by Mercy Amare
“I know that you’ve been through a lot, and I hate that I wasn’t there for you before. I wish I could have been.” He leans forward in his desk. “I promise you, Scarlett, I will spend the rest of my life proving to you that I will always be here for you.”
I am totally and completely in love Stephan Montgomery. I didn’t think it was possible to love somebody as much as I love him. His words bring me peace.
“Always is a long time,” I say once I regain my composure.
“Not long enough.”
At this moment, I wish we were NOT in class. I want nothing more than to jump on Stephan and attack him with kisses. “You’re perfect.”
“I’m not perfect.”
Did I really just say that out loud? “You are to me.”
“Well, you’re pretty damn close yourself.”
“Close?” I try acting offended, even though I’m really trying not to giggle like a twelve year old.
“Nobody is perfect, Scar, but you’re the closest I’ve ever found.”
“What do you like about me?” Yeah, so maybe I just fished for a compliment, but I’m a girl! I can’t help it.
He shakes his head at me and smiles. “I am positive you know exactly what I like the most about you, but I will tell you anyway. I would tell you every single day if you wanted me to.”
Everyday would be nice.
“Let’s start with the outside. You’re fucking sexy. Your long blonde hair, your big blue eyes, your smile, even your teeth are perfect. How is so much beauty allowed in one girl? And your body…” He checks me out and isn’t bashful about it. “I love your height. You’re so small, but you fit perfectly in my arms. Your ass is nice too. Seriously, how can somebody so skinny have such a curvy body? Your boobs are absolutely perfect, and I can’t wait to get you naked so I can see them up close and personal.”
I bite my lip to keep from smiling. My face feels warms, and I’m pretty sure the temperature just went up at least twenty degrees in here.
“You are equally as beautiful on the inside… You have so much love to give. You looked for Stacy for ten years, never giving up hope. That’s amazing. And when you found Bridgett, you just took her right in and loved her like you knew her your whole life. Even the way you are with Ethan, what you did for him with Mona was amazing. I feel fortunate to even be a part of your life.” He shakes his head slightly. “You said you didn’t have Hope before coming here, but you’re wrong. You wouldn’t have come here if you didn’t. You saw where your life was heading, and you didn’t like it, so you did something to change it. That means that you don’t just think with your heart, but you also think with your head. You’re smart.”
I have to laugh at that. “I would be failing school if the teachers didn’t let me slide by, Stephan. I’m not smart.”
“Just because you don’t do well in school doesn’t mean you’re stupid. And if you were actually here half of the time, you would do well,” he counters. “Nobody can do well just showing up to school once a week.”
“I was wondering something…” I say hesitantly.
“What’s that?”
“I know that you said you wouldn’t say it until you’re married, but… Do you ever see yourself falling in love with me?” I literally hold my breath as I wait for his response.
Stephan looks surprised at my question, and he thinks for a few seconds before he replies. “Do you really want me to answer that question in study hall?”
I bite my lip. “Maybe.” Okay, definitely, but I don’t want to sound too eager.
He laughs silently and shakes his head at me. “I will tell you this. You, and only you, have my whole heart. Forever. Take it however you want it, but I am not going anywhere.”
I like the sound of forever coming out of Stephan’s lips. Maybe forever seems unrealistic for a nineteen year old girl, but I have no doubt that he is my forever.
“Every day I spend with you makes me wish for a million more,” he continues. “I know that you are the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with. And I hope that doesn’t scare you away, but it’s how I feel.”
I suddenly feel like crying. “It doesn’t scare me away.”
Stephan looks relieved by my words. “Good, because I seriously couldn’t imagine my life without you in it. You complete me.”
As if my heart wasn’t beating fast enough already, it kicked into overdrive at his words. How can one guy be so perfect?
12:03 PM
Pass the salt.
I don’t understand high school. Why is it socially acceptable to put so many teenagers in one place? Wouldn’t it be safer to keep us all separated? And as if school isn’t bad enough, there is lunch, where they put five hundred of us in one room, and expect us not to kill each other. I think they’re asking too much.
Stephan and I take a seat at our usual table, and Peter shakes his head at us.
“You two are boring. Why don’t you sit with other people? Maybe try to converse?” he suggests. “At least pretend like you like it here.”
“Who would I talk to?” I ask him. “Everybody here either hates me, or they’re obsessed with me.”
“Sit with the people who hate you,” he quickly says. “That is an absolute genius idea, Scarlett.”
“It wasn’t my idea.”
“Of course it was. Now, go, mingle. And take Stephan too.”
I roll my eyes. “Come on, Stephan. Peter won’t leave us alone unless we do what he says. Let’s just get this over with.”
Stephan grumbles, but he agrees. We walk over to the “popular table”.
“Hey, guys,” I greet them. “Mind if we sit with you?”
Mona snarls her nose. “You can, but not him.”
I force a smile. “I’m not sitting here without him, and if you let him sit here, you’ll be on TV.”
I can literally see stars in Mona’s eyes. “Fine. But he’s not allowed to speak to me.”
Stephan looks at me, and I can tell it’s taking every ounce of his strength not to smack Mona across the face. The feeling is mutual.
Mona scoots down so I can sit beside her, and on the other side of her, Ethan is sitting. Stephan squeezes in beside me. By the way he’s flexing his jaw, I can tell he’s way pissed about us sitting here. I feel bad. I should have stood up to Peter. I guess after doing what I’m told for so long, I still haven’t learned how to stand up for myself.
“So, Scarlett,” Mona starts out. “Are you excited about your reality show? I mean why wouldn’t you be? It’s awesome! Your life is like a dream.”
More like a nightmare. “It’s a documentary,” I correct her. “And it sucks having cameras follow me around 24/7. I like my privacy.”
“It seems like a small price to pay. I mean, you’re Scarlett Ryan.” Mona flips her dark brown waves behind her back. “So you’re best friends with Alec Torch, right? Rumor has it he’s been staying at your house. What is he like?”
“He’s annoying, especially in the mornings, and he spends more time in the bathroom than I do,” I answer truthfully.
She giggles. “So are you two sleeping together? I bet he’s pretty wild in bed.”
Her question makes me angry, and I fight to keep my voice at a reasonable level. “One, STEPHAN is my BOYFRIEND. He’s the only one I am interested in sleeping with. Two, your question is really inappropriate. And three, Alec is my best friend. I’m not sexually attracted to him now, nor will I ever be.”
Mona starts to say something, but Ethan cuts her off. “So, Scar, how is the new CD coming along?”
“It’s good,” I say, grateful at the subject change. “I find out soon if the record company is going to approve my new songs.”
“Why wouldn’t they approve it?” Of course Mona had to jump back into the conversation. God forbid if she isn’t the center of the universe for two seconds.
It’s really none of her business, so I just give her a half-truth answer. “It’s just a standard protocol. Their name goes on my CD,
so they like to know what’s going out.”
“Seems like they wouldn’t care so much, considering how many awards you’ve won and CD’s you’ve sold. Every time I’ve tried to see you in concert, you’re always sold out. I just figured you could record anything you wanted. They’re lucky to have you.”
Wow. For once, what Mona says actually makes sense. Why would they deny me? They have no reason to. But if they do, then I have options. Like Bridgett said, find a new record company… Or at least pretend that I am trying to.
Then, an idea hits me.
It doesn’t matter what the record company thinks. It’s what my FANS think.
I feel much better about my upcoming visit with Barry Stevens. I know that even if it doesn’t go well, it doesn’t matter. Who cares what he thinks?
Okay, I still care. Obviously I want him to like my music, but if he doesn’t, it isn’t the end of my career. And now I’m glad we came over here… I just wish Mona wasn’t so cold toward Stephan. I wonder how she can be that way toward him, knowing that he’s her brother.
Maybe I could get them talking though. It’s really worth a try.
“Hey, Mona, did you know that Stephan is into racing?” I ask her.
She rolls her eyes. “Everybody knows that. It’s so stupid and dangerous.”
I ignore her comment. “He’s also a really good surfer. He taught me how to surf, but I’m still not very good at it yet. I still have a long way to go. But I can totally stand up on my board.”
Neither Stephan nor Mona replies, so I take that as my cue to continue talking.
“I really think you two could be friends if you put your differences behind you.”
“Scarlett, that’s enough,” Stephan says angrily, before getting up from the table. He turns to me one last time. “Don’t follow me.”
He leaves the table, and Mona is smiling, obviously satisfied that he’s leaving.
“Much better.” She smirks. “And I wasn’t even the one who made him leave. Even better. Great work, Scarlett.”
“You are ridiculous,” I tell her and then drop my voice to a whisper. “He’s your brother. You really shouldn’t treat him like that.”
“Shut up about that,” she whispers back. Her eyes glance around the table to make sure nobody heard me.
“People are going to find out eventually,” I say at a normal level and get up from the table. Peter and the rest of the camera crew follow me. It feels like the first day of school all over again, and I just want to be alone.
I walk out to the front of the school and lean against the side of the brick building. I put my head in my hands.
“You’re not thinking of leaving, are you?” I hear a voice. I look up to see Ethan leaning up against the building beside me.
I shake my head. “No way. I’ve missed enough school already. And I am missing tomorrow. I need to be here so I can learn.”
“You’ll pass either way,” Ethan says with a shrug. “Even the school will take bribery in the form of a new gym.”
I laugh. “That wasn’t me. It was MTV. I can’t imagine that they will get any interesting footage here, though.”
“I don’t know. That conversation in the lunchroom was pretty entertaining.”
“Glad you thought so.”
“Hey, Scarlett, I have a question…” he hesitates.
“What is it?” I urge him to ask.
“Are Stephan and Mona… brother and sister?”
I remember the cameras in front of us, and my eyes get huge. How can I answer him with them standing right there?
“Be honest. I know that you know something…”
I sigh. “Mona made me promise not to tell. I want to tell Stephan, but it’s not my place to. I feel stuck. What would you do in my situation?”
“I don’t know, Scar, but I think you should tell Stephan.”
“Why me? You know now too. Why can’t you tell him?”
“Because Mona told you, not me,” he answers. “Besides, I really don’t think Mona would have told you unless she wanted Stephan to know. I think she wants you to tell him.”
“How do I even tell him? It’s not something I can just casually bring up at dinner. ‘Oh pass the salt, by the way, Mona is your sister.’ It’s a sensitive subject.”
“I don’t know.” Ethan pushed himself off the wall with his foot. “But I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”
3:07 PM
The death of me.
When I get out of school, I check my phone to see I have a text from Stacy. My heart jumps in anticipation.
Stacy: I think it would be good for you to come over and see Anna. I haven’t told her yet, so she will be surprised. Expect lots of screaming. The cameras are ok.
She sent another text with her address.
“Want to go with me to see Stacy?” I ask Stephan, as we leave the school.
“I think I should just go home today,” he answers. I think he’s still mad about the lunchroom. “Since it’s your first time meeting your niece, I think it’s something you should do alone. I’ll go next time.”
“Okay.” I nod. “By the way, I’m sorry about earlier in the cafeteria. I want to explain why I acted like that, but I can’t right now. But we need to talk soon, okay?”
“You don’t need to explain,” he quickly says. “I forgive you. It’s not a big deal. I know that you’re just trying to make good television.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to do.” I feel kind of angry. Does Stephan really think that little of me?
“Maybe next time, you could try not to do it at my expense,” he says angrily, as we pull up at his house.
His words sting, and I feel like crying. I’m not sure how to respond, so I don’t.
“Look, just give me a little time. I just need to clear my head. I’ll see you later.” Stephan gets out of my car before I can say anything, and I sit there for a few seconds before moving.
What the hell just happened?
I’ve never seen Stephan overreact, especially with me. Did he really think that I would use him for entertainment?
I decide not to ponder it too long. Right now, I am going to go see Stacy and Anna. Stephan would have to wait. I am not going to let anybody ruin my good mood.
I guess Stephan isn’t as perfect as I thought.
Just as I put my car in reverse, the passenger door opens. Stephan leans his head inside.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think you used me, and I shouldn’t have said that,” he apologizes, and then shuts the door. And just like that, I am no longer mad at Stephan. I could never stay mad at him.
As I am backing out of Stephan’s driveway, my phone rings. It’s Alec.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hey, Scar. I heard you’re going to see your sister Stacy this afternoon,” he says.
“Yeah.”
“You never told me about her before,” his voice sounds a little sad. “I’m surprised you didn’t trust me enough.”
“I’m sorry. It’s not that I didn’t trust you. I just didn’t like to talk about it. I was really hurt when I thought she ran away, and I didn’t really want the press running some bogus story about her. I really wanted to keep her a secret. I guess I thought if I was good enough, that Stacy would come back somehow.”
“So you have a niece?” he asks.
“Yes. Her name is Anna, and she is nine years old. I haven’t met her yet, but I get to today. I’m very excited. Stacy told me she is a big fan.” I can’t help but smile at that. She really will be excited to see me.
“That’s awesome. Maybe when you go on your Christmas tour in a few months, she can come see a show or two.”
What? Did he just say Christmas tour? “Alec, what do you mean Christmas tour?”
“It’s just a month long tour. You’ll do a few shows — LA, Vegas, Miami, and a few other big cities,” he explains. “I thought I told you. It’s to promote the new single. You’ll sing a few Christmas songs and some of the s
tuff from your new album.”
“New single?” I question.
“Well, as soon as your record company approves the material, and they will, we’re going to get the single ready.”
“I thought we we’re waiting for the summer to tour,” I protest.
“Oh hush, you’ll only miss like a week of school, two weeks tops. And then you can finish your senior year before you go on a long tour, I promise.”
“Alec, you are going to be the death of me.”
“You know you love me.”
I sigh. “Of course I do. But don’t push your luck.”
“I’m going to get things ready for Barry tomorrow, so I will talk to you later. Be home at a decent time. You’re crabby when you don’t get enough sleep.”
I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see. “Goodbye, Alec.”
4:14 PM
OH MY GOD!
I park my car on the curb in front of the small apartment building. As I get out of my car, Peter and the rest of the camera crew rush in front of me. I glare at Peter.
“Really?” I ask, annoyed. He just shrugs.
These guys are worse than the paparazzi.
I walk up the stairs, and knock on Stacy’s door. I hear somebody inside yell, “I got it!”
The door swings open, and a little girl who looks just like Stacy opens the door. She has the same color of brown hair as Stacy, but her eyes are gray, not like Stacy’s blue eyes. She has freckles spread across her cheeks and nose. Her mouth drops open when she sees me, and then she starts screaming.
“MOM! OH MY GOD!” she yells. “YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHO IS HERE!”
I can’t help but laugh. When Stacy was a kid, she was very excitable too. Anna is so much like her, and it’s awesome to see.
Anna turns to me. “I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN! Seriously, I have all your songs on my iPod, and I know ALL the words to like every song you sing!”
Stacy comes up behind Anna, and puts her hands on her shoulders. “Inside voice. You don’t want the neighbors to call the cops.”