Sand dollar

by Hollye Davis

  Cloe grabbed her finger and said, “Then why do you care?”

  Victoria looked dumbly at her as if she couldn’t come up with a comeback. Taking advantage at her obvious confusion, Cloe let go of Victoria’s finger and grabbed Kim’s hand, leaving the inebriated idiot to her own company.

  Cloe asked Kim, “Is she still there?”

  Kim answered, “Yeah, sending you death glares. Boy you just piss off beautiful people or something.” Cloe chuckled, that was the truth, but she was done allowing them to walk all over her.

  When they arrived back at the table no one was there. She looked for Edwin and Cole but couldn’t find them. She asked Kim and she pointed over to the top of Cole’s head and Edwin was standing next to him. They were surrounded by a group of women and both carried anxious expressions. When Edwin made eye contact with her he relaxed, turned to Cole, and the next thing she know both men were physically moving the women aside making their way toward them. She watched him walk toward her, enjoying the light that shined from his eyes, igniting her. Kim leaned over to her and said “Good grief Cloe, the heat you two put off is positively dangerous.” Cloe laughed diminishing some of the intense feelings she had been feeling.

  Edwin slid in next to her and kissed her on the cheek. He leaned down to her ear and whispered, “I love you.” She would never get tired of hearing that. He asked, “Are you ready to go?” He also knew her real well.

  She thought a moment and answered, “We should spend some time with Kim and Cole.” They stayed for a little while longer, for Kim and Cole’s sake but the music and atmosphere was beginning to take its toll on her. Edwin sensed her fading and he dug out his phone and spoke in it. They told their friends bye and escaped out a back door she don’t think very many people knew about. There was a limo waiting in a back alley.

  Sometime during the ride she must have fallen asleep because no sooner did she think that she closed her eyes then Edwin was pulling her out of the limo in front of the cottage. The limo driver said, “Have a nice morning Mr.McRoy.” and drove off.

  “Oh…uhhh, I’m not used to that. Do you want me to call you Jason?” She asked sleepily.

  “Absolutely not, I have always been Edwin to those who know me.”

  “Good, I like Edwin, Jason not so much….he’s a stranger. Edwin is my horse.” He choked on laughter. She was so tired she didn’t even realize what she had said until a few moments later when Edwin was still snorting out laughter. She patted his chest, “Oh, you know what I mean.”

  He helped her up to the cottage front door and took her to her bedroom where she collapsed like a rubber doll.

  “You’d think you were drunk or something.”

  “mphfff” She initially said but when she turned her head she said, “I feel like it, well at least I think this is what it would feel like.” He laughed.

  “Cloe, you make me laugh. You’re too funny.”

  “Uh huh,” and she passed out. Sometime in the morning when she woke up her wig was gone and her hair was loose. She turned toward Edwin who was playing with a lock of it.

  “I like your hair. I will not sleep without it.”

  She laughed.

  “I kind of liked the brown straight hair, it made me different and I was fun.” She grinned at him.

  “No, Cloe it was you. It was you letting go. I liked it, but I like this Cloe too.” He kissed her nose, then her chin, then her jaw…

  “Did you hear that?” she asked Edwin.

  “No,” He was trailing his kisses down her neck. She heard the knock again.

  “Umm, Edwin, I think someone is at the door.” but he ignored her. He was at her collarbone and she was having a hard time concentrating.

  “At our bedroom door, EDWIN!” She yelled, pushing him away. He laughed as he gave one last nip on her jaw.

  “Who is it,” Cloe yelled.

  “Kim,” she answered, “open up!”

  Cloe checked to see if they were decent the hollered, “come in”

  Kim busted through the door but stopped with her jaw gaping when she saw Edwin. He was barechested and had an evil grin on his face.

  Cloe narrowed her eyes at Kim. “Hello! Remember Cole?”

  Kim blinked a few times and turned red. “Oh yeah, well I actually had a purpose here, if I could just remember what it was.” She was still staring at Edwin’s bare chest. Edwin grinned bigger and Cloe rolled her eyes, scooped up his shirt on the ground near her side of the bed and threw it at him.

  “Edwin put your shirt on. Good grief, I think she is going to have a coronary right here.” He laid his head back laughing while sliding the shirt on.

  Kim cleared her throat, clearly trying to gather her thoughts. Cloe finally gave up and asked, “What’s in your hands Kim?”

  When Kim looked down it was comical to watch her reaction as she finally realized why she was standing in her room.

  “Oh yeah! I thought you guys might want to read this.” Kim thrust out a computer print off. Then she looked at Edwin and explained sheepishly, “Since I met you and your friends, I have been a bit obsessed reading all the blogs and junk out there about you guys. Most of it’s wrong and it’s actually funny. However, this morning I came across some gossip on that news gossip rag website that seems to always break all the news, JXL or something like that. Anyway here you go.” She pointed at the papers.

  Cloe gave an amused look at Edwin who was expressionless. She started reading it out loud.

  “In a rare sighting the Chardonnay cast was

  spotted living it up last night at local

  hot spot exclusive club.”

  She looked at Edwin amazed, “Geez that’s fast.”

  He looked at his fingernails, “Welcome to my life Cloe.” She shook her head and continued reading.

  “Bombshells Christine, Penelope, and Sandra

  escorted unknown newbie speculated to be

  the newest cast member of Chardonnay.” “Oh good grief, that’s ridiculous,” Cloe rolled her eyes. Kim and Edwin shared a look.

  “The long-legged sexy brown-haired friend

  sent a tidal-wave of reaction through the

  exclusive club but it was good-boy star

  Jason McRoy’s reaction that startled most spectators. Reports said that McRoy claimed mystery girl almost immediately on the dance floor in a very public display of affection. McRoy is notorious of being an extremely private person and has been consistent in his denial about his relationship with co-star Victoria Bouche. Bouche, who is no stranger to clubs, also put in an intoxicated showing at the club. Reports said that the reception of the soon to be former co-star was cold at best. Bouche seemed steamed by the fireworks going off by McRoy and friend. The question is who is the beautiful mystery lady? She may be the next big star on Chardonnay, or she could be simply a hook-up for McRoy. Reports say that it is was obvious their acquaintance had been long established before this night.” JXL.

  “They are so ridiculous. It’s rubbish, the only part that is true is that we did make out in the middle of the dance floor!” Both Kim and Edwin stared at her.

  Kim said softly, “Cloe, you think the rest of that is lies? I mean seriously? You don’t think you caused a reaction when you dressed like that and everything?

  Cloe shook her head.

  “Cloe, I probably tell you this like every single day, but you’re so weird!” Kim stomped out of the room.

  She looked at Edwin and said, “What did I say?”

  He shook his head and said, “Love, you are unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I wish there was some way I could convince you that you’re beautiful and talented and wonderful…but I guess I’ll just let it go and tell you that I love you. We can work on all the rest for the rest of our lives.”

  As usual her heart sped up at the thought of being with Edwin forever. She would work with Edwin on anything for the rest of her life. She kissed him sweetly then got out of the bed. He groaned his disappointment.

  “I need to tal
k to Kim, okay?” He nodded grumpily.

  She quickly threw on some shorts and shirt and walked out to find Kim sitting in the living room just watching the ocean. Cloe ruffled Kim’s hair on the way to the kitchen to put on the coffee for Edwin and to start some breakfast. Kim followed her.

  “So how steamy did things get last night with Cole?” Cloe asked.

  Kim gave a telling blush.

  “What time did you get home?” Cloe asked while pulling eggs out of the refrigerator.

  “Oh about 3am and you know what? No one noticed. Crazy huh?”

  “Well that’s not the worst thing that can happen to you but I totally understand it would be nice to know someone cared.”

  “Yeah. I did ask Cole to the prom though.”

  “Really? What did he say?”

  “He said he would go.” Kim said unenthusiastically.

  “Well don’t act too excited.” Cloe answered sarcastically.

  “Are you sure you won’t go?” Kim gave her a pleading look.

  “You know I can’t. With Edwin and everything…it’s impossible.”

  “What if you asked Tom, I know he would give his right arm to go on a date with you, much more for the prom.”

  “No, I would never do that to Edwin. Tom’s a good friend and all but it wouldn’t be fair to anyone to use him like that.”

  “You wouldn’t be using him and I’m sure Edwin would understand.”

  Cloe shot her a “you’ve got to be kidding me look.” Then went back to heating the frying pan.

  “Just forget about it Kim. You can report the whole thing to me. Besides, I don’t want to attend any after school event that had Britney there being crowned.”

  “Good point,” Kim said, but she still seemed down about it.

  “You’ll have Jody,” She said hoping to cheer Kim up but it didn’t work. She looked like her dog just had a litter of Kittens.

  Cloe went to set the kitchen table when she noticed Edwin in the living room pacing. He looked deep in thought. She touched him on the arm causing him to stop.

  “What’s wrong, you didn’t get a call or something? You aren’t leaving again are you?”

  “No, not leaving. I was thinking about the prom.”

  It took Cloe a minute to answer wondering why in the world he was thinking about prom. “Prom? Why?”

  “I want to go.” This set Cloe back as she shook her head, not sure she had heard him right.

  “What?!” She asked a bit alarmed.

  “I’ve never been. It will be cool.” He must have lost his mind.

  “Edwin if you go, you know it’ll be crazy.”

  “I think I have it figured out. I will make some phone calls. Besides we have time right? When is it?”

  “In February,” she answered.

  Kim was jumping up and down in the kitchen forgoing all pretenses of not eavesdropping. She came running from the kitchen and slammed into Edwin and her for a very enthusiastic hug.

  “Thank you!!!!!” Kim said laughing.

  I had worked so hard for so long to forget about any holiday. I didn’t want to hate them but I kind of did. It seemed that holidays just pointed out how alone I was or it gave people excuses to be crueler because of the guise of stress. Now, even though I know I am not alone anymore, and my life is much improved, nearly perfect, I still can’t seem not to hate holidays

  - just a little bit. – Cloe’s diary

  Chapter 24 Christmas Christmas was coming too quickly and she didn’t know what to give Edwin – it was very stressful. She thought Christoph might offer some suggestions but when she hung up with him she said out loud to nobody, “He’s worthless.”

  Aunt had walked in during her outburst and laughed, “Well I could have told you that.” Then she waited a second to add, “Who are we talking about?”

  “I’m talking about Christoph. I called to ask for help on Edwin’s Christmas gift and you know what he told me? Get him some cologne.”

  “He’s worthless,” aunt confirmed and sat down next to her.

  “How can I help?” In which they sat for a long time discussing what she should get Edwin. It is difficult when the man had everything. They decided something out of the ordinary was called for and that was when she finally got an idea. She smiled at aunt, rose from the couch, and went to her room to pull down her box of things she had collected throughout the year. It was so full that the lid barely fit on anymore. She sat on her bed and sorted through them for a long time, as she separated them she smiled at each memory, loving him more.

  When Edwin arrived home he gave her a hug and kiss while she was cooking his dinner. She loved the feel of him from behind her and she leaned into him. After a moment he went off to talk to aunt in the living room. When she set the table she heard Edwin say “It’s all set then.”

  “What’s all set, what are you two planning over there?”

  “Oh nothing important, don’t worry,” Aunt said with a big grin and wink.

  Right, now she knew something was up and so she put her hands on her hips and gave them both “don’t mess with me” glare. They both laughed but wouldn’t tell her what they were discussing. She hated surprises.

  The next day was the last day of school before Christmas break. She was so thankful. Cloe was tired of seeing Britney’s spoiled face and she was tired of the whole school experience. Even if everything was running smoother for her then it had in years, she still was tired of it all.

  She dragged herself out of Edwin’s car, past Kim and Cole making out in the parking lot - how cute – and into the school.

  She sat down in her homeroom class and was rooting through her book bag for pen when an announcement was made.

  “This year we are going to do something different for prom,” the static-laden disembodied voice blared through the ceiling speaker, “it’s going to be a masquerade…” Cloe didn’t hear anymore, she didn’t need to. This had Edwin written all over it. She sat back in her chair and grinned like an idiot. He now made it possible for him to go without being seen, clever guy.

  When Kim found her walking to another class she waved and ran up to her. She looked around sneakily before whispering, “Damn your boyfriend is something else.”

  Cloe shook her head grinning back, “He is something all right.”

  The day was winding down to be a really good day. Edwin was going to the prom with her, no one was bothering her, and she got an A on a English paper. But it was all about to go down hill when the her teacher handed her a note saying the Vice Principal wanted her to go to his office. All the elation of her last day before Christmas vacation came crashing down. Her feet dragged as she was led in to the Vice Principal’s office once again. Nothing ever good comes out of this place.

  To her surprise the guys normal confident expression was replaced by pale and nervous one.

  “Umm, I just wanted to say that I am sincerely sorry for the way things have been going at the school.”

  What?! She stood staring at him, her mouth gaping open like a canyon.

  The pasty sweaty guy Vice Principal continued, “We will do everything in our power to make sure your remaining time here will be comfortable.”

  What the hell? Was this some rerun of Xfiles or something, did the guy eat tainted chicken?

  “That will be all,” and he waved her off.

  She was so dumbfounded she didn’t know what to do. Turning she blink blankly at the door. She had to tell herself to move and eventually found her way out of his office and to her final class where she didn’t learn the first thing. She would know hell had truly frozen over if Britney came and gave her hug and apologized as well.

  Edwin was waiting out in the parking lot with a huge grin. She hugged him and said, “I don’t know how you do it but you must be very persuasive.”

  “Things are going to get a lot better, Cloe,” He had a secretive smile. She didn’t like it, she didn’t like secrets, she frowned at him and he laughed, kissed her nose and put the c
ar in drive.

  As they drove down the road she explained to Edwin about the odd visit to the Vice Principal. Edwin was not surprised. He just smiled as he explained, “My father knows some pretty powerful people and I put in a word about a girl who had been treated poorly at one of the bigger school districts. I suggested that the school administration should take a look at how it had been handled.”

  “Oh Edwin, I appreciate that, but you don’t have to try to fix everything in my life. I’m a big girl and I can handle it.”

  “I know Cloe,” He slid his hand into her lap, “I want to do these things for you. I want to help you.”

  She sighed, looking out the window. She needed to figure out a way to stop Edwin from trying to fix everything broken. It was impossible. She sighed again. She knew there are worst things in life, such as when she had absolutely no one.

  When Edwin pulled into the cottage’s drive, Cloe was happy to find her aunt’s car was parked there. It was rare her aunt was home at this time and she worried that something might be wrong. Edwin acted as if nothing at all was odd at all as he escorted her up the wooden stairs.

  When they walked in Aunt wasn’t immediately present. Before Cloe would go look for her, she decided to go to her bedroom and put her backpack down.

  It seemed a simple enough task but her world spun out of control when she walked through her bedroom door. All of the luggage Aunt had bought her was on her bed full of her clothes. Her backpack slid to the ground and she wobbled slightly. Pain shot everywhere and oh God she couldn’t breathe.

  Her aunt was kicking her out. When the words entered her brain she really began to panic. She tried to take a breath but her throat clinched. She thought she was going to die. She grabbed hold of the door jam and her eyes started to tear, her throat groaned as she tried to fill her lungs. Aunt was kicking her out – Oh God… that was worse than breathing. She slid down to the floor, spots floating in front of her eyes. She could hear Edwin yell, he sounded so far away. She vaguely could see her aunt lean down in front of her, “Oh my God Cloe! Get a paper bag Edwin, I think she is hyperventilating!”