Keep it Secret (23 page)

“Let’s keep this little
conversation between you and me shall we?” I said walking away
leaving her to consider her next move.

Saturday morning I was up
before anyone, I jogged for an hour straight before going back to
the house. Running upstairs to wash the sweat off of me a door
closed as the shower started to steam.

“Hey, I was thinking of
going to the salon today, you want to come?” Vanessa asked. Why did
we always have conversations in the bathroom as I showered? I
contemplated while I washed the suds out of my hair. We hadn't
spent very much time together since we moved here and I did miss
her. Maybe, I could even have Mallory come along.

“Yeah, I’d like that. Would
it be all right if I invite Mallory to come with us?” I looked up
at the ceiling waiting for her to answer.

“Sure, it'll be fun.” I
could tell Vanessa didn't like the idea, but she was too sweet and
polite to say no, after getting dressed and straightening my hair I
texted Mallory.

Me: Hey sexy wanna go get
ur nails did?

Mallory: Hells yea! Wat
time?

Me: Couple hrs. Meet u
there.

Mallory: C ya in a
few.

Vanessa

I finally got a chance to ride
in
Zio
Tomas’
truck. Ava wanted to drive it to the salon. It still smelled like
him after all these years; cigars and worn out leather. This truck
was one of his most precious possessions besides the necklace Ava
wore and of, course Ava. I always envied their relationship a
little. He never treated Ava like she was made out glass he was
rough with her and brutally honest. I remember one time when Ava
was around seven, she ran up to
Zio
Tomas and tackled him they wrestled around on the
floor, my mother and father looked at them horrified that he'd been
so rough with her but me, I saw them with eyes of envy I wanted to
be played with like that but no, I was the proper princess that
should be kept up on a pedestal undisturbed. That little vine of
annoyance began to grow once again inside of me. But this time it
wasn't because of my mother it was Ava, she was over shadowing
Mother’s presence in my head.

“Penny for your thoughts?”
Ava asked as she looked between the road and me. Goose bumps
appeared on my arms the saying sounded all too familiar. That was
something Gabriel said not something I would expect Ava to say. But
then I was quickly realizing Ava was not the person I thought she
was.

“No, thoughts’, just being
quiet is all.” I responded. Ava nodded and kept driving until we
arrived at the salon. Finding a parking spot was not easy the plaza
was packed and the huge truck added an extra challenge. After
finding a space both Ava and I jumped out walking towards the salon
doors, before entering we heard Mallory calling on the other side
of the parking lot we waited until she reached us.

“Hey, doll.” She said to Ava
giving her a hug. I instantly felt a tug of possessiveness towards
my cousin. Ava genuinely smiled at Mallory returning her
hug.

“Hi, Vanessa.” She greeted,
giving me a little wave.

“Hi, Mallory.” I replied,
smiling politely at her. Walking inside the salon we were instantly
seated even though there were people waiting. That was the benefit
of my father owning half the town.

“Ms. Saint John, come this
way we have reserved seating for you and your friends.” Heather,
the salon manager said as she guided us towards the back gesturing
us to sit on the plush cream-colored leather pedicure
chairs.

“Sit down in the middle
chair, babe.” Mallory said to Ava. “That way we both can have a
piece of you.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I wasn't sure
if this was how friendships between girls was about—filled with
sexual innuendoes—then again who was I to say anything both my
friendships were as deep as the person who invented the word
“selfie”.

We all sat in peaceful
tranquility, as the soles of our feet were being massaged and
scrubbed on.

“What’s the female version
of priapism?” Mallory croaked, forcing us out of our
relaxation.

“What’s pria—”

“Clitorism or more
specifically Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder.” I replied,
cutting Ava off. I spoke to soon before realizing this knowledge
would cause unwanted attention on me. Yes, I know, I’m a walking
contradiction. I like reading about sex and strange tidbits about
it along with my random fact-collecting hobby. I like reading about
sex but haven’t thought twice about having it. I mean, how cliché
is it to lose your virginity in high school? Would I wait until I
was married? Honestly, I have no idea I never really thought about
it, nor has there been a guy to ever tempted me, not even Gabriel.
He was gorgeous and made my palms sweating and heart race with
every look, but I never wanted to stick my tongue out and cry
humana-humana as I salivated over him like a wolf drooling over a
juicy piece of steak.

“Oh snap, mother Teresa
knows her shit.” Mallory gleamed in amusement.

“Wait, what am I missing?”
Ava said looking back and forth between Mallory and me. Mallory
looked at me with eyes asking me to explain myself.

“Priapism is an erection
that lasts for more than four hours, it occurs without sexual
stimulation. Clitorism, is essentially the female version.” I
answered trying to keep my voice leveled. Hopefully I said it low
enough that the nail technicians didn't hear me but from the way
they smiled and looked at each other I very much doubted
it.

Great.

These were Daddy’s employees
I gave them all a tight smile and shrugged, trying to pull off that
it wasn't a big deal. Mallory broke into hysterics as the entire
salon looked back at us.

“Oh man, remind me to come
to you with any sexual questions next time I need some answers. Who
would have thought that Ms. Untouchable, was a walking sexual
dictionary?” Mallory said as she whipped a tear away from her eye
from laughing so hard. Ava just chuckled and shook her head
smiling. After finishing our pedicures, we said our goodbyes to
Mallory and rode in awkward silence back to the house.

The dark cloud that followed
Ava, was suddenly suffocating me, being around her was not what I
expected it to be, she was filled with negativity and made no
effort to shed herself of it. I’ve never been around a person who
was so negative it spreads to others.

Ava locked herself in her
room, which was fine by me. I was getting so sick of her begin so
hot and cold. I loved her to death, but she was consuming me
whether she meant to or not. I sat on my bed staring at my newly
painted toenails. I opted for a florescent green something mother
would never approve of it felt good to let go a little. I suddenly
felt the urge to call Gabriel, speaking of feeling good. I waited
not even two-seconds before he picked up.

“Well, this is a nice
unexpected surprise.” He answered.

“What are you up
to?”

“I was actually working
out.”

“Oh, well, then I’ll let you
go. I didn't mean to interrupt.”

“Not at all, I’m kind of
glad you called, actually, I was having a pretty crappy day.” I
giggled as heat swept through my cheeks. Thank God he couldn't see
my reaction. “And that little sound you just made, just blew my
crappy day out the window.”

Swoon.

“Count on me whenever you
need anything thrown out the window, I specialize in
that.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”
Gabriel laughed.

We spent the next two hours
on the phone. He spoke about his mother and her career as an
international model. We also talked about my mother and father
Gabriel was becoming my only confidant. He made me feel at ease,
unafraid of venting to him about my current situation with my
parents. He listened like really listened and paid attention to
every detail. He was the only one I felt would never keep any
secrets from me and that meant a whole lot in a family that was
nothing but secrets.

Ava

The salon was a nice
distraction, but after I spent the entire day locked in my room.
Rose asked if everything was all right. I told her that I was in
the mood to listen to music and be alone she reminded me that I had
a session with Dr. Charles after school on Monday. I agreed and
proceeded to get quietly drunk after she left my room, making sure
I concealed the evidence this time. Sunday went by painfully slow
Mallory came over so we could study some more for our ecom test. On
Monday, I dread going to school. I had drunkenly cried myself to
sleep Sunday night I was pretty certain Van could hear me but
didn't say anything in the morning. She just gave me a sad pleading
look. Gabriel ignored me during Calculus and Public Speaking. I
suppose he really was done. It pissed me off that he had so much
control of my emotions. After years of becoming a master of
shielding my feelings this boy comes into my life destroying my
walls without even trying to hard. I had all the intention in the
world to walk up to the lunchroom and sit down at Gabriel's table
and flirt shamelessly with Talon, but before I could reach the
lunchroom Mallory stopped me grabbing my elbow she practically
dragged me to the girls room.

“What’s going on Mal, are
you all right?” I asked, confused. She walked around the bathroom
making sure the stalls were empty. Looking down before she
spoke.

“I just heard that Gabriel
asked Vanessa to be his girlfriend.” My heart dropped to the floor
I felt like I was going to be sick. Mallory looked at me like I had
just answered a burning question.

“Damn it.” She whispered. “I
could tell the way you two looked at each other that there was
something going on but then today during Public Speaking he refused
to even look at you.” How could she have known? I know for a fact
we were not obvious. Mallory was just very perceptive.

“We’re just friends.” I said
it as a whisper, still dazed from the information.

“Yeah? And my uncles a damn
monkey.” She obviously didn't believe me but I couldn't tell her
the truth. I needed to get my emotions in check before going inside
that cafeteria. Taking in a deep breath I rotated my neck left to
right as it cracked.

“Come on. I’m hungry.” I
said to her in my normal voice that even surprised me.

“Ava?” She asked, she was
just as surprised by my indifference. I grabbed her hand and pulled
her out of the bathroom as we walked into the cafeteria Mallory was
pulling me back a bit. Like she was tugging on my leash. Vanessa
and Gabriel’s backs were to us as soon as Talon spotted Mallory and
me he shot up from his seat that promoted Gabriel’s back to tense
up before looking back. He smiled apologetically but it only lasted
a fraction of a second before turning back around. Taking a seat,
between Mallory and Talon I smiled sweetly at Vanessa. Her grin was
wide with anticipation, but before she could speak Katy Anderson
walked up to our table.

Not today Kitty
Kat.

Everyone at the table became
alert while she stood at the edge of the table next to Gabriel and
Talon. Under the table Mallory firmly wrapped her hand around mine
as to say, “stay calm.”

“I hear congratulations are
in order.” Katy said snidely, looking between Gabriel and Vanessa.
Talon was the only who answered.

“Yup, Gabriel finally grew
some balls and asked Vanessa to be his girlfriend. Jealous, Katy?”
He said as he brought a carrot stick to his mouth. Katy’s head
jerked in Talon’s direction.

“Please, me jealous? She can
have my sloppy seconds.” She replied as she flipped her platinum
blonde hair bringing one hand to her hip and cocking it. I
chuckled. This bitch just couldn’t help herself.

“Sweetheart, maybe, if you
would have done it right the first time, he wouldn't have dropped
you.” I said grabbing a carrot from Talon’s tray. Katy didn't look
in my direction but looked at Vanessa.

“Vanessa, why don't you get
a muzzle for your bitch.” Mallory’s hand tightened, I jerked away
to stand, smiling.

“Oh, no, she’s smiling.”
Vanessa said like she was thinking out loud.

“Ava.” Gabriel said, as a
soft warning. Still looking at Katy, I answered.

“Mind your own goddamn
business, Blue.” The lunchroom instantly quieted around
us.

“Is there a problem?” We
were interrupted by the Headmistress Talon stood next to my side
placing a hand on the small of my back.

“No, Headmistress,” he
answered, “We were just leaving, right baby?” He said directing it
at me.

“That’s right.” I replied
sweetly, as we turned to leave I blew a kiss at Katy letting her
know this wasn't over. Mallory smiled and shook her head as she
stood up following Talon and me out the room.

After school, I drove
Vanessa home putting the truck in park while the engine still ran
we sat in silence. I wanted to talk to her more than she knew, but
I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was a coward, a horrible,
slutty, back stabbing coward.

“I’ll see you later.” She
said opening the door after a few moments. Before I could answer
she turned around and gave me a hug.