Jealousy

Chapter 1

1

ZORA

“ T his was a mistake.”

The chilling urge to turn around and not look back sends a quiver up my spine, yet my feet remain firmly planted on the ground. The grand white pillars of the palatial manor feel as if they’re mocking me, telling me I don’t belong here.

When we’d made it past the wrought iron gates of this estate and farther up the hill, I found myself staring at the stately red French doors adorned by a lion’s head brass knocker. Intimidating was too tame a word for how I felt at that moment.

Noble Hills is a gated community where all the rich kids who’d made the last four years of my high school existence, miserable. The streets are lined with million-dollar homes and expensive foreign cars. Each jade lawn is well manicured without a blade of grass out of place. These are the kind of houses you buy when you hit the lottery and yet they all pale in comparison to this house on the hill which everyone refers to as Champion Manor.

It's twice the size of every house in this subdivision, large, white, and pristine. This is where all the good parties had been thrown, where the towns’ social elite come to schmooze. Even state politicians come by for events to be seen and receive donations for their latest campaigns.

B ut this is also the home of Jackson Champion. The demon spawn who has made my life a living hell. The fact that I even came here is a testament to my stupidity. But a promise is a promise.

I managed to avoid stepping foot on this property all my life, not that I had ever been invited before now.

I note a few people lingering on the wrap around porch with bright red cups in hand. I instantly recognize a few of them because we’d shared classes together but I wasn’t particularly close to any of them. At least they don’t belong to the group of my tormentors.

Still, the anxiety that has taken hold of me in its tight grip kept me paralyzed with an irrational fear I couldn’t quite explain. I only had to make it an hour and I could turn around and go home. What was the big deal? I’m 18. An adult. I can vote, sign my own legal documents and fight for my country if I’m so inclined. What’s one stupid party?

A thin, bangled arm links through mine, and my friend leans her head against my shoulder. She stares at me with bright hazel eyes and bats her enhanced lashes. “Zora, you promised me two hours. We can just mingle for a bit, chat with a few people, and maybe have a drink. Then we can go back to my house and stuff our faces with junk food and watch Rom Coms until we pass out.”

My best friend, Lea is one of the few people I would bend over backward for. But this was a big ask, even for her. “I have a suggestion, why don’t we skip this and do exactly that. I’d much rather be at your place than this den of iniquity.”

Lea giggled. “You sound like one of those judgmental church ladies. Come on, hon. It’s graduation night and this may be the last time we see some of these people. Besides, your Dad was happy when I told him that you would be coming to the graduation party. He wants you to have fun. You don’t want to disappoint him do you?”

I pulled myself out of her hold and narrowed my eyes. “That’s low.” She knew my dad was my soft spot. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a Daddy’s Girl but my Dad possesses the biggest, kindest heart of anyone I know. He works his fingers to the bone to provide for me and my ungrateful brother without complaint and wants nothing more than to see us happy.

When I wasn’t at school, I often helped him at the local diner that he and my mom used to own together. That place was like a second home to me, but my dad insisted that I hang out with my friends and have a normal life like my brother did.

But I preferred helping him out at the diner. So when my big mouth friend told him that we’d be attending the senior gradation party held at Champion Manor he’d beamed from ear to ear.

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I’d rather swallow glass than step foot on this property, yet here I was because of the machinations of Lea and my fear of disappointing my Dad.

Lea held her palms to the sky with a nonchalant shrug. “You’ve managed to avoid nearly every single party since we started high school. And you already promised me you’d come with me.”

“I only promised you because you didn’t tell me what I was agreeing to first and then when you told my Dad about it, I really wish I would have strangled you.”

“But this is supposed to be the party of all parties. Every graduating senior has been invited unlike some of the other exclusive events where only the popular people went. We hear about Champion Manor in the local news. Aren’t you dying to see what it looks like on the inside?”

I rolled my eyes. “Not particularly.”

How big did these people’s egos have to be that it wasn’t enough that the town we lived in was named Champion after one of their descendants, but they needed to stamp their names on their estate as well.

Lea pouted, her signature move when she didn’t get her way. Sometimes I found it charming but at the moment, it annoyed me. “But I heard Mrs. Champion has flown in some top chefs from all over the country to cater this event. And they’ve hired The Heartbeats to play. The frickin’ Heartbeats. I’ve loved that band since I was a kid. I didn’t want to come alone. Don’t be mad at me.”

“You have more friends than I do, you could have attended this function with any number of them.”

“But you’re my best friend. I wouldn’t want to share this night with anyone but you.”

The truth is, Lea is my only friend. Sure I have a handful of acquaintances that I casually exchange small talk with in the hallways at school, but none of them are people I’m particularly close to. Lea is my ride and die and the only one who stands up for me whenever I fall prey to The Clique .

It’s one of the only reasons I haven’t cussed her out for bringing me here.

I release a heavy sigh. I don’t even know why I was arguing with her. She knew I’d give in. Besides, I survived four years of high school with these numb nuts, what’s one more hour?

In a house this big I’m sure I can find some lonely corner to hang out in for an hour while Lea socializes and lives out her teenage fantasy through the music of her favorite band. “Fine, but you owe me big time. And when I text you it’s time to go, I don’t want to hear any arguments.”

Lea jumps up and down before engulfing me into her arms. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let’s get this over with.” I reluctantly follow her as she pulls me up the driveway.

As we get closer to the entrance, I hear the vibrating thump of the music, a fusion of rock and hip-hop. I’m not sure why my hands started shaking but once they started, they wouldn’t stop.

The partygoers, two guys and three girls, hanging on the porch as we approached glanced our way and before continuing their conversation. One of the boys nodded his head in Lea’s direction but my friend is laser focused on the entrance.

The door is slightly ajar which I guess meant that we could go inside. We’d already showed our student IDs to get into the party to prove that we were graduating seniors so I guess no doorman was needed. I almost expected one with a fancy place like this.

Once inside, I couldn’t hold back the gasp that tumbled from my lips. This was not a house. This was a museum. From the beige marble floor, the double spiral staircases and pristine white walls lined with high end art, I was almost afraid to breath in this place from fear of messing something up.

There were kids in the foyer, engrossed in conversation, laughing and drinking without a care in the world as if tomorrow didn’t matter. And why should they worry. Tonight was supposed to be a night of celebration and joy for accomplishing the feat of surviving four torturous years of High School. There was no need to think about the future, college, and eventually getting jobs. Most of us were legal adults but for one more night we were still kids.

I wish I could feel the apparent happiness everyone surrounding seems to have but I can’t shake the unease of being in enemy territory.

“This place looks like it’s straight out of a movie. The pictures in the newspaper didn’t do this place juice.” Lea glanced around the house with open-mouth awe. “O. M. G. Is that a giant ice sculpture of our school’s mascot?”

I look over to my left into what I assume is the living dining room which was the size of a banquet hall and sure enough there was a large ice Spartan. It was proudly displayed in the center with ice sword in hand that replicated the symbol of Roosevelt High.

Lea pulled me along until we were in the room and as I got closer, I could see that it was surrounded by a mountain of jumbo shrimp, lobster tail, cracked crab legs and various sauces. Along one wall was a carving station, manned by staff in crisp white chef’s uniforms. There had to be at least ten different kinds of meat. There was a different table for salads, desserts, pasta. There was even chefs making personal pizzas in a coal oven.

It was like standing in the middle of a food festival and it was apparent no expense had been spared.

To my embarrassment my stomach rumbled and I was thankful that the music was loud enough that no one could hear it.

“Wow, I’m impressed. It looks like the Champions went all out. Let’s check out all the rooms.”

“Of course they did,” I muttered not wanting to admit that I was also impressed by the layout.

Lea led me from room to room where each one seemed to have a different theme. There were carnival games in one where workers were giving out actual prizes. One of the rooms had karaoke and in the ballroom was where the band played. Several of my former classmates were drunkenly swaying on the dance floor.

We walked outside to see bikini and swimsuit clad bodies splashing in a fancy stone-lined pool. Attached to it was a man- made waterfall and a hot tub. On the deck was more food, a barbeque station.

This place was a walking dream. But still I couldn’t allow myself to relax.

Hans Rodgers a lanky blond kid from my physics class hopped in front of us with a red cup in hand. We were the type of casual acquaintances who said hello in the hallway and sometimes made small talk when no one else was around. I suspect he was only nice to me because he had a crush on my friend. And who could blame him. Lea was cute and petite with long brown hair and expressive hazel eyes and the smile so wide and bright one couldn’t help but smile back.

Along with her bubbly personality she was well-liked by most people at our school, even by some of The Clique members. It was hard to believe the two of us were best friends, but I was grateful to have her in my life.

“Hey Lea, you came! I didn’t think you’d make it.”

Lea grins, her face lighting up like Christmas tree lights. “I wouldn’t have missed this party for the world, especially after everyone hyping it up.”

Hans nods his head in my direction politely. “Hey, Zara.”

Despite having a handful of classes with him, he could never quite get my name right. But after tonight, I’d probably never see him again, so I don’t bother to correct him like I had on several previous occasions. “Hey,” I finally answer back, matching his low energy.

“Lea, do you want to shoot some pool with me in the game room?”

My friend gives me a pleading look and I can think of nothing I’d like less than to watch these two make googly eyes with each other over a pool table. But I don’t want to be a Debby Downer either. This is as much Lea’s graduation night as it is mine and she deserves to have some fun with her crush.

This place is big enough for me to find a spot that isn’t too rowdy and my chances of avoiding the host was good if I keep a low profile. “You go ahead, Lea. I’ll go check out the buffet.”

“You could come play with us,” Lea offered. “I promised to stay by your side tonight. That’s okay, right Hans?”

Hans rolls his eyes but quickly masks his annoyance. “Yeah, sure. She can join us.”

I was already disinterested in joining them but Hans’ obvious lack of enthusiasm seal it for me. “No really. I’m good. How about we meet out here in a couple hours. Have fun.”

“Are you sure?” Lea asked.

“I’m positive. I’ll text you if something comes up.”

Lea threw her arms around me for a quick hug. “You’re the best!”

She practically skipped as her and Hans went off together.

Left to my own devices, I wander around the house, wading through gregarious celebrants. I still can’t muster up any excitement. I should be happy. I’d graduated and I’m going off to college in a couple months. Yet I’m unable to shake the resentment and anger festering inside of me from these past four years.

Sure I could attribute most of my woes to Jackson Champion, the very devil himself. But it wasn’t just him, it had been his flying monkeys, most of the school had labeled The Clique. The beautiful people. The popular kids. Angels on the outside but demons on the inside.

And while they’d tormented me, most of the school watched or ignored my pain. If not for Lea and a few other kind spirits in the school, I’m not sure if I would have made it.

I take a deep breath. If I can just get through the next couple hours, I’ll never have to see most of these people again.

I head to the room with the food. I might as well partake in the spread. I can’t see myself participating in any other activities. I weave my way through the crowd with my eye on the dining area only to hit what feels like a huge wall.

I stumble backward and I was certain I was about to fall on my ass, but two muscular hands gripped my arms. Turns out, the wall is actually a body.

“Sorry,” I muttered as I attempt to pull away but the grip tightens.

“You need to watch where you’re going, hobbit.”

My heart seizes. That hauntingly deep voice…

I’m almost too scared to look up but I find myself craning my neck to meet the mocking gaze of the devil himself.

Jackson Champion.