Jasmine Miranda

@ohmyjazzy

[jasminemiranda]

“I didn’t mean to do it…”

The words echoed in her mind so loudly that she didn’t realize that she was speaking them out loud. She shuddered hard, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. One minute she and her friends were ice skating on the frozen lake, then the next they were standing over the body of one of their friends. The white ice under their ice skates was read, evidence that their friend was hurt. The fact that he wasn’t moving or hadn’t said anything gave truth to what they all feared.

“I didn’t mean too.” She repeated it again, looking up at her other friends. Unrecognized tears slid down the fourteen year olds face as she looked to her friends.

“Jasmine. It was an accident. But we probably need to tell someone.” This was spoken from Lyla, a curly redhead.

“What? What am I supposed to say?”

“Tell the truth.” This came from Cameron, the oldest of the group at fifteen. “We we’re playing and he tripped. You don’t have to say that you playfully tripped him. He tripped. It’s not a lie.” He raked his fingers through his dark black hair, taking a deep breath. He was the protector of the group of girls. Ryan had been too, but that was going to be different now. He was the protector now, and he was going to take care of the girls. He had too.

Jasmine nodded, her whole body numb. Her hands were still shaking and she felt like she was going to throw up. She took a deep breath to try to calm herself down. But it didn’t work. Moving away from the group, Jasmine threw up. It was that moment that Jasmine knew she wanted to help people. The moment she lost her friend the moment she knew would let anyone else die on her watch. She wouldn’t be responsible again.

[jasminemiranda]

“Why are all your bright ideas illegal?“

“Don’t worry about it baby. It’ll be fine. This stuff is supposed to make everything feel ten times better.”

She looked at him, shifting on the bed. She watched as her boyfriend shaped the fine white powder into a long line. “Yeah. We can also use other things to make it feel better. We don’t have to use that.”

“Baby stop. It’s fine. All of my friends use crack to make their sex better. I promise you will not be disappointed I promise.” He leaned over and kissed her before moving back to the line. Grabbing a rolled up dollar bill, he put one end to his nose and the other right above the line. After taking the hit, he leaned back for a moment, taking a breath.

He made one for her as well, though making hers a little longer so it would help her relax too. Once it was made, she crawled over and took the hit. After she’d taken it, he crawled over her and pinned her to the bed.

—

“I need an OR room STAT! Two teenagers OD’d on crack. One is stable but the other.. I’m not sure.”

Jasmine moved quickly through the halls, guiding the gurney with a teenaged girl on it. The girl’s boyfriend was right behind her. She’d responded to the 911 call as the first responder, now she was acting as the head trauma nurse. That was her job after all.

The call had come from a friend of the couple. Neither one of them had answered their phones after several attempts so the friend decided to go over. After finding them both passed out on the bed naked, the friend knew that they’d been using drugs to enhance their sex life.

Shaking her head, Jasmine finally got both of them into a room and immediately began pumping their stomachs with activated charcoal. Both responded well to the charcoal, but the girl seemed to still be suffering. Her pulse wasn’t as strong as his. Walking over to the boy, she had him put in the same room as her.

“Is she gonna be ok?” He asked, looking over at his girlfriend.

Jasmine looked at him, then looked at her. “I don’t know. I hope so.” She looked at him. “What were you thinking?”

“I just wanted it to be better.”

“If it’s with the right person, it will always be good. And there are other ways to enhance it without using drugs. Especially crack.”

He nodded, looking down.

“I hope this… venture doesn’t cost your girl her life.” Leaving him to think about that, Jasmine checked their girl’s vitals and left the room. She knew the girl was going to be fine, but she wanted to make sure the boy understood the reality of what his situation could have been. After two days of observation and IV liquids, both were able to go home.

[jasminemiranda]

*trigger warning: miscarriage*

The pain that ripped through her body was intense. Definitely time for more pain meds. Rolling over in the bed, she looked at the clock.

1:24 am.

She felt something wet against her core and inner thigh. That wasn’t right. She should be having her period right now. Glancing over at Harrison who was asleep peacefully next to her, she slipped herself from the bed and walked into the bathroom. She couldn’t help but feel the wetness on the sheets as well as she got out of bed.

Walking to the bathroom, she cracked the door and turned on the light. It was then that she saw the red stains down her inner thigh. “No,” she whispered. Swallowing hard and fighting through the pain in her body, she carefully sat down on the toilet after sliding down her panties. The sight broke her heart. As tears streamed down her face, she slipped her panties off fully, her hands shaking as she folded them up and put them aside. She curled herself up into a ball on the bathroom floor, sobbing. Moments later, she felt arms around her and fingers in her hair. Harrison. She pressed herself against his side and cried. “It’s ok Luvie” was all she heard.

Jasmine jolted awake, panting hard. “No!” She looked over at the clock.

1:24 am.

Again with that nightmare. Tears streamed down her face and she wrapped her arms around her stomach. It was moments like this that she both did and didn’t want to be a mom. It wasn’t a secret that Jasmine wanted to be a mother. But she was scared of losing it. She finally calmed herself down enough so she could lay back down, but she knew sleep wouldn’t come easy for her again.

She cried silently, not wanting to wake Harrison, who slept beside her. Rolling into her side, she cried into her pillow. Moments later, she felt movement behind her then felt arms wrap around her. She felt a kiss to her neck and her shoulder, before feeling him nuzzle into her neck. She trembled slightly and his arms tightened around her. “I’m right here Luvie.”

[jasminemiranda]

Jasmine stared at the white wall, now stained red. The blood of a car accident victim smeared across the wall. They’d come in alive, clinging to life even with a metal fence pole settled in their chest. Their vitals had been somewhat stable while she and the others made sure they were comfortable enough to do their jobs. The first responding firefighters had cut the pole so they could fit in the ambulance, but now Jasmine had to cut it smaller. As the first responding paramedic, she knew what it had looked like before. The entire scene was something she never wanted to see again. Something she never wanted to see again. Forcing herself to stop reliving the crash scene, Jasmine and her team focused on the task at had, though none of them were prepared for what happened next.

The steady beep of the monitor was frowned out only by the thumping of her own blood in her ears. Everything seemed to fade, as if she was the only one in the room. They couldn’t have left it in, and taking it out was tricky. Removing the pole from the girl’s chest had proved to be fatal. After removing the pole, the girl’s heart beat a few more times, spraying the wall. The pressure that had built up had been too much to contain and Jasmine and the others couldn’t get it contained fast enough.

The girl, only seventeen, died on the table. Jasmine had been able to save the little boy in the backseat, but not the girl. The little boy would grow up now without his sister and it made Jasmine’s heart hurt. She’d done everything she could, but it hasn’t been good enough. While she tried to save as many as she could, she couldn’t save all of them. Sometimes, her best just wasn’t enough. It was days like this when she hated her job. Now she had to go tell the girl’s family that their daughter didn’t make it. She had to tell the family that a drunk driver had cost them their daughter’s life.

[jasminemiranda]

Phoenix Rising

Jasmine was super excited. She had just gotten a new tattoo, but this one was different. All of her tattoos had special meaning to them, but this one, she really couldn’t explain. She felt a pull towards the Phoenix. Almost like a gut feeling that she couldn’t explain. She’s always loved them- they were her favorite mythical creature. She didn’t know why, they just were. So, she had to get one. And it had come out perfectly. Absolutely flawless.

After doing some errands, she went him to put everything away. Deciding on going for a ride, she slipped on her boots and grabbed her phone and her headphones. Turning her music on, she headed out to the barn. Getting her horse tacked up, she mounted and started out for a ride, leaving a trail so she would know how to get home, just in case.

Music played over the earbud that she had in her ear. She let her horse partially decide where they were going. Jasmine enjoyed just going for a ride and seeing what new sights they could find. She’d take a picture on her phone then print it out and save it.

Eventually, they came across a clearing, with rocks that looked like ruins. Tilting her head, she dismounted and tied her horse to an old tree. He nickered softly, nuzzling her. “I know buddy. I’ll be right back.” She rubbed and kissed his nose, then started to walked toward the rocks and rubble.

As she walked through the rocks, she moved some around with her foot, curious what she could find. A rock caught her attention and she tilted her head a little. Kneeling down, she moved other rocks out of the way. This one was weird. This one looked like it had a feather in it.

The feather seemed to Inveigle her, pull her in. She reached down and picked up the rock up to free it from the pile. As soon as she touched it, something happened.

Her head began to spin. She felt like she was in a dream. She had a clear image of a Phoenix. Only she wasn’t looking at a Phoenix. She was the Phoenix, looking at herself in the reflection of a lake. She raised her right hand and a beautiful wing extended. Feathers the color of fire- different shades of reds and oranges. Absolutely beautiful. She put her arm down and leaned a little closer to the water. Her eyes too were like flames. They were mesmerizing.

All of a sudden, she burst into flames and the reflection disappeared. But only for a moment. Out of a little pile of ash, the tiny baby Phoenix began to grow again. She let out a triumphant cry than launched herself into the air.

Jasmine dropped the rock and the dream like vision disappeared. What the hell was that? At least she understood why she liked the Phoenix so much.

Or did she?

[jasminemiranda]

“Oh you are such a brave boy. Take as deep a breath as you can for me ok?”

The little boy, probably about seven or eight, sat in front of Jasmine, his little body shaking and trembling as she checked him over. A firefighter, Deacon, had just pulled him from a burning building and had given him to her to make sure he was ok. She smiled softly at Deacon before watching him go back into the burning building. She took a deep breath and turned back to the little boy. No visible signs of trauma, except a tiny little cut on his arm, which she had already cleaned and bandaged.

And of course, she let him pick out his bandaid. She had a special stash of bandaids in her bag for the kids, in hopes that it would make them smile a little. She also had some suckers in her bag for them too.

“Ok good breaths. Very good Micah.” She smiled softly, rubbing his back softly. She looked around, wondering where the other members of his family were. She swallowed hard, hoping she hadn’t just helped an orphan. She felt something against her and smiled softly when she felt Micah nestle him against her side, his head resting against her stomach. She wrapped her arm around him lightly, still watching.

Eventually, she let out a sigh of relief when she saw the rest of Micah’s family emerge from the burning building with deacon and a few of the others.

“Ok Micah. Wanna help me take care of momma?” The little boy looked up at her and nodded. “Alright. Let’s go. You can be my little helper.”

“Ok Ms Jazzy. Can momma pick out her own bandaid too?”

“Of course she can.” She picked Micah up and rested him on her hip as she walked over to where his mother was sitting. She let the two say their hellos and give hugs before she and her little assistant went to work. Once she and her little Micah finished, she smiled softly, watching as they were settled into the ambulance. Jasmine took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest.

One day.. maybe.

Stop it Jaz.

Her hand went up to the chain around her neck and she turned, watching firefighters come out of the building, the fire now out. However, there was one firefighter she didn’t see. One that meant more to her than any of them. Where was he?

She took a step toward the building and screamed when a portion of the two story building fell. “Deacon!” Firefighters ran toward the building. She started toward it, but then felt strong arms around her waist, holding her back. “No! Let me go!” “Jas stop. We’ll get him out.” The man seemed way to Sanguine about the situation. Did he not realize that a building had just fallen with him inside?

Minutes that felt like hours ticked by, four firefighters emerged, carrying another. Her heart pounded in her chest. Once they were clear of the building, Jasmine wrestled herself out of the arms that held her and made a beeline for the ambulance. Seeing Deacon laying in the gurney made her head sink. Pushing aside what she felt, she got to work. She had to do everything she could to save his life. She had too.

The ride to the hospital seemed to take forever, even with the sirens and the horn. Once they arrived, Jasmine made the quick switch from paramedic to trauma nurse. She started shouting out orders, and they were obeyed instantly. Finally getting him into an OR, Jasmine set to work. After three hours of fighting, Jasmine had to stop. The steady buzz of the heart monitor told her that she hadn’t done enough. “TOD, 1:23 am.” Numb, she pulled off her gloves and left the room. Her fiancé was dead.

Later that night, Jasmine was writing in her journal, documenting what had happened. For someone reason, everyone started looking at me differently. Like it was my fault. But it wasn’t. I can’t control the fire. I couldn’t stop the building from falling. While my heart is broken, I did everything I could. But one thing is certain. I will never stop fighting.

[jasminemiranda]

Nightmare Screams

Trigger warning

Finally home from school, Jasmine pushed the door open after unlocking it. The house was silent- which usually meant that her parents were either not home or in their bedroom. She didn’t know which one and honestly, she didn’t care. The young girl, who’d just turned 14, closed the door behind her and walked into the kitchen to get a drink and a snack before heading upstairs to her bedroom.

That’s when she heard it. The pained whimpers coming from the master bedroom. Her heart tightened in her chest, and she wished there was something she could do about it. Forcing herself away from the door before she was seen, she went to her room and closed the door. Sitting on her bed, she started on her homework.

Unable to concentrate with the noises near her room, she took her books and went downstairs to the living room. Settling on the couch, she continued to work, the music playing through her earbuds drowning out the last of the Remaining noise. She desperately wanted to do something, but what could she do? She couldn’t do anything against her father. Maybe one day she’d be strong enough.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt her earbuds being yanked from her ears. She yelped in pain as she looked up to see her parents standing there. Her father looked angry, her mother looked like she’d just taken a beating. Jasmine swallowed hard.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m doing my homework. It was too noisy upstairs so I came down here.”

“You know you are supposed to do your homework in your room.”

“I know. But I couldn’t concentrate with all the noise coming from your bedroom.” She emphasized the word your and wasn’t prepared for what came next.

“I told you… never speak to me in that tone or there was going to be consequences.” The back of his hand connected with her left cheek, sending a sharp pain through her entire body. He shoved her to the floor then turned his attention to the other female in the room, who was now trying to defend her daughter.

“And you.. how dare you defy me. I am your husband and you will respect me.” He snatched her off the floor and ripped off her clothes. He’d remind them both who was in charge. First he’d remind his wife, then he would remind his daughter that she was just a child.

Once he had finished humiliating his wife, he got up and grabbed his daughter roughly by her arm. He drug her up the stairs to her room, even as she kicked and screamed, tears streaming down her face. He slapped her response, which made her go silent and submissive. Jasmine could do nothing but cry as he did everything short of actually having sex with her. But he did everything else, and there was nothing she could do.

——

Jasmine woke up with a start, panting hard and covered in sweat. She trembled hard, her eyes adjusting quickly to the dark room. She looked around, for a moment she wasn’t sure where she was. Her dream had been so real, so vivid. It had been like she was living it all over again. Running her fingers through her hair, she looked down and caught sight of Damien asleep beside her. She let herself smile softly, but it didn’t last long. If he knew the details of her past would he still want to sleep beside her?

Slowly getting up so she didn’t wake him, she grabbed his shirt from off the edge of the bed and slipped it on. His red and black shirt matched perfectly with the black panties she was already wearing. Quietly, she walked out to the balcony and sat down in one of the chairs, her mind racing and her heart hurting. She hated reliving that pain, but at the same time, a few years later she’d finally been strong enough to stand up to her father. Now, he couldn’t hurt her anymore. She trembled, crying quietly on the balcony.

Feeling the bed move slightly, Damien slowly woke and looked over to see Jasmine walking out to the balcony. While she looked amazing in his shirt, she looked even better laying in bed next to him. Getting up, he adjusted his shorts and made his way outside. She didn’t have to say anything for him to know she wasn’t in. Walking over, he picked her up and sat down, settling her in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled when he felt her snuggle into him. Kissing her head, he let one hand rub her back, playing with her hair a little. “I’m right here babygirl,” he whispered softly against her hair, his arms tightening around her a little more. Nothing would ever hurt her again.

[jasminemiranda]

-A New Chapter-

"Come on Jasmine. Do you really want to do this?"

"Yes I do."

"Jasmine.. you'll be throwing your life away." Her mother looked at her with a confused look on her face.

"Mom, stop please. Just because you feel comfortable and at home in a hospital doesn't mean I have too."

"you used too."

Jasmine let out an exaggerated breath, getting annoyed with the conversation. "Yes. I used too, but I don't anymore." She looked away from her mom, not really wanting to explain, but she had a feeling the question was coming.

"Why? What happened?"

There it was. She sighed softly, shaking her head. "I don't wanna talk about it mom. Just know I can't go back." Every memory from that night came flooding back. She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears. Every scream, every cry. She could hear them just as clearly as if it was happening all over again. She felt every punch, every stab. The looks she was given, haunted her every time she closed her eyes or stepped foot in the hospital.

She'd made a promise to herself that she wouldn't go back unless she absolutely had too.

"Jasmine..."

Raising her hand, Jasmine cut her off, earning her a look. "Don't, Mom. Please. I've made up my mind." Her phone buzzed with a text and she shifted. "I have to go. I'll talk to you later." She gave her mom a quick hug then walked over to her car and drove away.

-Downtown Thimble Shoals-

"Ok. Sign here and here."

Jasmine took the pen and signed her name on the two places the real estate agent indicated. "There. Done."

"Thank you Miss Miranda. Here is the key. She's all yours."

"Thank you." She took the key and watched as he left. After a moment, she turned back to look at the building she'd just bought. This was it. This was the location for the new chapter in her life.

Vertigo.

She didn't even have to think about it. Named after the drug in one of her favorite shows, she was going to turn this building into the most popular club in Thimble Shoals. That was a promise.

-One year Later-

"Thank you so much for coming out and celebrating the one year anniversary of Vertigo with me!" Cheers erupted all around the club. The smile that found Jasmine's face definitely wasn't forced or fake.

"In celebration of this date, the next round of drinks is on me." Cheers once again erupted around the room. One by one, patrons from the crowd stepped up to say a few words, showing their love and appreciation for Jasmine and Vertigo. The night went on like this and for the rest of the night, the celebrated. As the night went on, Jasmine had a permanent smile on her face. This is where she belonged.

This was home.

[jasminemiranda]

Knock. Knock.

Getting up, she walked over to the door. She was exhausted and her head was pounding, but the knock on the door was ten times worse. As she opened the door, she gasped softly when she saw the man in uniform on the other side.

“Jasmine Miranda?”

“Yes?”

“We need you to come with us please.”

Unsure what was going on, she nodded. “Of course. Let me just get my purse and shoes.” She grabbed both of those items then returned.

Once down at the station, she was placed into an interrogation room. She had no idea what was going on. The door opened an an officer came in.

“Jasmine, I am Officer Payne. I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.”

“Perfect. Would you state your full name for me? For the record.”

She nodded. “My name is Jasmine Miranda.” Her fingers rested on the cold table between her and the officer. She was trying not to shake too much, but she had no idea what was going on.

“Thank you. Where were you last night between 9 pm and four am?”

“I was at the penthouse where you found me. Sleeping.”

“Can anyone confirm that?”

“Yes. I was alone, but many of my friends knew I wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t be going out with them.”

The officer wrote a few things down. “Why weren’t you feeling well?”

Jasmine hesitated for a moment. “That lovely time of the month for us females. I was in so much pain I took some meds and slept it off.”

He wrote some things down again. “Do you know Quinn, Aubrey, Aria and Eden?”

She nodded, though she tensed at the sound of Quinn’s name. “Yes I do. They were friends. Quinn and I. Well.. I was hoping we’d get together but he disappeared.”

The officer nodded slowly. “I’m sorry to inform you that they are dead.” He watched to see her reaction.

Her face paled. “Dead? What? How? What happened?” She began breathing heavily, overwhelmed and not quite sure how to handle the news.

“You’re telling me you didn’t know this?”

“No I didn’t. They all disappeared before or around Christmas. Then nothing from any of them.”

“When did you last speak with them? And please be specific.”

“Quinn disappeared before Christmas. We had enjoyed several days together then nothing. I spoke to eden only briefly before Christmas to give her a secret Santa Christmas gift. I never spoke much to aubrey or aria.”

The officer nodded lightly. “Thank you. Just a few more questions. Where you born in thimble shoals?”

“Yes sir. Born and raised.”

“Thank you. And last one. Would you say that you have decent friendships with everyone in Thimble Shoals?”

“Yes. I would like think so. I like to think I have special friendships with all of them. I grew up with most of them.”

The officer nodded lightly. “Thank you Miss Miranda. I appreciate your time. I’ll have an officer take you home.”

Jasmine nodded. “Thank you sir. I hope you find out what happened.”

[jasminemiranda]

Wishlist 2022

I am looking forward to 2022. I don’t know what it has in store, but I’m excited. There are a few things I know I would love happen.

I would love to swim with dolphins and sharks. Go traveling is general would be fun.

I would also love to find that special someone. But who knows

2022.. bring it on

[jasminemiranda]

Christmas traditions are very near and dear to my heart, even if some of them changed with the lost of my mother. Despite her being gone, she is still with me and I keep her memory alive by keeping those traditions alive.

When I make Christmas cookies, I make two batches. One for me to enjoy and the other batch is for Santa. Yes, I still leave out milk and cookies for him since my mother always did the same thing. I decorate the tree and watched classic Christmas movies, like the Grinch and Nightmare Before Christmas. The day after Christmas I find some snowy slopes and go snowboarding. My hot chocolate, which is to die for, is made daily and is always ready to be shared with someone. I keep candy canes handy all season. My mom’s favorite were the Hershey chocolate ones.

One day, I hope to be able to share these traditions with my own family. Only time will tell.

[jasminemiranda]

Thanksgiving 2021

Standing in the kitchen, Jasmine took a deep breath. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stared into space. Her mind was blank. Her body numb. Her heart hurt, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to cry. It was almost didn’t believe that it was true. Couldn’t believe that she was no longer here.

Her mother was dead.

She had been killed in a car accident, hit by a drunk driver only a week before thanksgiving. Her father had been gone for a while so she didn’t care about that. But her mother… that was something completely different. They had plans to enjoy cooking together and then watching the debut of the Christmas movies on Hallmark. It was a tradition that had done every year for as long as she could remember. Now, she couldn’t.

She didn’t even know if she could continue the tradition. How could she? Now she was alone. Her first thanksgiving without family. She wanted to spend thanksgiving with someone but didn’t want to bother anyone. So, she made herself some dinner- spaghetti- and sat down to watch Harry Potter. She couldn’t bring herself to make traditional thanksgiving meal or watch the movies on hallmark.

Making next years would be different.

[jasminemiranda]

“Jasmine, right over here please. Perfect.”

She nodded as the director placed her where she wanted her for the script reading. She was auditioning for the biggest part she’d ever had and she couldn’t wait to see if she got the part or not.

“Ok. So you, Daniel Rupert read it from the top and we will go from there. I have a good feeling about this.”

Jasmine and Daniel shared a look before he nodded. She gave him a little nod in return and she smiled, stepping into the part of Hermione Granger.

Daniel and Rupert said their parts then she came into the scene, introducing herself to Harry and kinda shunning Ron. After a moment, she got up and walked a few steps away and turned.

“You might want to change into your robes. We’ll be arriving soon I expect.” She started to walk away then turned back and pretended like she was looking at “Ron”. “You have dirt on your nose, did you know? Just there.” As she spoke she pointed to the spot on her own nose then turned and walked off.

“And cut! That was brilliant. Bloody brilliant. Ladies and gentleman, we have found out Hermione Granger!”

Cheers erupted around the studio, the other members of the cast and crew were obviously happy to have found their missing member of the trip. “Welcome Miss Miranda to the wonderful world of Harry Potter.”