Chapter Six #3
Immediately, I dial Aadi’s number and hit the option to video call.
A message pops up on the screen telling me that ‘this feature is unavailable on this device’.
What the fuck? I quickly go to the settings and check everything is enabled.
It is. Why can’t I video call? I’m allowed to speak to, but not see my family?
I want to hurl the phone at the wall but I don’t.
It’s a precious commodity and I know it won’t be replaced if I lash out in a fit of anger.
Instead, I take a deep breath and dial the house phone.
I stay on the phone as long as I possibly can.
I speak to dad and Chelsea, Aadi and Smalls.
There’s no one else I want to call after all, and when we hang up, I allow a tear or two to fall.
I miss them all so much. I want to go home.
From what Sawyer was saying on Friday, I’m nowhere near as bad as the other kids in this place.
I don’t deserve to be here. I wonder if the incubator pulled strings with the courts to get me sent here. I’m not that bad a kid.
“Amelie? The car is here.” Monty’s voice calls up to me some time later. I didn’t bother exploring. I didn’t even check out my room. I just threw a few clothes from the closet into my bag.
“Coming,” I call back. I quickly check my reflection. Happy that they won’t be able to tell I’ve been upset, I head downstairs, the phone stashed safely in the bottom of my bag on silent, the decoy in my hands, already turned off like a good little daughter.
When I get to the bottom of the stairs I put the phone away, and then the dining room door opens and they all traipse out to stare at me. Fucking weird, if you ask me.
“Where’s the phone, Amelie?” The incubator narrows her eyes at me, suspiciously.
“Back in the drawer, like Monty said.”
She marches over to check it and I feel my cheeks flame as the twins smirk at me. I catch Kalen’s eye and he’s gazing at me with pity. It makes my blood boil so I flip him off whilst the parentals aren’t looking. He chuckles softly, which just makes me angrier.
“Okay. You may go. We will see you on Tuesday for your birthday meal,” the incubator reminds me.
As if I could forget. It’s my birthday - my eighteenth no less - but do I get to celebrate it how I want?
Hell no, I have to bow down to the controlling whims of this bitch. I grind my teeth and nod once.
I turn for the door and she gives a sharp tut which makes me pause.
“Amelie. Aren’t you forgetting something?” she hisses.
Huh? Is she expecting me to kiss her or hug her or something? Cause there’s no fucking way that’s happening...ever.
“Thank Monty for having you,” she insists. My whole body ignites with embarrassment and shame. I’m a guest. I’m not part of the family at all, am I?
“Really, honey, that’s not necessary. It was a pleasure to meet Amelie outside of school. I look forward to Tuesday.” He smiles so graciously at me that I have no choice but to mumble a hasty “thank you” or risk looking like a spoilt brat.
“We’ll see Amelie out to the car,” Slate declares, to my shock and horror. It’s the first time he’s spoken all night and it fills me with dread. This can’t be good.
“Lovely, boys!” The incubator beams like a fool and her and Monty disappear into the house like a pair of young teenagers who can’t keep their hands off one another. I make a gagging sound.
“It’s gross isn’t it?” Kalen agrees, catching my eye and giving me a small smile.
“Shut the fuck up, Kalen!” Onyx barks. “Don’t fucking talk to her. She’s the goddamn enemy.”
He throws me a look of such loathing, I actually take a step backwards. What is his problem? I start to gear myself up for a fight but the twins seize an arm each and begin to drag me from the house.
“Hey! Get off me! Kalen? Why are you letting them do this?” I cry.
“Shut up, whore! Don’t you dare speak to our brother.
He’s too nice for his own good. Let’s get one thing straight: you’re not fucking welcome here.
You need to fuck off back wherever you came from, and if you can take your slut of a mother with you, well, we might just let you both leave in one piece. ”
Shock fills me. I knew Onyx, and to a lesser extent Slate, didn’t like me, but this level of hostility is completely unfounded. I’m being threatened - I get that, and I’m pretty sure they mean it - but could my life actually be in danger here?
As always, when threatened and backed into a corner, I do the one thing I shouldn’t: I mouth off.
“You don’t scare me! What are you going to do, perfect little prefects?” I spit. “You don’t know shit about me, about what I’ve done or what I’m capable of. You pampered little rich boys don’t scare me! I dealt with worse in first grade!”
With that, I shrug them off and let myself into the back of the car.
“Everything ok, Miss Rossi?” My driver asks as I sit and seethe.
“Just fine. Let’s go,” I tell him.
It takes me about ten minutes to calm down enough to remember the phone in the bottom of my bag.
Result! It was surprisingly easy to swap out and lift.
Whilst I was in the house I didn’t allow myself to check my messages, choosing instead to focus on phoning family whilst I could.
If I got busted, I didn’t want to have wasted my screen time flirting with Sawyer.
Now though?
I have nothing better to do.
I sit back in the plush leather seat and hit the messages icon, getting comfy. I grain when I see three messages from an unknown number.
Unknown number
Hey, it’s Sawyer here. Just wanted to say I had a great time tonight. Can’t wait to see you again.
Unknown number
Hey Amelie, Sawyer here. Just checking you got my text.
Unknown number
Hope to hear from you soon.
The last message was sent less than an hour ago. I smile and rattle off my reply.
Amelie
Hey Sawyer, just got your messages. I misplaced my phone and only just found it. I had a great time Friday and would love to see you again. When’s good? How’s your weekend been? I’ve been thinking of that kiss...
I grin when the ticks light up to say the message has been sent, received and read.
The flashing ellipsis that tells me he’s already responding has me sitting back in my seat and smiling.
For the first time since last Friday, I actually feel happy.
I like the way he makes me feel; it’s not an act.
I really did have a good time on Friday, and I have been thinking about that kiss.
I’d love to see him again before the cat’s out of the bag, but I don't fancy my chances of sneaking off campus tomorrow.
Instead, I settle for texting back and forth, our messages gradually becoming more and more flirty and downright suggestive.
I know I need as much hard evidence to nail him with as possible, but for tonight, I just allow myself to enjoy his messages and his interest. I love that he’s so into me, that he doesn’t play games and that he’s not afraid to let me know just how much he wants me.
It feels good, homesick and a long way from home, to be wanted by someone.
Tonight, I allow myself to live the fantasy. I can remind myself that it’s all a game, tomorrow.