“But, I can’t tell them about you,” I say, letting out a sigh. “It’s so hard. I’ve actually talked about you to Estaine and Brooks. It wasn’t on purpose. It’s just... you’re my best friend. Thankfully, Estaine didn’t notice, but Brooks asked me how I have stepbrother, with dead parents. I have to come up with some kind of story now...”
“Maybe you should just tell him the truth,” Charlie says.
“Pretty sure the secret service agents would murder me if I did,” I say, thinking about Uncle Matty and Jake. They’re both kind of scary dudes.
“Don’t tell them,” he says. “Seriously, you need somebody at the school you can trust.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I say, truly considering it. “But not yet. I have to wait until I trust somebody enough to tell them. I mean, it could mean the difference between life and death if the truth gets out.”
“I don’t think so,” Charlie says. “You’re a sixteen year old girl. I get that the terrorists kidnapped you for a few hours, or whatever, but it’s not you they’re after. It’s your dad. I think your parents just freaked and went a little overboard.”
“Yeah,” I say.
To be honest, I don’t remember being kidnapped.
I felt something go over my mouth and I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed a few hours later. I guess they used chloroform on me. But the secret service found me within an hour. I was freaked out about it for, like, five seconds. But I was fine. There really was no need to send me away.
“I just wish they would’ve sent you with me,” I say. “You would love it here.”
“I’ll keep working on Dad. Maybe he will send me, eventually,” Charlie says. “Until then, it sounds like you’re doing good without me. You’ve made a lot of friends. Met a lot of boys...”
“The boys are... irrelevant,” I say.
He laughs. “Yeah, okay. Whatever you say, Phoenix.”
“You frustrate me.”
“You love me,” he says.
“I do,” I say.
“I love you, too.”
“I guess I’d better go. I’ve got soccer tryouts tomorrow and I should probably try to sleep some,” I say.
“Okay. Good night, Phoenix.”
“Night, Charlie.”
Tuesday, August 22
I hope I don’t suck.
My arms hurt.
I mean, like, it hurts to lift my arms above my head.
Uncle Matty and Jake take training very seriously. And I’m not sure that I’ve actually made any progress just yet, but I do feel like I’m on the right track. They’re going to teach me how to defend myself. And maybe I’ll get fit while in the process.
On my second day of school, while eating lunch, I am approached by a middle aged woman with an iPad in her hand.
“Are you Phoenix Underwood?” the woman asks.
I look up at her. “Yeah. Why?”
“I’m Ms. Crawford,” she says. “I’m the councilor at East Raven. I’d like to set up a time to meet with you.”
“Umm... why?”
“To discuss your future,” she says. “Also, the dean and your uncle thought it would be beneficial.”
Uh.
No.
Just, no.
“Are you free today after school?” she asks, touching her screen.
“Nope. I’m trying out for soccer,” I answer.
“What about tomorrow?”
“It depends on if I make the team. We practice Monday through Thursday,” I say.
“Right,” she says, pursing her lips. “Then Friday it is. Four o’clock. Don’t be late.”
She turns on her heel and walks off.
Just great.
“We all have to go talk to the councilor,” Estaine tells me. “They want us all to go to an ivy league after we graduate, because it looks good on the school if we do.”
“Oh, I already know I’m going to Berkeley,” I say. “It’s where my parents met.”
And the truth just slips out before I can stop it.
Ah, why?
Well, at least this isn’t a huge secret. I mean, even though my parents are supposed to be dead, I would still know where they went to school.
“My parents went to Yale,” Estaine says.
“I’ll probably go to Harvard,” Ian says. “My dad went there.”
“I think I’m with Phoenix on this one. Berkeley sounds awesome,” Teagan says. “I’d rather go to school on the West Coast than the East Coast. It’s too cold up here.”
“You’re from Texas. You think anything below fifty is cold,” Jason says.
“Because anything below fifty is cold,” Teagan says.
“I agree with Teagan,” I say. “But I don’t think I’d survive the Texas humidity. We don’t have humidity in Malibu.”
“I should move to Malibu,” Emma says. “Can you imagine having a good hair day, every day?”
“Like you have to worry about frizz anyway,” Teagan says.
Emma does have good hair.
“Do we really have you listen to you guys talk about hair?” Jason asks. “Really. California has more to offer than just good weather.”
“Oh, yeah? And what’s that?” Teagan asks.
“Girls. Lots and lots of hot girls,” Jason answers.
Ian and Bryce both high five him, but Emma, Teagan and I all roll our eyes. Do guys ever think about anything other than girls?
I watch as Jason shoves half a taco into his mouth.
Well, I suppose that girls and food are all guys think about.
So gross.
“I can’t believe we have to put up with them,” Teagan says.
“Me, either,” I say.
“Hey, what about me?” Estaine asks.
“You’re the only guy at this table who isn’t a complete pig,” Teagan says.
I nod my head in agreement. “She’s right.”
“Thanks,” Estaine says, then looks at me. “Aren’t soccer tryouts this afternoon?”
“Yep,” I answer. “I’m excited.”
“I want to come watch you tryout. I’ll cheer you on,” he says.
“Me, too,” Emma says. “Soccer tryouts happen right after dance team tryouts, so I’ll just walk over afterwards.”
“Awesome. Thanks guys,” I say.
It feels good to have friends.
Now, I just hope I really don’t suck.
6pm.
A huge mistake.
Soccer tryouts are over, but I won’t know if I made the team until tomorrow. Though, Teagan assures me that I most definitely made the team. And I think she’s right. I did awesome.
Teagan was going to somebody’s dorm to hang out until dinner, so I decided to use my free time to video chat with Brooks. I can’t believe we’re both actually free. I also can’t believe how nervous I am when I hear my computer start ringing.
“Hello,” I answer. His screen is black as I wait for the video feed to come through.
“Phoenix, hey,” Brooks says, as his video shows up. Even on a pixelated screen, he’s still gorgeous. “How were soccer tryouts?”
“Good,” I answer. “I mean, I was completely awesome. Teagan assured me that I made the team.”
“She’s the captain, right?” he asks.
“Yeah. And my roommate,” I answer. “Really, she’s my best friend at East Raven. Well, her and Estaine.”
“Estaine Rinaldi?”
“Yeah.” I remember the negative reaction I got from Estaine when I told him I had talked to Brooks. “You know him?”
“Yeah,” Brooks says, not at all sounding thrilled. “He and I don’t exactly get along.”
“Why?” I ask, then realize I probably sound rude. I backtrack, trying not to sound nosey. Even though, I kind of am. “I just mean... Estaine seems to get along with everybody.” Which is true. “He’s one of the nicest guys here.”
“Let’s just say he’s not nice to me,” Brooks says. “So, how is your first week at East R
aven going? And is it bad that I’m hoping it sucks so you transfer to West Raven?”
“Sorry to disappoint,” I say, unable to stop smiling, “but my first week has been awesome so far. If I had known how awesome boarding school would be, I would’ve asked my parents to send me sooner. I just wish Charlie was here.”
“Your parents?” he asks. “I thought your parents are dead.”
“They are...” I pause. Crap. “I mean my uncle.”
“Right,” he says, not looking entirely convinced. “And Charlie is your stepbrother?”
I nod, and then try to change the subject. Because, seriously. Ah! Why am I so bad at lying?
“Charlie is the outgoing one,” I tell Brooks. “In Malibu, he was the one with all the friends and I just tagged along.”
“That is weird,” Brooks says. “It seems like you were a different person then.”
“Or maybe people here are different than they are in Malibu,” I say.
“I still can’t believe you’ve never had a boyfriend.”
“Not even. My brother asked one of his friends to take me to homecoming last year. It was so embarrassing,” I say.
And I can’t believe I just told him that.
“I’m positive the guy didn’t mind taking you,” he says. “I’m actually kind of hoping that we both have homecoming on different nights so I can ask you.”
“Am I even allowed to come?” I ask playfully, though my heart is thumping hard. “You know, with East Raven and West Raven being rivals, and all. I figured they would ban me from coming on campus.”
“Nope,” Brooks says. “People from East Raven always come to our dances and stuff. Being star crossed lovers is romanticized.”
“Star crossed lovers? What is this? Romeo and Juliet?”
“Two people in love who are forced apart by their parents. Who doesn’t love a story about somebody fighting for the one they love?”
“Except they don’t fight. They die,” I say.
“Eh, whatever,” he says. “Most of the kids from West invite kids from East simply to piss off their parents.”
“Is that why you want to ask me?”
“I want to ask you because I like you,” Brooks says. “And you’re hot. All the guys here will be jealous. The fact that it could possibly piss off my parents is just a very nice, added bonus.”
I highly doubt other guys would be jealous.
But, the fact that he says it gives me butterflies.
“You don’t get along with your parents?” I ask.
“Not really,” he answers. “My parents are very... traditional. They come from old money and sometimes I hate how snooty they are.”
“My dad was raised in a lower middle class family,” I tell him. “My mom was the one with a rich family. I love how different they are...” I clear my throat. “Um, were. As a kid, my mom would be the one making me take lessons on which fork to use with which course and my dad would let me eat with my fingers. I like both worlds.”
“That sounds amazing,” he says.
“It is. Was,” I say. “My parents were awesome.”
“How did they die?” he asks.
“A plane crash.” It’s the story I was told to go with... the story that makes the most sense.
“But you have a stepbrother. How were your parents on the plane at the same time?” Brooks asks.
Panic washes over me as I realize I have no clue how to answer this question. My parents wouldn’t be on the plane together, not even now, unless they were both with me. And I can’t mysteriously be the only person who survived the plane crash.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I shouldn’t ask. It’s really not my business and I can tell how hard this is for you to talk about.”
“It’s okay,” I say.
“It’s just... when we met you told me you were a baby when your parents died. I didn’t realize you remember them,” he says.
And this is why I can’t lie. I’m really bad at it and I always seem to get caught up in my lies. How the heck am I supposed to get myself out of this situation now? Should I just tell him the truth?
Maybe I should.
Just lay it all out there.
I hear a noise from Brooks’ computer.
“Oh, hey. I got to go. My friends are here and we’re going to go play some football,” he says.
“Okay. Have fun,” I say, waving at the screen.
When he ends the call, I let out a sigh of relief.
I almost just told him the truth.
And I can’t help but think that that would have been a huge mistake.
8pm.
I run.
After dinner, Emma comes to my dorm room to complain about Bryce, so I leave them. I seriously cannot handle any more of their drama. Not knowing where else to go, I go, to Estaine’s dorm room. He’s wanted to hang out, anyway. When I walk inside, I’m surprised by how clean it is. I assumed all boys were like Charlie. If it wasn’t for our maid, his room would be a biohazard zone.
I walk around his room, inspecting it. Though, there isn’t much to inspect. He doesn’t have any pictures up. His desk is perfectly in order. His bed is even made. I’m positive that I’ve only made my bed one time since arriving at East Raven.
“Where are your pictures?” I ask.
“Pictures?” he asks, just watching me walk around.
“You know... of your family and your friends back home,” I say.
“Oh. I don’t have any pictures,” he says. “But I have a ton online.”
Online.
Sigh.
I miss social media.
Apparently, when you’re in the witness protection program, you’re not allowed to have any type of social media accounts. I mean, my old accounts are still active, but they haven’t been updated since I got kidnapped.
Stupid terrorists.
“You should add me,” Estaine says, pulling out his phone.
“I don’t do social media,” I say.
Lie.
I love social media.
“Why?” he asks. “I thought girls loved Instagram.”
I laugh.
Okay, I really do love Instagram. But he can’t know that.
“I guess I don’t want to be one of those people who are constantly on their phone,” I say, which isn’t a lie. Even before all this happened, I tried to limit my phone time. “Talking to people in real life is so much more fun.”
“Valid point,” he says.
“Plus, I don’t want everybody knowing all of my business,” I say.
“You are a pretty private person,” Estaine says. “All I know about you is that you live with your uncle, your parents are dead and you have a stepbrother. Oh, and you’re from Malibu, but live in New York City now.”
“That’s pretty much all there is,” I say.
“There has to be more. I know there is more. You fascinate me, and I’d like to know more.”
“Well, I like soccer,” I say. “And I totally kicked butt at the tryouts.”
“You really did,” he says. “I was impressed.”
“I can also surf. Kind of,” I tell him. “I’m not very good, but it’s still fun. My stepbrother Charlie taught me how. He and his friends surf every morning.”
“I am a terrible surfer,” Estaine admits. “Last time I actually rode a wave, I ended up with a mouth full of sand.”
I laugh. “Now I want to go surfing with you.”
“Come to The Hamptons with me for Labor Day Weekend,” he says. “My parents have a huge beach house that they rarely use. I always bring a bunch of friends with me. It would be a lot of fun. You can give me some surfing pointers.”
Yeah, as fun as that sounds, I know that the secret service won’t let me go.
“I’ll probably just stay on campus. Uncle Matty is kind of strict,” I say.
“I can talk to him.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I say. “He’ll say no right off.”
“That sucks,” he say
s.
“What about your parents?” I ask. “Are they overprotective?”
“No, definitely not,” Estaine says. “I did just tell you I invite a bunch of teenagers over to stay at The Hamptons, right? My parents don’t give a crap what I do. As long as I make good grades and don’t embarrass them at social gatherings, they leave me alone.”
That’s incredibly sad.
My parents aren’t strict or anything, but they do love me. They make time to hang out with me. Even my dad, who is always super busy. I love him for it. I can’t imagine having parents who ignore me.
“What else do you like to do?” Estaine asks, changing the subject away from himself.
Huh.
Guess he’s not the only one who doesn’t like talking about himself. Though, I have a good reason. I am having problems lying about my identity. And I keep letting things slip. Eventually, the lies are going to catch back up with me. Like they almost did with Brooks, earlier.
“I’m learning MMA,” I say.
“MMA?”
“Mixed martial arts,” I answer.
“Right. I knew that,” he says. “That’s pretty cool. Why are you doing that?”
Because my secret service bodyguards are forcing me. “I guess I just want to know how to defend myself,” I say. “In a couple of years, I’ll be going to college. Even though I’ll have Charlie around, I know he can’t always be there to defend my honor. So, I’ll just have to defend it myself.”
The fact that my arms are going to be toned for the first time ever is just an added bonus. Charlie will be proud when I go back home and he doesn’t have to open jars for me anymore.
“That’s smart,” Estaine says. “How old is your brother?”
“He’s three months older,” I answer.
“Why isn’t he here too?”
“Because he didn’t get kicked out of school. I did. This is my punishment, or whatever,” I say. “Not really that much of a punishment. I kind of like it here. Charlie’s pretty much trying to find a way to get in trouble so he can come too, but I highly doubt it’s going to work. His dad can get him out of anything...”
“His dad?” Estaine asks.
“Um, yeah. His dad was married to my mom,” I say.
“Wait, so how did both of your parents die?”
Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1) Page 7
