KUMA

I looked up from my phone and turned to my mom who was laughing with Aunt Rosé. I stared at her for a few moments before getting up from my seat.

"Mom, can I go out? I'll be back in an hour max. I just want to see a few friends." Kuma asked.

"Sure. Call me when you get there and when you're on your way back home."

I nods and quickly ran up the stairs to my room. I changed into a white shirt and grabbed my black jacket. I don't bother changing my jeans and just slid my legs into my sneakers and then my way back down.

I waves at Mommy and my Aunt Rosé before walking out of the house. I didn't really need to go far because I finds the red Mustang just a bit up the road and got in.

"Yo, Kus." Xev cheered and taps me repeatedly on the shoulder when I got into the car.

"Thanks for coming, man."

"The weed is in the compartment. There's also a couple watcher of Rephynol and SK. If you're looking for a bit more... spice." Xev says with a wink.

The need to escape reality was growing stronger within me, especially since the moment Lego had told me about his fear of being abandoned by mom too. I mostly stuck to weed and cigarettes and I knew my dada or Mom would flip if they found out. But they had shit to sort out. "You can also grind up the Ref and snort it through your nose with a rolled up bill."

Xavier Denver AKA Xev has been my friends with since we were eleven. Xev has always had a way of getting his hands on stuff. His life was even more messed up than mine but you'd never know.

"I'll just stick to swallowing my pills, Xev."

"Want a little something to push it down?" Xev asked.

"No alcohol, Xev."

"You're no fun."

"That's not what you say when you have my dick up your ass."

JENNIE

"He asked you if you're going to divorce Lisa?" Rosé asked.

Rosé and me were in the kitchen, the menu of the Thai place not too far from them on the table in front of us. We've already placed our order and it would be delivered to us in forty minutes or less.

"Yeah and I didn't even know what to say."

"I feel you should ask Kuma to tell you who the blonde bimbo is."

"I actually don't want to know who the woman is." I replied honestly. "I'm just looking for a solution."

"Do you think divorce is it? Are you ready to call your lawyers and have them draw the Papers up?"

"I think so."

This was the first time I was actually consenting to divorce. I had to pull myself together because this might actually happen. Yes, I still loved Lisa with all my heart but marriage can't be held up by one person. There was also the option of Lisa having full custody of the kids because I lacked a couple of things.

"But before I sign the papers, I need to find a job, maybe a new place to live."

"And maybe someone to date too." Rosé raised a brow. "Mr. Song says hi by the way."

My eyes widened as I stared at Rosé. She had a smug expression on her face.

"Why didn't you tell me Luca's new teacher was a sexy beast?"

"Because he's a person not a beast and my son's teacher."

"I see him as a very sexy man interested in my very cute friend."

"Your friend who is a married woman."

"Not happily married though."

That hit a spot in my heart. It was so painful to hear those words because I had never once dreamt unhappy would be an adjective used to describe my marriage to Lisa.

"I'm sorry." Rosé said remorsefully, her bottom lip pushed out a bit as she pouted.

"It's okay. It just still shocks me sometimes."

"I've known Lisa since our school days but the Lisa I saw last Sunday wasn't the woman who bawled at your wedding as she read her vows to you."

"I know."

"Why don't you and the kids stay with me? It must be painful living in this house. All the memories and all the pain."

"I can't do that to you, Rosé. You have your own life to live without me adding my baggage to it."

"I have a book tour coming up and then after that I'll be in Germany working on a new book with a couple of other authors."

"I'll pay half the rent."

"That's cute but I guess I forgot to tell you that the house is actually mine. I bought it and paid in cash." Rosé grinned. "You're trying to get yourself together and I want to be here for you."

"You are. You are giving me the strength I need t-"

"I love you, Jennie but all this mushy stuff is rotting my teeth."

I rolled my eyes at my friend. "And you call yourself an author."

"It's different when it happens to my characters and not me."

The door bell went off, successfully bringing our discussion to an end. I paid for dinner and as I was about to shut the door, Kuma appears. His hair wet and a small smile on his lips.

"Is that dinner?"

"Of course." I replied. "Where did you go?"

"I went swimming with Xavier and a couple of guys." Kuma replied as he walked in and shut the door behind me.

"Your tongue is blue." I adds.

"We had a couple of sodas and candy."

"Too much candy isn't good for you." I said as me and my son walked towards the living room.

"I know, Mom."

"Take off your jacket and come eat."

Kuma pulled off his jacket and falls into a heap on the floor, Lily and Lego going instantly to him. Me and Rosé sit on the floor too, the food in the middle of us. I watched my kids eat as I fed Luca and I hopes we were all going to be alright.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~