by Cala Riley
Alice sobers as she realizes what she has said. I don’t plan to be here by then. She shakes her head, then brings her eyes back to mine. “Are there any classes you do enjoy?”
“AP English. I love reading and writing, and the teacher seems to care about teaching us. She actually gave us an assignment that I’m excited about.”
“Really? That’s great. What’s the assignment?”
“We have to write about a moment in our life that’s truly affected us. I plan to write about my mom.”
She gives me a sad smile. “That sounds wonderful, honey. I’m glad you had a good day. What about you, Victoria?”
“Same shit, different day.”
“Language, young lady!” her mom chastises, then giggles. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
“Love me.” Victoria winks at her mom. “Sage was invited to a party today.”
Alice’s gaze is drawn back to me. “Whose attention did you catch?”
“I wouldn’t say I caught anyone’s attention. Tinsley invited me when she came to talk to Victoria at lunch. I’m sure she was only being nice.”
“Well, that’s good. It’ll be good for you to make friends.” Alice shrugs.
“The party is Friday, Mom. I know you planned dinner with Dad, but do you think we can rain check it? I don’t want Sage to miss out on her first school party.”
Alice narrows her eyes at Victoria, then turns to me. “Do you want to go to this party?”
I don’t glance at Victoria. I know her eyes will be pleading with me. “I don’t mind going. It wouldn’t hurt to meet people, like you said.” She still looks like she’s questioning my words when I decide to throw in what we came up with at lunch. “Besides, V and I need some more cousin time. I think it would be a good bonding activity for us.”
As soon as I use Victoria’s nickname, Alice softens. “That does sound good. We can do dinner next week. I think you girls will have so much fun. You should go shopping tomorrow and buy a new outfit for the party.”
“That’s a great idea, Mom.” Victoria turns to me. “I know all the best shops. Oh, and we can get our nails done. It’s about time for mine anyways.”
“I don’t really need new clothes. I have some. Besides, the whole pampered lifestyle isn’t me.” At the crestfallen look on Victoria’s face, I add, “But I’ll go with you so you can find something. I think that would be fun.”
She grins. “It will be. You’ll change your mind once you see the shops. They’re the nicest.”
I wish I could be as happy as Victoria. It appears nothing gets her down for long. She bounces right back.
“Where is this party?” Alice asks.
“It’s the back-to-school bash for the public school kids.”
Dread enters my system at her words. “Bash” sounds awfully crowded.
“You mean those brothers of Tinsley’s are actually letting her go to a party?” Alice’s words surprise me. Who knew she kept track of the high school gossip?
V rolls her eyes. “Shocking, I know, but she’s a sophomore, so….”
Alice chuckles. “That’s very true. Well, I should let you girls get to your homework. I’ll start dinner.” She stands up and walks around the table to kiss Victoria on the head. She continues around the table and does the same to me. I close my eyes and let the warmth fill my heart. The move reminds me of my mother, and it makes me miss her.
“You girls will have fun. If you find anything you want tomorrow, Sage, have Victoria put it on her card. I’ll pick you up a card soon so you can have access to your own money.”
“That’s not necessary. You gave me everything I need.”
“Nonsense. You shouldn’t have to walk around without money.”
I consider her words. She’s right. Maybe one of these shops tomorrow will be hiring so I can get a job and make my own money.
“Don’t argue with her, S. She always wins. Just smile and nod. It’s the only option,” Victoria whispers to me.
“Thanks, Alice. I would love that,” I respond and wink at Victoria.
If only they knew my plans.
Chapter Three
When I woke up this morning, a feeling of dread had settled in my chest. A restless night of sleep resulted in a small headache forming in the front of my head. But that wasn’t the only cause of my tight chest.
Images from my nightmare creep in.
“Come, little fox. Let’s have some fun.” Flirty green eyes stare at me as the man in question starts to circle me.
His amused gaze follows my movements as I take an involuntary step backward.
“You can run, but you can’t hide.”
I turn to flee but run into a hard chest. Glancing up, I meet another pair of familiar green eyes. These hold no humor though.
“Where do you think you’re going? We’ve only begun.”
Chatter surrounding me draws my eyes from Reed’s. My head swivels from left to right over and over until hands on my shoulders stop me.
“Baby girl, breathe.”
My mother's calming voice washes over me.
“You can’t trust any of these people. Keep your head about you. Get out as soon as you can.”
A voice in my ear pulls my attention from my mom.
“Little fox, are you ready?” Keaton’s voice calls.
I look back to my mom, only to find her gone. Vanished into thin air.
“Mom? Mom!” I begin shouting at the space where she was just standing.
“Mommy dearest can’t save you now. Now you’re in my world. You belong to me.”
A knock on my door pulls me from the dark place my mind had gone.
“You ready for breakfast?” Victoria calls out.
“Not yet. I’m hopping in the shower. Be down in a couple of minutes,” I call back as I shake off the lingering chill in my body.
Getting up, I hurry through a shower. Dressing in the school uniform, I sigh. Wearing skirts or slacks daily is really going to damper my mood. My only saving grace is the shoes. I found out yesterday that while black heels are common, they aren’t required. Some of the girls wore black flats. While I don’t own a pair of black flats, I plan to buy some on our shopping trip today.
Reminding myself that I only have one more day in these awful heels, I slip them on before turning to the mirror.
My eyes look tired, and there’s a slight darkening around them, but otherwise I look fine. Brushing my wet hair, I pull it up into a pony before twisting it in a bun. Victoria informed me yesterday that as long as our hair looked clean and well maintained, they didn’t care how we wore it, though she also said that a messy bun, aka my normal hairstyle, is looked down upon.
I take one last glance in the mirror. I look passable, but part of me still regrets having to conform.
It’s only day two.
I groan inwardly. Grabbing my old, tattered backpack, I leave my room. Walking into the kitchen, I smile when I notice the small breakfast laid out. I actually expected them to be in the connected dining room, but I’m glad they’re in here.
“There you are. Grab something to eat.” Alice smiles as she looks up from her newspaper.
“Thank you.” I make a plate before sitting next to her and Victoria at the table.
I nibble on my bacon before speaking. “Why are you eating in here?”
Victoria looks up from her phone as Alice sets down her paper. “We always eat in here. Mom says it’s more personal and homier.”
“Would you prefer to eat in the dining room?” Alice asks.
“No, I actually prefer eating here. My mom and I used to eat in the kitchen all the time. I mean, we didn’t have a formal dining room, but she always said she loved eating at the kitchen table.”
A warm smile fills Alice’s face. “Abagail and I used to eat in the kitchen for every meal we could get away with when we were kids. Father insisted on the formal dining room, but when he was gone? We would eat with the kitchen staff and sometimes the m
aids. It always felt more personal than when we would eat in the dining room. I wanted that same feeling for Victoria. When Richard’s home, we eat in the dining room sometimes, but most of the time we still eat in here.”
The fondness in her tone when she speaks about my mom brings a smile to my face. “Maybe that’s why she always preferred it too. She never really said, and I never asked. We had some of our best talks at the kitchen table.”
Alice’s eyes shine with unshed tears. “I’m happy to hear that.”
Victoria, noticing the emotion in her mother’s voice, changes the subject. “Are you ready for your second day of school?”
My nightmare flashes in my mind, but I push it away. “Yep.”
Victoria gives me a sly smile. “What about shopping afterward? I thought we could go to the mall.”
I mentally count the small amount of money I’d saved up. Enough to buy a pair of flats. Hopefully, I can find a job while there too. A mall is much better than what I thought they’d meant. I figured we’d be going to expensive stores that wouldn’t hire me based on looks alone.
“Yeah. I want to pick up a couple of things too.” I stand up and take my empty plate to the sink. “Do you think we can head out a bit early, Victoria? I want to go to the library before class.”
“Sure.” She stands up and goes around the table to kiss her mom on the cheek. “I’m going to take her to the mall right after school. We’ll probably grab dinner there. Don’t wait up.”
Alice rolls her eyes at her daughter. “Be home by ten. It’s a school night.”
“Yes, Mom.” Victoria winks at me. “Let’s go.”
Once in the car, Victoria turns down the music. “So, now that momma bear’s not around, tell me really. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. “
“Bullshit. You look like you didn’t sleep. Listen, you don’t have to open up to me or anything, but don’t tell me you’re fine when you’re obviously not.”
She hadn’t taken her eyes from the road, but her words offered no room for argument. She’s sweet, like my first impression of her suggested, but now I can detect a little fire in her. I smile at the idea that maybe there’s more to her than I thought.
“I didn’t sleep well. That’s all I want to say.” I would give her the truth, but that didn’t mean I trusted her enough to tell her about my dreams.
“Very well, then. Are you excited about today?”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Sure. Ecstatic. I cannot wait to take bullshit classes to earn a high school diploma from a school that breeds politicians and celebrities only to use said diploma to work at a shithole diner. “
She chuckles. “That’s the spirit. Stay positive. Remember the future you have to look forward to.”
I give her a sideways glance. “You’re a bit fucked in the head, aren’t you?”
I didn’t mean to say the statement aloud, but my mouth worked faster than my mind.
Instead of anger, Victoria lets out a boisterous laugh. “Aren’t we all?”
I can’t argue with her there.
We both fall silent as we make our way to school. Victoria doesn’t speak again until she’s pulling into her parking spot. Before she turns off the car, she looks at me.
“Would it be foolish of me to ask you to try and stay out of trouble today?”
“Is that even a question?” I ask as if we’ve known each other for years instead of days.
She lets out a heavy sigh. “I figured as much, but thought I would give it a valiant effort.” She shrugs before smiling at me. “Well, let’s go fuck shit up, then. If we’re going to do this, we do it together.”
“Victoria.” I grab her hand before she can slide out. “You don’t have to get involved in my shit. I can promise you I won’t purposefully start something, but I won’t bite my tongue if someone else does. I’m not built that way. It doesn’t have to be who you are though. This is your home. This is just a stopping point for me.”
She squeezes my hand. “That’s not how this works, S. I got your back. If they mess with you, they mess with me. If you get into shit, I’m right behind you. It’s just how it is.”
I want to say more, but she jumps out of the car before I can.
As I slide out, my eyes are drawn to a group standing by a black Escalade. Both Yates brothers are there, along with Tinsley and two other boys I recognize but haven’t had the pleasure of meeting.
One of the boys is in my AP English class. All dark hair and dark eyes with a brooding look. The other I believe was in the crowd the day before when Ingram mouthed off to me. He has sandy-blond hair that looks like he just ran his hands through it.
Damn, all four of them are gorgeous.
My internal thoughts are interrupted when I hear my name.
“Sage. Victoria.”
I meet Reed’s eyes before glancing next to him at Tinsley.
“Oh boy,” Victoria mutters before pulling me with her over to the group. “I love that lipstick, Tins. What color is it?”
“Pink plaid by Mac.”
“It looks great on you. Right, Sage?” Victoria asks, including me in the conversation.
It does not escape my notice that I have the attention of all four boys.
“It does. It really highlights your green eyes.” I give her a small smile, looking around for an exit.
“Coming from you, maybe that should be an insult,” the boy with dark hair says.
“Sterling!” Tinsley narrows her eyes at him. “Stop being a dick.”
I wave it off. “It’s fine. Whatever he’s trying to insinuate doesn’t affect me.”
“He wasn’t insinuating anything. He was pointing out that hearing your makeup looks good from a whore is probably not a good thing.” Reed’s voice brings my eyes back to him.
“Oh yeah. I forgot I’m a whore.” I roll my eyes at him. “How original.” I turn to Tinsley. “You do look great, Tins,” I say, using the nickname I heard Victoria use before. “You look beautiful. Don’t let these immature fucks tell you any different.”
I reach out and squeeze her arm before turning to Victoria. “I’m going to hit the library. Catch you later.”
I don’t bother looking at the others. Day two is already starting off well. I only hope it doesn’t get any worse.
Minutes later, after dropping my books off at my locker, I make my way to the library. I smile at Mrs. Lincoln as I walk in.
“Ms. Miller, great to see you again. Can I help you find anything?”
A real smile fills my face. “No thank you. I thought I would just get acquainted with the shelves. I have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time in here.”
“You’re welcome anytime. Let me know if you need anything at all.”
I smile again before turning and walking down one of the aisles. I can’t help but reach my hand out and trail my fingers down the spines. Books have always been comforting to me. My mom encouraged my reading, often letting me check ten books out of the library at a time. Once I was old enough to take myself, I spent many hours at the public library while my mom worked.
I had some friends to hang out with, but I always preferred spending time with a book over any of them.
I scan the titles.
This is Water, The War of Art, Meditations.
By the names, I can tell I’m in the nonfiction section. Not that I mind. I love losing myself in a fantasy world, but sometimes I prefer reading a nonfiction book. It always fascinates me to learn about new things.
One title in particular catches my attention.
History of Brighton Academy.
I pull the book from the shelf before flipping through the pages. Not paying attention to where I’m walking, I start moving as I read.
Brighton Academy was established on August 20th, 1885. The vision for the school was to help educate the youth of the prominent families in the Chicago area, hoping to prepare them to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors. Founding members included Henry
Yates, James Covington, Joseph Brooks, and Franklin Abbot.
The first year yielded only eight students, but those eight students went on…
A body slams into mine and I hit the ground, the book sliding across the floor away from me.
I look up to find Ingram and her two cohorts standing above me. The blonde with crazy curly hair is giving me an apologetic look while the others have an amused glint in their eyes.
“Watch where you’re going, tramp.” Ingram sneers down at me.
I pick myself up and watch as the blonde leans down and grabs my book. Ingram turns her fiery gaze on her.
“What are you doing, Poppy? We don’t help sluts.”
The girl—Poppy, apparently—freezes like she didn’t realize she’d done it. Her eyes flit from mine to Ingram’s.
“I, um….” She trails off, clearly unsure what to say.
“Ing, she’s showing us that the bitch is reading our history. Look.” Blair gives Poppy a meaningful look, “Right, Pops?”
Her wide eyes meet mine.
“I’m sure that’s exactly it. Can I have my book back?” I hold out my hand.
Ingram grabs the book and turns to me. “Sure thing. Learn all you can about us. That’s as close as you’ll ever get.”
Without warning, Ingram pulls the book over her shoulder before she throws it at me. I move my head just in time to for it to skim me in the face, but it slams into my shoulder. The book falls back to the floor as Ingram stands, waiting for my response.
Before I can say anything, Mrs. Lincoln comes around the corner.
“Are you girls okay? I heard a loud crash.”
Ingram turns on a bright smile. “Of course. She just dropped her book. Be more careful. You should treat books with respect.”
She gives me one more glare before turning to leave, her girls following her.
“Ms. Miller, are you okay?” Mrs. Lincoln asks.
I turn to her as I feel the adrenaline leave my body. My shoulder is throbbing, and a slight sting on my cheek makes me wince.
“I’m fine.” I glance at the clock and notice it's almost time for class. “I should go. Thank you for checking on me.”
“Sage, wait,” she calls after me, but I’m already out the door.
