Mild Trigger Warning


Huey and Jazmine drve to Washington D.C., the US capital, and the city that they will be studying university in. In their tightly compact schedule, which Jazmine made for them, they have exactly 3 hours to drive and see their new apartment, Jazmine made sure to sneak in exactly 2 bathroom breaks but she couldn't fit a lunch inside their schedule. They always spend way too much time having a lunch as she always considers it a lunch date and they spend more time staring at each other than actually eating, much to Huey's chagrin their lunches last up to an hour which is definitely a scheduling nightmare for them.

Huey is munching on something while he's driving, his eyes are attentively looking at the road but he opens his mouth and asks "Another one."

Jazmine hears her cue and grabs the vegan burger on her lap, with it she feeds Huey with another bite.

No longer finding time to fit a lunch break, Jazmine had the ingenius idea of buying take-out and just hold up Huey's food as he drives. To his absolute and determined protest, he hates every part of that idea, but as soon as his stomach started growling and no longer having any time and the freedom to eat in their busy schedule, he finally relents.

"See? I'm a genius." Jazmine smiles and nods her head.

Huey is still chewing from his last bite, giving her that signature Huey scowl.

"Come on! Nothing's weird about this! It's actually pretty adorable!"

Huey finishes chewing "I hate this."

"Open wide." Jazmine giggles.

"Why can't you just give me the damn burger, I'll eat with one hand."

"It's no fun that way!" Jazmine childishly remarks.

"Jazmine, I love you, I respect you, I tolerate you more than any person in the world but please don't do this to me."

She smiles "Okay here... Sorry. I'm just trying to be cute."

"Thanks. And you don't have to be cute, I'm already attracted to you."


They are meeting the landlord for their apartment, her name is Mrs. Nazomi, she looks to be an elderly asian woman in her 60s, she mentions how she can fix anything in the apartment and if she has to fix the plumbing or fix any appliances then they should just knock on her door at the bottom floor. The apartment actually looks pretty well considering the cheap rent, two bedrooms, one bathroom, a small living room, a kitchen, and a small closet for storage. They've already made the decision beforehand to sleep in the bedroom together and plan to make an office with the spare room.

Huey is already thinking of building some shelves to make a place for his books, another set of shelves for Jazmine's knick knacks, he's probably have to look at the fridge as it looks like it's gonna fall apart. Jazmine will probably want to repaint the rooms so he should ask the landowner if they can paint before they should leave. All adding on to the busy list he mentally keeps in check.

"Maybe instead of a dining table we can just get those really tall chairs and just eat at the countertops." Jazmine wonders.

They follow the elderly lady as she gives them a tour of the small apartment.

The landlady points her fingers at the various rooms.

"Living room."

"Kitchen."

"1 Bedroom."

"2 Bedroom."

"Washroom."

"Extra closet."

She lists the rooms from closest to farthest. Then she continues "No party, no pets, no smoke, fire alarm here, fire extinguisher here."

Jazmine speaks "Thank you."

"You are welcome. Here are your keys."

The lady quickly takes off and closes the door, officially they own the apartment now however they still have a week before graduation.

Jazmine takes a look at her watch. "Wow.. we still have 20 minutes to spare."

They stare at the empty apartment, nothing but the sound of lights dimly buzzing and the loud hums of the fridge. Jazmine already has a floor plan thought up, she would put the TV here, the sofa there, and some potted plants in and around. But as she tries to plan more she hears Huey make a loud sighing noise and sees him sit down against the wall, on the cold wooden floor.

Huey relaxes and Jazmine is compelled to sit beside him. "So..." Jazmine cuddles him. "We're actually doing this."

"Time moves fast."

"Too fast."

Huey closes his eyes to rest, his eyes get tired quickly whenever he drives. "We got 20 minutes of freetime so let's hope it doesn't move too fast."

"How long have we had any freetime?" Jazmine asks.

"No idea anymore." Huey sighs.

They cuddle each other on the bare wooden floor as they finally get a chance to rest their eyes, the end of the school year, the preparation of putting someone else in charge of NBP, the two have been absolutely fatigued. Huey can't help but think how he would've ever survived the year without Jazmine. If she wasn't co-managing and working 24/7 with him then he probably would not have slept for days, as even this workload for two people has already been proven challenging.

Jazmine breaks the silence as a thought comes up her head "Remember when we missed our senior year prom because we were too busy?"

"I remember."

She stutters her sentence "Time moves so fast... We were at town hall and I- I didn't get to pick a dress..."

"Sorry." Huey says immediately.

Jazmine looks up at him. "Why are you sorry?"

"Because prom is a big deal for girls. And I dragged you along to do our work."

"No Huey it's fine, I don't need prom... you're enough... spending time with you is better than anything in the world."

Huey's scowl almost disappeared at one point "Do you want to slow dance?"

"I- I'm tired... I just want to hold you... maybe next time Huey okay?" Jazmine asks.

"I'd like that."

Huey has been pondering about the effect Jazmine has on him, how much he has changed over these past years and how much he has changed her. Back when they were little he was a bitter young boy with a lot to prove and disdain for everything. Jazmine was this emotional naive girl who had her lips in a permanent quiver or in a permanent smile.

Now they're adults, Huey learned how to be happy, Jazmine isn't scared anymore, all thanks to each other. He can't help but smile as he looks down and finds her drifting asleep in his arms, that bright auburn hair weaved into two parts and flowing over her shoulders. For the first time, Huey felt content, content with life, content with living. Huey Freeman at the moment has no demands, no call for change, he has everything he needs, sitting on the floor beside him, under his arms and her head laying on his chest.

Jazmine giggles "You never play with my hair..."

"I really like it."

"Oh?"

"It smells nice."

"Wow... Huey Freeman giving me a compliment..." She hugs him even tighter.

Suddenly someone is knocking on the door. It sounded urgent and loud. Instead of a gentle tap on the door, the knock sounded as if someone is demanding to see them. They rise up and share a look at each other silently, Huey opens the door while Jazmine stands beside him.

"Good evening Mr. Freeman, Ms. Dubois. May I have a moment of your time?" Two men in suits are at the door.

Huey senses something is wrong. No one should know that they are in Maryland right now, no one knows that they are out of Woodcrest and checking their empty apartment.

Huey scowls at them intimidatingly "You haven't introduced yourselves." Jazmine looks over Huey's shoulder and gives them the same scowl.

"We have been sent to discuss an employment proposal with you Mr. Freeman, our employer wishes to have someone of your skills and expertise in our organization. We wish to keep this brief, we understand that you are very busy people so we have prepared a document for you which contains the details."

One of the men hands him a large-sized black envelope, with small bright white letters it says Syndicate

"Not interested." Huey says and returns the envelope back.

The men look at each other and look visibly disappointed. "If you ever wish to reconsider, here is our card. Give us a call if you change your mind. Have a nice day Mr. Freeman, Ms. Dubois."

They hand him a small business card instead which Huey begrudingly accepts, the card is completely blank except for a phone number. With that the two men walk away, leaving Huey and Jazmine with more questions.

Jazmine asks as he closes the door "Do you know them?"

"No." He eyes the phone number. "Must be people who need dirty work done."

"Huh... are you gonna call them?" She stummers.

"No. They can find someone else."

Jazmine kisses his cheek "Good. I don't want you getting stabbed again from doing more dangerous work. Wait- is something bugging you?"

She has gotten better at reading Huey's facial expressions. He responds "What's bugging me is that they knew where we are."

"O-Oh..." Jazmine's nervousness creeps up.

"Keep an eye out. They're watching us." Huey says.

Jazmine's worry turns into determination. Why are there people stalking us? What do they want from him? She nods her head and replies "Okay. Let's go home, our freetime is over."


"I'm leaving you!" She shouts at the top of her lungs.

"WHAT?!"

"I can't do this anymore!"

He begs her. "NO! NO! You can't! I'm sorry! Please! You can't leave me! After all we've been throu-"

"I don't want to live like this anymore! We need some time apart, I love you but I can't be with you!"

He takes a deep breath and holds out his hand "T-Too many days! So many hours! I'm still burnin till you retuurrnnn! Let it burn! Let it buuu-"

"Stop fucking singing TOM! I fucking hate it when you sing! I fucking hate you! I'm leaving you and that's final!"

"Sarah please!"

"Don't you fucking touch me!" Sarah starts kicking Tom as she pushes him outside the house. She gives him a death glare as she slams the door and then prepares to get her belongings.

Tom is outside the front door, dazed, defeated, and with overwhelming shock. He starts to cry.

"D-daddy?" She stutters as she stands beside a parked car.

Tom tries to regain his composure for his daughter "H-hi sweetie, listen I... me and your mother are having a fight is all and..."

"She's leaving."

"Jazmine I-"

Jazmine screams, a piercing cry is heard throughout the entire neighbourhood. As she screams, Sarah opens the door to find her daughter in tears.

"Sweetie! I'm sorry! It's okay... it's okay..."

"Why are you leaving daddy?! I- I thought... I thought you love each other!"

Sarah glares at Tom who is collapsed on the floor and his face covered in snot. Tom looked pathetic, how could any woman love someone like that. But nonetheless she lets out a deep sigh. "I do Jazmine. We just need some time apart."

"W-we can fix this... Huey!" Jazmine calls to the car behind her and he gets out. "Me and Huey can help you! We can work this out! I swear! Please!"

Tom continues to cry on the ground. Sarah replies "No.. it's too late..." Tears began to well in her eyes. "I love you both. I really do Jazmine I just... I just need to spend some time alone sweetie... I'll be back in a couple days. I promise. We won't be getting a divorce."

Jazmine's tears nonetheless flow "Mommy! Don't leave us! I love you! Don't you ever leave!"

Sarah replies, trying to find her strength "I- I won't. I'll come back okay? I- I need to grab my things..."

Sarah sees Huey walk up and comfort her daughter "I-I have to go." She can't hold back the tears any longer so she closes the door.

Huey wraps his arms around her, not saying a word, she cries "Why me? W-why are my parents leaving? Wh-why can't they just be happy!?"

Tom sits back up, ashamed that his daughter sees him crying "I-I'm sorry..."

Jazmine snaps "Sorry doesn't do anything! Why dad?! Why are you and mom fighting!? Wh- why are you so selfish!? I jus- I just want to be happy! For all of us to be happy!"

She buries herself in Huey's arms, crying right into his jacket. She continues "Every! Single! Day! Y-You always have a reason to fight mom! Can't you see it's affecting me too?!"

"Sweetie... I- I'm sorry"

She screams "Stop saying sorry! Stop mom from leaving!"

"I can't Jazmine..."

"No no no no! No! NO! I don't want my parents to leave! You're going to get divorced!" Jazmine pulls away from Huey and runs straight inside, probably to plead with her mother. Huey and Tom are left at the front door alone.

He stands closer to Tom, with his hands inside his pockets. Instinctively, Tom apologizes again "I'm sorry."

"These things happen."

"R-Right..."

"You need help Tom?" Huey asks.

"I... I need a place to stay."

Huey sighs "...She's leaving Tom, you don't need to stay at our house."

The realization hits Tom harder, when he and Sarah fight she always just kicks him out of the house, but this time is different. She's actually leaving. Tom puts his hands over his face and continues to cry again.

"Listen Tom, I didn't mean to make you feel bad, but take my advice and let her spend some time alone. What you and Sarah have right now is unhealthy and what you need to do is heal. However, don't you ever give up on your wife, Jazmine will be heartbroken to see her two parents seperate. If you aren't going to do this for yourselves then do it for her."

"No... I can't... I can't I need to- I need to go talk to her!" Tom stands up and he runs inside the house.

Huey sighs, standing at the Dubois home alone. Not a couple seconds later, screaming and yelling can be heard from inside. He looks up to the sky, thinking. He feels too tired to even react anymore, he just stares at the gloomy clouds. It seems like it's going to rain soon.

Sarah runs outside, holding luggage, her hair is a mess and her face looked ready to kill someone. She passes by Huey and she screams toward Tom "You are the weakest man I've ever met! All I ever wanted was for you to stand up for yourself and stop being so pathetic! I hate your prison rape phobia! I hate that you're too nice! I hate that you can't even get intimate with your own wife!"

She throws all her things in her car and she races off. They all watch her drive away.

Jazmine's eyes water, all she wants to do is cry. Tom says nothing and goes back inside, his face showing a hundred different emotions.

"Are you okay?" Huey asks.

Jazmine falls to her knees. Her hands cover her face as she cries. "..."

"Jazmine." Huey calls for her again.

"You dragged me to do your work and I missed prom! You dragged me through Maryland and now my parents are getting divorced! Why do I spend so much time with you!? All this time my parents' marriage has been falling apart and I did nothing! I was too busy doing whatever YOU want! I h-hate you!"

Huey scowls, deep down he's hurt inside but his face remains unfazed.

Jazmine continues to sob "I could've saved their marriage! I could've helped my parents! But I was too busy working on your stupid projects!"

Huey takes off his jacket, looking at the rain clouds, the skies were gloomy, as if it was reacting to her pain. He takes his jacket and wraps it around her. He then says "I'm leaving, I'll be back to check on you."

"Leave!"

She didn't even mean to shout at him, she didn't mean the words she said, she loves spending time with him, she loves working together, she loves when they help so many people. She didn't mean to hurt him but her head goes cloudy, her mind is spinning and all she wants to do is hug him because her body feels so cold.

Huey walks away. Jazmine tries to fight her tears, she tries to move her mouth but all she could do is whisper "D-don't go."

He was already crossing the street, he was already too far away to hear her. And yet somehow, he paused. Jazmine's eyes are blinded by her tears, her body collapsed on the walkway of her house, her vision is foggy and she began to shiver uncontrollably. But then she feels his warmth, she feels her body get lifted up, as if someone is carrying her.

Huey carries Jazmine in his arms as they went inside her house. He then puts her down on their couch. He takes his jacket back and lays it on her as a blanket. Then without saying another word, he leaves.


Riley is focusing on the TV "Ay damn, how'd you already get good at 2k?"

Huey doesn't say anything.

Riley and Huey are playing a basketball game in the TV. They sit there in the living room on a rainy day as Huey scores another basket.

"Boys!" Granddad calls out "Wait what? Huey? Since when did yo ass play video games?"

Riley answers for him "He havin some relationship issues Granddad." He was so tempted to laugh at Huey but Riley knows not to get his ass beaten, especially when Huey is geniunely mad.

"Oh." Granddad says "Damn, issues or not who the hell drank all the orange juice again?"

"I did." Huey bluntly says.

"Fuck! Okay but if you gotta drink the whole carton then you gotta get another from the store!"

"Fine." Huey gets up and grabs Dorothy's keys. He slams the door shut.

"Damn, the nigga got fucked up, Mariah and that gay ass beefin and now he actin like a bitch." Riley finally comments, knowing Huey can't hear him anymore.

"Shut the fuck up boy, your brother going thru a tough time, why you always gotta be an ass and talk behind a nigga."

Riley glares at Granddad, but he realizes that he's right. Riley has never seen Huey so hurt before, except for that one time when they were little.

The doorbell rings but then the door opens and she lets herself in. They see Jazmine, her face looks terrible as she holds a jacket in her hand. "Excuse me... is H-Huey here?"

"Nah he lef to buy something, Jazz what the hell did you do to my brother. He out here acting like John Wick and he be acting all dark and shit. Don't fuckin tell me ya'll broke up."

"No! We didn't! I- I just... I'm going home!" Jazmine walks away, ready to cry again in the couch. In her hands is Huey's wet jacket, which she clings on as she runs through the rain, she didn't even notice that she muddied their floors with her drenched clothes. As she gets back to her house she takes one more glance at the Freeman house, then heads back inside.


Huey is parked outside the public library, in the car he leaves behind a bag full of orange juice cartons. He runs inside as the rain starts collecting in his afro. He promised to check back on her... but her last words still ring in his head. Leave!

He takes out his cellphone and makes a call. After a few rings he speaks "Hello. Caesar?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I gotta take a break. Can you manage NBP for a week? Try to follow my schedule but cancel anything you can't attend."

Caesar sounds hesitant "Sure... but our final exams are soon... I gotta study..."

"I need the favor. Something personal came up."

"Okay I'll try. Hope you alright bro."

"Bye. Thanks for looking out." Huey then ends the call.

Huey goes to the librarian desk and he is greeted by a young woman quietly tapping away on her keyboard. Without any time for pleasantries Huey gets straight to the point.

"Hello. Can you direct me to the Marriage and Family Therapy section?"

The librarian taps again on her keyboard to check and then gives him directions.

After a while later Huey sits down on a table, with a big pile of books beside him. Some of the titles say Love & Respect, Making Your Marriage Work, Seven Principles of Marriage. Huey drowns himself in these books and yet the words do nothing but spiral around his head.

I was too busy doing whatever you want! I hate you!

Whenever he deals with pain, he's always had a hard time finding things to do. To distract himself. The video game with Riley, or that long shower he took or even the beatdown on his punching bag, none of that helped. He still hurts, wondering if he's actually guilty for Jazmine's parents.

Jazmine was the glue that kept that family together and you took her away from them.

That's ridiculous, family units don't crumble apart after their daughter is absent.

And yet who else can I blame?

Do I have to blame someone? This isn't my family issue.

But now maybe books can help him. To calm down his mind. The books are useless in his opinion, he hates reading about books that tell you how to talk to people or tell you how to feel a certain way. He has a huge disdain for self-help books because deep down he never really believes he needs help.

So there he sat, just digging himself deeper and deeper into his work, with a book that tells him how to save marriages but really he is not convinced, he thinks that knowledge like this should be natural, knowledge about how to communicate with people and how to talk things out but he can't help but feel reminded that nobody except her came to teach him.

And as the rain continues to pour down and his angry maroon eyes look out the window he feels alone. Truly alone.