Graceful Ashes

Graceful Ashes
Copyright © 201
6
by Savannah Stewart

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission, except by a reviewer who may quote passages for review purposes only. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created fictitiously.

Cover Design: 
Savvy
Designs
Photography: Regina
Wamba
– Mae I Designs
Published by Savannah Stewart 129
Saddlebrook
Drive
Coxs
Creek KY 40013

Books by Savannah Stewart:

Moments of Reckoning (standalone
)
Behind the Words Series
(Can be read as standalones)
Arianna
Jayde
Poppy

Graceful Scars (standalone
)
Graceful Ashes (standalone spin-off)

Dishonorable Love (standalone)

Find the author at:

http://www.authorsavannahstewart.com
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSavannahS
http://www.goodreads.comAuthorSavannahS
http://www.twitter.com/Savvy2287
http://www.tsu.co/SavannahStewart

“
Much like the Phoenix, I too shall rise from my ashes
.”
-
Unknown
 

Chapter One

"I'm done with you, you bastard!" The threat seeped between my clenched teeth as I leaned further out of my third story window with my laptop dangling from my hands. "One slip and you'll be free falling to the pavement below!"

"Hey!" A man called out from the sidewalk below, causing me to almost jump out of my skin. "Get your ass back in that window before I tell the dean!"

The speed of my heart was ridiculous as I realized the man was a security guard. He aimed his flashlight at my face. The light was intensely bright as it focused on me like a spotlight of death, and I almost lost my grip on my laptop as I shielded my eyes.

"One more night you've survived." I growled as I pulled myself, along with my piece of shit laptop, back into the apartment then shut the window and flipped the lock into place.
I'd tried five times within a two day span to connect with Talon via video chat, only to get a lovely error message each time. I know it’s technically not the laptop’s fault for the shitty internet service, but my anger had to be vented somewhere, right?

My patience was running thin.

I hadn't seen my brother in person for months due to living in the Upper West Side of Manhattan while he and Tegan were tucked away happily in Chicago. The distance sucked major balls, but it was for the greater good of my career as a dancer. That's what I kept telling myself at least.

The muffled plop from my laptop hitting the navy blue chevron printed comforter on my single bed did nothing for my anger. I wanted to shatter it into millions of tiny pieces, but apparently I needed it more than the pavement did.

I had been at Juilliard for a year and a half, trying to dance my way into a main spot within a recital only to be denied every damn time. I was on the verge of giving up and heading back home when my dreadful instructor quit. I might have had a night full of praising hallelujahs and drinking mass amounts of wine when I found out. The woman who had replaced him reminded me of Tegan, full of life and passion. Elizabeth Vurdo was her name. She wouldn't allow anyone to sit on the sidelines, and I was praising the heavens that maybe, just maybe I’d finally get my chance to shine.

I clutched one of my gold shimmer throw pillows against my chest as I sat in the black computer chair next to my bed. If you stood in the center of my room and turned in a full circle, your hands would brush against almost everything in it. I lived in a cracker box for an apartment. Even though Talon had set aside money to help me, and I received a scholarship through Juilliard—I kid you not—New York was one of the most expensive ass states. The upside of the situation was I didn’t have to worry about an annoying roommate. It was just me and my solitude.

I slowly spun in the computer chair, until my phone dinged. It had to be Talon, because hardly anyone else contacted me. Yes, I had friends in my classes, but no one I would call a close friend. I swiped the screen.

Looks like I’m gonna have to call someone and rip their ass about your internet not working worth a shit.

A full-blown smile stretched my face as I laughed,because Talon’s threat was legit. Everything he said or did was genuine. He was the one person who for sure would stand behind their word. My brother was a man most men wished they could be. I typed back
.
Or I could go crack some skulls.

Now that’s funny! But seriously…tuition is too damn high for shitty internet.

I sighed as I typed.
Believe me, I know. A mouse would bitch about living in this cracker box.

It could be worse.

How is that?!

You could have a roommate.

A bellowing laugh erupted from my chest. He knew me all too well.
Touché dear brother, touché.

Give me a call tomorrow. Tegan is feeling sick again.

Yet another reason why I hated being so far away from them, they were expecting their first child. It was a surprise. Well…not to me. I had been hoping and praying for a bun to rise in that oven of hers for a long ass time, and thankfully they were expecting that little bundle of joy before they knew it. Five months to be exact
.
Sure thing. Hope she feels better. Pregnancy sounds hoooorrible.

It’s all for the greater good, Zoey. You’ll love your little niece or nephew.

No doubt. Love you.

Love you too, little bit.

I sat my phone down on the small white painted wood desk and stood. My legs wobbled from spinning in the chair so I closed my eyes and took a steadying breath before opening them again. Being cooped up in my apartment for the entire day was driving me bonkers; I needed to see people…or at least a movie. A movie was just as good as people, right? I snatched a slouchy beanie from my pile of newly washed and folded laundry and slid it onto my head. I pulled on my black and white Aztec patterned baggy sweater before slipping my feet into a pair of low-heeled ankle booties. The skinny maroon jeans I had been lounging in worked just fine. It’s not like I was trying to be the queen of fashion or swoon someone; it was a solo movie date. Just me and those ‘Acca-pitches,’ from Pitch Perfect and maybe a big ass tub of buttery popcorn. Ah, yes…that was happening.

The theater was only a couple blocks from my apartment which was even more appealing. No train, or taxi needed. I grabbed my keys from the desk and tossed my purse onto my shoulder as I headed out the door then locked it securely behind me.

As I made my way down the long hallway to the back stairs, I texted Talon. He always wanted me to give him a heads up when I went somewhere so he would have an inkling of where I was in the big ole city. Even if his keeping tabs on me was a pain in the ass sometimes, I couldn’t fault him for being protective; he always had been and probably always would be.

Once I arrived at the stairwell, I peeked through the rectangular window that stretched across the upper part of the door. I had some background on how to keep myself safe, since Chicago was a city where numerous deaths occurred daily. Still, I’d been shocked when Talon had allowed me to settle in New York alone. I’d thought sure as day that he and Tegan would have packed up their lives to come with me, but they hadn’t.  Besides, he deserved to have a life beyond being my parent. It wasn’t fair he’d had to take responsibility for me for so many years. But Talon wouldn’t have walked away from me, especially not after what had happened.

Not allowing the horrible thought to fill my mind, I pushed open the door and took off down the steps, quickly rounding each corner until I pushed through the door, which led to the street. The cool night’s air smacked me in the face. “Shiiiiit.” My teeth chattered as I cursed myself for not grabbing a jacket. Regardless that it had been seventy degrees during the day; nights in New York could be cold as hell. I should be used to the cold after living in Chicago, but the winter here was a different kind of cold. Maybe it’s just me being so far from home, but New York’s cold made me feel a piercing loneliness unlike any other.

I wrapped my arms tightly around my midriff as I power walked in the direction of the movie theater. Street lights illuminated the entire way. Even if Juilliard slacked on their internet speed, they did a helluva job keeping people on campus safe. The bright blue lights of the theatre sign beckoned me inside as I approached, but the line was longer than I had anticipated. With less than five minutes before the previews were to roll, I stepped up behind a couple who were too intertwined in one another’s love to pay much attention to their surroundings. I knew the girl vaguely from class, although she hadn’t been at Juilliard as long as I had. I watched as the guy draped his arm around the girl’s shoulder then kissed the end of her nose, pulling the biggest smile ever out of her. Love and happiness made my heart ache, mainly because I had never experienced that form of love. Zoey Fisher was always too damn busy chasing her dreams to give romance the time of day, and the regret was catching up with me.

Once the couple had bought their tickets and moved their love bird asses on, I stepped up to the counter.

“What can I get for ya?” A bright-eyed short blonde girl asked as she flipped her long braid over her shoulder.

My eyes scanned the screen above me that not only gave the showing times and prices of tickets, but also their snack and drink selections. “I’ll take a medium Coke along with a small extra butter popcorn. Plus one ticket to Pitch Perfect Two.”

“Great movie choice!” The blonde whose nametag read Brit piped up. “I watched it last week. It’s just as funny as the first one.” She smiled widely as my ticket printed out and she handed it to me. “It’ll be just a second on your drink and popcorn.”

“Thank you.” I smiled back as a guy behind her sat my order on the counter.

“Here you go.” She was still smiling as she slid the popcorn and drink toward me. “Enjoy the movie.”

I stuffed mounds of napkins into my pocket, grabbed a straw then made my way into the nearly deserted theatre. Selecting my favorite spot in the middle of the third to last row, I slouched back into the tall back comfy seat and situated my drink in its holder before placing the bag of popcorn against my side for easy access. A few moments later the lights dimmed and the previews rolled. I’d made it just in time.

As the credits closed out, I thought the blonde out front was right; the movie was really good. Getting out of the apartment, even if it was only for a movie date with myself, had been needed. I felt good as I threw away my trash and approached the lobby. The sound of numerous voices filled the air as I made my way through the crowd arriving for the last showing. I was thankful I’d made the next-to-the-last showing because I didn’t like super busy, I’d rather have room to breathe.

Once outside, the night’s air was even colder than it had been on my way over. I groaned with annoyance as I tucked my arms around myself and manned the trip back to my apartment. The sound of my booties hitting the pavement echoed loudly throughout the empty parking lot behind Juilliard’s music building as I crossed it.
Smart idea, dumbass.
What a bright idea of walking to the theater at night without grabbing a jacket, even if it was a short trip to and fro.

A gust of wind blew hard out of nowhere, knocking me off balance. I rolled my ankle as I tumbled to the ground. “Holy hell!” I sat up dusting myself off and silently prayed my ankle was okay.
No sharp pain.
But that didn’t mean much since I wasn’t standing.

“Are you all right, ma’am?”

A man called from my right. I saw a security guard jogging toward me.

I groaned as I pushed up from the pavement. “Just great.” The security guard reached me as I stood. “I’m fine, thanks. Just took a little spill is all.” I laughed an embarrassed laugh as I wrapped my arms back around myself.

“Are you sure?”

Dusting myself off once more, I said, “I’m sure. Thanks for checking on me though.”

“You really shouldn’t be out this late alone. How far is your place from here?”

He only wanted to make sure that I was going to be getting home all right, but his concern still bugged me. My annoyance was on high for the night, but I couldn’t pinpoint why. “Just around the corner. I’ll be just fine.”

“How about I escort you to your complex.”

His response was not a question, but a statement.

I sighed as I nodded in acceptance of his protection and we started toward my building. In all reality though, if someone had wanted to jump me they would have out maneuvered the guy easily. He was barely taller than me and gravely out of shape. Just the small jog to where I had fallen had him out of breath.

Not even three minutes later, we were at the front door of my building. “Here we are.” I waved my hand at the place then searched for my keycard in my purse.

“Here.” He stepped up beside me and swiped his card that opened any and all buildings on the campus.

“Thanks.” I pushed through the door and didn’t look back as I heard it shut. My movie night out had turned into a mess, but one good thing was that my ankle felt fine.

Instead of taking the stairs I took the elevator. My body was sore beyond belief from practicing most of the day. As the door dinged then opened, loud music filled my ears. “What the hell…” I stepped around the corner and was hit by the strong smell of a skunk?
How the heck would a skunk get into the building?
The potency of the scent made me gag. Numerous people were standing outside one of the much larger apartments three doors before mine. I assumed the girl who lived there was an acting major because I saw her enter the building designated for the acting classes most mornings as I was headed to my classes. We never said much more than a ‘hey’ under our breath if we passed one another in the hallway.