#don’t mind me crying about the darlingtons

[madamsixx]

Beyond The Leather Chapter: 4 Truth Or Lie

The next morning

Knock knock

I groaned hearing the knock on my door. "Ya."

Tamara opened the door. "Hey honey I'm heading over to management for a meeting I should be back by 6 or 7. Will you be ok?"

"Yup, oh do you mind getting me cranberry juice while you're out pleeeeeease?" I asked with a big grin on my face.

"Sure be good, and we'll probably go out later." She shuts the door and leaves.

I got up gave my family a call, then made breakfast, and showered. I thought back to yesterday when I had told Nikki that I would meet up with him. Should I go or no I thought to my self. I mean, I don't really like him. But then again, I don't know him. Which was why he was saying we should see each other again so I could get to know him.

Meh I think I'll stay in doors. Plus when Tamara gets back were going out so that will be fun. Great I made my decision. That was easy.

3:35 pm

Ring Ring Ring, Ring Ring Ring

Oh man I fell asleep while watching TV, guess I was really tired. I ran to the phone and quickly picked it up. "

"Hello!"

"Hi miss Darlington we have a guy downstairs here who says he knows you and he's trying to barge into the building."

All of a sudden I hear swearing and yelling in the back round.

"Fuck you man get the fuck outta my way. Were suppose to meet up."

"Miss Darlington were going to call the police this man clearly dosen't know you."

Oh my God why the hell did Nikki come here! He can't just leave me alone, ughh.

"No dont I'll be right down." I say hanging the phone up.

I ran to the elevator and went downstairs. When I got there security guards were holding onto Nikki. But they were doing a terrible job because Nikki was fighting them back. And there's 2 of them, can you imagine.

"Get the fuck off me before I fuck you up." Nikki shoved one of them.

"Woah calm down Nik. Hey you guys can let him go." I ran up to them.

"What the fuck Iman?" He yelled walking straight towards me. Jaw clenched, fist rolled in a ball, and a face that was probably redder than the colour red.

"Nikki calm down I'm sorry, I fell asleep."

Which was half true.

"Bullshit, you had me there waiting for 30 fucking minutes like an asshole. If you knew you didn't want to come you should have just say so." He shouted pointing his finger in my face.

Boy was he angry. And I could see the guards tense up ready to grab him especially with how close he was getting to me.

"Nikki I'm sorry ok. Please calm down, let's go upstairs and talk. Please." I whispered placing my hand on his cheek.

Nikki eased up a bit, thank God. I guess a womans touch really does help.

We reached up stairs and I let Nikki in. He walked around the condo and saw all the antiques that were in the home. He could tell that this was an expensive place.

I also looked at what Nikki was wearing the usual black leather. Leather pants with a black T-shirt and a leather jacket over it. Does he ever change?

"Do you want something to drink?" I asked walking in front of him.

He turned to me. "Did you stand me up?" I want the truth Mani." He asked as he looked in my eyes.

I could see the look on his face. It was mixed with hurt and a bit of anger. Oh God do I tell the truth or lie.

"Nikki I fell asleep watching TV ok, I'm really sorry."

Well I also wasn't going to come, but I think I'll leave that out. I mean after all I did tell truth about sleeping.

"I meant what I said Mani. I'm not that guy you saw in New York and if you give me a chance I can show you."

So my nick name is "Mani" now alrighty.

"Look, Nik I don't doubt that you're a nice guy I just have alot of things going on with me right now. And Tamara will be back soon so you can't stay long."

"So then let's head over to the cafe and talk about what's going on with you. I mean.... you said you just fell asleep. And you still owe me a date. Or I can just stay here and we talk instead." Nikki stated with a smirk across his face.

God I want to slap that smirk right off his face. He knows exactly what he's doing. He knows he cant stay here I'll get into all kinds of trouble.

"Alright let me get dressed and we'll go." I huffed.

I decided on a flowy yellow dress with platforms. I did my make up and teased my hair a bit. I put on burgandy lipstick. I wanted to look simple but classy. I grabbed an expensive handbag and headed out to Nikki.

"Wow you look gorgeous doll." Nikki bit his lip when he saw me. "But princess were just going to the cafe." Nikki stated as he got up.

"Well I like to dress classy and nice where ever I go Nikki. You should try it. Leather isn't everything." I responded while picking up the keys to the condo and heading out the door with him. ___________

"Nikki where are we going?" I demanded as we passed the cafe.

Don't worry." Nikki turned to me and smiled. God I should have just let the security guards take him away.

I started to fidget with his radio. Prince's song When the doves cry came on. I started singing loudly to the song.

Nikki then switched the radio to a different station. A rock station. I glared at him as he started singing some song.

Oh it's been getting so hard Living with the things you do to me My dreams are getting so strange I'd like to tell you everything I see

Oh, I see a man at the back as a matter of fact His eyes are as red as the sun And the girl in the corner let no one ignore her Cause she thinks she's the passionate one

Oh yeah! It was like lightning Everybody was fighting And the music was soothing And they all started grooving

I switched the radio back to When the doves cry and turned up the volume even louder and started singing at the top of my lungs.

How could you just leave me standing Alone in a world so cold Maybe I'm just too demanding Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold Maybe you're just like my mother She's never satisfied Why do we scream at each other This is what it sounds like When doves cry

Nikki then slammed on brakes and I flew forward then backwards hitting my back on to the chair. "Nikki what the hell!" I shouted holding my chest.

He turned the car off and pulled his keys out laughing like what he did was funny.

"Come on PRINCEss we're here" emphasizing on the "Prince." And laughing again.

What a jerk! He could have seriously hurt me.

We arrived at a house, Nikki opened the door and the smell of weed and alcohol hit my nose right away. We walked in and I saw half naked woman all over the place making out with guys, plus beer bottles on the gound, men passed out on the floor, and people doing drugs. Is this where he really wanted to bring me?

"Eyyy Sixx is finally here, and who do you got there with you, you dirty fucker?" The guy came running with his hands out and scrawny legs tripping all over each other.

"Woah T- bone settle down this is Iman Darlington." Nikki points at me with one hand while placing the other on this T- bone guys chest.

"Hey there Iman nice to meet you, I'm Tommy Lee drummer for Motley fucking Crue." He wipes his hands on his pants and brings it up for me to shake.

I really didn't want to shake his hand, only God knows what kind off diseases were on it.

"Hi nice to meet you Tommy" I shake his hand reluctantly.

"Actually." I yelp as he picks me up with my feet dangling off of the ground into a big hug. "I'm a hugger." He puts me back down and takes my hand and pulls me towards the couches.

"Have a seat doll." He points at the... is that a couch? I was absolutely not going to sit on that disgusting thing. Who knows what was on that couch.

"Geez you really are a fucking princess." Nikki rolls his eyes as he takes off his jacket and puts it down on the couch for me to sit on.

"Hey you look familiar." Tommy glares at me with a grin.

"That's because she's the chick from the diner that got splashed in the face by Nikki." A short blonde guy responded while walking out of a room laughing and pulling up his pants.

What a prick.

"Hi I'm Vince Neil lead singer of Motley Crue." He extends his hand out for me to shake.

"I'm Iman Darlington" I give him my hand to shake with a fake smile.

Could this day just be over.

I listen to the guys ramble on and on about their tour with Ratt and Ozzy Osbourne. A whole group of people surrounded us where we were sitting and they were laughing at the stories the guys were telling. I personally didn't think it was funny especially the way they treated some of the woman.

Nikki had his arm placed around my neck tightly like he owned me. It was a little uncomfortable.

"After the concert at the Bronco Bowl Dallas, Texas, a blond and a brunette don't know their names and I don't give a fuck." Nikki stated. "Came back stage and wanted to fuck all of us, so Vince and I told them that they had to work for our dicks. We told them they had to sit on a champagne bottle until we get back. And if they were still on the bottle by the time we got back they could fuck us." Nikki laughed and so did every one else.

"Oh shit the fucking best part was in the hotel room when we shoved a phone up the blond ones pussy, and.. and what else." laughed Tommy.

"Toothpaste!" Yelled Vince.

"And fucking made her friend call her mom hahahahaha yeah dude." Tommy yelled while throwing up the rock and roll sign.

I was mortified by some of the stories they were telling. I mean Nikki even went on to say he got into a knife fight with a bouncer, Ozzy sniffing ants and licking pee off the ground. Who are these guys rejects from hell!

"Alright guys you ready for the main coarse." Some guy says bringing out 2 silver platters. He was about to open them when Nikki cleared his throat nervously and glared at him.

"Hey Sixx we're not snor..."

"Tommy shut the fuck up." Vince interrupted him.

"I'm a... I'm gonna take you home ok princess." Nikki rubbed my arm then kissed the top of my head.

I said my goodbyes and we left.

We reached back at the Condo and I got out of the car.

"Where you going?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

"I'm walking you up." Nikki laughed getting out of his car shutting the door and walking in with me.

"No you can't Tamara will see you." I place my arm on his chest to stop him from walking.

"Princess, I either carry you up or we walk up. Pick one." He smirked.

I didn't bother to argue he looked serious. We got into the elevator and as soon as the door closed he moved towards me. He grabbed me by my waist and pulled my body towards his.

"Nikki." I gasped putting my hand on his chest to push away.

He took my arms and put them around his neck. I pulled one of my arms off his neck and used my hand to move the hair out of his face. I looked into his eyes and they darkened to a deep shade of green. I bit my lip and he licked his lips and leaned down to.....

Ping

Oh thank God... the elevator door opened. Nikki groaned as I slipped passed him into the hallway.

"So can I at least have your number to call you?" Nikki asked leaning on the elevator door.

"Do you have a pen?" I turned and asked.

"No."

I sighed. "Meet me at the Diner tomorrow for 3." I smiled.

"Mani don't play with me." Nikki chuckled.

"I'll be there I promise." I winked.

I went inside and thought to my self. What am I doing? This guy is no good for me. He's dangerous. He could never be the type of guy you bring home to your parents. Plus I wonder what was in that silver platter?

[harry-leroy]

Top 5 soliloquies? Could be from Shakespeare or whatever else :)

Thank you so much for this ask! I appreciate it! I’ll do some from Shakespeare (and probably some from Oscar Wilde let’s be real about ourselves tonight >-

1) I AM STRAIGHT UP NOT HAVING A GOOD TIME (The Tempest) 

All the infections that the sun sucks upFrom bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall and make himBy inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear meAnd yet I needs must curse. But they’ll nor pinch,Fright me with urchin—shows, pitch me i’ the mire,Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the darkOut of my way, unless he bid ’em; butFor every trifle are they set upon me;Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at meAnd after bite me, then like hedgehogs whichLie tumbling in my barefoot way and mountTheir pricks at my footfall; sometime am IAll wound with adders who with cloven tonguesDo hiss me into madness.

- Caliban; The Tempest (2.2.) 

Okay I love everything about the language in this play, but some of Caliban’s speeches are the best places to find these fantastic descriptions of the island that we’re on. Better yet, the way that he describes Ariel and the other spirits is so fascinating to me - it makes me wonder about where Ariel comes from, it makes me want to dive into the psychology (which is exactly what I’m doing for #ProjectTempest which is now #ProjectAriel). There’s a sense of militarism that comes from the spirits. They organize themselves into a hierarchy, with Ariel captaining the whole brigade, and not to mention, some of the things that they do are seen, at least in my eyes, as incredibly violent. In my project concerning Ariel, I am trying to dig into why we see Ariel as morally better than Caliban, even though he does some rather tortuous things, and this speech is full of them. I’m currently reading W.H. Auden’s The Sea and the Mirror, which is a poem that explores duality in The Tempest, using primarily Caliban (who represents the earth) and Ariel (who represents the sky). Auden made this incredible chart using these two ideas as ends of a spectrum, and he calls them both “HELL” (I’ll see if I can find the chart somewhere and upload it eventually because it is fascinating). Ahh, I just love this play so much. 

2) #EXPOSED (Love’s Labour’s Lost) 

Ah, good my liege, I pray thee, pardon me!Good heart, what grace hast thou, thus to reproveThese worms for loving, that art most in love?Your eyes do make no coaches; in your tearsThere is no certain princess that appears;You’ll not be perjured, ‘tis a hateful thing;Tush, none but minstrels like of sonneting!But are you not ashamed? nay, are you not,All three of you, to be thus much o'ershot?You found his mote; the king your mote did see;But I a beam do find in each of three.O, what a scene of foolery have I seen,Of sighs, of groans, of sorrow and of teen!O me, with what strict patience have I sat,To see a king transformed to a gnat!To see great Hercules whipping a gig,And profound Solomon to tune a jig,And Nestor play at push-pin with the boys,And critic Timon laugh at idle toys!Where lies thy grief, O, tell me, good Dumain?And gentle Longaville, where lies thy pain?And where my liege’s? all about the breast:A caudle, ho!

- Berowne; Love’s Labour’s Lost (4.3.) 

THIS SCENE. It will always make me laugh, and cry, and feel every human emotion in the book. God, I love it so much. Can we talk about how ridiculous these boys are? Berowne has such a superiority complex - he’s always off by himself, probably musing to himself, even when he isn’t trying to keep secrets from his three best friends. So when he’s found his chance to have a laugh, he takes it. And can we talk about the language in this play? So fun, absolute joy to read. It makes me cry sometimes I won’t lie. I adore these boys, and I adore how everyone gangs up on Dumaine because Dumaine is the baby (and of course he goes after Katharine because why shouldn’t he?) and I will die on this hill. I love this play so much. 

3) DOUBT COMES IN (Lady Windermere’s Fan) 

How horrible!  I understand now what Lord Darlington meant by the imaginary instance of the couple not two years married.  Oh! it can’t be true—she spoke of enormous sums of money paid to this woman.  I know where Arthur keeps his bank book—in one of the drawers of that desk.  I might find out by that.  I will find out.  [Opens drawer.]  No, it is some hideous mistake.  [Rises and goes C.]  Some silly scandal!  He loves me!  He loves me!  But why should I not look?  I am his wife, I have a right to look!  [Returns to bureau, takes out book and examines it page by page, smiles and gives a sigh of relief.]  I knew it! there is not a word of truth in this stupid story.  [Puts book back in drawer.  As she does so, starts and takes out another book.]  A second book—private—locked!  [Tries to open it, but fails.  Sees paper knife on bureau, and with it cuts cover from book.  Begins to start at the first page.]  ‘Mrs. Erlynne—£600—Mrs. Erlynne—£700—Mrs. Erlynne—£400.’  Oh! it is true!  It is true!  How horrible!  [Throws book on floor.]

- Lady Windermere; Lady Windermere’s Fan (Act I) 

“A wife should trust her husband” says Arthur, because it’s all he knows about marriage, that and that he would do anything for his wife. He would throw himself in front of the spear of society’s hatred for her, even though it is what he fears most. Arthur spends his entire life trying to be the model husband, the model son, the model father, the model man in society, he is so focused on perfection that Margaret can’t believe it when he’s fallen from grace. And it ruins Arthur just as much, maybe even more so. Everyone knows that Arthur is a perfectionist. He tries to match Margaret’s model, as Cecil would say “that is the worst of women.  They always want one to be good.  And if we are good, when they meet us, they don’t love us at all”. He feels like he needs someone to reform him, keep him from falling into the pit, but really he needs to relax. He needs to learn how to say “no”. And people have been waiting for him to slip up: Darlington because he wants Margaret, Cecil and George because they find it amusing. For Margaret, this is where the chips fall, where the imperfections finally come through. For the first time, she has reason to doubt him. And she lets it consume her. 

Arthur finds himself in the same position at the end of Act III. He finds his wife’s fan in Darlington’s rooms, and you can feel the tension in his voice, he’s about ready to throw out his back and shoulders from how tense he gets. But he doesn’t blame his wife, he blames Darlington, or at least that’s what he couldn’t bring himself to say. “And if my wife’s here, I’ll -”: he can’t finish his sentence, because it can’t be true. She loves me! She loves me! Thank goodness for Darlington’s interruption. For the first time, he has reason to doubt her. And he can’t bring himself to do it. 

4) HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF (Lady Windermere’s Fan) 

Gone out of her house!  A letter addressed to her husband!  [Goes over to bureau and looks at letter.  Takes it up and lays it down again with a shudder of fear.]  No, no!  It would be impossible!  Life doesn’t repeat its tragedies like that!  Oh, why does this horrible fancy come across me?  Why do I remember now the one moment of my life I most wish to forget?  Does life repeat its tragedies?  [Tears letter open and reads it, then sinks down into a chair with a gesture of anguish.]  Oh, how terrible!  The same words that twenty years ago I wrote to her father! and how bitterly I have been punished for it!  No; my punishment, my real punishment is to-night, is now! 

- Mrs. Erlynne; Lady Windermere’s Fan (Act II) 

- What did Margaret write on that fatal letter? “Arthur has never understood me” says Margaret, “but when he reads this, he will”. It’s a second-generation Nora, the woman who has never understood herself because she’s been smothered. That’s exactly what Margaret has been, losing her parents at a young age, she has been sheltered from every kind of horrible truth there is. She believes her mother died a saint, her father whose heart swelled too much in devotion for such a saintly figure. Lady Julia made sure of that. In reality, Mrs. Erlynne, while not a saint in any regard, threatens to outshine the golden girl of society, her own daughter. Mrs. Erlynne is the life of the party, not her daughter, and what is worse, her husband might love this woman, and now she thinks he has every reason to. “Cowards are always pale” - how can Margaret hope to compete with this woman? Darlington says ‘forget them, run away with me’ - she can’t bear to think that her husband has left her side. “Come back to me?” she asks the Duchess, hardly able to believe that her husband could have left, but it’s Arthur she wants. She tells Darlington, “my husband may return to me”. She would forgive him, because she loves him, but she can’t stand to think of herself as second rate in her husband’s eyes. It’s a feeling that Mrs. Erlynne knows far too well. There’s so much about motherhood in this play that I absolutely love. In my prequel play, The Selby Roses, I attempt to explore similar ideas about fatherhood. There is so much generational conflict in both plays - even seen in the men of this play. Look at Cecil Graham: there is nothing he holds in contempt more than the older generation, but he also fears them. He gets sheepish around Mrs. Erlynne, he loves to talk down to Lord Augustus. “You were never my age” he tells Augustus, almost as if to say “And I’ll never be yours”. Ah, it is such an interesting concept. Okay, stream-of-conscious rant over hehehe :’) 

5) HE’S SOME KIND OF POET (King Lear) 

When we our betters see bearing our woes,We scarcely think our miseries our foes.Who alone suffers suffers most i’ th’ mind,Leaving free things and happy shows behind.But then the mind much sufferance doth o’erskipWhen grief hath mates and bearing fellowship.How light and portable my pain seems nowWhen that which makes me bend makes the Kingbow!He childed as I fathered. Tom, away.Mark the high noises, and thyself bewrayWhen false opinion, whose wrong thoughts defilethee,In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee.What will hap more tonight, safe ’scape the King!Lurk, lurk.

- Edgar; King Lear (3.6.) 

Will I ever figure out why Edgar is speaking in rhyme here, even though he is alone? Probably not. Though, it does totally make me believe that Edgar knows he has an audience, and it haunts him to no end. There are so many elements to King Lear that make it absolutely absurd, which is why it’s (at least in my eyes) such a good play for 2019. Edgar is performing for self-preservation, but isn’t everyone? Up until this night, he’s refused such a thing. Honesty or I am nothing. The day he accepted playing the game was the day Cordelia refused and that will 5ever end me. 

[writers-clique]

Heartless

This is a horror short story I wrote. It’s a bit inspired by the TV show You. If you like a bit of horror, stalker, creepiness or just enjoy reading short stories from time to time, this one’s for you. Happy reading >:)

Heartless

I have been waiting for five years to return it. The fist-sized box sitting neatly in the passenger seat next to me. Its intricate red bow matches the black leather of the container. I listen to the AC’s cacophonous rumble as I look at the endless road in front of me. Normally, I prefer to have silence during long journeys like these. I can ponder about life, the sheer cliché of how meaningless it is and how unimportant each person is, no matter what their mothers, teachers or other equally unimportant individuals have told them before. But alas, the scorching desert sun is too powerful for the little heart inside my box so I turn up the cold air and try to ignore it.

At this point, you may be wondering if you read that last line correctly or you may have missed that specific minor detail entirely, doesn’t matter. Jhona is the only one who has to see it, right there on his kitchen counter, in all its veiny glory. It will be splendid! Watching the color drain from his face the way Mia’s blood gushed onto the tiles. Oh, who’s Mia? She’s just the girl who stole my heart.

*********

Five years ago, a senior going into school for his last day—that’s when I met her. I was walking towards the main doors when they suddenly opened and hit me in the face.

“Oh my god! I’m so sorry! Is your nose alright?” she said, covering her mouth and trying to hide a smile.

“Uh, yes. At least I think so.” I felt a bit of blood drip down my nostril onto my lip. It tasted delicious.

“You’re bleeding! I’m really sorry! Let me help you with that.” She snatched the books from my hands and, for a brief second, I felt her skin upon mine. Warm and tanned against my cold and pale arm.

She insisted on walking me to class, even though she didn’t have to. And whilst we walked, we talked. She turned out to be quite brilliant in ways I didn’t think someone at our school could be. She was into old literature, but wasn’t too picky, listened to good music and looked quite good as well. I knew her soul was bound to be interesting. And so, that same night after graduation, I went online and searched for “Mia Darlington”. And a darling she was. The whole of her Instagram and Tumblr was open for anyone to look at. I mean, it was like I had struck a golden mine of disposable information, all just a swipe and a tap away. That’s where I learned about a party that would be happening to celebrate the fact that half of these morons managed to scrape up enough IB points for a diploma of some sort, while the rest of us would actually succeed to some degree in life (pun intended). It would happen in a fortnight at Braden’s parents’ lake house. The whole thing would last for two days. After that she’d be mine.

In the fortnight that followed, Mia and I got closer than ever, which of course she didn’t know. I followed her around from a distance. She had quite the schedule. Guitar lessons, fitness, drawing, meditating. She had it all. Her bedroom window was conveniently positioned towards the road so my view from a bush across the street was perfect. By the time the party happened, I knew her better than she knew herself.

It had been three hours, fifty two minutes, twenty seven seconds and counting since the start of the party and she still had not arrived. I was growing rather impatient and, dare I say, worried. I decided to strike up a conversation with one of those buffoons who knew her, that way when she finally appeared, I’d have a head start for a conversation. I saw one of the guys from her Instagram. He was peculiar, but simple, one of these football goons. And yet, there he was, staring into his punch cup, looking depressed and out of place. Peculiar. I strategically placed myself near the refills and soon enough he approached. He filled the glass up to the rim with Jagermeister. Pathetic.

“Rough night?” I asked, mimicking his movements.

“Ha,” he took a swig of his drink, “you couldn’t have said that better.”

“Oh, really? Why so?”

“What do you care man? Who are you?” he drunkenly yelled and stumbled forward.

This would be harder than previously imagined. “Look, I’m sympathising with you. This party sucks.”

“It wouldn’t suck if . . . if she was here.” He whispered that last part, but I was closer than his drunk mind let him know.

Just then, his phone rang. The picture was of Mia, one I hadn’t seen before which was once more peculiar. I had gathered pretty much every picture of her, down to the ones she was too small to remember. At this point, he started muttering things to himself, obviously in no state to speak to her. That’s when the dots connected and I decided to use this particular lamentable moment of his to my benefit.

“Hi, who’s this?” I picked up the phone. I decided to play dumb and let her fall for me, believing it was her choice.

“Umm, I could ask you the same thing. Where’s Judah?” She didn’t sound pleased and the fact she didn’t recognize my voice admittedly hurt me.

“He- he’s having a bit of a rough night. It’s Adgar speaking by the way.”

“Adgar? Oh, wait aren’t you that guy I smacked into two weeks ago? I didn’t know you were friends with Judah.”

“Well, you don’t know a lot of things about me.” I thought that was a good line, so I made my voice husky at the end. I imagine that’s what James Bond would do.

She laughed. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

“So umm, how come you’re not at the party?

“How did you know I was going there?” Suspicion slipped into her voice.

Crap, think Adgar, think you idiot.

“Oh, well Judah’s been crying that you haven’t come all night, so I figured you were going to come originally.” I tried to inject a smile into my voice the way some people do. It worked.

“He has? Well, doesn’t matter. I’m almost there so since you’re taking care of him I trust he’ll be OK.” She sounded distant and didn’t even let me reply before she hung up. That annoyed me.

I looked back for Judah, except he wasn’t there. Great, now I had to babysit a drunk blockhead instead of preparing for Mia. The plan was to find him and then tie him up somewhere in the woods where he wouldn’t cause any trouble. Finding him turned out to be easy. All I had to do was go for a leak, and there he was lying on the bathroom floor in his vomit.

Now how would I get him out without causing involuntary attention? The answer came from a shout of “CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!” downstairs. That’s right, his equally stupid drunk friends wouldn’t remember a thing either, and they were loyal to him, like a golden retriever to its owner. All I had to do was spin a little white lie about the “unimaginable awesomeness” of them pulling the “greatest trick” in party history - tying Judah to a tree whilst he’s unconscious. I mean, it was honestly laughable how easily they agreed. Good thing they were drunk.

It took three of them to carry him downstairs and into the forest. I mean, I didn’t even touched him. All of the evidence pointed to them. They were so wasted they didn’t notice me drifting back to the house, leaving them in the darkness.

By the time I came back, Mia was there. She was something to see. In her own world. Dancing along to whatever indie song they had put on, drink in one hand. She looked like she’d floated down straight from heaven. A beautiful gift just for me, all wrapped up in a tight red dress, beach curls slightly bobbing up and down.

Now the hardest part was approaching; I had to approach her. I decided to rip that bandaid straight off and just went for it. Confidence after all, is key.

“Hey, you’re the girl who smacked me in the face.” I tried the James Bond voice again.

“Hey, you’re the guy I smacked in the face.” She smiled.

Good, that’s good. Smiling is always a positive thing.

“Care for a refill?” I reached towards her cup.

“Yeah, sure.”

Like taking candy from a baby. People reading this, I’m going to give you a pro tip. Never. Ever. Give your glass to someone you don’t know at a party, bar or wherever. They may just put something funky in there. Sad thing really, she’ll never get to read this.

I had prepared an excuse just in case anyone was to give me trouble: “Oh she was just so tired, poor thing fell asleep.” But, as predicted, they were all too drunk and too self absorbed to notice. She was a bit heavy I must admit, heavier than I imagined. Of course, though, she fit perfectly into the trunk of my car. I was not staying for the remainder of this party and neither was she. What happened next was a two hour long, silence filled car ride in which every speed bump I hit I worried about her. I mean, I loved her. If she got even a single bruise, I swore not to forgive myself.

Once we had arrived home, I placed her in the basement where she would be staying until I knew that her love for me was eternal. I had already prepared the room: soundproof door, mattress, chains on the wall. I laid her down gently and put on her shackles, then I sat on a chair and waited. Waited for her to wake up and for our souls to connect, our love so powerful.

As you may have guessed already, that did not happen. What ended up happening was an intense conversation and double murder.

“Wh-where am I,” she muttered sitting up.

“You’re home,” I smiled. I wanted to reassure her.

“Home? I’m not home! You-you took me here! Why am I chained up? Somebody help, help!” She started screaming. Shaking. Tugging at the chains. Going rabid.

“Now, now. There’s no need for that. No one can hear you anyway.” The effect of my words didn’t convey what I wanted, as she didn’t calm down and become rational, but started throwing herself on the floor, sobbing and yelling harder than before. I decided to give her some time.

One day later, as predicted, she had calmed down. She was also starving and I used that to my advantage, as I did with many things. I brought her a plate of her favorite food - seafood paella - which I’d learned to make specifically for her. She took the plate and started gorging on the warm food. I found that curiously arousing.

“So you’re ready to talk like humans?” I tried a smile, but her cold stare disapproved.

“You’re no human! You’re an animal.” Rice grains fell out of her mouth as she yelled, and I couldn’t help but point out the irony by raising an eyebrow. Once more my humor was not appreciated.

“Let me go! What do you even want from me, you nutcase!?”

“I’m glad you asked me. See, Mia, darling, I love you, and I know that if you give me a chance, you’ll love me too.” I said that with what I thought was my most convincing and confident smile, and yet her eyes widened and her eyebrows formed an angry looking V on her usually beautiful face, turning it into something quite displeasing.

“I. Will. Never. Ever. Love. You!” She threw the plate at the wall, smashing it. The meal splattered on the ground.

“I don’t think I like your tone.”

“I don’t care what you like! I hate you! I only love Judah!”

“Silence! I will NOT let myself believe these lies you are utterring!”

“They’re not lies! I will never love you. Judah is the only person I’ve ever truly loved.”

There it was. The first murder. She plunged deep with her nails into my chest and stole my heart. Devoured it even! For the next several days, she tried everything to escape and I tried meaninglessly to make her mine, but she would not have it. And on top of that, her phone would not stop buzzing with messages from her family, friends and, irritably, Judah. I was losing hope as all she would talk about was Judah. That’s when I finally realized she had destroyed my heart, absolutely pulverized it. No more of that. An eye for an eye, a heart for a heart.

I think she knew the end was coming the moment I walked into the basement. The dark gloves probably gave my intentions away. I decided I didn’t wish to waste any more of my time. I advanced towards her, wordlessly. Silence was the way I liked to do these things. Just like a car ride, slow and enjoyable. She once again started one of her intense screaming sessions. A wailing, powerless shriek. Left on the front door of Mr. Death. At his mercy.

I smacked her into unconsciousness and dragged her towards the bathroom. No blood would be spilled in my basement. Once in the bathroom I decided on a barbaric sort of death for her, the way she killed my heart. I gently opened the toilet lid and placed her head on the seat. What followed was an intense upper body workout resulting in a broken toilet lid and smashed skull. I sprinkled the little bone fragments into the toilet bowl and flushed. I had decided on selling what was left of her on the dark web.  Everything except her heart. You see I needed it. Heart transplants aren’t cheap and since she was the one who’d stolen mine it was only fair she gave one back.

So now that you’re all caught up, let’s go back to present times. I have recently met a girl, even better than Mia. She’s given me back my heart in ways I could never have imagined. We met a week ago. She dropped her purse and I gave it back to her. Her knight in shining armor. I love her. I no longer need Mia’s heart, but I know someone who does.

Coincidentally, once people knew Mia was not coming back, Judah fell into depression. Or at least that’s the theory. Supposedly, he got back from the party, but he didn’t really get back. He left poor innocent Judah behind. He was going to be a football player at some top university but now he spends his days drinking away whatever life is left inside of him and scaring the kids in our little old town.

So I’m giving him a present. Something he’ll cherish and remember forever.

I hope you appreciate this, Judah. I know how much you loved her with all your dying heart.

Love, Adgar.

[twentyminutemiso]

11-13th

Texting chiara, getting ready for pxssy palace, venting to han and zaahid about what chiara said to me. I feel quite disappointed and annoyed about her defensive reaction, which seems to have limited empathy, she wasn’t putting herself in my shoes. But she’s preoccupied with her relationship so she might not have time for other people’s shoes. Can’t help but feel that’s so boring. I want to be a good friend but not sure how much i can intervene

Taking several hours to get into my korra costume, playing hinky pinky with zaahid and han on the train, attractive proactive, type A personality, han forgetting their ID and going home, me being smashed already from half a bottle of that lidl vodka, two patron shots, a ‘pussy juice’ for me and for mina (mina’s birthday), mina being sasuke’s brother, saw afi shani khadija jasmine darlington bilan ray. Sin kai wan complimented my outfit and said they were tony leung. Anairin took a video of me. At least 4 people recognising who i was. 2 asking if i was katara and 1 asking if i was chun li. Going home hink pink, zaahid made caramelised banana pancakes.

Throwing up and being in bed all day saturday with han and zaahid caring for me. Going to amber’s party with her walthamstow mates who always nourish me with their secondary school banter. Jamilla, thomas, aasiyah, amber and al-husain catching up on the gossip between their schoolmates. So and so is pregnant now, also that tiny boy (motioning with a hand at waist level to indicate small stature) who tried to shoot his shot in amber’s twitter dms. Amber’s mum splitting up with her stepdad and she’s moving back to their house so it’ll be amber george and her mum. Vanessa’s friend who has a boyfriend called pro (very sunnily clarifying Professional) and she identified, like amber, as a lesbian with a boyfriend (‘there are many of us’)

Thursday 10th

SOAS, meeting Anna for a steak sandwich, the Soane museum, feeling the start of summer.

Jeng and Kaitlene came round, I didn’t stay because I went to see piglet at avalon cafe. Beautiful harmonies and a saxophonist. Two mancunians(?) theo and hester. Two people in the warmup band, osian and a dude with a curly bob. Running to get the bus.

Sunday 14th

Mina’s birthday party and it’s funny cos the two demographics shes a part of are gay Asians and gay northerners

A walk through covent garden to reach the southbank. Finding dad’s spot. Feeling emotional walking through the piazza and something about making me cry. Occasionally do cry when I think of my dad these days, probably because I miss him but there’s something more than that. This specific past iteration of my dad in covent garden triggers my emotions more than when I see him. It must be like how kevin cried about grandad being senile but wouldn’t hang out with grandma even though we were all in China. It comes from something sore inside ourselves rather than only something about the other person. Mum, dad and kevin don’t really vocalise things that upset us. They try to put them out of their minds. Afterwards when I called dad he said the thought of going back there made him want to rage, which probably is part of why I was sad too. I’m very sentimental and I don’t like the thought that something that was a big part of us is gone now. I told him it’s pretty good that he managed to get 20 years out of it. To be honest what street performer today would be able to get a mortgage off their earnings?

Rachel, elete, sandy, christine, audrey. Bumping into naila and rojda. Sonia Jeunet. Was happy to catch sight of edi as i walked out. For ages talking to micha’s sister paz’s friend who goes to soas who had an upset with a tiramisu date who changed his hinge profile AFTER agreeing they were dating exclusively.

[pavspatch]

1980-82: When the Tigers were Triumphant

TO cheer up Hyde United fans of a certain vintage, here’s something I wrote for Team Talk magazine in December, 1991. It’s a look-back at the 1980-1 and 1981-2 seasons when the Tigers dominated the old Cheshire League.

“I CAN still remember the scene vividly, As my Uncle Jim would say, it’s like a video playing in my mind.

“On Saturday, April 24, 1982, Hyde United arrived at Formby unbeaten in the league since their 5-4 home reverse at the hands of Curzon Ashton the previous October — a run of 25 games. Twelve months earlier the Tigers had lost out to Nantwich Town after topping the table all season. They had stood aloft the Cheshire League summit for 4,200 playing minutes, only to lose out in the space of five.

“But that wasn’t going to happen this time. Hyde got off to a slow start but after the break the Tigers roared. George Oghani grabbed two goals, Barney Daniels got another and goalkeeper Colin Darcy made it 4-1 from the penalty spot.

“As the clocked ticked away, with what seemed like 15 minutes of injury time, dozens of Hyde United fans gathered behind the Formby goal waiting to sprint on and congratulate the new champions.

“I was eagerly removing the foil from a bottle of champagne for the players, and in the sports bag hooked around my shoulders was a bottle of pomagne for me. I was only a postman in those days and money didn’t stretch to two bottles of real bubbly.

“Not surprisingly we were constantly spilling on to the pitch and I can remember the referee threatening to stop the game if we didn’t retreat behind the line. “Get back, get back,” I screamed desperately waving my arms like a windmill because I was terrified the game might be abandoned and the Tigers would again lose out at the death.

“Then at last — at long last — the whistle blew. A huge cheer rent the air and I was charging on to the field. But it was no mad dash. I knew exactly where I was heading. I was taking my champagne to team captain Tony Steenson. After a hug of congratulation and delight the bottle was handed over. Tony popped the cork, have us what North Cheshire Herald match reporter David Jones term a bubbly bath, and took a long swig.

“Then it was over to the other players to celebrate. I eventually met up with John Carter who hadn’t played. I recall offering him a drink of my pomagne and he promptly disappeared down the tunnel with it. Ah well.

“In may ways it was apt that the Tigers should clinch the championship at Formby, because it as there that Les Sutton’s squad had set out on their two-year march to the Cheshire League championship and back to the Northern Premier League.

“On August 16, Hyde played their first game of the 1980-1 season and started to put the mediocrity and traumas of the Seventies behind them. The team that day was Colin Darcy, John Evans, Micky Lacey, Jimmy Golder, Ralph Darlington, Tony Steenson, Graham Holder, David Holt, Steve Johnson, Garry Riley, George Oghani and substitute Paul McMahon. Riley netted in a 1-0 win and Hyde were on their way.

“For those who are too young, the late Seventies were an awful time to be a Tigers fan. I can still remember sitting in the old wooden stand, watching dull games on a mudheap of a pitch.

“Curiously, I think the worst game I saw there was the last game of the 79-80 campaign — a goalless draw with Curzon Ashton. The only reason I haven’t erased it from memory is that a. it was so boring and b. former supporters’ club chairman Brian “Tubby” Taylor was threatened for mimicking a fan who kept shouting “come on Curzon”. Brian followed up with his own shout, making it sound like he was being sick. The Nash fan wasn’t impressed.

“Manager Les Sutton’s regular comment was “we might not score many but we don’t let many in”. But behind this phrase he was patiently building a squad, and the future treble-winning team was based on a treble foundation: David Holt, Steve Johnson and Tony Steenson.

“Holty, and Oldham lad, was a small, stocky winger — a terrier with an eye for spectacular goals and a feeling for the big occasion. He was one of the heroes of the lean years.

“Johnson, younger brother of the famous Jeff, first played for the Tigers in 1975-6 as a young lad. He was famously involved in an altercation with former Liverpool captain Ron Yeats, then playing for Stalybridge. Steve filled out into a powerful and competitive utility player.

“Steenson, a flame-haired organiser of men who hailed from Salford, moved to Ewen Fields in 1977. His nasal voice, gap-toothed smile, total commitment and constant encouragement of team-mates, were to be a Hyde United hallmark for seven seasons.

“Sutton placed the next pieces of his jigsaw in the autumn of 1978. Gary Blore, a commanding centre-half, arrived from Macclesfield Town in October. In November came midfield players Jimmy Golder and Graham Holder.

“A season later, Sutton snapped up Micky Lacey, a tough no-nonsense full-back, and former Everton, Bury and Altrincham goalkeeper Colin Darcy.

“And then came the man who was to be the jewel in the crown — Bury winger George Oghani. His arrival caused an instant change in the atmosphere at Ewen Fields and supporters licked their lips as they renewed their acquaintance with victory.

“George was an instant crowd-pleaser. The fans were enthralled by his jinking runs in which he teased and tormented defenders. The cry “skin him George” was soon known across the North West.

“During the summer of 1980, Sutton signed midfielder Paul McMahon from Droylsden. He had assembled a side that would provide Hyde United with their most successful season since the 1950s, making them once again a force to be reckoned with.

“And so to that 1-0 August win at Formby, the Tigers’ first opening-day victory for six years. They followed up by winning their first seven league matched and remained unbeaten for 11.

“In November Sutton strengthened his attack by signing Carl Culley, A Liverpool-based striker who scored ten goals in 19 games before braking a leg in a Sunday game in late March.

“His prowess was badly missed in the closing stages of the season, but the Tigers had started to stutter in late January when they lost 2-1 to Bootle. There was also a succession of draws and this allowed Nantwich to catch up, leading to a title-decider at Jackson Avenue on May 2, 1981.

“In front of 1,100 fans, Gary Blore have Hyde the lead with 12 minutes left but the Dabbers came back to win 2-1.

“For the fans who had followed the team all season and travelled in their hundreds it was heartbreaking, but there was still much to cheer about and the Tigers finished the season with plenty of silverware.

“Their run in the Cheshire Senior Cup produced some classic encounters. On April 9, 1981, Hyde enjoyed one of their greatest victories when they beat Alliance Premier League side Northwich Victoria in a semi-final replay.

“Hyde’s team was Darcy,  Evans, Lacey, Golder, McMahon, Steenson, Holt, Haughton, Johnson, Riley and Oghani. They twice came from behind to win.

“David Holt equalised after Colin Williams had put Northwich ahead but Graham Abel restored Vics’ lead. It remained 2-1 until two minutes from the end when Tony Steenson stabbed home a free kick for 2-2. Less than 60 seconds later, Paul McMahon headed home to give Hyde a remarkable victory.

“The final proved to be even more amazing. The Tigers faced Stalybridge Celtic, the previous season’s Cheshire League champions, and once again a replay was needed, this time at Altrincham on May 6. The line-up was Darcy, Evans, Lacey, Golder, Blore, Steenson, McMahon, Holt, Johnson, Riley, Oghani.

“On an action-packed night brimming with local rivalry, there were seven goals, two sendings-off and nine bookings.

“Oghani gave Hyde the lead and Garry Riley converted a penalty to make it 2-0. Bobby Grimshaw then pulled one back for Celtic, but the Tigers hit right back and Paul McMahon increased their lead to 3-1.

“Immediately after the break, Oghani and John Harrop were sent off for fighting. The Stalybridge mounted a comeback and equalized with goals from Mark Higgins and Terry Cook to force extra time.

“Steve Johnson struck within seconds of the restart to make it 4-3 for Hyde and that proved enough to clinch victory, although in the dying minutes the referee gave a penalty against the Tigers and then changed his mind.

“Hyde United had the Cheshire Senior Cup for the first time in 11 years.

“A week later they went back to Jackson Avenue to beat Nantwich 2-1 in the Cheshire League Challenge Shield play-off. Then the season finally ended — all 56 games of it — with a 3-1 defeat by Winsford in the final of the league cup.

“In many ways 1980-1 was a taster for the following campaign. But second time round there were to be no mistakes. The Tigers bulldozed everything in their path and were by far the best team in the Cheshire League.

“Sutton brought several new players to Ewen Fields during the summer but the only one to make any long-term impact was former Manchester City forward Barney Daniels who had been a goal-scoring machine for Ashton United and was one of the most fared and popular strikers in the North West.

“With the season under way, Sutton added Peter Coyne, a Manchester United player who received national fame when he scored a hat-trick for England Schoolboys in a televised 3-0 victory over West Germany at Wembley.

“In February, 1982, Kevin Glendon broke into the team. A versatile player, he was eventually to make his name as a full-back and was signed by Burnley on the basis of a superb performance against them when Hyde played at Turf Moor in the first round of the FA Cup in 1983.

“Sutton made his last addition when he brought in Horwich RMI defender Phil Parry.

“The Tigers began the season by losing at Chorley. However, after that, they lost only once more — that 5-4 home reverse to Curzon — before wrapping up the championship. They also reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and the second round of the FA Trophy, equaling their best-ever run in the competition.

“Having won the Cheshire League title on April 24, the Tigers continued their glory run by beating Stalybridge 2-0 on aggregate in the two-legged Cheshire League Challenge Cup final. They finished the campaign on May 18 by beating second-placed Chorley to lift the challenge shield and so complete an incredible treble.

“What a couple of years/”

[unholyhelbiglinked]

The Fallen | Five

The fresh shirt seemed to cling to my skin in a cold heat. It felt prickly against my skin, but in a good way if that was even possible. It was pitch compared to the white shirt that was coated in more than one layer of dirt and blood. Olivia watched me carefully as I fasted the row of buttons that ran vertically up the middle of the shirt. I wore it when I worked at Olive Garden my Freshman year. The year before everything drastically went wrong.

She was sitting on the edge of my bed, her fingertips pressing against her hairline as Jenna quickly used the bathroom to change into something more comfortable. The large sum of money rested next to the window in the backpack, it's zippers strongly closed. Olivia just stared, her chest moving up and down as her eyes kept sweeping over me.

"You look different" She finally spoke in nothing more than a whisper. "Stronger, I suppose. Just not what you looked like before."

I lifted my eyes from the last button, my jaw clenched. She didn't back down at my stare, not that I wanted her to. She was biting the inside of her cheek like she usually did when she was nervous "You're eighteen now? A senior in high school?"

She scoffed "yeah, Grace. I am."

"Who do you have?" I knelt down to fasten the hiking boot around my ankle, pulling the rough laces tight.

"Who do I-?" She let out a small sigh as she shook her head "Apollo for English, Ramirez for Math, and Christian for gym."

"That's it?"

"That's it." Olivia scratched the back of her neck "They got rid of everything else. You know, self expression and all."

I grunted at this, there had been talk about that when I went to school, the first half of my senior year was said to be the last semester for drama and art. I guess science and social studies were soon to follow when I was gone. Two years was a long time in any given right, but even longer when you had to spend it getting educated on only a few mind numbing subjects. They seemed to be all about test scores.

"We should get going," Jenna startled the both of us. She was leaning on the doorframe, her hair tied up into a pony tail, a dark sweatshirt clinging to her sides. "The next patrol should be in about fifteen minutes. We don't want to get caught here."

My chin lifted slightly as I agreed with the girl, her lips pursing as she made her way to the window. She was giving me some time to say goodbye, something I was thankful for. She grasped the bag and made her way onto the roof after staring at the street to make sure there were no other cars.

I lifted myself off the ground, abandoning tightening the other boot as Olivia stood herself, clearing her throat. She was a mere feet away from me. I had practically raised her but now we were treating each other like strangers. "You know, mom kind of lost it when you left. Truth is, she wouldn't even know if the money was missing..." Olivia glanced away, her eyes glassy "I don't want to cover for you, so that's a good thing."

"Liv, I-" She sniffed as I spoke, a few tears streaming down her face "I don't know how you've survived here these last two years. And I... I would take you with us if I knew what I was capable of."

She nodded, a small whimper moving past her lips. I knew she was scared. We both were. She had kept her guard up this whole entire time, but it slowly dissolved. She was still sixteen in my mind. Sixteen and full of spirit. Her eyes told a different and broken story.

"Gracie," her voice shook as she placed her warm hand in mine, squeezing it slightly "Will you come back for me?"

I swallowed roughly as I nodded "Of course I will, Liv."

My voice broke as I spoke the words that I knew on some level were anything but true. We both knew, but refused to acknowledge it. I couldn't tell her that I didn't even know if I'd be alive to come back. I couldn't tell her that even if I was alive to walk back into this town, I may not even remember who she was. She needed to her broken promises, and I needed to give them.

Her hand was still warm in mine, it took my whole focus to notice it as I pulled her into a strong embrace. She sobbed into my shoulder, my own nose pressed into the nave of her neck as I fought back every sense in myself. I wanted to cry, I wanted to hold her forever, but I couldn't. I knew once I started, I wouldn't be able to stop. My nature was the only thing I had left and I refused to let that crumble out from under me.

"Please, try to remember." She whispered as I pulled away slightly, keeping my hands planted on her shoulders "Unless you're trying to forget."

 Jenna didn't say much on the ride out of town, her eyes focused on side streets where any type of vehicle could be lurking. I had to agree with her, my own mind racing about how the hell this place had gotten so high security. It had been a military based town before, a parent of every household having something to do with the army. But when the army changed, so did the town.

"What'd Olivia say?" She finally mumbled, tightening her grip on the steering wheel. I hummed absentmindedly, glancing over at her.

"Huh?"

"About you.... She seemed to break up a bit after she gave you the money."

"It was a fail-safe, you know?" I glanced out the window as we passed that one stoplight that had held us up for so long. It wouldn't take more than three minutes to get past the county line. "For her that money meant escape. I... I don't think I realized that."

Jenna nodded softly, swallowing as she let out a shaky sigh. She parted her lips as if she was about to say something, but quickly shook her head once again. I stared at her then, clenching my jaw. "What? What's wrong?"

"She had a gun," the girl whispered, something I could barely pick up with my ears.

"What?"

"Grace, you heard me. She had a gun." grey eyes moved to mine for a split second before returning back to the road. "I... I wanted to be sure so I watched her when you went to grab clothes out of your closet. She unloaded it as soon as you did, but it was military issued-"

"Liv wouldn't just turn us in, okay?" I said sternly "You didn't hear her she... she wants to get out of this place."

"Doesn't mean she won't fight to stay in it until she gets a sound plan. That's what we would do and you know it. Cover all the bases." Jenna let out a small sigh "I'm not saying she's working with them-"

"Then what exactly are you saying?" My voice was hard, almost a low growl. I knew Jenna would have no reason to lie to me, we were both on the run, both in this together with little to no memory and an abundance of energy that we just needed to burn off somewhere.

"I'm saying we have to be careful," She snapped, my gaze focused on the long highway in front of us. We passed the county line, both of us too wrapped up in our own argument and thoughts to take notice of the carved apple sign. "She's eighteen and scared, alright? I get that. But so are we... as far as I can remember."

I swallowed anything that was left in my throat, it wasn't much. My whole mouth was dry "She had every right to grab a gun. But she had every right to fire it too. She didn't though. You said she unloaded it?"

"She did." Jenna mumbled softly "I just want both of us to be prepared for everything. Even if that everything involves people we thought we knew turning on us. Like my father. Or maybe even your sister. We just don't know."

"Right," I scoffed, running a hand through my hair "How well do you know this professor at Darlington again?"

"Hannah?" Jenna knit her eyebrows together "pretty well until she disappeared a few years back."

"She what?" I sat up in my seat, raising a brow at the pink haired girl.

"Vanished into thin air" She imitated a small explosion, a tiny smirk on her lips. I stared at her like she had lost her head.

"If she's gone, how the hell are we supposed to find her?" I shook my head "On Darlington nonetheless?"

"You have to know where to look." She sighed, pushing her back into the leather seat "She'll show up. We just have to prove ourselves."

"And how do we do that?" I snorted "This girl sounds completely mad."

"Oh, she is." Jenna cocked her head to the side "So do me a favor, Gracie. Don't piss her off."