Fated {ON HOLD}

[5] I Didn't Know You Were A Stripper

Chapter Five – I Didn’t Know You Were A Stripper

andromeda-

                I shake my head. Come on, Andromeda! Stop crying like a fool. I tell myself. I’ll count to three and when I reach three, I’ll stop crying. One, two... I take a shaky breath. Three. I wipe my tears. Don’t cry about... him. Totally not worth it.

                I’ve been locked-up in my room for hours now. Last night, I called Nicole and she immediately brought me one tub of my favourite chocolate ice cream and a stash of Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme bars. We watched The Notebook and other chick flicks. After I got a little better, Nicole talked to me and said, “It’s okay to cry your heart out. But after you do, make sure you cried everything out. I’m gonna kick your butt if you cry more.” I laughed a little at that.

                So I slept peacefully for a few hours. When I woke up at around 5 in the morning, I cried my heart out. Now, I think that was enough. I look at my bedside table and gasp, HOLY DONUTS (Krispy Kreme, might I add) it’s already 9:30 AM! I missed classes. It’s Monday and we have a test in Calculus!

                I hear the door knob turn and I look at the direction of the door. “Honey? Are you- Oh.” Mom says and she enters. She sits at the edge of my bed. She smiles at me but it isn’t a sad smile. I silently thank her for that. I don’t need pity, I just need my Mom.

                “If you’re ready, you can have breakfast downstairs.” Mom says. It’s a good thing Mom’s day offs are during Sunday and Monday. I nod and hug her. She hugs me back and rubs my back soothingly. “It’s all going to be okay.” Mom whispered in my hair.

tanya-

                I was preparing breakfast at 6:00 in the morning for Roe. I knew Andromeda wouldn’t be going out of her room any time soon. She was crying so hard, you’d think she was three years old and you stole her cookies. I just let her be. I knew that’s what she wanted.

                That’s when I heard the voice. “Tanya?” I looked around and saw her. I smiled at her. “Hello, it’s been a long time.” I said as I offered her a seat. Roe wouldn’t be up in about an hour anyways. The kid sleeps like a polar bear on hibernation.

                “I’ll cut the slack, Tanya.” she said. I nodded. I had always hated people who didn’t spill the beans right away. “I am here to ask for your permission.” she said, looking at me. I nodded, willing her to go on. “When you-know-who asks for Andromeda and Jace to make peace, let them. It will help their Fate.” I hesitantly nodded but I asked, “What’s their Fate?” even though I knew she wouldn’t answer that.

                She shook her head. “You know very well the rules.” she simply said. “Just trust me, Tanya. I will keep your daughter safe.” but I still hesitated. What if she got a tragic one? What if she’s like-

                “MOM!” Andromeda’s call awakes me from my flashback. I shake my head. “I’m so sorry, honey.” Andromeda gives me a worried look. I chuckle, hoping that it will cover my uncomfortable feeling but the chuckle comes out strained.

                Andromeda raises her eyebrow at me. “Mom, I know you’re hiding something.” she said. I just hug her again and murmur, “I just hope you’ll be safe.”

andromeda-

                I stare at the ceiling. After Mom’s little scene, she has ordered me back to my room. I called Nicole and did what I missed. Something’s nemo-like. Mom has been giving me worried looks from time to time and I feel like I’m being watched. I shudder. Something is really wrong. I just don’t know what.

                I look at my bedside clock, it says it’s already 3:00 PM. Roe should be headed home soon. I sigh. I have missed school last Friday and today. I have a lot of catching-up to do. And Nicole... Oh no. Who is she hanging out with? There’s only the two of us now. It was just me, Nicole... him and his friends. I’m so stupid. How couldn’t I have thought of gaining new friends? I feel guilty now.

                Then my phone rings. I ignore it for the first few rings and it stops. Then it rings and rings and rings again. I guess that would be Nicole. She’s the only one who would be patient enough to call me like that now.

                I pick up without looking at the Caller ID. “Hello this is Johanna Mason. I’m currently busy stripping and being a tree, leave a message after the beep. BEEP.” I joke. “Uhm, Andro?” I freeze momentarily. I shake my head. It’s okay. It’s just Noah. “Err, sorry for that. I thought you were Nicole.” he chuckles at that and says, “I didn’t know you were a stripper, Andromeda.” I laugh. I could almost hear Noah wag his eyebrows suggestively. “So, why did you call?” I ask. I hear a sigh from the other line.

                “Because...” he trails off. We both stay silent for a while. “You see, I’d like to say sorry.” he says after more moments of silence. “For what?” I ask. “For Jace’s attitude. It’s just... He doesn’t seem like himself. You know what I mean.” he says. I nod but I remember that he can’t see me. “It’s okay. I’m trying...” I trail off, willing the tears not to fall. “I’m trying to not be hurt too much.” Noah stays silent. God, I didn’t even know if that made sense!

                “It’s okay to be hurt and cry, Andromeda. You can also tell me your problems. I’m still your friend. Always remember that.” he says. I smile a little. Noah has been like a big brother to me. I laugh. “I would cry, Noah, but you see I already did and Nic said she’d kick my butt if I cry again.” he laughs too. “Nichols is so feisty, eh?” he says jokingly. We talk for a while and he hangs up after I say thanks to him.

                I sigh and get up from my bed. I need a shower. I was grabbing my towel when I heard a voice speak.

                “Andromeda, can we have a talk?” I heard a familiar voice say. I turn and see the Fate Queen.

jace-

                I walked towards the parking lot, to meet Noah. As I took the exit, I saw Noah leaning on his car, on the phone with a thoughtful expression. I decided to take the other exit, not wanting to bother Noah.

                When I was about five meters away, I heard Noah say, “I didn’t know you were a stripper, Andromeda.” I stop. He was talking to... her. I feel a sudden flare of jealousy but I shake it off. Why would I be jealous, anyways?

                I just wait for Noah to finish and finally, I hear. “Andro, I really need to go. My Mom might be looking for me already.” he lies. I know it’s because he can’t afford to say my name in front of Andromeda.

                I walk towards him and make a mistake by asking, “So I’m your mother now, huh?” with an amused tone. Noah gives me a look and shakes his head. “You know why I must lie.” he says. I shrug and climb on Noah’s truck and he does the same.

                As we were headed for Noah’s house, I thought I saw a familiar woman with red hair, staring at me intently from the window of a certain house. I just ignore it. People can be creepy sometimes.

                When we reached Noah’s house, we dashed upstairs and headed for the game room. We played for a while then Noah said he’d grab some snacks and I was left alone.

                “Jace, we need to talk.” I heard a familiar voice say and I whip my head towards the direction of it.

                Oh hell no. The woman returned! What was her name? Ah, yes... The Fate Queen!

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Author's Note:

GAH! I hate writer's block. This chapter is just a filler... Sorry for being grumpy.

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-EDITED CHAPTER-

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