JUDE'S POV
After a lot of convincing, Ryker finally decided to put extra effort in his appearance to make himself look presentable when Jo wakes up. Yes, when. Today, we were all being positive and for once, I didn't seem too bothered about hope being a demon that would give me false confidence. I held Jo's left hand in my palms and I brought them up to rest just beneath my chin.
"Today is the day" I said in a whisper as I plastered a tight lipped smile on my face. My phone started ringing so I picked the call and walked around the room.
"Hey Al. You good?"
"I am" Alan replied. "Is Ryker there with you?"
"Nope. He went to freshen up"
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. I feel like today the day. Like nothing can go wrong"
"Me too. Everything seems perfect today. Good day, good weather…"
"Good breakfast"
"I know right" I replied dreamily as I recalled the delicacy we ate earlier today.
"Foodie"
"I'd pretend I didn't hear that. Besides, could you get me some chocolate ice cream?"
"Oh yeah. I wouldn't say I'm surprised although you ate about an hour back"
"The ice cream is for Jo. Her belly is speaking to me"
"Her belly is speaking to you?"
"Yeah"
"But she doesn't even like chocolate ice cream"
"There must have been a glitch somewhere"
"Maybe it has to do with your belly not hers.'
'Whatever just get me my ice cream"
'Yes ma'am"
"Take care"
'Yeah sure. Love you babe.'
"You too, Al"
Roughly fifteen minutes later, Lilith, Lucerne, Aiofe, Jadis, Viatrix, Alan and Ryker walked in. Alan was dressed in jorts, a baggy tee and a Vans sneakers. He had a couple of jewelries in the right places and that was it. Ryker on the other hand was dressed in a black tank top, a very long and baggy faded black grey trousers and I had no idea what he wore on his feet. He had two black beaded bracelets on each wrist and his usual silver necklace. Mum and Lilith wore pretty much the same style, Jadis wore a black fitted long sleeve with a round neck black ripped jeans and black boots while Viatrix wore a simple but elegant black gown.
Ryker's eye scanned the room for what I suppose was another chair but since there was none, I got up from mine and walked towards Alan.
"Did you get the ice cream?"
"Yup" he replied as he gave me the brown bag.
"Thanks" I said peeping in. Mum walked towards me and gave me a brown envelope.
"What's this?" I inquired as I collected it with my free hand.
"I honestly don't know but I got it from Becca."
"Veronica's friend?"
"Precisely." Mum replied.
"Wow" I mumbled and almost immediately Lilith called mum over.
"Lemme hold this" Alan said as he withdrew the brown paper bag from me.
I opened the envelope and there was a letter. A long one. I let out a sigh. I felt so lazy, reading the first and last line seemed like the best option but oh well, I'm curious. I let my eye balls roam freely round the page as I observed Becca's handwriting. It was not cursive or anything special, just letters standing on their own. Another sigh escaped from my lips and I began reading quietly but loud enough for Alan to hear me.
Hey there, Jude. I am Becca Anderson and straight to the point, I apologize on … behalf and I hope you can forgive her.
Ronnie is a very insecure person. She doesn't like competing with others over something or perhaps someone, in this peculiar case and once she feels like another person is having access to what she wanted, she gets all defensive.
I am a living evidence. I've known Ronnie for seven years now- since I was ten and that's when everything started. Ronnie and I have always been in the same group since I can remember but the thing is I am stronger, quicker and faster. Black woman's gene, I guess. Back to the story, when Ronnie noticed she was no longer the center of attention and I was 'stealing' what she craved, she began to see me as a threat and did all she could do to get me dead or at least terribly injured but none of this worked.
To make matters worse, my dad worked under her dad Professor Forbes. I have no idea how but she used but she made her dad drag my dad's name in the mud by creating a false story. My dad, before he was later hung to death told me to not try to avenge him but do everything on the low even if it meant I'd be a subject to her. See where it lead us…
The main point of this story was not to empathize with me because I honestly don't deserve it since I'm one of Veronica's acquaintances but I'm trying to live a fulfilled life and rewrite the stars of my sky. Ronnie is out of the picture now and I'd try my best to be a better someone from now on.
I wish Juno speedy recovery. In fact, I have a feeling she's going to wake up today.
I flipped the page over and was met by another handwriting. It was a very fine cursive but illegible to be honest. So much work for my eye on such a fine day, too bad.
I honestly don't know how to start or where to start from but I'm sorry seems like the best option for now. So, I'm sincerely sorry for how much of a pain in the ass I've been, I'm sorry for the wrongs I have done, I'm sorry for the stupid decisions I've made and I'm sorry for how I treated Juno. This whole incident has not only made me realize the heights Nica would go to soothe herself but also made me realize that Nica doesn't have friends but puppets for her to use, control, command and manipulate to satisfy her own selfish desires. I've always been supportive hoping one day she'd see me and appreciate me for all of this but she has never and probably won't in the nearest future. That's if she even makes it out of the hole alive. This letter is a proof that we Becca Anderson and Chloe Damascus would no longer pester or disturb you unnecessarily. I understand we can't suddenly start off as friends sitting in the sky and painting the rainbows but to say the very least, we would leave you to it. No rivalry, no competing, no fights, nothing.
Once again, I'm sorry of how I acted in the past and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I also use this means to apologize to your friends Alan, Ryker and Anna. I wish Juno quick recovery.
Chloe Damascus
Becca Anderson.
I let out a breath and folded the paper as I returned it to the envelope. As funny as it might sound, I accept their apology and I'm grateful they did apologize but I honestly can't forgive that Aloevera bitch or whatever her name is no matter what. She's the reason for Jo's situation, Anna's death, the death of Mr. Anderson and many other crimes that I've not been exposed. I felt Alan's hand gently patting my back and I gave him a smile.
"Thank you. Please keep this for me" He nodded and put it in a bag he just weaved. "My ice cream?"
"Here" he said giving me the brown bag. I opened the small bowl and damn it, my ice cream was melted. Not yet liquid but no longer how I liked it. I gave Ryker a sly smile as he walked towards me but he shook his head when he saw the melted ice cream.
"Nope" he said digging his hands into his pockets.
"What do I get in return?"
"I'd give you and Jo my blessings. She'd be all yours"
"I thought I already had it?" Ryker inquired as he cocked an eye brow
"Why does this give the impression like you're betting on Jo?" Alan chirped in
"We're negotiating"
"Shut up and take your ice cream" Ryker said as he used one of his powers to freeze it for me.\
We stood in a comfortable silence as we drowned in our individual thoughts. I thought back to the letter then imagined what life would be like if everything goes well today. I thought of Juno and Ryker #Joker #Kero #Ro #RJ #Jureka? Jureka… Perfect. A small smile crept to my lips as I thought about it. Jo finally has a guy that would treat her right. Cedric was just a stupid bastard. He did like her, no doubt but wanting to satisfy his friends desires to play her and somehow, still date her just couldn't work. My mind wandered to Becca and Chloe. They finally had their life in their hands. When the cat is away, the mice would play. When the master is gone, the puppets would rest. Would they finally change for the better? Would they make better decisions or remain the same? I let out a sigh before speaking.
"Becca sent a letter."
"Becca? As in Vera's friend?"
"Same reply I had when mum told me. Apparently both of them feel like Vera is using them and she doesn't really care about them. She just manipulates others to do the dirty work for her. This incident opened their eyes to see the length the psycho would go to get what she wants."
"Typical Veronica, I can't say I'm surprised" Ryker said shaking his head. "This's one of the main reason I broke up with her. She wanted me to do something that could take a girl's life"
"What were the other reasons then?"
"Is that really all you heard?"
"Maybe." I replied. Ryker shook his head while I turned to Alan. "You've been quiet all this while. You good?"
"Yeah. I got lost in thoughts" Alan confessed
"Uhun…" I said wanting to know more.
"I was thinking about Anna. Who could've murdered her?"
"If it was even murder in the first place" Ryker added
"If it was" Alan repeated. I let out a sigh.
"Mum and I spoke to some HSC officials and it was concluded she was not murdered."
"What?" Alan whisper yelled.
"Are animal kills called something different then?" Ryker asked. I let out a sigh and shook my head.
"No"
"Then?"
"It was suicide, self-harm" I said under my breath but they both heard me.
"H-how come?" Ryker stuttered
"Can we talk about something else?" I said still uncomfortable discussing this sensitive topic.
"Sure." Alan said while Ryker remained quiet. "I've also been wondering, if Juno wakes up today, once news gets to the authority, Veronica would be released."
"Yeah?" I asked still not getting his point
"Would you still be able to treat her without holding anything against her?"
"As much as I love her being out of the picture, staying in the hole for this long is enough torture"
"And we can't be so certain she'd be alive"
"True"
Now, Ryker was the quiet one. When he loves, he loves completely and we're talking about a girl whom he once loved.
"Um, I need to use the restroom. I'd be back" He said and walked towards the door. My gaze followed him as he opened the door. He walked out then walked back in as if he saw something.
Going behind the door, he bent to pick something and showed us all
"Isn't this the glacora that was meant to be on Harper's wrist?"