Forever

fourteen.

Saturday, June 18th 2022
San Francisco, California

Aurora tightened her hoodie over her head as she looked around the empty parking lot, leaning against the car. Her eyes held back tears as she thought about what happened here four years ago.

The studio that still sat here was now owned by a small local music group that was aimed towards children and young adults to keep them off the streets. It was nearing 4 o' clock in the afternoon so Aurora was left alone as she sat here.

Since it was her last day in California, she decided she'd go to the place where her brother's life was ultimately taken. She hopped on a quick flight since she didn't want to drive and got a rental when she got here so she could be alone.

"Time has really gone by, Keemie. It's hard to believe you've been gone that long. I know I said I'd never come here but there's so much grief I've never dealt with when it comes to you. I'm just shocked I haven't cried yet." she blew out a breath before looking up.

"I can still remember everything we talked about the last time I saw you here. What you wore, what you looked like, what you sounded like. I still beat myself up about the fact that I hadn't see you for two weeks before you died. I'm sorry." she said, feeling her tears finally come overboard.

Her parents had repeatedly asked if she'd be okay and they needed to come with her but she adamantly told them it was something she needed to do alone. She felt that she needed to finally close some of the open wounds she had when it came to Hakeem.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you, big brother. I always try so hard to think about what you could've been thinking or feeling that night but I can never come to terms with it. I know you fought hard and that's all I could've asked. I love you with everything in me." she spoke, wiping her tears.

Aurora spent a few more minutes sitting in silence as she thought about her brother. She had started to miss him dearly on this trip and that wave of sadness had came over with no end in sight. She just wished he could be here.

Once she got back in the car, she sighed before pulling out her phone and sending a text to Darius.

Lil Bit 🤞🏾
just left the place, feels like a weight is off of my shoulders but idk if that's a good thing

Darebear 🫶🏾
it is Ro, im proud of u and ik he is too 💙 you needed that

Lil Bit🤞🏾
wish you could've been here with me, nobody else can understand it

Darebear 💙
yk im here for you always, love you sis

Aurora shared the sentiment before putting her phone down and driving her way back to the Compton airport.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Ro, you're gonna make us miss our flight! Let's go!" her dad yelled from outside the bathroom door.

"Dad, I'm coming! I can't move any faster!" she retorted, rolling her eyes.

The Jenkins were on their way back home this morning and Aurora couldn't wait to be back in her own bed. This trip did not go anything like she planned so she was just ready to be away from this wretched place.