by Olivia Snow
“Damn it, D, you know how much I hate that shit!” I snapped rubbing my stinging back. Declan let out an evil laugh. Why boys find that amusing is beyond me.
“I missed you too, cugina.” He said, taking me in for a hug. Flipping him off with a smile we both took our seats at the dinner table.
“Hey, Gabriel. I didn't know you were joining us for dinner?” I said looking between him and Vanessa.
“I didn't see you all day at school and you weren't answering any of my texts either.” Vanessa responded. My phone was on silent all day I didn't bother to look at my text messages.
“How was your study group?” Gabriel asked.
“It was just Mallory and I, no group.” I replied. The adults interrupted our small talk as they entered the dining room. Instantly, Bill and Cynthia’s smiles disappeared noticing that I was in the room Rose on the other hand kept hers while walking over to me to kiss the top of my head. The affection was still something I was getting used to, but it was becoming easier to tolerate.
“How was the studying?” She asked sweetly, Rose had the voice of a kindergarten teacher without even meaning to she could make any sentence sound like a lullaby.
“Good.” I replied smiling back at her as she took the seat next to me. Throughout dinner Bill and Cynthia grilled Gabriel about what he wanted to do after high school, what college he'd gotten into, where his parents were from...the questions seemed endless. It was short of asking him for his blood type and sperm count. Poor guy.
“Hey, Ava. There’s a party tonight, want to come?” Declan asked, as the adults debated about what the President was doing with healthcare. Gabriel’s eyes snapped in my direction.
“Umm, no thanks. I think I want to go for a run and then go to bed. It’s been a long week. I’m exhausted.” I replied, smiling weakly at Declan.
“Aha, okay, if you say so.” He said suspiciously. Damn, he knew something’s up.
After dinner Gabriel, said his ‘thank you’ and ‘goodnight’s’ to everyone while Vanessa walked him out. Before going to my room to change, Rose stopped me.
“Its dark outside, are you sure it’s a good idea for you to be running this late?”
“I promise it'll be a short run. I need to run. I feel antsy.” Antsy was an understatement I hardly had anything to drink today and I was getting the shakes. Adrenaline was the second best resort.
“All right, promise me you'll be careful?”
“I promise.”
Just outside the gate I stretched for a good ten minutes before strapping my phone to my arm and placing the headphones inside my ears. Hinder’s, Lips of an Angel started playing I grunted at the song choice my shuffle picked. Not even ten seconds after my feet hit asphalt was the song interrupted by a text message.
Blue: Look behind you
I stared at the screen for a second or two before taking off my headphones turning around, as Gabriel got closer. My mouth unwillingly broke out into a goofy smile.
“What are you do—” I’m interrupted as his lips crashed into mine. His kiss was desperate as his tongue invaded my welcoming mouth. Our kiss deepened while he groped my ass lifting me up I wrapped my legs around his waist just as he walked towards the car. Gabriel laid me on the hood of the car propping one knee on the bumper to keep from sliding off the car. We’re far enough from the mansion that no one can see us but if someone were to drive on the same road we were on, they’d get one helluva show. Our kiss breaks as his lips move down my neck feeling his teeth gently bite down I softly moan his name. Gabriel’s hand squeezes my thigh while he moves up my body cupping my breast his thumb grazes my nipple making it hard.
“Baby, I need you.” He whispered in my ear, his desperation sent a quiver to my insides. Nonetheless, the reality of our situation slaps me cold.
“Gabriel.” I said, my voice shaky dripping with lust. I placed my hands on each side of his face forcing him to look at me. “What’s going on?”
He lets out a heavy sigh, pushing himself off the car. Standing, he runs his hands through his hair making his neatly combed hair all disheveled and sexy.
“I can’t do this anymore.” A hundred things ran through my mind.
“All right, you're going to have to be more specific, you can’t do what anymore?” I was terrified of his answer.
“Be with me.” He answered. Not this again.
“Blue, we’ve had this conversation before.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not doing it anymore, I can’t just be your friend. I want to be more Ava, why can’t we be together?”
“You know why.”
“Damn it, Ava! I don't want to hurt Vanessa, but I want to be with you. I need you. I try to find any way to see you, to talk to you. Can’t you see how crazy I am about you?” Instead of swooning from his declaration it actually pissed me off, it pissed me off something fierce. How could he so easily let go of Vanessa?
“You don't want to hurt Vanessa? Give me a break, Gabriel I see the way you look at her, as crazy as you say you are about me you feel the same way about her. The only difference is you've been inside of me, that’s all this is, you just want to keep getting your dick wet.” I was being crude but damn did it piss me off that he could let go of Vanessa without consequence. Gabriel took a step back like I had punched him in the gut and in that instance I regretted saying what I just said to him because I knew our connection was more than physical. He looked down at the asphalt and when his eyes met mine again his expression had hardened.
“I’m done.” He walked back to his car and drove away. I was stunned replaying the last ten minutes of my life over and over again. I felt the pain settle in my heart as I grasped what just happened. He was gone. It was over. Part of me—a tiny minuscule—part was relieved the rest of me was distraught. My breathing labored my hands shook and I knew it was time for some comfort in a bottle. Before heading back into the mansion, I cracked my neck putting my emotions in check not wanting anyone to see the way my heart was breaking as I walked back to the house I was startled by a shadow standing right outside the gates.
“You know, I had my suspicions about you and Gabriel. After witnessing that little tirade I finally know.” Aunt Cynthia said. This was exactly what she wanted. She wanted to broadcast my true colors to Vanessa. Honestly, I don’t blame her I wouldn’t want my daughter to turn out like me either.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked, anticipating what she would say next.
“Long enough to know that there’s something going on between the two of you.”
Great, she didn't see my make out session with him on top of the car. She would have called me a whore by now.
“Why do you hate me so much? What have I ever done to you?” I could see the joy of catching me displayed all over her stiff Botox filled face.
“No, Ava, I don’t hate you. You remind me of a girl I used to know. A girl who would do anything to get ahead in life regardless of who she stepped on her way up, including her family.” I knew very well this friend she was talking about was her. She just didn't know I knew. I remember the secret phone conversations Babbo and Billy would have about her.
“Lady, you have the worst perception of me. I’m not trying to climb anywhere and I would never intentionally hurt my family that includes you. Even though you royally screwed me over or have you forgotten Aunt Cynthia?”
“I knew you would be fine. You always could take care of yourself. It was not my responsibility to take care of you or your mother.”
“So, your conciseness is clean, is it? Then why beg her to move in with you? That to me sounds like a guilty woman trying to make peace with something she did.” I crossed my arms over my chest waiting for her answer.
“I asked your mother to move in because I needed to repair my relationship with my sister, not you.” Ouch! What a bitch, I snorted and chuckled pretty sure I inherited her bitchiness and Rose passed down her sweetness to Vanessa.
“What’s the point of this conversat
ion? I know you don't like me, you just heard the conversation I had with Gabriel, so spare me the theatrics and get to the fucking point.”
“If your father, God rest his soul, could hear the way you talk, you have no respect for your elders.”
“Please, he's the one who taught me how to swear and you are my elder but I’ve never respected you. Ever.”
“You know what, Ava? Keep digging your grave Vanessa will find out sooner or later what you’re doing. I won’t tell her anything, but I’m counting down the days until you're exposed and she sees the kind of person I’ve been trying to keep her away from. She’ll be distraught from your betrayal, but she’ll survive and she’ll hate you. I’ll make sure of that. It kills you that she has everything you couldn't help yourself could you? You had to take her boyfriend because that’s the only thing you’re good at, is what’s in between your legs.” She stepped closer to me as she ranted pointing her finger at me in disgust.
My lips curved into a knowing smile. “I’d say you and I both know a little bit about betrayal, isn’t that right Aunt Cynthia?” Cynthia stumbled a little from my words this bitch really didn't know what I knew. I was going to make sure I’d torture her about it as much as possible.
“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.
Chapter Twenty-Two
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.
Chapter Twenty-Three
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.