by Nora Cobb
It’s not a promise to do nothing. Taylor alludes to the fact that Arielle won’t be publicly shamed. Arielle has done a lot in the short time that she’s been a part of the Blackwater household, but like Troy, Taylor won’t expose her.
“Lucas, you were right.” Taylor stands up and walks toward the archway into the hall. “Arielle broke the clause before you.” Her eyes soften as she looks at her son. “I can always trust you.”
I’d like to say that she gives me a kind look, but Taylor is guarded as she tells me to follow her. Slowly, I get up from the couch and walk behind her as Lucas follows. My knees are trembling as we walk into Dale Bellman’s office. Taylor points to a chair across from his desk and Lucas sits in the chair beside me.
Slowly, I look up and meet Dale Bellman’s tough gaze. My knees shake harder as my left foot bounces on the floor. The man has a presence that commands respect, and I can’t imagine how Arielle thought she was going to trap this family under her thumb. Lucas inherited his good looks and poise from his mother, but his height and coloring are from his father. Mr. Bellman nods his head in my direction, but I can barely speak.
“You have something to show me, Natalie?”
I nod and with a will of its own, my hand places the phone on his desk. I had a speech prepared, but I can’t remember a word. I want to emphasize that I don’t approve of underhanded tactics that could do irreparable damage. I want no part of this seediness. I’m the messenger, but in this case that holds a bigger weight than just posting a flyer on the school bulletin board.
Mr. Bellman watches the video, but unlike his wife and Lucas, his face doesn’t portray his emotions. If anything, he examines it as if it were an insect pinned to a glass slide under a microscopic lens.
My knees are still shaking. Lucas reaches over and presses his hand on my knee despite Taylor’s watchful frown.
“Whose phone is this?” Mr. Bellman looks at me, and slowly, I realize he wants me to answer.
“It’s Anthony Lange’s. It’s a burner phone.”
“Is this the original or a copy?”
I shake my head. “It’s the original. I think.”
He leans back and tents his hands. His crystal blue eyes pierce my confidence as my stomach churns.
“Is this boy willing to talk to us?”
“He might be. But I can’t say for sure.”
“How did you get it?”
I swallow then speak. “He gave it to me.”
“Why?”
“We used to be close, but we had a falling out. He shared photos of me that were private.” My voice speeds up. “He’s done some rotten things. He’s trying to make it up to me.”
Mr. Bellman glances at Lucas, and then back to me. “This boy likes you?”
“We’re friends,” I reply.
“Why are you nervous, Natalie?”
I let out a low sigh. “Because I find you intimidating. And because I didn’t expect to be interrogated. And this is very hard for me to do.”
“What did you expect?” Mr. Bellman asks. “Praise and admiration?”
My knee stops shaking. “Not being talked down to would’ve been nice,” I reply civilly. “I’m the good one. You don’t need to intimidate me.”
Mr. Bellman laughs. The man is laughing at me. He sees the flash of anger in my eyes. And the laugh mellows into a sneering grin. Mr. Bellman stands and places the phone in a tall wood file cabinet by the wall. He reaches into his pocket and locks it as we watch.
“You’re smart to be scared of me, Natalie.” He’s smiling, but his gaze could crack ice. “Arielle was never scared of me. Or anybody. She underestimates people. That’s how that boy was able to get that video. She let her guard down. Never let your guard down.”
I don’t reply. It’s something I learned from school, and I don’t need the lecture. I’m ready to leave but I freeze instead.
Lucas’ father walks toward me and hands me a pile of photos. I look through them as his parents watch me closely. These are the pictures of Lucas and me in Miami, including pictures I hadn’t known were taken. Me playing volleyball with the boys. Lucas sitting beside me in the sand. Lucas holding me in the dark on the patio. My fingers touch the image of Lucas looking at me with loving eyes. I treasure it in my heart because no one can look at this and say he doesn’t love me.
“The Blackwaters are claiming that you have an ongoing relationship with my son. Is this true?”
“Dad,” cautions Lucas.
“Natalie, I need a truthful answer,” replies Mr. Bellman.
“I’m seeing Lucas, but we’re careful.”
Mr. Bellman points at the pictures. “This is not careful.”
Mr. Bellman shakes his head and then sits on the corner of the desk close to me. His voice lowers, and finally, his eyes actually see me as I am. Not a threat to his fortune, but a girl who truly loves his son.
“Understand this, Natalie. You and Lucas cannot make a mistake,” he explains. “Even though these photos are innocent, they still present a problem. Limit your interactions to school and stay in groups.” He takes the photos out of my hands. “Just remember, someone is always waiting to take us down.”
I try not to reveal my thoughts on my face. Mr. Bellman used the word us. The weight in the room shifts, and without being told, we’re dismissed. I stand to leave along with Lucas.
“Natalie,” Mr. Bellman calls me back.
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you for trusting us with the video. It will bolster our case significantly. You’re a brave woman.”
We shake hands stiffly. His large hand covers mine like a paw. And there’s something in his gaze that makes me feel that it would be impossible to hide anything from him.
I smile weakly and then hurry out the door. I don’t plan on staying a second longer. No matter how badly I want to speak to Lucas. Lucas walks me to the door but before he can pull it open, Taylor stops him.
“I’ll walk Natalie to her car.” She smiles. “It will look less suspicious that way.”
Lucas nods and takes a step back. His hand brushes mine and briefly, his fingers curl along mine before he lets go.
It’s a relief to get out of that house. I can feel the sadness and the strife lift off me as I step outside in the cool spring air. It’s still light outside, and the tulips are blooming along the circular drive. A part of me wants to run to my car and jump in it, leaving Taylor behind on the drive. But I don’t dare. This woman may be my mother-in-law someday.
“Natalie?”
I cringe, but I would be a fool if I hadn’t expected her to say something before I tear out of here in my Audi.
“Natalie, I may have misjudged you.” Her smile reaches her eyes. “You’re going to Tampa?”
I nod, and she looks even happier.
“When Lucas has his freedom again,” she continues, “I want to encourage him to have different experiences than the ones that he’s been limited to here.”
And there it is. I barely say goodbye before I pull away. I wasn’t expecting a parade of admirers, but I also didn’t expect some backhanded advice. I watch Taylor in my rearview mirror and wonder if she’s trying to decide who’s the lesser of two evils—me or Arielle.
CHAPTER 25
Natalie
As May begins, there’s a radical shift in the Montlake hierarchy. Arielle’s secret deal has come to light despite my earnest intentions to keep it private. The following weekend, Anthony brags about the blow job to a kid at West Lake. And like a serpent that follows a slimy trail, the news makes its way back to Montlake in due time.
True, Anthony used a burner phone, but he obviously kept a copy of the video to share with his friends. Thankfully, I’m no longer included in that group as I glare at him from across the lunchroom. Anthony claims the video was a way to win me back, but in the end, he uses his gross sex tape to hurt another girl, though she’s far from innocent.
Things are tense between Troy and me as we sit down at the second
lunch table together. “Are you going to start talking to me again?” Troy watches me with a stern expression.
I switch my attention off Anthony and on to him. I shrug my shoulders. “You’re not the one I’m pissed at.” His eyes follow my gaze. “So, consider yourself lucky.”
Troy’s mouth stretches into a smile, and I laugh at my own joke. I can’t stay mad with Troy because we have a different opinion. He respects mine, and I hope he’ll understand me better. We’ve got a lot to learn about life while we live it together.
And I definitely can’t stay angry when I see Lucas bounding into the lunchroom. He’s like a happy puppy running through an open gate. The lawyers are arguing over the fidelity clause, but he’s confident that Arielle’s grasp is slipping. Lucas stops at the first table where Cora and Lexi are seated. Mancuso sits at the table behind Cora with his chair pulled close to hers.
“Ladies,” he smiles, “it’s time for a change.”
Cora stands up from her seat and approaches the second table where Troy and I are seated. “Natalie.” Cora smiles, “It’s time for you to take your place at the first table.”
“What about Arielle?” I ask.
My attitude has been to stay clear of Arielle unless I have to fight. And sitting at the first table is placing me in the line of fire.
Cora presses her lips together. “Arielle has lost her place, and we all know why.”
Troy stands up. “We’ve been exiled long enough.” Troy holds out his hand. “It’s time for our chosen queen to take her place at her table.”
Jacob’s also late for lunch, having to speak to his coach about something important. Slowly, the other seniors are trickling into the cafeteria. The weather is warm, so many people are opting to take their lunch outside. Regardless, many people watch as I take Troy’s hand, and he walks me over to the first table. The boy I hated the most now welcomes me into a world of privilege I never knew existed until they tried to keep me out. Troy pulls out my chair, and I sit down. I can’t pry the smile off my face. Not only am I accepted, but I’m the new queen of Montlake.
Lexi takes a selfie with Cora and me as we smile at the camera. I must be crazy. These girls hated me, and now, we’re the best of friends. I look to Troy for reassurance, and he sits down beside me while Lucas wisely sits across from me.
“Natalie,” says Cora, “Lexi has something to say to you.”
Lexi pushes her dark hair off her cheek and gives me a look of such sincerity that I have to believe whatever she says. “Natalie. I’m so sorry. But well, you know it was hard to do anything else. But that’s all changed now. Hasn’t it?”
She looks at me expectantly, and I decide to grab the olive branch. Whereas Arielle believed she needed no one, I know that I need all the help I can get.
“It’s cool, Lexi, don’t think about it,” I reply. “In fact, Cora, I think Lexi should be your maid of honor.”
The girls squeal so loudly that Lucas and Troy cover their ears and frown in pain. They hug each other, and joy is plastered on their pretty faces.
“Natalie,” gushes Cora, “I was going to ask you if you minded, but I was afraid that you’d be upset.”
I shake my head. It’s obvious that they’re twins from different mothers. “All I want is to be in the bridal party,” I reply, “and to wear a fab dress.”
“You got it,” replies Lexi. “Arielle would never ...”
Her voice trails off as she watches the doorway into the cafeteria. Arielle walks in with her nose in the air like she still owns us, and it’s amazing. Is she so far out of the loop? She barely acknowledges us as she drops her bag loudly on the corner of the first table and heads off to buy her lunch.
Beth pauses to watch as she carries her lunch toward the second table. I’m not kicking my first friend at Montlake to the curb now that I’m on top looking down.
“Beth,” I call her over. “Grab a chair.”
Lucas jumps up. “Take my seat.” He carries a chair over for himself and sticks it at the end. The admins frown upon having more than six chairs at a table, but it’s doubtful anyone is going to tell Lucas to move today.
“This ought to be good,” Beth mumbles as Arielle comes back to the table with her lunch.
Arielle places her sandwich down on her bag. She folds her arms over her chest and waits, but I say nothing. I wait for her to throw the first hateful stone.
“You don’t belong here,” she says
I shake my head. “Times have changed. People have changed. Our lives are about to change.”
“How dare you bring your trash to my table?” She glares at Lucas and then me. “Leave, or I will make you leave.”
“There’s a spot for you over there,” Cora gestures over her shoulder without looking. “Next to your new boyfriend.”
Arielle freezes as her face loses color. How could she not know? Or did she not care? Did Arielle think she could challenge the code? Anthony didn’t value her enough to keep his mouth shut, and today, she’s an outcast for not valuing her reputation over a cheap win.
Arielle tosses her hair and starts again. “Get up, Trashalicious. I won’t tell you again.”
I say not a word. I pick up Arielle’s bag and pass it to Cora. Cora passes it over her shoulder to the next table. Mancuso grabs it and passes it to a kid at the next table. Soon, Arielle’s bag is being passed across the cafeteria from hand to hand, from kid to kid, in silence until it reaches Anthony’s table in the back.
With a loud plop, her leather tote bag lands in front of him.
Anthony looks up. I hold my breath, wondering whether he’ll take the high road or the low. It’s not clear what path he’ll decide to take, because Anthony just grabs his stuff and heads out the back door of the cafeteria.
“I’m done with this crap!” he stands up and shouts. “Good riddance, losers. Get your shit online. I’m out.” He swings the exit door open with a loud bang and disappears. Arielle is left on her own.
She takes a step away from the table as murmurs start to build, and soon the soft noise transforms into bursts of random laughter. Arielle descends from the queen into a cautionary tale as the chatter increases, punctuated with more laughter.
I hear a word that I was called too often before—slut.
Arielle’s lips tremble as she hurries to retrieve her bag from the last table. She looks down as she moves quickly, and the name calling starts. Hateful words. Words I don’t like to hear. Words that demean a woman because she’s too forward, too physical, or because she enjoys pleasure too much.
“Slut!” a voice shouts and then another until a low chant starts to build. Tears on her face, Arielle grabs her bag and throws the exit door open as she flees the cafeteria. The chanting continues, and a scorching flame rises in my throat.
“Enough!” I shout and point my index finger at each one of those jeering faces. “I don’t want to hear that word again.”
There’s silence as they all look at me. The same kids that tormented me last September. I’m not hearing it again. If I’m the queen of Montlake, then I won’t listen to it. I’m not letting them think that bullying is okay.
The breath leaves me as I slump down into my chair, and this isn’t what I want. I don’t feel comfortable. No matter how awful Arielle was to me. I think about Lucas’ words when he compared me to Arielle. I look at him, and he’s watching me with concern, and when my bottom lip trembles, he hurries over to me.
“It’s okay, Natalie,” he says.
“It’s too close. It’s like I’m living it again. Arielle did many horrible things, but watching that? I know how it hurts.”
Lucas’ expression is hard and unforgiving. “You think she’s an innocent?”
“No,” I place my hand on his cheek. “She played with fire, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel pain when she’s burned.”
“You’re a decent person, Natalie,” says Beth. “Try not to change like that ho did.”
I scowl at Beth’s tart tongue. I sta
nd up, and Lucas stands beside me. “I feel I should say something to her,” I explain, “before it goes too far.”
Lucas shakes his head, but it’s Beth who speaks up. “Natalie, Arielle is a caged tiger. No matter how hurt she may seem, she will pounce on you the minute you open that door.”
“She’s right,” adds Cora. “Arielle would never have said anything to help you out. I’m not saying that’s the reason why you shouldn’t. But she won’t appreciate the kind gesture.”