It had been 2 weeks since Sky had been on bed rest. Sky and Zoey walked back to the car, after Sky's weekly check-up with the doctor. Sky sat in the passenger seat, and Zoey took the wheel. Zoey has been going to the appointments with her because Jazz has track practice at the same time, and Junior had work. Sky was still annoyed with how the visit went, and Zoey could tell.
"Hey! At least you're not on strict bed rest. You can go out now" Zoey reminded Sky to try and help her focus on the positive. They had added another week of bed rest because Sky was healing slower than they wanted. Zoey starts the car and pulls out the parking space.
"Yeah, but I still can't run" Sky complained
"You're supposed to be taking it easy anyway," Zoey said as she focused on the road.
"I know how it sounds, but running is how I cope with things. I have this scary condition that puts the life of my baby at risk. My pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy, so it's all weighing on me. I wish I could do the thing that soothes me, but that thing could very well kill me" Sky said frustrated. She began to rub her stomach. She had new growth, from taking it easy she had a nice bump coming in.
"Well, now you have all the time in the world, you can find another way to cope" Zoey suggests. Sky sighed as she looked out the window, realizing that Zoey was right.
"Hey, I know you wanted Jazz or Junior to come with you to your appointment, and I know you're disappointed that they couldn't come" Zoey acknowledged, but Sky didn't want to talk about it. "But I'm glad you asked me to come with you-" Sky cut her off.
"You know what would make me feel better? Stopping at McDonald's" Sky said as soon as she saw Zoey drive past a McDonalds.
"Sky, I just drove past it. Besides Ana is making tacos for everyone at home" Zoey reminded Sky, but Sky could not get McDonald's out of her head. As soon as she saw the Micky D's it was like she had to have it or she'd die.
"Zoey you have to turn this car around and take me to McDonald's. I don't care about what's at home, I NEED this now" Sky said with such urgency, Zoey quickly listened and made a U-turn. They pulled into the McDonalds drive-thru and Zoey rolled down her window.
"Hey, what can I get for you?" The voice asked with a slight attitude.
"Can I get a Hot' N Spicy McChicken, with a large fries, an apple pie, and an Oreo McFlurry" Sky states her order.
"Sorry, ma'am our ice cream machine is broken," The voice told Sky monotonously, Sky could hear her rolling her eyes. Zoey looked over to Sky who was mad, was trying to calm down, and not cry or have an outburst.
"Fine, then just a large sprite. And that will be all" Trying to hold back what she wants to say. Zoey pulled up to the first window.
"Your total is $8.87," The girl at the first window said, and Sky recognized the attitude in her voice and no longer could hold back her thoughts.
"How come your ice cream machine stays broken?" Sky asked the girl.
"M'am we can't control whether or not the machines work or not" The girl informed Sky.
"If a machine continuously keeps breaking down, then y'all should order a new one," Sky said annoyed
"Look, ma'am, if you got a problem you can take it up with the manager," The girl said directly to Sky, clearly addressing her now.
"You know I heard that the machine doesn't even be broken like y'all claim it is. I heard it's because you're too lazy to clean it" Sky shot back, Zoey's jaw dropped.
"If you want to clean that big ass machine be my guest" The girl sassed back, Zoey looked in her lap so uncomfortable
"Don't they pay you to clean? I'm pretty sure it's apart of your job description" Sky argued
"M'am are you gonna pay for your food? Or continue to argue with me? Because I can go there with you if you want me to" The cashier said with an attitude.
"Let's go there! First off your eyebrows look like they're strangers, and I knew you were lazy when I heard your lazy ass attitude over the intercom, but now seeing your inability to finish your make-up I can see how lazy you actually are." Sky said before handing Zoey her the cash to hand to the cashier, Zoey felt very nervous handing the gobsmacked cashier the money. "You bitch-" cutting off the heated cashier Zoey quickly drove up to the second window, before that cashier could finish. Sky received all of her food, then stuffed her face with fries, and Zoey stared at her and then shook her head. "I don't know what kind of customer service I thought we were going to get. But I didn't expect that" Zoey said frankly and Sky laughed "I mean it is McDonald's".
Zoey drove home. And they both entered the house greeting Ana with a smile. Ana noticed the bag of McDonald's, "Really? Y'all had McDonald's, I told you guys I made Tacos for everyone" Ana groaned
"It's just Sky, she was craving Mickey D's, and she was going to die if we didn't stop and get some" Zoey explained, Sky sat at the counter dug into her spicy McChicken.
"What?" Sky said with a mouth full. Zoey starts to laugh, and Ana shook her head at Sky.
"Sky went off on the cashier," Zoey told Ana, and her eyes widened as she began to have war flashbacks. "That cashier will be in my prayers," Ana said, and Zoey cackled at the fact that Ana still was not over Sky tipping her a new one. "Look, I'm sorry I blew up at that cashier, but it's ridiculous how their ice cream machine is always 'broken'" Sky said then another took a bite of her sandwich.
"I'm not the one you need to apologize to. You projected your anger with what's going on with you, onto that poor cashier" Zoey said.
"Poor cashier? Don't tell me, you didn't hear her attitude. She was so rude" Sky defended
"Because you riled her up. You've been avoiding talking about your feelings. But holding it in isn't working" Zoey pointed out to Sky. Sky didn't respond and just stared at her sandwich.
"It's definitely not working if innocent bystanders are getting verbally abused" Ana commented, and Sky rolled her eyes. "Why is Sky in a mood?" Ana asked before she digs into her taco. Zoey looked to Sky to explain herself.
"I'm not in a mood. I'm not avoiding talking about my feelings. I'm just annoyed that I can't do what I want, and I'm getting fat, Junior is avoiding me and I don't know why, and my sister walks on eggshells around me like I'm going to break if she tells me what's going on. Everything is so different now, so if it seems like I'm in a mood I am not, I'm just dealing with a lot of things" Sky explains
"So why don't you talk to them? Tell them what you feel?" Zoey suggested.
"You think I haven't. They act like everything is fine, and nothing is different. I couldn't get on honest answer out of either of them" Sky sighed
"What about Rodney? He's here all the time" Ana asked
"He's fine, and I like the attention I get from him. But I still have my guard up with him, because I don't buy the fact that he wants to be with me even though I'm having another man's baby" Sky explained and Zoey and Ana understood.
"Man, the draaaaama" Ana said in a sing-songy voice, Sky rolled her eyes
Junior was on a break with a colleague, Cameron. Junior had become close to him. So close that Junior considered him a work friend. They were eating lunch together, after a long day of working with comedians.
"Today has been so slow," Junior said as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"Yeah, they were not funny today. Collectively the group was slacking" Cameron replies
"It was difficult to watch" Junior sighed exhausted, and with a lot weighing on his mind
"Hopefully this was just bad first practice, next time will be better" Cameron sighed in relief, and Junior nodded in agreement, but a lot was still going through Junior's head. "What's up with you? You seemed out of it today" Cameron acknowledged.
"If I'm being completely honest I've been a little distracted today" Junior admits
"What's on your mind?" Cameron asked
"So recently I've been dealing with the fact that I have feelings for one of my closest friends. But I'm unsure if it's because she was recently rushed to the hospital or because she had an accident or if I've had them all along" Junior explained to Cameron.
"I'm pretty sure feelings don't work that way. Your friend being rushed to the hospital won't make you have feelings for her if you hadn't already had underlying feelings you probably weren't aware of" Cameron said, and Junior nodded because he was stating the truth.
"But I'm also worried about ruining our friendship, this will change how we interact with each other" Junior stated the truth
"That's true, but it could change it for the better. I get why you'd want to hold back telling her how you feel, but I feel like telling her is the best way to go. Because you may not know this, but when something is on your mind it shows on your face. and I bet you she can feel you holding back. So I say be honest because I would do anything to be able to tell the one I love how I feel" Cameron advises. Junior was surprised at the amazing advice he got from Cameron, someone he only met this week.
"What happened?" Junior asked curiously about who Cameron was talking about.
"I was in a situation-ship with someone I cared about, and I let my fear stop me from committing to her. So she moved on and wants nothing to do with me" Cameron admits. "That's why it's better to tell her how you feel even if you lose her. Because it's better to let her know than to live with regret" Cameron advises
"You're right, I need to tell her. I can't live in fear of rejection" Junior agreed
"Yes, because the worst thing that could happen is that she says she doesn't feel the same. If so, you can just move on" Cameron continued.
"Only thing is, I can't spare myself from the embarrassment of her not feeling the same way, by leaving" Junior pointed out.
"Why?" Cameron asked
"Because she's my baby mama. I'm stuck with her for the next 18 years" Junior revealed, Cameron nodded understanding his situation. "I'm going to tell her this weekend. Cameron since you encouraged me to tell her how I feel, do you want to come to Titanium with me this weekend?" Junior invited
"I'd love to! Sounds fun" Cameron agreed excited to party this weekend.
"You sure do advise like you're a therapist" Junior complimented, and Cameron chuckled and resumed eating his food.
The next weekend the gang was hanging out altogether for the first time in weeks. It was to celebrate the fact that Sky wasn't on bed rest anymore, her first night out of the house in 2 weeks. Rodney was seated beside Sky, he was her date for the evening. He asked her out this weekend, but Sky already has plans with the gang, so she invited him along. Luca pulled up with his new girlfriend Jillian, Aaron and Zoey still haven't talked about their (kissing) situation, Doug and Jazz are being distant with each other, and Ana and Nomi are drunk and dancing with each other on the dance floor. Sky was drinking a virgin Piña Colada, watching the mess unfold in front of her.
"I'm going to the bathroom, who wants to come with?" Jazz stated as she stood up from the table. Zoey, Ana, and Nomi all exclaimed that they wanted to come. Sky denied the offer and stayed at the table because she was too tired to get up and go to the restroom with the girls. When the girls left, Sky scooted closer to Doug. "What's going on between you and Jazz?" Sky asked
"I don't appreciate you acting as if you don't know what's happening. You won, Jazz and I are taking a break" Doug said moodily, Sky was shocked to hear they were even doing so.
"I'm not acting. I had no idea, Why would that be a win for me?" Sky responded, Doug rolled his eyes and take a shot of Hennessy "Yeah right" Doug slurred sarcastically, and he got up and joined the dance floor to get away from Sky.
"Looks like Doug is in a mood," Sky said to Rodney.
"So is everyone else. Except for Nomi and Ana" Rodney pointed out the fact that everyone is going through some shit. Junior walked through the front doors of Titanium with Cameron. Sky looked up from her drink as soon as Junior walked in. They made eye contact, and a big smile stretched across Sky's face as she waved him to come over to their table. Junior and Cameron got the signal and made their way to the table. Sky got up from her seat and hugged Junior. Rodney was oozing with jealousy. "I'm surprised, you even came with how busy you've been. I haven't seen you in forever" Sky said as she pulled away from the hug.
"I know and I'm sorry about that. How have you and the baby been?" Junior said noticing that Sky now has a noticeable bump
"We've been fine, I'm just glad I finally get to get out of the house," Sky said, and Junior smiled knowing that Sky hated being on bed rest.
"Who is this?" Sky asked about Junior's guest.
"This is Cameron, from work. He didn't have any plans tonight so I invited him along" Junior introduced him. Cameron stepped forward and shook Sky's hand.
"Nice to meet you, I've heard so much about you," Cameron said with a smile, and Junior quickly jabbed him in the side. "Ow" Cameron winced
"Oh really?" Sky smirked at Junior before Junior could explain Rodney jumped in. "So I see you have time to talk about me, but not to me," Sky said shadily. Junior chuckled at Sky's shady comment picking up the vibe that Sky is annoyed with him. But before Junior could say his witty response, Rodney spoke up.
"Hi, I'm Rodney. Sky's date" He stated wanting to make it very clear that Sky was dating him. Junior's heart sunk. Cameron avoided eye contact with Rodney, and Junior shook his hand. "Yeah, we've met. Remember at the illusion museum" Junior reminded Rodney
"Right! I was on a date with Sky and you were there with your siblings" Rodney said explaining it to Cameron. Junior quickly got bad vibes from Rodney. There was an awkward silence.
"Cameron and I are going to get some drinks and we'll be back" With that Junior and Cameron went to the bar.
"Why'd you invite Junior? I thought tonight was going to be about us" Rodney asked Sky.
"Jealousy is an ugly color on you" Sky laughed but Rodney didn't laugh back. "You're not serious? It's a friend's night out, and he's my friend and not to mention Zoey's brother. You need to relax" The girls come back from the bathroom, and joined the table. "When did Junior get here?" Zoey asked
"Just about a couple minutes ago" Sky replied and Zoey nodded. Jazz took her seat next to Sky, and Sky stared at her. "What?" Jazz asked confused
"Why didn't you tell me you and Doug broke up," Sky said a little loud. The whole table went quiet. "What?!"
"Wait. Jazz and Doug broke up?" Zoey asked baffled
"We're not breaking up. We're just on a break until the track season is over" Jazz briefly explained Junior and Cameron walked back to the table with their drinks. Jazz tried to change the subject by talking to Junior. "Hey Junior, hows your new job going?"
"Now it makes sense why Doug is so drunk at the moment. Look at him dance sloppily with Ana" Nomi pointed out Ana and Doug dancing on each other. Jazz broke eye contact with Junior and looked over to the dance floor and saw the scene with her own eyes. Jazz was fuming, Doug knew what he was doing. When Sky saw the scene, she wanted to throw hands. "You want me my handle this because I will," Sky asked Jazz. "No it's fine" With that Jazz got up left Titanium.
Sky got up from her seat to go and confront Doug, but Junior got in front of her stopping her in her tracks. "Hey, hey, where are you going?" Junior asked
"I'm going to talk to Doug," Sky said completely lying to Junior, she planned to verbally annihilate him.
"Yeah, let's go over here, and talk first" Junior puts his arm around Sky and takes her to the area with the couches.
Rodney's jealousy began to rise again, seeing Sky and Junior walk off alone. Rodney looks over to Cameron who was innocently drinking his drink when Rodney pulls Cameron aside.
"Hey Cameron, buddy. How are you doing?" Rodney asked although he didn't care how he was doing.
"I'm okay-" Rodney cut him off. "Great. So what do you have on Junior?"
"Okay first off, it takes time to get close to someone. It took me 2 weeks to even get to this point. I'm going to need more time" Cameron explains
"Unless you want your job, and your parents to know about your extra-curricular activities, you will tell me all you know about Junior" Rodney threatened
"I know our parents go to the same church and we've known each other for a long time, doesn't give you the right to threaten me. It would be helpful to know why you need to know all this information about Junior. So I can know what to look out for" Rodney glared at Cameron for not getting to the point. "Junior started working there for the better benefits the job offered, to support his baby, and to be able to afford his apartment. His main passion is advertising, and he still hopes to be able to do that, but as of now, he's fine with being the manager. Junior also admitted he has real feelings for his baby's mother-" Rodney cut him off
"He has feelings for Sky? I knew it. They ain't no way their situation was strictly platonic" Rodney said with a smirk. "You said you need a reason why I need this information, and the reason is to make sure Junior and Sky don't ever get together. I want Sky to be my girl, and he can't get in the way of that" Rodney explains
"But he's the father of her baby, he's always going to be in the way. Don't you think you're doing too much for a girl you've only been on a few dates with?" Cameron asked
"Those few dates were enough to know I want her in my life. I've been hanging out with her almost every day for 2 weeks. She's hilarious and she keeps me on my toes." Rodney said
"I wish you had told me, that the reason you wanted the information was to keep them apart. Because then I wouldn't have advised Junior to share his feelings with Sky, as soon as possible" Cameron said nervously about how Rodney would react. Rodney immediately looked over to Sky and Junior who were seated on the couch chatting away, and Rodney was mad at the incompetence of his lackey, but he was too busy plotting to react to Cameron's error.
After pulling Sky away from heading straight over to Doug, he pulled her to the couches to talk.
"I know your thinking about protecting your sister, but I'm thinking about avoiding combat," Junior said
"I wasn't going to hurt him" Sky rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, and then what were you going to do?" Junior asked
"I was going to verbally assault him, there's a difference"
"C'mon he's not worth the energy" Junior tried to convince Sky.
"You know who's not worth my energy? You" Sky said matter-of-a-factly. "You can't come here and tell me what to do. Especially when you haven't said more then a couple of sentences to me, in the past couple weeks" Sky called out.
"Well, it doesn't seem like you were lonely" Junior shadily pointed Rodney. "I see you're dating Rodney now?"
"I've always been dating him-"
"You know what I meant, then you weren't seriously dating, but now it seems like y'all are on the fast track to being in a relationship"
"Glad to see your eyes are still working, unlike your ability to communicate" Sky snapped. "Yes, Rodney has been keeping me company. And yes we've gotten close in that way, and it seems fast but you forget I was on bed rest for a week longer than I was supposed to. I needed you, and you were nowhere to be found. So you can't judge me if I've grown accustomed to Rodney's company"
"Sky I'm sorry" Junior apologized
"It felt like you ditched me because we couldn't have sex anymore. I mean that is mainly what we do. There were very few times where we just hung out without sex. Like damn Junior, you couldn't pick up the phone and call me?" Sky said vulnerable.
"No, that was not the reason. And please don't think that way, you've become one of my closet friends, and I see you way much more than just a friend who I sleep with." Junior began to clarify. "These past weeks I've been so consumed at work, and I used it to hide how I was feeling. I've been hiding something from you for a while now" Junior began, and Sky was fully engaged waiting for Junior to continue when Rodney interrupted the moment.
"Babe, I just wanted to make sure. You're okay, you were steaming" Rodney lied, he just wanted to interrupt whatever intimate moment they were having.
"I'm good. If anyone can get me down from a 10 to a 4 it's Junior" Sky explained to Rodney, as he took her hand. Rodney didn't let go of her hand, and she let Rodney hold her hand. Junior was staring at the hand holding, and his heart fell. "Thank you for checking up on me," Sky said appreciatively
"You're welcome" Rodney replied then kissed Sky's hand. "I mean I've been doing it for the past two weeks, I think it's a habit now" Rodney jokes with Sky, and Junior rolled his eyes.
"Anyways, Junior you were going confess something before the interruption" Sky remembered, Rodney didn't leave to give them the room to continue their conversation in private he stood there waiting for his answer.
Junior noticed Rodney and Sky's connection, it was obvious to Junior that Sky was feeling him, and Rodney is basically in love with her. So Junior adverted the plan.
"Oh. The reason I wasn't with you the past few weeks, was that I've been apartment hunting, and I think I've found a place" Junior lied. Sky rolled her eyes at the anti-climatic news Junior had to share.
"So the reason you avoided me was that you were looking for an apartment?" Sky clarified and Junior nodded his head. "Why you couldn't just tell me, is what's confusing to me," Sky said, but Junior just sat there awkwardly. "Well, congratulations," Sky told Junior very annoyed, and Junior took a sip of his drink. Sky wondered why Junior was lying to her. There was an awkward silence between the three of them. So Junior took it upon himself to leave.
"Okay well, I'm gonna head out" Junior stood up from the coach. "Tonight was fun, but I have to go" Junior informed Sky
"Already! You've only been here for an hour" Sky complained
"I know, but I have plans tomorrow. So I'm going to turn in early tonight" Junior lies, Sky nodded and stood up along with Rodney. Sky pulled her hand away from Rodney's hand to hug Junior. Sky got on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Junior's neck. Junior put his hands at the small of her back and gave her a nice squeeze. His touch felt electric to Sky, but she assumed it was because they haven't touched or seen each other in a while, but it felt amazing to hug Junior. This hug hurt Junior because he felt so much during the hug, and he knows Sky doesn't feel the same. "Please don't avoid me, I need you" Sky whispered into Junior's chest. Junior heard and whispered back "I won't. I need you too". They pull away and give each other a longing stare. Rodney noticed this and pipes in. "Okay, see you later Junior," Rodney said breaking their gaze. Junior waved and walked away from them. Sky watched him walked away, but she felt sad that he was leaving.
Sky turned over to Rodney and said "Why did you call me 'babe'?" Sky asked already knowing the answer
"It felt like a natural pet name for me to call you since we're dating," Rodney said
"Cut the BS. You called me babe in front of Junior because you were jealous" Sky called out.
"I'm not jealous" Rodney lies
"Rodney, I've already told you. Junior is just a friend, you don't need to be jealous, or fear something is going on between us. The only thing he is is the father of my baby" Sky explained to Rodney once again. "You being jealous like that was not cute," Sky said as she got up from the couch and walked back to the table. Although it looked like Rodney was receptive of Sky explaining her and Junior's relationship, he was taking it with a grain of salt.
Junior walked up to Cameron and asked him if they could leave and Cameron agreed. "Did you tell Sky how you felt?" Cameron asked
"No, I didn't Rodney interrupted us" Junior briefly explained to Cameron, and Cameron silently rejoiced.
"But you're still going to tell her later, right?" Cameron asked trying to squeeze out more information.
"Dude, she's dating another man. I don't think so" Junior said defeated, and Cameron nodded.