Angel: Yo! Blame Sekhmet this time. I wasn't here the whole summer and I left her in charge of the stories. Sekhmet: WTF I thought you weren't going to snitch? Angel:Well, it is your fault. We would've been done with, HOW TO GET YOU BACK MY TRUE LOVE, CHAPTER 10 OF SWEET ANGEL, CINDERELLA AND THIS CHAPTER 7! Sekhmet: Okay, fine, it was my fault. I'm sorry. Yugi: Angel doesn't own anything but the plot, Thomas, and Elda. Yami: Enjoy!


~Heba POV~

Right now, I'm outside gates of the Midway Airport with both my cousins, Joey and Serenity. We are about to leave for Chicago when Joey, of course, sees a snack machine when Serenity is in the restroom. I really don't want to go to Japan. I feel like I'm abandoning my niece. Yeah I know what you're thinking. 'Didn't you have a choice of whether or not to stay?' Not really. I don't have much of a say when Joey puts his foot down, no one can stand against Joey's stubbornness. Trust me when I say that I don't want to make him mad. I sigh. I suppose everything just blew out of hand before I knew it. I guess you want to know how?


~ April 25th (Spring Break) ~

"So, Heba. You said that your cousin is coming to visit," a voice says. It's clearly male.

"Yup! I can't believe after all this years, Joey and I never lost touch," I say.

"Wow. Not even I have spoken to my cousin since I moved here," another voice, female, says.

"Because you're too lazy to get up and make a phone call," I reply, mildly sarcastic.

The male voice starts to laugh "She got you there. Not to mention you and your cousin grew up together, so there's a reason why he wouldn't come and visit you."

"Yup. But I wonder why all of the sudden he wants to visit? I mean, we sent each other letters, we video chat, and we call each other…" I list off.

"Maybe because he misses you. When was the last time did you two saw each other in person?" the male voice asks.

"Christmas… 5years ago," I say after some thought.

I lean further into the back seat of the car while I peer outside. Seeing the colors of the city lights rushing past outside the car while we continue our drive is simply beautiful. I muffle a yawn only to be noticed by one of my friends in the front seat.

"How many hours of sleep did you get this time?" asks the male voice

"Like an hour or so," I shrug tiredly.

"I swear, Heba, you'll get some type of sleeping disorder if this continues," the male voice scolds.

"Dude, I don't have a choice in that matter and you know it," I snap at him.

"I know, I know. But if you need more time to sleep you can always quit one of the jobs that you have," the male voice says reasonably.

I glare at him.

"And what? Let mom to keeping beating the shit out of me because I didn't reach the $2,450 that she always wants in her hand? No thanks," I say with anger in my voice. Then it drops to softer tone, mixed with sadness. "Plus, she threatened that if I don't reach the $2450 by the end of the week she'll drag me out of the motel room and force me to sell my body to her 'clients'."

I let a silent tear fall.

The inside the car is total silent, and the only thing anyone can hear is the cars rushing by us. No one speaks for a moment.

I sigh as I think to myself. I have to say a lot of thanks for the situation I'm in now to my best guy friend's brother for saving me from that hell house in the projects. If it wasn't for him I would have been raped and killed by some stranger that my mother brought home for her pleasure. I even heard that she sold me to that guy as well. If he wasn't right there outside my bedroom window I would've been in a lot of trouble. He even gave me his motel room so I could live close by my old elementary school and high school…

My thoughts are interrupted by my cell phone ringtone.

"SHIT! WHO COULD IT BE!" the male voice shouts.

I take out my cell. I sigh in relief. "Chill out, it's just Joey."

I put the phone on speaker and answer. "Hello?"

"How's my cuz doin'," Joey's loud voice comes over the speaker.

"Just fine, Couz'o, what can I do for you?"

"So your dad knows that I'm coming to visit you guys tomorrow?"

I freeze at the question.

"Will… err…"

"Cousin? Are you ok?" Joey says, concerned.

"I'm fine, Joey. Don't worry. You know me, studying until I just collapse from exhaustion," I laugh nervously.

It's not the first time that I've lied to Joey or Serenity. The reason why is that I never told them that my father, my brother and sister-in-law are dead. I never told them that I've been living with my mother a few years and have been working all of my life to provide for me, my niece Miho, and 'my mother'. And knowing that Joey loves to hang out with my brother he'll be heartbroken. Serenity loves to hang out with my father and my sister-in-law, so it's going to be even harder for her.

"Heba, give me the phone," the male voice instructs me.

"Joey! Thomas wants to talk to you."

"Sure, cousin," Joey says.

I passed the phone to the front driver.

"So, Joey, how is it going?" said Thomas.

"Fine, Thomas, are you protecting my cousin like you should?" says Joey.

"No! He pushed me from the fourth floor stairs in school" I say out loud

The female in the front seat muffles a giggle.

"HE DID WHAT?" yells Joey.

The girl in the front and I both burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, Joey. It was too good an idea to let it pass," I stop laughing. "Well, I almost fell from the stairs one time…but if it wasn't for Thomas I would be in a cast," I say.

"The answer to your question is that Heba is living with us right now…so…you know," lies Thomas.

"Oh. Okay," says Joey. "So Serenity, Mokuba, Seto and I will be stay in a hotel then."

"Which hotel, Joey?" asks the female in the front seat.

"Oh, the Hilton hotel," Joey answers. "You guys know where it is, right?"

"Yeah. We'll meet you there in two hours while you guys rest from the plane ride," said Thomas.

"Ok. See you guys later then," says Joey

"Good morning, Joey," we all chorus.

Joey laughs. "Good night, you three."

The connection goes dead.

I sigh. "I can't believe I just lied to Joey again…and worse, you guys did to," I say with a sad tone.

"Well, we know why you're doing this, Heba," says the female. "Plus, we all are going have to tell why we did that soon or later."

"She's right, Heba. You should have told Joey from the beginning what was going on," said Thomas .

"I know. But I just don't want any help from Joey or Seto in the matter," I sigh.

"Yeah, that's true. That's one of the lessons that your father taught you, huh?" said Thomas .

"Yup!" I say. "…Are we there yet?"

"Almost," said Thomas..

"We're here. Ready to work Heba, the female says several minutes later.

"Like I have a choice."

We enter the *Club Starz* where I work as a Bartender, Waitress and DJ.


~In the Afternoon~

I muffle a yawn and wince at the pain I have in my arms and stomach.

"Heba, What the Fuck Happened To You?" the female yells.

Thomas is cleaning the wounds from my arms and knees. You could see my shirt and shorts ripped and bloody.

"What do you think, Elda? My mother came here again and attacked me like always."

"Thomas, what time did you come here?" asks Elda.

"I never left from last night. I was dropping Heba off when I saw her mother coming inside the room and stared throwing Heba all around the room, kicking her, punching her and slapping her. I couldn't leave her like this. Her mother went too far," said Thomas.

"What do you mean?" she asks.

Thomas takes the towel off my shoulders so Elda can see the broken glass scars that my 'dear mother' did.

Then I lift my shirt a little so she can see the other scar. This time it's on my stomach.

Elda gasps. "Heba how much blood did you lose?"

"Not much," I say matter-of-factly. "I need something so I can cover these so Joey won't find out."

"Oh yeah. Here, like you told me to bring," says Elda.

She gives me the lotion that can heal scars and hide them like make –up.

The phone rings. It's Joey

"Hello."

"Hey, cousin. I'm just calling to let you know that the plane landed and we're going to the hotel for some rest. Can we meet around four o'clock?"

"Sure, Joey, we'll meet at Grand Park."

"Okay. See you soon, cousin."

"Bye, Joey."

"So we're going meet Joey at Grand Park?" says Thomas

I nod.

"Elda, can you pick a shirt and some jeans for me, please, so I can take a shower quick?"

Elda nods and starts to look at some of my clothes.


~ four o'clock~

Thomas, Miho, Elda and I are here at Grand Park relaxing. It's rare for me to relax and play with my niece like this.

"Okay, Miho, let's see your gymnastic again," says Elda.

"Miho is tired already… can Miho just lay down like Aunt?" asks Miho.

Thomas laughs. "Miho, don't used a third person again."

"Why can't Miho do that?" asks Miho.

"Because there are creatures that eat little girls who do that," says Elda.

Miho sits next to me and says, "Aunty, Miho scared…"

"Elda, that was not funny! Miho, Thomas is right you need to stop that habit. Okay, chick?"

"Okay, Aunty, I'll stop."

"Heba… Heba," Two people yell.

I look up. "Joey, Serenity."

Joey comes running and gives me a bear hug.

That makes me wince at the pain of the bruises and scars that I have all over my body and the force that Joey is hugging me with.

"Joey… can't… breathe…" I say, gasping for air.

"Oh sorry, Heba," Joey says sheepishly while he releases me from the hug. The next one is Serenity.

Joey sees Miho looking curiously, wonder why Joey and Serenity are hugging me.

"What do we have here?" says Joey .

Miho hides behind me, she's shy meeting Joey.

"Heba, please don't tell me that you..." starts Joey.

"What! No, Joey, she's not my child. Well, kind of," I say.

I see Seto and Mokuba coming toward us.

"Joey, Serenity. Meet Miho, my niece. You're second cousin," I say.

"Wait… so your brother and his girlfriend…" starts Joey.

"Yes, they were married and Miho was their first daughter," I say.

"Well, she does have your brother's hair color," says Serenity.

"Yes, she does," I say.

Seto watches me while I talk casually with the others. We're interrupted by a growl.

"Hmm…" Joey says thoughtfully.

"You're hungry, cousin," I say.

"Yes," says Joey, blushing.

"Come on. I know this place where we can eat. I'll treat you guys," I say.

~After dinner~

Seto is a little relaxed.

Thomas and Elda took Miho back to the teacher home.

"So, Heba, you need a ride home?" Joey offers.

"No, Joey, it's fine. I'll go on the bus."

"Nonsense. We'll give you a ride home," says Joey.

Without further protest he pushes me into the limo.

"Driver, can you take us to XXXXX?" Joey asks.

Damn, I can't get out.

A few minutes kater we arrived where my old house stood.

Joey looks outside.

The house that I grew up in is now an empty lot where you can see three crosses and flowers.

Joey, Serenity and I get out of the limo.

"Heba. Where is your house?" Joey asks, bewildered.

Serenity walks up to one of the crosses. It has my father's name on it.

She has tears in her eyes.

"Joey. Uncle and Timeaus are dead," Serenity says finally.

"Serenity, please stop lying," Joey exclaims in disbelief.

He walks up to the crosses and sees my brother's name, my father's name, my sister-in-law's name and their second unborn child's name on the crosses

Seto walks up to Joey. Joey is shaking.

"Why, Heba? Why didn't you tell me about this?" Joey demands with his eyes filled with tears.

I have tears of my own running down my face. This is the first time I've cried in a long time. "I couldn't, Joey. I knew that you and Serenity would be heartbroken if you found out."

"When?" Joey asks.

"When? What?" I ask.

"When did this happened" Joey asks.

"It happened the last three weeks of school in the sixth grade," I answer.

"Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you call my mom to come?" says Joey, shaking with sadness .

"Because if I called aunt there was a possibility that my so called mother would found out about Miho," I say.

Joey, Seto, and Serenity look at me.

"You mean that you live with your mom again, Heba," Joey states.

"Just for the last two years of elementary," I say, and with that I leave running back to the motel room where I know my mother is waiting for me.

~End of Heba's POV~

"I can't believe that Heba lied to us" said Joey.

"Joey, if you were in her shoes, what would you have done? Plus, we all know that Heba wants have Miho safe away from her mom," said Serenity.

Seto walked to the Crosses. His eyes widened. So the rumors were true about the child not knowing that the father worked or not knowing what they did until they were 18 were true.

Seto eyes saddened. "Joey, should we go and look for your cousin?"

Joey just nodded. They left looking for Heba.


~Heba's POV~

I'm here. Back at this place.

My phone rings…it's a text

'You work at 10pm at *Zero Gravity*

I sigh. I look at the clock it. It's 8:15pm. I have to call Thomas to pick me up again.

I grab my phone.

It rings.

"Hello."

"Hey, Thomas, I received a text saying that I have to work today at ten. Can you take me to work?"

"Sure. Where this time?" Thomas asks.

"Zero Gravity."

"Sure. Just get your things ready and I'll meet you in twenty minutes."

"Okay. Thanks."

"No problem."

The phone cuts off.

I start to pack my gear.

Beats Headphones sets.

Check.

CD's and IPODs.

Check.

Laptop.

Check.

DJ DECK.

Check.

Wigs.

Check.

DJ clothes and gloves.

Check and check.

Done .

Now to wait.

My phone rings again. "Hello."

"We're outside, hurry up."

"Okay."

The phone is cut off again

I run downstairs seeing Thomas and Elda waiting in the car. I just jump in and we drive off.


~Naperville~

We arrive at the club from the back.

Elda and Thomas go off to the V.I.P seats and stay there until I'm off.

I never notice that Joey and Seto are following us.

They sit down in the corner of the club.

"Today, Heba, you are going to be waitressing. And then a DJ, that's all," says the owner of the club .

"Yes, sir!" I reply.

I go to the changing room. I put on a light brown wig and some smoky hazel contact lenses. I slip on a waitress uniform, and leave to do my job for the night.

"Okay, Heba, you have tables 5, 10,19,21,30, 35, and the V.I.P," says the manager.

I nod and leave to table 5, 10, 19, 21, and 30. I take their orders and take them back.

'Now table 35,' I think tiredly.

I look in shock at the occupants of table 35.

'Damn it's Seto and Joey' I think.

I go up to them.

"Welcome to Zero Gravity, may I take your order," I say in a Spanish accent.

"Yes. We want a slice of pizza and two tacos," says Joey.

"To drink, sir?"

"Two Lipton Ice teas," says Seto .

I nod and leave.

'Note to self. Thank Elda for teaching me Spanish.'

I return to the table with their orders.

"Anything else you want, sirs?"

"Yes we are looking for a girl about your height with wide, dark amethyst eyes, her hair has tri-color bangs that are dark gold, based is jet black, and tips that are dark amethyst," says Joey describing Heba.

"Sorry , Sir. Haven't seen that person," I say.

Seto gets angry. "We saw her coming in here form the back door."

'Damn they followed' I think. "Sorry, sir. Maybe she's in the V.I.P. tables or in the back getting ready to be a DJ." I say.

Joey gets up and walks up the stairs to the V.I.P tables.

"Damn' I leave, but not before I text Elda and Thomas.

~End of Heba's POV~

~V.I.P tables~

A phone rang. It was a text.

"GET OUT OF HERE. JOEY AND SETO ARE HERE."

Thomas and Elda were getting up to leave until…

"Thomas, Elda. Where is my cousin?" said Joey .

"Not here, Joey, I don't know where she left," said Thomas.

"Thomas. Stop lying to me and tell me where she is," said Joey angrily.

"Please stop this before I call the police," said the waitress with a Spanish accent.

"Not until I know where my cousin is," said Joey .

"Joey, if you don't stop this instant I'll get into trouble and lose this job," said the waitress.

"I don't care… wait how you know my name?" said Joey.

Heba took her wig off, "It's me, cousin."

"What? Heba, why were you denying that you weren't here?" said Seto.

Heba opened the curtain a little and showed them.

"Because of them," said Heba pointing at three guys.

"They followed you again, Heba," said Thomas.

"I think so," said Heba.

"Who are they, Heba?" said Joey.

Heba didn't answer the question.

"They were the ones that Heba's mom almost sold Heba too," said Thomas.

"So that's why… for the wigs and contacts…" said Seto .

Heba nodded.

Something was nagging in Joey's mind as well as Seto's.

"Heba, how long have you been working?" said Seto .

Heba was surprised about this. "Hmm since the week of…you know."

Joey saw how Heba had to leave her childhood and teenagers' years to work for Miho and herself.

"So what time do you have to sleep?" asked Joey.

"Thirty minutes to four hours of sleep. With luck, sometimes four and a half hours," answered Heba.

"And what time do you get out from here?" said Seto.

"At two o' clock," answered Heba .

They talked for a while before Heba had to change into her DJ uniform.

Joey knew that after this remaining school year is over he was going to take Heba to Japan.

Heba was finish with her Job. Joey asked if she could take him to the grave site where her brother and dad were buried.

She promised, and they went their separate ways for the night.


After that Joey went to my school and got my papers. I changed my name and instead of coloring my hair to a different color I put a clip-on wig (light brown hair) and some hazel contacts.

'This is the new me until I'm 18' I say to myself.

I wander off. I'm outside a little park that Midway Airport has.

"Yasmin," says Joey.

"Huh! What, Joey?"

"Why are you out here? You weren't trying to escaped, were you?" asks Joey handing me a water bottle.

"Thanks. I was thinking about it," I say as I take a gulp of the water.

Joey sighs. He looked at the sunny skies.

I grunt. 'why do I feel sleepy?' I wonder.

Next thing I know I had my eyes closed. I was asleep. Damn Joey. You put my sleeping meds in the water.


Next Chapter: "What the hell is this ghetto ass girl doing here Seto?" yelled Tea. "Watch your tongue, Tea. You don't know who she is and you're already judging her," hissed Joey "I don't care who she is. I won't let her hurt my friends," yelled Tea, glaring at Heba. Heba only had her head down. Only let tears flow down from her face.

Yami: Well, there you go. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter... Comment or reviews

Yugi: plz no flames

P.S.: Club STARZ and ZERO GRAVITY are an actual teen club in Chicago.