Clocks by Coldplay

And nothing else compares.

I limp aimlessly down a long corridor the next day, I have no clue what I'm searching for but I am looking for something. 

"Hey, kid." Nash nods from inside a room I had walked passed. I pause and walk backwards a step to the doorway.

"Hey," I reply questioningly. 

"I don't suppose you've seen Grayson?" Nash asks. 

"Nope." I say simply. Not today anyway. 

"And I don't suppose you know anything about a chat Gray had with our mother, right before she moved out?"

Oh no.

"No clue," I say flatly.

"Didn't think so." Nash gives me a little wink. "Your sisters' and lawyer are looking for you. East wing" he informs. 

"Are you two official yet?" I ask with a smirk. "Are you and Jameson?" He asks, mirroring my cunning smirk. I feel my cheeks go a bright hue of red.  

I don't dare answer as I hop away and towards the east wing. 

"There you are." Alisa sighs as I hobble towards the three. "Would I be correct in assuming you've forgotten about the game?"

"Game?" I repeat, unsure what game she is referring to.

"The football game," Alisa clarifies, with another Alisa Look. "Part two of your sisters debut into Texas society. With Skye's exit from Hawthorne House, appearances are more important than ever. We need to control the narrative. This is a Cinderella story, not a scandal—and that means that Avery needs to play Cinderella. In public. As frequently and convincingly as possible, starting with making use of her owner's box tonight."

"So Lib and I are playing the evil step sisters? Or the rats?" I ask. 

"The game," Avery repeats ignoring my comment, "As in, an NFL game. Because I own a football team." She hints.

"There are forty-eight seats in the owner's suite," Alisa lectures. "A general seat map is created months in advance. VIPs only. This isn't just football; it's a way of buying a seat at a dozen different tables. Invites are highly sought after by just about everyone—politicians, celebrities, CEOs. I've had Oren vet everyone on the list for tonight, and we'll have a professional photographer on hand for some strategic photo opportunities. Landon has crafted a press release that will go out an hour before the game. All that's left to worry about is..."

"Me?" Avery asks. 

"This is a Cinderella story," Alisa reiterates. "What do you think Cinderella would wear to her first NFL game?"

"Something like this?" Libby appears in the doorway. She wears a Lone Stars jersey with a matching scarf, matching gloves, and matching boots. Her blue hair is tied back into two pigtails with a thick bunch of blue and gold ribbons.

"Wait so I have to go to this?" I ask. "Yes" Alisa affirms. "Will there be food?" I ask, "There will" she confirms. "Deal"

I'm getting ready with the two stylists that I've seen more times than my own Father. They show me that cute crochet shirt I was offered last week when leaving the hospital. I decide instantly to wear it with high waisted denim shorts and sneakers. I also get the dog chain practically throttled around my neck.

Five of us sit in the SUV on our way to the game. Alisa tells Avery to roll down the window and yell 'Go lone stars' to the desperate paparazzi. She rolls the window down, the questions are being bombarded at her but she does as she was told and yells "Go lone stars!" Making me and Libby laugh. 

She rolls the window up but catches sight of Ricky Grambs right before it closes. My smile fades when i notice him. Maybe he actually did use the money I sent him for plane tickets?

"Ave?" Libby asks quietly. "Did you know he'd be here?" Avery replies after a moment of silence. "No! I swear." She promises. "But he just wants to talk" she justifies. 

Once we have exited the car we start walking inside where we take the elevator. "Are you okay?" Libby asks me inside the elevator, "I'm fine" I assure with a nod. "Why wouldn't she be?" Grayson asks from behind me, in that sharp voice. 

"Why would Paris be anything other than fine?" He presses. "Dearest Daddy made a special appearance outside" I explain sarcastically. 

"Is he a potential threat?" Grayson asks Oren. "My Dad's not a threat" I laugh, he gives me a look, I shake my head knowing exactly what he's thinking. I shouldn't have told him the truth about the money I sent him. 

The elevator pings at the perfect time, I walk out with everyone else. Zara greets Avery inside "Avery. You made it. I wasn't sure you'd be putting in an appearance tonight.

I break away from the group and find Jameson, he grins down at me, careful to not blow our cover as I'm currently 'dating Grayson'. 

We all take our seats and the second I realise the first half is over I literally bolt as fast as I can. Unfortunately Grayson stops me, I think he may take me back to my seat but instead I'm lead to an elevator I never saw before. 

Curiosity takes over and I get in without a second thought. I notice this goes up rather than down. When the doors open I see a small room with five chairs and a phenomenal view of the field. 

"My grandfather could only mingle in the suite for so long before he got fed up and came up here," Grayson tells me. "My brothers and I were the only ones allowed to join him." 

He pulls out of the seats for me and I take a seat, he then takes one of the seats next to me. The elevator pings again and Jameson Hawthorne emerges. 

"Been a while since I've been up here" Jameson reminisces taking the other seat next to me. 

"I heard your Dad showed up" he starts. I open my mouth to reply but I'm drowned out my a loud bang, more than one. Gunshots.

I slip off the chair onto the floor. There's a shooter. Avery and Libby are down there. I feel the tears streaming down my cheeks. My hand instinctively goes to my wound. 

I squeeze my eyes shut, terrified. 

Please. Not again.

Jameson kneels beside me quickly and holds my face in one hand. 

"No. No. No" I whimper desperately, barely above a murmur. 

"Fireworks." He says but the shots are so loud I can't even hear the words. "It's fireworks, Paris" he assures with a nod. He had carried me back last time. Will he have to do it this time? Will it be Avery's dead body he carries this time? What if it's him? 

I shake my head and hug myself into a ball, sobbing and staying dead quiet. I put my hands over my ears as I squeeze my eyes shut, praying for it to be over. 

Grayson now kneels beside Jameson now, watching me closely. "You're okay Paris. We won't let anything happen to you." He promises. 

I've escaped deaths already. What if I'm about to have a final destinations moment? What if the inevitable death will slip in behind me and grab me.

I feel the sting in my stomach all over again. The piercing shriek of the bullet ripping through the air all the way into my unsuspecting body.

"Please" I beg out loud as quiet as I can. I don't know who or what I'm begging. Just begging it's over. 

I feel something on my shoulder. A bullet? It's a hand. It strokes up and down cautiously. 

I slowly pry my hands away from my ears, the banging has stopped now, Jameson points to the window where bright colours explode through the night sky.

All that I hear for a moment is our breathing, all the three of us. Jameson pulls me into his body and holds me close. I feel his stomach rise and fall quickly and eventually slow down to a normal pace. 

I wipe my eyes, still in the safe arms of Jameson. I now stand up tall and take a deep breath. Jameson and Grayson both stand as well. "Fireworks" I repeat for myself. "Fireworks" Jameson nods assuringly. 

I look towards Grayson who I notice is also wearing the dog chain. He nods reassuring at me, I believe him. I believe Jameson too but something about Grayson's expression makes me want to believe him. 

I look outside to the beautiful exploding fireworks. 

Pink. 

Blue. 

Orange. 

Yellow. 

Green.