She's The Winning Piece

Chapter 19: "Your apologies are worthless"

RICK FETCHER'S POV!
It's been three days since Jas started ignoring me after the party. But it feels like three years.

It's not my fault I wanted to kiss her so badly. Jas has this effect on me that makes me so comfortable yet stupid.

The disgrace of yesterday didn't bother me but Amelia on the other hand is playing a very dangerous game with me.

I've not been the most genuine to Jas but time tells the truth.

"Rick!" I hear my twin brother call me as he walks in. "What do you want, Ian?" I growled.

"Don't be all mad at me. Mum said there's a family meeting and it's now" he says.

"Okay" I say and he leaves.

Argh! What's this stupid meeting for exactly? To brag about how Ian's better than me again?

I give my all to this family to try to make them so proud of me but what do I get? They always manage to see the bad side in me.

I work night and day. Train wholeheartedly. Only to hear 'Ian did this', 'Ian did that', 'Ian has more this', 'Why can't you be more like Ian?' I'm so fed up.

I miss Keisha so much. She was always the neutral one. She was always there for me. Everyone's favourite.

My able shoulder to cry on. She always gave the best advices.

Her life just had to end abruptly. It's all that wretched boy's fault, my dad's fault and that bloody alcohol.

"Rick. Get down here" my mum removes me off my thought. "Okay fine" I yell.

***

Everyone is seated. Whoa, I'm really late. I didn't even know my dad was going to be home, shit! This is bad, very bad.

"Son, how do you expect to represent me when you can't even be punctual to your own family dinner?" he says sternly, looking at me.

Now, I've disappointed him. Shit! And I really want to be on his good side, his favourite.

I put my head down to avoid eye contact, he hates it. "I'm very sorry father. My apologies to mother and Ian" I sit down.

"Your apologies are worthless since you don't want to ever be like your brother or better" my dad bluntly said.

I'm about to say something or apologise but my dad raises his finger at me to not speak.

I look over at Ian and he has a look of pity on his face. It's obvious he doesn't enjoy being fathers favourite.

Why can't my dad see that?

My mum calls for our attention and we all look at her. "This coming Friday is Keisha's birthday or was supposed to be a day of celebration".

"But she's not more with us" my mum says and we all drop our cutleries and, look down in silence.

Keisha was everyone's favourite. She was gone too soon.

"I'm very sure she doesn't want us to be sad and gloomy. So, I'm proposing a family dinner"

"You can invite anyone. I'll be doing a live show that day on her behalf. Okay? Let's celebrate Keisha gladly" she manages a smile.

"Okay mum" I and my brother say in unison. Then, she smiles at us and holds my dads hand so he manages to smile too.

***

I called Sean and Kayla to call them about the family dinner and they agreed to it.

I want to invite Jasmine. She needs to meet the fam but we're not really on good terms right now.

I need to speak to her. Luckily for me, I have her number.

I call her the first time, it went straight to voicemail. The second and third time, same thing. I knew she was intentionally doing it.

I tried the fourth time and she answered, thank God.

"Hey Jas" I say calmly. "What do you want Rick?" she says irritably. That's my feisty Jasmine.

"I wanted to apologise. I mean, I need to apologise to you Jas. Please just hear me out. Please" I beg her.

"Apologise for what exactly?" she asks.

"For everything. Trying to kiss you. I didn't know what I was doing. It was just me and you, you were my comfort"

"I don't know it just felt right so, I just tried to. I didn't know you weren't ready"

"I mean, I'm sorry for trying at all" I say.

It takes time for her to respond but she eventually says, "All you said on the roof. Did you mean them?"

"Yes, every word. I'm sorry if you didn't like that" I try to apologise more.

"Nah, I liked them. And I forgive you Rick. It's cool" I could hear her smile.

"Really? Thanks Jas. I guess I'll see you later then?" I tell her. "Of course you will. Bye Rick" she says then hangs up.

Yes baby!!