“Sure, I’ll keep it in mind.” Ryan’s voice was polite but no one in the room bought it.
“It’s probably best for you to go home now. We haven’t seen Astrid all weekend and it’s family time now.” Mother Dearest shrugged out of my father’s hold and set her purse on the counter.
“Yeah, no problem.” Ryan cast me a nervous glance before he said goodbye and ran out.
When the door slammed behind him, I was left with this awkward, disapproving silence.
“How was the trip?” Nonchalance was plan A. Hopefully I wouldn’t need a plan B. Because that would be very bad.
“Astrid, did that boy stay the night?” Mother growled. I had to appreciate her directness at the very least.
“No, he dropped by this morning about the project. I didn’t even know he was coming.” Sprinkle a little truth with the lie and maybe they’d actually buy it.
“I don’t think I need to tell you that someone like him is not who you should be surrounding yourself with.” Dad walked past me, carrying the suitcase. “If you’re hard up for friends I’ll connect you with some of the kids of my associates. Rhys and Trey would be good options.”
His words hung in the air even after he was no longer in the room. I couldn’t decide whether I should be embarrassed he thought I was such a loser or indignant at his condescending tone. If I was honest with myself, I was a bit of both.
“You’re officially grounded. If you’re having boys in the house when we’re gone, you can’t be trusted. I don’t know how you screw up so much.” Mother Dearest breezed past me like she hadn’t taken the last bit of sunshine from me. On the upside, she kept her hands to herself this time.
Now how was I supposed to get amazing shots for my portfolio? I’d have to do it at school and hope that no one noticed me being a creeper. Because I was still going forward with my plan to win the scholarship. Now I had to get creative.
Several weeks into my grounding and I was still trying to find a way to leave the house. Any other time, Dad would be oblivious in his study while Mother was working. But this time, they were both suspiciously home and eyeing me like I would escape at any second. And the funny thing was, I would have if I thought I could get away with it.
Now I had less than a month before I had to have my portfolio ready to review. Mr. Music started meeting me during lunch to give me an edge up on how to make an interesting composition. I’d also been working on Photoshop tutorials during art class. None of the other students seemed to care, which was good. If someone was butt hurt they could complain and get Mr. Music in all kinds of trouble for giving me special treatment. I didn’t know if he knew I had a screwed up home life or if he saw a fierce determination he wanted to foster, but either way, I was grateful.
Mr. Music was out today, leaving me to work on the computer in class. Alone, I was comfortable enough to plug in the camera to view the pictures I’d taken of the Rhys, Jonah, and Beck. But here where other students could walk by, I always worried someone would see the pictures and recognize the subjects. Those shots were reserved for my laptop only. I’d studied the pictures so many times. I could see each one so clearly in my head, it was like they were permanently burned into the back of my eyelids.
Static crackled through the room as Ms. Hadley, the young vivacious secretary came over the speaker. I’d caught a nice little photo of her last week leaving the married principal’s office with her shirt decidedly more wrinkled than when she went in. The funny thing. It was maybe five minutes.
These poor women and their minute men.
“Please report to the gymnasium for the homecoming rally. Do not leave your bags in the classroom. Thank you.” It was short, sweet, and to the point.
The screen went black when I unplugged the USB cord. I used the utmost care as I placed the camera in the bag and rolled up the cord to stick in the side pocket. Footsteps pounded down the hallway as that wild feverish vibe spread through the passing students like wildfire.
On second thought, I could use this to get some good shots. Maybe the yearbook excuse would let me get close to the floor again.
With the camera in hand, I stepped into the hyped-up crowd, happy to be swept away. But this time was different. I wasn’t fading into the background like every other time I’d walked the halls. People cast anxious glances in my direction before whispering behind their hands. The incessant buzzing of petty gossip swirled around me as I continued on my way.
The noise level was too intense for me to make out any of the conversations around me. I didn’t like this. All of the random attention speared sharp needles of discomfort down my spine, leaving behind a surreal numbness.
Jonah’s head bobbed up and down a little ways ahead of me. He was the only one in the hallway I’d had any kind of conversation with, so I sped up to catch him. If I distracted myself with mundane conversation, I might be able to forget people were staring.
“Jonah,” I grabbed his arm, pulling him to a complete stop. The crowd parted around us as he glanced down in confusion.
Yeah, I’d be confused too if the resident peeping tom suddenly wanted to chat.
“I can’t be late.” He pulled away and my fingers skidded over hard muscle.
That was unexpected. Jonah was a scholar, a nerd. How did someone so focused on academics get so toned, and how did he hide it so well? My gaze flicked down his body, catching on his tightly pressed khakis and navy-blue polo. At first glance, they were nice, preppy clothes. An outfit I’d expect to see at a chess tournament. But being this close, the worn material made it obvious the shirt had been washed many, many times. The sleeve closest to me even had a small tear close to the seam.
“Can I walk with you?” My voice cracked at the end. I sounded so uncomfortable, I winced at my own patheticness.
Someone jostled into me and Jonah pulled me closer before heading toward the gymnasium. I walked beside him as he glared down at me, seeming to simultaneously warn me away and dig my intentions out of my eyes.
“Why would you want to do that?” Apparently people didn’t randomly talk to him, and given his not so pleasant disposition, I wasn’t surprised.
“Listen, people are staring at me, and it’s weirding me out. Can I just walk with you? It makes me feel better to share the attention with someone else.”
“And you picked me to share it with? Thanks.” He sneered and kept walking.
I increased my speed to keep up with his quick steps. “I don’t mean I want you to be stared at too. I mean it distracts me if I’m not watching them watching me.” I leaned so close my chin almost touched his shoulder.
He adjusted the straps on his back, the muscles flexing in his forearms. Did everyone else realize Jonah was sexy? Just me? Okay.
“I guess you can. If you try to humiliate me again, you’ll regret it.”
I faltered, then picked up the pace. “What do you mean? I haven’t humiliated you.”
“When you knocked the notes out of my hand. That rally gave me nightmares for days. I hate being unprepared.” He sounded dead serious.
“Okay, Mr. Delirious. You ran into me too. That was no one’s fault.” Only one more hallway and we’d be at the gym.
“I blame you.” He still wasn’t looking at me.
I’d never wanted to trip someone so bad in my life. He must eat a lot of dick because he was the biggest one I’d ever met.
“Fine, whatever. It can be my fault. My mistake in thinking you were a decent person, when in reality you’re just like them.” I shouldered past him, making sure to check him as hard as I could. Fuck him. If he couldn’t be civil then I wasn’t going to waste my time. Let the fucktards stare at me.
I turned my death glare on one frizzy haired girl next to me, and took a sick satisfaction out of her glancing away first. That meant I was more dominant in the school food chain now. Only two thousand plus students to go.
Sweaty fingers slipped through mine to stop my progression. When I turned around, Jonah was blank faced, g
azing down at me. His black framed glasses slid down his nose.
“I’m having a shit day. Can we start that whole conversation over? You can walk with me.” He released my hand and walked beside me. Someone knocked into me but Jonah steadied me with a hand to my back. What was so important about today that no one was safe from being trampled? The rough treatment was getting old.
“I’m sorry you’re having such a bad day.” I wanted to bump shoulders to show solidarity against the world, but it didn’t feel like we’d reached that friend level yet.
Jonah shrugged and grabbed the door from the guy in front of us, motioning for me to go through. Same as last time, there was an electric undercurrent, rising in intensity with each person who entered. Today there was a platform rolled to the center of the floor with scarecrows and cornstalks decorating the cheap skirting. I could barely see the maroon cloth for all the decorations.
“What’s this?” I stopped, looking for a place in the crowd to blend in. Only, I was late getting here and the bleachers were mostly full. At least in here people weren’t staring at me. I breathed a little easier knowing I once again blended into the sea of youthful faces.
“Where have you been? The school’s been preparing for this for the last week at least. Signs were everywhere.” He pushed past me to head toward the front row. Most of Jonah’s crew took up the first bench and rushed to make room for him when they saw him. Yet more proof that Jonah was the academic king.
“What’s with the snide tone? I thought we’d just agreed to start over.” I barked as I followed behind him.
“This is me calling a truce. How could you miss the buildup of homecoming? Today they’re announcing the king and queen candidates.” He sat down in the newly opened gap, patting the spot next to him.
I could sit here, or I could try and climb the bleachers, looking for a discreet spot. But now, with people packed shoulder to shoulder on the stands, the thought of facing them as I climbed the steps was a little more daunting than I was comfortable with. Jonah was being enough of an ass that I would have happily left him here. Then on the flip side of that same coin, there was something magnetic about this geek from the wrong side of town.
“Excuse me for living my life. I don’t follow the whims of the popular kids here.” I dropped by backpack on the floor and plopped down. Our shoulders touched but our conversation died. No one would have figured we were actually sitting together.
Jonah pulled his phone out and started playing anagrams against some imaginary person. Even in his down time he was doing something to enrich his education. He probably had an SAT game on his phone to make sure his brain stayed in tiptop shape. I almost wished I had that kind of drive in school, but that didn’t sound like fun at all.
After five minutes he spoke again. “That doesn’t matter. It’s been everywhere.” His thumb slid over the screen, tapping letters and making words.
“Are you doing the talking today?” I discreetly watched his thumb zip around the screen to create words.
He glanced up, sliding his glasses back up with a forefinger. Thick lashes framed hazel brown eyes and his lips pursed in a frown. “No. Last year’s junior king and queen make the announcements.”
A hush fell over the stands as Rhys and a gorgeous blonde walked out to the center together. Big surprise. Rhys was every prom king stereotype from the pearly white smile, to the killer athletic ability and body to match. The girl had a dancer’s body and glossy hair. She was obviously comfortable in the limelight.
“Why are we here again? It’s not like either of us are going to be called up there.” I whispered.
Jonah snickered. “I don’t disagree with you. But I’m student body president. I have to attend these things. Unfortunately.” We smiled at each other as Rhys kicked off the event.
“SRHS. It’s that time again.” His voice filled every empty crevice of the gym. “After several countless hours of voting, we are pleased to bring you the 2018 candidates for Fall Homecoming. Are you ready?”
The bench rocked so hard from the forceful stomping; I’d say they were ready. Beside me, Jonah looked completely disinterested, still playing anagrams on his phone. I sort of loved his ability to tune all this out. Rhys and the girl waited, not yet ready to reveal the candidates. This was a perfect moment to snap some school spirit photos, so I lifted my camera and adjusted some of my settings before clicking away. I grabbed Rhys, and the crowd. I even managed to sneak one in of Jonah.
The girl raised her hand. “It’s time. First, the girls. If we announce your name, please come stand on the stage.” Three names were called, and the girls were all your classic popular kids. Shiny hair, tight clothes, and a chip on their shoulder. Another girl was called, and she wasn’t quite like the rest. She was petite, but all the way goth and currently mad as hell that she was being called. I snapped a picture of her snarl at the crowd. That was a keeper.
“Astrid Scott.” The girl announced. Surprised, I glanced back to the front in time to see an ugly smirk cross her face.
“Wait. Isn’t that you?” Jonah straightened up in his seat, pushing his glasses up on his nose again.
I was paralyzed, not sure what to do. I mean, she announced my name, right with the names of other girls that were on stage, but I didn’t have friends here. Only Ryan. And the only way those girls got up on the stage were by popular demand.
Rhys searched the crowd until his eyes landed on me. His face twisted in confusion and he bent down to ask the girl something I didn’t have a chance of hearing, not even with the baffled silence of the crowd. Why wouldn’t they be baffled? No one really knew who I was.
“Astrid, are you okay?” Jonah’s warm palm landed on the back of my neck, grounding me enough that I sucked in a breath.
“I don’t like being in the spotlight. It makes me nervous.” I whispered as Rhys and I made eye contact again.
He looked almost apologetic, but I wasn’t sure why.
“You need to get up there. It will be over quick.” His nose grazed my ear.
“I –I can’t,” I stammered as Rhys broke away to start walking my way.
“Damn, you’re shaking.” Of course I was, this was every high school nightmare I could ever have dreamed up. “Sneak out the back, this is going to go on until school’s over. Meet me at the park behind the grocery store and I’ll fill you in.”
Get out of here. That was a great idea. I needed to get out of here before people started to realize who I was. I stood and walked toward the doors, keeping my head down. If I avoided eye contact with everyone, they might believe I was going to the bathroom.
“Astrid Scott,” The girl said louder, getting impatient.
That was my cue to walk faster and once I reached the doors, I flat out sprinted down the hallway. For a second I was afraid someone had followed me, but I busted out of the school doors without hearing any shouting behind me.
Once I was behind the steering wheel of Freda and on my way out of the parking lot, I felt equally free and foolish. I escaped for a little while, but no doubt everyone would know who I was tomorrow. All I did was trade one spotlight for another. And wasn’t that a bitch.
One lone, bouncy toddler ran around the playground, stopping to pick up woodchips before discarding them again. Other than that, the rusty playground was completely empty as I got out of Freda and headed toward the swings. When I was in elementary school, I loved the swings. The wind in my hair was a tease to the freedom I thirsted for. It was a different kind of freedom I wanted, the seven-year-old version. I pushed off the ground and started swinging for all I was worth.
What was I doing? Did I really need to wait for Jonah? I was sure he was going to say everyone searched for me, and called my name. Some were probably curious to get a look at one of the homecoming candidates, maybe even wondering how someone they’d never heard of was nominated. I couldn’t wait to get out of the hormonal cesspool of high school. Everyone was anonymous in college. I would blend in with the Starbucks lovers
and essential oil nuts that thought they were saving the world one pair of yoga pants at a time. I liked Starbucks and yoga pants. I was already imagining myself as one with the masses.
“Astrid?”
Turning around, Beck and Thatcher were casually walking my way. Wonderful. Jonah was going to arrive in time to spread my humiliation among these hot guys like the zika virus.
“Hey,” I stopped pumping my legs on the swing, slowing down just enough so my hair wasn’t flying in my face.
Beck grinned like I was the best friend he hadn’t seen in ages. Thatcher smirked but was much more guarded. It was odd seeing these complete opposites together. Beck definitely exuded the bad boy persona, complete with a white, grease stained tee. Thatcher looked like he was ready to read some deep emotional, slam poetry after binging himself on cheap knockoff coffee. But who was I to judge their friendship? I barely knew how to hold one together. Especially given how little I kept in touch with Stace.
“Jail bait, what are you doing out here? Isn’t it still school hours for you?” Beck shoved both hands in his pockets, just watching me swing back and forth, like a deadly, teenage pendulum.
“It was a little crowded. I needed a breath of fresh air.” I almost asked him not to call me jail bait again, but it would have been useless. In his mind, it was already a thing. Our thing, apparently.
“Where’s the camera? I’ve been dying to see some of your pictures.” Thatcher startled me with his question and I narrowed my eyes, looking for any sign of mockery.
Genuine interest shown bright in his eyes. This whole time I hadn’t hunted him down because I couldn’t lower myself to accept pity help. Yet. But there was nothing in his expression except friendly curiosity and maybe something else I couldn’t identify.
“It’s in Freda. I haven’t really taken anything good lately.” Lie, lie, lie. I hadn’t taken anything I was willing to share. He’d want me to scroll through all of my pictures and some, like the one of Rhys seemed too intimate to flaunt in the open daylight. Beck never saw the picture either. After we left, he didn’t ask and if he had, I couldn’t have shown it to him. These powerful moments were mine and I refused to share them.
Pretty Lies: A contemporary YA Romance (Astrid Scott Series Book 1) Page 15
