by Renee Porter
“I understand that, B. What do you suggest?”
I ran through every scenario in my head but only one came up to be the best for both of us. I drew a deep breath, “Would you be willing to give me a leave until the start of the new school year? I know that it’s short notice and I’ll understand if you’re not interested in this but I don’t know how long it will take for the media to die down. There are only a few more months left until the end of the year and I won’t be able to do summer classes but maybe, by the start of the new semester everything will be back to normal.” I held my breath not knowing if he would take the offer. He would have to find a new teacher for the rest of the year and I couldn’t guarantee that the media wouldn’t be hounding him about Randle Gooding.
He nodded his head as he considered it. “I’ll tell you what. Let me think it over and talk to the board and I’ll let you know. How long do I have?” I swallowed as the date circled through my mind.
“My publishing company is holding a conference this Sunday.” His eyes widened. It was less than a week away but he nodded none the less.
“That doesn’t give me much time but I understand.” He shook his head and then smiled. “Wow, all this time Randle Gooding was teaching in my school and I had no idea.”
I smirked. “That was the point.” He cocked an eyebrow as I stood.
“You know I’ll keep whatever was said in this meeting between us, right?” I nodded my head, trusting that he wouldn’t but also not caring if he did. This time next week, everyone would know who Randle Gooding was.
***
“Hey,” I heard Maddie’s voice over the phone and immediately smiled. “How’d it go?”
I groaned as I made my way through the local Starbucks, catching the time on my watch and noting that Vanessa would be here in about ten minutes. “It went okay. He was surprised but that was a given.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he’s going to think about it and then get back to me.” My throat burned as tears threatened to spill. I hadn’t wanted to put my career on the line but I always knew it was a possibility. Just thinking that I may not ever be able to return to teaching at GHHS was enough for me to want to breakdown and cry.
“I’m sure he’ll really consider it, B. There would be no reason why he wouldn’t want you teaching at that school. You’re the best.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Yeah, well. You’re biased. And I guess, whatever happens it will be okay.” I heard her hum in agreement.
“Where are you now?” She asked. I looked over to the door and saw Vanessa enter. She scanned the tables and found me but motioned that she was going to order first. I nodded as I answered Maddie’s question.
“I’m at Starbucks, hoping that my best friend won’t denounce me for what I’m about to tell her.” I groaned as I imagined all the ways that this could possibly end.
“Don’t worry about it, B. She’ll understand.”
“I hope so,” I said softly.
“I know so.” She responded. I sighed as I finally hung up with Maddie and watched an excited Vanessa sit across from me.
“Hey, what’s up?” She took a sip of her latte and regarded my tense expression. Her eyes softened. “Are you okay? Did something happen with you and Maddie?”
I shook my head as the tears that were threatening to spill did. I wiped them away quickly as I straightened my back.
“I have to tell you something and I don’t know how you’re going to respond.” Vanessa gave me a crooked smile, trying to comfort me.
“It’s okay, B. I already know you’re gay.” At the words I let out a low laugh through my watering eyes. Vanessa had always known how to be supportive.
“Actually it’s bigger than that.” I said. She tilted her head.
“Bigger than my best friend dating the hottest actress in Hollywood?”
I nodded my head as her eyes widened. “What is it?”
“I had a meeting with Principal Williams today.” I held onto my own coffee cup like a lifeline. She waited for me to continue. “I asked him if I could take a leave from work until the start of the new school year.”
“Woah,” she breathed out. “Why would you ask that? Is this because of Maddie? I thought you two were waiting to come out until after the movie was finished?” I looked hesitantly around to make sure no one was close enough to hear our conversation. Everyone was in their own worlds, but I whispered conspiratorially just the same.
“It is sort of about her but I think I need to explain something first.” She nodded her head to let me know she was listening. “Maddie and I were friends in high school. She had moved in next door after her parents died and we just sort of hit it off.” I took a deep breath. “We both had feelings for each other but I didn’t know about Maddie’s until the night she left for New York. I basically told her to go, that it wouldn’t work out between us and so she left.”
Vanessa shifted in her seat and let out a loud sigh. “Damn, that’s intense. Now I get why you asked me earlier about that whole ‘book’ you were reading.” I nodded my head remembering my conversation with her and her telling me exactly how stupid I was to let Maddie go.
“But that’s not what I wanted to tell you.” She nodded her head again letting me know I could continue. “Well, after Maddie left I was heartbroken. And whenever I am stressed or sad I always write. I had a journal in my drawer and one day I started to write a story…” I chewed on my bottom lip as my eyes casted downward. “Vanessa, I wrote Breakaway.” I chanced a glance upward at Vanessa who narrowed her eyes at me.
“What do you mean you wrote Breakaway?”
“I mean that I wrote it and the other books. I didn’t want anyone to know so I wrote it under a pen name and well…the rest is sort of history.”
“What the fuck?!” Vanessa said and then lowered her voice when I winced. “You’re Randle Gooding?”
I nodded my head afraid of the outburst. Afraid that she would be done with all of my secrets and not want to deal with someone who she doesn’t even really know.
“Really?” The interest in her tone caught me off guard. Again I nodded my head to confirm that I was Randle and the next thing I knew she was smiling widely.
“So why now? Why are you telling me now?” I sighed in relief as I realized that Vanessa wasn’t upset. Maddie was right, she did understand.
“Because I’m releasing my identity and I needed you to know first before the shit hits the fan.”
“And that’s why you asked for the leave. Because you know how crazy it’s going to get…” she said it as understanding took hold. And then her eyebrow cocked. “So was it just coincidence that Maddie happens to be the lead in the movies that are adapted to your books?”
My face warmed as I shook my head. “Another story for another time.” She chuckled and I mimicked her. I finished by telling her the reasoning behind why I needed to come out and Vanessa ended with how badly she wanted to rip into Rebecca. She had told me that she would take over the GSA mentorship if things didn’t go my way and would also keep the news from Jared for now but I knew it wouldn’t matter either way.
Two down, and the world left to go.
***
If I had believed that me outing myself as a worldwide bestselling author would be anything but crazy I would have thought myself to be insane. As I stared out amongst the sea of press yelling at me to respond to their questions, all I could think was ‘why in the hell did I think this was a good idea’?
“Ms. Montgomery! How old were you when you wrote the first book?”
17.
“Why did you hide? Why are you coming out now?”
I wanted to put an end to the rumors that Randle is a recluse and wanted everyone to know who the books were truly written by.
“Is this some publicity stunt to promote the final movie?”
While it may seem that way, the timing was purely coincidental.
“How do you know Madeline Fields?”
“It’s been rumored that the author requested Madeline Fields to play the role as Holly. What is your relationship with her?”
Ms. Fields is a good friend of mine and yes, it is true that I requested her to play the role of Holly. I was fully aware of Ms. Fields talents and had every faith in her that she would portray the character as she was supposed to be written.
I breathed in as my heart started to beat thunderously. I turned to Liz pleading with her to end this soon. She nodded her head at me as she breathed into the microphone in front of her. “Okay, we’re going to have one more question.” She pointed to a reporter near the middle of the group. He stood, a paper poised in his hand.
“Are you dating anyone?”
I laughed as I heard the collective do the same. I shook my head as I spoke in the microphone. “Currently, I am not dating anyone. No.” He nodded as the group erupted into more questions. Liz thanked the audience and stated that they could direct any further questions to the publishing company. I stood and walked off the stage, listening to the growing sounds of the audience fade away into muted tones.
“Hey, you did great,” Liz stated as she came up behind me. I gave her a terse smile and folded my hands in a defensive stance. “You okay?” Her concern was evident in her tone and I nodded in response.
“I just don’t know how all of this is going to play out,” I said honestly. Liz shook her head and gave me a small smile.
“None of us do, B. That’s how life is,” she gave my arm a gentle squeeze and walked off. “Call me if you need anything.” She waved at me as I nodded my response. My only real concern now was getting to Maddie and fast.
***
“You did great,” Maddie said as she placed her hand on my thigh. I took hold of her fingers in my own as we drove the heavily traffic of the 5 freeway.
“I still can’t believe that Principal Williams let me go. I really thought he would take my offer.” I chewed on my bottom lip as the conversation with Jonathan ran through my head. He had been honest with me and I was appreciative of the fact. After speaking with the school board on the subject of allowing me leave until the start of the new semester, they had regretfully declined. They hadn’t wanted to hire a new teacher for only a few months and then let that teacher go afterwards. I understood their reasoning but I didn’t have to like it.
He said he had fought for me but in the end it wasn’t up to him. The board was fearful of the repercussions of the media attention at the school and they thought it best to offer me a package. I sighed as I looked at Maddie who held a grim expression on her face. I knew she thought it was her fault but I didn’t want her to think like that. It wasn’t because of her that all of this happened. It was because of Rebecca.
And that was all that was holding me together at this point. Just remembering Rebecca’s face as I showed up to her office a few hours after the press conference was enough for all of this to actually be okay. Because her narrowing glare and hateful sneer as I placed the printed website tabloid down in front of her was probably one of the best moments to come out of all of this.
“I think your picture looks great, don’t you?” I held a smile at Rebecca as she took a look at the picture that was meant to blackmail me and Maddie. Underneath the shot was the caption, “Beatrice Montgomery and Madeline Fields are best friends, sources say.”
“But don’t worry, we made sure to give you credit for the shot.” I pointed down at Rebecca’s name as she shot up from her desk.
“This is bullshit! Don’t think you can get away with this!” I laughed at her, waving off her idle threat.
“You know Rebecca, if you weren’t so hateful and selfish, I might have just given you that exclusive. I mean, I may not have been exactly ready to come out, but I do have to say, it is quite freeing.” I scrunched my nose up and smiled at her. Her scowl didn’t hit its mark as I turned on my heels.
“I have more pictures, B. I hope you don’t mind being outed twice in one day.” I turned to her, knowing that her threats were empty. Unless she had managed to hide cameras in my house, there was nothing that she could give the media that would out me or Maddie.
“Have a good day, Rebecca.” As I walked out of her office I heard her throw something against the wall. I was pretty sure that her pride took the bigger hit, though and as I stepped outside to the car idling in front of the large building, I finally had smiled a genuine smile since that morning.
“What are you thinking about?” Maddie asked, returning me to the present. I sighed as I laid my head back against the cool leather of the seat.
“Just thinking about Rebecca’s face when I showed her the picture that we sent TMZ.” I laughed as the image came to my mind again and I saw Maddie smile in return.
“Damn, I wish I could have been there to see that,” she squeezed my leg as she returned her hand to the wheel to guide us off the freeway.
“Mmm, you’ve done enough. Just getting the picture that she took was genius. How did you do that anyway?”
Maddie glanced over at me and smiled. “Easy. She was using her company’s camera. Everything on there is technically owned by them. I had Josh call them and offer to put the picture in TMZ’s update on your release. They loved the idea of course. It’s great PR for them.”
“Mmm, is it kind of weird that you’re turning me on right now?” I asked. It was meant to be a tease but Maddie quirked an eyebrow up and immediately my blood began to heat.
“Well, what do you say about a sleep over?”
I bit my lip as I imagined Maddie’s body on top of mine and suddenly her little red sports car couldn’t go fast enough.
“I think that can be arranged.”
Chapter 17
October 2016
“I’m getting on a flight right now and I’m coming home.” I heard Maddie’s heavy breath over the line. I could hear her gathering items from her drawers, there were hangers clanking and the then the suitcase opening.
“Maddie, calm down. It’s okay. I’m okay.” The rustling over the line didn’t stop as I eyed my chin in the mirror. The bruising and swelling had gone down considerably over the last few hours.
“You were in a fight B. I’m coming home.”
“Maddie, really I’m fine. I appreciate you wanting to come but you’re on a tight schedule and it isn’t bad. And I wasn’t in a fight. I broke up a fight between two students and just caught an unlucky punch.” I winced as I remembered seeing the right hook coming from the young football player. I had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was as simple as that.
I had agreed to meet Vanessa after school to spend some time with her before I left town. As I was waiting in the parking lot I had noticed two students getting into a disagreement and then, of course, they had felt the need to solve their argument with violence. As soon as I saw the scuffle, I got out of my car and reacted without thinking. I ran between the two boys but was unlucky enough to catch a punch meant for the boy whom I was holding back. As soon as the punch landed the young man quickly apologized but was taken off by security none the less. I knew it could have been a lot worse. The punch grazed my chin but the doctor had said any higher and I could have been knocked out.
“Plus, I’ll be there the day after tomorrow. You’ll see that it’s not so bad.” I heard her sigh heavily over the phone. She had calmed down considerably but I could still tell she was uneasy.
“I wish you were just here already. So I could see you now…” she trailed off and I held my cell tighter. Maddie had been in New York shooting the movie but I could tell the distance was wearing on her. We had managed to be thousands of miles apart for ten years but now, even the smallest time apart felt like decades longer.
“I wish I was too. But only one more day and I’ll be there. And I’ll get to be on set with you and watch you work. It will be fun.” I smiled over the phone hoping that the action would travel the three thousand miles and lighten her mood. Ever since I h
ad unveiled that I was Randle Gooding the press had been hounding me for interviews and television appearances. I saw myself in random magazines and tabloids and couldn’t believe that they would be this interested in a common girl from Southern California. The action had definitely been a boost in PR for the movie and the producers had requested that I come out to New York to watch them film. They had also requested me to help with the symbolism of some of the scenes to get the shot just right. With Maddie being there, I was more than willing to oblige.
“Okay. You win. I’ll stay put until you get here.” She sounded dejected and my heart tore at the tone.
“Thank you.” I chewed on my lip for a few seconds and opened my mouth to say something else but couldn’t get the words out. “You should get some sleep. It’s late there and I know you have an early day.” My voice wavered as I pinched the bridge of my nose. Why couldn’t I just tell her what I really wanted to say?
“Yeah, I know.” She sighed heavily. “Are you really okay?”
I chuckled. “Yes, I’m fine. Honestly. Now get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow after I get checked out at the dentist and before you know it I’ll be there, with you, in the flesh.”
“That sounds amazing.” We sat in silence for a few moments, both of us not wanting to let the other go. Finally she said, “B?”
My eyes closed at the sound of my name and for a moment tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. The sudden wave of emotion filled me and I tried in earnest to not allow the tears to fall. “Yeah?”
“I…” she just stopped there as my heart sputtered. “I…hope you have a good night.” I nodded over the line and smiled.
“You too, Maddie. Goodnight.” I heard her whisper goodnight again as the call ended. I sat there staring at my cell, my fingers dancing over her name, wanting to call her back, wanting to tell her I love her and that the distance between us was killing me.
I sighed heavily as I yawned and winced at the tightness of my muscles. I whimpered as I flopped down on my back and let my comforter surround me. It was a poor man’s Maddie, but it would have to do for one more night.