𝓙𝓪𝓭𝓮 ✨

I felt something wet coating every surface of my body. It felt thick and made it hard for me to breathe. My eyes not being able to see, eyelids shut. I could hear a low voice mumbling something, my ears could hardly pick. I try harder to listen. " Jade... Me.... Okay".

My eyes opened themselves trying to adjust to the light around me until it saw red. The world spinning in my head started spinning ten times faster. My body is defenceless, unable to move.

" Jade, are you okay?"

The voice stabilized my spinning universe. I slowly looked up and the rising panic inside me subsided when I realised the ' red ' was Allison's shirt and I'm not where I thought I was.

"I'm exhausted" A yawn escaped, the sunlight too bright for my liking. I prefer the dark but Allison here was the goddess of light. She keeps me sane and moving. She brings warmth to my cold world.

"Well, you look the part! What happened? " Concern coating her features. My hazel eyes meet her dark ones and she takes a hint.

"Jade, was it that bad today? The bags under your eyes are scaring me! " She paused to take a look at me before continuing, " Do you want to talk about it? " I can see the sadness and concern in her big eyes.

Her question panics me. The memory of last night stung my body like a sore muscle. Should I tell her about last night? About dad? I'm sure she will understand right?

Of course NO! You pathetic loser!! What! Do you want her to pity you? Tell her so she realises you are such a low life and then drop your ass like dead weight?

"Jade. What's wrong?" Her voice bringing me back to reality.

"A... I was reading up till late before sleeping." I paused to check if what I said made sense. Once confirmed I continued, " Didn't get enough sleep " I dressed up my lie with no eye contact. Her hands held my shoulder ingeniously

" You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. Just don't lie to me, you are not good at it. " With that said she pulls me in for a hug. I almost stumble on her but hugged her tighter.

"Thank you " I whispered to her, tears trickling down my face and a sure smile plastered on both of our faces.

" Well I gotta tell you though, your breath stinks!" I unlock my hands from her neck reaching for the nearest pillow, directing it towards her head. The pillow made strands of her brown hair dishevelled making both of us break into a stomach aching laughter.

This was Allison, her superpower is to turn your bad day around."Hey, i did my hair!" She protested with a fake cry. "Also get up you lazy ass, did you spare a glance at the time? " Her sarcastic warning made me get up in a rush.

"I will be ready in 30" My voice expressed how sleepy I was. My eyes half-closed, trying to sneak a few more seconds of sleep, the bright sunlight making me annoyed.

She chuckled, "We'll let you know we are going out Friday night. And by 'we' i mean you and me ." She speaks loud enough for me to hear from the bathroom.

This is probably the 30th time she asked me to 'go out with her which is a code for 'partying'. I know she does this to keep me company, to make me feel happy, surrounded with people and alive but it's just not me. She tries to make me socialize but I am absolutely fine being alone with my books and watching reruns of Harry Potter.

I'm way more comfortable in the warmth of my bed than at a party with sweaty bodies grinding against each other; or the smell of alcohol or all the testosterone in the air or the need to socialise with a bunch of high school boys, with raging hormones.

I said "No" with the toothbrush in my mouth and my left hand rubbing my eyes deprived of sleep.

She gets up from my bed and follows me towards my washroom sink looking serious, "Well I don't remember asking you a question. It was a statement." She said and stood there, her body balancing itself against my washroom door.

I quickly wash my face and push her out of the bathroom before closing the door. She keeps saying some incoherent words which are hardly audible from the bathroom so I ignored her as I took a warm shower and come out dressed.

"You are coming with me, Jade. Else I ain't going, " She speaks as soon as I come out of the bathroom door making a puppy face.

"Good, guess you will finally show up on Monday with homework done. " I retort while combing my hair. A sly smile dancing on my lips. Ally is the best 'best friend' one could ask for but her obsession with making me socialize makes me want to disown her sometimes.

'Disowning' is all fun and games until it becomes real isn't it jade?

My mouth suddenly feels dry and my scalp starts irritating. The realisation of my life hanging in loose threads hits me, reminding me I can't be picky, I take what I get. I can't lose Allison.

"Fine, I'll go " I spoke surprising myself but Allison more. The look on her face was similar to the devil listening to the holy bible. Confused.

"You are saying you will come with me? Tomorrow? To a party?" She cross checked.

I chuckled, " Yes! That's exactly what I said. " I clarified her doubt.

"I still don't believe it! You will accompany me to a party ?!" She asks again, clearly trying to tease me now.

"Well if you push it... I might change my mind. " I warned, knowing how to get back at her. I secretly smiled at her puppy eyes that are scared of the consequence. I guess I could use some time with people around me, especially Allison.

"Hey, you know I won't force you, right? You don't have to go if you don't feel comfortable. " She reassures me, honesty reflecting in her eyes like water, crystal clear.

" Don't worry! I could use some time to hang out with you other than school and sleepovers. " I try to assure her back, " Besides if I don't feel comfortable, you are gonna be there to drive me back home" And she broke into another laughing fit.

As promised it took me fifteen minutes to get ready, and with that, I tug my phone inside my jeans pocket. We both head down to leave. As I reach downstairs in the living room I see him standing. A fake smile on his face and a lot of food on the counter.

Last night flashed in front of me, luckily Ally was with me so I didn't lose it. He looks me in the eye, " Jade, I ordered breakfast. All your favourites. " He speaks while I look him in the eye, " Ally is here too! Great! Let's have breakfast together"

Is he serious about this right now? He is trying to bribe me? Faking this entire scenario!

I always felt I did not know my father well, considering he is mostly out of station for business but right now he felt like a stranger. It felt like I did not know this man at all. I never did. And if you ask me I would say I don't intend to know him anymore.

But are you willing to lose another person in your life?

No, I can't but I can't forgive him either. I convince myself that i need time. "We are already late and I'm not hungry. Thank you for the effort though. " I said trying not to be as cold as I felt right now. And with that my feet took me to the door, Allison before me.

Before I could get out he spoke again, " I will be leaving in 6 hours for China... I wanted to sit and eat with you before I left " His voice strained, " I won't be back soon". An exasperated smile left my mouth.

For an actual minute, I thought he cared. Or at least pretended to. Such a fool!

"Well then... "I looked back at him, " Have a safe flight." With that said I was out.

Allison was ready to drive her Porsche while I will be riding shotgun. She looked concerned at my dilated hazel eyes followed by a sigh but knew me enough to not ask me about it. Bringing the car to life we were on the street.

I hit the music to calm my nerves, trying to enjoy the air as much as I can. Looking around I could recognize that we were almost close to the school when she took a left turn and slammed the breaks. A red car that never hinted to us it was coming was now in front of us; too close to ours for our liking and it was too many details to memorize about that moment but I clearly remember a terrifying screech.

***

The thick red liquid on my body seemed to make me suffocated. I tried to use my hand to remove some of it from my face, but I couldn't. I could almost feel everything around me but my body won't follow my orders.

Am i alive? Breathing?

The other person with me, are they okay? Are they alive?

This fear took me to the world of darkness.

________________________________________

Hey! I hope you are doing good.
I'm your author, Koo.

So the second chapter is here!! It was a great experience writing it. And I hope you liked reading it. It would mean the world to me if you vote for me by clicking on the star below!

Also, tell me in the comments what you think of Jade's father?

Don't be a ghost reader! Comment or dm me anytime. I love to interact.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter if you want. I do post sneak peeks of chapters there. My socials and other works are linked on my profile, check that out if you want.

And thank you so much for taking out some time from your day to give this a read.

Stay safe and Take care.

Love 💜

The next chapter will be here soon. I hope you wait ✨