~Los Angeles,

•12/21 {Tuesday, 10:54 A.M}

~*~ Dorian ~*~

"Welcome back home ! " Laylani screamed happily as RJ and I walked in. It felt good to finally be outside, back in the real world; and I was happy to be back with my family also. Those two months in the mental hospital were honestly very helpful. It helped me to get rid of some of my demons and to deal with my depression. I was motivated to continue into my progression and to keep bettering myself each and every day. I was going to be more positive with life. 

I opened my arms and she hugged me, "Thanks." 

"I'm so proud of you." We pulled away.

"Thank you, I really appreciate your support. I wouldn't come this far if it wasn't for you two. Thank you so much for dealing with me." 

"Hey, we're a family. Of course that we were going to support you and be by your side through this. You are not alone." He started singing Michael Jackson's song. 

"Please, stop." I chuckled. I took a deep breath and looked around me. It was a bit weird to be back. I felt like I was gone for longer than two months. I felt like a stranger here, to be honest. Like it was the first time that I was stepping foot in his crib. 

"Are you hungry ? " Lani asked as RJ went to put my bags in my room. 

I shook my head, "No."

"Tired ? "

"You don't need to take care of me like that. I'll be fine."

She laughed slightly, "Sorry. I'm getting off your back right now." Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Lani smiled and went to answer the door. Soon, Richard and Tinashe were walking in with the kids following behind them. 

Since I got out, we hadn't had the occasion to really spend some time together. I did see Tinashe a couple of times, since she was my lawyer; but it wasn't the case with Richard and the kids. 

It was crazy to see them now, after exactly seven years and six months. I somewhat saw them growing through pictures, but it didn't feel the same as they were now standing right in front of me. The twins were now beautiful young ladies and the three little ones weren't looking as young as before. 

My little cousins. 

"Dorian ! " Rosetta ran to me and took me in a tight hug, wrapping her arms around my waist. It was insane to think that she was going to turn twelve in five days. She was still a princess, but an older one. She looked up at me, "I missed you."

I grinned, "I missed too. How are you ? " 

∫

∫

∫

After hours of catching up, it was finally time for all of them to leave. We hugged each other, said our I love you's and see you later's and they were out. Now, we were only three again. I enjoyed the day with my family. As Dr.Kaynes said, I needed to keep family and friends near me to continue to get better and that's exactly what I was going to do. 

"You really seem happier. I'm so happy you decided to finally get professional help by your own. I was getting more and more worried as the time was passing by. And to know that..." He paused, shaking his head. He rubbed his right eye and bowed his head.

I sighed, knowing where we were going with that, "RJ, c'mon now." 

"I'm so sorry." He looked at me.

"Why are you apologizing for ? "

"I should've been more attentive. You really ne-"

"Please, don't do that. Don't blame yourself for everything I've been going through. It's not your fault at all. I'm suffering from depression, it's like that. Things happen. We can't really do something about this. It's called life and we have to deal with it the best way we can. Don't worry, I'll be fine, we'll all be fine. We're soldiers."

"Okay, but as soon as you feel like...you're about to lose it and do something stupid, just come to me. Please."

"I won't try to attempt suicide again, RJ. I promise." 

"You are promising ? " He raised a brow.

I chuckled, "What ? You're not trusting me ? "

He immediately shook his head no, "I trust you ! It's just that uh, I don't know how it really goes, but this depression thing can quickly get out of control, like it can easily be stronger than you. I don't know how to put it into words." He frowned. 

"I didn't know how to deal with my depression before, like at all. But now, I know exactly what I'm going through and how to get through it. My suicidal thoughts are not as ''controlling'' as before. I'm mentally and physically more prepared to fight them. I won't let the depression win. Don't worry, lil' cousin."

He beamed, "Great." We dapped and hugged. 

"Aw ! You two are the cutest cousins. Let me take a picture." Lani walked in and pulled her phone out.

"You better not ! Babe, I'm not playing with you." Next thing you know, RJ was running after her through the crib. 

I watched them, with a smile plastered on my face. It was cool to come back to happiness and laughter. 

I felt a new born again.

•12/23 {Thursday, 1:11 P.M}

"I'm hungry." I whined for the tenth time as Lani and I were walking through the mall. This girl woke me up at eight this morning to do some last minute Christmas shopping. And since two hours and a half now, she was dragging me from stores to stores, exhausting me to the fullest. I wanted to go home, but she wasn't having that. She was a real tyrant and I slightly annoyed with that side of her, "Why you didn't wait for RJ to do this ? This is some bullshit."

"Stop complaining for two minutes, please. You're as annoying as a child. We're almost done." 

I eyed her, "Why are you lying ? We're not almost done. I know how females are ! Y'all can shop for days."

She chuckled, "True. Some of us can do that."

"You're buying gifts for how many people exactly ? " I asked looking at all the bags we already had. There were about ten and we only went in five stores. This mall got maybe twenty, nay almost thirty stores in total. I didn't know if I was going to make it through this. 

"For my family and yours."

I looked at her like she was crazy, "For all of yours AND all of mine ? Damn, you got money ! " I said with a little laugh. 

She smacked her teeth and then smiled, "Things are at half-price for the season. So yeah, I allow myself to go a little crazy. But I ain't got money."

"So you have a gift for me, huh ? " 

She hummed, "Maybe."

"Maybe ? Damn, what you mean ? Maybe ? Can a man get some love ? Can he ? Is it too much to ask ? Am I asking for too much ? " She laughed, "I need the fucking answers, Sway ! "

"I was just joking. I got you something, of course. RJ and I were the first ones to get gifts." She answered, causing a smirk to appear on my face.

"Gifts ? With a S ? Wow ! "

She nodded, "Yup. Are you going to buy gifts ? " She asked as we were entering Forever 21. 

I shrugged, "I don't know. To be honest with you, I totally forgot about Christmas until you woke me up this morning. With everything that has been going on, it completely got out of my mind. Would you be upset if you don't get something from me ? "

"Of course not ! I understand, it's cool. Anyways, Christmas is not all about presents, even if we are actually more focus on that. By the way, we're going to Richard and Tinashe's on Christmas Eve. Do you feel like coming ? "

"Yeah."

She grinned, "Cool." She looked at some clothes, "You should get Docia something though." She said out of the blue.

I frowned, "What ? " I asked confused.

"She'll be touched by this gesture of kindness. Like, the day after Christmas, you should go to her hou-"

I interrupted her, "I can't do that."

"Why not ? "

"I don't know, it's just weird. I didn't talk to her during two long months and now you want me to pop up at her house with a Christmas gift ? This is so random."

"This is randomly cute." She corrected me, picking up a dress. 

"Whatever."

"I'm sure she'll like it. Try. The worst that can happen is a rejection. You won't die."

"On my tomb, you'll write Was too embarrassed to live."

She laughed, "Why would she reject you anyways ? "

"Because I'm younger than her, she's my therapist and I'm crazy." My insecurities were talking for me right now, more than anything else. I didn't know if it was a good idea and God knew how much I was fearing that damn rejection. It would've been someone else, I wouldn't care that much and be so afraid. But that's my crush we were talking about. I liked her and it'll break my heart to be rejected by Docia. 

"You're not crazy. I understand that you're scared, but you can't let your fear win that battle. I'm sure she's going to give you a chance."

I sighed heavily, "All of this shit is so complicated for no reason."

"Love is complicated, that's how it is."

My heart made a big jump in my chest, "Love ? Wait a minute, auntie ! I'm talking about crush and shit, not about love. I'm not ready for love."

She frowned and shook her head at me, "But if she gives you a chance, that's what is supposed to happen next though."

"What, love ? "

"Duh ! "

"I don't want this." I whispered as my hands began to sweat. 

"Dorian, stop that. You're being immature."

"Because I'm not ready for love ? Are you dumb ? " I narrowed my eyes at her. 

"You're about to get slapped. Don't ask me if I'm dumb." She warned, pointing her index finger at me. Last time I checked, I wasn't her child.

"You started it. You said, I repeat: you're being immature. How am I being immature ? "

"I thought that you want to try to be in a relationship with Docia. That's not what you said ? Maybe I didn't hear you right. But if I did and I know I did, being in a relationship is serious. Being in a relationship doesn't mean playing games. You can't feel like being in one, one day and then say that you're not ready for love the next day."

"Being in a relationship doesn't mean that you have to be in love. We can't just be...together ? "

"Dorian, that's exactly the point of being in a relationship with someone ! Falling in love with that person and considering a future with them. If you want to have fun, then go do that, be free and go fuck people; but you can't lead someone into a relationship if it's not to love and care about them at the end ! Your partner is not your fuck buddy ! Like...What exactly do you have on your mind for you and Docia ? Make up your mind now and please don't go and play with that woman's heart. When you say that you want to be in a serious relationship with a woman, don't be bullshitting about this. It's serious." 

Seemed like she was pissed off now.

"Are you mad at me ? " I asked, concerned. 

She puffed and picked another dress, "Sorry..." She frowned, "I just can't stand when people do that type of shit. If you're not ready for love or not sure to know what you want, then don't lead someone on to disappoint and break their heart at the end. If you already know that you'll heart that person, like for sure, then leave them alone from the beginning." She paused and we stayed silent for a minute, "Sorry, I didn't want to sound rude or mean. It's just that this conversation reminded me how things were between RJ and I."

"Oh..." It got cleared immediately. RJ put that poor child through something, saying I love you without really proving it and despite of his multiple mistakes, she stayed.

A single tear escaped her right eye and I wiped it instantly with my thumb, "Sorry."

"Don't apologize, it's okay. And don't worry, I didn't plan to lead Docia on and to play with her heart. It's just that I'm really scared of all that love thing. I never went there before. It's all new to me."

"I can help you to get used to it. I'll try to give you all the tips I know." She chuckled and I smiled. 

"Thank you." 

∫

∫

∫

It was Christmas Eve and the three of us were on our way to Richard and Tinashe's. I was so excited for this family dinner because it'd been forever since I was presented to one of them for the last time. Those dinners were always the funniest moments with my family. It was impossible to not enjoy yourself. 

One hour after we arrived, we were playing games with the kids. What wasn't a really good idea since we were all very bad losers. Plus, almost everybody was a cheater. And the game was always ending with someone crying. Today, Tyron was the one shedding tears. 

"I'm going to tell mom ! Rosetta, give me my money ! " He yelled and then stomped his feet. 

"I don't have your money ! Leave me alone, cry baby ! It's not my fault if you can't play ! Move ! " She pushed him.

"Hey, don't be violent, Rosy ! " RJ told her, helping Tyron to get back on his feet. 

"Mommy ! " He ran out.

"Oh great ! Now, we're all in trouble with mom." Su narrowed her eyes at her little sister. She puffed and folded her arms, "I'm done playing with y'all. Cheaters bastards."

"The fuck is wrong with you ? Don't call me a bastard ! " I pinched her hip. 

"Ouch ! Don't touch me ! " She hit my arm.

"Lil girl..." I warned, looking at her like she was crazy, "Don't you ever put your hands on me like that again. Did you hear me ? "

"I'm not scared of you, Do." She rolled her eyes and threw her money in my face. Her phone went off, so I snatched it from her hand and suddenly ran off, "Stop ! Give me my phone ! Dorian, I'm not playing with you ! " She yelled behind me. 

"Who is Andrew ? Why is he calling you babe ? And why did you put a heart emoji next to his name ? Ouuuh, let me find out ! It's your boyfriend ? "

"Stop ! Give me that ! Dorian ! " 

I laughed, "Have to be faster than that, lil' cuz. I'm sure I can find your password in five minutes." I ran into the toilet and locked myself in. I tried some combinations and after the sixth, I was finally able to unlock her phone. I'm a genius ! I thought,proud of myself.

"Dorian ! " She banged on the door. 

"I found it ! " I sang, "Mwa haaa haaa ! "

"That evil laugh is lame as fuck."

"Like your password." I snapped back, going to her Instagram. I took a couple of selfies, chose one and posted it on her page with a nice caption.

Su_Willky : "Best Cousin of the world 💛💚💙  #Hacked  #NoInstagram #LastHashtagIsDedicatedToTheThirstyGang👅💦😂😂" 

As soon as it went on it, many people were already liking and leaving comments. I chuckled and decided to finally get out, "I'm coming out." I announced.

"Great ! If you did something, I'll kill you."

"Ah ! Then I'm not coming out. Say bye to your phone, forever."

She screamed, "You're so annoying ! Stop playing, Dorian. C'mon ! I have to reply to someone, it's really important."

"Is this someone Andrew ? "

She kissed her teeth, "That's none of your business. Nosey ass."

"So disrespectful, that's not okay. You gon' learn today." I flushed the toilet smirking and she started to bang on the door again, but this time it was louder.

"Oh my God ! Dorian, you didn't ! "

"I just did. I hope the lesson is learned." I flushed it a second time. 

"Oh Lord ! " She exclaimed, making me burst out laughing. I couldn't believe that she was thinking that I actually did it, "Daddy ! " 

"Yo, chill ! Here is your damn phone." I opened the door, to see her standing there, with her eyes watered. I couldn't help but laugh more, "You were really about to cry ? You're so weak."

"Right now, I don't really appreciated you. It wasn't funny. At all." She said with an angry, but low tone of voice. Her face expression was priceless. 

"I made your Instagram go from uninteresting to awesome in ten seconds. You're welcome." I held my hand out towards her.

"Go to hell." 

I snatched the phone once again, "I'm about to do it for real this time. Show me some respect, kiddo." She stuck her tongue out at me, "I'm done being nice with you. Say goo-"

She laughed, "I'm sorry ! So sorry. I will never disrespect you again for the rest of your life, 'cause you gon' die before me. I am sincerely sorry." We laughed, "I missed us fighting for petty ish." She hugged me. 

"Aw ! " I hugged her back and kissed her forehead, "You're not getting your phone before tomorrow."

We pulled away, "You're coming back tomorrow ? "

"Now, I never said that." I began to walk away from her and soon I was running again and she was trailing behind me, yelling like a fool. When we went back to the living room, Rosy was turning the music on and Time Of Our Lives featuring Ne-Yo by Pitbull started playing.

* ''I knew my rent was gon' be late about a week ago

I worked my ass off, but I still can't pay it though

But I got just enough

To get off in this club

Hand me a good time, before my time is up

Hey, let's get it now 

Oooh I want the time of my life (Mr. Woldwide ! )

Oh baby

Oooh give me the time of my life (Ne-Yo, let's get it ! )

Let's get it now'' *

https://youtu.be/bTXJQ5ql5Fw

I stopped in the middle of the living room and began to dance, still preventing Su to get her precious little phone. The others joined me and we were showing our best dance moves to each other. For a first Christmas dinner after all those years in prison, it wasn't that bad. Actually, it was maybe one of the best dinners we had since we started doing this. We were enjoying each other's company and the oldest ones were annoying the little ones, as usual.

I was so grateful for my family. 

__________________________

Feel free to comment and/or to vote =)

A/N: Are you happy to welcome back the funny Dorian ? Like I said before, I'm going to give y'all happier chapters from now on. We had enough of the sadness. What are your thoughts about Dorian ? What do you think about his friendship with Lani ? 

THANKS FOR READING ! 💗  

CissyItsMe 💋✌🏾❤️