"Continue sitting there like you aren't bothered that no one has heard or seen Cherish in hours! She could be hurt! Dead! I don't fucking know! You are sitting there all nonchalant about this is about to piss me off! You're wrong as hell for treating my cousin like she doesn't even exist!" Yazmine shouted.

"She just left my parents crib and before that was at the cemetery visiting her parents all that time. Now, she's parked outside the house she used to live in with her parents." Priest spoke nonchalantly.

Yazmine frowned. "Don't know why the hell I asked you to help. I forgot you don't give a damn about her these days." She added as Priest looked at her. That's something Yazmine would never understand. Both Priest and Cherish constantly does it. Get mad at the other and pretend they no longer care about each other. It's what they've been doing since Cherish left and it's what they've been doing since she moved back. She and everyone else were ready for those two to get their shit together.

"What you mad about, sis? I helped you. Didn't I just say where the fuck she's at and been? Next time, don't ask for my fucking help." Priest's natural mug made its way onto his face. Yazmine was about to go off on him, but Truth intervened. She loves Priest, but he was doing too much. Despite what she said and may say, he wasn't convincing anyone, but Cherish that he didn't care about her.

"Just calm down, Yaz. We're all worried about her right now." Truth tried to grab her hand, but she removed it.

"Don't tell me to calm down, Omari. Fuck a cousin, that's my SISTER. Y'all can sit on your asses, but I'm going to look for—" Yazmine's sentence was cut off by her phone ringing. "Thank God! Where are you, fav? Are you in one piece?" Yazmine put the phone on speaker as Cherish's soft laughter filled the room.

"I can imagine you, dramatic as hell right now. We're related for sure because I'd be the same if it were you."

"You don't have to play tough with me. I know it hurts." Yazmine sighed.

"I'm fine, fav. I just... I finally went up to the cemetery to visit my parents. It's been hard to visit since I have been back. I damn near set my mother's grave on fire."

Yazmine looked at Priest quickly. No wonder why he was so nonchalant. He actually did know exactly where she was. The question is how? Although that really shouldn't surprise her, giving who Priest used to be. But it did. He acted as if he didn't care when Yazmine called him about what happened. When she made it to Shooter's house because that's where Priest was, he was nonchalant about everything. Again, it wasn't convincing them, but he did not indicate that he was helping until moments ago. He knew Cherish every move from the moment Yazmine called him. Still, she felt like he should've put his misplaced anger to the side and went to be there for her.

"Cherish, what the hell? I hope you're lying."

"Nope. Had the gasoline and was ready to light it up, but it wouldn't change a thing or how I feel. I can't believe how fucking selfish she was. While we were in the house?!" Cherish's voice started to crack, breaking Yazmine's heart. She was so tired of things happening or being done to her cousin.

"I remembered that day. I blocked it from my memory, which I now understand why. It's traumatizing to even relive. I was talking to a corpse, all while my six-year-old self thought she was asleep. I kissed her. Pulled the cover over the rest of her body because her body was cold. I talked to Nehemiah. He said she took some pills after she cut herself multiple times. She bled out. That was the official cause of death. Obviously, she did both wanting to make sure one killed her—I swear, Yaz, I hate her! She's dead and I fucking hate her." Cherish cried, bringing tears to Yazmine's eyes.

"How could she do that? How could she leave us like that? We didn't know if depression was why she took her life. Why didn't anyone take her being down seriously? Why didn't my dad? Were her kids not enough? I have so many questions, and she's not here to answer any of them."

Despite getting tested for depression when she was with Priest, she makes sure to get tested every year or two just to make sure. While she never knew about her mother having clinical depression, she always felt it was best to get tested since she was depressed a lot. Rissa did take Cherish and Rakeem as kids, but that's when they were kids. Cherish wondered if her brother have it now because he sounds down when she talks to him sometimes. She chalks it up to him being in hiding for over a decade. She asked him, and of course, he denied it. She didn't know what the truth was, but got the feeling he might have it. She only hoped that her daughters wouldn't get it. Depression isn't something to take lightly. Her father didn't take it seriously and look what happened.

"I don't know. I wish I had the answers you're looking for to give you closure. Where are you right now?"

"Yaz, if you really wanted to find me, you would've had Priest—well, I doubt he cares; you would've asked Shooter to track me. You know what, fuck Priest. I don't need him. Fuck Marcus. And Rissa ass better act like I'm dead to her!" Cherish spoke emotionally.

Yazmine looked up at Priest. She wanted to tell Cherish that Priest knew where she was, but from the look Priest was giving Yazmine she knew he didn't want Cherish to know he still cares. Yazmine felt like Priest was being childish, but knew there were other things to take into account of the way he's acting. Priest could feel his heart wanting so badly to be there for her. Anyone could hear how broken her voice was. He honestly doesn't know how she deals with all that comes her way. No matter how much he wanted to say fuck it and go be there for her, he couldn't. His mind and his heart were having a war on which would win.

"Cherish..."

"Stop fucking talking to me like that, Yaz. I'm not going to do anything crazy. Well, anything else."

"I'm sorry." Yazmine apologized.

"No, I'm sorry." Cherish sniffled. "I just can't believe any of this. I can't believe they think I'm unstable. Most of my life has been dark. Loss. Pain. Grief. A black cloud still looming over me, fighting so hard to gain control, so I won't be able to let any light in—any happiness for too long. I've dealt with depression most of my life because things are always so dark for me. I never once contemplated on taking my life though. No matter how dark things gotten. I never once thought about then or leaving my babies now. I fought like hell through Postpartum depression just for my daughters. I would never. To know they think I would've done something to hurt them or myself—I am so sick of..."

"So sick of what?" Yazmine's voice cracked as she wiped her tears. Hearing how hurt Cherish sounds was really affecting her as well.

"I just need to get my mind right. Listen, I'm going off the grid for a few days—"

"No. Don't start that shit, Cherish." Yazmine told her.

Going off the grid for Cherish meant she needed time to herself. She would be unavailable for however long she decides. Normally, she'd pack up her kids and go somewhere for a few days to a week, but since they were currently with Patience, she could go alone. She FaceTimed Malaysia's iPad not long ago, Malaysia told her where they were and Cherish stopped by there before calling Yazmine. Yazmine used to hate when Cherish went off the grid because she never knew how Cherish was mentally doing. Cherish wouldn't reach out to anyone until they returned from wherever she would go. It was a little unnerving for Cherish's family, but going off the grid always helped Cherish a bit.

"If you want to know where I am, then have Shooter locate me. I really hope you won't though. I need this time alone. Part of me just wants to bury all my emotions so deep I become numb. That won't be good for anyone, especially me. I came so far with therapy, I can't go backwards. My mom committed suicide. My dad is dead, basically because of her. It's like cause and effect. My brother is gone. Marcus paid his aunt because he thinks I'm unstable. Now I want nothing to do with him. And my aunt... Rissa, one of the women I love most in the world—she didn't even want us." Cherish bit her lip. "Please don't look for me. I'll call you once I'm back."

"What about Malaysia and Honesti? You know they'll be looking for you."

"I stopped by mama Patience's house to see them. Malaysia knows I won't be available. Honesti doesn't understand. I'll still call them though. My babies won't feel neglected or abandoned, even for a second. I'm not my mother and would never be like her. After talking to mama Patience and pops, they both agreed that I need to take a few days to myself."

Once again, Yazmine looked at Priest because that's what he said. Priest loves how Cherish still claimed his parents. His parents love her, and that's why it'll be hard for any woman in his life that comes after her. Yazmine didn't bother asking about her sitting outside her parents house because she knew Priest was right about that as well.

"Promise me you'll be okay. Physically."

"I'll be okay. I love you, Yaz. I'm sorry about leaving you there when you came to that reunion with me."

Yazmine smiled. "I love you more, fav. It's okay. I'm always here for you. Always."

"That's something I know for sure. I'll talk to you when I get back." Cherish didn't wait for Yazmine to respond. She hung up.

"What does going off the grid mean when it comes to Cherish?" Priest finally spoke.

Yazmine scoffed. "Now you care? Just because you knew her whereabouts means nothing. You should've been wherever she was consoling her. You know how that feels? To know what Marcus, her cousin who's like a brother to her, was paying his aunt to keep a secret? To hear her aunt didn't want her? To hear and relive how her mother really died?"

"Sis—"

"You need to get your head out of your ass, Soul. Life is too short for you to be treating her the way you are. She slept with Von years ago. That picture was taken out of context and sent to cause drama. He brushed his lips against hers to initiate a kiss, and she pushed him off. I believe her when she said it because why lie about it? She was honest with you about meeting up with him. That didn't mean she was still sleeping with him. That picture was before he had something shoot at you. And if she was? So. Fucking. What? She's grown. She's single. She didn't know about any beef until you told her. Still, she showed loyalty to you by ending that friendship without having all the facts. God forbid it happens, but if something happens to her, you're going to feel guilty as hell from the way you're treating her, which she doesn't deserve. Do better." Priest said nothing because he knew she was 100% right.

"I'll take you home." Truth offered. Yazmine looked at him, unsure, but accepted the ride.

"Oh, and one last thing. However you're getting tabs on her whereabouts. Stop it. Her going off the grid means she wants to be alone. Allow her to do that in peace. She will not hurt herself. This ain't the first, second, nor the third time she's done this. It's just to clear her head." Yazmine told Priest before walking out of the living room.

Surprisingly, Shooter had been quiet the whole time. She couldn't get a read on if he was worried about Cherish as well, but he did have a look she couldn't exactly explain.

sitting outside the house where they used to live, Cherish's forehead was placed on her stirring wheel as she cried. She couldn't let it all out while on the phone with Yazmine. Tears rolled violently down her cheeks as she held her chest, forcing the air to leave her throat, since she was unknowingly holding in her breath. When she finally let herself breathe again, it just felt like something heavy weighed on her chest. Raising her head, she balled up her fists before hitting the steering wheel a fair amount of times. She couldn't pinpoint which was specifically weighing the heaviest on her chest.

A fire that could've nearly killed her and her kids.

Her mother killing herself.

Her father would still be alive if he didn't leave work early because of her mother.

Marcus thinking she's unstable and would hurt one of them or herself.

Marcus thinking she would follow in her mother's footsteps.

Her aunt not wanting her or her brother.

Things keep happening in her life.

Priest.

She didn't know exactly which one she was crying about either; maybe all the above. Too much was happening to cry about one specific thing. All she feels is a void—a dark void. That void felt so consuming it was almost taking complete control over her... like an empty feeling she was trying to be in control of. It felt as if she was trapped with no escaping, yet, there is a way to escape she just rather not at this very moment.

Marcus is like a brother to her. To some, it may not seem that serious, but it is. When her brother left, Marcus stepped up in ways a brother would for his sister. They've always been close. Had a bond like brother and sister. He was always there for her. Assuring her that she had another brother, and he wasn't going anywhere. And he didn't. It hurts like hell to hear what she heard. Then Rissa, she loves that woman with her whole heart. Rissa was always held in high standards when it came to Cherish because her aunt took them in. Raised them. Showered them with as much love as she could. To know her aunt didn't even want them, hurt like hell. Growing up, she always thought she was the luckiest girl to have an aunt like Rissa. Now, things have changed. That's the thing. Too much was changing since she moved back.

Looking at the house she once shared with her parents and brother, the house her mother killed herself in and took her last breath in; caused her sobs to come out louder than before. It hurts. She wanted to drown out the noise. Only for a moment.

__

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱𝗯𝘆𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵I just beat my cousin CHERISH SMITH ass! That weak, wannabe fashion designer tried it at our family reunion. She tried snaking me and I fucked her up! Wish someone recorded it. 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝘆𝗮𝘇tell your weak ass cousin to unblock me. I won't round too.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗽𝘂𝗳𝗳𝟮𝟭

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵Sounds like a lie to me. Where's the proof?

𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗕𝘆 𝗬𝗮𝘇𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵*Want. *Two. Please find you some business and something safe to do, lil bitch. You want some attention so bad. I'm not saying anything on my cousin behalf, but stop playing with her before I have someone your age to tag that ass.

𝗜𝘁𝘀𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘀𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇Girl Cherish scary as fuck she snaked me too I believe you Niah Cherish acts like her shit don't stink because she got a lil money that's why her baby daddy in love with my friend 😜 𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹let them know friend drop those pics

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗠𝗿𝘀𝗕💍𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲You mean this pic, friend? Can't post all of them. Daddy might be mad.

𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗕𝘆𝗬𝗮𝘇𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹Lmao. 💀 At y'all big age? Girl bye! You hoes so delusional it's actually sad. @𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲 please use punctuation next time.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗠𝗿𝘀𝗕💍𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲You been a hater since I met you, Yasmine. I'm convinced you want to suck my man dick.

𝟯𝟯𝟯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹Didn't your man cop Cherish some red diamonds? We saw him repost her picture saying she deserves the world. Girl, leave that man alone. Niggas love they bm. 🤣✌🏽

𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗕𝘆𝗬𝗮𝘇𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹*Yazmine. And your "man" doesn't even want you lmfao. Finish being a dummy to a nigga that doesn't even respect you. 💯 You, Niah, and Paris all have something in common. All of you got beat up by the same person. Not to mention your momma Niah as well as yours Crystal. 🤣 How y'all face feel? I'm not even about to entertain you weak bitches no more.

It's true. About a week and a half ago, Cherish fought Crystal and when her colorist mother tried to jump in, Cherish gave her the work as well. Crystal's face was swollen and looked as if she had an allergic reaction. Crystal's mother looked just as bad. Everyone Cherish fought was bigger than her, including Niah; weight size. Cherish slim thick frame was only 124 pounds, but she didn't do any fucking around. All knew that, and the fact they were still talking big shit was funny to Yazmine.

𝗜𝘁𝘀𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘀𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘃𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗬𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹Friend yaz is ran through just like her cousin 😂 somebody tag theshaderoom I got proof she sleeping with they been locked in and this social media hoe I don't need to use punctuated