by Amare, Mercy
Stephan leans closer to me, and whispers in my ear. “Bridgett doesn't look at me like she wants to rip off my clothes, and have sex with me on top of my car.”
I throw my head back, and laugh. “About that...” I bite my lip. “You're hot and all, but I've decided I'm not going to have sex with you until we're in love. Which, like you said, could be a very, very long time.”
He pouts. “But lust is so much fun.”
“I have no doubt that fucking you would be very fun.” I lean closer to him, and trace his bicep with my finger. “But I'm not going to ruin our relationship for one night of fun.”
“Oh, trust me, it would be more than just one night,” he kisses his way down my jaw, and to my neck.
I want so badly to take him up on his offer, but instead push him away. “We have school.”
11:05 am
Only mine.
I am very aware of Stephan's presence in study hall today. In fact, he hasn't stopped playing with my hair since class began. I turn around and swat his hands away.
“Stop that,” I whisper. “You're distracting me.”
“You like it,” he counters.
I narrow my eyes at him. “I know exactly what you're doing, Stephan Montgomery. And it's not going to work on me.”
“What is it you think I'm trying to do?” He questions with his eyebrows raised.
“You're trying to seduce me. And trust me when I say, I'm not an inexperienced high school girl. It's going to take a lot more than sweet words, kissing, and touching to break me.”
He smiles.
“And considering how much grief it took to get you to kiss me, I'm surprised you want more.”
He leans forward in his desk. “Trust me, Scarlett, you're a lot more than just a hook up to me. I want so much more.”
I want to smile at his words, but I don't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he's got to me.
“What is it that you want?” I ask.
“I want you to be mine, and only mine.” He's very to the point, and that is what I like about Stephan. I never have to wonder what he is thinking.
I am unable to hide my smile now. “Why, Stephan, if I didn't know better, I'd say you just asked me to be your girlfriend.”
He shakes his head. “No. I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend in study hall. I will, soon, but when I do, it's going to be special.”
“I look forward to it.”
I turn back around in my chair, and try to focus on my homework in front of me, but I can't. I've never had a boyfriend before. I mean, sure, I've had boyfriends for publicity, but it's never been real before. Stephan is my first crush, and he has the possibility of becoming my first love.
Ok, love is a bit premature... I know that what I'm feeling is not love. But whatever this is, it's powerful, and it's real.
Lust, I remind myself.
Love grows over time, and could possibly happen between us. I'm definitely sticking around to see what happens.
12:06 pm
I seriously LOVE you right now!
Mona approaches me at lunch time. I'm seriously over high school drama, but I paste a smile on my face anyway. I tell myself over and over again that this is for Ethan.
“I want to apologize for my friend, Demi. She can be... extreme,” she smiles sadly. “It is no secret that Stephan and I have reasons to hate each other, but it's not Ethan's fault that his dad married Stephan's mom. If you and Ethan want to eat lunch with us, you're welcome to.”
“Thank you, Mona, but I'm not sure I fit into your group.”
“I understand. The offer is good for anytime.”
She turns to walk away, but I stop her. “Hey, so what's the deal with you and Stephan?”
She clears her throat. “It's personal, and it's not something I like to talk about.” She quickly changes the subject. “By the way, I'm having a party tonight. You are welcome to come.”
I want to say no fucking way, but once again I think of Ethan. What does he see in this girl? “What kind of party?”
“Just a small gathering. I'm having a bonfire on the beach, a few beers, and just chilling. It would be a great way for you to meet people. Bring Ethan.”
“I think I will.”
She walks away, and I pull out my phone to text Bridgett. I figure since she's my sister she should have my phone number.
Scarlett: Hey Bridge, it's Scar. Don't worry, it's lunch! I don't have my phone out in class. Just wanted to check on you :)
She responds immediately.
Bridgett: Glad you're following rules. I'm great, just chilling by the pool and reading a book.
Scarlett: How do you feel about going to a high school party? I've never been to one, and it sounds fun.
Bridgett: I guess it will be a first for both of us then. Can't wait.
I feel a tap on my shoulder, and jump. I look up at Ethan. “You scared me!”
“Sorry. I was just wondering if you were up for tutoring tonight?”
I shake my head. “Actually, I'm going to hold up my end of the bargain tonight. We are going to Mona's party tonight.”
He looks shocked. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
He smiles, like a huge smile. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him so happy. “I seriously LOVE you right now!”
I wave him off. “It was nothing. But keep Tuesday night open! I have a math quiz on Wednesday, and you owe me an A.”
2:59 pm
Teenage soap opera.
“I'm NOT going,” Stephan tells me on the drive home. “I hate that bitch, and I'm most definitely not going to be spending time with her at her home. Besides, I'm pretty sure I wasn't invited.”
“I was invited, and I invited you. So technically, you are invited.”
“Still, not going.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, I have to go. And I really want you to come.”
“You don't have to do anything,” he counters.
“Yes, I do! Ethan and me made a deal. Tutoring, in exchange for hooking him up with Mona. He get's the girl, and I graduate high school. I need this. And I understand if you don't want to come, but I would appreciate it if you did.”
He sighs, and I can tell he's caving. “Fine. But I'm not into drama. I'm not sticking around if tonight turns into a teenage soap opera.”
“I agree to your terms.”
“Why didn't you tell me about your arrangement with Ethan before?” he asks. “I kind of thought you two had a thing for each other. You know, with him being god like and all.”
“The more I get to know Ethan, the less he looks like Thor. It was the blue eyes...”
“And his blue eyes don't affect you anymore?”
I shake my head. “No way. Blue eyes are overrated. Besides, I'm kind of into this green eyed boy.”
“I don't think blue eyes are overrated,” he disagrees. “I find myself lost in your baby blues way too often.”
“Cheesy pick up lines don't work on me.”
“It wasn't a line.”
Damn. I am in over my head.
7:55 pm
I've heard enough Taylor Swift songs to know that heartbreak sucks.
The party starts at 8 o'clock, and Ethan is wanting to leave. In fact, he's pacing in my living room, waiting for me to finish getting ready.
“Party rule number one, nobody is ever on time,” I tell him as I walk down the stairs. “Chill, Ethan.”
Stephan is waiting for me at the end of the stairs. He puts his arms around me, and kisses my lips hard. “You look... incredibly hot.”
Tonight, I'm wearing a pair of designer jeans, yellow pumps, and a yellow tank top. It's tight, and shows off my curves. I already have the reaction out of Stephan that I was hoping for.
His hands travel south, and he cups my ass. I pull his hands back up to my waist, and give him a stern look.
“If you two are done raping each other, I'd like to go,” Ethan says, reminding me that there are other people in the room.
/>
“I am going to need an eye transplant after that,” Bridgett tells Ethan, and they both laugh.
“It's not my fault your stepbrother can't keep his hands off me,” I counter.
We take two cars to Mona's party because Stephan is convinced he's going to need to leave early. I drive my Lamborghini, with Bridgett, and Stephan rides with Ethan.
“This car is awesome,” Bridgett says, climbing inside. It's her first time riding in this car. “How did you find a black and pink Lamborghini?”
“My dad had it custom made for my nineteenth birthday.”
Her eyes get big. “I got a cake with the family, and a new dress for my nineteenth birthday. So unfair.”
“Did I mention he bought it for me with my money?”
“What! Your parents sound terrible!”
“They are.” She doesn't even know. I hadn't talked to my father since last Monday. He emails me daily, begging me to reconsider. But my mother, I haven't talked to since Christmas. She only talked to me then because I flew to the UK and forced her to have a Christmas dinner with me. Neither of them truly care about me. They tolerate me, and only because of my money. They hate me.
Ethan pulls out of his driveway and I follow closely behind him.
“Stephan's got it bad for you, huh?” Bridgett already knows me well. I love that she changed the subject from my parents to Stephan, because it is exactly what I need.
I can't help but smile at the mention of his name. “Yes, I believe he does.”
“What about you?”
“I like him a lot more than I should,” I admit.
“Has he asked you to commit?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Not yet.”
“He will be soon.” She is confident in her statement.
I suddenly remember our conversation in study hall, and can't help but be excited. “He did sort of hint at wanting to be in a relationship, but I barely know him. I mean, I have known him a total of seven days, Bridge. That's definitely not long enough to commit myself to him.”
“But what does your heart tell you?”
Ethan pulls over to the side of the road and I park behind him. I then turn to Bridgett. “My heart is screaming at me to take a chance and go for it. But my head is telling me to stop, because he's going to break my heart.”
“Heartbreak is a part of life. Take it from somebody who recently got her heart broken. But even though Martin was a total jerk, I wouldn't take back one day of it.” She smiles sadly at me. “Go for it, and stop listening to your head.”
She get's out of the car, and shuts the door. I sit there for a few seconds, contemplating what she just said. I know that she's right, but I still don't want to put my heart on the line. I've heard enough Taylor Swift songs to know that heartbreak sucks.
I hear a peck on the window, and jump. I look up at Stephan who is standing on the other side. I open my door, and he holds out his hand and helps me out.
“So, you are announcing to the world that you have a twin sister at a high school party?” Stephan asks.
“I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess I am.” I walk over to Bridgett and link my arm with hers. “Are you ready?”
She looks at me and smiles. “More than ready.”
8:12 pm
Are you happy now?
Bridgett and I link arms as we walk together towards the beach. Ethan and Stephan are walking behind us. Close to the water there is a huge bonfire, and over 100 kids are scattered up and down the beach. It's nothing like any party I've ever been to, but I think I actually like it better. It already feels more relaxed, and fun.
Most of the parties I went to in LA were at mansions. Different celebrities, or social elites would host, and I was always invited. Some of the parties were wilder than others. I went to a few of them, but they never held much interest for me. I would've rather spent my time playing music.
I became friends with Lily Vargo, a socialite. Her father was very rich. She wasn't a celebrity, but the paparazzi loved her. She was often in magazines, pictured alongside celebrities. She was all about power and status. Looking back, I wonder how we ever became friends. We had nothing in common. But she made parties fun for me, and she knew where all the great parties were. I've never considered myself easily influenced, but it was because of her that I got into drugs... Not that it was all her fault. I was the one who took the drugs. I gave into temptation. I would never forgive myself for it.
Thankfully, I realized what I was doing before I got addicted. After my scare in July, I stopped hanging out with Lily. Tonight is the first party I've been to since then, and I can't help but feel nervous... Not just about introducing Bridgett to the world, but about being around this scene. I can't imagine ever doing drugs again, but like they say, old habits die hard.
I hear my song come over the speakers, and I can't help but smile.
“Does that ever get old?” Bridgett asks me.
“Never,” I reply. It's absolutely the truth.
“Scarlett!” I hear somebody yell. I look over to see Ginny and Britney running over towards us. I suddenly wish that I had time to run and hide, because the more time I'm around the two of them, the more I find them annoying. I really don't want them to be the first of my girl friends that I introduce to Bridgett. Not that I have girl friends.
“I apologize in advance for them,” I whisper to Bridgett, and then turn to Ginny and Britney. “Hey!” I'm pretty good at faking enthusiasm. I have to be, considering I perform 200 or more shows a year, whether I feel like it or not.
“Whoa! I think I've had too much to drink,” Ginny slirs, looking between Bridgett and me.
I smile. “You're not seeing double, I swear. This is my twin sister, Bridgett.”
Stephan walks up behind me and puts his arms around my midsection. “I'm stealing my girlfriend,” he tells them. I follow him.
“Is it safe to leave Bridgett with them?” I ask.
“She will be fine,” he promises.
“Wait...” I stop, as realization of what he just said hit me. “Your girlfriend?”
He smiles, and even in the dark, it's breathtaking. “Um, well... If you want to be... I'd like for you to be...” Stephan is usually so confident, it's kind of fun to watch him sweat.
“What happened to taking it slow?” I ask, wanting to tease him for a little longer.
“Just because you're my girlfriend doesn't mean we can't take it slow.” He pulls me closer to him, obviously feeling more confident. “We can go as slow as you want.”
“I would like to be your girlfriend.” My heart speeds up as I say the word girlfriend.
I AM STEPHAN MONTGOMERY'S GIRLFRIEND!!!
He smiles.
“Can I see your phone?” I ask.
“Why?” He questions, but hands me his phone.
I save my phone number into his phone, and set one of my songs as the ring tone. “You have to have your girlfriend's phone number.”
He looks shocked. “Wow. Scarlett Ryan trusts me enough to give me her phone number? This is huge!”
“Don't let it go to your head.”
“Scarlett!” I hear somebody else yell at me. Stephan and I both turn to see Mona running up to us. She looks furious. “What the hell is he doing here?”
“HE is with ME.”
“He is not invited, and he needs to get out of here NOW!” She's screaming, and I can see her whole body shaking.
“Why?” I push. “What did he do to you?”
“His father killed my mom!” She begins sobbing, and a crowd is starting to form around us. “Are you happy? Now you know.”
For a moment, I'm stunned. “Wh... Wha... What?” Nobody says anything, so I turn to Stephan. “Explain, now!”
“Not here,” he says.
“If you don't leave now, I will call the cops,” Mona promises.
Stephan looks both furious, and crushed. He is shaking, and it scares me to see him like this. I grab his arm, and pull him towards my
car. “Come on.”
9:35 pm
Too late.
Stephan gets in the passenger side of my car, and I am about to get in the driver's side when I see Bridgett and Ethan coming.
“Can you take Bridgett home?” I ask Ethan. “He needs me right now.”
“Of course,” Ethan says.
“Take your time, Scar,” Bridgett tells me.
I get in the car and drive. I don't go in any particular direction, I just drive. Stephan and I sit in silence for about 30 minutes, before either of us say anything.
“Let's get coffee,” he finally says.
“Ok,” I say. I drive to the 24 hour coffee shop, and we go inside. Once we order, and sit down at a booth, I push him for answers. “Please, explain.”
He sighs, and looks a little sad. He's looking out the window as he talks. “Just... When I tell you this story, please don't think any less of my father. He was a good guy. He just made mistakes.” He then looks at me. “My father was in love with two women, my mother, and Mona's mother. He didn't want to choose between the two, so he didn't.
“My father married my mom, but he saw Mona's mom on the side their entire marriage. Mona's mom married somebody else too, but that didn't stop the affair. One night while they were... together... my father had a car accident. They had both been drinking a little too much, and he drove off Hope Creek Bridge, killing them both instantly.
“Mona blames my father, therefore, she blames and hates me. And trust me, I hated my dad for a little bit after I found out what he did. My mom was devastated. Not only did she have to deal with the pain of his death, but also the fact that he cheated on her for nearly 19 years. But my father was a good man.”
I am trying to process everything he said. “So, Mona is your half sister?”
He shakes his head quickly, and almost looks annoyed. “No. Mona's mom had a husband. He is her father.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, though I'm not sure why.
“Yes, Scarlett, I would know if Mona was my half sister.”
Stephan is angry, and I know I shouldn't push it, but I can't seem to help myself. “Was there a DNA test done? If her mom was sleeping with her husband and your dad at the same time, there is a possibility you two could be related.”
