Not So Bad After All (BWWM)(EDITING)

Chapter Twenty. Thanksgiving Part One

"So then, what're you gonna do today?"

"Work out. Nothing else to do. Plus I can't slack off just cause we're on vacation."

"Well, why don't-" I was cut off by loud obnoxious music rounding the corner.

The big black Chevy Tahoe parked in front of the house and my big brother hopped out of it with a goofy grin on his face after turning his vehicle off.

"Family!" He greeted excitedly over his music.

Before he even approached the house halfway my mom came rushing out of it, slippers on, apron on, and a spoon in her hand.

"My baby!" She yelled happily as she rushed to Jason and smothered him with a hug and kisses.

"Alright Ma, okay! Okay!" He laughed. "I missed you too."

"Come now, I made your favorite, lasagna. The ham just came out of the oven and the baked macaroni is going in next." She continued as she led Jason up to the house.

She noticed Jayden standing beside me and looked confused.

"Hello stranger," She greeted. "Geez love, you look so different. I almost didn't recognize you there."

Jayden ever so slightly smiled at my mom. "Hello, it's nice to see you again."

Wow... Who knew he had such manners?

"You would think that I'd see a lot of you considering we're neighbors," Mom giggled. "Then again you kids are always busy these days. What are you doing here, though? I saw your family pack up and leave this morning."

Jayden became visibly uncomfortable as he sifted through his thoughts to give my Mom an answer.

"Um... They went to my sister's house for the holiday."

I knew it! I knew they just left him here! Lately I've just been sad for him, but now I'm angry. How could parents do that to their kid? How could you mistreat someone you created!

"And they left you here?" She asked in disbelief. "On a holiday?"

"Well, I-"

"I swear those people..." She trailed off shaking her head. "You know what? You come over here and join us for thanksgiving, yeah?"

"Well, I actually-"

"I won't take no for an answer," She insisted. "No one should be left alone for the holidays. Especially not a child. You come join our family tonight."

I could tell Jayden was going to protest again but for some reason he decided not to.

"Oh, I have so much left to do in so little time," Mom whined. "Rose baby, come with me. I need your help."

Oh, now you want my help. You just kicked me out 'cause I was in your way, I thought to myself.

Mom grabbed my arm and dragged me inside but not before I gave Jason and Jayden a desperate look for help.

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Jayden's Pov

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I don't want to stay for dinner. I want to go to my quiet house and work out. I couldn't tell Rose's mother that though. She's too sweet, plus I have no doubt that she'd slap the shit out of me for being disrespectful. I also have no doubt that Rose gets her anger issues and that annoying perfectionist trait of hers from her mother as well. But that's also what makes them good people.

I wonder if there's any chance that I could get out of this... I pondered.

"Man I haven't seen you in forever," Jason said giving me dap.

"I know man."

"What's up with you? How you been?"

I truly didn't even know how to answer that question. It's been a strange couple of months for me. Not all good, not all bad.

I shrugged, "I've been alright. Same old shit, I guess. What about you college boy?"

"You already know. Pussy, money, and good grades. So I guess ain't shit change," We laughed.

Besides Brandon and Ryan, Jason was one person that I was still cool with sense our childhood days. We used to get into some crazy shit together. Ryan was always the one who found the trouble and the rest of us always had to fight his battles for him. He's actually been on my mind a lot lately. We used to be really close, but he started hanging with people he shouldn't be hanging out with. Then he started changing and doing shit I never wanted to be involved with. Then the issue with him and Rose... He just changed and not for the better. I hope that one day he will find himself again because that's the only way we could be cool again.

But Jason on the other hand was one of those people that you didn't have to talk to or see everyday to hold a friendship. Every time he came home, we'd crash a party and get fucked up together.

After a while of talking and catching up a little, Jason's mother called out to us through the cracked window in the living room.

"Boys, come in here!"

"What are my chances of getting out of this and going home?" I asked Jason.

"You'd have a better chance trying to escape prison."

"I figured."

He laughed and shoved my shoulder playfully, "Come on man."

I reluctantly entered the familiar home with Jason. I thought the smell of food was strong from the outside, but it was nothing compared to the inside! I have never smelled anything so amazing in my life, not food anyway...

Suddenly my stomach growled and I thought to myself, maybe this won't be so bad after all.