Hate was a strong word and Ayoluwa preferred to love and protect people when she could.

She didn't even hate Joshua despite all the shit he talked about her and to her throughout the years they've known each other.

But boy, was Ayoluwa starting to absolutely loathe her sister and her boyfriend.

Ayoluwa had set up her keyboard in the living room to test out melodies for the still mostly unwritten love song.

On the dark couch was Shaqir, Shareef, Dior and Nicholas who were refusing to let Ayoluwa have a moment alone when they could help it.

The boys were playing an intense game of Fortnite on Shaqir's playstation.

"Yeah!" Dior cheered causing Ayoluwa to snap her head up.

"Not so loud. I just put Lauryn to sleep." Ayoluwa warned.

"Sorry." Dior muttered then returned his attention to the game.

Ayoluwa took the black hair tie off of her wrist and tied all of her locs back before continuing to tickle the ivories.

The front door opened causing everyone in the room to pause to see who was coming.

Imani left the door open as she swept into the hallway that led to her room then back to the foyer with silence and a pointed glare at her sister.

But before she could go back outside, Imani sent Ayoluwa a wicked grin then closed the front door with a heavy slam that echoed throughout the house.

"Bitch." Ayoluwa snapped lowly as she rose from her stool.

She padded barefoot to Lauryn's room, decorated with a pink tiara on the door, and slowly opened the door as not to make noise.

Thankfully, the toddler was still fast asleep in her bed, the sound of her snoring giving Ayoluwa a deep sound of relief.

Ayoluwa walked back to the living room, "I hate her. I wish she would move out."

"You don't mean that." Nicholas replied.

"I do, actually. I think she's a selfish bitch." Ayoluwa huffed as she sat down at the keyboard.

Her fingers started to play the intro to Put That On Everything by Brandy, the song that she played when she was just too upset to play anything else.

"If you're looking to find a love that will stand till the end of time, baby, relax your mind, my love is here," Ayoluwa sang softly, already feeling her anger start to dissipate.

"I'd do everything, I swear, take the pain and the hurt, you won't know it's there, your wants will be nothing, put that on everything." Ayoluwa continued lowly.

She slowly raised her vision to spot Shaqir, Dior and Shareef staring at her.

"Sorry. It's my warm up song." Ayoluwa immediately stopped playing.

Out of all of her friends, Nicholas was the only one who took music as seriously as she did so he had heard her play and sing much more than anyone else.

"I wish you would let me introduce you to some our dad's music friends. I could probably have you featuring on a Drake song by tomorrow." Shaqir said, causing Nicholas to laugh.

Ayoluwa simply shook her head, "That would mean leaving Lauryn and my grandma. Which means it can't happen right now."

Shaqir shook his head at her words as Shareef's phone rang.

"Hello? Hey, Josh." Shareef glanced at Ayoluwa who simply rolled her eyes then went back to playing notes on the keyboard.

"Nah, I'm kinda busy. Tomorrow though," Shareef was quiet for a moment, "Aight."

Then he hung up.

"You didn't tell him we were over here?" Dior inquired without looking away from the tv screen.

"He would have a fit if he knew huh? Like a little kid, right?" Ayoluwa chimed in.

Shareef sighed, "Please don't start."

"I'm just asking a question." Ayoluwa replied.

"Why do y'all have beef? Like what's the issue?" He asked.

"Ask your friend that. He be the main one starting with me."

Nicholas passed her a knowing look at that, "What about a couple of days ago when you gave him the finger?"

Ayoluwa grew quiet, "Okay, a couple of times, I might've said something first..."

"Exactly. If y'all two would just get along, I wouldn't have to lie about being over here." Shareef leaned back into the couch.

"It's never gonna happen. Sorry to disappoint."

Dior sighed at her words as the front door opened again.

Ayoluwa quickly stood up, making Nicholas and Shareef rise as well, ready to keep Imani from possibly disturbing Lauryn's sleep.

When Camille, Ayoluwa's grandmother, lightly closed and locked the front door, Ayoluwa breathed out her anxiety.

"Y'all looked ready to jump me. What's going on, boys?" Camille greeted Ayoluwa's friends in her thick Kingston accent.

"Hi, Miss Palmer!" The boys chorused.

"Grandma, do you have a minute?" Ayoluwa came from behind the keyboard, "Give me a minute," She called back to her friends.

Ayoluwa followed her grandmother to her bedroom where a painted white desk was waiting for them.

"What's going on?" Camille asked as she sat down at the desk to begin to review Oasis' taxes.

Ayoluwa shut the door behind her and then sat on the duvet of Camille's queen bed, "You know Imani is pregnant again, right?"

Camille paused, "Yes. I'm aware."

The steely anger in her tone was hard to miss.

"What are we gonna do?"

"Do?" Camille questioned, "There's nothing for us to do. Imani told me she already decided to keep the baby."

Ayoluwa was quiet for a minute, "You know how Quincy's mom is a lawyer who works with CPS?"

Camille nodded but continued to look at her paperwork.

"I've been talking to her and she's been helping me look through California's laws. She thinks I have a good case so..." Ayoluwa took a deep breath.

"I think I'm gonna go for sole custody of Lauryn." Ayoluwa said.

Camille snapped her head up, "What?"

"Imani has never been a good mom. It's always been me primarily taking care of Lauryn. You know that."

"You're so young. Too young to worry about this kinda stuff. You're only eighteen." Camille reached over and lightly patted her granddaughter's cheek.

"Exactly. I'm eighteen. You're busy with the restaurant and Imani's head is somewhere else... It's me. I want it to be me. And when she gives birth, I'm gonna pursue custody with that kid too."

Camille sighed again, "Are you sure that this is what you want?"

"I need this." Ayoluwa replied, "I can't stand around and let Imani come and go as she pleases with Lauryn."

Camille's eyes filled with tears, "Your mom would be so proud of you. So grown up and responsible. I wish she was here."

Ayoluwa let her eyes roam to the framed but slightly ripped up picture on Camille's nightstand of two women who looked alike then stood from the bed, "I just wanted to make sure you knew so when I file and start this whole thing it's not a surprise."

Camille nodded, "Thank you. I appreciate that. But I hope you know that Imani isn't gonna give this up without a fight. So... Get ready for that."

Ayoluwa left the room, softly closing the door behind her.

She was tired of her sister only thinking of herself.

Tired of her being irresponsible.

And most of all she was tired of Imani being so goddamn reckless.

So if it was a fight that Imani was going to want then it was a fight that she was going to get.

the lovey dovey stuff is coming I promise! anyways

vote & comment, porfa!