A Broken Jewel (Jade Book 1)

by Lucy Rains

  She stood in silent consideration for moment and then spoke. “I’ve been thinking about this weekend, I’ve decided to take a step back and reconsider.”

  I couldn’t help my eyes growing wide, hope rising within my chest. “I will hold off on your visit to the doctor.”

  A gasp of relief left me, I was almost dizzy with happiness. She held up a finger, “But you still don’t get your car back until next week.”

  My head bounced quickly, nodding my understanding. Words escaped me, more so than they had Saturday evening when she delivered my punishment. She looked at me for a few more seconds, seeming to decide her next actions. She tilted her head up ever so slightly and then left me standing in the kitchen without another word. Her black house cardigan billowed out behind her as she strode away from me.

  Once she turned the corner I fell back against the laundry room door. A wave of relief washed over me. I didn’t have to move out. I didn’t have to resort to drastic measures to escape an unwarranted punishment. My hands smoothed over my hair, fidgeting with my ponytail. I could continue with life, push forward in school and with plans to move out in a couple years. A smile crept up my face, relieved to be over this hurdle and tucked the incident away into a deep dark corner of my mind.

  CHAPTER 5

  It was over lunch the next day that I let Mia and Vicki know my good news. We sat outside under a tree in the main courtyard, enjoying the brisk weather. Spring rain was a common occurrence, so we took advantage of sun when we could. Both of my friends had stretched out their legs, soaking up sun.

  “Oh, I’m so glad, Jade!” Mia gushed, happy for me. But probably even more happy to be rid of the guilt of being unable to help me in my time of need. She tucked her short hair behind her ears and then ran a finger gently over her eyebrow. “I hated the idea of you being out on the streets.”

  “Yeah, I never even saw my parents yesterday so I never had a chance to ask them about you moving in.” Vicki shrugged. “So, it's a good thing your mom chilled out.” She paused and mumbled, “For once.”

  I nodded, picking at my sandwich. My friends were kind, and supportive. But they would always be at arm’s length. Only ever knowing the surface of my life. Because of this, deep down, I always felt alone, even when they were smiling at me. I tried to forget about the real me when I was with them. I tried not to think about the life I was forced to live with my mother, the abilities hidden within me, and most of all, about the incident. But the reprieve I felt with Mia and Vicki was always short lived.

  “Study group at my house tonight,” Mia said, “Think you can come?”

  I half scoffed, half laughed, “Don’t count on it.”

  Mia stuffed her empty ziplock into her lunch sack and pulled out a bag of strawberries. “When is your mom going out of town next? Maybe you could sneak over then?”

  Vicki beat me to it, “Her mom was out of town last time she came over, you twit!” She threw an acorn at Mia. “You’re such a bad friend. Stop trying to ruin her life!”

  Mia picked the offending acorn off of her skirt and flicked it behind her. “Geez, I was just trying to help.”

  I smiled and shook my head, trying to reassure Mia. “It’s okay. But thanks for asking.”

  Mia scowled at Vicki for a second, before finding her own acorn and throwing it at Vicki’s head. Vicki easily deflected it with her hand.

  “Drama queen,” Mia muttered. “Why are you being such a hot head? Are you on shark week?”

  Vicki returned Mia’s glare and gave her the finger. I chuckled at their exchange and shoved pretzels into my mouth.

  Mia turned her attention towards me with a thoughtful expression. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with PMS, Jade.”

  I almost choked on my pretzels. “I hide my symptoms well.”

  “She’s right,” Vicki agreed. “I’ve never heard you complain about cramps, ask for a tampon, or even get a freaking zit.”

  I shrugged and shoved another pretzel into my mouth. “It’s really not a big deal.”

  Mia’s eyes flickered to my chest and back up, a slow smile creeping over her face. “You do have shark week, right?”

  I rolled my eyes, “Why do you even call it that?”

  “Because the brain of a shark looks exactly like a woman’s repro-system,” Vicki explained in a non-interested voice. “Don’t change the subject.”

  Mia continued staring at me, her expression filling with wonder. “Oh my gosh, you haven’t, have you?”

  Vicki shook her head, “That’s impossible.”

  I sighed dramatically, running a hand over my forehead. My cheeks were burning and there was no way to hide it. “Of course I have freaking shark-week. I just don’t like broadcasting my issues like you guys do.”

  Vicki shook her head slowly and cocked an eyebrow. “What’s your favorite tampon brand?”

  I shrugged, trying to seem unfazed. My appetite had disappeared so I began cleaning up, quickly shoving my trash inside my bag. It also gave me an excuse not to look at them. “Whatever my mom gets me.”

  “How old were you when you started?” Mia asked.

  “Fo-thirteen,” I stuttered.

  Mia and Vicki shared curious smiles. Damn their questions.

  I grabbed my lunch sack and stood up. “I’m going to the bathroom,” I mumbled and walked away, knowing they were trying to figure out if I was lying or not. Because really, what 18 year old girl hasn’t gotten their period?

  A freak.

  ********************

  The next couple of days passed uneventfully. I trudged through school, ran my laps at practice, waited obediently for Charles to pick me up, and completed my homework before I was required to have my lights out. From time to time, my mind would wander to Pierce and Alex, wondering where they were and what they were doing. I would be lying if I said I hoped they weren’t thinking about me.

  But seeing them again would be suicide, not that I even would. My mother had eyes everywhere and I couldn’t risk another punishment from her. I assured myself they had probably moved on to other endeavors than trying to sway a girl from running away from home. It had been a ridiculous idea.

  I was studying for my upcoming French final, knowing my oral presentation would be half my grade, when my mother appeared in my doorway.

  “Have you finished your homework?”

  I looked down and then back up to her, “Pretty much, just going over a few more things.”

  She nodded, “I’m going to the store. Would you like to come?”

  My eyes glanced quickly to my jewelry tool box and back to her. “Yes, do I have time to change real quick?” I was in sweats but also needed a moment alone to go over my inventory and grab some cash.

  She nodded again, “I’ll be in the car.”

  When we pulled onto the main street that lead to my mother’s favorite shopping area, she began with her questions.

  “How is your body feeling lately?”

  I shrugged with disinterest. “Nothing new.”

  I peeked at her expression, her mouth tipped down. “Perhaps track is putting too much physical stress on your body? I know you like to run even during the off season.”

  My heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t pull me out of track, it was going to be my lifeline to escaping in a couple years. My running performance and participation was key to securing my future goals.

  “Track is almost done,” I said quickly, “Then I can take a break from running for a while.”

  “Tiffany Slade is still beating you in your events?”

  I suppressed a groan and nodded.

  My mother scoffed lightly and mumbled something that sounded like ‘shame’.

  “Your grades in French still haven’t improved,” my mother continued.

  “I’m doing my best to bring it up.”

  “I don’t believe that. There’s no excuse why you aren’t pulling an A in that class. You’re completely capable of doing so.”

  “Nobody is
getting an A in that class, mother.”

  “All the more reason why you should stand out from the crowd.” She smiled confidently. “You will spend the majority of your weekend devoting your time to bringing up that grade. Ask tomorrow about extra credit and how you can make it happen.”

  I stifled the urge to groan in misery. I couldn’t bring myself to respond, so I only nodded.

  I thought back to the bloody lab coat I had found in the laundry basket a few days ago. I couldn't stop the curiosity that created my next question. I had to try and get some sort of idea of what caused it. I cleared my throat, “So, how is work going?”

  She glanced at me for a second and then back to the road. “Fine.” Her tone was low, the word clipped. She wasn't going to offer anything else.

  “Are you…” I searched for the right words, “working with patients lately?”

  Her mouth pinched into a hard line. “No. Just doing some experimental research. But don’t ask any more questions. It’s confidential.”

  I worked my jaw from side to side, wondering what kind of experiments would cause blood to cover her lab coat. Was it rat blood? Judging from the amount it have been a lot of rats. Perhaps I didn’t want to know. “When is your next trip?”

  “I’ll be flying to Detroit in a couple weeks to meet with an investor.”

  I nodded and left it at that. Two more weeks until I could breathe a little easier.

  My mother parked in front of her favorite organic beauty supply store. It was in an upscale shopping area with dozens of specialized boutiques and shops. A few stores down from hers was a modest shop with unique beads and gems that I purchased for my pieces. I slipped my black crossbody purse over my head and gestured towards the shop.

  “I’m going to buy a few chains and beads. I’ll meet you in your store in about 20 minutes.”

  “How much money did you bring?” She demanded.

  I pulled out a small bundle of bills from my pocket and showed her. It was only a few $5 bills and ones. I had a several more bills stashed in my purse though. “Just a few dollars to get more supplies.”

  She glanced over my money and then turned away without another word, dismissing me with her back.

  I hurried over to the store and quickly push through the glass entry door. A soft chime alerted the workers that a new customer had arrived. The scent of lavender greeted me and I smiled at the petite redhead behind the counter. The store was tightly packed with various supplies for crafting hobbies. Sewing, scrapbooking, floral arrangements, and lucky for me, anything a jeweler might need. I hurried over to my aisle, not wanting to waste a minute.

  I looked at my watch and noted the time because being late was not an option. Once, I made the mistake of being a few minutes late. My mother had made me return my purchases and refused to take me shopping for a month. I wasn’t able to sell any jewelry for a few weeks because of it. That was almost a year ago and I hadn’t repeated the offense.

  My eyes flew over the various colors and sizes of beads. I was so focused on my task that I barely noticed the humming in my chest. As it increased in strength, my eyes lost focus and my hand paused mid stretch.

  No. It couldn’t be.

  While still crouched on the ground, frozen in place, I perked up my senses. The entry door chimed, and I could hear the heavy footsteps. The person was large, too big and heavy to be female. The humming intensified.

  I stood up quickly and sprinted lightly down the aisle, in the opposite direction of the sound of those footsteps. I zigged and zagged through pottery aisles, balls of yarn, and finally, into a corner filled with burlap and tapestry.

  My chest heaved and my pulse raced. I cursed those footsteps. I needed my supplies. Whoever was here was messing with my much needed shopping trip.

  I calmed my breathing and stood motionless. The humming in my chest continued. As I waited in my hiding spot, I bit down the desire that surfaced in my mind. I was curious. My body wanted to see him, whoever he was. Pierce? Alex? I mentally chided myself. It was too dangerous. My mother knew where I was and could pop in at any time. If she caught me interacting with a guy, no matter how innocent the situation might seem, it would end badly for me.

  I shuffled my feet backwards quietly, pushing myself up against the white cinder block wall. Bolts of dark fabric were stacked high and provided a decent wall of coverage. But if this stranger had senses like my own, he would find me.

  The clip of his footsteps increased in volume. I held my breath, as they paused, and then continued closer. I heard the second they rounded the aisle and walked towards me. I was caught.

  The footsteps stopped. Though my eyes were closed, I knew he was only a few feet away and that he was amused. My mind felt his humor.

  I opened my eyes slowly and turned my head to look at him. Pierce was beautifully out of place in this craft store, dressed in black jeans and plain white T Shirt that hugged him. The corner of his mouth turned up as I looked at him, unable to hide his pleasure at the sight of me playing cat and mouse.

  I took an aggressive step forward to walk past him but he leaned swiftly to block my way.

  I glared up at him, his smirk becoming bigger.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” I hissed. I glanced behind him quickly as a young mother carrying a baby walked past our aisle.

  The humor in his face cleared and he became serious. “Have you thought about our offer?”

  My chest tightened and I took a step back. His eyes followed my every move. I shook my head silently. “I’m sorry.”

  I wanted to say more but didn’t know what to offer him as an explanation. My life was a delicate balance. How would I explain that to this person I hardly knew? “You should go.”

  “Don’t do this Jade.”

  “It’s dangerous for me to have you here,” I said.

  “Dangerous?” He growled. He looked behind his shoulder quickly and then back to me. He bent down so that his head was closer to mine and he whispered intensely, “Dangerous is you going back home. You can leave, right now, with me. You don't have to go back there.”

  “Why is it dangerous?” My eyebrows came down in confusion. His voice was filled with more emotion than I had yet heard from him. His blue eyes pleaded with mine to understand what he was trying to tell me. I shook my head again, slowly. “I don’t understand.”

  Pierce stood up straight, and wiped a hand quickly over his face, letting out a heavy sigh. I was frustrating him. My mind felt it.

  “I’m sorry,” I offered. “I just...I don’t know you.”

  He turned back towards me, searching my eyes. My heart fluttered under the humming in my chest. The vibrations had turned warm, pleasant. My hands came up and slowly rubbed over my arms.

  “Your mother is lying to you, Jade.”

  My head tilted at his words. “What are you talking about?”

  Pierce clenched his jaw and took a step closer to me. I took a step backwards.

  “About college.”

  My hands froze on my arms and I tensed. “College? How?” I stared at him, waiting for more explanation.

  When he took a step closer, I didn’t take a step back. His scent filled the air I breathed and in the back of my mind I committed it to memory. As much as I loved his clean masculine scent, alarm bells went off in my head.

  “She hasn’t registered you. She isn't planning on letting you attend.”

  My brow furrowed as my mind spun in circles. How would he know this? Was he lying? What if he wasn’t? Why would mother lie to me? She had told me last month that I was registered for fall and signed up for my classes. There were too many questions and I couldn't sort through all of them.

  I closed my mouth and swallowed hard. His statement hadn't helped persuade me to go with him if that was what he was hoping. “I have to go.”

  “Jade...” his deep bass voice was tinged with pain.

  I looked into his eyes for a moment more, wondering if I would ever see them again. Lines of muscles trailed up
his neck, his dark blonde hair pulled back cleanly from his face.

  I hated to disappoint him. But I also didn't want to go with him. If I was to ever escape from home, it would be alone.

  Dealing with my troubles on my own was all I had ever known. It suited me. I was perfectly content with my plan of dealing with my mother for two more years, and securing my financial status how I had planned. The last thing I wanted to do was bring unknown guys into my life to help me hide who knew where, and for how long? And then what?

  I stepped around him and began walking without looking back. The disappointment I felt from him physically weighed me down as I stumbled outside.

  I waited outside my mother’s store as she purchased her creams and lotions. The warm humming in my chest slowly dissipated. The feeling left behind was cold and hollow. Mother’s face was relaxed, but void of emotion. I watched her movements, studied her body. How ironic that this woman held so much control over my life. I was faster, stronger, had abilities that would completely over power her. Yet, I was at her mercy.

  As she exited the store, she walked past me without turning her head in my direction. “Don’t slouch Jade, you look sloppy.”

  As we rode home, Pierce’s words nagged at me. Not registered for school? How would he know that? According to my mother, I should be completely registered to start classes at Baltimore City Community College in the fall. How did I broach the subject without alarming her or sounding presumptuous?

  An idea came to my mind and I cleared my throat. “While you’re here in town, do you think this weekend we could go tour the community college campus? Maybe buy the textbooks for my math and science class?”

  I watched my mother carefully, studying her reaction to my questions. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel and she looked out her window for a second. She didn’t answer right way, and my stomach fell. It fell and fell deep down to the ends of my toes, as I knew this couldn’t be good.

  “You’re not starting until September, we have plenty of time this summer to do that.” She looked out the windshield in front of her, watching the road closely.