ONE| BAD DAY

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"WIPE YOUR TEARS, darling. We'll have this all sorted out," Mr. Badussy attempts to console me, petting my back.

I nod my throbbing head before wiping the tears that have fallen from my puffy eyes. I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ears, folding my hands on top of the table. My head is pounding, my face is swollen, but one thing is clear – this is the worst day of my life.

The whole neighborhood council called upon me to fill me in on what's been going on, but I already have a clue. I could never get the images of everything that I've ever known being destroyed. I still don't know what I have done to deserve this.

I came home from the library, expecting to see my ordinary house surrounded by trees, but what I actually got was something far worse. The whole house burned in flames and was encircled by everyone in the nearby area. All they did was stare in horror but made no move to control it.

When I asked everyone who or what had been responsible for it, no one peeped a word. Only Ms. Summers, a widow who lived 3 blocks from me, said that a car pulled up as she was passing by, someone wearing a hoodie carrying a large gallon of oil and a matchstick in hand. I then knew that this was intentional and whoever committed it obviously despises me.

"Mr. Badussy, do you know when the meeting will start?" He shrugs his shoulders before taking a seat beside me.

"I believe we're waiting for an extra person."

I smile at him, trying to keep a positive mindset. Things could be worst. In other communities, I wouldn't be surrounded by people who are trying to help me. I wouldn't have any support, only pity. How lucky I mus–

My thoughts are interrupted by a sound of an opening and closing of a door. I sigh a little because the meeting is about to commence but pause midway when people begin to whisper.

I begin to lift my head, wondering what the commotion is about. My brown eyes lock with an unusual pair of dark eyes. I send a closed-mouth smile at him so he would feel welcomed. I expect it to be reciprocated; instead, the man stares at me weirdly.

"Nice of you to join us, Parker Sullen." Mr. Hall, the head of the council, says. No, I don't think he can be mean THE Parker Sullen.

"Unwillingly, just know that." He has a smug look on his face as he walks around the table before finding a seat right across from me.

I began to twiddle with my fingers and analyze him. I've never seen any of the Sullen siblings, so to see the 24-year-old waltzing in is quite a surprise. I mean, it's no secret that he is the leader of a gang that's involved in the drug business. I'm surprised he hasn't been arrested yet.

My eyes track his tall, slender figure, from his messy brown locks down to his black sneakers. His eyes are his hair, reminding me of dark chocolate. Lilac bags hang under them, adding more character to him, though it also shows sleepless nights. He has incredibly thick and dark eyebrows, which are perfectly arched. A scruff is building his jawline, which, I believe, can cut through Valyrian steel. Even from where I was positioned, I could smell his cologne.

"Alright, I think we all know what's happened," he begins, standing from his seat. "It's no secret that Jessica Rivera's house was burned to the ground earlier today. Unfortunately, Sheriff Bates hasn't found any leads as to who has started it, only the words of Ms. Summers. The investigation is ongoing."

My eyes began to water at his words. I know it's only been a couple of hours, but the feeling of hopelessness has overcome my whole being already. They don't have anything but Ms. Summers's testimony.

I look down and cover my face with my hair. I wipe the tears before they fall. I'm so drained from crying. I'm tired from all of it.

"The town of Clarksborough has always been here to support its people in times of need, and as you can see, Ms. Rivera is one of those people today."

I shake my head, my face turning red. "Mr. Hall, whatever you're about to suggest is unnecessary. I'm planning to go back to my mother's -"

"But your mother is five states away. Plus, you go to uni here. I insist."

"You can stay at my mother's motel for free until you get situated," Miranda, an acquaintance of mine from college, offers, but the idea of me possibly disrupting their lives stops me from accepting.

"Thanks for offering, but I have to decline. A potential customer could be staying there." She tried to speak up again, but I beat her to it. "I don't want any offers from anyone. I don't want to barge in on your lives. I can figure out something in the meanwhile."

Truth be told, at most, I probably have a hundred dollars in my name. It's enough to stay at Miranda's family motel for a day or two. From there, I'll just have to wing it.

A creak against the tiles is made as Parker Sullen stands from his chair. He stares at me before speaking up. "You can stay at my house."

My eyes widen as I stay in place. I'm pretty sure everyone is as shocked as me because I hear no whispers. "W–What?"

He shuffles on his feet, scratching the back of his neck. "I've got a couple of extra rooms, and you wouldn't be a burden. We're all too busy, anyway."

To say that I'm shocked at his words would be an understatement. Why would he offer me to stay with his family? How would that work out? I mean, he's in on the drug dealing in town.

"I don't think so–"

"If your only excuse to not accept help is because you feel like you're going to be disruptive to others' lives, you might as well stay with me. I already said you won't be bothering anyone." He has an annoyed look on his face as I stare at him with parted lips. "Are you coming or not?"

I snap out of my daze and try to weigh in on my options. If I don't accept Parker's offer, I would be using the few bucks I have to my name to lay my head in a motel where I'd stay two days at most. Who knows what would happen afterward. But if I accept, a variety of things could happen. I might end up dead by the end of the month if a drug war starts. And even if I don't have to deal with a drug war, the Sullen siblings would probably drive me mad. I've heard their family is quite the dysfunctional bunch.

However, there's one fact to me that has always been constant; I'm probably the most frugal person you'll ever meet. I'm all about saving money, so of course, I'll choose the option that'll keep cash in my pocket.

I rise from my seat slowly, my heart thumping loudly. I'm probably making a foolish decision, but it'll definitely be the one saving me some type of money. "Okay, I'll go with you."

"What?" Mr. Hall gasps dramatically, running to my side. He puts his hands on my shoulder and turns to me. "You don't have to do this, Jessica. Let's not resort to the last option so quick."

My face scrunches up, and I move from his touch. "It'll be fine. Besides, I have a headache, and I just want to go to sleep already."

He searches my eyes for a moment before sighing loudly. "This meeting has now been adjourned. You may all continue your daily routine until further notice."

With these words, everyone makes their way out of the room quickly, including me. I follow behind Parker, who takes long strides as we make our way to the parking lot. I walk a little faster until my steps match his. "Thanks for making me stay at your house."

He sneaks a look at me, a bored look on his face. "Don't get your panties in a bunch."

He stops in front of a white pickup truck, moving to the passenger side. He opens the door, and I mumble "thanks" while climbing inside. Ignoring my comment, Parker slams the door and walks over to the driver's seat before putting the keys into the ignition and twisting it on.

"You should put on your seatbelt," I suggest without thinking.

He pauses for a moment before turning to me. A dark expression takes over his face, instantly sending chills down my spine. Yeah, I'll just stick to minding my business next time.

The remainder of the ride to his house is filled with intense silence. I imagine it must've been coming from him mostly, seeing as I was just staring off into the distance.

The change of scenery is drastic, though. Almost every corner on my side of town is filled with many flowers, white picket fences, and trimmed trees. Around the city's dark side, the whole area is filled with dread, resembling my current mood. The trees are overgrown, dull colors serve the area, and the streets are of ruins.

The Sullen household is hard to miss though. Tall gates surround the property, and a pair of buff men hold large guns in their hands.

"What ya got there?" A bald man, maybe in his late 20s, asks while punching in a code. The gates open almost immediately.

"Leverage," is all he says, driving into the residence and stops halfway to the garage. He opens the door and walks over to the same bald guy. Handing him a pair of keys, Parker whispers a few words to him, and the man's eyes immediately meet mine.

I look away promptly, my heart thumping against my chest. That couldn't have been a coincidence. And what did Parker mean by leverage? This is all too confusing for me.

The door to my side opens suddenly, and Parker stands there with his arms cross. "You can get out now."

I quickly unbuckle my seatbelt, hopping out of the car. I bite my lips and follow as he leads me up to his large house. Everything about it gave me chills, from the vines encircling the walls to the paint wearing off the front door.

He sticks his key inside and twists it before opening the door. The first thing I notice is two girls glaring at one another. I hadn't even set foot inside of the house, and a brawl was already occurring.

"What the hell is going on?" Parker asks, strutting inside and setting his keys on a table.

"Walker thinks she can run her mouth without getting popped in the mouth," A tall girl with blonde hair with brown streaks screams.

"Evelyn, we all you know you have a talent called being a little bitch," A brunette responds nonchalantly, rubbing her nails against her shirt.

Before anyone could react, the blondie tackles the brunette in anger. "I will send your head to your father!"

"Jesus fucking Christ," Parker mumbles, running over to remove them from each other.

As if my day wasn't eventful, I have to endure the Sullen siblings going at each other's throats.