Warning: Mentions of sexual abuse near the end of the chapter.
BlackCanary98: I'm glad you liked Bitter Victory and are excited for Pheonix. In this book I plan to have everyone try to put their lives back together after the events of Frosty Connections and Bitter Victory.
Rose's POV
"Hey, its Ava. I'm not at the phone right now. Please leave a message."
"Damnit, Ava," I groan softly, dialing her number. "Pick up the phone."
"Hey, its Ava. I'm not at the phone right now. Please leave a message."
I've been getting the same message from her for months. Leave a message. Leave a message. Leave a message. Why isn't she picking up? Does she blame me for what happened to Uma? I hope nothing bad happened to her.
My phone rings, but it's from Ace.
"Hey, Rosie," he greets me in that sweet voice reserved for me. "You want me to come pick you up for school?"
"Thanks, but Roscoe insisted on driving me today. I'll see you by your office," I say. "Bye, cutie."
I hang up and sigh. Another day of seeing the faces of my classmates. Not something I was looking forward to. I heave my legs off of my bed and head to my bathroom. On the way I pass Ava's room. It's still the same as when she left 11 months ago. Next month, she'll have been gone for a year. Losing Uma must have really hurt her.
I shower and fix my hair rather quickly, leaving it big and wavy. I've been thinking about washing the pink dye out of my hair. But not now.
Roscoe's waiting for me in the foyer when I arrive downstairs, playing with Alicia (Or as he likes to call her, Rosaline). I still can't believe how big she's gotten in 10 months. She's sitting up and babbling. The next thing she'll be walking and talking. Alicia turns and stretches her stubby little arms toward me, urging me to pick her up and play with her. I carry her around the room for a while, her giggling and gurgling the whole time.
"OK, you two. We've got to get to school or you'll be late," Roscoe chuckles, reaching for Alicia. She starts to cry and whine, turning her body closer to mine. "Hmph, she's already attracted to you."
"Well, I do have a magnetic personality," I joke.
"Don't you dare make puns in front of my daughter," he scolded, but his face was teasing. "Let's go."
We pile into Roscoe's car and take off. He stops by a Dunkin' Donuts and buys us breakfast. Alicia tries to grab my donut. This makes Roscoe laugh.
"Girl doesn't even have teeth and she wants to take a bite out of everything," he says ruffling Alicia's hair. She tries to bite him, then pouts when he laughs again. He pulls up in front of my school.
"Bye, Big R."
"Bye, Little R."
He drives off, leaving me on the sidewalk. I see Ace up ahead and sneak up on him. I cover his eyes with my hands. He snickers.
"I wonder whose tiny hands are on my face,"' he asks, whirling around and catching me in a tight hug. He plants a kiss on both of my cheeks. "Hey, Rosie."
"Hey, yourself," I say. "What's the agenda for today?"
"Meet with basketball coach about equipment funding before class starts, morning announcements,briefing with the debate team 2nd period, power lunch with all student government members at that new restaurant nearby, address arson incident in the boys bathroom...again during 5th period, talk with Jason about his last performance-"
At this I burst out laughing, remembering the incident where he got a little...intimate with a certain member of his audience. I don't think I've seen Aiden's face so red.
"Jason swore up and down it only looked like lap dancing!"
"Right...so he just happened to end up grinding on Aiden and it was just a sheer coincidence that the lyrics were, 'tonight I'm lovin' you.' Either way, Professor Edwin wants us to talk to him about it."
"Speaking of Jason, he asked me to go to the mall with him and Aiden. He's trying to pick out a ring to surprise Aiden with."
"He must be taking this proposal very seriously," Ace comments.
"Well considering the last time he tried it…"
A heavy silence hangs over us. Ace clears his throat awkwardly.
"Well, better get on with it, Rosie. Time waits for no man," he says quickly, grasping my hand and pulling me towards the school doors.
As usual, whispers circulate throughout the hallways as we pass by. After word got out about Jessica's conviction, you can imagine how quickly people came around to beg for forgiveness. It was the same damn story all over again. I had enough of it.
A couple students approached me at my locker weeks after Jessica's death. Ace told me about how they didn't care when we went missing...how they laughed after he pleaded for them to help the guys find us. And now that I've finally been proven right, they want me to forgive them? Again?
"What?" I said cooly, fixing all of them with a glare. Clumps of students were gathered nearby, carefully listening.
"Look, we were assholes, alright?" One of them blurted out. "We should've believed you from the start, and we're sorry."
I laughed.
"You're sorry...sorry for what? For making me lose all my jobs in one day? For essentially threatening the lives of 5 people? For the fact that you guys just willingly believed some girl from another school over me, the girl who's the reason you're all still here?!"
I was breathing heavily at that point. I wasn't done yet.
"This isn't the first time you've turned on me. Our school almost closed because of you. Hell, you didn't just let me down, you let my friends down too. They almost died. One of them...did die. Another one ran away from home weeks ago. So don't you dare come act like you're sorry. Because you're not sorry at all. You're just guilty. So fuck you all," I screamed
I turn on my heel and storm towards the exit.
So the only reason I haven't left this school to ruin is because of the pledge I made years ago to create a safe place for students to learn.
The rest of the day seems to drag on until we get to the auditorium. Jay appears to be singing, lying on a piano face to face with his boyfriend while Aiden plays on the piano.
"So tell me that you love me, yeah. Tell me that I take your breath away. Maybe if you take one more..."
They lean in for a kiss. Ace clears his throat, making both of them jump from surprise.
"Oh, hey guys," Jason stammers, his face as red as Aiden's. "What's up?"
"Professor Edwin wants you to take your dancing down a few notches. And choose more school-friendly songs," I tell him.
Jason snorts.
"Is this about what happened two weeks ago? Look, when I'm up there performing, I don't just feel the music, it feels me."
"I'm pretty sure that wasn't the only thing feeling you but ok," Ace chuckles. "Anyway, Edwin thinks you're getting a little too…"
"Expressive?"
"Not the word I would use, but sure. Maybe keep your more provocative stuff for when the two of you are alone?" I suggest.
Aiden's face flushes a deeper shade of red. Jason laughs and caresses his boyfriend's cheek, giving him a small peck.
"Ok, guys. You're embarrassing Aiden here. I'll tone it down a bit during the next show. Look, it's almost time for practice, so I gotta go get ready," he says. "Have fun in Music Theory, Aiden."
"Ok, but make sure you eat your lunch I brought you. You spent the entire lunch period practicing," Aiden replies with a small frown.
"I know, I know. I'll be fine, babe. Don't worry about me."
"Duh, I'm your boyfriend. I have to worry," Aiden says. He cups Jason's face then pauses. "Uh, guys?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry! We'll leave you alone," I say quickly, pulling Ace toward the exit.
Jason's POV
"Seriously Jason," Aiden says as I trail kisses down his neck. "I hope you aren't overworking yourself."
"I'm not," I insist. "I just like to push myself 110%"
I pull him gently onto my lap.
"Jay. Look at me. You're one of the few good things in my life. I can't lose you too," he says, looking down so I can't see his expression. He's still hurting.
"Aiden, you're not gonna lose me. I promise," I tell him, kissing the tip of his nose.
"Prove it," he whispers, straddling me and kissing me passionately on my jawline.
"Right now?" I ask with an eyebrow raised. " I have a few ideas that don't involve that shirt you're wearing."
I trace my finger around the buttons, tugging at one of them ever so slightly.
"Uh, Jason? I think we have an audience," he says suddenly. I look past him. Some of the glee club members have just walked in. Some, namely the girls, are giggling. Embarrassed, Aiden hops off my lap and bolts. "WowlookatthetimeIbettergettoclassbeforeI'mlatebyeloveyouJason!"
"Is this what the two of you do when the rest of us aren't here?" Katie, one of the older members and my second in command, jokes. "Damn, that's a pretty big hickey."
"What?!" I exclaim, slapping a hand to my face.
"I'm kidding, it's a small bruise," she laughs. "The new member should be here shortly while we set up. I heard he used to go to Hearst High School, but he's kinda cute. I think you'll like him."
"Maybe I would," I say. "If I didn't have a boyfriend."
Katie's...not Aiden's biggest fan. She doesn't hate him, she thinks he's too...broken to be in a proper relationship and that I deserve better. But she doesn't know the history we have with each other, so I usually take her advice with a grain of salt.
"And if you didn't have a boyfriend," I hear a silky voice say from the back of the auditorium. "What would you say about me?"
I look up, and a boy with icy blond hair and green eyes is staring back at me with a dazzling smile.
"And you are…?"
He approaches me, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Blake. Nicholas Blake. But you can call me Nick. I'm assuming you're the Jason fellow I've heard so much about? I can't say I'm disappointed. I've had a thing for brunettes."
"I'm sure you've just heard that I have a boyfriend," I stammer.
"That Asian dude you had in your lap a few minutes ago?"
"Yep. He's perfect," I sigh. Nick scoffs. "Is there a problem?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just...I highly doubt a guy like that is your type."
I scowl.
"How would you know what my type is?" I demand. He looks me up and down.
"Easy. You're a performer. You were born for the stage. Him? He's more like the background musician," Nick says.
"Well, that's why our relationship works. We fit together because our personalities don't butt heads with each other. And for the record, I can be a little intense."
"I like intense," he says. "But let's not forget the reason why I'm here. Hearst didn't have a glee club, so I came here."
"Ok, what are you gonna perform?" I ask.
"I'm gonna sing. No dancing for now."
He strides over to the piano.
(A/N The inspiration for Nick's voice comes from NateWantsToBattle "It's Over, Isn't It?" I can't tell who's better, him or Leroy Sanchez!)
"I was fine, with the men who would come into her life now and again…"
Ah, fuck. He's good. Too good.
"I was fine, 'cause I knew that they didn't really matter until you…I was fine when you came and we fought like it was all some silly game over her...who she'd choose. After all these years I'd never thought I'd lose."
Half the girls are already drooling over him. Ugh. Too bad his eyes are focused on me. I break away from his gaze.
"It's over isn't it, isn't it, isn't it over? It's over isn't it, isn't it, isn't it over? You won and she chose you, and she loved you and she's gone. It's over isn't it, why can't I move on?"
Oh boy, here comes the big part.
"War and glory, reinvention, Fusion, freedom, her attention. Out in daylight, my potential. Bold, precise, experimental. Who am I now in this world without her? Petty and dull, with the nerve to doubt her.What does it matter? It's already done.Now I've got to be there for her son!"
It's moving...passionate...there's something off about him. I just can't put my finger on it.
"It's over isn't it, isn't it, isn't it over? It's over isn't it, isn't it, isn't it over? You won and she chose you, and she loved you and she's gone... It's over isn't it, why can't I move on? It's over, isn't it, why can't I move on?"
The other members applaud loudly. Then they turn to me for the verdict.
"How was that, Jason?" Nick asks expectantly. "Did it meet your impossibly high standards?"
"I...uh," I stammer. I look around. The others would kill me if I said no. "I guess...your singing was...adequate. So...yeah, I guess."
He takes my hand and kisses it. I resist jumping back and slapping the smug look on his face.
"I know it'll be a pleasure working together."
"If this is going to be a long term thing," I say. "You have to understand that I'm not interested in dating anyone else other than my boyfriend. He's the love of my life and I could never hurt him be seeing another guy behind his back. I get it, you're attractive and talented. But I'm taken."
For a moment, something seems to click behind his eyes. He frowns, but quickly fixes it with a smirk.
"I get it. There's no reason why we can't 'just be friends.' But hey, at least you admitted you found me attractive."
I groan and roll my eyes.
"Whatever. Just let me give you my phone number so we can keep in touch about incoming competi- Hey!"
He takes my phone out of my hand and dials in the number himself. He hands it back. His contact is saved under "Nicky 3" Cringe.
Katie catches up with me after school in the parking lot as I'm waiting for Aiden.
"Why did you blow him off like that?" Katie asks. "He really looks like he's into you."
"Well, I'm not into him."
"Are you kidding? He's hot, he can sing, and he's got a lovely voice."
"If he's so hot, why don't you date him?"
"I don't think he's into girls."
"He might be. I don't care as long as he doesn't try to come on to me."
"Why can't you give him a chance? Just to explore your options..."
"Look, Katie. I love Aiden. I'm planning to propose to him before we graduate because my heart belongs to him and him only. Here he comes now."
I rush up to Aiden and sweep him up in a tight hug.
"Oh!" he gasps. "Well, hello to you to, Jason. Did you eat your lunch?"
"Yeah," I lie. I'd never found the time to eat it, I was too busy practicing. But I don't want to worry Aiden. "Let's meet up with Rose and Ace and go to the mall."
"Jay, there's some guy watching us," he says suddenly. I turn around. No one's there.
"What did he look like?" I ask.
"He had blonde hair and green eyes. I don't know...he looked annoyed or angry for some reason."
Nick. I swear to God if you even think about hurting Aiden you'll be carried out of school in a body bag.
"I'm sure it was nothing, babe."
Aiden and I go our separate ways at the mall. Him with Ace to go check out a music store and me with Rose to help me pick out an engagement ring.
"Dang, these are steep prices for rings," Rose comments, checking out the prices.
"I'm willing to pay if I have to," I say. "Somehow…"
"I'm pretty sure Aiden won't care what kind of ring you get him. Maybe he just wants a proposal that'll be special to the both of you."
"That's why I have to get a ring. Everyone knows proposals don't mean anything if you don't have a ring to go with it!"
Rose gives me a funny look.
"Who told you that?"
"My dad."
"Well, his opinion is officially cancelled anyway. I don't think we're going to find anything, let's go and-"
"Wait!" I exclaim, pointing at a display case. Inside is a silver ring with a little piano on top. The box it comes in is also a piano. "It's perfect! It's so him!"
"Oof, this costs way more than a few Hamiltons." Rose says.
"I have to get it! Trust me, he'll love it. I just gotta save enough money for it. Now all I have to do is find the perfect setting!"
"Well, your 1 year anniversary is coming up in a few weeks. Maybe you could do it then."
"I don't know...it seems too soon. Especially since it's so close to…"
There's that awful silence again.
"I'm sure you'll figure something out. Come on, I bet our boyfriends are waiting for us."
Aiden's POV
Karma'sComing123: You're a liar, you know that?
I furrow my brow at the message. Who was this person, and why were they calling me a liar?
YourMainVirtuoso: Who is this?
Karma'sComing123: You don't need to know who I am. I know exactly who you are, Aiden Zhou.
YourMainVirtuoso: What do you want from me?
Karma'sComing123: Wasn't the username obvious?
YourMainVirtuoso: What did I do wrong?
Karma'sComing123: Everyone else may have put the past behind them, but deep down, you know Jessica never hurt you.
My heart skips a beat. Thoughts of restless nights due to nightmares come flooding back.
YourMainVirtuoso: You don't know what you're talking about. She nearly killed me and my friends.
Karma'sComing123: You're happy she's dead, aren't you?
YourMainVirtuoso: No! Never. I'm just glad I don't have to live in fear because of her anymore.
Karma'sComing123: Ha, you pathetic little boy. You had your feelings hurt so you accuse a girl of abuse and have her killed?
YourMainVirtuoso: I didn't kill her! She dragged me into traffic.
Karma'sComing123: LIAR. You knew what you were getting yourself into when you dated her. Whatever you claimed happened was your own fault. Now she's dead because of you. I wish you died with her.
YourMainVirtuoso:It's not my fault…
Karma'sComing123: You know what? I was gonna go easy on you, but since you want to play games, I'm gonna decimate you. You're gonna lose everything you ever cared about. Consider everything you once knew destroyed. No more music playing, no more Julliard. No more Jason.
YourMainVirtuoso: No, please. Not Jason.
Karma'sComing123: Well, since I'm typically a nice person, let's just play a little game. I play nice for a while in exchange for one secret.
YourMainVirtuoso: You...you want one of my secrets?
Karma'sComing123: Well, doesn't have to be yours per se. Just give me something juicy.
YourMainVirtuoso: Ok, one time, I made out with a girl in a janitor's closet.
Karma'sComing123: Lame. Something else. Something deep.
YourMainVirtuoso: Um...I like it when…
So I began to describe in great detail what usually happens after Jason and I get home and my parents aren't in the house.
Karma'sComing123: Ooh, spicy! I guess this'll keep me off your ass for a week or two.
YourMainVirtuoso: A week!?
Karma'sComing123: What, you thought I was going to be fair. I can't wait to see you crumble you lying son of a bitch.
"Aiden?" I jump at the sound of Ace's voice.
"W-what?"
"I...just wanted to ask if you wanted some of my pretzel?"
"Sorry, Ace. I'm a little worked up."
He sits down next to me.
"You still having nightmares?"
"Yeah."
"You talk to a therapist yet?"
"No. You?"
"Haven't found the time."
"What if we both promised to go to therapy?"
"I've been putting this off for quite a long time...I guess it couldn't hurt."
I smile.
"Awesome. Hey, here come Rose and Jason."
"Hey, babe," Jay says, planting a kiss on my cheek. "You guys have fun?"
I nod. Rose seems to be looking off at something in the distance.
"What is it, Rose?" Ace asks.
"Look over by the pharmacy. See that girl. She looks just like Ava!"
Everyone gasps. The girl in question turns around, her hand over her stomach. Jason shakes his head.
"No offense, but the last time I saw Ava, she wasn't so...generous in the stomach area." Jason says.
"Jason!" Rose hisses. "She might have just gained weight or had a large breakfast. I know it's her, look at the red hair, the green eyes, those freckles on her face. It has to be her. AVA!"
The girl looks up. Recognition passes, and she flees!
"Ava, wait!" Rose calls after her. She tries to follow her, but Ace holds her back.
"She'll...she'll come when she's ready, Rose."
"When will that be? It's been eleven months!"
"Rosie...please wait. You might scare her off completely."
"Fine," Rose sighs.
(Sneak Peek of Next Chapter)
Ava's POV
"Get the hell off me!" I screamed. He laughed, and kept going. I knew I shouldn't have let my guard down around this dude. I can't believe I fell for his stupid nice guy act. Why did I trust him when he found me at the park crying about Uma.
"You're so beautiful, Avie," he whispered, using the nickname only Uma calls me. I tried to push him off, but he was too strong. "Come on, stop struggling. I'm trying to cure you."
He didn't like the fact that I told him I was into girls. He didn't like how I told him to do what he did to me to himself. He especially didn't like how I kept biting and scratching him the whole time.
By the time I'd managed to get away from him, the deed was already done. I remember slashing his chest with my nails as I gathered my things and left.
With shaky anger I sneered, "If you ever touch me like that again, I'll murder you and leave your body in a lake..."
Unfortunately, he left me with a little parting gift that I've had for a little over five months.I found out about it 3 months later
I could never let the others see me like this. Especially Rose. She'd think this was her fault, but I was the one who insisted on leaving. When I find the bastard who did this to me, he'll pay big time.
I run as fast as I can away from Rose's view and plop on a bench, panting heavily. I came back to town after the incident so I could find a doctor, but I didn't expect to run into Rose there. I rub my stomach. I am way too big for 5 months. I better find someone to deal with this and fast.
"Just a few more months, Ava," I tell myself. "A few more months and you can put all of this behind you."