Pupil: Inspired By a True Story

by Zoey Long

  “Oh my goodness, Steph. Hey.” I throw my arms around her. “How are you?”

  “Great! Well… as good as I can be on the first day back. What are you looking for?”

  “What? Nothing, why?”

  “You looked lost is all. Here, this is where we get in line.”

  She leads me to the registration line. I’m still searching for Derrick. Or Noel. God forbid.

  “How was your summer?” I ask her.

  “No big deal. Spending the whole summer with your mother the shrink is always fun. So, I have to ask you. Is it true?” she asks.

  My heart jumps in my throat.

  “Is what true?”

  “That your mom married some bigwig and you’re living in a huge penthouse on the Upper East Side? That you didn’t go home to Jersey?”

  Oh, man. How does she know that? I had no idea a rumor mill was already running. I’ve been too busy fucking my stepbrother. I start to answer her.

  “She… yeah. My mom got married. How did you hear about that?”

  “The moms at Madison Ave. They’re like buzzards. They noticed you’d moved into their neighborhood. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Her eyes are bright and excited and I’m still trying to look for Derrick. We’re slowly moving up the registration line.

  “I’m sorry, it’s been a really crazy summer.”

  “I bet! So? Come on! Dish! Who is it? How’d she meet him?”

  Screw it.

  “It’s Frank Bourse.”

  Stephanie’s eyes go wide.

  “You’re shitting me. Bourse? Like, as in…”

  “The Bourse Museum. Yeah.”

  As soon as I say it out loud, Derrick appears. I spot his wavy dirty-blond hair from across the lawn. He’s standing tall in a crisp white linen button-down shirt. Damn it if he doesn’t look hot. I can see the faint outline of his torso, his broad muscular shoulders. Sometimes I forget how ridiculously hot he is. He’s so close to me most of the time, but standing back, looking at him… Clean-shaven, ink on his forearms, pouty mouth, that jawline. Women are checking him out left and right, whether or not he notices it.

  Stephanie looks over her shoulder, following my gaze.

  “Whoa. Who the hell is that?” she asks excitedly, seeing him.

  “What? Who?” I try to brush it off.

  “Him.” She points to Derrick.

  “Do you not see that guy? The jacked one with the shoulders? Cute butt, too. He definitely works out, like, every day. He’s gorgeous. Right over there.”

  If I look at him I’ll lose it. I know I can’t keep this up for much longer.

  “That’s… Derrick,” I blurt out.

  I should have known I couldn’t start school without people knowing who Derrick is. He stands out in any crowd. I think he sees me now; he’s smiling. Please don’t come over right now. Please don’t come over right now. Please.

  “You know him?” Stephanie smiles wide, like she’s just about to start jumping up and down. Derrick is on a different line. He makes no move toward us. For now. Thank you, universe. I take a breath.

  “His name is Derrick. Bourse.”

  Stephanie looks at me, digesting what I’ve just said. I can almost see the pieces start to fit together in her brain. Then it clicks.

  “Holy shit. That guy is your new stepbrother?! Sucks to be you. I mean, sort of. At least you get to look at him. Oh my God, Madison, that’s… what’s he like? Do you live with him? You’ve been living with that guy all summer? Are you serious? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  I have to deflect her somehow. She’s like an excited puppy. I can’t deal with this.

  “Derrick is… annoying. He’s arrogant. An arrogant playboy. I don’t see him much.”

  “Really? Well, that’s probably just because you’re family now. Everyone is annoyed by their family. Is he single?”

  Okay, that bugs me. No, he’s not single. He’s with me. He loves me. I can’t let her see that I’m bothered.

  “I have no idea. He always has a lot of girls around the house. Especially in the rooftop pool.”

  Stephanie raises her eyebrow. I laugh.

  “Yeah, the pool is sick. It’s a penthouse apartment, and on the roof there’s a pool. It’s huge. My mother met Frank Bourse at an art event, can you believe that? Apparently she charmed him so much that they got married.”

  “So what you’re telling me is that you’ve essentially won the lottery. Complete with twenty-four-seven hunk,” Stephanie says, grinning.

  “Well, no. It’s not my money.”

  “Hey, sis.”

  Derrick comes up behind me and kisses me on the head.

  “What the fu—” I whip around. “Hi.” My face is tingling with fear and excitement at the same time.

  “Hi!” Stephanie chimes, standing up straighter and jutting out her hip. She starts running her hands through her thick curly hair.

  “I’m all registered,” Derrick says. “Got here early. Just thought I’d come over and say hello.”

  This is even worse than when we’re in the house with our parents. He is living for this right now. Goddammit, Derrick.

  “I’m Stephanie.” She holds out her hand to shake his. He takes it, and she holds on to his grasp just a little longer than necessary.

  “Stephanie is my coworker from my old job. She’s going to school with me too. Obviously.”

  Derrick nods, still smiling.

  “Listen, Derrick, don’t you have somewhere else to be?” I ask. Maybe that was a little harsh.

  “Madison, stop being so rude!” Stephanie is biting her lip with excitement. She’s flushed.

  “I guess once you become someone’s brother, they’re just dying to get rid of you.” Derrick smiles, chuckles to himself. His dimples. His eyes.

  “Well, I’m not,” Stephanie purrs.

  Standing here watching my best friend flirt with my stepbrother who is also my secret lover has to be one of the most excruciating situations I’ve been in in recent memory. It’s like Derrick can sense my discomfort.

  “She’s right. I should get going. I want to take a look around the campus. Hey, sis, I was thinking. Want to have lunch later? You know the lay of the land here, so to speak.”

  “Mm, maybe.”

  I’m excited at the thought of seeing him for lunch.

  “Okay, bye, ladies. It was very nice to meet you, Stephanie.”

  He gives us a courteous nod and walks off smiling, the perfect, dreamy gentleman. Steph looks completely starstruck.

  “Oh. My. God,” she says.

  “Can you believe that guy? He’s perfect. He’s… I think he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  “Eh, he’s not really my type,” I lie.

  “Are you kidding? He looks like a movie star. Did you see his butt as he walked away? And he’s so sweet and courteous. He probably has amazing chest definition. Have you seen him naked?”

  “Ew, Stephanie.”

  I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so excited about a guy before. And it has to be my brother/sort-of boyfriend. Happy first day of school to me.

  “Don’t patronize me, Madison. It’s not like you’re related by blood. If you saw that guy on the street, you wouldn’t look twice? I know you would. Don’t lie to me. Look me in the eye and tell me he’s not gorgeous.”

  I look at her and take a deep breath.

  “He’s not gorgeous.”

  Nope. Not thinking about how he makes me come harder than anyone ever has in my whole life. Nope. Not at all.

  It’s our turn in line.

  The attendant smiles at me, asks for my name.

  “My last name is Dale. Madison is my first name,” I say to the registrant. A short, grey haired woman smiles again and hands me my paperwork. We also get a free tote bag with a branded water bottle inside. Some pens.

  “Your course catalog is in that bag also,
miss,” she says. “Welcome back.”

  “Oh, are you sure you’re not a Bourse now?” Stephanie teases, winking at me.

  I shake my head and shoot her a look of intense displeasure.

  Chapter 5: Derrick

  Man, that was fun. Cute little friend she has too. Tall drink of water. Nice curly hair. Usually the only way I can get Madison worked up that quickly is with curtain ties. I couldn’t tell if she wanted to bang me or punch me. My favorite state to put her in. I picked all of my classes online already. I don’t really have a need to be here today. I just wanted to show my face and play around with my girl.

  I texted Madison and asked her to meet me here at this cafe. It’s right off campus. The way I see it, people will always gossip. We can just deny everything. And we will be careful. I’m getting excited just thinking about all the places and ways I want to sneak around with her. I sip my coffee and stare at the artisanal salad I ordered. I have no idea what they put in here. It looks way too colorful for a salad. I check my phone. Nothing. It dawns on me then that she might not come at all.

  “Hey.”

  Madison walks over to me, looking as beautiful as ever. I didn’t get a chance to notice it this morning, but her hair is falling loose in soft waves past her shoulders. She’s wearing makeup but not a lot. She’s in a simple green dress, the color of spring grass. Sandals. I want to throw my arms around her and pick her up off the ground. I miss her smell. Her taste.

  “Take a seat,” I say, motioning to the dark wood stool next to me. This cafe has all of its offerings written on a chalkboard menu. There’s minimal lighting. Small vases with daisies sit on every table. It’d be romantic if it wasn’t so damn hipster.

  Madison sits next to me stiffly. She’s unsure what to do with her body, her hands.

  “Honey, relax.” I put my hand on her thigh under the table. She zings upward like I just administered an electric shock to her skin.

  “Not here!” she spits, snapping her head forward.

  Okay, so we have some work to do.

  “Will you relax? Do you see anyone we know here? Who cares what people think, anyway? To all of these people, we’re just a young couple. And a hot one, I might add.”

  She looks around, then stops and smiles at me. Lets my hand linger on her thigh. It’s under the table, hidden from view.

  “There’s my girl. Now, what do you want?”

  “Iced coffee?” she says. “That salad looks… interesting.” She laughs again.

  “Oh, this pretentious bowl of crap? I think it’s microgreens.”

  Madison pokes at my salad with a fork.

  “What the heck are microgreens? Baby vegetables aren’t enough? Are those… golden beets?”

  “I guess? It’s the self-important hippie special.” I wink.

  “Here, do you want some? It’s actually pretty tasty, I hate to admit.”

  I push the salad toward her, get up to get her an iced coffee.

  By the time I get back to the table, Madison has eaten half the salad. She’s munching through it, hunched over it in her adorable dress.

  “I guess it was good?” I laugh.

  She answers me through her chewing.

  “Yeah! It’s, I think those are pomegranate seeds. It’s kind of sweet. The vegetables are all roasted. It’s good. Very flavorful. I think the dressing is just lemon juice and olive oil. Here, have some.”

  Madison pushes the plate of salad back toward me. I put her coffee down, make sure she has the milk she likes.

  “Nah, I had a protein shake before. It just looked kind of pretty.”

  “You’re so cute sometimes,” she says, kissing my cheek. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  “Careful. The sibling police might come for you.”

  She pushes against me playfully. We bump shoulders.

  I lift her face to mine, let my lips find hers. Her lips are pillowy soft against my own, and I feel myself drawn to her. She smells like lavender and the heat of the day.

  She pulls away naturally, smiles and drinks her coffee, then goes back to eating the salad. I’m so in love with her I might explode.

  “Well… you two certainly look cozy.”

  I look up and see that finger-painting motherfucker, Chorus. Or whatever his name is. Fuck that guy.

  “Noel!”

  Madison sits up straighter. She’s happy we’re just sitting right now.

  “If it isn’t the happy couple,” he says, narrowing his eyes.

  “Noel, we’re not dating, I told you that. What are you talking about? We’re having lunch.”

  This guy is such a pretentious, puny little shit. I’d love to wipe the hardwood floor with his scrawny ass. Leave us alone, jerk. He’s laughing now.

  “Hey, I don’t judge. I’m just here for a coffee. They flash-brew it. It’s like cold brew but with less acidity. To be honest, I’m surprised you’re in here at all, Madison. It’s a famous vegetarian spot. All locally sourced. You’d probably do better in a place with more… meat.”

  What a stupid little hipster jerk off. I hate this guy.

  “Listen, you son of a bitch,” I start.

  Noel leans back and raises his arms, signaling me to back off.

  “Hey, man, I mean no disrespect to your girlfriend. I mean, your sister. But really, who can keep track?”

  If he keeps this up, we’re going to have a very lively first day of school.

  “What’s your problem?” Madison asks.

  “I suggest you get the fuck out of here and leave us alone.”

  Noel steps away from us and gets on the coffee line, out of view.

  I look at Madison. She’s obviously shaken up, her head in her hands.

  “Don’t mind him. He’s an asshole.”

  “I know he’s an asshole. He’s a mouthy little asshole who’s hurt because I dumped him, and he’s convinced that we’re—”

  “See you two lovebirds around campus,” Noel says, walking out with his coffee.

  What an infuriating little pipsqueak.

  “Ugh! I hate him so much! Why did I ever get involved with that idiot?” Madison puts her head in her hands again. I put my arm around her shoulders. She resists me.

  “He’s gone. His ego is bruised and he’s taking it out on you. On us. What’s he going to do? He can’t hurt us,” I say.

  “He can. He can tell everyone that we’re siblings who fuck each other. That’ll go over well. Then our parents will find out and God knows what will happen then.”

  I laugh.

  “You think this is funny?” she asks.

  I just don’t think it’s as big a deal as she does.

  “I get why he’s pissed. I do. You’re amazing. If you dumped me, I’d be pretty pissed,” I offer.

  She smiles at me; we lock eyes. She has tears in hers.

  “Derrick, what are we going to do?” she asks me.

  “I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. We’re going to be good little students who get their work done. We’re going to meet for lunch whenever we damn well please. We’re going to spend as much time together as we want, on campus or off. We’re not going to advertise the fact that we’re together by fucking on the lawn outside the provost’s office, but we’ll still be together. Fuck them.”

  “Fucking on the lawn would be fun.” She laughs.

  “No, really. You want us to sneak around?” She gives me a half smile. I think that thought still excites her.

  “Well, we’re already doing it at home, aren’t we?”

  I flash her my most charming smile and kiss her cheek. Let’s see how this whole “secret lovers” thing goes.

  Chapter 6: Madison

  “What time is it? I have to check out my new studio at one thirty.”

  Derrick looks at his watch. We’re sitting close enough together on our stools that I can smell his cologne, the woodsy musk of his soap, his skin. I wish he could rub himself all over me. That
we could make love and he’d leave me and I’d smell like him for the rest of the day. The thought of us sneaking around campus does make me excited. As it stands, Noel is the only one who knows our secret. Even though seeing Noel shook me up, my body is still humming with excitement from being near Derrick.

  “You should head over there. It’s ten after one.”

  I stand up quickly and look at my campus map to see where I need to go.

  “A kiss before you leave?” Derrick asks, still sitting. His eyes are warm and open. And I can’t resist those dimples.

  I look around to the left and right. I don’t see anyone I know. I let my bare knees touch his tentatively while he’s sitting on the stool. My skin feels awake and tingling. I slip my knee between his, which sends shocks of sensation up my thigh. Put my arms around his expansive shoulders. Lean down and kiss those gorgeous lips. His warm palms find my back, pulling me closer as our kiss gets more dynamic. We shouldn’t be doing this out in the open. It’s another layer of forbidden on our already forbidden relationship, and my body is tensing with excitement.

  “Where are you headed now?” I ask him, a bit out of breath.

  He laughs into my shoulder.

  “What? What’s so funny?”

  “I… registered for my classes online already. I don’t actually have a reason to be here today. I just wanted to see you.”

  That makes me sit up straight.

  “You’re shitting me.”

  He’s still laughing. I’m not angry. I want to be angry, but I’m too happy to spend time with him.

  “You’re such a troublemaker. I can’t believe you. Can I show you my studio space? It’s near here,” I say.

  He smirks at me.

  “I’ll tell you what, sis. Darling sister of mine. You head to your studio, and I’ll finish up here and meet you there. How much time do you need?”

  Oh. Yes. My heart starts pumping faster. This is hot. I bite my lip and furrow my brow in thought.

  “I need… give me twenty minutes. I don’t have classes yet. I’m just checking out the space and setting up some materials.”

  I show Derrick where I’m headed on the map.

  “Sounds good.” He winks.

  Once I leave him I find myself rushing across the campus. I lift my tote bag onto my shoulder and hightail it across the lawn. I have the same studio space as last year. It’s just a raw space with white walls and a row of high windows. We all get access to these raw spaces. I turn the key in the familiar lock and step inside. It smells the same. School books and paint.