Rory’s POVI wasn’t sure what to do initially, but when Eva screamed and started coming toward me again, I scrambled to my feet and punched her square in the jaw. For a moment I felt like I had broken my fingers, but the adrenaline rushing through me took away that feeling fast. Eva stumbled backward but caught the back of my hair before I could get away. “Let go, bitch,” I cried out, reaching back and trying to peel off her fingers. I turned and kicked as hard as I could. I wasn’t sure where I hit her, but Eva let go and fell to the floor. I started running but she grabbed my ankle and pulled me back down. I hit my chin hard on the ground, rolled over, and kicked up into her stomach. I scrambled to my feet and raced away from her back into the hall. Needy was spewing more hate and other things on stage while Scott kept trying to get the microphone from her. Needy, ignoring the objections, shouted loudly on stage.“I'm sure everyone here is familiar with our school's top st
Rory’s POVI felt sore all over. I knew that Eva had tossed me around, but I didn’t feel like I should be so sore. I opened my eyes and realized I was in the hospital. I sat up quickly and saw Zoe sleeping in the chair next to my bed.“What happened? Why am I in here?” I asked. Zoe opened her eyes and came to sit on the side of my bed. “Hey! How are you feeling? You passed out on the road and Scott rushed you to the hospital. They said you had a small concussion from the smack to your head and that your stress levels were off the charts. They’ve been in and out checking on you. Do you want me to call a nurse?” I pushed myself up more and cringed from the headache that was forming. “No, that’s okay. Where’s Scott?” I asked. “I’m sure he’ll be back. He went to deal with Eva and Needy, something about Needy being on lockdown, and I think Eva went to jail for assault,” Zoe answered. “Are you serious?” I asked, feeling surprised and somewhat relieved. I felt better knowing that
Justin’s POVI wasn’t surprised to get the rejection letter from Scott’s office. I read it over again and it sounded more like a job denial than a meeting denial, saying something about how they ‘regret to inform me that Scott was unavailable for the foreseeable future.’I had been such a tool and treated Rory badly. No wonder he didn’t want to talk to me or help me further my career. I was starting to see that now. I was starting to see that Rory deserved better. I should have treated her better.I looked through the old photos I had of her. I remembered how we watched Harry Potter movies all the time and she could quote the lines. I remember how we’d talk about the differences between the books and the movies and how she had waited in line with me all night to get my book signed by J.K. Rowling.The thought of losing Rory for good hurt worse than I thought it would but I finally realized I didn’t have a lot of other choices. I had messed things up too b
Rory’s POV “I thought we could also hit up that new trendy restaurant downtown. I heard their food is to die for!” Zoe exclaimed.“That sounds great!” Time spent with Zoe was always so joyful. She made me realize that life wasn't just about romance; friendship was just as important.We listened to music and drove through the streets until we came across the market. It was cute with lots of little stands and people selling home made items. I was really excited.Zoe and I explored and looked through all the little shops at the things for sale. I found several cute items I wanted for the house.“Look at this mini little chandelier!” I cried out, turning to find Zoe.She turned and looked at me. “That’s adorable, I think you should put that in the bedroom,” she suggested.I nodded and swiftly handed the man some money. I found a few more things and a nice shirt for Scott. I wasn’t sure if it was the kind of thing he would wear, b
Rory’s POVI picked up the phone and dialed my Grandmother’s number. I hoped she wouldn’t be at one of her clubs or something. “Hello?” she called, sounding a bit grumbled. “Hey Grandma, it’s Rory. How are you? Happy Birthday!” I replied. I twirled the pencil around on the desk, trying to make it stand on the point. “Oh, hi, sweetie. Thank you so much.”I could tell from her tone that I had either woken her up or distracted her from some project that required a good bit of focus. “What are you up to today?” I asked. “Do you have any special plans?” “Oh, nothing too extravagant. You know I don’t need much anymore. I’m going to watch my stories and then we’ll see… though some of the ladies at bridge wanted to take me out, so I’m sure I’ll be well taken care of. I sure do wish I was spending more time with you, sweetie. But I understand you are doing big things with your school and such,” she answered. I weakly smiled. “I know, Grandma. I really wish I could come see you a
Rory’s POVI woke to Zoe knocking wildly on the door. I groaned and threw my pillow over my head. “There are no classes today. Go away,” I shouted tiredly. I could hear Zoe giggling from the other side of the door. “Come on! We have plans today!” Zoe exclaimed. She pushed open the door, no longer caring about my objections. “What plans?” I asked, not moving from my position. “Shopping plans. But I thought we’d get our hair and makeup done,” she announced. I finally sat up. She was beaming with excitement. I looked at her and I could feel the blood rushing to my face and the flashback setting in. “What is it?” she asked. She seemed concerned but not deterred from her determination. I sighed. There was no point in hiding things from her. She already knew me too well. “It’s just the last few times I did this kind of shopping and outing was with Needy, and it didn’t turn out so well,” I explained. “She let me go through her closet and pick out what I liked and then we we
Scott’s POVI sat at my desk and went over the paperwork for the coming months' projections. Things were progressing well and I was pleased at the future spending projections. My desk phone rang and I picked it up absentmindedly. “Yeah?” I answered, continuing to review what I had on the screen. “Hey, Scott, it’s Sam.”“Hey, Sam. How are you?” I called out, switching over to the sheets with our mutual projects. “Have you gotten an update on the numbers?” “Yeah, I’ve got it here. That’s why I called.” “Well, lay it on me,” I said. Sam started going off and explaining the process with numbers. I got more excited the more he talked about projects and where we were. “So with the malls and hotel investments?” I asked. “We are right on track. I’ve also sent you an email outlining the progression I think we should work on. We are really looking to triple our finances.” We talked for a good while and made more projections for the future. I started to feel really excited and
Scott’s POVQuickly, though, Needy’s sweetness faded and her bitter side came out. “I’m so tired of you running out on me for her,” Needy said.“What are you talking about?” I asked, looking up at her. I was utterly confused. I had so much on my mind with business issues, and Rory was always on my mind.“You’re going to see her, aren’t you? It’s always about her!”With Needy’s sneering tone, I knew exactly who she was talking about.“Look, Needy, you know you’re my best girl and I love you with all my heart.”“Bull,” she said. “I’m not some simpering child you can placate. She’s my age, Dad. Don’t you feel a little yucked out by that?”“I think you’re the one who feels yucked out,” I said. “I wish it could be different and I could placate you somehow, but this behavior is really getting old.”“See, this is what I’m talking about.” Needy lifted her hands palms up as if to say voila.“No, you don’t get to reduce explanations to a few words and a gesture,” I said firmly. “You’r