Ruined Valentine (St. Valentines)

Prologue

S taring at the purple envelope with the Lotus elite families’ seal imprinted on it, my heart starts to race.

What the fuck do they want?

Only the legacies of the founding families receive these. It's like being drafted. You don’t get the option to turn them down. You must attend or the consequences are dire.

Ripping open the envelope, I pull out the purple paper, revealing my early acceptance into JDU.

“What the fuck!” I scream, causing my mom to rush in. Fuck no. Holding the acceptance letter in my hand, I can’t help but get pissed.

“I didn’t apply to JDU, mom.” I say, squeezing the paper in my hands before looking up at her green eyes. She’s one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen. She stands about five foot two, weighs one hundred twenty pounds, and has shoulder length blonde hair. I’m five feet, one hundred forty-five pounds, brown curly hair, and I have heterochromia which gives me one emerald and one honey colored eye. I always tell people my eyes come from my parents, even though they aren’t my real parents, but they’ve raised me my whole life.

“I know Zo, but you know all legacies have to attend. It’s where our history resides. Plus, that’s where your friends will go too.” She states, walking towards me and taking a seat beside me.

“You mean THEM. I can’t do it. I hate him and his friends. They have done nothing but torture and torment me for years.” Just thinking about them makes my skin burn. Before she can say anything, my father enters. He stands at six feet, two hundred and eighty pounds of muscle. Has jet black hair and whiskey colored eyes.

“Zovalee, we have already gone through this. You will attend the school, and when the time comes, you will marry the Davis boy.” He says, standing in the doorway with his arms folded over his chest.

“No, dad. I won't do it. Why should I? Did you forget what he and his friends have done to me?!” I scream, tears falling down my face.

“Of course I haven’t forgotten. Listen Zo, boys will be boys, and I’ve raised you to have tougher skin.” He lets out a sigh. “What’s done is done. You will do as you're told.”

After he turns and walks down the hallway, mom reaches over and embraces me in a hug.

“Zo, let me let you in on a secret.” She starts and I focus closer on her next words.

Picking up my cell from the table, I pull up my cousin’s contact.

Me: Dri, I need a favor.

Dri: Anything!

Me: I need to disappear.

Dri: Permanently?

Me: No. I just need some time to get my plan in order.

Dri: I take it, he still wants you to go through with it?

Me: Unfortunately yes.

Me: But mom gave me an idea.

Dri: She always does…

Dri: Consider it done. I have the perfect place.

Me: Okayy.

Me: Thanks Cuz.

Dri: Don’t thank me yet!

Dri: This place is dangerous… but not as dangerous as there

Me: I’ll risk it!

Dri: I knew you’d say that.

Me: Stay safe. Keep your head down.

Dri: You too. And Z?

Me: Yeah?

Dri: Give them hell.

Placing my cell back on my table, I can’t help the smile taking over my face. This is perfect, she will make sure I have everything I need. Honestly, anywhere but here will work. I just need to get my plan in order. They think I’ll just submit, but I won’t. After all, they need me.

It's been a month since I left in the middle of the night. Dri sent me north by the border but dad had found me within the second week of arriving. So I snuck out the window of the motel I was staying at, called Dri from my backup burner and went and met up with her.

“Are you sure you weren’t followed?” I ask, looking around.

“Girl, if you don’t stop that shit. You already know I wasn’t. Besides, you got caught because you didn’t listen.” She laughs.

I know she is right, but I really didn’t know I could be tracked.

“How was I supposed to know you can track a payphone?”

“Baby cousin. A payphone? Come on girl, those things are rare, so of course using it was going to get you caught.” She smiles, taking another sip of her milkshake.

“Did you get what I asked for?” I ask, hopeful.

“Of course, who do you think I am?” She says.

We chat for a few more hours before she slides an envelope across the table.

“Everything you need is in there.” She grabs her bag and stands. “Don’t get caught this time, kid.”

She reaches over, giving me a hug before she takes off, leaving the restaurant. Taking the envelope, I open it, and glance at all the contents. Time to get to work, Z.