Twisted Proposal (18 page)

Once we were outside, she seemed to relax. “Your mother, Eve, was something else. Did you know she was on the debate team and swim team? She even tried cheerleading for a semester, but it wasn’t her thing. No, that was Elizabeth’s. She was better with people. Eve had the energy and drive I see in you.” She glanced at me.

It amazed me that I didn’t even have to tell her who my mother was, and I found that oddly comforting. “I wouldn’t know,” I replied.

“You grew up with your aunt, correct?”

“Yes.”
Damn the Van Buren’s didn’t leave anything out.

              We continued across the campus in silence, until she said, “I am sorry to hear about her passing. When did it happen, if you don’t mind me asking?”

              “A few weeks ago.” I couldn't look at her for fear of crying. It was the first time that’s someone asked about her. No one else seemed to care. 

              “Oh. She didn’t have a funeral?”

              “No.”

              “In any event, I’m sorry to hear that. But I do hope you get in. I like you.” And with that, she began talking about the campus.

Briarwood had their very own Olympic-sized swimming pool, a soccer field, and a state-of-the-art science lab, just to name a few amenities. They catered their lunches and even dinner for those students in extracurricular activities. Since it was too late in the semester to join anything. Also I was waived through the 60 hours of mandatory volunteer work. But if accepted, I would be expected to jump on board at the beginning of next year. “It’s imperative that you take these tests in the morning, and we should know by the end of the week. If everything goes well, then you are free to start school next Monday,”

              “You’re kidding right?” I felt giddy.

              “Not if you pass the exams.” She smiled.

              As we walked back to her office, I spotted Stuart walking across campus toward us, and we stopped to allow him ample time to reach us. His hair was rumpled, and he was slightly out of breath. I tried not to laugh.             

              “Mr. McDaniel,” the Dean addressed.

              “Dean Marshall. Addison, how was the tour?”             

A smile twitched around the Dean's mouth. Then she stiffened into her formal posture. “I find your daughter very delightful, and it would be an honor to have her at Briarwood Academy, provided her test results are acceptable.”

They excused me to the hall, where I busied myself pacing the hallway taking in all the pictures. I still didn’t see any of my family, but they were here somewhere. They had to be, and I would find them. For once in my life, I was excited about something.  If I landed a spot at Briarwood, my future was set. “I’m here, Mom.” I wiped away a tear.

***

“How did it go?” Petra jumped up from the bar when we walked into the living room. Zach was slumped in a chair, playing with a hand-held video game.

              “She has to take the entrance exams tomorrow, but I think she has a real shot.” Stuart took a seat next to Petra on the couch, leaving me just standing there.
              “Just so you know. Briarwood is our arch rival, so don’t expect me to be her friend now,” Lexus announced as she waltzed into the room. She peered down her nose and gave me evil eye.
God, I did not like this girl.

              “I don’t expect
you
to do anything,” I said.

              Lexus made a noise that sounded like a cross between a harrumph and a snort. 

              “
Girls
! Addison, please sit down. You're making me nervous,” Petra said.

              I perched on the seat next to Zach.

“I vote we go to Cancun for our family trip,” Lexus began. Then everyone started talking at once.

At first I didn’t know what to say. I’d never been on a family trip, at least one that was planned. When I was younger, Elizabeth would sometimes show up with a new boyfriend who wanted to take us on a mini vacation to Chicago. We usually wound up stranded at some fleabag motel and have to make our way back home hitchhiking or panhandling. The furthest I had gone was to a small town in Indiana.

“So, Addison, where do you want to go?” Zach asked when there was a lull in the conversation. "Any place special?"

I shrugged. I’d go anywhere to get away from here.

Chapter Eighteen

After supper I changed and took a book with me to the sun room, but it was a wasted effort. I was so thrilled about possibly attending Briarwood that I couldn't focus.
And what better way for me to learn more about my family?

“A beautiful view, isn't it?"

I swiveled around to see Mr. Van Buren sitting next to me.
How long had he been there?

              “Excuse me; I didn’t know anyone else was in here.” I stood up to leave.

              “No, stay. You didn’t hear me come in.”

Sitting gingerly on the couch, he swept his gaze over me from head to toe, studying me carefully. “So what brings you here tonight?” His close inspection irked me.

              “Well, it seems that Dean Marshall was quite taken with you. She wanted to send over some literature on rules and regulations and since Jackson was valedictorian of his class, I decided to bring it over." 

              I couldn’t stop myself from rolling my eyes.
Who cared about Jackson and his spectacular grade point?
I certainly didn’t. Not after the day I had. This whole damn situation didn’t add up. “So do you go out of your way to help
all
your employees?”  Pulling my knees up under my chin and peering at him.

              “I do what I can.” The smile on his face was forced.

              Liar.
“You don’t strike me as the helpful type. I’m pretty sure you only get involved if it benefits you or your son.”

              He laughed sarcastically. “If I were you, I’d stop making assumptions little girl.”

              I met his eyes. “Just so you know, I haven’t been a little girl for a long time. Now, why don’t you tell me what Stuart and you are up to?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He pulled out a cigar and then returned it to his breast pocket.

I rose from the couch and walked over to the window, thankful the room was in the shadows. It allowed me to watch Jackson and Lexus wandering around the pool. Even from here, I could feel her desperation. She clung to his arm, tossing her head back laughing. Jackson’s attention was elsewhere, deep in thought. “It’s only a matter of time before he tells me.” I said, nodding toward them as they passed by completely oblivious to us watching. “There’s something not right with him, isn't there?”

I met cold eyes. “I think its best this conversation ends.”

              “Whatever.” I didn’t want to press the matter, so I left. Stuart was hovering in the kitchen, but I ignored him and darted up the stairs.
Weirdo!

Inside my room, I found a packet of thin booklets lying on my desk.  I gathered them and sat on my bed separating them into sections and instantly I immersed myself in Briarwood.

              “I heard you had a good visit with Dean Marshall,” Jackson said, striding into my bedroom and lying on his side at the foot of my bed, studying me.
Who did this kid think he was? Don Juan?

              “Uh, yeah. It was alright. Thanks for the information.” I said hoping he would leave, but his eyes never left me. “What?” I glanced up noticing the dark bruise on his lower lip. Inwardly, I smiled.
Oppssee.

              “Nothing, just watching you,” he replied.

              “Okay,” I muttered and began reading the attendance policy, which was more lax then I anticipated:

“Students should attend class if they wish to excel. However there is no set limit to the number of days that can be missed…”

The paper was snatched from my hands.

“What is your problem?” I asked, my eyes shooting daggers at Jackson.

Jackson dropped the pamphlet on the bed, eyes lit with fire. “Nothing.” He flattened a palm over the brochure, threatening to crush it.

I attempted to grab the paper back, but he pulled it out of my reach. 

“Give it back, Jackson.”

“Not until you pay attention to me.”

I burst into laughter, “Your kidding right? What are you five?”

“Stop laughing at me!” He threw the booklet at me, missing me by a mere inch.

“Dude, chill out,” I swiped the policy from the floor tossing it on my desk. “You can’t just come in here and throw my shit around just because I’m not paying attention to you. Grow up.”

A hard slap in the face brought tears to my eyes and glared at Jackson. His expression was blank at best, which was even more cumbersome.

“I shouldn’t have done that," he said and went to touch my cheek, but I knocked his hand away.

“Stay the fuck away from me.”
Should I call for help?
But I couldn’t move.

              He smiled and returned to the bed. “The entrance exams for Briarwood are very challenging. Do you honestly think you can pass them?”

“It’s a nice school, but if I don’t get in, it wasn’t meant to be.” I said, shuffling papers on my desk to calm my racing heart.
Did that really just happen?

              “So you’re a believer in fate, then.”

              “Uh no, I’m not. Didn’t I just see you with Lexus? Is she still in her room?” I had to get out of here before something irrational happened.

              “She left with her boyfriend. You know what I think?”

“I can only imagine.” He stopped me with a gentle touch on my arm that sent shivers up my spine. It took everything I had not to attack him and jolt.

“I bet you flake out and wind up getting home-schooled. Or better yet, sent to boarding school in Switzerland.”

I met his emerald gaze, inches from my face. “I’m not going to boarding school.” I brushed his hand away pretending to knock my hair off my shoulder.

“Fine. Will you go to a party with me on Friday?” He leaned forward and snaked his arms around my waist.

I twisted away, “Uh, what makes you think I want to go to a party with you. You just freaked out on me.”

Catching me again, he smiled, “We all have our vices, just like yours is drinking.” 

“I don’t hit people.”

“Your right, it was uncalled for, I’m sorry Addison.” His breath, minty, clean, pulled me in and seconds later we were kissing. Pushing me back on the bed, he kissed my neck softly.

“Not interested,” I murmured, losing myself in the moment, but all too soon realizing I was pinned beneath him.

              He lifted his head to stare at me. “What if I told you that Lexus wanted to go and the only way she’s going is if you go?”

“I don’t care.”

Kissing my chin and the nape of my neck; my stomach flip-flopped. I felt queasy and giddy at the same time.  Deep breaths, I thought.
There was no way I was going to a party with him or Lexus.

Instead of answering, I kissed him, and that was all it took for me to forget about what had just happened.  In truth, he was the first guy my age I had found attractive. Kissing him was like flying to the moon or riding a rollercoaster.

“Actually, I would be going with Lexus, and you’ll be going alone.” Jackson said as he nibbled my ear.

“Of course, I’d rather
not
attend a stupid party with
you
or Lexus, but I’m sure if I don’t go, she’ll throw a fit. So, whatever. I’ll go.” I rolled on top of him with ease and slid off the bed.

This confused him. “Really? You’ll go? You’re not messing with me?”

“Don’t tempt me to change my mind, Jackson. Now, are we finished? I have some reading to do.” I leaned against my desk.

“Great. I’ll see you Friday,” He walked over to me and planted a passionate kiss on my lips that reeled me back in. Before I knew what was happening, we were on the bed again with him on top of me. Seconds later, he pinned my arms above my head, kissed my neck, and began grinding against me. Just as I started to enjoy the rush, he bit my shoulder, causing me to cry out in pain. All too quickly he clamped a hand over my mouth. I froze, praying he wasn’t going to take a chunk out my arm. The pain receded as he loosed his grip on my skin and sat up smiling. “Payback’s a bitch.”

I shoved him off of me and flew to the other side of the room. I couldn't stop shaking. “I was playing around, sheesh. What are you a cannibal?” I said prodding my shoulder.

“Don’t be a bitch. You started it.” He approached me and grazed my shoulder. “Let me see.” Slowly, he peeled back my shirt. “Oh…well you might have a bruise, but you’ll be fine. Didn’t break the skin.”

This was anything but fine, but he was right, I had started it. “Yeah, okay.” I stepped away from him then, grinding my teeth against the pain, and gathered up the papers that were now scattered on the floor.

              Jackson leaned against my desk casually, as if nothing had happened, “So I’ll see you at the party then?”

              I faced him, blinking back tears. “Yeah, of course.”

              “Good.” A strange feeling of uneasiness crept over me. I didn’t want him to flip out again, so I pushed my feelings aside and forced a smiled.

“You know, this changes nothing between us.” 

“Yeah, whatever.”  He laughed as he strolled into the hall. I flew to the door and locked it then ran to the bathroom.

My right shoulder was littered with red marks where his teeth had pressed into my skin.
Maybe I should tell someone?
But I bit him first. I was just playing around, though. I made a cold compress and returned to my room. 

I had seriously miscalculated Jackson’s instability, he was truly whacked. I slipped on a pair of running shoes and headed downstairs.  The house was quiet for the most part; I could hear Petra chatting with Lexus in the living room and the low hum of the television.  As I started toward the back of house, I noticed Stuart’s office door slightly ajar. Two people were on the other side, talking quietly. Mr. Van Buren and Stuart. I crept closer so I could hear their conversation.

              “We’ll see how smoothly school goes. If it’s bad, then I’ll just send her to boarding school,” Mr. Van Buren said.

              “You have to do what you feel is right,” Stuart replied.

Fury raced through my veins, but I stopped myself and knocked on the door.
Why was Mr. Van Buren calling the shots?

“Come in,” Stuart called.

When I walked in, I realized Mr. Van Buren and Stuart were not alone. Jackson was sitting on the couch across from them.

“What’s up?” Stuart asked, trying to act as though having his boss and psycho son over were everyday occurrences.

“Nothing…I just wanted to know if it was okay to go for a run.” 

“I don’t see anything wrong with that? Do you, Stuart?” Mr. Van Buren asked as he crossed his arms, exposing his oversized Rolex.

“Do you want some company?” asked Jackson.

No, I don’t want to be anywhere near your crazy ass!
“Thanks, but I’ll go this one alone if you don’t mind,” I forced a grin.

“There’s a park at the end of the block. You can run there and back. I think it’s a good mile. Go to the top of the hill and turn right. Can’t miss it,” Stuart said.

“Okay, thanks.”

“Be back in an hour, Addison,” he warned as I shut the door behind me.

I knew Stuart had brought me here under false pretenses and it had to do with the Van Buren’s.
I needed a change of scenery in a bad way.

              “Where you headed?” Zach asked me when I walked out the front door.             

“Away from here,” I muttered and took off running up the hill and didn’t stop till I reached the park. There, I stretched out and rested on one of the benches. Warm tears streamed down my face, and I wiped them away.
Dammit! I had to find a way out of this mess.

The sound of metal scraping together startled me, and I spotted a teenage boy about my age on a swing talking on his cell phone. I rubbed my tears off with my shirt and approached him. The pungent scent of weed tickled my nose.
Maybe he had a cigarette I could bum.

              “Hey,” I said, sitting next to him.             

“Hey, yourself.” He grinned up at me and clicked off his phone “I’m Kevin.”
I was in.

“Do you know what time it is?” I redid my ponytail.

              “Nine p.m. Why? Somebody waiting for you?”

              “Nobody important.”

              “Cool. Hey, you smoke? It’s cool if you don’t. We can talk.”

              “Depends. What you got?” He pulled out a joint.
Perfect.

We shared a few of them, as he talked about his family’s drug business. His dad would drop him off around 4:00 p.m. every other day to sell. I asked him how he got past the gate, and he told me that since his grandma was in some home up here, his name was on the list.

A kid came by, bought a couple of joints, and left. It continued like that for an hour or two. By the time he was finished, I was relaxed. We moved to a picnic table where we lay down and stared up at the stars. The run had felt nice, but the weed calmed my nerves. His last client paid him and left. “You wanna ride home?” He offered me a hand to sit up.