Forgetting Billions | ?

09 | Forgetting Storms

Selena rubbed her eyes, "There's no other way for me to put it and quite frankly, I don't believe in sugar coating such things. It leads to unnecessary misunderstandings," she looked away from Jasmine's flashing eyes with a sigh, "Now, what did you need to talk to me about?"

Jasmine allowed her to change the subject, not wanting to get into a fight with the one person she needed the most. She played with the stitching along the embroidery of her sleeves and whispered, "I got another message from SS."

"What did it say?" She asked, her emerald eyes blazing with interest.

"They said that I had to go to the party tonight and that they would know if I didn't because they were always watching. To prove it, I received a picture of myself taken through my bedroom window last night."

She continued on with a trembling voice, describing what happened to Bianca in her own home and how she's living with them now. She poured her heart out to Selena, confessing her past with Shayan and even her parents' hate for her aunt.

Once she had finished and caught her breath, Selena wiped a tear from Jasmine's face. "No matter what happens, no matter what SS does or what you tell me, I'll always be here for you. I promise."

She averted her eyes to her fingertips after whispering a soft word of thanks, "What should I do, Sel?"

Selena sighed and took her best friend's hand in hers, as they lied back, looking up into the dark clouds above them. A thunderstorm seemed to be coming any time now, but neither of them cared. "We'll follow their rules for now and when the time comes, we'll fight back. But for now, let's have them thinking we're eating out of the palm of their hand."

Jasmine's phone buzzed once again, and her heart crumbled at the sound. Selena seemed to notice her best friend's lack of strength and grabbed Jasmine's phone, ready to answer for her. Her frown morphed into the slightest hint of a smile as she read the text, "It's for you."

Shayan: Can't wait to see you at the party.

Selena cocked her head to the side, "Did you tell anyone, other than me, that you were going to the party?"

"Only Evan."

"Looks like word travels fast," Selena murmured, her face darkening. "Why would Evan tell Shayan before you could?"

Jasmine shrugged, not worried at all. She trusted Evan just as much as she trusted Selena. He would never betray that.

"He's probably excited that I'm coming."

"He's got a weird way of showing it." Selena turned the phone off. Jasmine ignored her speculation and closed her eyes, letting the gentle rain drops fall against her skin.

It was warm outside, but she could feel the storm coming despite the weather's illusions. She didn't do anything to get herself out of the eye though, as she enjoyed the feeling of lying there surrounded by the rough currents, chilling wind, and heavy rain.

"We need to go. It's starting to pour." Selena sat up and rubbed her eyes, black mascara running down her cheeks.

Jasmine ignored her once again and took in a deep breath. She felt safe here, for the first time in years, and she had no intention of moving.

The storm slowly approached Mayfair Hill's Beach, encroaching on Jasmine's ill-advised peace of mind. The rain grew heavier and the sky grew darker, but it only made her want to stay longer. Nothing could make Jasmine interrupt the first time her brain had shut off in days. She needed this and she didn't care for the repercussions, no matter how severe they were.

Hey, everyone! I've been hearing so much from you guys about Forgetting Billions recently and it makes me so happy! I would love to know who you think S.S. is if you have an idea already. Also, feel free to comment your favorite and least favorite characters!

Anyway, make sure to vote and comment! It's because of you guys that we were just ranked at #531 in General Fiction and I would love to formally thank you for all the support. Hope you're getting excited for chapter 10!