Page 63 of Butterfly 6, Phase 1

Morgan would need to hang up her stilettos for motherhood in this next season, while Aria was destined for somebody’s stage.

“I would never forgive myself if you gave up this dream to stick around here. One of us has to be a bad bitch,” Morgan said, laughing through the purest emotion. Nobody acknowledged the love between friends. Morgan had sought pure loyalty, family, and love through many means, but she would be remiss if she didn’t recognize that Aria had given her that from day one. Through every season since the day she had stumbled into a rec center dance studio, Aria had shown her friendship. There were no prerequisites, no moments of doubt, no jealousy, no subtle shade, or moments where Aria tried to humble or shrink her, no silent competitions, or making Morgan feel different, just connection. Aria exemplified sisterhood. Aria was a version of Raven that she never got to have. It was like Raven had handpicked Aria herself. Aria was solid, to the point where she was willing to delay her dream to stay by Morgan’s side.

Morgan could never let her. True friendship allowed her to root for Aria, to watch her win, even in a season where Morgan felt like she was taking losses. Morgan put Messari down, and he grabbed onto her leg as she faced her best friend in the entire world.

“I’ve never told you this before, but thank you, Aria. For showing me that this friendship is probably the most important relationship I get to choose in my life. I’m not talking about my kids or my family. I choose you, and you choose me back through all the bullshit I come with. I love you, Aria, and I’m so proud of you. I’m grateful to have you as my best friend.”

“Bitch, fuck youuuu!” Aria cried, dipping her head back dramatically and crying real tears. Morgan fell into laughter as she hugged Aria.

“Why you got to get all mature and emotional on me?” Aria wailed. “I’m already leaving my nigga, now you giving me Dear John letters, too!” Aria was a mess, and the pair hugged, finding amusement in the moment, too.

“We got a lifetime, my girl. You go live and don’t feel bad about it. We’ll be here when you’re done,” Morgan reassured.

“I’d feel so much better if I knew Meek was here with you,” Aria said. “Are you going to call him? Yolly is his heart…he should know…”

“Yara is with her daddy,” Morgan said. The thought of Ahmeek hollowed Morgan. “I hit him, Aria.”

“Girl, the shit probably turned him the fuck on. Call that man! You literally can do no wrong in his eyes,” Aria said. “He’ll never forgive you if you don’t let him support you through this.”

“I am wrong, though. I’m so wrong, and with everything that’s happening, I can’t bring Meek around. Messiah needs this time with Yolly, and Meek is with Livi.”

“Girlllluh!” Aria huffed. “He is not with that girl!”

“She’s pregnant with his kid. That’s close e-fucking-nough.” Morgan couldn’t even stomach the thought. “We all just got to move on. It’s over; let it be over. I’ve got bigger shit on my plate now. I can’t focus on who isn’t here.”

Aria dropped it. Morgan knew she had more to say, but she appreciated Aria knowing when to let things go. Morgan didn’t want to be pushed right now. She was dealing with enough without dealing with her feelings about her fallout with Ahmeek.

Their moment was interrupted anyway by a car pulling up in the driveway.

“Oh, it’s fine nigga Friday over here,” Aria snickered under her breath as Nyair parked and emerged from the vehicle.

Morgan shook her head, smiling as Nyair approached.

“Bitch, it ain’t even Friday,” Morgan cackled.

“Missionary Monday then, heaux. I’ll let that nigga put me on my back.” Aria was thirsty for the good pastor.

“Ha!” Morgan was highly amused. Morgan felt Aria’s pain. When she had first laid eyes on Nyair, she thought he was beautiful. Nyair just had a classic ‘90s-era appeal. His furrowed brow of concern made Aria swoon. But Nyair had become family, and once it was discovered that he was Ethic’s brother, she couldn’t unsee the relation. She watched other women fawn over him, constantly, however. It didn’t matter where he went, women gave Nyair his moment. She didn’t know if it was residual energy from his professional football playing days, or if his aura was just that magnetic, but the spell Aria lived under when she saw Nyair was the reaction women gave him on a daily.

“What’s up, man?” Nyair rustled the top of Messari’s head and then held out his palm for a firm shake before moving to Morgan in one smooth motion. “Hey, Mo.” His voice was like velvet, smooth and soft, soothing to her battered soul, as he rubbed her upper back reassuringly. Morgan choked up, finding so much support in his hold. “We got this. God isn’t taking His hand off you, Mo. This I know.” Morgan nodded over his shoulder, and he held her a few seconds longer before letting go.

“How you doing, Aria?” he greeted, giving her a formal and quick side hug.

“Good,” Aria said. “And you?”

“Any day my feet hit the ground is a good day, even when it’s a hard one,” Nyair said. “Got to make sure the devil say, ‘damn’ when a nigga opens his eyes cuz he already know how I’m coming. Ethic inside?”

Morgan nodded.

“Let me go bend his ear,” Nyair stated. “It was good seeing you, Aria. I’ma spin by the hospital later, Mo.”

“Bitch, raw,” Aria gasped as she placed two dramatic hands over her heart as Nyair walked away. “Final answer.”

Mo and Aria heard the front door open, and Bella emerged from the house.

“Hey, Mo, can I talk to you real quick?” Bella asked.

“Of course, B. Why do you sound like something’s wrong?” Morgan asked.