Chapter 13: There's Always a Way

Robert: I gon' really let him have it. Show him my stuff. Give that man everything I got.

Pause.

Robert: Pause? Pause what?

You said somethin' gay, so you gotta say "no homo" or else you a homo.

Robert: But what did I say gay?

You said you was gon' give this dude everything you got. No homo.

Robert: That's not gay. I said I was gon' give the man everything I got.

Pause, Granddad. If it sound gay, its gay and you gotta say "no homo". How I know you not a homo, Granddad, if you don't say "no homo"?

Robert: I'm not sayin' "no homo".

Okay, you wanna be a homo.

Robert: Stop callin' your granddaddy a homo!

Then say "no homo"!

Robert: I don't wanna say "no homo"! Imma homo yo' ass, if you don't stop sayin' pause!

. . . . Pause.

Riley Freeman, Granddad

(Pause)

Jazmine's POV:

I woke up super early, I wanted to be the first one up. I mean I had to when Huey used to be in lead he used to always wake up early for reason I could never understand until now. It wasn't because he wanted to be all "Look at me I can wake up 3 hours early" no he just wanted to make sure he could find his piece of mind so that when we all got ready to meet up he wouldn't seem nervous. I sat on my bed in indian style and breathed in slow steady breaths.

"Breath Jazmine. Just breath."

I continued to do my ritiaul until I heard a knock at the door. I opened one eye annoyed and rolled my eyes. I didn't answer hoping the person would just go away but they didn't. They just kept banging until the noise became over bearing. Finally I let out a annoyed huff.

"Come in." I said not trying to hide how annoyed I was.

The door opened slightly just enough for a small figure to come in. I knew who it was before they were completely in the door. I could already start to see the short blond hair. "Hi sweetie." my mother said nervously but forcing a smile.

I stared at her and bit my tongue. We hadn't talked or even seen each other since the incident. I was trying to avoid her. I was more scared of what I might say then what she might say. I had never ever said I hated my mother and to finally let it out it was hurtful. Not only to her but to me, I actually hate being no strongly dislike being a hateful person. I took in a deep breath and looked at her to continue.

"So um I was wondering would you like to do something today? I see none of your friends aren't here and-"

"I'm busy." I said cutting her off.

She bit her lip and stared at me. The silence between us were louder than the words that we were saying. At first we were just staring at each other no words being spoken just like before and for a reason it made me more angry than ever. Why couldn't we just be like we were? Why did she have to be like this? I knew tears were forming in my eyes and I wiped them away quickly not wanting to cry.

"Sweetheart," she reached for me but I pulled away. "What do you want me to do?" she asked desperatley. "Stop? I can't I'm hooked. Its not like your father gives me much thrill anymore so what do I do? Just sit there?"

I stood up and stepped close to her glaring as hard as I could. "You want thrill? Go fuckin bungee jumping. Or better yet go jump off a cliff without any rope connected to you." I walked over to the door pulling it open. "Don't worry I'll do a real fancy funeral with all your little male friends." I said sarcastically and each word dripping with venom.

She walked over to the door and instead of walking out the door she slammed it shut. "Listen Jazmine I am still your mother and you will not talk to me in such way." she said firmly.

I felt the anger smirk come across my face. "Some mother." I said and walked over to sit back down on my bed. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at her. "So what you expect me to cry? Sorry that Jazmine isn't here." I said.

"Sad I liked that Jazmine. At least she listened." she said.

I nodded my head. "Oh yea I listen. I listen real good to all the noises coming out of the room next to me when your in there." I said.

I saw her face flush pink with embarrassment. "I'm sorry ok?" she said.

I looked at her wairly. I could feel a part of me tugging me to forgive her but why should I? This wasn't going to change anything. Tonight she would be back doing the same thing. So am I forgiving her as, I know this will keep happening and I understand or, I will just try to forget this and move because it felt like niether was an option. "Sorry you got caught." I said.

She shook her head. "No I'm sorry that I messed up my little girls life." she said.

And then they were there. The tears I had been holding back were resurfacing. I covered my eye and cried into them. "It wasn't fair...It wasn't fair." I thought over and over. Truth was nothing was. Hue and Sophie getting kidnapped-not fair. Natasha being the reason- not fair. And what happened to Cindy- definetaly not fair, but it was all still happening. I felt her arms go around me and I immediately broke free pushing her away. I hopped off my bed and walked over to the door swinging it open.

"GET OUT!" I shrieked.

She didn't move then finally she got up and walked to the door. Then she stopped at the door and just stared at me.

"NOW." I yelled again tears still streaming down my face.

She shook her head and finally walked out. I sank to the floor crying as my door shut. So much of finding my piece of mind.

Later...

After a while I had finally gotten up and walked into the bathroom getting ready. No way would I let my so called mother ruin my life or me finding and helping not only my boyfriend but best friends. I straightend my normally poofy hair and put in a high poinytail. Then threw on a white tanktop with black strips over them. I then put on matching black pants and black and white gym shoes. Who knew what we would be doing today. I didn't want to look like those girls who put on a pound of make up to look pretty so I just put on some clear lip gloss and after staring at myself for a while decided that I was ready. I slipped out the house quietly not to disturb my father and walked over to the Freeman's house. No surprise no one was up considering how early it was. I sat on their couch and puuled out the ladies number dialing it and then leaning back waiting. Just as before when I was about to hang up she answred.

"Hello Ms. Jazmine." she said.

I didn't feel like having a po0lite conversation with a women I didn't know if I could trust completely. "What time do we have to be there?" I asked.

She laughed well at least I think it was a laugh. "Oh are you alright Ms. Jazmine?" she asked not even trying to sound concerned.

"Can you answer the question please? I'm not really in the mood."

Again that weird sound happened. "Be here in 10 minutes." she said.

"10 minutes! Their not even here yet!" I exclaimed into the phone.

Despite the tone of my very loud voice the women seemed unnerved. "Well then I suggest you call them and tell them to hurry." she said.

"But-"

"Bye Ms. Jazmine." she said hanging up.

I stared angrily at the phone before slamming it on the ground. I raced up the stairs to Huey's and Riley room taking two at a time. I didn't even knock as I busted through the door, big mistake.

"AH!" I yelled startling Riley and making him bolt straight up. He was lying in bed snoring at always and that was perfectly normal. Unnomral, he was lying down snoring and naked, well not completely naked he had on socks. "AAAHHH!" I screamed again.

He sat up rubbing his eyes then his eyes adjusted on me. They got wide and he immdiately pulled the covers over hisself. "What the fuck Jazzy?" he asked annoyed.

"What the fuck me? What the fuck you who sleeps like that?" I asked still covering my eyes.

"Ya could of at least knocked!" he said. "Damn scarin a nigga like dat." he stood up just when I lowered my hands.

"AAAHHHH!" I screamed again.

"Damn it Jazmine." he said covering his ears while I covered my eyes.

"PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!" I yelled.

He was quiet for a minute probably putting on some clothes. "Iight ya can open ya eyes." he said.

I shook my head. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes Jazmine." he said sounding more annoyed.

I lowered them then immediatley slapped my hand back over my eyes. "What the hell Riley?" I asked.

"What I got on boxers?" he asked.

"Eeeeewwww just get dressed. We're leaving in ten." I said. I closed the door before he could say anything else and walked downstairs, each step said my emotion. "Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew." I walked over to the living room picking up my phone. I looked at the counch ahead of me and kicked Ceaser awake.

"Come on Ceez we have to go in 10." I said.

"5 more minutes." he said.

I kicked him again giggling. "Ceaser I'm serious." I said.

He finally sat up and looked at me. "Fineeee." he huffed walking into the bathroom downstairs. I rolled my eyes still laughing and then sat back down on the couch. I pulled out my phone leaned backed and dialed Natasha's number.

"Hello?" she asked drowsily.

"Be ready in 5." I said not hiding my anger still towards her.

"Huh? Oh ok. I'll be ready." she said.

"Ok I'll pick you up soon." I hung up then called Daniel.

"Hello?" he answered as if he'd been up for ages.

"Hey Daniel um be ready in 5." I said but unlike Natasha I said it softly as if afraid to much noise could ruin everything.

"I'm already ready pick me up when your ready." he said.

"Oh ok. Hey can we talk?" I asked.

"Sorry just remebered. Didn't um comb my hair." he said rapidly.

"But-"

"Bye." he said hanging up.

I tugged on my ponytail. I knew is wasn't going to be easy talking to him. He was obviously still mad at me. I tugged harder. Why did I have to say all those rude things? I waited until Riley came downstairs and Ceaser walked back into the room still lost in thought. I didn't even hear what he said the first time to me.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Oh come on. Ya still thinkin bout dat?" he asked.

I stared at him confused until the thought of naked popped in my head again. "Eeeewwww no I wasn't thanks for reminding me." I said.

A smirk played across his lips and he got up following me and Ceaser out the door. "I mean I know Young Reezy sexy but ya ain't gotta be sneakin up on a nigga like dat." he said.

"Don't get cocky nigga." Ceaser said teasingly.

"Nigga don't be lyin to ya self." Riley said.

"Oh please." I said with a pretend eye roll opening my door and hopping inside. He got in the passengers seat still talking.

"I mean I know since dat kiss ya can't get me outta ya mind but still..." he trailed off. I felt my body tense as he brought up our little cheating scandal. I looked in the review mirror and saw Ceaser look at us surprised.

"You guys kissed?" he asked.

I nodded some what sadly. It was the thing that broke me and Huey apart, and nearly cost me everything and here he was making a joke out of it. "Ya know it meant nothin." he said noticing me tensing up.

I nodded. "Yea but they don't. They still think something could be up." I said.

"Yea but it ain't. And it ain't no point sittin here and pretendin it ain't happen. Minds well make a joke outta it." he said.

I smiled and looked over at him. "Yea I guess so."

He returned my smile and I felt a huge weight be lifted off my shoulders. It still wasn't all gone but it was a small part that made a big difference. I pulled up to Natasha's house and honked my horn three times. She walked out slowly and then stuffed her phone back in her pocket. She had a side ponytail and was wearing a blue cami with a blue half jean jacket over it. She had on blue jeans to match and like me some black gym shoes. She opened the back door and got in not saying anything as she slide on her belt buckle.

"Hi." she said softly before pulling out her headphones and putting them back in and not waiting for a response.

I started the car up again and made my way to Daniels house. Now the drama with Natasha was most of the heavy load I was feeling. It felt horribly and painful at times. I shook my head as I pulled up to Daniels house. Just as before I honked three times and he immdiately came out. He was wearing a long sleeve plain black shirt that hugged his mucsles good, black jeans and white gym shoes. I found in sorta nerve recking that he said he was "combing his hair" but had thrown a white hat over it. He climbed into the car.

"My nigga!" Riley said happily doning this weird handshake with him.

"Aye what up Reezy?" he asked.

Riley shrugged still smiling. Only now did I notice Riley's clothes. He had on a long sleev white shirt that was also hugging his mucles, he had on black pants and white gym shoes. And then just like Daniel he had on a white hat. I rolled my eyes but smiled. That was probably not an accident. I looked at Ceaser. Unlike Riley and Daniel he had on a short sleeved red shirt and blue jeans. He did however have on a chain and a red hat. I threw Riley the directions.

"Tell me where to go." I said. Then pulled the directions away.

"Aye what the fuck?" he asked.

"What was I thinking?" I thought aloud then tossed them to Natasha. "You give me directions."

"Why her?" Riley asked.

"Becasue she's the only other person besides me who isn't a dumbass." I said earning a small smile from her.

Riley, Daniel and Ceaser all let out an annoyed huff. I laughed and listened to the directions and soon pulled up to the building. I was expecting it to be hidden but it was out in the open. It was a huge building so tall it looked like it had a million floors. I climbd out staring at the building amazed.

"Whoa..." Natasha said saying all of our thoughts.

"Should we?" I asked bitting my bottom lip nervously.

Ceaser shrugged. "I don't think we have a choice." he said softly we all nodded.

I was the first to walk forward and all of them followed suit. "Here goes nothing." I thought as I pushed open the doors.

Author's Note: I lied! No Huey and Sophie. I decided that we're not going to see much of them in a while. Wanna know what happenes when they all walk through the door. I sit a trap or is she really trust worthy? Guess you'll just have to rrrrrreeeeeaaaaadddd lol I always say that. Also we check up on Cindy and see whats going on. I think its about time. Time for what you already know. READ!

Reviews are love :)