The Gossip Web (31 page)

35

             
BUT I COULDN’T CELEBRATE JUST YET---
there was still one more thing left for me to do. I had to visit Erika and apologize, and persuade her to take back my dad. I prayed all afternoon while I sat in my last class, hoping that she would forgive me for insulting her the other day. I knew it was a long shot, though. Erika might not want to see me after what happened, and there was a good chance she resented me (I wouldn’t blame her if she did)…but even if I was afraid to face her, I had to try and make it up to her and my dad.

             
After third period, I met Trace in the parking lot and greeted him with a kiss. My bothersome thoughts were erased for just a moment, and all I concentrated on was the blissful sensation when he kissed me back. It was a magical feeling…and every time he kissed me, it felt like the first time.

             
When our kiss ended, Trace pulled away and replied happily, “I can get used to this everyday.”

             
I smiled and said, “You better…because I’m not going anywhere.”

             
“Good,” he replied with a smile. Then, Trace pulled me into a tight hug and whispered, “Thank you for giving me another chance, Jade. I won’t screw up this time. I promise.”

             
“I know you won’t, Trace,” I whispered back. “Because if you do, I’ll kill you.”

             
“Psycho,” he laughed, and dropped his hold on me. “How about I give you a ride home?”

             
I shook my head. “I can’t go home, Trace…” my voice fell and I bit my lip, looking off as I thought about what I needed to do. “There’s someplace I’ve got to stop by first,” I told him, rather mysteriously.

             
Trace shrugged. “Okay? That’s fine, Jade. I’ll take you wherever you need to go. Come on.” He motioned for me to follow him to his car and I did, grateful that he hadn’t asked me any questions. I was too ashamed to tell him what I’d done.

             
When we arrived at his bright red sports car, he opened the passenger door for me before asking “So, where are we going anyway?”

             
“Erika’s house,” I replied, and I hopped onto the empty seat. He shut my door, and I waited for him to join me inside the car.

             
“Your Dad’s girlfriend, Erika?” He asked me after he had sat down in the driver’s seat. Trace seemed puzzled, but the expression vanished when he noticed how stiff I grown. He didn’t pry, and I was relieved. I just couldn’t find the strength to tell him what happened, and I was afraid that when I did, he would give me the same disappointing look my father had.

             
“Okay, what’s the address?” Trace inquired harmlessly, putting his key in the ignition.

             
“Hold on, let me find it,” I told him as I reached into the pocket of my jeans to pull out my cell phone.

             
This morning, after my father headed for work, I looked up Erika’s address in the contact book he kept in the coffee table. I wasn’t able to work up the courage to ask my father for it before he left, and if I had, I was almost certain that he would’ve ordered me to stay away from her. I couldn’t have that. He wouldn’t have given me the opportunity to try and fix the mess I caused, even if I had begged him.

             
After reading Trace the address, we pulled out of the school parking lot. I remained quiet while I watched out the window as cars and sceneries passed by, but my mind wheeled the entire time. As much as I tried to fight it, the truth of what happened hung on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to tell Trace about Erika; it wasn’t right to keep him in the dark like this. I’d acted terribly, sure, but I could trust Trace. He had proven to me over and over again that he was on my side.

             
“Trace,” I said his name suddenly, surprised by how loud it sounded in the silent car. My gaze was fixed on my fidgeting hands as I continued, “There’s something I’ve got to tell you before we get to Erika’s.”

             
And then I told him. Without any hesitation I told him about my mom, how she had abandoned me and my dad the same year he had also deserted me leaving us without a number or an address to find her by. I explained the disappoint and distrust I felt when first meeting Erika, and how I never got the chance to know her. I divulged every single detail that I could and left nothing out. Trace listened to my confession politely; not once did he interrupt me.

             
Once I neared the last part of my story (the section about me causing Erika to dump my father), my gaze flickered to Trace. I checked to see if my actions had upset him, but the disappointment I thought I’d find on his face wasn’t revealed. His blue eyes were unclouded with judgment the entire time, focused solely on the road. I knew I could trust him.

             
When I finished, I gave Trace the chance to ask his questions.

             
“So…you’re going over there to apologize to Erika, right?” He asked slowly.

             
I nodded. “Yes. I feel horrible about how I treated her. You know, she paid for my prom dress and everything…and Erika was only trying to be nice to me after we had that stupid fight the other night.”

             
“Oh.” Trace frowned and gripped the steering wheel tightly. “This is all my fault, Jade. If you hadn’t gotten upset---”

             
“No, Trace. It wasn’t your fault,” I interjected. “It would’ve happened sooner or later. Trust me. Besides, I’m sort of glad it happened this way.”

             
He rose his brows in surprise. “Really? Why?”

             
I placed my hand on his knee, squeezing it gently. “Because, now I know the truth about Gloria, and I don’t have to be suspicious of Erika any longer. The hatred and fear I’ve felt for so long has been erased from my life. I can finally be happy---” My voice fell as we pulled onto to her street.

             
Our conversation had kept me fully occupied, and until now I hadn’t noticed how charming the area surrounding us was. Gigantic houses lined both sides of the road, dazzling in the sunlight. Fountains, trimmed shrubs, trees fenced in, and expensive cars filled the yards. I had never seen anything so magnificent before in my life, and I almost gasped when Trace rolled to a stop in front of a vast white house. It was gorgeous, and it looked like it belonged to a famous person…but it didn’t. It was Erika’s.

             
My hands started shaking as Trace turned off the car. I felt so embarrassed at that moment. Here I was, sitting in front of Erika’s very exquisite house, after having told her she was after my dad‘s money. I was so stupid! Erika wasn’t going to accept my apology---and why should she? I had made such a horrible assumption about a person that I obviously didn’t know. If she slammed the door in my face I would’ve understood why.

             
“Are you ready?” Trace asked me softly, reaching over to grab my hands. “I can go in with you if you want?” He offered sweetly.

             
I shook my head and lowered my face in shame. “I can’t do it, Trace. I can’t face her.”

             
“What’s wrong, Jade? I thought you wanted to do this?”

             
“I do, it’s just…I feel so awful! I’ve treated Erika so badly, for as long as I‘ve known her---” My voice cracked, and I felt the tears slipping out of the corners of my eyes. Glancing at his sympathetic expression, I asked fearfully, “What if she won’t see me?”

             
Trace noticed the panic in my voice, which is why he wrapped his arms around me for comfort. I buried my head in his shoulder and permitted my tears to fall. As I breathed in his scent, I willed myself to be stronger. I had to do this for my father…there was no turning back now.

             
“She won’t turn you away, Jade,” Trace whispered into my red hair. He stroked my back gently before adding, “Erika will understand. You just have to give her a chance. That’s all she’s ever wanted from you, right?”

             
I nodded, wiping my eyes after I detached myself from his embrace. “You always know what to say, Trace,” I told him with a smile. “Thanks.”

             
He shrugged arrogantly and replied, “I know. It‘s a gift.”

             
I grinned even wider, and was grateful to him for making me feel better. As I stared at Erika’s luxurious house I took a deep breath, and after calming my nerves I placed my hand on the handle of the door.

             
“I can do this,” I told myself confidently as I pushed the door open. I swung my legs out of the car and stepped out onto the street, refusing to back down. Keeping my head held high, I advanced towards Erika‘s home, ignoring the fluttering butterflies in my stomach.

             
“Jade, wait!” Trace yelled as he exited the car, running over to me. He joined me in the middle of street before saying, “I just want you to know that I’ll be out here waiting, okay? It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I will wait for you.”

             
I sighed with relief and reached for him. “Thank you, Trace,” I said, hugging him tightly. “Thank you for being here.”

             
He smiled against my cheek. “You don’t have to thank me, Jade. Don’t you know I’d do anything for you?”

             
“I know you would,” I whispered happily. I rubbed my face into his shoulder, enjoying the warmth of his body. Honestly, him being here with me made it so much easier. Who knows if I would’ve have the guts to face Erika alone.

             
“Jade, if anything happens---” Trace began, but I silenced him with a long, powerful kiss.

             
Tearing my lips off of his, I finished his sentence for him. “I know where to find you.”
             
He nodded, blushing from the strength of my kiss. “I’m proud of you, Jade Cannon,” he whispered.

             
“For what?” I asked curiously.

             
Trace kissed me once more before replying, “For making things right with Erika.”

             
“I have to,” I told him as I lifted a hand to touch his cheek. “If I don’t, I’ll never forgive myself.”

             
“Then you better go,” he replied with a smile.

             
Without another word I removed myself from his embrace and walked off of the street, stepping gingerly onto the sidewalk in front of Erika’s house. I glanced back at Trace and watched as he retreated to the car. Thank God for him. After returning my attention onto the task at hand, I walked the cobblestone path up to the front of the house, summoning all the courage I possessed. I had to be strong, I had to be polite---but most of all, I had to be sincere. Erika deserved nothing less from me.

             
I climbed the stairs onto Erika’s porch calmly, enjoying the incredible sight of her ivory mansion. As I crossed the huge porch, I stared dumbly at her two front doors. Two large panes of glass etched with a graceful scroll design stared back at me, and I frowned, too scared to knock. Forgetting my manners, I peeked inside her house and was surprised by the beauty of the front hall. I bit my lip, cursing myself for thinking she had no money of her own.

             
As I went to knock on one of the doors, I noticed the small doorbell to the right and figured it would be a more refined way to present myself. I pressed the button swiftly and waited, wringing my hands as I stared nervously at the two glass doors. I was completely overcome with fear, and I thought of nothing but terrifying scenarios: all of them involved me getting chewed out by Erika, followed by being tossed off her porch. Hey, it could happen…

             
A few minutes turned into ten, and Erika still hadn’t come to the door. I figured she wasn’t home and turned to leave, disappointed that I hadn’t gotten the chance to apologize to her today. But as I was on the verge of walking away, I heard the doors behind me creak open and I froze, terrified. I ignored my pounding heart and tilted my head to face at her. Erika’s blonde hair was swept back by a thin blue headband and she appeared to have just woken up; she was in a pale blue sweat suit without a stitch of make up. I wasn’t surprised that she looked pretty without any make up on, but she seemed surprised that I was standing on her doorstep.

             
“Jade? What are you doing here?” Erika asked me. She didn’t sound angry---only curious.

             
I turned my entire body around before answering her. “Hey, Erika. I just stopped by to uh…see how you were.”