Everyone was seated around the dinner table, and the room erupted with laughter. Sky was getting along with almost everyone and with Diane and Ruby a little too well. But Rainbow was not sipping any tea, Sky spilled. Ruby and Diane were into everything Sky said. Junior was not surprised Sky loved insulting people, Diane is the dark one, and Grandma Ruby loves to scam. The combination of the 3 of them was dangerous for the entire family. During the dinner, Sky was taking shots at Junior, Diane was taking shots at Jack, and Ruby handled Dre and Bow, it was brutal. But brutally funny to the 3 of them.
"Junior you picked a good one. I like you Sky" Diane complimented
"Yeah! You're alright, Sky" Grandma Ruby said to Sky. "So what are your plans for my grandson?" Ruby asked the question on Junior's parent's minds.
"I don't have any plans, right now. Junior and I are just good friends, who have found ourselves in a tough situation. The only plan is to do right by this baby" Sky said Ruby smiled at her honest answer.
"How do two supposed 'friends' find themselves in a situation like this one? Hmm" Bow asked Sky, Sky was unsure how to answer the question, and unsure if it was rhetorical, so she stayed silent. "You say you plan to do right by this baby. So what is the plan? Do you plan on keeping the baby? If so, do you have insurance or even a job to support the baby? And don't tell me you planned to raise the baby in that sorority, you live in with Zoey. Motherhood is much harder than you think, it's not a game. The responsible plan for the baby would be adoption, and I suggest you two pick that option, because y'all are just two kids playing house, and the best plan for the baby are two responsible parents" Rainbow said, everyone was silent.
"I don't know where you got the impression that I thought this was a joke. I'm scared, and I worry every day if I'm making the right choices. Not only for me but for the baby. It's easy to think that Junior and I are not responsible enough to take care of a baby, I mean look at the situation we both got ourselves in. And honestly, I don't know a thing about being a mother, the only thing I know for sure is my baby belongs with me" Sky defended
"So adoption is just out of the question? Don't you have dreams? and you guys are still so young" Bow pushed
"I have a dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist. Yes, my dream is in jeopardy, but this baby is obviously what God had planned for me. I'll deal with whatever comes my way." Sky said
"Mom, Sky, and I are still figuring out all the details, but we can't do it alone. I need your support and help in this" Junior pleaded with his mother. Bow sat there, the silence was deafening.
"I'm not going to enable you like we've been doing. We should have made you go to college! I mean look at the trouble you've gotten into because we let you decide" Bow huffed.
"Well, I get to decide what I do with my life. And I've decided I'm keeping my baby" Junior snapped back.
Bow was in the kitchen having yet another glass of wine, everyone had gone upstairs to bed after dinner. Dre came downstairs to comfort his wife, who was upset.
"Bow, what's going on? Why did you blow up at them like that? Although I commend you for doing it though. Even my mama commends you" Andre says to Bow
"I hate the fact that they are being so nonchalant about their situation! When have you ever seen Junior so chill about anything? It's this Sky girl, I think he likes her" Rainbow said
"Why don't you like Sky? I think she's lovely" Dre said
"Because she is exactly like your mother! I thought Junior would be with a girl, who was more like me! Not the woman, who makes my life hell" Bow cried.
"You heard Sky, they're just friends. I get that Junior is your favorite, but you don't see me overreacting when I see that Zoey's boyfriend is nothing like me" Dre tried to help
"Zoey is not having a baby with her boyfriend, this is not the same. And there's no way they are just friends. They have feelings for each other. Sky was insulting him at the dinner table, and Junior just laughed it off" Bow explained
"Come on Bow, Junior has tough skin. He grew up with Zoey, Diane, and myself teasing him all the time" Dre said, and Bow took another sip of her glass of wine. "Bow you weren't serious when you suggested adoption to Junior and Sky were you?" Dre asked
"Oh, I was completely serious! Junior is not ready to be a father" Bow said
"Or maybe YOU aren't ready for Junior to be a father" Andre stated, Bow rolled her eyes. "You know damn well Junior is the one who is basically raising Devonte. We would be drowning if we didn't have Junior helping us with him" Andre pointed out, and Bow stayed silent.
"You would give up our grandchild, just because you don't like the idea of Junior being a father? or is it because you just don't like Sky?" Andre questioned, Bow took another sip of her glass of wine.
"Look at the choices, Junior has made for himself. He's running his life into the ground" Bow pipes up
"I know this isn't the life you envisioned for Junior, but you have to accept the fact that he's taking his own path. Look at us, we didn't plan to have Zoey, but it turned out more than fine" Andre pointed out
"We also struggled so much after we had her, with my residency and you looking for a job. We were totally unprepared. We built this life, so our kids wouldn't have to struggle as we struggled in the beginning" Bow exclaims
"I understand your disappointment, but you have to let Junior grow and learn from his own mistakes. We can't be the ones who always make the decisions for him, he has to do that for himself" Andre reminded Bow
Bow nodded completely understanding. "You're right Dre, but it's frustrating when what I envisioned for Junior isn't what's going to happen" Bow sighed
"I know, it sucks to not be in control all the time," Dre said as he pulled Bow into a hug.
The next morning, Sky left the Johnson family residence and came home. She opened the front door and walked in. Sky shut the door behind her quietly. Sky walked into the living room when Zoey rushes in.
"Sky!" Zoey exclaimed as she hugs Sky. Sky doesn't hug back and rolled her eyes. Zoey noticed, and pushed her. "Where have you been? I've been worried sick! You left really upset"
"I know, you blew up my phone, Junior's, and my mom's. Thanks for your concern, but as you can see. I'm fine" Sky drops down on the couch
"Where were you?" Zoey asked again
"I was at your parents' place" Sky sighed
"And they let you stay? How was it?" Zoey sat beside Sky
"Junior calmed me down after the fight with Jazz. I had dinner with your family and it was great. By the way, your grandma Ruby and sister Diane are my new favorite people. I'm so glad I got to meet them. Anyway, where dinner took a turn for the worst when your mother made it clear she doesn't like how I'm handling the situation with the baby" Sky tells Zoey.
"Don't worry about my mom she dislikes everyone my brother dates, it's nothing against you" Zoey assures Sky.
"But I told them, Junior and I were just friends," Sky said
"Well, it's obvious to everyone that that's not true," Zoey said, Sky rolled her eyes. "So what's going on with you and Jazz?" Zoey asked
"Nothing, she let me know that she's not cool with me being pregnant" Sky said pretending not to care.
"So I'm assuming yesterday's fight was more than just a sisterly squabble?"
"No, this was serious. She made it clear that she thinks I ruined everything, and she doesn't support my decision, to have this baby. She sides with my dad" Sky sighed
"Maybe some of the things she said was in the heat of the moment, what if she didn't mean it? " Zoey tried to make Sky feel a little better.
"Nah, she meant that shit. But it's cool to see her true colors. She doesn't even see how much I would do for her, because she's my sister and I love her. But she can't even support me in the time I need it most. That speaks volumes" Sky eyes watered, and she let a tear slip. "Fuck!" Sky said frustrated her emotions are all out of whack, and wiped her tear immediately. Zoey pulled her into a hug, and Sky hugged her back tightly.
They pulled away and Sky said "I'm just glad I didn't start crying when we were fighting, that would've really had me embarrassed" Zoey and Sky both giggled
"So what now?" Zoey asked
"Nothing, I need to study for my classes this week" Sky states as she gets up and heads to her room.
"Yeah, I have to plan out Joey's outfits for the week," Zoey said.
Before Sky could leave the room, she turns around and says "By the way, did you really have to call Rodney?" Sky questioned Zoey
"You weren't answering your phone! I called everyone!" Zoey defends, and Sky rolls her eyes and laughs at her overbearing friend. As she walks towards her room her smile fades because she realized that Rodney had asked her to be his girlfriend, and she has yet to give him an answer. She believes that's the reason why she can't move forward with Rodney. Sky plops down on her bed, once she arrived in her room. She groans she doesn't want to pop the nice bubble she and Rodney have been in, for the entirety of their relationship.
The week was filled with competition and animosity between Jazz and Sky. They both made everything into a competition, whether if it was on the track, or even who could get dressed faster. Not to mention they still were not speaking to each other. Jazz was trying to prove that Doug isn't affecting her times, and her focus on track. Sky was trying to prove that even though she's knocked up she can still be as fast and work as hard as everyone else, if not harder. And she's not gonna stop until she physically can't anymore. Jazz has been showing up to practice on time and be on top of her shit. Sky had been showing up to practice first and would be the last one to leave. Sky was determined to not let her pregnancy set her back. Jazz and Sky were in a relay and Sky had just handed her baton to Jazz after zooming far ahead of the other girls. Once Jazz got the baton, but she wasn't fast enough to keep the lead Sky had. Sky grunted frustratedly. "Come on, Jazz. I all but handed you first place" Sky sighed
"Do not try that okay, if you were up against Sheila. It would've been the same thing" Jazz defended
"At this point, anyone could beat you. Including myself. What happened? Miss 3rd place at the NCAA Finals" Sky said smugly.
"Shut up. You're so quick to talk, but I bet I could still beat you. Like I have been our whole lives" Jazz said
"Are you challenging me?" Sky questioned
"I mean if you are up for some good old fashioned competition" Jazz smirked
"When and where?" Sky asked
"Friday, 9 pm, at the outdoor track field," Jazz said
"Deal. What does the winner get?" Sky asked
"Bragging rights" Jazz said
"Alright, bet" Sky agreed, Jazz nodded and walked towards Doug who was waiting for her. Sky began fanning herself with her sweater. "Is it really hot outside or is it just me?" Sky asked the group.
Junior was job hunting because although working at Stevens & Lido was amazing and following in his dad's footsteps is great, but it doesn't pay enough. Even though he loves everything he's learning about advertising, his priorities are different now. Andre admires the fact the Junior was following in his footsteps, and that's why he gave Junior a stable job at S&L. He loved working with his son every day, and so did Junior.
Junior applied to manage many places. Walmart, Target, and other superstores because he saw they make bank, and had many benefits. Junior had also emailed Dynasty Typewriter a week ago, seeing if the position they had offered him was still open. They offered him a job managing their local venue, where he would be producing comedy shows (something Junior was very good at). They offered him this job several weeks ago when he was producing comedy shows in unconventional places, but he turned it down to continue working for Stevens and Lido. Dynasty Typewriter was offering creative control, benefits, and double what he was making now. The benefits were a big part of why he wants this job, the benefits include health, life, disability, and dental insurance. This job is something he really needed right now. When Junior opened his e-mail this morning, he heard back from them. They said the position was still open, and they would love for him to come in for an interview since they now have a few more candidates for the position. Junior smiled, and at the fact that the position was still open. The interview was this Friday at 12 pm, and Junior was ready to start preparing for the interview.
Sky was eating lunch with Zoey, Aaron, Vivek, and Ana, and she was filling them in on the race happening Friday night, between her and Jazz.
"Y'all are racing each other?" Vivek smiles, and Sky nodded
"Bet! I'mma be there" Aaron informed Sky, and Sky smiled
"Really? So instead of talking, y'all are racing now?" Zoey said annoyed
"Jazz thinks she can beat me, even though her times have been ass recently, and mine have been improving. I'll show her" Sky said with a hint of anger in her voice
"I think you and Jazz would benefit from a conversation, where both of you actually listen to each other" Ana suggested
"Ana, you really think they'll even be able to make that happen? They can't even stand to be in the same room with each other" Vivek pointed out
"How did you even set this up with Jazz, when you guys aren't even talking?" Ana asked, and Sky sighed
"Guys it doesn't matter how it was set up. What matters is y'all coming on Friday to support me" Sky said, and they backed off with the questions. "Is it hot in here?" Sky asked as she took off her sweatshirt, really feeling the heat.
"Sky, we're in an air-conditioned cafeteria. I wouldn't say it was hot" Ana stated.
"I don't know, but I'm boiling," Sky said
Sky was about to take a bite of her burrito when she got a text from Rodney. He asked if they could meet up tonight to hang out. It had been 2 weeks since he asked her to be his girlfriend, and she has been avoiding him and that question ever since. After looking at the text, she puts her phone down and continues to focus on her food.
Sky takes a big bite of her burrito, in frustration. "What's wrong?" Ana asked noticing the change in demeanor.
"Nothing, I'm just really hungry," Sky said
"Yeah Ana, she eating for two remember. I'm still lowkey mad that I was the last to know, about Sky's situation" Vivek said
"No Sky, I saw how you looked at your phone. What's wrong?" Ana pointed out, and Sky rolled her eyes at Ana's nosey ass.
"Rodney wants us to hang out, and I'm frustrated because he asked me to be his girl, and I still don't have an answer for him," Sky said
"Why don't you know if you wanna be with him or not?" Ana asked before Sky could answer Aaron pipes in and says "It's because she's pregnant and the baby ain't his"
"But that shouldn't affect whether or not she likes him or not" Ana defends
"Yes it would, because why get emotionally involved when you don't even know if he's going to want to be with you after he finds out your knocked up" Aaron points out
"Facts!" Sky said
"So you're meaning to tell me, you don't know whether or not you like Rodney. Based on the fact he doesn't know you're pregnant? So all this time you've been dating, what? you just thought he was a friend?" Ana asked
"It wasn't supposed to get serious. He was just supposed to be something fun, for me to forget the fact I was pregnant, help me feel normal for a little bit. Nothing serious" Sky said
"Did you tell him that? That you don't want anything serious?" Ana asked, Sky looked down and shook her head no.
"Oh, I wish someone would've told you that this was going to blow up in your face. Oh wait, I did" Zoey comments, and Sky flipped her off.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk communication, is the answer to most relationship problems. And it seems you are lacking in that department" Vivek said
"Maybe the reason you don't know if you like him is that you're in denial about something else" Ana proposed
"And what would that be?" Sky asked
"You're in denial about the fact that you're in love with your baby daddy" Ana suggested
"Girl, bye" Sky dismisses Ana's comment. Sky picked up her phone, to respond to Rodney's text. But she couldn't bring herself to respond to it.
Junior arrives at the Dynasty Typewriter, and walks in for his interview.
"Hi, I'm André Johnson Junior. I'm here for the managing position for this venue" Junior introduced himself.
"Hey Andre, I'm Rebecca and I will be conducting your interview. Follow me" Rebecca leads Junior into her office, and motions him to take a seat. Junior sits down.
"Andre how would you describe your management style?" Rebecca asked
"When I would produce my comedy shows in the unconventional locations, the biggest thing for me was organization. I always make sure I have a plan and a backup plan for shows. So the show can run smoothly and to maximize the enjoyment from the customers. So I would say my management style is structured, but also flexible" Junior answered confidently, and when Rebecca smiles back. Junior knew he had this in the bag. After the interview, Rebecca asked Junior. "How soon can you start?" Junior smiles immediately. "Really? Um, I can start as soon as tomorrow if you'd like! So I got the job?" Junior asked her. "Absolutely, you are exactly what we, at Dynasty Typewriter need" Rebecca replies elated.
"Oh my gosh, thank you so much!" Junior smiled and shook Rebecca's hand.
"Of course, you just have to fill out the paperwork, and you start on Monday" She handed Junior the papers with a smile and walked out of the room. Junior was so excited he got the job, but the other thing weighing on him was telling his father he was quitting Stevens & Lido.
Sky was on FaceTime with Junior, in her room. After track practice.
"It's official! I'm growing, I couldn't fit into my favorite pair of jeans. You know the pair, the high-waisted ones that make my waist look snatched" Sky tells Junior, and he rolls his eyes at her
"Isn't that a good thing? It means the baby is growing" Junior commented
"I thought with the amount I'm working out, and training, I thought it would prolong the belly growing, you've seen those personal trainers who get pregnant, and you can't tell they're pregnant till they're like 6 months" Sky admits
"You're belly growing is completely normal. Besides no one can even tell you're almost 4 months. And you should really take it easy with the training, you know for the baby" Junior suggested
"If I slow down that's how I fall behind, and I don't want to be far behind after I have this baby. Besides all I'm doing is running, I'm not doing heavyweights or any of the other events. I'm strictly running" Sky reassures Junior.
"Okay" Junior gives in. "Anyway, the reason I called was to tell you I got the job at Dynasty Typewriter" Junior smiled.
"Junior! This is amazing, I'm so happy for you" Sky said elated
"I'm excited to be having a steady income coming in. Plus the insurance is great too, this way our baby will be covered." Junior starts. "Did you know that although we're covered on our parents' insurance, our baby wouldn't also be covered. I just found that out today" Junior told Sky.
"Oh my gosh, I had no idea. I'm so glad you've got it covered now and glad to have you." Junior smiled at Sky. "So how'd your Dad react, when you told him about quitting Stevens & Lido?" Sky asked
"I haven't told him yet" Sky gave Junior a disappointed look. "I know, I know. I'm waiting for the right time, I just don't want to crush him" Junior said.
"Junior there isn't a right time to tell him. Either way, your dad is most likely going to overreact. Of course, at first, he might be upset, but he has to eventually see that this new job is what's best for you" Sky advises.
"Easier said than done. And maybe you should take your own advice, and tell Rodney the truth" Junior says, and Sky's mouth drops.
"This is not the same!" Sky laughed shocked at Junior's clap back.
"How is it not? You're afraid to tell Rodney that you're having my baby because you don't want to disappoint him, and it's the same thing my dad" Junior explained
"That's not why I haven't told him" Sky lies
"Then what is it?" Junior smirked knowing she's lying.
"He asked me to be his girlfriend. And I don't know what I feel for him" Sky told Junior. Juniors smile fades. Junior was confused about the twinge of jealousy he felt. "So my plan is to avoid him until I figure it out," Sky said, Junior felt a twinge of jealousy. Confused at his reaction to Sky's unsure feelings for Rodney, he gets back to his point.
"So how is this different than what I said? You don't want to disappoint him" Junior points out
"Whatever. You should still tell him" Sky said
"I'll tell him, when you tell Rodney," Junior said
"So what are you gonna do? You can't go back and forth from Stevens & Lido and Dynasty Typewriter. What are you gonna tell him when you don't show up to work on Monday? Hmm" Sky asked
"Okay, you're right. I'll tell him this weekend. I mean it's the only time I have to tell him before it's too late." Junior agreed.
"I know I'm right" Sky smirked. As she began to feel hot again. "Geez, it's a sauna in here," Sky says to Junior, then proceeds to remove her shirt, leaving Sky in her Lacey bra.
"Oh I see what you're doing?" Junior smirked
"Oh please, I'm literally overheating, you're here thinking it's for you. Get a grip" Sky teased, knowing exactly what she was doing. Although she was really burning up, she might as well have some fun with it.
It was Friday night, and Sky and Jazz were on the track stretching. Everyone else was gathering in the bleachers, looking for a seat. Aaron was taking bets.
"Are we sure, this is even a good idea for them? They're not talking, but they're racing?" Junior asked Doug as he took a seat beside him. Expecting a similar concerning response.
"Look Sky, is the one who started this whole mess. Telling Jazz I'm the reason her times are awful. She thinks she knows everything, she's trying plant seeds of doubt in Jazz's head. My girl will show her" Doug said passionately. "Aaron, I'm placing my bet on Jazz to win" Doug announces as he hands Aaron his money, Junior did not appreciate the way Doug was talking about Sky.
"I'm pretty sure Jazz is the one who started the fight, by not being supportive of Sky's decision" Junior defends Sky. "I'm also sure, Jazz is the one wanted the race. You're mad at Sky, for just stating the facts. I mean if Jazz placed 3rd at the finals, and now her times are at a high school level. The difference between then and now is she spends her time with you. So I think it's pretty obvious Sky can beat Jazz any day." Junior said to Doug, and Doug glared at Junior. "Aaron, I'm placing my bet on Sky" Junior announced, Aaron smiled at the participation and wrote it down, then took Junior's money.
"Bro, you don't know these girls. You've known them for what? A couple of months. I've known them for 2 years. So back off" Doug said to Junior
"Why are you so threatened by what Sky said to Jazz? Is it because it's true?" Junior pushed, Doug ignored Junior, but he was definitely getting under his skin.
"I think that this is a terrible idea. And this race is only going to make living with the both of them even more insufferable" Zoey said
"I know right" Ana said worried.
The entire friend group was seated and waiting for the race to begin, when they hear someone come down the steps. The gang looks up and sees Rodney coming down the stairs and towards them. They all greet him, most of them confused as to how he knew about the race, but here he was. Before anyone could even ask questions, Sheila, the twins' track mate, was counting down for them to begin.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1..." Then Sheila blows the whistle and Sky and Jazz take off. Sky and Jazz were going to an 800m, which was two laps. They took off and Sky and Jazz were at the same place, for the beginning. With the same training, they knew, to take it easy at the start, so they'll have enough energy to push themselves towards the end. Jazz was beating Sky slightly. By the end of the first lap, Sky was trailing behind Jazz. Sky felt herself heating up already, dripping in sweat. Doug was cheesing hard in the stands, proud of his girl. Jazz smirked because she was beating Sky, but Jazz wasn't able to be smug for long. Sky used all her energy and zoomed past her.
Putting Sky far ahead of Jazz, Sky took off like a rocket she was so far ahead of Jazz. Like she had been doing all week, Sky was so proud of herself. Sky smiles as she starts to see spots and feel lightheaded. She crossed the finish line, smiling, and looking straight into the bleachers. But instead of seeing a crowd of her cheering friends. She sees a bunch of worried and scared faces and Junior running down the stairs towards her. Confused, Sky looked at what she thought was sweating rolling down her legs but turned out to be blood. Before Sky could react to the blood pooling at her legs she faints.
Jazz zooms over to her sister, and tries to shake her awake. "Sky!" She cries out. Junior comes to her side and calls her name too. "Call 911!" Jazz yells, Junior immediately pulls out his phone and gets to it.