JASMINE“Hello, everyone!” I called, causing everyone to pause and listen, “I know we are done with practice for the day but the club coach wants to address us. I need you all to hold on for a bit.”I turned to Ashley, who was standing just beside me, smiling like a fool. After she told me about the rivalry in the palace, she now appeared to be more comfortable sharing things with me.If only she had an idea what I was up to, she wouldn’t take the offer to stand beside me.I was, however, happy about something, I was gradually breaking her wings. Earlier on, just some minutes before the end of cheer practice, I saw her alone. I called but she didn't hear.I was literally in front of her before she noticed me.“Oh, Jasmine, hi!”I swallowed the look of disdain that was fighting hard to sit on my face. I shifted to a worried look, instead.“Are you fine, Ashley? I have been calling you! How come you did not hear me? And why are you sitting here like this?” I pointed to the rock she was
JASMINEI was restless. That had become my default state lately, ever since the coach announced the unique cheer routine thing. I had tried to come up with my unique idea but my brain would not cooperate.I watched videos from different websites to get inspiration. But everything there had been performed by the club already. I got up from the balcony and walked to a spacious part of the compound.My mum had tried all she could to encourage me. Now, she just stared at me. I tried to imagine what she was thinking. She probably felt that I should give up, maybe I was not good for the club. I recall how she had reacted when I told her I had become the president of the club.“Jasmine? I'm happy for you but becoming president of the club is not the right thing to do now. Your grades are suffering! Besides, you have never liked cheer clubs. You keep complaining about the routines and how you wish you had never joined. Now this?”She was right but I wasn't one to accept defeat.I am Jasmine a
JASMINEMy heart drummed heavily.What would happen if Ashley found out I was peeping? No! That would ruin my reputation. I had to think of a solution and fast. I put my phone back in my pocket. Then I looked around for shelter. There was only one tree close to me. The most I could do was hide behind it.And why wouldn't Ashley just go back to her practice?I tried to plaster my body on the tree so she wouldn't see me. But she soon started walking towards me. She probably decided to end practice already.I held my breath and stood still.“Who's there?” she asked, placing her hands on her waist.She started walking towards the tree.I knew it was over. There was no need to hide anymore.“Oh nooo.”“Jasmine?” she quirked her brow.Say something! My brain went blank for a few seconds.Cone on! It's Ashley. Just say something!“Yeah, yeah,” I smiled, “I was hoping I would not disrupt your practice. I came here to practice, too; then I found you doing yours. You were so deep into it and I
ASHLEYIt was finally the day of the unique cheer routine display and I was pumped. I was so sure of my moves, and I could bet it would be the best. I wished at that moment that I was on good terms with the triplets. I was sure that Carson would go out of his way to spend time with me and cheer me on before my performance.His kiss on my forehead would go a long way.My heart was pumping with anticipation as the performances started. I watched every display with glee. The other performances impressed me. It soon got to Jasmine's turn. I did not know exactly what to expect. When I suggested she showed me her routine, she said she had to hurry off to meet someone.I looked on with anticipation, waiting to see what she had in store. Her first move got me shifting in my seat. It was so like my first move, but I passed it off as a coincidence. Then she did the second and the third, which were almost the same as mine. I sprang up from my seat when she began her attempt on my super move.Wha
ASHLEYI got to the palace and realized Carson and Axel were not around. I met Brody sitting outside the balcony. He had a pack of cards stacked in front of him while he pressed his phone.“Hi, Brody.”“Ashley…why are you angry?” he asked, softly.“I'm not…I ….”“Don't even lie. I felt a kind of tension from you a while back and I began searching to know what was happening with you.”“Nothing happened.”“Then why were you panicking?” he got up and came to me, “What had you so worked up? I felt everything, baby.”I didn't know when I let go of my defense and leaned into his arms. He took me in and embraced me tightly. He inhaled my hair and then kissed my forehead.“I'm sorry, baby. Whatever happened, you’re not alone,” he said.Tears formed in my eyes, “well, it looks like I'm alone. I feel alone. I am going through shit alone! Nobody cares about me.” I started sobbing.He moved me away from his body, his hands still gripping my shoulders, “we need to talk Ashley. It seems a lot is go
ASHLEYI waited patiently until Axel joined us outside. I knew I had to approach the issue wisely or have things blow up in my face.I was silent for the first few seconds. I just stared at them, from one to another. I could see how uncomfortable they were sitting so close.“I must say the past few days have been crazy for me. I'm losing my mind.”“How's that?” Axel asked.“I usually come home eager to see you all. I look forward to spending time with you and all those sweet things like that. But now, to be honest, I don't even want to return home.”I had no intention of playing it calm with them. I needed to let them know exactly how I felt. I clasped my hands and kept a straight face.“I have been thinking of leaving the palace. I mean, running away completely.”“What!” They all chorused.Thankfully, I had their attention. They looked shocked and confused. For the first time since we sat to talk, they exchanged glances.“Ashley, you can't talk like that. How can you leave?” Brody's
ASHLEYI opened the door after successfully wiping the tears that ran down my cheeks. I stood by the door watching them. Their faces were calm and regretful. I looked from Axel to Brody and Carson, all that strife and negative energy was gone.I was so elated that I wanted to hug them tightly and kiss them fully on the lips.“It's all over, Ashley. We have settled our differences,” Brody said, standing in front.“Are you all sure about that?” I asked, looking at them.“Errr…it's exactly as he said it,” Axel said and then Brody nudged by the side.From the look on their faces, he was supposed to say something else.“Well…Ashley, I.. err…want to apologize for holding onto the matter for too long and also for putting you through so much stress, yeah.”I could not hide the smile that took over my face. I could see the struggle Axel went through to say the apology. If his brothers could put him up to that, then they had truly settled their differences.I looked at Carson, whose eyes had be
ASHLEY“Who else is aware of Circe's prophecy?” Carson's voice filled the room.We all sat back and I assumed that everyone was deep in thoughts just as I was. Who could have taken the information and used it against us?“I do not think that anyone in that room during the prophecy is behind this. Aside from us here, there was Dad, Ashley's mum, and Circe. It was a closed meeting, not even the palace aides were there,” Brody said.He looked around as if confirming if we agreed with the things he said. Then he continued what he was saying.“We should look outside.”“Now that's something. Did anyone share the information from that day with an outsider?” Carson asked.“We might want to take time to think about this. But I have not discussed anything about the prophecy with anyone.” Brody said, raising his hands as if in surrender.“Ashley?”I raised my head to find Axel looking at me. Carson turned in my direction too. I quirked my brow at them.“What?” I asked trying to understand what w