Chapter 36

"I'm so glad they let you guys in," Brooklyn forced a smile at Jamie, Amber, Morgan, Kelsey and I.

We were all gathered around her hospital bed, the only sound evident being the beeping of machines.

Amber was crying, but Amber cries about almost everything. I guess I couldn't blame her for this one though. It's so scary to think, we've all been friends since we were a foot tall, and now here we are, thankful that Brooklyn is alive. I missed these girls, and the times we used to share. It feels like I haven't seen them in ages, and I miss when we used to hang out 24/7.

"We're so happy to be here, you have no idea. We've been trying to get them to let us see you since it happened!" Jamie exclaimed, grabbing her hand. "When will you be able to work again? I totally need to fill you in on the new collection we got shipped in. You would love it."

"I wish I could see it," Brooklyn frowned. "I miss the shop so much."

"I think we need to start hanging out more," Kelsey said suddenly. "Jess never works anymore and now Brooklyn is in here, when are we going to all work together again?"

"I'm scheduled to work way more often now," I smiled. "I've been having some issues these last few months but I miss talking about clothes with you guys," I frowned slightly. "I'll be back really soon."

Jamie smiled extremely big. "Now all we need to do is get Brookie out of here and it'll be set. Just like it used to be."

"Can't wait," Brooklyn giggled.

It was silent for a few moments until Brooklyn started coughing uncontrollably. "Jess, could you maybe go get me some water? I'm sorry-"

"No problem!" I said, practically darting for the door. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. "Do you need anything else? Are you hungry? Do you need a nurse or anything? When are supposed to take your meds-"

"Just the water is fine," Brooklyn laughed, making all the girls laugh. "I'm really fine Jess."

I blushed, closing the door behind me quietly.

I waltzed down the never ending hallway that was lit with extremely dim lights. I reached the disgusting room they called the cafeteria, and walked over to get a bottle of water.

This place looks like a nuthouse. I felt really bad for Brooklyn.

Brooklyn was in room 292, which was practically the furthest room possible from the cafeteria.

I walked back down towards her room, whistling while saying the room numbers in my head as I pass them.

269, 271, 273, 275...

275.

Why did I feel like I had seen this room before?

Peering through the crack of the door, all I could see was blonde hair that dangled over the side of the bed, and that's when it hit me.

Riley's room.

I knocked softly, not even hearing an answer before I walked in.

Her head darted over towards where I was, her eyes screaming fear. "Jess, hi! I haven't seen you in awhile."

I fake smiled. "I was just visiting a friend and thought I'd stop in," I looked around. "So, it looks like you're talking fine."

"Yeah," she forced a smile. "I'm a lot better."

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows. I knew much more than she thought I did. "Then why are you still here?"

"Oh," she folded her hands in her lap. "I was scheduled to check out yesterday, but I started throwing up and they thought it would be safer to keep me in the hospital a little longer."

"Ah," I nodded. "Why do you think that is?"

Yet, she still continued to lie. "Who knows," she shrugged. "I'm still so messed up from the stabbing."

"Yeah," I sucked in a sharp breath. "I've heard morning sickness is the worst."

Her head snapped over to my direction, her eyes wide. Neither of us said anything, she couldn't find the words to say. "Jess, Justin came onto me."

"I don't get why you would think that having sex with someone when they have a girlfriend is okay," I said. "You know I would never do that to you."

"You're wrong," she shook her head in disgust. "Instead of blaming me, why don't you go home to your boyfriend you think is so innocent and ask him why he felt the need to cheat on you." She sneered, her eyes squinted. "It was Justin's idea, and I didn't even want to."

I felt my eyes sting. I nodded slowly, not willing to cry in front of her. "Yeah, um," I wiped under my eyes. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Anytime," she smiled. "Thanks for stopping by."

I nodded, shutting the door as I stepped into the hallway. I couldn't help but choke out sobs as I walked back to Brooklyn's room, feeling like complete shit.

I set the bottle of water outside the door, not wanting the girls to see me like this.

Justin and I were over, and it was official.

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"I can't expect you to tell me the truth about everything," I started. "If I haven't told you everything I know either."

Sharon stared at me skeptically at the door of her house. "You know things? Like what?"

"I need you to promise that you'll tell me everything you know if I tell you." I said quietly. "We're on the same team. Let's help each other."

She nodded. "Come in."

I walked into her shack of a house that looked like a recent episode of Hoarders. She led me to the dining room table, which was the same one that Justin and I sat at a week ago.

We sat across from each other. "Why don't you start, I'll fill in the gaps."

I nodded, trying to rake my brain on ideas of where to start. "The day you took Riley to the hospital, I visited her. When I got there, Justin and his mom were already there. Long story short, Justin and I visited Riley again after we took his mom to a hotel and Riley said that the person that stabbed her went by the name "J" because that was the first letter of his name."

Sharon stared wide eyed at me. "U-Um, keep going."

"This 'J' person is the same person that stabbed Jennifer and Brooklyn too. J wants something from me, and I don't know what."

Sharon shook her head, trying to absorb the new information. "Do you have any idea who this "J" person is?"

I sighed. "That's the thing. The reason Justin's mom is in town is because she ran away from Justin's dad."

Sharon stiffened extremely, her face losing color.

"His name is Jeremy, and he's looking for Justin and his mom. And me, for that matter. I don't know why he would want anything to do with me. It just makes most sense that it would be him."

She nodded quickly. "Um, Jessica. I'm really not supposed to mention this to anyone. This could get you and me both hurt, badly."

I raised my eyebrows. "Listen, Brad told me about the person that was out to get you. I'm not mad at you for leaving. I understand now that you had to, and I never really got the chance to thank you."

She nodded. "But this person that was threatening us, you-" she squeezed her eyes tight. "This may help us a lot."

I leaned forward. "Who was it?"

She exhaled while closing her eyes. "It was Jeremy."

My heart leapt to my throat. "You knew Jeremy before I met Justin?"

"Way before you met Justin. Jess, I knew Jeremy way before you were born." She held the bridge of her nose. "I really think this confirms it."

"Confirms what?" I started to breathe faster.

"Jeremy is J."

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note:

okay first i would like to say expect the unexpected and second POOR JESS SHE GON BE LIKE A STEPMOM OF SOME SORT

ily alllll, feel free to comment and let me know what your predictions are, i love love LOVE hearing what you think will happen.

and for a second time, expect the unexpected.

twitter: @avonsshawtyy

next update: sunday, the 21st.

(i usually don't update three days after but i'm in a good mood and ily so why not) (: