Chapter 2 - All It Takes Is One Second For Life To Screw You (Jade)

"Dad come on! You're going to be late for work!" I yelled knocking - well more like pounded - on his door.

"I'm up, I'm up," He grumbled from the other side.

I went back to my room and packed up my dance bag.

I walked down the hall into the bathroom and pulled my dark brown hair into a bun. I changed into my leotard and a pair of thin yoga pants.

My neck was bare, reminding me of my necklace.

"Hey, Dad?" I called walking over toward his door.

"Yes annoying child?" He answered opening the door a crack.

I gave him a smirk.

"Did you get the knot of my necklace?"

"Yes, give me a second,"

He shut the door and I could hear his footsteps. He came back with my necklace untangled. He motioned for me to turn around and I did. He secured it around my neck and it felt much better. It was just an amethyst crystal, but I've had it since birth and I felt naked without it.

"Happy Birthday lovebug,"

"Thanks, Dad," I gave him a hug and breathed him his sent, aftershave and smoke. Dad was a firefighter, I was left at the station when I was a baby, it was his first day.

"I won't be home till late, but I have the day off tomorrow. We can do something then,"

I shrugged and gave him a smile.

"Ok, sounds good,"

"You should get going or you will be late,"

I checked the time and my heart started to beat faster.

I gave him a kiss on the cheek and gathered my stuff quickly. I yelled bye as I left.

-*-

Summer in Seattle was nothing but blistering heat, no amount of time could get you used to it. I was relieved when I entered the studio and was hit by a blast of cold air.

I'd been going here since I was a kid. I knew every instructor and been in almost every program.

"Jade! There you are, come on. You know we are a week from regionals," Ms.Cross instructed when she saw me.

I slipped off my shoes and traded them for my ballet slippers.

I'd been working on this routine for five months.

Ms. Cross wanted me to display a story as I danced.

So for the past few months I been listening to Night Riots breaking free. I knew every lyric, yet I still enjoyed the song. I wanted to soak in every emotional lyric.

I took center stage and got in position, and waited for the music to start. As the notes started to play I let my body take over. Letting go and moving to the music. My feet moved swiftly carrying my body with them. Trying to interpret the emotion of the song. Gliding through the moments gracefully.

The song faded away and I heard Ms.Cross clapping.

"Beautiful, just beautiful Jade!"

I was breathing strong and took a sip of water.

"I actually have a gift for you," Ms.Cross commented as I sat down next to her.

"You did?" I asked surprised.

She put her hand up to pause me.

"Relax it's more of a gift to me, but I want you to teach the mini-ballet class on the weekends."

My mouth dropped down into an 'o'.

"Mrs. Lupus has requested for the weekends off and I need someone to fill in for her. And except for a few staff members you have been here the longest,"

"Thank you so much!" I gasped

"You were born to dance Jade. I will see that you are put in the best dance school after you graduate. Until then you need money, and I need a teacher,"

"I won't let you down, I promise,"

"I know you won't. Now again, this time have your eyes closed, feel your way through it,"

-*-

After six hours of practicing ballet, jazz, and musical theater, I was beyond tired.

I yearned to get back into bed and sleep forever. But alas, I still needed to get to work. Luckily I always had the weekends off, so I could easily for at the café and the studio.

The café wasn't busy but we had a few customers milling about.

"Jade you late!" Katie -my work friend- mocked. "You're lucky I like you,"

"I'm five minutes late,"

I changed my jacket for an apron and started busting a few tables.

"Oh! Joanna wanted me to tell you to grab a brownie on your way out, and to wish you a happy birthday,"

Joanna was the best boss. She was super nice and very involved with her employees.

I nodded and gave an appreciative smile.

I went behind the register and wiped down back there.

The door chimed as it opened. Caleb, my oldest friend waltzed in with a swagger.

"A mocha with the whip no cream please,"

"Can I spit in it?" Replied, stifling a laugh.

He gave me a fake grumpy look.

"Ha-ha. You're so funny. Do I get a discount for laughing?"

"Maybe," I smirked.

"So what are your plans for tonight?"

"Go home, turn on the tv and binge watch Game Of Thrones till I fall asleep,"

"That sounds lame,"

"It's my birthday. I can be lame if I want too,"

I put a lid on his coffee and handed it to him.

"Well, I'm in this thing tonight if you want to come and watch."

I raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of thing?"

"A cool kind of thing,"

I smiled and shook my head at him.

"Okay, I get off at eight, pick me up at home at eight-thirty,"

"It's a date,"

I have a fake gag but stopped when I saw more customers come in.

"I'll see you at eight-thirty," Caleb said as he left.

-*-

I was pretty sure I smelled like coffee grounds and whip cream when I go home.

I wanted to do nothing more than lay down and sleep, but Caleb was gonna be home soon.

I stripped down to nothing and hopped in the shower, washing off the day's work as quickly as possible.

Shutting off the water and wrapped a towel around my body. I walked back to my room and pulled in some jeans and a blue shirt that showed off my back.

I went back to the bathroom and blow-dried my hair. When it was dry I threw it up in a loose bun and applied some makeup. I grabbed some boots and someone knocked on the door.

I hopped to the door as I tried to walk to the door while putting on my shoes.

"Hey, birthday girl!" Caleb smiles. He was dressed in basketball shorts and a sports tank top.

"Uh uh. I'm not going to the gym. Nope, good night,"

I started to shut the door but Caleb pushed it back open.

"Jade we aren't going to the gym. Just trust me. The most active thing you have to do is walk and stand,"

"Yes fine! Let's go,"

I locked the door on my way out and followed Caleb down the street.

"So are you going to tell me where we are going? Or is it still a secret?" I asked keeping pace with him.

"You call it a secret, I call it a surprise,"

I shook my head at him. He flashed a smile at me that would make girls fall for him instantly. Except me. Caleb has been my friend forever but not once had we ever had a moment when we weren't friends.

I was more than okay with that. Caleb was more like a brother than a boyfriend. I wasn't paying attention to where we're going until we turned down a very sketchy alleyway. A shiver went down my spine and my skin pickled.

"Caleb, are you going to kill me?" I asked with nick fear.

"Ha-ha," Caleb muttered and walked up to an old rusted door. He knocked and then I started to get a little scared. The door opened and a tall burly man stepped out.

"The blood rains heavy tonight," Caleb told him. He stepped aside and we went in.

"Caleb I really don't have a good feeling about this," I told him with a serious face.

"Don't worry, we are completely safe,"

I stayed close to his side. The eerie feeling never left.

We stopped at the end of the stairs in front of a plastic curtain. I could hear the rowdiness of a crowd.

"Go on in, grab a drink. I'll be out soon,"

"Wait to hold on, Caleb!" I was trying hard not to freak out and was failing miserably.

"Jade take a breath. Go in, you will be alright,"

I slowly nodded and turned to the curtain. I couldn't help but think my birthday might just turn into my death day.

I pulled the curtain back and revealed a large swarm of people.

I chewed at my lip, my stomach in knots.