[9 days till the wedding ...]

20th March 2021

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Maniya slammed her locker shut and handed Tai her textbooks. Her next class was right next to his, so he always came to meet her at her locker and carried her books for her. Chloe watched them from across the hall, jealously running through her.

"I hate Ms. Jones, she gave us like a 10 page packet." Tai complained, "With her nasty ass breath,"

Maniya giggled pushing her glasses up her face, "I like her, she never gives me a slip when I'm late,"

"Hmpf that bitch must like you," Tai grumbled throwing his arm around her shoulder.

Maniya looked at his hand and then back at his face, "Whatchu doing friend?" She asked emphasising the word friend.

"Stop calling me that," Tai replied stale facing her. Tai was serious when he said he was all for Maniya. She was his type, someone that didn't do too much and was easy to vibe with.

"So we're not friends?" She asked with a pout.

"We could be more than friends but you're playing," Tai said nudging her shoulder. Chloe was tired of seeing them all booed up right in front of her so she decided to cause a problem.

"Watch where you're going bitch!" Chloe hollered after she purposely budged Maniya.

Maniya scrunched up her face. First of all, Chloe was being too damn loud for no reason and secondly, who was she calling a bitch?

"Man Chloe move around," Tai said already irritated by her presence.

"Princess can't speak for herself?" Chloe asked tilting her head to the side,

"Oh I can talk for myself but like I've told you before I don't like talking - I will knock the shit out of you," Maniya said. She was over Chloe and her unnecessary problems. If it wasn't her dragging Maniya on social media, it was causing a scene at school.

"How would mommy and daddy feel about that?" Chloe taunted.

"Don't speak about my parents," Maniya said pushing Tai's arm off her shoulder,

"Why?" Chloe said laughing, "Wait I forgot your mama's a victim,"

Maniya clenched her jaw, this wasn't the first time Chloe brought up her mom's past when they were arguing. Tai stepped forward, he could see Maniya slowly getting angry.

"Oh you thought no one knew," Chloe laughed. "Being famous didn't stop your mama getting beat on," Jealously seethed through her words. Chloe hated Maniya, she had everything Chloe wanted. Two loving parents that kept her decked out in the nicest shit, the guy that shes wanted ever since she met him. Maniya had everything.

"Chloe shut the fuck up," Tai said lowly trying to get Maniya out of this situation.

"What did you just say?" Maniya said dropping her purse on the floor.

"Do you even know who your daddy is? Word on the street is that your mom got around —" Chloe started, before she could finish her sentence, Maniya punched her right in the nose. All Maniya could see was red, she started throwing punches fast. Chloe was keeping up but her punches weren't landing as hard, she managed to cut Maniya's lip with her ring but that was it.

"Stop," Tai said as he grabbed Maniya. He was holding her back whilst trying to whisper in her ear. "Come on Maniya stop it,"

Maniya was still trying to get out of his grip, "Move Tai, I'm gonna fuck her up," She shouted. All the noise caused the teachers to run out and clear the halls.

"Chill out," Tai said holding her arms. Angry tears fell down Maniya's face, Tai had never seen her like this. Clearly the topic was a soft spot for her. He didn't know that Dave and Naala weren't Maniya's parents but he did wonder why they were so young. He just assumed her mom and dad were teenage sweethearts.

"She's lying right?" Tai said soothingly, "Don't let her get to you," Surprisingly, Tai was calming her down. Her breathing was still heavy and tears were still rolling down her face but she'd stopped trying to get to Chloe.

"Maniya in my office." The principal said pointing to his office. Maniya saw Chloe being dragged in the opposite direction, her whole face leaking.

Tai followed Maniya into the principal's office but this principal stopped him.

"Mr Thomas, you need to get to class," The principal said. Tai sucked his teeth and handed Maniya her purse before kissing her cheek. The principal watched their interaction with a small smile, young love he thought.

Maniya's leg bounced up and down in anger. She didn't understand how Chloe knew so much about Naala, it made her so angry.

"Your mom is on her way," Principal Zeller said putting the phone down. Maniya cursed lowly, she really didn't want her mom to know about this.

"Did you have to call her?" Maniya finally spoke looking at the principal,

"It's the schools policy, I'm afraid." He replied, "Maniya you're a good girl, you keeps your grades up, you have excellent punctuality and attendance - you have no business fighting anyone,"

Maniya rolled her eyes, "She got under my skin," She replied simply,

"Chloe is notorious for that," The principal said shaking his head, "That doesn't mean you give in,"

Maniya scoffed, it was easy for him to say. Maniya felt very protective over her parents, without them God knows where she would be so comments like the ones Chloe made, hurt her.

"We'll wait for your mom to arrive," The principal sighed. He was trying to get through to her but she wasn't letting up.

Tai lingered in the hallway, he wasn't going to class until he knew Maniya was okay. The doors opened and he saw Naala walking through with a worried expression. Naala was dressed casually in a black Chanel sweatsuit. Her sunglasses sat on top of her hair and her phone was up to her ear.

"I'm here now," She said into the phone before hanging up. Naala caught eyes looking at her and saw Tai stood by some lockers.

"Hi Mrs Brewster," He said politely. Naala smiled lightly,

"Just Naala is fine," She replied. She put her phone into her purse and looked around. Tai sensed where she was looking for,

"The principal's office is that way," Tai said pointing down the hall. Naala thanked him and walked as fast as the baby would let her.

Naala got to the front desk where the principal's assistant sat, "I'm here for my daughter, Maniya Love- Brewster," When they enrolled Maniya at the school, they realised that she needed a last name. Instead of keeping the one she had, they combined their surnames. That was now her name on her passport also.

Maniya's head shot up as she saw heard the sound of her mom's voice. The principal stood to open his office door,

"Oh you're okay," Naala huffed, sitting beside Maniya.

"Hi mommy," Maniya replied lowly. Naala looked at her face, tilting her head to look for any marks.

"Mrs Brewster, I'm happy you could make it," The principal said,

"Please call me Naala," Naala replied, she wasn't a Brewster yet and she hated being called Mrs.

"Can you tell me what happened? And why my daughter is sitting here with a scratch on her face?" Naala added, sitting her purse down.

"There was an altercation between Maniya and another student." The principal said. Naala snapped her head to Maniya,

"You were fighting?" She asked blinking at her. Maniya had been acting out recently, first her outburst in Atlanta and now this.

"She started it mama," Maniya spoke in her defence. She saw how disappointed her mom looked.

"As you know Mrs Brewster, I'm sorry, Naala - we don't condone violence of any sort. Maniya will be suspended for a week, on her return to school, there will be a meeting between both of the students and their parents." Principal Zeller said,

"I hope the other student is being suspended," Naala said raising a brow,

"Of course. Both of them were wrong," Principal Zeller nodded.

"Did you hear that?" Naala asked Maniya. To Naala, Maniya looked like she couldn't careless about what was going on.

Maniya nodded and looked down. "Nope use your words," Naala said picking up her purse.

"Yes I understand," Maniya mumbled playing with her fingers. Naala looked over at the principal and stood up slowly,

"Me and her father will be back for the meeting," Naala said to the principal.

"Thank you for your time," Principal Zeller smiled. Naala put her purse on her shoulder and slid her sunglasses down her face.

"Let's go," Naala said ushering Maniya out of the office. No words were shared between them until they got into the hallway,

"Did you beat her ass?" Naala asked quietly making Maniya snigger,

"Left her leaking," Maniya replied looking over at her mom. Naala turned back to see if there was anyone there and when she saw no one she lifted her hand up for a high five.

"That's my girl," Naala said proudly as they left the school.

Maniya was shocked. She was bracing herself for the shouting or the punishment but then she realised, she didn't have anything left for them to take.

They got into the car and Naala started the car up. She glanced at her,

"Why were you fighting?" Naala asked her. She doesn't condone fighting but she knew her girls could be.

"She was talking so much shit, sorry stuff," Maniya corrected herself when she saw her mom give her a warning glance.

"About what?" Naala questioned. "That boy?"

"No not Tai," Maniya responded shaking her head, "It was about you and your past,"

Naala glanced over as she reached a red light. "About me?" She mumbled.

"She said stuff about how you used to get beat on and that you used to get around," Maniya said honestly. She never held back the truth with Naala, she was her best friend.

Naala bit her lip, how could this girl know all these things. "What's her name?"

"Chloe Williams," Maniya replied making Naala shake her head. Chloe was Taina's baby cousin, meaning Taina must have been running her mouth.

"That bitch," Naala muttered, "I don't need you fighting for me Maniya. Those are rumours, nothing more, nothing less. If you don't feel comfortable then we can move you,"

Maniya shook her head quickly, "Mama she was saying stuff about you, everyone heard it. I was embarrassed, I had to do something."

"I can fight for myself Niya. Don't let her get a rise out of you. I'm not proud of my past, I'm sorry that you're being dragged into it," Naala said quietly. She didn't know that Chloe went to that school otherwise she would have never sent Maniya there.

"It's not your fault," Maniya said softly. She didn't want to make her mom feel bad for things she had no control over.

"She's the one that was spreading rumours about you?" Naala questioned, connecting the dots.

Maniya nodded making Naala sigh. "I'll talk to your dad, we'll see if you can transfer," Naala said turning onto the freeway.

"I don't want to move schools mom, I like it there," Maniya told her,

"Because of Tai?" Naala said with a light smirk, "I saw him looking all pouty outside the office,"

"Really?" Maniya said feeling giddy inside, "He was waiting for me?"

"He was," Naala nodded. "Y'all clearly aren't friends. I can't stop you from seeing him but no relationships Niya,"

"I heard you before Ma," Maniya sighed putting her head against the window.

"I've already told Amir about what happened, when he gets back from the studio he wants to speak to you," Naala added speeding past a few slow drivers.

Maniya didn't reply, she was already on punishment so this really wasn't going to help get her stuff back.

~~

"Cabo come here boy," Naala said from the kitchen. She was currently making everyone some popcorn for their weekly family night. It normally consisted of them going to the movies and then coming home to play some games but they didn't feel like leaving the house, especially after Maniya's suspension.

Naala heard the pitter patter of his tiny paws running into the kitchen. She laid down his water for him and stroked his fur, "You are just the cutest little thing," Naala gushed at him.

"Mommy hurry up," Sinai called from the movie room. It was Sinai's turn to pick a movie and of course she picked Despicable Me 2. She'd watched that movie over a hundred times but it never got old to her.

Naala hurriedly put the popcorn into a big bowl and took 4 separate bowls for each person. She felt the baby move slightly and curl up right under her ribs, which she hated.

"You missed the beginning," Dave said as Naala sat beside him. He was meant to be working but his family came first, they were the most important thing to him.

"I've watched it so many times," Naala responded, leaning on him. He wrapped his arms around her and placed his hands on her stomach.

"Stop because then -" Naala spoke too soon. Anytime Dave spoke near her belly or put his hands on her belly, the baby would start moving around like crazy.

"My baby knows what's up," Dave smirked. He always enjoyed feeling his baby, it made him fall in love with Naala even more. The fact that she could carry his children and so flawlessly, showed him how strong she truly was.

"Shhh," Sinai said shushing her mom and dad. They never listened to the movie.

"Sorry baby," Naala whispered cuddling into Dave more and turning her attention to the big screen ahead of them.

Maniya sat on her own, her eyes were on the screen but her mind was elsewhere. She was having a bad day but no one seemed to notice. When she got back from school, she isolated herself in her room. She really didn't want to fall back into her depressive state but she didn't feel like she had anything to live for.

"Mama can I go upstairs?" Maniya finally asked. She remembered she stashed a few razors in her bathroom cabinet. Naala looked over at her with a puzzled look, Maniya hadn't been behaving herself at all today and she assumed it had something to do with the fight.

"You don't want to watch the movie?" Naala asked sitting up. Maniya shook her head and stood up heading out of the movie room and to her room.

Dave looked up and stopped Naala from following behind her. "Give her some space baby," Dave said in Naala's ear.

To him, Maniya was a 16 year old girl that was on punishment, she was probably bored. Naala didn't think that, she knew her daughter and she knew something was up.

"There's something wrong Amir," Naala muttered biting her lip,

"She's probably bored Love, don't give in," Dave said referring to her punishment. Dave knew that Naala could be weak when it came to reprimanding Maniya.

"I don't like that Amir, I know my daughter," Naala said standing up. "Sinai mommy will be right back."

Sinai ignored her mom and kept her eyes on the screen, shoving popcorn in her mouth periodically. Dave shook his head but let her go, if she thought something was up then she could deal with it.

Naala walked up the stairs slowly, holding the railing tightly. She was a small woman so when pregnant it was like she was carrying twice her weight. By the time she got up the steps, she was out of breath. Naala drifted down the hall, peaking into Saint's room and then making her way to Maniya's.

On opening the door, Naala felt sick to her stomach. There Maniya was, sat on her bed gliding a razor across her skin.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Naala said loudly making Maniya jump and drop the razor. On hearing Naala's shriek, Dave got up in a hurry and ran up the stairs.

He too was shocked by the sight of Maniya bleeding out on the white carpet. He slowly walked pasted Naala who was stood in the same position, frozen and led Maniya into the bathroom, closing the door behind them.

Silent tears slide down Maniya's face as her dad tended to her wounds. She was embarrassed, embarrassed that she was caught and embarrassed that she didn't succeed in what she wanted to do.

"How long?" Dave asked lowly earning no response. "How long have you been doing this to yourself Maniya?" He repeated. He looked up at her and was met with empty eyes. It was like she wasn't even there.

Maniya lazily shrugged in response to his question. She didn't know how long, she just knew that it made her feel better - it helped her breathe easily.

Naala rushed out of the room and into the storage cupboard. She got out all her cleaning materials and rushed to clean up the blood that was pooling on the floor. On her hands and knees, she scrubbed endlessly at the floor.

When Dave had finally bandaged Maniya up and opened the bathroom door, they both saw Naala scrubbing the floor.

"Baby it's clean," Dave mumbled watching her go back and forth over the spot.

"I have to clean it," Naala said softly with tears running down her face, "The blood, it- it's so much,"

Dave knew exactly what this was. In addition to Naala's diagnosis, Dr Black told him that she had borderline obsessive compulsive disorder and that it stemmed from her bipolar. It was only heightened when she believed something was out of her control. Just like when Sinai was hurt, Naala would clean the hospital room until she couldn't.

"It's gone Naala," Dave said bending down and putting his hands over hers. The blood was indeed gone but the white carpet was ruined.

Ignoring the two of them, Maniya got into her bed and pulled the covers over her head. When Dave finally got Naala to stop cleaning, he took her back downstairs with Sinai.

"Stay here." He whispered to Naala, kissing her head. Naala stared straight ahead, with tears still in her eyes. She needed to clean, it was all she knew. If something was wrong, the first thing she would do - would be to clean.

Dave took a deep breath before going back upstairs. He packed away all the cleaning stuff and cleaned away the things he used to bandage her up. Maniya was still laying in her bed, trying not to cry too loudly. She knew that this would be a trigger for her mom, that's why she normally did it when no one was home; but today she couldn't wait.

Dave sat at the edge of her bed, playing with his beard. "Maniya," He said lowly but loud enough for her to hear,

"Maniya. I know you aren't gonna answer me but can you tell me why? Is there something going on at school that we should know about?" Dave asked turning to face her. When he got home, he spoke to Maniya and she seemed fine, so what could have been bothering her. Even though her face was covered, Dave knew she was listening.

After moments of silence, he gave up. "I just want you to know that we're here Niya, you can talk to us about anything. You're not alone," And with those words, he left her room, leaving the door open just in case.

Those words stuck with Maniya, she'd never felt apart of a family until she came into this one and hearing and seeing the pain she was causing them, made her feel bad.

"Daddy?" She croaked out, making Dave stop in his tracks and spin back round, back into the room.

Maniya had now sat up in her bed, her face red and stained with tears. "I-I'm sorry daddy," She mumbled unable to look him in the eye.

Dave nodded and moved closer to her. He was now stood by her bedside, directly in front of her.

"Can I give you a hug?" He asked looking at her. Letting a few more tears fall, Maniya nodded allowing him to wrap his arms around her.