Chapter 11 #3
I wasn’t the best with words. I preferred to listen because it was what I’d done all my life. In fact, when the court had ordered me to attend therapy, I’d ended up asking the therapist questions about her life. Even found out her husband was cheating.
Her smile was genuine. “Thanks, Blair.”
“Is that why Enzo said the Brooks comment to you?”
“One of them, but there are several reasons I hate the fakest man in the country.”
“How are you still friends with Adelina?” I hoped my question didn’t come off too strong.
“It obviously put a strain on our relationship, but our moms had been best friends since they’d attended Saint Vale.
My mom divorced my father after he went to prison, removed him from our lives, and life went on.
My mother is a royal, so her position offered us protection from complete social isolation. ”
“A royal?”
“She’s the princess of Calira.”
Since I wasn’t that great with geography, I made a note to look up that country. “That means you’re a princess.”
“Yes, but I only mention that to my grandparents when I want a new handbag. Otherwise, it feels … weird.”
“Whoa, I’ve never been in the presence of royalty.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “It’s not as luxurious as it seems.”
“Where’s your father now?”
“A maximum-security federal prison in Arizona.”
“Do you ever see him?”
“I’m not allowed to.” Her face was unreadable, completely blank, so I couldn’t tell if that affected her.
I felt that same pain, though. Deep down, I hated my father. Like hers, mine was harmful, a danger to society, while also influential in a completely different way. Those kinds of men left too much wreckage behind to ever clean up.
We pulled away at the knock on the door.
Daphne cleared her throat and smoothed a wrinkle from her Versace pajamas. “My guess is, that’s for you.”
I slipped off the bed, whispering, “Please don’t be Enzo,” and crossed my fingers on my walk to the door.
I wished the door had a peephole as I swung the door open and stumbled back a step. My head throbbed, as I already knew that whatever was about to happen might be worse than Enzo’s version of waterboarding.
“Blair, come with me,” Headmaster Arisono said, wearing another one of her pantsuits. This one was blue.
I peered over my shoulder at Daphne, who was now perched on the edge of her bed, trying to see who was there.
Arisono, I tried to mouth without her noticing.
She most definitely did, though.
Daphne pressed both hands to her cheeks, mouthing back, What the actual fuck?
I gulped, feeling spit slide down my throat. “Let me grab my shoes.”
She nodded.
I grabbed my loafers, shot Daphne one more hysterical look, and followed Arisono into the hallway.
“Are we going outside?” I asked, unable to stop the question.
She stared at me as if I’d sprouted two extra heads. “Absolutely not. You’re not allowed out after curfew.”
Why did she act so shocked?
She had seen me come in soaking wet with Enzo.
It proved that her concern for her students was very limited.
As genuine as mine was over which color mac and cheese was best.
My hand smoothed over the banister as we walked downstairs, through the vestibule, and to an open door. She motioned for me to go inside, and I peeked in before entering.
She shut the door, trapping me in with her.
“I warned you about my three strikes policy.” Her voice was surprisingly neutral as she positioned herself behind the desk.
“I know, and I’m so sorry,” I replied. “It won’t happen again. I promise.”
She looked like she believed me as much as one would believe Enzo was on track to enter the pearly gates of heaven.
The headmaster was smart. She knew I wasn’t some out-of-control student. She also knew that Enzo was tormenting me. I was positive she knew Enzo had taken me outside and was waiting for me to come back inside.
Her role was supposed to protect her students, not aid in their suffering. But alas, my stepfather had enrolled me in the school from hell.
“Do you want to be expelled?” she asked.
“No,” I rushed out, though secretly hoping she would.
She clasped her hands in front of her. “Let me remind you again, then. I expect you to follow the university’s rules. No going out after curfew.”
I bowed my head. “Yes, ma’am.”
She flinched, as if I’d called her old to her face.
“One more strike, Blair.”
“One more strike won’t happen. I swear it.”
One more strike.
Two down, all because of Enzo.
“You are free to leave now.” As if she was still pissed about my strikes and my calling her ma’am, she dismissively waved her hand through the air.
She didn’t need to tell me twice. I fled the office and hurried back to my dorm.
Though I was confused about our conversation.
Does she want me to obey Enzo, or does she want me to stay away from him?
“Told you late-night Arisono visits are never good,” Daphne said on my second return to our dorm that night.
Both times, I had been just as freaked out.
She was now cleansing the room with sage.
“What’s her deal?” I asked, changing my socks.
Impeccably clean floors or not, I wasn’t about to dirty up my bed with them on.
“She’s a hypocrite. I’ve known her since I was ten.
Our moms were in the same class and Fawns together.
” She blew air through her lips. “I haven’t been a fan since she told my mother to throw out all my Barbies since they were against feminism.
I looked her straight in the eye and told her she could drag Skipper and Ballerina Barbie out of my cold, dead hands. ”
Daphne rested the sage on an ashtray and pulled out a bag of Cheetos from her drawer stash.
“Anyway, you look like hell, and we need to sleep. And please, I beg you, pray for no more unwanted guests. I’m waiting for the damn bogeyman to come next.
” She ate a Cheeto and licked cheese residue off her fingers.
“If someone does come, they’d better have more snacks. ”
I frowned with apology. “I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be, babe.” She ate another Cheeto and swallowed it down.
“This place is dull, and the entertainment you’re providing is nice.
That’s probably where my issues stem from.
” She offered me a Cheeto. “I’m glad you’re here, and I will help in any way I can.
Just do as I say, and we’ll survive the wrath of Enzo. ”
I swiped a Cheeto from her bag, and we tapped them together, like a secret cheesy handshake. “Good night. See you in the morning.”
“See you in the morning,” she sang out.
As I got into bed, I pulled the flimsy, ripped curtain shut. I kept the chandelier illuminated above me while staring out the window, expecting to see a neon mask.
When I didn’t, I collapsed on my back, having no idea what tomorrow would bring.
Because now, I was officially a Fawn.