Chapter 1

Tina woke up with a groan. Her head was throbbing. She did not take anger well and Cameron had really angered her. She always had issues with migraines that’s why she had perscription medication and strict orders to avoid stress.

The perscription had really helped when she was battling breast cancer. It was a stressful time in her life and she had enough pain without damn migraines floating in courtesy of her mother’s side of the family.

She crawled out of bed and slowly padded out of the room. She walked down the stairs and headed into the kitchen to get a glass of water for her pills.

"Ma?"

Tina turned and smiled when she saw A.J standing there looking worried. "Alex."

"You okay?"

"Just a migraine sweetie," Tina responded filling a cup of water.

"Oh Cam," AJ said.

Tina turned to him, "what do you know about it Alex?"

AJ made a face, "come on mom, I can’t rat out my brother."

"Alex," Tina said stepping closer to him, "he might have to repeat the 11th grade honey. If you know something you have to tell me."

AJ sighed. "Mom, Cam should talk to you."

"But you know Cam, he doesn’t like to open up, he hides his emotions and he definitely doesn’t like to talk," Tina said.

"Like Grandpa Melvin," AJ said, "but still, I can’t betray him."

"Please AJ, you’ll be betraying him by not telling us what you know," Tina said, "Momma B and I only wanna help."

AJ sighed deeply. "Look, all I know is that he hasn’t been showing up to his classes. I don’t know where he goes and who he’s with."

"He’s been ditching class?" Tina said feeling her migraine intensifying.

AJ nodded, "ever since he started hanging out with this new group of friends. I don’t know them I just know he’s been hanging with them."

Tina sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"Mom," AJ said worriedly hugging Tina’s shoulders, "are you okay?"

"The sooner I take my pills the better," Tina said with a weak smile.

"Does this happen with all the women in your family?" AJ asked.