Unshackled

Unhappy

Heaving sobs shook April's shoulders. Ray slipped an arm around her friend, sitting on the floor next to her. She pulled her phone out and texted Mr K.

I'm with April. Something happened. I don't know what yet, but I'll try to get her to talk to me. Just stall for me. Can you send Valentine in here?

The answer came in the form of Valentine opening the door seconds later and closing it softly behind her. "Over here," Ray called from the booth. Valentine walked quickly over, spying the two women on the floor.

"Oh, April," she said sympathetically at the sight of her tears. "What happened?"

April put her face down on her knees, still crying. Ray looked up at Valentine. "We need to get her out of here I think. But I don't want people to see her like this."

The Wu-Chang exec nodded. "I'm on it." She put her phone to her ear. "Ricardo? I need you at the studio ASAP. Stop at the artist closet on your way and grab an outfit for April. I'll explain later... yeah, bring your makeup kit and the BIG sunglasses. Aight, bet. See you soon." She looked at Ray. 

"He'll be here in five minutes. Do you have a car?"

"I can get one," Ray said. 

"Okay, I'll go wait by the door and let Ricardo in."

"Perfect," Ray answered. Valentine left and Ray opened her contacts, tapping a number. 

"Heyyy, Ray Mond," her brother drawled in answer. 

"Yuno are you still on your job?"

"Uhhh, we just got out of our police chase actually. Why, what's up?"

"I need a pickup for April at Wu-Chang. Preferably not out front."

"Is she okay? What happened?"

"She's having a bad night. Can you figure something out?"

"Yeah me and Mickey will come pick her up. Meet us on the roof in about ten minutes."

"Got it. See you soon." Ray hung up and looked at hewr friend, squeezing her shoulders. "April... can you tell me what happened? What do you mean 'goodbye?'" 

April raised her head, her makeup streaked down her cheeks. Looking away from Ray at the back wall, she sniffed, wiping her nose with her hand. "He texted me earlier that we needed to talk..."

April was scrolling on her phone when Ramee  opened the door of the studio. Even when he had walked up to stand in front of her, she didn't look up. 

"What's up, Ramee?" she said after he didn't immediately speak. He lifted his hand and put it over her phone screen, making her look up with a scowl. The serious look on his face made her pause though, her scowl turning to puzzlement. "What's going on?"

"April..." he began, lowering his hand. She put her phone in the pocket of her dress. "Yes Ramos?"

His blue eyes bored holes into her confidence, making her feel a self-consciousness she hadn't felt in a long time. He had that effect on her sometimes, though she never liked to admit it. April had an immense amount of pride and self-confidence, and she would never tell Ramee how he sometimes made her knees feel weak with just a steady gaze. The one he was looking at her right now with.

Obviously warring with speaking his feelings, he suddenly let out a frustrated sigh, putting his hands up on his head. "Listen," he said, taking a step towards her, "I want you. I'm not gonna deny it." April grinned saucily. He shook his head at her. "No. Stop. I'm trying to tell you to stop. We need to be done. For good."