“Have you considered tutoring?” Frank rubbed his hand over his stomach. “Your grades are excellent. I’m sure you could make decent money, especially around here.”
Was he for real? I was already a loser as far as my classmates were concerned. Asking for their money so I could show them how academically superior I was wouldn’t gain me any popularity. In fact, the only thing I’d probably get out of it was more dirty looks and nasty rumors. And knowing my luck—a flashy lawsuit for something ridiculous. Olivia was already under the impression I was “trading favors” with her brother.
“No,” I said after a moment. “I don’t have the patience to teach.”
“You should think about it.” He nodded as if that were the end of the conversation.
I didn’t bother to respond. He wouldn’t acknowledge me if I did, and I wasn’t going to fight with him. Though, his suggestion was burrowing deeper into my brain.
Being a tutor didn’t mean I had to tutor kids from my school. I could work with younger kids from the elementary school, or even kids from other local high schools. Maybe I should post an ad online, see what happened.
“Oh, you know what we should do, Frank?” Larissa placed her hand on his arm, her eyes bright with excitement. “We should pay Chloe to go through all those boxes of pictures and documents in the attic and scan them into the computer.” She turned to me, smiling. “What do you think? It would give you something to do and a little bit of spending money.”
“Yeah, but it won’t get me out of the house.” I mentally cringed and took a deep, calming breath. “I mean, how many new people am I going to meet in the attic?” I laughed despite the sinking feeling in my chest.
She sighed and nodded. “You’re absolutely right.”
“It’s a great idea,” Dad said before pinning me with a stern glare. “If you don’t have any luck finding a job, you can take Larissa up on her offer.”
“Yes, sir.” I gritted my teeth and clenched my hands into fists under the table. I had to find a job, and I no longer cared what kind of job as long as it got me out of this house.
“Great!” Larissa pushed away from the table and stood. “I bought a cheesecake for dessert. Would either of you like a slice?”
“No thanks. I still have homework to finish.”
That was a lie. I needed to finish going through the job listings, post an ad for tutoring services, and call Ellie. I took my plate to the kitchen, and then headed upstairs.
Little Frank’s room was across the hall from mine, and I could hear the nanny’s muted voice followed by Little Frank’s giggles. Despite myself, I smiled and debated peeking my head in to check on him. Allowing myself to get attached to him would only make leaving harder. It was best to keep my distance.
I veered off into my room and closed the door. My laptop was still on my bed where I’d left it. After changing into pajamas, I climbed into bed and opened the job listings site I’d found earlier. I applied to a few places, but I wasn’t really excited about them. Regardless, a job was a job, and anything that would get me out of this house was worth it.
An hour and six applications later, I’d exhausted my possibilities. I quickly wrote and posted an ad for tutoring services, noting I specialized in English, some math, and Biology. I included my name, cell phone number, and email, though I doubted anyone would actually hire me.
Closing my laptop and setting it on the floor, I grabbed my cell phone. I had two text messages.
Abby: SORRY I BAILED EARLIER.
Abby: WHAT’RE YOU DOING? CALL ME!
I also had a voicemail from Aunt Beth. Heart racing, I listened to it. “Hi, Chloe. I hope you’re doing okay. When you get a chance, please call me back. There are a few things I need to go over with you. Dean says hi. We love and miss you.”
I closed my eyes against the threat of tears. Since I’d been here, my father hadn’t once said he loved me. Opening my call log, I easily found Aunt Beth’s number. My finger was poised over the call button when my screen lit up with a notification.
Simon Parker has sent you a friend request.
A tiny thrill shot through me. I quickly accepted his request and then called Aunt Beth.
She answered on the second ring. “Chloe.” She sounded genuinely happy to hear from me. “How are you?”
“Okay.” My voice was shaky, but I didn’t know why. Abby had already given me the bad news. “Been keeping busy with school, and I’m looking for a part time job.”
“That’s great.” She paused, and I could picture her smiling, her eyes alight with pride and excitement. “Dean and I met with our lawyer.”
“I know,” I said, then cringed. “I mean, Abby already told me. She knows she wasn’t supposed to, but I begged her. Please don’t yell at her.” I frowned.
Silence.
“Aunt Beth?”
“That child.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you, but I promise we’re not giving up.”
“It’s all right.” My shoulders slumped with defeat. “It’s not much longer until I’m eighteen.”
Plus, if I got a job, being stuck here would be slightly more bearable. And I had one friend now, so that was cool. At least, I thought I did. I still wasn’t sure what Simon’s motives were.
“Well, you can guarantee that the day you turn eighteen, we will be there to bring you home,” she said.
My chest seized at her words and the intensity of her tone. “You’d really do that?” I expected to have to find my own way back to Keene Valley.
“Of course, we will. You’re part of this family, Chloe. You belong here with us. Besides, I’ve always wanted to see California.”
I laughed. “Thanks, Aunt Beth.” I leaned back against my pillows and closed my eyes. One more month… I could survive that long.
“You bet.” She sighed again.
She seemed unusually agitated. I hoped telling her that Abby had already given me the bad news hadn’t upset her too much. And I really hoped Abby didn’t get into trouble—she’d never forgive me.
“Well, I’d better get going. I’ll call again tomorrow, okay?” Aunt Beth said.
“Okay. I’ll talk to ya tomorrow. Love you,” I said, then ended the call.
Blowing out a breath, I rubbed my hands over my face. Even though it was only a month away, it felt like an eternity. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I hastily wiped them away. Calling Ellie would have to wait until tomorrow because I couldn’t handle her rambling right now, and I didn’t want her to know how miserable I was.
I slid beneath my blankets and pulled them up to my chin. But my not-so-brilliant plan to sleep the next month away was interrupted by another notification. Simon had sent me a message.
CHAPTER FOUR:
Social Pariah
I SNUGGLED DEEPER BENEATH THE BLANKETS and opened the messenger app to read what Simon had sent.
Simon: I WANT ICE CREAM.
I shook my head. That was totally random. I typed a reply, deleted it, then typed another one.
Me: SO GO GET SOME.
I hit send, then bit my bottom lip. Was that rude? Maybe that message wasn’t even meant for me. He was going to think I was a jerk. Or a freak. I groaned. Why did socializing with new people have to be so hard?
A moment later, I got a reply.
Simon: WANT TO COME WITH?
My eyes widened. First, he asked me to the concert, and now he was asking me to go have ice cream with him? What on earth was happening?
Me: SORRY. ALREADY IN MY PJS. I added the shrugging emoji and hit send.
Instantly, I received a grinning emoji followed by, TELL ME MORE.
I let out a surprised laugh. Before I could type anything, he sent another one.
Simon: SORRY. THAT WAS RUDE. I’LL BRING YOU ICE CREAM TOMORROW. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
And then the little green circle indicating he was online disappeared. I stared at my phone in disbelief. Disappointment crept up. I should’ve said yes.
But then I would’ve had to ask Frank and Larissa, and I did not want to have that conversation with them again. Plus, I wanted to give Simon a heads up about meeting them and give him the chance to bail. I would not force him to meet my dad and stepmom; although, I had a feeling he wouldn’t mind.
I SHOVED MY BOOKS into my bag, stuck my earbuds in my ears, and cranked up the volume on my phone. The opening cords of Faithless filled my ears and calmed my nerves. Head down, I hurried out of the classroom and across the outdoor quad that was now full of students.
This place was tolerable during classes, but lunch was what I imagined prison must be like. Normally, no one bothered me, and I’m hoping that stayed the same, but ever since Simon talked to me yesterday, people have been whispering and snickering. And I knew it was about me.
Hitching my strap higher on my shoulder, I stayed close to the building and ducked around the corner. The technology and English buildings were too close together for any tables, which made it a great hideaway.
I headed for the small tree about halfway down and tossed my bag to the ground before lowering myself to the grass. Then I took a deep breath. Only two and a half more hours to go.
Opening my email on my phone, I scrolled through my messages until I got to one from the local animal shelter. I’d applied there last night.
Sitting straighter, I opened it and read it so fast I couldn’t comprehend anything it said. I forced myself to slow down and read it again. My hopes were dashed when I realized they’d only emailed to let me know the position had already been filled.
Ugh. I yanked my earbuds out and shut off my music. I lifted my head to see Simon standing above me, grinning.
“I promised you ice cream.” He held a second ice cream bar in his other hand.
“Thanks.” I took the stick and smiled.
He sat beside me and licked at his ice cream.
I quickly looked away, not wanting him to catch me staring. “How did you know I was here?”
“You always sit here at lunch.” He took a bite of the frozen, chocolate concoction.
Should I be flattered or upset at how much attention he paid to my habits? Clearly, I wasn’t as invisible around here as I thought.
I took a small bite of my ice cream before it could start to melt. Would Simon insist on sitting here with me from now on? If he did, I wouldn’t object—unless he decided to invite his friends. Or his sister. I frowned.
“I can see why you like to hide here.” He looked around. “It’s quiet.”
“I’m not hiding,” I said, but I couldn’t make my lie convincing to my own ears—no way Simon believed me.
“I get it.” He nudged my shoulder with his. “I’m just sorry I didn’t find this place first.”
I laughed. “Well, as long as you don’t tell anyone, you’re welcome to sit here with me.”
Embarrassment snaked up my neck and exploded on my face, and I focused on my ice cream, praying he wouldn’t notice. Just because he’d been nice and invited me to a concert didn’t mean he wanted to hang out all the time.
“Just you and me, yeah?” He nodded. “I like that even more.”
I took another bite of my ice cream to stop from grinning like an idiot. We finished our treats in silence.
“So, about Friday…” I picked at the grass. “My dad and stepmom said I can go, but you have to come to the door so they can meet you.”
“That’s all?”
I nodded.
“Well, I already planned on that. My mum would give me a proper arse kicking if I didn’t.” He laughed.
My body slouched with relief. But then my heart kickstarted, and my limbs tingled with nerves. What if Frank and Larissa didn’t like him? What if they said something super embarrassing? Maybe I could come up with a believable excuse to get out of going.
“We’re going to grab food after the concert,” he said.
The ever-present knot in my stomach tightened. “We? As in, you and me? Or are there others going with us?”
“Livi and her bloke of the week.” He leaned back, propping himself on his hands, and rolled his eyes.
My ears burned with both anger and disappointment. Why hadn’t I thought to ask him that before I’d agreed to go? Because having that information would have changed my answer.
“I don’t think your sister likes me.” I continued to pick at the grass. “Maybe I shouldn’t go.”
“She doesn’t like anyone.” He chuckled, the sound so easy and carefree. It was hard to be too serious around him. “Honestly, Livi is a nob who’s all mouth and no trousers.”
Head tilted, I stared at him, confused. “What?”
He straightened and wiped the grass from his hands. “All bark and no bite,” he said with a dramatic snap of his teeth.
I laughed nervously. I wasn’t so sure about that. Glancing at him, I caught him staring at me expectantly.
“So, you’re going, yeah?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
I wasn’t going to let Olivia ruin the only friendship I had—this wasn’t going to be another Rachel situation. I froze. I hadn’t thought about Abby’s dead best friend in… I didn’t know how long.
But the way she’d always looked at me like I was disgusting, and the way she’d speak to me like I was a snot-nosed child not worthy of her attention came flooding back to me. And then she’d died in a tragic hiking accident.
“All right, then.” He stood and slipped his backpack over his shoulder. “Ready?”
His words were cut off by the bell ringing. I cringed at the sound. With a sigh, I fell into step beside Simon. Part of me wished he’d take off ahead of me, but he was keeping pace.
My heart rate steadily increased, and the tips of my ears burned. We walked past Olivia, and she gave me a dirty look.
“Simon, love,” she said sweetly. What a fraud. She approached, her designer handbag dangling from her wrist. “I thought I told you last night to get rid of the trash.” She glanced at me, one perfectly trimmed eyebrow lifting with contempt.
“And I told you to bugger off.” He scowled.
“Do you realize how your friendship with her is affecting me? People are talking, Simon, and I will not have my reputation destroyed because you want a quick romp with the charity case.”
I gritted my teeth, my hand curling into a fist. A charity case? Who did she think she was? I opened my mouth to tell her she could go sit on a cactus, but her boyfriend—Ethan—arrived and draped his arm around her shoulders.
“C’mon, Livi. Play nice.” He kissed her cheek.
I turned on my heel and walked away. They could say whatever they wanted about me, but I wasn’t going to stand there and listen to it. I marched into the English building, anger burning through my veins.
“Chloe!” Simon caught up to me and gently touched my arm. “I’m sorry about her.”
“Look.” I stopped and gripped the strap of my backpack, squeezing it harder than needed. “It’s really not a good idea for me to go to the concert with you, so feel free to invite someone else.”
“What? Why? Because of my sister?” His tone was incredulous.
“Yes.” I swallowed hard, refusing to show him how much the situation bothered me.
“Really. Don’t worry about her.” A slow smile pulled at his lips. “I told her if she wasn’t nice, I was going to tell Mum and Dad that she was shagging Ethan in the hot tub.”
My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. “Why would you do that?”
He laughed. “Because she doesn’t get to be mean for no reason. And I’m tired of her telling me what to do.”
“Yeah, but…” I licked my lips. “Why are you sticking up for me? I mean, there are so many girls in this school that you could hang out with. Why me?”
He tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing. “Why is it so hard for you to accept that I like you?”
I shrugged. “You know I’m not sticking around for long, right? As soon as I’m eighteen, I’m going back to New York
,” I said.
I couldn’t explain it, but I had to get back to Keene Valley. There was a reason I needed to be there—I just didn’t know what that reason was. Not yet. But whatever it was, it was soul-deep, and I would never be the same again, not until I made it back home.
“When’s your birthday?” he asked.
“June twenty-eighth.”
He began to walk toward class, and I once again fell into step with him.
“I’ll throw you a huge birthday bash before you go, then.” He winked and then disappeared into his class.
I spun on my heel to head toward my own class when my phone buzzed. If I answered it, I’d probably end up being late to class, but if it was someone calling about my ad or one of the jobs I applied for, I needed to know. I pulled my phone from my bag. There was a text message from a number I didn’t recognize.
Unknown: SAW YOUR AD FOR TUTORING SERVICES. I NEED HELP IN A FEW OF MY CLASSES.
Wow. I honestly hadn’t expected to get any responses. I hesitated, though. What if someone from this school saw the ad and decided to mess with me? But if it wasn’t just a sick joke, I had the potential to make some extra cash.
Me: WHAT SCHOOL DO YOU GO TO? AND WHAT CLASSES?
Phone clutched in my hand, I raced down the now almost empty hallway toward my next class. I rushed inside and took my seat.
Unknown: MALIBU HIGH. ALL OF THEM. There was a frowning emoji.
For some reason, that made me chuckle. Meeting with this person couldn’t hurt.
Me: CAN YOU MEET ME TODAY? 4:30 PM AT ANNIE’S BOOKSTORE CAFÉ?
Unknown: I’LL BE THERE.
Smiling, I shoved my phone back into my bag. I’d have to text Larissa to let her know what was going on, but she’d understand. When class was over, I checked my phone and found three new messages from whomever I was supposed to be tutoring.
Unknown: THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO ME.
Unknown: COFFEE IS ON ME TODAY, BTW. There was a smiling emoji.
Unknown: I’LL BE THE GUY SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE STORE. TALL. DARK HAIR. BLUE EYES. BIG MUSCLES. YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO MISS ME.
My eyes widened, and my heart slammed against my ribs. I was meeting a guy? For some reason, I’d assumed it was a girl. Maybe I should text back and tell him something came up, and I couldn’t meet with him.
Eternal Choice: (The Cursed Series, Book 2) Page 3