A new reader! How exciting. A-Chana, your review was fantastic. Thank you. Definitely picked up on the gray area I was trying to lie. A few of your other predictions are pretty spot on, too… Thank you!
Format? Like 10 or so mini parts. I tried my hardest to top off my word document (single spaced 12 point font) to 100 pages and SUCCEEDED TAKE THAT LIFE. So, yeah.
Warning: fun language (bad words), sexy times (not much), alcohol, making out, suicide attempts, and some obvious things stated but not shared.
XX
Interlude: Time Passing
Part 1: Melancholy of Security
There was a large cake on the kitchen table and small decorations decorating the table. Marcus was walking around, stumbling into coffee tables and shaking his toys around. Sofia was reading quietly by the table, waiting for the party to start. Since Marcus didn't have any toddler friends, they only invited family.
She had framed her picture of him to give. It would be the present for showing up to the party.
"So-fee-uh!" her brother yelled, throwing a Lego at her. She caught it and set it aside, continuing her murder mystery. "Play with me!"
"Sofia, play with your brother," Benjamin said distractedly. He was nose-deep in his newspaper. Sofia sighed.
"I'm reading," she whined, closing her book. "Alright, Marcus, let's play while waiting for mommy." He threw some blocks around in a sort of rainfall. It was cute but also obnoxious because she would have to pick them up.
She knelt next to him and picked up some of his blocks. "Are we building a house, Marcus?"
He nodded and threw the blocks around. The door opened and Isabel walked in. The children got up and ran to their mother. She had her police uniform on, her badge on her pocket, and her makeup looking sharp.
"Hey, babies. How's it going?" Benjamin got up and walked over to her, giving her a kiss on her cheek. "Hey, baby."
"Where's Carlos? We're almost ready for the party." Isabel's lips morphed into a pout. "What is it?"
"I'm using my lunch hour for this. I'll drive Sofia over to her friend's house, but we need to get going."
Marcus pouted. "No time for cake?" he asked. Isabel lifted him up and gave him a kiss on his nose.
"Sorry, sport, no time for cake." A knock at the door roused Benjamin to go answer it. "Carlos! Just in time."
"I didn't miss anything, did I, sweetheart?" he asked little Marcus. He shook his head and pointed to the cake. "Oh, honey, but I have a present for you." Carlos presented the boy with a neatly wrapped present in blue paper and a gold bow. "Happy birthday!"
Marcus giggled and took it, placing it by the three other presents. Carlos looked around and took a small present out of his pocket. "Sofia," he whispered, handing her the present secretively. "I figured you shouldn't be left out."
She gave him a smile and handed him the picture of him. "I made this for you in art class."
"It's gorgeous, honey!" he said, giving her a peck on the cheek. "Thank you so much." She beamed and returned to the table.
Isabel and Benjamin were arguing, though. "You really can't take enough of a break for your son's birthday?"
"I've told you that I need to get back to work!" she hissed. "I have so many extra hours since half of the force quit!"
Benjamin sighed passively. "Okay. Let's have some cake, then." She frowned at that. "What, you can't have cake now, either?"
"Diet," she explained. "Need to keep strong." He shook his head and walked away. "Ben!" He turned to her.
"I'll talk with you more tonight. I'm not going to ruin my son's birthday."
She sighed and invited Marcus to blow out the candles, feeling miserable. Sofia took a seat by her mother, spectating her brother blowing out the candles and growing up. He turned into a very handsome young boy, resembling his sister greatly. They sang the happy birthday tune and all got a piece of cake, even Isabel.
"Let's open presents now," Marcus suggested. His family laughed. The present from his father were some action figures he had been wanting, his mother had given him a set of comic books, and his sister had given him a twine bracelet she'd bought with her own money. The real gift was from Carlos, though; he had gotten him an antique miniature train set.
The delight in his eyes made everyone happier as they danced around the set. "This is great, Uncle Carlos!" he said. "Thank you so much!"
The family smiled. Isabel checked the watch she had become accustomed to wearing and noticed that she had forty-five minutes to get back to work. "Sofia," she said, motioning toward the door. "We've got to go."
Sofia smiled and walked to her room. "I'll be ready in a second." Benjamin walked up to his wife, looping an arm around her.
She sighed. "I'm sorry."
"I know you are," he said. "I'm sorry for getting mad at you. We'll talk tonight, no matter how late it is."
"Thanks, sweetie," she said, pecking his lips as Sofia walked out. "Ready, Sofia?" She nodded, putting her winter coat on and joining her mother out the door.
XX
Part 2: On Surprises and the Present
"How strange is it that?" Sally commented. Sofia and her were standing at the kitchen on their tiptoes. Their sweaters, Sally's pink and Sofia's green, touched arms as they looked at Etsu's cake. "Both of our siblings have the same birthday."
Sofia shrugged. "Maybe they'll be friends or something." Sally shook her head.
"Likely story. Etsu has issues with boys. I doubt it will change when she grows up," she explained. Sofia nodded. "And at least yours is related."
The two looked as Timothy wrapped his arms around Vivian's waist and kissed her neck.
"Do you have an issue with them?" Sofia asked. Sally shrugged.
"It's weird to see your dad making out with the woman from down the hall… well, now that she lives in our apartment unit, she's not really down the hall," Sally said, heaving a sigh. Sofia took a piece of her hair and let it spring back to its original state.
"She's down a hall," Sofia supplied. She laughed and nodded. Etsu walked up to them and tugged on Sofia's skirt.
"Fee!" she said. "I want cake!"
Sofia giggled, picking up the little girl. "In good time, my friend," she said, lifting her up to see the cake. The girl giggled with her. "A decent little sister, at least."
The engagement had come in October and the wedding followed soon after. Etsu had kept her old last name but Vivian was planning on asking her if she wanted to change it so they could be a big happy family.
Sally sighed. The big happy family wasn't how she'd expected it to be. It was very lonely and one-sided. But now that she had a good friend she could get over it… mostly.
"Are you ready, Etsu?" Vivian cooed. The little girl nodded and her mother lifted her to the cake. "Alright, you girls, get ready for this!"
The girls sighed disinterestedly. Timothy chuckled at them and went to the present pile for Etsu. There were at least ten presents for her as well as a small envelope. Sally was interested in that – it seemed to not be a present for solely Etsu.
They hummed the song to her and she gleefully leaned to blow out the candles. They fizzled out and Etsu quickly grew up.
"Wow," Sofia breathed. "She's cute."
The little girl had her black hair in a half-ponytail and had an overall dress on. But she had definitely grown into her features – and she looked just like her mother.
"Happy birthday, baby!" Vivian exclaimed, giving her a kiss on the cheek. The little girl put a comforting hand on her mother and took a slice of cake.
The two older girls smiled at each other, taking a slice to share. Sofia got up to retrieve her present for the little girl.
"Hey, Etsu, do you want your present?" Sofia asked. Sally smirked as she handed the gift to her.
"Yes!" she said, ripping the gift open eagerly. Sally raised her eyebrows at the small, elephant-shaped stuffed animal. It was very pretty and looked somewhat expensive.
Sally sighed. Of course it was expensive. The financial rift between their two families was becoming more apparent as they aged.
"Thank you, Fee!" she said, giving her a hug. "Can I open the rest now, mommy?" Vivian giggled and nodded, but Timothy put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
Sally frowned. So she was right, but what would they be giving to their family? And with Sofia around?
"We have an announcement," he said, pulling out the envelope. He gave it to Sally to open, which she did, examining what was on it with Sofia over her shoulder.
She glanced up at her father. "It's test results." Sofia smirked and kept looking over it. "From… a doctor's office."
"How is this good news?" Sofia asked. "Oh… I get it."
Sally looked at her. "How?" Her friend pointed to the title of the document and then the results. "Oh! You're pregnant."
"Yes!" Timothy and Vivian exclaimed. Sally's heart sank. Their apartment was crowded already, with Etsu and Sally sharing an already cramped room and their parents constantly bumping into things in their room. Although, knowing them, that could or could not be on purpose.
Sally forced a smile and took Sofia's hand. "That's great!" Sofia said, beaming. "I'm so happy for you."
"You're going to be a big sister, Sally!" Timothy gleefully said. Sally smiled, but she didn't mean it. I'm already a big sister.
Sofia took Sally's hand and pointed to her room. "Let's hang out after she's done with the rest of the presents. Then we can gossip about Luc Shin and Sunny's affairs with him." Sally giggled, liking that idea.
XX
Part 3: December Baby
Ramir paced the waiting room of the hospital anxiously. His wife had gone into labor and everything, giving him quite a scare, as they had to run out in the freezing cold in order to get to the hospital. It was night and the snow was starting to fall. It was the first snow of the season.
And, of course, there had been some sort of complication.
He was perusing through the newspapers, seeing his face on the front of most of them. Being hailed as the youngest and brightest mayor of any regional city, he had made a variety of changes to the town. Police forces had been cracking down on people and over ten various criminals, from both the Political Dog movement, as it had been dubbed, and miscellaneous crimes, had been apprehended and tried in the three months he had been in office.
People loved Ramir. But Ramir loved the people more. His public appearances were numerous and received well. His secret service guard had been cut, giving more benefits because Ramir trusted the people.
The call from that lady may have been oddly prophetic, but it wasn't real. Ramir was voted in by luck, a pure fluke. No one would have guessed it.
"Hey, Mayor Patel!" a young man said, nodding his head to the man. Ramir turned and extended his hand.
"Thank you for doing your job, sir," Ramir said respectfully. His family had always emphasized respect for elders and anyone who did important work. "What's your name?"
The man shook his head. "Not your problem. I was sent to fetch you, actually. Your wife is fine, as is your child. I understand the gender was supposed to be a surprise, and she would like your assistance with naming the kid." Ramir's face lit up. There was a kid now. He was a father now.
Never had he thought he could be so happy.
He followed the man down the hospital hallway to where his wife lay, holding a tiny little baby in her arms. It was already clad in a diaper and definitely sleeping.
Now he knew that he could get happier.
"Ana," he whispered, kneeling by the bed. "Is this our little baby?"
She grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "Is it a mini Ana?" She nodded again.
"I didn't know what to name her," she said, stroking the baby's black hair. "She has your eye shape."
"Your skin, though," he commented. "What should we name her?"
He thought for a moment. "Something meaningful. Light and bouncy. Look at her, already smiling in her sleep. She's not going to be a serious child."
Ana laughed lightly. "Definitely going to be a handful for us. Hopefully I can go back to work so we can move out into a bigger house."
He sighed and gave the baby his finger to curl around. She did and grasped it incredibly hard for a little girl. "Whoa, tiger," he said, smiling at her. "I think she's a Lila."
Ana grinned at him. "That sounds like a perfect name for our little baby." He kissed her forehead and admired his daughter for a time more.
XX
Part 4: Repetition
Sam and Gabe sat on his couch together, barely touching fingers and shoulders. They weren't all over each other for one reason: Kim and Chastity were still there.
Sam had the feeling that Kim was staying simply to spite her. Not that she cared, though. Gabe just being there was perfectly fine for her.
"We should probably get home," Kim said. Gabe glanced at Sam. "Unless you don't want to." Gabe put a hand on her back.
"I can drive you," he said meaningfully. Chastity snorted and got up.
"I'm going to bed," she said quickly. "Goodnight, you guys." Kim smirked at the two and walked over to Sam to retrieve the keys. "Make good choices!"
Sam blushed as she handed over the car keys to her sister. Kim winked at her and walked out after bidding goodbyes.
Taking a deep breath, she felt Gabe move over to her and put his fingertips on her neck. "There you are, Princess. How are you?"
"Fine," she replied, managing to give him a smile. "Did – do you really want me to stay over?"
"Only if you want to," he said quickly. "I meant that I would drive you home later. Unless you didn't want to go home." She nodded and he kissed her lips carefully. "Are you okay with that?"
She nodded slowly, allowing the motion of her head to tell him what she was thinking since their eyes were closed. "Good. I'll have to be careful with you, though."
"Why?" she questioned, pulling away from him. He chuckled and pulled her off of the couch.
"Because you, princess, are a delicate creation who should be treated as such," he mused into her ear. She sighed as he placed his lips right below her ear. "If you give me permission…"
"Yes," she replied without thinking. He ran his hands down her sides, caressing her and kissing her neck. They pushed upstairs to his room.
"You're sure you're alright?" he asked again as they sat down on his bed. She nodded resolutely. "Don't lie to me."
"Why do you think I'm lying?" she questioned. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to, Gabe."
"You're saying that you want to, then?" he asked. She rolled her eyes.
"I thought you were smart," she said, exhaling quietly. "I feel safe around you, Gabe. I haven't seen Armand in a month. My nerves calm around you. So yes, I want to."
He gave her a dubious glance and she smacked his arm. "You're ridiculous!"
"Whatever you say, princess," he said, lying her down on the bed and taking off his shirt. He fell down next to her and took hand. "I'm sorry… are you sure?"
She rolled her eyes and turned to him, climbing onto his stomach. "You're not very receptive. I think you're hiding something." He chuckled and she kissed him again. "Come on. I'm not as breakable as you think." Cautiously, he lifted the edge of her shirt up. Infuriating! But he really wasn't infuriating. He was really devilishly handsome and made her stomach feel like butterflies in a nest when he was around. He was also smart and interesting and safe… but not too safe. Not boring.
Rolling her eyes, she simply took off her sweater, leaving her in a tank top and her jeans. His eyes flickered downward and she snickered.
"You're miserable, Gabe," she said, pulling him onto her for more kissing. The alien feeling of the situation was quickly fading. Instead of being quickly paced and wild, it was slow and metered and careful. It matched their personalities. It was careful but it had a purpose. It was like a symphony rather than a rock concert: both great to witness and perform in but had different meanings to different people.
He made a move for her pants and she obliged.
XX
Part 5: And You've Been Counting
Kim walked out to her car, waiting to make sure Sam didn't back out. If she did, she would send her back in because her sister needed that – it had leveled out Kim's fears back in high school, knowing she could do it without chickening out – but Sam was always too good for that.
How good Gabe was for her was an easy thing to measure. She was level, cool, collected, and quiet. Her nightmares had stopped and she had stopped shaking.
Kim felt proud of her sister. Being the older twin, she'd assumed the role of the older sibling. It had made her more confident and stronger, but really, Kim was just as worried as her sister.
She opened her door but paused. She heard a sound behind her.
"Okay," she sighed, turning around. "Show yourself."
Acacius stepped out from the doorway. "You've gotten more perceptive."
"Only because you've been more of an asshole. I've seen you forty times in the past three months."
"You've been counting?" he questioned. She rolled her eyes. "Fine, roll your eyes, Kim. But I'm not relenting."
"Is there a reason it's always at night? I mean, that's only a little frightening when I'm walking out to my car in the dead of night – "
"-it's only eleven thirty," he interrupted. She glared at him.
"And you continue sneaking up on me!"
"It's not always at night. I just prefer the evening."
"This is not even the evening!" she shouted in frustration. "What do you want? A ride home? Money?"
He snorted. "I don't want your money." She rolled her eyes. "What?"
"It just looks desperate and vaguely assaulting," she said. "Seriously. What do you want?"
He stared at her before turning on his heel and walking away.
"You have to be kidding me." She shook her head and continued to her car, starting it and driving home.
When she got home, the porch light was on. Not that she thought anything of it, since it could easily be some sort of animal, but it was still odd. She pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. She would have to go out early tomorrow for work, anyway.
Which reminded her of the situation. The boss, whom she still didn't know of a name for, was impossible toward her. Whatever she did was wrong for him.
Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't realize when she ran into him.
"Holy shit!" she yelled, hitting him in the chest. "How the hell did you get here?"
He chuckled. "You're sure an angry lady, aren't you?" She crossed her arms, waiting. His expression told her that he was confused, but he shouldn't be. "Oh, you want an explanation? Hm… I drive recklessly at night."
"Why the hell are you at my house? Speaking of that, how did you know it was my house?" she asked, hitting him with her purse. He laughed some more, leaning against her doorway. In doing that, he managed to look hot while also blocking her entry. "Do explain before I call the police."
"Do that, then, Kim. But I will explain. See, I have this issue where I can't socialize with people normally so I create scenarios in which I have to run into them. Eventually I run out so I start showing up in places that don't make sense – such as your friends' house and your own house. That reminds me, where's Sam?"
"Gabe," she said. "Who I suppose you know. From the party."
"Ah!" he said, something recognizing in his eyes. "So they're dating now?"
"More than dating," she said, implying heavily with her words. He nodded. "Which is why she is not here."
"So, basically, they're screwing in his room?" he clarified. She smirked and nodded. "How cute."
"She deserves it. Why am I telling you this?" she asked, starting for the door. He caught her shoulder, though. "Let go of me, you ignorant piece of work."
He chuckled. "Give me a break. I basically admitted that I like you."
She frowned, a snowflake falling onto her nose. "Were you really?" He nodded, a goofy grin on his face. Instead of reacting how he probably hoped she would, she kicked him in the shin.
"What the hell!" he said, holding his leg and walking after her. She jammed her key into the lock. "Wow, we really do act like preschoolers."
She glared at him and turned to her house. "I'm going to bed. Goodbye."
"Goddamnit, I can't talk to you! Please, Kim, listen," he said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "I've been stalking you, for lack of a better word, because I really, really like you. Okay?"
She swallowed, still facing the door. "And?"
"And I really want to get to know you," he said.
"And?" she prompted, knowing he was still holding back.
"Oh, you bitch," he cursed. Tapping her shoulder, she turned around into his face. "What else do you want me to say? That I find you absolutely screwable?"
"That would probably make your chances significantly less," she said, backing away from him. But then she caught a glance at his eyes again…
"Or more, judging by your incredibly distracted face," he said, decreasing the distance between him. "Talking with you is like a dance. We spin and we spin but we never get what we really want."
"And what might that be?" she questioned smartly, crossing her arms. He put his hand up by her cheek, but then seemed to reconsider, settling on putting it on her shoulder.
Sighing, she realized exactly what he was talking about.
"I think you know, Kim." He took his hands off of her and turned. "I'll see you around."
Shit. "Wait!" she said. He turned back and she bit her lip.
"Yes, Kim?" he asked patiently.
"You're going to make me reach for this, aren't you?"
"You make me reach for it."
"God… I have work tomorrow, but do you want to hang out after work?"
He grinned. "As long as we get the coffee at your house." She nodded – until she realized the innuendo in that statement. He was already walking away.
"Hey!" she shouted. "You stupid bastard!"
"It's all part of my charm," he called back. She growled and angrily stomped into her house.
XX
Part 6: It's Not Like They'll Make You Do It
Tara crept through her house as quietly as possible, making sure her father didn't hear her. He'd stopped checking on her since she started to get her grades up. Well, it also helped that she'd completely stopped talking about Justin.
There was, of course, a reason for that. A very… militant reason.
"Hey, boys," Tara said, meeting the Grunt boys outside of her apartment complex. Ripp and Tank were at each other's throats, Tank having Ripp in a headlock. "Whoa, what's the problem?"
Tank stood up, smiling halfway for the girl. "Ah… a disagreement."
"You mean that you were trying to freaking kill me?" Ripp asked. The sophomore rubbed his head, shaking out his long hair. Tank shrugged, the senior's hair even closer than it was a few days ago. From the grapevine, she'd heard that he was planning on going into the army like his father. Ripp, however, was not planning on that.
"Do you two actually hate each other?" she questioned. They fell silent. "What, did I hit a sore spot?"
"We used to hate each other. But then my dad shaped up and we reconciled," Tank explained resolutely. "Anyway, we'd better get going to go see your boyfriend." She wondered what they meant by used to. They had a decent love-hate sibling relationship at that moment, but if they didn't used to get along… Both of them could be somewhat scary to the other.
She decided not to think about it.
She shivered as the three started walking down the street. If her father saw her, she was dead. But she'd been doing this since November, and she'd been talking to him since October. They had been careful. But, of course, not too careful.
Being rebellious felt really nice, as Ripp had definitely taught her. Clothes and hair were only part of it, both of which she hadn't changed. Attitude was a giant thing in being rebellious. But being technical and tactical also had its advantages, as Tank had taught her. The plans were the best part of it. Both were great boys. But she'd snagged them on different girls. Well, she had hoped she'd snagged them on different girls.
The snow pelted down, making a nice scene to walk in. Both of the boys had their army green coats on and Tara had her pink one on.
Her father had been nicer and kinder. Even gentler, once asking how Justin was holding up. There was a nasty battle between his parents – his father was gay, she'd heard from him – and Justin was being torn between parents.
"Man, it's fu – freaking cold," Ripp corrected himself. Tara smirked as Tank tried to hit him. "What is your issue with cussing?"
"Yeah, Tank. You're so fucking uptight," Tara said viciously. Tank blushed and Ripp laughed darkly.
"I… just don't like it," he muttered, glaring at the ground as if he could disappear. "I mean… mom used to cuss and dad always yelled…"
Oh great, Tara thought. More marital strife.
"What happened to mom?" she asked casually.
"Dead," they both said suddenly.
"Well," she said, frowning and concentrating on the sidewalk. "That's awkward."
"Yeah, our dad kicked her out and then she was found in that old Specter's house. See, we Strangetown-ites have theories about her," Ripp explained. "My dad personally thinks it was an accident. Idiot."
"Dad is not an idiot, Ripp!" Tank complained. Tara sighed. Sometimes, even though Tank was older, he could be such a kid. Two years apart, it was much like a relationship between twins. Ripp was more mature for his age and Tank was less. There was a great parallel, really.
"What do you think, Ripp?" The boy shrugged.
"I think Specter definitely killed some of the service kids but I don't know about mom."
Tara understood it now. Ripp was a mommy's boy and Tank was a daddy's boy. However, they were at odds because their parents were at odds. The only reason they were civil was because they had to be a team in order to stick together in a town like that… or like Belladonna. If events happened differently, as in the school idea where all children from every suburb went to the same high school, they would probably be in completely different groups and hate each other. Heck, if things were different…
"Are those streetlights the park?" Tara asked, squinting into the snow. Ripp cursed to himself, worried about the snow. "Don't worry. We'll get back before it gets too bad. And if we die in the snow it's totally Tank's fault." She snickered, knowing Tank would react. He hated getting into trouble.
"HEY!" Tank bellowed.
"Quiet down, the snow fairies might hear us," Justin said, walking up to the three. Tara walked up to him and kissed him. His lips and nose were colder than hers, pressing into her face like two ice cubes. It still felt good, though.
"God, you two, get a room," Ripp said to Tank. The two shook with silent laughter, but Tara didn't hear.
"Damn, you're cold," she whispered in his ear. He shrugged, pointing to his father's car. "Oh, you're with your dad."
"And his friend Antonio. He isn't fooling anyone!" he complained, giving Tara a pout. "At least he gets me a ride to see you. And he's the cool parent, you know?"
"I wish I had two parents to choose from," Tara said, smirking at him. He pressed his nose into hers and the two kissed again.
"Hey! I wish I had two parents as well but it's freezing out here!" Tank called. "Also the snow's going down too hard." Justin's pocket buzzed and he pulled out his phone. "Tell me that's your father telling you to get out of here!"
Justin frowned. "He's right. See you tomorrow?"
She winked and nodded. "Always, Romeo. Same time, same place." He pumped his fist and they started to full on make out.
Ripp pretended to retch and throw up while Tank shook his head judgmentally. Tara giggled against his mouth and they moved with each other…
"Romeo and Juliet," Tank mused. "I never was much for eighth grade literature, but I read that story. It seems almost familiar, the two feuding families."
Ripp shook his head. "Too many plot differences. One, no one knows the reason why Justin's dad was outed except Tara, Armand, and Justin, so there's no feud there. As far as I know, Armand and Marissa go out to dinner with Geoff every so often." Every bit of knowledge he had Tara had given to him since their father still wouldn't let them go to school with the rest of the kids. The reasoning behind it was not established even though Buck begged his father. "Second, there was a quantifiable age difference between Romeo and Juliet. They're, like, two months apart."
"When'd you get so smart?" Tank sulked.
"I've always been this smart. I just started studying, is all." The two spectated as Tara finally separated herself from Justin's mouth. She whispered something in his ear that looked like an apology and she returned to the two brothers. They kept their eyes on her. Instead of liking her, they were like older brothers to her, the older brothers she'd never had.
In a way, she needed them. But they needed her too.
Waving their goodbyes, the three and the one parted ways, walking in opposite directions.
A chuckle rumbled low in Ripp's throat. Tara shot him a look but her grin gave her away.
"What, Ripp?"
"I hope you have a good supply of turtlenecks," he said. Tank gave his brother a conspiratorial glance. They had an arsenal of comedy they could use as foils to each other because of how much they'd practiced against Buck. Which reminded them of how they had to thank him when they got home with their phones so he could call his little girlfriend.
"Because you're probably going to have a hickey by tomorrow." She slapped her palm to her forehead. "Yeah… judging by the trajectory of the moonlight and the amount of snow falling, you're definitely a Juliet."
"What do you mean by a Juliet?" she questioned.
"Either the one in Veronaville or the one in the novel: you're hopelessly in love." She rolled her eyes, but the blush did not lie. "Yes, by my mathematical calculations…"
She socked Ripp in the shoulder. "Speaking of Justin's father…"
"I do not recall talking about Justin's father," Tank said. "Do you, Ripp?"
"No," he said. "But do go on."
"Since my dad outed him and all, I have a question for you. If you were gay, would you rather tell your dad yourself or have him find it out second hand?"
She stared at them, waiting for their answers. Ripp glanced at Tank for a split second – almost unnoticeable, really – and answered.
"Definitely tell him myself. I mean, he'd probably disown me or whatever, but still. Second hand just sucks."
"Hold it… are you answering in my metaphor to tell my father about Justin or are you being literal?" she questioned. Ripp nodded, realizing what she was trying to say, and tried again.
"Oh… ha, considering what your dad did to him, I'd shut the hell up about it and deny everything," Ripp said. "If our dad was intense yours is homicidal."
"He's too quiet," Tank commented. "I'm wary of him."
"You're wary of everyone, Tank," Ripp said, "Anyway, we're here. We'll cross the street and catch the bus home. If we timed it right, then we might be able to catch it."
"Thanks for everything, guys," Tara said. They nodded. "See you tomorrow." She gave both of them a hug and opened the door to her apartment building.
After she left, Tank exhaled. "You're a real piece of work, aren't you?" he said. Ripp smirked.
"I try my hardest, big brother. Now let's go before I freeze my nipples to death."
XX
Part 7: Static
"Snow's not good when it's falling!" Phoebe screamed to Frances. She simply rolled her eyes and continued reading the manual she was reading: How to Assemble your Cauldron in 74 Easy Steps. The steps were neither easy nor were there seventy-four of them. In fact, there were probably around three hundred. But Frances kept reading because in one of her tirades, Phoebe had shattered hers. "It's romantic and it's happy!"
"Calm down, Phoebe," she said, sounding bored. "It's too late for this. Rather, it's too early. It's midnight." Phoebe grinned. "And no, it's not perfect." Frances sighed, closing her book and standing up. "I am losing power and you are gaining it. This is not how we work. Our prefecture, which we are in charge of, has no more powers to compete with. It is you and I. So why am I losing it?"
"You aren't," she said automatically, although she doubted it. Sally could be doing something. She'd been keeping an eye on the girl for a while and was glad she'd found a friend. From what she'd seen, the girl wasn't happy about her fathers' new marriage and was cramped in the room she had to share with her new sister, but she seemed happy enough.
Whatever was changing, though, Frances needed to get a look at.
"What do you know that I don't?" Phoebe asked. Frances glanced up at her. "That haircut looks terrible on you, by the way."
The haircut looked good on Frances, though. She had cut it into a pixie cut and it showed off her cheekbones and minimized her lips. But Phoebe didn't know what she was saying.
Frances curled up on the couch and waved her wand around, leaving green and yellow trails in the air. "So how's Connor been going?"
Phoebe wrinkled her nose. "That new boyfriend's been keeping him away from her but I can't touch him."
She frowned. "Why not?"
"Because her alliances shifted from Kim to him because she didn't have to worry about her. Now I could touch her but there's nothing to touch because she has no love interest." Phoebe sighed, starting a blue fire with her wand. "And the stupid new cop has run half of my crime out of town. It's pissing me off!"
"Calm down, Phoebe," Frances calmed.
"You calm down!" Kay screamed at her.
"Give me a break," Phoebe said, wrinkling her nose.
"I'm reacting remarkably calm for you stealing my boyfriend," Frances replied. "I mean, I don't even care."
"You're getting angry again," Frances warned. Phoebe cracked her wall next to her desk. "Don't do this."
"Don't do this, Kay," Frances warned.
"I'll do whatever the hell I please, Frances!" Kay shouted back, hitting her sister in the forehead. Frances fell down, her mouth forming into an o.
"That does it," she muttered, balling her hands up into fists.
"I'll crack your head open again," Phoebe muttered, blowing out her window. The glass, however, flew back in and peppered Frances. She grunted, shutting her eyes. "Let me get angry."
"You can't," Frances said simply. "I won't let you."
"GET MAD AT ME!" she screamed, finally breaking. She'd learned to control her rages but once she broke she would keep screaming until she calmed down. Frances got up and clasped her hands around her wrists.
It felt, as they touched, like they were changing again. Frances felt the internal battle she'd grown accustomed to start to overpower herself and she let go. Phoebe stopped, too, letting go and looking at her hands. The crackle of idle static electricity expiring filled the air and made Frances' short hair stand on end. Whenever they fought with their wands or their hands static flew off of them and into the surrounding air.
"What was that?" she asked, staring at Frances. "It was… the power took me over for a second…" The two stared at each other, Phoebe's black hair flaying into her face and giving her an incredibly demonic look.
"I don't know what it is," Frances said anxiously. "But I intend to find out and make sure it doesn't happen again. The bad… it took me over."
She snorted. "That's when good-for-nothing good people become bad witches." She spun on her heel and walked out. "Now we need to fix this power reversal, Frances."
Frances sighed and followed. The power needs to go in Sally's favor for us to win, she thought miserably, following her orders.
She would need a very good plan for this. In fact, she would have to have the perfect plan. Hiding things from her sister was never easy, but she would have to manage it in order to finish her.
XX
Part 8: Mule
Carlos sat idly in the bar. It was well past one in the morning. Where was she?
Geoff grumbled beside him. "I'm too tired for this. She probably isn't even going to show up." Carlos shook his head. "What? Just because you two slept together doesn't mean she's reliable."
Carlos shook his head again. "My Chastity is reliable."
"My Chastity my ass," she said, pulling out the chair next to them. She'd entered behind Geoff so he hadn't noticed her. "Sorry, I fell asleep and woke up with the alarm set at twelve. I just got here late."
"At least you're here," Carlos said, glancing back and forth. Geoff's silly roommate, Connor, was at the game section of the place, trying to win a stuffed animal. The kid was not fun to be around.
She nodded and examined a ring on her finger. "I am here. So what do you want?"
"Delivery," Geoff interrupted. "Supply bundle to a contact we will give you on the day of the delivery." She glared at him as he handed her a box. "Pleasure doing business with you."
"Oh, I'll do business with you, you little shit," she hissed, snatching it out of his hands and walking away. "Unless you have something else for me."
Carlos' eyes were not on hers. "You fucking perv. Look at something else instead of my ass. I swear, you get more unbearable as I spend time with you."
"Okay, slut, you can leave now," Geoff said, annoyed. She dropped the box on the floor and faced him. "Whoa, someone's got a beef."
"Someone's going to get a face full of rings if they don't shut the hell up," she said, shifting her weight and crossing her arms. Even though she was small, she was plenty threatening, especially with her alternative haircut and piercings. How she got a job at Armand's business was beyond Carlos.
"Shut up, Geoff," Carlos interrupted. "And yeah, we're done. Get ready on Tuesday or so for it." She rolled her eyes, picked up the box, and left.
"Jesus, Carlos, are you being a sell-out for a reason?" Geoff asked, glancing back at her. Carlos shrugged.
Carlos' phone buzzed. It was from Armand, telling him to check his newsfeed. He sighed and put it away. It could wait.
"I have a soft spot for her. She has a spark most of our saps don't."
Geoff scoffed. "Sure, you have a soft spot." Carlos smirked and looked to the side. In an hour they would be kicked out, although neither of them were drunk. Secrets were everywhere in an affluent bar if one knew where to look.
Armand's stock had grown because of all of the good publicity from the new mayor's expiration of crime since Armand had attached his name to it without attaching it to Ramir. He had worked his magic and Carlos was interested in how he did that.
"Yo, man," a very obviously drunk man said to his friend, stumbling, "that the crimes have dropped off because they're scared?"
"Yeah, dude?" the other young man slurred. "I figured it was because they were all busted by that new woman cop. She seems like… like a girl!" The two laughed and made their way to the door.
Carlos sighed. If drunks said it, it could very well be public opinion by now. "Bartender? What do you think of the crime?"
The woman looked up curiously at the old man who addressed her. "Um… the new woman who's busting them seems to be doing a good job." He smiled.
"My niece," he said proudly. "I love her to death." He returned his attention to Geoff, who was looking intently at his phone. "What is so important that you're ignoring your business partner, Geoff?"
He looked up at Carlos, a somber look on his face. "Um, your girlfriend's in the hospital. Everyone's accusing you of doing it."
Carlos' features dropped. "You're kidding?"
"No. Jess is in the hospital. It looks like she tried to kill herself."
Carlos picked up his coat and rushed out of the bar.
XX
Part 9: Next Time
Jessica cracked her eyes open. It was too bright and too white and too early for this…
She looked at the curtains. They were dark. So it was too late? Jesus, she was too drunk for this.
Hold it, she wasn't drunk. What? All she could remember was all of the freaking vodka she'd drank…
And then the blackout. Ah. Now she realized what had happened. She was probably in her room, sleeping off her bender.
But her room was pink, not white. God, this was confusing.
She tried to get up but felt a searing pain in her wrists. Looking down in confusion, she tried to pick at the bandages on them.
Oh… oh no. Who found me? And am I still…
Shit, shit, shit. Of course she was in the hospital. Nothing went her way, did it? So what if they'd found her cutting herself once. All melodramatic teenagers did it. And so did depressed people if they wanted to die.
If she tried, she could pretend it was heaven, but really, it was definitely hell.
"…and she is my girlfriend," someone said.
"But she is my ex wife."
And it gets worse, she thought, sighing. It was three little cuts. Nothing worth going to the hospital over. Seriously, she felt better.
"She doesn't even care about you anymore, Armand!" Carlos protested. I don't really care about you either, Carlos, to be honest, she admitted to herself. If I had realized half of how dangerous you were I would be long gone. Maybe gone to Riverblossom or something.
"I have a right to see her!"
"Calm down, men," a nurse said. "She is probably sleeping."
"Nah, I'm not," she called, sitting up and managing to rub her eyes. "Come on, you two."
The nurse was at a loss as the two charged in. She already had a feeling of what they were there for but she had to be sure.
"What statement do you need?" she asked tiredly, squeezing her eyes shut. "Let me guess, you need to cover yourselves because of the media."
"Ridiculous," Armand muttered. "You've groomed her to not look out for herself."
"Shut up, you're here for the exact same reason," Carlos growled. "They said that I did this to you. Is this true?"
"If you refer to the drinking myself into oblivion for you, then yes," she said. "If you're referring to the suicide attempt, no. I mean… it wasn't even a suicide attempt. It was a silly moment of weakness. I'm better now."
"She was better the last two times as well," Armand said quietly. She kept her eyes closed. They were not the people she wanted to look at. "We're both facing allegations, though, and – "
"Stock plummets, rumors fly, social reputations are smeared. I get it. Now I say it was simply a mistake, I am better, and everything is cheery. Now can I please go back to sleep?" she questioned. The two stood still for a moment.
"Thanks, Jess," Carlos said.
"Yes, thank you, Jessica," Armand said politely. She nodded.
"Get out, now," she said, turning over and curling up on the hospital bed. If everything went well and she was a good girl, they would let her out like the last two times. The two would give her space for a little while but they'd come right back because they needed her just like she needed them. Everyone was sleazy in her circles. That was all she had ever known, from her mother and father to her entire life. It was sad but she accepted it.
"I'm better, I swear," she said to no one in particular, reaching over to turn off the lamp next to her. "Maybe next time I'll get it right."
Next time.
As she slid off into a sleep, she began to wonder if there would be a next time.
XX
TL;DR: Marcus grows up and Isabel is too busy. Etsu grows up and Timothy and Vivian announce another kid as Sofia and Sally hang out. Ana and Ramir have a kid named Lila. Sam and Gabe get together. Kim runs into Acacius and they set up a tentative date. Tara sneaks out with Tank and Ripp to see Justin. Phoebe and Frances argue about a power shift. Chastity picks up a package from Carlos and Geoff. Jessica is hospitalized for trying to kill herself and Armand and Carlos show up to get their names cleared.
100 pages has been achieved. I'd like to thank the academy…
Coming up next: part two to the saga.