Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
I wish I could say I was nervous about the confrontation that’s about to unfold in front of me, but it would be a lie.
If anything, I’m itching for it. For too long, my peers have spat at me, called me names, knocked me down, and there’s never been anything I could do to retaliate.
Because if I did, I would become exactly who they always claimed, despite being kicked first and beaten into the ground.
I’ve always had to watch my back before anyone tried to strike, because I wouldn’t be able to get even.
It’s been hovering over me for so long, but now they’ve messed with the wrong person. I’m not the one getting burned, Stacey is, and that’s not something I can stay quiet about.
I see a glimpse of her blonde hair at the corner of the room, sitting idly beside her mother and father. Like me, she never attends these meetings, but today is too valuable. It’s important to show them we’re not going to back down, not even when they are all against us.
Mayor Greenwood goes on and on about something going on at the local post office.
Then briefly discusses how the council is trying to negotiate with the foodbank in Oakson Lake to organize a charity event, and an echo of groans falls over the crowd.
My jaw clenches at the blatant disrespect.
The people here are all up for charity work unless it means having to fraternize with their supposed enemies.
Just another demonstration of poorly executed activism. They can all pretend they’re good people as much as they want, but the proof is in the pudding.
After the horrible display of classism, the mayor finishes up the rest of the meeting, going over anything else that probably doesn’t need nearly as much attention as people think it does.
When he closes the folder in front of him, I brace myself for impact.
“Does anyone have anything they want to add or discuss today?”
My father stands from his spot. “Yes, Richard. I do think there’s something that needs to be discussed. With your permission, I’d like to take the floor.”
His eyes narrow the tiniest bit at me, at my father, but ultimately nods, ever the diplomat. “What’s the problem, Frank?”
Stacey turns to look at us and catches my eye. I wink at her, filtering some ease into the tension I see in her features. She’s obviously scared, nervous about being in the spotlight in such a negative manner, but I’ll hold the confidence for both of us. I don’t mind it one bit.
My dad walks forward and I follow, standing in the broad aisleway so everyone can see us.
“As most of you are probably aware, there is a video circulating of my son and his girlfriend. Although it may not be considered explicit by law standards, it is still horrid that someone filmed them in an intimate setting and posted the video without their consent.” He grits out the words, the seriousness in his tone evident to everyone in the room.
They are all used to my father in the courtroom, but he is a jolly guy outside of his job, so they all stare at him in surprise and disgust.
“Regardless, I have a court order for Miss Price.” He holds up a folder and everyone collectively gasps like we’re in a soap opera.
“She must delete the video in forty-eight hours from the internet and all personal devices or she will be legally required to pay compensation to both individuals in the video.”
I didn’t miss how he diverted from using either of our names to give us privacy. My smile can’t be contained as I watch him, his chin lifted, his head held high. A chair skirts abruptly as someone stands up. “I’m not paying them a fucking cent!” Gabby announces, her face twisted in revulsion.
“Maybe they shouldn’t have been canoodling in public, Franklin,” Gabby’s mother says, a sneer curling at her lip.
“Yeah, exactly! It’s not like they were in a private bedroom. What I did was legal.”
“Unfortunately, that isn’t the case,” my father responds. “It was at a private gala. And considering the hosts of the gala are the parents of one of the individuals in the video, I’m guessing they would agree it should be extinguished.”
“Your assumption would be correct, Franklin.” I look across the room as Stacey’s father, Alfred, steps forward.
His wife is by his side, her lips pursed, but she doesn’t deny the statement.
Alfred adjusts his jacket and says, “We would politely ask the perpetrator to delete all evidence, or their family will no longer be invited to our events. That seems like a fair barter.”
Stacey stands by their side, surprise flickering over her features. “Dad—”
“You’re my daughter. No one is allowed to come into our event and harass you. No one.”
Even from here, I can see the gloss over her eyes. I want to run to her, comfort her, but I know this moment between them is needed. She is seeing her father in a whole new light, and it’s amazing to witness firsthand.
“This is ridiculous!” Gabby shrieks. “She shouldn’t get to win this! She cheated on her boyfriend with that!”
I only laugh as she points at me, my amusement causing her face to bloom even redder.
“Stacey and I were never good for each other,” Brent says in the crowd, standing in his spot. He looks at me, a small smile forming on his lips. “I didn’t treat her the way she deserved to be treated. I know Axl makes her happy, and that’s all that matters.”
Gabby squawks. “But she embarrassed you! She went behind your back with this FREAK!”
The word echoes across the hall, and everyone freezes.
Many individuals in this room have uttered that word toward me, toward my father who housed and fed me, but now in this shiny hall, the word seems to rumble with something unspoken.
Some kind of shame seeps into the room, the tension almost unbearable.
“My son is and always has been himself,” my father announces.
“I know you all have had your opinions over the years. Many times, you have all given me unsolicited advice on how I should raise him, on how to change him, but he does not need to be changed. He is amazing just the way he is, and that makes me so goddamn proud of him.”
Now it’s my turn to get bleary-eyed as I look upon the man who raised me. Who saved me from poverty and a life in the foster care system in Oakson, which I have heard is absolutely terrible. His hand goes to my shoulder, squeezing in solidarity.
“Hell yeah, Mr. Ritchie! You tell ‘em!” someone calls from the back, and I look to see Ledger sitting there with his mom, his smile huge as he throws the rock n’ roll symbol in the air.
His mother tries to hide behind one of her hands.
I crack out a laugh at him. I had no idea he was coming, but I should have known.
Not only is he supportive, but he loves to witness any kind of chaos.
Gabby looks like she is losing at all angles.
Many people in here probably agree with her, hold her same values, but too many people are standing up, fighting for justice in our case.
Besides, if someone can record us and get away with it, what makes anyone think it won’t be them next time?
Fear is a powerful motivator, and these people have a lot to lose when it comes to their reputations.
I’m sure there are a lot of people with secrets in this room.
“Gabby, just take the paper so we can go,” her father hisses at her.
“But… I didn’t do anything wrong!” She practically stomps her foot, and her parents look even more frustrated with all of the attention their daughter’s tantrum is getting.
“You are not spending a dime of your inheritance on this just because you can’t let it go,” her father mutters.
Her mother turns to my dad, embarrassment flooding over her cheeks as she accepts the folder on her daughter’s behalf. “Forty-eight hours, you said?”
He nods. “Yes, Doreen, or it’ll be legal compensation of one hundred thousand dollars. Each.”
Gabby lets out a sob at that, completely falling apart.
Doreen gulps. “Good. I will call you when we talk some sense into her.”
Except for Gabby’s wailing, silence falls over the room.
“Alright,” Mayor Greenwood says from the podium, his face a picture of absolute annoyance. “Since that is now cleared up, meeting adjourned.”
Everyone stands up, walking out and going about their day. Gabby’s parents escort her out, her cries echoing through the town hall as they go. I can’t help the triumphant feeling in my chest, and when I look at Stacey across the aisle, it grows even bigger.
She practically runs to me, not bothering to check who is watching or who might judge her, and jumps into my arms. The reality hits me that we don’t have to hide anymore.
Everyone knows about us, and whether or not they accept us doesn’t matter, because I have the prettiest girl in the world plastered against my body, placing kisses on my cheek as her arms wrap around my neck, and she is the only thing that matters in the entire world.
Stacey pulls back and beams, her smile lines prominent as her cheeks widen. “We did it.”
She looks so relieved, so joyful. I hold her close, kiss her forehead, let her white gardenia seep into my clothes that I will never wash out. “We did it.”