CHAPTER FIVE - THE TRUTH HURTS

A frantic knock on the door drifted us from our mourning state.

We all sat around the house, most of us afraid to go back on the streets.

-afraid that we might be next.

They were coming for us, it was only a matter of time.

So when that knock banged again, I grabbed a knife before heading to the door.

Clutching the knife behind my back, I slowly unlocked the door before opening it.

Instinctively I screamed, hefting the knife into the air.

"No, Jacq" The feminine voice yelled.

"Amelia?" I called doubtfully, instantly recognizing her very high pitched voice.

She dashed past the door, pacing towards the room where we all stayed.

And then it was when she turned around, I saw the stain on her camisole blouse.

"Amelia" I called again, recognizing the stain as blood yet all she did was cup her chin.

"What did you do, Amelia?" I asked.

For the most of her life, Jacqueline Baie was the perfect human being.

As a younger girl, she bounced around the halls with her cute ponytails

-and such charisma that could bring the light into anywhere she went.

Often, she'd stand by the gates even before the school bells were rung.

And while her peers often worried about their secret crushes and love letters, all Jacq worried about was getting that scholarship.

"Jacqueline Baie" Her teacher often called with a beamed smile.

"Your name stands a top the scholarship list, the next round of the competition will be next week" She said as she gave a light tap.

Jacqueline was filled with hope and beauty, she always had devotion to her studies.

But that was until her life took a darker turn that she might never recover from.

And knowing that, she stood a top the brick red rooftop, florals ornamenting the grounds.

"Now that's a beautiful way to die" A shrill whisper escaped her pale white lips.

The wind swayed her skirts above her knees as her plaited braids fell down her shoulders.

Then as soon as the sirens blew from below the building, she felt a sudden urge to cling to the edge of that roof.

It was vivid that even though she was bent on doing this, she still searched for a reason not to.

"Bye, bitch" She whispered with a kiss to the skies before she eventually let go.

As I stepped unto the stairs of the club, I paused to take in a deep inhale of the fresh air that surrounded freely.

I had always done that, always like I could just taste the crisp warmth of the summer.

But even though I'd rather not hurt my nose during winter season, there was something about fresh air that I craved.

My kimono weighed towards the ground as I closed the door behind me.

Walking down the halls, the distinct voice of Lizzo sang fluently despite the loud cheers.

I stood away from the grounds as I clung to the pole like to a tree.

A strobe light had shone on me, leaving the rest of the floors with very dim light.

Several applauds rose from the crowds as my ankles curled around the tip of the pole.

I felt cash slide down my face as I slowly raised my knees.

Trying to slide through the pole head first, I let my arms wrap around before my wrists eventually fell.

Holding tightly, I released my legs from the pole as they float in the air, upside down.

My hair dashed freely across my face as I brought my feet to the ground like the concluding part of a somersault.

My four limbs stick to the ground as I chest out before I collapse to the ground in an erotic fashion.

My regret was not having the time to gyrate round the pole like a carousel.

But as I stand to the chanting crowd, I was beckoned with the love we shared.

And suddenly it felt like home and I was soon urged with the zeal to mount the pole once more.

The light glared in a fusion of colors as I mounted down the podium.

"Good job" The manager commended, placing a jacket around my shoulders.

Stroking my hair softly, I stared into the mirror before Maria walked in, in a haste.

"Don't even ask me how my morning went" She said as she threw her bags to the shelves.

"I just had the most heated argument with my mother-" She said.

"Apparently, nothing to do pleases that old woman" She remarked as she took off her jacket.

"Well, good morning to you too" I said as I turned around to see her irritated expression.

"Well, you look pissed" Aaliyah walked through the door with some books in her arms.

"Nothing is good about this morning or last night" Maria remarked.

"My whole night was my parents persuading me to jump into an arranged marriage" Aal suddenly said.

"Oh my God" Maria exclaimed as I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"I couldn't even believe. They sent me to school and still want me to housewife some traditional man" She said, irritated.

"Wait, what?" Wu asked.

"I just need anything to avoid having to go back to that house" She said.

"Wow. People still do that?" I asked.

"Anyone heard from Rubs?" Maria asked.

"Yeah, we saw yesterday" Aal replied.

"Is she doing fine?" Wu asked.

"What's wrong with Rubs?" I asked before being waved off.

"Nothing" Aaliyah said immediately.

"Where is this god damn mascara?" Maria asked with agitating hands before knocking off some stuffs at the edge.

Then as she bent forward to pick them all up, she sighted something that rolled under the closet.

"Swear I saw something that- looked like something" She said as stuck her hand under the dusty closet.

"Shit" She cursed as something suddenly began to vibrate from under there.

"There" She exclaimed before plunging out a-

-dildo.

"I'm so sorry" She said as she sighted Wu's emptied purse and all eyes stare at Wu.

"Thank you, now give me back my penis" She remarked before awkwardly snatching the phallus from Maria.

"So you now do to-" Amelia started.

"Don't even think of completing that statement or this is going far up your ass" She threatened.

"Yikes" Amelia said as she shrugged her shoulders.

"She's not answering her calls" I said as I hung up.

"Is it only me or is she feeling distant these days?" I turned to Maria who invested all her attention in the make up she did.

"Uhum" She hummed, without even turning around.

"Look, she alright. We'll check on Rubs after the d-" Aal paused as she suddenly picked up her phone.

"Shit" She repeatedly said before throwing it back into her purse.

"I totally forgot about the meeting with the board" Aal said as she hurriedly put on her shoes.

"Meeting?" I asked and she nodded.

"Maybe you can check on her later" She said as she paced towards the door.

"I need to visit a friend of mine too. You can cover for me" Wu said as she grabbed her bags.

"What?" I asked.

"So everybody's just going to disappear even before the day starts" I said as I turned to Maria.

"Uhum" She hummed before her phone chirped a message.

"Could you get that for me?" She asked as I rummaged through her bag for the phone.

"There- it's from your mother" I said and she snatched it away from my hands.

"Holy crap. My boys got into a fight at school" She said as she dropped the phone.

"Oh, you're going to go now too?" I said as I shook my head.

"They never get into fights" She said before she tossed the towel around her face to get rid of the make up.

"I'm not covering for y- just go" I said as she slammed the door hurriedly in my face.

"I guess it's only me and you-" I said.

"And the rest of the girls" Amelia replied with a wide grin.

"You hardly ever even talk to them" She remarked as she turned around to face me.

"We hardly ever s-"

"Maria" A voice called out before the door barged open.

"Maria" I immediately recognized the harsh voice of the club manager.

"Where the hell is everybody?" He asked, eventually raising his voice.

"Does everyone not like his job around here anymore?" He questioned before he shut the door.

"Does everyone not value privacy around here anymore?" Amelia murmured.

"Exactly, I was like so no one's gonna talk about the way he barged in on us?" I said, which made them burst into laughter.

"Laugh my ass out" Dee said with a smile.

"And some man with his friends requested you at the bar, J" He yelled from behind the door.

"Did he hear me?" Amelia asked, worriedly.

"Amelia, you're up next on stage" He yelled.

The club had suddenly gone dark as Amelia mounted the stage.

I walked quite steadily to the bar where he sat amidst some of his friends.

"Hey" I greeted with a smile before he turned to me.

"You must be Jacqueline?" He asked as he pointed to the excused seat beside him.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked as I sat.

"Could I get you something?" He asked with a lopsided smirk.

"So you just ask for any girl you watch on the stage?" I asked and he laughed.

"Any girl that I like" He said in a deep tone and I smiled, finally noticing his hidden accent.

"You're British?" I asked as he turned to the bartender.

"Canadian by roots, never spent an hour there" He said and I scoffed.

"You?" He asked as he pointed to a very expensive champagne.

"Why should I just tell you?" I asked.

"Mysterious. I like it" He remarked with that same smirk that supposedly made him look cool.

"Stop doing that" I said.

"What?" He asked and I pointed to his face.

"This?" He asked as he kept on making that same facial expression.

"Stop" A soft giggle escaped my lips.

"Want to dance?" He asked and I nodded.

"Maybe I'll take you up some whiskey" I said as he reluctantly pulled my arms.

"The drinks will wait. You're showing me those dancing skills of yours" He persuaded, still holding tight to my hands.

Then as I stood, my eyes meet with the manager's who squinted in suspicion.

And I knew what message he was trying to pass.

"Definitely not for free" I whispered into his ears as he dragged me into him.

"Come on. I'm sure I can't even afford you" He said, and before I knew it, I was doing dance steps with him.

"I'm not for sale" I said with a wink as my hands gripped him to stop.

"You're already mine" He whispered fetishly.

"Stop flirting. What do you want?" I asked and in an attempt to swoop me off my feet, he grabbed my arm as I turned around.

He bent forward, his breath against my neck just in time for the right song.

"One dance" He said, barely audible.

"I'm worried sick, Rubs. But when you get this, you have to call me ASAP" I said, sending a message to her voice mail before hanging up.

"She should be fine. Maybe she just needs a break" Amelia said.

"A break from what? Me? Us? She tells me everything-" I paused as I placed the phone down.

"But we've been a little distant lately" I added as I turned to her.

"If she were here, I'll tell her how I met this guy and how he totally was Mcdreamy" I said as I swung the chair.

"How he made me dance and to be free in a while" I added.

"And how I'm totally going to call him when I get home but I'll wait to see if he calls me first-"

"-either way I can't wait to talk to him" I continued as she stood.

"Maybe it's you who has been distant lately" She suddenly said.

"When last did you ask how she was or what she was up to?" She threw me the question as I remained silent.

"Stop by her house, spend the night and gist and have fun" Amelia said.

Instinctively, I grabbed my bags as I looked at her.

"Thank you, Amelia" I said before I stood.

"Always" She whispered with a wink.

Closing the door behind, I paced through the cheering crowds before rushing through the back door.

Hastily walking towards my old modeled black mustang, I reached for my shiny silveric keys.

As soon as I stepped into the car, I quickly inserted the key back in its lock, ultimately igniting the engine.

My legs pressed against acceleration, I stared in the rear view as the engine roared before reversing through the lot.

Just as I hit the road, i reached for the button to my radio before it came up.

Strangely satisfying, it was my second time that day I heard the Lizzo's break through music.

"What are the odds?" I asked myself as I flicked the volume button a little higher.

"I'ma hit you back in a minute

I don't play tag, bitch, I been it"

"We don't fuck with lies, we don't do goodbyes"

As I sang along to the whole track, I ultimately retired unto her street.

Slowly, I brought my car to a halt before alighting right on her front porch.

Knocking frenetically, my feet tapped against her wooden made porch.

After several knocks, I peeked under her mat in search of her keys

-to no avail.

"Shit! I must have left it back" I cursed as I rummaged through my bag for a spare.

Picking up my phone, I tirelessly dialed her number.

"Where the hell are you?" I asked, an attempt to send yet another voicemail.

And while I dusted her porch with a rag I saw on her flower vase, I never hung up.

"Nevertheless, when you come back home-" I let out a sigh before sitting on the stairs.

"-I'll be here" I said before I hung up.

Even though I feared watching the sunset, it was never up to the fear of loosing a best friend.

It took me Rubs and the rest of the girls at the club to show me the light

-to show me life.

So maybe if I were to strike rock bottom or to have a not so surprising relapse-

Maybe if I happen to climb that red bricked rooftop again, letting the wind away my hair-

Maybe if I were to loose faith in happiness again, or in hope-

It wouldn't take a near death experience to realize that it was all not worth it.

Is it though?

"Jacqueline Baie Frodd, 18-"

"-attempted suicide, visible head trauma-"

"-hypotensive, possible abdominal bleedi-"

The voices of each paramedic overshadowed the other as I was wheeled into the hospital.

My eyes parted with blurry vision, failing to picture my environment.

"She's dying. Somebody get a crash cart in here-"

The alarming monitors were the last I heard at some point before I left.

I swore I saw the light, hanging on that thin line between life and death.

'was this the afterlife?' I struggled as a part of searched for my parents.

The part in which I blamed both their deaths, so for while in an absolute subconscious-

-I still sought for assurance and closure and maybe I did get that.

Blurry and noisy, a faint figure shadowed in my blank thoughts.

I could hear my trembling voice yell for my mother, after which my father.

And maybe it was all my imaginations but that day, I heard her voice-

-telling me to go on, to carry on.

And that was it, somewhere within me I summoned up the strength to fight for life.

For a second chance.

And that was exactly what happened, I saw the light-

-it took me awhile to realize it was just the headlights of an approaching car.

I had fallen asleep on her front porch waiting for her to come back.

"Rubs" I called enthusiastically, pretty sure I scared the noisy crickets in her shrubs.

"Jacq"

"Aal" I called, surprisingly recognizing the voice as hers.

"Where have you been?" She asked before I walked up to her.

"We've been trying to reach you ever since-" She paused as she opened her door.

Noticing the headlights still on, I reached for her hands.

"What's wrong?" I held still her frenetic palms.

"It's Rubs-"

"-she's been in an accident"

"The autopsy results came back" She said as she pulled forward the file.

"Was she seeing someone?" She asked.

"That is for you to investigate" I replied.

"Am I going to need a lawyer?" I asked.

"You can help us, this isn't like the last time" She said and is too to leave.

"Bullshit, this system is broken-"

"And there's no guarantee that I won't end up behind bars like the last time" I said.

"And no, I didn't kill my friend" I added.

"But maybe you might know who did"

"She was pregnant" She finally said and my eyes narrowed down to her lips.

Across the table was me perplexed in the silence before her phone buzzed.

She stared at it with the corner of her eye, a part of her not bothering to even pick it.

Then suddenly she did, something about the caller.

"Detective Erica" She responded.

It wasn't long till her Jaws dropped in a way I'd never seen it, especially when she spilled the dirty secrets.

But this time it was different, especially by the way the way her eyes glinted.

Her lips folded together as she stammered.

"Another dead body?" She raised her tone just in time as I raised my head.

"What?" I surprisingly screamed.