SCARLETT
“You stupid ungrateful little bitch,” yells my mom as her hand slaps across my face, the force of the blow causing my head to snap back barely missing the wall behind me. My vision blurs as the sting causes water to pool in my eyes. I will not cry because of her. I bring my hand up to my cheek and feel the burning heat.
“You’re weak just like him. I knew you would be. A constant reminder of the mistakes I’ve made. I should have never had you. I should have listened to him, ended you when I had the chance. You’re not an asset, you’re a burden. I can’t wait till I can get rid of you.” She slams the door of my room as she storms out. A few moments later I hear another door slam and I know she’s gone for the night. Jade creeps back around from behind the dresser. I turn to her and see her eyes looking to the ground, almost sorry for me. That’s until she remembers it was her face last night that took my mom’s rage. It’s been four months since Chaz got arrested and my mom’s been sober all of three days. Tonight, it was the fact that I didn’t want to eat the rotting leftovers from three nights ago. Which made me ungrateful. Of course, she’s a wonderful mom, drunk all day, gone all night. At least the less I see of her, the less chances she has of beating me. I turn back around to Jade as she sits back on her bed, putting her earplugs on and lays down closing her eyes.
“One day, Scar, we’ll be free of this hell. I promise,” she says, and for a second, I almost believe her.
I wake up startled and sweating, from the dream I was reliving. I would call it a nightmare but it’s just a reminder of the shitty childhood I had. I think back to the dream and the words she spewed at me. You’re weak just like him. I knew you would be. A constant reminder of the mistakes I’ve made. I should have never had you. I should have listened to him. You’re not an asset, you’re a burden. I can’t wait till I can get rid of you. She never spoke to me about my birth father. Said he was a one-night stand, that he didn’t even know she’d gotten pregnant. Not that he’d care; apparently, he was a low life drug dealer she’d met at a college bar. She was underage of course, so she didn’t have enough cash for whatever her drug of choice was that night, so she used another form of payment. And that’s how I was conceived. In the back alley of a dirty bar, likely as a payment for a line of coke. Yet I was ungrateful. Some life I was brought into. But the one question I can’t answer is, if he didn’t know of my existence, then who told her not to have me?
I get out of bed and wander out to the living room where Stella is opening some styrofoam boxes in the kitchen. The sweet smell of syrup and bacon envelops the room.
“What smells so good?” I ask as I sit on one of the chairs in the small eating area.
“I ordered breakfast from Scottie’s, the diner downtown,” she says as Jade and Ruby emerge from their rooms.
“Pancakes, bacon and eggs,” she says. “And of course, hash browns for Jade.” Jade is obsessed with potatoes. She’ll eat them in any form: fried, baked, mashed, tots.
“What’s the occasion, Silver?” I ask, reaching for one of the boxes.
“Well, tonight’s the masquerade ball and I know it may seem dumb to you guys, but it’s always been my favorite event. This and the Snowflake Ball on New Year’s Eve.”
“There’s another one?” asks Jade as she swipes bacon from the plate.
“Yes, that one’s also hosted by the Servites but it’s so beautiful. My mom loved going. It was one of the only times I saw her happy. We’d order breakfast from Scottie’s and spend all day getting ready. We always had matching gowns and masks.” She swallows as her voice starts to crack, her eyes getting glossy. “Anyways, it’s dumb, I know.”
“Don’t, Stella. Don’t ever belittle what makes you happy. It’s what makes you so amazing. The little things that make you smile. Hold on tight to whatever good memories you have of her.”
“Thanks, Scarlett. Let’s eat. I have a full day of pampering planned for y’all.”
And she wasn’t kidding. She hired a full team of certified beauticians to help us get ready for the evening. A hairdresser, makeup artist, masseuse, a spa technician - the whole team. I’d never felt so taken care of. After hours of massages, facials, baths, and body hair removal, and I mean all body hair removal, we’re ready to get dressed. I walk over to the front door when I hear a loud knock. Opening it, I find a small gift box on the floor with no name. I turn down the hall but there is nobody in sight. I take the box into my room and place it on my bed as I get ready.
The makeup artist and I agreed on a more natural bronzed look to match my dress for tonight paired with a bold lip color. My hair is now a mess of black curls loosely put together on my head with a few tendrils framing my face. I slip into my gold sequined gown as Jade comes up behind me to zip me up. The straps are thin and delicate, and the neckline dips low between my breasts, which means no bra necessary. The back is low and forms a deep V stopping right above my ass. All my tattoos are visible which is the only reason the girl in the mirror in front of me still slightly resembles me.
“Scarlett, you look amazing,” says Jade as she places her hands on my shoulders bringing her face to my cheek.
“I don’t look like myself,” I reply staring at the stranger’s reflection in the mirror. I look like her. My mother. I quickly look away, turning to look at Jade who stands behind me. Her blonde hair is in a high sleek ponytail, her makeup a dark smokey eyeshadow with a light pink gloss on her lips. Her dress is a metallic, dark teal color, with thin straps and a mermaid like shape. She looks incredible, her eyes matching the color of the dress. “You look beautiful. Who would have thought we would ever wear such expensive, elegant dresses, regardless of the occasion?”
She laughs as I get a gut-wrenching feeling in my stomach. I debate telling Jade about what Agent Servite has planned but decide the best way to make sure his plan goes accordingly, is to keep it to myself.
“Now all we need are our masks,” she says turning toward my bed where the black masks I bought for Drake and I lay.
She picks up the box I had forgotten about and turns toward me.
“What’s this?” she asks.
“I’m not sure. I found it outside the front door earlier today. It has no name on it. I brought it in to open, but with everything, I forgot.” At that she smiles wide and lifts open the lid. I walk over to her as she grabs a note from inside. As she reads the note, I look inside to find the most beautiful mask I’ve ever seen.
“A mask spun of gold fit for an angel. I’m the devil seeking a semblance of peace amidst this hell, but you, my angel, are the chaos I crave.”
I pull out the golden mask made to look like tangled branches intertwined with red crystals.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper softly.
“Who is this from?” she asks, turning the card over to look for a name.
“Ace,” I whisper. He must have seen me buy the gold dress from the shop.
We hear a knock on the door as Stella waltzes in unrecognizable. She’s wearing the silver off the shoulder, beaded gown with small crystals embedded in the skirt we picked out for her. Her dark strawberry blonde hair is in loose curls falling upon her shoulders. Her makeup is a mixture of lilac and plum colors that make her gray eyes sparkle.
“Hot damn, Stella Silver, you’re a total babe,” says Jade whistling, causing Stella to lower her head, a pink flush appearing on her cheeks. “Don’t hide away like that, Stella, embrace it. You’re hot, you’re beautiful, flaunt it.”
“You girls look incredible, the Horsemen are going to lose it,” Stella exclaims, looking back up at us. “I’m so excited,” she adds.
I laugh at her excitement and as we are about to head out to the living room to meet Ruby, Jade grabs my arms pulling me back.
“Are we going to ignore the fact that your Horseman sent you that mask?”
“Yes,” I reply. “I already have a mask.” I hold up the two black masks, while Jade walks back over to my bed and picks up the
gold mask bringing it over.
“You need to wear this one. It’s beautiful, Scar,” she says handing it to me.
“No, he shouldn’t have sent it to me.”
“Oh come on, Scar, give it up already. He and you are gonna happen, you need to stop fighting it. I’ve never seen you react to a guy like this before. I can see it when he’s around. You like him, he likes you. It’s why you are always fighting each other. You’re fighting the intense chemistry, the tension between you two.”
I stand, surprised, shocked at her words.
“How can you say that? Things are complicated. I mean everything with Drake. He and I, we’re taking a break but, Drake is…”
“Your best friend. Of course he and you have a connection. He’s the only guy you’ve ever been with. But you two are explosive together. Two rotten apples cut from the same tree.”
“And you don’t think Ace is toxic?” I sneer.
“Scar, just wear the mask. Drake doesn’t even know which one you bought.”
“What’s taking you two so long?” asks Stella, coming back to the room.
“Nothing,” says Jade, grabbing one of the black masks from my hand and throwing it on my bed.
“Scar’s just grabbing this gold mask I ended up getting her.”
“Wow that’s beautiful, Scar,” says Stella, looking at the mask in my hand.
“Let’s just go,” I say before walking out.
As we step into the living room, I spot Ruby checking herself out in the mirror by the door. She, of course, looks like a supermodel in the black, skintight dress I picked out for her. Her hourglass figure on full display, and a high slit on the right side exposes her long-tanned leg. Her dark hair is sleek and straight falling down her back, and her makeup a classic old Hollywood look with a cat-eye liner and bright red lips.
“Damn, Dragon, you look hot as fuck,” says Jade, smacking her on the ass.
“You sound surprised?” says Ruby.
“Just surprised you managed to keep it classy.”
Ruby rolls her eyes and heads for the door.
We meet up with the guys at the front of the girls’ house and find a limo that Stella has gotten us for the night. She says there is only one way to arrive to a party at Servite Manor, and a limo is the way. Although Drake and I have agreed to take put a pause on our relationship, we felt it unnecessary to cancel our plans of going together tonight. I mean we’re all friends, right?
We all pack into the limo where we find bottles of complementary champagne, which of course we drink. It’s about a twenty-minute drive up an inclined slope to Servite Manor. According to Stella, the three-story mansion was built in the early 1800s on ten acres of land at the top of the highest peak of Hillcrest Hills. It’s surrounded by endless steel gates and tall pine trees making it look like an enchanted forest. We arrive at a large steel gate following a long winding driveway. The house looks like a haunted castle, a dark gray exterior with black trim.
We step out of the limo and stand in the middle of the large circular driveway at the front of the house. Drake grabs my hand bringing it up to his mouth and places a chaste kiss upon it.
“You ready for this, Scar?” he asks as I turn to him.
I look into his eyes but am unable to read what he’s thinking. I turn back toward the house in front of us, a shiver running through me.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
We follow a group of people down the large, paved walkway and out to the back of the mansion where the night’s festivities are being held. The sun is setting and low, cascading down the hill the estate lies on. The yard of the house is extensive, reaching out for miles in all directions. In the middle is a large courtyard surrounding a pool and outdoor fireplace.
We spend all of five minutes roaming the yard without being interrupted until we’re spotted by a few kids from school. Leighton, the girl who showed us around on our first day, comes over with a few of the junior girls from our dorm. They are all dressed in beautiful gowns and wear an assortment of masks.
“You guys look great. I honestly was skeptical. Didn’t think you could afford any dresses like these,” says Leighton, hiding behind a bright blue and white mask.
“All thanks to our student accounts,” answers Ruby.
“Huh, didn’t think that was part of the program,” says one of the other girls, Casey.
“It’s a scholarship program, Casey. That usually comes with spending money,” answers Stella.
“Anyways, looks like you guys are managing. The Horsemen seemed to have gotten off your backs,” says Leigh, mockingly raising a brow.
“So, does that mean it’s okay to talk to us now that your kings have deemed us irrelevant?” I ask.
“Chill out, Scarlett, I’m just making conversation. You don’t have to act like such a bitch,” she adds.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Leighton, I didn’t know insulting someone and calling them a bitch was a way to start a conversation around here,” snickers Jade.
“Whatever, Carrington and the girls are on their way, so I’d make myself scarce if I were you,” she adds.
“Fuck off, Leigh,” says Bass as he walks over to us. He’s dressed in a dark navy suit with a silver tie, his mask a dark slate color matching his eyes. He hovers over us, tall, broad, and authoritative. I look at him and his eyes are focused on Jade, and her curve-hugging dress. Under Jade’s teal and green peacock mask her green eyes look more an aquamarine color, like two precious jade stones. She gazes intently at him, a slight flush appearing on her skin, making me wonder what happened between these two.
“Bass, I didn’t see you there. Are the rest of the guys here?” asks Leigh, coyly.
“I said fuck off, Leighton. Don’t make me repeat myself,” she gasps, about to speak but shuts her mouth as he glares at her.
At this, Leighton, and the girls she is with retreat, leaving us with an unbothered Bass. Jax and Ruby walk off toward the open bar, while Kai rushes off after Casey, the redhead he was with the other night. I look over to Stella and she gives me a shy smile, but deep down I know it hurts her to see him go after her.
“What do you want, Sebastian?” asks Jade, using his full name.
“I gotta admit I like the way my name sounds coming from those luscious lips of yours.” A sly smile appears on his face as he steps in closer to her.
Jade stands her ground swallowing almost unnoticeably. She’s good at hiding how she feels, it’s how we were raised. Showing your feelings is a weakness that others can use to manipulate you. To hurt you. She learned early on, earlier than me, to hide her emotions. While I still convinced myself to try and save my mother time and time again, Jade gave up on her father from the beginning. She knew he was burdened with her when her Mom died when she was only two years old. The only hope Jade had was her brother, and he destroyed what was left the day he walked out on her, on us. I’m all she has left now.
“Yeah, I bet you’re gonna like the way they tell you to fuck off too,” she mocks, smiling flirtatiously at him.
“Sebastian, son, are you going to introduce me to your friends?” says a tall, dark-haired man appearing from behind Bass. And when I say man, I mean a flawlessly sculpted deity. He’s crazy tall, with broad shoulders just like Bass, his hair black, and his eyes the same dark slate. Dressed in a black and white tux he looks like royalty with a tall, model-like blonde dressed in a white sparkly dress on his arm, they’re the epitome of wealth and class. Bass frowns but makes no movement.
“They’re not my friends,” he snarls, walking away without a second glance.
The man and woman stand, continuing to stare at us. I’m about to turn and walk away when Stella steps up beside us.
“Uncle Stephan, Aunt Eliza, these are my friends, Scarlett Steele, Jade Wolfe, and Damon Drake,” she says, turning to us.
So, this is her aunt and uncle, Bass’s father and if I remember correctly, she’s Beckett’s mom, who looks more l
ike his older sister. Not wanting to be rude I extend a hand to Stephan Silver.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Silver, Mrs. Masters. Stella’s been such a great friend to us since we arrived. We’re grateful for her.”
“That’s Stella, dear, the sweetest angel,” Eliza Masters says in a soft English accent. I notice a genuine tone come from her as she looks adoringly to Stella, as does Mr. Silver.
“Of course, you are the children brought in on scholarship through the program Wesley Servite implemented into the Servite curriculum. I’m impressed to see you all so well adjusted,” he says, clearly looking us over. And now I see the same arrogant attitude of his son. Looking down on us as if we’re less than him. Not worthy of being here in his presence.
“Yes, everyone has been so kind,” says Jade mockingly as she twirls her hair around her finger.
“I hope my son Sebastian hasn’t given you all much trouble. He and his friends can be a tad territorial.”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” I reply.
“Yes, of course. Well, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I bet I’ll be seeing you all around again,” he says while looking directly at me.
I glare at him looking over to his wife as she tightens her grip on his arm. She smiles softly.
“Excuse us,” she says before they both walk away.
“Well that was awkward,” says Drake from behind me.
“Grab me a drink, will ya, Dragon,” I ask as I turn to him.
“I’ll be right back. Girls want anything?” he asks.
“Do you even have to ask,” answers Jade.
“Not for me, thanks. My uncle doesn’t like when I drink in his presence,” answers Stella.
“Lame,” shouts Jade. “I’ll go with ya, Dragon,” she says, walking off with Drake.
Stella and I walk over to a table to the right of the pool. The whole yard is set up with tall, circular cocktail tables surrounding the pool, a fire pit, and the gardens.
“So, that was your uncle,” I say when we arrive at the table.
The Four Horsemen : A Servite Academy For Troubled Teens Novel Page 21