3:00pm.
Jasmine sat up on her bed, and walked to the closet.
She pulled the door open, and at once, selected the most comfortable clothes she could think of.
Just as she pulled out the dress, her phone beeped.
Why would Kimberly never refrain from disturbing her?
And again, she got into the bathroom, and minutes later, she was out. She had a towel wrapped round her body, and her hair.
She walked to the mirror, and sat down, staring at her face silently.
A while later, she loosened the towel holding her hair. The velvety length of it cascaded down the back of the chair. The Maids were in her room moments later to help style it.
She made her way down the stairs, the coat she had over her shoulder creating a trail behind her.
"Nanny?" She called out as she got to the end of the stairs, letting one of her Servants take the coat from her. Amelia was in front of her at once, her eyes lowered in a bow. "Don't wait for me." She said, causing Amelia to bow further, knowing what she meant.
"Wouldn't be a problem at all. Have a nice time."
Jasmine got outside, pulling her sunglasses out to shield her eyes from the dazzling Sun. Who could have guessed it had been snowing fire and ice the day before? It reminded her of him from Yesterday.
The scent was still the same...
Anthony opened the door, bowing slightly, but she moved to the Driver's side instead, wiggling her fingers for the Keys.
"I'll drive on my own." She said, causing him to frown and surrender them with hesitation; he didn't really have a say in her matters.
"Drive. Safe."
"Yeah, tell me that in your next World, probably when you reincarnate as my Mother." She drawled as he shut the door, throwing him a quick smirk. He could make out the words she said from the other side of the glass, "God forbid."
His lips twisted in a half smile.
It wasn't his fault he was trying to do his Job.
The last time she drove, she had an accident. It had been so minor she hadn't sustained any serious injury, and yet, the Car had been impostered.
It seemed like she didn't end up well with Cars now he thought of it.
However, there was nothing he could do, but watch the car drive off.
Jasmine sighed. Why couldn't her phone stop making that weird noise lately? It was so irritating!
"Hey, Babe." Beryl's cheerful voice came through the phone, the contrast of the mood she just had Jasmine in.
Beryl Lamar; mixed race, two years older than Jasmine. Influential Family, check. She had been to the same college Jasmine had been in, and they had been together even after school, but the gap between them was starting to expand.
"Why would you guys not stop this damn cell from making such weird noises?" She asked, causing Beryl to pause.
"Wait. Who set that 'weird noise'?"
"I didn't do it for people to call me day and night."
"Oh, c'mon, you sound like the world collapsed on your head. It's your fault." She pointed out, chuckling. "You always try to be mean, but it's funny."
"What?"
'Your voice."
"Whatever."
"Jasmine, I was wondering...."
"If we could hang-out sometime?" She completed, clicking her tongued.
"Yes!"
"Not a chance."
Her shoulders sagged with her heart at once. She dared not prod, it was useless; trying to convince her. "I was just bored, it's a big house, you know." She said, the boredom was clear in her voice.
"Yes, I know," Jasmine nodded, " but, I don't know a lot of people who would build Dog Houses for people who live in places they can't bear, but I would do anything for you." She remained quiet for a long time. "Just kidding; about doing anything for you. Later, I'm kind of busy."
Beryl was... Speechless.
It seemed she had gotten used to her vulgarity as much as she thought.
But, seriously, what kind of a 'Friend' would say that to other Friends?
-----
Jasmine pulled up and got out of the Car, noticing the place was close to... Fuller than she could have wanted, though unlike a normal Saturday. Her Dad obviously made this reservation for an uninterrupted Family time.
It was not a tedious task finding them.
Everyone was already there, clad in their swim suits, and Kimberly was waving fervently.
Everything was set.
She walked over, and managed to kiss her Mum on the cheek through all that sauce she could smell on her.
"Sweetie," she quirked up a brow, glancing at the car behind her, "you drove yourself?"
Jasmine met her gaze squarely. "So?" She asked, not liking being treated like a Neonate she knew she wasn't.
Hazel smiled uncertainly, not wanting to spoil the mood. "Nothing."
"You might want to go change." Ray suggested, hugging her. It wasn't her to determine he was the Cook, if his Apron was anything to go by.
"I will."
Keeon walked over, looking very amused. "I think I would drop the 'Baby' title. You look," he exhaled dramatically, "breathtaking."
"Stop being so over dramatic." Kimberly frowned, walking over to Jasmine to pull her away. "Let's move a bit, he might infect you with his craziness." She said, causing him to smirk.
"Jealous because she looks better than you?" Keeon walking to the Cooler. "If you haven't gotten it already, get it now; she always looks better than you!"
And Jasmine thought it was high time she walked away, shaking her head at the two They never grew up, did they?
"Stop talking nonsense, you Lunatic." Kimberly snapped with temper, glaring fiercely at him.
Ray knew he had to step in. "That's enough, Okay?"
"You teach this Son of yours to be a Gentle-man." And Keeon choked on his drink, coughing violently, which later turned to laughter.
"Says the 'Lady'," he lifted a shoulder in mockery, "it's weird to imagine something like that... don't make me throw up.'
"Ha, thank God you know you know I am." Kimberly said, but she regretted it when Keeon shook his head at her.
"You really are stupid." He shook his head at her, causing Kimberly to turn a shade dark.
"Fool!" She snapped at him, but she caught a glimpse of Jasmine approaching from the corner of her eyes and she eyed him with disdain before she turned to her Sister. "When did you change?" She raised a brow in genuine surprise, seeing Jasmine in her Swim-suit.
For the first time.
She had a pair of Shorts over it, but Okay.
"When you guys were so into each other." Jason bothered to explain, fore-seeing Jasmine wasn't going to say a thing.
"Me? Into this Lunatic? You're oh-so dreaming." Kimberly stuck out her tongue in disgust.
"If I'm a Lunatic, then you're crazy."
"They mean the same thing. Illiterate! Your Education was a waste of time and money!"
"I thought you guys were done. Can we, at least, enjoy some peace and quiet?" Hazel interrupted, a hand to her head. They always needed someone to come to the rescue. If no one stopped them, they were ready to go on all day long.
"His fault. I will just go join Jasmine.l, staying in water might cool me down." She said taking her phone and ear plugs with her.
"Jasmine...."
"Up you shut."
"Okay."
Jasmine lay on the water, her eyes closed with the plugs in her ear as she listened to reports from Gemma; her way of camouflaging, to make the others think she was listening to relaxing music.
"Jasmine, can I ask you a question?"
"You already are." Jasmine said drily, pausing the 'music', without pulling the plugs.
"Do you feel it weird, you know, to hang-out with Family?"
"With just you." She answered curtly, pulling the Plugs over her ears.
Kimberly blinked. "Why is that?!" Jasmine said nothing. "I'm serious here!" She pursed her lips, not liking the way Jasmine always had to treat her like an amateur. She reached out to her shoulder. "Jasmine..."
Jasmine slapped her hand away, causing her to clamp her lips shut and swim away from her Sister, to the other end.
She continued to swim farther, but halted when she thought she heard her name. She could make out someone like Jasmine waving her over. They seemed to have increased in number. She turned and swam back, saying reluctantly,
"Jasmine, I think they need us."
"5 minutes."
Kimberly got on dry land and walked towards her Family. They didn't seem to have increased in number, they did increase.
"My daughter," Ray held out a hand to her when she got closer, "Kimberly." He introduced her to Jayden.
She forced a smile, making up an excuse for Jasmine as they Man glanced behind her, "she said she'll be here soon."
"That's no problem!" He reassured quickly, offering a genuine smile of his own. "It's nice to see you again, Kimberly. You were about... 4? The last time I saw you. Still in Kindergarten. How fast kids grow!" He threw Ray a glance, laughing whole-heartedly in a way that gradually dispelled Kimberly's fallen mood.
She smiled back, taking his hand. "But now, I'm done with College, grown up, and happy to see you, too... And I remember you."
"Really? I'm glad to hear that! Come here, I'll introduce you guys, you can exchange pleasantries later. Over there," He said pointing at where the youngsters were, "is my daughter, Moira, my daughter's husband, Darrell, their son, Adrian, and Darrell's niece, Ciara - And yes, of course, that's my Son. Dylan."
He turned briefly, as if he heard his name, then turned back to the discussion with a look of boredom.
Kimberly nodded slowly at that reaction. "I'll go over, later."
"You guys have fun." He smiled warmly at her.
"Thanks." She smiled back and went over to her Dad. "It would be fun if they join us."
"They are."
"Sweet. Jasmine hasn't come over yet?" She asked, looking at the Ocean.
"Oh, she's over there." Ray said, pointing behind her.
She was speaking with Jayden.
"I'm sure they would be talking boring Business." She stuck out her tongue, walking towards her Brothers and others.