Scarlett and Chris were staring at Scarlett's phone for the last hour, Chris honestly didn't understand the point. They did nothing but stare at the phone. Nothing. In this time Chris could have convinced Scarlett to pick up her phone and just call them, but of course, Scarlett being the independent woman she wasn't most likely wouldn't have listened to him. 

"Maybe the reason it feels like this phone is a hundred pounds is that the universe is giving me a sign," Scarlett said rubbing her head in frustration. She wanted to badly to pick up the phone but it's like something was stopping her.  "Do you think that maybe this is all some kind of set up?"

"Um, how on Earth can this be a setup Scar? They don't even know you're calling." Chris pointed out. Scarlett nodded and typed in the number Brett gave her.

"Hello?" A voice spoke on the other end. Scarlett looked at Chris before pressing the speaker button. 

"Hello? Brett, is this you?" Scarlett asked, her voice filled with fear and anticipation. The voice on the other end was silent for a moment before responding to her. 

"Yeah this is Brett, Scarlett is that you?" He asked and a breath of release came out of Scarlett knowing that she didn't have a fake number. 

"Yeah it's me," She said, "Chris is also here," She added and Brett hummed in response. 

"So Scarlett what exactly can I help you with?" He asked, he sounded as if it was kind of late, it was only nine at night, but they did work, so of course they could be tired. 

"I know our meeting wasn't exactly the best thing, however, I would really like to talk to you about Nicole, because I don't know if I can be away from her and so I was hoping that maybe we can make some sort of deal where I can see her." Scarlett started to blabber on and on but was stopped when Chris put his hand on her arm. 

"Scarlett, you seem like a very nice and genuine person, however, I can't do that over the phone. I would have to discuss all of this with my wife," Scarlett sighed in annoyance because she knew that Jasmine didn't like her at all. "I know my wife isn't the best listener but I can promise you that we can try working something out." 

"Listen, Brett," Chris said taking over the phone. "I know we didn't have a chance to meet and get to know one another, however, Scarlett genuinely needs this. It would mean a hell lot to her if anything can be worked out." 

"What about you?" He asked, leaving Chris a bit speechless not knowing what to do with his statement. 

"What about me?" He asked, however, he knew what Brett was getting at. 

"Scarlett has told us you are the father, yet everything you have asked from me has been for Scarlett. Is there something wrong with my daughter that is preventing you from getting to know her?" Brett asked turning into the overprotective Dad. 

"No of course not. There is a reason that I chose adoption, I am not ready to be a father whether I will ever be is a mystery but right now Scarlett is ready to be a mother. She is excited and looking forward to it. I am not going to stop her in becoming what she wants to be."  Chris spoke with true genuine thoughts almost leaving Brett speechless, however, he quickly recovered. 

"I don't want to make you both a promise that I can't live up to." Brett started. "You have to understand that this is a difficult situation. She is our daughter, we did adopt her so if we don't want you seeing her legally we don't have to allow her that. You didn't ask for birth parent rights." Brett explained. "But I know how much you want to see her Scarlett," he spoke now addressing Scarlett in particular. "I will talk to my wife and see what we can come up with. I just don't know if now would be the best time." 

"All I am asking for is an opportunity," Scarlett said and Brett sighed before agreeing to at least talk to his wife. Thanking him, she hung up and then looked over Chris who was giving her a smile that said it was a start. 

"You will get there," he reassured. 

"I know, it just takes time. But for her, I am willing to do whatever it takes. " 

Sunnyvale California wasn't known for it's over the top parties and millions of residents. It was rather quiet. Sunnyvale High School was normal every day high school with normal people. That, of course, is if you consider stuck up, rude kids normal then this is your typical high school. 

Nicole and Ava were finishing off middle school this year and were about to join the ranks as a freshman in high school. They have always been told highschoolers were horrible, whether it be in gossip around the courtyard,  in movies or online higher schoolers were not to be messed with, especially the popular girls. Marie was one of those people. 

As soon as word got out that Marie Cooper asked Nicole and Ava to join her at a party, people have gone almost berserk. Getting invited to a high school party when you were only a middle schooler in Sunnyvale was kind of a big deal. Let me give you some background. 

Marie Cooper, soon to be senior was captain of the cheerleading team, dating the head football captain, the straight-A student never does anything bad. At least not at school. She was an angel in disguise because her parties were known as the worst yet best thing ever. There was alcohol, always, smoking, party games, and a lot of sex. She got away with these because of her reputation and because her parents were never in town. She was your typical movie bad girl. And yet despite these rumors, the party interested Nicole. 

Nicole was now standing outside the party, she had snuck out of her room and walked over, luckily it wasn't a bad part of town, in fact, it was one of the nicer blocks.  Now she was just trying to muster up the courage to walk into the high school party. Usually, she would have Ava but unfortunately, she was now on her own. 

"Nicole Jones," Someone said startling Nicole because she was so lost in thought. She looked up to see Marie standing there with two cups in hand, no doubt full of alcohol. 
"It's about time you got here kid." She smirked and handed Nicole one of the two cups. 

"Oh, I um don't actually drink." She said, and Marie frowned but kept the cup held out toward her. 

"Nicole, this is a high school party, meaning we drink and we relax. Everyone is doing it." Marie said, sounding genuine like she was making sure Nicole was being taken care of. "Nothing is going to happen." 

"Oh it's fine but I don't wanna be drunk when I come home," she said hoping that Marie would drop it, however, she was a very persistent girl. 

"Come on Nicole everyone is doing," She looked at Nicole with trustworthy eyes.

"Well if everyone else is..." She took the cup in her hand and Marie urged her to take a sip, Nicole slowly brought the cup to her lips and took a sip of the alcohol, it burned her throat as it went down.  

"Now come on girl, let's get this party on." 

Throughout the party, Nicole stayed on the stairs watching all the party goers as they got drunk and drunk. She had at least two cups of whatever Marie was giving her and was beginning to feel the effects of it. She didn't party with everyone else and was not having a good time. 
"Maybe Ava was right..." She mumbled, had she gone or not, no one would have noticed. No one cares about who goes and who comes. 

"Who's ava?" A voice startled her just a bit, not knowing anyone would be silver enough to listen to her little mumble. She looked back to see a boy a few steps above her dressed in what looked to be sweats and a hoodie, not exactly what you wear to a party.

"She's... no one." She sighed cutting herself off before she got into detail of who she was or who she wasn't.  "I'm Nicole," 

"Jake." He nodded. He was obviously a year or two older than her and was looking at her with mysterious eyes, which almost made her shiver. 

"How about you and I have a dance?" Asked Jake, Nicole looked at him with uncertainty. "Come on kid," he said and grabbed her hand pulling her into the crowd. The pair went outside and he began dancing. Nicole's mind was spinning and she was being pushed in every direction by the party guest. The music was killing her ears. But now she was beginning to have a good time. 

Jake and Nicole danced for what felt like forever. He would occasionally pull her close and dance up close with her. She was too drunk to stop any of his movements. 
"Nicole." A stern voice said causing the pair to stop dancing. She looked up to see Marie staring her down angrily. "What the hell! I invite you to my party and you go and fucking dance with my boyfriend?" She yelled. Everyone in the party turned to look at them, music now completely off. People were drunikly mumbling things to their partners.

"I uh I didn't know. He invited me to dance and-" 

"Oh, I am so sure that he, captain of the football team and MY BOYFRIEND, came up to you of all people and asked you to dance." She huffed and then shoved Nicole away from him in anger. 

Nicole almost fell over due to her drunk movements but quickly caught herself, by now phones were coming out to record the situation. Nicole was angered, but the alcohol doubling that anger so much so that she came back to Marie and pushed her as well. Marie was shorter then most for her age being 5'6 and Nicole was tall for her age being 5'5 that it wasn't that hard to grab her. 

Marie was pushed into a group of girls who almost fell over when they got hit, but Marie pushed herself up and went after Nicole. She walked toward her with such power it scared Nicole and made her take a few steps back. Nicole was given a shove by Marie sending her into the pool. 

As she fell the world was silent and cold. She could barely comprehend what was going on as she surfaced back up. However not knowing was better than hearing what everyone had to say as she came back to. Everyone was mumbling things to one another and laughing mummers of laughter. Nicole felt her cheeks warm up in embarrassment. Marie was standing above her on the side of the pool. 

"Consider this a warning kid, don't touch what is mine and you might just make it out of highschool alive." She said and then turned to walk away. "And get the hell out of my house." 

That night, was by far one of the worst choices she has ever made. If only she had listened to Ava.