First, I wanna say how sorry I am for the late update! Juggling college and a full time job is no f*cking joke lol but I'm doing it. Plus I invest the majority of my free time helping my big brother out, who's still healing from getting shot a couple of months back :( but I've been thinking about my story for a while, and I'm NOWHERE near finished. I can't wait for you guys to see what I have in store...enjoy!
Ten: The Wandering Eye
"So you just waltzed up in Ballas territory like that? What the hell were you…both of you thinking?"
Jupiter and Priscilla were at the FIB Headquarters once again, and Dave was chewing both of them out about the catastrophe that happened the afternoon before. After Priscilla shot her now semi-conscious ex-boyfriend, they ran into the nearest alley and called Franklin for help. Jupiter asked him to take them back to her apartment, and they laid low for the rest of the day. When the next morning came, Jupiter called Dave immediately and told him what was going on, and how she needed him to help Priscilla out. Now, they were both silent as he continued his rampage.
"You." He started, pointing to Priscilla. "You would think after getting arrested so many times for prostitution and doing drugs, you would know not to put yourself in the authority spotlight. Do you know what could've happened to you if any of Marcus' buddies was around? You two could've been dead for sure. Do you know how much danger you put yourself and Jupiter in?"
"Yes sir." Was all Priscilla could get out.
"And you." Dave then pointed to Jupiter, clearly getting more upset. "You know what we discussed when you first moved out here. You are deliberately disobeying my orders, Jupiter"
"What is he talking about?" Priscilla whispered to Jupiter.
"Nothing." Jupiter and Dave said at the same time.
"After both of you blantantly did the wrong thing, you expect me to help you? Why should I?"
"Because Pris is hooked on drugs and she needs help, Dave. I won't put myself in the spotlight again, but can you please help her?" Jupiter answered, telling the half-truth once again (she was not about to drop out of her singing showcase, no matter what).
Dave looked at Priscilla, who looked physically weak, strung out, and pale. She really was hooked on drugs, and she really did need help. His conscious began fucking with him again, and he knew he couldn't say no.
"Alright." He said after a long, heavy sigh. He massaged his temples for another couple of seconds before speaking again. "From now on Priscilla, you will be under the witness protection…The computer that generates your new alias is down, so you can keep your name. The Coastal Gardens Rehabilitation Center is in San Fierro, and that's where you'll be most likely going. I'm using the company's funds to pay for you, so don't check out early. Do you understand me?"
"Yes."
Dave wrote down something on a piece of paper and handed it to her, and she looked at it.
"You're staying with Jupiter now, right?" He asked her, and she nodded. "That's my number. Save it, because when you get your new phone, you're gonna need it. It shouldn't take me long to get you signed up to the rehab center…I'll be putting you on a plane to San Fierro in two days."
"Hey J…you think I could visit my mom one more time in Paleto Bay before I leave? She needs to know I'm finally getting help." Priscilla asked.
"Definitely, but how are you gonna get there? Neither one of us have cars." Jupiter said, looking directly at Dave.
Dave knew what she was trying to do, and completely ignored it. "There are buses that go to Paleto, are they not?"
"Yeah. That's what I usually take."
"Are you sure you want to do this Priscilla? Your life will never be the same after today." Dave asked her, one more time.
Priscilla looked down for a couple of seconds, before nodding slowly.
"Yes. I want to do this." She answered.
They left Dave's office and were immediately met by Franklin and Lamar, who were eavesdropping at the door.
"For real? Ya'll couldn't wait outside in the car like I asked?" Jupiter asked them, folding her arms across her chest.
"Lamar's bitch ass was gonna storm up in here to see what was going on, and I wasn't gonna make him come up in here alone and make a fool of himself." Franklin answered.
"Are you really leaving Priscilla?" Lamar asked her. Jupiter noticed the hurt look on his face.
"I have to…you want me to get better right? I need help Lamar..." Priscilla answered.
Jupiter and Franklin both took a step back to analyze what the hell was going on. Clearly the two of them had gotten close in the last two days…it was kind of cute. Jupiter looked at Franklin and smirked, and he gave her one in return. It was like both of them were thinking the exact same thing.
"Lamar, she'll be back…she just needs to get herself together first." Jupiter said.
"You can visit me if you want…the rehab is in San Fierro." Priscilla said.
After being silent for a couple of seconds, Lamar finally nodded himself.
"Sounds good…now can we please get something to eat? I'm fucking starving!" Lamar asked.
"Me too..I could go for some pizza right now." Priscilla said, as the two of them began walking away.
"Shit, me too! With some pepperoni and extra cheese."
"Yess, and some pineapples and ham too!"
"And anchovies too."
"Uh, no Lamar. I'm not eating no damn anchovies." Priscilla laughed, and they were out of the front door.
Jupiter and Franklin were still standing inside of the building, and it was a thick silence between them. Neither one of them knew where to start, before the incident between Priscilla and Steez happened, it was the photo booth incident at the Pier the night before.
"This…is awkward." She said after seconds of silence.
"Oh yeah? What's so awkward about it?" He asked her.
"You know damn well what I'm talking about F. What was that about?"
"Honestly…I have no idea. If I offended you in any way by doing that, I'm sorry."
No you didn't offend me at all Franklin. I actually wouldn't mind if we kissed again, she thought in her head. Out loud, she said, "It's okay I wasn't offended, just surprised. I mean, we're still cool right? You're still my friend?"
I want you to be more than a friend, Franklin said in his head. But once again, out loud he said "Yeah we cool I guess."
Jupiter pushed him playfully. "Yeah right, you don't guess…oh yeah! Are you doing anything Friday?"
"Uh…I don't think I am. Why?" He answered.
Jupiter reached in her bag and took out a flyer. It was the flyer for her school's showcase, which she was still planning to sing in (no matter what Dave said. Fuck him).
"What's this?"
"Uh, ULS is having it's annual talent showcase…and I'm in it."
"Shit, for real?" Franklin said with surprise.
"Mhmm."
"Doing what?"
"Singing…"
"Ooh shit, you can sing, J?" Franklin showed a little bit more surprise this time. "Yeah, I'll come. No problem."
"Really?" Jupiter exclaimed.
"Hell yeah. I have to see you mess up." Franklin smirked.
Jupiter's excitement changed, and she pinched his arm, hard.
"Ow, I was joking! I'm pretty sure you're gonna blow, J. I'll come show you support." Franklin said, rubbing his arm.
"Good. Thank you…let's go. I don't want to keep those two waiting any longer." Jupiter said, pulling him towards the front doors.
"I know Lamar's punkass better not have drove off with my car…I should've thought twice before giving him my keys."
The bell for Jupiter's last class of the day began ringing, and she stood up slowly to make her way out of the room. It was a grueling hour and a half of Human Anatomy, and her head was beginning to hurt. She knew she had to meet up with Destiny at the Boiling Java café 2 blocks away from the campus, but she was feeling worn out and tired. While she made her way out of the Science building, J constantly reminded herself to take a nap when she got back home. She realized that it was almost a quarter to 3, and she told Destiny that she would meet her at the café by 2:30. Damn, I'm late! I hope she's not upset, she thought as she power-walked down the street. She was so caught up in trying to get there, that she didn't see the person walking in the opposite direction in front of her. The two of them clashed and she fell, her textbook and folder falling out of her hands as well.
"Ow!" She groaned, holding her head.
"Oh, my! I am so sorry!" A somewhat proper voice said. She looked up and saw a man looking down at her, concerned. Staring for a couple of more seconds made her realized that he was definitely easy on the eyes. He held his hand out and she grabbed it, pulling herself up as well.
"Yeah uh, it's okay. I wasn't paying attention." She said, taking her textbook and folder from his hands.
"But I should've moved out of the way, I'm terribly sorry…hey, you don't look familiar to me."
"I'm pretty sure we don't know each other."
"I figured that. I'm Asher." The man said, holding his hand out once more.
"Jupiter." She said, shaking it.
"Ah, Jupiter…a lovely name for a lovely girl." Asher said, kissing her hand lightly.
That caused Jupiter to unintentionally blush, and she looked away.
"So, college girl I see." Asher continued.
"Um..yeah. Junior."
"Really? I graduated from Abingdon Bridge University last year."
"Really? That's cool…what was your major?"
"Global Business."
Jupiter smiled and said, "Business is my major too."
"It figures. Great minds think alike I guess." Asher said.
"Abingdon Bridge…let me guess, you're from England?"
"Guilty. My accent gave it away, huh?"
Yes, your sexy accent gave it away kind sir, she thought.
"Uh yeah, kind of…I'm sorry Asher, but I'm kind of in a hurry. Hopefully we'll meet again?" Jupiter said sweetly, before she began walking away.
She felt something grab her hand and pull her back, and realized it was Asher. He pulled her close to him and looked down at her.
"I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least get your number, Jupiter." He said softly.
"Uh…." Jupiter was speechless. His eyes…they're green and beautiful. Is he gonna kiss me? Oh god, I just met him…
"I have to see you again. A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be without a ravishing guy like me on their arm."
"Uh, sure I'll give you my number." Jupiter said slowly, in a trance-like state. She managed to get out of his grip and write her number down on his hand with a marker she had in her bag. Once she was done, she began running away this time. "Nice meeting you, Asher!"
She finally got to the café out of breath and saw Destiny sitting at one of the tables outside. Next to her was Piper, which caused Jupiter to roll her eyes. Ugh, why the hell is she here?
"Des! Oh my god I'm so sorry.." She called out.
"It's good, we just got here like 10 minutes ago anyway. We thought we were running late." Destiny answered, giggling.
"Finally. Can we all eat please?" Piper complained. " I didn't get it for nothing."
Jupiter gave her a death stare as she sat down in the empty seat across from them, reached for the food.
"That's mine." Destiny said quickly, pulling the food away. She pushed another plate of food towards Jupiter. "Des told me what you like so I got you this."
"Gee, thanks." Jupiter said, unsure if she should eat it or not.
"So, what's your excuse, miss Jupiter?"
"Oh, class ran a little late today…and I bumped into somebody on the way here. Literally."
"Really, who?" Destiny asked.
"His name is Asher…he's British, and so fine." Jupiter swooned, before looking at Destiny's smirky face. "What?"
"I believe you. British guys are hot." Destiny answered.
"Helloo, I didn't tag along with you to have an entire discussion about sweet innocent Jupiter. We're here to discuss the showcase."
Jupiter said nothing, and took another sip from her cup of soda as they began discussion their rehearsal schedule. The showcase was in two days, and they had to check on their outfits, and still make sure their voices were in top shape. Unfortunately, Kyoka and Kaori both were in volleyball practice so they couldn't make the lunch date, but Destiny said she would inform them of the plan the day after. They were finished talking and eating and it was a little after 4 o'clock. After paying the bill, Jupiter called her a cab (she knew Franklin was unavailable, because he said he was going to be "busy" all day. Even if he wasn't busy, she wasn't going to bug him about taking her home). As she was waiting for her cab to come, her throat began feeling scratchy and sore, and she let out a cough.
"J, are you okay?" Destiny asked.
"Yeah." She answered hoarsely. "My throat is feeling a little weird…this came out of nowhere."
She continued coughing for a couple of more seconds, and felt her throat getting worse. Destiny looked on in worry, and Piper was expressionless. Her cab finally came and she got inside, just as Destiny walked up to her window.
"You sure you're gonna be okay?" Destiny asked her.
Jupiter nodded. "I'm fine girl. I'll make me some tea when I get home. See ya'll tomorrow."