Author's Note: There will be Latin in the up coming parts. I will try and put in translations. If I don't, please feel free to contact me and let me know.
Jenifer ran to her mother's side.
"Mom wake up." She said shaking her. "Come on, Mom. Please. Mater si vis. I'm using Latin. Please wake up. Mater…Mom."
She sat there a moment unable to control her shaking. She finally stood and called an ambulance. When they arrived, the doctors sadly told here what she was afraid of. Jenifer's mother was dead. She silently closed the door behind the men who carried her mother. She went into the now empty room. She sat down and pulled her knees close. There she stayed almost as if she was a statue. A crying statue.
Yuhi went to school and Jenifer never showed up. This continued for days and he began to get worried. The next day, Aya started attending Yuhi's school. After school, he went to Jen's house.
"Jen?" He called opening the door. "Jen are you home? It's me, Yuhi."
No answer. He walked in and began walking around slowly. It looked as if nobody had cooked or cleaned in days. He remembered some rumors he had heard around in school.
"Amicitia's a drop out? No way!"
"I heard she's on the run for murder."
"Creepy."
"Those idiots don't know anything." He reminded himself.
Jenifer heard Yuhi calling, but it seemed very distant. She had been sitting in her mother's room since they took her away. She hadn't eaten and cried herself to sleep.
"Jenifer!" Yuhi called out again.
He was beginning to panic.
"Come on. This isn't funny."
Then he came to Mrs. Amicitia's room. He slowly opened the door and looked in.
"Jen?" he asked softly.
She lifted her head. The first time she had moved in days.
"Yuhi?"
Her voice was weak and hoarse. Just seeing him again brought a fresh set of tears to her eyes. He slowly walked over and sat down next to her.
"Where have you been? You haven't been in school…"
He paused.
"Are you alright, Jen? You look terrible."
She didn't answer.
"Where's your Mom?"
"She…she…" She said so soft Yuhi had to strain to hear her.
Jenifer then lost control.
"She's dead! I came home and she was dead! I used Latin and she didn't respond. She's gone! Mater mihi absent!"
She cried. Yuhi didn't know what to do or say. He pulled Jenifer into a warm, tight hug.
"Jen…I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing you can say. Facit nihil rationis. Ego semper pro mea bene curo."
"Jenifer, you're using Latin. I don't understand."
"I said it makes no sense. I always took care of my Mom. Why? Why did she have to die?"
"Jenifer, try and calm down. You're going to make yourself sick."
"You're right." She said forcing herself to calm down. "I've been like this long enough."
"How long exactly?"
"Since I went to your house."
"Jenifer…!" He began then his cell phone went off.
He reluctantly answered it. It was Suzumi. She told him about Aya going to her house and had yet to come out.
"But Suzumi…" Yuhi began and looked down at Jenifer.
"Its okay, Yuhi." She whispered and forced a smile. "I'll be okay."
He looked Jen in the eye and studied her a moment.
"I'll be back as soon as I can." He said. "I promise."
Then he reluctantly left. She quietly stood up and walked out into her house. It seemed strangely quiet and empty now. Then her phone rang.
"Hello, Amicitia residence." She said in her normal voice.
"Hey girl! Good to hear you're feeling better. Listen I need you to work tomorrow." Came a female voice.
"What time?"
"About six."
"Alright, see ya tomorrow."
Then she hung up and let out a sigh.
"Guess its back to work for me." She thought.
Jen looked around and saw how dirty everything was. She threw herself into cleaning. While dusting the coffee table, she fell asleep, exhausted. Later on, Yuhi came back and found her asleep. He carefully put her in bed and went home. The next morning, she woke up and found herself in bed. She wasn't sure how she got there, but it didn't stop her from getting up and start cleaning where she left off. She was so into her work, she barely noticed when Yuhi came in.
"Take it easy. When was the last time you ate?"
That caught her off guard and she turned around so fast, Yuhi almost fell over.
"Yuhi don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Sorry. You still need to answer my question. When was the last time you ate?"
"A while ago." Jen replied averting her eyes.
"How long was that?" Yuhi pushed her.
"The last time I was at school."
"Jenifer Amo Amicitia! That's it. I'm making you something to eat right now and you're eating it."
He headed for the kitchen.
"Don't bother, Yuhi. I'm not hungry."
"I don't care. I'll force you to eat. You can't just starve yourself."
She didn't answer, but went back to cleaning. Soon Yuhi returned with a tray of food.
"Come on, Jen. Chow down."
"I'm not hungry." She said without looking up from the carpet she was scrubbing.
"I'm not taking no for an answer, Jenifer. Now come eat."
She continued to clean. A hand was then placed over her hand and forced her to stop cleaning.
"Jen come on. You've got to eat something.."
"I'm not hungry."
He slowly pulled her away from cleaning. He sat her in front of the food and she still didn't eat.
"Jen I'll feed you if I have to."
"I'm not hungry."
Yuhi picked up a spoonful of food and put it up to her mouth.
"Eat it."
She stubbornly turned away. Yuhi grabbed her and held her down.
"You are going to eat this." He said.
"I'm not hungry."
She began to struggle against his grip.
"Yuhi let g…" She began then he shoved the food in her mouth.
"You're not leaving until you've eaten all of it."
She swallowed.
"Fine. Now let go."
"Not until you eat."
"Yuhi!"
He shoved another bite into her mouth. This continued until the tray of food was empty.
"Happy? I ate everything." Jenifer said after she swallowed the last bite.
"You're not going to starve yourself with me around." He said releasing her.
She looked at the clock on the wall.
"Oh no! I'm going to be late!" She said jumping up.
"Late for what?"
"I have work today."
"Maybe I'll stop by."
"You wouldn't even recognize me."
"Then I'll defiantly be coming."
"Fine. See you there."
"Where?"
Jenifer wrote down the address, gave it to Yuhi, and practically shooed him out.
"What's the rush?"
"I have to get ready."
"Fine. Bye."
"Bye."
Jen went and took a shower. She got out and dressed in a knee length, form fitting, dark blue dress. (tank top with a v-neck for the top) She replaced her glasses with contacts changing her sapphire blue eyes into a shocking green. She pulled her chestnut brown hair into a messy bun. She glanced at herself in the mirror and left. She arrived back stage shortly afterwards. She began quickly searching for her boss.
"Venus, there you are! I didn't think you were coming." Her boss said.
"Sorry. Something came up."
"You're on in five. Good luck."
Jenifer took a seat and had a glass of water. She wasn't paid much, but it was something.
"Venus, you're up!" someone called.
She got up and stood on the edge of the stage just out of sight.
"Ladies and gentlemen the amazing vocalist you've been waiting for. Please welcome the amazing, Venus!"
She took a deep breath and walked out on the stage. She looked out in the audience and smiled.
"The first song is dedicated to a very good friend of mine who always picks me up when I'm down. Please enjoy 'Imagine me with out'."
She nodded and the music began. She closed her eyes and absorbed the music. She opened them, took a deep breath, and began.
"As long as stars shine down from heaven and the rivers run into the sea 'til the end of time forever you're the only love I'll need. In my life you're all that matters in my eyes the only truth I see. When my hopes and dreams have shattered, you're the one that's there for me. When I found you I was blessed and I will never leave you I need you. Imagine me with out you. I'd be lost and so confused. I wouldn't last a day I'd be afraid without you there to see me through. Imagine me without you Lord you know it's just impossible because of you its all brand new. My life is now worth while. I can't imagine me without you."
Her eyes fell upon Yuhi in the audience.
"When you caught me I was fallin' your love lifted me back on my feet. It was like you heard me callin' and you rushed to set me free. When I found you I was blessed and I will never leave you I need you. Imagine me without you. I'd be lost and so confused. I wouldn't last a day I'd be afraid without you there to see me through. Imagine me without you Lord you know it's just impossible because of you its all brand new. My life is now worth while. I can't imagine me without you."
There was a music break.
"Yuhi, thank you." She thought then the break ended.
"When I found you I was blessed and I will never leave you, I need you. Oh. (Imagine me with out you. I'd be lost and so confused.) I would be lost and so confused I wouldn't last a day without you there to see me through. ( Imagine me without you) Oh (Lord you know it's just) impossible, because of you its all brand new. My life is now worth while. I can't imagine me. (Imagine me.) I can't imagine me…without you. Oh."
Everyone stood and applauded.
"Thank you. Now for my next song…"
This continued for the next hour. Yuhi sat there listening.
"I wonder where Jenifer is." He thought.
"Have a good evening." The performer said and walked off stage.
In about five minutes, she walked over to Yuhi.
"Hi, Yuhi."
"Do I know you?" he asked.
"It's me, Jenifer."
"No way!" he shouted.
"Shh."
"I had no idea you could sing like that."
"I guess that means you liked it." Jen said sitting down.
"Why didn't you come to school?" He asked turning serious.
Jen looked at her hands and didn't reply.
"You could have at least called. I was really worried."
"I'm sorry I worried you. After…after my mom died, I didn't…feel the need to do anything…not even live."
"Jen you can't think like that."
"Why not? Why can't I think like that, Yuhi? I've lost everything!"
Tears began to trickle down her cheeks.
"That's not true. You've still got me and Suzumi."
There was silence.
"I'm going to drop out of school."
"Je…"
"There's no since in going anymore."
"What about Mark?"
Mark was Jenifer's 8 year old brother. The past few days he had been surviving on cereal. She had heard him call, but could never find the strength to move. She would even listen to him cry at night and couldn't do anything.
"That's why I have to drop out. It was hard enough taking care of him and my Mom with school. I haven't been a good sister the past few days. Now I have to take responsibility. I'll get a full-time job and stay home where I'm needed."
"Jenifer, you can't drop out!"
"Why not? Isn't it my choice? Yuhi, I can't do it anymore! I'm through trying!"
She stood up and began to run for the door.
"Jen wait!" Yuhi called following her.
She didn't stop or slow. She kept running down the street. Then someone grabbed her.
"Let go!" she screamed.
The person pulled her close.
"I don't think so cutie." The guy said. "Now what's a pretty thing like you doing running down these streets at n…"
"Let go of her." A familiar voice growled.
The strange man let go of her and she took a few steps away then turned to see Yuhi with his chopsticks at the back of her attacker's neck.
"Now leave." Yuhi said releasing the man who did as he was told.
Then Yuhi turned to Jen.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She suddenly began to feel warm and dizzy. She collapsed.
"Jenifer!" he cried.
Author's note: Here is a glossary of Latin in this part.
Mater si vis: Mother, please.
Mater mihi absent: My mother is gone.