Dirty Fraud

by Eden Beck

  I leave her on the quad, but she isn’t finished.

  “I’m not going to stop, you know!” she calls after me. “Not until you get expelled. This is my school, and I want you out of it.”

  I just keep walking away from her, knowing that nothing I say is going to pierce her monstrous ego and give her the reality check that she needs.

  I head up to the room and I’m not there long when there’s a knock at the door. Wills is standing there with a huge white box with a big pink bow in his arms. He is grinning from ear to ear and I laugh and invite him in. I decide not to tell him about my run-in with Victoria, since there’s nothing either of us can do about it … and anyway, I don’t want to ruin the moment.

  My curiosity overwhelms all prior emotion.

  “What are you up to?”

  He’s absolutely giddy and beaming. “Well, I have something to ask you, and then depending on your answer, I have something to give you.”

  He sets the box on the bed and wraps me in his arms for a moment. When he lets me go I look at him with an eyebrow raised.

  “Do I get whatever is in the box no matter what my answer is?”

  Wills shakes his head and smiles at me. “No. It’s all part and parcel. Literally.” He chuckles at his own joke and I laugh at him.

  “Okay then, ask away.” I look at him expectantly.

  “There’s a formal dinner coming up at the end of the week. It’s for the Columbia alumni; a family dinner of sorts. I’d like you to come. As my date.”

  The hope on his face is adorable.

  “You’re out of your mind,” I start, waiting until his face starts to fall before I quickly add, “if you think I’d ever say no.”

  He breathes out a sigh of relief and wraps me in another hug.

  “Good, because I cannot wait to see you in this.” He bends down and picks the box up, lifting the lid for me.

  Inside the box is a beautiful gown, carefully set in tissue paper. It’s dark blue along the top, fading gradually into an icy silver-blue at the bottom. It has the lightest shimmering effect that also fades as it reaches the bottom, like snow falling in little tiny crystals toward the silver.

  If I spin in this dress, it’s going to look like moonlit waves rippling through the air. There’s even a matching sheer silvery wrap to go around my shoulders.

  “I thought it would go with your eyes. You have such beautiful eyes,” he says, and his cheeks turn a little pink. “Do you like it?”

  I shake my head a little and lean over the box to kiss him, which is tricky, since he’s so much taller than me. “You have no idea. I love it.”

  Wills looks like he’s keeping a secret and he’s excited about it. “There’s more.”

  “More?”

  “In the box.”

  I look inside again and sure enough, there’s another tiny package. I pull it out and open it with care.

  “Oh my god,” I gasp, and raise my eyes to him. “These aren’t real … are they?”

  There’s a beautiful silver necklace and earrings inside the box, each with a small star-shaped diamond.

  Wills looks serious for a moment. “Anything I ever give to you is going to be real.”

  I’m overwhelmed, and I set the jewels back in the big box before I somehow ruin them. No one has ever given me anything like that before.

  “This is too much,” I say. “I can’t take them.”

  “Nonsense.” Wills sets the box down on my desk and takes me in his arms, touching my cheek as he looks at me. “I told you that I have a lot of making up to do. This sort of thing, you’re just going to have to get used to. It comes with the territory.”

  I still stare down at the box like it’s going to shatter at any moment in my hands.

  “I don’t know how to accept this sort of thing. What am I supposed to do?” The grubby street-urchin in me is already tallying up how much something like that would go for in a pawn shop.

  Wills kisses me softly. “Just smile and wear it. I mean, a little thanks wouldn’t be amiss …” here, he trails one finger down from my collarbone to the top button of my blouse, “but it’s yours, so do as you like.”

  “How am I supposed to tell you no, after all this?” I lean up and kiss him, and the kiss grows long and deep. That familiar fire is kindled, and he breathes huskily against my neck, somewhere by my ear.

  “Then don’t.”

  Chapter 15

  It turns out I wasn’t the only one who bombed the last SAT. Once scores come in and confirm what I think both of us already knew, Wills and I vow to study together as much as time will allow. It’s a busy week for Wills and I, and aside from studying we aren’t going to be able to see each other as often as we’d like. That’s a disappointment for me, but I’m determined not to get so caught up in our own little world that my studies and my friendship with Dana go to hell like they did last year.

  I’m in the dining hall one afternoon, studying and drinking coffee, when the chair beside me is pulled out. Blair sinks down into it, gazing at me with forlorn eyes. He has a plate with a fudge brownie on it, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

  He holds this out to me as a sort of peace offering.

  “You looked like you could use some chocolate, and some company.” His green eyes are usually alight with mischief and flirtation, but it’s missing today. I can see that he’s hurting, but as much as he hurt me, it doesn’t mean much.

  “I’m studying, Blair,” I tell him shortly. “I just need to be left alone.”

  “I’m good company, you know that.” He gives me a little smile; not quite big enough to deepen that dimple on his cheek. “Come on, I’ll help you.”

  He reaches over and tries to pull my book closer to him so he can see what I’m reading, but I tug it back.

  “Good company? How would I know? You’ve been absent a whole lot more than you’ve been present,” I tell him coolly. I slam the book shut and start packing my things.

  Before I can stand, he’s up and behind my chair, pulling it out for me. I look at him and sigh.

  “Blair …” I want to warn him not to try, but I know I’d get further talking to a brick wall. I’ve tried that plenty of times already, and yet, he just keeps coming back.

  I just pick up my book and coffee and step away from the table.

  “I like the new hair. You look like a movie star or … something,” he tells me almost awkwardly, and it’s so not him. I wonder what happened to the flirtatious, cool, fun guy who lives somewhere deep in him. He never seemed to have a problem keeping it up all those days when he was torturing me before.

  “You’ve got your friend Victoria to thank for it,” I tell him before walking straight out of the room, leaving him behind me. I glance over my shoulder at the door, missing him somewhere inside, and I see that his eyes are still locked on me. He hasn’t moved. His hands still clutch the back of my chair; his knuckles turned white.

  I shouldn’t have looked back. There’s a flicker of hope in his eyes when I do, and I know what Blair does with just the tiniest bit of that dangerous emotion.

  It starts right away. I see him later as I am walking into class and taking my seat, he gives me a smile and a wave, telling me hello. It’s the first casual, open thing he’s said to me all year. I’m not the only one who notices. Victoria isn’t sitting too far from him, and she shoots him a death glare, which he ignores as he watches me take a seat.

  I look at him for a moment, but then I turn my attention to the front of the classroom and don’t say anything at all That doesn’t stop my heart from beating faster.

  He’s at the swim meet later, cheering me on from the stands as we compete against another school. He specifically calls out my name and Wills just turns and looks at him, shaking his head.

  It’s my first meet, and even though I don’t place in anything … I do way better than I thought I would in the first place. I’m proud, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Wills’ reaction. He whoops and hollers li
ke I just won the super bowl, picking me up off of the ground and hugging me tight, followed by a long kiss. When he sets me down, I glance over at Blair, and I can see him watching us still.

  It goes on.

  At every turn, every corner, Blair is there, waiting and watching. He’s done this sort of thing before, but never to full-blown stalker levels. It’d be cute if it wasn’t so damn annoying. It’s hard to hate Blair for what he did to me when he’s looking at me with those mesmerizing green eyes of his.

  The next day as I’m walking out of the drama club with Dana, I find Blair waiting for me once again. He smiles brightly at us both as if we’re old friend expecting him, and not like he just jumped out at us from behind a dumpster.

  “Hey! You two look lovely as always,” he says, a sorry attempt to flirt. “Teddy, I was hoping to talk with you for a minute.”

  He sees I’m about to turn him down, again, and he lunges a step forward into my path. “Please, it’ll only take a moment.”

  He’s pleading, and it’s not a good look for him. He looks to Dana in a silent request for privacy, but she just shifts her weight to be more comfortable. She’s not going anywhere. His shoulders drop and he gives in with a sigh.

  “I’m going to a formal dinner on Saturday night. It’s a college thing. I wondered if you’d come with me.”

  “Even if I hadn’t already agreed to go with Wills, what makes you think I’d go with you?”

  The hopeful look on his face drops. “Isn’t this what you want?” he asks. “For me to acknowledge you publicly?”

  I shake my head. “That was before. Now, I don’t know what I want.”

  It feels freeing to say it out loud, but I can see it frustrates him.

  “Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.” He runs a frantic hand through his hair, making the silver-white strands stand on end. “Please, Teddy … this is torture.”

  “Then you finally know how it feels.”

  He doesn’t have any smart quips to respond to that, so I leave him behind. He doesn’t follow.

  Dana gives me an interested look as soon as we’re out of earshot. “He’s been after you ever since the incident in the dining hall. I don’t think he’s going to quit.”

  I have to hide a small smile.

  I hope he doesn’t.

  Chapter 16

  Saturday night arrives, and I finally get to wear the gifts Wills bought for me. The dress has been hanging on the outside of my closet all week, just so I could keep seeing it every day. I’m not sure what to expect from this upcoming dinner, but I know it’ll be alright with him by my side.

  There’s a knock at the door as soon as Dana finishes zipping me into the dress. She leaps to the door and opens it, revealing Wills on the other side grinning like a kid. He carries a dozen roses in with him; six white, three dark blue, and three icy blue. They match my dress perfectly.

  “Oh wow,” I say, eyeing him appreciatively. “You look like James Bond. A big, gorgeous, James Bond.”

  He just stares at me. “You …” he begins, and stops, and I start to feel a little nervous. He finally finds the words. “You take my breath away. Literally. They may have to cart me out of here on a stretcher.”

  As soon as we walk into the dinner, I spot Astor, Blair, and, of course, Victoria. Blair is sitting forlornly with Laura Brighton; Victoria’s minion who is the brunette version of the Malibu Barbie pair that she and Alisha make up.

  Though many people in the room turn to look at Wills and me when we enter, theirs are the only reactions I care to see. Victoria’s eyes are burning into mine, but Astor and Blair both stare at me as if this is the very first time they’ve ever laid eyes on me. I look conspicuously away and smile wide at Wills, who beams down at me and gives me a kiss before pulling my chair out.

  We’re seated near the others, and for just a minute, I’m reminded of the days back when we were all together—no strain or awkwardness between us. They were the three musketeers and I was D'Artagnan. Loyal. Inseparable.

  I settle in and try to follow along with all the polite conversation, but it’s not long before I notice the man sitting across from me. He’s seated directly beside Blair and keeps looking at me, and then quickly away.

  Once he realizes he’s been caught staring, he reaches across the table to me and extends his hand. “Hello, I’m Eli Hamilton. How are you doing?”

  Oh, of course! I should have recognized him from the college fair. I give him a second look. He was the only recruiter who wasn’t outright rude to me, but he looks completely different now he’s in a proper suit.

  He beams back at me, and I wonder how much wine he’s had to drink. “I’m glad to be here at this banquet tonight. It’s good to spend some time with the incoming students. There are a lot of legacy families here. Forgive me, I can’t remember if you’re one of them.”

  Before I can answer him, Victoria, who is sitting on his other side, speaks up on my behalf. “No. She’s an orphan who came to Hawthorne out of foster care.”

  Eli seems unfazed by her comment. “That’s interesting. You know, you just … you really remind me of someone I knew. A young lady who looked remarkably like you.”

  I shoot Victoria a dark look and make sure I’m quick enough to answer before she does. “I’d guess you probably knew Sadie White, then?”

  Eli looks surprised. “Yes! Actually. I thought for a moment that I was looking at Sadie when you walked in, but that’s not possible.” He leans in a little closer. “Poor girl passed away a year ago, so it couldn’t be her, of course.”

  “You should have been here last year,” Victoria adds smugly, giving Eli a sidelong look.

  Wills turns and looks at Victoria menacingly and tells her, in no uncertain terms, to hold her tongue. He practically swells in his suit, his shoulders and biceps threatening to pop the seams at any moment. To my utter surprise, Victoria does as she’s told and turns her attention to Astor, beside her.

  I’m amazed that she obeys Wills, and I reach over under the table and give his leg a grateful pat.

  Eli peers at me with keen interest. “Forgive me if I am prying too deep, but the resemblance between you and Sadie is just … striking, really. I know her family quite well.”

  “Yes, well …” I say, “it’s not the first time I’ve heard it. We might share the same face, but I promise you—we led very different lives.”

  He sets down his fork. “I imagine,” he says. “The foster system can be troublesome. Do you think you’ll reconnect with your parents now that you’re of age?”

  I draw in a deep breath. This is way more personal than I wanted to get at dinner, especially with a stranger who clearly has no idea how rude he’s being. More than that, this is the last conversation I want to have in front of Victoria and Astor.

  “I don’t know who they are. Now, I’d prefer not to talk about it if you don’t mind,” I tell him, giving the man a pointed look.

  He nods and backs off, realizing that he’s gone a step too far. “My apologies. It’s just … curious.” He takes a drink of his wine and then lightens the conversation. “Have you decided where you’re going to go to college?”

  I shake my head. “I haven’t made my mind up quiet yet.”

  That’s the easy answer. He should be asking if I’ll be going to college, not where.

  “I’d be delighted to visit with you about coming to Columbia later, after dinner, if you are open to talking about it.” He gives me an encouraging smile. “We prefer students from Hawthorne. I was once a Hawthorne man myself, actually.”

  With a polite smile and nod, I agree. “I’d be happy to consider it. I was actually thinking of going to Columbia.”

  Of course, it’s a lie, but I love the reaction it elicits from Victoria.

  She chokes on her bite for a moment and looks at me with horrified eyes that slowly narrow into razor thin slits. She reaches for her water goblet, but rather than drinking from it, she just tips it over. The water splashes all over the
table, pouring over the place settings and into my lap.

  “Oops! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be so clumsy!” She feigns concern for me. “Did I get your dress?”

  I gasp, trying to move out of the way in time, but I’m not quick enough.

  “Yes, you did.” I give everyone a patient half-smile as I stand at my seat. “Please excuse me.”

  Victoria has used the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Eli, and by the time I’ve promised Wills I’ll be right back, I can hear her already dropping hints about the ‘right sort’ to go to his college.

  It’s pathetic, but highly effective.

  I’m just glad that she didn’t think to knock over Eli’s glass of red wine instead of her own water. Within minutes, my dress has dried enough under the wall-mounted hand-dryer, and I’m ready to re-join the rest of dinner.

  Just as I’m stepping into the hall out of the bathroom, I see Astor leaning against the wall. He’s waiting for me.

  I blink a few times just to be sure he’s not a specter, and he pushes himself casually off the wall, eyeing me back.

  “Will you walk with me a minute?” he asks, holding his arm out. He looks amazing, standing there in his tuxedo with that perfectly combed wave of dark golden-brown hair over his deep brown eyes.

  I think on it for only a moment, knowing full well that if Victoria saw this she would probably stab me with a steak knife. There’s something delicious about doing it behind her back, and there’s something in me that has missed him so much; his closeness, his voice, his touch, and definitely his kiss.

  I know I probably shouldn’t, but I take his arm and he walks me down the hall and around a corner to a window where the light is dim. The wood frame on the window is dark and polished to a gleam. Even though the window looks down on the grounds, there’s no one down below to look up. No one will see us here, and I know he made sure of that on purpose.

  “What do you want, Astor?” I ask, trying to sound like I couldn’t care less that we are alone together for the first time in nearly a whole year.