"You damn right I'm mad. My shit been itching for a week. And I can't have sex for another week 'cuz it's still swollen," RaiShaun yelled before hanging up on me for the 7th time this week. I threw the phone down and got ready for work.

I laid across my bed fully dressed in my work uniform, staring at my phone. After Jermaine got it turned off, I switched phone companies and changed my number. I contemplated on calling RaiShaun back but I decided against it. I'll try to talk to him tomorrow at school.

"You ready?" Jurnee asked from the doorway. She had moved her bed and belongings down to the basement with no explanation on why.

"Yea lemme' grab my bag," I answered standing up.

I found my navy blue Michael Kors Rhea bag with my school clothes in it. I made sure I had my toothbrush and deodorant in it and slung it over my shoulder. I grabbed my charger and phone and headed towards the door.

"Don't for.."

"..get to turn the light off. I know," I said cutting Jurnee off in an irritated voice.

Lately, we haven't been the best of friends. We were more like sisters that didn't get along. I wanted to blame myself for the distance between us but my pride wouldn't let me. I couldn't hold myself responsible for her trying to talk to a dude I'm sexing. That was her being disloyal and she needs to understand that. When she does, we could get back on good terms. But until then, it is what it is.

"Why are we leaving so early?" I asked noticing the time on the clock in the living room.

"I just don't wanna be late. Traffic might be backed up," she responded in a dull tone.

We had to be there at 10 pm and it was only 8:45 pm. She was sipping on some sizzurp if she thought I was leaving right now. I looked at her to see if she was serious. She stared back before continuing to walk towards the front door.

"Jurnee, are you serious right na? It takes us 20 minutes to get to work in the car. We can leave at 9:25 if you want but I'm not going right now."

I sat down on the couch waiting for her response. My momma bought her a Nissan Altima but since her and Ms. April carpool she let me and Jurnee take it to work.

"What is your problem with me?" she asked desperately.

"My problem?" I asked sarcastically.

"I said I was sorry Demyya. Are you still holding that against me?"

"You moved all your stuff in the basement, why?"

"Because it was awkward," she said avoiding eye contact with me. "You weren't talking to me and just last month you were.. you uhh. Yea."

I shook my head at her nervousness. "Girl that wasn't nothing personal. You needed help, I helped you. Simple." I informed her shrugging my shoulders. "My issues were because of RaiShaun. How could you try and do that to me?"

"I really do apologize sus. l just liked the conversation. I'm sorry," she apologized. I nodded my head slowly thinking about accepting her apology. "So we good?" she asked sitting next to me.

"Yea. We good. Just don't do that shit again," I warned giving her a slight push.

"So what about you and Monique? Y'all still ain't talking?" Jurnee pried as I bit my lip.

"She's saying I have a secret to tell her but I don't."

"But you do Myya. You're sleeping with her brother. You don't think you should tell her that." Jurnee asked checking her phone for the time.

"Everybody knows that now so..," I started as trailed off. I noticed Kenny standing in the entryway of the kitchen.

"I didn't know that. But then again, it's a lot I don't know. So are you really pregnant?" Kenny asked watching me intently. Why the hell had he been in our bathroom? I thought to myself.

"Myya, it's 9:25. We gotta go before we're late." Jurnee said grabbing my arm and pulling me out the house.

The whole ride to work was quiet besides the radio. I pulled into the half-full parking lot and found a spot near the door. I turned the car off and looked at Jurnee. She was spaced out, staring out the window. She had her bag with her school clothes in her lap twirling the strings around.

"So you're pregnant?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Yea I am. Momma already knows so don't scold me," she admitted.

"So why haven't you told your brother? Apparently, he's been snooping in our bathroom because I saw the test too."

"He's gon' tell Rodrick and that's what I don't wanna do," she explained shaking her head. "Let's go in, it's 9:50."

"So is that why you were tryna get at RaiShaun, so you could pin the baby on him?" I asked curiously. She nodded her head and opened her door. I did the same and locked the doors causing the alarm to chirp.

"I won't speak on that. But congratulations sus." I said walking beside her.

"Yea thanks. Don't be late clocking out. We gotta change and get to school," I nodded walking in the opposite direction. "On time!" she yelled after me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I drove to school while Jurnee slept in the backseat. I'ma need for her to get her license cuz I need sleep too. I hated the days where we worked overnight and had to get to school the next morning, it was tiring.

I hadn't been to school since I was diagnosed with Chlamydia. I was so ashamed even though my meds were gone and my system was clean. But my doctor told me and my sex partners not to have sex for another week. I knew everybody was talking bad about me but I honestly didn't care. I just wasn't ready for the stares and negative energy.

"Jurnee, get up. We're here." I parked the car and started shaking her leg.

"I'm up," she groaned. I laughed as she sat up and poured Listerine in her mouth. Jurnee opened her door and spit it out. She stood outside the car fixing her shirt.

I checked my appearance before getting out the car and locking the doors. We were only half way through the parking lot when I noticed everyone staring at me.

"Just ignore them Myya," Jurnee said noticing how uneasy I was.

"Like oh my gosh, Jermaine. You didn't tell me Chlamydia burned like this," Lailah teased, imitating a white girl.

"Bitch shut the f..," I got cut off by Jurnee.

"Myya, you can't fight her anyways so just chill. Ignore them." I looked at Jurnee long and hard and decided to take her advice. The wind blew my hair over my eyes, as I struggled to keep it out of my face.

As soon as I walked into the school building, this boy named Chris threw a bunch of condoms at me. "Wrap it up hoe." He spat out as he tossed more condoms in my direction.

"Aye man, chill the fuck out!" a voice yelled from behind me. I turned around to see RaiShaun walking towards us.

"Oh, so you tryna be captain save a hoe?" Chris said just as RaiShaun stood in his face. "Oh yeah, I forgot. You got the clap too."

The hallway erupted with laughter as Chris dapped his friends, Jamar and Lamar, up. Everyone knew that RaiShaun's temper was short and he was liable to explode at any minute. Jurnee went to grab him but it was too late.

Rai'Shaun punched Chris so hard in his face, immediately drawing blood. Chris tried to fight back but his short frame had nothing on RaiShaun's. Shaun picked him up by his throat and slammed him into the lockers behind him. Chris' feet were dangling around as he gasped for air.

"Say that shit again. Say it to my face!" RaiShaun yelled. Chris' face was turning red and he was losing consciousness.

Noticing that their friend wasn't gonna get the upper hand, Jamar and Lamar grabbed RaiShaun pulling him to the ground. They started to stomp on him while Chris was still rubbing his neck, catching his breath. Chris eventually ran into the group and stomped RaiShaun in the face.

"Somebody stop this!" I yelled as I saw everyone recording or just standing around watching the fight unravel.

An unfamiliar boy ran into the crowd and grabbed Lamar and shoved him hard against the lockers. Jamar stood up from punching RaiShaun and squared up with the boy. "New boy, this ain't wha..," Jamar barked just as dude struck him in the face. It wasn't until then when I realized that he was Damien from the park last week. He repeatedly threw jabs towards Jamar before Lamar came to help his twin brother.

Chris and Rai'Shaun were going blow for blow until Chris pulled RaiShaun's dreads. Where they do that at? And where the hell were the teachers at? I thought looking around at the growing crowd. I turned to Jurnee who was crying as Lamar and Jamar stomped on Damien's face. Damien's jaw looked to be dislocated as I saw thick blood running from his mouth.

"Break it up! Get to class," a security guard yelled. All of the students that were gathered around, scurried off to their classes. RaiShaun and Damien were now sitting on the floor, leaning against the locker while the twins and Chris standing in front of them. The security guard called for backup because he only had two pairs of handcuffs.

"Thomas, Hudson! Class now," he yelled in our direction but we didn't budge.

"Demyya and Jurnee, go. We good," RaiShaun said trying to convince us he was okay, as he coughed up blood. "Go on now, before we all be in trouble." Jurnee scurried off to class but I just stood there.

"Nigga don't get your infected ass blood on me spittin near me and shit," Chris said stepping away from him.

"Demyya, go to class before I call your mother," the security guard threatened. I shook my head and walked closer to them.

"Damien needs medical attention. His jaw is broken and you just sitting around hea' waiting for handcuffs," I semi-yelled, squatting next to Damien.

"Come on, I'll drive you to the hospital," I recommended as he tried to stand from the floor.

"Ahhh," he let out a horrific scream as he slid back down the lockers. I looked at his leg and it looked broken as well.

RaiShaun stood up and pulled his pants up. I stepped back as he picked Damien up bridal style. "Myya go unlock ya doors, this nigga heavy as shit," RaiShaun said.

I took off running out of the building and towards my momma's car. I push started it and unlocked the doors. I pulled around to the front of the school and hopped out. I ran around to open the back door just as Rai'Shaun carried Damien out.

While they got settled in, I sat in the driver's seat texting Jurnee, letting her know what was going on. I drove to the nearest hospital, which was 10 minutes away from the school. It was only 8:30 am so traffic was a bit heavy.

"You good back there, bro?" Rai'Shaun asked turning around in his seat. I looked at Damien in my rear view mirror just as he nodded his head.

I knew his face had to hurt, the way they were stomping his face. I literally saw when his teeth shifted in his mouth and jaw went out of place. Just thinking about that fight, made me feel bad all over again. It was all my fault.

"Myya, pay attention. You gonna miss your turn," Rai'Shaun called out. "How are you even driving daydreaming?"

I turned into the hospital parking lot, parking at the emergency room entrance. I didn't even bother to get out because Rai'Shaun had jumped out the car to get help. The EMT's that were clearly off duty, saw RaiShaun running and came over to help.

Once they got Damien out of the car, I found a parking spot and headed inside. I've never been inside of an ER. The emergency room wasn't as busy and hectic like what I've seen on Grey's Anatomy. It was quiet, considering a few families were patiently waiting on news for their family members.

I was so busy looking around the waiting room that I wasn't watching my path. I bumped into somebody causing them to spill coffee all over me.

"I'm so sorry ma'am," the man spoke first.

"It's okay. I'm sorry for not watching where I was going. I can buy you another one. A coffee," I rambled, only to take my mind off of the burning hot coffee.

A lady nearby handed me some napkins but they didn't do any justice but I thanked her anyway. I smiled at her and turned my attention back to the man that was staring at me. I stared back in confusion. Are my nipples hard? Oh God, please don't tel...

"Baby, everything okay?" RaiShaun asked walking up grabbing me by the waist. He kissed my cheek before looking over the man before he walked towards the front desk.

"That was weird," I said facing Rai'Shaun. "So I'm your baby again?" I asked hopefully.

"Naa, I just thought you needed to be saved from that creep," he admitted walking away. I felt my heart break a little more as I sat down in a chair.

What a day? It can't get any stranger than this. I thought as I checked my phone. Jurnee hadn't replied yet so I locked my phone. Just as I was about to lay my head back a nurse called out, "Family of Damien Knox." I stood up and walked up to Rai'Shaun just as the coffee man walked up too.

"Who are you?" Rai'Shaun asked the man.

"I'm Jordan Thomas, Damien's stepfather. And you are?" he asked. At that point, I had stopped listening. My mind was racing a thousand miles a second and I couldn't grasp the situation at hand.

"Hello??? Are you there? Damien's jaw wasn't dislocated it was just fractured and so was his foot. We can go see him now. Come on." RaiShaun explained. I followed behind RaiShaun and Damien's step-dad while keeping a good enough distance between us.

"Rai you owe me big time for this fractured jaw and foot," Damien called out as we walked into the room. RaiShaun laughed before dapping him up.

"Naw bro, we were fighting Demyya battle. I think she owes the both of us." They both looked at me as I chewed on the inside of my jaw.

"Demyya?" the man asked as I just stared out the window. I wanted to be anywhere but here right now. This couldn't be true.

"Yes, that's her name dad. Myya stop being rude," Damien mumbled.

"I'm sorry. I gotta go," I said turning on my heels. My shirt was sticking to my body making me feel very sticky in this sticky situation.

"Demyya Jordaan Thomas?" he asked again as hot, wet tears threatened to escape my eyes.

"Dad, you know her?" Damien asked as RaiShaun watched puzzled. "Wait y'all name is.."

"She's my daughter," he confirmed, causing a single tear to squeeze out of my eyes. My back was still to them while I was frozen in place. I finally mustered up the strength to run out of the room. I never looked back and I didn't want to.

When I made it to the car, I released all the tears that had been built up in me. For the last eleven years, I wondered where my daddy was. I wondered why wasn't I good enough for him. What was so important that he had to leave his family behind and never look back? Now here he was playing father to someone else's child. My father wasn't there for my father-daughter dance, or my first fist fight. He wasn't there for my first heartbreak because he caused it. My father wasn't there to protect me from the long nights of being raped. I thought a father was supposed to protect their daughters from all dangers. I guess I thought wrong.