by Blythe Reid
“Welcome to the world of coffee drinkers,” Grandmother said wisely. “Don’t let your mother fool you. It’s a wonderful world we live in.”
I laughed and helped myself to some bacon and eggs. Grandmother and I didn’t talk much as we ate. We both enjoyed our food in silence, feeling comfortable just sitting beside each other.
Despite the limited amount of time we’d spent together in the past, I felt like I knew Grandmother well. She was kind and sweet, like all grandmothers, but there was also more to her. She had an authentic quality that made her seem younger and livelier than most elderly people.
As soft as she was with me, I could tell she was stronger than any woman I’d ever known. Her personality was one I appreciated, fun and understanding with a touch of wisdom and authority.
“So,” she said after we finished eating. “What parts of the city do you want to explore?”
“I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. “I start classes on Wednesday, so I thought maybe I should map out my route beforehand. Just so I’m not late on the day of.”
“Smart,” Grandmother said with a nod. “But what else? Is there anything you’ve been dying to see?”
“The museums, I guess,” I said. “And Central Park.”
“Of course,” Grandmother said, smiling. “The basics. Make sure you venture out a little further though, okay?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You’ve seen so little in your lifetime,” she said kindly. “You could do with a little more experience.”
“That’s not what Mom thinks,” I said with a soft laugh.
“Well,” Grandmother said slowly. “Your mother and I don’t always agree.”
“I’m a little nervous about school,” I admitted. “I’ve never been to a public school before. Even my university back home was private and very exclusive. I never even lived on campus.”
“That was a mistake on Claire’s part,” Grandmother said firmly. “She had no business locking you up that way. You’re a young woman, and young women need to blossom. You, my dear girl, have had no chance for blossoming. It isn’t your fault, of course. It’s your mother’s. She had an obligation to you, and she failed. I think living here will be good for you.”
I was beyond shocked by her words. She and my mom had never been particularly close, but I never would’ve imagined she’d say such things about her. My mouth hung open as I tried my best to formulate a response.
I agreed with her, of course. My mom had always been too strict, keeping me from anything and everything fun.
“I’m surprised you think that,” I finally said. “I always assumed you were strict with her, just like she is with me.”
“God no,” Grandmother said, shaking her head. “I let her live, honey. How do you think she managed to find herself all the way in Paris, France? I never held back her adventurous spirit.”
“My mom doesn’t have an adventurous spirit,” I joked.
“You would be surprised,” Grandmother said. “You don’t know everything about Claire.”
“I suppose not,” I said, shrugging. “I’m just glad she finally let me come out here. When you first called, I immediately suggested this, but Mom said no. She hated the idea of sending me so far away without her. It took a long time for her to change her mind.”
“I know,” Grandmother said with that same grin. “Who do you think changed it?”
“You did?” I asked with wide eyes.
“Of course,” she said, as if it was obvious. “I’m her mother, Scarlet. Sometimes mothers have to step in when their children are making mistakes, even when it involves children of their own. So, I did. And, now you’re here. Voila.”
I laughed and nodded my head as if I was impressed. There were so many things about Grandmother that impressed me. Her ability to disagree with my mom so openly was astounding to me.
As her daughter, I lived in constant fear of her disapproval. Even when I wanted to argue, I very rarely did. She possessed such a strong presence that it often intimidated me. I saw now that Grandmother had the same presence. They were different, but somehow the same. Both strong. Both wise in their own ways. I wondered if maybe I was like them, too. If I possessed that presence I envied so much.
Deep down, I believed I did. I’d felt it all along, that strength bubbling up inside of me. I’d never had a chance to tap into it, though. With my mother’s rules and boundaries, I was kept weak. Safe. Here in New York, I knew that would all change.
I’d no longer be tied down to one place, to one person. I would be free to explore and experience things. Grandmother was already encouraging these things. She wanted me to see the city, to see the world. It felt liberating and terrifying, all at the same time. I wasn’t sure where to begin, but I knew school was the first step.
“I’m glad you’re going to NYU,” Grandmother said as if she could read my mind.
“Why?” I asked politely.
“It’s where I went,” she said simply.
“Really?” I asked. Yet another surprise.
She nodded and asked, “You didn’t know?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Mom never mentioned that.”
“I did,” she said. “It was such a long time ago. Decades. I’m sure everything is very different now, but you’ll learn a lot. And not just in the classroom either.”
“You think so?” I asked hopefully. I wanted her to be right.
“I do,” she said firmly. “I really do. This is your time, Scarlet. This is where you’ll find yourself.”
Her encouragement made me smile. I wondered how Grandmother could be so encouraging and wise, while my mom maintained a fearful, worried attitude. It seemed crazy to me how different they were in that respect.
Their opinions couldn’t have been further apart. Grandmother wanted New York to change me, and Mom did not. Grandmother hoped I would find adventure. Mom did not. Grandmother was already pushing me to find myself. Mom would rather I didn’t. After only two days in the city, I knew I had made the right decision by coming here. Grandmother was right. This was the place where I would find myself.
“Sometimes I really resent Mom for not letting me have a life,” I said softly. I didn’t want to speak negatively about my mother, but I felt like Grandmother would understand. “I know she’s always tried to protect me. I know that it’s her job as my mother, but it’s too much. I’m twenty-one, and I’ve never experienced anything. I have no idea what the world is like outside of my bubble back home. I feel totally unprepared for anything.”
“Which is why I think Claire made a huge mistake,” Grandmother said kindly. She leaned across the table and took my hand in her hers. She squeezed it gently and smiled at me, her green eyes a perfect reflection of my own. “Girls need to learn how to handle themselves in the real world, Scarlet. You’ll never know what to do in a situation until you’re in the middle of it. Without the experiences, you’ll never learn the lessons. Throwing ourselves into the world is the only way to truly learn anything at all.”
“I think you’re right,” I said thoughtfully. “Mom just doesn’t see it that way. She expects me to return home the same person I’ve always been, moral and obedient.”
“You won’t,” Grandmother said with confidence. “This city will change you, no matter what you do.”
I grinned. “I hope so.”
Grandmother smiled back, but her eyes watched me closely. She wore glasses that magnified the green of her eyes, and when she looked at me, I felt like she surveyed my soul. We sat in silence for a few seconds while she considered me. I knew she wanted to say something, but she was still working out the right words.
“Claire is right about one thing,” she said suddenly.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“You should be careful,” she said sternly. Her tone was serious, more serious than it had been all morning. Her eyes were still locked on my face.
“I will be,” I promised automatically.
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It was the same promise I’d made to my mother a hundred times before, but this time, it didn’t work. Grandmother shook her head at me. Her gaze never left my face.
“This city will change you, Scarlet,” she said. “And I hope it changes you for the better. I’m confident it will, but it can also be a wild forest at times. Dark and mysterious. Temptations lie around every corner, and if you’re not careful, you’ll fall into them.”
I contemplated her words for a moment, not sure what to say. She seemed so understanding just minutes before, and now, she sounded just like my mom. Warning me about the dangers that lie ahead, making sure I was aware of my surroundings.
I thought Grandmother trusted me, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe she simply wanted me to learn a few things, while remaining safe and protected.
“I promise to be careful,” I said. “I really do.”
“Live your life, Scarlet,” she said firmly. “That’s important. Just be careful while you do it. There’s plenty of good out there, but there’s also bad. Be sure to keep your eyes open so you can tell the difference.”
I nodded and tried to smile, but her gaze was still so intense that I couldn’t quite bring one to my face. Looking away from her, I thought about her warning. It was the same as my mother’s, but also different. Mom would’ve been happy if I never lived my life, but Grandmother insisted I do just that.
As I sat in Grandmother’s kitchen, I wasn’t sure what the city would bring me. Adventure. Experience. Excitement. Danger?
There was no way to know, but I was more than ready to find out.
Chapter 9
Lucien
Wednesday morning marked the first day of classes. I walked across campus slowly, dragging my feet behind me. I wasn’t looking forward to being back in the academic world. After a month-long vacation in France, my brain felt like mush.
My preparation for the year had been limited to planning Delta Pi parties and drinking beer. I didn’t even purchase my textbooks until yesterday afternoon, and I definitely hadn’t cracked them open. As I walked to class, I thought about what the year would hold.
I was ready for the social side. I’d been ready for that for a long time, but classes were something different. I’d never been academically minded, but I managed to keep an acceptable GPA for the sake of Delta Pi. Without a 3.0 GPA, I would be kicked out without hesitation.
As the leading fraternity on campus, we were expected to uphold certain standards. Now that I’d been made President, my responsibilities were even more important. If I failed, everyone would think Delta Pi was losing its luster. They would write us off as dumb frat guys and that would be the end of us. I couldn’t let that happen.
As much as I hated the idea of going to class, I knew I didn’t have a choice. I walked slower than ever until I reached the proper building. I stepped inside, letting the cool air condition blow against my face, before I found my classroom and slipped inside.
Despite my slow pace, I was still early. Class hadn’t begun, and there were several empty seats scattered throughout the room. With a glance, I chose a seat in the middle of the room. I hated being in the front, but I couldn’t always hear from the back. The middle was always preferable.
I took my seat and pulled my notebook from my backpack. Most students used laptops to take notes, but if I had my computer out, I’d just end up dicking around and not paying attention. I wasn’t one to take notes, but I should at least look attentive.
Without trying, I could keep my grades up. I wondered what I could do if I tried for once. I’d probably pull out a 4.0 and make it on the Dean’s List. The thought brought a sly smile to my face. I could do it, but I wouldn’t. My priority was Delta Pi, and nothing, not even my academic career, would stand in the way of that.
I wished I could spend my senior year partying. If I had it my way, seniors would take only easy classes to remain students, and that would be it. No professors would expect anything at all from them. They would be given free passes without a second thought.
Alas, that wasn’t the way it worked in higher education. Seniors, more than anyone else, were expected to perform well academically. Our hardest classes were taken in our final year, and it was torture. Still, I told myself it was just one more year. Just one more year, and then, I would be free. I would never again have to set foot inside a classroom.
Class started with the usual flurry of papers. The professor walked in without enthusiasm and began handing out copies of the syllabus. I took mine with a dramatic flourish, making a couple of girls around me giggle. I grinned at them and winked. They turned beat red and turned to whisper to each other.
I shook my head with amusement. Girls were so easy to please. Just a little bit of attention and boom, they were eating out of my hand. As class progressed, there was bang from the back of the classroom. Everyone turned around to see what caused the commotion.
When my eyes fell on her face, I smiled widely. Scarlet was late. She stood by the door with wide, fearful eyes. She’d just let the door slam behind her, and now, her embarrassment was evident. Her eyes darted from side to side as she tried to find an escape route.
“May we help you?” the professor called.
Scarlet jumped at the sound of his voice and shook her head quickly.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m just late.”
“Well, take a seat,” he said with a wave of his hand.
Scarlet nodded and hurried forward, glancing from side to side. She looked desperate and terrified. I was reminded again of her innocence as her eyes finally fell on my face. I smiled at her kindly and waved her over. There was an empty seat beside me. She sighed with relief and ran over, sliding between the row and falling into the empty seat.
“Oh my god,” she muttered. “That was mortifying.”
“You’re fine,” I said quietly. “It’s happened to all of us.”
She winced. “I doubt that. That professor hates me.”
“He doesn’t,” I assured her. “He doesn’t care, he just—”
The professor cleared his throat loudly, making Scarlet and I both jump violently. His eyes were locked on us, and he looked impatient. We both fell silent, and he glared at us for another few seconds before he finally began talking again.
I glanced at Scarlet and saw that she looked more embarrassed than ever. I put my hand on her knee to get her attention. When she looked at me, I smiled to let her know it was fine. No one was going to hate her. She smiled back, but her cheeks remained bright red throughout the rest of the class.
As the professor droned on and on, I barely heard him. I tried to pay attention. I even scribbled a few notes here and there, but nothing he said stuck in my brain. It didn’t matter. This was just the first class and nothing important ever happened in the first class.
Still, I felt ridiculous as I continued to look over at Scarlet. She was entranced, taking notes at lightning speed. I was certain she’d forgotten about me entirely. Her focus was solely on the professor and his lecture. By the time class ended, she’d filled two sheets of paper with her neat, swirly handwriting. I hadn’t filled a single one, but I’d memorized every freckle on her nose.
She was more beautiful than I remembered. Her red hair was pulled up into a tight ponytail, making her face look slimmer than usual. Her nose stood out prominently on her face, but it wasn’t unattractive. If anything, it made her eyes pop even more than they already did. In the classroom light, they were like emeralds sparkling beside me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from them. I worried she would notice me staring at her, but she didn’t. She didn’t notice anything outside of the lecture.
When class finally ended, she closed her notebook and glanced over at me. I grinned at her and opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it.
“Thank you for saving me,” she said. “That was so humiliating.”
“It was nothing. Like I said, we’ve all been there.”
“Really?” she asked with doubt in her voice.
If I was being honest, I hadn’t ever experienced that before, but I’d seen it happen a dozen times. It wasn’t at all uncommon to be late to class, especially on the first day of the semester.
“Really,” I said firmly. “Don’t let it bother you.”
“I’ll try not to,” she said, laughing nervously.
We packed away our things and stood up. As we followed the crowd out of the room, Scarlet and I stayed close to each other. I wanted to talk to her some more, but I wasn’t sure what to say. That was unusual for me, finding myself at a loss for words. Especially when it came to a pretty girl.
We’d already covered the embarrassing incident at the beginning of class, and there wasn’t much else to discuss. I knew she was wondering why I hadn’t called her yet, but I didn’t want to bring it up. Not if she didn’t.
Instead, I just walked beside her until we made it outside. The fresh air hit me, and I inhaled the smell of New York. It brought a smile to my face. No matter how long I lived here, I would always love it.
“So, where’s your next class?” I asked.
“Um,” Scarlet said. She reached around to grab her schedule from her backpack. Unfolding it, she frowned at it. “Not sure where the building is.”
I laughed. “Here. Let me see.”
I took it from her and saw that she had a short break coming up. Her next class didn’t start for an hour, and it wasn’t far from here. I smiled to myself, thinking that we could spend the hour together since I didn’t have a class either.
“It’s close by,” I said. “Just over here. I’ll show you.”
“Thanks,” she said.
I led her around a corner and down a few streets. We made it to the classroom building within ten minutes and found a coffee cart right outside. I bought her a cup of coffee, and we sat together on a bench to wait for her class to start.
She seemed more relaxed now. Her movements were less awkward than I remembered. She seemed at ease as we sat together, sipping our drinks.
“So, I’m sorry I haven’t called you yet,” I said suddenly, surprising even myself.