Shamira rolled her eyes, and told herself this was the main reason she didn’t date guys her age.

Joseph moved to the side slightly, “You” he said looking at Shamira, “Can go”

Shamira happily slid past, and Quan huffed as he attempted to move past his father.

“Man, move” he kissed his teeth, “Like I said, I don’t need you. We don’t need you. So just stop, it’s clear that you found another family or whoever the hell else you’d rather be around”

“You sound just like your mother, like a little bitch” Joseph pointed his finger in Quan’s face, “You don’t know shit about running a household, about being a working man”

“I don’t?” Quan asked, flashing his money with a smirk.

Both of his parent’s eyes shifted to the wad of cash and Myda covered her mouth in astonishment.

“What you out here stealin boy?” Joseph hissed, gripping his son up by his shirt.

“Man get the fuck off of me!” Quan snapped, pushing him back.

Joseph eyes widened at his strength, and he was now prepared to teach his son a lesson. He gripped him up and threw him against the wall, causing the picture frames that were placed along it to shake.

Ty and Mikey came out of their rooms to see what was the ruckus, and Myda shooed them back into their room.

“You two, stop it!” Myda told them as she watched the two tussle in the hallway.

Joseph continued to ruff up his son however Quan was definitely giving him a run for his money.

“Myda, get my belt” Joseph managed to get out, and Myda looked at him confused.

Joseph had never put his hands on any of them despite his horrible attitude, and now he was choosing to beat his seventeen year old son as if the two weren’t the same size.

Myda’s feet stood frozen, and at this point Quan had Joseph in a headlock. It was clear that his age was hindering him, and Quan was fit enough to take whatever strength he did. Seeing Quan attempt to squeeze the life out of her husband, she could tell by the look in his eyes there was no reaching him.

Instead she ran back into the room to grab one of the thickest belts, and hurrying back into the hallway she immediately whacked it across Quan’s back.

“Ahhh Shit” he shrieked out in pain, falling to the floor.

Joseph was now able to catch his breath, and he grasped his neck which was already becoming sore from the strong hold. He grabbed the belt from Myda, and she had to turn her face as she grimaced at the sounds of Joseph beating Quan viciously.

“I’ma show yo ass, who the man today!” Joseph barked, the whip of the belt loud and satisfying him as if it whipped across Quan’s torso and legs.

Quan attempted to dodge it, but Joseph had him in a compromising hold. The whips were painful, and with every hit the hate for his father just grew bigger.

As he tossed back and forth his wad of money happened to fall out, and Joseph bought the whooping to a halt.

“And thank you for this” he snickered, grabbing the money off of the floor.

“No!” Quan shouted tiredly as he attempted to raise from the floor.

“Guess this my pay back for taking care of you, I’ll count it and let you know how much more you owe”

Joseph laughed manically as he turned to his room laughing, leaving Quan and Myda alone in the quiet hallway. Myda rushed to Quan’s side in efforts to help him, however he snatched away from her.

“When he starts to beat you, don’t call me for help” he hissed at her.

Myda’s eyes widened, and before she could respond Quan lifted hisself up from the floor and vacated to his room, slamming the door shut. He knew there was only two options, either he had to leave or he had to deal with Joseph.

After dressing down in all black, he grabbed the small burner phone from his dresser and headed back out into the hallway.

“What happened?” Sasha asked tiredly, after finally emerging from her bedroom.

The pictures from the wall were now broken and on the floor, while the rest of the clutter was everywhere else now too.

“That nigga is what happened” Quan spat, “And trust me, we won’t have to deal with him much longer”
With that he stormed out of the house, and Sasha stood dumbfounded. All she knew was that whatever happened, Quan looked as if it had pushed him over the edge.

After getting dressed for the day once she arose from falling back to sleep, Sasha was now waiting outside for Zay to pull up so the two could go back to his house and study.

She searched through her messages and twisted her mouth when she realized that Lux still didn’t respond to her message, and she began to double text her just as Zay pulled up.

“Ay what up Sash” he smiled friendly as she glanced up from her phone.

“Wassup bro”

She hopped in the nice car, and buckled her seatbelt because she knew Zay drove like a maniac.

“Ain’t shit, ready to get this studying shit out the way. I gotta stop by Ikea first, I have to get this fuckin table replaced before my dad gets home” Zay shook his head.

“You got money for that?” Sasha chuckled.

“He do” Zay shrugged, “I got his company card”

“Wow, must be nice”

“Hell yeah”

Sasha laughed, and while she wished she had those perks she knew that would be just another thing her dad rubbed into her face. She wanted to make her own money, however three months into living in Philly and she still hadn’t found a job.

“Oh and also, Ima stop by my weed man house so we can blaze, I definitely need that before even thinking about reading anything” Zay said giving her a knowing look.

“That’s cool” Sasha nodded.

Zay turned up the music, and he began the route to the projects. It took only a few seconds before they pulled up, and Zay hopped out to greet the man on the steps.

Sasha watched the exchange, and her eyes drifted to the door once it opened and out walked Quan and Lucious. Lucious and him spoke for a short second, and it looked as if whatever they were talking about was serious.

Quan nodded and took the black backpack from Lu, and at the same time him and Zay retreated from the house but going separate ways.

“Who pissed your brother off?” Zay chuckled as he hopped in the car.

“I think my dad” Sasha squinted her eyes, “but honestly I wouldn’t know because I fell asleep with my headphones on and I didn’t hear shit”

The two started doubling over in laughter, and Zay shook his head.

“Probably was a dead body. What happened after ya’ll left the party? I still can’t believe that shit happened”

“I know” Sasha exhaled, “And we all just went back to the house. Quan and Shamira kept arguing, but at the end of it all she wound up spending the night”

“Oh so he is hittin that” Zay nodded with his lip poked out, “Hope he has fun with that”

Sasha snickered, and turned to look out the window as Zay pulled into the Ikea parking lot. He parked once he found an open spot, and the two hopped out.

“I called and they said it was in stock” Zay said as they headed into the store, “So we should be in out and out”

The pair headed up to the second floor of the large furniture store, and Zay looked for the aisle in which the sales associate told him the table would be in. Once he spotted it they put it into the cart, and pushed it to the front.

“So you gotta build it too?” Sasha asked as they made it into the purchasing line.

“Yeah but it’s pretty easy, we put it together the last time” Zay shrugged, “He comes back tomorrow at five, so I have more than enough time”

“Hi, is that all you guys have? Or is there more in the cart?”

Turning their head towards the cashier, Sasha was surprised to see Jaz behind the register.

“What up Jaz” Zay gave her a nod, “I ain’t know you work here”

“Yup” she giggled with a slight shrug, “Hey Sasha”

Sasha waved, but it wasn’t like the friendly wave as usual. It was more like she’d rather not be there, as instead she focused on getting the table rung up so her and Zay could go.

“296.87” Jaz told Zay after ringing up the coffee table.

He nodded and slid the card, and as he did so Jaz let her eyes drift to Sasha who was now scrolling through her phone with her right hand and her left slightly tucked into the sweatpants. She looked good in the all black nike sweat suit and matching slides, and her hair which was usually curly was flat ironed straight and under a hat. She made a popping sound with the winter fresh gum in her mouth, and even her smile was pretty as she looked at Zay who made a funny comment and the two began to laugh.

“Alright yo, see you later J” Zay said as he began to push the cart away.

Sasha went to follow behind, and Jaz tapped her arm as she walked pass.

“I know you saw my good morning text” she stretched her cheek flirtatiously as she started to nervously clean up her area.

“Maybe” Sasha smirked, and that was definitely a habit she got from Lux.

“Well maybe, you need to text me back” she giggled, “I see you’re in your phone now”

Sasha scratched the back of her neck awkwardly, and Jaz shifted her weight onto one side.

“What’ wrong?”

“Nothing, I’ll hit you back; Me and Zay were just busy” Sasha finally answered back.

“Oh…okay” Jaz smiled satisfied.

Sasha gave her a nod and walked away, letting out a exhale as she got farther away. She didn’t know why she didn’t just tell Jaz that Lux didn’t want the two talking, mainly because she didn’t want Jaz to feel some type of way. In her eyes they were just friends, and now and days Sasha had plethora of those.

“I was wondering where you went” Zay said spotting Sasha as he returned the cart to the front.

“My fault, got held up” Sasha replied following after him.

Zay squinted his eyes in a suspicious fashion, and Sasha scrunched her brows.

“Mhh, let me find out” Zay raised his brow, “You and Jaz?”

“Nah, no way” Sasha shook her head immediately.

“Nah, no way my ass” Zay laughed “I saw how she was looking at you, and then you just happen to get held up. Keep it real with me bro”

“I am, we’re just friends”

Zay and Sasha hopped in the car, and Zay continued to laugh as he pulled out.

“You know how many times I’ve said that same line”

Sasha rolled her eyes, and she knew in Zay’s head it was impossible for two people to just be friends.

“Okay, fine” he said, seeing her unamused expression, “I’ll leave it alone”

Sasha was glad for that, however Zay was saving their conversation til when they got back to his house. This was his time to truly find out if there was trouble in paradise between Lux and Sasha. He knew Lux had turned him down, however he convinced himself she was just confused and most likely afraid to deal with him because of his roster of women.

Once they got to the house Zay placed the large box in the living room, and he gestured for Sasha to follow him onto the patio. He immediately split the dutch once they were outside, and began to roll as Sasha continued to glare at her phone as she had been doing since he picked her up. He finished rolling the L and sparked it, and while he was a few puffs in, Sasha let out a frustrated sigh.

“I need advice” she said defeated.

“On?” Zay asked, blowing smoke out of his nose.

“Lux”

Zay raised his brow and was now intrigued.

“What’s going on?”

“Well…you were right. Well not completely, theres nothing going on between me and Jaz. But, Lux doesn’t like me talking to her. And last night she texted me, and Lux wanted to see our message and I said no”

“You said no?” Zay snickered, passing her the L.

“Yeah” Sasha shrugged, taking her first puff, “I mean, I just felt like she should trust me, not try and snoop”

Zay nodded with a point of his finger, “I’ma use that”

“Seriously bro” Sasha kissed her teeth, “Now she’s mad at me and hasn’t texted me all day. Like what, is it over now?”

“Nah” Zay laughed, “She’s just mad. I mean, is there anything in the messages? Cause if not I would’ve just gave it to her to shut her up”

Sasha just twisted her mouth instead of responding, and Zay gave her a devious smirk.

“You ain’t gotta lie to me Sash” He chuckled.

“It’s not me” Sasha blurted out, “I’m just cool with Jaz cause we like some of the same things, but I’m not gon lie I can tell she likes likes me. Some of her messages are …. extra, so I didn’t want Lux to see them”

“Well, do you like her too?” Zay asked, smoking as it was now his turn.

“No, I don’t think so”

“Fuck do you mean, you don’t think so”

“Not like how I like Lux, I know that much. I don’t want her to break up with me over this” Sasha put her face in her palms.

“Well why do you even want to be in a relationship?” Zay asked perplexed, “You know how many girls in the school like you?”

“Like me?” Sasha asked pointing to herself.

“Yeah, you” Zay chuckled, “You know gay is the way now supposedly, and you’re their top pick. Maybe that’s why Lux is acting the way she is”

“You’re overreacting” Sasha laughed, “And still, I trust her and guys come at her all the time. I don’t see what’s the need to want to check my phone”

“Honestly, she was probably more upset that you said no. I get that you say you wanted her to ‘trust’ you, but I think it’s a two person thing. Like you have to show her that she can trust you, and then she will”
Zay said it like it was so simple, “Just give her the chance to ignore you, so she can feel like she’s doing something. Then, hit her with a long text cause bitches love long text messages. And you should be cool”

Sasha nodded as she took in all of the steps, and for the first time all day she actually felt a little better.

“Cool, cool” she muttered, “What about Jaz?”

“Be careful…that’s all I can say”

Zay began to laugh, however Sasha knew what he was saying was true. She liked Jaz…as a friend. And while she was cute, Sasha wanted to be with Lux; And she had to make sure she knew that.