C H A P T E R
F I V E

School was coming back around way sooner than almost everybody expected, it was like the summer just flew right on by and the next thing they knew their parents were shopping for school clothes and supplies, and the first day of school had officially arrived with it starting tomorrow.

In her room Armoni talked on the phone with Nolan as they helped each other choose what to wear for their first day of senior year, completely unsure but knowing they had to step. "Should we be that head ass couple that matches? We both have that black and white Tupac shirt with those pair of 1's to match we got last weekend." She suggested while grabbing the shirt and shoes to show him.

Laughing he shrugged, "It's whatever you want to do Moni,"

"Cool, then its settled we'll wear that then." She smiled cheerfully.

Watching as he got up off his bed and walked to his closet, he soon came out with a pair of jean shorts that were ripped and slightly tye-dyed in certain areas. "Those are cute, when did you get those?" She questioned.

"Yesterday when I went out with my mama to shop for Skylar and thing one and thing two, but aye did I leave a pair of my white Nike sock's over there yesterday?"

Holding up her foot he laughed when he saw she was wearing them already, "I washed them and they smelled so good and somehow in the middle of the night they ended up on my feet." She joked.

"Hm yeah I'm sure they did, but alright I'm finna shower to get ready for practice. I'll  be there to pick you and Adrian up right after so be ready Moni or I will leave your ass."

Rolling her eyes, she waved him off. "Oh shut up, I'll be ready and you could never leave me." She smirked. "But first before you go how is boxing training going so far?"

Nolan shrugged, "Pretty boring right now, we just mainly been working out and shit. I'm ready to hop in the ring and actually box some niggas."

"That's probably why they haven't started you out with that just yet, you're too eager."

Nolan rolled his eyes, "Whatever we'll see, but anyways I love you see you later."

"I love you too." Hanging up the phone, she smiled in content to herself before cutting on some music and finishing her morning routine as she thought about school and what tomorrow may bring.

Armoni was more than excited to be starting her senior year, the school always did big things for the seniors and she was so ready to experience it all along with prom and graduation. Plus with her being captain of the drill team she was anxious for the games and all the traveling to other schools they were about to do.

Due to her showering lastnight she decided to start on her make-up since that always took the longest.

In the midst of singing along to the music and applying eye shadow, a knock at the door slightly scared her. Yelling for whoever it was to come in she lit up when she saw it was her daddy. "Good morning daddy," She greeted as she stood up from her vanity to give him a hug, but of course being sure not to hug him too tight.

When he pulled away from the hug, he took a seat on her bed. "Morning baby, whatchu up too?"

She shrugged, "Just doing my make up for my date with Nolan later."

Ahmad rolled his eyes, "Hm, you ready for your first day tomorrow?"

Becoming excited all over again, she slightly turned in her seat so she could face him. "Yeah, I just feel like this year is gonna be such a big year for us daddy, with me making captain, prom and graduation coming up as well this year and your cancer going into remission .. I'm so excited and I can't wait." She cheesed while getting back started on her make-up.

"I don't think I'm ready." Ahmad mumbled sadly, immediately alerting Armoni, but before she could respond he stopped her. "I'm just sad that my baby is growing up, I remember those days when you were little just following me around and dancing your heart away to some Beyoncé song. Now you're almost eighteen and graduating this year. Where does the time go ya know?"

Pouting her lips, she got up and took a seat beside him looping their arms together. "Aw daddy, you know no matter how old I get .. I'll always be your baby and nothing can change that."

Letting out a deep sigh, he nodded. "You say that now, but just wait until boys start becoming a main factor like Nolan knuckle head.. eventually its gonna be, daddy who?"

Laughing, she nudged his arm before grabbing his hand and giving it a good squeeze. "You were the first man to ever make me feel beautiful, the first man to show me what genuine and unconditional love truly is and despite all the things that have happened with your health, as a father you never left either of our sides and for that no one in this world could replace you even if they tried."

Feeling his eyes swell up with tears, he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too and thank you for that, but I'll let you finish getting ready just meet me down stairs before you go."

When he reached the door, she jumped up to stop him. "I forgot to tell you that I had a dream last night."

"Was it good or bad?"

She shrugged. "Good."

"Well tell me about it," Retaking his seat once his legs started to give out a little, he gave her his full attention.

"Okay so my dream started off in like this magical looking forest, it was colorful, bright and simply breathtaking from how beautiful it was. I've never seen grass so green and trees so big and full of leaves before, like the place was so calming and relaxing, almost felt as if I was in heaven. But anyways so for a moment I was there alone and I could just hear this voice talking to me explaining to me how no matter the amount of hardships I face that everything would be okay, then you appeared and I felt like that meant that no matter what I go through you would always be there to protect me and make things better." She smiled.

Smiling back, Ahmad grew silent for a moment before motioning for her to sit down beside him. "The dream sounds beautiful and it does hold a great amount of truth, no matter what happens I'll always be here for you and all of your siblings every step of the way." He reassured but although he was smiling and seemed happy his eyes seemed sad and Armoni was slightly confused as to why.

She figured the dream would have made him happy, but now she was starting to believe maybe her interpretation of the dream wasn't what she thought.

When Armoni turned five she discovered she had dreams that would sorta give her a glimpse of the future and once she learned that she shared the same gift as her father, she felt it was something that bonded them even more since it was clear he would be the only one to understand how it felt.

Instead of replying to his response she just leaned over and hugged him tightly which he gladly returned. "I actually have a surprise for you downstairs so hurry up and get dressed and meet me down in the kitchen."

Growing excited at the mention of that, she pulled away from the hug and immediately started grabbing her clothes while he slowly stood from her bed to leave out with a small smile on his face.

Bumping into Crystal on his way out, he took their daughter Avery from her. "Whatchu need me to do to help get all these kids ready to go to their grandparents house?" He questioned as they started walking down the hall towards their room.

"All I need is for you is to rest Ahmad, you've been up all night tossing and turning." She scolded.

Letting out a sigh, he took a seat on the bed and just rubbed his fingers through his daughters curly hair. "It's the medicine, I don't like the way it makes me feel. It makes me feel worst and I have trouble sleeping with it, like it takes the pain away but I'm left up feeling horrible all night."

Crystal nodded making a mental note to bring that up at his appointment in a couple of days. "Okay so we'll stop taking that for now and to mask the pain I'll text your doctor to see if you can start taking the Tramadol again since that seemed to have helped in the past."

He agreed. "Yeah I don't get why she changed it, but I feel okay now since I didn't take my morning dose."

"Are you in any pain?"

He shook his head no, "A little, but its managable."

Walking over she grabbed Avery from him and just sat her on the floor and handed her a toy to occupy her for a moment before focusing back on Ahmad. "Try not to over do it please like last time, if you start feeling the pain become more intense lay down and take your meds okay? Your cancer is in remission, but its still a process to get your body back right and I just don't want a repeat of what happened to happen again."

Pulling her into between his legs, he rose his hands up to her side as he looked up at her. "I promise to take better care of myself this time."

Kissing him twice on the lips, she stepped back. "Good, I'll finish getting the kids ready .. but if you want could you fix their lunches?"

"Of course."

Watching as he left out of the room, she smiled to herself at the excitement he had just to be able to help. Crystal didn't like treating him as if he was handicapped or anything, but her fear was him over doing it and hurting himself like he did last time.

Downstairs in the middle of making the kids lunches, Armoni came walking down the stairs with Santana right behind her both dressed and ready. "What's the surprise daddy?" Armoni called out tired of waiting and just anxious to know.

"Yeah, my mama told me I had a surprise as well and I'm tired of waiting already." He huffed.

Laughing, he placed the last sandwich in a ziplock bag and neatly set up all their lunches before washing and drying his hands off. "Come outside,"

Glancing over towards Santana he gave her an unsure look as well since they both were now clueless as to what to expect. Following behind him outside to the front yard of their house both Santana and Armoni froze in their spots when they saw Ahmad's all black Ford truck and Crystal's Toyota Camry parked out front.

"Me, Crystal and ya mama all sat down and discussed what would be the best gift to show our kids how proud we are of them and we decided what better way than to make them mobile." Holding up two sets of his keys he jingled them then tossed his truck keys to Santana and Crystal keys to Armoni.

"These are still fairly new cars and we felt with guys both having a lot going on with school this year that sometimes us as parents might not be available. But please remember just how easily I gave you two these keys I can easily take these babies away. Don't abuse the ability to be able to come and go with leaving out all hours of the night and acting as if you can't pick up the phone to tell me where y'all at. You guys can have your fun with the cars and do as you please, but be respectful and be safe." He stated sternly making them both nod their heads.

Not being able to tame her excitement Armoni ran towards her dad and hugged him tightly. "Thank you thank you so much daddy, I love you so much." Kissing him on the cheek one last time, she eventually took off running back into the house dialing Nolan's number to notify him on the change of plans.

Looking back towards Santana who still was sorta silent, Ahmad frowned. "You alright?"

"I'm just lost for words, I wasn't expecting this at all." Wiping his eyes once they got watery, he sniffled. "I just really appreciate all that you do for me, like I know I'm not technically your son—"

"Says who?" Ahmad cut him off followed by a laugh. "Last time I checked you was my son and I love you just as much as I do those other knuckle heads in that house."

Santana smiled sheepishly. "I know, but my main point is that you didn't have to step up and be something my father was too scared of doing. No amount of words could really express the appreciation and respect I have towards you for raising me and making my mama happy for all these years. Although by blood Armoni, Adrian, Mariah, Marquette and I may not be related, I'm just thankful for you for never making me feel left out or unwanted."

Opening his arms Ahmad pulled him into a hug and kissed the top of his head. "I'm proud of you man and I'm grateful to have had the honor to raise you and build this relationship with you."

Pulling away from the hug, he glanced back at his truck and shook his head in disbelief. "I really got my own car." He mumbled to himself. "You mind if I go hooping with some of the guys?"

Ahmad shrugged as he started walking back inside the house feeling the pain he was feeling become more intense, "I don't care, just be home at a decent time and keep me updated on your whereabouts."

Noticing the strained look on Ahmad's face, Santana threw his arm over his shoulder and helped walk him back into the house and up the stairs to their bedroom where Crystal was in the middle of doing Avery's hair.

Sitting down on the side of his bed, Santana reached down and removed his slippers for him and helped him remove his shirt before stepping back and watching Ahmad get comfortable in bed. "I'll see you when I get home and I guess since we got cars now call me if you need me to bring anything home while I'm out."

"I will, enjoy your first day of driving on your own and please drive safe."

Slapping hands with him, he walked over to his mama and kissed her on the cheek along with his little sisters before leaving out completely.

Glancing down at the keys in his hand, he still couldn't believe he had his own truck and the moment he got inside and cranked it up that wave of happiness couldn't be explained. He couldn't wait to show his boys his new ride today.

Grabbing his gym bag off the bleachers, Santana slapped hands with his homeboys as they all said their goodbyes after a good game of street ball ended. "Sametime tomorrow right?" He called out in which they all agreed.

"I see you with the whip Shoota, how you cop that?" His homeboy Omar questioned while trading out his basketball shoes for slides.

"My pops gave it to me this morning," He smiled proudly.

Due to his homebody pointing out the vehicle all his other homeboys finally took notice of it admiring the truck. "That hoe is nice, I wish my daddy would let me drive a baby like this. But aye nigga shit you tryna give us a ride?"

Santana shrugged, "Ion mind, come on."

As they all took off towards his truck, some hopped inside while the rest hopped in the bed of the truck and removed their shirts so the air from the wind could cool their skin.

Santana didn't mind taking none of his boys home since they all always looked out for each other when they could, and due to them not living far from the court they played at the drive wasn't gonna be too long.

"Aye is y'all niggas ready for this years basketball season?" Seth another one of his homeboys questioned from the back.

"Hell yeah bro and this our senior year, a nigga tryna go D1 fasho and ain't shit stopping us. We gotta show out non-stop this season and with our line up this year man we can easily make it to playoffs and the championship." Omar expressed becoming hype the more he talked about it.

Leaning forward their friend Tracy touched both Omar's and Santana shoulders. "Aye what we really need to do is see if we can get Malcolm to transfer schools this year, we need him on our team, plus our school way better than the school he goes too anyways. Also with me, you, Santana, Chris and Jacobie as the starting five, and Josh, Tkay, and Ryan second string add Malcolm to that line up we got a damn dream team in that bitch."

Looking through his rearview mirror that showed the window to where he could see all his homeboys laugh and talking amongst themselves he focused in on Malcolm seeing his point.

They all met Malcolm here at this court and they couldn't deny that he had skills and was a great power forward. Santana honestly felt him joining the team would be amazing, but due to them living on different sides of Houston the chances of him transferring was slim to none.

"Only way he could do that is if he moved in with one of us, and that's only if our parents and his mama allowed that which they probably won't." Omar spoke out thinking realistically.

Tracey shrugged before sitting back in his seat, "Never hurts to ask though."

The rest of the ride the guys talked and laughed enjoying their time all spent together, despite them being a team at school they were all really like brothers and loved each other deeply.

Once Santana had dropped off almost everybody he knew Malcolm would be his last ride to drop off since he lived outside of Cypress.

Watching as Malcolm hopped off the back of the truck and got in the front seat, Santana slapped hands with him then eventually pulled off going in the direction of his home. "Thanks for the ride man, I really appreciate this."

"Aye man you know I don't mind dropping you or any of them niggas off." He admitted.

"Yeah I know, but at the end of day you aren't obligated to do so. Plus with us being from two different sides of the tracks I'm still shocked half of y'all even fuck with me." He mumbled looking out the window.

"Despite our backgrounds being different we still all one in the same, we're all a group of black boys who got the same love for a sport that could possibly change our lives." Santana stated being totally honest.

He knew his family was very well-off with them owning their own business and investments they have made to create generational wealth for their family, but despite all that someone elses background and financial state never mattered to him.

"But aye man, I been texting you tryna check up on you to make sure you was good but you ain't been responding. Hell I was shocked you actually came out to the courts today since you been missing for the past month, we was worried." Santana stated trying to get an explanation or something as to why Malcolm had become so distant.

"It's just a lot going on and if I have to admit being around you guys and hooping with y'all is the happiest I felt in a good minute."

"Anything I can help with man?"

Laughing, Malcolm shook his head. "I'll be alright, eventually." He mumbled. "But thanks for caring."

When things fell silent Santana could tell something was bothering Malcolm, but before he could ask what was up the sound of Malcolm's stomach growling could be heard. "Damn nigga is you hungry?" Santana joked as he reached a stop sign about to make a U-turn. "My pops cooking tonight, you're more than welcome to come by for dinner."

"You sure he wouldn't mind?"

"Hell nah, if that man could feed the whole world he would."

Perking up at the sound being able to finally eat a hot meal he agreed. He has been going on three days without food since him and Fred ran out of money and the thought of a home cooked meal made his stomach growl even louder and he was even thinking about taking a plate to-go for Fred.

Pulling up to his home he parked behind Armoni's car and quickly got out locking his car once Malcolm was out. "Aye if you want to shower and wash up to get the smell of outside off you, I got clothes and shit you can throw on."

"Cool bet."

Using his key to unlock the front door, Santana stepped inside with Malcolm following close behind as the smell of spaghetti hit their nose. "I see you got it smellin' good up in here." Santana called out alerting Ahmad who was in the middle of placing the pan of spaghetti inside of the oven.

"You know how I do. Had fun at the courts?" Ahmad questioned while pulling down plates.

"It was cool, but aye pops I want you to meet my homeboy Malcolm, Mac this my pops." Santana introduced causing him to step forward. "We was down at the court and on our way to drop him off we got hungry so I brought him home for dinner if that's cool?"

Using a rag to clean his hands, Ahmad reached his arm for a handshake in which Malcolm gladly returned. "I'm Ahmad, its nice to meet you and anybody who is friends with my boy is cool in my book."

"Nice to meet you sir, beautiful home by the way." He complimented.

"Thank you, but shit dinner is almost ready and y'all stankin' up my kitchen. Go upstairs and freshen up dinner will be ready soon." He joked making them laugh and leave out to see Armoni making her way down the stairs with Nolan trailing behind her.

Admiring her as she strutted down the stairs, Malcolm felt himself become very self-conscious of himself since he knew he was looking rough at the moment.

When she finally looked up from her phone and they locked eyes, Armoni sweetly smiled and waved. "Sup bro bro, who's this?" She asked simply curious to know who he was since she has never met him before.

He was cute and she knew she would have remembered a face that handsome.

"This my homeboy Malcolm, Mac this my sister Armoni and my other homeboy Nolan." Santana introduced.

Peeping the way Malcolm was eyein' Armoni, Nolan threw his arm over her shoulder before giving him a brief head nod and continuing down the stairs. "Nice meeting you Malcolm." Armoni called out as Nolan basically dragged her away towards the kitchen.

When he finally turned his head back towards Santana, he noticed him shaking his head. "Better fix them eyes nigga, my sister is off my limits only reason Nolan even had a chance was because they grew up as bestfriends and they sneakily got together. But I still don't approve of that relationship."

Following him up the stairs, he laughed. "I wasn't even lookin'at her like that." He lied.

He was most certaintly checking Armoni out, but with her having a boyfriend and Nolan against his homeboys dating her him checking her out from afar was as far as he was gon' get with her.

          After they both showering up and throwing on some lounge wear clothes, both Malcolm and Santana walked down the stairs following the sound of voices in the dinning room. "We was wondering what was taking so long, y'all plates are sitting on the countertop. Drinks in the fridge." Ahmad instructed.

Bypassing his mama Santana kissed her on the cheek making her smile warmly before going back to eating.

With their plates in hand they both took their seats and when Malcolm looked to the left of him he was shocked to see he was sitting next to Armoni, but played it off by clearing his throat and scooting his chair further away from her.

"So Malcolm, do you attend Cypress with Santana as well?" Crystal questioned wanting to know more about him.

Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he cleared his throat. "No'mam, Santana and I actually met down at the basketball courts a few summers ago when I was visiting my aunt and we've just been cool ever since."

"We been tryna get him to transfer to Cypress to join our team, but he been playin'." Santana joked making them all laugh except Nolan.

Although Malcolm wasn't paying him any mind, he just knew he couldn't be trusted especially around Armoni.

"Cypress is a good school, you might actually like it Malcolm." Armoni chimed in.

Glancing over at her he smiled, "I'm sure I would,"

Rolling his eyes, Nolan sat back in his seat tossing his piece of garlic toast onto his plate. Glancing over at him Armoni touched his hand confused, "You good?"

"I'm straight, just ready to go." He shrugged.

Not liking his tone, she placed her hand on his thigh and leaned closer to his ear. "Whatever it is that has you in a mood, just let it go for now and we will discuss it later. Enjoy this family dinner and after this I'll take you home." She whispered harshly.

Armoni was not understanding where Nolan's sudden change of attitude was coming from when everything had been cool between them all day. Not even having the energy to entertain his mood she focused her energy on everybody else instead and scooted away from him a little.

"So uh do you guys eat like this as a family everyday?" Malcolm asked.

"Not everyday, but we try to do it as much as we can especially when all the kids are home and not at either games or with their friends." Ahmad explained.

Malcolm half smiled feeling a wave of sadness come over him, "Must be nice, I wish I had it like this at home." He mumbled as he looked down at his plate and went back to eating.

His comment alerted almost everybody especially Ahmad who had been watching him all night. He wasn't sure if anybody else had took notice but he peeped Malcolm eating as if this was his first and last meal and the nervous timid look in his eyes he carried alone worried him as well.

Checking the time on his watch, Ahmad leaned over closer to Crystal. "Can we talk in the kitchen real quick?" He whispered.

Nodding her head, she stood up excusing herself as both her and Ahmad left the kids alone to talk.

"Aye but Malcolm, the guys and I were talking on the way home and we really want you to transfer man. With you on the team plus the rest of the guys I feel we would dominate the season with ease." Santana stated trying his best to persuade him.

Playing with his food, Malcolm sighed before looking up at him. "It's a lot going on at the moment personal wise, so I really don't know about transferring at the moment. I'll ask my mama though." He lied.

Since he left he had been on the streets staying in homeless shelters and now staying in Fred's tent he hasn't heard anything from his mama. Malcolm felt at peace because he didn't have to deal with the hands of his father anymore, but he did miss actually having a home to go to, a bed of his own to sleep in and good food to eat everynight.

"I hear you and I pray whatever it is you going through it gets better." He replied patting him on the back before going back to eat.

"You think yo folks would mind if I got another plate of food? Then I guess after that you can take me home."

"Damn nigga, you eating like you ain't had a decent meal in weeks." Nolan laughed causing Armoni to hit his leg for him to cut it out.

"Ignore him, I'm sure they wouldn't mind. The rest of the food is in the kitchen."

When Malcolm had left out both Santana and Armoni looked at Nolan with mugs on their faces. "Aye No, you my boy and all and I got a lot of love for you but that wasn't even called for man."

"Yeah, it wasn't. You been tripping all night and I'm not liking this attitude at all." Armoni co-signed.

Rolling his eyes, Nolan sat forward. "It was a joke, I was playing. Chill."

"I'm sure it was, but still he ain't got it easy like us and he already feels less than around us so please chill out on him." Santana defended before getting up and taking his plate into the kitchen as well.

Staring at Nolan for a moment, Armoni just shook her head before laughing at him. "You're jealous." She pointed out.

"Girl please, jealous of what? I already got you so I'm not worried." He mumbled.

"Exactly, you got me. I'm your girl, so why are you tripping and sitting here with an attitude and rolling your eyes everytime Malcolm says one word?" She questioned. "He hasn't said much of anything to me or you."

"Okay and? He keep lookin' at you and I ain't liking that."

Scrunching up her face, she sighed. "So what? You acting like I'm looking back at him or something or flirting with the guy. I don't even know him this is the first time I've ever met him and you already buggin'."

Sitting there quiet for a moment, he shrugged. "You right,"

"I'm right about what?"

"You right, I was jealous and I don't even know why. I'm sorry."

Folding her arms across her chest, she rolled her eyes. "You have a lot of nerve, if one of us should be getting jealous and insecure over the opposite sex talking to us it should be me, because I'm not the one who was entertaining ex bitches on the side so get it together." She scoffed before standing to her feet and walking away leaving Nolan sitting there to thinking to himself.

-

What y'all thinkin' ?

Hope you all enjoyed these chapters!
Thanks for all the love and support as always
- Denise🥀