by Ruby Vincent
The rest of the class strolled in and took their seats. Jaxson walked past me on the way to his. He winked as he held up the flyer.
I pointedly turned away from him toward the window. It wasn’t a nice day. Heavy clouds filled the sky, blocking out the sun, and they were fit to burst. Any minute now they would open and unleash their rain to wash the earth, but no amount of water could scrub this place clean.
“Class, silence for your announcements.”
I faced toward the front as the AV students set up the television. Soon Ezra’s smile was blinding the screen.
“Good morning, Evergreen, and welcome to the best day of the week, Friday. As you all know, next week is Parents’ Day. We’re all looking forward to seeing our folks again and stashing all the treats they’ll be packing under our mattresses. Oops, maybe I shouldn’t have admitted that on camera.”
The class laughed. I had to hand it to Ezra. He was charming on camera. It was too bad he was an overripe asshole off it.
“We’re lucky to attend such a great school with students from every background, status, and different parts of the world, but we must remember we wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for the people supporting us. So in honor of Parents’ Day, a video was put together to celebrate all those who got us where we are now. If anyone would like to add their families to the video, contact the broadcast club during lunch.”
Ezra and his co-host faded to black and a title appeared on the screen: Where We Come From.
I blinked at the first face. There was no doubt that was a young Jaxson. Although here he had a full head of blond hair. The sweetest face beamed into the camera while music producer legend Levi Van Zandt held his tiny hands. I was glued. So many people had offered up their photos and videos. Eric with his arms around an older woman that looked like his grandmother. A baby Sofia in the arms of Madeline while she kissed her brown curls.
They almost look human.
Shaking my head, I turned my eyes back to the window. They weren’t those cute, innocent kids anymore, so what did I care.
“Alright, alright, alright!” A loud voice cut through the room. “We are coming at you live from the one and only South Beach, Florida, and I hope you fine people watching are ready for this.”
I rested my forehead against the window, letting the coolness chase away my headache.
“Now let’s meet our contestants. What’s your name, darlings?”
“I’m Sandra.”
“Allison.”
“Olivia.”
My head shot up so fast it knocked me off-balance. I caught a glimpse of Mom’s young face as I crashed to the floor. The class howled as the announcer got back in the camera’s face. “Those are our contestants, now let’s get this wet t-shirt contest started!”
The TV crowd, and everyone watching, cheered and wolf-whistled.
“That’s enough!” Markham roared as she leaped from her seat. “Settle down!”
She scrambled for the remote, but I was already up and racing toward the front of the room. One by one, the girls were doused with water until their boobs went from covered by white t-shirts to blurred-out TV censors.
Markham fumbled with the remote, stabbing at the off button, as they turned the water on Olivia.
I didn’t think. I didn’t pause.
I ran to the television, placed my hand on the screen, and shoved.
The TV cart flew back. Screams echoed from the girls in the front as the television crashed in a shower of sparks and flying glass.
Chest heaving, I stared at the mess in shock. Markham’s gaping mouth said it all. I couldn’t believe what just happened.
“Shit.” A voice broke the silence. “And it was just getting good.”
That was the cue. They laughed—loud, piercing laughter that ripped and tore at me. They could do what they wanted to me, but going after my mom—my family was a low I didn’t think they could reach. A low that I didn’t know Ezra could reach, because there was no way he wasn’t a part of this.
“Don’t worry about the Knights, slut. They have something planned for you.”
“Tsk, tsk. Destroying school property.” I felt the heat of his body as he moved to my side. “That’s a serious offense, mama. You know I can’t let that slide.”
A hand seized my wrist and dragged me to the door.
“Mr. Van Zandt,” Markham cried.
“I’ll be right back. Gotta take care of this.”
I didn’t try to put up a fight as he pulled me out into the hallway. The door slammed shut behind us, cutting off the laughter.
My shoes scuffed the floor as I was led down the hall. Jaxson didn’t speak a word, or at least I don’t think he did. I could barely hear anything over the roaring in my ears. I may have stopped my class from seeing it, but what about the other class. What about the video itself? How was I going to get it back?
Jaxson suddenly stopped walking. Unprepared, I crashed into his back. “Go in there. Tell them what you did.” We were standing in front of the administration office. His voice was hard. I wasn’t used to hearing him like this. “And while you’re at it...” Jaxson turned his head slightly, peering at me over his shoulder. “Tell them you’re withdrawing from this school.”
I fought to find my voice. “I— I won’t—”
“Do it,” he hissed. “It only gets worse from here, and that’s a promise.”
I said nothing. Jaxson continued on, leaving me standing there. What else was I supposed to do?
I turned the knob and went inside.
“I GOT TWO WEEKS PICKING up trash around campus,” I said. “Plus, I’ll have to pay for the television.”
I held the phone in the crook of my neck as I unfolded my fitted sheet. The bedding I ordered had finally arrived. My room was still bare after I cleaned everything out, but slowly I was reclaiming my space and getting it back to the way it was—taped-up photos and all.
“That’s rough, kid,” said Mom. “But I still don’t understand why you’re going around knocking over televisions. I told you to have fun, not turn washed-up rock star.”
I clamped down on my lip, thinking of what to say. I couldn’t avoid this. Headmaster Evergreen had called my mom and told her what I did, although he left out why.
I sighed. “A couple of bullies posted a mean video to get to this girl. Everyone else was just sitting there, Mom. I had to do something.”
“Oh, well, I understand that. I didn’t raise you to sit quietly by in the face of those things, and shame on kids for doing nothing.”
“You have no idea of their shame,” I said under my breath.
“I hope the bullies are punished too.”
Doubtful.
“So about next week,” I began, shifting the subject. “Are you still coming to Parents’ Day?”
“Of course, I am. I haven’t seen you in over a month and Adam misses you like crazy.”
I cracked a smile. “Does he? I don’t think Adam knows me from a jar of applesauce. He just ignores me and plays with his toys when we video chat.”
“Cut the boy some slack; he’s only seven months old. You wait, he’ll be grinning so wide when he sees you, you’ll get to see both his teeth.”
I chuckled. The thought chased away my gloom which I’m sure was Mom’s intent. No one could be sad thinking of Adam’s smile.
“Okay, I can’t wait to see you two.” Part of me knew I should talk her out of coming. I could only imagine what Ezra and the Knights had in store for Parents’ Day itself, but I wanted to see them too badly.
“Bye, babe. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
I hung up and threw my phone on my freshly made bed. Then I threw myself after it.
Only when my face was buried in my pillow did I let the tears come. I sobbed—heart-wrenching cries that my pillow swallowed.
I didn’t take Jaxson’s advice to drop out of school. I wouldn’t leave, but the thought of things getting worse than they had today was too
much to bear.
I cried and cried until darkness took me to where my nightmares awaited.
I DIDN’T LEAVE MY ROOM for the entire weekend. I had food stashed in my mini-fridge that could last me a week. I was sorely tempted to test that theory and not go to classes on Monday, but if my new job picking up trash had taught me anything—I would pay for the things I did even if no one else did.
My alarm clock went off, forcing me out of bed for the start of the new week. It was Parents’ Day today. At least I would get to see Mom and Adam.
When I stepped into the hallway, I saw right away that I wasn’t the only one gearing up for their arrival. The place was pristine.
The floors were buffed, the windows dusted, and the naked flyers had been taken down. In its place were streamers, banners, and balloons announcing Parents’ Day. Clearly the janitors had been hard at work over the weekend. Parents would arrive in an hour. It wouldn’t do for them to see the real face of Evergreen Academy.
I walked into homeroom and got my second surprise. My desk was back, sitting whole and neat in its spot like it never left. I approached it cautiously. What was the catch?
Setting my bag on the chair, I carefully sat down as though I feared it would explode. Knowing these sadists, it just might.
The door opened again and a new television was wheeled in. I clenched my jaw as the people around me laughed.
“Settle down,” Markham laughed. “I’ll let you know right now I won’t stand for anymore barbaric behavior in this class. Evergreen is an elite school for the best and brightest. Act like it.”
That stopped the cackling long enough for Markham to switch on the TV.
I blinked. It wasn’t Ezra’s face staring back at me; it was the headmaster’s. “Good morning, freshman class. As you know, today is Parents’ Day and your classes are canceled. I want you to remember that though they are your family, they are also guests of Evergreen and you are the faces of the school. I expect you to conduct yourself in a manner benefiting the emblems you wear.” His eyes sharpened. “Anyone who does not do so or dares to embarrass the school, will be punished in the strictest possible manner.” He inclined his head. “That is all.”
The screen went black and Markham returned to her desk. Apparently, that was the end of the announcements.
Jaxson heaved a sigh, drawing all eyes to him. “You heard the old boy. The Virgin is off-limits. Y’all play nice while Mommy and Daddy are here.”
Murmurs of agreement followed his words. I pressed my lips together. I wasn’t mad about a day off, but it did piss me off to see how easily they turned their bullying on and off on a single command. Jaxson and the Knights could stop this if they wanted, but with Ryder at the helm... they never would.
The bell rang ending homeroom and I joined the line of students filing out the doors. By a trick of timing, I ended up right behind Sofia but I didn’t try to speak to her. Together we tramped out of the courtyard, under the arch, and to the gates of Evergreen where fleets of cars worth more than my whole neighborhood waited for us.
We fanned out as the parents streamed in. Sofia and I ended up side by side as kids peeled off and ran into the arms of their parents. After twenty minutes, there were only three of us left: Me, Sofia, and propped up against the arch, Ryder. I couldn’t see his face properly from that distance, but I imagined it was like it always was: chipped from the same stone of the arch.
Ryder’s head swung around and our eyes met. I had been caught looking, but I didn’t turn away. For a while we just gazed at each other. I was thinking about Caroline locked in her bedroom, standing up her only son for the hundredth time, but what Ryder was thinking I couldn’t guess.
Suddenly, Ryder straightened and started walking—right toward me. I stiffened as he closed the gap between us. He got closer and I could see I was wrong about his face being blank. Actually, a grin played at his mouth.
“Where’s your mom, Val?” He grinned. “Did she get held up at another wet t-shirt contest?”
I bared my teeth. “Keep talking, Ryder. Next time I will bite it off.”
He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Whoa, you can keep your piranha teeth to yourself, Val. It was just a joke.” He smiled. Ryder smiled and it was so heartbreakingly beautiful I flinched. His entire face transformed from the lifeless granite to warmth and living perfection. How different things would be if the soul inside matched that smile.
“Jaxson told you that you’ve got a stay of execution today,” he continued. “Everyone, including me, will honor it.” He placed his hand over his chest. “Promise.”
I studied him for a moment, but the smile didn’t flicker. “Fine,” I finally stated. “Start now by going away.”
He laughed. “I will, but I haven’t told you about the party yet.”
“Party? What party?”
“There’s a gala for the parents tonight. Pretty much another thinly veiled attempt to squeeze our folks for more money. Point is, everyone is going to be focused on that and they won’t be worried about us. Even Gus and his staff are taking a break from watching the cameras to patrol the gala.” Ryder threw out his hands. “Which means we’ll have the perfect opportunity to party down at the cliffs.”
“The cliffs?” I cut eyes to Sofia and glimpsed her looking at us before she quickly turned away. “Where’s that?”
“Behind campus. Through the woods.” He pointed to the side. “Sofia will show you the way.”
Sofia jerked. “What? But—”
“Is that a problem?” Ryder cut in.
She snapped her mouth, shaking her head.
“Good. See you tonight.”
“Hold on,” I said, taking my eyes off Sofia. “I didn’t say I would come to your party. Do you think I’m an idiot? I’m not walking into your trap.”
“It’s not a trap.” He met my eyes. “My word as a Knight, it’s just a party.”
I folded my arms. “Even if that’s true, the last thing I want to do is party with you people. I’m not going.”
Ryder didn’t lose his smile. “You’ll want to go to this one. I have a present for you.”
“A present? A present for me?” I repeated it and it still sounded strange coming out of my mouth.
He nodded. “And you’ll like it, I swear.”
I edged away from him, eyes narrowing. “What is it? What are you trying to pull?”
“I’m not pulling anything.” He smiled again and it tugged at me. “This is something you’ve always wanted. Come tonight so I can give it to you.”
“I—”
“Val! Hey, kid! Get over here.”
I pivoted to see Mom waving through the gates. In her arms, was Adam.
I took a step. One. Then I turned back to Ryder. He was already walking away.
Shaking myself, I spun around and ran up to Mom. She threw out a hand to accept my hug.
“Whoa there,” she gasped. “Don’t break ribs.”
I just squeezed her tighter. Her arm came around me and stroked my back. “Everything okay, baby?”
I nodded from the crook of her neck. “I missed you is all.”
“We missed you too.”
Pulling back, I beamed into Adam’s pudgy face. The baby looked at me curiously as he sucked on his pacifier.
“Hey, baby. You remember me, don’t you, Adam?” I held out my hands, holding my breath as he glanced at them. There was a pause where my heart tried to rocket out of my chest. Then he leaned forward, reaching for me.
I snuggled Adam to my chest and felt the knot of worry, pain, and anger that I had been nursing in my chest for the last week begin to loosen.
“So what are we getting up to today?” Olivia asked.
I paused in peppering Adam’s face with kisses. “I can show you around campus and let you see my dorm, but really I want to get away for a bit,” I said honestly. “We could go into town, get lunch, go shopping. Is that okay?”
“Course it is. I came here to see you, not some dusty
old classrooms.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding. “Okay, great. Let’s g—”
Slam!
The sound drew our attention across the lane of cars. A limo had pulled up beside us. The driver walked around to the other side, passing by the insignia on the door that let me know who was climbing out before he grabbed the handle.
Caroline Shea extended one pale hand and accepted the help out of the car. She stood to her full height and the wind caught her hair. It whipped and tugged at her raven locks as she pulled the mirrored shades off her face. When they were gone, I saw she was looking right at us.
“Valentina? Olivia? Is that you?”
Caroline unhurriedly walked over to us. She had a firm grip on the driver’s elbow as though she needed the help to stay upright. I was amazed she was here at all. It was constantly talked about in the newsfeeds how she had become all but a recluse.
“How are you?” Her voice was so soft I could barely hear her. “You look well.”
I could do nothing but nod. “I am,” I replied, matching her tone. “And you?”
She smiled. It looked so odd—so alien to the serene sorrow she had draped herself in, that I wondered if her face would splinter and crack apart from the act. “I cannot complain. Today is a good day. I will get to see my son.” Her eyes flicked down to the tiny person snoozing on my chest. “This must be Adam.”
“Yes.”
“Mom.”
Caroline looked over my shoulder. The tiny smile widened at the sight of Ryder. “Hello, my love.”
“Mom, come inside. You need to rest.” Ryder put his arms around her with a gentleness I didn’t know he possessed. He compounded my surprise by pressing a kiss to her cheek. “We’ll have breakfast, and then you can take a nap in my room.”
“I’m not that hungry, dear,” she replied as they walked away. “But a nap would be nice.”
Mom threw her arm around my shoulder after the two disappeared. “Ready to go?”
