Ruby's POV

The music finally came to a halt, and so did I. I stole a quick glance at the wall clock and then sighed. School was over for the day and I had been dancing for three straight hours. I grabbed my towel and wiped the beads of sweat off my face. I was out of breath. I reached for my water bottle and then took a long sip. A pair of tights hugged my legs just beneath the black leotard I wore. I wore my shirt over my leotard and my skirt over my tights, grabbed my bag and then walked towards the door. School was probably empty by this time of the day and nobody would see how hideous I looked right now. My hair was held up in a messy ponytail and I was sweaty as hell. I increased my pace and then headed for the exit before I halted.

I was pretty sure I heard someone moan.

I shook my head and then continued towards the door.

It was none of my business.

But then I heard it again, loud and desperate.

Sounded like a cry for help.

After so much deliberation, I sighed and then headed for the art room. I moved towards the door and then slowly pushed it open. I peered in and a light scoff escaped my mouth.

Of course, it was Brie.

And of course, Jason Monroe had his tongue down her throat.

Her shirt was off and her hands were in his hair. I also didn't miss the quick, continuous movement of his hand under her skirt.

To be honest, I had always tagged Brie as a slut. I rolled my eyes and then shut the door quietly.

It was none of my business.

I made for the school door and then walked out, spotting my black Mercedes among the few cars still parked in the schools parking lot. I opened the door and then got in. I threw my bag on the passengers seat before I started the engine and then drove off.

Jase' POV

"Wait." I pulled away from Brie when I heard the door close softly. "Did you hear that?" I managed to say between ragged breaths. She shook her head and then kissed me again. "Someone's at the door." I pulled away. She let out a sigh of frustration.

"Don't leave."

"I'll be right back." I told her as I walked towards the door. I opened it and then peered outside. Brie was right. There was no one there. I sighed and then made a move to shut the door when something caught my eye. I stood still for a moment before I bent to pick up the silver charm bracelet on the floor. I examined it for a while before I scoffed.

Someone had been watching us. And I knew exactly who it was.

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Kimberly's POV

I rubbed my fingers roughly against each other. My gaze buried outside the window. I drew in a deep breath, savouring the scent of my bedroom for the last time. It was the longest I had stayed in an apartment because of mum and I's constant movement and I had grown to love this room a lot. I was so lost in thoughts, I didn't even notice when my door opened or when my mother walked into the room, grinning like she had just won the lottery. Not until she sat down beside me. I jerked, startled.

"Are you nervous?" She reached for my hand. I looked at her for a short while and then shrugged.

Irrespective of my response to the exact same question twenty four hours ago, my answer was definitely different now. I was nervous as hell.

"I'll be fine." I told her, slowly pulling my hand away from her grip to tuck some loose strands of hair behind my ear. She watched me intensely for a while as though she was seeing me for the last time before she finally spoke again.

"I do love you, Kimmy. You know that right?" She ran her hand through my hair slowly. "Everything I did, I did for you. I would never intentionally hurt you. You know that, don't you?" She paused, her eyes searching mine. I knew she wanted an answer but my voice seemed to dry up at that moment and words seemed difficult to pronounce so I just drew in a deep breath and then forced a smile. I could tell that she had been drinking from her breath,but I could also tell she hadn't taken enough to get her drunk because she still seemed sane. She smacked her lips and then exhaled.

"I want to do something tonight Kimmy. Something we haven't done in a long time." She paused, drew in a deep breath and then stretched her hands towards me." Give me your hands Kimmy, I'll have your fortunes read."

I stared at her with utmost disbelief and I could only come up with two explanations.

It was either she was joking, or she had to be on some serious shit.

I rolled my eyes and then let a mild laugh escape my throat.

"That's-really funny mum." I chuckled but it faded quickly when I noticed how serious she looked. I frowned.

She wasn't joking, so it had to be option two.

"You're serious?" I rose an eyebrow.

"Why do you look so surprised Kimmy? We used to do this before. Don't you remember?" She rose an eyebrow.

I did remember.

I remember being seven years old, sitting in front of the fireplace and waiting my father to come back. I remember scribbling a note saying goodnight when mum told me it was late and I couldn't wait up anymore because I had a test in school the next day. I remember slipping the note into her hand when she tucked me in bed and then placed a soft kiss on my forehead. I remember saying 'give this to daddy' as I slipped the note into her hand. She had looked down at me for a while before she said

"Do you want to do something fun, Kimmy?"

I had smiled broadly at her, showing off my unsightly set of incomplete teeth. She took that as a yes and then continued.

"I'm going to tell you what your life's going to be like twenty years from now." She told me. I remember gasping in awe as I sat up from bed quickly.

"You can really do that mommy?" I had asked her.

"Of course Kimmy. Mommy's a fortune teller. Its how I met your daddy." She grinned and then stretched her hand towards me. "Are you in?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" I jumped in at the opportunity because I thought she would change her mind. She had smiled in satisfaction before she shut her eyes, trailing my little hand with her fingers, and then she smiled broadly.

"I think our Kimmy's going to be very rich." She had told me. "Oh!" She gasped. "I see a prince-" she paused. "No-three princes, and a really big castle." She opened her eyes and then grinned at me. I had looked up at her with utmost disbelief.

"Are you sure you didn't just make that up Mommy?" I asked doubtfully. She chuckled.

"Of course not." She thrust her head backwards and then paused as if there was someone else in the room aside from the both of us and whoever it was had just said something to her before she turned back to me. "Also, a little voice in my head just told me Daddy won't be back home tonight because he's being held back at work. But I promise to give this to him tomorrow night." She waved the letter in my face as I rolled my eyes.

"Bummer." I lay down on the bed.

I was well aware that dad had called her a while ago to tell her he wouldn't be coming home, but instead, I had chosen to hang on her every word. Because I believed in her that much.

The memory played in my head vividly like it was just yesterday, forcing a sigh to escape my lips. I pushed back some tears that were pushing their way through my eyes and then sniffed.

"Come on Kimmy." She persuaded further. I didn't want to. I was sure I didn't want to but for some reason, I found myself stretching my hands towards her. She took my hands in hers, shut her eyes and then ran her fingers through my palm,
just like old times.

The both of us remained quiet for a while before she slowly opened her eyes.

"Maybe I am getting old." She joked but deep down, I could see just how hurt she was. I just didn't know why. She inhaled and then rubbed her hands against her skirt. "That would be forty eight dollars, Mrs.Monroe." She said in a husky tune that made me chuckle.

"I don't have forty eight dollars on me Mom." I joked back, the words "what do you need it for? You've got three million dollars."Trailing behind my words. I drew in a deep breath and for a short moment, I was able to forget about all my fears, my insecurities. I felt better.

She had made me feel better.