AN: First of, I want to thank all of my readers once again. Thank you for your continuing support, for reading, reviewing, favorite-ing and following this story. Truly means a lot!
Second, this is partly a suggestion from FosterFanaticc1, partly my own idea. Basically, I have been thinking about this story line for quite some time now, and FosterFanaticc1 suggested it some while ago as well.
Third and most importantly! This chapter has a very serious warning about (with PLLFan865 words) #herewegowiththecliffhangers!
With that said, I am truly sorry for putting you through this again. Sorry in advance!
Amy POV
September 8th
The Monday morning in Scott's household started very slow. Neither I, nor Callie were too eager to get up and get on with our lives. When I walked out of my room, tucking my uniform shirt in my pants, Callie was slowly shuffling her feet to head to the bathroom. She was scratching her side and yawning at the same time.
"Morning" I say as cheerful as I could
Callie sheepishly said it back and disappeared in the bathroom. Getting used to school schedule after Summer is really hard. Callie was still living in her summer time, even thou school has been back on for few days now.
While she was in bathroom, I headed down to kitchen to start breakfast. I made a fresh pot of coffee and made scrambled eggs for breakfast. Callie got to kitchen right after the scrambled eggs were made. I pushed her plate closer to her and slide my plate to my side of the table. After that I poured two cups of coffee and sat down at the table.
"I hate Mondays" Callie pouted as she pressed her elbows against the table and run her hand over her face
"They are just like any other day in week" I tried to stay positive as I could
"No, Mondays are the worst" Callie didn't back down
"What class do you have today?" I ask keeping the conversation going
"Biology, History, English…Two math's if I am not wrong…oh, no! At math time we will have some meeting with guests from San Diego universities"
"That's the first I heard of it" I said scooping some eggs on my fork
"I just remember myself" She said reaching for the cup "Apparently they will try to talk us into going to colleges in San Diego"
I shift in my seat. We haven't really discussed Callie going to college. Of course I wanted her to go, to get a good education and later on the best job she could possibly ask for. All I want is for Callie to have a good life.
"You should get pamphlets after the meetings. Maybe we could discuss it after dinner" I suggest "You know, just talk about your options after high school. What you want to do, what are your plans!"
Callie slowly looked up to me, still chewing "I know you haven't really talked about going to college. You haven't said if you want to go, but…I don't know, I think we should at least discus the idea. Look at all your options, you choices. Maybe you will hear something you like at the event in school and—" I shrugged to her, stopping my sentence in half
She nods in agreement and smiles to me "I would like that"
"Great, it's date!" I smile back to her "I will get pizza after work and we discuss it after I get home" Callie nods back in agreement
Stef POV
The Monday morning didn't start like any other workday mornings. Why? Because Lena's alarm didn't go off and I had forgot put on my alarm. We were woken only when Frankie walked in our room and jumped around on our bed. After we realized we had overslept, we both were running around the house in our top speed.
There was a moment in our morning, when I was brushing my teeth while making pancakes for the kids, but Lena was making Frankie's hair while her own hair was still dripping wet. The kids like always were chatting around, making noise. But neither one decided to help Lena and I make breakfast, they were in their own little world.
Lena was reminding everyone of their day plan as we all run out of the house. I place a quick kiss to Lena's lips, wish good day to the kids before we part to our assigned cars. Frankie was walking with me, because it was my time to take Frankie to kindergarten and I couldn't be happier to do it. Jesus drove with Brandon, but Mariana and Jude with Lena.
I carried her little bag in one hand, while Frankie was holding on to my other hand. As we were walking the halls, I greeted all the other parents who had just dropped off their kids. I walked her in her classroom, to her table, where she sat with few other kids.
I crouched down to her and placed her bag on her chair "Be good and remember to listen to Mrs. Fletcher" I said as I run my hand softly over her cheek
"I will" She said looking back to me
"Do I get a kiss?" I ask her hoping I will get one
"You already got a morning kiss mommy" She said giggling back
"Can't I get another one? For good luck?" I ask her raising my eyebrow at her "I really think I need a good luck kiss from you today, baby"
"Okay…but don't tell mama, because can't get another one" Frankie said to me and placed a kiss on my cheek
"Our little secret" I say and kiss her cheek back "Love you baby"
"Love you too mommy!" I stood up ready to leave, when she called and stopped me
"What is it sweetie?" I ask crouching back down to her
"Be careful, mommy" she said reaching for the 2 stripes on my uniform
"Always am, love" I said placing another kiss to her forehead
Callie POV
"This is going to be so boring" Mackenzie whined as we headed to the gym
"Oh, come on…it won't be that bad" I tried to stay positive, but I had my doubts as well
"Are you kidding? We are going to be sitting there for hours! Listing how adults talk about how the choice we will make after high school will impact our lives. They think we don't know that already. I know what I want and I don't need to sit and listen to all of that crap" Mackenzie said tossing her bag to the other side of her shoulder
"You know what you want to do after high school?" I ask surprised
"Yes! I have known what I want to do after high school for years. I want to become a chemist!"
"Wow…that's…wow" I was left speechless. I knew Mackenzie was really smart in chemistry, but I never expected this "That's good for you. At least you know what you will be doing after high school. I have no idea what I want do with my life"
"Really? Not even a slightest idea?" Mackenzie asks pushing the doors to the gym open
The school gym was already full of students, most of the seniors were already there. The place was packed. Mackenzie points to a free spot on the platform and we head towards it.
"No, not a slightest idea. To be fair, for years I didn't even think I would get this far –to become a senior in high school. And the thought of attending college never crossed my mind. I don't know, college doesn't really seem like my thing" I tell her as we walk up the stairs to get to our spots that we set our eyes on
"What about photography? You are good at that. I have seen your photos, they are pretty amazing. You should become photographer"
I shrug "I don't know. It is more like a hobby, I'm not sure I want to take it professional"
"Have you never talked to your mom about your future?" She asks when we squeeze pass students to get to our spots
"Mom has mentioned it here and there. But we haven't had a big, serious talk about it. She actually brought it up this morning as well, she wanted talk about my future. About my plans." I said with a small smile, I was happy that I had someone that cared about my future
"Have you ever thought that maybe she wants you to go into her footsteps. Become a cop!" Mackenzie chuckles
"I'm no cop! My mom and Stef are the only two cops that I actually like. I have had my fair share of violence in my life, I have had enough! And honestly, I don't think I would be able to handle the job" I explain to her as we sit down "I have had few guns pointed at me, not the nicest feeling and situation to find yourself in" when I said that I realized another thing "Actually my mom was one of the people who had a gun pointed to me" Mackenzie's mouth drops in shock
"She wasn't my mom then, but…anyhow anything that has guns are definitely out of the picture" I reply quickly as I look over the gym that was full of students
Mackenzie's eyes are somewhere on the big scoreboard, she looked distant, thoughtful "That is one seriously messed up situation if you think about it. Your mom was about to shoot you." She took a pause, it was obvious to me she was trying to picture it in her head
"Your mom is so nice…sometimes I forget that she is a cop and deals with criminals and bad people" She glanced to me and added so I wouldn't get offended "Not that you are a criminal or a bad person! I didn't mean you!"
"To be fair, I was about to swing a bat at her and her partners head. And I already had smashed my foster brother's knee and his car…" I reminisce that day. Mackenzie next to me shakes her head and brushes the horrible thought out of her head.
"What about Brandon?" Mackenzie nods to Brandon as he walks with his friends looking for spot to sit down
"I am pretty sure he already has a spot in one of those prestige music colleges. He is a real Classical freak…amazingly good. I have no doubt he will go down the classical music path" I said watching Brandon
"You play guitar! Have you thought about studying music?" Mackenzie suggest
"I'm not going to college to learn how to play guitar! Just like photography - it's a hobby. It is something my mother taught me when I was kid and I want to keep it to myself"
"You know all those heartbreak songs from Adele? You could be a one awesome songwriter, like Adele! You know…because of your hard life heartbreak. You would have so much to write about" I slowly turn my head toward her and give her a look, I squint my eyes at her
"What…I'm just saying! You would be one badass songwriter. Your songs would have meaning!" Mackenzie says with a smirk on her lips "I can already see all the awards"
The school new principal Monte walked to the center of the gym, where the microphone stood, and she started her inspiration speech to all of the students. We had to listen to 5 different guests from 5 different universities here in San Diego. They all were here to promote their universities.
Overall I enjoyed the event, it was a nice insight. Mackenzie, on the other hand, was half asleep most of the time. Her head hit my shoulder couple of times as she was fighting off sleep.
"Did you really had to take them all?" She asks giggling as we head out of the gym
"It's just for information" I said opening one of the pamphlets about the University of San Diego to look over it "To see my options, what they offer, what faculties there are. Mom asked me to get them so we could together look through them tonight"
"I'm going to University of California" Mackenzie said proudly
"That's really far away" I say once I realize where the university is located
"It's one of the best universities in that field I want to study" She replies quickly with a smile on her lips
"What if you don't get in?" I ask her when we turn into the cafeteria
"I have a back up plan. The first one on the list is University of San Francisco"
"That's basically as far as University of California" I say putting the pamphlets away in my bag "What does your mom say about that?"
"She just wants me to get the best education that I can. Mom will support me no matter where I go. Will help me pay the student loan if I don't get a scholarship" She says grabbing a tray as we stand in the line "Where would you want to go university? If you decided to go"
"I don't think I would want to go outside San Diego" I say putting on salads "I don't want to leave Jude…or mom. It took me a really long time to find both of them. I'm not sure I would be able to leave them, I'm not sure I want to leave"
We both get our lunch and then go sit in the backyard to have our lunch, chatting about universities, our life goals, plans and overall we have a really deep conversation at lunch.
Stef POV
So far it has been a really slow day. Actually, it has been the slowest day ever. We have only made one arrest. I know, I know…it's a good thing. It means there is no crime committed in our region that we patrol. It means people are not hurt, it means the city if safer. But it still makes for really boring day.
Amy, in the passenger seat, threw her head back in the seat and let out a long breath, she was tapping her fingers at her knee non-stop.
"I feel you" I said stopping a red light "Today has been too slow. I almost wish for something to happen"
"Noooo!" Amy sat up "You did not just say that!"
"What?" I ask confused when I look to her
"You totally just jinxed it!" she said sitting up straighter in the seat, looking to me
"Oh, please...do you believe that stuff?" I ask her in disbelief
"Believe it? Stef, I have lived it!" She replied after she put her hand on her chest "Back before I transferred here, my partner and I were having a super slow day. We had just written one speeding ticket. My partner said it, next thing we know…we were involved in high speed chase throughout the whole city. 3 people died because the idiot t-boned his car into another car. A family was simply going to their son football match, but it ended in tragedy"
"That was totally a coincident, Amy" I said when I put back in gear and drove out at the green light. Of course I felt sad about the fact that lives were lost, but the whole situation - it was a coincidence.
"Na-ha! You want more? I have more!" I already knew, she was going to tell me either I ask her for more or don't. Either way, I will hear it "It happened when I worked at Boston, when I was a rookie. Just like today, we were having a slow day. I was the one who said it that time, hour later - shooting at office building. Angry man decided to shoot up the place because he was fired from his job there. 5 people dead, 3 more injured. Many lives ruined that day. I jinxed it!" she said pressing her index finger to her chest
"I don't believe the jinx" I said driving slowly throughout the city "People can't make things happen just with their words. That's not how it works. Bad things happen because there are many bad, stupid, crazy and evil people in this world. And because they do bad, stupid, crazy and evil things. Just because I said it was a slow day, doesn't mean anything will happen!" I turned to glance to her "I didn't think you were superstition!"
"It is not superstition if you have actually lived it!" Amy points out with a small smile on her lips "Mark my words…something bad will happen to today. And when it does- you will hear from me! I will rub it in your face!"
I laughed back at her "Oh, please! Nothing is going to happen, Amy! Stop being so paranoid"
"Just wait and see!" Amy said looking out the side window
Over the next hour, we had to write one speeding ticket and one ticket for driving at red light. No other calls, no robberies, no violence, no shootings, no stabbings,no fights, no car crashes. No nothing.
I pulled up by the side of the street. It was lunchtime and we decided to stop at the small bakery to get a cup of coffee and a sandwich or some pastry.
As we walked in, the small bell indicated the owner that another customer has arrived. We knew the owner. This was not the first time we have stopped here to grab a quick lunch. Like always the owner, who was a man in his mid 60, greets us kindly from behind the counter
"Good day officers!" He says casually and waves his hand at us, then he quickly returns back to his customer
"Slow day?" Amy asks him as there was just one more customer, besides us, in the store
"I will get the coffee" I say to Amy and head over to the coffee machine that stood at the left side of the shop, by the wall. Amy went to stand in the line, I heard her continue the chat with the owner.
I had just made the first coffee when a loud bang - gunshot - rang out in the room. I turned around faster than I can blink my eyes. My right hand automatically goes to my gun.
When my eyes traveled from where the sound came from, everything slowed down. Adrenaline was pumping in my blood. My heart rate increased. I was in survival mode.
The owner behind the counter, started to crouch down behind the counter in fear. He was covering his head with his hands.
I saw how Amy was falling backwards, blood splashing out from where the bullet pierced through her body.
The guy or more like a boy, was holding a gun towards Amy. I saw his hand trembling, the gun shaking along with it. Even thou he was the one with the gun pulled out – there was fear in his eyes well. He didn't look older than 20.
Before I could do or say anything, before I could react, call out - he pressed the trigger one more time, shooting another bullet in my partners body before she even hit the ground.
I pointed my gun up to the kid that had just shot my partner.
"Drop it!" I called out, not messing around "Slowly put the gun down and step away from it! DO IT NOW! PUT THE GUN DOWN! NOW!"
The boy looked up to me, with a dead, empty look in his eyes.
Please don't do it, please don't make me shoot you - I was thinking to myself as I was looking to the kid over my gun - I don't want to shoot you. Please, don't make me do it.
"Don't do this! Put the gun down, we can talk about it!" I tried to reason with him as I looked to him
Out of nowhere, I felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder. The force of the bullet that pierced through my shoulder, pushed my left shoulder backwards. As my body turned from the force of the bullet, I saw the shooter standing in the doorway to the backroom. Another shooter. There were two of them.
I was outnumbered!
I lost the grip on the gun with my left and I am forced to hold the gun with just my right. As I stumble backwards, I raise my gun up to the person who shot me.
I pull the trigger twice, aiming my gun to the chest of the boy who shot me. Besides the two shots I made, I hear two more gunshots ring out.
Lena
Brandon
Jesus
Mariana
Jude
Frankie
I don't want to die!
