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22 - Not An Ugly Duckling
Last Updated:
2022-07-08 15:13:40Related chapters
JADED 23 - No Pressure
Jade scratched her head as she walked down the stairs. She hadn't looked in a mirror since she woke up but she was sure she looked very untidy. She had overslept and had had a pleasant dream. Her mouth was plastered with dried drool and her hair was in a tangled mess. Her eyes were probably swollen from her very long and peaceful sleep. She knew she was supposed to wash up first but she woke up feeling very thirsty. If she didn't drink water, she reasoned she'd turn to stone. So it didn't matter how heavy her legs were and how messy she looked she trudged towards the kitchen to get a drink.She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and immediately gulped it down. Once she was done, she proceeded to wash her face in the sink."I'll take it that you had a great sleep last night." She heard Lewis's voice and she lifted her head turning it in his direction. He was leaning by the kitchen door eating a bowl of cereal."What time is it?" She asked making a futile
Last Updated : 2022-12-25JADED 24 - One True Friend
Jade tapped her feet impatiently on the floor as she scrolled through Netflix, searching for something to watch. None appealed to her as her mind was preoccupied with Shawn. It was almost 9 pm and he still hadn't returned. He hadn't even sent her a text to inform her of his job or that he wanted to move out.Now that Sergio was away, and only his mom was home, it made sense for him to accompany her. She was being selfish to hope he would still stay with her. To hope he would choose her over his mom. To think she meant anything to him.All his smooth talks about being best friends were to get something from her. He was just looking for a place to stay. Maybe, he had intentionally shared in her punishment to get her to trust him. He was a smart kid and always weighed his decisions carefully. He had a backup plan for his backup plan. Why would he intentionally jeopardize his future by ruining his perfect school record with a suspension if he had nothing to gain?
Last Updated : 2022-12-26JADED 25 - HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER
Shawn trudged slowly along the street, his phone in his hand, praying for a call from Jade. He hoped she'd stop being difficult and let him by her side. Even though he knew it would never happen, he still wished she could go back to being the carefree yet lovable girl he used to know. He wished he could reverse time. He would make sure she never got hurt.But these were all wishful thinking. Jade had changed and was never going to call him back and if he doesn't return to his home, he'd have to sleep on the streets. He hated the idea of returning to his home. Being in it made him feel caged up and now that he had tasted freedom, he was reluctant to go back to his cage.He groaned, coming to an abrupt stop. It was the middle of the night and he was stuck outside with no money on him and nowhere to go. Heck, he hadn't stayed up this late intentionally before. Thinking about it made him want to cry, but according to his father, real men don't cry - only sissies do.
Last Updated : 2023-07-16JADED 26 - NOTHING MORE
Jade shut the door after Jacob left, biting her lip as she walked to the bathroom. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, tears falling from her eyes. She hated the person she was becoming - an irritable person with no interest in life who keeps pushing away everyone from her. She didn't want to spend the rest of her life alone but she knew she probably would. Everyone she knew hated her. Rachel, Sergio, Principal Dolan, her teachers, and her classmates all hated her. Sally only pretended to like her because she was her father's wife. Lewis only protected her because he was paid to. Jacob couldn't wait to be rid of her. And Shawn - she had no idea why he was even pretending to like her. She closed her eyes trying to imagine a life where nothing went wrong. A life where her father didn't cheat on her mother. Or one where her mother forgave him. She would probably still be alive and Jade would be a carefree youth with a perfect family. A straight-A student whose goal is
Last Updated : 2023-07-17JADED 27 - SELFISH
7:45 a.m. Shawn sighed with relief as he checked his phone. He was right on time. He knocked on the door of the principal's office feeling somewhat lucky. His father was currently behind bars so his mother was safe. He had found a job and could now support himself and his mother.His suspension had been rescinded and so he was back on track to emerging as the valedictorian. And best of all, his estranged best friend was again warming up to him. Also, even though he had only woken up about thirty minutes ago, he had somehow managed to be on time for his appointment with Principal Dolan. The universe seemed to be working in his favor.He was about to knock again when he heard footsteps and a chuckle from behind him. He turned around and saw Principal Dolan and Jacob Adler - Jade's father - walking toward the office. Immediately, he bowed his head a little, offering a word of appreciation to Jacob but all he did was smile at him.Principal Dolan cleared his throat, stretching out his han
Last Updated : 2024-05-06JADED 28 - DEARLY BELOVED MOTHER
Jade hummed happily as she removed the chicken from the oven. She carefully carried it and placed it on the counter. She carried a tray containing Mac and cheese and put it in the oven. After closing it and setting the timer, she went back to chopping the cabbage she had been working on before the oven had beeped. She heard silent footsteps behind her and her nerves tensed up. The only person in the house who walked that quietly was Sally. She never forgave Sally for ruining her parents' marriage and she had planned on making life as miserable as she could for her. However, she had promised to be nicer to her and while she didn't know how to go about it, she knew it involved not chasing her out of the kitchen. “Uhm... Hi.” Sally said awkwardly, making Jade cringe. What on earth did Jacob see in a woman that struggles to even have a conversation? “What are you making?” Sally asked in an attempt to get Jade to talk. It was always like this, she would try to engage her in a conversat
Last Updated : 2024-06-23JADED 29 - A HAUNTING PAST
★One Year Ago★Jade sat on the floor, sobbing loudly and scratching her arms, trying to get rid of the feel of her harasser's skin against hers. She kept replaying the last few hours in her mind. She could still feel his body against hers and it made her feel worthless and dirty. And like a thousand bugs were crawling through her skin, eating her up. Her skin was hurting from all the scratching. And even though she couldn't see it, as she had been locked up in a very dark room, she knew it was bleeding. She could feel the warm liquid under her fingernails. But she didn't care. In fact, she wanted to peel off her skin completely. Maybe that would make her feel better.Or would it? She thought to herself, her body shaking as she cried even harder. These people. They had killed her mother. In the most inhumane way possible. They made her suffer before she died. And she slept through it all. If she had been awake, maybe she could have stopped them.Stop them? She mocked inside her head.
Last Updated : 2024-12-12JADED 30 - NIGHTMARES AND REALITY
★ Two Weeks Later ★Jade jolted awake, her heart racing, and her sheets drenched in sweat. The remnants of her nightmare lingered, the image of a tattooed tiger on a man's chest etched in her mind. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her, holding her tight.Panic set in. She struggled to break free, her fists flailing wildly. “Let me go! No! Ah!” she screamed, her voice hoarse from sleep.But the grip only tightened. She kicked and squirmed, her mind still trapped in the darkness.Then, a gentle whisper pierced the haze: “Shh, Babygirl, it's okay. You're safe.”The voice was familiar and soothing as it slowly penetrated her fear. She paused, her chest heaving, and looked up into the face of the man holding her. He was her dad.Tears of relief mingled with lingering fear as she collapsed into his embrace. His arms cradled her, warm and protective, dispelling her doubts.“It was just a dream, Babygirl,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “You're safe now.”She shut her eyes, grateful tha
Last Updated : 2024-12-14
Latest chapter
JADED 32 - THERAPEUTIC HUGS
Jade screamed angrily, tearing out and crumpling up a sheet of paper from her sketchbook. She threw it across the room and it landed on the floor close to the door, increasing the litter of crumpled paper and broken pencils in the room. She took a new pencil from behind her ears, her fingers shaky as she began to draw lines and curves, in readiness for another sketch. Closing her eyes, she tried to picture a face, Tiger's face - that was what they called him but she knew his name began with the letter H. However she was only met with an empty space and a heaviness in her heart that was trying to drag her down. She tried to remind herself of him - his lifeless gray eyes, his hair and beards that smelled like shampoo, the scent of his unfamiliar cologne, his cold lips, his strong muscular arms, his large callused hands, and his burly chest that had the tattoo of a tiger.She still couldn't remember his face. Just like the first day after she woke up. Her therapist had said it was due
JADED 31 - BLACK BARBIE
Doink! The sound of a notification made its way out of Shawn's bag and he quickly dug into it, bringing his phone out of his bag. He unlocked his phone, eagerly looking through it. The text had come from his network provider and he hissed loudly, obviously disappointed. “Yes, Mr Beckett,” the voice of his teacher rang, startling him from his phone, and she started walking toward him, “we know calculus is boring but I thought that you would at least stay off your phone.” “I'm sorry, Miss V,” he said, holding onto his phone like it was some diamond he had just found, “it's just that Jade is supposed to be in this class but she's not here.” “You're here and right now, that's what matters. So if you don't put that phone away for the rest of my class, I'll hand it over to Principal Dolan to add to his collection for the year.” Shawn sighed softly and switched off his phone, putting it into his bag. “I'm sorry, Miss V.” “Don't apologize to me. If you were paying attention, you'd h
JADED 30 - NIGHTMARES AND REALITY
★ Two Weeks Later ★Jade jolted awake, her heart racing, and her sheets drenched in sweat. The remnants of her nightmare lingered, the image of a tattooed tiger on a man's chest etched in her mind. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her, holding her tight.Panic set in. She struggled to break free, her fists flailing wildly. “Let me go! No! Ah!” she screamed, her voice hoarse from sleep.But the grip only tightened. She kicked and squirmed, her mind still trapped in the darkness.Then, a gentle whisper pierced the haze: “Shh, Babygirl, it's okay. You're safe.”The voice was familiar and soothing as it slowly penetrated her fear. She paused, her chest heaving, and looked up into the face of the man holding her. He was her dad.Tears of relief mingled with lingering fear as she collapsed into his embrace. His arms cradled her, warm and protective, dispelling her doubts.“It was just a dream, Babygirl,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “You're safe now.”She shut her eyes, grateful tha
JADED 29 - A HAUNTING PAST
★One Year Ago★Jade sat on the floor, sobbing loudly and scratching her arms, trying to get rid of the feel of her harasser's skin against hers. She kept replaying the last few hours in her mind. She could still feel his body against hers and it made her feel worthless and dirty. And like a thousand bugs were crawling through her skin, eating her up. Her skin was hurting from all the scratching. And even though she couldn't see it, as she had been locked up in a very dark room, she knew it was bleeding. She could feel the warm liquid under her fingernails. But she didn't care. In fact, she wanted to peel off her skin completely. Maybe that would make her feel better.Or would it? She thought to herself, her body shaking as she cried even harder. These people. They had killed her mother. In the most inhumane way possible. They made her suffer before she died. And she slept through it all. If she had been awake, maybe she could have stopped them.Stop them? She mocked inside her head.
JADED 28 - DEARLY BELOVED MOTHER
Jade hummed happily as she removed the chicken from the oven. She carefully carried it and placed it on the counter. She carried a tray containing Mac and cheese and put it in the oven. After closing it and setting the timer, she went back to chopping the cabbage she had been working on before the oven had beeped. She heard silent footsteps behind her and her nerves tensed up. The only person in the house who walked that quietly was Sally. She never forgave Sally for ruining her parents' marriage and she had planned on making life as miserable as she could for her. However, she had promised to be nicer to her and while she didn't know how to go about it, she knew it involved not chasing her out of the kitchen. “Uhm... Hi.” Sally said awkwardly, making Jade cringe. What on earth did Jacob see in a woman that struggles to even have a conversation? “What are you making?” Sally asked in an attempt to get Jade to talk. It was always like this, she would try to engage her in a conversat
JADED 27 - SELFISH
7:45 a.m. Shawn sighed with relief as he checked his phone. He was right on time. He knocked on the door of the principal's office feeling somewhat lucky. His father was currently behind bars so his mother was safe. He had found a job and could now support himself and his mother.His suspension had been rescinded and so he was back on track to emerging as the valedictorian. And best of all, his estranged best friend was again warming up to him. Also, even though he had only woken up about thirty minutes ago, he had somehow managed to be on time for his appointment with Principal Dolan. The universe seemed to be working in his favor.He was about to knock again when he heard footsteps and a chuckle from behind him. He turned around and saw Principal Dolan and Jacob Adler - Jade's father - walking toward the office. Immediately, he bowed his head a little, offering a word of appreciation to Jacob but all he did was smile at him.Principal Dolan cleared his throat, stretching out his han
JADED 26 - NOTHING MORE
Jade shut the door after Jacob left, biting her lip as she walked to the bathroom. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, tears falling from her eyes. She hated the person she was becoming - an irritable person with no interest in life who keeps pushing away everyone from her. She didn't want to spend the rest of her life alone but she knew she probably would. Everyone she knew hated her. Rachel, Sergio, Principal Dolan, her teachers, and her classmates all hated her. Sally only pretended to like her because she was her father's wife. Lewis only protected her because he was paid to. Jacob couldn't wait to be rid of her. And Shawn - she had no idea why he was even pretending to like her. She closed her eyes trying to imagine a life where nothing went wrong. A life where her father didn't cheat on her mother. Or one where her mother forgave him. She would probably still be alive and Jade would be a carefree youth with a perfect family. A straight-A student whose goal is
JADED 25 - HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER
Shawn trudged slowly along the street, his phone in his hand, praying for a call from Jade. He hoped she'd stop being difficult and let him by her side. Even though he knew it would never happen, he still wished she could go back to being the carefree yet lovable girl he used to know. He wished he could reverse time. He would make sure she never got hurt.But these were all wishful thinking. Jade had changed and was never going to call him back and if he doesn't return to his home, he'd have to sleep on the streets. He hated the idea of returning to his home. Being in it made him feel caged up and now that he had tasted freedom, he was reluctant to go back to his cage.He groaned, coming to an abrupt stop. It was the middle of the night and he was stuck outside with no money on him and nowhere to go. Heck, he hadn't stayed up this late intentionally before. Thinking about it made him want to cry, but according to his father, real men don't cry - only sissies do.
JADED 24 - One True Friend
Jade tapped her feet impatiently on the floor as she scrolled through Netflix, searching for something to watch. None appealed to her as her mind was preoccupied with Shawn. It was almost 9 pm and he still hadn't returned. He hadn't even sent her a text to inform her of his job or that he wanted to move out.Now that Sergio was away, and only his mom was home, it made sense for him to accompany her. She was being selfish to hope he would still stay with her. To hope he would choose her over his mom. To think she meant anything to him.All his smooth talks about being best friends were to get something from her. He was just looking for a place to stay. Maybe, he had intentionally shared in her punishment to get her to trust him. He was a smart kid and always weighed his decisions carefully. He had a backup plan for his backup plan. Why would he intentionally jeopardize his future by ruining his perfect school record with a suspension if he had nothing to gain?
