"Jessica?!", Luz and Amity say in unison. "What exactly are you doing here?", Luz asked suspicious of her intent.
"Well...", Jessica started.
Hours before ...
Jessica was sitting on the bed of a motel. It wasn't bad quality but she wished for somthing better. She was waiting for her step father to return. She didn't want to agree to come on the trip but she felt like she had no choice. The lives of her and her mother could be in danger.
Jessica was scrolling on her phone when she heard the door unlock. "Jessica dear, I'm back", Phillip said. "Great...", Jessica mumbled. She looked around for food and saw none. "Where's lunch?", she asked a little confused.
Phillip reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "Since we're sorta under the radar I figured you could get your own lunch. It minimizes how much I go out. Plus you need the fresh air", he said smiling.
God she hated when he smiled at her. "Sure whatever", she said taking the money from him. She grabbed her belongings and started to walk out the door before being stopped. "Jess, before you go. I need a favor", he said making her turn around. "What?", she asked already over it.
He walked over to her and attached a small device to her sweater. "This will allow me to hear and see what goes on. This time I know you'll run into Luz and her friends. You need to get close to them and get me as much info as you can on their next whereabouts", Phillip demanded.
Jessica looked uneasy. "They hate me. How do you expect me to worm my way into their inner circle?". Philip went to light a cigar, placing the joint in his mouth and blowing smoke in Jessica's direction. "Figure it out. Dismissed". Jessica walked away from him, coughing in the process due to the smoke.
She walked out the door and began to walk down the street. She had never been to Nashville but she always wanted to, and here she is. Her only problem was that she knew she was here for the wrong reasons. Her stepdad's threats made her choose this, but she's having second thoughts about it.
Jessica found herself near some shops on the trip of downtown Nashville. It was prettier than she imagined. She wanted to "window shop" but first she had to take care of pain in her stomach telling her to eat. After searching indecisively, she finally found something do-able for lunch. She ordered a wrap and a smoothie: something light and simple.
While eating it she noticed something outside. It looked like people she knew but she couldn't tell since they were gone so fast. Taking the last bite of her wrap, she got up to throw away her trash and leave. A nearby boutique caught her eye on her way out.
Jessica found that she spent most of her time in the store. She found it pleasing. You could call it retail therapy, or spending her mom's boyfriend's money. You could also call it both. After buying an entire closet of clothes, she decided to leave and go find something else to do while she was out. Theres was more to do than she thought in Nashville. She has a friend who lives here but she's never been.
Jessica found a bookstore at the end of the strip. She doesn't read as much as she likes to but it reminds her of her mom. Her mother would read to her all the time when she was younger. She'd make up stories also. These stories usually consisted of a handsome prince or a strong knight. The princess would usually be locked away in some tower by her father, something Jessica couldn't really relate to.
When her father left, she resented any man her mother brought home. It started off as sadness when she was younger but that sadness soon turned to anger. She hated her father for what he did to her. She also hated herself for what she did to Luz and Amity. Shaking these thoughts away, Jessica went into the bookstore and took in the view.
She had to admit, bookstores were aesthetically pleasing. She walked around, causally picking up a book or two. This continued on for about 10 minutes until she heard a gasp. She whipped around and saw three familiar faces. "There's no way", Boscha said. "This is awkward", Jessica replied. "Wait what are you doing here?", Willow asked. "I could ask you the same thing. Plus why do you care?", Jessica replied with a slight tone behind it. "Watch it", Boscha threatened.
Jessica put her hands up in defense. "Look, I genuinely don't want any problems, but I do need to talk to Luz", she said. The other three gave her a confusing look. "You know she isn't gonna talk to you. Especially with Amity there", Gus said. "Plus they both hate you", Willow added. "So I think you should just leave", Boscha said smiling. Jessica huffed in frustration. "Guys I know I've been quite terrible", the girl started before being cut off. "Terrible? You're literally a nightmare", Boscha said.
Gus and Willow nodded in agreement. Jessica sighed. "Okay yes I know I did some bad things but I really need help. Seriously", she pleaded. Gus, Willow, and Boscha contemplated and huddled up to talk about it.
After a while of bickering, they came to a decision, turning back to face the girl in front of them. "Okay, we'll take you to the hotel where Luz is", Willow said. Jessica smiled. "Thank you-", she started. "But if you try anything...I will be glad to send you back home myself", Boscha said cracking her knuckles.
Boscha didn't really scare Jessica but she did not wanna find out what she meant by that. "Deal. Let me go check out my book and then I'll meet you guys outside", Jessica said. The three nodded and turned for the door. Jessica walked towards the back and looked around, making sure they made it outside.
She took out her phone and placed a call. "Hey, I know where she's staying", she told the person on the other line. "Perfect. Now do exactly as I say. You want them to believe that you are changing. Get on their side", the voice spoke. Jessica rolled her eyes. "It's not that easy. None of them trust me", she said. "Make them. Or I'll have to remind you of what will happen if you don't", the voice threatened.
The phone then hung up. Jessica swallowed and began to walk outside to the others. "Where's your book?", Gus asked. Jessica panicked. "Uh I decided I'd get it later", she said, putting on a convincing smile. They shrugged at her and began their walk.
Present time...
"So what do you need to talk to me about?", Luz asked. All eyes were on Jessica. She knew she had something to say, but she couldn't get it out.
"Umm...", she started
Meanwhile...
Phillip had his computer set up and headphones on. He was watching through the camera that he placed on his stepdaughter. He let a sickening grin grow across his face when the camera panned over to Luz. "The final Noceda will fall", he said while leaning back in his chair watching the girl whose life he'd soon end.
