Cocoa And Vanilla

"Ma?" My voice was shaky as I entered the kitchen where the loud wailing is coming from.

The crying was instantly muffled by my dads shirt as he looked at me with a sympathetic expression. A painful feeling settled in my chest as my mother continued to sob into my fathers chest.

"What's going on?" Desperation soaked into my voice and my hands began to shake.

"Destiny," I flinched at his tone and he paused to get his words together. "You're grandmother just died."

My heart dropped into my stomach and a broken sound came out of my throat. "What?"

Justin's POV

"Merissa, get ready for school." I drawled sleepily.

She ignored me and continued sleep. I yawned into my hand and then fixed my tired stare onto her. "Fine. Don't get up, I'll just tell Destiny not to come over today."

I heard the bed creak and her whisper a soft 'Buenos dias' before walking to the bathroom. I smirked and walked out of the room. It works every time.

I hummed my way downstairs and walked into the kitchen, popping some bread in the toaster. While I was waiting, a rapid knock sounded at the door.

I slowly made my way to the door and peeked through the peephole. Destiny was standing there with her head down and my heart skipped up into my throat.

I unlocked the door and concern etched my features. "Destiny, what-"

She lifted her head and her eyes were glistening with tears. She looked fragile at the moment so I reached out to her, grazing her arm lightly. She leaned forward causing her to fall against my chest. Her tears dampened my bare skin and I rubbed her back.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered.

"I don't," She hiccupped. "I don't know. I just wanted to come here."

"Well, you might want to come in the house first. I am barely awake right now." My words lightened the atmosphere and she let out a tiny laugh but I could barely hear it.

"Okay." She wouldn't let go of me so I waddled over to the couch in the living room and plopped down on it.

Her face was still buried in my chest as she laid motionless over me. At least she had stopped crying. I felt my chest get damp again and she sniffed. Or not.

"Justin?" I peeked up and over the couch, waving Merissa over.

Merissa face started beaming, totally ignoring the fact that Destiny was here so early in the morning and jumped on her. Destiny sat up at the sudden weight and pulled Merissa into a hug. "Hey, baby." She cooed.

I raised an eyebrow at her sudden change of behavior and continued to watch her. Merissa frowned at the state Destiny was in and patted her face. "What's wrong?"

My chest glowed with pride as I heard her say it without a hint of hesitation and perfectly in English. Destiny, however, went back to her saddened state and hugged Merissa tight.

"So, I guess we're staying home?" I suggested as I got up. Our toast had popped up awhile ago.

"Yesh!!!" Merissa cheered from the couch and Destiny let out a chuckle. I smiled as I realized that Merissa may be able to cheer Destiny up better than I can.

I warmed the toast back up and got out the butter. I got out the orange juice and poured Merissa a cup. Or, at least, what was left. I frowned at the little food we had in the fridge. I needed to make groceries but I could only spend 10 dollars until my next paycheck.

I clicked my tongue and went back to the toast and put some butter on them. I carried the plates out to them and set them on the coffee table. Destiny looked at the second plate then looked at me.

"This is for me?" I nodded.

She picked up the plate and smiled. "Thank you."

I hummed and watched as they ate, slowly started to drift back to sleep. Merissa climbed into my lap causing me to wake up. I looked at Destiny and her eyes were glistening with tears as she looked at us.

"Come over here. Tell me what happened?" She sighed but scooted over to my side.

"My, um," She wiped her face. "My grandmother just died."

My mouth popped open in surprise before I pulled her in a side hug. "Damn. I'm guessing you knew her well?"

Her head moved against my shoulder and she let out a shaky breath. "I spent all of my holidays and summers with her. I just can't believe that she's gone."

"Destiny, you know that I'm not the sappy type. It," I sighed. "It makes me cringe. But I just have to know, why did you come to me?"

"I don't know." She whispered.

A pang of hurt settled in my chest and I swallowed. "You don't know?"

"I don't know," She repeated. "I guess I was looking for comfort."

"You could have got that from your parents." I winced and cursed myself in oblivion. What the hell am I doing?

She sat up and moved away from me. "Was it so wrong to come here? I thought that maybe-" She bit her lip, cutting herself off.

"That maybe, what?" I waited for her to answer but the air got thick with apprehension. Her eyes were filled with confusion as if she was trying to figure something out herself.

"That maybe, what?" I repeated with a little more force. Why won't she answer me?

"Never mind, it doesn't matter." Was her final answer.

"It matters to me." I said as my frustration threatened to boil over.

Her phone rang and she jumped up to answer it. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm at a friends house."

"Oh, really? Okay." She paused for awhile to listen.

"I'm sorry about that."

"Love you. Bye."

She ended the call and turned to me. "I have to go."

"Yeah, I thought so." I muttered.

"We'll," She paused, smiling forcibly. "talk later, yeah?"

"Whatever works."

She hesitated before abruptly leaving and shutting the door hard behind her. Thus, leaving us on a bad note.

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I am so sorry!!! 😫 But, to be fair, I did warn you I was going to fuck everything up.

Goddammit, Destiny. Can't you see he really likes you?! Smh...

And parents shouldn't argue around the children, it's bad.