Twisted Proposal (28 page)

              “Oh joy. I can’t wait.”
At least it would be away from the Van Burens.
I threw my phone out my window. I didn’t need it anyway.

“Why did you do that? That phone wasn’t free.”

              “I never wanted it anyway.”

              “We’re done!” He thumped his steering wheel in frustration a few times. I moved closer to the door, ready to jump out if he tried to hit me.

Then his phone rang. The conversation consisted of a lot of “uh -hum’s” and “yah.” Somebody—probably Van Buren—was giving Stuart a good talking to. Stuart’s face lightened each time he agreed, shifting from a furious crimson to his normal self. When he pulled to a stop in front of Briarwood, he hung up, turned toward me, and locked the doors. Apparently I wasn’t going anywhere.

              Carli was waiting in her cheerleading uniform out by the curb, and she approached our car.             

              “Can I go now?” I asked.

              “I’ll be here after school to pick you up. I have court, so I might be late. I would have send you a text, but since your phone is lying somewhere on the side of the road you can call me. You have my number.”

“Yes, so did he admit he took me home?”

              “Uh…yah he did, but that doesn’t change things. You’re still grounded.”

              “You’re such a fascist.”

“Do you even know what that word means?”

              I rolled my eyes and reached for the door handle, but Carli was too close for me to get out of the car. She bent over and tapped on the glass, smiling. Stuart and I both received a good view of her cleavage.

              Stuart lowered the window.

              “Hi, I’m Carli, captain of the cheerleading team and hopefully, your daughter’s newest friend.”

              “It’s nice to meet you. Your father’s Carl Seymour, CEO of the Minish Firm?” he asked.

              “That would be him. Are you ready for another day at Briarwood, Addison?” she said to me.

I glanced at Stuart, who was smiling like an idiot, and then looked back at her. “Yeah sure…”

“I gather you're Addison’s father, but we haven’t been formally introduced. You are?” She fished for information while resting her sun-kissed arms on the window frame of the car.

“Stuart McDaniel. Yes, I’m Addison’s father.”

              “Nice to meet you, Stuart. I hope to be seeing more of you.” She batted her eyelashes. I wanted to vomit.

“I’m out.” I opened the door, forcing Carli to jump back.

“Don’t forget to phone me, Addison,” Stuart called.

“Whatever.” I walked away from the car. Carli said goodbye and ran up behind me.

              “What do you want?” I questioned before she could say anything.

              She brushed a stray hair away from her face. “There’s no need for hostility. I know you’re new around here, so I was just being nice.”

              “You and what welcome committee?”

              “Huh?”

              I rolled my eyes and started walking.

              “I meant what I said yesterday. I’ll stay out of your way.”

              She laughed, and I stopped. “How cute, but no, seriously. I was thinking we should most definitely be friends, plus I’m scouting for new ones anyway. Being that my former ones don’t understand the meaning of loyalty,” she said as the group of girls she was hanging out with yesterday joined us.

“Trying to find a new clone, Carli?” attacked the red-head I had sat next to yesterday in English.

              “Never,” she said. The girls walked away laughing. I stole a look at Carli as an evil grin appeared on her face. “They’ll be expelled by the time the first bell rings. That will teach them to mess with me.” She turned back to me like nothing had just happened.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Part of me wanted to ask her what she meant, but before I could, two police cars pulled to a stop in front of the school and three policemen exited the cars. They approached her ex-friends with extreme caution. I noticed their hands on their weapons, as if the girls were going to magically sprout wings and fly away. Within seconds, the girls were cuffed and lying face down on the ground, while the cops went through their belongings.

I glanced at Carli, who kept a blank expression on her face, even though her eyes were light and happy. I didn’t say anything, still floored that she’d called the cops on those girls because they didn’t want to be her friend.
Who did that?

“What’s going on?” Kristin asked as she walked up to us.             

              “They were planning on blowing up the library,” Carli said in a voice that made it sound as if it were yesterday’s news. She latched onto my arm and dragged me through the onlookers. “So where were we?” she asked when we were alone. 

              “The part where you tell me why you’re stalking me.”

              “I’m not stalking you. I have a class across from yours.” 

              “I’m not doing your homework or running errands for you.”

              She laughed and leaned in. “I have a 3.5 GPA, I'm class president, and I have a personal assistant to do all my errands for me. You’re so cute!” We turned into the main hall.
I was vaguely aware that Kristin was walking silently behind us. “No, what I’m looking for is a
real
friend.”

              “What makes you think I would be a
good
friend?”

              “Kristin,” she called and Kristin froze, but then rushed to her other side. “Kristen’s informed me that you’re very honest and trustworthy. I need someone I can trust. I can trust you, can’t I?” 

I didn’t answer, because I didn’t want to be her friend. Another small group of students passed us. They all said hi to Carli. This girl was like a celebrity.

“Good,” she said as we continued to class. “First order of business--”

              “You don’t waste any time, do you?” I commented.

              “Your hair. You need a headband or something. It’s too bland.”

              “I like my hair the way it is.”

              “Okay, then makeup. I noticed you don’t wear any. We’ll pick up some after school.”

“I don’t like makeup.”

              “Next, would it kill you to be a little nicer to people, because--”

“I have class.” I cut her off and tugged Kristin after me.

              “What was that all about?” I asked Kirstin, who was grinning like a clown.

              “Do you know how long I have been waiting for this?” she shrieked, causing everyone to stare at us.

‘Chill out.” I snapped at her as I slid into an empty seat. She sat next me and spent the hour nudging me and passing me stupid notes. It was obviously impossible for her to act normal. All through class, she made a huge deal about Carli talking to us. As it turned out, Kristin had spent a big chunk of her adolescence waiting on the sidelines for a chance to hang out with this superficial queen. So I decided if Carli was set on me being her friend, then I would comply only if Kristin was in as well. At least one of us would be happy.

After class Carli was waiting for me and showed me a text message from one of her many suitors. If she was trying to get a reaction out of me, I let her down. I didn’t care what she received on her phone. She walked Kristin and me to our next class, then left.

              “This is so awesome!” squealed Kristin, sitting next to me.

              “Please,” I groaned, wishing I didn’t go to school here.

              “I mean did you know her dad’s a millionaire and she gets whatever she wants.”

              “Like I care.” I said wishing someone, anyone would ask me a questions.

              “You should. She’s been also a member of one of the most elite private organization in town.”

              Where’s Marcus when you need him?

             
“Also she knows all about the Van Buren’s and such. So she might fill you in and stuff.”

              We had reached our next class, so instead responding I purposely sat in the front row, hoping that would deter her.  It didn’t, she continued to talk about Carlie: her favorite color, car, even what kind of sushi she liked. Like I cared about that superficial crap, I had to learn binary compounds to learn.
             

Kristin told me everything she knew about Carli, even stuff I didn’t want to know, like how she threw up before and after lunch in the teachers' bathroom.

I was 99.9% sure that Jackson had something to do with Carli hanging around, and I planned to ask him later. For the time being, though, I pretended to be interested in Kristin's stories. She glued herself to my side for the rest of the day.

Before school let out, we had to attend a special assembly where Dean Marshall explained the expulsion of the girls we had seen this morning. Carli even gave a speech about school unity. It was so lame.

              “You should really go on a date with Trent. He’s talked nonstop about you since your first day. You know that Jackson doesn’t date, right?” Carli said on our way out of the chapel.

“Yeah, and I’m okay with that.” I stopped by the fountain with her and watched as she took an exceptionally long drink. Her dramatics were annoying.

              “Mmm…that’s really good water,” she said and then blotted her lips before re-applying her lip gloss.

              “Okay, now that your display is over, can I borrow your phone?”

              ‘Yeah, sure anything. We’re friends.” She grinned, handing me a tiny flat phone. I called Stuart, but Carli snatched the phone away and talked to him with her back to me.

              I could only imagine what they were discussing.

“I’m taking you home,” she said, putting her phone away.             

              “It would have been great if you'd asked first.”

              “Best friends don’t need to.”             

Carli wasn’t the kind of girl you told your secrets to. No, she was the kind who stabbed you in the back if given the right opportunity.

***

She insisted I tag along with her to a soccer game, where she cheered and I sat on the sidelines right behind the cheerleaders, which prevented me from starting my homework.

              The game was good, but the team lacked defense. Not that it mattered. Worse yet, Carli decided that I would be a great addition to the cheerleading team. I planned to protest this when I was asked to choose my sport, but I had some time.

On the way home, we stopped by a boutique to buy makeup and shoes. I didn’t want new shoes, but Carli complained that if I didn’t get them then, she would have to get shoes like me and god-forbid, she would be forced to change her look. So I got the damn shoes. They cost all my lunch money plus the money I had been saving. It wasn’t like they were even cute.

Then we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, where she talked nonstop about Briarwood, and since I was now a part of the “it crowd,” I had to be more concerned about everything I did. Kristin too. This little lesson had Jackson written all over it. I’m sure he even wrote a script for her to read. 

Carli dropped Kristin off and we drove to my house, which was surprisingly close. She parked behind Petra’s SUV and got out.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

              “I’m coming in. I want to meet your family. It’s mandatory.” She breezed past me and walked in the front door.
How rude!
I ran after her.

              “Girls, how are you doing?” Petra asked. She beamed at Carli like she was the Queen of England or something.

              “Why do you care?” I was surprised by my sharpness, but it didn’t even faze her.

“Hi, I’m Carli Seymour, Addison’s friend,” Carli said smoothly.

“I’m Petra, her step-mother. It’s so nice to meet you.”

              “Addison’s told me so much about you.” 

Liar, I have not!

              “I’m sure all good things.” She laughed, and I rolled my eyes.

“We’re going to my room,” I said, wanting to end this little get-together before they made any plans to ruin my life.

              “You have a big house,” Carli commented as we started up the stairs.

“I’m sure yours is bigger.”             

              “Yes, it is, but still.”

I didn’t respond. Instead I showed her my room and she left soon after, promising to see me in the morning. I tried not to think about it and started on my homework. Briarwood was no joke. I had three small papers and four worksheets all due by morning.

“You got time to play a game before dinner?” Zach asked from the doorway.

              “Of course.” I couldn’t say no to him, he was the only person worth hanging out with in this house.

I searched for something to play, but Zach was setting a racing game, so I sat beside him on the beanbag couch. “So, are you two dating?” he asked. “You and Jackson.” He added.

“Not exactly.”

“Well then, why did he spend so much time here last week?”

I shrugged.

“I think you don’t want to tell me something,” he said starting the game.

Sighing, I smiled at him. “Sometimes boys and girls can spend a lot of time together. That doesn’t mean we’re dating, hooking up, or even friends. Sometimes they don’t have a choice.”

Zach frowned, staring at me like he didn't quite believe me. “Whatever.”

Petra insisted I attend dinner, and I made it through without any altercations. It helped that Lexus and Stuart weren’t there.

Afterward, Zach and I returned to the game room and played for another hour or so. Then I snuck away to start my homework. When I reached the doorway of my room, I froze.

Jackson was sitting at my desk with his feet propped up on my bed and his arms crossed. “Will you please shut the door?”

I walked in and closed the door behind me.

              “Where were you?”

              “Downstairs with Zach playing video games. It’s not that big of a deal.” I planted myself in front of the television.

“Not that big of a deal,” he repeated, nodding, and got to his feet.

              “I’m going to finish my homework right now. He’s my brother. I won’t ignore him.”

              His eyes softened, and he slid next to me taking my hand. “I get it, but this is really important, and you have to do well. I have a lot riding on you succeeding here.”

              “Why? Will I destroy your perfect image if I failed?”

              This jarred him, and he forced a smile on his face and dropped my hand. “I just want you to succeed.”

Yeah right.
“Is that why you’re paying Carli to be my friend?”

              “I don’t have to pay anyone to be your friend. She knows you may be a valuable asset.”

              “Like how?”

              “I don’t know, with girl stuff. You know it doesn’t matter. I brought you something.”

              “Again?” I asked, moving to my desk.

              “When someone says they brought you a gift, you don’t question their motives. You say thank you. It’s the polite thing to do.”

He was right, but he wasn’t just giving me a gift. He wanted something. “You’re right. Thanks.”

              “You’re welcome.” He handed me a big blue box that I hadn’t noticed before. It had been on my bed. I untied the bow and lifted off the top, revealing a light blue dress. I pulled the dress out and stared at it.

“I bought it in Milan. It's top of the line.”

              “You so didn’t have to do that,” I said, taking the dress to the closet to hang it with my other clothes. It was beautiful, but where would I wear it? The last thing I wanted or needed was another stupid dress.

“Is it okay?”

              “Yeah, it’s pretty. Thank you.”

              “Why don’t you try it on?”

I started to protest but then gave in. The dress fit like a glove. The neckline plunged to my stomach and the fabric was soft. It felt like I was wearing a sheet. I opened the door, and he gathered me in his arms and kissed my forehead.

“It looks amazing on you. I figured you could wear it on our next date.”              

              “And when would that be?” I asked, wishing he would release me.

              “I don’t know, but you don’t have to be a bitch.” He let me go pouting.

              Leaning in the doorway, “You’re right. I’m sorry, Jackson. It’s been a long day.”             

“You’re perfect for me.”

“I’m not perfect, Jackson. Nobody is.”