Ascending Paradise (Book 1)***Published now on Amazon!!***

46

“Megan… what are you doing in dance class today?” I asked knowing I had to tell my mom about Dominic.

“I don’t think it will be a very long class after you tell your mom about the competition being over for us.” She sighed out as we reached the school parking lot.

“School had just gotten out and the kids were pouring out of the gates.

“Good, then you won’t mind telling my mom about Dominic and I and the competition. Thanks.” I rushed out of her car as soon as her head snapped over with worried eyes. I smiled and waved at her before turning as fast as I could to get in my car. I just can’t face my mom and tell her that Dominic and I broke up because I knew she would want to know all that was said. Then she would be even more pissed.

I looked up willing the water in my eyes to go away as I hit the unlock button on my key chain. I got in my car and started it up. I looked behind me waiting for the other students to stop walking past like I wasn’t about to run over them. When I didn’t get a break I revved the engine and saw a few people back up quickly. I pulled out hearing my tires squeal.

I turned the other way knowing there were more people at the exit now and would rather just go around and head to my spot anyways. As soon as I turned the wheel and faced the part of the school I was facing Dominic who just looked right at me.

I rolled my eyes and drove as fast as I could out of the parking lot and heading right to my spot knowing it was the perfect place to lie low for a little while. I knew as soon as my mom heard about what happened today from Megan she would try and contact me and have me come in and explain even deeper.

So when I got to my spot I left my phone in the car and walked around grabbing my blanket to lay on but as soon as I got to the clearing and opened up the blanket all I smelled was Dominic’s cologne and I made a mental note that I should wash it as soon as I got home. But for right now I laid down and looked at the clouds that were a light grey.

I felt a few tears spill over and I reached up wiping them away. I heard Dominic’s words from just earlier running through my head making me cry even harder. This time I was sure it was what he said, and not the fact that we were over.

I still can’t believe he would bring my dad into it. He knew what a sore subject that was for me and he seemed to always remind me that he would never let my dad hurt me again… but by bring that up today made him hurt me.

But then I got angry. I was now all cried out for the day and I let the anger of what he said get into me. I stood and just screamed. I did let out a bunch of ‘fuck you’s and I felt my voice going raw. I stopped falling flat on my ass as I breathed in deep.

I should be glad that these woods don’t really seem to carry anyone’s voice, otherwise I could bet there would be a few police cars heading up here right now to check everything out.

After just sitting there with my head resting on my hands I stood grabbing my blanket and wrapping it up without shaking it. I trudged my way back to my car and threw it in the back seat before getting in the driver seat.

I drove home slowly and wasn’t surprised when I was the only one home. It was still around the time the dancers were half way through the session so I knew my mom had kept them a bit late rather than letting them go home.

I walked into the house a bit sloppy and threw my coat on the rack and not caring that it fell to the floor a few moments later.

I walked in seeing that there was a message on the home phone. We had one here just in case my mom wasn’t at the studio and one of the teachers couldn’t get ahold of her. I hit play and heard that it was coming from the dance completion foundation and waited.

“Hello Ms. Lucas, I am currently under the impression that your lead dancer, a mister Dominic Braxton, has dropped out. I am not sure if this is true. Please give us a call back as soon as possible to confirm or deny. Have a nice day.”

I looked at the clock wondering if I had time to call back and confirm that was the case but it was around 5 and I was sure those people have gone home. I saved the message so my mom could handle it tomorrow and just went into my room.

I fell asleep when I felt my eyes were too heavy to take on my reality anymore.

“Oh honey.” I heard my mom making me wake up and see her coming to sit next to me on the bed. It was dark out and I just sat up looking at her.

“It hurts.” I whispered feeling like I had to confide in my own mom as she came me sympathy looks.

“I know it does. I am so sorry baby. I thought he was a perfect guy for you.” She muttered pulling me into a crushing hug and pressing kisses to the top of my head.

“I never want to see him again.” I whispered into her neck as I felt my tears roll down my hot face again. I realized I sounded like a 5 year old who was pushing into the mud by a mean bot but I really never wanted to see him again.

The way he glared at me earlier today was proof he felt the same as well.

“You’re going to have to.” She came into my mind as the voice of reason and I just wanted her to say something along the lines of ‘you don’t have to’ but this was my mom… someone who can’t pretend for even a moment.

“What am I going to do when I see him then?” I asked pulling away and letting her wipe my face with a sad smile on hers.

“Pretend you’re blind.” Her hopeful smile had be giving her a light smile.

“What about when or if he finds out the truth and wants to apologize?” I asked losing my smile and leaning my head back on her shoulder as she patted my back lightly.

“Well…” She seemed to think about it before pulling my face away so I could look into her eyes. “You can be deaf too.” She said and this time I let out a small laugh as I hugged her tight.

“You’re the best mom ever.” I whispered and she chuckled.

“I don’t know about that hun.” She said pecking my forehead again. “Tell me everything that happened.” She ordered and I pulled away completely and looked into her eyes knowing she would never let me lie to her and that she would never just pass this over.