Everyone else gets up as well. “It was truly a pleasure meeting you, Jade.” Mr. Kensington shakes my hand. His wife joins him and does the same. “Let us know if you need anything. Garret can give you our phone number.”
Garret stands there, saying nothing.
“Thank you. And thanks for dinner.” I go over to where the driver is standing.
“I can take her back,” Garret says.
I freeze, hoping his parents will tell him not to bother.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” his dad says. “That way you can get to know each other. I didn’t even think of that. Thank you, Garret, for offering.”
“It’s no problem. Right this way, Jade.” He walks past me, not even looking my direction. I reluctantly follow him out to the car. I get in and slam the door shut, turning my back to him.
Garret speeds off not saying a word. He continues to drive for 15 minutes in total silence, then pulls off the road into the parking lot of a scenic overlook. It isn’t scenic at night so nobody’s there. I’m not sure what’s scenic about it during the day either. There’s just a bunch of trees in front of us.
“Jade, I’m sorry about what just happened back there. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. And I’m sorry that—”
“Take me home, Garret. I’m doing all I can not to explode right now and I would really like it if you just took me home.”
“Let me explain.”
“I don’t want to hear whatever excuses you’re going to tell me. You lied to me. And don’t say that not telling me technically wasn’t lying. Because it IS lying. It’s lying by omission and it counts as lying.” I turn to face him. “I don’t understand. Were you spying on me for them? Did they tell you to do that or did you just do it on your own?”
“I wasn’t spying on you. I just wanted to get to know you.”
“Why? So you could sleep with me? Did you think I’d be easy because I’m an orphan from a crappy home? Jasmine was right. You are an ass. I’ll just walk the rest of the way.”
I get out of the car having no idea where we are. The road is pitch-black but I start walking down it anyway. I’m so angry at him and I don’t know what to do with all this negative energy. I could scream, but it wouldn’t be enough. So I try to walk it off in my uncomfortable dress shoes.
“Jade, get back here.” He races to catch up to me. “You can’t walk on the road. It’s dangerous.”
“My safety is not your concern. Now get the hell away from me.”
I keep walking. He stays behind, but I hear his voice. “There are all kinds of wild animals out here. Coyotes, raccoons, fox. They all come out at night.”
Shit! I hate wildlife. I’m scared of mice for crying out loud. I’m pretty sure I’d have a heart attack if I ran into a raccoon or a coyote.
I hear some rustling in the dark wooded area next to the road. It’s probably nothing, but now Garret’s put these images of rabid raccoons in my head and I’m scared to death of every little noise. I turn around and walk quickly back to the car. Garret’s waiting inside.
“Let’s go,” I say, slamming the car door.
He reaches over to put on my seat belt, purposely hesitating before he clicks it in place. “I swear to you, Jade. I wasn’t trying to spy on you or sleep with you or whatever other evil plots you’ve conjured up in your head. I just wanted to get to know you. That’s it.”
I look into his eyes. He looks so damn sincere that I almost believe him. Maybe because I want to believe him. I want whatever we started to keep going. I don’t want it to end. But it has to end because he lied to me.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I grab the seatbelt from him and click it in place.
He sits back in his seat. “I’m embarrassed by my family, okay?”
“You’re embarrassed to be part of one of the richest families in America? Yeah, I’m sure it’s a real hardship for you.”
“Just because people have money doesn’t mean they have happiness or that they get along. My dad and I barely speak to each other. And when we do, we fight. And I hate my stepmom. She feels the same way about me.”
“Great. So you don’t get along with your family. I don’t know what that has to do with me.”
“It’s complicated. Being part of the Kensington family comes with responsibilities. And consequences.” He sighs. “And rules. Lots of rules. Rules that don’t even make sense.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about and I really don’t care. Can we go now?”
“No, because I’m trying to explain and you’re not listening.”
“What are you talking about? You haven’t explained anything! Why did you lie to me about who you really are? Why did you act like you didn’t know me at dinner? You haven’t explained any of that, Garret!”
“I told you. My family is messed up. I didn’t want you involved with them.”
“I’m already involved with them. They’re paying for my school. Why are you so freaked out about me knowing your family?”
He gets quiet for a moment and I wonder if he’s trying to come up with even more lies.
“How do you think people like my dad and stepmom get the kind of money to afford that house? And all the other houses they own? We have six houses, Jade. We also have a private plane. And a yacht. And at least 10 very expensive cars. Maybe more. I’ve lost count.”
“I don’t know. Your dad owns a big chemical company. The company makes a lot of money.”
“It’s more than that. You don’t get that rich from a single company. At least not from ours.” His hands tighten around the steering wheel and he stares straight ahead into the darkness. “They do things besides run the company. And those things result in secrets that have to be kept and then they have to protect those secrets. It’s messed up. And sometimes it’s dangerous. That’s why I wanted to keep you away from all that. As far away as possible. That’s why I acted like we didn’t know each other tonight.”
“You’re making no sense. Your parents just told you to get to know me. And as for your true identity, it was just a matter of time before I knew your last name.”
“Yes, but I wanted you to get to know me before that happened. I knew you’d think differently of me when you found out I was a Kensington. And I was right. Look how you’re acting.”
“Don’t put this back on me! I’m only acting this way because you lied! If you would’ve been honest with me I wouldn’t have cared about your last name.”
He shakes his head. “Yeah, right. You would’ve said a quick hello and then kept your distance.”
“Well, I guess we’ll never know because you never gave me the chance. You just assumed what would happen and took it upon yourself to lie to somehow protect me from your scary rich parents. Ooh, I’m so scared of them. Their money might come and attack me in the night. Is that the best excuse you can come up with, Garret? You’re just like every other spoiled rich kid. You get caught in your lies and then expect everyone to forgive you. But daddy can’t buy your way out of this one.”
Garret slowly nods and looks down, then starts the car and drives back on the road. He doesn’t say another word. I can’t tell if he’s mad or offended or what. He almost seems hurt, but I refuse to feel guilty about it. His lame explanation did nothing more than leave me more confused. When we get back to campus, he doesn’t bother walking me back to my room. He just goes straight up to the second floor.
It’s late but I’m not ready to go to bed. I have to release this anger that’s been building inside me all night. I’m angry at Garret but I’m even more angry with myself for letting my guard down and trusting him. For letting myself have feelings for him that I never should have had.
I change clothes and run sprints up and down the long road that leads to and from campus. It’s about a half mile each way and I run it back and forth until my legs give out.
After a long shower, I try to sleep but my mind keeps thinking of Garret. I keep remembering how he looked when he tried to explain every
thing. He was almost panicked, like he was desperate for me to believe him. Maybe he wasn’t lying. Maybe his parents do have these deep dark secrets that he doesn’t want me involved in. If so, it’s just another reason why I need to stay away from him, even though it’s the opposite of what I want.
12
Wednesday morning marks my first official day of college. My first class is Psych 101, which I find ironic given that lately I can’t explain the psychology behind my own behavior. Like why I can’t stop thinking about a guy who lied to me since the day we met. And why I’m thinking about a guy at all when I told myself I wouldn’t get into a relationship until after college.
Hoping to get some type of explanation, I examine the syllabus only to find that the whole semester will be spent learning basic theories of well known psychologists. That’s not at all helpful. I need an in-depth psychoanalysis course in order to figure out what’s going on in my head.
Next is biology, which was not my favorite subject in high school and I’m already predicting will not be my favorite subject in college. The class itself isn’t so bad but I hate the lab part. Biology labs always have that weird smell. To make things even worse, the lab partner I’ve been assigned to informed me that he has no interest in biology and doesn’t care if he gets a bad grade. So I’ll be doing all of the work and he’ll get an A for doing nothing.
I meet up with Harper for lunch. She’s all smiles and full of energy, which I’ve figured out is just her normal disposition. At first I thought she drank too much caffeine or was taking some type of prescription medication that made her that way. But nope, it’s all natural.
“How was class?” She sits across from me eating the biggest salad I’ve ever seen one person attempt to eat. It has more green stuff in it than I’ve eaten in my entire life and she plans to eat it at all in a single meal.
“It was okay. No major disasters.”
She eyes my tray of food, which consists of a plate of French fries, a sugar cookie, and a glass of chocolate milk. “I don’t know how you eat that way and stay so skinny.”
“I run a lot. But I probably do need to eat a little better.”
“So I ran into that Blake guy this morning on my way to class. You’re right. He’s a total jerk.”
“Did he use one of his disgusting pickup lines to try to get you to sleep with him?”
“No. Just the opposite. I went up to say hi and introduce myself and before I could get a word out he said, and I quote, ‘Sorry, babe. I had a blond last week. Brunettes only this week. Try again in a month.’”
“Yeah, that sounds like Blake.”
“Why would Garret be friends with a guy like that?”
“They’re not close friends. They went to high school together and they’re both on the swim team.”
“Speaking of guys, I met this really hot guy in sociology and he asked me out for Saturday night. Can you believe that? And it’s only the first day!”
It isn’t that hard to believe. Harper is gorgeous. “Guys must ask you out all the time.”
“Are you kidding? I hardly ever get asked out.” She opens a bottle of some type of green juice drink that I’m guessing is supposed to be good for you. “In LA, everyone’s super hot. They all have work done. Add in the fake tans and the ultra white teeth and guys out there don’t even notice a girl like me.”
“That’s completely messed up.” I dip a wad of fries in my ketchup. “You’re one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks, but you should see my sister. She’s way prettier, which is why she’s a model. But between you and me, she’s had some work done. My dad said I’ll never make it in broadcasting unless I fix my nose and get my eyes lifted so they’re not so tired looking.”
“Are you serious? That’s insane.”
She shrugs as she tosses her salad with her fork. “That’s what I say. My talent should get me the job, not my looks. It’s so sexist, you know? Just think about all the ugly men on TV, especially on the sport shows I want to work on someday. Anything’s better to look at than the guys they have on there now.”
I take a bite of my cookie as I get up to leave. “I have to run to class but we should have dinner tonight unless you have plans.”
“I don’t have plans. But I might see if some other girls can join us, if that’s okay.”
“Sure, I don’t care.” Truthfully I kind of do care. I’m more comfortable talking one on one than in groups. But I suppose I need to meet some more people.
“You should invite Garret, too. I still haven’t met the guy. I saw him in the hall that day I was sick but we didn’t actually get introduced.”
“I don’t hang out with Garret anymore.”
“Why? What happened?”
“He forgot to mention his last name when we met. It’s Kensington. As in the people who are paying for me to go here. It’s too weird to hang out with him now.”
She chomps on her lettuce. “I don’t think it’s weird. Why would it be weird?”
“It’s not just that. He lied about it. He didn’t tell me who he was and I don’t like people who lie.”
“Everyone lies, Jade. In fact, I just heard that the average person lies seven times a day. Seems like a lot doesn’t it? Anyway I wouldn’t be mad at him about that. Besides, the Kensington name doesn’t have the best reputation after that fire a few years back.”
“What fire?”
“There was a fire down in Texas at one of their chemical plants. I only remember because they made a big deal about it on the news. More than 30 people died and the Kensingtons wouldn’t pay any damages to the families because they said it wasn’t their fault. Garret is probably embarrassed to be associated with them. I’m not surprised he lied about it.”
I swig the rest of my chocolate milk. “I really need to go so I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
“Okay, but bring Garret to dinner. He’s super hot. We could use some man candy at the table.”
I laugh. “Man candy? Seriously? Is that how people talk in California?” I leave before she has time to answer.
Art history is my only afternoon class and then I’m free for the rest of the day. Now I get why people want to go to college for five or six years instead of the traditional four. There’s so much open time to do whatever you want. But I need to fill that free time with a job.
After art history, I stop by the Student Services building where the job board is located. There’s almost nothing on it. Where are all the job postings? My question’s answered when a girl walks in front of me holding a designer purse that I know costs $5000. I remember seeing it on a morning talk show last summer. Students with money don’t need jobs. Hence, the almost empty job board. I spot a job at the library but then notice the listing was posted last year.
“Looking for work?”
I glance over to find Garret’s friend, Decker, standing there in red pants, a white button-up shirt, and a plaid bowtie, staring up at the job board. His clothes, along with his black rimmed glasses, almost make him look like a professor.
“Hey, Decker. I was looking for work but there’s nothing here.”
“Jade, right?” he asks, turning to me.
“Yeah. I’m surprised you remembered my name. Your friend keeps calling me Ohio.”
“Ohio? Aren’t you from Iowa?”
I knew I liked this guy. He’s a thousand times better than Blake. “Yes. But Blake insists on calling me Ohio.”
“That’s because he knows it bugs you. Just ignore him.”
“So you’re trying to get a job, too?”
“Internship. I don’t need money. I need experience. Something in journalism. Or basically any place that lets me write. I was hoping to find an internship at one of the local newspapers. If I don’t find something soon, my dad will make me intern at his law firm. And believe me, anything’s better than that.”
“Can’t you do writing at a law firm?”
“Contracts and letters. Totally boring. There�
��s no way I could do that. Plus my dad’s one of those ambulance chaser lawyers. The kind everyone hates.”
“There’s a billboard down the street for one of those law firms. Is that your dad?”
He rolls his eyes. “Yes. It’s so embarrassing. Like he couldn’t put his billboard somewhere else? He had to put it a mile from my school?”
“Now that I think about it, you do look like him. I didn’t put it together before. It said the firm’s in New York City. Is that where you’re from?”
“No, we have a house about 30 minutes from here. But my dad’s office is in New York so he has an apartment there. He’s never home.” Decker searches the job board again.
“Well, there’s nothing here that pays so I’ll see you later, Decker.” I start to leave.
“Hey, before you go, I wanted to tell you something.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“I saw Garret in class this morning and he didn’t look good.”
“Maybe he’s sick.”
“He wasn’t sick. He was upset. Like really upset. He said you two had a fight.”
“We had a disagreement over something, but I’m sure he’s forgot about it by now. He’s probably upset over something else.”
“No, I’m pretty sure he was upset because of your fight. He really likes you, Jade. I don’t know what he did or said to piss you off, but maybe you could give him another chance.”
“Did he put you up to this? I can’t believe he’s making his friends do his—”
“He didn’t put me up to this. In fact, if he knew I was even talking to you about this he’d kill me. I get that you don’t know him that well, but I’ve known him for years and he’s a good guy. Yes, he’s done his share of partying and drinking, which he said you don’t like, but he hasn’t done any of that stuff since he met you. And that’s huge, Jade.”
He waits for me to say something but I keep quiet. I like Decker but this whole conversation is making me very uncomfortable.
“Listen, you don’t have to date the guy, but maybe just don’t shut him out completely. At least not yet. That’s all I’m saying.”
Choosing You Page 10