Chapter 6

''I feel nothing.''

Jack

''What's ya problem, yo?!'' Jerry yelled veins popping out his neck.

''My problem?! MY PROBLEM?!'' he shouted back, ''if I remember correctly you started yelling at me!''

Jerry chuckled dryly, ''I don't understand why we're arguing about this, obviously you and Kim are getting together.''

Jack stopped himself from saying anything else. Jerry was right and they both knew it. They were alone in the dojo after practice. Kim left early, Milton went home to study and Eddie left to check out this new gym in the mall. Rudy told Jack and Jerry to close up after he ran out the door mumbling about some cat.

''No... no we're not...''

''Huh?'' Jerry asked in his normal confused face.

''Kim... she... listen Jerry, I-''

''No you listen, I been with a lot of girls, Jack and I ended up breaking most of their hearts because I was confused on who was right for me... but, Jack you aren't confused. You know who you want. So, just go for it and let me figure me out.''

With that he grabbed his bag and left. Jack just stood there dumbfounded, feeling like Jerry in math class.

/.

Drake

''Where's dad?''

''In his soon-to-be studio,'' Lori answered while cooking something sweet smiling on the stove.

He sighed and trudged up the stairs and down the hall to a large room full of boxes filled with cords, soundboards and other various things. The room was a simple rectangular shaped room with already built-in sound booth and control room. His dad was in the control room setting up. Drake walked in and instantly felt at home in the familiar surroundings.

He basically grew up in the studio. If he wasn't in the studio he was skateboarding with Lori. His dad however was rarely in his own studio. He would travel to other studios and help out with recording. That was until his boss finally realized his great skill and set him up on the west coast.

''You need something?''

Drake was so absorbed in his own thoughts he forgot where he was for a second.

''Yeah, aren't you gonna cook? I mean Lori cooking's good but, I really have a craving for yo-''

He was cut off by the ring of the doorbell. Drake wondered who would that be this late. It was almost eleven. They both stopped what they were doing and jogged out the studio and down the stairs to the door. Lori remained in the kitchen throwing some spices in the pan, like she didn't even hear the ring.

Drake dad made it to the door first. He slowly unlocked and opened the door but his cautious expression softened when he saw who was the door.

Kim

It was so hot. She jumped out off bed to complain, again, about the temperature. As soon as she did she saw mom was in clothes out in the corridor.

''Where you goin'?' she asked.

''To see if our new neighbors know anything about machines,'' she replied annoyed.

There was a bit of people in their neighborhood that could fix the A/C but, her mom seemed dead set on asking their new neighbors. Kim knew her mom and she knew that she was up to something.

''Why not ask, Jack's dad?''

She paused on her way down the stairs, ''I don't want to bother them.''

Kim didn't believe a word she said, ''c'mon mom what's your angle?''

She sighed, ''no angle, I just want to talk to our neighbors.''

Kim knew that was true but, she was hiding something. She let it go though. Her mom was gone moments later. Kim went to her room and put some on sweat pants over her short shorts. Her skin was sticky and warm like sausages. She was about to text Jack when noise was heard from downstairs.

The front door opens and closes then voices were heard. Kim threw on one of her Bobby Wasabi t-shirts and walked downstairs to greet the neighbors. As she stepped off the last step to see Drake and another older African-American male in her living room.

He was tall, built and good-looking with a bright smile, which he was doing a lot while talking to her mom. He was about a head taller than her mom. Drake was looking at some old family pictures of her dad and her. She slowly walked over to him.

''Hey, what's up?'' he asked.

''Oh, nothing just burning up in this oven we call a house,'' she answered.

He chuckled lightly making Kim smile.

''Well, no need to worry my dad is a pro at stuff like this. When we were in New York-''

''Wait, you used to like in New York?'' She asked enthusiastically.

''Yeah, girl I was born there. We moved around a lot though so I actually spent most of my childhood in Atlanta and Hong Kong.''

Kim was intrigued. She wanted to hear all about his adventures in the Middle East.

''Alright guys, I'm going to the attic to check out this out. You guys gonna behave? Oh and my name's Derrick.''

He reached out his large hand for Kim to shake which she shook. His hand was surprisingly soft.

''But you will be calling him Mr. Jones,'' her mom said as he made his way to the stairs.

He chuckled at the comment.

Now I know where he get's his smile from.

Milton

His head was in hands and tears were falling on his shirt.

I HATE MY DAD!

Milton screamed in his head and stomped his foot on ground. He hated being so weak and powerless. He hated that his fathers words hurt him so much. He hated words. He hated his parents. He hated his situation. He hated that everyone around him seemed so strong while he was just skinny nerd. He hated life. He hate his life.

Milton lifted his head to see his reflection in the mirror. His hair was sticking out in various directions, eyes were bloodshot, and his shirt untucked. He was so angry at what he saw he couldn't stand it. He walked over and grabs the large mirror and tries to yank it off the wall.

It wouldn't budge.

He cried even louder but, hushed himself quickly so his parents wouldn't hear. He gave up on the mirror when his eyes laid upon some safety scissors on his dresser. He picked them up, ran into the bathroom and locked the door. His back hit the door and he slid down slowly.

Milton knew a few people in middle school that cut themselves but, he never associated himself with them. It was just Eddie and him against the world, until eight grade when they met Jerry. Milton had actually known Eddie since the fifth grade.

They're best friends.

His eyes stared at the scissors and sighed.

I feel nothing.

Just as he was about to bring the scissors down in his skin his phone rang. He jumped at the sound of it but, reacted quick. He dropped the scissors and unlocked the door, throwing it open. He snatched the phone off his dresser.

''H-hello?''

''Hey, M.K what you up to?'' Eddie's voice was heard through the phone.

He wiped away tears and sniffed, ''uh, j-just studying.''

There was a brief silence on the other end, ''Milton what happened?''

Somehow Eddie just always knew something was off with him.

''Nothing,'' he lied the best he could.

''Oh c'mon Milton. Is it your parents, again?''

''No, Eddie... yes.''

Milton was tired of lying especially to his best friend who knew him so well.

''We have to tell the gang about this.''

''No we don't we're not saying anything. That'll only make things worse.'' Milton replied slightly panicking.

''Don't close yourself off from us Milton. We can help you.'' Eddie urged.

Milton was panicking and getting angry at the same time.

''Goodbye, Eddie I will see you tomorrow.''

''Milton, wait I'm sorry I'm not-''

He hung up before he could say anything else. He threw the phone down in frustration and flopped on his bed. The crying started all over and he had a feeling it wouldn't stop until he was fast asleep.

What you think? Please Review and Favorite. More juiciness to come, I promise. Oh, and the beginning well be further explained later.;) Hope you liked it. Bye for now.-Angel