Hello. This is the author. Obviously, who else would it be, right? Anyway, I just wanna take the time now to thank all of those who read and reviewed. I've enjoyed reading comments and suggestions and stuff. Well, one reader in the review had asked why Nikki had gotten the death card. There is a very specific reason for that. You see, I will be creating other stories like this. They will all be part of the "Dawn of a New Era" saga. The things that happen in this story might seem small and insignificant now, but in later stories they will make a lot more sense. So, Nikki getting the death card will make sense later in another one of the stories, okay? Everything happens for a reason. Remember that. Anyway, read the story and enjoy. Keep reading.
Jess
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"Zach and I will go next, okay, Sakura?" Chelsea asked. Sakura only nodded. Chelsea felt horrible. Sakura hadn't said much since Li had left and it felt like an eternity, but in reality it had only been about 15 to 20 minutes. Soon she became angry. Angry at Li for making Sakura feel the way she felt now. What a total jerk! He will pay! She was going to make sure of it. She clenched her fists and then turned when she heard the footfalls of her friends and the beads dancing about as they were pulled to the side to allow both Nikki and Rita a way out. She smiled and unclenched her hands and approached them, but she froze when she noticed their face expressions. Rita looked horribly upset and Nikki looked like she was way out of it. Way out of it. Chelsea then noticed a couple of tears in Rita's eyes. At that moment one managed to fall freely from Rita's eye. Soon more had followed.
"What...," Chelsea began.
"Happened...," Madison followed.
"To...," Sakura added.
"You?" Zachary finished.
All of them crowded around Nikki and Rita.
"My fortune," Nikki said simply. And at that moment Rita cleared her throat and began to explain. Everything. Down to how she felt. At first Chelsea's mind didn't know what to believe, but after a while she soaked it all in. Nikki would be dying? But how? WHY?! She couldn't be! She just couldn't! There was no way! She was way too young to be dying. There was so much school left, so many guys to meet, so many unanswered questions, so many things to discover... so much to life. So many things to do! She was just too damn young!
Then Chelsea noticed Nikki. She smiled at them all, but Chelsea could not return Nikki's smile with one of her own, nor could any one else. "Come on, guys. This isn't helping Sakura's situation one bit," Nikki coaxed.
"Who cares about me!" Sakura shouted. Chelsea and the rest tuned to Sakura. It had been the first time she had spoken since Li left and Chelsea felt it was ages ago since Sakura last spoke, well it had been a long time since she last spoke an entire sentence.
"I do," Nikki said.
"We all do," Madison added. Zachary, Chelsea, Rita, and Nikki all nodded in agreement.
"This is more important than my situation!" Sakura shouted, ignoring what her friends were saying.
"Sakura, listen, it isn't-," Nikki said before she was cut off.
"It is a big deal, Nikki!" Sakura yelled.
"No it-," Nikki began, but was one again cut off.
Chelsea noticed tears falling down Sakura's face. "I love you as much as I love my family!" Then Sakura's voice became softer, "You're a part of my life and I want you to stay a part of my life. I don't want you to leave my side." Chelsea noticed as Sakura paused. "I don't have much of a family. My mother died while I was a baby, my brother left to America to study and only comes during summer vacation, which is not enough. My dad...he's not around as much as I'd like him to be. He works more to keep his mind off the loneliness that I feel." More tears streamed down her face and Chelsea couldn't help but cry with her. Sakura's words were moving and touching all the same. She didn't know Sakura felt that way and it was nice to know.
"Sakura," Madison said, but didn't know what else to say.
"Please, Nikki," Sakura said, ignoring Madison. "Don't say it isn't a big deal, because it truly is."
"I love you as much as Sakura does, Nikki," Rita said.
"So do I," Madison added.
"Don't forget about me," Chelsea said as she wiped away her tears. She then glanced at Zachary who stood still. He didn't know what to say. He didn't even have a clue as to what to do.
"I...care a lot about you too," Zachary finally added. "You might even say that I...I-Iloveyou," he blurted out all at once that it sounded like one single word. Everyone turned to stare at him and quickly he shook his head and waved his hands about. "Like a friend should love his friend!" he said.
After about two seconds the whole group laughed at Zachary's frantic explanation.
"Well, I guess Zachary and I should go now," Chelsea said, feeling a little afraid. What if her fortune came out just as bad? What then?
"Let's go," Zachary said, taking her hand gently in his and cautiously guiding her to the booth. "Ladies first," he said as he moved the beads aside for her. She stepped inside and Zachary followed him. Chelsea could hear the beads hit against each other as they came back into place.
"Sit, children," a woman's voice said. They sat and watched as the woman shuffled her cards. Chelsea wanted to ask why she had scared Nikki the way she did. It angered her. "Who will go first?" the woman asked.
"I will," Chelsea said, not even asking if Zachary wanted to go first. She knew he wouldn't mind. Chelsea watched as the woman spread the cards across the table.
"Choose one."
"First," Chelsea said, looking up, "why did you scare my friend like that? She's making believe that nothings going on and now she's...I don't know!"
"I didn't make it up," the woman answered simply. "The cards don't lie. I only told her what they told me. If I read her palm it would've told me the same. It's written all over her future. You don't see it. You can't, but I can. Never do I make up these fortunes. Never." Chelsea became angry.
"Fury... is it?" Chelsea asked, remembering the name from Rita's explanation on what had happened.
"Madame. Madame Fury. Yes," she answered.
"Well, let me tell you-!" Chelsea began, but a hand on her's stopped her. She turned to Zachary who shook his head gently at her, signaling her not to do what she was about to do. She growled softly and snatched one of the cards which were spread before her. She flipped it over and slapped it on the table with a loud smack. Madame Fury looked at the card, unimpressed by Chelsea's rage.
"Love," Madame Fury said. Chelsea looked at the card. The picture on it was of a red rose. It was bright and vibrant. "You have already found the one who's meant for you. All you need to do is tell him how you feel before it's too late."
Chelsea was surprised. Had she really found her true love? And if she had, then why hadn't she known about it? She glanced toward Zachary who looked at his shoes. He looked as if he was deep in thought. She then looked at Madame Fury who smiled knowingly. She bowed her head and Chelsea blushed, looking away.
"Thank you," she said. She looked in her purse and took out her money. She placed it on the table.
"Your turn, Zachary," Chelsea said.
"Huh?" he said. "Oh. Yeah," he said and then Madame Fury shuffled her cards.
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"You have already found the one who's meant for you. All you need to do is tell him how you feel before it's too late."
Chelsea had chosen the love card and of course she didn't know she would. Who was meant for her? Zachary couldn't help but wonder. Who ever he was, he better treat her the way she deserved to be treated, he said to himself as he looked down at his shoes. Why hadn't Chelsea said anything to him? After all they were best friends. Maybe she hadn't even known, otherwise she would've said something by now. It was disappointing to him to know this and it hurt too. Hurt real bad. He like Chelsea. He liked her a lot. He was even planning to ask her out, but not any more. If he did he's only feel like he's be coming in between Chelsea and her "true love" which was some mystery guy. Chelsea would be mad at him and he wouldn't want that. He wanted to keep their friendship. It was important to him. Very important.
"Thank you," Zachary could hear Chelsea say as she looked in her purse and took out her money. He watched her for a moment and then looked at his shoes once more. He sighed softly to himself, making sure Chelsea didn't hear him. He could hear her placing her money on the table.
"Your turn, Zachary," Chelsea said.
"Huh?" he said, suddenly looking up. "Oh. Yeah," he said and then he waited for Madame Fury to spread her cards across the table. After she shuffled her cards she spread them across the table.
"Choose one, child," se said for the second time. Then Zachary suddenly wondered, I wonder how many times a day she says that. For no apparent reason. The thought had just come to him out of no where. He then reached out and chose a card. He lifted it and turned it around and he looked at the picture. He leaned forward to get a better look at it. The picture had been of a rose. The same one as Chelsea's, except the only difference was that it was laying on the floor with some of it's petals laying around it. It looked a little withered and part of the stem was broken. Lurking behind in the shadows was a person looking lifeless, holding a heart. A broken heart. It had been torn in half and the person held it. Tears were flowing down the person's face, except these tears were made of...blood. A liquidy substance came from the heart too, but the drops were tears not of blood.
"Pain," Madame Fury said. Zachary looked up at her.
"Pain?" he asked as he looked at the picture again.
"What does it mean?" Chelsea asked. No, it had been more of a demand than a question. He turned to her and was suddenly confused. Why was she tearing up? A small tear managed to stream down her face. Zachary reached for her hand and gave it a comforting, gentle squeeze. He almost chuckled. Wasn't he suppose to be the one to get comforted?
"Something will pain him," Madame Fury answered. It was simple. A very simple answer for a simple question.
"I know that!" Chelsea shouted and Zachary didn't understand. Why was she so mad? This wasn't all that big. Being around her was enough to break his heart, knowing that there was a guy out there waiting for her. Her true love. "But why? And what kind of pain? Emotional? Or physical?" she asked.
"A life changing event and much disappointment, heartbreak, and grief will cause him much pain and suffering," Madame Fury replied.
Zachary was a bit speechless. A life changing event? Much disappointment? Heartbreak? Grief? Much pain? Could Nikki's death be that tragic? Or could someone he loves shut him out or pass away? Or worse? He began to wonder what event would be so life changing, so hurtful, so heartbreaking, so dramatic that it could cause so much pain. He hoped it had nothing to do with Chelsea, but deep down inside he knew she was involved. He knew it. He just knew it. It was a feeling. A very strong feeling. She would be the cause of his pain.
He the suddenly felt someone watching him. He looked up and spotted Madame Fury staring at him. Her eyes looked serious yet at the same time heavy like she'd be falling asleep at any moment. She nodded slowly and Zachary understood. He knew that she knew what he thought. He quickly looked at Chelsea who was staring back at him and then he turned to Madame Fury once more. He shook his head once to signal that he understood.
"Thank you," he whispered as he stood.
"Careful, child," Madame Fury said. Zachary stared at her, stopping in mid air. He was almost out of his seat. "What you see as a great thing might not be so great if it's capable of causing so much pain."
Zachary nodded as he stood. He payed her and walked away. Chelsea followed him.
"Let all your friends know. They too should be carful," Madame Fury added. Zachary turned to look at her as she spoke and he could swear that he saw a hint of smile and an evil glint in her eye, but it quickly vanished. He wasn't so sure about her, but he did believe in what she said. Then both Zachary and Chelsea walked out.
"What was she talking about, Zach?" Chelsea asked.
"It's not important," Zachary said simply. They stepped out of the booth and both Zachary and Chelsea stood before Sakura.
"What happened? What was your fortune?" Rita asked.
"Love," Chelsea answered.
"Pain," Zachary replied at the same time.
They were all stunned. Rita, Sakura, Nikki, and Madison. Chelsea began to explain to them all about her fortune and Zachary's. Zachary stayed silent. He was now deep in thought, just wondering. Wondering...
"It's your turn," Zachary could finally hear Chelsea say. Chelsea didn't sound very excited and Sakura's looked matched the sound of Chelsea's voice.
Zachary watched as both Madison and Sakura walked into the booth. He worried about what their fortune might turn out to be. You never know. Nikki's was death, his pain. Rita and Chelsea were the only ones who's fortunes actually worth taking about. Then he began wondering again. Wondering about his fortune. Was what Madame Fury said true? About them all needing to be careful. She'd have to be. She said the cards never lie and she didn't make up the fortunes.
'Careful, child' her words came again. 'What you see as a great thing might not be so great if it's capable of causing so much pain.'
Jess
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"Zach and I will go next, okay, Sakura?" Chelsea asked. Sakura only nodded. Chelsea felt horrible. Sakura hadn't said much since Li had left and it felt like an eternity, but in reality it had only been about 15 to 20 minutes. Soon she became angry. Angry at Li for making Sakura feel the way she felt now. What a total jerk! He will pay! She was going to make sure of it. She clenched her fists and then turned when she heard the footfalls of her friends and the beads dancing about as they were pulled to the side to allow both Nikki and Rita a way out. She smiled and unclenched her hands and approached them, but she froze when she noticed their face expressions. Rita looked horribly upset and Nikki looked like she was way out of it. Way out of it. Chelsea then noticed a couple of tears in Rita's eyes. At that moment one managed to fall freely from Rita's eye. Soon more had followed.
"What...," Chelsea began.
"Happened...," Madison followed.
"To...," Sakura added.
"You?" Zachary finished.
All of them crowded around Nikki and Rita.
"My fortune," Nikki said simply. And at that moment Rita cleared her throat and began to explain. Everything. Down to how she felt. At first Chelsea's mind didn't know what to believe, but after a while she soaked it all in. Nikki would be dying? But how? WHY?! She couldn't be! She just couldn't! There was no way! She was way too young to be dying. There was so much school left, so many guys to meet, so many unanswered questions, so many things to discover... so much to life. So many things to do! She was just too damn young!
Then Chelsea noticed Nikki. She smiled at them all, but Chelsea could not return Nikki's smile with one of her own, nor could any one else. "Come on, guys. This isn't helping Sakura's situation one bit," Nikki coaxed.
"Who cares about me!" Sakura shouted. Chelsea and the rest tuned to Sakura. It had been the first time she had spoken since Li left and Chelsea felt it was ages ago since Sakura last spoke, well it had been a long time since she last spoke an entire sentence.
"I do," Nikki said.
"We all do," Madison added. Zachary, Chelsea, Rita, and Nikki all nodded in agreement.
"This is more important than my situation!" Sakura shouted, ignoring what her friends were saying.
"Sakura, listen, it isn't-," Nikki said before she was cut off.
"It is a big deal, Nikki!" Sakura yelled.
"No it-," Nikki began, but was one again cut off.
Chelsea noticed tears falling down Sakura's face. "I love you as much as I love my family!" Then Sakura's voice became softer, "You're a part of my life and I want you to stay a part of my life. I don't want you to leave my side." Chelsea noticed as Sakura paused. "I don't have much of a family. My mother died while I was a baby, my brother left to America to study and only comes during summer vacation, which is not enough. My dad...he's not around as much as I'd like him to be. He works more to keep his mind off the loneliness that I feel." More tears streamed down her face and Chelsea couldn't help but cry with her. Sakura's words were moving and touching all the same. She didn't know Sakura felt that way and it was nice to know.
"Sakura," Madison said, but didn't know what else to say.
"Please, Nikki," Sakura said, ignoring Madison. "Don't say it isn't a big deal, because it truly is."
"I love you as much as Sakura does, Nikki," Rita said.
"So do I," Madison added.
"Don't forget about me," Chelsea said as she wiped away her tears. She then glanced at Zachary who stood still. He didn't know what to say. He didn't even have a clue as to what to do.
"I...care a lot about you too," Zachary finally added. "You might even say that I...I-Iloveyou," he blurted out all at once that it sounded like one single word. Everyone turned to stare at him and quickly he shook his head and waved his hands about. "Like a friend should love his friend!" he said.
After about two seconds the whole group laughed at Zachary's frantic explanation.
"Well, I guess Zachary and I should go now," Chelsea said, feeling a little afraid. What if her fortune came out just as bad? What then?
"Let's go," Zachary said, taking her hand gently in his and cautiously guiding her to the booth. "Ladies first," he said as he moved the beads aside for her. She stepped inside and Zachary followed him. Chelsea could hear the beads hit against each other as they came back into place.
"Sit, children," a woman's voice said. They sat and watched as the woman shuffled her cards. Chelsea wanted to ask why she had scared Nikki the way she did. It angered her. "Who will go first?" the woman asked.
"I will," Chelsea said, not even asking if Zachary wanted to go first. She knew he wouldn't mind. Chelsea watched as the woman spread the cards across the table.
"Choose one."
"First," Chelsea said, looking up, "why did you scare my friend like that? She's making believe that nothings going on and now she's...I don't know!"
"I didn't make it up," the woman answered simply. "The cards don't lie. I only told her what they told me. If I read her palm it would've told me the same. It's written all over her future. You don't see it. You can't, but I can. Never do I make up these fortunes. Never." Chelsea became angry.
"Fury... is it?" Chelsea asked, remembering the name from Rita's explanation on what had happened.
"Madame. Madame Fury. Yes," she answered.
"Well, let me tell you-!" Chelsea began, but a hand on her's stopped her. She turned to Zachary who shook his head gently at her, signaling her not to do what she was about to do. She growled softly and snatched one of the cards which were spread before her. She flipped it over and slapped it on the table with a loud smack. Madame Fury looked at the card, unimpressed by Chelsea's rage.
"Love," Madame Fury said. Chelsea looked at the card. The picture on it was of a red rose. It was bright and vibrant. "You have already found the one who's meant for you. All you need to do is tell him how you feel before it's too late."
Chelsea was surprised. Had she really found her true love? And if she had, then why hadn't she known about it? She glanced toward Zachary who looked at his shoes. He looked as if he was deep in thought. She then looked at Madame Fury who smiled knowingly. She bowed her head and Chelsea blushed, looking away.
"Thank you," she said. She looked in her purse and took out her money. She placed it on the table.
"Your turn, Zachary," Chelsea said.
"Huh?" he said. "Oh. Yeah," he said and then Madame Fury shuffled her cards.
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"You have already found the one who's meant for you. All you need to do is tell him how you feel before it's too late."
Chelsea had chosen the love card and of course she didn't know she would. Who was meant for her? Zachary couldn't help but wonder. Who ever he was, he better treat her the way she deserved to be treated, he said to himself as he looked down at his shoes. Why hadn't Chelsea said anything to him? After all they were best friends. Maybe she hadn't even known, otherwise she would've said something by now. It was disappointing to him to know this and it hurt too. Hurt real bad. He like Chelsea. He liked her a lot. He was even planning to ask her out, but not any more. If he did he's only feel like he's be coming in between Chelsea and her "true love" which was some mystery guy. Chelsea would be mad at him and he wouldn't want that. He wanted to keep their friendship. It was important to him. Very important.
"Thank you," Zachary could hear Chelsea say as she looked in her purse and took out her money. He watched her for a moment and then looked at his shoes once more. He sighed softly to himself, making sure Chelsea didn't hear him. He could hear her placing her money on the table.
"Your turn, Zachary," Chelsea said.
"Huh?" he said, suddenly looking up. "Oh. Yeah," he said and then he waited for Madame Fury to spread her cards across the table. After she shuffled her cards she spread them across the table.
"Choose one, child," se said for the second time. Then Zachary suddenly wondered, I wonder how many times a day she says that. For no apparent reason. The thought had just come to him out of no where. He then reached out and chose a card. He lifted it and turned it around and he looked at the picture. He leaned forward to get a better look at it. The picture had been of a rose. The same one as Chelsea's, except the only difference was that it was laying on the floor with some of it's petals laying around it. It looked a little withered and part of the stem was broken. Lurking behind in the shadows was a person looking lifeless, holding a heart. A broken heart. It had been torn in half and the person held it. Tears were flowing down the person's face, except these tears were made of...blood. A liquidy substance came from the heart too, but the drops were tears not of blood.
"Pain," Madame Fury said. Zachary looked up at her.
"Pain?" he asked as he looked at the picture again.
"What does it mean?" Chelsea asked. No, it had been more of a demand than a question. He turned to her and was suddenly confused. Why was she tearing up? A small tear managed to stream down her face. Zachary reached for her hand and gave it a comforting, gentle squeeze. He almost chuckled. Wasn't he suppose to be the one to get comforted?
"Something will pain him," Madame Fury answered. It was simple. A very simple answer for a simple question.
"I know that!" Chelsea shouted and Zachary didn't understand. Why was she so mad? This wasn't all that big. Being around her was enough to break his heart, knowing that there was a guy out there waiting for her. Her true love. "But why? And what kind of pain? Emotional? Or physical?" she asked.
"A life changing event and much disappointment, heartbreak, and grief will cause him much pain and suffering," Madame Fury replied.
Zachary was a bit speechless. A life changing event? Much disappointment? Heartbreak? Grief? Much pain? Could Nikki's death be that tragic? Or could someone he loves shut him out or pass away? Or worse? He began to wonder what event would be so life changing, so hurtful, so heartbreaking, so dramatic that it could cause so much pain. He hoped it had nothing to do with Chelsea, but deep down inside he knew she was involved. He knew it. He just knew it. It was a feeling. A very strong feeling. She would be the cause of his pain.
He the suddenly felt someone watching him. He looked up and spotted Madame Fury staring at him. Her eyes looked serious yet at the same time heavy like she'd be falling asleep at any moment. She nodded slowly and Zachary understood. He knew that she knew what he thought. He quickly looked at Chelsea who was staring back at him and then he turned to Madame Fury once more. He shook his head once to signal that he understood.
"Thank you," he whispered as he stood.
"Careful, child," Madame Fury said. Zachary stared at her, stopping in mid air. He was almost out of his seat. "What you see as a great thing might not be so great if it's capable of causing so much pain."
Zachary nodded as he stood. He payed her and walked away. Chelsea followed him.
"Let all your friends know. They too should be carful," Madame Fury added. Zachary turned to look at her as she spoke and he could swear that he saw a hint of smile and an evil glint in her eye, but it quickly vanished. He wasn't so sure about her, but he did believe in what she said. Then both Zachary and Chelsea walked out.
"What was she talking about, Zach?" Chelsea asked.
"It's not important," Zachary said simply. They stepped out of the booth and both Zachary and Chelsea stood before Sakura.
"What happened? What was your fortune?" Rita asked.
"Love," Chelsea answered.
"Pain," Zachary replied at the same time.
They were all stunned. Rita, Sakura, Nikki, and Madison. Chelsea began to explain to them all about her fortune and Zachary's. Zachary stayed silent. He was now deep in thought, just wondering. Wondering...
"It's your turn," Zachary could finally hear Chelsea say. Chelsea didn't sound very excited and Sakura's looked matched the sound of Chelsea's voice.
Zachary watched as both Madison and Sakura walked into the booth. He worried about what their fortune might turn out to be. You never know. Nikki's was death, his pain. Rita and Chelsea were the only ones who's fortunes actually worth taking about. Then he began wondering again. Wondering about his fortune. Was what Madame Fury said true? About them all needing to be careful. She'd have to be. She said the cards never lie and she didn't make up the fortunes.
'Careful, child' her words came again. 'What you see as a great thing might not be so great if it's capable of causing so much pain.'
