You promised the World

Chapter 23: Breaking my heart

When Vera got back to school the first day I kept my distance that was until Lunch came and she sat next to me, "I dont hate you," she said pulling apart her sanwich. "I dont blame you for not coming with us, he hurt you and as a friend I was shitty to you."

"No need to apologize," I cleared my throat awkwardly as Henry pretended to not listen beside me.

"I wasn't apologizing," she teased as we shared a smile. "Please come back, living with Dixie cant be all that."

"I didn't leave because of you V and also I actualy like it there they're good people." I needed to stay long enough to get some information out of Dixie. "I actually have to go...we have to go," I said pinching Henry on the side.

"Where its lunch?"

"Reagan needs us."

"In the middle of a school day?" Ava asked avoiding Henry as if he wasnt there, "Ive noticed you two have gotten awfully close."

"Ava give it a break," Vera snapped. "They work with each other for goodness sakes of course they get along, don't forget dress shopping tomorrow!" Ah yes Homecioming was now two days away and Vera and I are the only two without a dress we'd be lucky if there was any left.

"Gotcha," I called as Henry and I scurried out.

"So what's the plan? How are we going to do this?"

"We are going to talk to Ralphs mom if anyone in this town is a gossip it is her," Vanessa was a beautiful soul but an awful gossip she couldn't help herself.

"Won't Ralphs mom tell Ralph we've been asking questions?"

I smiled up at Henry as we walked down the hall arm in arm as I told him my plan, "Ralph is going to be there."

"You brought the gossipers son into a private investigation?" Henry asked raising a skeptical brow.

"Ralph can be trusted," for the most part. "Plus he's good at reading people we might need that when we talk to Dixie tonight." Another one of my master plans.

"You dont really believe in all that witch stuff do you?"

"I do but I dont, I guess I have an open mind to everything who's to say what is or isn't real? I believe to an extent but I dont think magic is real, I dont think one little herb or spell can change anything for you but you. Divination though... helps you look yourself in the eyes and figure out your shit."

"Hmm, maybe I'll get a reading one day."

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Vanessa was more then happy to spill what she knew, surprised I knew nothing. "Marcus and Jasmine always thought they were slick, walking around like they owned the town, they did," she said flicking her cigarette. "Everyone loved Marcus and peoples loved Jasmine even more but not this side of town they hated the south side as they still do. Your daddy's hands are stained with greed and Jasmine she was no better she watched him turn cold and didnt do a thing. Some may say your motha seduced Marcus but it was quiet the opposite, I was there. We were at the drive in me ya motha and my friend Lenny when we all first met Marcus, he was a bad boy and your mother she wasn't bad... more like bijou trash. Excuse my language child."

"Its fine go one," I ushered her captured by the sound of her raspy voice.

"Your fatha owned the bar Big John owns Marisol I dont know exactly what he did to keep afloat but it wasn't selling cars... your upbringing came from blood money and the only reason your mother got with Marcus was because of one lonely, stupid night. Jasmine left him and well you know the rest of that story. Marcus and your motha went on in the south side for many years stirring shit up thats why everyone left. And when Marcus had enough money to leave he left the south in the smoke he was burning, Marcus was never a good man and Jasmine was never a his sweet lady and your mother? She was an accident in all of this," she shook her head as she outed her cigarette. "You'll learn these couple of years are the most crucial for you kids, live it right and get the hell out of this one horse town ya hear me?" We both nodded unable to really speak, "Now why did you come to me?"