A/N: By the looks of the chapter title, I am letting you know this is NOT a year later in the timeline of this story. XD It refers to Luce's one year anniversary of her mother's death. This chapter will be the saddest in this story, but there are some chapters that will or might have sad moments as well.

Guest: Don't worry. :) I have a reason to put Glitch in the characters category; he won't appear until a couple of chapters later because of this one and the other one chapter continuing after this one. He's one of the main characters in this story, so you'll get your wish soon, and he'll appear in more than one chapter. ;)

DCFan4ever: Thanks for those reviews you left out; I feel so giddy right now~! ^_^

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~Chapter Four: A Year Later~

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Luce and Angel left the condominium to head to his car and went off to her house. Due to having to mourn for her mother's death now, and possibly later, Luce chose not to speak unless Angel starts a conversation. When they are in downtown, Luce noticed that people were holding roses, scrapbooks, and other memorabilia. Seeing so many young women and teenage girls dressing up as her mother made her wavering heart sink. One peek at social media and she saw that Katherine Valentine was trending.

She didn't want to lose it now. She didn't want anyone to see her cry just because they were honoring a tribute to her mother. Angel stopped at a red light and looked at those who were walking where he just drove by. He noticed that Luce was covering her face, so he patted her back for comfort. "Are you going there today?" Angel asked politely, just before he revved up the engine and head off at street-legal speed. He asked her that so that he can know, not to make the mood worsen.

"I want to, but not with them around," Luce replied almost coldly, mentioning the fans. She is glad that her mother still has them, but she doesn't want fans to come up to her and feel sorry for her. It would make her feel guilty and she just wants to mourn her mother, not a celebrity. Seeing them showing sympathy will make her feel that she was responsible for her death, and she didn't want that.

"I see," Angel said simply. He knew Katherine as long as he knew Luce, and she was like a second mother to him. When Luce and Angel were around fifteen, she would tease them that they should date. However, Luce didn't care for dating, and Angel was a heartbreaker to teenage girls who do have feelings for him. Angel offered that they could try dating, but Luce didn't want to ruin their friendship, and he was cool with that.

For Luce's mother, her death was out of nowhere and just happened in an instant. While she was going shopping for her daughter, getting good grades in high school as the result, she noticed that someone was trying to stalk her. She ran to hide and call the police to report it, but the call cut off thanks to the murderer and later, she took two bullets. She didn't come home after that night, which made Luce, her brother, and her father frantic. A couple of days passed, and they found the body near the mall she was shopping in, where she was clutching her shopping bags, lying on the ground: dead.

The suspect whose house was close by committed suicide due to the guilt of killing a famous dancer/actress, and the thought of what would happen if he lived on with the punishment of life in prison or worse. He left a suicide note and his body was later checked for an autopsy, with alcohol and drugs being the results of why he did the darkest of people. Because of what happened, Luce's brother Derek stayed in California for his college education. He never called or answered his father's or sister's calls and texts. and He didn't even spend any holidays or birthdays with them. His estrangement broke Luce and her father.

Raymond couldn't even look at his own daughter for a few months. He hired a bodyguard who would keep her safe and protect her from danger, but that wasn't a father's love at all. He would work overtime at his job as a writer, producer, and director for movies and music videos. That was how he and Luce's mother met: working on a movie together. He fell in love with her and later started dating her after being close to her. No one knew of their relationship, but when she was pregnant with Luce's brother, that's when they decided to marry and make their relationship public. Three years later, they had Luce, and she would be like a second life to her mother.

She would want to do everything her mother did, and she fell in love with all of it. Luce wanted to dance until she couldn't dance anymore. That would be many years to come, but she still has time. She will show Dance Central Intelligence what her mother's skills inspired her to do. She will be her successor.

"We're here, Luce," Angel told her gently. Luce looked up, and her house is in sight. Pressure ran through her veins, and her heart started to beat out of her chest. She looked at him worriedly, since she wouldn't know what to say. She has sneaked out of her house before but never has she spent the night without permission. The Latino smiled at her reassuringly. "I'll tell him everything, Luce. Your dad yelled at me before, so I'm ready for it."

Fully aware of his words, she got out and along with Angel, headed into her house, which was quiet. But then out of nowhere, a long blonde-haired who wears red lipstick, a sleek black jumpsuit, and was about three inches shorter than Angel, appeared and nearly tackled the poor Latino to the ground, realizing who he is before putting him completely still on the ground.

"Luce, are you all right? Did Angel take you to his place at the last minute?" she asked the brunette, making sure that she doesn't have anything different about her like injuries or sometimes tattoos. Right when she cupped Luce's face, that's when she decided to answer her questions.

"I'm okay, Claire," Luce reassured her bodyguard, "and no, I was at Dare's last night, hanging out with the usual people. Angel just came to take me home." The blonde sighed in relief, smiling at Luce. She looked at Angel, who is sitting on the floor from the attempted attack she was about to cause.

"Sorry, there, Angel," she spoke out, holding out her hand, Angel himself accepting it to get him up. "Raymond has you on his list of 'Guys To Take Care Of No Matter What.'" Angel chuckled nervously, scratching his head slowly.

"I get that a lot," the Latino replied. "What Luce told you is the truth, by the way. I gave her a small but useful present that we hoped would get her into a dance competition coming up so she can clear her head after her mother's death. I should have called to let you know-"

"It's the one-year anniversary, isn't it?!" Claire said in shock. It reminded her of it when he mentioned "mother's death." She gave Luce a caring hug, which made Luce look displeased with her eyes lowered in slight annoyance. "Just go on back to where you came from and I won't have to tell Raymond of last night. Capisce?" He nodded, waving at Luce with a smile before he went out the door. She let go of Luce and instructed her to her room.

"Claire, is Dad here?" Luce asked quietly. The blonde frowned, shaking her head slowly.

"I'm afraid not. I'll fix you something to snack on, and you can pick out something to wear for the visit," was all Claire said. She closed her door, leaving Luce alone. This is what Luce hated more than anything: loneliness. Sure she has Claire downstairs, but it still feels lonesome up in her room. Luce gasped, hearing her phone vibrate. She took it out and noticed that Dare was calling her. Luce was nervous since she had one too many last night, but since it was her friend, she touched the call button.

"Hey, Dare. What's up?" she asked calmly.

"Hey there, Diamond. Look, I'm sorry for ruining the after-party thing. You know that dancing gets me thirsty and all that." Luce smiled and chuckled, feeling thankful that her friend got out of her hangover.

"It's fine; I totally understand. Are you sure you're okay? That drinking must have driven you crazy."

"I'm sure," the pink-haired British replied. "Today, I'll make some new outfits to clear my head and be prepared for DCI's event."

"That sounds great." Luce got a glimpse at her window, seeing a car pull up. She started to feel much more nervous than earlier. "Um... Dare, I wish I can talk longer, but I have to go. I-I have a visitor." Dare's voice tuned to a nervous tone, knowing what she meant.

"Okay. Goodbye, Diamond. I'll see you soon," Dare replied. Once she hangs up, Luce hurried to pick out a black dress with silver lining and pumps with blue and black designs. Slowly, but hurriedly, she went down to see the visitor that is at her home: her father.

She frowned since he didn't pay attention to her for a year, but this time was different. Raymond looked at her with care, but he isn't smiling as well. He went up to her and hugged her, showing the affection a father should do. Luce was shocked by the sudden action, but she missed her father's embrace. Feeling his warmth, she wrapped her arms around him. "Hey, sweetie," he said soothingly. "Please forgive me for not being the best father you've ever wanted. Derek would think the same as you, even if he's studying in California."

Luce couldn't blame her father, not at all. He was just as sad as she was. Even though it hurts her not to hear her father's voice talking to her, too many emotions would interfere with her thinking.

"It's okay. Mom wouldn't want you feeling guilty at all." He let go of his daughter, smiling a bit.

"You're right, Luce. Listen, I already have a schedule for you at the grave site. It will be just you and Claire, just how you would like it. It will start in thirty minutes, so you have to get ready." Raymond went to the kitchen, making Luce feel confused, but she followed him.

"But what about you? Aren't you going?" she asked, stopping her tracks, and seeing him a few feet away. He turned his head around and smiled again, but it was sadder than the other smile he just gave.

"I already went. As much as I want to spend time with you today, I have to help shoot a movie in France." He went back to her and placed his hand on her head, slowly rubbing it. "My flight is in a few hours. I will be back home by the end of summer. Can you manage that?" Surely a teen would say yes since they get to party when their parents aren't around, but this one was different. It's for the sake of his job, but Luce just had a new conversation with her dad; she just had a fresh start with her parent.

"I guess. What if Angel or the others want to come over or expect me to hang out with them?" He frowned slightly, hearing her best friend's name being called out.

"I don't mind Angel at least a bit, but the others, they're fine with me. However, as long as you tell Claire where you're going, that will be okay. Just call her if you need backup." He gave her one last embrace before heading to his room to pack up for two months. She went back upstairs to change into the clothes she picked out, but from her bed, she noticed that her phone received a text message. She checked, and it was from Angel, which made her smile a bit.

From: Angel

Did everything work out okay?

Luce texted back, hoping that she was careful since Angel knows how she is feeling, even if she tries to lie. She sighed deeply, preparing for her words to be sent to her best friend.

To: Angel

Pretty much, yeah. I have to go to my mom's grave site in a few minutes. I'll see you around sometime later so that I can have some time to myself.

She hurried to put on her dress and shoes, feeling herself shiver along the way. She went to her closet to get a black jean jacket that matched her outfit, took her purse and phone, and hurried down to the kitchen to see what her bodyguard cooked. It wasn't too light or too much, just an average grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and melted white cheddar cheese. Luce smiled a bit, seeing her favorite meal from Claire coming out so great.

"I'll go get dressed while you eat up. We'll leave in five minutes," the blonde told her, departing with a smile. Luce took out her phone when she left, noticing that Angel text back.

From: Angel

I see. :( I'll be seeing you whenever you want. Text you later. :)

Slowly eating her sandwich, Luce noticed that the sky was turning gray, matching the mood of what will become Luce's again. Hearing heels clicking, that meant Claire is ready to go. Luce took her sandwich and put it in the fridge, saving it for later. Heading to her bodyguard's Ferrari, she noticed that thunder greeted her. Nonetheless, she got in with her, and they head off to her mother's resting place.

It was silent between the two but for a good reason. Luce wished that her friends would come with her so that she won't face the pain of seeing her mother's gravesite again. Raindrops were splattering the windows, leaving a drenched car swiped off with the windshield wipers urgently. Claire turned the lights on, due to state law and to make it easier to see the way to their destination.

Riding in the car with thunder and rain made Luce think of so many memories. On her last day of high school, it would be the same just like now, but since it was a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't too special. She recalled eating with her mom at a fancy restaurant. Despite the inclement weather, it was one memory that was refreshing. For doing her best at school, her mother would take her there and let her have anything on the menu, except for alcohol and anything that she didn't like. Sadly, that was last year, her junior year.

Making it to the cemetery, Claire made sure there was an umbrella before heading outside in the frigid rain. There were a couple in the trunk, and she hurried and gave one to Luce, and together, they walked to the grave where many roses and photos of her mother are left in the rain shown as a memoir. Luce felt tears coming down, so she used her free hand to wipe them. Claire noticed and placed a hand on her shoulder, patting it for Luce's comfort.

Looking at her mom's dates of birth and death, she saw something. Katherine's birthday was six months right after Luce's, and her death date was a month right after Luce's birth month. Luce would do anything to bring her mother back to life, but life doesn't work like that in any way possible. "She was a great woman, Luce. It would have been an honor for me to meet her," Claire said, breaking the silence. Luce just nodded and sighed, closing her eyes for a second.

Despite wanting to dance because her mother does, would she dance for her reasons? Just for being famous, or only for fun? She told Angel and the others that she was taking a "break" from dancing ever since her mother died. When she did that, she became distant from them, and would eventually skip out on meals for days and not talk to anyone, even receiving text messages and not replying.

Around a couple of months after her mother's death, Angel, Mo, Emilia, and Dare went to her house at once and helped her get back to dancing with the help of her favorite songs. When she got back to it, she almost forgot about her moves, so she had to either start over with a new choreography or just listen to the song and try to remember what the moves were. Luce never felt so blessed to have friends who are caring and willing to do anything for her.

"That's why you came here. You're related to her, aren't you?" someone with a deep voice asked. Luce gasped in shock, surprised that the one who questioned her knew Luce like a book. She opened her eyes when she heard that voice, seeing her mother's tombstone and casket. When she turned around, her eyes widened, recognizing the person just by the face, the eyes especially. Out of all people, why is that person there across from her? It was either pure knowledge, or she is noticeable in any shape or form.

"It's you..." she trailed off, her last tear slowly dripping off her face.

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~Chapter Five coming soon...~

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Well, well, well... Looks like we have a cliffhanger here! Despite this being a sad chapter, there are some parts I think are worth putting in. The next chapter will be much less depressing than this one was. I have to play piano music and "Far From Home" by Five Finger Death Punch in order to help get the mood of the chapter settled. :P I hope I didn't leave any tears for you... :(

Review! :D