Other Side of Beautiful (A Beautifully Disturbed #1)

by Sarah Zolton Arthur

  Other Side of Beautiful

  A Beautifully Disturbed Novel

  Book One

  Sarah Zolton Arthur

  Other Side of Beautiful

  Copyright © 2015 by Sarah Zolton Arthur.

  All rights reserved.

  First Print Edition: July 2015

  Limitless Publishing, LLC

  Kailua, HI 96734

  www.limitlesspublishing.com

  Formatting: Limitless Publishing

  ISBN-13: 978-1-68058-218-5

  ISBN-10: 1-68058-218-6

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To every Elle, you are strong.

  We get tested daily, it’s okay to ask for help.

  To every Ben, thank you for never giving up.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 1

  Elle

  Only one thing in my life makes me lose sleep at night. Only one thing brings on the panic attacks and makes me wish I actually had invisibility as my superpower instead of the superpower I'd been born with.

  Failure.

  Okay, so as far as superpowers go it’s kind of a biggie, and could encompass so many aspects of life. How could failure be considered a superpower? Because I’m so proficient in it—a failure badass. I could fail at anything. My mother Cricket would be more than happy to tell anyone who asks about the litany of ways I've failed her in my twenty-one years.

  Not everyone is born with a superpower, so I’ve embraced my gift to see it for what it is. Wait, maybe I shouldn't embrace it. Cricket put out all that money for me to see Dr. Packard—of the Packard Medical Group—he's the leader in treating, well, my condition. Wouldn't acceptance negate my superpower? Or would it still be failure for not fighting it more? I'll go with that.

  Unlike Superman or Spiderman or Batman, my superpower controls me, not the other way around. And I can feel the power humming beneath my skin, just waiting to be unleashed where it can find the greatest impact on humanity—a party. I fail mercilessly in social situations, so why my roommate Kelly insists I go with her all the time is beyond me. She’s supposed to be my friend. But aren't friends supposed to help conceal a person's superpowers, like Lois Lane or MJ or…or Robin?

  "Come on," she begs. "It's New Years. You have to go."

  I shake my head, vigorously protesting.

  "You're my wing-woman. Keep me from going home with some loser when I get too drunk to see through my beer goggles."

  Deep cleansing breath in. Deep cleansing breath out. I've got this. I've got this. I so don't have this. "But it's no fun for me. Yay, another night planted against the wall while you drink and flirt your way into oblivion."

  "Please." Kelly stands, drumming her fingers in a serpentine ripple along her hip bone. “It’s really not that bad.” If we hadn't been paired as roommates freshman year, and if I hadn't decided there was too much work involved in breaking in a new roommate so I just became her friend, there'd be no way she'd ever talk me into going tonight. But since arguing with her is about as productive as digging a hole in quicksand, she knows I’ll acquiesce. I always acquiesce. Nobody gets between Kelly and a good time. She loves to get her party on and take her clothing off, pretty much the exact opposite of me. Well, maybe not the exact opposite. I might like to get my drink on if I didn't have to continuously save her from her life choices. “Now that's settled, go put something on.”

  Put something on? Easy for her to say. She's one of those lucky girls—the beautiful Barbie kind with the big, round Barbie eyes, and the flowing, blonde Barbie hair. Tonight she wears it curled and swept up into a loose pile on the crown of her head, owning the look like those modern, clubbing, sparkle princesses of Europe, the kind who “winter” in Monte Carlo, the kind we read about in the rag mags at the supermarket checkout. She's exquisite.

  I've actually never seen an outfit hang awkwardly from her body, and tonight, tonight is no different. Perfect push-up boobs barely hidden under a skin-hugging black lace and sequined spaghetti strapped sheath so short, if Brazil hadn't perfected its waxing technique, the world would know.

  New Year’s or not, what am I supposed to wear? She’s the über primper, not me. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I pull the rubber band from my ponytail, letting the golden blonde hair fall to my shoulders. Trying to work a little magic, I fluff the fringe layers with my fingers. We've all been handed a bill of goods about blonde hair, a conspiracy felt ‘round the world, the lie that makes girls like me think that blondes have more fun. Apparently “they” didn't mean all blondes, only the ones who look like Kelly.

  The reflection staring back at me isn't hideous. I’m able to roam the streets without people grabbing up their torches and pitchforks, but my face will never be perfect. My lips look a little too full, my nose a little too pug. Nothing a little decoration can't distract from. I love piercings, body art in general, but stick with the jewelry, though, and adjust the hoop through my nose, shining all silvery. Then I change out the pink gem for my diamond Monroe, a piercing named after the blonde who started the conspiracy women like me have been sucked in to.

  I’ve chosen a real diamond, a Christmas present to myself for making it through another holiday season unscathed. Plus, it sparkles. Isn't that what New Year’s is about, the sparkle? My favorite glasses sit in the case on my dresser in the bedroom. Cute tortoise shell frames—the ones Kelly calls “hipster.” I’m no hipster, and no longer a glasses wearer because my best friend nagged me to get contacts until she wore me down. Nobody else knows. I'll be debuting the look tonight, although she wanted me to get the colored contacts. Blue like hers, of course. But most of the world has brown eyes, so I feel in good company.

  “Tick tock,” she calls from the hallway.

  Tick tock, yes, I got it. Woul
dn't it be a shame for someone else to get that shot of whatever she’s missing out on by me taking so long? Before going, I take extra time to brush mascara along my lashes, outline my eyes with a retro cat-eye look, and brush on some passion-pink blush and a ruby-tinted lip gloss to put a little effort in and to put off the inevitable a bit longer. Getting dressed is the tricky part. Almost all I own are Tshirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts. But Tshirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts won’t cut it tonight.

  “Come on, Elly. Let’s go.”

  I stand in front of my closet, ready to unleash my superpower until I remember the cute little peasant blouse I picked up from the cutest little vintage shop last week—white with brown embroidery and elasticized cap sleeves, showing just enough cleavage to pass Kelly’s “going out” criteria. Paired with one of the unfortunate pair of skinny jeans, the black ones, bought under peer pressure from her and our friend, Zena, the one throwing the party. My everyday jeans have rips or holes. She hates when I wear them to class, and I hate being uncomfortable, so I’ll keep right on wearing them until they completely fall apart.

  The blousy top conceals my hips and butt. Most women hate something about themselves; the bane of my existence happens to be my hips and butt. Sabrina, another one of my closest friends, bless her heart, loves to show me pictures of beautiful 1950’s pinup girls, saying how my curves resemble theirs. Okay. I prepare to just wear my black ballerina flats, but Kel drops her three-inch heel gladiator booties in front of my door, yelling at me to hurry up.

  She is waiting for me by the front door, clutch in hand, tapping her silver platform on the parquet entry. I thought I looked pretty good, but Kelly eyes me up and down, looking like I’ve put her out somehow. “That’ll have to do, I guess.” Wow, don’t hold back, Kel. Tell me how you really feel.

  We take my car, because like always the designated driving duties fall onto me. Kel’s pickled liver could probably be cadavered and used as one of those cautionary tales about how not to live your life. Always one shot away from total alcohol poisoning, and me literally dragging her away from the beer pong. I really don’t mind driving her around, although the decimated liver we could both do without. She turns on the radio and begins singing wildly off key to some ridiculous pop song by some new generation boy band, bouncing in the seat, pumping herself up. Sober Kelly at her finest. At least the music keeps her busy enough to be able to pep talk myself into why the party will be fine.

  One—Familiar location.

  Two—Our friends will be there.

  Three—

  Three—

  Three—

  Well, two reasons aren’t so bad. At least that’s the story to stick to as I move my hand into my coat pocket, running a thumbnail over the ridges of my prescription bottle. I carry it like a lucky rabbit’s foot. Not one refill in over a year and a half, because just like having his foot lopped off wasn’t so lucky for the rabbit, being on meds wasn’t so great for me. So I keep the bottle to remind myself of the life I never want to lead again.

  Half of me wishes nothing more than to be Kelly tonight, bursting through the front door to Zena’s apartment, making New Year’s my bitch. And the thought makes me smile. The other half of me has ridiculous rituals, rules, and codes of conduct driven into my overly susceptible brain by Dr. Packard, like I suffer from a form of Stockholm syndrome, only I’ve never been kidnapped and I quasi-agreed to his treatments. But still, to make it through tonight, I have to listen to that half, otherwise the consequences could be disastrous. My superpower gains so much strength I could hulk out into some monster my friends no longer recognize.

  Kelly looks annoyed per her usual, sighing loudly specifically for me to hear, but I have my rituals to get through whether she sighs, sings, or shouts hallelujah. I force a deep breath into my lungs and let it out slowly, very slowly. Only once the breath has completely emptied am I ready to walk through the door. She puts up with a lot, because I have to complete this ritual every single time I walk into an uncomfortable situation.

  And right now, right now is an uncomfortable situation. Every girl inside conquers the night like a freaking dominatrix—confident, calculating, and beautiful, always beautiful. Kelly fits in nicely. Zena’s furniture has been pushed to the side walls to make room for a dance floor. If my apartment had been decorated in all white, I don’t think I’d be throwing parties. But then again, her daddy funds everything, so she can replace anything or everything at will. My daddy funded my college education, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful, because it got me out from under the disapproving eyes of Cricket.

  My superpower gears up. I feel it thrumming beneath the surface, tightening the coil in the pit of my stomach, impatiently waiting for its release. How awkward will Elly be tonight? Can she outdo herself? Always. But no matter how awkward, I soldier on. Don’t want to embarrass the good name of Cricket. Over the years she’s become an evil “Jiminy Cricket” sitting on my shoulder, reminding me of what a disappointing daughter I’ve been, and it takes everything to push back the wave of nausea threatening to ravage tonight’s festivities.

  Chapter 2

  Elle

  The moment we pass over the threshold, Kelly shoves her clutch in my hand as one of her teaching major buddies shoves a champagne glass into her hand. Not a flute, but the other kind, the one Zena insists has been formed after Marie Antoinette’s breast. No way would King Louie have been satisfied squeezing breasts that small. I call shenanigans.

  The nausea relents when my good friends Errol and Sabrina wave me over to an empty spot on the wall, giving me a sense of protection, at least enough to relax somewhat and take time for one of my favorite activities—people watching. These two are that couple, the ones with the relationship we all secretly envy, a real, true ‘til death do us part’ kind of love. She’s a natural beauty. Being of Puerto Rican ancestry, she has gorgeously tan skin that I will forever be jealous of. Looking at her always makes me crave a caramel Frappuccino. We like to joke I come in two colors—Casper and burned. Another wonderful side effect of her heritage? Her hair. She loves to wear it like Bettie Page and loves to dress rockabilly. Tonight she wears a bright red flower, a poppy maybe, pinned behind her ear to contrast her long, flowing black waves.

  I feel underdressed. Errol, he’s so cute—but not like that all-American boy kind of cute—especially wearing his thick-rimmed Buddy Holly glasses and his blue-black hair slicked back tonight. He and Bri are perfect for each other, as he’s as obsessed with Buddy Holly as she is with Bettie Page. Although unlike his idol, his neck and arms are covered with ink, and instead of a 1950’s suit coat, he’s sporting a white button down with the sleeves rolled to the elbow and a gray vest and slacks. Hence the feeling underdressed.

  “You’ve gone to the dark side? I almost didn’t recognize you. Swear to god if you start wearing platforms and miniskirts—” We all look over at Kelly. “—I will seriously have to reconsider our friendship.”

  “She looks gorgeous,” Sabrina says, slapping Errol’s arm.

  About half the people at the party are teaching majors, the other half, my half, are writers. Some of my half plan on applying to MFA programs after graduation, while others like me just want to write.

  “DeWitt’s class kicked my butt.” Errol wraps himself around Sabrina, nudges her cheek with his nose, and kisses her, eliciting a ridiculous schoolgirl sigh from her. “Ever since taking flash with Kendrick,” he looks up, smiling, like a cat caught eating the canary, “I can’t seem to write a god dammed story longer than a thousand words.”

  “I know, right?” I tip the rest of my soda into my mouth. “Maybe instead of a novel, I’ll try getting in an anthology. Still lots of querying.” I turn to go refill my drink, stopping short right before slamming into Benton Hayes.

  He jumps back quickly to avoid the ice spilling, which lands all over the floor and his shoes. Really nice shoes. “Whoa. Play nice, now,” he teases as he squats down to help me pick up the ice chunks, dropping them back into
my empty cup. He stares at me, then looks down at the cup he’s holding, shakes his head, and then his eyes find mine again. “It’s a good look on you, Brontë.”

  Benton Hayes. The second hottest man on campus. Rugged but beautiful Benton Hayes. Handsome just isn’t a strong enough adjective to describe him. And tall—a good seven or eight inches taller than my five foot five stature if I had to guess. Broad shoulders, narrow at the waist, a perfect inverted triangle. Messy, thick brown hair the color of roasted chestnuts dusts along his forehead, resting just below his eyebrows. Strong, sharp features—cheekbones, straight nose, squared jaw—invite women to look. Yet, those extremely kissable lips and expressive eyes, aquamarine like the color of the deepest part of the ocean—not kidding—tell his story should anyone get close enough to read it, invite women to touch. Or so I’ve been told.

  Always a good guy, always my friend, and, unfortunately, always my crush. My writing crush since our first class together freshman year, nobody on the GHU campus can turn a phrase or shape a sentence like Benton Hayes.

  “Just heard Kendrick and had to make my way over.”

  “We’re talking about how he’s ruined us all,” Errol says back, still holding tight to Sabrina.

  “Hell, that flash shit is infectious.” He grins, showing off an absolutely adorable dimple.

  I hear what he says, but am lost in that dimple tucked safely between the strong line of his jaw and deliciously kissable lips, which I can’t get myself to stop staring at until he snickers at me under his breath. Well hell if his laugh isn’t enough to drag me back into the awkwardness of the moment.

  “But not for you, right Brontë?” Always with the nickname. I swear he doesn’t remember I have a first name. Kelly is Kelly, Errol is Errol, Sabrina is Bri or Sabrina, but me? Brontë, or Dinninger, my last name. “That piece you shopped in group last week was pretty solid.”