Caramel brown hair, sapphire blue eyes, golden tan skin, and what I would describe as a soccer build. This guy is yummy, but not exactly my type. I smile and turn back to the task at hand, but he interrupts me.
“Well, aren’t you at least gonna ask me my name or something?” I turn back to face him and I’m met with an adorable teasing grin.
“Uh, sure.” I giggle nervously. “What’s your name?”
“Liam Wellington.” He acts as if I’m supposed to automatically know him based on his name, but I have to admit, I’m clueless. “You’re Madison Daley, right? Raven’s twin sister?”
“Yep, that’s me,” I say with a sigh. Everybody knows me as “Raven’s twin” or “Jacie’s daughter” now. It’s like I don’t even have an identity apart from them anymore.
He studies my face intently. “You do look slightly different from her.”
“Yeah, that’s my crooked chin. I busted my jaw back when I lived in Kentucky. Also, I still have my own boobs.” Heat creeps up my neck. I didn’t mean to blurt that last part out.
To my relief, Liam bursts into laughter. “Well, that would explain it. To be honest, I’ve always thought Raven’s obviously enhanced bust was a turnoff. You, on the other hand…” His gaze travels down my frame, and my stomach churns when his hungry eyes lock with mine again. “You’re breathtaking.”
That was a bold…maybe even brazen declaration of lust. I squirm beneath his gaze and turn back to my locker, grasping fruitlessly at the purple highlighter in the back corner. “Thanks,” I mumble.
Liam leans on the locker beside me and attaches his hand to the door behind my head, effectively cornering me. “You got a boyfriend?” he asks.
My cheeks burn as I zero in on my Trigonometry textbook. “No.”
“Have you been out to the soccer field yet?”
I turn to him with a raised eyebrow. “No…?”
“Well, if you’re not busy during lunch, maybe we could meet out there…you know, see the goals, the track…the bleachers…” There was an undertone there that I was supposed to get, but being clueless about social interactions, I have no idea what he’s getting at.
“What are you saying?” I ask.
“I’m saying I want to take you under the bleachers,” he croons with a lopsided grin.
My mouth falls open and a nonsensical grunt comes out. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
His smoldering gaze ignites with a blue blaze of passion. “I wanna be the first one here who gets to show you a good time.” Liam runs his fingers down the length of my sleeve. My muscles lock and freeze in my fear. I feel vulnerable standing here in this mid-thigh length skirt, especially since his gaze keeps dropping to my bare legs.
“She’s not like that, Wellington,” a familiar voice growls behind us. Liam and I jerk around to find Gio Abate standing tall and unwavering with a glowering scowl directed at Liam. In my mind, a white glow surrounds him and he’s perched on an equally handsome steed. He’s coming to my rescue. I knew he was the incarnation of Prince Charming.
“Madison Daley is not someone who screws guys she just met under the bleachers,” Gio asserts. “I suggest you look for your next conquest elsewhere.”
Liam bellows with a derisive laugh. “She screwed you when you just met her, didn’t she?”
Gio hesitates, but then he shakes his head. “Actually no, she didn’t.”
“So how long did it take you to get her in bed?” Liam’s eyebrow curls upward with curiosity.
“We never got that far. She’s a virgin.”
Everyone within three feet of us falls silent in shock. I glance around in horror at all the people gaping at me and feel a sudden urge to vomit. I whirl around to face my locker, duck my head in as far as I can, and close my eyes tightly, hoping I’m in a dream.
Please, universe. Please tell me Giovanni Abate didn’t just out me as a virgin in front of all of Wilcox High School.
Liam laughs hysterically. “Virgin? No wonder she froze up like a nun at the mention of sex!” Some of the other guys join him in laughing at me, and their playful banter echoes off the walls of my locker.
“Madison Daley, the virgin.”
“I guess we all know who the good twin is now!”
“I think you mean the vir-twin.”
“No, no, I got it,” Liam shouts. “Virgin Madi!”
Tears scorch my eyes and my breath comes out in a shudder as they all start chanting, “Virgin Madi” around me and discuss who’s going to deflower me. I clench my jaw in anger. How dare they discuss my virginity like this? There’s only one person who’s responsible, and right now my anger at him is overshadowing every good feeling I ever had about him. I spin around to face Gio with daggers shooting from my eyes. His own eyes are glued open in horror.
“You son of a bitch.” My hiss of disdain gets through to him. As I shove past him and speed walk down the hall, he follows me.
“Wait! Madison, wait!”
I dart through the crowd and lose him, speeding as fast as I can toward my homeroom. I need to get in a safe space, one where people haven’t heard my big news yet.
***
Of course it doesn’t take long at all for the news of my virginity to spread like wildfire. By the time I reach the end of my second school day, I’ve had thirty offers to go under the bleachers and shed my new nickname, “Virgin Madi,” for good. I turned each and every one of them down because I have self-respect and don’t need to prove anything to anyone, but of course, according to all the guys, I’m scared. Thanks to Giovanni Abate, my life at school is now a living hell. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye during Physics, probably because if looks could kill he would be dead ten times over.
Finally, Chorus class arrives, and I’m relieved to find Dalton, Devon, and Chandler all in their seats with very few people between them. I just needed to see familiar, nonjudgmental faces, and they all look happy to see me. I sit next to Devon, and Chandler moves to sit next to me. Dalton waves to me from the guys’ side of the room and returns to something he’s working on at his pull-down desk.
“Hey, are you okay?” Devon asks, her eyelids heavy with concern. Chandler is looking at me with the same expression of pity. I love them for caring about me, but I hate that look. It makes me feel like going to Santa Monica and jumping off the pier.
“I’ll live,” I mutter. “Giovanni Abate might not be so lucky, though.”
Both of the girls snicker.
“You should tell everyone he has a tiny…” Chandler gestures to the crotch area, grinning. “That would even the score.”
“But they would all know I’m lying, remember? I didn’t…” Heat rises into my cheeks. “You know.”
Devon leans in and whispers, “You went out with him for several weeks, right? Don’t you know any embarrassing secrets about him from that?”
“Um…well, I did stomp him in Battlefield. And I also kicked him onto the ground the first time we made out.”
“That might work,” Chandler says. Just then, the teacher, Ms. Juarez, walks into the room. “We’ll talk more about it later.”
Ms. Juarez has shiny black hair curled up into a messy bun and big, long-lashed brown eyes. She’s somewhat petite and has a bright, warm smile. She shuffles in with arms full of binders, and Dalton jumps up to assist her.
“Thank you, Dalton,” Ms. Juarez says. “Give me just a few moments to set up, class.”
Her eyes catch mine and a flicker of confusion crosses her face before she turns back to organizing her binders. Devon and Chandler chatter over me while Ms. Juarez sets up for class. I can’t help but feel like sinking through the floor. Up until this moment, I forgot that most of these people think I sing horribly because of the drunk singing incident. I’m probably going to get kicked out before class even begins. Maybe this was a bad idea. I could probably sneak out of the room and get away with it, right? After all, this class is optional.
I stand from my seat with my bag in hand and sta
rt to exit the room before Ms. Juarez calls out and stops me.
“Madison, where are you going?”
I whirl around and swallow against the lump of nerves that gathered in my throat. “I decided maybe I shouldn’t take this class after all.”
Her face falls. “Oh…that’s too bad. I was looking forward to having Grim’s daughter in my class.”
“Wait…you were?”
Jovial laughter bubbles up from deep in her throat. “Of course! I was just confused—I don’t remember seeing you in auditions.”
“Oh, that’s because I was out of town. They said I’d still be welcome to come to the class and I could try out when I got here,” I explain.
“Well, by all means…” Ms. Juarez gestures to the baby grand piano in the corner with a bright smile. “Come to the piano with me, my dear.”
Dalton returns to his seat, leaving me alone at the front of the classroom with Ms. Juarez. My heart pounds and sweat pools on my palms. I’ve never tried out for anything like this before, and I’m sure a rejection is coming. This is Wilcox High School. They expect the best. I’m about to get an ego-shattering letdown for sure.
Ms. Juarez pulls out the stool and lays her pretty French-manicured fingers on the immaculate black and white keys. “What songs do you know that can be played on the piano, sweetie?”
“Do you know “My Immortal” by Evanescence?”
Ms. Juarez’s face lights up. “I love that song!”
I grin at her. I think I just found my favorite teacher.
She plays the intro and when I start singing, the entire classroom hushes to listen to me. I hear soft whispers, but much to my relief, no one’s laughing. I glance out at the crowd and catch Dalton’s gaze. He has a smug smirk on his face, like, I discovered her first, bitches. Devon and Chandler both tremble in their seats, looking like they’re biting back squeals. I see a couple of people taking videos on their phones.
Taking videos. Hmm…
Maybe they’ll take it upon themselves to show the world the fluke-iness of that drunk singing episode.
I end up making it through the song without any voice cracks or embarrassing mistakes. When I’m done with the song, the teacher and the class erupt into applause. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. I giggle and take a mock bow.
“Madison, you are extraordinary!” Ms. Juarez exclaims. “Can I hug you?”
I giggle giddily and move into her outstretched arms. “Sure.”
She embraces me tightly and whispers in my ear, “You’re nothing like your sister, are you?”
“Depends on what you mean by that.”
“You’re not a troublemaker, right?”
“Oh, no. Definitely not.”
She lets out a comical sigh of relief. “Good.” She releases me and smiles. “Welcome to Chorus, Madison Daley.”
Ms. Juarez assigns me to the alto section, so Chandler and I are able to stay together. Devon is a high soprano so she has to move to the far end of the girls’ section. Chandler gushes about my voice and when she asks me my secret, I simply reply:
“I just have to avoid singing while drunk.”
Chapter 16
September 15, 2015
A Good and Bad Day
So I’ll start with the good news, since that’s in short supply lately…
I redeemed myself. Sort of. I had to audition for my Chorus class and I nailed it. “My Immortal” is one of my favorite songs, and this time I knocked it out of the park. People recorded me too, so here’s hoping that video goes viral instead of my drunk singing fuck-up.
The bad news is pretty bad, though.
Everyone, the entire school, now knows I’m a virgin. Gio blurted it out when he confronted Liam Wellington about trying to pressure me into going under the bleachers with him. I was super embarrassed…until I realized that somehow that news made me more desirable to all the guys in school.
I never imagined being a virgin would make me more popular with the guys. It’s just a bad kind of popularity. A lot of the single guys in the school—and some douches who already have girlfriends—want to be the one who swipes Madison Daley’s V-card. I don’t want a single one of them. If a guy only wants to sleep with me so he can brag to his friends…um, no thanks. That’s got to be the worst reason ever to hop in bed with someone.
Then again, being the laughingstock of the school just because I’m a virgin is not fun at all. I’m half-tempted just to get it over with so people will be laughing at me for one less thing. What’s virginity in comparison to your school standing, right?
Well, a lot. At least to me.
I have this fantasy about how it’s going to be when I finally have my moment. A guy I love with all my heart is going to whisk me off my feet, scatter rose petals all over the room, light a dangerous number of candles, and whisper how much he loves me in my ear as he kicks the door closed behind us. Call me a hopeless romantic, but that’s what I want. I’m holding onto that fantasy even though I know there’s a slim chance of any teenage guy ever thinking of doing all that just to get in my pants.
Now I’m wondering if it’s worth it. I don’t know if I can take this drama every day for a whole year just to keep the dream alive. You don’t get everything you want in life, right? I’ve already got a great family—well, half of my family’s great—good friends, my health, a crazy fortune via Cass…maybe I should give up this one thing. I don’t know.
The dude at least has to be worthy. I refuse to give in to these desperate little boys who somehow got my number and now are harassing me over text. What losers.
Whoa, what the…
Surprise, surprise.
Giovanni Abate just texted me for the first time since July.
Ttyl,
Mads
***
Gio: Hey, can I come over and talk to you?
I clench my teeth, seething with anger. He has the nerve to ask so casually if he can come over after what he just did to me? No way. It’s not going to be that easy.
Me: Come within ten feet of me and I’ll kick your ass.
Gio: I know, I screwed up. I wasn’t thinking when I told him you were a virgin. It just slipped out of my mouth.
Gio: I’m so sorry. Please let me come and apologize.
Gio: Please. I’m an idiot. I’ll grovel at your feet. I’ll do whatever it takes.
I tap my thumb on the side of the phone feverishly, unsure of how to respond. Forgiving him seems too easy. Hating him is impossible. Staying mad is just going to make Physics really, really awkward. I give it a little more thought and hastily text him back.
Me: You want my forgiveness? Fix this. I don’t care what you have to do, just fix it.
Gio: I will. I promise, Madness.
My heart slams to a halt at the use of my nickname. Every emotion and experience of the summer comes flooding back at the sight of that one word. My eyes water up with tears. I lock my phone and toss it on the bed.
One thing sticks in my mind even when I’m trying to fall asleep at midnight.
He remembers.
***
The next day I walk in with Raven as always and her minions shield me from the snickers and leers of the people around me. Chandler, Mari, and Kiki stay close all the way to my locker and surround me on every side to protect me. Mission Survival seems to be coming in handy right now. I knew having such a powerful ally was a must in high school.
Liam comes to his locker beside me, and every muscle in my body tenses. I brace myself for his inevitable comment about my virginity. He leans close to me and whispers:
“You ready to shed that virgin status yet?”
As I’m growling under my breath, the same voice that interrupted us yesterday interrupts us again.
“Hate to tell you, Wellington, but her virgin status is long gone.”
Liam whirls around to face Gio with a scowl.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Did you take care of that yesterday after school?”
Gio’s sexy smirk appears and my heart flutters involuntarily. “No, I took care of that earlier this summer. I told you she was a virgin because I was jealous. Actually, she was the best I ever had. I just didn’t want slime like you to ruin her.”
My jaw hangs wide open. So do Liam’s and my minions’. The other people in the hallway hush once again to listen in on the conversation.
“You told me she was a virgin to turn me off from her?” Liam asks in disbelief.
“Yeah, but since that didn’t work, there’s no point in humiliating her with that ridiculous lie anymore. Sorry, Madison. I didn’t mean to cause such an uproar. From now on, I’ll keep my mouth shut and mind my own business.” Gio turns on his heel and crosses the hall to his locker as if nothing just happened.
Everyone giggles and whispers around us. Liam turns to me with a sickeningly hungry look in his eyes.
“The best he ever had, huh?”
I give him the look of death.
“You heard him. But that doesn’t mean I’m interested in you.”
I slam my locker door shut and turn around before Liam can harass me even further. Before I stalk down the hallway, I catch Gio’s gaze. I smile and mouth the word “thanks.” He winks at me. I tear myself away from his incredible face to go on my merry way.
***
For the rest of the day, I’m still harassed by guys, but now it’s because they think I’m some kind of sex goddess. I just roll my eyes and tell them over and over I’m not interested. It amazes me how bold and forward these guys are, and how they think any girl will just fall into their arms because of who their parents are. No thanks, pervs. There’s only one guy I’m attracted to in this school. Unfortunately for me, I can’t have him. Funny how that works.
The Sister Code (D.O.R.K Book 2) Page 10