by Grace Davies
“Yes please.” Teddy smiled.
They began the choreographed routine, twirling about, Teddy forgetting about the pain he felt when Henry left.
“I’m sorry about my brother. He’s always been shy. He’s just not ready yet.”
“I understand that, I do. It just hurt when her ran away, you know?”
“I get that. I can see how much he likes you though? He doesn’t even need to tell me, I just know. A twin thing.”
“There’s times I think he does but then others when I have no clue.”
“He does, trust me.”
After the Ball, Teddy returned to his dorm to find Henry sitting on his bed.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Where’d you run off to?”
“I’ve been in here all night. I saw everyone staring and I bottled it. I couldn’t do it.”
“I thought we were going to face it together.”
“I’m not like you!” Henry snapped.
“What?” Teddy asked in confusion.
“I can’t pretend to be something I’m not.”
“You’ve lost me. I didn’t think you were pretending, at least not at the Ball.”
“I was pretending. I was pretending to be like you.”
“So, you’re not gay?”
“I like girls.”
“So, you never liked me? You let me put myself out there to be humiliated by you.”
“I do like you.”
“You don’t seem like you do. I can’t play games like this Henry. I’m not cut out for it.
“I’m not playing games.”
“Just leave me alone.” Tears ran down Theodore’s face as he slides into his bed, facing the wall. Blocking out the irritated huffs coming from Henry’s bed.
“I’m going to kick his arse.” Harley huffs when Teddy finishes telling us what happened.
“Please don’t.” Teddy begs her. “I get how he’s feeling. People cope with hiding in different ways, his coping mechanism may be anger. I can’t force him into anything.”
“But he’s hurt you.”
“I appreciate you sticking up for me but please don’t get involved.”
“Are you okay?” I wrap my arm around his shoulder giving him comfort.
“I think so, it just hurts a bit.”
“I understand. We all know what that feels like.”
“You just need to give him time.” Lola smiles. “When he’s ready I’m sure he’ll come talk to you.”
***
“Hey boyfriend.” I can’t contain my smile when I meet Roman at the tree. “What’s all this?” My eyes light up when I see a gingham blanket laid beneath the tree, various treats lined on it.
“A picnic.” He smiles up at me.
“I love it,” I sit on the blanket next to him.
“You’re still wearing my necklace.” He points out.
My fingers fiddle with the tiny pendant. “I hadn’t realised.”
“Hm, okay.” He laughs.
He takes two plastic cups and fills them with lemonade before handing me one.
“Have you heard anything from your mum?”
“She’s home now on bed rest. Candice is looking after her, father’s orders though I don’t know why he cares.” He looks annoyed. “I went to see her this morning, I told her all about last night.”
“Oh really?”
“Well not everything.” He laughs. “She wants to meet you.”
“Really? Why would she want to meet me?”
“Well, she sees how happy you make me and Candice has told her lovely things about you.”
“What about your father?” I shudder travels through my body at the thought of seeing him again.
“He isn’t thrilled with the idea, but it’s not up to him. So, will you come?”
“Of course.”
“Tonight, for dinner?”
I nod my head in response, unable to speak for sheer panic. I guess it’s back to Kingsbury Manor. To see Alistair Kingsbury...
Chapter Twenty – Three
The Embroidered Tie
It’s a week since the Ball, since I went to visit Roman’s parents at Kingsbury Manor. It wasn’t a success, far from it, but it did go better than expected. I think Marissa was impressed by me. Alistair certainly wasn’t but I knew that was coming. We had a lovely meal in the master bedroom, much to Alistair’s dismay, so Mrs Kingsbury could join us. She still looked frail and bruised but looked considerably better than the last time I saw her. Marissa asked me all about my hobbies, about my life before Kingsbury Prep, much of which resulted in a sneer or muttered jibe from Kingsbury. She told me she was grateful for the happiness I have given her son when I hugged her goodbye. My smile was shortly gone when Mr Kingsbury made his opinion clear.
“I don’t know what you have over my son that could possibly make him want to date someone like you but let me make one thing very clear. I don’t like you Anders. Never have, never will. I don’t approve of you dating my son, no matter the nice things he says about you. I’m the boss of my son and I will see that you are eradicated from his life. You can be sure of that.”
I admit I felt very nervous when Candice drove me and Roman back to school. Roman could see something was wrong but I couldn’t tell him. I’ve been on edge ever since them but not just of Kingsbury. I’ve noticed weird occurrences at school too.
It started at the Ball. I saw groups of teachers huddled together in corners whispering, all seeming to keep an eye on me, as though I’m going to harm the school. Ever since then the teachers have been acting even weirder. Not all of them. Not the nice ones. Every time I’m in a lesson they’ve walked past me hundreds of times, always peering over my shoulder as I write.
They also keep sneaking down Foundry’s corridor at odd times of the day. I’ll be walking back to my dorm after spending time with Roman and there’ll be Professors Montgomery and Winthrop cosying up to each other walking down the corridor. I never see where they go as I’m worried about being caught but Angelica was called to Foundry’s office one day to discuss her outstanding test scores and she said she saw Montgomery hanging around a wooden door near the office, looking shifty. I always thought certain teachers where dodgy, even at the beginning, but now it’s becoming very suspicious.
Making my way to the library, I notice a pair of boys stood talking to Professor Montgomery.
“Remember this is an honour. Tell no one.” He says quietly handing the two boys something wrapped in plastic. The boys nod before walking in the opposite direction.
As they walk past me, I notice the thing in their hand appears to be some sort of material. A turn the corner as another boy almost walks into me. Due to his height I’m face to face with his tie. He mutters an apology before scurrying away. There was something strange about his tie. I look down at the one I’m wearing: a navy-blue tie with three dark green stripes diagonally along the top, and it clicks into place. While my tie has three dark green stripes, the boy’s tie was dark green with one large navy-blue stripe. How odd.
I ponder all the reasons he could possibly have a different tie when it hits me. The tie. Of Course. I think back to when I first met Foundry.
Something in particular catches my eye: his tie. Black with a large green stripe but there's a small detailing in the green stripe. The detailing is rather subtle but due to my proximity to Foundry I’m able make it out, somewhat clearly. In a faintly darker green appears to be an embroidered image of a vicious looking fox preparing to pounce at a petite vulnerable looking sheep. I furrow my eyebrows as I try to contemplate the embroidered image I'm seeing before me. It appears to be a symbol for something, maybe a club? Unsure I make a mental note to look it up when I have the opportunity.
How did I forget all about that odd tie of his? I must have seen it every day for the past however many months. Well done Millie. I rush over to a computer when I reach the library and log in. I head straight to google and search the image embroidered onto
his tie.
No searches found.
Great. I give up trying to find a club but instead look for connotations surrounding the animals.
A fox is a true representation of keenness, slyness, and scrutiny in the Native American culture.
White Sheep usually speak of purity or a return to innocence.
Confusion clouds my mind as I try to decipher what the two animals could possibly mean. Perhaps this society, or so I’m assuming, believes they have the right to scrutinise the innocent? If I’m honest I have no idea what it could mean but it does sound like something Foundry would think. I need to discuss this with someone who might know. Someone who is potentially close to the society leaders: Roman.
The bell rings signalling the end of my free period so I make my way to English. I get there just as Professor Sharma opens the door, the students filing in.
“You okay? You look confused.” Roman asks as I sit next to him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Your dad is friends with Foundry, right?”
“I wouldn’t say friends. More like close acquaintances.”
“Yes, but they have a lot to do with each other.”
“Yeah.”
“Have you overheard them ever discussing a club or a society?”
Panic flashes in Roman’s eyes. “Why do you ask?”
“Well I’ve just noticed a lot of weird goings on. Teachers whispering, sneaking around. Today I saw a few male students with different ties to us, that’s when I remembered Foundry’s tie.”
“Foundry’s tie?”
I tell him what I saw on my first interaction with Foundry and about what I found in the library. “A fox and a sheep. What could that possibly mean?”
“I have no idea.” He says quickly, looking down at the table.
“Roman, are you keeping something from me? Do you know what it means?”
“No.” That’s the last word he says to me. For the rest of the lesson, he sits in utter silence, even when we’re supposed to be discussing The Great Gatsby. The minute the bell rings he jumps out of his sit and runs off without even saying bye.
***
I haven’t seen Roman for days now. He’s been avoiding me ever since English. He clearly knows something but just won’t tell me. I don’t get it though; he knows he can trust me. Haven’t I shown him that? I don’t understand why he wants to be with me if he doesn’t trust me enough to tell me things.
I try to get his attention every time I see him but he just walks in the opposite direction. I’m starting to think he’s mad at me for some reason but I don’t know what I could have done. I look at my phone, at the multiple messages I’ve sent him over the past few days.
Ro? Please talk to me
I’m sorry for asking questions
Have I done something to upset you?
Please stop ignoring me
Ro?
Roman Kingsbury answer me now
Please
They go on like that for ages but still no reply. I lock my phone just as it vibrates, a text lighting up my phone.
Tree. 30 mins.
I have half an hour to plan what I’m going to say. To plan an apology despite not knowing what I’ve done. After twenty minutes I prepare to leave the dorm when Lola comes rushing in.
“Millie is it true?” She pants, out of breath.
“Is what true?”
“Is Roman abused by his father?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Secret Spilled
My heart stops completely. “Lola what did you say?”
“Is Roman abused by Mr Kingsbury?”
“Where did you hear that?” I don’t want to lie to her but I can’t share Roman’s secret, it’s not mine to share.
“Charles. Last night we had our weekly family dinner and he brought it up. Apparently, he heard Roman talking to ‘some girl’ under a tree and he mentioned that he was a victim of domestic abuse by the hand of his father. He also said Roman’s mum was in hospital. Is it true?”
“I have to go.” I rush out and run off to meet Roman.
I race up the hill, breathing heavily, almost collapsing at the top. Roman is stood there a scowl fixed on his beautiful face.
“Roman what happened?” I’ve never seen him look so hurt before.
He has a gash on his right cheek just under his eye which is covered by a deep purple bruise. His lip is bust and swollen. He has a red mark around his neck, the work of a strong hand or a belt attempting to strangle him.
“I never should have trusted you that’s what happened.” He snaps at me, venom in his voice. He glares at me hatefully making me feel small. Much like he did, the first day we met.
“Commissioner Preston somehow found out about my secret and told my father who then did this to me as punishment.” He gestures to his busted and bruised face. “There’s more than just my face, trust me. The only reason he didn’t kill me is because he wants something from me.”
My heart breaks for him. He’s been through so much and this is just another thing he doesn’t deserve. I reach my hand out to gently touch his face.
“Don’t.” He spits at me. “This is all your fault.”
“How is it?”
“You were the only person I told. The only person I trusted, past tense. And who’s your best friend? Lola. And who’s her dad? Preston. It’s the only way he knew. I can’t believe you did this to me. After everything.”
“Ro, I swear I didn’t. It wasn’t me; I haven’t told a sole.”
“Bullshit! Don’t lie to me Millicent.”
“I’m not.” I insist. “Lola told me Charles brought it up at their dinner last night before I came to meet you. She asked me if it was true and I didn’t tell her. I came to find you straight away, to make sure you were okay.”
He laughs at me in disgust. “Yeah right, how would Charles even know?”
“I don’t know... the other month,” everything clicks into place, “when your mum was in hospital. You were telling me that you didn’t feel ashamed of your secret and I heard someone breathing. I shook it off like it was my imagination but I knew I heard something. Remember? We went to leave and Charles just appeared further down the hill. It was him that was there, I know it.”
“You’re really going to blame this on Charles. My friend. He wouldn’t do this to me.”
“And Lola would?”
“She never liked me.”
“She just doesn’t like who you’ve treated her in the past but she’s my best friend and she knows how much you mean to me. She wouldn’t want to hurt me.”
“I don’t mean shit to you, Millicent.”
“You do.”
“Well, you don’t mean anything to me. Not anymore.”
“What?”
“This is over. Whatever the hell this was. The lie is over. You can stop pretending now.”
“Lie what lie?”
“You. I knew deep down your hatred for me was still there. Even at the Ball when you kissed me. I knew you were faking it. I always knew.”
“I’m not faking, I never was. Do you really believe I could have done this to you?”
“I always knew you’d betray me somehow but I was too busy falling for you to save myself from you.” My heart breaks at his words.
“Save yourself? Why would you need saving from me?”
“You’ve poisoned my mind. Made me think there was something wrong with how I was before you. Made me turn against my father.”
“I’ve poisoned your mind? Roman that was your father’s doing. Your mind was poisoned long before you met me.”
“See there you go again, twisting things to make me believe you.”
“You can’t be serious right now? I’ve only ever tried to help you, even when you were being a dick to me, I still cared for you. Part of me knew this would happen, I knew you’d rather be with someone like Charity, you even told her so.”
“What?”
/>
“You told Charity at the parents evening that you were all for being with her.”
“I told her that to shut my father up but this isn’t about Charity, it’s about you betraying me.”
“But I haven’t.”
“Just save it Millie.” Hope fills me when he uses my nickname. “I’m going to leave the school and fulfil my father’s wishes.”
“What wishes?”
“That’s none of your concern?”
“Roman, don’t do this. Don’t give into him. He’s a bully and an abuser. You’re so much better than that. I know you’re being harsh now but you’re angry.”
“He’s my father. Am I any better than him? I could seriously hurt you right now for what you’ve done.”
“I’ve done nothing. I’d never tell anyone. When I promised to keep your secret, I meant it.”
“You’ve done everything Millicent.” He spits turning to leave.
My heart races, my head spins. Tears stream down my face as I say the one thing that will hopefully make him believe me. “I love you.”
He stops walking and turns to face me. My heart fills with hope but when I see his face it deflates again. “Save your lies. You’ll stay away from me if you know what’s good for you.” He snarls at me before storming down the hill and out of sight.
My heart shreds into a million pieces as I sink to the floor, my back against the tree. Hyperventilating as my heart and lungs tighten making it difficult to breathe. Tears flood from my eyes, my vision blurry as I desperately try to calm myself. Think of something happy. I think to myself. Come on Millie. My mind instantly floods back to the night of the Midnight Ball.
“Well, I can.” Pulling me closer to him, he leans forward, his lips hovering over mine. He retreats slightly looking into my eyes, asking for permission. I couldn’t stop this if I wanted to, I want it too bad. I give him a slight nod before his lips crash into mine. The pure ecstasy, the elation flooding my body as I lose myself completely in the kiss; in this blissful, perfect moment. I hardly notice when Roman pulls away. Eyes pouring into mine, his hand gently moving a strand of hair from my face. I start to giggle unable to help myself.