by Jillian Dodd
I can’t wait to go to France.
I need to get over Brooklyn, mourn our relationship, so I can come back and be happy with Cush. He’s adorable. Sweet. And he loves me.
I know last night wasn’t his fault.
Just like it’s not his fault that I jumped into bed with him before I should have.
I don’t regret it though.
He was everything he should have been. He did everything perfect.
It was me.
I should have waited until I was sure of my feelings.
He’ll probably be mad that I’m friends with Vanessa again, but I really didn’t have a choice. I did it to protect him. I don’t want anything like this to ever happen to him because of me. Mandy didn’t really want Cush. She just wanted to be at the top of the pedestal. Vanessa was right. Someone is always going to want what we have.
We called Cush’s dad last night and told him what happened. He immediately called Cush’s mom, yelled at her, and told her what a bad parent she is.
Like it was her fault.
She called me from Paris, thanked me for taking care of him, and asked me what really happened. Cush’s dad had over exaggerated and made it sound like Cush was into drugs. His mom was freaking out. I assured her that neither of us ever did that stuff. Cush doesn’t even smoke pot. She knew he’d been having parties, so that wasn’t really a surprise to her. She was shocked though that a girl would do that to her son. She started yelling at me a little. Asking me what kind of people we hung out with.
Even though I told her over and over it wasn’t his fault, they decided to punish Cush. He’s grounded from everything and has to spend the entire summer at his dad’s house in Oregon.
She left me the task of breaking the news to Cush.
Around noon, Cush finally wakes up.
“Why am I here? Why aren’t you in France?” He grins at me. “Couldn’t stand to leave me for that long, could ya?”
“Um, not exactly.”
He tries to sit up.
“What happened last night? I feel kinda hungover. And why am I at your house?”
“You remember last night at all?”
He frowns and squints his eyes, like he’s trying to remember. Then he rubs his hand across his forehead. “Soccer party, right?”
I nod.
“It was really low key even though Vanessa showed up with Alex.”
“What else?”
“Let’s see. I had a couple beers. I was talking to Terrance. Mandy and Alicia sat down with us. We were talking about you.”
My blood starts to boil at the mere mention of Mandy’s name. “What were they saying?”
Cush looks down at my comforter, and his cheeks turn a little red. “Mandy basically said that she didn’t think I could go three weeks. That I’d cheat on you while you were gone. They were sort of taking bets on whether or not I could.”
“Let me guess. Mandy thought you’d cheat on me that night? At the soccer party?”
“Yeah, that was her bet.”
“Do you remember anything after that? Do you remember seeing me there? Like in your room?”
He smiles and lazily runs his hand down my arm. “Of course I remember. I was so happy to see you. I told you I loved you.”
“That’s all you remember?”
“Uh, yeah, pretty much. I only had a couple beers. Why can’t I remember?”
“Cush, do you remember why you were in your room? You always lock your room during parties.”
“No, I don’t. Why did I go up there? Was it because you told me you were stopping by? Were we going to have a very intimate goodbye kiss?”
I take a deep breath.
Exhale.
And close my eyes.
I can’t look at him while I say it. “Cush, when I walked into your room, Mandy was giving you head.”
“WHAT? What are you talking about?”
“I guess she wanted to win the bet really badly.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I was.”
“I’d never do that. Mandy? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“What did you do?”
“I was pretty pissed. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t even left town, and you were already cheating on me. Vanessa was the one that suggested I come tell you goodbye. She knew what was happening and wanted me to find out. She wanted to hurt me. So I yelled, Surprise! I wanted you to know you got caught, and I wanted Mandy to know I knew.”
Cush leans back against my headboard. “Oh, my God.”
“There’s more. A lot more.”
“Okay,” he says tentatively.
“I was so mad that I punched her in the face, and I’m pretty sure I broke her nose. I made a big scene and Vanessa helped me throw her and Alicia out of the party.”
“You’re joking, right? If all that would’ve happened, I wouldn’t be here. You’d be through with me.”
“What I did to Vanessa and RiAnne, the party we threw. How I purposely embarrassed her. It was mean of me. And last night, I told Vanessa to destroy Mandy. I’ve become just as big of a bitch as she is. Cush, Mandy drugged you. That’s why you can’t remember. She wanted to break us up.”
Cush looks pissed. “What the fuck?”
“Sadly, there’s more. You were pretty messed up last night. I was scared, I was going to take you to the hospital, but James had me bring you here and got our doctor to come check on you. The doctor had to talk to your dad before he treated you, and your dad freaked out. He called your mom. They fought. And, basically, they think it’s all my fault, so you’re grounded for the entire summer and you have to go live with your dad. He’s picking you up tonight.”
I can’t even describe the look on Cush’s face.
I’m pretty sure it’s hate.
He says, “Wow. This just keeps getting better and better. This kind of shit ever happen to Sander?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m breaking up with you. I can’t handle this. I asked you if shit like this ever happen to Sander? You ruin his life too?”
What. The. Hell.
He’s breaking up with me? I ruined his life?
Well, fuck him.
“No, Cush, nothing like this ever happened to Sander. But then again, he didn’t have the man whore reputation you do. I’ll get someone to drive you home. Bye, Cush. You have a great summer.”
I walk out of my room, slam my door shut, and get James to take the asshole home.
Monday, June 20th
The waves miss you.
9pm
I finally left for France the day after Cush broke up with me.
I did nothing but sleep for the first three days I was here. I think I was just emotionally exhausted. Kym was in Paris on business, so she came here on a sort of working vacation. Her main task for the trip was to organize and catalog the swag closet. The swag closet is basically a bedroom set up with shelves and rolling racks full of all the stuff that designers send Mom and Tommy in hopes that they will wear it and be photographed in it. A lot of what we organized was from the Cannes Film Festival. Either things sent before it or stuff from the swag bags they got at all the events and parties. She told me she was excited I was there to help her. I was excited to help because mostly I just got to try on clothes, while she took photos of the outfits.
We drank wine every night and watched eighties romance movies.
After she left, I spent the next few days alone, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed being all by myself.
Not that I’m completely alone at the house. We have a housekeeper, cook, and groundskeeper that live on site. I just mean it was nice doing whatever I wanted to do.
I laid in the hammock out back and read a couple books. I watched whatever movies I wanted. I drove through the countryside one day and stopped to shop in any little store that caught my eye.
Really, it’s been therapeutic.
And I’ve started making
some decisions about my life.
I’ve decided I’m going to do my own thing. I’ll still sit with Vanessa and RiAnne at our table, but that doesn’t mean I have to hang out with them after school. I’m going to stay out of their drama. I’m going to join all the extracurricular activities I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t because Vanessa thought they were lame. I’m also going to take some acting classes, get an agent, and, if Vincent’s script is done, try out for that role.
I’ve also decided that I need to talk to Brooklyn.
So, when I get back home, I’m going to put on my big girl panties and tell him that there are no hard feelings and that I hope we can be friends again.
Because I miss our friendship, and I miss surfing with him.
I just plain miss him.
I miss Damian too. The turd.
I sent him a text over a week ago and told him I was here. I asked if he had any time to hang out, or if he was doing a concert anywhere close by.
I was getting ready for bed last night when he texted me and said he and the band were coming to hang out with me.
He ended up coming here tonight alone, and I’m really glad it’s just the two of us. We’ve been sitting in the library, drinking wine, and nibbling on cheese and bread. He’s been filling me in on all the drama with his band, all the amazing fans he’s met, how it feels when a huge crowd starts screaming your name, and about the first time he got a pair of panties thrown at him.
We’re on our second bottle of wine when he decides to bring up Brooklyn.
“So, Keats, what’s up with you and Brook? He won’t talk about it, which means he’s pissed.”
“Why would he be pissed?” I immediately feel defensive. “He’s the one who acted like he liked me then went to Hermosa without me and hooked up with some random girls.”
“Do you know that’s what he did?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you know that for a fact?”
“I . . . uh, well no. But he said they met some really chill people, and they were hanging out with them again. We both know what that means.”
Damian closes his eyes and shakes his head at me. “The chill people were a couple of professional surfers. They think he’s good enough for the tour.”
“Oh.” I think about Cush. How I was mad at Brooklyn when I decided to sleep with him. What a mess my life has become since.
Especially since I saw the Facebook video.
Vanessa texted, emailed, and Facebook messaged me the link this morning.
To make sure I saw it.
To make sure everyone saw it.
After I watched it, all my great plans for next year went flying out the window. I don’t even want to go back home.
“I think I’m gonna drop out of school.”
“Why would you do that? I thought you loved school.”
“I was wrong. I gotta get out of there. I think I’m a mean girl. Like I’m becoming plastic or something.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re just being overdramatic.”
“I’m not being overdramatic, and I can prove it.” I grab my laptop. “Watch this.”
I pull up the video in which Vanessa does exactly what I told her to do.
She destroys Mandy’s life.
The video shows Vanessa outside Mandy’s house. You see her ring the doorbell, and Mandy’s father answer the door. Then you get a quick view of Mandy and her parents. For the rest of the video, you can only see their torsos, the coffee table between them, and hear what they’re saying.
Vanessa starts right off. “I told you I was coming here today regarding a school charity, but I’m afraid I misinformed you. I have something much more important to discuss. Your daughter’s future.”
“Her future?” Mandy’s mom asks.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to start by showing you a few photos to give you some background. Will that be alright?”
“Sure,” Mandy’s father says, although he doesn’t sound particularly sure.
Vanessa sets a photo on the coffee table between them. It’s one of the photos RiAnne’s mom took of Cush and me when we arrived at the Monte Carlo party.
You see Vanessa’s long, red nail point to the photo.
“This is a popular couple at our school, Brandon Cushman and Keatyn Douglas. In case you didn’t know, Keatyn’s the daughter of Abby Johnston.”
Mandy’s mom says, “The Abby Johnston?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Vanessa’s hand then slides a prom photo of Sander and me onto the table.
“For the last year and a half, Miss Douglas dated Sander Goodwin. They were our school’s golden couple. They had a great relationship, but broke up after prom. They are still extremely close and while their breakup shocked most of the school, those of us closest to the couple know that their relationship was more about friendship than real passion. You may not have heard, but Sander has since been cast to play Danny in the upcoming Grease remake and is currently on location.”
She places the photo of Cush and me back on top.
“Brandon and Miss Douglas have been close friends for some time. And Brandon, while he had the reputation of being a bit of a ladies man, never had a serious girlfriend because he has secretly crushed on Miss Douglas. Soon after the breakup, he confessed his love, and they began a whirlwind courtship. It’s easy to see they’re beautiful together.”
Mandy’s mom says, “They are beautiful, and they do look very much in love.”
“Well, they were, ma’am. But a situation arose recently that changed that. A few weeks ago, Miss Douglas was leaving to spend three weeks at her family’s home on the French Rivera. She was in her limo, heading to board their private plane when she decided to stop at Brandon’s house for one last goodbye kiss. Brandon was having a small gathering, just the soccer team and their dates, to celebrate his being voted Team Captain. Your daughter was at the party.”
She pauses for effect.
“This is where things are going to get a little difficult to talk about. When Miss Douglas arrived at the party, someone told her they had seen Brandon go up to his room. Miss Douglas went to his room, opened his door, and what she saw was not pleasant. Brandon was sitting in his desk chair while your daughter was performing oral sex on him.”
You can hear audible gasps from Mandy’s parents.
Mandy yells, “That’s not true! She’s lying! She’s just trying to get back at me because her best friend’s boyfriend cheated on her!”
Mandy’s mother’s voice is angry. “Is that how your nose got broken? Did you and this girl get into a fight?”
“Yes! She was mad at me because her boyfriend is a liar and a cheater! And I would never do something like that to a boy. I’ve never done oral sex. Ever! All we did was kiss, I swear!”
Vanessa says sympathetically, “I was afraid you would say that, Mandy. I’m sorry to have to show you this, but, well, as they say, pictures speak louder than words.”
She slides another photo onto the coffee table.
One of Mandy doing exactly what she was doing to Cush.
Vanessa took the photo to show me proof of Cush’s infidelity, before she found out he was drugged.
Mandy’s parents gasp.
“I’m sorry to have to show you this, but as you can see, your daughter is lying. If you look closely at Brandon’s face, you will see that he looks almost asleep; not at all like a young man receiving oral stimulation should look. That is because your daughter drugged him.”
“She what?” Mandy’s mom yells.
“I did not!” Mandy yells at Vanessa and stands up.
“Sit down, Mandy!” her father says sternly. “This is a very serious accusation, Vanessa.”
“I understand that, sir. Let me continue with the events of the evening. Even with the shock of seeing this when she walked in, Miss Douglas could tell that something was wrong with her boyfriend. She knows that Brandon is a serious athlete. He never does drugs, a
nd he only has an occasional beer. She yelled at Mandy, and asked her what she did to him. Mandy told her that it was no big deal, but that she had slipped a little something in his drink.”
“And that’s when she punched me in the face. She broke my nose! I should be pressing charges against her!” Mandy yells.
“Miss Douglas greatly regrets that your daughter’s nose got broken, but it was an accident. She was worried about her boyfriend, pushed your daughter out of his room, and slammed the door in her face. That is how her nose got broken.”
“That is such a lie! You are the biggest liar!”
Vanessa slides another sheet of paper onto the table. This one filled with typing.
“This is written testament from seven people at the party who witnessed the door getting slammed in your daughter’s face. These are not sworn legal testaments but can quickly be made into such if necessary. Miss Douglas asked me to escort your daughter and her friend, Alicia, out of the party. Needless to say, we don’t want people who would do this to our friends anywhere near us. After that, I quickly got everyone to leave. Miss Douglas called home, explained the situation, and had their family physician meet them.”
She slides another piece of paper onto the table and taps her nail again.
“Here are the doctor’s notes on Brandon’s condition. And here are the toxicology reports that show high doses of valium in his bloodstream. Were it not for Miss Douglas’ quick actions, Brandon Cushman could have died.”
Vanessa stops and lets this all sink in. You can hear Mandy’s mother sobbing.
Vanessa continues. “We have forwarded all this information to both Mr. Cushman’s soccer coach and the cheerleading coach.”
“They can’t kick me off the cheerleading team. We weren’t at school!” Mandy says in a know-it-all voice.
“Mandy, dear, when you drug the school’s star soccer player, you break a moral code. You’ve already been removed as a cheerleader and so has your friend, Alicia. You have not received notification yet, but that is the least of your worries. Aside from the situation at school, there could be legal ramifications as well. Obviously, Brandon could press charges. Here are sworn statements from both Miss Douglas and myself, in which we share that Mandy admitted to us that she drugged Brandon. My father, Patrick Flanning, is a partner in the law firm, Flanning, Marks, and Cole. He suggested that rather than ruin your daughter’s life with criminal charges I present this to you, her parents. He thought you might like the opportunity to handle this as a family. Provided that her punishment is suitable to the crime, Mr. Cushman has agreed not to press charges.”
