When The Smoke Clears...

Chapter 4

Saturday morning, I woke up to the my phones alarm blaring. I glanced at the time before tapping my phone to dismiss the alarm. It was 5:30 a.m. I hated having to work on weekends but it was somewhat worth it when I saw my check. Although I didn't have to go to work until 10:30, I liked to give myself enough time to go for a run, eat breakfast and shower. I got up and changed into my turquoise Nike sports bra and matching leggings. I went into my bathroom to clean my face and brush my teeth. Afterwards I tied my locs up into a bun then headed downstairs to grab and fill my Camel-bak with ice and water. I went into the backyard where I stretched for about 10 minutes. Once I felt all warmed up and stretched out I exited the gate and started a a moderate jog through the neighborhood. I used to hate running but over the years I had grown to love-hate it. I only enjoyed running before the sun came up because that's when it was the most cool and the neighborhood was still barely waking up. When I ran I didn't focus on anything but my breathing and listening to my bomb playlist. My favorite song to listen to while running was Unstoppable by Drake. I always started off with that one and put the rest on shuffle to set the pace. I had ran about a mile and a half when my phone started ringing. I tried to ignore it the first few rings but eventually I gave in and pressed the button on my headphones to answer it. "Yo," I breathed while trying not to get too distracted. The part of the road I was on had started to incline which meant I had to pick up the pace a little. "That's how you answer the phone for your man?" I chuckled once I realized it was Jonathan on the line. "Hey baby and sorry I'm just running right now." "Need some company?" "No what I need is my music and not your annoying voice." "Ouch babe. Well I guess-" The phone hung up before he finished his sentence. I continued to run and made a mental note that I would call him back later.
About five minutes later I felt a finger tap on my shoulder, I turned to my right only to find my boyfriend running along side me only wearing a pair of red basket ball shorts and his faithful black RN8 running shoes. "You're a stalker." He laughed but I wasn't in a joking mood. "No you're just predictable. You've been running the same route since you were 16." I rolled my eyes because although this was true it didn't mean he could just pop up on me whenever he felt like it. "Okay but you don't even live in my neighborhood so how- you find me so fast if you weren't already STALKING me!" I began to sprint even though I knew Jonny could catch up with me. I mean I was only 5'6 so his legs and my legs were on 2 totally different levels. "I was at T's house when I saw you jogging by and you know he only stays like 2 houses down from you. So being the gentleman that I am, I decided to accompany my girlfriend on her run. Now the egg is on your face because I wasn't stalking you!" He increased his pace as well until he was closer to me. Terrance did only live about a block away from my house and Jon was almost always over there on the weekends whenever he wasn't with me or his mom. I just hated how he thought I always needed him, like I didn't have mace or a switch knife in the pouch of my camel-bak. I enjoyed being alone and having time away from him. At times he made me feel smothered and I hated that feeling. I could never be completely honest with him though because he was sensitive at times."Okay fine, just shut up and come on." I turned my headphones up and kept running I had no intention on hearing what he said afterwards.

We ran for about 3.5 miles before we began running back to my house. Normally I only ran 5 miles in total but just to impress Jon and show him I didn't play around, I decided to push for 7. Everything on my body ached but It was worth watching him struggle to keep up after we hit the 6th mile. "What's wrong Mr.Romano? You look a little winded." I teased as I slid the back glass door to enter the house. "Shut up, I prefer my cardio to be on a machine." He closed the door behind him then followed me to the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of water from the freezer and handed it to him. He sat at the dining room table before gulping it down. I glanced down at my Fitbit and saw that its was 7:30. "I remember when you first started running and could barely run 2 miles, now your pushing 7 babe?" I shrugged and started to gloat. "Just light work." He threw his empty bottle at  me. "Awww don't be a hater Jonny." "I'm not you're just being cocky." He stood, removed his white T-shirt from his pocket, and put it on. I couldn't help but look at his abs as he did so. "It's okay boo just accept the fact that I'm better than you." I grabbed the same water bottle he threw and attempted to shoot it in the trash. Before it could make it in Jon smacked it away and yelled "Not today!" While waving his index finger in my face. I just rolled my eyes and ignored him. "So you want some breakfast? I was just gonna make something quick before I have to get ready for work." "Sure babe you need any help?" I shook my head and waved him away. "You just relax and keep me company." He sat down and pulled his Samsung cell phone from his pocket. "Okay cool I'll just play Mario karts or something." I washed my hands throughly before grabbing eggs, Turkey bacon, whole wheat bread, and fruit from the fridge. My mom always liked to eat healthy so our fridge consist of only organic fruits, vegetables, and some vegan products. At first I hated the change and sometimes missed different foods; but after a while I got used to it and learned to like it. "What'd you and Terrance do last night?" I tried to make small talk while I prepared breakfast. "Well actually I had to pick him up from this party or kickback I think is what he calls it, cause he was too drunk to drive home." I shook my head Terrance was always asking Jon to come save him at the last minute; and being the good friend he is Jonny never left him hanging. "Terrance always at somebody's kickback getting messed up. He better not let coach find out he's drinking. He's probably smoking too." Jon shrugged. "I doubt he's smoking anymore, coach Lopez drug tests us every other week it seems." "Well has Terrance ever failed?" "No or at least that's what he tells me." We continued to talk until I was done cooking. I fixed his plate and brought it to him along with a cup of orange juice. I went back to the kitchen to fix mine when I heard someone running down the stairs. From how light and fast the footsteps were I knew it was Cameron. He would stay with us for the last two weeks of the month then go back to live with his mom for 4 weeks. Cameron loved both his parents equally he was just having a hard time adjusting to the fact that Jason was marrying Mama. "Good morning ugly." Cameron was 11 now and a pain in my side. Although he annoyed the hell out of me, I knew he was happy to have a big sister. "Shut up lil punk." I punched his shoulder and he swatted at me. "What's up Jonathan." "What's up Cam." They slapped five before Cam ran back to the kitchen to grab a plate. "I saw your game last night. You were cold man. I'm trynna play basketball too but my dad thinks I'm better at football and track." He walked over with his plate of food and sat at the table next to Jon. Cam had a habit of talking and not waiting for a response. So as he continued to talk his ear off, Jon just nodded and said a few uh-huh's while he ate his food. I could tell he was becoming slightly irritated after the 6th uh-huh so I decided to intervene. "Why are you up shorty?" I questioned. Cam stopped talking and cut his eyes at me. "Why are you fat Crystal?" "Boy you know that's a lie. But for real why are you up? Cause normally you sleep until 12:30 or until Jason wakes you up so what's up?" He shrugged and stuffed some eggs in his mouth before he continued. "Daddy taking me to sky zone today." As if on cue, Jason walked into the dining area. "Good morning daughter," "Good morning Jason." He kissed my cheek before acknowledging Jonathan. "Good morning J, I didn't realize you were coming over today I thought Crystal had work." "Good morning Mr. Jason. And I was just at a friends house up the road when I saw Crys running alone and decided to join her." Jason nodded while pouring himself a glass of orange juice and taking a seat across from Cam. "Well I'm glad you accompanied her on her run but I'm not sure if Nikki would be okay with-" "Not to be rude Jason, but Jon would come over all the time before you moved in. Besides I asked my mother permission before I invited him over. See," I slid my phone across the table to show him proof. Jason stiffened and I watched as his jaw clenched. He hated being wrong and he hated it even more when I corrected him. He handed my phone back to me. "Crystal I think it's best you asks your company to leave so we can have a family discussion." The room grew silent and suddenly felt awkward. Jason sometimes forgot that he wasn't my real father and him trying to dictate how I lived my life was not something I was going to allow him to do. Sensing the tension, Jon stood. "I don't want any trouble Mr. Jason so I'll just leave. Thanks for breakfast Crys, text me when you get off from work." He kissed my cheek and then left instead of waiting for either of us to respond. I sometimes hated how weak he was, he didn't like confrontation so instead of standing his ground he just left. Of course this wasn't his battle to fight but still it would have been nice for him to defend me. I sighed as I sat there looking at his empty plate. I didn't want to hear anything else from Jason however I knew he was about to say something I didn't like. "I think you need to show me more respect as the man of this house. Regardless if I'm your biological father, I'm still here and I still help to pay these bills." He had some nerve coming at me sideways while my mother wasn't here. Like I said before he had a way of pushing my buttons. Instead of answering him I grabbed the empty plates left on the table and brought them to the dishwasher. I checked my phone for the time and saw it was 8:45 so I proceeded to leave the dining room. "Where are you going?" He called out after me but I just continued to ignore him. This was my specialty, because I would rather not say anything then say what was really on my mind. I didn't want to hurt his ego any further.

Once I was in my room I grabbed my blue uniform shirt from my closet, some khaki skinny jeans, and my all white forces. I worked at a sports and outdoors store called Academy for about a year now and I enjoyed it, mostly because the managers understood being flexible with hours since I was still in high school. After laying my clothes out on the bed I proceeded to the bathroom so I could shower. While I was in the shower and listening to my music my cell phone started to ring. I hated when people called me right in the middle of a good song. Stepped out of the shower halfway to see it was. My phone sat on a steel shelf that was maybe 2 feet away. I looked at the caller I.d and saw it was Jonathan so I hit decline. Sometimes I didn't feel like talking on the phone especially if I was busy. He hated when I did that but eventually got over it when he realized I wasn't going to always cater to his wants. I went into my room once I was done and got dressed. I put my glasses on and decided to let my locs flow past my shoulders. I didn't wear much makeup due to the fact that it was time consuming and all I really needed was lip gloss because I was gorgeous regardless. I took one final look at myself before grabbing my black leather jacket, polo scarf, wallet and car keys then exiting the house. My mother had gifted me her old 2010 black Nissan Altima for my 16th birthday almost two years ago. My father was a mechanic so he had no problems installing a Bluetooth radio, as back up camera, and black chrome rims. I absolutely loved my car.
It took me about 15 minutes to get to work so when I arrived it was 9:43. Since I had time to spare I decided to call Mama and tell her what transpired earlier between Jason and I. "Hello," She answered after the 3rd ring. "Hey mama hows it going?" I could tell by the clinking noises on her end of the phone she was probably at the gym. "Good baby, I just got done with my 4th client already. If time keeps flying by like this I'll be home to cook dinner for once." She chuckled and I joined in. Mama really didn't have time to prepare dinner lately so I mostly just ate out or cooked whenever Jason didn't. "I think it would be nice to have a family dinner since it's been a while. If I make it home before you and Jason I'll make something." "You're so sweet baby. Did you need something? Not that I don't love your calls, I just know you don't call me this early unless you need to talk." I sighed because she was right and she knew me so well. "Well Jason was a bit rude when Jonathan came over for breakfast this morning. He told him to leave after I had already explained to him you gave permission for Jonathan to come over. Then he tried to tell me that I need to respect him for being the man of the house and blah blah blah. Mama I have been nothing but respectful to that man so I don't understand where his hostility came from." Mama was silent for a while but eventually she responded. "Crystal, since I know you, you probably said something smart." "But mama I-" I tried to interject but she shut me down"Let me finish. Now I know Jason too and he sometimes lets his ego speak for him before he allows his true thoughts to catch up. That being said we can discuss it tonight over dinner when I get home. I think you should apologize Crystal." Now this pissed me off. Why did I have to apologize to this man for his hurt ego? Jason could be a cool stepfather but other times he was a dick. "It's just to keep the peace baby, maybe your tone came off wrong as well as his. I'll talk to him too and set him straight okay? But just suck up your pride and say sorry you hear me?" I rolled my eyes then mumbled "Yes ma'am." "Okay good well I gotta go, I'll let you know what time I'm coming home. Love you Crys." "Love you too mama." I hung up the phone and punched the steering wheel. I needed to calm down before I went to work and gave everyone in that store attitude. I attempted to contact my best friend Taylor. The phone rang for a while before she answered. "Mmmm hello?" She breathed into the phone. "Girl what are you doing?" I questioned, looking at my phone as if it had a disease. I know damn well she did not answer this phone during sex."Hmm, girl nothing!" She tried to laugh it off but still sound winded. "What's up? You need something?" "Uhhh just to talk for a few minutes until I have to go to work but I can call back if you're busy." "Noooo. I'm not busy let's talk girl" "You sure? You sound winded." This time I laughed. Knowing Taylor she was probably getting freaky with some dude. "Shut up! I got asthma." "Mhmm and who's your inhaler you sucking on?" We both laughed but continued to talk. She did exactly what a best friend was supposed to do and cheered me up. Before I knew it, it was 10:25 and time for me to clock in. "Alright sis, I gotta go. I'll text you when I get off maybe we can do something?" "Mhmmm maybe! Bye girl love you." She rushed off the phone I just shook my head. "Taylor a lil thot." I said underneath my breath then went in to work.