' 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡 ' › D. SWING

05.

After what seemed like a week, Donald had made it back in Charolette, arriving to Hailey's house around 3:02pm. JoJo and Dalvin were in the backyard, barbecuing the ribs, hotdogs, chicken, and burgers while K-Ci was helping his mom set up the large wooden table positioned in the center of their yard. I had finally finished preparing the side dishes which included mac n' cheese, deviled eggs, cornbread, and pork n' beans. I held the bowl of corn on the cob I had picked, cleaned and boiled, carrying it outside to place them beside the grill since I wanted them cooked along with the meats for extra flavor.

The doorbell rung so walked back inside to head to the front door, looking through the peephole to see Donald standing on the porch with his backpack hanging on his shoulder. Squealing, I quickly unlocked the door and yelled loud enough so everyone could hear me, "D's here!" He looked up from the pavement with a smile plastered on his face as I practically ran over to him, embracing him warmly while rocking him side to side.

"I ain't shower yet so if I smell bad, that's why", he mumbled, a bit self-conscious.

I rolled my eyes as his hands eased around my small waist, hugging me back. "I don't care if you smell like ass and potato chips, I'm just happy you're safe." I could hear him chuckle and stepped back from him, offering him a reassuring smile while I lifted my hand to take the skin of his left cheek between my fingers, gently pinching it. "It's good to see you, big head."

Soon, you could hear the loud chatter coming from the guys as they all entered the house, heading over to Donald, smiling and greeting him. K-Ci started to hug him but retreated once he got a wift of his odor, "Whew. Dang, man. It's been tough, huh?" Everybody laughed, including Donald as he muttered 'fuck you', shyly looking down at his shoes which were covered in dust and God knows what else.

"Look, we got some clothes upstairs on the bed for you. Just go clean yourself up and come back down. Food should be done by the time you're finished", JoJo said.

Donald nodded with a grin and began to head up the stairs. I could tell he was happy to see us but something was bothering him. I wonder what happened.

JoJo and K-Ci walked back outside but I caught Dalvin's arm before he could follow, "Dalvin."

His turned to look at me with concern, "What's up, Rhonda?"

I hesitated for a moment, waiting to hear the door upstairs close then decided to ask the question that's been bothering me since this entire situation was brought to me, "Why can't D go back home? What was he doing in Minneapolis?"

He shrugged his shoulders slightly, reaching up to scratch his brow, "Uh... well he ran away to go audition for Prince. I'm guessing it didn't go too well since he had to come back." He saw my facial expression and mood change and continued, "Look, don't be all mopey and whatnot. I think if we're positive and cheery, he won't even think much about it. Don't bring it up, alright?"

I nodded my head without a verbal response and he glared at me. "Alright, alright. I got it. Goodness." He patted my shoulder and turned to walk outside. "Ay, who wanna' get beat in a game of dominos?", he asked and I could hear K-Ci say something in the distance but I couldn't make out what it was.

I hope Donald's okay.

Thirty minutes had passed and there was still no sign of Donald which had me a bit worried. Everyone else was too busy playing dominos to realize he was taking a long time to come back downstairs. Even Mrs. Hailey was playing. Deciding to take the initiative, I go up the stairs and search for the room he was in, seeing light peeking through the crack under a door down the hall. I knocked gently and waited but there was no answer so I tried again. Once there was no response the second time, I slowly opened the door and peeked my head inside, glancing around to see the room empty but I could hear the water from the shower still running. Entering the bedroom, I looked around since I had never been in it before, seeing old pictures of JoJo and K-Ci when they kids, laughing at how big little Cedric's head was. Little my ass.