She let out a breath. “Very well, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you!” His voice rang with pure, undiluted joy. “Oh, thank you, Mother!” He reached and caught her in a tight embrace.
“I make no promises, Rushton. I only said I would try.”
“Yes, of course. I understand.” He gave her a broad smile.
She held up a finger. “There’s just one more thing.”
The muscles around his jaw grew taut. “Yes?”
“If Cinderella does come to the castle, then it’s all on you. I wash my hands of the whole affair from this point on. Whatever happens from this time henceforth is on thy head.”
“Yes, Mother,” he said hurriedly. “Whatever you say.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I must be going.”
“Going? Where?”
“I’ve got to tell Cinderella the good news. I’ll be home after dark. Don’t wait up,” he called as he darted out the door.
Wisteria watched him go and then turned to the cauldron. The boiling liquid matched her tumultuous thoughts. If only Rushton would listen to her. If things kept following their current path, then Cinderella would be Rushton’s undoing, just as surely as Aalexander had been hers. She was not about to hand her son over to that peasant girl without a fight. A calm, steady knowledge flowed into her veins, as the beginnings of a plan began to take shape. She would expose Cinderella for the parasite she was. It would be painful for Rushton in the beginning, but a necessary step if she were going to save him. She clenched her fists. And save him she must … even if that meant saving him from himself.
Chapter Eleven
The New English Teacher
Edward was already at the locker by the time Elle got there. She straightened her shoulders and readied herself for the encounter. When she stepped up beside him he gave her a curt nod. “Hey,” he said, his tone aloof.
“Hey,” she said back, trying to sound as disinterested as he.
She watched as he reached for his English book. She was about to grab hers, but he surprised her by handing it to her. “Thanks,” she mumbled. Miracles never ceased. Was he actually being nice to her? They were both headed to English, and it would be awkward for them to walk together, since Edward was making it obvious that he had no desire to patch things up or even talk to her. She turned to go so that she could get a head start.
“Elle.”
She stopped and slowly turned back around to face him. “Yes?”
He gave her an appraising look. “You look good.”
A jolt of warmth shot through her. “Thanks.”
“We need to talk.”
She lifted an eyebrow. Really? A strange turn of events considering that he was doing his best to try and avoid her. “Okay … when?”
“I’ll come over tonight after football practice is over. Around eight?”
She thought for a minute. She had to start work today at The Chocolate Fountain, but she would most likely be home by then … she hoped. “Eight thirty?”
He flashed an amused smile as if he thought she was pushing back the time and playing hard-to-get.
“Okay, then. Eight thirty. It’s a date.” He gave her a long look, his hazel eyes searching hers. Something about his expression evoked a long-forgotten ache. For some unknown reason, she felt a mixture of compassion and guilt. She nearly laughed out loud at the thought. She had nothing to feel guilty about! She gave him a questioning look.
“What?” she said softly.
He shook his head. “Tonight.”
“Okay.” She thought he might walk her to class, but he kept standing there at the locker, so she finally turned and started walking alone, trying to figure out what it was that Edward Kingsley wanted from her.
* * *
When Elle stepped into the classroom, she zeroed in on Rush first thing. The pull to him was so strong that it was as if he were the only other person in the room. Whatever this was between them—it was getting ridiculous! Avoiding eye contact, she walked down the aisle and took her assigned seat, directly in front of him. She was keenly aware that he was sitting there, right behind her. It was silly to ignore him, considering that they’d shared a moment together on the roof, but she didn’t feel like she could just turn around and start talking to him. Plus, Edward was sitting on the other side of the room. Not that she owed anything to Edward, but still … She didn’t want the whole school thinking that she and Rush were a couple. Edward acted as if he wanted to patch things up, but that would change the minute he saw her talking to Rush. Did she want to patch things up with Edward? At this point, she wasn’t sure. And what in the heck was going on between her and Rush? Should she turn around or keep looking straight ahead?
Five minutes passed, with her agonizing all the while about what to do. Miss Caskill hadn’t come into the classroom. Another three minutes went by. Still no sign of Miss Caskill. Finally, she couldn’t take it any longer. She turned around. “Hey,” she said casually.
He looked surprised. “Hey.”
She wasn’t sure what else to say. Especially considering she couldn’t say the one thing that was running through her mind—gee, you really are devastatingly handsome, and I especially love the way that wisp of hair falls over your brow. I’m pretty sure I had a steamy dream about you, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what it was about—only that I woke up this morning with you on the brain, and I’ve been able to think of nothing else ever since. Nope, she certainly couldn’t say that! Conversation had been so easy on the roof, but here in the classroom it was entirely different. “How are things going?” Geez! That came out sounding stupid. Her voice sounded unnaturally high in her own ears, and she could only imagine how it sounded to Rush.
“Fine.” A trace of amusement flickered in his eyes.
Irritation clouded her. He was taking great pleasure in her discomfort, and judging by his one-liners, he wasn’t going to contribute a thing to the conversation. “All ridy then,” she quipped, turning back around, her face burning.
A shiver trickled down her spine when he leaned up and whispered in her ear. “So I take it we’re talking to each other in public now? I guess those truffles were more powerful than I thought.”
Her eyes went wide, and she jerked around, ready to give him a piece of her mind, but his attention was elsewhere. He was looking straight ahead, a taut expression on his face, and then she heard the murmurs of excitement rippling through the classroom. She turned back around to see what all the commotion was about.
It was not Miss Caskill but another teacher that had entered the classroom. To say this woman was attractive would’ve been a gross understatement. With her thick, wavy hair and perfect figure, she could’ve given Angelina Jolie a run for her money. She wrote her name on the board: Ms. Wisteria Porter. There was something familiar about the confident, almost haughty carriage of her shoulders and the defiant way her chin jutted out. What was it about her that was so familiar? It went through her mind that Porter was Rush’s last name, but Porter was a common name, so she didn’t think much about it.
A low whistle came from the desk to her immediate left. “What a looker! I wouldn’t mind slipping her some tongue, if you know what I mean,” the guy whispered. It was the same guy that had congratulated Rush for kissing her on the field. She shook her head in disgust. What a moron! Guys like that talked big but didn’t know the first thing about women. What she didn’t expect to hear was Rush swearing under his breath.
“Shut your mouth,” he uttered, “or I’ll shut it for you.”
Out of her peripheral vision, Elle saw the moron’s eyes widen before he clamped his lips shut. Then it all came together in one swift motion as the teacher introduced herself. Rush had told her that his mother was an English teacher. What he neglected to tell her was that his mother was about to become their English teacher.
“I’m Wisteria Porter,” she said, pointing to the board, “the newest teacher at Castle High. I’ll be taking Miss Caskill’s place.”
“What happened to Miss. Caskill?” This came from Lynessa. Elle had to bite back a smile when she saw the scornful look Lynessa was giving Ms. Porter. Lynessa couldn’t stand the thoughts of another woman, young or old, looking better than she.
“Miss Caskill transferred to another school. Some sort of a promotion, I’m told.” The answer was to the point, leaving no room for further questions. Besides, it wasn’t as if anyone was particularly fond of the old battle-ax. Elle, for one, was glad to see her go.
Ms. Porter scoped the room, sizing up the students, until her eyes rested on Elle, and she could sense the disapproval emanating from those fierce eyes. It unnerved her to know that another person detested her, for no seemingly good reason. “I look forward to getting to know all of you. You will start out on equal footing. I will give you every opportunity to excel … unless you prove otherwise.”
Elle looked away from Ms. Porter’s intense gaze. She’d never done anything to this woman. Then why did she get the feeling that she already had a mark against her? As soon as she thought the question, the answer came. Rush. Ms. Porter disliked her because of Rush.
“It’s especially a privilege to have my son in the class.” Ms. Porter motioned. “Rush.” All eyes turned to Rush, and the moron in the adjacent desk groaned.
“Sorry, dude, I didn’t mean to insult your mom,” he whispered.
“Nothing like having your mother for a teacher,” Rush said. “She keeps me on a tight leash, especially when it comes to homework.”
This brought chortles of laughter from around the room.
Rush had spoken the words easily enough, but Elle could hear the strain in his voice. She realized then that it was uncomfortable for him to have his mother as a teacher. Fleetingly, she wondered when it was that she’d become connected with him enough to detect his emotions, solely by the sound of his voice.
Ms. Porter walked around the front of the desk and leaned against it. “We’ll be studying a series of plays, beginning with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.”
Elle was guessing that the male students in the class, with the exception of Rush, were hardly listening to a word she was saying and were more concerned with watching how the pencil skirt kept lifting up ever so slightly above her knees, revealing a set of shapely legs.
“Romeo and Juliet were two star-crossed lovers that defied their families, the Capulets and Montagues, in their efforts to be together despite all obstacles. As we study this play, there are several questions that I want you to think about. The first of which is this: Romeo and Juliet fall madly in love at first sight. Is that realistic?” She looked around the room, expectantly waiting for an answer. When none came, she picked up a clipboard. “Let’s see,” she said, trailing her finger down the roll. “Blake Owens, do you believe in love at first sight?”
A rumble came from the back section where Edward was sitting. A few chuckles sounded. Elle looked over to see the heavyset guy sitting directly in front of Edward. He seemed to be ducking underneath the question.
Ms. Porter looked straight at him, while waiting for an answer, her intense gaze reminding Elle of laser-beams.
“I suppose I believe in love at first sight … if she’s good-looking,” he sniggered. The guy sitting across from him gave him a high five.
A mousy-looking girl with glasses, sitting on the front row, raised her hand. “I think that love at first sight is a bunch of drivel. Love should be based on similar interest and likes. Compatibility plays a large factor in human relationships. Statistics show that couples who have more in common have happier and healthier relationships.”
Ms. Porter pressed her lips together thoughtfully. “Interesting concept.” She cocked her head. “Your name?”
“Monica Morton,” the girl said.
“Thank you, Monica. I’m not sure if Shakespeare would agree with you, but a valid point nonetheless. Here’s another question for the girls in the room. If you were Juliet, would you possess the strength to go against your family to be with the one you love? Would you defy convention, or would you crumble under the pressure?” She looked around the room, her eyes once again settling on Elle.
Elle’s heart began to pound. This wasn’t a question about Romeo and Juliet, this was a direct question about her and Rush. She looked down at her desk.
“Would anyone like to answer that question,” Ms. Porter said, “or shall I call on someone?”
Someone answer the stupid question. Otherwise she’s going to call on me! Elle kept pleading silently for someone … anyone to come to her aid.
“I’ll answer it,” Lynessa said. “True love defies all boundaries. If you truly love someone then it shouldn’t matter what your family thinks. If you’re not brave enough to embrace true love when it comes, then you don’t deserve it to begin with.”
Ms. Porter nodded. “Well said, Miss …”
“Lynessa.”
“Well said, Lynessa.” She flashed an approving smile. “Okay, all of you gentlemen in the classroom, I’d pay attention to this girl, if I were you. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it.”
Lynessa beamed. Elle’s mouth twisted. From what she knew of Lynessa, the girl had never stood up for anything a day in her life. She was simply kissing up to the teacher.
“Elle, you don’t agree?”
It took her a minute to realize that Ms. Porter was talking to her. “I’m sorry,” she stumbled, “I didn’t hear the question.”
Ms. Porter’s eyes met hers. “You had a doubtful expression on your face when Lynessa was talking. I’m thinking, perhaps, that you don’t agree with what she said?”
All eyes turned to Elle. Lynessa was glaring daggers at her.
At that moment, she hated Ms. Porter. She hated her for putting her on the spot and making her feel like a dip wad. “No,” she croaked. “I don’t disagree with what Lynessa was saying …”
“But?” Ms. Porter prompted.
She met Lynessa’s glare full on. “I’m sure at this moment, in this classroom, Lynessa truly believes that she would brave true love at all costs, but that’s easier said than done.”
Lynessa scoffed. “That’s ridiculous,” she pouted, flipping her hair.
Ms. Porter arched an eyebrow. “Are you speaking from experience?”
She knew that both Edward and Rush were waiting to hear how she would answer. She swallowed hard, trying to figure out a way to finagle out of this land mine without getting her head blown off. “I’m just saying that none of us knows for sure how we’ll react in a given situation, until we’re actually put into it.”
“Interesting,” Ms. Porter said. “Very interesting.” She turned her attention to the chalkboard. “I’m going to write down a series of questions, which you will need to answer before the next class.”
Everyone started opening notebooks.
Interesting? What did that mean? Elle got the feeling that she’d been given some impromptu test—a test that she failed miserably! No matter what she did, she was always coming up short. She didn’t dare look at Edward or Rush, but kept her eyes glued to her notebook for the remainder of the class.
Chapter Twelve
The Band
“Well, what do you think?” Rae’s arm spanned over the garage, her eyes full of cautious hope.
Elle looked around the garage that had been transformed into a makeshift music studio complete with a set of drums, guitars, a keyboard, amplifiers, and microphones. When Rae told her she wanted to show her something at her house, she had no idea it would be this. “This is really something.” She wasn’t sure what Rae wanted her to say, but judging from the way her lips turned down at the corners, that was not it. “Are you part of a band?” she asked cautiously. Lately, everything she said seemed to come out wrong, and the last thing she wanted to do was ostracize the one friend she had.
Rae threw up her arms. “Does none of this seem familiar to you? I thought for sure you’d remember something.”
“I’m
sorry,” Elle said, shaking her head. She panicked a little when she saw Rae’s crestfallen expression. She had to do something—fast! She feigned thinking. “Wait a minute! I am starting to remember something.”
Rae perked up instantly. “Really?”
Elle smiled. “Really. You’re in a band, and I come and watch you all the time.”
“No!” Rae’s face fell. “We, you and I, are in a band.”
She scrunched her nose. “Really?” She wouldn’t have guessed that in a million years. She looked at the drums. “What do I play?”
“The bass guitar, and you sing backup.”
She wasn’t sure she heard her correctly. “I play bass. Me?”
Rae laughed. “Well, sort of. You do the best you can.”
“Gee, thanks.” Elle rolled her eyes. “What do you do?”
“I play keyboard and sing.”
Elle pointed at the drums. “Who plays those?”
“That would be me.”
She turned and looked at the tall, gangly guy with the longer hair. She’d seen him in the school cafeteria. Normally, she wouldn’t have paid any attention to him, but he was sitting with Rush. He peeled off his thin jacket and tossed it onto a nearby stool. He sat down behind the drums, rolled up his sleeves, picked up a set of drumsticks and began pounding out a complex rhythm. His head bounced along with the beat, causing his hair to flop in his eyes. With his angular features and thin face, he didn’t have the same movie-star looks as Rush and Edward, but there was something … a casual confidence maybe … that made him very attractive. She fleetingly wondered if there was something going on between him and Rae, but then she looked over and saw that Rae had a scowl on her face. Rae shook her head. “Show off!” she mouthed at him.
He laughed and blew her a kiss.
“You’re really good,” Elle said.
He winked at Elle and then twirled the drumsticks in the air. “See, someone appreciates my genius.”
Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws Page 12
