Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1)

by Scarlett Haven

  But seriously, I’m not going to let stupid terrorists ruin my first date. I’m just going to try and forget the fact that two people are going to be watching my every move, and I am going to try to enjoy the day.

  I’m only standing there for a minute when a black sports car pulls up in front of me. The windows are so dark I can’t see inside, but I know it’s Brooks when the car stops in front of me. He opens the driver’s side door and gets out.

  And.

  I’m.

  So.

  Nervous.

  “Hi,” I say to him.

  Yes, I am lame.

  “Hey,” he says, smiling at me.

  He’s so much more gorgeous in person... so much better looking than I even remember.

  “You look really beautiful,” he says.

  “Thanks,” I say, looking down at my feet. Because I’m too scared to look him in the eyes right now.

  “You ready to go?” he asks.

  I nod, looking up again.

  Uh, his eyes are so blue.

  Then Brooks does something completely unexpected. He walks to the passenger side door of his car and he opens the door for me.

  I’ve never had a guy open the door for me. Never. Not once. Unless you count limo drivers, which I don’t, because they’re getting paid to open your door. But, I’m serious. I don’t even think Charlie, Dad or Rick has ever opened the door for me.

  I get into the car and he shuts the door once I’m in. I rest my fingers over my racing heart for a second and take a breath.

  This boy.

  He opens his door and gets inside. He puts on his seatbelt, then looks at me and smiles before we take off.

  “You really are nervous,” Brooks says, as we pull onto the main road.

  I bite my lip, not knowing what to say.

  “I think it’s cute that you’re nervous,” he says.

  His words make me smile. “It’s not your fault. I mean, I would be nervous no matter what, but my roommate made me even more nervous this morning.”

  “How?”

  Ah, I didn’t want to tell him that.

  I shouldn’t have said anything.

  “She was talking about how I shouldn’t wear lip gloss because nobody likes kissing with lip gloss on, and I hadn’t even thought about kissing,” I say. “I mean, I’ve never kissed a guy before. So, now I’m nervous.”

  He looks from the road to me. “You’ve never been kissed?”

  “Nope.”

  “Guys in California are idiots,” he says.

  I shrug. “Even if they were interested, I’m pretty sure Charlie would’ve run them off.”

  “Is it going to be hard to get your brother’s approval?” he asks.

  “Yeah, but I think he will like you,” I say.

  “I hope so.”

  Me, too.

  “Why didn’t he come to school with you?” Brooks asks.

  “He’s in California still. With his dad,” I answer. “His dad would never send him to boarding school. Not that our school in California was a bad school. Really, it was one of the best private schools in the state. Besides, Charlie loves surfing too much. He’s in surf club. I was, too. We used to get out of school from ten in the morning until noon to surf. It was... amazing.”

  “I want to go to that school,” he says.

  “That’s why I’m going to college in California,” I say. If I can. “My parents went to Berkeley. It’s where they met. So, I’ll probably go there. It’s a little farther north than I want to be, but it’s just four years.”

  “It’s definitely south of here.”

  “How am I going to survive two years of boarding school here?” I ask. “I hate the cold. And the snow. I’ve only seen snow once in my life. Charlie convinced me that snowboarding would be fun. After two days, I left the trip early. It was so cold, and I fell so many times just walking around on the snow and ice.”

  He laughs. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh at your falling, but that’s really funny.”

  “You really would get along with Charlie. He laughed at me every single time I fell,” I say.

  “Is Charlie your only sibling?” he asks.

  Only for another 20 weeks.

  Then I will have a little brother or sister.

  But I can’t tell Brooks that.

  “Yeah. I had an older sister who died when I was only six months old,” I say. “She was four. I think that’s why my parents got divorced. Her death put a huge strain on their marriage. They were really in love from what I’ve heard.”

  “That’s really sad,” Brooks says.

  “What about you?” I ask.

  “Just one younger sister. She’s thirteen and will be coming to West Raven next year. I’m not looking forward to her coming. I already told her that she’s not allowed to have a boyfriend while she’s a freshman. I’d beat up any guy who tried.”

  “Oh, you didn’t date when you were a freshman?” I ask.

  “That’s different,” he says.

  “How is it different?”

  “’Cause I’m a boy and she’s my little sister,” he says.

  I laugh at his logic.

  “I’m hoping that between now and the time senior year begins I can convince you to transfer to West Raven.”

  “You can do that?” I ask. “I mean, I didn’t figure West Raven would want kids doing that, especially not senior year.”

  “Are you kidding? The deans at East and West hate each other. They love stealing each other’s students,” he says. “You’d definitely be accepted.”

  “By this time next year you’ll be sick of me,” I say.

  “I highly doubt that,” he says. “I’m already trying to figure out how to tell my dad I want to go to Berkeley instead of Harvard. I don’t think he’s going to take the news well.”

  “Well, don’t get your hopes up about next year. Even if I wanted to transfer to West Raven, I highly doubt the CI... umm... Uncle Matty would let me,” I say, hoping that he didn’t just hear me almost say CIA.

  Seriously though, the CIA pulled a lot of strings to get me in at East Raven Academy like they did. And all my records are kept under a different name. The name Phoenix isn’t exactly common. I didn’t want a different name, though, so they let me keep Phoenix, but not Black.

  However, if they take down this terrorists group, then I can probably go anywhere I want, though I hate the thought of leaving my friends. I like East Raven.

  “Maybe you should just transfer to my school,” I say. “When I told Teagan about you, she said all the girls at my school think you’re super-hot. On second thought, stay at West Raven. I’d be jealous of all the girls checking you out.”

  “What about you?” he asks. “I’m sure all the guys think you’re hot.”

  I shake my head. “Nope. Sorry to disappoint.”

  “What about Jason Thorton? He called you bae at the dock party,” he says.

  “He calls me bae because he knows that it annoys the crap out of me,” I say. “We’re just friends, though. Especially now that I found out he makes out with my roommate. Gross.”

  “And what about Estaine?”

  “Everybody thinks I’m dating him, but I’m not interested in him like that,” I say. “We’re just friends.”

  “Do you hang out a lot?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “Kind of, I guess. He made me late for curfew last night so I have detention on Monday.”

  “What were you doing that made you late?” he asks.

  “Just talking. We lost track of time,” I answer. “I’m not used to having a curfew. My mo... uncle never gave me one.”

  “Now, I’m jealous,” Brooks says.

  “Why?” I ask. “I already told you he’s just a friend. Besides, in case you didn’t already know, I’m super into you. Like, you’re the hottest guy I’ve ever met. And we had that super crazy instant attraction thing going on.”

  “Yeah, we did,” he says, agreeing with me. “But I’m st
ill jealous.”

  “Is it weird that I kind of think it’s hot that you’re jealous?” I ask.

  He grins. “Not weird for you.”

  “You think I’m weird?”

  “Absolutely. It’s what I liked most about you when we met,” he says. “Well, that and your eyes. Are they even blue? I swear they looked purple the first night we met.”

  “They do look purple sometimes,” I say. “And sometimes they look grey and sometimes, blue. They, like, change colors or something. Your eyes are just blue. Like, really, really blue. They kind of remind me of the ocean in Hawaii. I seriously meant what I said that first night... about you being a distraction. If you went to my school, I would be watching you instead of paying attention in class. It’s another reason why I definitely should stay at East Raven.”

  “It doesn’t matter where you are, you are always a distraction to me,” he says. “By the way, there is something I’ve wanted to ask you.”

  “What?”

  “Why MMA?”

  “Um... it’s just a self-defense thing. Why not mixed martial arts?” I ask. “I’m not all that good at it yet, but I’m getting better.”

  “Yeah, but why do you need to learn self-defense?”

  In case I get kidnapped again.

  But I can’t tell him that.

  “Just to give Uncle Matty peace of mind,” I say, which is kind of true. Pretty sure the two secret service agents assigned to protect me have started to like me. “And I don’t mind, really. Since I started doing it, I actually kind of like it. I mean, there are days when my arms are so sore I feel like I couldn’t lift a pencil, but those days are getting fewer. Also, I think it’ll help me with soccer.”

  “I still can’t believe I’m dating a girl who could kick my butt if she wanted.”

  Dating.

  As in more than one date?

  Because, let the record state, I would be completely fine with that. Like, one hundred percent fine. Please. More dates with this gorgeous boy.

  “I don’t know about that,” I say. “But maybe in a few months.”

  Uncle Matty says I’ve got a lot of leg strength. Probably from surfing and soccer. But I’m, and I quote, ‘severely lacking in upper body strength.’ Seriously, does he not understand how fragile a teenage female’s ego is?

  “Do you like Indian food?” Brooks asks.

  “Are you kidding? I love all food,” I say. “Well, almost all food.”

  “And you just get better and better,” he says, making me wonder what he means by that.

  I hope it’s a good thing.

  It sounds like a good thing.

  12pm.

  Are all teenagers this dramatic?

  I am not surprised when I see Uncle Matty and Jake walk into the Indian food restaurant. However, I am surprised when they sit in the booth RIGHT. BEHIND. ME.

  Seriously?

  How am I supposed to have my first date with those two sitting right there, listening to our entire conversation.

  When Brooks gets up to go to the bathroom, after we order, I wait until he’s out of eyeshot and then turn around to look at them.

  “Seriously, you guys?” I ask.

  “What?” Uncle Matty says, completely unaware that he is ruining my first date.

  “Why do you have to sit right behind me?” I ask. “How am I supposed to enjoy my first date with you two...”

  “Your first date?” Jake asks, in a mocking tone. “How sweet.”

  I roll my eyes at them. “Be serious here. You’re ruining everything!”

  “Calm the dramatics,” Uncle Matty says. “The hostess sat us here. Besides, I’d rather be close if things go south. Don’t you want us to protect you and lover boy?”

  I let out a frustrated groan. “I will never forgive you for this.”

  “Are all teenagers this dramatic?” Jake asks Uncle Matty.

  “Just the girls.”

  “Is this what I have to look forward to with my daughter?”

  “Definitely,” Uncle Matty answers.

  “Just... try not to listen,” I say, so they stop talking. “And I swear, if you ever make fun of me or tease me about this moment, I will... I don’t know what... but something bad.”

  “Is she threatening us?” Jake asks Uncle Matty, in a feigned-skeptical voice. “What does she think she can do?”

  I narrow my eyes at them. “I swear, I will stand up in the middle of class and tell every single person there who I am, and you won’t be there to stop it.”

  “You wouldn’t,” Uncle Matty says, his mouth open.

  “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Are you really willing to risk it?” I ask.

  Brooks sits down at the table, so I quickly turn back around in my chair to look at him.

  “Hey,” he says, looking at me cautiously. “You know those guys.”

  “Nope,” I say.

  “Do you always have conversations with strangers?”

  I shrug, not giving an answer either way.

  And then I pray that I don’t say anything that will give Uncle Matty and Jake ammunition. They do like to tease me during training every morning, and I want Brooks to stay off limits to them.

  “So, what are you doing for Labor Day?” Brooks asks.

  “Nothing,” I answer.

  But I so wish I was going to see my family.

  I miss Charlie.

  “You should come to The Hamptons with me,” he says.

  “Estaine asked me to come to The Hamptons, too,” I say. “Do you guys live close to each other?”

  “Unfortunately, we are next door neighbors,” Brooks answers.

  “Seriously? That’s too funny,” I say. “I mean, because you two hate each other, for whatever reason.”

  “Since you’re not doing anything, it means you told him no?”

  I nod. “I doubt Uncle Matty will let me go anywhere.”

  “You can’t stay on campus for Labor Day weekend,” he says. “It’s our last chance to go to the beach before it gets too cold. And it’ll be a lot of fun. Estaine and I both always throw a huge party, so people usually go back and forth between our properties.”

  “I will ask.”

  I hear Uncle Matty cough behind me.

  “But I somehow doubt he’ll let me go,” I say.

  “If you really want to go, I can get you off campus for the weekend,” Brooks says.

  “Really?” I ask, my face turning slightly red. Why does Uncle Matty and Jake have to be here.

  “Yeah.”

  “Maybe,” I say. “If Uncle Matty wants to be all protective, then maybe I will just have to sneak off campus.”

  “Why is he so protective?”

  “He thinks I’ll get kidnapped or something stupid like that,” I say.

  “Why would you get kidnapped?” Brooks asks.

  “He’s just paranoid.”

  I hear Uncle Matty make a noise that lets me know I am probably going to be in trouble later.

  What else was I supposed to say? Seriously. I can’t tell Brooks that I’m not allowed to leave campus because a group of terrorists are after me. I can’t tell him that my dad’s job has made me a target. I wish I could. I did tell Estaine, but I’m scared to tell Brooks. I was scared to tell Estaine. I was scared he wouldn’t be my friend anymore. But the feelings I have for Brooks are strong. I really don’t want him to run away. And he would run if he knew that two secret service agents were behind me, listening to our conversation right now.

  “Are you sure you don’t know those guys?” Brooks asks.

  I nod, my face growing warm.

  I hate lying so bad. Especially to Brooks.

  Can he tell I’m lying? Estaine did say I’m a bad liar. Maybe Brooks thinks so to.

  Thankfully, our food comes and Brooks forgets about the two guys sitting behind me.

  Too bad I can’t forget about them, too.

  6pm.

  PERFECT.

  It’s late that evening when Brooks
drops me off at the front gates of the school. He offers to drive me to my dorm, but I assure him that his car would probably get eggs thrown at it, if he did. I promised him that my ride would be there soon to pick me up, and he agreed.

  Brooks didn’t kiss me. And I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or not.

  I like him.

  A lot.

  But I’m not sure I’m ready for my first kiss, yet. I want the moment to be perfect. And for some reason, the thought of kissing him in his car at the front gates of my school just doesn’t sound romantic.

  I decide that I definitely am glad he didn’t kiss me.

  Unless he changed his mind and doesn’t like me.

  I hope that’s not it.

  But, as I get into the back seat of Uncle Matty’s car, I get a text that alleviates any doubt.

  BROOKS: I had fun, and I really, really like you.

  BROOKS: Also, I want to kiss you. But not until the perfect time :) I don’t want to rush things with you. You deserve to be completely swept off your feet.

  I smile, putting my phone on the bench seat beside me for a second before responding.

  Brooks Remington is...

  PERFECT.

  7pm.

  Does he know?

  When I get back to my room, I am fully prepared to tell Teagan every single detail about my date with Brooks, but instead I find Emma crying on her bed.

  But not even the Emma and Bryce drama can ruin my good mood.

  Instead of listening to her cry, I sneak into the stairwell and call Charlie. I miss him like crazy and I need to tell somebody about my date.

  “Hey, Phoenix,” Charlie answers.

  “Hey. I miss you.”

  “Miss you, too,” he says. “You should be glad you weren’t here last night. I didn’t think Holly and Frank would ever leave.”

  “I’m surprised they did leave. They usually stay over all night when they come,” I say. “And shouldn’t you call them grandma and grandpa?”

  I’m totally teasing.

  They are his biological grandparents, but since they are ridiculously rude to me and my mom, he refuses to call them anything other than their first name. It drives them crazy, of course, and they blame me for his rebellious behavior. Still, I love that he protests the way they treat me. He’s the best brother ever.