Queen of the zodiac ( zodiac city duology #1) [ undergoing revamping]

-sieben-

Brooke

Paris looked at me with tears in her eyes, and I could see the pain etched across her face. "No, I just want to stay here in bed with you," she replied when I suggested going for a stroll outside.

I leaned in and kissed her forehead, my fingers gently combing through her hair. "Do you want to talk now?"

She sat up, her expression heavy with worry. "Brooke, it's my mom."

I sat up too, my concern growing. "Aunt Emile? What's wrong with her?"

"I didn't have anyone else to go to," Paris said, tears streaming down her face. "Maylee is pissed at you right now, and she's only talking about how you're a bad friend. Renee and Jamal are not talking anymore, and Ramon is mad at you. I don't want to add to their stress. It's so awkward for me." She took a deep breath. "And I know you must also have a lot going on, but it's less awkward when I talk to you."

I wrapped my arms around her, offering what comfort I could. Paris and I have been friends since I was 14. I met her at her Madi gras ceremony. My stepfather was her mom's best-friend's cousin. I found it weird that we had to go considering the distance of relation between Paris and him but now when ever I look at Paris I'm glad my mother slapped me into going

"She doesn't want me to come see her, Brooke. She wants me to stay in school," Paris continued, her voice shaky. "But I don't want to. At least not right now. I want to take care of her, and I'm... I'm scared for Philip. I'm scared one day he'll wake up excited to see my mom, and he'll find her lifeless body there. He's too young to go through that."

"Oh, Paris," I whispered, my own eyes welling up as I hugged her tightly.

"It's going to be okay. It will be, and I'm here for you. We're here for you," I reassured her.

"How would it be okay?" she looked at me. Paris was breathtaking her green eyes, her pale skin and her dark hair. Sometimes I wonder how I'm friends with such a beautiful person. She's a divine being.

"Have you gone to the head office?"

She sighed "of course I've been to the head office. They said I won't be able to go back home without my parents consent"

I frowned "I'll find a way Paris, I always do"

"You don't have to worry," she said, her voice softening. "Don't stress yourself "

"Worry you ?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood. "What will worry me is seeing you suffer in silence when I sit here like a fat buffalo."

My hands found it's way to her face to wipe her remaining tears " you know you're too pretty to be crying right?"

"Oh fuck off" she smiled but I noticed her cheeks become red

"Wait what were you saying about Jamal and Maylee"

"Girl" she said shifting into gossip mode as if she wasn't crying a few seconds ago "don't get me started"

"Ohhhh" I smiled I loved Paris mini gossip sessions. They were the best

"So you know how Renee was in a talking stage with Morrison?"

"Morrison who? The gerists?"

"Yeah"

"I swear to Ares I thought he was called Muriel"

Paris rolled her eyes "keep up. Anyway so after Maylee's party, Morrison asked Renee to be his girlfriend in front of all of us"

"Including Jamal?" I said my eyes widening in shock

"Including Jamal"

"No fucking way"