It's a story of the rich and the middle class searching to find one's place in the world. A story of two different people, who don't understand each other's culture, background, situation until they are placed together under certain circumstances and learn to understand and accept each other's way of life, learning a few things about themselves in the process.

Dedicated to my friends at Inscriber's Shack, Scribbler's Abode and The Mosaic, which I will give credit to after this chapter.

Without further ado, let us begin...

Jade smiled as she watched the other children on the playground. Their loud laughter and chatter echoed through the Texas?s rolling hills like drums. Everywhere she looked someone was doing something, playing hopscotch, tag, jump rope, but then again the Fenton Elementary school playground had always been a whirlwind of activity. If only she could feel their excitement.
Among the bunch were children of the rich and the poor, normally never placed together except when school was in session. Here on this playground, the children did not care of what their family status was--whether affluent or needy. In this playground, all were caressed by the gentle cool, autumn winds and kissed by the warm sun above, there was no place for prejudice or fear.

Well, at least for most of the children...

The dark girl clad in a denim jacket softly gasped, shielding her face as her eyes wandered towards the end of the playground. "Oh no! Miko, look!" she moaned, her smooth brow now furrowed in worry.

Her friend, sitting next to her, raised a speculative brow and shifted in her seat to face her. "What's the matter, Jade? You don't look so good," she asked, her soft voice coated with concern.

Jade groaned even louder as if trying to be heard over her schoolmates' chatter and leaned back against the chair. "It's them."

"Who's them, Jade?" her friend asked, frowning at Jade's strange behavior. A few moments ago, she and Jade had been discussing the newest doll made by Mattel and how they both were wishing to get it for Christmas but now, all evidence of her friend's excitement now morphed into terror. "What's the matter with you?"

"Them," Jade whispered urgently, gesturing wildly with her head. Her friend's eyes shifted from Jade's pinched face to the end of the playground, where two girls stood, giggling loudly as they whispered among themselves. They seemed so harmless and not at all as terrifying as Jade thought.

"Them?" Miko chuckled sardonically, pointing a stubby finger towards the oblivious girls and shook her head. "C'mon Jade... You scared me for a moment there. Those rich, snobby girls can't hurt a fly." She rolled her eyes and playfully pushed Jade, who was a stiff as a frozen figure.

"Calm down, will ya?" she assured her friend and patted her shoulder. "They won't hurt---"

"Jade!" called a high, mocking voice from in front of them and the two friends turned to see those 'rich, snobby' girls strolling towards them, a redhead pale beauty leading the way.

Her radiantly silky long hair, perfectly-arched brows and pert nose were quite unusual from a ten-year-old kid who normally shouldn't care about their appearance but even the way she walked, revealed her proper training on how to have a rich, snobby, "I'm better than you" personality.

In contrast, the girl behind her with thick, dark hair and tanned complexion did not exude the cat-like grace that the redhead possessed. Instead she stumbled behind the redhead girl as if not sure whether to follow.

"Oh crap..." Miko muttered under her breath and involuntarily shifted in her seat, a wave of trepidation rushing over her body as the redhead's pale eyes narrowed towards Jade, who was now shaking beside her.

"Oh God, they're coming to get me! Miko, please help!" Jade whispered urgently, shifting closer to Miko as the girls finally reached the bench.

"Calm down," Miko breathed between gritted teeth as Jade's fingers dug into her skin. She touched Jade's hand and tried to still her once the girls stood in front of them, the redhead haughtily glaring down at them from her nose.

"What do you think you're doing?" the redhead said quietly but Miko could sense that this was the calm before the storm as she glared at Jade between narrowed eyes traced with dark mascara.

"N-Nothing." Jade stuttered, her eyes lowered to the bench and Miko wanted to scream at her to stand up to the rich snob.

"Doesn't look like nothing to me, Jade... You're doing something you're not supposed to do." The redhead snorted and shifted forward, smirking as Jade leaned back in her seat. "You're in my seat, loser!" she then said impatiently when Jade did not respond. "Who gave you permission to sit in my bench?"

Miko snapped her eyes towards the redhead, about to shout back a retort when the tanned girl gasped. "Sera... L-let's not do this here. The teacher's looking," she quickly pointed towards the swing but the redhead kept her glare on the frightened Jade, obviously not caring whether she would be caught for bullying a fellow student.

"I'm sure Ms. Hannigan will understand why I'm about to teach this girl a lesson for sitting in our bench," she menacingly gripped her fists, cracking her fingers as she moved even closer, ignoring her friend's urgent plea.

"I'll get up," Jade sprung from the chair, not really wanting to know what kind of "lesson" she would be taught besides arithmetic and spelling. "W-we were about to go back to class, anyway."

Miko squeezed her eyes shut in disappointment that Jade was giving up so easily but perhaps it was best not to get involved in a fight over a silly bench that obviously belonged to the school.

She slid off the bench as well as was about to follow Jade into the building when Sera suddenly gripped Jade's arm, sneering as the poor girl whimpered. "And where do you think you're going, orphan?!"

"P-please let me go," Jade whimpered softly as Sera pushed her back towards the seat, causing Miko's blood to boil in restrained anger. How dare this rich snob touch her friend like she had a right? "Ooow!" Jade cried softly as splinters of the wood pierced her palm as she fell against the bench.

"Sera!!!" her friend scolded, her eyes shifting nervously from Jade's bent figure to the teacher who was quite oblivious to the ruckus her friend was now causing. She had no idea that a thing as silly as 'owning' a bench in the school playground would cause all this trouble.

"Oh be quiet, Lina," she rolled her eyes at her friend. "Go ahead and cry, little orphan," Sera jeered towards the crying girl, ignoring her friend as she continued to step closer towards Jade, pushing Lina back. "Next time you'll know not to--"

"You!" Miko finally got her voice back and stepped between Jade's cowering form and Sera's daunting one. "Back off, jerk!" she sneered, poking a finger into Sera's flat chest and glared at her. "Don't ever touch my friend again or you'll deal with me."

By now, a small crowd had formed around the four girls, mostly the boys itching to see a fight and some were even quietly cheering for their favorite girl to win.

"M-miko, please let's just go..." Jade pleaded, gasping for air once she was out of Sera's way. Her eyes shifted towards the swing where Ms. Hannigan was now speaking with one of the students who was jumping a bit too high on the swing set.

Sera stepped back and narrowed her eyes at the scowling girl in front of her. Raising a mocking, curved brow, she giggled haughtily. "And who are you to tell me what to do, slit eyes?"

Some of the kids in the small crowd gasped and Lina's eyes widened as Miko jerked back at Sera's hateful words. "What did you call me, tomato face?" she shot back and the instigating crowd 'ooed' and 'booed' as the girls continued their verbal war.

At the cheering of the group, Ms. Hannigan turned her attention to the middle of the playground and gasped at the sight of four girls in the middle of the crowd, two of them standing relatively close, with their scowling faces almost pressed close together, fists poised in front of them, ready to strike at first hit.

"What on earth is going on here?!" she protested loudly and rushed forward, trying to squeeze her way between the cheering group. "Girls! What are you doing?"

"Oh nothing, Ms. Hannigan," Sera said sweetly, almost making Miko nauseous as she batted her eyes up at the confused teacher. "I was just asking these girls nicely if we could sit with them..."

Miko gasped in horror and pointed a finger into Sera's chest, "You big fat liar!!!"

"Miko!!" Ms. Hannigan gasped, surprised that ten-year-old girls were not as innocent and sweet as they were back in her day.

Eyes glistening in anger, Sera clenched her jaw tightly and with a primal scream that sounded like a war-cry, she lunged and grabbed for Miko's face.

"Ooow!!! My eyes!" Miko exclaimed, half in pain and in surprise at the redhead's swiftness.

"Oh my Lord," Ms. Hannigan gasped in terror as the girls battled it out in the middle of the playground, their schoolmates except for Lina and Jade, who both stood away from the brawl.

Jade tried to keep in her tears as she watched her best friend getting attacked by the short-tempered Seraphine Wiles. She had no idea that the redhead had a temperament as fiery as her hair--if she had known, maybe she'd have been more careful as to where she sat. Now, Miko was taking the fall for her foolishness.

"Stop it this instant!!!" Ms. Hannigan tried helplessly to pry the two apart without getting hit by the girls' arched nails and baring teeth. It seemed as though the two girls were about to kill each other for the jeering comments made about one another.

Apparently, the playground wasn't as united as assumed. Instead of the playful banter and laughter, the sounds of two angry ten-year-old girls and their scoffing classmates now echoed through the hills and Jade shivered inwardly as the wind stung her tear-stained cheeks.

Among the cheering spectators was a rather anxious fellow, wincing as the two girls dueled it out in the playground. His eyes were half-closed as if hesitant to watch them getting hurt but a bit curious to see who would win.

It wasn't right for them to be fighting with one another, much less abusing each other--they were girls. Weren't guys supposed to be the ones fighting like rascal barbarians and having the teacher yelling at the top of her lungs to separate them?

The bad thing was he knew both girls and although it was very obvious that they didn't like each other, he thought they were too sweet to be caught fighting like animals. It was so painful to watch as Sera whined loudly once Mika grabbed hold of her silky, red hair and twisted it in her hands with vengeance.

The sounds of the children behind him, roaring with laughter and elation as they watched the girls fighting as if this was a gladiator event but frankly, he was not amused and hoped the two girls would quit making a fool of themselves.

Just as the girls continued to attack each other like two furious lionesses fighting over their next meal, a loud authoritative noise thundered over the children's cries. "What is the meaning of this?!?! Mikako!!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs and immediately, the noise abruptly faded except for Ms. Hannigan's pathetic whimpering.

Everyone tured slowly to where Ms. Hannigan stood crouched in horror with her eyes squeezed shut, to see a tall pale woman with a similar hairstyle to that of one of the fighters.

Her straight brow was now bowed in silent fury as she glared down at the children, her fists clenched and her mouth took on a firm, stubborn look that identified her as none other than Miko's angry mother.

Quickly, Miko sprang from the floor and let go of Seraphine's tangled red hair, wiping her sweaty palm on her cotton skirt as she shuffled away from the scene, as if to convince her mother that she was just part of the audience and not the main event.

"Mikako, you owe me an explanation," her mother glared down at her, ignoring the soft cries from Sera's bent form as Ms. Hannigan and Lina hesitantly helped her to her feet. "What is this I am seeing--my own daughter in a fight, on the playground?"

"But Ma, she--" Miko began, pointing helplessly towards Sera who now covered her face, wiping the alligator tears from her dusty face.

"No buts except yours tonight, Miko," her mother threatened a soft tone, not wanting the eavesdropping schoolmates to hear the heart-to-heart conversation between the two of them.

"After you get home tonight, better believe that your butt will have a meeting with me and my cane--understood?" she said between gritted teeth, furious that her only daughter would bring so much trouble and disgrace to their family name.

Miko shivered at the promise of her mother's words and her backside began throbbing in anxiety. "B-but, Ma... S-she--she started it. I-I--me and Jade were just sitting there and she came--and pushed Jade--and Jade was crying--and--I told the girl to stop--and she called me--slit eyes!"

Tears of frustration ran down Miko's dusty face from being caught at avenging her friend and the fact that her mother misunderstood her gallant act.

"So why didn't I see Jade in the middle of the fight?" her mother raised a speculative brow at her daughter, not at all convinced that a pale, scrawny redhead had instigated the fight. As Miko's mother, she knew her daughter was very outspoken and somewhat rascally so there was a 99.99 percent chance that Miko had started the fight.

Miko didn't even bother to ask her mother why she was in the school during lunchtime and just believed it was fate playing its hateful tricks on her as usual. It seemed whenever she behaved like an angel and never caused any trouble, her mother was M.I.A. but once there was a hint of trouble that spelled Miko's name, her mother came running so fast to witness the event and then later have a meeting with her daughter and the infamous cane.

Miko bent her head in defeat, knowing there was no arguing with her mother and began prepping herself for another "whooping" in the privacy of her home when suddenly, the sounds of rushing feet occupied the silence.

"Oh snaps!!! Check it out, Heath! Another fight in one day--this is the sweet life!" one kid cried in elation as he glanced over towards the swings where the kids gathered again.

"Oh no! Not again!!" the kid named Heath, cowered back from the fight and groaned inwardly as he spotted Sera approaching the frightened dark girl who shifted away from her.

Wheezing hard as she recovered from her first fight with the Asian girl, Sera narrowed her fiery eyes towards Jade who tried to walk away before she was attacked. However, Sera was too quick and too angry for the poor girl and before she could move away, Jade felt Sera's fingers wrap themselves tightly around her arm and she let out a cry as she was jerked back violently.

"Just where do you think you're going, little orphan!!! You're going to pay for making a fool of me!" Sera whispered threateningly and Jade's eyes widened as the redhead curled her little fists.

Miko and her mother snapped their attention towards the swings and Miko glanced up at her mother to see her eyes widened in surprise. "See I told you it wasn't me!!" She rushed towards the swings, with her mother at her tails. "Jaden!!!"

It was almost as if this was an action movie and the whole attack was in slow motion as Miko struggled to push past the cheering schoolmates, screaming Jade's name as Sera prepared to lunge on her. "JADE!!!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Jade cried, her tiny voice echoing through the hills as Sera jumped off the floor and with her arms spread wide, she grabbed the frightened girl's legs and pulled her down to the ground where her fists were waiting to attack.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!" she cried as the fists approached her face and snapped her eyes open, gasping for air as she rose, her chest heaving laboriously. Frantically, her tired eyes scanned the room as if searching for the flying fists that were aimed for her face.

At that thought, her hands rose to her face, searching for any signs of permanent bruising or a missing eye and thankfully, there were none.

Groaning inwardly as she lowered her hands to the hard, springy mattress beneath her, Jade took a deep breath and blinked slowly, waiting for her heart to return its gentle, rhythmic pace. Once her eyes adjusted to the dusty sunlight that seeped in through the tiny windows on either side of her bed, she let out a soft chuckle and shook her head.

Ridiculous as it seemed, Jade was still traumatized over that attack in the school playground, from thirteen years ago. That nightmare seemed to creep back once or twice a month, as if to make her aware of her misfortune, her lack of self-confidence and self worth.

It was incredible that although Miko's mother was able to separate Jade from Sera's furious attacks, she still continued to battle ominous fear that the same angry, violent ten-year-old rich kid could still hurt her now as a twenty-three year old woman.

Shaking her head to clear her mind, Jade weakly shifted her sore legs to one side of the mattress that rested against the wall. She rose to her feet and groaned as she bent over her sore back to make the bed, taking note of the old, peeling wallpaper in front of her.

"This is insane," she muttered to herself as her own cries from thirteen years ago echoed in her throbbing ears. It was insane that she was the one punished instead of the rich kid, who didn't instigated two fights.

Once the principal finished his lunch in the cafeteria and heard about the chaos outside, he rushed to call Sera's parents and Jade's auntie to the scene. The three sets of guardians, including Miko's mother, watched warily as the principal lectured all three girls for their 'bad behavior' and sent them off with their parents.

Both Miko and Jade were punished by spankings for 'disgracing' their family names while little Miss-Richie-pants didn't even get one lecture as her parents smothered her with kisses, hugs and of course, candy and new toys to ease her 'suffering."

The next day, Miko and Jade watched with reddened eyes and sore backsides as Sera skipped around the school, showing off her new stuff to the kids.

It simply wasn't fair that both Miko and Jade were punished for something they didn't do, punished and forced to watch Sera prove to her classmates that violence on innocent, poor girls did pay very well, apparently according to her parents and the school who received great funds and compensation from her family's abundant salary.

Jade snorted sardonically as she shuffled across the creaking wooden floor beneath her, stepping quietly as not to wake her Aunt Gigi. It was almost seven in the morning and not having any sleep at all made Jade more reluctant to head for class.

As quickly as she could, Jade took a cold shower, silently cursing the electric company for not being kind enough to wait until the night before they turned off the warm water. Making a silent note to pay the electric bills immediately as she returned from work that night, she donned on a simple t-shirt and old jeans, brushed the sleep from her tangled hair and rushed into her auntie's room.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," a soft, maternal voice said once Jade quietly sneaked into the room to check on her aunt.

Jade offered a gentle smile, turning around to see her aunt resting on the bed, already dressed in her favorite, colorful woven sweater and casual jeans. Her head was bent as she read one of her favorite books, Wuthering Heights. "Good morning, Aunt Gigi."

"Ready for school?" Aunt Gigi asked, putting her book on the bed and swung her legs to the side of the bed.

Jade sighed, stifling a yawn as she walked towards Aunt Gigi's side, ready to assist her. "A little tired this morning but yeah, I guess I am."

Slowly, Aunt Gigi rose to her feet and studied her only niece carefully, taking in her droppy eyes and slack mouth. "When did you get in yesterday?" she asked suspiciously.

Jade evaded her aunt's scrutiny and busied herself with a stubborn thread that was loose on her old jeans. Twisting it between her fingers, she bit her bottom lip and cleared her throat before speaking, "Uh, just after one this morning."

"One!!!" her aunt's eyes widened and she stepped back for a moment.

"W-we had to stay back for a little bit longer yesterday to clear the storeroom and stack the shelves with the new merchandise," Jade protested softly as Aunt Gigi's brow furrowed in disapproval.

Her aunt shook her head, "They work you kids too hard in that shop--don't they have any more workers that can alternate shifts?"

"Aunt Gigi, don't worry so much. It's a new store, remember? I'm sure when business picks up, I won't be staying too late outside, I promise." She gathered her aunt's bowed frame in a hug to silence her protests and nestled her chin against Aunt Gigi's frail shoulders. "Don't worry so much."

"It's my duty to worry... I'm your aunt, for goodness' sa--" she stopped talking and pushed away from Jade's grip.

Jade barely had time to react as her auntie shoved past her, chest heaving. The old woman?s hollow cough was enough to shake the walls, but it only attacked her quaking frame. Jade hovered with each attack, wondering if at a moment her auntie's frame would break. Auntie Gigi sounded too much like an old sick patient.
Jade winced as Aunt Gigi bowed her frame, wheezing loudly as she struggled to recover.

Jade's heart raced at the sound of Aunt Gigi?s audible sniffle, but she bit her bottom her lip to stop her own tears. She mustn't cry. It would do no good to cry. Aunt Gigi hated pity.

This was not the first time she had witnessed such a terrifying sight for since she'd come to live with her aunt more than twenty years ago, Aunt Gigi had always had that wheezing cough. However, it still troubled her and Jade couldn't help but count the days when she'd receive her next paycheck so that she could take Aunt Gigi to the doctors.

If only Aunt Gigi would just agree to follow her to the doctor but the old woman was as stubborn and strong-willed as a goat and refused to take any of her niece's hard earned cash.

"Aunt Gigi," Jade started to say once the tears subsided and she squeezed her aunt's shoulders gently. "Maybe we need to go see a doctor or---"

"N-No, I'll be fine," Gigi protested, wiping the stray tears from her weathered face. "You know it's my old body reacting with this cold weather front coming in, that's all."

Jade shook her head urgently and turned her aunt to face her directly. "No Aunt Gigi, this was happening even before the autumn settled in... I really would like for us to see a doctor about this. I've been saving some money and my next paycheck is coming in this time next week, so we can---"

Gigi pushed her niece's hands away and glared up at her. "That's out of the question, Jaden! That money is for your school."

Jade bit back a loud groan as her aunt continued to lecture her on how saving for her college education was more important and she shook her head fervently. "Aunty, your health is more important to me than a college degree..."

Gigi stopped talking at Jade's outburst and she sighed heavily. "Look Jaden, I know you're worried about me but I care too much about your future to see you waste any more money on a silly thing as this cough. It has always been like this and it goes away, doesn't it?"

'But then it comes back again and with vengeance,' Jade wanted to add, remembering the times when this wheezing cough had just been a soft, harmless one. But from the sounds she'd heard everyday of her aunt's hoarse voice caused by the consistent, painful coughing, she knew it wasn't just a mere cough anymore. Her auntie needed medical attention and fast.

"Yes, Auntie," she murmured, making a silent note to continue saving a bit of money for her auntie's trip to the clinic as soon as possible.

Feeling like she'd won this argument, Aunt Gigi beamed up at her niece and patted Jade's slack arm. "Now be a dear and get me some water to clear my chest, will you?"

Once Jade shuffled into the adjacent door next to her bed to get some water, her smile faded and she lowered her head, confirming that the cough attack had taken its toll on her slight frame.

However, once Jade appeared with a full glass of water and extended it to her aunt, Gigi smiled kindly and lifted the cool glass to her mouth, gulping the water down so fast, drops moisturizing her parched lips.

As Gigi quickly drank the soothing liquid, Jade studied her warily, noting her aunt's fragile frame, her weary face and dry mouth. Although she was not in medical school or any form of health related major, the mathematics student could tell that this sickness was not just a mere cough and was more serious that Gigi let on.

Once Gigi handed her the empty cup, Jade nodded and patted her aunt's shoulder. "Do you want any food before I head for school?"

Aunt Gigi shook her head, "I'm not too hungry right now, I'll get something later in the day." She squeezed Jade's arm and managed a weak smile. "Now go get some breakfast before your long day."

Jade nodded and headed for the quiet kitchen where dusty sunlight peeked through the basement window, a smell of old furniture and dampened clothes that had been washed earlier and were now sitting in a laundry basket on the counter.

Ignoring the clothes for a moment, Jade reached inside the fridge and pulled out a jar of peanut butter and jelly. "What about some tea?" she murmured once she heard her aunt's slow steps by the table behind her.

"I'm fine," Gigi assured her niece in an impatient tone, getting a bit annoyed by her constant needling. Wasn't she the one who should be doing the worrying, the strong one who took care of her niece and not the other way around? She sighed inwardly and took a seat on the small dining table, placing her book on the table.

"Okay, sorry," Jade muttered, rolling her eyes as her aunt mumbled unintelligibly behind her. She spread a generous amount of strawberry jelly on the cool wheat bread and added the same amount of peanut butter.

"Can't you eat a more balanced diet with eggs and sausage--peanut butter is not exactly healthy," Gigi grumbled from her chair.

"Says who?" Jade chuckled, not at all surprised at her auntie's words. She always ate peanut butter sandwiches in the morning and every day, Gigi would warn her about the danger in not eating a balanced diet. "I'll have you know that peanut butter is a healthy source of protein."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Gigi rolled her eyes heavenward as Jade replaced the peanut butter and jelly jars back to the fridge and came to sit opposite her on the small wooden table. "But eggs and sausage are a better source of protein, Jaden."

Jade shook her head in silent mirth and bit into her packed sandwich, closing her eyes in bliss as the creamy peanut butter touched her tongue. "Sure..."

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Jaden," Gigi scolded her half-heartedly and Jade rolled her eyes once more. It seemed as though no matter how old Jade got, Gigi would always have cause to discipline her only niece.

"Yes Auntie," Jade said, still with her mouth full of mashed peanut buttery bread and she chuckled as Gigi cringed at the sight.

"You're silly," Gigi shook her head and turned her eyes to the narrow windows by the sink, taking in the overcast sky and the trees swaying gently in their yard. "Seems like it's going to be a rainy day."

"Ugh. I hope not--that bus takes a while in the mornings and I don't feel like standing outside, soaked and sleepy..." Jade groaned, taking another bite of her sandwich, now glancing warily out the window.

Gigi took a moment to study her niece's face and frowned. "Did you have that dream again?" she asked quietly, cocking her head.

"How did you know?" Jade asked, her slim shoulders raised helplessly. Was it that obvious in her face that she was still traumatized by being attacked by a short, pale redhead rich kid?

"Your red eyes and slack mouth," Gigi said softly and her brow furrowed. "I also heard you shouting from my room earlier this morning..."

"Oh..." Jade muttered, her cheeks burning in embarrassment and disappointment in herself. She couldn't believe she had actually screamed aloud during the nightmare--hadn't she outgrown talking in her sleep as well?

"Sweetie, that was thirteen years ago," Gigi reminded her softly, remembering all too well that day when Jade came home with a black eye, tear-stained cheeks and a bruised spirit.

Although she had 'disciplined' her niece with a few spanks on her backside for being caught in a fight, she soon realized that Jade had just been a victim of prejudice and scorn from the rich kids on the playground.

Of course, when she realized that Jade and Miko had been wronged, Gigi rushed to the school to confront the principal for his bias and unprofessional handling of the fight but he dismissed her, saying that all things were settled.

Yeah right! It was 'settled' for only the rich kid and her parents while the two 'poorer' girls were punished for something they didn't do. It angered her that prejudice and discrimination even extended to the school playground where the innocent children were supposed to be united.

Swallowing the last bit of her sandwich, Jade glared at her aunt and Gigi sighed heavily. "I know what happened was unfair to both you and Miko, and I wish there was something we could've done to fix the wrong but Jaden, we need to move on."

Jade finished her sandwich and shook her head. "Auntie, it's not only the fact that she attacked both me and Miko--she also called us terrible names, a name that I didn't even know applied to me..." She narrowed her eyes at her aunt who now shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Why didn't you tell me that I was an orphan before she did?" Tears gathered at her eyes against her will and Jade clenched her jaw, angry that this issue still affected her the way it did thirteen years ago.

Gigi swallowed hard and bent her head, saddened by the sudden look of distrust on Jade's face.

Jade watched expectantly at Gigi's bowed head, waiting for her to give an explanation as to why she didn't have parents anymore. Before Sera had scornfully told her the truth that Gigi had meant to keep secret forever, Jade believed the lie that both her parents were on a long journey visiting the world and would one day come to see her and take her home with them.

Even after the years passed and no parents showed up in front of Gigi's creaky wooden door, Jade held on to the 'lie' that her parents were going to come back from Europe. That they would bring with them, cute dolls and new dresses that she envied when on the playground, watching all the rich kids show off their new clothes and nifty gadgets.

Quietly as a child, she had prayed that her parents would hurry up and come see her, but she loved Gigi too much to voice out her desires. Even so as an adult, Jade still didn't understand why Aunt Gigi refused to tell her where her parents were.

Seeing that Gigi was not going to answer her question even after thirteen years of asking the same thing, Jade shot to her feet and stormed out of the door. "I'm going to be late for school... See you later, Auntie," she muttered, fed up with her aunt's hesitance to answer her.

Wasn't she old enough to handle the truth? She didn't care if Gigi had lied about her parents not coming back but she was angry that Gigi hadn't told her of her parents' death. Couldn't she be repentant enough to at least give her the details, no matter how gory it was?

As the kitchen door slammed shut behind Jade, Gigi winced and raised her head, tears gathering at her swollen eyes as she groaned silently. How could she not have known that this day would come, the day when Jade would want to know of her parents and why she was living with Gigi?

When she had taken the crying little toddler into her home that day, almost twenty years ago, she never thought it would be so hard to keep a secret from the girl, especially an inquisitive smart child as her Jade.

Blinking rapidly, Gigi stifled a cough that ominously crept up her throat. Would she ever be brave enough to tell Jade one day, of her existence, her past?

Fuming, Jade threw the soiled paper plate in the trashcan next in the bathroom and hastily wiped the tears from her eyes before storming down the hallway and out of the house.

It wasn't fair that Gigi kept secrets from her, especially this one. For goodness' sake, it was her parents--her life, a life she didn't know existed until a big-mouthed rich brat decided to make her life a living misery.

Wanting so much to escape her anger and the sight of her troubles with her sick auntie, the humid house from lack of air conditioner, the blinking lights from the unpaid electric bills, Jade stormed out the house, sniffing back her angry tears.

A twinge of guilt came upon her once she twisted open the front door and met the cool, windy air. She had noticed the dejected look on Aunt Gigi's face and for a moment, Jade considered going back inside to apologize for her outburst.

However, remembering the 'million-and-one' times she'd begged her aunt to tell her what happened to her parents and was repeatedly lied to, her jaw clenched and she stubbornly strode her way through the dewy grass.

Wrinkling her nose as she glanced back to the side of her house where her aunt's damp clothes were hung and spread on the clothesline, Jade made another mental note to save money for a decent but cheap washer and dryer.

It was somewhat embarrassing that they couldn't afford a washing machine and Jade remembered the blisters she sported on her hands from hand washing each cloth and hanging them to dry.

But Aunt Gigi didn't complain that sometimes her clothes were brought in dirty and rumpled from being swayed in the wind and dropped to the muddy grass in strong winds.

Stifling another yawn, Jade managed to pull off the worrisome thread on her pant leg and groaned loudly as it gave way to another loose thread. There was no time or money to shop for new clothes and even working in a clothing factory did not give her enough money to compensate for her piling bills, much less a decent wardrobe.

Tucking in the thread to keep herself from pulling it out and making a mess of her jeans, Jade glanced up at the cloudy, ominous sky and her mouth drew into a straight, firm line. "If you really care, please don't let it rain today.." she said quietly to no one in particular.

Of course her aunt was quite a religious woman who prayed and tried to read her Bible whenever she could but Jade was none too happy with "the Man upstairs," especially considering the undesirable conditions they lived in. Would it hurt for whoever was in charge of the fate of lives to at least poor some sort of mercy on Aunt Gigi and heal her from her ailments?

Before she could continue her musing, the undeniable screeching of brakes as a large, yellow bus swerved around the corner of the quiet streets and rolled to a stop in front of Jade's bungalow. Hesitating whether to take her chances with the open road than enter a dangerous bus, Jade took one glance up at the ominous clouds above and sighed, settling for the covered bus.

Birds whistled their morning song, perched on top the oak trees that stood tall surrounding the white-brick wall and two young men sat on a bench resting against the tree, discussing among themselves quietly. Their long legs clad in designer jeans rested against the dewy grass and the one in a red shirt tapped his sneakered feet rhythmically as if there was music around him other than the birds' cheerful song.

The other one clad in a teal sweater leaned against the spine of the bench and sighed heavily as his friend studied him with raised brows. "Just let it go, Pierce," he murmured, his voice deep and husky as if he just woke up a few minutes ago.

"Don't you even feel a little sorry that she broke up with you?" his friend with a dark shaggy haircut asked incredulously, his shoulders lifted.

"I already told you, I broke up with her!" the one with a more civilized haircut and he exasperatedly pushed back the bangs from his eyes. "Do you ever listen?"

Pierce shook his head, "I just don't believe you. There is no way that she let you break up with her--no way, man." His eyes traveled along the grass to where two slim girls stood in front of the library, leaning against each other with aloof expressions on their striking faces.

"I mean look at her---beautiful, sexy, tall. How can you break up with such a girl like that?"

Heath narrowed his eyes at him and raised a brow and Pierce raised hands in mock surrender, "Hey, I can't help it that she's hot!" He frowned as Heath suddenly lost interest in the two beautiful girls and was now staring towards the street.

Pierce turned his eyes to see a dark, tall girl in faded jeans, a fitted t-shirt and a bright-red messenger bag, get off the bus that now pulled in front of the library. He watched Heath wince as she tripped and staggered forward before rushing to the door. The two girls snickered and moved out the way as the breathless girl huffed past them.

As the breathless girl pushed the large, wooden door of the library, causing a loud creak to resonate through the quiet paper walls of the building, she smiled sheepishly towards the librarian. The poor woman had been resting her eyes in the stillness of the room and was jarred awake by the swinging door.

"Sorry," the young woman whispered loudly and shuffled away from the swinging door.

The librarian blinked quickly, adjusting her eyes to the light and stifled a yawn, watching as the slender girl made her way to one of the free computers standing in the corner of the room.

Once the girl settled down and stopped making noise with her heels and shuffling backpack, the sluggish librarian shifted her eyes to the front of the room and made sure that the students were working before lowering her eyelids for another rest.

With the constant droning of the computer in front of her, Jade leaned back against the straight chair and waited for the monitor to warm up. She sighed with gratitude as the monitor flashed awake and she reached for the mouse, ready to check her email.

It was quite unfortunate that the only time she could check her email or use computer was in school since she could not even afford to buy a graphic calculator for her math courses, much less a desktop computer.

After she'd paid the rent, electric and water bills, school tuition, which already cost an arm and a leg, plus saving for her aunt's trip to the hospital, there was no money left to buy anything for herself. It was a good thing that she was quite talented with mental math and didn't really need a calculator for homework or tests but it would be great to have a computer to call her own.

Sighing and scolding herself for the wave of self-pity that rushed through her body, Jade logged into her email account and leaned forward to read her messages.

On the screen of the monitor, Jade noticed the mailbox icon blinking and clicking the mouse, she quickly scanned the message.

Good morning Jaden LaReu.
Is it possible for you to meet with me tomorrow in my office, at the latest noon? I have some things to discuss with you. Make sure to sign in when you come to the Sociology building to see me. I should be there when you come, so just drop by.
Sincerely, Professor Farrow.

Jade frowned as she read over the message again, her heart jumping in anxiety as she took note of his last few words. 'Tomorrow at noon--meet to discuss some things.'

She bit her bottom lip as she read it one more time, trying to decipher a secret code that could be in the letter but to no avail, she sighed heavily and turned off the computer. Leaning against the chair, Jade reached for a pen and scribbled a note-to-self about the meeting on her palm.

As she was about to head back outside to her next class that was across the Briarton college campus, Jade suddenly heard a distinctive voice loudly whisper her name from the back of the library.

Spinning around on her heels, she scanned the almost-empty library room and smiled, noticing a tanned girl in a green-striped cotton tube top and loose jeans sitting by herself. Quietly, she waved towards her and headed in that direction.

"Hey Fallon," she whispered, taking a seat opposite the girl who was now reading a textbook, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. "What's up?"

Once Jade settled in the chair across from her, the brunette raised her head and scowled. "This doesn't make sense to me. You took *Diff Eq* last semester, right?"

*Diff EQ = Differential Equations "considered one of the most advanced math courses taken in college.

Jade grimaced and shifted in her seat, leaning forward to study the girl's textbook, which had many formulas and equations that to a normal student would've looked like hieroglyphics. "Yeah, and it was torture. I barely passed."

"Please," muttered a voice from beside them and both girls turned to see a redhead, freckled-faced slim young man who was sitting by a computer, undoubtedly surfing the Internet on his study break. "Jade, you made a A-minus and messed up the curve for everyone in that class."

"Don't you just hate people like that?" Fallon chuckled, shaking her head in mock disapproval towards Jade who shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "Come on, Jade, you know we're just messing with you. Now share the wealth quickly, I have a test in two hours."

Jade rolled her eyes heavenward and shook her head in mirth, "Fallon, how come you always wait until the day of to start studying?" And before her friend could respond, she turned her attention to the boy who was typing furiously in his computer chair. "And you, Rueben, I don't remember you being in that class..."

Rueben laughed aloud which rewarded him a glare and a loud "shh" from the annoyed librarian who had been awakened from her slumber. He lowered his voice and turned to face Jade. "I dropped out of the class after the first exam--that man must be the devil himself with all those tests. Surprised that anyone passed, much less got an A-minus, smarty pants," he teased her.

Jade's cheeks warmed and she tore her eyes away, clearing her throat at the embarrassment of his words. "Well, anyway, ah--I guess I could help. What part do you need help with?"

As Fallon pointed out the problem questions assigned by the infamous Diff EQ professor, Rueben soon grew bored listening to Jade explain the theories that make his brain throb violently.

Not wanting to hear any more about third derivatives and blasted vectors, he whispered urgently. "Hey girls... Did you hear about the crush party?"

Jade raised a brow, glancing quickly from Fallon's annoyed expression at being interrupted to Rueben's eager one.

"What party?" she asked hesitantly, already sure she was not interested but wanted to ask anyway. With her time consuming job, heaps of unfinished homework and no social life, there was no way she had time but that didn't curb her curiosity.

"The popular Phi Eta Sigma sorority always have a huge blowout party right before midterm exams and I hear it's gonna to be a blast. Fallon and I will be going," he whispered from his seat, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively at the brunette, chuckling as she rolled her eyes in aggravation. "And you should really come along, Jade."

"I don't know," Jade muttered and Fallon sighed rather loudly, causing two other students to turn their attention towards their table.

"Let loose, my friend," Fallon urged her. "You only live once and that's in college. Just come with us to the party. I know you won't regret it."

Rueben didn't stay long to hear Jade's answer as he swiftly rose to his feet and reached for his keys, irritating the lethargic librarian further as he jingled it absentmindedly in his hands. "Well, I'll check with Fallon later to see what your decision is, alright?"

Jade opened her mouth to protest as the slender young man bounced his way out the door, taking one minute to salute to the librarian who glared at him on his way out. She then raised a brow towards Fallon who had an amused smile on her face, "Look, I never said I would be going--I was just curious. You know I have tons of work."

Fallon shrugged her broad shoulders and pushed the book closer to her, already forgetting the most difficult exam that would affect her GPR was in approximately two hours. "I know what, Jade, but ever since Rueben and I first met you, that's all you've been doing. School and work and school and work. Catch my drift?"

Jade sighed heavily and leaned her elbows against the wooden table. "Well I have many responsibilities that I can't compromise, you know that." She bit her bottom lip, as the memory of her aunt's painful cough echoed in her mind.

Fallon nodded solemnly, "And I understand where you're coming from, but you still need some 'me' time, girlie..."

"I know," Jade muttered softly, taking in her friend's worried glance. It would be fun to go hang out with Fallon and her flamboyant twin brother without having to worry about what tomorrow might bring. To get up in the morning and no wonder whether she and her aunt would have money to survive on or if she would have to quit school because of lack of funds.

Jade sighed once more, knowing in her heart that she just couldn't abandon her responsibilities--not now that Aunt Gigi depended on her to work and provide for them.

She was about to respond to Fallon's invitation when the door opened and brusque male laughter was heard from the front of the library where two lanky young men stood by the librarian's desk.

Watching silently, Jade and Fallon raised their brows as one of them with black hair cut in a messy mullet snickered, nudging his friend. "C'mon man, admit it, she's the hottest chick you've ever been with."

Fallon stifled a giggle as Jade glared towards him as if they had offended her.

"Just shut up and sit down," Heath said, clad in faded jeans and a turquoise sweater that left two buttons at his collar open.

He glanced around him, taking note of the dark girl sitting on the table beside theirs. He frowned at the evident scowl on her face, rolled his eyes and turned back to Pierce. "Dude, shut up, this is a library..."

The mullet-head continued to laugh loudly, "Just admit it, Heath, you're regretting it already, aren't ya?"

Heath scowled and kicked him under the table as the librarian turned her glare towards them from the front of the room. "Shut u---" he faltered, his mouth ajar as he stared straight ahead, his teal-green eyes widened slightly.

"What?" Mullethead aka Pierce whispered fiercely, finally getting the point of why the library was meant to be a quiet place. When Heath remained silent, he swung around in his chair, glossy bangs hitting his eyes as he strained to see what caught his buddy's attention.

"Uh-oh," he crooned as he spotted two slim young women striding into the library, their three-inch heels clicking in synchronization as their hips swayed towards their table.

The fiery redhead with pale, perfect complexion and a soft-looking pouty mouth led the way as her eyes scanned the almost-empty room before settling down on their table. A slightly curvier young woman with tanned skin and chiseled features lagged behind her, studying her nails absentmindedly as if she didn't want to follow her friend.

"Dude, they're coming this way," Pierce whispered a bit louder this time and both Jade and Fallon glanced towards the front of the room, watching with curiosity as the two girls walked slowly to the table where the two guys sat with their mouths agape.

"Calm down, remain calm," Heath muttered as the redhead reached the table first and she studied them quietly. Her light eyes turned slowly to meet Heath's as he stared at her from beneath his long, dark and glossy bangs.

Even if no one had been informed that these two had dated on and off since their first year in junior high school, just by the intense gaze they gave each other was explanatory enough.

The redhead, who had seemed so confident and agile, now stumbled closer to the table, shuffling her feet as if she didn't know what to do. Whether to run back to Heath's arms and beg for forgiveness or walk out of there with her dignity intact and her emotions unrevealed.

At this time, six pairs of eyes watched her silently; Jade and Fallon peering from their table as they watched the noisy group warily, the two young men sitting in front of her waiting for her to make some kind of movement, gesture, something---and her friend who now stood behind her, frowning as she skidded to a stop.

It was in her friend's hesitance then that the slim, seemingly docile Hispanic girl came to life as she stepped towards the table and beamed down at the two guys.

"Hiya fellers'," she teased and the boys' attention turned quickly to hers as they muttered their hellos, Heath glancing at the corner of his eye to see the redhead, his ex-girlfriend, with her head bent and absentmindedly studying her well-manicured French-painted nails.

Ignoring the half-hearted greeting, she rounded the corner of the table and plopped on the seat beside Heath before her friend had a chance to interrupt, then winking secretively towards her as if to say, 'Trust me on this,' she bounced her thick, dark hair over her bare shoulders.

Her hesitant companion sat beside Pierce who discreetly stuck out his tongue playfully at Heath and winked towards her. "And how are you this morning, dear one?" He winced as Heath kicked him under the table.

She raised a brow at him, entirely unaware that Pierce was trying to prove that Heath was definitely not over his ex-girlfriend as he claimed to be. Shifting his gaze from the girl's confused features, he noticed Heath's clenched jaw and laughed aloud.

At the sound of Pierce's shrill laughter that sounded like a pack of hyenas had been let loose in the library, Jade snapped her eyes towards the table behind Fallon. "Are they serious?" she gritted through clenched teeth. "What on earth don't they understand about the words silence?"

She glanced towards the front of the room to see if the librarian would make a fuss as she did earlier with Rueben's outburst but to her surprise, the librarian seemed to ignore them as though she found earplugs and was now content with the noise.

This is ridiculous, she muttered to herself, turning her eyes back to the group.

"They act like this is the first time they've been to the library." She winced as Pierce continued to laugh and in addition to that, the lack of sleep from the night before soon began its effect as the sides of her head started throbbing painfully.

Fallon could hear the sheer irritation in her Jade's voice and noticing the flash of pain that appeared on her face, she frowned. "Try not to let it bother you, Jade... There will always be people like that who never follow the rules."

She bit her bottom lip as the obnoxious Mullethead continued his laughter and soon the Hispanic girl's flirtatious, high-pitched laughter joined in. She too glanced towards the front of the room, her eyes widened in surprise as the librarian sat reading a book, totally ignoring the noise that resonated through the walls.

"They're just rich, spoiled kids who always get their way..." she added bitterly, taking note of the girls' designer jeans, skimpy tops, newly-permed hairs and fresh makeup before staring down at her own frumpy top and jeans.

Apparently, the librarian feared getting in trouble with one of the kids who was most likely to tell their parents, undoubtedly the few sponsors for the university. Perhaps that was why she didn't seem to mind their chaos, which was definitely a roar compared to her twin brother's.

"So I said to the bloke--dude, you're in the wrong room. This is the janitor's lounge,' Pierce snickered, rather proud of his own joke.

Heath and the redhead who sat quietly next to him shook their head in distaste, obviously not appreciating his sense of humor but the Hispanic girl frowned. "I don't get it--so what were you doing in the janitor's lounge?" She shuddered at the thought of what that room looked like and in her mind, it wasn't a pleasant place to be.

"I was actually looking for---"

Jade's headache was exponentially increasing every moment that boy opened his mouth. Ignoring her friend's urgent plea, she pursed her lips and spat out a phrase the librarian should have voiced out when the noisy group came in. "Shhhh.... This is a library," she forced out.

The place suddenly grew silent as soon as Jade finished the last syllable of li-bra-ry and Fallon could've sworn that she heard a pin drop on the wooden floor as Jade continued to glare over her head. "Oh no..." she said quietly as the silence droned on.

Pierce stopped speaking immediately at the dark girl's outburst and from the corner of his eye, he studied her furious expression for a moment, not really understanding why she was glaring at him.

"Who is she talking to?" he whispered, not wanting to annoy her even further, although it seemed funny that she had cried out so angrily from her side of the table. Maybe she was having an argument with her friend but then again, she was staring dead straight at him.

The redhead's mouth dropped as the silence carried on, her eyes turning towards the other table.

"I think she was talking to you," she said softly, flabbergasted at the girl's outburst.

Glancing from one friend to another, trying to see if any of them knew the girl personally. But by the blank, yet confused looks on each of their faces, she realized that this girl had rudely 'called them out,' and her blood boiled within her veins as her jaw clenched visibly.

"What the crap is her problem?" the Hispanic girl muttered between closed lips as if like Pierce, she didn't want to provoke the girl's anger.

Just then, the sweet somewhat hesitant look on the redhead's face suddenly faded as a new furious, short-tempered glare replaced it and Heath watched in shock as his ex-girlfriend swiveled around in her chair and called across the table.

"Excuse me, just who the heck are you talking to?" her hands flailing as it always did whenever she was in a bad mood.

"Uh-oh," Pierce muttered, peering up from beneath his bangs at Heath who stared openmouthed as their angry friend began to fling insults towards the girl on the other table.

"Maybe you should read the sign next time you enter the library," Jade shot back, ignoring the painful twists at the side of her head as the headache continued its revenge.

She snapped her finger towards the door and raised her brow inquisitively, "If you weren't too busy worried about your makeup and designer jeans getting dirty, you would've noticed it said 'Silence in the Library.'"

Pausing momentarily as the redhead snorted mockingly, Jade narrowed her eyes and then continued. "If you lower your stuck-up nose from the sky, maybe you'd notice that other people are in here trying to get an education that they paid for..."

As the headache finally took over her head, she winced and lowered her hands to the table, her eyes now turned to Fallon's raised brows.

As the girl's lecture ceased and the room returned to the stifling silence, the Hispanic girl chuckled softly and lifted a finger to the side of her head, motioning that the girl was crazy.

"Es loca," she attempted to put a smile on her friend's face but the redhead was furious as her pale face was now red as a beet, her pouty mouth now pursed into a thin, angry line.

"You okay, Sera?" she whispered, nudging her under the table when her friend continued to sit in silence.

"Yeah, are you okay?" Heath finally spoke once the yelling contest was over, also surprised that the librarian hadn't stirred once since they entered the library.

Seraphine heaved a sigh and lifted her eyes to him and his heart skipped within his ribs as she glared at him.

Uh-oh. He knew that look very well and it suddenly put him on guard, his broad shoulders stiffening in response. "Sera, please don't," he pleaded with her, first with his eyes and then softly from across the table so only the four of them could hear.

Hearing the urgency in Heath's voice, Sera's friend bit her bottom lip in worry, all jokes aside once she realized what Sera was contemplating. "Oh no, Sera, don't."

"Lina please bug off right now--you're starting to piss me off," Sera muttered between clenched teeth and her friend gasped softly.

Heath gave her a sympathetic look before turning back to Sera. "You don't need to do this..." he whispered, glancing towards the other table where the two girls sat chatting obliviously.

"Oh my goodness," Fallon whispered, anxiety evident in her voice as she lowered her eyes to the table. "Girl, you're going to get in trouble with that mouth of yours."

Jade rolled her eyes, "I'm tired of all these rich kids who think they can just waltz in here like they own the place and make the rules. I don't care if they don't want to study," she began fidgeting with her backpack strap, a habit that showed when she was furious and didn't know what to do with it.

"I don't really care if they don't think college is right for them and want to party all semester---they have their parents supporting them no matter what while the rest of us have to work hard for our money."

"You sound bitter, my dear," Fallon chuckled despite the truth and seriousness of the matter. It was true that the rich kids always came out on top and with the better jobs, even when the poorer class worked their butts off to earn a decent living and pay their own way through school.

"You know it's true," Jade whispered fiercely.

On the other side of the library, all three of Seraphine Wiles' friends were pleading with her--at least two of them were.

Quite attracted to any sort of action, especially fighting, Pierce turned around in his chair to face Sera with an excited look on his face. "What are you gonna do to her?" he asked, a dedicated audience member for whenever Seraphine was in a fight.

The girl was fiercer and stronger than any girl he'd ever witnessed in a fight, which made the action more addictive, more fun to watch--kinda like WWF Series, except that he didn't have need pay-per-view.

"Don't encourage her!" Heath scowled and punctuated his words with a swift kick at Pierce's shins.

He too had also been a witness to Seraphine's many fights, had been the one to take her home after each one and explain to her parents that he hadn't caused them. Even a few occasions, Seraphine had asked him to lie that some girl at school had attacked her while she innocently stood by.

Unaware that two unassuming angels were interceding for her life to be spared from the fiery Seraphine Wiles' hands, Jade chuckled at one of Fallon's poor jokes and shook her head. "I'll think about it, I promise..."

Apparently, she didn't recognize this grownup Seraphine Wiles that continued to haunt her dreams ever since she was ten, didn't realize that this angry redhead was the reason for why her headache persisted and she never got enough sleep.

Instead of worrying about the fury that was brewing silently on the other table, she patted the Diff EQ textbook that lay in the middle of the desk and smiled. "Good luck on your test and with the noisy bunch behind you." She rose slowly to her feet, adjusting her heavy backpack on her shoulders.

"Thanks," Fallon muttered sardonically and rolled her eyes as Jade headed towards the door, laughing softly on her way. She then glanced over her shoulder, worried that the angry redhead would pounce on her once Jade left the building.

Heath couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief as the girl in question strode across the room and headed for the door.

Good... She was leaving, he glanced quickly towards Lina and gave her a brief smile at the look of relief on her face as well.

There would be no victims tonight, he shook his head wryly, taking in Pierce's miffed expression. The boy was an idiot if he didn't realize how much work it took just to calm Sera down after she'd been in a fight. Once she was fired up, there was no stopping her and just like a tornado storm, she would hit everything in her path until she was satisfied.

Obviously only him and Lina had been victims of Sera's fury but luckily, Heath was fed up. Of course now he knew that her short, violent temper was probably one of the reasons why he couldn't be with her any longer. He was tired of her constant needling, jealous attacks, frustrated attitude and of course, her strong, stubborn and violent temper.

He couldn't help but sigh loudly with relief as the slim, dark girl escaped through the double wooden doors and away from Sera.

Pierce, who didn't want to admit that a great opportunity had just slipped through his fingers, decided to do the only thing he knew best. He began snickering and Heath narrowed his eyes at him, knowing exactly what Pierce was up to and silently warning him to stop.

Annoyed that the girl had left the library, Sera turned her irritation towards the laughing fool beside her and she squeezed her thin brows together in a scowl. "And what the crap is so funny?!"

"Heheh," he jeered on like the fool he was. "It seems that girl just pulled one on you, Sera... She sure told you what was what!"

"Shut up idiot," she jammed her three-inch stilettos into Pierce's converse sneakers and Heath couldn't help but laugh aloud. At least for now, there would be no fighting and he was glad for that.

At least for now...

On the busier side of town, Iiana and Tonya's Clothing Boutique was bustling with workers as they all rushed to get ready for the grand opening.

The shelves were almost stacked, the clothes and other merchandise were registered into the inventory before being placed in their corresponding spots and the workers were trained and already in their stations, ready for business.

All excited to begin receiving customers, one particular cheery employee looked as though she'd been surviving on many cups of caffeine bounced around in her flats, clapping to the song that played overhead on the loudspeakers. "Let's get this party started," she sang along, her slender frame swaying from side to side.

The air conditioner was working according to Iiana, one of the owners of the store as she came from the storeroom and made her way up the stairs, laughing as the hyper girl bounced up and down in excitement.

"You definitely had too much cappuccino cookies this morning, Francine," she muttered, crossing the bare wooden floors in her high leather designer boots.

Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, the front door swung open and a bell signaled the visitor's arrival. Swinging around to greet their first customer, she rolled her eyes heavenward at the sight of Jade, one of her workers rushing into the building, chest heaving.

"You're late," she called, not stopping to reprimand her because she had to check up on the items upstairs.

"Sorry," Jade called and rolled her eyes. Apparently my thirteen-something hours last night doesn't make up for one minute of barely making my shift, she muttered, closing the door behind her. "The bus was a little slow today..."

Placing her bag on the chaise lounge closest to the door, Jade frowned at two of her colleagues studying the new television that hung over a pile of folded carton boxes against the wall.

"What's going on?" she called out to them while reaching for the clipboard hanging against the door and quickly scribbled her signature to clock in for her work shift.

"Apparently, the Dow Exchange is doing well in stocks today," a young man named Asher, with freshly cut hair and mahogany skin said from behind Francine, his hands placed on his narrow hips clad in slim jeans.

Jade rolled her eyes and replaced the pen in her pocket before glancing up and reading the huge, yet insignificant numbers that flashed on the screen. "Not that it makes a difference to us..." she muttered bitterly, striding over to the stairs. "Where's Miko?"

"Upstairs I think," Asher and Francine said at the same time and Jade nodded, shaking her head as they stood entranced by the television screen.

As she trudged her weary frame up the never-ending flight of stairs, Jade silently wished she'd slept in today since she'd worked extra hours last night.

Stifling a yawn, she shuffled through another door and raised a finger to massage the side of her throbbing head. Maybe yelling at those spoiled rich kids wasn't such a good idea after all, she noted, blinking rapidly as a twinge of pain surged through the middle of her forehead.

"You okay?" a soft voice said softly and Jade finally opened her eyes fully, first taking in the organized and lined up racks of clothing, arranged shelves, swept wooden floor and the cool breeze that shot from the ceiling vents.

"Uh, hello sleepyhead--are you alright?" the soft voice teased and Jade felt a hand nudging at her.

Finally turning her eyes towards her offender, Jade smiled at the pale, red-cheeked girl in front of her with small eyes framed with polka-dot glasses and her long, shiny hair hanging down her back.

"Oh hey Miko," she greeted her best friend wearily, stifling another yawn and blinked once again to keep awake. Yep, she should've definitely gone home after school for she could barely hold her head up, much less help manage a store.

Miko raised a brow in scrutiny as she studied her tired friend and chuckled. "I told you it wasn't a good idea to stay on for the night shift, Jade--you're barely standing..." She extended a hand to steady her friend. "Is your head pounding?"

"Definitely," Jade breathed, quite grateful that her best friend for more than thirteen years could read her emotions so well. This really wasn't the time to explain to anyone how she felt so she appreciated Miko's assertiveness. "Got any aspirin for this killer headache?"

"Nah, just gave my last one to Iiana earlier today. I've been here since five in the morning and it's almost six." Both she and Jade found out about the new store hiring college students and decided to jump at the opportunity, both working odd hours just to make a decent living on a meager six dollars an hour.

Miko's parents had moved back to Japan after she graduated from high school and other than a few, non-frequent checks from her mother to pay for her school fees, she was in the same boat as Jade was--both struggling to survive on a demanding job and pay for school fees.

"Ladies, ladies," Iiana droned from behind Jade as she emerged from the attic room and clucked her tongue in annoyance. "There is no time to dillydally. We still have work to do."

"Yes Ma'am," Jade bit back a giggle in spite of her pounding head as Miko stuck out her tongue mischievously.

"That includes you too, Miko--don't think I don't see you sticking your tongue at me back there."

"Yes Ma'am," Miko said sweetly and shaking her head at Jade who continued to giggle silently at her, she busied herself by rearranging the clothing rack for the millionth time that day.

Although all the workers complained that Iiana and Tonya demanded manual labor from them, the job itself wasn't as bad as one would suggest. Yes, the hours were long and sometimes painful but many friendships were gained in the little clothing boutique.

Miko and Jade had strengthened their ongoing friendship and Miko was dating one of the workers there, Ian Nyugen, a mechanical engineer in their university. Since they started working there this past summer, sparks flew and caught fire in their already-burning hearts as the two very smart individuals decided to start a relationship and had been dating ever since.

Although the hours were long and the wages left much to be desired, Jade felt like she had gained a second family within these brick walls and she wouldn't trade her job for another... Well, at least for now.

As the hours droned on, Jade's headache finally faded and she could finally concentrate on work---or so she thought.

Holding a perfume bottle in her hand, Jade could feel her eyelids drooping over and her knees began to buckle involuntarily. The lack of sleep from all the weeks since she started working here was now finally catching up with her and she steadied herself, grabbing a hold of the counter in front of her.

Glancing worriedly to where her boss stood with Miko, arranging the rack of teen clothes by an open window, Jade let out a weary sigh and with trembling hands, continued to stack the perfume bottles carefully on the display case.

Unfortunately, Iiana had seen Jade's knees bend quickly and she winced, waiting to hear a precious perfume bottle crash to the floor. When there was no sound of glass hitting the wood, she peeked through one open eye to see Jade bracing the counter with one arm as she tried to steady her trembing hands.

Iiana pursed her lips in worry, remembering that only Jade, Francine and Ian were the ones who signed up for the late-night shift yesterday and even then, she could tell Jade hadn't gotten much rest before coming to work.

When the poor girl signed on for the job earlier that summer, Iiana knew of her financial problems and immediately hired her, recognizing the look of determination and ambition in the young woman's dark eyes. She knew Jade would be a dedicated employee just like the others she'd hired but perhaps she was a little too dedicated.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the distinctive sound of shrieking brakes from outside and without glancing out the window, she nodded towards Jade, "Your bus..."

Not needing to be reminded twice, Jade thankfully placed the last perfume bottle in its stand and nodded towards Miko and Iiana who smiled at her. "Thank you, Iiana..." She paused, hearing the crazy bus make a sudden stop in front of the bus sign beside the clothing boutique and taking it as her cue, she made a mad dash for the door.

"Get some rest," Iiana called after her.

"Get some sleep," Miko called out at the same time and they glanced at each other before bursting into laughter, knowing that their words were only said in vain. If Jade was as determined to save money for school, rent and her auntie's hospital bills, the girl would be here the same time tomorrow, sporting a headache and red eyes from lack of sleep.

"You people are so hardworking and so dedicated to this store. I wish I could find a good way to thank you for all this," Iiana said in reflection as the bus pulled out into the street.

"A raise, perhaps?" Ian muttered from stacking the men shoes near the backroom door.

The crickets were already out and about the bushes, screeching their evening song as the clouds covered the sky and the sun slowly descended to its bed within the hills. The half crescent moon rose into the midnight-blue sky and lit the makeshift patio of Jaden's bungalow home as the young girl wearily trudged off the bus and shuffled towards the door.

The outside bulb was on, indicating that her auntie must have stayed awake, perhaps waiting to continue their conversation from the morning and Jade groaned inwardly as her heated words echoed in her mind. Guilt crept its way into her mind and she bit her bottom lip, slowing her pace as she approached the front door.

Although she had a right to be angry at Aunt Gigi for not telling her the truth about her parents, yelling at her only living relative, who meant more than life to her, didn't help her aunt be more candid about the secrets she harbored.

Deciding that it was best to apologize to her aunt, Jade heaved a great sigh as she brushed past the bamboo trees planted by the side of the house, taking note of the empty clothesline. Apparently, Aunt Gigi had decided not to wait for her to come back before gathering the clothes herself.

Once a picture of her petite, aunt stretching to remove the clothes off the tall clothesline with her coughing violently at the strain flashed before her mind, her heart leapt within her chest and Jade hurriedly reached for her keys.

Silently praying that her aunt had not suffered another chest cough attack, she cursed her trembling hands as she turned the key into the rusty keyhole and turned the knob, pushing forward into the dim-lit home.

Once Jade entered the quiet room, her eyes took in the blank television screen to the closed curtains to the peeling wallpaper before finally settling down on a curled body on the couch.

She couldn't hear any sounds other than the noisy crickets outside and in frustration at the constant noise from the whole day, she quickly shut the door against the screeching choir and turned back to her aunt's still form.

Heart pounding a mile-a-minute against her ribs, Jade inched forward and slowly, she touched her aunt's curled legs, cocking her ears to hear for some sort of breathing.

After what seemed like eternity, Jade's tortured heart slowly calmed to a steady beat when the body stirred and she could hear a soft snore from her aunt's lips.

Thank God she breathed gratefully and curled her legs beneath her, settling down on the floor as her aunt stirred awake.

"Hmmmph," Gigi mumbled, quite groggy from her long nap since Jade left and she'd asked the paperboy to help her bring the laundry from the clothesline. "Jade, is that you?" she asked hoarsely, still squinting against the dim light that pierced the welcoming darkness of her shut eyelids.

"Yes Aunt Gigi, it's me," Jade said softly, leaning against the table behind her, careful not to make any unnecessary sounds that would frighten her aunt and trigger the chest cough. "How are you?" she waited as Gigi stretched her bent, slender shoulders.

"I'm okay... The paperboy brought in the laundry and I made him a sandwich. Then I finished Wuthering Heights," she stifled a yawn and blinked her eyes open, taking in Jade's reddened eyes and bowed torso. "What about you?"

Jade rolled her shoulders wearily and yawned openly. "Just tired is all... It was a good day though," she lied, remembering the almost-fight she'd had at the library and the headache that plagued her throughout class and work.

Gigi then sighed and she lowered her eyes hesitantly. "Jaden, I'm sorry..." she said softly, closing her eyes.

Jade reached for her aunt's wrinkled hand and squeezed it gently. "Don't be sorry, Aunt Gigi... I should be the one apologizing. I had no right to question your kindness and hospitality, for taking me in and taking care of me."

"Oh Jade," she rose to her feet and Jade did the same. She then wrapped her arms around the girl's slender frame, tears forming at her eyes. "I love you dear."

"I love you too, Aunt Gigi..." Jade choked between tears and held on for dear life, wanting to protect her aunt from this sickness, the frailty.

What happened to the Aunt Gigi that chased her all around the house, trying to get her to go to school, the Aunt Gigi that played hide and seek with her and Miko whenever her best friend came to sleepover?

That Aunt Gigi had slowly faded into a weakened shell, restricted by her age and this pesky chest cough.

"Goodnight, Jaden dear," Gigi said huskily as she broke their embrace, touched Jade's soft cheek and trudged to her room, her soft steps punctuated by a cough.

Jade squeezed her eyes shut as the cough echoed through the quiet walls of the house and tears slowly fell down the side of her face when the door closed behind Aunt Gigi, the cough now muted slightly. She mentally began counting how many more days of work it would take to save enough money for Aunt Gigi's trip to the hospital and her spirits suddenly plummeted.

Five more weeks before she could schedule an appointment for a regular checkup at the local clinic and then God-knows how many more weeks before she could pay for treatment and medicine.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the events of the day, Jade weakly made her way to the couch and once she leaned against the soft, welcoming cushion, the tears flowed easily now and Jade's body racked violently with bitter sobs.

Although her cries were a bit muffled within her palms, Gigi was awakened by the heart-wrenching sounds and slowly emerged from her room.

There, in the cold darkness of the night, lay her twenty-three year old niece, her slim body curled and pathetically shivering from the broken heater and the draft that seeped in through the crack from the front door. She still had her backpack strapped about her shoulders, tears clinging to her cheeks as her hands cradled her small head.

Stifling back the cough that rose from her belly, tears gathered once more in Gigi's eyes at the pathetic sight and she couldn't help but silently weep.

Would she ever have the courage to tell Jade the truth? Would things get better if she finally owned up to the truth about Jade's parents? Would the suffering that she and Jade had to face go away once the truth was revealed? Only time would tell....


~ End of Chapter One.

Eeek, sorry to end it there folks. ^_^ This was an introduction chapter to let you get to know the main characters of Arduous Pursuit, my story about of the rich and the middle class searching to find one's place in the world. >>>

I hope you will tune in for the next chapter that is on its way, hopefully. School has been taking most of my spare time--ha, well, I guess I don't have any, but yeah--I am a very busy college student, so please bear with me.

I would like to thank my friends for being so patient and supportive on this new journey. Let's just say this is my first time writing something so serious since my brother's story Life Remembered and I'm very excited about this project and all the great things I have planned for it. Thank you for reading this story and being patient with this long chapter. I will definitely make it shorter as the story progresses.

carry on... >>>>>>>>

The Inscriber's Shack, one of the many homes when I need advice, support and just regular fun. We have the greatest members featured here, so come on in and "join the fun."

Check us out at:
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You won't regret it.

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A fabulously new forum has been launched in Proboards.com and it's called Mosaic. Simply that. It's a wonderful environment with all kinds of sim writers and editors joined together, having fun and sharing their talents with each other.

The lovely administrators are of the famous among the Exchange and some members who wrote fabulous stories as well are featured there, so come take a look. I know you'll love it.

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Hope you'll join me again for the second chapter of Arduous Pursuit where Jade continues to find happiness and her place in life, searching for the answers about the mysterious "loss" of her birth parents and also the cause of Gigi's guilt.

For now, I would love to hear from you all, so please don't hesitate to leave me a message in my guestbook or email me at arduouspursuit@yahoo.com

Thanks again for reading. Till next time,

Adieu,
Dee