Back to me

“Bye love”

Jade’s eyes burned with tears , but she refused to cry . Not in front of them . Not in front of him . She felt a wave of anger , of betrayal , of hurt , wash over her , and for a moment , she thought she might actually lose it .

“ why?” jade asked with her head faced down , her voice low and even . “ why Micheal ?” She asked again , her eyes locked on him this time .

Micheal took a step forward, his eyes pleading .” Jade , baby , it’s not what it looks like …”

“Get out,” she said , her words barely in a whisper.” GET OUT," she said again with her voice surging with anger, her hands raised and her fingers pointing towards the door .

Erica stood up, a smirk on her face. “ I’ll see you around sweetheart , don’t beat yourself up, it was only a matter of time, “ she said with a smile. She walked out of the dressing room ,and Micheal followed behind her, leaving Jade alone , her heart shattered into a million pieces .

Jade slid down to the floor , her back against the wall , and let the tears come. They weren’t there to see her break down. She cried for the love she had lost , for the trust that was broken, for the future she had thought she had . She cried for the girl she used to be , the one who believed in love , in music , in herself.

As she cried , Jade's mind was a jumble of emotions . She thought about all the times she had ignored her instincts, all the time she was understanding and made excuses for Micheal’s behavior. She thought about the countless nights she spent alone , wondering where he was , what he was doing . And she thought about the one person who had always been there for her , who had always believed in her—herself .

As the tears dried up her cheeks, she felt something else — a spark of anger, of determination, of resolve . She was going to make them pay . She was going to make them regret the day they ever crossed her. Now she understood how Erica got ahold of her song it was Michael, her anger doubled instantly.

She stood up , she needed to call her friend Rachel , to tell her what happened. But as she picked up her phone , she saw the anonymous message again:“ Wake up, Jade. He’s not who you think he is .”

Her mind started racing again. She dialed her friend's number and waited for her to pick up the phone. Finally, Rachel’s voice came on the line sounding concerned. “ Jade, are you okay? You just disappeared. I looked for you. A staff member said you went into the dressing room, and they saw Micheal headed there earlier . I didn’t want to disturb you all “.

“Rachel” Jade spoke up with a broken voice.

“ Jade , what’s wrong?”

Jade took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “ Rachel, I need you to come get me. Now.”

There was a pause , and then Rachel’s voice was all business. “Where are you ?”

Jade told her where she was, she never left the place, her eyes scanning the room as she spoke . She was suddenly aware of her surroundings, of the people watching her , of the music still pulsating through the air .

As she hung up the phone she felt uneasy, a chill ran down her spine , she was being watched . She could feel eyes on her , boring into her skin .

She turned to leave,but her eyes landed on the two humans she didn’t want to see, Micheal and Erica , still watching her with smug expressions on their faces.

Jade's anger flared up , and she knew she had to get out of that place before she did something she would regret. She turned and walked away with her head held up high , but her heart pounding in her chest. She was going to make them pay for what they did to her , oh yes, she was .

As she pushed open the door , Jade felt a wave of cool air hit her , a welcome respite from the stifling heat of the club . She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down, but her heart was still racing .

She heard the sound of footsteps behind her , and she knew Micheal was following her . She didn’t turn around , and didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing she was upset. But she could feel his presence, his eyes and her , and it made her skin crawl .

“ Jade wait ,” he called out , his voice lie and husky .

Jade’s heart skipped a beat . What could he possibly say to change everything, or make it okay ?. She didn’t turn around, didn’t slow down, she just slept walking , her eyes fixated on the street ahead .

And then ,suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, spinning her around . Jade’s eyes met Micheal’s, and for a moment they just stared at each other . The world around them melted away , and all that was left was the two of them , Locked in a battle of wits .

Jade’s heart was racing , her breath coming in short gasps. She could feel the anger . the hurt , the betrayal , all swirling together in a toxic mix .

And then ,Micheal spoke , his voice low and urgent .

“ Jade, I didn’t mean to hurt you, I’m sorry."

Jade’s eyes narrowed . Sorry ? He was sorry?

She laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. “ You're sorry ? You’re sorry ?”

Micheal’s eyes dropped, his face twisting in a mixture of shame and guilt . “ I know I hurt you , Jade . But I promise it’s not what it looks like.”

There must be a sign that said stupid on her forehead, she thought , her anger flared up , a burning fire in her chest . “ Not what it looks like ? You’re cheating on me with Erica , and you’re telling me that it’s not what it looks like ?”

Micheal’s eyes snapped up , his face white fear . “ Jade, please just listen to me.”

But Jade wasn’t listening , she was done, done listening to his lies , his excuses, and his empty promises.

She turned and walked away , leaving Micheal standing alone in the darkness .

And that’s when she saw it. A car , parked across the street, its windows tinted black, her heart skipped a vest as she realized she was being watched . But it wasn’t just the car , it was the message scrawled on the side of the car in red paint , “ you’ll never be safe .”