Chapter3

#Chapter3

/"Well, I tried to plan this day out for us in such a short amount of time. A spa or maybe a little manicure and pedicure thing. Lunch then maybe the fun zone. I don’t know. What do you think we should do?/"

I listened as Jess suggested what we should do with our day out. I was just thinking about what we can do that takes less time and will get me back home and quick. I pulled my cell phone from my jean pocket. I unlocked it and scrolled to my call log. I clicked the first name that popped up.

'Calling mother' appeared on the screen and the phone rang. I listened to it ring once then go to voicemail. I caved as I listened to her voice in the voicemail for the hundredth time.

I wish she would have gotten a better phone sometimes. Something trackable. Instead, she had some old flip phone.

I miss her voice.

I was losing hope.

I hated this.

/"Aniyah?/" My head snapped toward Jess as she drove down the empty road toward town.

/" Yes./"

/"I called you like six times./" She admitted.

/"Oh. Sorry./" I mumbled.

She glanced down at my phone. She watched me scroll my call log, my mother's name appearing numerous times.

/"I miss her too./" She sighed. /"We were never blooded.....but she was like my mother as well./"

/"I know./" I whispered. She treated Jess as if she was family. Our own blood. One of her own. She loved her as well.

I sunk deeper into the suede seats, fighting the downpour of tears. I hated that Jason wanted me out of the house. But was it for the best? I felt horrible, pained, and sick. I also felt as though the pack could feel it as well. I have not noticed a smiling face since my last. I have not heard a joyful laugh since my own. Maybe I needed to get out. Not just for Jason, but for everyone.

I looked toward Jess. Her eyes were low. She remands quiet, allowing me time to mellow into my own thoughts.

/"Well./" I cut through the thick silence. /"I need a manicure./"

****

A gust of cool air wrapped around my body as we stepped out of the small nail salon.

/"Your nails look cute./" Jess gripped my hand. I had medium length almond-shaped nails with a coat of brownish-tan nail coloring.

/"Let me see yours./" I took her hand. She had a normal length stiletto shaped nails with a black coat of nail polish and a few small diamond studs on her ring finger nail.

They were pretty! Also very dangerous when it involved Brent.

We turned and walked down the street. We headed toward a restaurant on foot. No need to hop in a car if it was only a block or two away.

/"Jess?/"

/"What’s up?/"

/"How has Brent been? You know the last couple of days./" I questioned her. I was curious. If my assumptions were correct, then he would have felt my pain and discomfort.

/"He has been.../" She searched for the correct term. /"Mopey./"

/"Oh./" I lowered my head.

/"The entire house seems...down./" She assured me.

I sighed.

/"Aniyah./" She locked her arm around my own. She leaned her head against my shoulder. /"They love you and feel for you./"

/"I wish they didn't you know? I mean I wish I did not have to feel how I felt. I wish they were...normal?/"

/" The only way they would feel better.....is if you did./"

She was right. The only way they would even show any signs of positivity is if I changed my attitude. But how can I? What could I do to change my emotions?

/"I want to./" I did. I want to stop feeling so...low.

/"I know you do./" She smiled. /"But I also know it’s hard to do so./"

We walked down the street, blending in with the passing faces that were still unaware of the world that hid in the shadows of their large town. Shopping. Eating, smiling. Happy faces. They knew of this world. Every time I thought of my mother, I sometimes wish I didn't too.

I listened to Jess mumble a few phrases and throw in a few jokes to make me laugh. I appreciated it. Even if her jokes were stupid, they were stupid funny. She knew they were.

/"Did Jason send someone out to follow us?/" Jess asked. I looked at her, following her eyes across the busy town street.

/"No./" My eyes narrowed in on the guy as he made it across the street to us. He stood in front of us, his face almost begging for the time. I stepped back a little. I did not want him this close to me again.

/"Hey Aniyah?/" He greeted me.

/"Carl./" I responded.