Chapter thirteen: Wounds and WarriorsDeath, as they say, is a part of the circle of life. Whoever is born will some day die, unless, of course, you're some sort of alien who snuck into earth or a creature of the night like a vampire. But alas, life isn't a Hollywood fantasy movie with mythical beings and eternal youth. In the real world, death is a reality that we must face, just as I did when my father passed away. Despite clinging to hope for his recovery, the harsh truth eventually settled in—he was gone.The world had moved on and nobody was waiting for my family to grief this great loss. Life pushed on, dragging us along with it, like debris caught in a swift current. Despite the heaviness in my heart, I knew I had to return to school. It was nearing the end of freshman year, and there were academic responsibilities waiting for me.I was by my locker when David, my ex rushed towards and offered to carry my backpack. I felt a bit of irritation. "My dad may have died, but my han

When I was a little younger, I had this crystal-clear vision of who I wanted to become in life. And let me tell you, dear reader, having a clear goal in mind is like having a treasure map to your dreams. I'm sure you've got some dreams of your own, some lofty aspirations you're chasing after. But hey, if you're not aiming to be as fabulous as me, that's totally cool too. I'm not here to twist your arm or anything. If my story ain't your cup of tea, feel free to walk on by. You do you, honey! Ignore my ramblings if you so choose. It's your loss, really!Now, when it comes to your vision board, ditch the clichés like magazine cutouts of private jets and diamond-encrusted mansions. Let's keep it real and achievable, shall we? Think along the lines of learning a new skill, starting that side hustle or getting a part time job. The world is yours for the taking, if only you dare to seize it.As for little Jessica, she had one particular goal she would kill for. Little me would have walked f

Chapter 17: Double life at Karnegie Country club Thanks to Rachel's recommendation, I landed a job as a waitress at the prestigious Karnegie Club, found in 1736. The Karnegie Club, oh boy, where do I even begin? The members walk around like they own the place, probably because they do. It's like stepping into a world where everyone's last name is engraved on a golden plaque, and if yours isn't, well, good luck getting past the front gate. It was like stepping into a scene from a movie where the rich and famous mingled with the absurdly posh. The walls were adorned with paintings of ancient ancestors who probably never lifted a finger in their lives, except perhaps to ring a bell for their servants.And oh, the dress code for waitresses! It was stricter than a kindergarten teacher during nap time. If your socks didn't match your bow tie, you might as well have been wearing a clown suit. The members strutted around like peacocks, their noses held high enough to detect even the faintest

Chapter 19: Living two different lives.Living a double life was proving to be more challenging than I ever imagined. By day, I played the role of a humble waitress, serving tables alongside my best friend, Rachel. But as soon as the sun dipped below the horizon, I shed my apron and slipped into the world of the elite, rubbing shoulders with the wealthy and privileged. During the day, I was Jessica Raye, the hardworking waitress, but by nightfall, I transformed into someone entirely different—a sophisticated socialite, mingling effortlessly with the upper crust. It was a charade, a masquerade of sorts, and I was the master of disguise.But, I felt so guilty and uncertain. Was I deceiving others, or was I deceiving myself? With each passing day, the line between reality and fiction blurred further, and I found myself questioning my own motives. Yet, I couldn't deny the thrill of living on the edge. It was exhilarating, intoxicating even. "You're just living your best life," I'd whisper

Chapter twenty one: An intoxicated nightWe kept talking about several things until the sun casted a golden hue over the landscape. As the sky painted itself in hues of orange and pink, we fell into a comfortable silence. As the final remnants of daylight disappeared from the sky, Scott turned to me with a smile plastered on his face. “We should do this again," he suggested. "Another date, perhaps?"Feeling a surge of spontaneity, I couldn't resist the urge to suggest something bold. "Why wait?" I proposed eagerly. "Let's seize the moment and head to a party right now. A friend of mine is throwing one tonight."Without hesitation, we gathered our belongings and set off into the night. When we arrived at the party, I said to Scott, “I’m gonna go find my best friend, Rachel. Just wait for me here.”I left to find Rachel amidst a sea of people.“Ahhhhhhh!!! You came!” Rachel screamed excitedly when she caught sight of me. With a delighted squeal, she enveloped me in a tight embrace, and