by W. J. May
“Yes, Mistress. I shall do as you ask.”
“Please don’t call me that in public.”
“Yes, Mis...Esme.”
“I hope you do what I ask this time. I don’t want to come out of class and find you’ve burned down the library too.”
He actually looks hurt. “I am a man of my word.”
“Good.” I spin around and run right into Ms. Crandy. “Esme, your father has been looking for you.” Then she sees Jin. “Who’s your friend?”
Great. I have to bump into what could be one of the biggest mouths in all of Long Island. “Ah...he’s my cousin from London.”
She instinctively moves right next to him. “Why, your father never told me he had relatives in England.”
I swallow hard. Lying still doesn’t come easy. But I have a feeling with Jin around, it soon will become a habit. “He’s a long, lost relative. Way back in my dad’s family.”
She puffs out her chest. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
“Of course. This is Ms. Crandy. This is my cousin Jin.”
He stands and gives her a bow. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
She practically swoons. “You have such a lovely accent.”
Is she for real? I know he’s hot, but Jin is just a little older than her daughter.
I need to break up this budding love fest. Plus, I’m officially late for class. “Ms. Crandy, could you show me the way to the science building?”
Jin gets up and moves between us. “May I escort you ladies to the door?”
Ms. Crandy loops her arm around his. “Certainly.” She bats her fake eyelashes so hard I’m afraid they will fall off.
The librarian sees us and frantically waves her arms and points at something. What’s her problem? Then I see where she’s pointing. Dad is standing in the doorway.
“Esme, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You’re late for class.” Then he sees Jin and Ms. Crandy arm and arm. “Who’s this?”
The librarian races over. “Isn’t it wonderful he came all the way from England?”
Jin bows slightly and extends his hand. “An honor to finally meet you, sir.”
Dad ignores Jin and glares at me. “Esme, what’s going on?”
I give him a weak smile. “Surprise! This is Jin, your long, lost cousin.”
* * *
Chapter Five
Boyfriend Blues
––––––––
Dad pulls me to the side while Ms. Crandy and the librarian look on. “Esme, you know I don’t have any cousins in England. Who is this guy?”
My head is pounding. Can I come up with one more lie? “Uh...he’s my...boyfriend.”
He points to Jin. “I want you to stay here.”
I lean over and whisper in Jin’s ear. “Behave yourself. Don’t get us in any more trouble.”
Before he can answer back, Dad grabs my arm. “You, in my office. Now.”
***
I gaze at the diplomas and photos that line the walls of my dad’s office. There’s a whole series of snapshots of Dad beaming ear to ear with the basketball team. He seems popular with the kids. Then I spy a huge bronze plaque that hangs above his desk. “Principal Warren, Grove High School’s Principal of the Decade.” No wonder Dad walks around campus like he owns the place. Here, he’s like a celebrity.
I smile, thinking back to the last time I was in the administration office in my old school. I really shouldn’t have ditched school to shop with my friends. I got detention for a week. I had to lie to Grandma for the first time. So not worth it. This visit I’d have an inside advantage. I’m the principal’s long, lost daughter. He can’t be too hard on me.
Dad plops down behind his desk and pulls out a paper. He scribbles something down. “You’ve already missed your first class. I’m not going to let your little stunt with the boyfriend keep you from attending any more classes.”
Crap. No preferred treatment for me. “But Dad...I had no idea he would follow me here.”
“Now is not the time to discuss this.” He hands me the note. “Here’s a hall pass. Get to your next class. We’ll discuss this tonight.”
“Really? You’re just going to send me away?”
“Yes. I’m too mad to talk to you right now.”
“But second class doesn’t start for fifteen minutes.”
“Out! Don’t push your luck.”
I trudge down the hall hoping I remember my way to the science building. Strange to have a parent mad at me. I’m so used to Grandma’s gentle use of persuasion. She never raised her voice to me. Too bad Dad didn’t pick up her parenting style.
At least botany wouldn’t be as demanding as calculus. While the teacher goes on and on about pistils and stamens, I can figure out how I’m going to explain Jin to Dad. Why did I say he’s my boyfriend? How lame.
I waltz into the classroom early for the first time since I started school. Even though I’m an A student, I like to spend as little time in class as possible. I scope out the room and notice I’m not the only early bird. Several girls are bunched up in the front, gossiping together. Totally not the usual science nerds. More like cheerleaders with their perfect makeup and hair. I head toward my favorite spot—the back row. Unlike most overachievers, I like to hang in the back unnoticed. I throw my backpack down and settle in for two hours of plant talk.
A girl with purple streaks in her hair sits next to me. “Hey, aren’t you Principal Warren’s daughter? The one who snuck your boyfriend onto campus?”
Wow. And I thought gossip spread fast at my old school. “Ah...he kind of followed me here.”
She gives me a quick grin. “I hear he’s super cute. I’ve dreamed of having a boyfriend from the UK.”
Trying to sound cool, I spouted out, “Watching Dr. Who made me totally hooked on British guys.”
Actually, I never looked at Jin as anything but my annoying genie. Well, except when I checked out his ripped back.
The rest of the class poured in, along with our teacher. At least I think he’s our teacher. The guy looks in his mid-twenties. Talk about handsome—he could be the star of one of those big summer blockbuster action movies. Botany class is suddenly a lot more exciting. No wonder the cheerleader types are clustered in the front row.
He scribbles his name on the huge whiteboard and smiles. “I’m Mr. Swenson. I’ll be going over the coursework for this semester. Might want to have your iPads ready.”
I take in my teacher’s wavy platinum blond hair and bright blue eyes. He could play a Norse god.
The girl with the purple streaked hair taps my shoulder. “What are you doing checking out the teach? You’ve got a cute boyfriend already.”
She’s right. What am I doing checking out Mr. Swenson? He’s not my normal type, but there’s something about the way he commands the room that’s almost mesmerizing. Then it hits me. I’ve never had a good-looking teacher before. Now I get what all the teen lust movies are about. “Ah, sorry. He looks so much like my cousin.”
Not even a tinge of guilt over lying. I’ve officially joined the ranks of a professional.
“Awesome, does your cousin live near you? Hook me up.”
Mr. Swenson clears his throat. “Quiet down, class. Pull up your textbook and let’s get started on chapter one.”
I tap on the screen of my iPad, impressed that the school hands them out like candy. My botany textbook flashes on the screen. I follow along as Mr. Swenson reads through chapter one aloud. So not what I would expect in an AP class. I haven't had a teacher read aloud since kindergarten. Pretty lame if you ask me, but the cheerleaders practically swoon at his every word.
To some, learning about the Ordovician period 500 million years ago might be exciting. After all, it’s when the first fossil evidence of plant life was found. It just makes my eyes glaze over. Proves no matter how hot of a science teacher you have, a boring subject will put you to sleep. Thankfully the class bell finally rings. After two hours we finally com
e up for air.
The tatted out girl sitting next to me taps my shoulder. “I’m Trinity, by the way.”
I can’t help but smirk. In L.A. funky names are the norm, didn’t expect many kids to have them in Long Island. “Nice to meet you.”
“You want to be lab buds?”
“Sure.”
“Great!” She bounds out of the room and waves goodbye with a huge smile on her face.
Makes me wonder if she truly wants to be friends or if she thinks hooking up with the principal’s daughter might help her down the line. Strange to think such a thing, but since I’ve been abandoned by my mother and father, it makes me suspicious of people who want to get close to me. Jin has no choice, but I wonder about Trinity.
***
Silence. That’s what greets me as I fidget in the back of Dad’s car as we head for home. Jin sits in the front seat as still as a statue. Who knows what Dad said to him when he picked him up at the library. I’m sure nothing good.
Dad pulls up in front of the pizza joint and says to the air, “I’m going to pickup a pepperoni and cheese.”
I nod. Man, is he ticked off. As soon as he leaves the car, I nudge Jin. “Are you okay? Did my dad do anything to you?”
He turns to face me. He looks tired. “Your father has made it known to me that I am to return to California immediately. He stated he will be purchasing a ticket tonight and I am to vacate the premises in the morning.”
“But you can’t go. You don’t know anyone there.”
“Mistress, your father is very annoyed with me. I am afraid the situation is becoming quite untenable.”
“Oh, come on. He’ll cool down.”
“I do not believe his behavior has anything to do with his body temperature.”
Jeez. Here we go again. “No, I mean he’ll calm down. Let me work my magic.”
He gives me a weak smile. “I hope you posses a large assortment of weapons in your bag of tricks.”
“I do. I have my ways of charming adults. Trust me, I’m good.”
Jin’s eyes grow wide. “I have complete faith in your extraordinary powers, Mistress. You have managed to work your charms on me.”
Is he flirting with me? No, he’s just trying to be funny. “Just in case, we also need to come up with a plan. Maybe you can pretend to leave and then sneak in my bedroom window and hide out in the vase.”
Jin winces. “Mistress, I will do your bidding, but as I stated, the confines of the vase are quite unpleasant. I will be forever grateful to your grandmother for freeing me from such an intolerable place.”
I keep forgetting it’s not loaded down with plush cushions. “I know you hate the place, but what else are we going to do?”
Dad leans his head inside the open window. “You guys better not be plotting something.”
Even the aroma of his favorite pizza doesn’t seem to calm him down. Silence returns. Dad pulls the car into the driveway, shuts off the engine, and then storms out of the car. I follow behind him, afraid to say anything but I need to find a way to talk to him. “Dad, I can understand you’re upset, but I really had no idea he was coming.”
“I thought I would have you all to myself. I really wanted to get to know you.”
So that’s why he’s so angry. I never thought about how much he wants to make up for lost time. “I promise he won’t come between us.”
My faith in my negotiating skills plummets when I follow Dad into the dining room and he tosses the pizza box on the table. He turns the bag of napkins and utensils upside down and they scatter everywhere. Facing yet another pizza for dinner doesn’t compare to what I’m sure is coming my way. Jin and I keep a safe distance and sit on the far side of table.
Dad sits down and makes no attempt to serve us. Instead he glares at Jin. “Young man, why did you follow my daughter to New York?”
I cross my fingers and hope Jin is a better liar than I am.
“Sir, I know my actions must seem untoward, but I could not bear being separated from your daughter, even for one moment.”
Dad sucks in a breath. “What’s with the phony Darcy accent?”
“I beg your pardon? My given name is not Phony Darcy.”
Dad nervously runs his fingers through his hair. “What? I didn’t say that was your name.”
I stuff back a laugh. Dad’s getting a taste of Jin’s communication breakdown. “Sorry, he has a hard time with American accents. Jin went to a very stuffy British boarding school so he talks kind of old fashioned. I think it’s cute.”
Dad rolls his eyes. “Of course you do. Well, I think it’s strange. Like he’s from another time or something.”
Oh jeez, he’s getting too close to the truth. “Dad, don’t be silly.”
Jin throws back his shoulders. “I did indeed attend a prestigious academic institution in London. Several kings have graced the halls.”
Great, he’s laying it on a bit thick. Guess we have terrible lying skills in common.
“I really don't care where you went to school, I want to know where you plan to sleep tonight. It’s not going to be here.”
“Oh, come on, Dad. He has no place to go. Can’t he stay here tonight?”
Even if Dad gives in and lets him stay, my head aches trying to think of where Jin will stay tomorrow. I’ll have no choice but to put him back in the vase. Things are getting so bad I might need to use another wish. Today desperately needs a do-over. But that would leave me with only five wishes. What if I actually need the rest for something important? The way things are going, who knows what might happen in the future?
Jin can see the strain on my face. “Sir, I will rest my head wherever you deem necessary.”
Dad smirks. “I deem you rest your head down at the Sleepy Town Motel.”
I rocket out of my chair. “That’s crazy. I heard the place has cockroaches the size of cats. He can sleep in my room on the floor.”
Jin nods. “I can assure you I am a complete gentleman.”
“No man is staying in my daughter’s room.”
“Sir, I have the most honorable intentions toward my Mis..” He clears his throat. “Esme.”
Wow, that was a close call.
Dad’s face grows redder. “Do you? What honorable man wants to sleep in a teenage girl’s room?”
I plop down into my chair defeated. Trying to keep Jin in my bedroom is a lost battle. “You’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion. I’m sure he’s totally fine with sleeping on the couch.” I look pleadingly into my genie’s eyes. “Isn’t that right, Jin?”
“Esme, that is a brilliant idea.”
Dad pushes back from the table. I’m afraid he’s going to punch Jin out. “There is only one way he can make things right. To prove to me he is truly honorable.”
“Sir, I completely agree.” Jin puts his arm around my shoulder.
What’s gong on? Is he trying to act like a protective boyfriend? Strange he would break a genie rule.
“Really?” Dad’s eyes narrow. “And how are you going to prove it?”
“May I have the privilege of asking for your daughter’s hand in marriage?”
* * *
Chapter Six
Father Knows Best
––––––––
Sweat breaks out on Dad’s forehead. “You want to marry Esme?”
“With all my heart, sir. I am very attached to your daughter. My greatest desire is to spend the rest of my life with her.”
What the heck just happened? I’m speechless for once.
Jin whispers in my ear. “A brilliant solution to our monumental problem, if I must say so.”
That’s one way of looking at it.
Dad glares at me. “Is this why he came here? To propose?”
The whole thing is so crazy I laugh. Dad and Jin stare at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. “How many times do I have to tell you I didn’t know he was coming? Let alone that he wanted to marry me. We haven’t been dating that long.”
Jin places his hand on mine, sending a tingle up my arm. “Sir, Esme is being modest. As she explained, I am rather old fashioned. I have been courting her for quite some time.”
What is he up to?
Dad’s shoulders relax. “How long?”
“We met over a year ago. Introduced by her grandmother. We will observe the customary engagement period of two years.” He gives my hand a squeeze. “At the conclusion of the engagement, Esme will be nineteen and ready to be my betrothed.”
I have to give him credit. Even I’m convinced it’s been our plan all along. He’s a far better liar than I am after all.
Dad runs his fingers through his hair. “Esme, is this true?”
I have no choice but to play along. Besides, part of what he said is true. Grandma did introduce us, even if it was from the grave. “Yes, Dad. We really care about each other.” I swallow hard. “I want to marry him.”
“You’re way too young. You haven’t even begun to live your life.”
“I know. That's why I agreed to the long engagement.”
Sweat beads on Dad’s forehead. “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“Sir, have you never felt the pull of love?”
He’s felt it way too many times. If my hunch is right about Ms. Crandy, he’s well on his way to wife number four. “Look, Dad, I know you’re trying to be a good father. But we really want to be together. I know you can understand what that kind of love is like.”
I see the signs of defeat on Dad’s face. “All right, then we need to work out this living situation.” He looks at my genie, now fiancé. “You can stay here for a few days while we come up with a plan. But you’re sleeping on the sofa, understood?”
Jin nods. “Understood, sir.”
Dad storms out of the living room and down the hall. I jump up from the table. “Great. Problem solved. I better get the pullout sofa ready.” I grab Jin’s hand. “Come and help me, sweetness.”
