Chapter 21: Like Brother, Like Sister

John Richmond's POV

“Well, what are you waiting for?”

I bent my head closer to her and stared at her lips. Was this something that I wanted to do? Will it seal the hole that seared in my chest and make me whole again? I glanced over at her again, hesitating on going through. Despite thinking that it would change things, I knew my instinct better. It was only going to make things worse for me.

I sighed, moving away from her and she scowled. “What's wrong with you?” She asked irritably.

“Just leave,” I ordered softly, burying my head into my hands. “I'm done with you.”

The blonde girl’s jaw dropped in surprise. “You can't just write me off like that!”

“Well, I think I just did so you can leave now.” I replied simply, waving her off with my hand.

She scoffed, grabbing her expensive bag from the table. “This was a sorry excuse for a date. You’re pathetic.”

The blonde girl that I randomly asked out left the private area of the restaurant and I sighed, signaling the waitress. “Check please.”

After I paid, I left the high dining restaurant quickly and made it over to my favorite bar that didn't card me because of my wealthy status. It's been a long night and I just wanted to get a few drinks in before I was ready to start the day over again. The reason for my sudden want to date was due to Melinda's secret, she cheated on me.

I found out that the only way to get her back was to play at her own game, do the same. But then as I was about the kiss the blonde female, whose name was unknown to me, I froze up. The reason being was that I would receive absolutely no satisfaction in kissing a total stranger—not to mention a girl who reeked of nauseating perfume.

I wasn't happy about not going through with the kiss because I looked like a coward to her or less like a man. It was easier to date girls no strings attached when I didn't know of Melinda's existence. Now it was harder to start something with someone else even though my heart was for a different person.

I hoped that in a few months, I'll be back to my old self again and I would have no problem in kissing some random girl like I was about to tonight. But right now, it was too early to start something soon, even if it was a meaningless kiss.

When I had a few drinks, I heard the door open from the bar and soon enough, Susannah sat at the bar stool beside me, signaling for the bartender. “One please.”

The bartender nodded and started to work on her order. She turned her head to me and sighed. “I can't believe she is still getting to you.”

I shrugged, knocking back my shot and slamming it on the counter. “I thought I was going to be with her my whole life.”

“And now?” Susannah asked raising an eyebrow as the bartender placed the order before her.

“And now, I'm moving on.” I replied, taking a long gulp of my beer.

Susannah smiled in satisfaction, giving me a nice pat on the back. “Well, I’ll drink to that.” She fingered her shot and took it in one swig, grimacing at the strong effects. “I don't know how you stand this crap.”

“It gets easier after a while.” I remarked simply. Susannah was the classy type, drinking expensive wines and cocktails. It was no surprise that she found hard alcohol to be very strong and repulsing.

Susannah looked up at me, frowning. “I hope this isn't going to last very long.”

“It won't. This is the best coping mechanism for me right now.” I replied, taking another swig of beer.

“Why do you let her do this to you?”

I sighed heavily. “I don't know.”

Susannah let go of the subject as she ordered yet another shot. I watched as the bartender hurriedly came to refill it and she drank it back, grimacing once again.

“Why are you drinking again?” I asked curiously in a light tone.

She shrugged. “No reason.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Sure...something's wrong.” I paused momentarily, noting her frown still upon her face. “Is it Randall?”

Susannah glared at me, scoffing. “Of course not. He is farthest from my thoughts and don't you bring him up again.” She warned darkly.

I backed off, placing my hands in front of me. “Ok, well something’s going on with you. Why don't you tell me?”

“Because I don't want to John, is that alright with you?” She asked in condescending tone.

I smirked knowingly. “So it is Randall...” I mentioned slyly.

She groaned, signaling her empty shot glass to the bartender as she jerked it in the air. “Can I get another here?”

“Why are you avoiding my question Susannah?” I inquired curiously. “Or better yet, why are you avoiding the topic of Randall?”

“It's nothing, ok!” Susannah snapped furiously, trying to regain composure. “It's nothing.” She mumbled coolly under her breath.

“If it was nothing, than why are you trying so hard to make me, but most importantly yourself believe that it is?” I asked narrowing my eyes as the bartender refilled her shot. “Face it Susannah, you’re stuck because he came back into your life and you don't know what the hell do to right now. I can at least admit it and say that Melinda is one of the reasons why I can't do anything, but drink.”

“I'm not as strong as you, John.” Susannah said in a small voice.

“What do you mean? You’re the strongest person I know Susannah. And how am I strong? Look at me! I'm drinking my problems away. That's not being strong, it's being a coward.” I scoffed, downing my alcoholic beverage.

She watched me with hidden eyes. “Yes, but I'm a liar. At least you tell the truth.”

I wiped the foam from my lips with the back of my hand. “Who are you lying to?”

“To myself and everyone else.” Susannah declared softly.

I narrowed my eyes, puzzled. “About what?”

She stared at me for a moment with hesitation written across her features. She looked down at the bar counter and downed back her shot, grimacing once again. “I really doubt that this will ever get easy.” Susannah replied cringing, referring to her drink.

“I give up on figuring you out.” I announced in a low tone, sighing in defeat. I drank my alcoholic beverage silently, listening to the crooning music in the background of the bar.

“How could I be with someone who walked out on me?” She mumbled, cast down. “We were planning our future together and all of a sudden, he gives up on me—on us.” She corrected firmly.

My face fell and I watched her sullenly, wanting to lift her spirits up. For the first time in a long time, she was letting herself be vulnerable and in front of me.

“There’s no way you can forgive someone like that.” Susannah said bleakly, lifting her eyes to my face. “Just like you can’t forgive someone of cheating.”

I seethed outwardly, gritting my teeth as I knew fully well the latter part of her comment was directed at me. When I came home in full rage last night after Melinda told me her secret of cheating on me, Susannah was the first to hear about it since she was staying in my apartment for her trip. I had to vent and she was the only one I could turn to. However, I asked her not to bring it up again and she went against my word and did it anyways. “Why must you bring that up when I specifically said not to? Can’t I just live one day without my troubles?”

She shrugged, uncaring of my attitude. “It’s better to bring it out in the open then hide it away, don’t you think?”

I leaned back against the bar stool, crossing my arms. “Not when the wounds are still fresh.”

“You’ll get over it.” Susannah waved off disregardful, silent for a brief moment. “I did.”

I frowned. “But didn’t you love him?”

She cringed at the four letter word, sinking into her seat. “Love easily forms into hate.”

“Spoken in the true words of a man hater,” I remarked, smirking. I paused briefly, drumming my fingers on the counter. “What do we do?”

“They hurt us, Johnny and for that we must make them pay.” Susannah said coldly, making me shiver inwardly. I was lucky to be on her good side.

“How?”

The corners of her mouth turned upward into a mischievous smile. “By playing at their own game.”

Melinda's POV

The next day I huddled in the dark corner of the living room, trying to control the overflow of tears. I was alone once again and had nobody to turn to. I'm positive that John and I are going to make it this time around. My firm, but upstanding principles and strict morals all went out the window when I first met John Richmond. He turned my life into hell and I was angry and upset at the same time.

How could I let one person dominate me so effortlessly? Why did I give into his alluring charm and hypnotic eyes? I thought I was better than that, but even I failed at my own rules set out for me and all the other females searching for love. It was pointless. I had no idea what my move was next and for once, I didn’t have a plan.

But I wasn’t going to let John Richmond effect me any longer. I had to keep my head held up high and my emotions to the side.

I rose up from my spot of the floor and walked into the bathroom, washing my face. No more of this crying nonsense anymore, I was becoming more pitiful by the day and seeing my gruesome red eyes was shameful. There was no room for weakness.

After I was done cleaning up myself, I walked to the wide window, gazing at the view of New York. I sighed sadly, wishing that my vacation turned out different. It was a pity that I didn’t enjoy this place and spent no time touring through the city. Controversy got in the way when I tried to run away from it.

A hand lied on my shoulder and I didn’t turn around to figure out who it was. “When are we leaving?”

“The day after tomorrow.” Randy answered softly. “It’s too bad you didn’t get to sight see or experience the city.”

I shrugged indifferently even though inside I was sullen. “Another time, I suppose.”

“Yeah…” He trailed off.

I turned towards him, my back to the window. “What are we going to do when we get back home?”

Randy shrugged. “I guess go Christmas shopping and all that.”

I frowned, dropping my head. “Right… I forgot Christmas was coming up.”

It was sad to think that I wasn’t going to be spending it with my mother this year. It was a little unsettling knowing that I was going to celebrate it with Robert and Randy. I didn’t know what they did for the holidays and I was hoping that it wasn’t too big. But at the same time, I was anxious to see what Christmas was like with my other family.

“You’ll have fun with me and dad I promise.” He said with a charming wide smile. “I’m glad that you’re finally spending the holidays with us.”

I smiled. “Me too.” I fingered the ends of my cast as the silence worn on and Randy walked off to sit on the couch. “Hey Randy?”

“Yeah?” He replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Can I ask you something?”

Randy shrugged. “Sure, what is it Melinda?” He asked curiously, but I heard something else in his tone. It was worry and I knew my older brother was looking out for me no matter what which made it easier to tell him.

I went to sit on the couch beside him, fingering my cast still. “When you were with Susannah three years ago, did you guys ever cheat on one another?”

“Never.” He answered matter-of-factly in a haste tone. “Why do you ask?”

“I-I,” I started, stuttering nervously. “I did something wrong in California.”

“What did you do?” Randy asked more like demanded, in shock.

“I cheated on John, but it was nothing! I was separated from him at the time and it didn’t mean anything!” I exclaimed defensively.

I saw him sigh in relief and compose himself. “Who was it?”

“Julian Delgado.” I mumbled under my breath.

“That rebel friend of yours who almost got you killed!” Randy exclaimed, bewilderedly as I nodded shamefully. “What were you thinking!”

“He liked me John and I didn’t know that at the time. He kissed me out of nowhere, what was I supposed to do?” I reasoned as my voice became louder.

“You were supposed to push him off like any other normal person would in that situation!” He replied, frustrated.

I hesitated. “When he kissed me, I thought it was John.”

Randy’s expression softened and he stood quiet for a moment. “Does John know you cheated on him?” I nodded again sadly. “How did he take it?”

“Worse than I expected.” I replied, sighing. I actually didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I couldn’t keep it away much longer.

“Well, when it happened were you planning on being with John despite your separation?” Randy asked curiously.

“Yes,” I replied meekly.

Randy frowned in disapproval, shaking his head. “I still don’t like him.”

I narrowed my eyes curiously. “Why?”

“Because of what he’s done to you.” He explained simply. “He messed you up and I don’t want that to happen again.”

“I’m fine now.” I argued weakly, know what he was referring to from my stage of rebellion and loss of appetite from before.

You weren’t then, were you?” Randy snapped, irritated. I didn’t reply and kept silent. “If he comes back to you, I won’t tolerate it.”

“That’s impossible.” I replied softly.

“What is?”

I looked at him gravely. “John will never come back to me. Not after what has happened to us and the things we did when we were separated. There’s too much animosity and frustration. It’s impossible to patch things up.” I exhaled under my breath. “Besides he doesn’t want me, plain and simple.”

“Do you want him?”

I opened my mouth and closed it, at a loss of words. Yes. “No.”

I was lying, but Randy didn’t notice as he nodded in satisfaction. I still wanted him despite everything that’s happened. When he left yesterday, hurt, I felt horrible. The pain and deceit etched on his face when I told him that I kissed Julian during our separation tugged painfully at my heart.

For once it was my fault and I wasn’t coping well with it. I wanted to apologize to him over and over again, but for some reason that stopped me. It would be useless. I actually cheated even if he didn’t with that secretary of his.

“Let’s go somewhere. I’m tired of being stuck inside this hotel room.” Randy suggested wearily.

I nodded, grabbing a jacket before heading out with Randy. I didn’t know where we were going, but I was happy as well to get out of the hotel. Memories of fighting and being intimate with John were playing at my mind and I needed fresh air to clear my head.

We went inside a taxi and pulled into the heart of the city as Randy pointed out the significance of each building. It was nice to know that I was touring somewhat in the city even if it wasn’t a long as I wanted it to be.

We stopped at a café to eat and I inhaled the crisp cold winter air fill into my lungs. I wish I had more time here to explore, but I took what I got from this day and was satisfied by the outcome. It was probably the only good day besides the rest of the whole week here.

Randy and I were walking side by side once we were finished with our lunch, laughing at some of the stories he had here in New York. However, that laughter was short lived when he finally reached Central Park, our last destination, and spotted two unlikely people that were involved in both our pasts.

“Well, look who we have here, John.” Susannah said in feigned surprise, theatrically patting John's shoulder to get his attention. “It's our former lovers who made our lives a living hell.”

She smirked bitterly. “Like brother like sister.” She spat out, sneering.

I would've punched her sneer right back into her face if it wasn't for the cast on my arm. All me and Randy did was stand there stiff in place, staring at the two of them a few feet across from us.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked curiously in a hesitant voice.

Susannah glowered, turning to face John. “Johnny and I were just taking a stroll around the park. It’s a free country therefore we can do as we please.” She paused, smirking. “What brings you here?”

I glanced at Randy. “He was just showing me around since I haven’t had much time to see New York what with all his business meetings and…other occurrences.” I replied in a low tone, trying my best not to look in John’s direction at the latter part.

“And what occurrences may that be?” Susannah challenged with a broad smirk.

I glared at her, knowing what she was trying to do. She knew that I meant by the constant arguing and controversy with John and yet she acted as if she was oblivious to it. It was so like her to be in everyone else’s business.

“I think you know fully well without me telling you, Susannah.” I said icily.

She looked thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head theatrically. “No, I haven’t got the slightest clue.”

“It’s about your brother!” I shouted out absentmindedly, irritated past my breaking point.

Susannah broke out into a triumphant smirk and I groaned inwardly, knowing that she got the best of me once again. Why must she be so manipulative?

“And what exactly did I do?” John demanded, fuming with his eyes blazing in my direction.

I tried to keep my cool stance, but I was frightened by his intense anger. I haven’t seen in my like this since…well High school when we were enemies. Did this mean that we were enemies now?

“You-you,” I stuttered unintelligibly, hearing the shakiness of my tone. I cleared my throat and took a small breath. “We uh argued a lot this past week and I didn’t get to enjoy the city.”

“And is that my fault?” He asked, offended and furious.

I hesitated. “I don’t know.”

“But you were implying that it was my fault.” John retorted angrily.

“But-”

“When in reality it was all yours.” He said simply.

My nerves dropped at his comment and I was suddenly angered. I laughed bitterly, slapping my knee. “My fault? This was all your fault! If we hadn’t bumped into each other, then I would’ve had a stress free time here.”

“So, despite you knowing that I was here, you would’ve never looked for me even if we weren’t accidentally introduced?” John fixed, enraged.

“YES!” I shrieked, aggravated as I extended my arms out in emphasize.

John’s eyes darkened. “I can’t believe you. After all the time we invested into our relationship, you wouldn’t even stop by to say hi when we haven’t seen each other in months?!” He said in growing outrage.

I looked away to the park and focused my gaze to the lovely lush gardens and frozen tree branches. There was nothing more that I could say because he said it all. I wasn’t planning on visiting John when I was here. This vacation was only meant to be for relaxation, not a couple’s therapy session.

“How could you do this to me, Melinda?” John asked with a pained expression. “I loved you! I freakin' loved you!”

My eyes stung with tears and I looked at him blankly. “Loved?” I repeated softly, feeling my insides burn.

“You crushed me and I don't know what to think of you cheating on me in California. All I know is that I want this guy's address so that I can kill him.” He roared out, balling up his fists until they were painfully white.

I shook my head. “He's a good guy, John. He didn't mean to do it.”

“Then how the hell did it happen, huh?!” He inquired ragingly, gritting his teeth. “Don't try to make excuses for him, Melinda. It's sickens me.”

“I'm not trying to. I'm just telling the truth.” I took a deep breath and looked at him straightly. “John, I didn't intend for it to happen. When he kissed me, I thought it was-” You

“I don't want to hear it.” He interrupted me coldly. “My feelings for you right now are nothing close to love and by just trying to make the situation better with your lies is angering me so I suggest you stop while you’re ahead.”

I shook my head as my vision blurred with tears. “I would never lie to you, John.”

“How can I believe that?” John asked in a hurtful tone. “I trusted you, Melinda and you broke that when you told me you cheated on me!”

“It wasn't intentional!” I shrieked out, frustrated. “And don't try to act like the saint here, your not trustworthy either! Especially when I heard you on the phone with that Amanda girl!”

“She was just my secretary!” John shouted, flailing his arms out. “Why can't you understand that!”

“Because you were supposed to me on the phone with me, not her!” I countered furiously.

“Ok, ok! This is getting really irritating to watch.” Susannah chimed in, holding her hands out to the both of us. John and I halted our sentences, craning our necks in her direction as we panted from our anger. “I'll make it easier for you both.”

“What is that?” We said in unison, narrowing our eyes.

Susannah smirked in satisfaction. “I thought you'd never ask,” She replied slyly. “I propose a selection of some sort.”

I raised my eyebrow. “A selection?”

She looked at me with disdain with her nose in the air. “Yes, Melinda a selection. I'll explain it to you further since you’re too slow to comprehend.” I gritted my teeth, opening my mouth to reply, but her hand came up to stop me. “Now, I know that this little argument between you guys isn't doing any good so I suggest a simpler alternative to end your misery.”

Susannah shifted her eyes to me and John to see if we had any complaints and we both stood there to listen to the rest. “John has to choose what he wants.”

“Such as...” I trailed off confusingly.

She glared at me. “Who he'd rather prefer. His own sister or his pitiful excuse of a girlfriend.”

My jaw dropped in anger and shock. “This is probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth, Susannah.”

Susannah gasped, appalled. “And why is that? Everything that I say is always intellectual, unlike yourself.” She sneered.

“But it won't end anything between us. We are still going to have our problems.” I explained bitterly.

Susannah shrugged. “What better way to do that then ask John who he'd pick and leave the rejected one to wallow in their own self pity.”

“That is low, Susannah.” I said in a low dark tone.

She smirked brightly. “At least you know your going to be kicked to the curb.” She said in satisfaction, giggling. She turned to John, straightening up slightly. “So, who will it be John? Me or her?”

John froze, turning pale. “I uh, don't think this is the right way to go about things.”
Susannah rolled her eyes. “Of course it is, Johnny now pick! We're all anxious to know who it will be.”

He hesitated. “I-I don't know if I can do this.”

Susannah tapped her heeled shoe with her arms crossed prudishly around her petite body, annoyed. “Is it me or Melinda?”

She already knew the answer to that question without even having to ask it. I knew that without a doubt, John would choose his sister over me. I didn't have a problem with it because they are blood related and Susannah has always been that constant person in John's life even though she was horrible. I just couldn't bear hearing the dreaded words come out of his mouth.

“Susannah, you can't be serious.” John whispered uncomfortably.

“I am John, I'm being very serious. Choose now or I'll never speak to you again.”

“Come on this is dumb.”

Do it now!” She demanded angrily.

John sighed and gave me one last longing look before bringing his gaze up to his sister. “You.”

My heart wrenched in pain even though I knew his answer. I could never compare to his sister and now I couldn't help, but feel hurt by the whole situation.

Susannah smirked in satisfaction. “Now that everything has been said and done, I'm glad to see that everything is over between you guys. In all honesty it wouldn't have worked out in the end.”

John's jaw tightened by Susannah's words, but he kept his mouth shut. She really did have some sort of control over him, even in this whole ordeal. Susannah would make a great lawyer some day.

“In all honesty Susannah, I would like it if you kept your big mouth shut.”

Susannah gasped in shock at his comment and me and John's eyes widened at the scene. Oh great, he just couldn't let it rest?

Susannah opened and closed her mouth, flabbergast. “How dare you speak to me in such a way Randall! What's wrong with you? Didn't we agree to leave on such terms?”

He shrugged. “I agreed only because I don't want you to be angry with me anymore, but now that I finally realized that that won't be happening anytime soon, I will be voicing my thoughts now.”

Susannah placed her hands at her hips as she raised her sharp eyebrow, meeting Randy full on into a challenge. “Oh yeah? And what is it that you have to say?”

“Leave these two alone Susannah, they have nothing to do with our relationship.” Randy replied simply.
Susannah scoffed. “Relationship? Since when did we have a relationship? Randall if I recall correctly we were broken up a long time ago. Can't you move on?” She asked him, as if he was pathetic.

Randy shrugged. “I could, but I don't want to. And I know that you haven't either.”

Susannah gritted her teeth and opened her mouth to reply, but Randy beat her to it. “I know what you've turned into Susannah and that's not you. I can't tell you sorry enough for the way everything has happened between us. Seeing you now like the person you are today makes me angry with myself because I did that. I know that you won't ever forgive me and that's fine because I never expected you to anyways.” He said somberly, pausing in thought. He raised his grave hazel eyes to her green ones.

“I just want you to be happy Susannah. Just please be the person you were when I first met you, before everything happened. I don't want you to keep acting like the man hater that I knew you never were before. I just want you to live life without all these poor views on males because of me. Not every guy out there is like me. I know that I'm horrible and a complete jerk, but there are other guys that aren't. Just let yourself be kind to someone without your crude judgments on them. Get to know them first before criticizing their actions. I know I've done a lot to make you like this and I'm sorry Susannah. I'm so sorry.”

Randy shuffled his feet nervously and I felt the thick tension in the air. “I hope you live your life freely without any judgments because you’re so much more than that. You’re...incredible and any guy would be lucky to have you. I know I wasn't...” He added gloomily.

Susannah just stared at him with shock and for the first time ever, she had nothing to say. John and I watched the scene with amazement, both speechless as well.

Randy shoved his hands in his pockets, tipping his head to Susannah. “Bye Suz.” He said softly and without another glance, he turned around and headed out of the park.

After what seemed like hours standing there waiting for Susannah to speak, she finally shifted her eyes to me and John and cleared her throat. “That doesn't mean anything—what he just said. I still don't condone your guys' relationship.”

I sighed. “Just because your life didn't turn out perfectly, doesn't mean you have to ruin mine.”

“You don't know anything about life Melinda.” She spat out harshly, staring me down as if I was a child.

“I'm pretty sure I know it better than you Susannah. You have no clue about the hardships I've undergone in all my eighteen years of existence, even with what happened to me this year. You don't know anything about me Susannah because you didn't even try to.” I said in a low tone, keeping my focus to the side of me. “I know that you think I'm only with your brother because he has money, but I'm not. I'm different than that. I just wish you could take the time to know me without judging me first. We could be on good terms, if you just let yourself like me because I know that you've been trying hard not to.”

“As for me and John's relationship,” I noted, gazing up at John sadly. “We're done. I know how much John means to you and I won't get in the way anymore.”

I held in a sob at the back of my throat and pursed my lips, feeling wetness soak beneath my eyelids. John swallowed hard and gave me a sullen look. This was for the best, despite what we clearly want. I couldn’t compete with his own blood and that’s why I lost.

Susannah nodded without a smirk in place, appearing blank. “Good. I’m glad you finally know your place.”

I wrung my hands together and sighed. “Well there isn’t any point of me staying here. I guess I’ll be on my way.”

I whirled around and walked off, letting the release of emotions take over. They were about to fall until I heard him call my name.

“Melinda.” John shouted out behind my retreating back.

I turned around and saw him rushing over to me with his sister’s disapproving glare from behind. I waited to see what he wanted, but without another word, he pressed his lips against mine and I felt the constricting pain in my chest of the departing kiss.

John pulled away from me with agony etched on his face. “Bye.”

He walked over to Susannah and she had a satisfactory look on her face when the deed was done. She got everything that she wanted, including the split between me and John. Now all that’s left was to mend everything that’s happened this week between us and hopefully my rebellion won’t come out again.

I turned away from them and walked straight through the city to the hotel since I didn’t have any money on me. I finally let the tears fall and when they did, I was feeling lighter. A relationship was way too stressing for me and I wasn’t sure I wanted another in the future. That was my first and last time.

I went to the elevator and reached up to my floor, sliding the key card in. I wrenched open the door and saw Randy standing in the middle of the living room, pacing about with a phone tightly pressed on his ear. He was speaking rapidly and I couldn’t make out any of his sentences.

I shut the door after me and Randy halted in mid-step, whirling around to find me arriving. He frowned, walking over to my spot. “She just came in.”

I raised my eyebrow suspiciously at the person he was on the phone with. “Who is it?”

“Mom wants to talk to you, she says it's urgent.”

I scoffed. “Why would I want to talk to someone who lied to me my whole life?”

Randy's frown deepened and he jerked the phone once again to my face. “Melinda, I really think you should take this, she sounds upset.”

I shook my head in defiance. “No Randy, I don't want to. Whatever comes out of her mouth is all a lie. I'm done with her.”

“I promise that it isn’t this time.” Randy replied gravely with firmness at his tone. “Believe me.”

I hesitated, extending my hand out to take the phone and when I did I stared at it in my palm. I haven’t spoken to my mother in a few weeks and whatever she had to say to me wasn’t going to change anything between us. I was going to make sure of that.

I shoved the phone to my ear maliciously. “What do you want from me mother!” I exclaimed hastily, gritting my teeth. “Haven't you had enough all ready?”

“Your grandmother is in the hospital.” She replied in one rushed, uneasy tone.

My breath cut short and I froze, not registering her next words. The phone slipped from my hands and crashed to the floor. Just when I thought that things couldn't get any worse, it just had.

A/N: First of all I would like to say that you should blame my professors for this delayed update. Due to the many essay writing, bs hmwk doing, and quiz/test studying, I haven't had time to work on my chapter. Since the semester is nearing to an end, I've just been dumped with a lot of homework today and I was stressed already. I'm not looking forward to it. So, my updates may be delayed, but it will not be over in a month I can promise you that. After the chaos that is homework and studying, I will have peace and freedom. I can't wait for that to happen. So, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, despite its short length (well in my opinion). I promise the next will be better and lengthier. I will try to update that quicker than this one. I was sort of bored writing it at the beginning, but near the end it got exciting and I couldn't stop. I just love my drama, sue me. I'm starting on a new project and after a ray of sunshine, I will hopefully be posting it up. I like the plot/characters/ and the idea altogether. If you want to know more about it, just pm me and I'll explain =) The title is, "Be Someone Else."

-And with nothing more to say, I hope you guys enjoy your veterans day off! I know I will! Yay for much needed sleep!

Thanks for the reviews, you guys are awesome!

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HelgaBertoni

Hosted B. Thurst'n

Jessilawry

Beachgrll234

ThreeLittlePiglets

MidnightRythm1990

castiel89

Thegreative

xoxoxkristinxoxox- that's a lot of x's and o's

samora

u wouldjustbe AWESO without ME

-Danariana-

pbgurl

xoxo anne.

KathrynSwan

applenica

yuenmei

9Arsenic3

WickedMiki

ThatWasWierd- Your weird, but I like it, your funny.

Freak of Music

sing gal

michaeljacksonlovaa

Bluecoco100

BiscottiBiscuit

MintCcIceCream

Lolipop9466

Princess-of-galantry- Thanks new reader, glad you like it!