Devil

-32-

-Goddess-

I laid in my bed, eyes open as I thought about Esla Lavigne. Being at this house reminded me too much of my rough start to a morning with my sister Aurora and the blow, but... it also reminded me that I had family. Perhaps tomorrow I could try again at being Goddess.

Maybe.

"Mom and Dad wanted me to come in here and tell you that you have thirty days to move," Dayton woke me up. I sucked in a deep breath and let it out. Calm. Stay calm, Goddess. We're gonna be good today. I'm gonna be me today.

I opened up my eyes and slowly sat up, gathering myself and showing my brother a cool composure.

"What date is that?"

"Uhh," he started to pull out his phone but I threw him a smile. "It's fine, I'll figure it out myself." I sighed heavily, glancing up at him, "Like everything else." Dayton blushed, scrambling out his phone, "I can see if I can find anybody that'll do discount moving, or something like that," he offered.

"No, it's fine. I'll have everything covered," I told him, intentionally guilt tripping him. "Could you give me my space, please?" I asked, looking down as I placed my feet on the cool floor.

He left looking guilty as I rose my gaze. I closed my door behind him and smirked to myself. Hopefully that would mean some assistance with my moving.

I suddenly felt sullen. I sighed and slumped against my bed. I was going to have to move out. In only thirty days. I had money on hand but shit. It stung that just last night I had been grateful for my family but they were no longer ready to try and continue to be grateful for me.

I had messed up a lot of things but this hurt the most. I sucked in a breath and slapped my legs. "Get it together," I told myself. I was done letting setbacks hinder me. I was still going to be Goddess and I still was going to be a good person, despite my rough morning and what else the day might bring me.

After getting ready, I dressed myself in some dark blue slacks and a white collared shirt. I looked straight out of a professor movie, but today I was making different moves. I was going to buy a house.

My heart soared with pride in myself as my mind raced with different topics including "homes".

Maybe I could leave smuggling and start doing real estate? What are the requirements for a good home? One story or two story? My mind buzzed my entire way down the stairs and I slung my Gucci duffel bag over my shoulder filled with things from yesterday, cash, and random items.

"Good morning," my mother said cordially, her eyes rimmed with tears as she sipped her coffee. I noticed her ring was off, but I didn't mention it. I made myself some coffee and a cream cheese covered bagel, then pecked her cheek on my way out the door.

Fuck a GED.

I hopped into my truck and it roared to life. Maybe it would be time for a new change. A newer car, something more luxury-like, hmm? I text Nicotine that I'd be busy for the day, and powered off my phone. I was slowing to a stop at a yellow light (I know, what a surprise), when I felt a buzz in the seat next to me. I dug through my bag and produced Esla's phone. Crap, I had forgotten about it.

What if it was being tracked right now? My heart hammered in my chest. All our hard work down the drain because of one simple mistake. We couldn't go out like that. I decided to call Nico, confessing that I still had Esla's phone, and we needed somebody to unlock it.