CHAPTER NINE: BITTERSWEET
DANI'S POV
MOMENTS BEFORE...
"You have a meeting with Mr. Wells at six o clock sharp, Ms. Castillo."
Dani ran her fingers through a curl, "I have an appearance at Pop's shelter tonight. I can't miss it."
"Of course," the man agreed on the phone, keeping his voice steady, "your marketing team says the media has lit up the Rumble app. Your recent single went viral."
A smile spread across her face as she hummed, "we'll discuss further at the record meeting, Mr. DeVall. Class starts soon and I can't be late."
"That's another thing-" DeVall chirped, "media is loving that an aspiring pop star is studying among the general public. We're working on adjusting your security-"
"Yes, yes," she heaved, "I have to go-"
Dani clasped her phone shut while slumping into her seat. She watched as the car moved at a steady pace through the New York morning rush. Her chauffeur brimmed the steering wheel as he flushed out the noise from New York through his earbuds. And she was grateful for the silence on their morning drives.
She rubbed her thumb over the beaded good-luck charm. Everything changed within six months. She moved out of her Aunt Leeland's home into her first complex. Her singles were charting right before her first album release. Dani met Leap and Shade firsthand. And she discovered she's mutant.
The small square frame on her phone hummed to life. Dani flipped her phone open to see a new notification on her messages. A smile spreads across her face when she recognizes the contact.
MESSAGE 1:
JAMES ROSS 07:11
[IMAGE ATTACHED]
After the attack on New York, Dani's life became a whirlwind of events. Never ending and always evolving. It was nice to have two constants in her life now that seemed to remain the same; Shade and Leap. It was nice for a change to have two people who weren't obsessed with her industry career. After all, they knew Dani's true identity when America was dying to know who the girl behind a mask is.
Her grandfather had to transfer Leap from Wert IT college to Briggs University, but it all worked out. Shade happened to be traveling abroad and landed a full scholarship to study here in New York. For once, everything seemed to fall into place.
Dani opened her message and felt herself itch a groan in her throat. She left her bag behind from patrols. At James's dorm. Again.
Before she could respond, another message appeared.
MESSAGE 2:
JAMES ROSS 07:15
"Don't worry. I'm bringing it."
MESSAGE 3:
JAMES ROSS 07:23
"Got to show a kid around school, but runnin late."
MESSAGE 4:
JAMES ROSS 07: 24
"See you at Chem"