Awakening

Awakening THE METAMORPHOSIS SERIES BOOK TWO BAILEY WEST Awakening (The Metamorphosis Series Book Two) © 2023, Bailey West Self-published All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, stored in a database and / or published in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Contents Untitled Every great couple has an origin story… 1. Queenie 2. Kemuel 3. Kemuel 4. Queenie 5. Queenie 6. Queenie 7. Kemuel 8. Kemuel 9. Queenie Epilogue Acknowledgments Also by Bailey West A Note of Thanks When I was almost finished with this book, I made a post in my Facebook group. I asked for some good vibes to help me through it. Marshall Thompson, Msladyawh Alesia, Tiffani Perkins, Jae Cee, Gwendolyn O. Mason, Tee Jones, Monique Mellette-Bailey, Marissa Que, Beverly Scrutchions, Lasheera Lee, Chelece Williams, Viktoria NieCey Roberts, Denise Shipley, Sia Mi Swift, Jos-Renee Marks, Té Russ, Tyesha Ellerbe, Crystal Canfall-Golden, Jada West, and Cynthia Morgan Medley, all commented to encourage me. I can’t tell you how much your Starbucks gift card, gifs, hearts, or simple words pushed me through this manuscript. Also, thank you to those who liked or loved the post. I love all of you and pray that the time you poured into me will be returned to you in abundance. Awakening– Renewal of Interest Coming into awareness Every great couple has an origin story… KEMUEL OSIRIS AZAR “You know their football team is whack as hell,” I said, as my brothers and I walked from the parking lot to Falls View High School football stadium. “Yeah, East could beat them blindfolded,” Porter responded. “East could beat everyone,” Lowe added. My family and I had moved about four hours south from Port Concord to Sable Falls over the summer before my freshman year of high school. Neither my brothers nor I wanted to move, but our father felt it was best for the family after he and my mother separated. Lowe, Hudson, Grey, and I transferred to Falls View from East Vine High School. My three oldest brothers, Horus, Bennu, and Porter, didn’t have to suffer through the school change because they were already out of high school. Porter acted as Lowe and my chauffeur for the evening, so we could attend the first football game of the season. Hudson was on the varsity football team, and Grey, his twin, was a drummer in the marching band. “Might as well get used to this blue and gold because those are your colors now,” Porter said while motioning to my maroon and gold East Vine shirt. “We will see,” I responded. “My dude, Pop is not letting you go back to Port Concord. Give it up,” Porter said. “I mentioned it the other day, and he nearly blew a gasket,” Lowe added. “Give him a break and try to make the most of it,” Porter said. I nodded but still hadn’t settled on being a blue and gold bumblebee instead of a maroon and gold panther. Even though I was not allowed in my parents’ business, I knew they made their money distributing illegal drugs. I’d overheard my parents discussing my father getting out of the game, but my mother didn’t want to leave. Surprise and devastation were the primary feelings I experienced when my mother and father announced their separation to my brothers and me. All I’d ever known were parents as a unit. I didn’t know what daily life without my mother would look like. My parents’ usually strong relationship devolved into frequent arguments, name-calling, and the inability to be in the same room. If they were in the same room, it didn’t matter the room; they were going to argue. My father moved us to his hometown and enrolled us at the high school he’d graduated from. He opened two bars and a laundromat. All three businesses and several rental properties were legitimate. From what I could tell, he’d really left the game. He purchased a house in the suburbs, which was different for us. We were city dwellers and didn’t know much about living in the suburbs. In the city, we played on concrete playgrounds and set up kickball games on vacant lots. Kids in the suburbs played on plush green grass and areas specifically for sports. Those kids were soft. The crowd excitedly buzzed as we pushed through to find the home bleachers. Wanting an aisle seat, I sat in the row in front of Porter and Lowe. Examining the crowd, the kids seemed excited, all cheerfully wearing that horrible blue and gold combination. I didn’t see one familiar face. In Port Concord, we knew everyone, and everyone knew us. I’d never been the new kid and wasn’t looking forward to it. The crowd erupted with applause as the band led the home team onto the field. The announcer enthusiastically announced the starting offense, including Hudson, who started at running back. Hudson was a star at East, so they were excited to have him join their team. “Excuse me,” a cute girl with full cheeks said. I moved my legs, allowing her to pass. She sat right next to me, forcing me to scoot over a little. Her wavy braids were covered with a yellow bandana that matched the yellow turtleneck she wore under her denim overalls. “Ugh,” she said and rolled her eyes. I followed her gaze to a guy making his way up the bleachers. He was a nerdy kid with thick glasses and an old-school Yankees Starter jacket. His eyes roamed the crowd until they landed on the girl–then me. Looking a little defeated, he sat across from us one row down. “Dang,” she mumbled. “Is he